Category: The Cruise Examiner

by Kevin Griffin

This week, The Cruise Examiner reports on indications that Cruise & Maritime Voyages will be acquiring three new ships for its mid-size cruise fleet, two to join its UK-based fleet and a third to be based in Germany. And while Crystal Cruises’ 200-berth Crystal Endeavor had been designed for exotic expedition itinerary we have a look at three cruises planned to operate from Tokyo in 2020. And we look at a trio of tall ship cruises from Star Clippers in the West Indies and in Thailand. (more…)

by Kevin Griffin

Recent surprise news is that the US has banned all cruise ships sailing from US ports from entering Cuba, effective immediately last week. Elsewhere, Norwegian Cruise Line has decided to base its Norwegian Pearl in Amsterdam. And Aurora Expeditions has ordered a second X-Bow expedition ship. (more…)

by Kevin Griffin

Recent surprise news is that the Russian-owned Akademik Ioffe and the Akademik Sergey Vavilov have apparently been withdrawn from carrying passsengers after twenty-five years. In a possibly contradictory announcement it was stated that the charteres in charge of these ships is actuallly a company based in Cyprus and not the Kalinigrad-based owners P.P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanography. (more…)

by Kevin Griffin

At CLIA’s annual UK Cruise Conference last week, Virgin Voyages announced that its new ship, the 2,700-berth Scarlet Lady, will visit one or maybe two UK ports on her way from her builders in Genoa to her home port of Miami next March. From elsewhere came news that river operator CroisiEurope would acquire a second seagoing vessel, by acquiring the Silver Discoverer from Silversea. And finally, the Crystal Mozart will leave the Crystal River Cruises fleet to operate for Genting Cruise Lines next year. (more…)

by Kevin Griffin

This week sees news of two classes of expedition vessel, the first of three 230-berth “Hanseatic” class ships for Hapag-Lloyd Cruises and the second and third of the 200-berth “Infinity” class for SunStone Ships. The Hanseatic Nature sailed from Hamburg on her maiden voyage last week and Victory Cruise Line’s announced that its Ocean Victory would trade to Alaska in 2021. The 8,000-ton Ocean Victory will be the largest “small ship” in Alaska since the 214-berth 8,282-ton Song of Flower, operated by Radisson Seven Seas Cruises and sold in 2003, and Cruise West’s 120-berth 4,280-ton Spirit of Oceanus, sold in 2010. Neatly tying in to the Ocean Victiory story is news that while Denmark’s Albatros Travel will be chartering her for use in Antartica, SunStone ships will build a sister vessel for Albatros, the Ocean Albatros, thus giving the latter two X-bowed sister ships of the “Infinity” class. In North America, meanwhile, the 202-berth sister ships Victory I and Victory 2 will introduce new itineraries next year. (more…)

by Kevin Griffin

Last week Voyages to Antiquity was forced to cancel ten summer cruises due to engine trouble with their sole ship, Aegean Odyssey. Working With Ponant, Culture Cruises offered to rebook affected passengers on eight cruises by the French line. Elsewhere came the announcement that Saga had sold its Saga Pearl II to owners in the British Virgin Islands. And charters on three passenger-carrying container ships to Australia and New Zealand have been extended. (more…)

by Kevin Griffin

Culture Cruises, who we mentioned last week, is introducing a Newsletter. Moreover, they have added some unique financial benefits: their aim is not only to source the most interesting cruises, but also to negotiate the very best prices. (more…)

by Kevin Griffin

Built at MV Werften in 2018, the Crystal Debussy is one of two sister ships to have entered service on European rivers last year for Crystal River Cruises, bringing their fleet to five river ships. Last Tuesday, The Cruise Examiner, was able to visit the vessel in Amsterdam. Elsewhere, Celebrity Cruises announced an order for a fifth “Edge” class ship, the last three of which will be completed to a lengthened design. And in India, Essel Group’s Jalesh Cruises has commenced service between Mumbai and Goa with the 2,000-berth Karnika, formerly P&O Cruises Australia’s Pacific Jewel. (more…)

by Kevin Griffin

The Dominican Republic was one of the early participants in the Caribbean cruise market and today it is returning to the forefront once more. Elsewhere in the news Holland America Line announced that its next Pinnacle Class ship will be called Ryndam. (more…)

by Kevin Griffin

For more than a decade now, The Cruise Examiner has been taking an interest in cruises that are different from the norm. Columnist Kevin Griffin is now pleased to announce the formation of a new organisation to deal exclusively with small ship cruising, river cruises and expedition cruising. The new company will concentrate on special interest cruises and will go by the name of Culture Cruises Limited. (more…)

by Kevin Griffin

Last week saw the announcement of the name SeaDream Innovation as the line’s third yacht, and first expedition yacht. Able to travel the globe, she is for delivery in 2021. Elsewhere, Dublin surprised the whole world when it announced that it was going to cut the number of cruise calls at its port in half, in favour of cargo. And finally, Viking Cruises’ Viking Sky managed to escape a more serious fate when she managed top recover power on the night of Saturday and Sunday off the west coast of Norway. (more…)

by Kevin Griffin

Last week saw the announcement of the name Seabourn Venture for the first Seabourn expedition ship, as well as the news that she would be built solely by Mariotti. Original joint venture building partner Damen is meanwhile proceeding on its own with an expedition ship order for another operator. From MSC Cruises came new last week of a firm order for four new luxury ships from Fincantieri. And news from Cunard of a July crossing from Liverpool to New York renews an old Cunard connection at Liverpool. (more…)

by Kevin Griffin

This weekend saw the stormy christening of MSC Cruises’ new MSC Bellissima in Southampton, from where she had just departed when this column was completed. Elsewhere in the news, Saga has announced that its new Spirit of Discovery will become an all-inclusive ship earlier than thought, while Holland’s Oceanco have introduced a new expedition yacht design at the Dubai Boat Show. (more…)

by Kevin Griffin

Last week we wrote about world cruises on Silversea’s Silver Cloud and Silver Whisper and Oceania’s Insignia. Now we write about a fourth, leaving from Liverpool and Southampton in January 2021. Elsewhere, the Saga Sapphire will be making her last Canada cruise this year while the Scenic Eclipse will be making her first. And Alaska’s state ferries are threatened with a winter shutdown that will reduce their summer season to just three months. (more…)

by Kevin Griffin

This week we look at three world cruises: the year 2021 year will see the introduction of the world’s first expedition world cruise, when Silversea’s Silver Clould sails between Antarctica and Norway in the months between February and July. At the same time Oceania’s Insignia will be back for another of her extra-long cruises in 2021 and finally, since the Rickmers Round-the-World service ended in 2011, CMA CGM has been the only service available for offering a full circumnavigation by cargo ship. (more…)

by Kevin Griffin

This week look back at some of the more recent expedition ship designs, several of which have seen no orders despite the recent boom in expedition ship orders. And Friday saw the 2,770-berth Scarlet Lady launched in Italy as the third member of a new highly innovative cruise ships for the next generation. Meanwhile, the former supply ship St Helena has evidently found a new life. (more…)

by Kevin Griffin

Last week came news of Virgin Voyages’ planned 4- and 5-night itineraries for its first ship, the Scarlet Lady. One of the itineraries will call on a planned new terminal for Puerto Plata. In Europe, meawhile, a new €8 head tax in Amsterdam has lost the port calls from MSC Cruises and Cruise & Maritime Voyages. And Japan’s NYK, which sold Crystal Cruises to Genting Hong Kong in 2015, is to sell off half its remaining cruise holding. (more…)

by Kevin Griffin

This year sees the introduction into service of Hurtigruten’s new Roald Amundsen and 2020 will see her undertake her first Northwest Passage, which has been delayed a year by her late completion. Elsewhere, Aranui Cruises is ordering a new cruise ship for the South Pacific, for 2022 delivery, and Scylla Cruises of Switzerland has annouced that it will acquire Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ Bremen in 2021. (more…)

by Kevin Griffin

When Cunard Line’s Queen Elizabeth left Southampton on January 3, she began a long series of voyages that will help lay future plans for Cunard’s fourth Queen, a 113,000-ton ship now under construction at Fincantieri. Oceania Cruises, meanwhile, has ordered two more ships not much different in size from the existing Marina and Riviera. And TUI Cruises newest ship, Mein Schiff 2, has now arrived in Germany for completion. (more…)

by Kevin Griffin

With Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam going up against Celebrity Cruises’ new Celebrity Edge from the US, a member of one of the Internet’s many shipping groups has released an interesting comparison of 7-night fares for several popular cruise ships out of Florida in February. Elsewhere, Seattle cointinues to break its own records and together with Vancouver now serves more than two million cruise passengers a year. Finally, we look at a summary of new ships on order for Genting’s various cruise brands – Star, Dream and Crystal. (more…)

by Kevin Griffin

Hurtigruten announced this weekend that it would be adding Alaska to its expanding list of worldwide destinations in 2020, with a program of cruises that will turn at Vancouver and Seward, as well as one that finishes at Nome in preparation for its 2020 Northwest Passage transit. Down in Chile, meanwhile, progress continues on Antarctica 21’s new Magellan Explorer. And in New York, there is talk about bringing the former North Atlantic speed queen United States into a project that Google are involved in as a tenant. (more…)

by Kevin Griffin

Every once in a while a hotel opens somewhere that might appeal to travellers by sea. This week we examine Oslo’s The Amerikalinja, once the headquarters of the Norwegian America Line. Elsewhere, christenening ceremonies have been scheduled for the new Chinese-based Costa Venezia for Trieste in early March. And next month sees the introduction by Pampa Cruises of Argentina of its 510-berth Arrecife, which has just been acquired from owners in Cyprus. (more…)

by Kevin Griffin

The cutting of steel for Carnival Cruise Line’s new 183,900-ton Carnival XL saw the commencement of work on Carnival’s largest ship yet, to be based in Port Canaveral. Meanwhile, plans were announced in Miami for a new Virgin Voyages cruise terminal, to open in 2021. And in Missouri, an announcement has been made that the 176-berth Denny of Dumbarton-built paddlewheeler Delta Queen had received a Congressional exemption certificate that would allow her once more to cruise the Mississippi. (more…)

by Kevin Griffin

Last week, Sea Cloud Cruises announced that the long-delayed Sea Cloud Hussar would join the fleet as the Sea Cloud Spirit in 2020. Down Under, Heritage Expeditions has announced that it will be taking over the 110-berth Kapitan Khlebnikov, the Russian icebreaker that has mainly served Quark Expeditions in the past. And under its present Chinese ownership Athens’ port of Piraeus looks to be on the verge of a major expansion that will see it able to handle the largest cruise ships afloat. (more…)

by Kevin Griffin

Last week, the Memphis-based American Queen Steamboat Company announced that it was taking over Miami-based Victory Cruise Lines and its 202-berth Victory I and Victory II. Seattle-based Windstar Cruises meanwhile announced that it woud be stretching its three former 212-berth Seabourn ships to accommodate 312 passengeres each. And after losing its Hamburg-Süd cargo-passenger connections last year, New Zealand will now be served every 35 days by the CMA CGM Amber, with connections to Europe and North America via Chinese ports. (more…)

by Kevin Griffin

Two weeks ago, in Portugal, Mystic Cruises’ new World Explorer was floated out, and orders were annunced for two more sisterships. Elsewhere, P&O Cruises’ Oriana was sold to Chinese owners, a transaction that was actually completed with charter back to P&I this June. And with Virgin Voyages going to four new “Lady Ships” we have a look at five earlier “Lady Ships”, that sailed the same Caribbean waters. (more…)

by Kevin Griffin

Last week, Norwegian Cruise Line let it be known that one of its six new 3,300-berth “Leonardo” class ships, to be delivered between 2022 and 2027, would be based at Southampton. Elsewhere, Virgin Voyages has confirmed a fourth order for a 2,750-berth “Lady” class ship. And Hurtigruten has signed for a third of its 530-berth “Amundsen” class ships. (more…)

by Kevin Griffin

Last week, Princess Cruises announced that it would be sending five ships to Europe in 2020, of which three will be based in the UK. Meanwhile, feedback from Cruise Critic passengers has put three Canadian ports in the top five in the US and Canada, as Quebec City has been joined by Halifax and Vancouver. And we look at how to travel Round the World in 83 days in a cargo ship. (more…)

by Kevin Griffin

Last week came news from MSC Cruises that it was going ahead with plans to build four 64,000-ton ultra-luxury ships to accommodate up to 1,000 passengers each. We also have a look at how recent ultra-luxury deliveries and orders are affecting that market, especially in terms of space per passenger. And finally Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has launched the first of three new 298-berth ships it is building in Spain. (more…)

by Kevin Griffin

Last week, with the backing of new majority owners Royal Caribbean Cruises, Silversea announced orders for three new ships, two of a new “Evolution” class for its worldwide fleet and one ship for local use in the Galapagos Islands. This week we also have two cruise-related stories coming to you from the realms of rail and airline activity. (more…)

by Kevin Griffin

This year, the Port of Seattle will handle 1,092,345 passengers, compared to 6,615 in 1999, a remarkable turnaround in two decades from no cruise business at all. This week we look at what Seattle does. Elsewhere, Fred. Olsen’s full fleet of four ships assembled in Cadiz last week to celebrate 170 years of passenger service. And it has been announced that the 2,900-berth Celebrity Apex will be christened in April 2020 in her new home port of Southampton. (more…)

by Kevin Griffin

Last week CLIA UK and Ireland released its River Cruise Report, with a new record of 210,400 UK travellers having taken a river cruise in 2017. We have a look at the variety of cruises now available in Cuba. And in Spain, the fate of the Sea Cloud Hussar seems more uncertain than ever. (more…)

by Kevin Griffin

Last week saw the 702-berth Azamara Pursuit christened at Southampton as the third member of the Azamara Club Cruises fleet. Meanwhile, Down Under it has been announced that the 1,708-berth Pacific Jewel would be going to new owners in India next year. And we have a quick look at Cagliari Cruise Port in Sardinia. (more…)

by Kevin Griffin

Last week saw three pieces of news from Germany, first with the keel-laying ceremony for the 200-berth Crystal Endeavor at Stralsund, and second with a reveal of the rendering of the new downsized 65,000-ton (as oposed to 100,000-ton) Crystal Diamond class ships. Elsewhere in Germany, the LNG-powered AIDANova was floated out at Meyer Werft in Papenburg. (more…)

by Kevin Griffin

This week features a trio of “newbies” to expedition and adventure cruising. First up, with plans (but not yet orders) for newvbuidlings, is Arctic Cruise Line of Greenland, with a pair of 200-berth vessels that seem similar in apprearance to some of those being built now by Vard in Norway. Second is Churchill Cruises of Winnipeg, who have an agreement with Albatros Travel of Denmark that will see them offer a cruise in each direction between Greenland and Churchill in September 2019. And third is this e’ start-up of Solomon Islands Discovery Cruises out of Honiara. (more…)

by Kevin Griffin

Last week saw more news from Cuba. Seabourn will become the third member of the Carnival Corp & plc group to serve Cuban ports, when it joins Carnival Cruise Line and Holland America Line next November, sailing from Miami and San Juan. The first ship of the new Celebrity Edge class will be in service by the end of this year, and will be based in Europe next summer. Elsewhere, subsequent on joining the Royal Caribbean Cruises group, Silversea has announced a fleet-wide revamp of its fleet. (more…)

by Kevin Griffin

Miami-based Victory Cruise Lines, the most recent specialist in luxury cruises on the Great Lakes and St Lawrence River, today welcomed the inaugural voyage of its new vessel, the 202-berth Victory II, to Detroit. Not quite completed in 2001, when parent company American Classic Voyages closed, she was to have been completed as the Cape Cod Light, the second ship for Delta Queen Coastal Voyages. (more…)

by Kevin Griffin

Last week saw more news on several fronts. Viking Cruises has confirmed its order for two ships of a new series with Vard, while Fincantieri will built two LNG-powered vessels for Princess Cruises. In the realm of older non-balcony ships, Louis Group of Cyprus has sold its Celesytal Majesty to new owners said to be Mano Maritime of Israel. (more…)

by Kevin Griffin

Last week saw the floating out at Genoa of Virgin Voyages’ first ship, and the announcement of Scarlet Lady as her name. The name was used before by one of Virgin Atlantic’s original 747 jumbo jets, an aircraft that has only recently been retired from a long career with Virgin. Also last week it was announced that Norwegian Cruise Line would move its Norwegian Joy, a “Breakaway Plus” class vessel initially tasked for the year-round China market, to work with sister ship Norwegian Bliss between Seattle and Alaska. Meanwhile, in news from New York, Lindblad Expeditions has announced an order for a second newbuilding polar expedition ship to join the National Geographic Enudurance. (more…)

by Kevin Griffin

Last week saw the christening of Ponant’s latest expedition ship Le Lapérouse in Reyjkjavik, along with the annoucement that the line’s new PolarClass 2 icebreaker would be called Le Commandant Charcot. (more…)