Scenic Eclipse and sister ship, Scenic Eclipse II, are set to receive a significant investment by the Australian-founded luxury travel company, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours. Ahead of its Mediterranean season, Scenic Eclipse is currently undergoing a dry dock update that will bring many of the innovations that debuted on Scenic Eclipse II, including its Senses Spa, to the original vessel. Other enhancements will span outdoor dining venues for warm weather enjoyment and the Discovery Team space to Scenic Eclipse.

Back in Sydney for a final time before uprooting to Miami on a more permanent basis in the coming days, Steve Odell, Chief Sales Officer for Regent Seven Seas Cruises, sat down exclusively with LATTE to discuss further his new responsibilities and objectives, the opportunities that lie ahead, and how partnerships remain paramount for the luxury cruise line.

The cruise industry has attracted an increasing number of new-to-cruise travellers since the pandemic, with a 27% jump in the past two years, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has reported.

Windstar Cruises has revealed an expansion of its fleet with two all-suite motor yachts, Star Seeker and Star Explorer. The first of the two ships, new-build Star Seeker – which is currently being constructed in the WestSEA shipyard – is expected to be delivered in December of 2025, followed by Star Explorer in December 2026. Both ships will have ice-strengthened hulls, unlocking access to new destinations.

Accor’s MGallery Collection has launched a new advertising/marketing campaign, with the Manly Pacific Sydney MGallery Collection one of only five global properties chosen to appear in the blitz.

Dolce&Gabbana has unveiled plans for a new residence and condo hotel, the luxury fashion brand’s first real estate project in the United States. 888 Brickell Miami is being developed in collaboration with developer JDS Development Group, with the first residences slated to be completed in 2027.

Three-quarters of Virtuoso travel agency member owner/managers in Australia and New Zealand are planning to hire additional full-time staff for their businesses in 2024, a new report has found.

The new Crystal Explorer Fare is valid on Crystal’s full range of sailings in 2025 and beyond aboard Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony. It provides a 20% discount off the cruise-only fare when paying a non-refundable rate upfront.

SAS (Scandinavian Airlines) has revealed plans to split from the Star Alliance global aviation group, switching across to rival SkyTeam later this year.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. has unveiled the most comprehensive new-build order in its history — a total of eight state-of-the-art vessels.

SunStone Maritime Group has announced a long-term summer charter of its Infinity vessel, Ocean Victory, with a new client. From April 2025, the Ocean Victory will sail in the Mediterranean during northern hemisphere summer seasons for new Spanish luxury cruise operator, Alma Cruceros.

American Cruise Lines has overnight confirmed it will add two new small ships to its fleet in 2025, American Patriot and American Pioneer – foreshadowed exclusively by LATTE last month.