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.
Norwegian Cruise Line has revealed Norwegian Aura’s entertainment line-up for its 2027 debut, led by a new Whitney Houston production alongside ILLUMINOX, The Vinyl Republic and the returning adults-only LunaTique: Pop Circus experience at sea.
Royal Caribbean has named retired U.S. Air Force Gen. Lori J. Robinson godmother of Legend of the Seas. She will take part in the ship’s Veterans Day naming ceremony in Fort Lauderdale this November 2026.
Antarctica21 has published its first Sustainability Report, establishing a 2025-26 baseline across 104 indicators while detailing its carbon footprint, e-Fuels use, renewable energy, regional supplier spending, leadership development and Foundation impact in Chilean Patagonia operations.
HX Expeditions has unveiled its 2028/29 season with 57 voyages across 14 destinations, including 26 new itineraries spanning Antarctica, Alaska, Greenland, Scandinavia and Arctic Canada, alongside nine new Ocean Crossing voyages linking expedition regions.
Royal Caribbean has laid the keel for its fifth Icon Class ship at Meyer Turku in Finland. The vessel is scheduled to debut in 2028, with details about its name and onboard features to come.
Viking Astrea has floated out at Fincantieri’s Ancona Shipyard, marking a construction milestone for the company’s second hydrogen-powered cruise ship capable of operating with zero emissions ahead of its May 2027 delivery.
Celebrity Cruises has completed the float out of Celebrity Compass, its first river ship. The construction milestone moves the vessel into its next phase at TeamCo Shipyard ahead of its planned August 2027 European debut.
Carnival Cruise Line has opened reservations for Carnival Tropicale, the fifth and final Excel-class ship, ahead of four- to eight-day Galveston cruises from 15 April 2028, with new family attractions, dining concepts and Caribbean itineraries.
Cordelia Sky will begin sailing from Mumbai on 23 October 2026, offering Goa, Lakshadweep and Southeast Asia itineraries alongside 10 dining venues, a 930-seat theatre, pools, wellness facilities and dedicated children’s and teenagers’ spaces.
Cunard will undertake a major Queen Mary 2 refurbishment in 2027, adding 31 staterooms and updating Grill Suites, wellness, retail, entertainment and kennel facilities during a spring dry dock at Damen Shiprepair Brest in France.
