Disney Cruise Line christens Disney Adventure in Singapore

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 05 March 2026 05 March 2026

Disney Cruise Line welcomed its newest ship, the Disney Adventure, to its rapidly expanding fleet in a dazzling entertainment showcase that celebrated the beloved Disney stories, characters, and music that come to life onboard. The elegant artistry of the christening ceremony punctuated the introduction of the cruise line’s first ever ship to sail in Southeast Asia.

In the Walt Disney Theatre aboard the ship, guests witnessed the magic of Disney storytelling come to life through regional vocalists and musicians, incredible video effects, and star-studded surprises, including special appearances from Captain Mickey Mouse and Captain Minnie Mouse. A 23-piece orchestra, Hollywood Performing Arts Hall of Fame inductee Jed Madela, and international recording artist of Eurovision fam Dami Im guided the show through classic Disney, Pixar, and Marvel melodies accompanied by stunning visuals that sprung to life on screens that surrounded the stage and seemed to engulf the audience.

Chairman of Disney Experiences and incoming Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company, Josh D’Amaro, and President of Disney Signature Experiences, Joe Schott, joined the artists on stage to mark the momentous occasion.

“The Walt Disney Company has always been built on the power of storytelling and innovation – and Disney Cruise Line brings those values to life in extraordinary ways. Our cruise ships are ambassadors of our brand that carry joy, wonder and enchantment to destinations around the world,” said D’Amaro. “As our first ship to homeport in Asia, the Disney Adventure represents a new chapter for Disney Cruise Line and will introduce Disney to audiences who may be experiencing our magic for the very first time. It offers fans across this region an opportunity to immerse themselves in unforgettable ways and create memories that are uniquely Disney.”

The Godparent of the Disney Adventure, Robert Downey Jr., lent his voice to the ceremonial blessing for good fortune for the ship and all its guests.

“I’ve had the privilege of getting to know the team at Walt Disney Imagineering, and I can tell you Adventure is the perfect name for what they’ve created,” he said. “Being the Godparent of this majestic vessel is an honor, and I have some serious duties to perform, so let’s make it official, shall we?”

Downey Jr. cued the orchestra, saying, “You bring the theme and I’ll bring the thunder,” followed by the official blessing, “I christen thee, Disney Adventure, may God bless this ship and all who sail upon her.”

The Christening Ceremony culminated with a confetti burst and a multitude of beloved Disney characters in a rousing rendition of “Let’s Set Sail,” a Disney Cruise Line tradition that builds excitement for the journeys that lie ahead onboard the Disney Adventure.

Drawing on more than 100 years of storytelling from Disney, Pixar, and Marvel, the Disney Adventure is filled with epic experiences and beloved characters waiting to be discovered. The ship features seven immersive themed areas, each transporting guests into iconic stories and worlds including San Fransokyo Street from Disney’s “Big Hero 6”. On board, guests can enjoy a brand-new Broadway-style musical, “Remember”; immersive dining experiences; signature fireworks at sea; imaginative clubs for kids of all ages; a dynamic collection of bars and lounges for adults; and thrilling attractions, including Disney Cruise Line’s first-ever roller coaster at sea, Ironcycle Test Run.

The Disney Adventure marks Disney Cruise Line’s eighth ship and its largest to date. The ship embarks on its maiden voyage on March 10, followed by an inaugural season of three- and four-night itineraries at sea. The Disney Adventure is part of a multi-year expansion of the award-winning Disney Cruise Line fleet, which currently includes eight ships, with five more planned to join the fleet by 2031.

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Avora Residences acquires Seven Seas Navigator, announces launch of Avora Lumina

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 03 March 2026 03 March 2026

Avora Residences has acquired the Seven Seas Navigator from Regent Seven Seas Cruises, marking a meaningful expansion of the residential cruise category into a new premium tier. The vessel will debut in January 2028 as Avora Lumina, serving as the flagship of Avora’s residential platform designed specifically for long-term living at sea.

“Residential cruising has proven its viability,” said Mikael Petterson, Founder of Avora Residences. “Avora Lumina represents the next evolution — purpose-built for long-duration global living, expedition capability, and a more refined residential experience.”

The transaction builds on the proven residential cruising model and strategically positions Avora between Villa Vie Residences’ contemporary residential cruise offerings and The World’s ultra-high-net-worth maritime estates. Avora Residences was founded by Mikael Petterson, the creator of Villa Vie Residences and the only operator to successfully execute a modern residential cruise program at scale.

A legacy continued

The nine-year charter with a nominal purchase option arrangement establishes a long-term operational relationship with Norwegian Cruise Line, providing continuity and stability of the most experienced maritime operating organizations in the world.

As part of this relationship, Avora plans to preserve the operational DNA of Seven Seas Navigator wherever possible, maintaining established systems, standards, and key vendor and service relationships that have defined the vessel’s performance and reputation over decades of global service. This approach ensures operational consistency while allowing Avora to thoughtfully residentialize the onboard experience.

“Our philosophy is evolution, not disruption,” said Kathy Villalba, Co-Founder & CEO of Avora Residences. “Navigator has a soul — built through years of disciplined operations, experienced crews, and trusted relationships. We intend to honor that legacy while transforming the ship into a true long-term residential platform.”

A Purpose-Built Residential TransformationAhead of its 2028 launch, Avora Lumina will undergo a full residential conversion. Planned upgrades include personalization and residential enhancements, reimagined common spaces optimized for long-term living, a dedicated business and global connectivity center designed to support extended voyages.

Residences range from approximately 300 to 1,173 square feet and will feature premium finishes, expansive ocean views, and opportunities for personalization. “These are not cruise cabins,” Petterson said. “They are designed as floating homes — primary residences that travel with their owners for years at a time.”

A rare platform in the global fleet

With its size and configuration, Avora Lumina occupies a distinctive position within the global passenger fleet. The ship is small enough to access intimate ports and navigate waterways unavailable to larger vessels, while still offering full residential-scale amenities. The vessel is also polar-certified, enabling travel to remote destinations including Antarctica and the Northeast Passage.

Three-year continuous global circumnavigation

Avora Lumina intends to launch from Lisbon, Portugal, embarking on a three-year continuous global circumnavigation, visiting more than 140 countries and over 400 destinations across seven continents. Unlike traditional cruise itineraries, the ship will remain in port for up to five days at a time, prioritizing depth of experience and cultural immersion over rapid port turnover. Following the inaugural circumnavigation, residents will have structured input into future itineraries.

“We are building a resident-driven global platform,” said Chris Cox, President of Avora Residences. “After the first circumnavigation, owners will help shape where Lumina sails next. That fundamentally changes the residential cruise model.”

Ownership structure and pricing

Avora Residences will offer two ownership pathways:

– Life-of-Ship Ownership, with pricing ranging from approximately $545,000 to $4.2 million across 242 private residences

– Five-Year Ownership Program, starting at approximately $219,600, offering long-term residential access with a lower overall commitment

Pricing is positioned to compete with traditional home ownership in major global cities, while offering the added benefit of global mobility within a fully serviced residential environment.

Elevating cuisine to the highest standards

A central pillar of Avora Lumina’s journey will be its culinary program. Avora plans to introduce destination-inspired dining concepts that reflect the regions visited throughout their global exploration. Rotating seasonal menus, elevated wine programs, chef-led tastings, and locally sourced ingredients—made possible through extended port stays—will define the onboard dining experience.

Viking reports latest financial results, announces more ship orders

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 03 March 2026 03 March 2026

Viking Holdings Ltd today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2025.

Full year 2025 key highlights and 2026 advance bookings

– Total revenue was $6,501.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, an increase of 21.9%, compared to the same period in 2024.
– Gross margin was $2,582.4 million. Adjusted Gross Margin was $4,290.0 million, an increase of 22.6% compared to the same period in 2024.
– Net Yield was $583, an increase of 7.4% compared to the same period in 2024.
– Adjusted EBITDA was $1,872.1 million, an increase of 38.8% compared to the same period in 2024.
– Net income was $1,148.1 million. Adjusted Net Income attributable to Viking Holdings Ltd was $1,165.1 million, an increase of 43.9% compared to the same period in 2024.
– Diluted EPS was $2.57 and Adjusted EPS was $2.61.
– Net Leverage improved from 2.4x as of December 31, 2024 to 1.1x as of December 31, 2025.
– As of February 15, 2026, for its Core Products, Viking had sold 86% of its Capacity Passenger Cruise Days for the 2026 season.

“In 2025, we delivered exceptional financial results, increasing our Adjusted Gross Margin by 22.6% and growing our Adjusted Net Income by 43.9% year-over-year to $1,165.1 million. This performance reflects our consistent execution and is supported by key metrics that reinforce our momentum, including an ROIC of 45.8% and Net Leverage of 1.1x,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking. “We also reached important milestones in 2025, growing our river, ocean and expedition fleet to more than 100 vessels and further expanding our destination-focused offerings around the world. These achievements reflect the strong demand from our core consumer, the loyalty of our guests, the value of our premium products and the dedication of our employees to provide exceptional travel experiences on all seven continents.”

Fourth quarter 2025 consolidated results

During the fourth quarter of 2025, Capacity PCDs increased by 14.7% over the same period in 2024 mainly driven by the growth of the Company’s fleet, which included six additional river vessels and two additional ocean ships. Occupancy for the fourth quarter of 2025 was 95.0%.

Total revenue for the fourth quarter of 2025 was $1,724.4 million, an increase of $374.7 million, or 27.8% over the same period in 2024 mainly driven by increased Capacity PCDs, higher Occupancy and higher revenue per PCD in 2025 compared to 2024.

Gross margin for the fourth quarter of 2025 was $652.1 million, an increase of $180.1 million, or 38.2%, over the same period in 2024 and Adjusted Gross Margin for the fourth quarter of 2025 was $1,106.1 million, an increase of $237.4 million, or 27.3%, over the same period in 2024. Net Yield was $546 for the fourth quarter, up 7.7% year-over-year.

Vessel operating expenses were $392.6 million and vessel operating expenses excluding fuel were $350.2 million. Compared to the same period in 2024, vessel operating expenses increased $51.2 million, or 15.0%, and vessel operating expenses excluding fuel increased $52.6 million, or 17.7% mainly driven by increased Capacity PCDs in 2025 compared to 2024.

Net income for the fourth quarter of 2025 was $300.3 million compared to $104.2 million for the same period in 2024. The fourth quarter of 2024 included a loss of $96.3 million from the revaluation of warrants issued by the Company due to stock price appreciation. Adjusted Net Income attributable to Viking Holdings Ltd for the fourth quarter of 2025 was $297.7 million, an increase of $98.0 million, or 49.1%, over the same period in 2024.

Adjusted EBITDA was $462.8 million, an increase of $156.9 million, or 51.3% compared to the fourth quarter of 2024. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was mainly driven by increased Capacity PCDs, higher Occupancy and higher revenue per PCD.

Diluted EPS and Adjusted EPS were both $0.67 for the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to Diluted EPS of $0.24 and Adjusted EPS of $0.45 for the same period in 2024.

Update on operating capacity and bookings

For our Core Products, operating capacity is 7% higher for the 2026 season compared to the 2025 season.

As of February 15, 2026, for our Core Products, we had sold 86% of our Capacity PCDs for the 2026 season. We had $5,960 million of Advance Bookings for the 2026 season, 13% higher than the 2025 season at the same point in time. Advance Bookings per PCD for the 2026 season was $859, 6% higher than the 2025 season at the same point in time.

“We finished 2025 with great momentum and we are entering 2026 in a very solid position with 86% of our Capacity PCDs for our Core Products already sold,” said Leah Talactac, President and CFO of Viking. “We are seeing a strong booking environment characterized by robust demand across our products, from both repeat guests and new-to-brand customers. As we continue to expand our fleet and further strengthen our leadership across the river and ocean segments, we remain encouraged by the resilience of our core consumer and the strength of the Viking brand. We will continue to execute with discipline and focus as we build on this foundation.”

Balance sheet and liquidity

As of December 31, 2025:

– The Company had $3.8 billion in cash and cash equivalents and an undrawn revolver facility of $1.0 billion.
– Deferred revenue was $4.6 billion.
– Scheduled principal payments were $396.8 million for 2026.

New build and capacity

Since our third quarter 2025 earnings release, the Company:

– Entered into option agreements for two additional ocean ships which have an exercise date of July 30, 2028, for delivery in 2034.
– Entered into shipbuilding commitments for two additional expedition ships scheduled for delivery in 2030 and 2031.

Based on the committed orderbook, the Company expects to take delivery of 2 ocean ships and 10 river ships in 2026.

Updated: Iran conflict affects cruise ships in Qatar, UAE

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 28 February 2026 28 February 2026

The conflict in Iran has affected cruise operations in the region. There are at least six medium to large size cruise ships Saturday, February 28 docked in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and in Doha, Qatar. These ships are operated by Aroya, Celestyal Cruises, MSC Cruises and TUI Cruises.

Weekends in the region are often turnaround days, which means that the ships are changing most of their passengers. However, almost all flights are canceled from the major airports in the Persian Gulf and flights heading to the region have been diverted elsewhere.

Dubai Airports, which operates the DXB and DWC airports, made a following statement today at 4:05 pm (local time): “Dubai Airports confirms that all flight operations at Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC) are suspended until further notice. Passengers must not travel to the airport and are advised to contact their airline directly for the latest flight updates. We are closely monitoring the situation and will provide further updates as soon as available.”

Meanwhile, Celestyal Cruises provided the following statement: “The safety and wellbeing of our guests and crew is always our highest priority. We are closely monitoring the evolving geopolitical situation in the Middle East region in close coordination with the relevant authorities. We will provide updates regarding future sailings departing from March 2 onwards as soon as further information becomes available. We will communicate directly with affected guests and travel partners as required.”

As this is a fluid situation, please check back for updates.

Photo: MSC Euribia is currently docked in Dubai. It is the largest cruise ship in the region

UPDATE 4: CELESTYAL CRUISES:

Celestyal Cruises has canceled all remaining departures of Celestyal Journey.

UPDATE 3: MSC CRUISES:

MSC Cruises has canceled MSC Euribia's departures from Dubai on March 7, from Doha on March 8 and from Abu Dhabi on March 11th.

UPDATE 2: CELESTYAL CRUISES:

Celestyal Cruises has informed that March 2 departures of Celestyal Journey from Dubai and Celestyal Discovery from Abu Dhabi has been canceled. Celestyal Journey will remain alongside in Doha until March 7.

UPDATE 1: TUI CRUISES STATEMENT:

Important Information Regarding Current Developments in the Middle East

Status: February 28, 2026 - 6:35 PM

The current developments in the Middle East are impacting our cruises on Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 5 (departing on February 28, March 1, and March 2). The safety of our guests and crew is our top priority at all times. During the ongoing voyage to Doha for Mein Schiff 5, the German Federal Foreign Office updated its travel and security advice for the entire region and issued travel warnings. Against this backdrop, it is currently not responsible to proceed with the above-mentioned cruises as planned. All guests who are currently on board or had planned to travel have been informed directly and individually.

Please refrain from inquiring about upcoming departures of Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 5, as we are unable to answer these questions at this time. All booked guests will be informed in a timely manner should further changes become necessary.

Thank you for your understanding in this exceptional situation.