News

VIking Yi Dun in Shanghai

China opens its doors to Viking Cruises offering access to destinations never seen by international visitors

Viking is offering three first-of-their-kind sailings between September and November this year giving travellers exclusive access to China. The new voyages on the Viking Yi Dun – formerly the Viking Sun – range from 10 to 20 days and explore iconic cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong as well as access to destinations

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Rover rules the waves on Icon of the Seas … with a little help from Captain Loy of course

You may be forgiven for thinking it’s an April Fool’s Day leg-puller but the new Icon of the Seas will have a Chief Dog Officer on board when the ship enters service next week. And the lucky dog getting all the attention of crew and guests alike is golden retriever Rover who will live onboard

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MSC Virtuosa

MSC Cruises scraps three Grand Voyages in April because of Red Sea danger

MSC Cruises has cancelled three repositioning Grand Voyage sailings in April from South Africa and the United Arab Emirates to Europe because of the risk to shipping in the Red Sea. Ongoing attacks on merchant vessels has obliged the company to cancel a 24-night cruise of MSC Splendida from Durban, South Africa to Genoa, Italy,

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Celestyal Journey

Celestyal Journey to visit the Persian Gulf from November 2024

Celestyal has announced that Celestyal Journey will visit four new countries and six new ports of call in the Persian Gulf from November 2024. The seven-night Desert Days itinerary will sail from November to January from Doha, Qatar, calling for the first time at Bahrain, Dubai, Khasab (Oman), Sir Bani Yas Island and Abu Dhabi.

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Riviera of Oceania Cruises

Oceania’s Riviera to explore lesser-known African and Asian ports in winter 2024/5

Oceania Cruises’ 1,250-guest ship Riviera will explore the continents of Africa and Asia at the end of 2024, and into 2025 with three brand new itineraries. The jewel of these itineraries is a 59-day Grand Voyage offering guests the chance to explore truly off-the-beaten path ports across Africa and Asia. Riviera will sail from Barcelona,

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susan calman windstar

Susan Calman takes a New Year trip to paradise with Windstar Cruises in her new TV series

Windstar Cruises is to star in two episodes of the new series of Cruising With Susan Calman to be shown on Channel 5 early in the New Year. The episodes, airing on January 12 and 19, will feature the sailing yacht Wind Spirit as Susan cruises Tahiti and the Tuamotus Islands and wonders at  the

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TUI Alma

TUI River Cruises heads for the Douro with its first new build ship TUI Alma

TUI River Cruises has announced its first new-build ship which will sail on Portugal’s Douro River when she launches in 2025. Says managing director Chris Logan says: “This is a huge moment for TUI River Cruises and a defining moment in our journey. Given we only launched back in 2021 it’s a testament to the

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Viking ceremony held at Neptun Werft shipyard

Ten more Viking longships are heading for the rivers of Europe

Viking is to welcome an additional 10 Viking Longships to its river fleet over the next three years. And to officially mark the start of construction on all 10 ships, a keel laying ceremony was held earlier this month (pictured) at Neptun Werft shipyard in Rostock, Germany, where all Viking Longships have been built since

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SeaDream yachts

SeaDream makes a powerful move towards net zero emissions

SeaDream Yacht Club is half way through its drive for sustainable cruising by providing its luxury vessels with shore power connectivity. SeaDream II successfully underwent the upgrade during a recent planned yard-stay at Naval Rocha Yard in Lisbon. Identical sister ship SeaDream I will be upgraded during her planned yard stay in April 2024. Being

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William Shakespeare

Riviera Travel returns to Ireland

Riviera Travel has re-opened its European river cruise and select touring product to the Irish market. The 2024 and recently-launched 2025 river cruise programmes are now on sale to Irish holidaymakers, covering Europe’s main waterways including the Seine, Rhone, Rhine, Douro and Danube. Dedicated departures for solo travellers are available, along with newly-introduced themed cruises

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