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Crescent Seas appoints Thatcher Brown as CEO

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 22 July 2025 22 July 2025

Crescent Seas, the new concept offering private, ultra-luxury residences at sea, has appointed Thatcher Brown as Chief Executive Officer, effective August 1. In this role, Brown joins Crescent Seas from Virtuoso, the world’s leading luxury travel network, where he most recently served as Senior Vice President of Global Products.

In his new role, Brown will shape the brand identity, lead Crescent Seas’ global vision, and oversee all aspects of operations. He will be responsible for commercial strategy, product development, and building relationships with key stakeholders in the industry to solidify the company’s position at the forefront of ocean living.

“I am delighted to step into this role as the inaugural CEO of Crescent Seas. I believe this is the future of luxury living at sea. I am honored to be in the presence of a legacy brand within Crescent Heights under the leadership of visionary Russell W. Galbut, who is Founder of Crescent Seas and Co-Founder of Crescent Heights. I look forward to building on the robust launch and cultivating a community while redefining what it means to live and travel at sea,” said Brown.

Brown brings over 25 years of luxury hospitality experience in the hotel and cruise sectors, having held senior leadership roles across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North America. At Virtuoso, Brown led the development of integrated B2B and B2C product strategy across a portfolio of more than 2,300 luxury partners, including cruise lines, tour companies, and destinations, while also delivering innovation across digital platforms, partners engagement, and consumer experience.

Prior to Virtuoso, Brown was Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Joint Operations at Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings, joint owner and operator of Four Seasons Yachts, where he played a leadership role in developing and executing commercial, operational and technical aspects of the project, including collaboration with shipbuilder Fincantieri and designer Tillberg Design of Sweden. He also served in executive roles at MSC Cruises, Dream Cruises, and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, with a focus on brand strategy and marketing, business development, distribution, and guest experience.

“Thatcher has made a profound and lasting impact on both Virtuoso's business and the colleagues who worked alongside him. While we are sad to see him leave Virtuoso, we’re incredibly proud as he steps into this exciting new chapter as CEO. We're excited to see what his new venture will bring to our industry and marketplace,” said Matthew D. Upchurch, Chairman and CEO of Virtuoso.

Crescent Seas represents a new frontier in luxury living and redefining how discerning travelers experience the world. The company offers ownership-style private residences aboard luxury vessels designed for long-term living, full-service hospitality and global exploration. The brand was launched in March 2025 by Russell W. Galbut, former Chairman of Norwegian Cruise Line and Co-Founder of Crescent Heights, the developer behind some of the country’s most recognized luxury buildings, including Ten Thousand in Los Angeles and Forma in Miami. Crescent Seas inaugural voyage is expected to launch on the Navigator Residence at Sea in December 2026.

“At Crescent Heights, we’ve created some of the world’s most iconic residences in America’s most dynamic cities. With 71% of the Earth covered by water, it was only natural for our vision to evolve to craft the ultimate home at sea, one capable of reaching the most notable destinations around the globe. Thatcher’s deep expertise in the global travel industry and his track record of launching and scaling luxury cruise experiences make him the ideal leader for Crescent Seas. His ability to lead teams and drive innovation in the luxury space will be essential as we bring this bold vision to life on the open water,” said Galbut.

Carnival Cruise Line opens $600-million Celebration Key on Grand Bahama

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 20 July 2025 20 July 2025

Carnival Cruise Line officially unlocked paradise as it opened Celebration Key – the cruise line’s beautiful new exclusive destination on Grand Bahama. Carnival Vista made the first official visit to the world’s newest premier cruise port, and nearly 5,000 guests experienced all the fun of Celebration Key: from the unique Suncastle, the world’s tallest sandcastle, the world’s largest swing and swim-up bar and the Caribbean’s largest freshwater lagoons. Highlights from the special day can be seen here.

Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy, Carnival Corporation CEO Josh Weinstein, Chief Fun Officer Shaquille O’Neal and Carnival Vista Captain Paolo Severini turned the key that “unlocked” the gates to the iconic 10-story Suncastle, home to two thrilling racing waterslides. They also cut the ribbon to open Lokono Cove, the shopping village; and O’Neal made the first shot at the basketball court; followed by a champagne toast at Pearl Cove Beach Club, an adults-only retreat. The ceremony was livestreamed and can be watched here.

"Today marks an extraordinary milestone for Carnival as we open the first phase of our initial $600M investment, with more to come. Celebration Key is more than just a beautiful place; it's a celebration of the Bahamian paradise our guests love, complemented by an impressive variety of incredible new experiences and offerings,” said Duffy. “We’ve built the ultimate beach day for our guests whether they crave fun in the sun or relaxation under a palm tree.”

There are five areas to explore, including:

– Paradise Plaza – The central location where guests are welcomed inside Celebration Key with live music.
– Starfish Lagoon – A fun-filled area for families that features one of the two largest freshwater lagoons in the Caribbean, with 275,000 square feet. Families will also enjoy a splash pad with a shallow pool, sports courts and the Suncastle’s body slides that wind through 350 feet of turns and sudden drops. The beach in this area is lined with loungers and cabanas for those looking to relax, and guests can also enjoy casual dining at Captain’s Galley Food Hall, Gill’s Grill Seafood, Snack Shacks, and drinks at the Parrotfish Swim-Up Bar.
– Calypso Lagoon – This adult-friendly area features an equally large, 275,000-square-foot lagoon as well as a dedicated area for adults only, a DJ Island, where guests can enjoy music and drinks at the world’s largest swim-up bar with 166 in-water seats. Nearby is the Sunshine Swings Bar with nearly 50 swings offering a fun spot to enjoy cocktails while staying cool. Other dining and drink options include Surf N’ Sauce BBQ & Brew, Calypso Food Trucks and Snack Shacks.
– Pearl Cove Beach Club – The largest adults-only retreat at any cruise destination, this private club features an 11,000-square-foot infinity pool overlooking a white sand beach, alongside loungers, cabanas and supervillas. Guests will also find elevated dining and beverage options at Pearl Cove Restaurant and the Pearl Cove Bar as well as a separate swim-up bar.
– Lokono Cove – The island’s retail village offers unique shopping and showcases authentic Bahamian culture through vibrant murals and local art, as well as handmade goods.

Guests will find more than 30 food and beverage venues across the destination, offering something for everyone, and will be treated to a variety of live entertainment that includes Junkanoo parades, roaming rake-and-scrape musicians, DJs and all-day beach games. For private relaxation, a wide variety of cabanas, daybeds and villas are available and sports courts, water activities and shore excursions are available to those seeking action and adventure. Guests simply looking for a perfect beach day will enjoy over one mile of pristine, white sand beach overlooking the beautiful Bahamian waters.

Celebration Key will initially bring more than two million guests a year to Grand Bahama. By 2028, this number is expected to grow to four million. The economic impact for Grand Bahama is substantial, with hundreds of long-term jobs created by daily operations. The destination features an adjacent cruise pier capable of accommodating two of Carnival's largest ships simultaneously. Already, construction on an extension to the pier is underway to accommodate two additional ships.

Aurora Expeditions’ Douglas Mawson successfully completes sea trials

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 17 July 2025 17 July 2025

Aurora Expeditions, the award-winning, certified B Corp™ and 100% carbon-neutral leader in small-ship adventure travel, has announced the successful completion of sea trials for its newest purpose-built vessel, Douglas Mawson. Named after the legendary Australian geologist and explorer, the ship is the latest addition to the Aurora fleet and will soon embark on her highly anticipated inaugural voyages.

Conducted from June 26 to July 2, 2025, this critical phase in the construction and delivery timeline tested key systems, including propulsion, navigation, and safety, confirming the vessel’s readiness to explore some of the most remote and challenging environments on Earth.

The Douglas Mawson is scheduled for delivery in September 2025 ahead of the inaugural voyage in December. The ship will first explore Tasmania’s rugged coastline on its shakedown cruise, followed by the inaugural Antarctic season with Mawson’s Antarctica, tracing the footsteps of its namesake. From there, Douglas Mawson will continue into a full 2025/26 Antarctica season, including the rarely operated Epic Antarctica: Crossing the 7th Continent.

Carrying a maximum of 130 for polar expeditions and 154 passengers maximum for Small Ship cruises, the Douglas Mawson offers an intimate, welcoming experience with stylish, state-of-the-art amenities. Onboard features include a lecture theatre, science centre, heated outdoor pool, multiple dining venues, and dedicated mudroom facilities. Purpose-built for low-impact exploration, the ship will also support Aurora’s growing sustainability and citizen science programs.

The Douglas Mawson will join the company’s fleet of small expedition ships, all purpose-built to access wild and remote coastlines while delivering an exceptional onboard experience and expert-led exploration. In addition to polar voyages, Aurora’s small ships explore some of the world’s most remarkable and culturally rich regions, including the Mediterranean, Scotland, Ireland, Latin America, and beyond, offering travellers immersive adventures far from the crowds.

“Sea trials are one of the most important steps in bringing a ship to life,” said Michael Heath, CEO of Aurora Expeditions. “We’re thrilled with the results and can’t wait to welcome our expeditioners aboard Douglas Mawson for her inaugural voyages later this year.”

The Douglas Mawson is the seventh and final Infinity Class vessel constructed by SunStone Maritime Group, and the third in Aurora's fleet. Featuring the distinctive Ulstein X-BOW and a suite of sustainable features designed for maximum efficiency and minimal impact, the Douglas Mawson reflects the latest in responsible ship design. Aurora Expeditions also operates two other Infinity Class vessels, the 2019-built Greg Mortimer and the 2022-built Sylvia Earle.

Ponant's Le Jacques Cartier to sail in French Polynesia in winter 2026-27

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 15 July 2025 15 July 2025

Ponant Explorations Group – parent company of Ponant Explorations and Paul Gauguin Cruises – is deepening its presence in French Polynesia with the introduction of brand-new winter itineraries aboard Le Jacques Cartier beginning with the 2026-27 season.

Known for immersive, exploration-focused experiences to the world’s most remote corners, Ponant Explorations will offer travelers an exhilarating way to discover the farthest reaches of this storied destination. These new itineraries complement the Group’s long-established leadership in the region with Paul Gauguin Cruises, which has been sailing the islands year-round for more than 26 years as French Polynesia’s destination expert.

The new itineraries aboard Le Jacques Cartier will take guests deeper into French Polynesia than ever before, with rare calls to the remote Gambier and Austral Islands – far-flung corners of the South Pacific that few travelers ever reach. In addition to exploring the Society Islands, Tuamotus, and Marquesas, these exclusive voyages offer an exceptional opportunity to experience the full richness of the region to archipelagos that The Gauguin doesn’t visit. Each archipelago is shaped by its own vibrant culture and breathtaking natural beauty, revealing the diverse character of French Polynesia in extraordinary depth.

“With the debut of Le Jacques Cartier in French Polynesia, Ponant Explorations Group now offers two unique ways to experience the extraordinary with our distinctively positioned brands appealing to every inclination for both expedition and leisure travel,” said Samuel Chamberlain, Ponant Explorations Group’s CEO of the Americas. “While the m/s Paul Gauguin continues to define immersive, year-round discovery in the region, the winter deployment of Le Jacques Cartier brings a new perspective – more remote and more expeditionary. Both brands share the hallmarks of our Group: a commitment to meaningful travel through cultural immersion, French flair, environmental stewardship, and expert-led enrichment.

“With Le Jacques Cartier joining The Gauguin in Polynesia, we’re expanding the choices available to discerning travelers seeking authenticity, elegance, and adventure,and cementing our leadership position in the region as the destination expert,” Chamberlain added.

From October 2026 through February 2027, the two new itineraries aboard Le Jacques Cartier will be offered in addition to voyages to the Marquesas. All three 14-night itineraries travel roundtrip from Papeete, Tahiti, and are available for booking now.

Margaritaville at Sea's new flagship will be named as Beachcomber

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 15 July 2025 15 July 2025

Margaritaville at Sea is pulling back the curtain on its newest and biggest ship yet: the Beachcomber. Inspired by its sister ships Islander and Paradise, Beachcomber will showcase the fleet's free-spirited style, layering breezy blues, sunlit yellows, and warm beachy tones to create a carefree, sun-soaked design.

At more than 100,000 gross tons, Beachcomber will be the largest ship in the Margaritaville at Sea fleet, giving cruisers more room to roam, more fun to discover, and more ways than ever to embrace the Margaritaville state of mind 365 days a year.

“With Beachcomber, we wanted to create a design that captures the spirit of fun, warmth, and relaxed adventure,” said Martha Brabham, Head of Design at Margaritaville at Sea. “We drew inspiration from nostalgic beach scenes, vintage surf art, and the carefree escapism that defines the brand. The result is a design that feels joyful and instantly familiar one that builds on the award-winning aesthetic we introduced with Islander in 2024.”

From the top deck to the tiki drinks, Beachcomber will immerse guests in the Margaritaville at Sea lifestyle both inside and out. Onboard, travelers will discover a mix of iconic fan favorites including 5 o'Clock Somewhere, Hemisphere Dancer, Cheeseburger in Paradise, and License to Chill alongside more than 15 brand-new experiences created exclusively for Beachcomber.

“Beachcomber isn't just our largest ship; it's a floating celebration of everything guests love about Margaritaville at Sea hospitality, turned up a few notches,” said Christopher Ivy, Chief Executive Officer of Margaritaville at Sea. “Building on the magic and momentum of Islander, we set out to create an experience that's even more immersive, playful, and full of unexpected delights. Whether you're sailing with us for the first time or returning for more, Beachcomber promises sun-soaked surprises and the signature spirit.”