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Oceania Marina to receive a complete refurbishment

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 13 April 2026 13 April 2026

Oceania Cruises, a leading culinary- and destination-focused luxury cruise line, recently announced plans for a comprehensive reinspiration of its acclaimed ship, Oceania Marina.

Scheduled to enter dry dock in October 2026, Oceania Marina will undergo an extensive transformation. Every stateroom will be thoughtfully redesigned, complemented by considered enhancements across all public spaces, ensuring the ship reflects Oceania Cruises’ signature blend of residential luxury, timeless design and understated elegance.

This stem-to-stern enhancement of the 1,250-guest vessel is the first in a series of enhancements planned as part of the line’s OceaniaNEXT program, an all-encompassing initiative at the heart of its commitment to continually enhance the guest experience. The ambitious fleetwide initiative will touch every element of the onboard experience, from ship design to cuisine, service and enrichment.

The reinspiration of Oceania Marina is a significant milestone in ensuring that the ambiance and aesthetic of all vessels in the fleet are aligned and dovetail with the design and ambiance of Oceania Cruises’ planned newbuilds. This move will position the current fleet for the future while remaining true to the line’s heritage of exceptional cuisine, destination immersion and intuitive service.

“At Oceania Cruises, raising the bar is not an initiative – it is our mindset. We are constantly refining the guest experience, from elevating our culinary offerings to creating more intimate, immersive ways to explore the world’s most iconic destinations. With OceaniaNEXT, we are reaffirming our commitment to modern luxury by ensuring every ship in our fleet reflects the refined style, attention to detail and thoughtful innovation that define our brand. This is how we continue to bring to life The Joy of Traveling Well,” said Jason Montague, Chief Luxury Officer of Oceania Cruises.

Reinspiration highlights

– All staterooms will be fully redesigned with new layouts, sumptuous furnishings and entirely new bathrooms featuring marble finishes and spacious rainforest showers
– Penthouse, Oceania, Vista and Owner’s Suites will be refreshed to maintain consistency with their recent enhancements
– Public areas including bars and lounges will feature updated furnishings, plus new carpeting and refined lighting, creating a cohesive and contemporary aesthetic. Plus, the enlarged Grand Lounge will see the introduction of the Founders Bar, an atmospheric lounge offering artisanal cocktails, such as barrel-aged Negronis and imaginative small-batch gin creations
– A new Chef’s Studio will replace the former Artist Loft, offering an expanded program of insightful demonstrations, new opportunities to learn from culinary experts and food and wine tasting experiences
– The Bakery will be added to the ship’s chic coffee house, Baristas, elevating the onboard café experience by serving tempting French and Italian pastries and freshly baked treats throughout the day to complement that morning cappuccino or as a mid-afternoon sweet treat
– Signature specialty restaurants Polo Grill, Red Ginger, Toscana and Jacques will be enhanced with refreshed design and state-of-the-art galley improvements
– All new sun loungers and day beds on the pool deck will ensure comfortable relaxation for guests as they enjoy the ever-changing sea views and landscapes

While the physical transformation is extensive, the essence of the Oceania Cruises experience remains unchanged. Genuine, intuitive service continues to define every voyage, with crew delivering a level of warmth, attention and personal recognition that ensures guests feel both valued and at home.

The reinspiration of Oceania Marina ushers in the next phase in the brand's evolution, further refining the guest experience in ways that are intentional, elegant and deeply personal.

Photo credit: Oceania Cruises

Viking announces float out of newest Nile River ships

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 April 2026 10 April 2026

Viking recently announced its two newest ships for the Nile River – the Viking Ptah and the Viking Sekhmet – have been floated out, marking a major construction milestone and the first time the ships have touched water. Set to debut in September and November 2026, respectively, the Viking Ptah and the Viking Sekhmet will join the company’s growing fleet of state-of-the-art ships in Egypt and will sail Viking’s popular 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary.

“Egypt is truly a phenomenal destination, distinguished by its remarkable history, enduring culture and the singular power of the Nile,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking. “With the float out of our two newest ships, we look forward to further expanding our elegant fleet on the Nile and welcoming more curious travelers to experience this extraordinary region in the years to come.”

The traditional float out ceremonies for the Viking Ptah and the Viking Sekhmet took place at Massara shipyard in Cairo and are significant because they mark each ship’s transition into the final stage of construction. The ships will now be moved to a nearby outfitting dock for final construction and interior build-out.

The state-of-the-art Viking Ptah and Viking Sekhmet are the newest sister ships in Viking’s Egypt fleet, which also includes the Viking Osiris, the Viking Aton, the Viking Sobek, the Viking Hathor, the Viking Amun and the Viking Thoth. Owned and operated by Viking, each ship hosts 82 guests in 41 staterooms and features several aspects familiar to Viking guests, such as a space-saving square bow, an indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace and elegant Scandinavian design. Together, they represent the most modern sister ships sailing the Nile River.

MSC Cruises cancels MSC World Europa deployment in the Middle East next season

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 07 April 2026 07 April 2026

MSC Cruises announced a revised deployment last week for the upcoming Winter 2026-2027 season, strengthening its long-standing presence in the Caribbean with the introduction of MSC World Europa to the French Antilles.

Originally scheduled to sail in the Middle East from November 2026 to April 2027, MSC World Europa will now operate 7- and 14-night itineraries with embarkation in FortdeFrance (Martinique), PointeàPitre (Guadeloupe) and Bridgetown (Barbados) as well as calls to Castries (Saint Lucia) and Saint George (Grenada), Philipsburg (St. Maarten/ Netherlands Antilles), St. John (Antigua and Barbuda), Basseterre (Saint Kitts and Nevis), Roseau (Dominica), and Kingstown (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines).

This adjustment provides guests a sunny winter holiday in one of the world’s most desirable warm weather destinations, along with all of MSC World Europa’s innovative features and next generation experiences.

The deployment change sees MSC World Europa replacing MSC Seaview, which will be redeployed to Brazil and Argentina for the Winter 2026-2027 season, further reinforcing MSC Cruises’ commitment to offering diverse choices across its global portfolio. MSC Seaview’s itinerary for South America will be available soon.

Guests booked on MSC World Europa for Winter 2026-2027 and their travel partners are being contacted directly and provided with clear, comprehensive information regarding their options, including the possibility to move their booking to another sailing or request a full refund.

Guests booked on MSC Seaview sailings from the French Antilles this coming winter will see no change to their itinerary, dates and overall cruise experience, with no action required from guests. This will mark MSC World Europa’s first season in the region - one of MSC Cruises’ most innovative ships, offering the latest onboard design and features.

MSC World Europa will sail Middle East cruises for the Winter 2027-2028 season, calling at Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas, Bahrain and Doha.

Disney Believe announced as next Disney Cruise Line ship

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 18 March 2026 18 March 2026

New details about the next Disney Cruise Line ship, including the vessel’s name and design theme, were announced today at the 2026 Walt Disney Company Annual Shareholders Meeting by Chief Executive Officer Josh D’Amaro during his historic first day at the helm of the company.

Fittingly revealed during an exciting moment of optimism and transformation for the company, the next ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet will be named the Disney Believe, honoring the dreamers and doers who dare to pursue their own happily ever after.

The Disney Believe is the fourth installment in Disney Cruise Line’s groundbreaking Wish class that has redefined family vacations at sea. A signature design feature of the Wish class is each ship’s distinctive motif — an imaginative theme that shapes every part of the guest experience, from live entertainment to venues and décor. Like its sister ships – the enchantment-themed Disney Wish, adventure-themed Disney Treasure and heroes and villains-themed Disney Destiny – the Disney Believe has its own unique story to tell: one of promise and possibilities.

Filled with powerful stories of Disney characters who believe in themselves, in their dreams, and in the promise and possibility of a better tomorrow, the Disney Believe will bring to life the magical worlds of “Encanto” and “Frozen,” the wishing wells of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” and the depths of the sea with “Moana” and “The Little Mermaid” like never before.

There is more growth happening across Disney Experiences now than ever before in the company’s history. Joining the fleet during this unprecedented expansion, the Disney Believe builds on the Disney Cruise Line legacy of blending immersive storytelling with cutting-edge technology to create one-of-a-kind vacation experiences like only Disney can do. The ongoing expansion will grow the fleet to 13 ships by 2031, including the Disney Adventure, which sailed its maiden voyage from Singapore on March 10; the Disney Believe, expected in late 2027; the introduction of a brand-new class of ships in 2029; and an agreement with Disney and Oriental Land Co., Ltd. (OLC) to introduce Disney cruise vacations to Japan in 2029.

American Encore passes sea trials

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 17 March 2026 17 March 2026

American Cruise Lines has announced that brand new riverboat, American Encore, passed sea trials with flying colors and is already underway along its journey to the Columbia and Snake Rivers in the Pacific Northwest. "American Encore is the finest new riverboat in the world and the latest gem in the company’s groundbreaking series of modern American Riverboats," the company said in the statement. It showcases top-notch amenities, a refined elegant onboard aesthetic, and state-of-the-art engineering. It is simply the best riverboat ever built – more akin to a luxury yacht with more space-per-passenger than any other riverboat globally.

Directly following last week’s Sea Trials, American Encore immediately departed from Chesapeake Shipbuilding, the Maryland-U.S.-yard where it was built, and began its month-long passage west. The riverboat is currently cruising along the coastal waterways of the Eastern Seaboard and will next sail through the Caribbean Sea. It is expected to transit the Panama Canal at the end of March. Afterwards, American Encore will make its way northward up the Pacific Coast until it reaches the mouth of the Columbia near Astoria, Washington, where the river flows inland from the Pacific Ocean.

During the voyage, American Encore, is being helmed by Captain Andrew Gillilan along with other officers and crew. The riverboat’s expert nautical team is supported each day by American’s shoreside operations team. While underway, American’s Encore’s crew closely monitors the riverboat’s navigation systems and equipment, keeps watch of ocean and weather conditions, and continually relays information to American Cruise Lines’ fleet operations center in Connecticut.

American Encore is the finest new riverboat on the market. Ever since American’s celebrated introduction of the country’s first modern riverboat in 2018, the company has aggressively led the river cruise industry; launching new small ships year-after-year and setting an elevated standard for all riverboats worldwide. American Cruise Lines has introduced 20 new ships in the past decade and catapulted the domestic U.S. River cruise market into the mainstream. The Line’s massive fleet expansion and superb small-ship designs are a testament to U.S. shipbuilding and American innovation. Once just an afterthought to Europe, U.S. River cruising has surged beyond expectations, taking its rightful place in the international marketplace by offering the finest riverboats and itineraries available anywhere in the world.

American Cruise Lines has 28 new small ships for U.S. cruises around the country and 8 riverboats specifically for the Columbia and Snake Rivers. The company also continues to develop docks and waterfront access for communities throughout the river-region. American remains a committed economic partner to towns and ports all over the U.S.A. and brings thousands of guests to the Pacific Northwest every year. The Line’s Columbia and Snake itineraries feature an array of dynamic experiences and showcase the natural beauty of the western states—2026 cruises range from 9 to 16 days and include popular National Parks Cruises that highlight guided adventures in Yellowstone, Glacier, and Grand Teton National Parks.

American Encore’s inaugural season of sold-out cruises along the Columbia and Snake Rivers begins on May 5th and concludes in mid-November. Additional details on American Encore’s christening festivities and inaugural 9-Day Columbia & Snake Rivers cruise will be forthcoming in the weeks ahead. All American’s 50+ itineraries are open to book through 2028.

Following American Encore’s May 2026 launch, sisterships American Anthem and American Grace are slated to begin cruise operations along the Columbia and Snake Rivers in 2027 and 2028.