Small Ship Line Windstar Cruises’ Star Breeze Makes First Call in Australia in Sydney on November 22

• Windstar Cruises’ 312-passenger, all-suite Star Breeze yacht makes its first-ever call in Australia today in Sydney, where it will embark on a 13-day privately chartered cruise to Melbourne, arriving on December 4. The charter cruise kicks off several weeks of Australia-centric consumer sailings for the U.S.-based small ship cruise line. It’s the first time Windstar has sailed extensive itineraries in the region, including first-time ports in Mooloolaba and Phillip Island. Windstar will leave Australia on February 7, 2023, returning in December, 2023.
• All sailings take place on Windstar’s newly renovated Star Breeze. The all-suite yacht was cut in half/lengthened with 50 new suites and has two new restaurants, a true spa/fitness centre, and more efficient engines, among other improvements.

Silversea Cruises Cuts Steel for Second Nova-Class Ship

• Leading ultra-luxury travel brand Silversea Cruises® officially begins the construction of Silver Ray℠, the second ship in the Nova class, holding a traditional steel cutting ceremony at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, on November 23. Silver Ray is set to join her sister ship, Silver Nova℠, as one of the most environmentally conscious ships ever built when she launches in summer 2024. The cruise line has taken the opportunity to set a new launch date for Silver Nova, which, due to the global situation, is now expected to join Silversea’s fleet on August 14, 2023, sailing round-trip from Fusina (Venice) on her maiden voyage.
• Silversea’s Nova-class ships are set to become the world’s first low-emissions cruise ships with advanced hybrid technology that utilise fuel cells, batteries, and dual-fuel engines that use liquefied natural gas, emitting zero local emissions while in port. A first for Silversea, each will incorporate a horizontal layout and an innovative asymmetrical design, with public spaces and suites spanning the entire length of each ship, and each will enrich guests’ travels with an unprecedented openness to the destination.

Seabourn Venture arrives in Antarctica for the first time.

• Seabourn, reached another milestone with Seabourn Venture making its first-ever visit to Antarctica. The line’s first purpose-built expedition ship, Seabourn Venture marked the inaugural voyage to the “Great White Continent” with the official naming ceremony on Sunday, November 20, 2022, when the ship came to a stop in the fast ice of the Weddell Sea, part of the Southern Ocean.
• Seabourn Venture’s guests, serving as honorary godparents, joined the ship’s godmother, global adventurer, mountaineer and polar-explorer Alison Levine, who carried out her ceremonial duties virtually, to wish Seabourn Venture many blessings and extraordinary expeditions to come. The onboard team released a bottle made of ice that was broken against the ship, a time-honored ship naming tradition. The ship’s guests and team were all smiles throughout the ceremony, warmed by their complimentary Seabourn expedition-grade parkas while toasting Seabourn Venture.
• Though Seabourn Venture launched on July 27, 2022, in Tromsø, Norway, Seabourn chose Antarctica for the naming ceremony as the southernmost continent represents everything for which the ship is intended. The ship departed San Antonio, Chile, on November 7, 2022, and sailed down the coast of Chile, rewarding guests with breathtaking beauty in channels, narrows, sounds, fjords, and glaciers, before reaching the icy continent.
• In Antarctica, the ship offered hiking tours and Zodiac rides, all led by a dedicated 26-member Expedition Team of wildlife experts, scientists, historians, and naturalists. Guests also had the option to partake in expedition experiences such as kayaking where expedition guides led guests to paddle amongst the beautiful landscape, or diving Antarctica by Seabourn’s luxurious expedition submarines where guests’ eyes were opened to the wonders beneath the sea.

Carnival Celebrates naming of Celebration and opening of new Terminal F

• Carnival Cruise Line’s new flagship Carnival Celebration arrived at its PortMiami homeport and was christened by actress Cassidy Gifford Sunday evening. The festivities were befitting of the ship’s name and underscored Carnival’s year.
• An innovative Excel-class sister to the groundbreaking Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration is launching year-round service from its hometown of Miami.-long celebration of 50 years of fun.
• Along with an impromptu performance by Kathie Lee, who sang the memorable tune to the now-legendary commercials that helped to popularize the Carnival brand in the 1980s, attendees were also treated to a preview of Carnival Celebration’s spectacular entertainment programming, including an aerialist performance. A concert by Kool & The Gang capped off the night, which included their dance classic, “Celebrate!” In addition, the event was broadcast online so Carnival fans could share in the festivities from anywhere.
• Carnival Celebration’s first guests to board the ship from Miami will depart today on a special six-day Thanksgiving cruise, with visits to Grand Turk, Amber Cove and Nassau.
• On Nov. 27, the ship will begin a rotation of week-long Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings that depart every Sunday and visit popular destinations, such as the Dominican Republic and St. Thomas, as well as Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico.
• Adding Carnival Celebration at Terminal F, now five of Carnival’s 24-ship fleet are homeported in Miami. Going forward, Carnival expects to embark more than 20,000 guests per week from PortMiami.

Diamond Princess Sets Sail With a Season of Mexico and Hawaii Sailings From San Diego

• The newly refurbished Diamond Princess today (20 Nov) welcomed guests onboard for its inaugural sailing from its new homeport, San Diego, helping to fuel tourism in the area and support local businesses. The sailing milestone completes the Princess Cruises fleet.
• From November 2022 through February 2023, Diamond Princess is offering a series of  new cruise itineraries ranging from five- to 16-days and calling at ports along the Mexican Riviera, California Coast, and the Hawaiian Islands. In addition, the ship sails a unique 20-day cruise to Central America, roundtrip from San Diego on November 27.

Deeper and further on the Mekong

• Pandaw are excited to announce a new expedition to commence in October 2023 which will go deeper into the Mekong Delta and further up the main Mekong River than any river cruises on offer.
• This pioneering route provides a fresh and exciting new opportunity for intrepid travellers to explore much more of the waterways between Vietnam and Cambodia and visit truly off the beaten track destinations. Designed for the adventurous traveller, this is the perfect itinerary for those looking to fully enjoy the wonders of the Mekong Delta and Cambodian waterways in comfort and style.
• No ship could be more appropriate for this expedition than the much-loved Mekong Pandaw that was the first ship to pioneer the river in 2002 and historically open the river border between Vietnam and Cambodia.
• With 24 staterooms she has been refitted with a sumptuous spa, library and gym this ship, built in Burma from golden teak. This is the most spacious of all Pandaw’s ships with broad promenades running around each deck and a vast sun deck of over 600 square meters on top.
• The inaugural sailing on 15th October 2023 will be offered on a Members First basis

Uniworld Announces Rivers of the World 2024 Cruise.

• Uniworld Boutique River Cruises announces its latest version of a world cruise, Rivers of the World 2024.
• The 55-night trip will depart on October 3, 2024, from Lima in Peru taking travellers to three continents, ten countries and sailing aboard four luxury Super Ships combining both cruise and land, finishing with a gala finale event in the Saigon Opera in Vietnam. This river cruise is limited to only 68 adventurous travellers and will include a range of exclusive experiences and special surprises throughout the journey.
• Uniworld guests will be greeted in Lima to stay in one of the leading hotels of the world, the Country Club Lima Hotel, where they will be taken on a journey of exploration and a gala welcome dinner.
• The group will then spend six nights cruising the Amazon River on board the brand-new Aqua Nera.
• They will continue to stay at the Tambo del Inka hotel in the Sacred Valley visiting Cusco and Machu Picchu. Guests will complete their stay in South America with two Rivers of the World exclusive stays, at Belmond’s Hotel del Cataratas to visit Iguazu Falls from both the Argentinian and Brazilian sides. Plus, a final night at the Belmond Copacabana Palace in Rio de Janeiro before the group will fly to Amsterdam to cruise the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers on board the stunning SS Beatrice.
• After seven nights in France, it will be off to Hanoi in Southeast Asia staying at the Sofitel Metropole. Here their Asian adventures will commence with an overnight cruise in UNESCO World Heritage site, Halong Bay, to see some of the 1,600 islands and limestone pillars.  Guests will then have exclusive access to Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom in Siem Reap, Cambodia and will then embark on Uniworld’s brand new Super Ship Mekong Jewel to experience the splendor of the Mekong River. The fourth and final cruise will disembark in Ho Chi Minh City where guests will experience a once in a lifetime gala grand finale at the Saigon Opera.
• ‘Rivers of the World’ itineraries are all-inclusive including onboard dining, unlimited premium wine, beer and spirits, Wi-Fi, excursions, scheduled airport transfers, onboard gratuities, and flights between cruise segments. A dedicated Traveling Concierge will accompany guests for the entire journey to assist with all needs.