Top Headlines

Hong Kong’s cruise tourism warms up in Spring

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 10 March 2025 10 March 2025

March is a super month for Hong Kong cruise scene, as the city welcomes four and three ships at the same time across two dates.

Four international cruise ships docked at the same time at the two cruise terminals in Hong Kong on 9 March. Celebrity Millenium of Celebrity Cruises, Costa Serena of Costa Cruises, Silver Whisper of Silversea Cruises, and Seabourn Encore of Seabourn Cruises arrived in Hong Kong on 8 & 9 March respectively, docking at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal and the Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui. The four cruises have brought to Hong Kong a total of 5,400 passengers from 31 countries and regions, including the Mainland, the US, Australia, the UK, Germany, Canada, the Philippines, Japan and Singapore.

Meanwhile, three large international cruise ships will call from 18 to 19 March, including Queen Anne of Cunard Line and Norwegian Sky of Norwegian Cruise Line, which will make their first visit to Hong Kong. Queen Elizabeth, a member of the Cunard Line, will also return to Hong Kong.

Hong Kong continues to excite visitors with new and characterful neighbourhood tours

In addition to shore excursions to traditional tourist hotspots, such as the Peak and Tsim Sha Tsui, a group of cruise visitors added a city walk in Kowloon City to their on-shore itinerary to immerse themselves in authentic Hong Kong culture and heritage on a journey through neighbourhood’s past and present.

During the local tour, the cruise visitors visited Kai Tak Sports Park, Hong Kong’s largest, state-of-the-art sports and entertainment complex, followed by the visit to “Live out the Cinematic Charm of Hong Kong – Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In Exhibition” organised by HKTB in the AIRSIDE shopping mall. The visitors also visited the Chilin Nunnery, a Buddhist sanctuary, which has replicated traditional aesthetics of the Tang Dynasty, and Nan Lian Garden, a classical Chinese garden, to learn more about the city’s traditional religious culture amidst the vibrant urban surroundings.

Helen Sleiman, a local tour first-time participant from the UK, said she was impressed by the many high-rise buildings in Hong Kong. She saw a more realistic side of Hong Kong's neighbourhoods on her visit to Kowloon City and could imagine what it was like in the old days. She also gained a better understanding of the city and looks forward to coming back to Hong Kong in the future and spending more time sightseeing.

Hong Kong as a value-added port for international cruises

Adding pizzazz to its VIP experience on shore, Cunard Line’s newest ship Queen Anne will stage a world cruise gala dinner at a local hotel for over 1,000 guests during her overnight stay in town, further strengthening Hong Kong’s position as a cruise hub in Asia.

HKTB will continue to promote Hong Kong’s cruise tourism and maintain close liaison with Mainland and international cruise companies to curate special land programmes for passengers. HKTB will also encourage the travel trade to provide cruise travellers with more diversified on-shore travel experiences to showcase our unique tourism appeal. From the moment cruise passengers step off for onshore excitement to re-embarkation, cruise companies can be assured that their deployment to Hong Kong will yield memorable experiences for their guests and generate greater world-of-mouth for cruising.

HX Expeditions unveils new fleet brand colours

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 05 March 2025 05 March 2025

HX Expeditions, the world’s oldest expedition cruise company, today introduced its new fleet livery colours in its brand colours of ‘Indigo Blue’ and ‘Sand’, marking a key milestone in the continued evolution of its standalone brand.

This new chapter follows the initial HX brand launch in December 2023 and signals the final stages of a transformative rebranding journey as HX officially separated last month from its Norwegian heritage sister brand of Hurtigruten. The new colours aim to reflect the company’s forward-thinking vision and continued commitment to providing unparalleled and responsible expedition experiences for its guests.

The new livery colour palette takes inspiration from marine wildlife with colours such as ‘Pearl, Sand and Arctic White.’ The iconic red and black colours previously used by the Hurtigruten Group have long been associated with the heritage sister brand of Hurtigruten, which will continue to use those colours and will remain unchanged. This new visual identity for HX introduces a distinct and modern look and ensures that guests won’t get confused in places like Norway where the two brands will still co-exist.

HX has already introduced a series of changes, including a revamped website, new indigo blue jacket for guests, and a comprehensive overhaul of branded materials – all carefully designed to reflect the company’s rich history while embracing a bold new future all focused on sustainability, science and expertise going back to our first sailings in 1896.

"This is the next important step in the HX brand evolution" said Gebhard Rainer, CEO of HX Expeditions "The rebrand of our fleet is not just about aesthetics, it’s about creating an experience that resonates with our guests on every level. Our new fleet colours are a reflection of who we are today and where we are heading, while also maintaining a respectful distinction from our heritage brand, which will continue to proudly represent its own legacy in red and black."

This new fleet rollout is just one of the many steps the company has taken since the brand launch in late 2023. The rebranding journey, which included extensive customer and market feedback, has been thoughtfully executed to ensure continuity of the company’s core values while embracing growth, innovation, and differentiation in the marketplace.

With the evolution now entering its final stage, HX remains steadfast in its dedication to delivering unparalleled expedition experiences both in the polar regions and in warm water destinations such as the Galapagos, now with a refreshed identity that guests will quickly come to recognise and appreciate.

Seatrade Cruise Global announces theme, panelists for 2025 keynote panel

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 27 February 2025 27 February 2025

Seatrade Cruise Global will be opening the doors to its 40th anniversary edition in just a few weeks, bringing together the global cruise community for a milestone event from 07 to 10 April at the Miami Beach Convention Center. This year’s theme, Milestones, encourages cruise lines and industry partners to reflect on four decades of evolution while looking ahead to the future of cruising.

Since its inaugural event in 1985, Seatrade Cruise Global has served as the premier platform for innovation, collaboration, and growth within the industry. The 2025 edition will not only celebrate the industry's remarkable journey but also provide a forward-looking agenda, with 80 conference sessions and 225 expert speakers tackling key opportunities and challenges shaping the next era of cruise travel across four days.

Chiara Giorgi, Global Brand Director, comments on the conference experience: "As we celebrate 40 years of Seatrade Cruise Global, this year’s conference will be our most dynamic yet, bringing together industry leaders to explore the key milestones shaping the future of cruising. From evolving guest expectations to groundbreaking innovations and sustainability efforts, we’re curating discussions that will inspire, challenge, and drive the industry forward. We can’t wait to welcome the global cruise community to Miami for this landmark edition."

Keynote Session: The State of the Global Cruise Industry

A highly anticipated keynote session, "The State of the Global Cruise Industry," sponsored by Hong Kong Tourism Board, is scheduled for Tuesday, 08 April, from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Moderated by Anne Kalosh, Editor at Seatrade Cruise News, this session will feature a panel of esteemed industry leaders:

– Charles “Bud” Darr, President & CEO, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)
– Jason Liberty, President & CEO, Royal Caribbean Group
– Harry Sommer, President & CEO, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.
– Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, Cruise Division of MSC Group
– Josh Weinstein, President, CEO & Chief Climate Officer, Carnival Corporation & plc

These industry leaders will dive into cruising's important topics in 2025 and beyond including opportunities and challenges, supply and demand, reaching new markets, the orderbook — which ballooned in 2024 — product innovation and AI's role, Europe as a bellwether for policy, thoughts on Asia, infrastructure investments including how private destinations are reshaping Caribbean deployment, and an update on the important Sustainable Maritime Fuels Coalition. Plus, they will share their predictions on what cruising will look like 40 years from now.

Bud Darr, CLIA’s President and CEO will deliver a keynote address ahead of the panel discussion. Darr says: "The State of the Global Cruise Industry keynote is a defining moment each year, bringing together the industry's top leaders to discuss the opportunities and challenges shaping our future. As we celebrate 40 years of Seatrade Cruise Global, this session will provide insights into key issues such as market expansion, sustainability, and innovation. It’s an exciting time for cruising and I look forward to an engaging conversation, along with revealing highlights from CLIA’s 2025 State of the Cruise Industry report.”

MSC Seascape makes first-ever call at the world's largest cruise terminal

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 08 February 2025 08 February 2025

This morning, MSC Seascape arrived at the new MSC Miami Cruise Terminal, marking an exciting milestone as the first ship to call at the state-of-the-art facility. The new terminal is the largest in the world, capable of accommodating three ships at once, and set to revolutionize the cruising experience for up to 36,000 guests each day. The project is a partnership between the Cruise Division of MSC Group, PortMiami and Miami-Dade County. The iconic structure was designed by Arquitectonica and built by Fincantieri Infrastructure.

MSC Cruises will have a total of four ships sailing from the new terminal throughout 2025, alongside ships from MSC Group’s luxury brand, Explora Journeys.

Underscoring MSC Cruises’ commitment to the U.S. and unwavering dedication to South Florida, the cruise line will launch its newest World Class ship, MSC World America, at the new terminal in April with a naming ceremony and celebratory sailing. Following the celebrations, MSC World America will continue to make use of the facility, offering 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries sailing from Miami.

Ponant Explorations starts historic winter voyages along St. Lawrence River

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 03 February 2025 03 February 2025

Ponant Explorations, the world leader in luxury expedition cruises within the small-ship segment (under 500 guests), celebrated the inaugural journey of Le Commandant Charcot through Canada’s St. Lawrence River during the boreal winter. This groundbreaking voyage marked the first time a cruise ship has navigated the St. Lawrence during this extraordinary season, highlighting Ponant Explorations’ commitment to offering its guests the very best in polar exploration.

From January through early March 2025, Le Commandant Charcot is exploring this historic waterway, a vital trading route for millennia. The ship’s presence in the region highlights the unique beauty of the St. Lawrence in winter, offering guests an exclusive opportunity to experience its icy landscapes and rich cultural heritage.

The inaugural voyage began in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon on January 17, with stops at Cap-aux-Meules, Magdalen Islands; Gaspé; Sept-Îles; and Saguenay before arriving at the Port of Québec on January 28, where the ship overnighted for the final evening of the cruise. To commemorate this historic occasion, a press conference and plaque exchange ceremony were held onboard the vessel.

During the press conference, Ponant Explorations Group CEO & Chief Sustainability Officer Hervé Gastinel announced the ship’s return to the region in February 2027 with two new 14-night round-trip Québec St. Lawrence itineraries. These itineraries will provide even more opportunities to explore this remarkable waterway during its most dramatic season.

Key government officials and partners from Québec joined Hervé Gastinel and Captain Patrick Marchesseau, master of the vessel, to mark this momentous occasion. Notable attendees included René Trépanier, Executive Director of Cruise the Saint Lawrence; Mario Girard, CEO of the Port of Québec; L’Honorable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services and Procurement; Caroline Proulx, Minister of Tourism; and Bruno Marchand, Mayor of Québec. Their presence underscored the collaborative efforts that made this achievement possible.

"It is with great pride to renew the experience of Le Commandant Charcot on the St. Lawrence River in 2027, an adventure made possible thanks to the support of our government and tourism partners," said Hervé Gastinel. "Winter reveals a unique facet of the St. Lawrence, still little known, and Québec, with its rich heritage as a cultural and commercial crossroads, is the ideal homeport for these unique cruises."

CEO of Port of Québec, Mario Girard said: "The arrival of Ponant Explorations’ Le Commandant Charcot marks a historic milestone for the St. Lawrence and positions Québec as a prime destination, even in winter. This moment is a testament to the passion and collaborative efforts of our team, the St. Lawrence ports, and our partners. By welcoming this innovative vessel, we are realizing our vision of a St. Lawrence that is accessible and attractive year-round, staying true to our ambition of innovation and sustainable development. I warmly thank our partners and the Ponant Explorations team for their trust and commitment to our city and our port."

Minister of Tourism, Caroline Proulx commented: “The arrival of the very first international winter cruise ship at the Port of Québec is a milestone for Québec tourism. Sailing the St. Lawrence in winter is a spectacular experience that puts both our landscapes and our expertise in the spotlight. This ambitious winter tourism project is the result of a 10-year partnership with Ponant Explorations and Cruise the Saint Lawrence. When we invest in unique, sustainable initiatives, we’re strengthening Québec’s position as a must-see destination and maximizing the economic benefits for regions across the province.”

New February 2027 voyages announced

“It is now more than conclusive that boreal winter cruises will be part of our landscape over the next decade,” said Executive Director of Cruise the St. Lawrence, René Trépanier.

In 2027, the ship will sail roundtrip from Québec with two 14-night itineraries departing February 13 and February 27, 2027, venturing west through the Gaspé Peninsula, where guests can snowshoe in Forillon National Park, and explore the Magic Forest with its thousands of snow-covered conifers. Further ports of call include Saint Pierre Island and Québec’s Magdalen Islands.

At Sept-Îles, guests will meet the Indigenous Innu people and learn about their ancestral customs and traditions, while in the borough of La Baie in the majestic Saguenay Valley, they can experience dog-sledding, snowshoeing, and ice-fishing adventures, all while enjoying the renowned hospitality of the Saguenayen people.