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.
Two ship christenings in recent weeks marked major developments for the cruise industry. AmaWaterways celebrated the naming of AmaMelodia, its second ship on Colombia’s Magdalena River, where the company is pioneering river cruise tourism. And Accor‘s Orient Express debuted its first ever yacht in France.
AmaMelodia’s christening ceremony was enmeshed in Colombian culture, just like the seven-night sailings the ship offers on the Magdalena River with an almost exclusively Colombia crew. Dancers and musicians from Barranquilla’s famous Carnival celebration kicked off the festivities with high-energy performances. Speakers included local officials, such as the mayor of Barranquilla, the governor of the Department of Atlántico, and Colombia’s transportation minister.
A Mamo, an indigenous spiritual leader, gave his blessing before the ship was named by godmother Elisabeth Mercado Herrera, a Colombian and the first woman to captain a river cruise on the Magdalena River.
“Bringing river cruising to the Magdalena opens new opportunities for the communities along the riverbanks and I hope my career journey inspires more women to see a future for themselves in this industry,” she said.
The christening is significant because it solidifies AmaWaterways’ commitment to building out this new river cruise destination in South America in partnership with the local government and communities. Before AmaWaterways launched its first ship, AmaMagdalena, in 2025, the last ship to offer passenger travel on the Magdalena ceased operations in 1961.
The river cruise line is not only dedicated to opening up new destinations for its guests, but is passionate about bringing sustainable opportunities to the communities it visits and to listening to the desires and needs of local residents. During the cruise that culminated in the christening, Kristin Karst, AmaWaterways’ cofounder and chief brand ambassador, signed a memorandum of understanding with the small town of Santa Bárbara de Pinto to support English and traditional arts classes at the local school.
Across the Atlantic Ocean, the christening of Orient Express Corinthian is significant as it marks the entrance of yet another hospitality brand into the cruise space.
Accor
The ceremony in Saint-Nazaire was as full of French culture as AmaMelodia’s was Colombian. It took place at the Joubert graving dock, where the famous French ship Normandie was born. Four Fouga Magister jets gave an aerial salute with con trails in the colors of the French flag before the ship’s three rigid sails were raised. The minister delegate for the sea and fisheries (who is also a yachtswoman) presented the French ensign, an Orthodox archbishop blessed the ship, and the Marseillaise was played.
The ship, which was built by the French shipyard, Chantiers de l’Atlantique, is headed to the French Riviera (of course!) for its inaugural sailing. It will spend its maiden season in the Mediterranean.
Orient Express is now the third hospitality brand, after Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons, to take to the seas with luxury yachts. These upstart cruise lines, backed by legacy brands, are introducing new travelers to the wonders of cruising, while also pushing longstanding upscale cruise lines to rethink the old ways of luxury cruising and innovate.
Orient Express Corinthian is also a technical marvel, the first cruise ship to harness the power of the wind with its solid sails. In the right conditions, the ship can sail completely wind-powered, but also has an LNG engine as backup. An AI-assisted system monitors for animals and other objects beneath the water in order to avoid collisions and a dynamic positioning system reduces the need to anchor and damage the seabed.
“For more than one hundred and sixty years, Chantiers de l’Atlantique has been building ships that define their era,” said Laurent Castaing, CEO of Chantiers de l’Atlantique. “Orient Express Corinthian is the latest proof of this…. It is a concrete, technical response to the decarbonization challenges facing maritime transport.”
A sister ship, Orient Express Olympian, is already under construction in Saint-Nazaire.
In Case You Missed It…
New Ships and Launches
Onboard Updates
- AmaWaterways is launching a new French culinary experience, called Cooking with Mamie, on its Paris & Normandy itineraries.
- Holland America’s Rotterdam has emerged from dry dock with expanded live music venues and refreshed interiors.
Itinerary Roundup
- Norwegian Cruise Line has begun sailing from Philadelphia after a 15-year absence.
- Seabourn has announced its 2028-2029 expedition voyages, including a second pole-to-pole voyage.
- Ponant has unveiled its 2028 voyages in partnership with Smithsonian Journeys, which include a cruise in Australia’s Kimberley timed to view a solar eclipse.
- Carnival Cruise will base its fifth Excel Class ship, Carnival Tropicale, in Galveston, Texas, when the ship debuts in 2028. It will join sister ship Carnival Jubilee.
- Royal Caribbean welcomed its first guests to Royal Beach Club Santorini, its first private destination in Europe.
On Sale Now
- Royal Caribbean’s Royal Birthday Bash sale, through May 7, is offering discounts on Caribbean and Mexico cruises departing in September 2026.
- Explora Journeys is offering savings through May 26 on Ocean Terrace Suites on select Europe itineraries.
- Silversea’s 125‑day Pacific-focused world cruise in 2029 is now on sale to the public.
- Riviera Travel has expanded the number of cabins available for solo bookings with no supplement across its 2026 European itineraries.
Miscellaneous
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