Two new cruise ships set sail last week from Trieste, Italy, in the Adriatic Sea. During an “architectural preview cruise” for cruise industry leaders, travel advisors and cruise media, Silversea Cruises introduced its new 728-passenger Silver Nova. First in Silversea’s new Nova-class, the ultra-luxury ship is notable for its asymmetrical design, horizontal layout, significant expanses of glass, larger S.A.L.T. Lab including an outdoor space, larger S.A.L.T. Bar with windows, many more suite categories, new suite locations and more. Stay tuned for our on-site Silver Nova coverage by sister publication, Luxury Travel Advisor.
Dockside at Trieste, Travel Agent also spotted another new ship—Norwegian Cruise Line’s 3,099-passenger Norwegian Viva. NCL's second, contemporary Prima-class vessel set sail on a nine-day voyage from Trieste to Lisbon, Portugal. Suites in the line’s popular ship-within-a-ship complex, The Haven, are some of the largest ever; they include NCL’s first new three-bedroom suite in 15 years.
Hawaii Port Shifts
Wildfires have devastated parts of Maui including historic Lahaina, a popular destination for cruise visitors. Right now, cruise ships are not calling at Lahaina, and while Maui’s Kahului Harbor remains open, the state is discouraging all nonessential Maui travel. The Hawaii Tourism Authority’s website says: “Wildfires have resulted in the evacuations of thousands of residents and visitors, and multiple closures of major roadways on Maui.”
To avoid stressing the local Maui resources and relief efforts, Norwegian Cruise Line has replaced its Maui calls for Pride of America with overnight calls at Hilo, Hawaii, and an additional overnight at Nawiliwili, Kauai. Those changes apply to voyages through the end of August, at least.
Also, Princess Cruises sent Travel Agent this statement: "Given the severity of these fires and their significant strain on local resources, Emerald Princess will cancel her scheduled call to Maui (Lahaina) on Monday, August 14, and will instead call to Kona. As we continue to monitor the situation, we are actively reviewing the itineraries of our upcoming voyages. If any adjustments need to be made to our published itineraries, we will advise guests and our travel advisor partners."
New Voyages
In a cruise industry first, Ponant plans four voyages on Le Commandant Charcot through Canada’s St. Lawrence River during the 2024-2025 Boreal winter. That's possible because the small expedition ship is an icebreaker able to cut through ice up to eight thick feet. Guests will enjoy such outdoor activities as ice fishing, kayaking, dog sledding and skijoring (in which a guest on skis is pulled by a horse, a dog, another animal or a motor vehicle). Other activities include visits to indigenous communities, possible wildlife spottings and Northern Lights viewing.
Boutique cruise operator Ambassador Cruise has begun overnight cruises within remote Lan Ha Bay in northern Vietnam. That locale is just south of the highly popular Halong Bay, famed for its spectacular, natural scenic beauty. Cruises are being operated by the new 39-passenger Ambassador Signature.
Scenic Group introduced new sailings on Scenic Eclipse and Scenic Eclipse II. Princess Cruises unveiled its 2025 Alaska cruise season. In addition, American Queen Voyages announced some new shorter voyages.
Tour operators are increasingly tapping small cruise ships for their charter groups. Brand G Vacations, a global operator of luxury all-LGBTQ+ cruises and land tours, has announced its first charter of Atlas Ocean Voyage's newest luxury vessel, the 200-passenger World Traveller. The charter cruise from Venice, Italy, to Malta will depart August 14, 2024.
In a recent “Mind, Body and Soul” story, sister publication, Luxury Travel Advisor looked at what’s new for luxury cruise ship spas and wellness programs at sea.
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