Windstar Cruises’ new Star Explorer to debut in the Mediterranean

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 30 June 2025 30 June 2025

Next winter, Windstar Cruises is making the Mediterranean sparkle with the debut of its newest yacht, Star Explorer, and the return of its winter sailings to Europe. Launching December 28, 2026, the 224-guest vessel marks the latest addition to Windstar’s Star Class fleet and brings a stylish new chapter to Windstar’s year-round European offerings – this time, with more immersive cultural experiences, off-season perks, and hidden harbors waiting to be discovered without the summer crowds.

Crafted for discovery, Star Explorer is perfectly built for exploring small ports and big stories. Its inaugural Local Season includes longer stays and local festivals that shine brighter in the off-season – from twinkling winter markets to colorful Venetian Carnevale celebrations. And with Windstar’s signature yacht-style warmth and comfort, it’s like having the Med all to yourself (with a chilled glass of wine in hand). Guests will enjoy overnight stays in Florence (Livorno), Barcelona, and Nice – plus lesser-traveled ports like Genoa, Catania, and Malaga. Seasonal highlights include Carnevale in Venice, Epiphany in Greece, and cozy winter markets lit by Mediterranean sunshine.

“Winter is when the Mediterranean slows down – and that’s when Windstar steps in,” says Jess Peterson, director of destination experience & itinerary planning. “With Star Explorer, we’re offering guests a chance to see these legendary places with fresh eyes and fewer crowds, all in the comfort of our newest yacht.”

Early booking offer

Windstar Cruises invites guests to take advantage of a generous Early Booking Offer available through July 31, 2025. Travelers who book now will receive a complimentary All-Inclusive package, featuring Wi-Fi, unlimited select wine, beer and cocktails, and gratuities — a value of more than $1,300 per stateroom on a 7-day cruise. Guests will also enjoy up to $200 in onboard credit per stateroom, redeemable for curated shore excursions, rejuvenating treatments at World Spa by Windstar, and other onboard amenities.

For added value, Windstar has introduced its new Pay Now, Save More promotion. Those who pay in full at the time of booking will receive an additional 5% discount on cruise fare (including non-discountable fares). This promotion is only available with cruises booked using the Early Booking Offer.

Norwegian Cruise Line names Kiran Smith as Chief Marketing Officer

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 26 June 2025 26 June 2025

Norwegian Cruise Line announced today the appointment of Kiran Smith as Chief Marketing Officer, succeeding Adam Malone, who will transition into the newly created role of Senior Vice President of Guest Experience. Both will report into NCL President David J. Herrera and serve as members of the Brand senior leadership team.

With decades of experience elevating public and private companies and bringing them to the next stage of their growth potential, Smith will lead the marketing team to build a unified approach in executing data-driven strategies designed to put the guest at the center. Insight-driven storytelling will be at the core to strengthening the brand positioning, increasing guest engagement, driving sustained performance and attracting new cruise audiences.

“Kiran is a brilliant marketing mind with an incredible reputation for consistently delivering compelling campaigns that break through the noise and captivate audiences," said David J. Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. "I am so excited about the countless stories we have to tell about our innovative vacation experiences, amazing guests and team members.”

Herrera continued, “Over the past eight years, Adam has made significant impacts within the marketing organization and across the NCL brand as a whole. I am thrilled to have him take on this new role leading the development of guest experiences and ensuring that our long-term vision for the Brand is integrated across every step of the guest journey.”

Norwegian Cruise Line has a strong pipeline of ships on order, with seven newbuilds being added to the fleet through 2036 for an overall 50% more capacity growth. Additionally, this past April, the cruise line announced plans to expand the guest experience on its 5.6-acre private island in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay, with a new multi-ship pier; an expansive area for guests to soak up the warm Bahamian sun complete with an oversized heated pool; experiences for the whole family including a splash zone with fun water fountains and features for children; as well as a swim-up bar for guests who want to keep enjoying their unlimited open bar package off the ship.

Given the overall growing demand for cruising as a popular vacation option and the Company’s strategic fleet expansion plans, Smith will play an instrumental role in encouraging innovation and creativity across the marketing organization and helping the team leverage the latest in technology to effectively generate demand for NCL’s next generation of ships and global destinations.

“NCL is a true pioneer in the cruise industry, and I’m honored to join the Company at such a pivotal and exciting time,” said Kiran Smith, incoming chief marketing officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. “Building brands that truly connect with people has always been at the heart of my work. NCL is a brand with a bold spirit, strong culture and a rich legacy — I look forward to working with this incredibly talented team to help shape its next chapter and inspire even more guests to explore the world with us.”

Her previous experience includes executive level roles across national and international consumer-focused brand companies, including ButcherBox, iRobot, Brookstone and Stride Rite where she served as the chief marketing officer. She also served as the chief executive officer of Arnold Worldwide, where she led a comprehensive assessment and realignment of the agency's business model to increase profitability. Her career journey also includes experience with SUPERVALU and Shaw's Supermarkets, Alliance Consulting Group, Kraft Foods and Accenture.

Kiran Smith completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Computer Science from Bucknell University, and then she went on to pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, specializing in Marketing.

Rauma Marine Constructions delivers Spirit of Tasmania V

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 25 June 2025 25 June 2025

Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) has today delivered the second Spirit of Tasmania car and passenger ferry to the Australian TT-Line Company. This delivery completes one of the largest bilateral export projects ever between Finland and Australia.

Tasmanian company Spirit of Tasmania (TT-Line Company Pty Ltd) ordered two car and passenger ferries from RMC for operation on the challenging open sea route between Geelong and Devonport in the Bass Strait of Australia. The first vessel was delivered in 2024 and now the Spirit of Tasmania V has also been completed.

"I want to thank the owner for excellent cooperation that has enabled us to together bring this project to a successful end. The vessel represents the strong shipbuilding expertise found in Rauma and demonstrates the capabilities of the Rauma shipyard. I also want to say thank you to our cooperation partners and the Classification Society. Next, we shall proceed towards the production of electric ships," says Mika Nieminen, the CEO and President of Rauma Marine Constructions Oy.

The new high-speed Spirit of Tasmania vessels have been specifically designed for challenging sea conditions and will replace their predecessors built in Finland in the 1990s. They boost significantly higher passenger, vehicle, and freight capacity in comparison to the older vessels.

Rauma Marine Constructions has built five car and passenger ferries during its existence. Vessels built by the company include, among others, Aurora Botnia, the northernmost LNG-powered car and passenger ferry in the world, and the Spirit of Tasmania vessels which are now the southernmost LNG-powered car and passenger ferries in the world.

RMC invests strongly in the utilisation of the future energy solutions. The company has headed research projects focusing on the development of electrically operated ships, such as the Decatrip and FUSE projects. As the most recent example, RMC was in the FUSE project tasked with creating the concept for a fully electric ship.

RMC’s current order book extends to the year 2028 and includes four multi-purposecorvettes for the Finnish Navy. The first of them was launched in May and the keel of the second was laid also in May. The Squadron project is estimated to generate the equivalent of 3,600 person-years of employment. The multi-purpose corvettes are expected to become also export products in the future.

Main particulars of Spirit of Tasmania IV:

Length: 212 m
Beam: 31 m
Draught: 7 m
Gross tonnage: 48,000 t
Speed: 26 knots (48 km/h)
Lane metres: 3,700 m
Passengers: 1,800
Cabins: 301

Carsten Lund named CEO of SunStone Maritime Group

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 25 June 2025 25 June 2025

SunStone Maritime Group A/S takes next step in previously announced leadership transition.

After 35 years as Chief Executive Officer, founder Niels-Erik Lund is retiring as CEO on June 30th, 2025. Niels-Erik will remain involved in the group as a member of the Board of Directors.

As of July 1st, Carsten Lund will assume the role of CEO of the Group. He previously served as SunStone’s Chief Commercial Officer, where he was responsible for the Company’s client relations and commercial development.

This scheduled transition is the latest step in SunStone's succession plan to transfer the responsibility of leading the family-owned group to Carsten and his brother Christian Lund, who continues as Chief Operating Officer.