Top Headlines

Viking names seven new river ships, honoring valued travel advisor partners

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 20 October 2026 20 October 2026

Viking announced last week the naming of its seven newest river ships during a simultaneous ceremony in Amsterdam that virtually connected locations across Europe and Egypt. The celebration honored seven distinguished travel advisors and industry leaders who served as godparents, recognizing their longstanding relationships with Viking and contributions to the company’s success.

Of the seven new river ships, the Viking Haki, the Viking Halogi, the Viking Sjofn and the Viking Rota will sail Viking’s most popular itineraries along the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers. The Viking Ptah operates on the Nile River, where the Viking Sekhmet will also begin sailing in 2027. The Viking Fjolvar explores the Seine River.

“Throughout history, rivers have inspired exploration, connecting people, cultures and civilizations. For nearly 30 years, Viking has carried forward that spirit of discovery, introducing curious travelers to the world’s most remarkable destinations,” said Leah Talactac, President and Chief Executive Officer of Viking. “As we name our seven newest river ships, we are especially proud to honor travel advisor partners who have been an integral part of our journey. It is a privilege to recognize seven of these exceptional partners as godparents in gratitude for their meaningful contributions to Viking’s success.”

Viking naming ceremony

For thousands of years, maritime tradition has called for new ships to be ceremonially named by a godmother. Viking has adapted this custom and extended the tradition to include godfathers, appointing individuals who have made an impact either in the world or in the life of Viking. During the ceremony, each godparent offered good wishes for the safety of their ship’s guests and crew.

The seven travel advisors and industry leaders honored as godparents represent some of Viking’s most valued relationships across the global travel advisor community:

– Shelby Steudle, President, Pavlus Travel – Godmother of the Viking Fjolvar. During Pavlus Travel’s more than 20-year partnership with Viking, Shelby has been a valued advocate for Viking and has helped drive the company’s continued growth.
– Michael Londregan, Senior Vice President, Global Markets, Virtuoso – Godfather of the Viking Ptah. Michael has been a valued partner to Viking, helping strengthen the company’s presence through the Virtuoso network in Australia and New Zealand.
– Ealeen Wong, Senior Director of Strategy, Partnerships & Sales for Expedia Group’s Global Cruise Business – Godmother of the Viking Rota. Ealeen has played an important role in expanding Viking’s relationship with Expedia Cruises across the U.S. and Canada.
– Michael Consoli, Owner, Cruise Planners – Godfather of the Viking Sekhmet. A longtime champion of Viking since 2010, Michael is the company’s top-producing global travel advisor.
– Carol Porter, Co-Owner, The Roaming Boomers – Godmother of the Viking Haki. Carol and her husband are Viking advocates and have become the company’s top-producing travel advisors within the Virtuoso network.
– Carol Shaddix, Owner, Imagine Going There Travel – Godmother of the Viking Halogi. A dedicated advocate for Viking, Carol has grown Imagine Going There to become the company’s second-highest-producing travel advisor globally.
– Danielle “Dani” Galloway, Global Managing Director, Luxury and Independent, Flight Centre Travel Group – Godmother of the Viking Sjofn. Dani helped establish Viking as the #1 cruise line within Flight Centre’s Travel Associates brand.

The ceremony, hosted in Amsterdam alongside the Viking Rota and the Viking Haki, was connected virtually to the five other new ships across three additional countries. The Viking Fjolvar was in Les Andelys, France; the Viking Halogi and the Viking Sjofn were in Rostock, Germany; and the Viking Ptah and the Viking Sekhmet were in Luxor, Egypt.

Viking Executive Chairman Torstein Hagen welcomed guests to the celebration, which featured performances by Sissel Kyrkjebø, one of the world’s leading crossover sopranos and godmother of the Viking Jupiter, and Norwegian violinist Tor Jaran Apold.

Photo: Viking Executive Vice President of Product Karine Hagen, Executive Chairman Torstein Hagen and President and CEO Leah Talactac alongside the godparents and captains. Credit: Viking

Norwegian Cruise Line names the last Prima-class ship as Norwegian Bella

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 20 October 2026 20 October 2026

Norwegian Cruise Line today opened for sale its next cutting-edge vessel, Norwegian Bella, which will offer 7-night round-trip Mediterranean itineraries from Barcelona, Spain beginning in May 2028.

At approximately 1,129 feet long and 170,000 gross tons, Norwegian Bella will accommodate 3,921 guests at double occupancy and will join Norwegian Aura as the largest ships in the NCL fleet. Her inaugural season of voyages will include an unparalleled way for guests to experience Europe's most captivating destinations, including Rome, Florence and Salerno, Italy; Marseille, France; and Palma de Mallorca, Spain.

On board, Norwegian Bella will offer similar experiences to Norwegian Aura, the company’s latest vessel due for delivery in May 2027. With Norwegian Bella sailing in Europe and Norwegian Aura in the Caribbean, NCL will bring its newest guest experiences to two of the world’s top cruise destinations. Both vessels are currently being built by renowned Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, with interior designs created by world-class architects AD Associates, Piero Lissoni, Rockwell Group, SMC Design, and Studio Dado.

"Norwegian Bella marks a milestone moment in our fleet as the culmination of our award-winning Prima Class,” said Marc Kazlauskas, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. “Drawing on the innovations and guest feedback that have shaped the class from the very beginning, Norwegian Bella brings together our most sought-after experiences in one extraordinary ship. From enhanced outdoor spaces and family-friendly attractions to elevated venues for relaxation and connection, every detail has been thoughtfully designed to give guests the freedom and flexibility to vacation exactly how they want to, without anyone having to compromise. We look forward to welcoming guests to discover the Mediterranean with us aboard Norwegian Bella.”

Rendering of the Daybreak Bar

Record cruise season in Vancouver delivers local billion-dollar economic boost

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 10 October 2026 10 October 2026

The final ship of the Port of Vancouver’s 2026 cruise season arrives at Canada Place on Monday, October 12, with Norwegian Encore bringing a record-setting year to an end.

Passenger and cruise ship visits to the award-winning Canada Place terminal at the Port of Vancouver both surged almost 20% this year, with 1.4 million passenger visits and 358 cruise ship calls between February and October.

“We are thrilled to celebrate another successful cruise season, with more than $1 billion injected into the local economy as cruise lines and passengers increasingly make Vancouver a core part of their Alaska adventure,” said Jeff Scott, Vice President of Operations and Supply Chain at the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority.

“Vancouver’s cruise sector continues to thrive as an economic engine that drives local tourism, brings countless visitors to our beautiful city, and supports businesses and jobs across the region thanks to the hard work and dedication of all those involved. I want to acknowledge the significant collaboration required to deliver a growing and sustainable local cruise sector, from our cruise, municipal, government and destination partners to longshore workers and local tourism operators.”

Looking towards next cruise season, work to expand shore power capacity at Canada Place is scheduled to start in coming months and will enable more visiting cruise ships to plug in to B.C.’s low-carbon electrical grid while at berth. The expanded shore power is expected to prevent an additional 3,300 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each cruise season, the equivalent to removing 770 gasoline-powered cars from the road every year.

The shore power expansion comes alongside other initiatives at Canada Place to ensure the cruise terminal can sustainably handle growing passenger and ship volumes. Cutting-edge facial biometric processing technology has significantly cut passenger embarkation times, while new elevators at key arrival locations will soon help passengers seamlessly navigate the terminal.

Average embarkation times for passengers boarding a cruise ship in Vancouver has shrunk to under 30 minutes since the introduction of facial biometric scanning in 2024.

“Managing Canada Place through a record cruise season has demonstrated what can be accomplished when everyone works together,” said Elise Ferguson, Vice President of Cruise Operations at Canada Place for SSA Marine, which manages the day-to-day terminal operations on the port authority’s behalf.

“I’m incredibly proud of the safe, efficient and welcoming experience we delivered for guests. No one stands alone in that success—it reflects the incredible collaboration of SSA Marine, cruise lines, ILWU workforce, government agencies and the port authority.”

The latest Cruise Passenger Survey, conducted by the Pacific Rim Cruise Association, found that beyond the economic benefits generated by cruise passengers flying through Vancouver International Airport, spending additional time in Vancouver before or after a cruise has become an increasingly important part of many traveller's itineraries:

– 76% of cruise passengers now spend time locally before or after their cruise (up from 70% in 2023)
– Cruise passengers are spending an average of $1,144 each locally on hotels, restaurants, shopping, tours and local attractions, and more
– Cruise passengers are staying an average of 1.4 nights in Vancouver before or after their cruise, with passengers from outside North America spending an average of 2.6 nights in the city

“We are incredibly grateful for our continued partnership with the Port of Vancouver and congratulate the entire team on another successful cruise season,” said Marc Kazlauskas, president of Norwegian Cruise Line.

“We look forward to continuing our collaboration in 2027, when Norwegian Jade sails 7-night Alaska voyages from May through September, embarking and disembarking guests in Vancouver. Homeporting in this remarkable city gives our guests the freedom and flexibility to extend their vacation and immerse themselves in everything Vancouver has to offer, from its spectacular natural beauty to its vibrant culture and world-class attractions.”

Preliminary bookings for 2027 point to another robust year, with strong numbers of cruise ships and passengers expected at the Port of Vancouver.

“Cruise passengers are making Vancouver part of their journey, not simply the place where it begins or ends,” said Royce Chwin, President and CEO of Destination Vancouver. “With three-quarters spending time in the city before or after their sailing, that activity reaches well beyond the waterfront into our hotels, restaurants, attractions, shops and neighbourhoods. This record season is a significant boost for Vancouver’s visitor economy and an opportunity to give more travellers reasons to stay longer and return.”

Photo credit: Teijo Niemela

MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean Group invest in new cruise terminal at Naha, Okinawa

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 06 October 2026 06 October 2026

Naha Port Authority, Cruise Port Naha G.K., Royal Caribbean Group and MSC Cruises, celebrated the groundbreaking of a new cruise terminal at Naha Port, marking a significant milestone in the continued growth of cruising in Japan and across the East Asia region.

Cruise Port Naha G.K. is a joint venture between CTL Maritime and RCL Cruises Ltd., representing the respective interests of MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean Group. Under the Cruise Hub Formation Agreement concluded with the Naha Port Authority in August 2026, Cruise Port Naha G.K. will develop and operate the new terminal, with completion and the start of operations targeted for March 2028.

The new terminal will provide modern, purpose-built facilities designed to enhance the guest experience, improve operational efficiency, and support the long-term growth of cruise tourism in Okinawa.

As one of Japan's most strategically located ports, Naha offers year-round accessibility and serves as an ideal gateway for cruise itineraries throughout the region. Once completed, the new terminal will provide enhanced passenger facilities, strengthening the port's ability to accommodate some of the most advanced cruise ships in the world, thereby supporting increased passenger capacity and growing demand for cruise vacations in Asia. 

Jason Liberty, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, said, "For Royal Caribbean Group, Japan is one of the most important cruise markets in Asia - not only as a destination, but as a long-term partner in our global business. We do not simply bring guests here, we also invest here and with Naha Okinawa, we are investing in infrastructure that will benefit the local community for years to come. The future of cruising in Japan is about shared ambition, collaboration, and responsible innovation, and we are honored to be a part of it."

Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, MSC Group, Cruises Division, said, "Okinawa is uniquely positioned at the crossroads of some of Asia’s most exciting cruise destinations, and we see real potential for its future. This project forms part of our long-term vision to expand our presence in the region and create new opportunities for guests of MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys to enjoy Asia year-round. As we continue to develop our itineraries and invest in infrastructure, we are making cruising more accessible for both international and Asian travelers while strengthening connections across the region. We are proud to partner with Royal Caribbean Group and the Naha Port Authority in bringing this vision to life, and I thank all those whose commitment, collaboration and shared ambition have made today's milestone possible. Together, we are investing not only in a port, but in the future growth of cruise tourism in Okinawa and across Asia."

The project follows Naha Port’s designation by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism as an International Cruise Ship Hub Formation Port in 2019 and represents an important public-private collaboration to support the long-term development of tourism in Okinawa.

The groundbreaking included a traditional Japanese ceremony at the future terminal site, marking the formal start of construction and bringing together several esteemed public officials for the event, including Okinawa Governor Genta Koja and representatives from the Cabinet Office of Japan, alongside representatives from Naha Port Authority, Cruise Port Naha G.K., MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean Group.

Image: From left, Preston Carnahan, vice president, Destination Development, Royal Caribbean Group; Hon. Genta Koja, Governor of Okinawa Prefecture, president, Naha Port Authority; Oliviero Morelli, president, Japan, Korea, and South East Asia, Cruise Division of MSC Group; Javier Rodriguez Sanchez, vice president, Business Development, Ports & Destinations, CTL Maritime

PortMiami announces new lineup of ships for 2026–2027 cruise season

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 05 October 2026 05 October 2026

PortMiami is welcoming an array of ships for the 2026–2027 cruise season, representing a wide range of global cruise brands.

The upcoming schedule features vessels from Ponant Explorations L’Austral and Explora Journeys Explora III in October 2026; Orient Express Sailing Yachts Orient Express Corinthian, Silversea Silver Shadow, The Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection Ilma, and Emerald Cruises Emerald Sakara in November 2026; Silversea Silver Ray, Azamara Cruises Quest, Four Seasons Yachts Four Seasons I and Silversea Silver Dawn in December 2026; Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber and Silversea Silver Nova in January 2027; Silversea Silver Spirit and Carnival Cruise Line Carnival Firenze in February 2027; Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Aura in June 2027; and Royal Caribbean Hero of the Seas in August 2027.

“The upcoming season reflects the enduring strength of cruise tourism in Miami Dade County,” said Miami Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “Cruising has deep roots here. It began in Miami and continues to flourish. These new ship arrivals demonstrate how PortMiami remains at the forefront of the industry and a defining gateway for travelers from around the world.”

“The port’s continued momentum highlights our longstanding partnerships with cruise brands. Miami has long been recognized as the heart of modern cruising. Welcoming this diverse array of ships reinforces that legacy and underscores how PortMiami continues to shape the cruise experience while supporting tourism and economic growth throughout the region,” said Jonathan Daniels, PortMiami Director and CEO.

To help ensure a smooth start to their trip, travelers are encouraged to park in the designated garage or surface lot assigned to their ship. PortMiami also reminds passengers to arrive only at their scheduled embarkation time and to use the appropriate entrance for their cruise terminal:

– Passengers accessing Cruise Terminals AA, A, B, C or D should enter through the PortMiami Tunnel.
– Passengers accessing Cruise Terminals E, F, J or V should enter through the PortMiami Bridge.

These guidelines help maintain steady traffic flow and support a more efficient arrival experience for all travelers.