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HX Expeditions debuts first-ever Greenland cruises with roundtrip flights from New York

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 23 January 2025 23 January 2025

HX Expeditions (formerly Hurtigruten Expeditions) is launching the first-ever cruises from New York to Greenland, roundtrip from Newark Liberty International Airport. Departing on June 21, 2025 – Greenland’s National Day, marked by the summer solstice – these itineraries feature dedicated flight allocations on United Airlines’ direct route to Nuuk. Crafted with Greenlandic communities, they provide authentic access to Greenland’s west coast aboard the hybrid-powered expedition ship Fridtjof Nansen.

“Greenland is on the cusp of transformation,” said Laali Berthelsen, Local Product Manager for HX Expeditions and Nuuk resident. “With the opening of our new international airport and direct flights, Greenland is more accessible than ever. As interest grows, we have a responsibility to ensure tourism uplifts our communities and respects our environment.”

HX Expeditions, the Leaders in Greenland

– Unmatched Expertise: A legacy of Arctic exploration since 1896, with over 20 years of experience in Greenland.
– Exclusive Locally Designed Itineraries: The only expedition cruise company with itineraries crafted and managed by Greenlanders, built in collaboration with local communities, and featuring cultural ambassadors on every sailing.
– Sustainability Leadership: Voyages aboard the hybrid battery-powered MS Fridtjof Nansen, recognized as the world’s safest and most sustainable cruise ship, prioritize emissions and waste reductions.
– Supporting Greenlandic Communities: Partnerships and investments strengthen Greenland’s communities, with HX Foundation contributing over $186,605 to youth education, mental health, and cultural preservation projects.
– Unrivaled Access: Greenland’s rugged terrain and limited infrastructure make expedition cruising the best way to explore its dramatic coastline and iconic landscapes, while venturing to the northernmost reaches of the world.
– Seamless Experience: Dedicated flight allocations offer an exclusive, hassle-free journey, with all-inclusive itineraries featuring daily excursions, onboard Science Center activities, meals, gratuities, and drinks.
– Extended Exploration of Nuuk: Travelers enjoy a night in Greenland’s vibrant capital, exploring landmarks, local cuisine, and fjord adventures before heading to remote regions.

Joining all voyages is Aleqatsiaq Peary, an Inuk storyteller, musician, and hunter from Qaanaaq. As the great-great-great-grandson of Robert Peary, the first person to reach the North Pole, Aleqatsiaq embodies the connection between Greenland’s past and present.

"If you’ve read about Arctic explorers, these itineraries offer a chance to experience it for yourself,” said Aleqatsiaq Peary. “To see what they saw and feel what it was like to journey to the far north aboard their ships." Onboard, Peary will share his knowledge of Greenlandic traditions, connecting guests with remote communities and deepening their understanding of Northwest Greenland.

Berthelsen added, “Here, the stories of polar explorers intersect with the wisdom of our Inuit ancestors, offering travelers a perspective that is both historic and deeply personal."

Royal Caribbean Group signs agreement with Chantiers de l'Atlantique for sixth Edge-class ship

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 23 January 2025 23 January 2025

Royal Caribbean Group announced on January 21st that it has signed an agreement with Chantiers de l'Atlantique to order a sixth Edge-class ship for delivery to Celebrity Cruises in 2028. Edge 6 or “Xcel 2” will be the sister-ship to Celebrity Xcel, which is preparing to take its inaugural sail later this year. Other Edge-class ships include Celebrity Ascent, Celebrity Beyond, Celebrity Apex, and Celebrity Edge – the first ship in the series that was delivered in 2018.

“Celebrity's Edge Series redefined premium travel at sea, blending groundbreaking design and unforgettable guest experiences. Each ship in this award-winning series has set a new standard for the industry, and Celebrity Xcel, sailing later this year, is no exception,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. Partnering with Chantiers de l’Atlantique to expand the Edge Series with Edge 6 is another milestone in our mission to deliver the world's best vacations responsibly.”

“Celebrity Xcel will be the happy place of vacationers globally when she launches in November and we’re thrilled to be making this commitment to bring her a sister ship in Edge 6," said Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises. "Celebrity Xcel will take forward the best of Edge Series ships coupled with seven new experiences, all perfected with the help of our recently announced Xcel Dream Makers - an industry first program enlisting the power of cruisers to make final decisions across culinary, interior design and entertainment."

Celebrity Cruises’ Edge Series ships transformed guest’s experience by bringing them closer to destinations with state-of-the-art features like the iconic Magic Carpet – the world’s first cantilevered, floating platform at sea – offering a unique way to dine, drink and connect with destinations, or take in the dramatic local landscapes. Other innovations introduced by Celebrity’s Edge Series ships include Infinite Veranda® staterooms, which erase the boundaries between ship and shore. The sixth ship in the lineup will incorporate the series’ key features and make room for other yet-to-be-announced innovations.

"The strong ties between Chantiers de l’Atlantique and Royal Caribbean Group have led to the creation of the unique Edge Series design,” said Laurent Castaing, Chief Executive Officer, Chantiers de l’Atlantique. “This sixth ship marks the epitome of a pioneering series in the cruise industry that is both elegant, high-performing, and ever more innovative, notably thanks to its methanol capabilities.”

Royal Caribbean Group’s newbuild pipeline currently includes a total of eight ships on order. This year, the company will welcome two new ships including Royal Caribbean's Star of the Seas and Celebrity Xcel. With this announcement, Royal Caribbean Group continues to drive its moderate capacity growth to help guests turn a vacation of a lifetime into a lifetime of vacations.

This agreement is contingent upon customary conditions, including financing.

Resorts World Cruises to homeport in Mumbai, India

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 21 January 2025 21 January 2025

Resorts World Cruises ihas announced that it will be expanding its footprint to India with the debut and homeport deployment of the Resorts World One cruise ship in Mumbai from 5 March until 1 June 2025.

Resorts World One will depart from the soon to be completed Mumbai International Cruise Terminal at the Ballard Pier Extension (BPX) berth of the Mumbai Port with three weekly roundtrip cruise itineraries. These include the 2 Night Weekend High Seas Cruise departing on Fridays; the 3 Night Lakshadweep Cruise to Agatti Island departing on Sundays; and the 2 Night Goa Cruise departing on Wednesdays.

“In support of the recently announced “Cruise Bharat Mission” by the Indian Government and the new world-class Mumbai International Cruise Terminal, we are excited to further boost India’s cruise tourism sector and bring the Resorts World One cruise ship to homeport in Mumbai,” said Michael Goh, President of Resorts World Cruises. “Mumbai is the main gateway to cruising in India and Indians will have the convenience of departing from their ‘doorsteps’, without the need to fly to another country," he added.

Resorts World Cruises is a well-known cruise brand in India with many Indian passengers taking Fly-Cruise vacations with its ships cruising in Singapore, Dubai, Malacca, Penang, Phuket, Jakarta, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Keelung, Okinawa, Kyushu, Osaka and many other Asian ports.

Cunard’s new ship Queen Anne makes North American debut in New York

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 20 January 2025 20 January 2025

On January 18, Cunard’s highly anticipated new ship, Queen Anne marked her North American debut as she arrived in New York on her maiden call from Southampton, England. Cunard’s first new ship in 14 years spans 14 decks and features 15 dining venues, accommodating up to 3,000 guests.

For the first time in Cunard’s 185-year history, the line has two female leaders in command. Captain Inger Klein Thorhauge, one of the few female captains in the maritime industry, is at the helm of Queen Anne, and Katie McAlister, Cunard’s president, is steering the company into an exciting era of luxury cruising.

The design of Queen Anne was led by creative director Adam Tihany who orchestrated a team of world-class designers to imagine a ship that reflects Cunard’s rich art-deco heritage while embracing modern elegance.

A testament to this artistic vision is the ship’s exclusive collection of 4,300 pieces of art, commissioned from both emerging and established artists worldwide, each offering a unique interpretation of Cunard’s iconic legacy. The ship also elevates onboard entertainment to new heights with innovative venues and experiences including the "Bright Lights Society," an intimate cabaret-style venue.

With the debut of Queen Anne, Cunard enhanced its wellness offerings for guests. The Pavilion wellness café is a new venue serving breakfast, lunch, and daytime dining, with a menu celebrating plant-based cuisine alongside sustainably sourced meat, fish, and dairy.

In addition, guests can enjoy the Harper’s Bazaar Wellness at Sea program which offers three-day packages tailored to relaxation, energy restoration, or recovery, providing a rejuvenating journey at sea.

Queen Anne’s call in New York marks the first stop on her 107-day inaugural World Voyage. This journey continues Cunard’s legacy as the pioneer of world cruises since 1922; bringing together travelers from across nationalities and reflecting the brand’s dedication to fostering international connections and cultural understanding—values that resonate more than ever in today’s world.

Cunard and New York have a long and storied heritage with an impressive roster of milestones:

– Cunard has sailed into New York since 1847, longer than any other cruise line.

– Cunard ships carried one in five immigrants to America, helping millions begin new lives in New York and beyond.

– Cunard’s legendary ships including Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth epitomized the golden age of ocean travel, hosting world renowned cultural and political figures.

– In 2015, the Empire State Building was lit red to honor Cunard’s 175th anniversary, celebrating the company’s enduring bond with the city.

Katie McAlister, President of Cunard, expressed her excitement about the ship’s North America debut, stating: “Queen Anne represents the pinnacle of innovation, design, and hospitality for Cunard, and her arrival in New York is an historic milestone for our company. As we celebrate nearly two centuries of maritime excellence, Queen Anne ushers Cunard into a new era of luxury cruising and continues delivering unforgettable experiences that connect people and cultures around the globe. We are proud to contribute to the record-high1.5 million cruise passengers that travel to NYC bringing $500 million in local economic impact to New York.”

Ambassador Cruise Line and CFC reach agreement to merge

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 15 January 2025 15 January 2025

Ambassador Cruise Line, a Njord Partners portfolio company, and French cruise operator Compagnie Française de Croisières (CFC), have reached an agreement to merge, forming the Ambassador Group. This strategic combination marks the creation of a leading European premium affordable value cruise line, targeting the no-fly silver market. The transaction is expected to close by the end of January 2025.

With Ambassador’s success in the UK market and CFC’s strong presence in the French no-fly cruise sector, the combined operators provide a formidable platform from which to expand the newly formed Ambassador Group’s footprint in the European market, taking advantage of the significant growth in the European cruise sector over the next decade. With the market expected to grow by 12% p.a. over the next five years, the Group will leverage its premium and highly regarded offering to establish new destinations while delivering authentic and sustainable cruise experiences to a wide audience.

The Group will operate a fleet of three small-to-mid-sized vessels incorporating Ambassador’s Ambience and Ambition and CFC’s 1,200 guest-capacity Renaissance, which is fully refurbished following recent multimillion-euro investments. Both the Ambassador and CFC vessels will continue to offer a traditionally British or French product offering to their respective markets, with each brand retaining its unique national identity so as to ensure that all guests travelling with the combined operator enjoy an unrivalled onboard experience in line with their expectations.

With the cruise industry increasingly focussed on sustainability, Renaissance will be upgraded with the latest environmental technologies after entering Dry Dock in January 2025 to make her IMO Tier III compliant in line with her sister ships, the standard bearers for Ambassador Group’s high environmental standards and commitment to sustainable travel.

Ambassador Group is introducing a joint fly-cruise Caribbean programme in Winter 2025/26 in partnership with Corendon, a leading European travel operator. With itineraries from October 2025 and homeporting in Barbados, Martinique and Curaçao, sailings will combine source markets from the UK, France and the Netherlands, marking the Group’s entry into the fly-cruise market and enhancing its year-round offerings. Further details of the Caribbean programme including itineraries will be provided in the coming days.

The combined businesses will achieve operational efficiencies through synergies including fleet management and sourcing, while fostering growth opportunities for both shipboard and shoreside staff. Ambassador Group will be majority owned by Ambassador’s existing shareholders, Njord Partners, with Cheyne Capital taking a minority stake.

Christian Verhounig, CEO of Ambassador Cruise Line, said: “The combination of Ambassador and CFC is a bold step towards our shared vision for the cruise industry. By uniting our strengths, we are creating an organisation that delivers exceptional experiences to our guests while upholding sustainable practices. Together, we will lead the way in offering affordable, high-quality, authentic and environmentally responsible cruises.”

Maëlysse Pierrot-Guibourt, CEO of Compagnie Française de Croisières, added: “This exciting merger underscores our collective confidence in the cruise industry's bright future and our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences. CFC is a new and growing French brand, and this merger with Ambassador, a successful, ambitious British brand that wants to grow markets and destinations, is extremely positive for both businesses, maximising synergies to create a formidable force in the cruise industry. CFC, with its highly impressive levels of guest satisfaction and repeat business, offers authentic and unique premium French cruise experiences which will not only be retained but further enriched.”

Jakob Kjellberg, co-founder of Njord Partners, commented: “We are very proud to announce another significant milestone in Ambassador’s journey to becoming a leader in the European affordable value silver cruise market. We are committed to continuing to invest in the sector, confident in its potential and our ability to become a market leader. This partnership underscores our belief in the strength and growth of the European cruise market.”