The Cruise Lines section covers information on major global cruise lines, strategic updates, fleet movements, commercial developments, and regional deployments from cruise operators active in the Middle East market.
AIDAperla will operate a revised winter programme from Kiel between November 2027 and May 2028, featuring Baltic cities, Norwegian coastal voyages and a 24-day Canary Islands cruise after its planned Middle East season was cancelled.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises will launch S.S. Helen, S.S. Clara and Mekong Mystique in 2028. The new vessels will operate across the Danube, Rhine and Mekong, expanding the company’s global fleet to 22 ships.
Cruise Saudi is marking five years since its establishment, highlighting progress across cruise gateways, destination experiences and operations, alongside the development of AROYA Cruises and AMAN-at-Sea and plans for continued Red Sea and Arabian Gulf expansion.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises will celebrate its 35th anniversary in 2027 with 35 selected sailings, savings of up to 35 per cent, shipboard credit, special programming and voyages across six ships worldwide in the fleet.
MSC World Asia will introduce the fleet’s largest Venchi venue in December 2026, combining a boutique, café, gelateria and interactive chocolate lab alongside the new limited-edition “Crunchy Waves” gelato flavour created by both brands.
AROYA Cruises has launched a redesigned bilingual website connecting voyage planning, booking, online check-in and guest services, with integrated access across desktop, tablet, mobile, kiosks and digital signage for guests worldwide in English and Arabic.
Carnival Cruise Line has unveiled Carnival Destiny as the first ship in its new Ace Class, beginning construction at Fincantieri ahead of a summer 2029 delivery and future sailings to Paradise Collection destinations from 2029.
Crystal has retained its No. 1 midsize-ship ocean cruise line ranking in Travel + Leisure’s 2026 World’s Best Awards, marking a second consecutive win as the company prepares to launch Crystal Grace in 2028.
Fincantieri has secured an order for a third Four Seasons Yachts vessel, scheduled for delivery in 2031. The 34,000-gross-ton, all-suite ship will be designed and constructed at the company’s Ancona shipyard in Italy.
Holland America Line has announced 47 Caribbean departures for 2027-28, featuring cruises from five to 28 days, the reimagined Oosterdam, enhanced facilities at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay and a Pan Am anniversary voyage.
