Cunard have announced the name of its new ship, set to enter service in 2023. The new ship will join the company's current three Queens, Queen Mary 2 (2004), Queen Victoria (2009) and Queen Elizabeth (2010).

The name chosen for the line's fourth ship is Queen Anne. The 3,000-passengers ship will be the first new Cunard to launch for well over a decade. It will also be the first time since 1998 that Cunard have operated four ships simultaneously.

​The launch of the Disney Cruise Line's latest new-build ship, Disney Wish has been pushed back six weeks, with the cruise line citing delays at the Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany.

In a letter sent to guests, Thomas Mazloum, president of Disney Cruise Line, wrote: "The shipyard has notified us that despite their very best efforts, they will need more time to finish our ship in part due to the pandemic and particularly the arrival of the Omicron variant in Germany at a critical point in the process."

MSC Cruises has revealed the details of the Winter 2022/2023 programme with an incredible choice of 21 modern, elegant ships sailing to more than 190 of the world’s most sought-after destinations in 85 different countries.

With cruises ranging from mini-cruises through to the 118-night world cruise, ships will explore the Middle East, Caribbean, Mediterranean, Northern Europe, South America and South Africa – there really is a ship and itinerary for everyone looking for the perfect winter cruise holiday.

​Cunard announces the return of the extraordinary Literature Festival at Sea, curated by the programming team of The Times and The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival aboard flagship Queen Mary 2 in 2022, featuring a line-up of some of the world's finest talent, including Bernardine Evaristo, Ian Rankin, Alexander McCall Smith, Mary Beard and Richard Osman.

The seven-night Transatlantic crossing, which departs New York for Southampton on December 3, 2022 will include a plethora of workshops, talks and readings as Queen Mary 2 sails across the Atlantic.

Captain Colm Ryan has joined Saga Cruises, working alongside Kim Tanner, Darin Bowland and Jason Ikiadis as the latest Master to operate the cruise liner’s ocean ships, ‘Spirit of Adventure’ and ‘Spirit of Discovery’.

Having grown up in Cork, Ireland, an area steeped in maritime traditions, Captain Ryan is a veteran with three-decades of experience at sea. He started as a cadet in the Merchant Navy, before moving to the cruise industry several years later, joining Holland America Line rising to the rank of Captain and later serving as Fleet Master.

Ambassador Cruise Line, which will begin the operation of its inaugural season in April, has announced today that it has made three new executive management team appointments. 

Phil Gardner (CCO), Matthias Seeger (CFO) and Nick Hughes (COO) bring both substantial cruise and wider business experience to the enterprise, which also just announced its expansion plans into 2023 with the addition of a second ship to its fleet. 

The newest cruise ship in the Princess Cruises fleet – Discovery Princess – was delivered today during an official handover at the Fincantieri Shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy.

Discovery Princess expands the Princess Cruises fleet to 15 MedallionClass vessels and features an evolution of the design platform used for the cruise line's previous Royal-Class ships. The Discovery Princess handover  was attended by John Padgett, President of Princess Cruises, Captain Gennaro Arma, and Luigi Matarazzo, General Manager Merchant Ships Division of Fincantieri.

Adventures aboard the world’s newest wonder are on the horizon for vacationers of all ages. Today, Royal Caribbean International took delivery of Wonder of the Seas, the next highly anticipated and innovative ship in the cruise line’s award-winning lineup.

Marking the completion of three years of construction, a traditional flag-changing ceremony took place in Marseille, France, with shipyard partner Chantiers de l’Atlantique. Wonder will make its official debut in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on March 4, to begin sailing 7-night cruises to the Caribbean before heading to Barcelona, Spain; and Rome to offer summer adventures in the Mediterranean.

Welcoming Wonder to the Royal Caribbean family was Royal Caribbean Group Chairman Richard Fain, Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley, and Laurent Castaing, General Manager, Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France.

“Wonder of the Seas will energize cruising in a bolder and bigger way. Adding this ship to our already best-in-class fleet elevates the company in continuing to lead the industry with new features and innovation,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “This is one more way that we’re delivering world-class and memorable vacations, responsibly, to guests around the world.”

“Taking delivery of Wonder of the Seas is the culmination of 30 months of ingenuity and partnership across more than 2,000 committed crew members and workers who are among the best at what they do,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “Along with taking the revolutionary Oasis Class ships to a new level of wonder, innovation and adventure, Wonder sets the stage for the spring and summer vacations families and all travelers alike are looking forward to in the new year. The combination of brand-new features and favorites that span thrills, entertainment, dining and nightlife is unparalleled, and it’s what will make our latest and most innovative ship the world’s newest wonder and the ultimate vacation in the Caribbean and Europe.”

“Wonder of the Seas represents a new step forward in the Oasis Class ships. Our teams have worked under difficult conditions but in a very united way to finally make major changes that enhanced the ship performance,” said Laurent Castaing, General Manager, Chantiers de l’Atlantique. “Wonder is really an outstanding new ship.”
Highlights to Uncover on Wonder.

The fifth in Royal Caribbean’s revolutionary Oasis class of ships, Wonder has adventures across eight unique neighborhoods – a Royal Caribbean first – in store for vacationers of all ages. The young and the young at heart can discover, wonder and make memories in a variety of ways and places designed for family bonding and me time, including:

• Suite Neighborhood – The new, eighth neighborhood offers Royal Suite Class guests an elevated Suite Sun Deck in a new location, complete with a plunge pool, bar and plenty of loungers and nooks to kick back; along with favorites such as Coastal Kitchen, the private restaurant; the Suite Lounge, and the largest Ultimate Family Suiteyet to host a family of 10.
• The Mason Jar Southern Restaurant & Bar – The new hotspot serves up southern staples and new twists on classics for brunch, dinner and in the late night, including savory johnnycakes, southern fried chicken, crab beignets, and shrimp and grits. Completing the experience is live country music, farmhouse-style decor, a collection of American whiskeys and spiked shakes.
• Wonder Playscape – The underwater-themed play area for kids is a whole new adventure with slides, climbing walls, games, an interactive mural activated by touch and imaginative puzzles.
• The Vue Bar – The happiest of happy hours can be found at the new cantilevered bar that offers panoramic ocean views by day, and after sunset, it shines bright with a colorful mosaic canopy.
• Caribbean Pool Deck – At the center of the Caribbean vibes is The Lime & Coconut, alongside the trio of high-speed waterslides, The Perfect Storm; kids aqua parkSplashaway Bay, Casitas, in-pool loungers, live music; and more.
• El Loco Fresh and Cantina Fresca - The grab-and-go spot for Mexican delights, like made-to-order tacos, burritos and quesadillas, now debuts Cantina Fresca. The dedicated bar serves a selection of "aguas frescas," margaritas and other Mexican staples.
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Other returning favorites on board Wonder include Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, Royal Caribbean’s latest twist on the Italian trattoria; the tallest slide at sea, The Ultimate Abyss; the newly designed, dedicated kids and teens spaces at Adventure Ocean, Social100 and The Patio; the FlowRider surf simulator, twin rock-climbing walls, the Central Park neighborhood lined by more than 20,000 real plants; and more.
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Upcoming U.S. and Europe Cruises

• Sailing from Fort Lauderdale – Wonder will set sail to the Caribbean from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale between March and April 2022. The 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries include visits to the cruise line‘s private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau, The Bahamas; Roatan, Honduras; and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
• Sailing from Barcelona and Rome – Starting in May, the new Oasis Class ship charts course for summer vacations in the Mediterranean. The 7-night Western Mediterranean cruises will visit marquee destinations like Naples and Florence, Italy; Palma de Mallorca, Spain; and Provence, France.
• Sailing from Port Canaveral, Florida – Year-round adventures on Wonder begin in November 2022, when the newest addition to the Royal Caribbean lineup cruises to the Caribbean from Port Canaveral. The destinations vacationers have in store range from Perfect Day at CocoCay and Philipsburg, St. Maarten, to Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; and Cozumel, Mexico.

​Signalling its confidence in the British tourism and cruise market, Ambassador Cruise Line has announced the purchase of its second ship, to be named Ambition, entering service in 2023.

Ambition, like her sister ship Ambience will offer no-fly sailings predominantly targeting the 50-plus market with a premium-value, authentic cruise experience. In addition to London Tilbury, she will also offer a summer 2023 programme of regional departures from ports such as Newcastle, Dundee, Belfast, Liverpool, Bristol and Falmouth, enabling guests across the UK to have a shorter distance to travel before experiencing Ambassador’s onboard service. The full programme is being finalised and will be on sale from Q2 2022.