New in Brief Seatrade Cruise News Latest Headlines

 

Virgin Voyages to first mates: 'We're building a company together' CEO Nirmal Saverimuttu listens, Cruise Planners' Michelle Fee said. 'He says "Tell us what you need and we'll make it happen." ... We've been selling the brand and really good reviews come back.' Full article

Jess Peterson back at Windstar in destination/itinerary planning He'll oversee the development of global itineraries and work to expand pre- and post-cruise packages. Full article

New presidents at Princess Cruises, Holland America, Seabourn In a wave of Carnival Corp. brand leadership changes, Gus Antorcha is becoming president of Princess, Beth Bodensteiner of Holland America and Mark Tamis of Seabourn. Full article

Fred. Olsen’s Borealis heads to Portsmouth for winter season Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Borealis returned to Portsmouth this month to begin a season of sailings to destinations including Norway, Portugal and the Canary Islands. Full article

ATPI launches new crew change travel booking system, CrewHub ATPI Group’s CrewHub streamlines complex multi-destination bookings onto one transaction in five easy steps. Full article

WestSea Viana floats out Windstar Cruises' Star Seeker The ship is scheduled to enter service in December 2025. Full article

Aroya leaves Bremerhaven for Jeddah homeport Aroya, the first vessel from Aroya Cruises, departed Bremerhaven for its homeport in Jeddah. Full article

Secret Atlas expands 2025 programme with two new Arctic voyages Two brand-new 2025 sailings have been announced by Secret Atlas operated by Freya and the company’s newest ship, Vikingfjord. Full article

Port of Alexandria sees uplift in number of cruise calls Alexandria Port is experiencing a significant uptick in cruise calls, with several large vessels arriving at its terminals in recent weeks. Full article

American Legend enters service, Key West naming coming up Key West Mayor Dee Dee Henriquez will serve as the godmother for the Nov. 27 inaugural ceremony. Full article

Oceania Cruises celebrates 15 years of the Culinary Center Oceania Cruises celebrates 15 years of its hands-on cooking school at sea, the Culinary Center, with new classes added for 2025, including a spotlight on the Pacific Northwest, Polynesia, and Australia. Full article

Scotland’s cruise industry in good health Representatives from across Scotland, combining cruise ports, shorex companies, port agencies and national and regional tourism networks gathered in Dunfermline, Fife, last week for the sixth annual Cruise Conference - What Works for Tourism? Full article

Nathan Philpot new CEO at Excursions Ltd, Rupert Woodard moves to Board of Trustees Travel and cruise industry veteran Nathan Philpot is to join the UK specialist cruise services company Excursions Ltd as CEO this Wednesday, the same week the company celebrates its 25th anniversary. Full article

Hot off Virgin Voyages: New groups program and brand campaign For the first time, travel advisors will be able to hold group space at a discounted rate, and the new 'Love from ...' campaign is inspired by 'Wish you were here' post cards. Plus, Black Friday fares starting at $99/night. Full article

Hannah Waddingham stars in new Princess 'Love Boat' campaign Filmed in cinematic style, the ad spots follow Waddingham as she experiences a Princess cruise. Full article

Massport's $100m cruise terminal investment includes shore power This comes on the heels of a record 2024 cruise season. Shore power is expected by 2029. Meanwhile, terminal upgrades will support larger ships. Full article