Celestyal agrees to multi-year partnership with Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 29 April 2025 29 April 2025

Celestyal, the boutique cruise line offering unmissable and immersive experiences at sea and on land, has signed a three-year agreement with the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority.

The multi-year partnership, agreed at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, will promote Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE as a key destination among Celestyal’s guests, further establishing the cruise line’s affiliations in the Arabian Gulf region. The agreement also lays out plans to work in partnership with Ras Al Khaimah to offer immersive, guest-exclusive shore experiences, beginning in December of this year.

Following a successful inaugural season in the Arabian Gulf, where bookings exceeded targets by 35%, Celestyal will return to the region with two ships in December this year, featuring weekly calls to Ras Al Khaimah on Celestyal Discovery across the winter season, for the next three years.

The recently refurbished 1,360-guest Celestyal Discovery will homeport in Abu Dhabi from December 12, 2025, sailing three-, four- and seven-night “Iconic Arabia” cruises. The four-night itineraries will sail roundtrip from Abu Dhabi, calling at Doha, Ras Al Khaimah and the coastal port of Khasab in Oman. The seven-night sailings add calls to Dubai and Sir Bani Yas Island to the itinerary. Prices start at $918 total for two people on a four-night cruise, and $1,478 total for two people on a seven-night voyage, with all meals, soft drinks Wi-Fi and gratuities included.

Lee Haslett, Chief Commercial Officer at Celestyal, said: “We’re proud to build strong partnerships with the regions we visit, and are thrilled to enhance our award-winning shore excursion program by working with the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority. Together, we’ll offer our guests even more immersive and culturally rich experiences.

“Ras Al Khaimah is a truly unique and diverse destination, and we’re excited to showcase it to our guests – many of whom choose Celestyal specifically for our focus on authentic, in-depth exploration. We’re looking forward to creating a collection of inspiring shore experiences in close collaboration with the tourist board and local partners.”

Iyad Rasbey, Vice President – Destination Tourism Development at Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, said: “Our partnership with Celestyal underscores a powerful alignment of vision and values. Celestyal’s commitment to authentic, culturally rich experiences mirrors our own DNA of creating meaningful and immersive journeys for visitors. By combining our strengths, we will deliver unique, experiential offerings that elevate Ras Al Khaimah’s position as a premier destination on the global cruise map.”

Celestyal has also announced that with Celestyal Discovery joining Journey next winter, it will more than double the number of calls to Qatar, further strengthening its relationships with the country.

Viken Group introduces 196-metre cruise yacht project

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 29 April 2025 29 April 2025

Viken Group has released a brand-new, sustainable, cruise yacht concept: REI.

REI is a 196m cruise yacht developed by the Viken Group. Blending adventure, sustainability, and exclusivity, it offers an ever-evolving guest experience with cutting-edge design.

The 196-metre project serves to solidify the company’s status as the true pioneer of this new luxury cruise yacht segment. REI is a collaborative effort between all three brands of the Viken Group — TDoS (Tillberg Design of Sweden) with its 60 years of experience in high-end cruise ship design, along with Hot Lab and Thalia Marine.

Fredrik Johansson, Co-Founder of the Viken Group and Executive Director of TDoS, comments: “We are thrilled to introduce REI. The 196-metre project is the perfect illustration of the combined offerings of the Viken Group, where we manage exterior styling, engineering, master planning and interior under one umbrella. We can thereby help our clients in streamlining the process dramatically, controlling the investment, and optimising the outcome for both the guest and the operator. The yacht will come out and make money much sooner - and be far more successful and prosperous during its lifespan”.

Purposeful exteriors, tranquil inside

Martin Butler, Creative Director at TDoS, comments on her design: “With her streamlined lines creating an understated yet striking impression on the water, REI’s exteriors draw their inspiration from nature: a protective and hard outer shell encasing a soft, cosy interior. The purposeful exterior design, with its dynamic and progressive curves, nods towards a technical, industrial and automotive aesthetic.”

In contrast, her contemporary interior offers guests a balance of warmth, tactile materials and lighting which adjusts according to the desired atmosphere and comfort levels. Step inside and slow down. Here, you can experience tranquillity and a rare digital detox.

Beautifully balanced private and public spaces

Spanning 196 metres across a vast 10 decks and with a generous beam of 28 metres, REI can accommodate up to 112 guests and 125 crew members who bring outstanding levels of service on board. Highly efficient in her layout, she features one main avenue which cleverly connects all of the different entertainment areas on board.

Indeed, REI’s carefully considered design is laser-focused on boosting the guest experience and provides the perfect balance between private and shared spaces, with numerous dedicated areas available for exclusive use.

As Enrico Lumini, co-founder and design director of Hot Lab, part of the Viken Group, explains: “Exterior deck spaces can be booked for private functions, and guests can enjoy relaxing in private pools connected to the suites’ beautiful terraces as well as letting off steam in semi-private spas.”

As a truly exceptional cruise yacht in both her scale and technical capabilities, REI—whose multi-faceted name has many connotations, including ‘beautiful’ and ‘graceful’ in Japanese—has too many outstanding areas to name.

Focusing on just a few, REI’s duplex suites provide private winter gardens with pools and massage areas. Other notable amenities include her double-height windows, which showcase uninterrupted panoramic views and connect to a spa and observation lounge, as well as her stunning forward infinity pool.

Ultra-sustainable and adventure-ready

With numerous potential sustainable propulsion possibilities – electric, hydrogen, solar and wind – REI is primed and ready for globe-trotting adventures. A secondary 27-metre expedition vessel, which could be powered by electric or solar power, would provide those on board with easy embarkation and disembarkation aft thanks to its adaptable and multipurpose beach club/sea courtyard.

An unrepeatable onboard journey

Furthermore, guests on board REI will also experience a unique itinerary unmatched by any other expedition craft. This dynamic cruise yacht would offer an ‘ever-evolving’ journey, with the general entertainment, activities and menus changing depending on the time of year and the area visited, thus enabling guests to be fully immersed in their surroundings.

Its exploratory dining experience is themed ‘from sea, to land, to sky’ and is set to provide guests with a diverse and delectable range of cuisines. Thanks to this constant adaptation, REI can be described as truly ‘alive’ to the needs of those lucky enough to stay on board.


Antonio Romano, Commercial and Marketing Director at Viken Group added: “The market for cruise yachts is currently looking very promising. The Four Seasons yacht will hit the water soon, and numerous other high-end brands are looking to enter this space. Thanks to our three brands – TDoS, Hot Lab, and Thalia Marine – Viken Group can harness our unique expertise across superyachts, cruise ships and refits, meaning we are perfectly positioned to make our mark.”

Victory I christened in Toronto

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 27 April 2025 27 April 2025

Victory Cruise Lines, committed to all-inclusive, small ship, coastal cruising on The Great Lakes and Canadian Coasts, successfully christened the Victory I in Toronto on April 27, 2025. The moment signified a triumphant return of the cruise line, led by Founder and CEO John Waggoner, who closed on the purchase of the 190-guest Victory I and sister-ship Victory II just under one year ago. Both ships were purposely built for the Great Lakes, offering a refreshing alternative to river and ocean cruising.

Victory Cruise Lines offers the most cruises, 33 departures in 2025, that hit all five Great Lakes in one voyage. The cruise line is also the only company to dock at Chicago’s downtown Navy Pier, where Victory II will be christened May 12, 2025. Both ships will operate 10-15 night voyages from Chicago, Toronto, Milwaukee and Montreal now through October.

“As we celebrate the return of Victory Cruise Lines to the Great Lakes, I must reflect on the amazing feat by an incredible team that has brought this vision to life once again,” said John Waggoner, founder and CEO, Victory Cruise Lines. “Thank you to everyone here, as well as those not in the room today, that have believed in us and this dream to share our passion for cruising here on the Great Lakes.”

The christening ceremony took place onboard in the Compass Lounge, first honoring the United States and Canada with the singing of the national anthems, as both share the Great Lakes. Remarks were made by Destination Toronto Vice President Destination Development Kelly Jackson, National Museum of the Great Lakes Executive Director Kate Fineske, Victory Cruise Lines Chief Operating Officer David William Kelly and John Waggoner. The highlight of the ceremony was Godmother Emily Coleman, daughter of John and Claudette Waggoner, breaking a bottle of Crown Royal Canadian Whisky on the ship’s bow officially christening the vessel with the skyline of Toronto in the background.

“Victory Cruise Lines will bring thousands of visitors to Toronto, with many taking time to explore the city’s diverse neighborhoods, culture, and cuisine,” shared Kelly Jackson on behalf of Destination Toronto. “Cruise visitation supports local jobs and businesses across the city and Victory's resumption of service underscores Toronto’s growing role as a key port in the Great Lakes cruise market ”

Victory I’s inaugural sailing is the cruise line’s most popular itinerary, 10-nights between Toronto and Chicago including a pre-cruise hotel with ports of call including Port Colborne (Niagara Falls), Cleveland, Detroit, Sault Ste. Marie, Mackinac Island and Escanaba, Michigan. Victory Cruise Lines included excursions give guests an opportunity to enjoy a one to three hour experience in each port of call with multiple times the excursion is offered to ensure all guests are able to choose an option. Highlights include the The Henry Ford Experience in Detroit, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland and the Soo Locks & Maritime Heritage Tour in Sault Ste. Marie.

Onboard, guests enjoy three dining options including Tuscan Stone Grill, a new inclusive interactive concept in The Grill for dinner. Originally created by Victory Cruise Lines COO David William Kelly and Anglo-Eastern Leisure’s Dietmar Wertanzl, Tuscan Stone Grill delivers an upscale interactive dining experience utilizing hot stones for guests cooking at their table, in a space spanning the stern, offering expansive views of The Great Lakes.

The LakeLorian, in partnership with the National Museum of The Great Lakes, hosts lectures, discussions and answers questions throughout the journey. With equal parts knowledge and passion for the Great Lakes, LakeLorians provide exclusive programming in collaboration with the renowned National Museum of the Great Lakes in Toledo, Ohio.

Each Victory Cruise Lines voyage includes 1-night pre-cruise hotel stay with complimentary ground transfers between the hotel and ship and from the ship to the airport; all water view accommodations, some with veranda; an included shore excursion in every port from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland to the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Detroit; acclaimed cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner served in multiple venues plus culinary events throughout each cruise; gourmet selections including freshly prepared lobster and regionally-inspired dishes; unlimited beverages including an extensive wine list, choice spirits, local craft beers and specialty coffees; open bars and lounges throughout the vessel; unlimited Wi-Fi; live, daily onboard entertainment and enrichment with our own LakeLorians; hiking sticks.

Photo below: Claudette Waggoner, Emily Coleman and John Waggoner

Star Voyager to reposition in Hong Kong

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 26 April 2025 26 April 2025

StarCruises has announced the debut of the Star Voyager cruise ship in Hong Kong, operating from 27 June to 31 August 2025. This development marks the return of the revitalized StarCruises brand to one of its most iconic homeports, which started cruises in Hong Kong more than 30 years ago.

The arrival of Star Voyager is poised to significantly boost cruise tourism in Hong Kong and across the region, offering travellers a fresh wave of voyage options while reaffirming StarCruises’ long-standing commitment to Asia’s dynamic cruise market.

During it homeport season in Hong Kong, Star Voyager will offer a series of immersive itineraries, including 2, 3, and 5 night cruises to sought-after destinations such as Taipei (Keelung), Kaohsiung and Penghu in Taiwan, as well as to Naha and Ishigaki in Okinawa, Japan. Among the highlights is the return of the popular 2 Night Weekend High Seas Cruise, departing every Friday.

“We are proud to return to Hong Kong, a city that holds a special place in StarCruises’ history and heritage. This homecoming is deeply meaningful, as it reconnects us with our roots and long-standing legacy in the region. We’re thrilled to introduce Star Voyager as a symbol of our renewed vision – offering exceptional regional cruises experiences for the domestic market and the growing Fly and Rail cruise segment,” said Michael Goh, President for StarDream Cruises.