Star Clippers names Grenada as its newest homeport for Feb-March 2026 Caribbean sailings

Star Clippers has announced that Grenada will serve as its newest homeport for the fleet’s 166-guest Star Clipper, during several new Feb-March 2026 sailings. Working with the Grenada Tourism Authority, Star Clippers has also been able to add Grenada’s friendly – and beautiful – Carriacou and its Paradise Beach as one of the ports on the 10- and 11-night itineraries. Full details are available in the just released 2024-2026 Star Clippers brochure.

“Although our ships have been visiting Grenada on our many Caribbean itineraries for some years, when we saw the opportunity to homeport one of our clipper ships there, we immediately set to work with the Grenada Tourism Authority to make it a reality,” offered Mikael Krafft, CEO & President of Star Clippers. “The Caribbean is an ideal region for us as the famous Caribbean winds are always there to power our clipper ships, and to be able to offer our guests more opportunities to experience the beauty and culture of Grenada opens up a host of new possibilities.”

Petra Roach, CEO of the Grenada Tourism Authority, said “The Pure Grenada and Star Clippers brands are aligned in prioritizing authentic experiences for our customers, designed to nourish and feed the soul. Nature treks, beautiful birdsong, delicious cuisine, local traditions and heritage all cascade into an enriching experience second to none. And with convenient direct airlift from the USA and Canada, and our starring role as the newest home port for Star Clipper, there’s never been a better time to visit our beautiful tri-island state.”

Four new itineraries will utilize the new homeport of St. George’s, Grenada, with departures in February and March 2026, offering a who’s who of Southern Caribbean ports. Although each sailing calls on different ports, highlights include Tobago, known for its wide, sandy beaches and biodiverse tropical rainforest; Tobago Cays, a collection of several uninhabited islands in the southern section of the Grenadines that offer some of the best beaches for swimming, tanning and snorkeling; Bridgetown, Barbados capital city and famous for its British colonial architecture, 17th-century Garrison and horseracing track, Nidhe Israel Synagogue and its museum, and lots of shopping opportunities; the aforementioned Paradise Beach in Carriacou, voted the Best Caribbean Beach in USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards 2022; the near 400-year-old town of Saint-Pierre, Martinique; and Soufrière, St. Lucia, best known as the home of Gros Piton and Petit Piton, the iconic pair of now-dormant volcanoes that rise from the crustal-clear Caribbean.

For more than 25 years, Star Clippers has been introducing travelers to the thrill of modern tall ship sailing to remote ports in the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Central America. The company operates three of the world’s largest and tallest sailing vessels: Star Clipper and Star Flyer are traditional clipper ships with modern amenities carrying 166 guests, while the 227-guest Royal Clipper holds the Guinness World Record for being the largest and only five-masted, full-rigged sailing ship in service today. All three ships have expansive teak decks, swimming pools, informal dining, convivial tropical bars on deck and piano lounges.

HX to become all-inclusive

HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions), the global leaders in expedition cruising, have announced plans to further enhance their onboard guest offering. As part of a phased approach, starting with Antarctica & Galápagos expeditions departing in October 2024, they will be introducing an ‘all-inclusive’ offering as standard across the whole fleet from November 2024, covering all destinations.

Since rebranding to HX last December, this product evolution is one of many new initiatives that seek to combine their renowned exploring heritage with the modern-day guest experience. The ‘all-inclusive’ offering ranges from including expert-led daily expeditions, access to a whole series of science-led activities both on board and out in the wild, to alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and even professional photographs. These changes look to enhance the guest experience onboard, part of a larger project aimed at crafting the ultimate expedition cruise experience, but importantly simplify the product offering for trade.

Alex Delamere-White, HX Chief Commercial Officer, states:“Expedition cruising can be a complex product for agents to sell, given the unique destinations we visit and varying experiences by operator. We’re confident that by including so many elements as standard in the price, we can simplify life onboard and enhance our trade-friendly focus.”

“We want our guests to fully embrace being curious travellers when they’re with us. By making things as easy as possible, they can focus on exploring remote parts of the world and learning from our expert team. We believe adventure should be all-inclusive, which is why our daily expeditions, talks and access to the science centre come at no extra cost, alongside delicious food and drink.”

“In direct response to guest and partner feedback, this product evolution marks one of many initiatives to establish our new brand identity and enhance the guest experience. We have been the experts in expedition since 1896, now our team are focussed on strengthening our position as the global leaders in expedition cruising by providing pioneering experiences, unmatched itineraries and great value.”

For guests booking a HX expedition, starting with Antarctica & Galápagos expeditions departing in October 2024, their regular grade cabin will now include:

– Daily expeditions and activities such as hikes, community visits, talks and more
– Full board dining, including breakfast, lunch and dinner with house wine and beer
– Wine, beer, spirits and cocktails available across the day and evening
– All-day coffee, tea & soft drinks
– Free Wi-Fi
– Gratuities
– Interactive science programme, Science Centre and activities both on and off the ships
– Access to sauna, hot tubs, fitness room and more
– Professional photos from the onboard photographer
– Opportunities to engage with and support local communities and environmental initiatives through Hurtigruten Foundation.
– Take home expedition gear and reusable water bottle

Albatros Expeditions to celebrate christening of Ocean Albatros in Copenhagen

Albatros Expeditions, a leading name in polar exploration and adventure travel, has announced the christening ceremony of its latest state-of-the-art vessel, the Ocean Albatros. The event is taking place on 7 May 2024 at Nordre Tolbod, in the heart of Copenhagen, Denmark.

The addition of the Ocean Albatros to the fleet signifies a milestone, cementing Albatros Expeditions' position in polar exploration and adventure travel. The christening ceremony not only marks the celebration of a cutting-edge vessel in its fleet but also symbolises a moment of pride for the Danish family-owned company as the ceremony unfolds in the heart of the country's capital.

Søren Rasmussen, Founder and Chairman of Albatros Expeditions, expressed his enthusiasm about the christening ceremony, stating, "Since 1986, with the establishment of Albatros Travel Group, our goal has been to create life-changing memories for our guests. With these modern, eco-conscious vessels, we are able to offer small-ship expeditions inspired by our Nordic heritage that are truly once-in-a-lifetime journeys. While we usually only traverse between Antarctica and the Arctic, we are looking forward to welcoming the Ocean Albatros to our hometown and celebrating with our family, friends, and partners."

Guests of the ceremony will be treated to a unique opportunity- the chance to step aboard the Ocean Albatros and receive a guided tour. This firsthand experience will allow them to appreciate the elegant interiors and technical features that set this vessel apart. The day will complete with the traditional champagne christening on the bow, a moment of celebration as Albatros Expeditions officially welcomes the Ocean Albatros into its fleet.

MSC Cruises to host naming for MSC World America in PortMiami

MSC Cruises, the world’s third largest cruise line, recently announced that it will host the naming ceremony for its newest flagship – MSC World America – on the evening of April 9, 2025 at the company’s new PortMiami terminal. The ceremony will honor MSC Cruises' investment in Miami and its commitment to the North American market, with the traditional breaking of a champagne bottle and a slate of immersive onboard events highlighting everything Miami’s newest megaship has to offer.

Guests attending the naming ceremony will be among the first to discover a new world of cruising when they embark on a celebratory sailing that will see MSC World America call at the cruise line’s private island – Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. The celebratory sailing’s itinerary includes an overnight stay at Ocean Cay featuring the island’s signature evening lighthouse show and beach party. Guests will continue to enjoy Ocean Cay the next morning, followed by spending the rest of the day at sea to experience the ship's long list of unique and exciting onboard activities and amenities.

The remarkable MSC World America will be MSC Cruises’ largest ship to serve the U.S. and its first in the region to be powered by LNG. MSC World America is the second of the line’s groundbreaking World Class ships and is specially designed with the North American guest in mind, featuring unique restaurants, bars and experiences that seamlessly blend European design with American comfort. Spanning 22 decks, measuring more than 150 feet wide and featuring 2,614 staterooms, MSC World America will be the centerpiece of the Miami skyline when she is named in 2025.

Rubén A. Rodríguez, President, MSC Cruises USA, said: “There is no better place to welcome MSC World America than the cruise capital of the world. We look forward to seeing her sail out of our new, state-of-the-art cruise terminal built in partnership with Miami-Dade County and PortMiami. As we build upon our offering in the North American market and help attract more international guests to the Caribbean, we are excited to bring our newest and most remarkable ship yet to Miami. We eagerly await April 2025, when we can welcome guests on board to experience the world of choice that our new flagship has to offer.”

Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Miami-Dade County, said: “We are thrilled to welcome MSC World America to PortMiami. I also want to commend MSC Cruises for their investments in our community. Their new terminal has created many jobs for our residents and positively impacted our local economy. We look forward to a successful partnership and continued growth at the Cruise Capital of the World.”

The launch of MSC World America at MSC Cruises’ new PortMiami terminal, coupled with MSC Cruises’ upcoming $100 million U.S. headquarters in downtown Miami, underscores the Company’s unwavering dedication to South Florida. The PortMiami facility will be the world’s largest cruise terminal once completed and is poised to revolutionize the cruising experience for up to 36,000 guests each day. The terminal will support MSC Cruises’ continued growth at PortMiami.

Following the naming ceremony, MSC World America will set sail for her inaugural season on April 12, 2025. She will sail alternating 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries with stops in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; Isla de Roatan, Honduras; and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in The Bahamas.

MSC World America is carefully designed to help reduce her impact on the environment. The ship runs on LNG, a lower-emissions fuel, and is ready for renewable energy sources. Shore power connectivity, where available, reduces emissions by allowing the ship’s engines to be switched off in port. Smart technology is used throughout the ship to ensure guests can travel in comfort while keeping energy and water use low. A robust onboard recycling program minimizes waste, and even the propellers are designed to reduce noise and avoid disturbing marine life.

L Catterton makes significant investment in AmaWaterways

L Catterton, a leading global investment firm, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a significant stake in AmaWaterways, a global luxury river cruise line, from a consortium of investors led by Certares. L Catterton joins founders Rudi Schreiner, Kristin Karst, and the Murphy family, all of whom remain committed to supporting the Company's long-term growth and innovation in the river cruising industry and will continue to have meaningful ownership in the Company.

Founded in 2002, AmaWaterways is a leading river cruise line with a rich history of curating unforgettable travel experiences for guests alongside their travel advisor partnerships around the world. With itineraries exploring the world's most iconic rivers in Europe, Asia, and Africa, AmaWaterways customers can enjoy tailored experiences across its fleet of innovatively designed vessels. The Company provides a unique onboard experience including impeccably designed, spacious suites, regionally inspired cuisine using locally sourced ingredients, and a wide array of wellness and entertainment experiences, as well as best-in-class customer service and diverse shore excursions to explore each destination.

"This is an exciting new chapter for AmaWaterways," said Rudi Schreiner, co-founder and CEO of AmaWaterways. "L Catterton brings unique insight into today's customers, as well as exciting ideas on how we can work together to capitalize on a number of growth opportunities across our business. They share our passion for innovation and an unwavering commitment to creating unparalleled guest experiences. We look forward to working with them to continuously expand and enhance our river cruise portfolio for our customers."

"As consumers' desire for unforgettable luxury travel experiences continues to grow, we understand the importance of creating highly curated and memorable opportunities for guests to see the world," said Marc Magliacano, co-Managing Partner of L Catterton's Flagship Fund. "We look forward to leveraging our global network and deep expertise across travel to identify new growth opportunities and thoughtful expansion initiatives, while empowering the innovative and pioneering spirit that has driven AmaWaterways' success over the last two decades."

"The Company continues to delight both guests and their cherished travel advisor partners, driven by its commitment to delivering first-of-its-kind ships, high-quality dining, wellness offerings, and exciting excursions to create an unmatched immersive experience," said Jennifer Reid, Partner in L Catterton's Flagship Fund. "Rudi and Kristin are true visionaries. Along with their passionate and committed team, they continue to set the industry standard for personalized customer service and innovation. We couldn't be more excited about this partnership; together we will continue to provide a distinct, luxury travel experience in many of the most sought-after destinations across the world."

"AmaWaterways is a truly special company – we deeply value and appreciate the opportunity we have had to partner with Rudi, Kristin, the Murphy family, and the McGeary family," said Colin Farmer, Senior Managing Director and Head of the Management Committee of Certares. "We are extremely proud to have had a role in AmaWaterways' growth over the last many years, including the significant additions to the company's fleet, entry into new cruise destination markets, enhanced relationships with travel advisor partners, and expanding upon the innovative and extraordinary experiences AmaWaterways provides its guests daily. We wish our partners and everyone at the company nothing but continued success in this next chapter."