Princess Cruises has announced modifications to upcoming Regal Princess itineraries departing from Galveston, Texas, to address essential engine maintenance. The changes affect sailings scheduled for December 8, January 5, January 12, and January 19.

For the first three departures, the planned calls to Costa Maya, Mexico, will be replaced with extended overnight stays on the Honduran island of Roatan. On the January 19 voyage, the visit to Montego Bay, Jamaica, will also be substituted with a longer stay in Roatan.

The cruise industry has rebounded strongly in 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic passenger numbers and shaking off its negative reputation. With growing interest across generations, cruise lines are exploring innovative ways to extend onboard experiences, catering to evolving travel preferences. Virgin Voyages has now joined the trend by launching an Unlimited Cruise Pass, allowing travelers to sail anywhere the brand operates for an entire year.

Luxury cruise line Explora Journeys has announced the inaugural itineraries for its third ship, Explora III, set to debut in the summer of 2026. This highly anticipated vessel will explore western and northern Europe, including scenic voyages to Iceland and Greenland, before heading to North America and the Caribbean for its fall and winter seasons.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is enticing travelers with a limited-time offer of free drinks on more than 100 voyages throughout 2024 and 2025. The promotion includes itineraries ranging from 5 to 22 nights on the line’s three ships—Bolette, Borealis, and Balmoral. Destinations include the Mediterranean, Azores, Norwegian fjords, and the Scottish islands.

Celestyal Cruises has announced the cancellation of several upcoming itineraries due to ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Red Sea region. The affected cruises include two 14-night repositioning voyages aboard the Celestyal Journey, initially scheduled for departure on October 26, 2024, and March 8, 2025. These itineraries, titled "Ancient Athens to Dazzling Doha" and "Dazzling Doha to Ancient Athens," were set to visit destinations such as Ephesus in Turkey, multiple ports in Egypt, and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

Following a record-breaking year, the number of cruise visitors to Alaska is expected to remain stable this summer. Industry members believe this could enhance the experience for both tourists and locals.

According to Renee Limoge Reeve, vice president of government and community relations for CLIA Alaska, the steady numbers are beneficial. "It gives communities time to decide how to manage cruise traffic and tour operators the ability to refine their operations," Reeve said. She added that flat growth will help businesses expand their tour operations or excursion availability.

MSC Cruises is set to significantly expand its North American operations for the winter 2025-26 season, adding two new ships and a fourth homeport to its lineup. The cruise line will increase its presence to seven ships sailing from U.S. ports, up from five ships in the upcoming winter season.

An extensive search operation is currently underway for Edmond Bradley Solomon, a 66-year-old cruise passenger who went missing during a stop in Cozumel, Mexico. Solomon, who was traveling on Royal Caribbean International's Icon of the Seas, disembarked in Cozumel on April 3, 2024, and failed to return before the ship's departure. Given Solomon's diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia, which affects communication and complex cognitive functions, the urgency to locate him is particularly high.

HX, previously known as Hurtigruten, is revolutionizing the expedition cruising experience by introducing an all-inclusive offering across its entire fleet. This strategic move aims to enhance the onboard experience for guests, aligning HX with the luxury and convenience found in ultra-luxury expedition cruise lines like Silverseas and Seabourn.