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Photo Story: Celebrity Cruises reveals four new spaces on upcoming Xcel

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 12 July 2025 12 July 2025

Celebrity Cruises recently revealed four brand new venues, creating even more ways to restore and explore while on vacation on Celebrity Xcel. Guests can make the most of every moment on board Celebrity’s latest ship with new experiences that make the journey just as exciting as the destination, including an enhanced poolside paradise, an arcade lounge under neon lights, and new spa experiences to unwind in style. Plus, Celebrity’s first-ever Celebrity Flagship store will immerse guests in the vacation brand’s journey of innovation and offer custom mementos to cherish for years to come.

“Celebrity Xcel will set sail with seven new elevated experiences that invite guests to escape their daily routine and make memories that will last a lifetime,” said Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises. “With so much innovation at every turn, the journey will be just as fun as the destinations themselves.”

The Celebrity Pool Club sets a new standard for all-day, all-night poolside experiences. Guests will never want to leave their sunbed thanks to the new pool valet offering poolside chilled towels, card games, sunscreen and storage for personal items; and a contemporary rooftop design offering increased shading. Guests can also choose to go VIP for the day with enhanced private cabanas complete with dedicated service.

On the last sea day of each Caribbean itinerary, Celebrity Pool Club transforms into the Poolest Day Ever. The all-day takeover brings island vibes with Caribbean inspired live music and DJ-spun favorites, pop-up shows and friendly pool games. New poolside drinks exclusively served at Poolest Day Ever keep guests cool, from Paloma Fresca’s served in mini-Patron bottles to fresh coconuts with an optional rum splash. Then, as the sun goes down, the energy goes up at an all-new Shine the Night poolside party complete with elevated bites and drinks.

Celebrity Xcel will also introduce an all-day, all-night vibrant games room glittered with neon lights, Attic at The Club (see anove). This adults-oriented lounge is open 24/7 for guests to enjoy the nostalgia of retro games like Pac-Man, NBA Showtime, Golden Tee and more. Activities including pool, darts, foosball and shuffleboard will invite guests to make memories with friends, old and new. Guests can also book a versatile, private event space for various group activities including karaoke, golf simulation games, and more.

After all that fun, guests can unwind with more ways to restore than ever before at Celebrity’s most expansive spa yet. The Spa on Celebrity Xcel will feature Celebrity’s first-ever Hydra Room (see above), the newest of eight therapeutic experiences in the Thermal Suite, invites guests to indulge in a water-focused wellness experience, meticulously crafted to rejuvenate both body and mind. This revitalizing experience features a warm, bubbling pool with massaging jets and heated lounge chairs that offer soothing benefits for muscle relaxation. The serene atmosphere, combined with the calming effects of the water features, provides an oasis of tranquility and renewal. Spa goers can also soak up their daily dose of sunshine at The Spa’s new outdoor Vitamin D Deck, exclusive to Thermal Suite guests. The Vitamin D Deck offers sweeping views from the front of the ship where guests can enjoy the restorative ocean breeze from stylish seating, while complimentary non-alcoholic beverages keep them cool and refreshed. The Spa on Celebrity Xcel will offer more than 120 treatments and therapies from the comfort of an expanded salon featuring a new bubbles bar. Plus, an interactive shopping experience allows guests to trial a wide range of products before they buy and includes an advanced Skin Lab analysis with tailored, science-backed recommendations for a skincare regime that offers a vacation glow long after guests return home.

Celebrity Cruises’ first-ever Celebrity Flagship store is a unique retail experience that doubles as an interactive exhibit celebrating all things Celebrity. Guests can engage with the vacation brand on interactive screens with trivia questions and insider facts or through historical artifacts and vintage collectibles. Guests can also create and take home a memento that reminds them of their happy place – Celebrity Xcel. A wide range of customizable items can be engraved, embroidered or printed, such as water bottles, cocktail kits, keychains, caps, and robes. Plus, Celebrity Flagship will stock one-of-a-kind Celebrity products only available on Celebrity Xcel.

These new experiences are part of the seven brand new spaces on Celebrity Xcel. Guests can also look forward to a transformational experience that erases the line between ship and shore at The Bazaar (see above), and unforgettable Mediterranean cuisine at al fresco restaurant, Bora. Plus Celebrity’s most expansive entertainment offering to date will offer more variety and more entertainers delivering endless entertainment options all day long.

Guests can take part in finalizing these new spaces by joining Xcel ‘Dream Makers.’ Open to all who wish to join, Dream Makers is a global community of vacationers who test, try and vote on new experiences they would like to see onboard Xcel. Dream Makers make key decisions across culinary, interior design and entertainment including choosing games they want to add to Attic at The Club, as well as selecting the Celebrity Cruises artifacts featured in the Celebrity Flagship store. To become a Dream Maker, visit www.dreammakers.celebritycruises.com.

From November, Celebrity Xcel is sailing her inaugural season from Fort Lauderdale, offering 7-night itineraries alternating between The Bahamas, Mexico, Cayman Islands, Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten. In Summer 2026, Celebrity Xcel will set sail on her inaugural European season where guests can immerse themselves in the Mediterranean like never before on seven-to 11-night journeys out of Barcelona and Athens, including all new overnight stays in Madeira, Portugal.

Fincantieri delivers Oceania Allura

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 11 July 2025 11 July 2025

Fincantieri and Oceania Cruises – a brand of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. – celebrated the delivery of Oceania Allura yesterday at the Sestri Ponente shipyard. The ship is the latest addition to the shipowner's fleet and is a sister ship to Oceania Vista, delivered by the same shipyard in 2023.

The ceremony was attended by Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and General Manager of Fincantieri, Luigi Matarazzo, General Manager of Fincantieri's Merchant Shipping Division, Harry Sommer, President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., and Jason Montague, Chief Luxury Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

With a gross tonnage of approximately 68,000 tons, a length of 246 meters, and a capacity of 1,200 guests in 600 cabins, Oceania Allura represents a further step forward in Oceania Cruises' commitment to an offering that combines elegance, fine dining, and destination-focused voyages. The interiors, featuring refined and welcoming spaces, have been designed to ensure the luxury and intimacy typical of the brand's small cruise ships, with a refreshed and contemporary design. The new ship also stands out for its high level of innovation, designed with sustainability in mind.

With the two recently ordered cruise ships, Oceania Cruises' expansion plan now includes a total of four next-generation ships, with deliveries scheduled between 2027 and 2035. This achievement demonstrates the strength of a long-term industrial strategy and reflects a lasting, future-oriented partnership.

Already under construction at the Marghera shipyard is the Oceania Sonata, the first ship of the new Sonata class, which will accommodate 1,390 passengers and be delivered in 2027. Her sister ship, Oceania Arietta, will follow in 2029.

Viking expands to Indian rivers

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 July 2025 10 July 2025

Viking today announced its first river voyages in India on the Viking Brahmaputra, a new 80-guest vessel designed specifically for the Brahmaputra River. Currently under construction and scheduled to debut in late 2027, the Viking Brahmaputra will set a new standard for modern river voyages in India. The ship will sail between Guwahati and Nimati Ghat in the northeastern state of Assam as part of Viking’s new 15-day itinerary, Wonders of India. In addition to an eight-day river voyage, the itinerary includes a fully-guided land program with overnights in Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.

“With its rich heritage, deep cultural traditions and fascinating natural wonders, India is a vast and vibrant country that has captured the imagination of explorers for centuries,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking. “In recent years, our guests have particularly enjoyed visiting Indian ports on our ocean itineraries. We are now delighted to introduce a new way for curious travelers to explore the heart of this phenomenal country, in-depth and in Viking comfort.”

The new Viking Brahmaputra will host 80 guests in 40 outside staterooms. Featuring the signature Scandinavian design for which Viking is known, all staterooms and suites will have floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors with a veranda. Guests on the three-deck Viking Brahmaputra will also enjoy a range of amenities, including a Spa & Fitness Center and an open-air Sky Bar on the Upper Deck.

The 15-day Wonders of India itinerary program will operate roundtrip from Delhi, with hotel stays in Delhi, Agra and Jaipur that bracket an eight-day Brahmaputra River voyage, sailing east or west, respectively. With 13 included tours, guests will be immersed in India’s cultural treasures and will have the opportunity to experience as many as 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Guests will delve into the rich history of India’s Golden Triangle, exploring Agra's fabled Taj Mahal, strolling through Old Delhi's winding streets and glimpsing Jaipur's ornate Palace of Winds. While sailing the Brahmaputra River, guests will see Guwahati's temple, encounter the thriving villages along its banks, search for the one-horned rhinos and buffalos of Kaziranga National Park and discover the cultures of Majuli, one of the world’s largest river islands.

For additional immersion opportunities, Viking is also offering a variety of new pre and post land extensions for Wonders of India, including Delhi (two nights), Dubai (three nights; fully guided), Kathmandu (four nights; fully guided) and Cochin & Mumbai (five nights; fully guided).

American Cruise Lines celebrated the 4th of July christening American Patriot in Newport

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 July 2025 10 July 2025

American Cruise Lines christened American Patriot in Newport, Rhode Island last week – celebrating the holiday and simultaneously marking the countdown to the country’s 250th birthday on July 4th, 2026. American Patriot is the first ship in the company’s new Patriot Class – a fleet of new 130-passenger ships designed for exclusively cruising the U.S.A. Patriot Class sister ships, American Pioneer, American Maverick, and American Ranger are soon to launch later this year and into 2026.

American Patriot’s christening festivities included cruise guests, community members, officials from Sail Newport, and a small group of American’s executives and crewmembers. Charles B. Robertson, President & CEO of American Cruise Lines, gave remarks as did American Patriot’s Godmother, Susan Daly, President of Sail Newport, along with other notables, including Carol Robertson, Co-Founder of American Cruise Lines. Cruise guests and christening attendees gathered on the ship’s top deck for the official blessing and ceremonial bottle smash, followed by a traditional New England lobsterbake at Fort Adams State Park just steps from where the ship was docked.

“We are so pleased to be back in Newport this summer, christening yet another new U.S. ship and celebrating the 4th of July with our guests,” said Charles B. Robertson, President & CEO of American Cruise Lines. “We are especially honored to be joined by American Patriot’s godmother, Susan Daly, President of Sail Newport, and so many of our Eagle Society members, who cruise with us again and again, whole-heartedly supporting our mission to offer the finest cruise explorations for discovering and re-discovering America.”

Brand new American Patriot accommodates just 130 guests. It features 4 decks, private balcony staterooms and suites, a chart room, spacious lounges (including a top deck lounge with a walking track), plus a main restaurant, casual café, and fitness center. The company’s new Patriot Class ships and all 25 small ships in the fleet offer world-class amenities, unusual for ships of their size.

American Patriot is the newest cruise ship in the U.S.A., and the flagship in the company’s newest Patriot Class, but it just the latest in a long line of new innovative small ships introduced by American Cruise Lines. Sister ship American Pioneer launches later this year in Florida.

The company’s rapid fleet expansion is also well-timed to honor the country’s 250th birthday. In addition to numerous new ships launching in 2025 and 2026, American has also introduced an array of Extended Cruises celebrating the 250th – 50-Day+ U.S. itineraries highlighting the grandeur and history of the U.S.A. – small ship adventures that explore America’s great rivers and waterways from the glaciers in Alaska to the beaches in the Florida Keys. American Patriot and American Pioneer will sail several of the Line’s new Extended Cruises throughout 2026, among other itineraries dedicated to exploring the U.S.A.

Windstar Cruises announces fleet operations leadership updates

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 July 2025 10 July 2025

Windstar Cruises, the leader in upscale, yacht-style voyages for fewer than 350 guests, today announced key updates to its Fleet Operations leadership, underscoring a commitment to innovation, sustainability, and nurturing exceptional talent. These changes strengthen the team guiding Windstar’s signature 180 Degrees from Ordinary experience, both on deck and behind the scenes.

After more than four decades in the maritime industry, Paul Barrett, vice president of marine & technical operations, departed Windstar to retire July 1st, 2025. Since 2017, Barrett’s thoughtful stewardship has driven Windstar’s operational performance, safety standards, and environmental progress – shaping a legacy of excellence that continues to inspire the next generation of fleet leadership.

To build on this momentum, Windstar has created two specialized roles: vice president of marine operations and vice president of technical operations, elevating expertise while supporting the brand’s growing, global footprint.

Captain Alan Wilson steps aboard as Windstar’s new vice president of marine operations, bringing over 25 years of executive maritime leadership. Most recently vice president of marine operations for Holland America Group, Captain Wilson is renowned for his strategic mindset and calm, decisive leadership – qualities honed through guiding global fleets, optimizing safety and navigation, and managing personnel during both routine and extraordinary circumstances. Wilson’s experience includes leading large-scale crew repatriation during the COVID-19 pandemic and driving innovation in bridge design for next-generation yachts. He will be based at Windstar’s Miami headquarters.

Giovanni (Gio) Canu has been promoted to vice president of technical operations. With more than 35 years of maritime experience—including senior roles at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and Carnival Cruise Line – Canu is recognized for advancing fleet decarbonization and sustainable operations. His expertise spans engineering, dry dock execution, alternative fuels, and energy efficiency – championing modernization at every turn.

“Paul will be greatly missed, but we’re proud to foster a team with such depth and passion for the Windstar way,” said Windstar’s Chief Operations Officer Stijn Creupelandt. “Alan and Gio’s leadership reflect our values of innovation, safety, and personalized service—qualities that ensure our guests always feel at home, wherever our yachts may roam. As we look ahead to the debut of Star Seeker and a growing collection of immersive itineraries, their expertise will keep Windstar at the forefront of small-ship cruising.”

These updates come as Windstar prepares to launch two new ships – Star Seeker in 2025 and Star Explorer in 2026 – and expand its curated global sailings. With a nimble, seasoned feet operations team at the helm, Windstar continues to deliver its signature blend of fun-loving moments, “home at sea” comfort, and access to extraordinary destinations—proving there’s nothing ordinary about a Windstar voyage.