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Crystal unveils dedicated crew recreation area aboard new Crystal Grace

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

Crystal, the leader in exceptional experiences, shared details of a dedicated crew recreation area aboard Crystal Grace, its newest ship set to debut on June 11, 2028. Set on Deck 12 and designed as a space for relaxation and social connection, the crew recreation area will feature both indoor and outdoor amenities created exclusively for onboard team members. The indoor space will include a crew gym, a sundries shop offering convenient everyday items, bar, table seating area and lounge anchored by a 98-inch television. Outdoors, crew members will have access to sun loungers, a jacuzzi and shower area.

The crew recreation area measures 1,582 square feet (147 square meters) and is designed to accommodate up to 100 crew members, with 74 dedicated seats in the indoor social spaces. The crew gym has a maximum occupancy of 30, providing a dedicated fitness environment for onboard team members. Featuring Technogym equipment, the 24-hour fitness center will offer a range of cardio, strength, skill and group training equipment designed to support crew well-being and active lifestyles while onboard.

In addition to the recreation area, Crystal Grace will also feature two crew dining areas located on Deck 3. The plans reflect Crystal’s continued focus on onboard crew spaces as part of the vessel’s overall design.

“Our crew consistently delivers an exceptional level of service and care, and it was important to us that Crystal Grace reflects that same standard in return. This dedicated recreation space was created with real intention, a place for our team to unwind, recharge and feel supported after bringing the Crystal experience to life each day," said Cristina Levis, CEO of AKTG.

“Our crew members are at the center of the Crystal experience. Every day, they deliver the personalized service and genuine care that our guests have come to expect and appreciate. Because of this, it is important that we create an environment on board where our crew feel comfortable, valued, and supported,” said Othmar Hehli, Director, Fleet Human Resources. “When designing this space, we took into consideration how our crew spend their time, what is important to them, and what contributes to their overall well-being on board. The goal was to create a space that is welcoming, practical, and truly theirs, while also reflecting Crystal’s commitment to supporting the people who make our guest experience possible.”

HX Expeditions appoints Cinzia Amadio to lead its global marketing

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 22 May 2026 22 May 2026

HX Expeditions, the world’s longest-running expedition cruise company and the largest operator in Antarctica, announces the appointment of Cinzia Amadio as SVP of Global Marketing to lead all aspects of marketing, reinforcing the company’s commitment to a more connected brand experience and a stronger end-to-end journey for both guests and trade partners.

Reporting directly to CEO Gebhard Rainer and joining the Executive Team, Amadio will drive stronger alignment across teams, clearer priorities, and a more seamless experience at every stage of the HX brand journey – from first inspiration on website travelhx.com to booking, pre-departure and post-voyage communications.

Amadio brings international experience across luxury travel, brand building, and digital transformation, combining a foundation in computer science engineering with expertise in branding, storytelling, and AI. Most recently, she served as Chief Marketing and Growth Officer at ROAR AFRICA, the ultra-luxury safari company, where she led the marketing function across brand and performance.

She also brings extensive cruise and expedition experience from her nine years at Silversea, where she held several senior leadership roles across global marketing, consumer and trade marketing, marketing planning and execution, and expedition business development. In her own words, she is “Excited to return to an industry she fell in love with.”

With a strong track record of building high-performing teams, aligning global marketing operations and connecting brand strategy with commercial growth and customer experience, her appointment reflects HX’s continued investment in bringing brand, marketing and digital capabilities closer together so the business can move faster, communicate more consistently and deliver a more joined-up experience across every touchpoint.

“I'm excited to join HX at such an important moment for the business” said Amadio. “There's a real opportunity to build on the strong brand foundations already in place and connect brand storytelling, marketing performance, and digital capability more closely. By working together across these areas, we can deliver clearer, more consistent experiences for our guests and strengthen every stage of their journey with HX.”

CEO Gebhard Rainer added: “We are delighted to welcome Cinzia to HX. She brings a unique combination of digital expertise, brand-building capability, and deep experience in both the luxury and cruise sectors, which will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen the guest experience and grow the business.”

This leadership appointment supports HX’s ambition to strengthen collaboration across functions, sharpen execution and ensure the business is even better positioned to deliver outstanding guest experiences alongside sustainable growth.

Meyer Turku donates EUR 800,000 to Aalto University

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 21 May 2026 21 May 2026

Meyer Turku is investing in shipbuilders of the future by donating EUR 800,000 to Aalto University. With the donation, Aalto will establish a five-year Professor of Practice to accelerate developments in marine technology and secure expertise in the field in Finland. This new donation is part of Meyer Turku’s broad collaboration with educational institutions and research.

Aalto University’s new Professor of Practice in Interdisciplinary Naval Architecture will combine marine technology and engineering with economics, finance, contract law, as well as architecture and design. The aim is to develop shipbuilding holistically and strengthen collaboration between research and industry. This cross-disciplinary approach supports the renewal of the marine industry and responds to the sector’s growing competence needs. Recruitment for the five-year Professor of Practice will begin later this year.

“Our order book extending to 2030 and a framework agreement with our customer through 2036 bring unprecedented predictability to the company’s operations. They enable exceptionally long-term investments in competence, research, and international collaboration. These investments support the education of a new, broadly qualified generation of shipbuilders and strengthen the long-term competitiveness of Finnish marine industry," says Casimir Lindholm, CEO of Meyer Turku.

“We are extremely grateful for Meyer Turku’s significant donation, which further strengthens Aalto’s top-level research and education in marine technology. The interidisciplinary perspective of the new Professor of Practice in shipbuilding reflects Aalto University’s core idea and creates excellent conditions for cooperation with industry," says Ilkka Niemelä, President of Aalto University.

Aalto University’s Professor of Practice continues Meyer Turku’s long-term investments in competence development. The donation-funded professorship in mechanical engineering launched at the University of Turku in 2021 has strengthened the region’s technical expertise and responded to companies’ concrete needs.

Meyer Turku promotes awareness of the marine industry starting from primary and secondary education. Collaboration with vocational institutions is extensive and includes Meyer Turku’s own Shipbuilding School (Laivanrakennusoppilaitos), which has operated for over 60 years. With universities and universities of applied sciences, cooperation ranges from improving the industry’s visibility and attractiveness to research.

A key platform for research collaboration is the MERiON program co-funded by Business Finland, which develops technologies, competencies, and operating models for the marine industry. Meyer Turku’s GTLab coordinates the program’s projects in close cooperation with partner institutions. In addition, the company participates in international NORSI collaboration, which connects the Finnish marine industry to global technology and innovation networks.

American Encore – first riverboat ever christened in the state of Idaho

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 21 May 2026 21 May 2026

American Cruise Lines announced that brand new riverboat American Encore was christened in Lewiston, Idaho on May 12th. The boat’s inaugural 9-Day Columbia & Snake Rivers cruise departed from Stevenson, Washington on May 6th with guests also enjoying an included hotel stay in Portland, Oregon on May 5th.

Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who represented Eastern Washington and the Snake River in Congress for twenty years, was named American Encore’s Godmother. Rodgers was joined on the ship’s top deck for the ceremonial blessing and bottle smash by cruise guests, travel advisors, company executives, crew members, as well as local officials from Lewiston, Idaho, and Clarkston, Washington.

Speeches and remarks were given by American Encore’s Captain, Andrea Mickelson; Charles B. Robertson, President & CEO of American Cruise Lines; Kristin Meira, American’s Director of Government Affairs; Joe Anderson, Commissioner of the Port of Lewiston; the Honorable Dan Johnson, Mayor of Lewiston; and Steven McGee, President of Chesapeake Shipbuilding, where all American Cruise Lines small ships are built. The day’s festivities also included a special flyover and patriotic music by The Victory Belles, as well as a ship tour and reception in American Encore’s stunning Sky Lounge.

During the event, Robertson, American’s President & CEO, remarked to the gathered crowd that “this is our 6th ship on the river and the flagship of our aggressive posture to up the game globally.”

American Encore underscores the domestic industry’s innovation and furthers the understanding that U.S. River cruising is here to compete with Europe. The brand-new riverboat is easily one of the finest riverboats ever built and raises the bar for all riverboats worldwide. Among its many advantages, it offers more space per passenger than any other riverboat in the world. American Encore will be quickly followed by sister ships American Anthem in 2027 and American Grace in 2028.

The christening celebrations also included ongoing recognition of the new dock which was recently built through a partnership between the cruise line and the Port of Lewiston. The Lewiston dock provides additional space for American’s growing fleet and host of itineraries in the region – also allowing the company’s riverboats to visit Lewiston and Clarkston simultaneously. The dock enables better access to many shore excursions for cruise guests and provides the local community with enhanced waterfront access year-round. American’s expanding operations on the Columbia and Snake Rivers are a considerable driver of increased tourism in the region, and the cruises deliver a significant economic impact to local communities throughout the area.

American Cruise Lines has also rapidly expanded operations around the country in the past decade, most notably in the Pacific Northwest, where American Cruise Lines also operates a fleet of small ships sailing coastal itineraries in Puget Sound and Alaska. The company remains the leader in U.S. River and small ship cruising and has introduced over 80% of all new cruise ships built in the United States in the past several decades.

American Encore features five decks and accommodates 180 guests in 100% private balcony accommodations. The riverboat showcases a stunning four-story glass atrium at the center of the ship and introduces American’s newest stateroom category, the extraordinary Signature Suite. At 1,500 square feet, American Encore’s Signature Suite is the largest riverboat suite in the world, offering a wrap-around balcony, panoramic views, separate living and sleeping spaces, and a hotel-sized bathroom with soaking tub and heated floors. Other onboard amenities include a grand dining room and casual café, multiple indoor and outdoor lounges, top deck lounge and outdoor walking track, large gym, complimentary laundry room, and elevators to all passenger decks.

American Encore is the newest and most elevated ship in the company’s acclaimed series of modern American Riverboats, first introduced to the U.S. market in 2018 with American Song. American Encore will continue to sail the company’s popular 9-Day Columbia & Snake Rivers cruises through early November 2026. Cruises for 2027 and 2028 are already open to book.

Viking announces CEO transition and reports first quarter 2026 financial results

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 14 May 2026 14 May 2026

Viking Holdings Ltd today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Leah Talactac, President and Chief Financial Officer, as Chief Executive Officer. Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO, has been appointed as Executive Chairman and will continue to serve as Chairman of Viking’s Board of Directors. The Company also announced that Linh Banh, Executive Vice President of Finance, has been appointed as CFO.

Since joining Viking in 2006, Talactac has been a key leader on the executive team. Alongside Hagen, she led Viking’s initial public offering in 2024, which was the largest offering on the NYSE that year, and she was appointed President in January 2025 while retaining her responsibilities as CFO. Starting today, Talactac will report to the Board of Directors and continue to lead Viking’s executive committee, a highly experienced group who have been integral to Viking’s sustained success. As Executive Chairman, Hagen will focus on long term strategy and continue to support Talactac in her role as CEO.

“This leadership transition reflects the strength and depth of Viking’s management team and the succession planning we have built over many years,” said Hagen. “Leah’s appointment as CEO is a natural next step, and the Board and I have full confidence in her ability to lead Viking with the same continuity, discipline and vision that have guided us since Viking was founded. On behalf of the entire Viking family, we congratulate Leah, and I look forward to partnering closely with her and the Board as she guides Viking forward in this next chapter.”

“I am honored by this appointment and deeply grateful for the trust of the Board and Tor,” said Talactac. “Tor and our entire executive team have built a phenomenal company over the last 29 years, and I am delighted to lead Viking as we continue to deliver meaningful experiences for our guests and execute our long-term strategy. I also want to take a moment to congratulate Linh on her new appointment as CFO. Linh is a trusted leader within Viking, and her financial stewardship will ensure a smooth transition.”

Today, the Company also reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026, and provided an update on operating capacity and bookings.

Key highlights

– Total revenue was $1,053.7 million for the first quarter of 2026, an increase of 17.5% compared to the same period in 2025.
– Gross margin increased 21.2% and Adjusted Gross Margin increased 16.9% compared to the same period in 2025.
– Net Yield was $596, an increase of 9.5% compared to the same period in 2025.
– Adjusted EBITDA was $104.8 million, an increase of 43.9% compared to the same period in 2025.
– Diluted EPS was $(0.12) and Adjusted EPS was $(0.11).
– Net Leverage improved from 1.1x as of December 31, 2025 to 1.0x as of March 31, 2026.
– As of May 3, 2026, for its Core Products, Viking had sold 92% of its Capacity Passenger Cruise Days for the 2026 season and 38% of its Capacity Passenger Cruise Days for the 2027 season.

“2026 is off to a strong start and we are very pleased with our first‑quarter results. Total revenue for the quarter grew 17.5% driving a 43.9% year-over-year increase in Adjusted EBITDA, underscoring the demand for our product and our operational discipline,” said Hagen. “Moreover, we are already 92% booked for 2026 which positions us very well for the remainder of the year. During the quarter, we also continued to make progress increasing our fleet and destination-focused offerings, further enhancing the experiences and value we offer our guests. As we look ahead, we remain focused on delivering on the strong demand while continuing to invest in our future and generate sustainable, profitable growth.”