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Fincantieri and Crystal cut steel for Crystal Grace

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 29 May 2026 29 May 2026

Crystal celebrated a defining milestone this week with the ceremonial steel cutting of Crystal Grace, the brand’s newest ocean ship, at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy. The moment marks the official start of construction and signals the next chapter in Crystal’s continued evolution.

Scheduled for delivery in May 2028, Crystal Grace represents a bold step forward for the brand, building on its legacy of exceptional service, spacious design and immersive, experience-led travel. The ship will introduce a refined vision of luxury at sea, thoughtfully designed to elevate every aspect of the guest journey, the company said in a statement.

“As we look to the future, we are focused on creating ships that feel both deeply rooted in Crystal’s heritage and unmistakably modern, where space, service and experience come together in a way that is both intuitive and extraordinary. Crystal Grace will do that for the brand, and we are so proud that this moment with our partners at Fincantieri brings that vision one step closer to reality," said Cristina Lewis, CEO of AKTG.

The steel cutting ceremony underscores Crystal’s continued partnership with Fincantieri, one of the world’s most respected shipbuilders and a long-time collaborator in bringing the brand’s vision to life through craftsmanship, precision and innovation.

Luigi Matarazzo, General Manager of Merchant Ships Division at Fincantieri, stated, “The steel cutting of Crystal Grace is a moment of great pride for our team and a significant milestone in our relationship with Crystal and the Lefebvre family. Over the years, we have built a partnership grounded in trust, shared values and an unwavering commitment to excellence. We are honored to once again bring Crystal’s vision to life, shaping a vessel that reflects both the brand’s distinguished heritage and its exciting future.”

Once delivered, Crystal Grace will join the fleet as a next-generation ocean vessel, offering expansive suites, including the brand’s first-ever Owner’s suite; elevated culinary concepts with renowned partners such as Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, three-time Michelin-starred Massimiliano Alajmo and his brother Raffaele and restaurateur Riccardo Girardi; outstanding Broadway-style entertainment; one of the best staff to guest and space to guest ratios in the luxury segment and thoughtfully curated itineraries designed to connect guests more deeply to each destination. She will embark on her inaugural voyage on June 11, 2028, from Civitavecchia (Rome) for an eight-night voyage concluding in Fusina (Venice).

Holland America expands to year-round Europe cruising

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 28 May 2026 28 May 2026

Holland America Line is introducing year-round cruising in Europe, expanding its presence in the region with an extended 2027-2028 season sailing through winter. With Nieuw Statendam remaining in Europe year-round, the cruise line is offering more opportunities than ever to experience the region beyond traditional summer travel.

The expanded season includes a dozen cruises aboard Nieuw Statendam across the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, significantly increasing Holland America Line’s offseason presence in the region. The new itineraries add more than 70 additional port days year-over-year, giving guests more time in port along with extended stays and fewer crowds. The deployment also includes two additional voyages aboard Zuiderdam, further expanding options for guests exploring Europe during the winter season.

“Europe continues to be one of the most sought-after destinations for our guests, and as a cruise line with Dutch roots, it’s a region we know incredibly well,” said Paul Grigsby, vice president of deployment and itinerary planning for Holland America Line. “Expanding to year-round Europe allows us to showcase a completely different side of the destination – one that is quieter, more immersive and deeply seasonal. From the festive charm of Christmas markets to a cooler and more relaxed Mediterranean region, winter offers a more authentic way to experience Europe.”

The expanded season is anchored by a lineup of winter and early spring itineraries that showcase Europe at a different pace, with access to seasonal experiences, regional traditions and a greater mix of destinations across the region. From Christmas market cruises in Northern Europe to an expanded Mediterranean program with more overnights and late-night stays, the deployment offers deeper, more immersive ways to explore throughout the year.

Christmas Market cruises bring Europe’s holiday traditions to life

Nieuw Statendam’s holiday sailings are designed to immerse guests in Europe at one of its most atmospheric times of year, when city squares glow with lights, markets fill with local artisans and the pace of travel invites deeper exploration. With overnights and extended stays built into each itinerary, guests have the time to experience the traditions, cuisine and rhythms that define the season.

A 13-day Baltic and Scandinavian Christmas Markets: Stockholm cruise sails roundtrip from Rotterdam or Dover, calling at Kiel, the gateway to Hamburg’s well-known Christmas markets, as well as Tallinn and Copenhagen. Overnight stays in Helsinki and Stockholm give guests time to explore festive city centers after dark, when markets and cultural traditions are in full swing. The Helsinki call also offers access to Lapland in the Arctic Circle, referred to by many as the home of Santa Claus.

A second 15-day holiday sailing spans the Christmas season, featuring overnights in Hamburg and Copenhagen. The itinerary also includes a call to Aarhus and scenic cruising of the Elbe River, along with exploration of southern Norway, with calls to Oslo, Kristiansand, Bergen and Stavanger.

Mediterranean voyages offer a more relaxed way to explore

Beyond the holiday season, Nieuw Statendam’s winter and early spring sailings shift south to the Mediterranean, where guests can experience the region at a slower pace. With mild temperatures and a rich mix of seasonal experiences, destinations feel local and approachable, offering a fresh perspective on some of Europe’s most-visited cities.

The itineraries span the Western and Eastern Mediterranean as well as the Canary Islands, connecting cultural capitals and coastal towns across Spain, France, Italy and Greece. Voyages include ports such as Valencia, Marseille and Livorno, and Naples for access to Pompeii. Farther east, sailings explore destinations including Mykonos, Rhodes and Kusadasi, along with overnight calls in sought-after destinations allowing for more time ashore.

With a mix of seven- to 14-day voyages, guests can choose shorter, region-focused sailings or combine itineraries for a more expansive journey. Longer Collectors’ Voyages span up to 24 days and can also be sailed back-to-back, allowing guests to experience a broader mix of the region. Sailings highlight the Mediterranean in a season when the pace is slower, the atmosphere is more intimate and each destination offers a more authentic connection.

Princess Cruises deepens strategic commitment to Singapore with three-year multi-ship deployment

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 28 May 2026 28 May 2026

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Princess Cruises have announced a three-year partnership to significantly expand the cruise line’s presence in Singapore, reinforcing the city-state’s role as a leading cruise hub in Asia Pacific. Spanning 2027 through 2030, the collaboration is expected to welcome more than 150,000 passengers and deliver meaningful economic benefits across Singapore’s tourism and maritime sectors. The agreement comes at a time of accelerating demand for cruise in Asia Pacific. Fuelled by rising affluence, an expanding middle-class, and a strong appetite for immersive travel experiences, Singapore remains well-positioned to capture the region's growing opportunities.

As part of this commitment, Princess Cruises will deploy three ships, Diamond Princess, Sapphire Princess and Grand Princess, to Singapore, with the number of sailings set to double by 2030. Supported under STB’s Cruise Development Fund (CDF), the ships will offer extended itineraries of 10 to 28 days, giving travellers more time to explore destinations across the region.

Princess Cruises’ itineraries will feature round-trip sailings to Southeast Asian destinations such as Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand, alongside longer voyages between Singapore and Japan. Travellers can enjoy a rich mix of shore excursions across the region, from a mangrove cruise along the Kilim River in Langkawi, ancient temple visits in Hoi An and the picturesque mountaintop Buddhist retreat at Fokuangshan Monastery in Kaohsiung.

Singapore’s role as a seasonal homeport for Princess Cruises is expected to attract a strong base of international cruise passengers, particularly from mid- to long-haul markets such as Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. This deployment will further accelerate growth in the fly-cruise segment and strengthen Singapore’s position as a homeport of choice in Asia, underpinned by strong global air connectivity and world-class cruise infrastructure. Plethora of tourism products also create opportunities for travellers to extend their journeys with pre- and post-cruise stays in Singapore.

Jean Ng, Assistant Chief Executive, Experience Development Group, Singapore Tourism Board, said: “This three-year partnership with Princess Cruises is testament to Singapore’s position as Asia’s premier cruise hub. Princess Cruises’ expanded deployment broadens our premium cruise experiences and supports our Tourism 2040 vision to drive quality tourism growth through a strong pipeline of differentiated products. With Asia Pacific emerging as a key growth region for cruising, Singapore is well-positioned to capture fly-cruise demand and connect the world to the best of Asia. We look forward to Princess Cruises bringing their exciting cruise itineraries to more travellers.”

Matthew Rutherford, Vice President Asia Pacific, Princess Cruises, said: “Singapore is a cornerstone of our Asia Pacific strategy and an exceptional homeport from which to expand regional footprint. This multi-year deployment underscores our confidence in Singapore’s connectivity and strong cruise ecosystem. We’re seeing growing demand for longer, more immersive journeys, and this programme allows us to deliver richer itineraries across Southeast Asia and beyond while attracting more international guests to the region.”

Celestyal announces new winter deployment with expanded Mediterranean season

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 27 May 2026 27 May 2026

Celestyal is extending its current Mediterranean season with a new winter 2026-27 deployment. The cruise line has confirmed it will cancel its Arabian Gulf season for winter 2026-2027. Instead, it will extend its current Eastern Mediterranean season with additional sailings across its two-ship fleet.

The 1,360-guest Celestyal Discovery will offer two additional Iconic Greek Islands sailings in November 2026, followed by four new Iconic Greek Islands sailings in March 2027.

The 1,260-guest Celestyal Journey will add four March 2027 departures, featuring two Heavenly Greece, Italy and Croatia sailings and two Idyllic Greece sailings which visit the popular and hidden gem Greek islands.

Celestyal will also introduce a new Western Mediterranean itinerary for winter 2026-2027 and winter 2027-2028 on Celestyal Discovery. Further details, including full itineraries and pricing, will be released soon, with the new sailings scheduled to go on sale starting June 15.

Plans for winter 2027-2028 on Celestyal Journey will also be announced in the near future.

Lee Haslett, Chief Commercial Officer at Celestyal, said: “Following a review of our winter deployment, we have decided to focus on strengthening our authentically Mediterranean offering. As a brand rooted in the region, these updates allow us to add more choice across some of our most popular itineraries and introduce brand new Western Mediterranean sailings for the first time.

“We know our guests value Celestyal for our warm hospitality, destination immersion and premium casual approach to cruising, and this extended program will give them even more opportunities to explore the region with us.”

All travel partners have been notified with updated information to support guest rebooking options.

Fincantieri delivers Viking Mira in Ancona

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 26 May 2026 26 May 2026

Fincantieri and Viking celebrated today the delivery of Viking Mira at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Ancona.

The ceremony was attended by Jeff Dash, Viking’s Executive Vice President and Head of Business Development, Giorgio Gomiero, Senior Vice President Operations of Fincantieri and Gilberto Tobaldi, Director of the Ancona Shipyard.

With a gross tonnage of approximately 54,300 tons, Viking Mira features 499 staterooms and can accommodate up to 998 passengers. The vessel, which will offer itineraries in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, belongs to the small cruise ship segment and joins Viking’s ocean fleet, all built by Fincantieri.

The collaboration between Fincantieri and Viking, which began in 2012, continues to be a strong partnership in the cruise sector. Considering the ships already ordered, the contracts signed and the options agreed in recent months, whose effectiveness remains subject to the usual financing conditions required by the market, the overall portfolio between the two groups now reaches 26 units.

The Ancona shipyard is one of the Group’s main production hubs. In recent years, the site has undergone a comprehensive development program aimed at strengthening its competitiveness through infrastructure, technological, and logistics upgrades jointly supported by the company and the public port system. Covering an area of 360,000 m², the yard has a production capacity of 60,000 gross tons, lifting systems capable of handling up to 500 tons, and hull production potential of 1,200 tons per month. Since 2009, more than 20 ships have been delivered, thanks to the daily commitment of approximately 3,700 workers from different nationalities, backgrounds, and generations. The shipyard is also an active part of the Operations Excellence program, which includes the introduction of advanced technologies, robotics, and AI to increase efficiency and improve quality of work.