American Cruise Lines announces three more newbuilds, confirms seven ships on order

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 13 June 2024 13 June 2024

American Cruise Lines confirmed yesterday that it has seven new ships on order, all scheduled for delivery before the end of 2026. The new ships include six Project Blue series ships and a brand-new American Riverboat.

“The domestic cruise industry is the healthiest it has ever been. Demand for modern river products, new small ships, and unique exploration in the U.S.A. continues to grow,” said Charles B. Robertson, President & CEO of American Cruise Lines. “That demand is powered by destinations brimming with history and ships that provide the best onboard experience in the world.”

Three of the seven new boats on order are yet to be named, and additional details about each boat will be announced over the summer. The new American Riverboat will be similar to its award-winning sisterships and will feature several new design elements that will continue to raise the standard for the global river cruise community.

The company plans to operate 21 small ships in 2025, and 24 ships in 2026, all exclusively sailing 100% U.S. itineraries along U.S. rivers and coasts. All seven new ships are being built by Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Maryland.

Windstar Cruises' new ship Star Seeker to sail in Alaska and Japan in 2026

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 12 June 2024 12 June 2024

Small ship cruise line Windstar Cruises has revealed it’s planning to send its newest ship, Star Seeker, cruising to Alaska and Japan when it joins the fleet in 2026. Windstar last sailed in Alaska and Japan in 2023 before it redeployed Star Breeze to be the year-round ship in Tahiti.

“We are really happy to be able to bring back Alaska and Japan for our guests,” said Windstar’s President Christopher Prelog. “We know these are popular destinations, and we have many people asking us to return there. We can’t keep this secret any longer.”

Star Seeker will sail in Alaska from May through August on 7-, 10-, and 11-night cruises between Juneau, or Seward, Alaska and Vancouver, B.C. Pre- and post-cruise land tours to Denali will be available as well. After departing Alaska in late August, Star Seeker will sail to Japan to begin the line’s popular 10-night Grand Japan cruises sailing between Tokyo and Osaka. The ship remains in Japan through November.

Windstar plans to have Star Seeker’s new deployment details, including Alaska and Japan, online and bookable in early August 2024.

In Alaska, Windstar will employ expedition leaders on board to lead its Signature Expeditions as it did on previous Alaska deployments. To explore remote wilderness areas such as Misty Fjords, guests can book hiking, kayaking and skiff expeditions through the ship to enjoy up-close adventures in small groups led by an expert guide to provide context during the journey. Expedition leaders will also give presentations on board the ship bringing Alaska’s rich history, culture, flora and fauna to life.

“These immersive, small group expeditions are a key part of our Alaska program and bring our guests closer to the beauty of Alaska,” said Prelog. “Being on the water and seeing the topography from that viewpoint brings the grandeur of Alaska into perspective. It’s also quiet and meditative to be out in these wild places. You never know what wildlife you might see.”

In April Windstar announced the addition of two new ships – Star Seeker and Star Explorer – to its fleet of boutique yachts. Each will have 112 suites for a guest capacity of 224 and will be similar to the line’s current Star Class motor yachts. Star Seeker will be delivered to Windstar in December 2025 and Star Explorer in December 2026.

Lindblad Expeditions expands operations in Galápagos market with addition of two vessels

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 12 June 2024 12 June 2024

Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc., global leader of adventure travel and the pioneer of modern expedition cruising, today announced that it has added two purpose-built Galápagos expedition vessels to join the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic fleet.

“We recognize and appreciate the immense privilege our Company has to operate and grow our expedition cruise offerings in the Galápagos Islands,” said Sven-Olof Lindblad, Founder and CEO of Lindblad Expeditions. “By sourcing well-appointed vessels and onboarding the most experienced crew and staff who meet our exacting standards of responsible exploration, we’re able to transport guests from around the world to the iconic archipelago and help them understand the importance of protecting and preserving its wonders and wildlife, as a consequence of their personal experience.”

He continued: “When my father, Lars-Eric Lindblad, led the first international citizen expedition to the Galápagos nearly 60 years ago, I don’t think he ever could have dreamed it would serve as the foundation for ecotourism in the archipelago and would be the catalyst for meaningful, positively impactful connections. We look forward to not only bringing more Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic guests to the islands with the growth of our fleet, but also to having a greater positive social impact supporting conservation, education and the creation of livelihoods.”

Later this month, bookings will open for sale and the names of the two ships will be revealed. The first of the two new ships (formerly Celebrity Xpedition) is a 48-guest configuration and features two unique dining venues and 24 outward-facing cabins, including 13 balcony suites. Even more intimate, the second vessel (formerly Celebrity Xploration) is a 16-guest, eight-cabin catamaran perfect for family vacations, affinity groups, and private charters.

Following the closing of the transaction in January 2025, the ships will undergo multi-million-dollar revitalizations. Once complete, the ships will embody the spirit of adventure and extreme comfort, both synonymous with Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic, and will celebrate the Company’s deep connection to the islands, Ecuador, and its people.

“For decades, Lindblad Expeditions has set the standards for sustainable tourism in Galápagos and been an extraordinary friend and supporter to the Charles Darwin Foundation and the greater conservation community in the islands,” said Rakan Zahawi, Executive Director of the Charles Darwin Foundation. “Together with community leaders, farmers, scientists and researchers, as well as Ecuadorians from Galápagos and the continent, Lindblad Expeditions has helped to uplift local communities and safeguard the archipelago’s precious species and habitats. We are grateful for their continued commitment to protecting, promoting, and preserving our home, while showcasing its beauty to responsible travelers.”

Lindblad Expeditions has been the global leader and pioneer of modern expedition cruising in the Galápagos since leading the first-ever non-scientific international civilian expedition to the region in 1967. For years, the Company has operated two ships in the region, the state-of-the-art 96-guest National Geographic Endeavour II and the 48-guest former mega-yacht turned expedition vessel National Geographic Islander II, and offers six immersive itineraries across more than 100 departures year-round. The addition of the newly added 48-guest and 16-guest ships will double the size of the Company’s Galápagos fleet.

Cunard celebrates record bookings following Queen Anne launch

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 11 June 2024 11 June 2024

Cunard has announced record-breaking bookings following the launch of its new ship Queen Anne.

The 3,000-guest vessel set sail on a maiden voyage on May 3 before returning to her homeport of Southampton on May 24 to begin her celebratory British Isles Festival voyage – which included a spectacular naming ceremony in Liverpool.

And the cruise brand can now report it booked more guests in May than any equivalent period on record, with Queen Anne Europe itineraries proving to be particularly popular with guests.

Culture Liverpool estimates that more than 50,000 people attended Queen Anne’s naming ceremony, with thousands more lining the banks of the River Mersey to witness her arrival in the city. Cunard also generated over 21 million impressions across social media channels on the day of the event.

Cunard President Katie McAlister said: “We’re delighted to see such strong booking momentum in response to the successful launch of Queen Anne. This record-breaking booking period is testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team, and we’re excited to have the opportunity to welcome so many new guests on board Queen Anne and the rest of our iconic fleet in the future.”