Cruising returns back to Philadelphia for the first time in 15 years
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines
- Published: 18 April 2026 18 April 2026
Norwegian Cruise Line announced on April 16 its long-awaited return to Philadelphia, becoming the first cruise line to sail from the city in 15 years. As the city of Philadelphia celebrates a momentous year with the country's 250th anniversary happening this summer, NCL has brought yet another significant milestone to this storied city with the return of the cruise industry.
“Norwegian Cruise Line’s return to Philadelphia marks an exciting and meaningful milestone for us and the region,” said Marc Kazlauskas, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. “For the first time in over 15 years, travelers in the Mid-Atlantic area will once again be able to sail from their own backyard with us to experience everything NCL is known for. With Norwegian Jewel leading our reintroduction and Norwegian Pearl following her later this year, we’re proud to bring our signature freedom and flexibility back to this incredible city and deliver the exceptional experiences our guests know and love.”
To celebrate the historic milestone for Philadelphia, Norwegian Cruise Line hosted local officials aboard Norwegian Jewel on Thursday for a special ceremony attended by local and state government authorities including Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro; Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker; Tinicum Township Board President, Patrick McCarthy; as well as PhilaPort Board Chairman, Michael Pearson.
“As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, Pennsylvania is at the center of the action – and I’m excited to welcome Norwegian Cruise Line as the newest addition to our Commonwealth’s fast-growing tourism industry,” said Governor Shapiro. “Tourism is big business in Pennsylvania, supporting 500,000 jobs and contributing $84 billion to our economy across the Commonwealth. That’s why my Administration has made it a priority to invest in and support PhilaPort’s expansion, so we can create jobs, attract more visitors, and bring incredible offerings like cruises from Norwegian Cruise Line to the people of Pennsylvania.”
In collaboration with PhilaPort and Tinicum Township, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH), the parent company of Norwegian Cruise Line, is currently building a brand-new terminal due to open this cruise season designed to welcome guests and facilitate an easy embarkation and disembarkation process.
“This is a defining moment for The Port of Philadelphia,” said PhilaPort Executive Director & CEO Jeff Theobald. “The arrival of Norwegian Cruise Line and Norwegian Jewel signals the beginning of a new chapter for our port, our city, and the entire region. As we continue to grow beyond cargo operations, this new cruise service strengthens our position as a gateway to global travel and commerce while delivering meaningful economic impact for Pennsylvania.”
Sun-soaked escapes or scenic getaways
Philadelphia’s convenient location makes it an ideal gateway for Mid‑Atlantic travelers. Through Aug. 27, 2026, Norwegian Jewel will sail a curated lineup of Bermuda itineraries designed to showcase the destination’s charm, culture and natural beauty. Seven-day sailings include an overnight at the Royal Naval Dockyard, along with a visit to either Charleston, South Carolina, or Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada known for its rich maritime history. For those seeking a longer escape, a nine-day voyage departing Aug. 27, 2026 features an extended overnight in Bermuda, plus calls to the Canadian ports of Saint John, Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick, and Halifax, Nova Scotia. Kicking off the fall season, Norwegian Jewel will offer 10‑ and 11‑day Canada and New England itineraries from Sept. 5 through Oct. 7, 2026, with embarkation options from Philadelphia or Quebec City—giving guests the opportunity to extend their stay pre‑ or post‑cruise. Ideal for fall foliage viewing, these immersive sailings visit history‑rich and scenic destinations throughout Maine, Massachusetts, and Eastern Canada.
Beginning in late 2026, Norwegian Pearl will replace Norwegian Jewel, offering a similar onboard experience while sailing from Philadelphia through April 2028 – reinforcing NCL’s commitment to choice, convenience and thoughtfully curated travel experiences for the region. Norwegian Pearl will continue voyages to Bermuda as well as Canada and New England, while expanding offerings to the Caribbean and Bahamas.
Select Bahamas sailings in February and March 2027 will also visit Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian’s private island, featuring a new pool, family splash zone, adults‑only Vibe Shore Club, and – beginning summer 2026 – the nearly six‑acre Great Tides Waterpark with 19 waterslides, industry‑first cliffside jumps, Splash Cay, and the 800‑foot Wandering River, faster and more exhilarating than a typical lazy river.
Pre- or post-cruise tour opportunities
Guests can extend their journey ashore with NCL’s Cruisetours, immersive land experiences led by local experts that highlight each destination’s history, scenery and culinary traditions – while preserving the brand’s signature freedom and flexibility. Available on select Norwegian Jewel sailings this year, the Philadelphia Cruisetour features guided visits to iconic sites including Elfreth’s Alley, the Betsy Ross House, Christ Church, Carpenter’s Hall, the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, along with time at the Philadelphia Museum of Art for an enriching introduction to the city before embarkation.
Princess Cruises orders Voyager-class ships from Fincantieri
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines
- Published: 16 April 2026 16 April 2026
Princess Cruises, a leading global cruise line of Carnival Corporation & plc, the world's largest leisure travel company, yesterday announced three new shipbuilding agreements with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri to build three new cruise ships on a next-generation platform designed to further enhance the line's already world-class vacation experience for its guests. The new builds are slated to be delivered in late 2035, 2038 and 2039, respectively.
The new vessels will seamlessly blend the most desired and highest-rated experiences and venues Princess Cruises is known for, with completely reimagined outer decks, staterooms and Piazza designs that cater to the brand's global travelers and diverse deployments. These new ships will build upon the award-winning Sphere Class platform and continue to leverage the latest guest-facing and marine technologies. Similar to the highly successful Sun Princess and Star Princess, the Voyager class ships will be dual-fuel powered – primarily by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), the best readily available advanced fuel technology that delivers immediate GHG reductions, significantly reducing air emissions compared with other widely available conventional marine fuels. The new ships, which will be the largest by capacity in the Princess Cruises fleet, will be built at Fincantieri's shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy.
"The Voyager class will delight both our loyal guests and attract the next generation of Princess guests. We have been leveraging extensive customer and agent research to strike the right balance between evolving our proven winners and introducing new concepts and partnerships grounded in what matters to our current and future guests," said Gus Antorcha, Princess Cruises President. "From exceptional dining and inviting pool environments to elevated entertainment and beautifully reimagined spaces throughout the ship, we are leaving no area untouched as we thoughtfully evolve the Princess experience."
The three ships will be 183,000 gross tons and will accommodate approximately 4,700 guests. Specification details for the ship design, along with anticipated features and amenities of this all-new platform design for Princess Cruises will be shared in the future.
Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and Managing Director of Fincantieri, commented "We are delighted to announce this new agreement with Princess Cruises, which confirms the strength of a long-standing and forward-looking partnership. These new orders secure a robust workload for our shipyards through 2039 and further support the profitable development of our cruise business, as outlined in our 2026–2030 Industrial Plan. With the new Voyager-class ships, we are once again leveraging Fincantieri's distinctive expertise in sustainable, next‑generation shipbuilding, supporting Princess Cruises in its growth trajectory and reaffirming our role as a trusted industrial partner for the evolution of the cruise industry."
The agreements for Princess Cruises' next-generation cruise ships represent what will be Carnival Corporation's 19th, 20th and 21st LNG-based vessels and is part of the company's ongoing fleet enhancement strategy, aimed at creating excitement in the vacation market while accelerating demand for cruising, the fastest growing segment in the vacation industry. In addition to these three ships scheduled for delivery in late 2035, 2038 and 2039, Carnival Corporation has seven additional new ships under contract that are scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2033.
World-class delights converging at Asia’s premier cruise destinations
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines
- Published: 14 April 2026 14 April 2026
At today’s annual industry luncheon during Seatrade, global cruise companies were presented with limitless possibilities to create one-of-a-kind programmes, leveraging next-level cruise infrastructure and diverse experiences collectively showcased by Hong Kong, Korea, the Philippines, Shanghai and Xiamen.
The destinations jointly showcased “A Journey Through Asia’s Finest Moments”. Be it luxurious or culturally immersive, Asia’s top cruise destinations deliver ultimate experiences spanning world-best bar and hotel in Hong Kong, new exciting ports in Korea, compelling expedition cruises in the Philippines, seamless ship-to-shore hospitality in Shanghai and the "One-Hour Tourism Circle" in Xiamen.
Hong Kong promises world-best experiences and year-round excitement
Home to World No. 1 Bar, Bar Leone, World Best Hotel, Rosewood Hong Kong, and top two Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, The Chairman and Wing, as well as 77 Michelin-starred restaurants, Hong Kong is the ideal getaway for luxuriating in indulging hospitality and culinary delights.
Shore excursions soar to new heights with premium experiences such as VIP helicopter rides, private docent tours at world-renowned M+ and Hong Kong Palace Museum, glamorous horseracing parties in private boxes, and more. Colourful mega events and festivals curated throughout the year ensure exceptionally eventful visits.
Marilyn Tham, General Manager, Mega Events, MICE & Cruise, Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), said, “As cruise lines are assured of top-notch shore experiences in Hong Kong, more and more are picking the city as the destination for staging memorable gala events. The HKTB also collaborates closely with cruise lines to integrate local events into guests’ onshore experiences, putting together fresh and novel ideas for elevating shore visits.”
Korea heralds in more ports and smoother processes
Marking a new leap for its cruise industry, Korea has added two new ports for cruises – Masan and Saemangeum, in addition to well-established Incheon, Seosan, Yeosu, Jeju, Busan, Pohang and Sokcho. With new additions of attractive smaller ports ideal for boutique and luxury cruise vessels, Korea’s diverse ports give cruise operators greater flexibility in designing itineraries.
Convenient immigration processes such as pre-arrival screening allow for smoother embarkation and disembarkation. Other facilitation such as 24-hour pilot-operated terminals, expanded discounts on port fees and elevated passenger services also contribute to the overall enhanced experiences.
Jong-geun Lee, Deputy Director, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of Korea, said, “As Korea aims to continuously improve cruise-related policies and infrastructure, with the expansion to nine major cruise ports as well as a wide range of attractive destinations and tourism content, cruise passengers are encouraged to enjoy a more convenient and comfortable travel experience.”
The Philippines zeros in on expedition cruises for full cultural immersion
Capitalising on its inherent geographic advantage as an archipelagic nation of more than 7,000 islands, the Philippines is strategically advancing the expedition cruise segment, enabling access to a wide range of remote, less-travelled destinations to offer high-value experiences for discerning travellers.
With its extensive coastline, rich marine ecosystems and globally recognised biodiversity, the country is well-positioned to cater to the growing demand for small-ship, expedition-style cruising that emphasises sustainability, cultural immersion and nature-based exploration.
Dr. Paulo Benito S. Tugbang, Director for Product Development, Philippine Department of Tourism, said, “In support of this direction, the Philippines is strengthening its destination readiness, enhancing inter-agency coordination, and promoting sustainable tourism practices to ensure that expedition cruise development is both environmentally responsible and economically beneficial to host communities.”
Shanghai upgrades Baoshan cruise hub and diverse shore experiences
With a comprehensive upgrade of cruise hub services, Shanghai Baoshan District drives an intelligent clearance system that streamlines customs procedures to just 3-10 seconds, ensuring an efficient world-class travel experience.
The seamless experience continues onshore, with a scenic 6.8-kilometre waterfront shoreline featuring jogging paths and cycling routes, and Shanghai’s first cruise-themed integrated complex “Sea World” offering an indoor snow park, surfing experiences as well as premium hotels, complemented by signature events such as the UIM F1H2O World Championship and the Shanghai Cruise Culture and Tourism Festival.
Qi Xin, Secretary, Party Working Committee of Youyilu Sub-district, Baoshan District, said: “Baoshan will continue to enhance cruise-related infrastructure, enrich its portfolio of vacation offerings and expand itinerary options for international cruises. We are committed to building Baoshan into China’s top cruise destination with high-quality services and distinctive experiences for an unforgettable cruise journey.”
Xiamen opens new terminal within its "One-Hour Tourism Circle"
Following the opening of the new terminal of Xiamen International Cruise Center in April 2025, Xiamen offers customs clearance efficiency enhanced by more than 50%, allowing cruise passengers to clear customs in comfort.
In the city’s newly developed concept for cruise tourism development, the "One-Hour Tourism Circle" allows cruise passengers to easily reach key scenic attractions such as Gulangyu Island, and “Meet Minnan · Time Fantasy”, China’s first Minnan-themed immersive marine cultural tourism project that dynamically displays 84 forms of intangible cultural heritage artistry in Xiamen.
Wang Guodi, Deputy Director of Xiamen Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, said, “With its first-class hardware facilities, unique cultural and tourism offerings and signature homeport cruise itineraries, Xiamen is rapidly emerging as one of the most culturally distinctive international cruise ports in China.”
Each boasting unique port and destination appeal, Hong Kong, Korea, the Philippines, Shanghai and Xiamen excite the imagination of cruise planners, giving them diverse options to curate the best of the best ship-to-shore experiences for even the most seasoned cruise vacationers.
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