Carnival Cruise Line re-deploys Carnival Firenze from West to East Coast

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 27 August 2025 27 August 2025

Carnival Cruise Line opened reservations for a lineup of new 2027 cruises aboard Carnival Firenze, including three distinct, unforgettable Carnival Journeys voyages across South America and 10 new Caribbean cruise options from Miami. The new sailings coincide with Carnival’s plans to reposition the popular “Carnival Fun Italian Style” ship to the east coast of the U.S.

“Carnival Firenze is a beautiful ship and our plan to bring her east creates a perfect opportunity to offer our guests sailings to culture-rich destinations. The South America journeys we’ve opened today truly stand out even among our already impressive lineup of Carnival Journeys cruises that combine our signature fun with spectacular longer itineraries,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.

Carnival Journeys voyages across South America

At the start of 2027, Carnival Firenze will sail three South America sailings. Each cruise will include visits to ports that are rare stops for Carnival ships.

– 15-Day South America from Long Beach to San Antonio (Santiago), Chile: Departing Jan. 4, 2027, guests will journey along the Pacific coast and visit four countries, with calls to Acapulco, Mexico; Manta, Ecuador; Callao (Lima), Peru, and San Antonio (Santiago), Chile, plus a memorable Equator crossing.

– 14-Day South America from Santiago, Chile to Buenos Aires, Argentina: Departing Jan. 19, 2027, this journey offers scenic cruising through the Darwin Channel, Chilean Fjords, and Cape Horn, plus port calls in Ushuaia and Puerto Madryn, Argentina; Montevideo, Uruguay and ending in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

– 16-Day South America from Buenos Aires, Argentina to Miami: Departing Feb. 2, 2027, this special voyage features stops in Brazil during the first day of the world-famous Brazilian Carnival, with a visit to the city of Rio de Janeiro as well as the Brazilian port Maceio. The sailing features a memorable crossing of the equator, a chance at viewing an annular solar eclipse at sea and visits to the beautiful Caribbean islands of Grenada, Martinique and St. Maarten before arriving in Miami.

Caribbean sailings from Miami

Beginning Feb. 2027 through May 8, 2027, Carnival Firenze will homeport temporarily in Miami and offer a variety of itineraries that range from four to 13 days and explore The Bahamas, Eastern, Western, and Southern Caribbean. Highlights include a four-day Bahamas getaway visiting RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay and Celebration Key, six- and seven-day Caribbean cruises featuring Cozumel, Isla Tropical; Belize; Grand Cayman; Montego Bay; San Juan; St. Thomas, along with extended Carnival Journeys cruises (10 to 13 days) to the Southern Caribbean, visiting ports such as Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, St. Croix, Grenada, Barbados, Antigua, and Martinique.

Following its time in Miami, Carnival plans to reposition Carnival Firenze to New York for the summer of 2027. New cruises will be announced in the coming weeks for Carnival Firenze and the rest of the fleet as part of Carnival’s 2027/28 cruise schedule.

Explora Journeys announces Jannik Sinner as global brand ambassador

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 26 August 2025 26 August 2025

Explora Journeys, the luxury lifestyle ocean travel brand of the MSC Group, has announced its partnership with world-renowned tennis champion Jannik Sinner, who will serve as the brand’s new ambassador. The announcement came just ahead of the US Open, where Sinner will compete on one of tennis’s most prestigious stages.

This partnership is built on shared values and a common philosophy, bringing together two worlds united by precision, passion, and the pursuit of excellence. Sinner’s rise to the top of professional tennis has been defined by skill, discipline, and composure - qualities that resonate deeply with Explora Journeys’ approach to delivering transformative ocean travel experiences. Both share a belief that true mastery lies in the details: from the focus and preparation behind every point on the court to the thoughtful craftsmanship that defines every aspect of Explora Journeys — each suite a sanctuary, each menu a celebration, each journey designed to stir emotion and discovery.

At the heart of this collaboration is The Ocean State of Mind, Explora Journeys’ guiding ethos - a philosophy inspired by the sea and its ability to create calm, clarity, and connection. For Jannik, these values are essential to his performance: balance to navigate high-pressure moments, resilience to recover, and the ability to remain grounded in the constant pursuit of improvement. This alignment reflects a shared understanding that excellence is not only about results, but also about process, authenticity, and wellbeing.

“I’m honoured to join Explora Journeys as their Brand Ambassador,” said Jannik Sinner. “For me, wellness is not just about training – it’s about recovery and balance. I believe in the power of nature and mindful routines, and I see those values reflected in every experience with Explora Journeys.”

Anna Nash, Global President of Explora Journeys, added: “Jannik embodies the values at the heart of Explora Journeys - authenticity, excellence, and a commitment to wellbeing. We are delighted to welcome him to our family-owned brand. This collaboration represents a fresh approach to brand ambassadorship - one rooted in authenticity and shared values rather than simple endorsement. His passion, talent, and team spirit - on and off the court - align perfectly with our ethos, inspiring guests to embrace a mindful, balanced way of living and to discover the transformative power of travel.”

The partnership was officially unveiled at an exclusive event at The CORE: Club in New York City. The highlight of the evening was an engaging Q&A session with Jannik Sinner, during which he spoke candidly about his personal wellness philosophy, the importance of balance in high-performance environments, and his excitement about bringing his mindset to life through the Explora Journeys experience.

Sinner’s role as Brand Ambassador will see him appearing in select brand campaigns and co-creating a series of exclusive onboard activations and wellness rituals with his team. This collaboration will further enhance Explora Journeys’ mission to connect discerning guests with unique experiences that combine modern European elegance, immersive discovery, and the restorative power of the ocean.

Jannik Sinner’s team will proudly wear apparel featuring the Explora Journeys logo during upcoming tournaments, giving guests a sense of pride and connection as they see the ocean travel brand represented on the world stage.

The collaboration also deepens Explora Journeys’ connection to the world of elite sports. Earlier this year, Explora II transformed into a floating boutique hotel in Monaco’s iconic Port Hercule during the 2025 Formula 1 Grand Prix de Monaco, offering guests an unparalleled vantage point at one of the world’s most glamorous sporting events. Building on this success, Explora I will return for the 2026 edition, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to creating extraordinary experiences at the intersection of modern luxury travel and global sporting excellence.

As Explora Journeys continues to redefine ocean travel, this new partnership with Jannik Sinner signals more than visibility – it is a collaboration born from alignment, authenticity, and shared values. Together, we aim to inspire a lifestyle rooted in purpose and elegance, proving that true luxury – like true performance - is both a state of mind and a way of life.

Viking Line to boost biogas use – will provide option of fossil-free maritime transport on all routes

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 26 August 2025 26 August 2025

For the first time, Viking Line’s passengers and cargo customers will all have the opportunity to travel completely fossil-free since the company is significantly increasing its use of biofuel. Viking Line has been working in collaboration with the energy company Gasum for a number of years to develop the market for biofuel.

This autumn, Viking Line will increase its purchases of renewable biofuel (bio liquefied natural gas or bio-LNG) sixfold, which means purchasing European biogas equivalent to Viking Glory’s total fuel consumption. The biofuel will be consumed on the Turku–Stockholm route by Viking Glory and Viking Grace. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) will also be used as a complement. These fuels generate virtually no sulphur or particulate matter emissions, which are harmful to human health. Using biogas also contributes to a circular economy since the raw materials consist of waste streams from food and agricultural waste.

“By running on biogas, Viking Line contributes to emission reductions in Gasum’s pooling service for FuelEU Maritime compliance, which is used by vessels that cannot use biofuel themselves. Viking Line thus helps the entire maritime transport sector to reduce emissions. Starting on January 1, 2025, vessels must reduce their emissions by two per cent, but required reductions will increase all the way to 80 per cent by 2050. We therefore need trailblazers like Viking Line, which can pave the way for others,” says Jacob Granqvist, Vice President Maritime at Gasum.

Viking Line has collaborated with Gasum for a number of years. The shipping company used 10 tonnes of biogas in 2023 and about 600 tonnes last year. Thie year, biogas use will increase at least sixfold to 3,800 tonnes. At the same time, Viking Line’s greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced by 17,000 tonnes, which is equivalent to the average annual carbon footprint of nearly 1,700 Finns.

“We have worked with others to create the market for biogas. Supply has now increased to a level that enables the use of renewable fuel to a significant extent. We have now been able to agree on our purchases through to October, and our goal is to continue at the same level. Moreover, the amount of bio-LNG used will increase thanks to the fossil-free maritime journeys that our customers purchase,” says Dani Lindberg, Head of Sustainability, Viking LIne.

Passengers can affect emissions

With the significant rise in the use of biofuel, Viking Line is providing fossil-free maritime transport on all routes for the first time. For an additional fee, passengers, conference guests and cargo customers can opt to make their journey completely fossil-free, which means their trip does not produce any fossil emissions at all.

“In the 2025 survey for Finnish maritime transport, carried out by EPSI Rating, 45 per cent of respondents indicated that they will make more sustainable choices in the future when they travel. These alternatives will become a reality only through long-term development work, bold investments and good collaboration. For example, the increased use of biofuel and the resulting decrease in total emissions have been made possible thanks to the company’s EUR 450 million investment in Viking Glory and Viking Grace”, says Dani Lindberg.

Contributing to the development of the Baltic Sea’s green corridors

Viking Line has been involved in developing a green maritime corridor between Turku and Stockholm as well as between Helsinki and Tallinn. Green corridors are transit routes by which goods and passengers are transported in a way that is climate-neutral. In early June, the company presented a concept for a 100% electric passenger car ferry on the Helsinki–Tallinn route, which should be placed in service as early as the 2030s.

“We want to be among the pioneers when Finnish maritime transport shows the way to a fossil-free future for the rest of the world. Major investments in sustainable solutions require predictability in operations and good collaboration both throughout the maritime cluster and with public sector actors,” notes Viking Line’s CEO, Jan Hanses.

Riviera reports over 100% YOY growth, more than doubles 2024 passenger numbers just seven months after rebrand

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 21 August 2025 21 August 2025

Riviera Travel, the leader in ultra-premium river cruise, ocean yachts, and land global travel for more than 40 years, is making waves in the U.S. market. Just seven months post-rebrand from Riviera River Cruises and in the midst of a major North American push, the company announced it has achieved over 100% YOY growth, more than doubling its full annual passenger count from 2024.

Riviera’s rebrand, introduced in January, unified the company’s river cruise business under one consistent global brand identity. In the months since, the company has doubled down on North America, opening a flagship U.S. office in Fort Lauderdale, expanding its sales team, deepening its commitment to the travel advisor community, introducing tailored packages and enhancing its onboard experience.

“We knew there would be an appetite for our offerings in North America and have been overjoyed to see just how right we were, realizing such incredible momentum since our relaunch,” said Stuart Milan, president of North America for Riviera Travel. “Surpassing all of last year’s passenger count in only seven months is a testament to the hard work of our expanding team, our strong partnerships with travel advisors, and the excitement our refreshed offerings is generating amongst travelers.”

So far in 2025, Riviera Travel has strengthened its North American presence by appointing key leadership roles and regional sales managers, expanding its full U.S. sales team by 500 percent. The company opened a flagship office in Fort Lauderdale earlier this year, becoming the only global river cruise line to have an East Coast headquarters. Additionally, Riviera introduced a newly designed website to enhance the customer experience and launched its new digital training platform for travel advisors, Riviera Explorer.

Updates to Riviera’s onboard experience announced this year include a new superior drinks package, available during lunch and from 6 p.m. to midnight, offering local wine, beer, and an evening cocktail of the day, as well as house spirits and mixers. The brand also launched an all-inclusive drinks package available daily from 10 a.m. to midnight on 2026 itineraries. In an effort to better serve its North American river cruise guests, Riviera is now a one-stop-shop for travel advisors and their clients, offering the ability to book all air, transfers, river cruises and pre-and post-cruise stays through the company. And, earlier this year, Riviera introduced its Grand Tours collection, created exclusively for the North American market. Launching in 2026, these itineraries will seamlessly combine the brand’s most beloved river cruises with its expertly crafted land tours, allowing guests the opportunity to enjoy extended journeys to iconic destinations.

“This is just the beginning for Riviera Travel,” said Milan. “We’re committed to innovation and passionate about creating a truly special, unforgettable experience for North American travelers.”

Riviera has a variety of exciting updates coming in the months ahead for both the travel advisor community and travelers themselves. To start, the brand will offer 20 familiarization (FAM) trip spots to U.S. travel advisors who complete the Riviera Explorer program by September 30, 2025. Its 2027 program is expected to be revealed soon, featuring new programs, products and more.