Cruise
Carnival Corporation has slashed its annual profit forecast as fuel costs surge in the wake of the ongoing Strait of Hormuz crisis, now entering its fifth week. The guidance cut is the most direct signal yet that the geopolitical conflict is translating into material financial damage for major cruise operators. Higher bunker prices are compressing margins across the fleet, and Carnival's disclosure will likely prompt similar revisions from other publicly listed cruise lines in the weeks ahead.
The Strait of Hormuz blockage continues to reverberate through global shipping markets, with vessel queues swelling at Asian ports and container freight rates rising for a fourth consecutive week. Chinese container ships attempting to transit the Strait turned back despite Iranian assurances of safe passage, while a Thai-flagged bulk carrier that was struck earlier this month has now run aground on Qeshm Island with three crew members still missing. The United Nations is advancing a humanitarian shipping mechanism to address the crisis, and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that a government-backed insurance program to support Hormuz transits will launch shortly.
Explora Journeys has cancelled its Explora II winter 2026-2027 Middle East season, redirecting the ship exclusively to the Mediterranean from November 2026 through March 2027. The decision reflects broader deployment pressure from the regional security environment. Industry professionals should expect continued itinerary restructuring from other luxury and expedition operators as the situation at Hormuz remains unresolved and Red Sea access remains constrained under a new MARAD advisory urging vessels to disable AIS tracking in that corridor.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and activist investor Elliott Investment Management have reached an agreement resulting in a significant board overhaul, with four incumbent directors set to resign and five new board members to be appointed. Harry Chidsey, already named CEO, will also assume the role of board chair. Elliott's intervention at NCLH has been among the more prominent cases of activist pressure on a major cruise company in recent years. Chidsey's compensation package, disclosed separately, includes a $1.7 million base salary, a $2.9 million fixed 2026 bonus, and more than two million restricted stock units vesting over four years.
TUI River Cruises has placed an order for two newbuild river vessels engineered with structural provisions for alternative fuel propulsion, specifically methanol, with delivery expected in 2028. The order reinforces a broader trend in European river cruising toward future-proofed newbuild specifications ahead of anticipated tightening of inland waterway emissions standards. European river cruise revenue reached 3.7 billion euros in the most recent reporting period, with 8 percent sector growth driven by North American and Australian demand for longer itineraries and premium product.
On this day in 1998, the keel was laid for the RMS Queen Mary 2 at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, marking the formal start of construction on what would become the largest ocean liner ever built at the time of her debut.
Carnival Corporation reports a double‑digit surge in 2026 bookings, record $6.2B revenue, and 103% occupancy, signaling strong demand across its eight cruise brands. Carnival Ignites 2026 With Explosive Booking Growth and Record Revenue
Norwegian Aqua guests are advised of a rare 3 p.m. embarkation in New York as the ship repositions from Miami, delaying terminal opening and check‑in. What Is Causing Norwegian Aqua’s Unusually Late Start in New York
Oceanwide Expeditions ha firmado de una carta de intenciones para la construcción y entrega de dos nuevos buques de expedición eco-sail. Estas embarcaciones han sido diseñadas para ofrecer la misma experiencia auténtica y en barcos pequeños que caracteriza a la compañía, al tiempo que refuerzan su compromiso con un turismo polar más sostenible y respetuoso […]
Tras la gran demanda de su viaje Antarctica: Through the Lens para 2027 —ya completo—, Aurora Expeditions presenta una nueva expedición fotográfica en el Ártico: Iceland & East Greenland: Through the Lens, ya disponible para reservar en 2027. Con salida el 31 de julio de 2027 a bordo del buque especialmente diseñado Sylvia Earle, este […]
Seabourn presenta una nueva colección de itinerarios oceánicos 2027-2029, mientras se prepara así para celebrar en 2028 su “Ruby Jubilee”, conmemorando 40 años de navegación. La nueva programación abarca cuatro continentes y propone viajes de entre siete y 40 días, con más tiempo en puerto, nuevos destinos y actividades especiales vinculadas al aniversario. En total, […]
Confusion reigns supreme towards the end of the fourth week of the Hormuz shipping crisis, with president Donald Trump yesterday stating one line only to be contradicted repeatedly by Tehran. Vessel traffic movement in and out of the Strait of Hormuz remains minimal and bunker availability around the world is a growing concern. Ukraine went …
Denmark’s Alba Tankers has seen the change of ownership with fellow ship investment vehicle Zeaside Capital Partners taking control of the shortsea specialist as it looks to build a broader tanker business. The deal sees Zeaside partner with a group of Danish and international investors to take over Alba, which operates out of Denmark, Sweden …
Danish owner and operator Norden is stepping into the ice-class segment, tying a long-term cargo deal to a fresh newbuilding order in China. The Copenhagen-listed company has signed a contract of affreightment (COA) with Swedish mining group LKAB for up to 10 years, covering shipments of bentonite from Greece to northern Sweden. To back the …
Paralysis around the Strait of Hormuz is being felt at global shipping hubs around the world.  Ships are holding, rerouting, or bunching at alternative ports while operators wait for clarity with contradicting lines coming out of Washington and Tehran on the state of the war, which enters its fifth week tomorrow. The seven-day average number …
Finnish wind propulsion firm Norsepower has teamed up with COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry Equipment (CHIC) to ramp up production and global deployment of its rotor sails. The long-term deal moves beyond the companies’ initial memorandum of understanding, covering production, sales, installation, service, and joint engineering development. Norsepower brings its rotor sail tech and control systems, …