Welcome to New in Cruise, our bi-weekly update on all the latest happenings in the cruise sector. Here’s what’s been happening in the industry so far in March.
On Friday, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. named five new members to its Board of Directors as four current members step down. The news comes after activist investor Elliott Investment Management put pressure on the parent company of Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises to overhaul its board and improve its revenue management and corporate strategy.
When the board changes take effect on Tuesday, the new independent directors on the board will include:
- Alex Cruz, former chairman and CEO of British Airways
- Kevin A. Lansberry, former EVP and CFO of Disney Experiences
- Steve Pagliuca, former managing partner and co-chairman of Bain Capital
- Brian P. MacDonald, president and CEO of CDK Global, and
- Jonathan Z. Cohen, founder, CEO and president of Hepco Capital Management LLC.
Former Royal Caribbean CEO and president Adam Goldstein, who was rumored to be in the running for a board position, was not named. The board will now have nine members, including new NCLH president and CEO and board chairman, John W. Chidsey.
Departing board members include Stella David, David M. Abrams, Harry C. Curtis, and Mary E. Landry.
“We believe the experience and credibility of this newly appointed Board will help restore investor confidence and return the Company to best-in-class financial performance,” said Elliott Partner John Pike and Portfolio Manager Bobby Xu in a statement. “We are encouraged by our constructive engagement with John and we look forward to working with him and the rest of the Board as they drive the changes necessary to meaningfully improve operational execution and capitalize on the substantial opportunities at NCLH.”
During NCLH’s Q1 earnings call in early March, Chidsey outlined his three-step process for success. The first goal is to fix execution by “optimizing the organization and eliminating bureaucracy.” The second is to improve efficiency and ROI because the company “underinvested in technology, revenue management capabilities, and customer-facing systems.” The third is to improve revenue management, optimize itineraries and better monetize the company’s private destinations, such as Great Stirrup Cay.
Corporate restructuring was already underway at NCLH before Chidsey replaced Harry Sommer as CEO in mid-February. Mark Keslauskas was named president of Norwegian Cruise Line in December, and Jason Montague had previously stepped into the role of Chief Luxury Officer, overseeing Oceania and Regent. Chidsey is replacing other senior leaders as he reviews the company’s operations.
“We have put in place essentially an all-new leadership team in most of our critical functions with a skill set and experience level that is well suited for the work ahead,” he said during the earnings call.
With a new board, new leaders and a renewed mission, the NCLH team is bullish on the future.
“The good news is that we have the assets, we have the brands,” said Chidsey, “and we now have the right focus.”
In Case You Missed It…
New ships and launches
- Royal Caribbean announced the name of its next Icon Class ship. Hero of the Seas debuts in August 2027.
- Disney Cruise Line names its next Wish Class ship Disney Believe, which is scheduled to launch in late 2027.
- Viking has floated out Viking Libra, the first hydrogen-powered cruise ship, scheduled to debut in November 2026 in the Mediterranean.
- Sarah Little, ASTA’s senior vice president of business development, served as godmother at the christening of AmaWaterways’ newest river ship, AmaSofia.
- Charter-only Transcend Cruises has signed for two more new ships to grow its fleet to four by 2028.
Onboard Updates
- Uniworld releases the first renderings of its 2027 Super Ships, inspired by Audrey Hepburn and Marlene Dietrich.
- Princess Cruises will add four new North to Alaska experiences to its 2026 Alaska programming.
- Explora Journeys is launching a new wellness program focused on physical and mental vitality in collaboration with brand ambassador Jannik Sinner.
- MSC Cruises will redesign the Aqua Deck pool area and enhance the family-friendly Harbour area with a new Play Deck on its newest ships, MSC World Asia, debuting in December 2026.
- Victory Cruise Lines announced a $5 million fleet enhancement program during its ship’s 2026 layup.
- Margaritaville at Sea’s new ship Beachcomber will feature two ultra-exclusive Bridge Wing Suites when it debuts in 2027.
- MSC Cruises is upgrading MSC Poesia’s Aurea Spa and Gym by Technogym and expanding wellness offerings in time for the line’s maiden 2026 season in Alaska.
- Cunard has partnered with celebrity fashion stylist Micaela Erlanger to offer personal styling services to Princess and Queens Grill guests.
- Holland America has teamed up with Jefferson’s Bourbon and is adding barrels of bourbon to each ship to age at sea. Similarly, Azamara has partnered with Milam & Greene Whiskey, and a barrel of bourbon will age at sea aboard the line’s 2027 world cruise.
Itinerary Roundup
- Celestyal has canceled all April 2026 sailings on Celestyal Discovery and Celestyal Journey as it waits to safely reposition both ships out of the Arabian Gulf to Athens, Greece.
- MSC Cruises has swapped MSC World Europa’s 2026-2027 winter itineraries from the Middle East to the Caribbean, where the ship will offer cruises from Martinique, Guadeloupe and Barbados. MSC World Europa will replace MSC Seaview, which will reposition to Brazil and Argentina for the season.
- AmaWaterways unveils its City Escapes program, itineraries during quieter travel times that offer overnight and longer stays in key European cities.
- Royal Caribbean announced 2027-2028 itineraries in Asia and Australia.
- Holland America is offering a rare 8-day Southeast Asia cruise in November 2027 for guests looking for a shorter itinerary.
- Princess Cruises unveiled its 2027 – 2028 South America itineraries aboard Majestic Princess, including visits to the Antarctic Peninsula and 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
- Hapag-Lloyd Cruises will offer its first expedition cruises in the Indian Ocean, visiting the Seychelles and Madagascar, during the 2027-2028 season.
- Virgin Voyages has launched new podcast-themed sailings in partnership with iHeartMedia. The first On Air at Sea sailing will be Stuff at Sea in October 2026, centered around three Stuff-related podcasts.
On Sale Now
- Seabourn has opened its 2027-2029 ocean voyages for bookings, including 2028 sailings featuring the line’s special 40th anniversary programming.
- MSC Cruises has opened bookings for new Yacht Club accommodations on MSC Musica and MSC Orchestra.
- Viking has added new India river voyages to its 2027 – 2029 itinerary calendar aboard Viking Brahmapurtra (setting sail in 2027) and Viking Ganges (debuting in 2028).
- Registration is open for ASTA’s 2027 River Cruise Expo in Vienna.
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