An engine room fire broke out last week on UnCruise Adventures’ Wilderness Discoverer while the vessel was cruising within Alaska’s Glacier Bay National Park. All 78 guests and crew members were safely evacuated with no injuries, the crew extinguished the fire and a subsequent investigation determined that one engine’s wet exhaust mufflers were the heat/fire source. Ship repairs are under way. UnCruise says that guests who were slated to sail soon on Wilderness Discoverer are being accommodated, as needed, on a similar vessel.
Virgin Voyages has canceled four Resilient Lady cruises slated to sail January 3, February 2, February 14 and February 24, 2024, from Melbourne and Sydney, Australia, to New Zealand. Based on significant guest and advisor feedback, the line said that it's substituting more roundtrip cruises within Australia instead. For guests who were booked on those canceled voyages, Virgin will offer a full refund or alternatively, a replacement Future Cruise Credit (FCC) plus bonus credit.
New Ocean and River Ships
Travel Agent sailed recently on Atlas Ocean Voyages’ new World Traveller in the Mediterranean. One of our stories looked at the ship’s spaces and our suite. Today, we'll also show how this expedition line is attracting more guests to non-polar voyages via its "Epicurean Experiences" approach.
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection marked the "steel cutting" construction phase for its third luxury superyacht, Luminara, which will begin service in 2025. Sustainability-wise, Hurtigruten Norway unveiled plans for a first zero-emission cruise vessel.
Plus, Scenic Group’s new Scenic Eclipse II was christened recently in Malaga, Spain. Here's a brief look at a few new spaces aboard this Discovery Yacht, plus an extensive look at a Deluxe Veranda Suite, No. 712.
On the new river ship front, Viva Cruises, a European river cruise line owned by Scylla, plans for its third new build, Viva Enjoy, which will debut on the Danube River in September 2024. In addition, Viking announced the opening of sales for its newest Nile River vessel, Viking Hathor, which sets sail in 2024.
Refurbishments and redesigned spaces also keep the global cruise industry’s fleet fresh. This past week, Lindblad Expeditions offered a look at its redesigned suites on National Geographic Explorer, created during a recent drydock at a Spanish shipyard.
More Cruise News
Regent Seven Seas Cruises announced details about its extensive 2025-2026 Voyage Collection. Sister publication Luxury Travel Advisor talked with Shawn Tubman, senior vice president of sales, about the new line-up and luxury cruise trends.
In other luxury line developments,Seabourn, revealed its upcoming speaker line-up for the Seabourn Conversations program. while AmaWaterways released its 2024 “Heart of the River” brochure, detailing experiences that await guests in Europe, Egypt, Asia, Colombia and Africa.
On the trade front, Cruise Planners hosted a two-day Tech Days workshop for its franchise owners at the company's Coral Springs, FL, headquarters.
Related Stories
Havila Voyages Aims for Emission-free Coastal Sailings by 2030
Holland America Line to Sail Longer Voyages for 2024-25
Oceania Cruises Chef Inducted into Maîtres Cuisiniers de France
MSC Cruises to Operate Net Zero Sailing With Debut of Euribia