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HX Expeditions becomes first commercial cruise line to visit Old Harbor, Alaska

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 04 August 2026 04 August 2026

HX Expeditions, the world’s first and longest-running expedition cruise company, has become the first commercial cruise line to call at Old Harbor, an Alutiiq community on Kodiak Island, marking a significant milestone in the company's ongoing commitment to community-led exploration in Alaska.

The visit took place on Sunday, August 2, aboard Roald Amundsen, the world’s first hybrid battery-powered cruise ship, during HX's Alaska & British Columbia | Inside Passage, Bears and Aleutian Islands voyage. Located on the southeastern coast of Kodiak Island, Old Harbor is one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the Kodiak Archipelago and home to a rich Alutiiq cultural heritage.

Developed in partnership with Old Harbor Native Corporation (OHNC), the visit created a new opportunity for guests to experience the community through local stories, traditions, and perspectives.

“Welcoming HX Expeditions to Old Harbor marks an important milestone for our community,” said Kristina Woolston, CEO of OHNC. “This partnership reflects our commitment to sharing Alutiiq/Sugpiaq culture, history, and values in a way that is guided by the community and benefits the people."

“At OHNC, we are committed to creating opportunities that strengthen our community while honoring the values that have sustained our Indigenous people for generations,” said Lillian O'Brien, Board Chair of OHNC. “We are proud to showcase Old Harbor in a way that reflects our culture, supports our people, and creates lasting opportunities for future generations.”

Ahead of HX's inaugural call, the Alutiiq Tribe of Old Harbor passed a formal resolution endorsing the visit and supporting the opportunity to share the community's culture, history, and values with visitors.

As part of the community's preparations, local artists and Elders reconstructed a traditional village home, known as a ciqlluaq. The project was created to support the visit and future visitors to Old Harbor while helping preserve and share Alutiiq/Sugpiaq heritage for generations to come.

During the inaugural visit, HX guests were introduced to life in one of Kodiak Island's oldest Alutiiq communities. Guided by community members, guests explored the village, visited the Russian Orthodox Church, learned about food security initiatives at the community's hydroponic farm, and heard how subsistence practices remain central to community life. The experience concluded at the Nuniaq Center, where residents shared traditional arts and crafts, including beadwork, carving, painting, and jewelry-making, and invited guests to take part in augca'aq, a traditional Alutiiq dart game.

To commemorate HX's inaugural call, community leaders presented the ship's captain with a ceremonial paddle, a traditional symbol of welcome, friendship, and safe passage. Guests and crew were also invited to participate in celebrations marking the historic occasion.

"We believe communities should have a voice in how tourism develops and how their stories are shared," said Sam Imes, Alaska Expedition Product Planner at HX Expeditions. With more than a decade of experience in Alaska's cruise industry, Imes is committed to developing community-led experiences in partnership with local organizations across the region. "Working alongside Old Harbor Native Corporation has allowed us to create an experience that reflects the community's vision for tourism while giving guests a meaningful connection to this remarkable place."

Following its inaugural visit, Old Harbor will be included in HX's 2027 program. As the only global expedition cruise line offering dedicated Aleutian Islands voyages, including an 18-day northbound expedition and an 18-day southbound expedition, HX continues to expand access to some of Alaska's most remote destinations through partnerships designed to benefit both travelers and local communities.

Explora Journeys officially names Explora III in Barcelona

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 04 August 2026 04 August 2026

Explora Journeys officially named Explora III in Barcelona, welcoming the brand’s first LNG-powered ship to the fleet and marking the halfway point in its vision of six extraordinary ships redefining ultra-elegant ocean travel.

Following its early delivery in Genoa on July 23, 2026, Explora III embarked on an exclusive Prelude Journey through the Mediterranean before arriving in Barcelona for the official Naming Ceremony. The Journey welcomed Explora Journeys Global Brand Ambassador Jannik Sinner onboard as the ship’s very first guest. Building on the excitement of this inaugural Journey, the celebrations brought together distinguished guests and senior leadership from Explora Journeys and MSC Group to commemorate the fleet’s newest milestone.

Blending maritime tradition with the brand’s signature European elegance, the official naming ceremony was followed by an evening of celebrations across the ship. The ceremony featured addresses by the Executive Chairman of MSC Group’s Cruise Division, Pierfrancesco Vago, Explora Journeys President Anna Nash, President of the Port of Barcelona José Alberto Carbonell and Godmother Cristina Ozores, renowned marine educator and founder of the conservation organization Vellmarí, as well as a National Geographic Educator, officially blessed and named the ship during the ceremonial christening. Guests then gathered throughout Explora III’s exceptional culinary venues for a gala dinner before the celebrations culminated in an unforgettable evening of entertainment. Legendary disco icons Sister Sledge feat. Kathy Sledge delivered a high-energy performance featuring their timeless hits, followed by an electrifying DJ set from internationally acclaimed Bob Sinclar, who kept guests dancing late into the night. Tastemakers including Alex Rivière, The Gstaad Guy, and Alison Toby joined the celebrations to toast the fleet’s newest addition.

“Naming Explora III is a momentous occasion that reflects both the trajectory of our fleet and our steadfast commitment to shaping the future of ultra-elegant ocean travel,” said Anna Nash. “Conceived as a destination in her own right, Explora III brings to life an even more generous expression of space, design, gastronomy and holistic wellbeing, with every detail encouraging the presence and connection that defines our unique Ocean State of Mind.”

“For me, being the Godmother of Explora III is about opening the door to a new kind of experience - one where people can truly discover the ocean in a deeper, more meaningful way.” said Cristina Ozores. “I hope each Journey invites them to feel the beauty beneath the surface, to be amazed by its colours and life, and to reconnect with the sea with curiosity, joy, and a genuine desire to care for it.”

Viking takes delivery its newest river ship in Europe

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 30 July 2026 30 July 2026

Viking yesterday announced it has taken delivery of the Viking Dagur, the company’s newest Viking Longship. The Viking Dagur was built at Meyer’s Neptun Werft shipyard in Rostock-Warnemünde, Germany. The 190-guest Viking Dagur joins the company’s growing fleet of state-of-the-art sister ships and will sail Viking’s popular itineraries on the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers.

“We are proud to welcome the Viking Dagur to our award-winning river fleet,” said Leah Talactac, President and CEO of Viking. “The arrival of our newest river ship marks another important milestone as we continue to expand opportunities for curious travelers to explore the world in Viking comfort. We look forward to welcoming guests on board this elegant new ship as she begins sailing our itineraries in the heart of Europe.”

Hosting 190 guests in 95 staterooms, the Viking Dagur features elegant Scandinavian design and the industry-leading innovations for which Viking is known, including the patented square bow that enables three full decks, the indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace and the proprietary asymmetric corridor layout that allows for true two-room suites. The Viking Dagur will sail popular itineraries that include Rhine Getaway, Paris to the Swiss Alps, Christmas on the Rhine and Christmas on the Rhine & Moselle.

Viking’s growing fleet

Viking remains focused on its well-defined, long-term growth plans and committed to its strategy, continuing to be a global leader in experiential travel. Based on Viking’s committed orderbook, the company expects to take delivery of 21 additional river ships by 2028, nine additional ocean ships by 2031 and two additional expedition ships by 2031. With these orders, Viking will have 114 river ships in 2028 and 26 ocean and expedition ships in 2031.

Ocean Advice advances 'white label' ship building program

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

United Waterways and its ocean division Ocean Advice have reached another important milestone. Following the signing of the first expedition vessel for Poseidon Expeditions, the program has now progressed to five vessels that are signed, ordered or in final contractual negotiation.

The first expedition ship for Poseidon Expeditions is scheduled for delivery in September 2028.

In addition, Ocean Advice has placed orders for two more vessels at China Merchants Cruise Shipbuilduing: one coastal cruise ship and one expedition ship. Both vessels are expected to be delivered during 2029.

A further two ships are currently in the final contractual stage. As a result, five of the eight slots secured under the original framework agreement are now actively progressing toward construction.

The ocean program was launched to extend United Waterways’ successful white-label management model from rivers to the ocean sector, providing operators and brands with access to purpose-built expedition and coastal cruise vessels supported by comprehensive technical, nautical and hospitality management services. The program includes four expedition ships and four coastal cruise ships.

“We are very pleased to see this journey developing so successfully. What began as a strategic vision is now becoming a tangible fleet with strong partners and significant market interest. The fact that five of the eight slots are already under way clearly demonstrates the demand for our innovative ships and confirms that our clients see substantial value in our small-ship ocean concept,” said Mathias Kracht, Managing Director of Ocean Advice.

“The speed at which these slots have been secured validates our belief that the market is looking for modern, efficient and sustainable ship solutions. Our white label ocean platform allows partners to focus on their brand and guests while benefiting from the operational expertise of United Waterways and Ocean Advice. We are excited to move from concept to execution together with our clients,” added Dr Sascha Gill, CEO of United Waterways.

Royal Caribbean Group reports second quarter results above expectations

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

Royal Caribbean Group today reported second quarter Earnings per Share of $4.20 and Adjusted EPS of $4.21. These results were better than the company's guidance, driven by strong close-in demand, lower costs, and favorable performance from joint ventures. The company now expects full year Adjusted EPS to be in the range of $17.73 to $17.87. The increase in earnings expectations reflects the stronger-than-expected second quarter performance and an improved outlook for the remainder of the year. This outlook incorporates a modest booking impact for select itineraries primarily due to prolonged geopolitical activity.

"The strong second quarter performance demonstrates the continued strength of our brands, the appeal of our vacation experiences, and the momentum in our business," said Jason Liberty, Chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. "We expect another year of approximately double-digit growth in revenue and earnings, driven by consumers' preference for our leading brands and supported by our strong booked position, leading margin profile, and fortified balance sheet."

"We continue to expand, elevate and differentiate our portfolio of vacation experiences," Liberty added. "Legend of the Seas, which launched earlier this month as the third ship in our Icon class, is part of a platform that is reshaping the cruising experience and delivering exceptional returns. Its successful debut represents another important milestone in the execution of our innovation pipeline as we continue to redefine the vacation experience. At the same time, we are deepening guest engagement through our loyalty and technology platforms – strengthening our relationships with guests, increasing repeat rates, and positioning us to capture a greater share of the growing $2 trillion global vacation market."

Second quarter 2026:

– Total revenue was $4.8 billion, a 6% increase year over year. Load factor in the second quarter was 110%.
– Gross Margin Yields decreased 5.6% as-reported. Net Yields increased 1.9% as-reported and 1.2% in Constant Currency.
– Gross Cruise Costs per Available Passenger Cruise Days ("APCD") increased 4.5% as-reported. Net Cruise Costs ("NCC"), excluding Fuel, per APCD increased 4.4% as-reported and 3.9% in Constant Currency.
– Net Income was $1.1 billion or $4.20 per share, Adjusted Net Income was $1.1 billion or $4.21 per share, and Adjusted EBITDA was $1.8 billion.

Full year 2026 outlook:

– Revenue is expected to grow 9% year over year. Net Yields are expected to increase 2.35% to 2.85% as-reported and 1.75% to 2.25% in Constant Currency.
– NCC, excluding Fuel, per APCD are expected to increase approximately 0.4% as-reported and be approximately flat in Constant Currency.
– Adjusted EPS is expected to be in the range of $17.73 to $17.87, representing 14% year over year growth, and a 23% CAGR over the first two years of the company's Perfecta program, which targets a 20% earnings CAGR from 2024 to 2027 and ROIC in the high teens by 2027.

Second quarter 2026 results

Net Income for the second quarter of 2026 was $1.1 billion or $4.20 per share compared to Net Income of $1.2 billion or $4.41 per share for the same period in the prior year. Adjusted Net Income was $1.1 billion or $4.21 per share for the second quarter of 2026 compared to Adjusted Net Income of $1.2 billion or $4.38 per share for the same period in the prior year. The company also reported total revenues of $4.8 billion and Adjusted EBITDA of $1.8 billion.

Capacity for the second quarter was up 5% year over year and the company delivered memorable vacations to 2.4 million guests, a 6% increase year over year. Total revenue increased 6% year over year. Gross Margin Yields decreased 5.6% as-reported, and Net Yields increased 1.9% as-reported (1.2% in Constant Currency), when compared to the second quarter of 2025. Load factor for the quarter was 110%. Net Yield growth exceeded the company's guidance primarily driven by better than expected close-in demand.

Gross Cruise Costs per APCD increased 4.5% as-reported, compared to the second quarter of 2025. NCC, excluding Fuel, per APCD increased 4.4% as-reported (and 3.9% in Constant Currency), when compared to the second quarter of 2025. The better-than-expected cost performance in the second quarter was primarily driven by favorable timing of expenses.

Update on bookings and onboard revenue

The overall demand environment remains strong, supported by consumers' continued preference for the company's differentiated experiences. Since the last earnings call, the company has experienced a modest, near-term impact on bookings for select itineraries, primarily due to prolonged geopolitical activity. The company remains booked at record prices, booking volumes are above last year's levels, and load factors remain robust across its vacation portfolio. The company continues to benefit from strong guest engagement and demand for onboard and destination experiences, supported by ongoing enhancements to its product offerings and more targeted pre-cruise engagement.

"Consumer demand for our vacation experiences is strong, and guests continue to demonstrate a desire to spend on memorable experiences with us," said Naftali Holtz, Chief Financial Officer, Royal Caribbean Group. "As we build a broader vacation platform, we are giving guests more reasons to vacation with Royal Caribbean across more occasions, while reinforcing our ability to drive higher engagement and spend over time. While still very early, booking trends for 2027 are encouraging and pacing ahead of historical levels, including for itineraries where demand was impacted by geopolitical developments this year."

Third quarter 2026

Net Yields are expected to be approximately flat as-reported and in Constant Currency as compared to 2025, reflecting continued healthy demand and pricing at record levels leading to expected total revenue growth of 8%.

NCC, excluding Fuel, per APCD, is expected to decrease 1.7% to 1.2% as-reported and 1.6% to 1.1% in Constant Currency as compared to 2025.

Based on current fuel pricing, interest rates, currency exchange rates and the factors detailed above, the company expects third quarter Adjusted EPS to be in the range of $6.26 to $6.36.

Fuel expense

Bunker pricing, net of hedging, for the second quarter was $839 per metric ton and consumption was 422,000 metric tons.

The company does not forecast fuel prices and its fuel cost calculations are based on current at-the-pump prices, net of hedging impacts. Based on current fuel prices, the company has included $362 million of fuel expense in its third quarter guidance at a forecasted consumption of 441,000 metric tons, which is 58% hedged via swaps.

Forecasted consumption is 58%, 53%, 29%, and 14% hedged via swaps for 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029 respectively. The annual average cost per metric ton of the hedge portfolio is approximately $474, $405, $424, and $451 for 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029 respectively.

Liquidity

As of June 30, 2026, the Group's liquidity position was $6.9 billion, which includes cash and cash equivalents and undrawn revolving credit facility capacity. In July, the company increased its revolving credit facility capacity by $250 million, through the accordion feature, to a total capacity of $6.6 billion.

During the second quarter, the company returned over $600 million to shareholders through $199 million of share repurchases, totaling 0.8 million shares, and $404 million of dividend payments. The company has $805 million remaining under its current share repurchase program authorization.

The company noted that as of June 30, 2026, the scheduled debt maturities for 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030 were $0.9 billion, $2.7 billion, $3.4 billion, $1.2 billion, and $1.3 billion respectively.

Capital expenditures and capacity guidance

Capital expenditures for the full year 2026 are expected to be approximately $4.7 billion, based on current foreign exchange rates and are predominantly related to the company's new ship order book and land-based destination initiatives. The company took delivery of Legend of the Seas during the second quarter. In April the company also announced orders for Icon VI and Icon VII, with committed financing in place. Non-new ship related capital expenditures are expected to be $1.6 billion.

Capacity changes for 2026 are expected to be 6.6% compared to 2025. Capacity changes for 2027, 2028, and 2029 are expected to be 4%, 6%, and 7%, respectively. These figures do not include potential ship sales or additions that the company may elect in the future.

Photo: Icon of the Seas at PortMiami, credit: Teijo Niemela