LIVORNO, Italy — A new Viking Cruises ship debuting this week in Europe has a surprise feature: A high-tech planetarium. 

Viking executives late Wednesday offered USA TODAY and several other media outlets a sneak peek at the 26-seat attraction atop Viking Orion — a 930-passenger vessel that will be christened Thursday evening in Livorno, Italy. The circular, theater-like space had been kept a secret for more than a year while the ship was under construction.

Dubbed the Explorers' Dome, the attraction will use the latest in planetarium technology to offer shows about space and exploration, including one that includes a segment on NASA's new Orion spacecraft. 

"It's the highest-definition 7K planetarium in the world," Viking's director of hotel operations Ralph de Klijn said during a demonstration.

Orion is only the second cruise ship in the world to debut with a planetarium. Cunard's 14-year-old Queen Mary 2 also launched with a planetarium that for years has been the only one of its kind at sea.  

Orion's Explorers' Dome is located on the second level of the ship's two-deck-high, forward-facing Explorers' Lounge. It's a space that houses exhibits on exploration on other Viking vessels. 

Built at a Fincantieri shipyard in Ancona, Italy, Orion is the fifth in a series of almost identical ocean cruise vessels that Viking has been rolling out since entering the ocean cruise business in 2015. Its first sailing with paying passengers begins Tuesday. 

Viking executives at Wednesday's unveiling of the Explorers' Dome said the concept wasn't necessarily something that would spread to other ships. The line has eleven more vessels on order for delivery between now and 2027. 

"It's on this ship. It may or may not be on all other ships going forward," Viking marketing chief Richard Marnell told USA TODAY. "We're evaluating it. It's sort of a pilot program." 

Marnell said executives see the dome as an art installation and noted the art on every Viking ship is a little different. The art is the only major thing that is different from vessel to vessel in the Viking fleet.   

In addition to the Explorers' Dome, Orion features photographs of NASA astronauts and missions in public areas. The godmother for Thursday's christening ceremony will be a former astronaut, Anna Fisher, who worked on NASA's Orion spacecraft project in addition to flying on a space shuttle. 

The new dome, photographs and choice of godmother for Orion fit a theme of exploration — a Viking touchstone. The line's trips are designed for exploration-minded travelers with diverse, destination-focused itineraries around the world and extensive enrichment offerings.

In addition to offering shows in the Explorers' Dome, Orion will sail with a Viking Resident Astronomer who will lecture on the mysteries of the cosmos and how humans have explored it. The on-board astronomer also will offer guided tours of the night sky during stargazing sessions. 

The ship also has a digitally stabilized portable telescope that can pair up with the Explorers' Dome to offer a live view of the surrounding sky.

By Gene Sloan, USA Today
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MSC Cruises christened its newest ship this weekend, celebrating the 5,331-passenger MSC Seaview during an over the top ceremony in Genoa. The huge new ship will now spend the summer sailing the Mediterranean—including ports like Barcelona, Marseille, Naples, and Valletta—before crossing the Atlantic to spend the winter in Brazil, sailing from the city of Santos, near São Paulo.

It’s the latest mega-ship from MSC, which specializes in family-friendly cruises that are hugely popular in Europe but perhaps a bit less known here in the U.S. Of course, MSC is trying to change that: A sister ship to Seaview, the MSC Seaside, arrived in Miami in December 2017 and has been sailing the Caribbean ever since. The company took fourth place, ahead of stalwarts like Holland America and Celebrity, in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2017 Readers’ Choice Awards for best large-ship line.

While the Seaview’s not necessarily a record setter in terms of size—at 1,059 feet long, it’s a shade smaller than the world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas—it is a quintessential example of how much a ship can offer these days. Onboard, Seaview has seemingly endless stateroom categories (many with balconies), ten restaurants, 19 bars, water slides, pools, a wrap-around boardwalk that offers plenty of outdoor space, kids clubs, even bowling alleys. Among the restaurants are two concepts from Roy Yamaguchi, the Asian fusion pioneer behind the Roy's Restaurant chain, and the first-ever cruise ship restaurant from Ramón Freixa, who holds two Michelin stars for his eponymous restaurant at the Hotel Único Madrid.

If that’s still not enough for you, MSC promises to up the ante in coming years: Its still-in-development World Class ships are slated to arrive in 2022 and 2023. They’ll be among the world’s largest, with room for 6,850 guests each—and we’re guessing even more stuff to do onboard.

By Paul Brady, Conde Nast Traveler
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Virgin Voyages has a message for parents thinking of booking one of its first sailings: Leave the kids at home. 

The first ship in development for the start-up cruise line will be for adults only, president and CEO Tom McAlpin revealed Tuesday during an event at the shipyard in Italy that is building it. 

Appearing alongside Virgin Group founder Richard Branson at the Fincantieri shipyard in Genoa, Italy, McAlpin said the minimum age to sail on the 2,860-passenger vessel will be 18 — a cut-off he said was influenced by feedback from the public and travel sellers. 

McAlpin said 86% of the cabins on the ship will have balconies, which he's calling sea terraces.

Virgin's first vessel is scheduled to debut in 2020 with two more arriving in 2021 and 2022.

Tuesday's event was an official keel laying ceremony for the first Virgin vessel, which has yet to be named. With typical Branson flair, both he and McAlpin arrived for the ceremony via a 200-foot crane drop. They were joined by Fincantieri’s Alberto Maestrini and Bain Capital chairman Stephen Pagliuca to weld ceremonial coins into the keel. 

Virgin Voyages is a venture between Virgin Group and Bain Capital.

Keel laying ceremonies are a shipbuilding tradition that date back hundreds of years. They signify the official start of construction of a seagoing vessel.

“This is a very big day for Virgin Voyages, as an exciting new holiday option for travelers starts to get ship shape," Branson said at the event. "She will be the most recognizable ship sailing the seven seas.”

McAlpin and Branson unveiled an artist's drawing of the first Virgin ship's exterior. It showed a vessel with a silvery-grey hull, smoked glass and distinctive touches of Virgin red. 

Also unveiled was a mermaid design that will be at the bow of the ship. The company said the mermaid was inspired by figureheads on historic vessels and was designed by London-based artist Toby Tinsley, who also designed the feminine motif for Branson's Virgin Galactic spaceflight company. 

The three Virgin vessels will be known as the “Lady Ships”, a play on the term ‘your ladyship’ and a nod to Virgin’s British heritage, the company added. 

Virgin on Tuesday also said it was now taking $500 refundable deposits for access to an exclusive pre-sale booking period for the first ship.

Virgin has said its first ship will sail out of Miami but has yet to release itineraries.

By Gene Sloan, USA Today
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Viking Cruises announced Tuesday it will launch the longest continuous world cruise itinerary in history with the new Ultimate World Cruise, which will span 245 days, six continents, 59 countries and 113 ports.

The eight-month world cruise on the Viking Sun departs from London August 31, 2019, but travelers have the option to sail one of two shorter segments during the voyage. The shorter itineraries include Viking World Treasures, a 127-day sailing from London to Los Angeles that visits 33 countries and 61 ports, or Viking World Wonders, a 119-day journey from Los Angeles to London that visits 29 countries and 55 ports.

All Viking passengers will receive complimentary shore excursions in each port and unlimited Wi-Fi, and World Cruise guests will be eligible to receive Business Class airfare and all gratuities and service fees.

Viking's Ultimate World Cruise will feature overnight stays in 22 cities and learning opportunities during excursions in every port. Some of the top destinations the voyage will visit include Egypt, Ho Chi Minh City, London, Mumbai, Rio de Janeiro, Tasmania and many more.

“For more than 20 years we have been offering guests the most culturally immersive journeys available in the industry and we are pleased to announce the most extensive itinerary in our history,” Viking chairman Torstein Hagen said in a statement. “Our World Cruises offer guests the rare opportunity to unpack once and explore dozens of the best destinations on earth – at a value that is unprecedented in the travel industry.”

As for what passengers should expect during a journey on the Viking Sun, the ship accommodates 930 guests in 465 All-Veranda Staterooms, boasts two pool choices, provides comfort in the LivNordic Spa and features eight dining options.

Prices for Viking’s Ultimate World Cruise start $92,990 per person, with the shorter voyages running travelers $47,995 per person for the Viking World Treasures sailing and $45,995 per person for the Viking World Wonders sailing.

All three of the itineraries include Business Class international air, transfers to and from the ship, all gratuities and service fees, three complimentary visa services, free luggage shipping services for embarkation and Viking's Silver Spirits beverage package.

Passengers who book their travel before December 31 will receive $4,000 in shore-excursion credit and $2,000 in shipboard credit. As for guests who book Viking World Treasures or Viking World Wonders before December 31, they will receive $2,000 in shore-excursion credit per person for any optional land programs and $1,000 in shipboard credit.

By Donald Wood, Travel Pulse
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RIVIERA BEACH — Palm Beach County leaders on Friday heralded the arrival of Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line’s newest ship at the Port of Palm Beach, saying that the addition would be a boon for both businesses in Riviera Beach and the local tourism industry.

The Grand Classica, a 1,680-passenger ship, docked at the port in Riviera Beach just after 9 a.m., ending a week-long journey across the Atlantic Ocean that included a brief stop in Grand Bahama Island. The Grand Classica joins its sister ship, the Grand Celebration, and marks the second vessel in Bahama Paradise Cruise Line’s fleet.

Together, the two ships will offer daily cruises from the port to Freeport, Bahamas. Each ship is expected to carry as many as 250,000 a year, pumping $75 million into the county’s economy.

The port has projected it will receive $54.3 million to $62.9 million from the two ships over the next 10 years. It marks the first time the port has hosted two multiday cruise ships, although there have been casino ships that operated day cruises.

“By adding this ship we are doubling our capacity,” said Oneil Khosa, the cruise line’s chief executive officer. “It is going to really churn up a lot of economic activity in our neighborhood, in our town and in our county. Our target is to carry around 500,000 passengers every year, which is a huge number.”

Khosa said about 10 to 15 percent of the cruise line’s passengers are international tourists.

The ships is also expected to draw a large number of visitors living within driving distance of the port — a critical market for the county’s tourism industry.

During the busy winter tourist season, Discover The Palm Beaches, the county’s official tourism marketing group, focuses its efforts on tourists from cities such as Boston, New York, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Those “fly markets” are among the county’s most important tourism generators because of the large number of flights to Palm Beach International Airport.

In 2017, more than 2 million tourists visited the county from other cities in the state, including Orlando, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa, Jacksonville and the Treasure Coast.

Discover officials said Friday they are working with the cruise line in hopes of creating “stay-and-play” type packages that would encourage passengers to spend a day or two in Palm Beach County either before or after their voyage.

Riviera Beach Mayor Thomas Masters said the new ship would also help boost business in the city, as visitors come and go from the port. He pointed to nearby attractions, including the Ocean Mall and Rapids Water Park, saying they could also be a draw for out-of-town visitors.

“We are looking forward to great things coming out of the port with this ship,” Masters said. “We will have thousands of tourists visiting our city.”

Eleanor Peleyger, a Broward County-based travel agent who was part of a group of industry experts aboard the ship on Friday, said the lower-priced, two-night cruises make them an affordable alternative for in-state tourists.

The cruise line is also offering a buy-one, get-one free booking offer.

“You don’t have to spend a lot of money to have a good time,” Peleyger said. “It is an all-in-one vacation and it is not costing them an arm and a leg.”

The Classica underwent a major refurbishment in 2014. In October 2017, it went into dry dock while its systems and infrastructure were improved and additional improvements were made.

The Classica features 658 staterooms and 10 passenger decks. It offers eight dining options, live entertainment in its theater and regal room, a casino, a lounge, spa, fitness center and salon, two pools and more.

By Jennifer Sorentrue, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
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Authorities have called off the search for a woman who fell overboard from a P&O cruise ship near New Caledonia on Thursday.

The captain of the Pacific Dawn told passengers on Friday the woman could not be found and the ship was heading back to Brisbane.  The woman fell overboard about 4pm on Thursday, about 150 nautical miles west of New Caledonia, during a week-long cruise in the Pacific.

A search began immediately and continued through the night, with rough conditions hampering efforts. It was officially called off on Friday at 7.30am as hopes faded of finding the missing woman.

“It is with a very heavy heart that I need to let you know that we have been unable to locate our guest,” the captain of the Dawn Pacific told passengers on Friday morning.

“We are still in the area of the incident, and the weather conditions with the swell three to four metres high, as you can see outside, the strong wind made our search extremely challenging.

“As a result, we have now made the extremely difficult decision to continue our journey towards Brisbane. I know I speak on behalf of all of you when I say our thoughts and prayers are with the family.”  The woman was believed to have been on holiday with her husband and children. Passengers said her husband saw her fall and went into shock, the Courier-Mail reported.

“The difficult decision to suspend the search was made only after expert advice that survival after this length of time in difficult sea conditions and after a full night at sea was not considered possible,” Carnival Australia spokesman David Jones said.

Jones said earlier that a crew member notified the bridge as soon as the woman fell and the “man overboard” incident response was activated immediately.  “In line with this response, Pacific Dawn turned around to follow the course it was on at the time of the incident.”

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority and New Caledonian authorities issued a call for nearby vessels to assist in the search.  Queensland police officers would board the ship when it arrived in Brisbane on Saturday about 11am, she said. A passenger, who asked not to be named, described the atmosphere on the ship as “very sad, solemn and quiet”.

The ship was on a seven-night cruise from Brisbane to the South Pacific with scheduled calls to Noumea, Lifou and Port Vila.

By Australian Associated Press
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Vacationers on a cruise ship in Honduras had quite a surprise when the ship veered off course and smashed into the end of the pier as it was coming in to port. 

The MSC Armonia arrived at the port of Isla Roatan, Honduras, around 9 a.m. yesterday morning and attempted to dock when it struck and crumbled part of the pier. There were no injuries reported.

Onlookers shared startling video of the massive cruise ship heading in to the port at an angle, looking like it was going to crash. Once the ship was stopped after it hit part of the pier, people gathered to take in the startling sight.

Check out the harrowing video:

The passengers and crew on board the Armonia were not injured and guests were able to disembark and go about scheduled on shore excursions. MSC Cruise Lines in a statement assured “There was never any risk for guests of crew on board. There was also no impact for the environment.”

The ship was assessed and the damage was deemed minor. After repairs, the ship was cleared by Honduran Port State Control authorities and left port approximately 2 a.m. today to continue onto Belize, its next scheduled port of call.

As for the port, it was evaluated for damage by authorities from the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Environment and Merchant Marine General Directorate. In a statement Kenia Lima, the president of the Board of Directors of Port of Roatan said, “The damages have not been yet quantified by the company. We are in the process of doing that. The primary concern/key interest of all parties at this time is to be able to restore normal operations as soon as possible.”

Most importantly, Lima said, “there were no human losses or damage to the environment, everything else can be repaired."

By Alex Faul, ABC News
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(CNN) — Why build a bigger cruise ship when you can just cut one in half and add an extra 15 meters to the middle?

That seems to be the thinking at cruise company Silversea, which has begun an eye-popping project to stretch its luxury cruise ship Silver Spirit.  The elaborate engineering feat, underway at the Fincantieri Shipyard in Palermo, Italy, requires over 500 skilled workers and will take up approximately 450,000 man hours.

A prebuilt 15-meter extension (almost 50 feet) has already been inserted with "military precision" to stretch Silver Spirit from 195.8 to 210.7 meters.  The 36,009-ton ship is now being carefully reconnected to make it ready for sea travel.

The renovation requires approximately 846 tons of steel, 110,000 meters of cabling and 8,000 meters of piping and is believed to come with a $100 million price tag.

Once completed, the ship's capacity will increase by around 12%, and Silversea (whose headquarters are based in Monaco) aims to "create more space in public areas" and "enhance Silver Spirit's facilities."

"Witnessing these breathtaking phases of the Silver Spirit lengthening project has filled us with pride and excitement," says Barbara Muckermann, chief marketing officer of Silversea.
She says the work will upgrade Silver Spirit to more closely match the magic of its newer flagship vessel Silver Muse, which took the sea in 2017.

"The lengthening and refurbishment of Silver Spirit will replicate the modern elegance of our latest vessel to make for a more luxurious traveling experience," Muckermann adds.
"We are eager to share the new and improved layout of our cherished ship with our valued guests.'"

Described as a "rarely performed feat of maritime architecture," the operation is the first of its kind involving a luxury cruise ship, according to Silversea.

The extra space will make room for a new eight-restaurant formation as well as increased outdoor seating, an expansion of the pool deck and 34 new suites.  Silver Spirit's sky deck will also increase in length and a new aerobics area is to be fitted outside.

Other new additions include a spa, a free weights room and two new public spaces.

The ship's current suites are also to be refurbished. Silversea says it's already donated 11 containers of furniture -- including sofas, chairs, curtains and computers -- to hospitals, nursing homes and schools in Chania, Crete.

Silver Spirit first set sail in 2009 and served as Silversea's largest luxury ship until Silver Muse was launched in April 2017.  The privately owned luxury cruise line's other vessels include Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper as well as expedition ships Silver Explorer, Silver Galapagos, Silver Discoverer and Silver Cloud.

The Silver Spirit is due to recommence service on May 6, 2018, offering seven-day trips between Civitavecchia (Rome) and Barcelona, with fares starting at $5,600 per person.

By Tamara Hardingham-Gill, CNN
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That boxy new ship you’ve seen as you drive across the MacArthur Causeway between Miami and Miami Beach? It’s the 5,119-passenger MSC Seaside, the newest vessel from the European cruise line MSC. It joins 3,502-passenger Divina, which arrived in 2013, and a half-dozen others that MSC will bring to North America by 2020. (Three of those will be in Miami year ‘round.) The 10 ships now on order amount to a $12 billion investment.

We toured the ship just after it arrived. Along with a few first-at-sea features, we found others executed in interesting ways. (We didn’t sail, so we can’t comment on service or food.) These notable features have brought it to the top of this year’s awards lists for new ships.

Squared shape
Nautical classicists may decry the decidely boxy shape that makes Seaside look more like a condo-set-asea than a cruise liner. Once you’re on board, you’ll appreciate the endless views and wide range of spaces (19 bars, four pools, four slides and three specialty restaurants) made possible by the change.

Onboard tech
Everybody has it these days. MSC keeps up with the trend, with digital wristbands and touch-screen displays around the ship where you can book appointments. The multi-level atrium features a massive series of LED screens that transport you from under the sea (think corals and jellyfish) to far away places.

Flexible modular staterooms
Connected staterooms finally are becoming more available at sea. On Seaside, those cabins are modular too, meaning they can be reconfigured to fit your group’s specific needs, with up to 10 people in a single lodging configuration.

Views
Most modern cruise liners have their engine room aft. Seaside’s engines are located mid-ship, which increases stability and puts its outdoor boardwalk closer to the sea (on deck 8) rather than higher. Other view-ready design elements include windows flanking bars, restaurants and the ship’s atrium; plus balconies on 76 percent of the staterooms. And for those who love a safe thrill, the clear Bridge of Sighs atop the ship lets you “walk” on water as you peer down 131 feet.

Boutique “hotel”
The idea of a hotel-within-a-hotel — or in this case, a ship-within-a-ship — isn’t new. Concierge decks and spa cabins are found on many liners, and Norwegian Cruise Line has a private cabin-and-lounge area with its own pool, called The Haven. MSC’s Yacht Club goes further, incorporating a bright airy lounge, 86 suites, private sundeck and pool, and a private restaurant. The successful formula is found on a half-dozen MSC ships, including Seaside.

Adventure park
Nobody does water features like Carnival. And nobody does high-octane adventures (think surfing and skydiving simulators) like Royal Caribbean. MSC follows the trend but adds a few twists, stretching its zip line to the longest at sea (394 feet) and adding a jungle theme to its waterpark, complete with a giant dumping buckets. Bonus: The waterslide features “slideboarding” technology that makes the experience a competitive interactive game.

Low-tech kid spaces
Europeans have a knack for creating children’s spaces that are both sophisticated and low tech. On Seaside, you’ll find a play area with fiberglass islands, logs and palm trees begging to be climbed. A nearby bench is set up for selfies surrounded by a group of colorful kids made of Legos.

Retro zone
Baby boomers can relive their youth at the 50s themed lounge and playroom, complete with two full-length bowling lanes, air hockey and the driving compartment of a ‘56 Chevy Bel Air convertable that’s been transformed into a DJ booth. In turquoise, of course.

Chocolate wall
Yes, that really is chocolate flowing down the recirculating wall fountain at the counter of Venchi, the Italian chocolatier. If that’s not enough to rev your endorphins, the scent of freshly made jimmies, nonpariels, squares, liquor-filled bon bons, hot cocoa and sorbets may put you into a stupor.

Brunch

On land brunch is a Sunday staple, but at sea it’s a meal rarely served. Seaside is one of the places where that’s starting to change. At the Butcher’s Cut specialty restaurant, you can order a Mediterranean omelets, carnitas with tater-tot hash, country chicken and biscuits, wild blueberry pancakes and made-to-order bloody mary’s for a modest fee. Brunch is served on selected days throughout the cruise — not just on the weekend.

Champagne bar
There are plenty of bubbly bars on the oceans. Seaside’s curvey bar offers wide views to the sea, fresh oysters ($29 per dozen) and caviar with the usual trimmings ($42 for 1 ounce). You can buy Dom, Roederer, Moët & Chandon or Veuvre Clicquot by the bottle, or sip a glass of bubbly for $20.

Roy’s
The first shipboard restaurant of Roy Yamaguchi, the award-winning chef behind Roy’s Restaurants in Hawaii and elsewhere, is in a wow of a space, with low tables set into the wood floor set with red leather benches (instead of those tricky tatami mats). The Asian Market Kitchen menu comes with an extra fee and features braised pork bao buns, watermleon poke, Roy’s famous ribs in Mongolian marinade, fried whole snapper in Thai coconut curry sauce, and a wide array of sushi and sashimi dishes. Wash it all down with Japanese whisky, hot sake or a citrus basil punch.

Sports bar
Every big cruise ship has a sports bar — or two. Along with memorabilia (including a Dan Marino-signed helmet) and a dozen beers on tap, Seaside’s bar has curved leather booths big enough for a gang to watch the game on the screen inside. You choose the channel.

MSC Seaside facts:

• Size: 153,000 gross tons
• Length: 1060 feet
• Beam: 135 feet
• Capacity: 4,132 passengers, double occupancy
• Decks: 15 passenger decks, 20 total

Amenities: four pools, three specialty restaurants, 10 bars and lounges, spa, zipline, bowling alley, water slides and park, casino, age-specific children’s areas

By Jane Wooldridge, Miami.com
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One of the world's most famous cruise ships will be based in Australia for more than 100 days over the 2019-20 summer, but there's a twist.

Rather than having the iconic Sydney Harbour as its home base, ocean liner the Queen Elizabeth will be based in Melbourne.  The ship, part of the Cunard line's "three queens" (along with the Queen Mary 2 and the Queen Victoria) and successor to the famous Queen Elizabeth II, can carry up to 2080 passengers.

The Queen Elizabeth, which is 294 metres long and can carry 2068 passengers and 996 crew, is coming to Melbourne.  The ship will sail on six round trips from Melbourne during the season, along with two trips from Sydney, with itineraries travelling to South Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

The record visit will be almost double the ship's planned 54-day season in 2019.

Cunard senior vice-president Simon Palethorpe said the move reflected the importance of the Australian cruise market to Cunard as well as Melbourne's growing attraction as a cruise hub. Cunard expects the ship to inject almost $7 million into the local economy.

The news comes after Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Legend recently arrived in Melbourne to begin its season with Victoria's capital as its home port. The ship made headlines this week after it anchored in Eden, New South Wales to put some passengers ashore after outbreaks of violence on board.

The announcement of another major ship to be based in Melbourne comes as Sydney struggles to cope with the number of cruise liners visiting Australia.

A Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia report late last year found NSW accounted for 58 per cent of the cruise industry's $5.3 billion contribution to the national economy, but its share had dropped 10 per cent over the past two years due to Sydney reaching capacity for ships.

As a result, Victoria had experienced a 12 per cent increase to take a 7 per cent share of the national contribution.

"Australia is one of the world's most appealing cruise destinations for global cruise lines but Sydney is a big drawcard and if Sydney is full, this discourages more cruise ships from heading to our shores," managing director of CLIA Australasia Joel Katz says.

At 90,900 tonnes, Queen Elizabeth is the second largest ship to sail in Cunard's fleet, behind the Queen Mary 2 that visited Melbourne on the weekend. The Queen Elizabeth launched in 2010 and features more than 10 restaurants and cafes, a two-storey library, a ballroom and a three-deck theatre with seating for 800 guests.

Full details of the 2020 World Voyage season will be released on March 13, with the program scheduled to go on sale on March 20, 2018. See cunard.com

By Gene Sloan, Traveller.com
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Cunard's Queen Elizabeth will be a busy ship in 2019 as the cruise line makes its triumphant return to Alaska.

The Province reported its been more than 20 years since Cunard sailed Alaska.

The cruise line announced this week its newest ship will set sail from Japan to Alaska just in time for the spring of 2019 before traversing multiple oceans en route to some of the world's most coveted destinations.

The 2,057-passenger ship will arrive in Alaska in May and remain in the diversely beautiful region through June, giving travelers ample time to explore The Last Frontier in luxury.

Guests' first chance to sail to Alaska with Cunard is the 27-night voyage from Tokyo to Vancouver on May 5, 2019. Starting at $4,409 per person, the sailing will feature stops at ports in Kodiak, Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, Ketchikan and Victoria before arriving in Vancouver.

"Cunard is thrilled to make our return to Alaska with our youngest ship Queen Elizabeth," said senior vice president of Cunard North America, Josh Leibowitz in a statement accompanying this week's announcement. "Our guests can now explore the region on the best itinerary in Alaska—four 10-night roundtrip Vancouver sailings with more time in port and opportunities to visit the natural wonders of Tracy Arm Fjord and Hubbard Glacier."

The Vancouver voyages will depart May 21, May 31, June 10 and June 20, 2019.

Highlights of the itineraries include touring the waterways of the Inside Passage, stops in the Gold Rush era town of Skagway and the capital city of Juneau, experiencing Ketchikan's native tribes and a visit to the Russia-influenced Sitka.

The itineraries also include trips to the Tracy Arm Fjord or Endicott Arm, Icy Strait Point, Hubbard Glacier and Victoria. Fares start at $1,699 per person.

After the final sailing from Vancouver, Queen Elizabeth will sail south to San Francisco and Los Angeles for an overnight stay on the Fourth of July. The three- and five-night voyages to California start at $779 per person.

Guests can also book a Grand Voyage ranging from 21 to 49 nights starting at $3,479 per person. Passengers will depart from Vancouver, stop in California and travel on through the Panama Canal to Ft. Lauderdale or New York before crossing the Atlantic to Reykjavik, Dublin, Glasgow and eventually London. Guests can pick a distance based on preference.

Select sailings will also offer Rocky Mountain Rail Land Tours pre- and post- cruise featuring two full days aboard the Rocky Mountaineer. Passengers opting for the rail adventure will pass through numerous tunnels and canyons while getting a unique look at the Canadian Rockies and the Continental Divide.

Cunard World Club members can book these experiences early beginning October 30, 2017. Reservations will open to the public October 31. Those who book a Grills Suite prior to February 28, 2018, can also score complimentary drinks and gratuities.

Launched in 2010, Queen Elizabeth is Cunard's newest vessel and boasts a plethora of luxe features, including a spa, library and games deck, as well as world-class dining and entertainment offerings. Last month, the Carnival Corporation brand announced the signing of a memorandum of agreement for a fourth ship to be delivered in 2022.

This holiday season why not opt for something out of the ordinary? 

Rather than head to grandma’s, why not pack up the entire family and experience the holidays onboard an American Queen Steamboat Company ship? 

Cruising America’s waters is a great way to share the season with your nearest and dearest and make new friends along the way.

The best holiday gift of all? American Queen is offering fantastic deals on these holiday adventures:

—Pacific Northwest Splendor (October 29, November 5. American Empress). Follow the path of Lewis and Clark as you travel the Columbia and Snake Rivers. Highlights include visits to The Dalles, Oregon (known as the end of the Oregon Trail) and Tri-Cities, Washington.

—Antebellum South (November 12, American Queen. November 19, American Duchess). The Antebellum South is yours to discover on this journey. Experience Southern culture and living history as you travel from town to town, learning about the region’s past, present and future.

—Vineyards, Vintages and Varietals (November 12, 19. American Empress). The Pacific Northwest is home to more than great coffee and craft beer. Enjoy the best of the region’s wines as you cruise the Columbia River. Onboard tastings and wine pairings, as well as excursions to nearby vineyards, introduce passengers to the area’s famed varietals.

—Musical Heritage of the Delta (November 26. American Queen). Soak up the romantic spirit of the Old South as you sail past cotton fields, sugar cane plantations and Civil War battlefields. Among the highlights are visits to Oak Alley, Louisiana, and Natchez and Vicksburg, Mississippi.

—Thanksgiving Festival (November 19. American Queen). Enjoy some turkey and all the fixings on a cruise of the lower Mississippi River as you sail from Memphis to New Orleans. Along the way, you will encounter charming towns, plantations and antebellum mansions.

—Nashville Holiday (December 4, 10. American Duchess). Revel in a homespun holiday with a visit to Nashville. Passengers will have the chance to see a performance of the Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman Auditorium as a highlight of the trip.

—Music of America (November 26, December 15. American Duchess). Journey to America’s great music capitals as you travel between Nashville and Memphis. Explore Music City and its country melodies, the sounds of New Orleans jazz and Memphis’ Delta Blues.

—Holiday Christmas Markets (December 3, 10, 17, American Queen). Get in some last minute Christmas shopping as you visit American Queen’s exclusive lineup of Christmas markets. The pinnacle comes at Nottoway Plantation, where passengers can enjoy live music, dancing and see the ceremonial lighting of levee bonfires.

—Creole Christmas (December 22, American Duchess). Experience all the glitter and magic of the holiday season as you travel through the antebellum South. Passengers will learn about traditional Creole and Cajun cultures as they journey from Memphis to New Orleans.

—New Year’s Celebration (December 25, American Queen). Ring in the New Year as you sail along the lower Mississippi River. The ship will be specially decorated for the holidays, and passengers will celebrate the end of 2017 at a New Year’s Eve party with music and a champagne toast at midnight.

Traditional Christmas markets throughout Europe have a special, unique holiday essence. It’s impossible not to feel nostalgic and sentimental as you explore these quaint locales brimming with the spirit of the season.

From miles of twinkling colorful lights to skilled vendors displaying their handcrafted wares, these centers of holiday staples can evoke cheer in every visitor.

AmaWaterways offers many options to celebrate the holiday season, however and wherever you like, thanks to their great selection of Christmas market cruises to many popular European locations.

Immerse yourself in a real-life snow globe in Austria or be transported into a charming holiday village in Switzerland.

Whatever your vision of the perfect holiday vacation experience may be, the expert dream trip planners at AmaWaterways can make it happen.

Popular Destinations in Europe 

The great thing about embarking on one of these voyages is that you also get the chance to explore some of the most popular destinations across Europe. If you join the seven-day Christmas Markets on the Rhine cruise, stops along the way include Heidelberg and Cologne, plus Amsterdam.

You can also enjoy a gondola ride, explore villages on two wheels via a bike tour or indulge in a wine tasting.

The Christmas Markets on the Danube voyage, meanwhile, takes you from Nuremberg to Budapest. Cruise through quaint villages and stroll through picturesque scenes that are like a holiday card brought to life.

See the local sights on a walking tour through Regensburg or Passau. Take advantage of the rare opportunity to tour a Benedictine Abbey, or join a bike tour as a fun way to explore the streets of these towns.

 For the ultimate holiday experience, opt for the 14-night voyage. This combines the best of both cruises with some special bonuses and surprises. With a route that takes you to five countries, this is the perfect way to maximize your winter European adventure.

From the romantic canals to the scenic countryside, you will encounter scenes straight out of a postcard at every turn. Optional experiences and activities can also be added on throughout the trip, offering the chance to tailor your voyage to your own individual preferences.

These cruises offer the opportunity for you to visit some of the European Christmas villages that were named among the best in that region by Travel + Leisure. For those who love everything about the holiday season, this is truly the dream trip of a lifetime.

All voyages offer luxury accommodations, personalized service that makes you feel like a VIP, including a long list of amenities, gourmet cuisine and onboard entertainment.

Each ship is like a floating upscale resort skimming the water, with fitness facilities, pools, lounge decks, spas and everything you could want in an elite cruise environment. You will also get unlimited fine wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner. 

As Hurricane Irma winds down, the cruise industry looks not only to rebound its business but also aid the regions most devastated by the storm. The big three: Carnival Corporation, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Limited and Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited are all in hurricane relief mode.

As of Sunday, Carnival Cruise Line’s latest website update recognizes the continued closure of the Floridian departure points PortMiami, Port Everglades, Port Canaveral and the Port of Tampa.

In the meantime, the company is already working to support the Caribbean destinations hit hard over the last several days as well as Florida directly and via its charitable Carnival Foundation: "Deliveries will be worked into ships’ cruise itineraries as part of our ongoing operations. And, as we await news of the full impact that Irma will have on Florida, we stand ready to provide support, as needed, to affected ports and communities.”

The plan is to provide immediate and long-term support, and Carnival is in contact with Caribbean officials to best implement a strategy.

Norwegian Cruise Line is also doing its part to help evacuate travelers from St. Thomas, according to a press release.

The Norwegian Sky will come to the aid of those who could not get off the island before the storm arrived. The ship is scheduled to arrive late this evening to help in the effort being organized by the government of St. Thomas. Norwegian Sky is then expected to leave with the rescued and arrive back in its homeport of Miami on Thursday, September 14.

Similar to Carnival, Royal Caribbean International says on its website that the company is mobilizing supplies. It is deploying ships to St. Thomas and St. Maarten in conjunction with U.S. and regional governments. It is standing by to assist Key West and other destinations as well.

Adventure of the Seas headed to help St. Maarten on Sunday while Majesty of the Seas is also calling on St. Thomas and St. Maarten with supplies. The latter ship is additionally charged with safely evacuating people from St. Maarten. The Empress of the Seas is ready to assist Key West as needed too.

No doubt, all of these efforts will be crucially important to the recovery of the Caribbean region. Rather than have ships sit idly in limbo as passenger sailings are necessarily canceled, it’s wonderful to see the cruise lines put their equipment to such admirable use.

How quickly the cruise industry will again become fully operational from Florida is still to be determined, especially seeing how badly flooded the Miami area around its port was during the storm.

The PortMiami website currently reads, “Ports and waterfront facilities shall remain closed to waterfront activities until the passage of tropical storm force winds and the COTP, in conjunction with the SWAT has determined it is safe to reopen the port.”

Once it does, Caribbean destinations themselves will be affected for awhile.

Royal Caribbean’s website indicates, “Given Hurricane Irma's impact to St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Key West, we will be working on alternative ports for future sailings until these islands have fully recovered.”

This leads me to reiterate my previous idea. Carnival Corporation’s Fathom brand is purpose-built to combine passenger sailings with volunteer opportunities. It may no longer have its own Adonia to dedicate to the Dominican Republic, but it could potentially send one of the ships from its nine other brands to affected areas with hundreds or even thousands of willing participants onboard.

It could be the perfect interim solution for ships gearing back up to full service—from any cruise corporation really—to specifically head to the islands hit hardest during the hurricane. Cruise travelers and volunteers assemble!

“What will be the name of the world’s next most luxurious ship?”

That is the question that Regent Seven Seas Cruises is asking. 

Scheduled to launch in 2020, the new vessel will add to Regent’s growing fleet of “most-luxurious” ships, including the Seven Seas Explorer—the current holder of the title—the Seven Seas Voyager, the Seven Seas Mariner and the Seven Seas Navigator. Right now, plans are being finalized for the look and feel of the newest member of the Regent fleet.

That’s where guests and travel agents come in.

“We’re seeking the perfect name for our next new ship, and who would know better than our loyal guests and valued travel agent partners?” said Jason Montague, president and CEO of Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

Naming one of the most prestigious cruise ships in the world is a daunting task.

“Regent Seven Seas Cruises is known for our fleet of the world’s most luxurious ships, our exciting worldwide itineraries, and the most exceptional staff and crew, who tirelessly deliver highly personalized service every day. The name of our new ship will embody all of these qualities, as well as our quarter-century legacy of the world’s most inclusive luxury experience," said Montague.

Regent is inviting guests and travel agents to submit name suggestions through September 29, 2017. Qualifying submissions must be in English, begin with “Seven Seas”, and end with either “er” or “or.”

Three lucky winners will be able to cruise onboard the cruise line's fifth ship. They will be randomly selected and announced on November 15, 2017, receiving a complimentary suite for themselves and a guest onboard the christening voyage.

Consumers who would like to enter the contest should visit: RSSC.com/LuxuryPerfected 

Travel agents can head to: RSSC.com/LuxuryShipName

What would you name the most luxurious cruise ship in the world? Share with us in the comments. 

Passengers aboard a luxurious 104-day world cruise were ordered to go dark and remain silent at night for 10 days to thwart off possible “pirate threats,” news reports state.  

The Sea Princess took off from Sydney and as it approached and crossed the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Aden and the Suez Canal, it was turned into floating mass of darkness, according to The Telegraph. 

Curtains had to be drawn, no late-night evening strolls on the deck, no movies under the stars.

“No lights, no party atmosphere, no lapping up tropical breezes on their balconies,” passenger Carolyne Jasinski told The Telegraph. “All around the ship, as the sun set, all curtains were drawn and all shutters closed. Bright lights, which normally signal the presence of the Sea Princess on the ocean, were dimmed or turned off altogether.”

Jasinski said the captain alerted the 1,900 passengers apologizing for alarming them, but insisting they must be prepared for a possible pirate attack, The Telegraph stated. 

A spokesperson for the cruise line, who was not named, told The Telegraph: “Any measures aboard Sea Princess were simply taken out of an abundance caution and not in response to a specific threat and are common to international shipping sailing in the region.”

Operated by Princess Cruises, The National said, the Sea Princess is expected to finish its journey in September in Dubai.

By Sandra Nortunen, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Viking River Cruises officially christened its new Viking Hild and Viking Herja at a festive event in Koblenz, Germany yesterday afternoon and extending through the evening.

The ceremony marks the sixth such launch since 2012, commemorating a staggering total of 48 Longships built in the short period of time. In attendance were Torstein Hagen, founder and chairman of parent company Viking Cruises; senior vice president, Karine Hagen, and godmothers Dr. Princess Stephanie Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg and Debbie Wiseman.

The former christened the Viking Hild, with the latter christening the Viking Herja.

Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg is the CEO of Weingut Fürst Löwenstein—a winery in Lower Franconia—and fellow steward for Schloss Löwenstein in Kleinheubach, the family’s 1725-built home. As the Longships pass the historic property, Viking presents what it calls a Privileged Access shore excursion for guests to tour the facilities and taste its wines onboard the riverboats and ocean ships.

Wiseman is an award-winning British composer and conductor whose credits include film and television, as well as Classic FM Live’s Composer in Residence. Viking has commissioned Wiseman to write a new piece of music commemorating the cruise company’s 2017 20th anniversary. She will record it at Abbey Road Studios and premiere it on Classic FM Live at the Royal Albert Hall on April 18, 2017.

“Two decades ago when we started this company, modern river cruising was still unknown to most travelers. Now 20 years later, we are pleased that most travelers know river cruising, and they know Viking as a household name,” said Torstein Hagen, in a release.

“The naming of a new ship by a ceremonial godmother is a sacred maritime tradition. We are honored that the godmothers of our two new Longships are also important partners who will help us deliver thoughtful and enriching experiences for Viking guests this year.”

Now that the two ships have been christened, they are set to begin carrying their first official guests on March 20, 2017. We are currently aboard the Viking Hild for a 5-night preview sailing, and the new vessel exhibits the same innovative Longship design first introduced by the Viking Odin in 2012. Since then, there have been subtle changes, but the efficient layout remains to better accommodate each’s 190 passengers in great comfort and unpretentious style.

A full review of the riverboat is forthcoming.

The Viking Hild will soon depart on the line’s new Paris-to-the-Swiss Alps itinerary along the Rhine River in the spring, and both the Hild and the Viking Herja will later embark on classic Danube Waltz and Rhine Getaway sailings.

Altogether, Viking Cruises operates 60 vessels for its Viking River Cruises brand and three ships for its Viking Ocean Cruises label. While there are options for additional river builds, no more have yet been ordered, but another three ocean ships are set to come online through 2020.

In the meantime, Viking also just announced it has purchased a riverboat for cruises in Egypt; it will be updated with the line’s understated but warm decor to be consistent with the rest of the fleet. That craft will begin operations next March along the Nile. What’s more, the line’s Ukraine ship is set to come back online soon, and the company’s Douro Longships are now fully under the company’s control.

The existing Viking Odin and Viking Freya have also been customized for the China market and will start Mandarin-speaking voyages on March 28, 2017. Additionally, Viking continues to pursue eventual entry into U.S. river cruising along the Mississippi.

When asked about lessons learned from the new ocean ships (for features or programming) to roll back to the riverboats, Torstein Hagen remarked that its expanded dining choice among alternative restaurants at sea provides a good model for how cuisine might be broadened along the river as well. Already, the signature Freyja Collection of toiletries from the Viking Star, Viking Sea and Viking Sky have replaced the former L’Occitane ones on the Viking Hild and beyond.

Article Courtesy Travel Pulse and Seven Sea Journeys/News 

Oceania Cruises revealed Tuesday that it's set to become the only luxury cruise line to homeport in New York City.

Beginning next year, Miami-based Oceania Cruises' 680-plus-passenger Insignia will sail more than 20 voyages from Manhattan's 48th street terminal.

Notable overnight ports of call will include New York; Charleston, South Carolina; Reykjavik, Iceland; St. George, Bermuda and Hamilton, Bermuda, among others.

2017 highlights include three 10-day roundtrip cruises to New England, Canada and Bermuda, an 11-day Seaside Medley sailing, four 10-day open-jaw cruises from New York to Montreal and one 15-day North Atlantic cruise from Reykjavik to the Big Apple.

Popular ports of call on the 2017 cruises will include Newport, Rhode Island; Boston, Massachusetts; Bar Harbor, Maine and Halifax, Nova Scotia, among others.

Available starting Nov. 16, notable 2018 voyages will include a 14-day Caribbean Palette cruise sailing from Miami to New York and a series of 10-day roundtrip and open-jaw cruises to New England, Canada and Bermuda departing in the second half of the year.

The 2018 Caribbean cruises departing in July will make stops in Santa Marta, Colombia; Oranjested, Aruba; Kralendijk, Bonaire: St George’s, Grenada; Castries, St Lucia; Roseau, Dominica and St George, Bermuda.

"Insignia offers an acclaimed culinary experience that rivals the best restaurants ashore as well as an irresistible blend of culturally rich and fascinating destinations. Combined with her elegance, sophistication and luxurious Canyon Ranch Spa Club, Oceania Cruises' Insignia is the perfect match for New York and New York is the perfect match for Oceania Cruises," said the cruise line's president and CEO Bob Binder in a statement.

Article Courtesy of Patrick Clarke/Travel Pulse and Seven Sea Journeys/News

Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more.

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Featured photo credit: Oceania Cruises