Across the globe, the cruise industry is opening up new cruising regions and building new ships.
In a positive development for cruising, on July 13, 2025, the Administrative Court of Nice, France, struck down the authority of Christian Estrosi, Nice’s mayor and president of the Nice Cote d’Azur Metropole, to limit cruise passenger arrivals at Nice and Villefranche-sur-Mer, France. Declaring the mayor’s decree illegal, the court ruled in favor of the Prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes, which had challenged the mayor’s action. According to Seatrade Cruise News, the court’s ruling said: “These limitations go against the freedom of movement for cruise ship passengers and the freedom of trade and industry for cruise operators.” Additional discussions among the parties are expected in September.
In late 2027, Viking will begin river cruising in India with the new Viking Brahmaputra, an 80-guest vessel designed specifically for the Brahmaputra River. Currently under construction, it will operate an eight-day river journey between Guwahati and Nimati Ghat in the northeastern state of Assam.
But that’s just one part of Viking’s robust, new 15-day “Wonders of India” itinerary, which also will encompass a fully guided land program with overnight stays in Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. Also showing industry growth, Explora Journeys marked the float-out of its new Explora III at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Genoa, Italy; That ship will begin sailing in 2026. At the same time, the luxury line celebrated a traditional maritime coin ceremony for Explora IV, setting sail in 2027, and the first steel cutting for Explora V, launching in 2028.
New private-isle-style destinations are debuting as well. Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Vista became the first ship to call at the line’s new $600 million Celebration Key in Nassau, the Bahamas. In addition, Royal Caribbean International officially took possession of the Port of Costa Maya, according to Cruise Industry News.
Over the next two years, that port will be transformed into Perfect Day Mexico, another private-island-style destination.
More Cruise News
Following a major drydock revitalization, Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Liberty is back sailing from the Port of New Orleans. Upgrades include a new Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounge; WaterWorks aqua park with new slides; casino upgrades with more slot machines and table games; a new mini-golf course; updates to children and teen clubs; and accessibility upgrades. A rebranded Cloud9 Spa also sports upgraded beauty stations, a modernized fitness center, new boutique, and new steam rooms and saunas.
Separately, Carnival also announced that it has become the first cruise line to join the American Gaming Association.
Starting in November 2025, MSC Cruises will bring its upscale, ship-within-a-ship concept to Texas with the launch of MSC Seascape cruises from Galveston. Small-ship Ponant announced new French Polynesia cruises in the 2026-2027 season on the luxurious Le Jacques Cartier. And for travelers who love new onboard entertainment choices, Princess Cruises plans to debut two original theatrical productions, a stargazing candlelight concert series and more aboard Star Princess, beginning October 4, 2025.
(Cunard)
On the gastronomic front, Cunard confirms that Le Gavroche at Sea with Michel Roux will return for a third season in 2026. That restaurateur and two Michelin-starred chef will host four savory dining experiences on Queen Anne in 2026. Three residencies will take place on seven-night Norwegian Fjords voyages in May, August and November, and another Le Gavroche at Sea scheduled for an Iceland and British Isles sailing in July.
Bringing back a popular cruising tradition, Holland America Line is offering behind-the-scenes ship tours. Guests signing up in advance will view ship spaces typically reserved only for officers and crew — everything from the bridge to the galley, engine control room, recycling center, main laundry and more. Separately, Margaritaville at Sea will name its third ship as Beachcomber; it will sail from Tampa, FL.
In true Virgin Voyages fashion — bold, buzzworthy, and unapologetically fun — the brand will set sail on a True Crime Voyage, a five-night Valiant Lady sailing that brings the best of the true crime podcast fandom to the Caribbean. Created in partnership with iHeartMedia, this one-time-only sailing will depart October 10, 2025, from PortMiami. Guests will listen to live podcast recordings, participate in “How to Podcast” workshops, meet-and-greets with top hosts, and enjoy cocktails inspired by infamous cases.
A Focus on Women
Next month, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises will partner with pajama-maker Lunya for its first “Women-Only Cruise,” setting sail August 24, 2025, in France. Guests can purchase exclusive, co-branded Lunya pajamas, and then wear those to a fun, onboard pajama party. This river voyage will also offer female-forward programming including a comedy set by Rachel Dratch of “Saturday Night Live” fame.
On Europe’s Danube River, Tauck will host a “Cruise Control” retreat for women in travel with speaker presentations, wellness sessions, networking opportunities and social gatherings. Departing November 4, 2025, Savor will operate this weeklong voyage between Budapest, Hungary, and Vienna, Austria.
Health at Sea
Royal Caribbean International’s Navigator of the Seas had an illness outbreak during its July 4, 2025, sailing roundtrip from Los Angeles to ports in Mexico. According to the Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 134 of 3,914 (3.4%) passengers and seven of 1,266 (0.6%) crew members on that sailing reported diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal cramps.
In an official statement, Royal Caribbean said that the health and safety of its passengers, crew members and the communities it visits are its top priority. The line enhanced disinfection and cleaning procedures; isolated sick people; and consulted remotely with the CDC. One resource for travel advisors is the Cruise Lines International Association‘s website page dealing with Health and Safety, which makes these points:
- “Cruise ships are the only travel sector that routinely report illnesses to the CDC and where you can find a central list of ships and their scores. By contrast, you won’t find a listing of all restaurants or hotels or airplanes like you find for cruise ships.
- “There is simply more visibility and reporting to health authorities from cruise, which should not be confused to mean a higher incidence rate on a cruise ship compared to other places. Occurrences of gastrointestinal illness (GI) illnesses are rare on cruise ships (1 in 5,500 chance) compared to other settings (1 in 15 on land).
- “According to information on the CDC website, the most common settings for GI are healthcare facilities, followed by restaurants or catered events, schools, daycares. By comparison, spread in cruise ship settings is far less common (only 1% of all cases), but CDC requires it be reported.”
Promotion and Trade
(Swan Hellenic)
On the cruise promotional front, Swan Hellenic unveiled a “Luxury Unlocked” promotion for select 2026 cruises. For bookings on those voyages made by September 15, 2025, travelers will receive a free balcony upgrade, gold Wi-Fi upgrade and $250 onboard credit, plus travel advisors will get unlimited $100 bonus per stateroom payments in addition to standard commission.
Seabourn introduced a “Sail into Savings” event with two ways to save on select 2025-2027 ocean and expedition voyages. For bookings on these sailings through September 23, 2025, guests can save up to 15 percent on select 2025-26 winter and spring cruises and expeditions to Antarctica, Asia, the Caribbean and beyond. Or they can receive a two-category Veranda Suite upgrade and up to $2,000 per suite shipboard credit on select 2026-2027 cruises and expeditions to Alaska, Europe, the Arctic and beyond.
The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) opened registration for its 2026 River Cruise Expo, which will unfold March 11–15, 2026, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Fifteen river vessels, a record number, will participate – allowing for more attendees to join the expo than in the past. Celebrity Cruises and Trafalgar Tours will make their river cruise debut at the supplier trade show.
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