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Heritage Expeditions acquires former Exploris One

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 27 February 2026 27 February 2026

Pioneering small-ship expedition cruise company Heritage Expeditions has announced the arrival of a new iconic exploration ship, and an expansion of its expedition cruise offering, with Heritage Discoverer joining its fleet of purpose-built expedition vessels, the company said in its website.

Formerly known as Exploris One and Silver Explorer, Heritage Discoverer will begin sailing alongside the family-owned and operated cruise company’s flagship Heritage Adventurer and expedition yacht Heritage Explorer from May 2027.

Purpose-built for authentic expedition cruising and adventure, at the same Finnish shipyard as sister vessel Heritage Adventurer, Heritage Expeditions owners and Directors Aaron and Nathan Russ said Heritage Discoverer’s pioneering prowess and lineage perfectly mirrors Heritage Expeditions own legacy of adventure.

“Heritage Discoverer combines decades of exploration, on expeditions from the Northwest Passage to navigating remote tropical waters, islands and atolls, and south to Antarctica, with a 1A ice class rating and wrapped in luxurious, spacious surrounds,” said Aaron Russ.

The new addition to Heritage Expeditions fleet will see the New Zealand-based family-owned and operated company also exploring new adventures.

“Heritage Discoverer allows Heritage Expeditions to resume our renowned, authentic high Arctic and Antarctic Peninsula adventures and the return of our unique, expedition-style of travel to these regions,” said Nathan Russ.

“Her arrival also heralds new opportunities to explore European, African and South American shores announcing an exciting, truly global offering for Heritage Expeditions,” he said.

Heritage Expeditions new seven-deck, 108-metre-long expedition ship was recently refurbished and upgraded in 2023 and 2026. She features 70 ocean-view accommodation options including 12 luxurious and spacious suites from 37m2 to 67m2 with private balconies, Dining Room, Outside Grill, Presentation Lounge, Bar & Lounge, Observation Lounge, Fitness Centre, two outdoor Jacuzzis, Gift Shop, Panoramic Bridge featuring Heritage Expeditions signature Open Bridge Policy, and a fully equipped Medical Centre.

Heritage Discoverer will sail with a maximum of 130 expeditioners and an Expedition Team of 15, while a fleet of 14 Zodiacs ensures all guests are able to maximise their expedition experience.

Maiden voyage itineraries will be released shortly and commence in May 2027, with a selection of Arctic and Antarctic departures already chartered to Polar Latitudes Expeditions.

Photo credit: Silversea Cruises

Fincantieri delivers Four Seasons I

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 26 February 2026 26 February 2026

Fincantieri has delivered Four Seasons I, the first ultra-luxury hospitality vessel for Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings LTD, Joint Owner/Operator of Four Seasons Yachts, at its Ancona shipyard, setting a new benchmark for excellence, exclusivity, and innovation in the high‑end cruise market. With this vessel, Fincantieri confirms its ability to create one‑of‑a‑kind products that transcend the traditional concept of ultra‑luxury yachting, entering a new category of hospitality where Italian shipbuilding mastery meets the iconic Four Seasons standards.

Attending the event were Daniele Silvetti, Mayor of Ancona, His Excellency the Most Reverend Monsignor Angelo Spina, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Ancona; and Rachele Grandolfo, Deputy Prefect, representing His Excellency the Prefect of Ancona. For Fincantieri attendees included Biagio Mazzotta, Chairman, Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and Managing Director, and Luigi Matarazzo, General Manager Merchant Ships Division, as well as Ben Trodd, CEO of Four Seasons Yachts.

More than just a new standard in luxury at sea, Four Seasons I is also the world’s first intelligent ultra-luxury vessel representing an important step forward in the digital evolution of shipbuilding. Fincantieri’s Navis Sapiens program, marking the first Navis Sapiens of the Fincantieri Group as announced at Seatrade 2025 and developed by Fincantieri Ingenium, the joint venture between Fincantieri NexTech and Accenture, enables a new generation of smart ships, built on an integrated and evolutive digital architecture that leverages artificial intelligence and real‑time data to support safer, more efficient and future‑proof operations. Its open, scalable design also allows the vessel to integrate new functionalities and technologies as they emerge — all without weighing down the guest‑facing experience.

Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and Managing Director of Fincantieri, commented: “Today we deliver not just a ship, but a new paradigm for the hospitality industry. Four Seasons I is the first Navis Sapiens: a vessel with a digital intellect, capable of learning, adapting, and growing alongside its owner and guests. This achievement is the result of our commitment to innovation and our vision for a shipbuilding industry that is intelligent, sustainable, and future proof. At the same time, Four Seasons I embodies a one-of-a-kind ultra-luxury yachting experience, setting a new benchmark in the extra-luxury segment inspired by haute hôtellerie. Fincantieri affirms its leadership in redefining the boundaries of hospitality at sea, where technological excellence and bespoke luxury converge to create an unprecedented journey for our clients and their guests.”

With its all-suite, residential style product, Four Seasons I sets a new frontier for ultra-luxury hospitality at sea. The 34,000 gross tons and 207 meters vessel features just 95 exclusive suites, each designed as a private sanctuary overlooking the ocean. The design philosophy aims to remove barriers between guests and the sea, with generous terraces and open-air living spaces. The iconic Funnel Suite offers an extraordinary 457 square meters of indoor-outdoor private space, positioning it among the most exclusive accommodations ever created on a hospitality vessel. Inspired by the Four Seasons approach to hosting — personalized service, world‑class amenities, and uncompromising attention to detail — the yacht ship creates an entirely new category of bespoke travel by sea. Every suite is conceived as a tailored environment, crafted with premium materials and exceptional spatial generosity, redefining what it means to experience the ocean in an ultra‑luxury dimension.

The ship adopts the most advanced environmental protection technologies, reinforcing Fincantieri’s commitment to sustainable innovation. Its construction highlights Fincantieri’s capability to deliver complex, high‑craftsmanship vessels where engineering excellence and bespoke design converge — a hallmark of the Group’s leadership in the extra‑luxury segment.

Over the past few months, more than 2,000 people - Fincantieri employees and partner companies - have worked tirelessly onboard “Four Seasons I” at the Ancona shipyard. Covering 360,000 m², the site boasts a production capacity of 60,000 GT, lifting systems up to 500 tons, and hull construction capabilities of 1,200 tons per month, confirming its strategic importance in the Fincantieri network. Ancona is part of the Group’s Operations Excellence program, which includes the introduction of advanced technologies to increase efficiency and improve work quality, from automation to augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and collaborative robots.

MSC Poesia enters drydock ahead of its Alaska debut

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 26 February 2026 26 February 2026

MSC Poesia will enter dry dock at Palumbo Malta Shipyard in Malta, marking the next phase of the cruise line’s ongoing investment in enhancing the guest experience across its fleet.

The enhancements will introduce new premium spaces and experiences, combining elevated comfort with lively social venues, ahead of MSC Poesia’s debut season in Alaska in May 2026.

MSC Poesia is the second ship from the line’s MSC Musica Class to undergo a major refurbishment at the Maltese shipyard, following sister ship MSC Magnifica, which left the shipyard in December and is currently sailing on the MSC World Cruise 2026.

When the refurbishments are complete, MSC Poesia will feature an MSC Yacht Club, the brand’s exclusive “ship-within-a-ship” concept, offering 69 elegantly appointed suites, private amenities, and 24-hour butler service. Additionally, the updates include two new specialty dining venues - Butcher’s Cut, an authentic American-style steakhouse, and Kaito Sushi Bar, inspired by the Far East where guests can savor expertly crafted sushi and exquisite authentic Asian dishes.

The enhancement will include a newly designed MSC Aurea Spa and MSC Gym powered by Technogym, complete with Gentleman’s Barber, various workout studios, an outdoor Aurea area and Top 15 Exclusive Solarium.

Refurbishment work is expected to be completed in April, in time for MSC Poesia’s Alaska season.

Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises, said: “This major refurbishment of MSC Poesia reflects our continued efforts and commitment to investing in our fleet and delivering exceptional guest experiences. This refurbishment showcases MSC Cruises’ commitment to offering guests the best possible experience and modern amenities. We are proud to bring the addition of the MSC Yacht Club, new dining concepts and more to MSC Poesia and to offer guests more choice and more comfort than ever before, ahead of the ship’s Alaska season.”

The refurbishment of MSC Poesia forms part of the most extensive upgrade and refitting program by MSC Cruises in the past decade.

The project is fully designed and managed in-house by MSC Cruises’ Technical Department and will be carried out at Palumbo Malta Shipyard, a strategic hub for MSC Cruises’ fleet maintenance and large-scale refurbishment projects in Europe.

Earlier this month, MSC Cruises announced the expansion of its renowned MSC Yacht Club to two additional ships, MSC Musica and MSC Orchestra. Once complete, these latest enhancements will mean all four vessels in the Musica class, MSC Poesia, MSC Magnifica, MSC Musica and MSC Orchestra, will have been upgraded to feature MSC Yacht Club.

From May through September 2026, MSC Poesia will offer 7-night Alaska itineraries from Seattle, sailing to some of the region’s most iconic destinations.

Following her Alaska season, the ship will reposition to offer roundtrip Caribbean sailings from Miami during Winter 2026–2027, visiting destinations including Jamaica, Colombia, Costa Rica, Aruba, Curaçao, and Belize. MSC Poesia will then return to Alaska in summer 2027 offering guests the opportunity to visit spectacular destinations including Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Tracy Arm, and Juneau (Alaska), along with Victoria (British Columbia, Canada).

Carnival to decrease its capacity in Australia

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 26 February 2026 26 February 2026

Carnival Cruise Line announced today that Carnival Adventure will sail seasonally in Australia from April 2028 when it relocates to North America for the northern hemisphere summer.

While Carnival remains the only cruise line with a year-round commitment to this region, it has had to make this deployment decision given more favorable market conditions elsewhere and the uncertain regulatory environment in Australia and New Zealand.

“We’re proud of our long-standing commitment to this market. It is business as usual with Carnival Cruise Line operating from more homeports across Australia and New Zealand in 2027/28 than ever before, so there are plenty of attractive itineraries for our guests,” Country Manager Peter Little said.

“Over the next two years, we look forward to welcoming onboard about 1.2 million fun-loving guests across about 400 voyages as we continue to sail year-round to amazing destinations.”

Carnival Adventure will relocate to North America in April 2028, after completing its published voyages.

Little said Carnival was seeing stronger momentum and local governmental support in other major travel and tourism markets globally.

“In this context, Carnival is adjusting its deployment to better capture greater opportunities elsewhere, while continuing to champion a more competitive and certain operating environment – matters we’ve long emphasized,” Little said.

“We look forward to continuing our strong commitment to a cruise sector that provides 22,000 jobs and more than $7 billion in economic benefit to thousands of travel agents, shore tour operators, fresh food producers and transport providers right across Australia.”

Peep Jalakas named new CEO and Chairman of the Board of Tallink Grupp

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 26 February 2026 26 February 2026

AS Tallink Grupp has elected Peep Jalakas as the new Chairman of the Management Board. The term of office of Jalakas will commence on 6 April 2026 and will last for three years.

In addition, the Supervisory Board has resolved to recall Margus Schults from the Management Board with effect from 27 February 2026. He will continue in his role as Managing Director of Tallink Silja Oy.

Peep Jalakas joined SEB Bank in 2006 and has held several senior management positions since 2010, including serving as Head of Corporate Banking and Head of Credit. Since 2023, he has been a Member of the Management Board of SEB Bank and Head of Corporate Banking.

Peep Jalakas and persons closely associated with him do not hold any shares in the Group.

“Tallink Grupp is a strong and sustainable international company with a solid market position and long-standing experience that provide a firm foundation for further development. Today’s decision of the Supervisory Board to appoint Peep Jalakas as the new Chairman of the Management Board confirms our clear ambition to continue the company’s strategic growth, strengthen our competitiveness in a changing economic environment, and create long-term value for our shareholders,” commented Enn Pant, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of AS Tallink Grupp.

The current Chairman of the Management Board, Paavo Nõgene, will continue as a member of the Management Board of the Group until the expiry of his term of office on 23 May 2026.

As of 6 April 2026, the Management Board of the Group will comprise: Peep Jalakas (Chairman of the Management Board), Harri Hanschmidt, Elise Nassar, Piret Mürk-Dubout and Paavo Nõgene (until 23 May 2026).