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I love all things Cruise and add that to my hobby Photography I'm in dreamland, I'm an exTravel agency owner with the inside contacts, so I will try to keep you updated in all things travel related with a side serving of images and other maritime stories.

MSC Cancels Repositioning Voyage to South Africa

Posted on 25 August, 2026 by Spacejunkie2

MSC Cancels Repositioning Voyage to South Africa

MSC Cruises cancelled a repositioning voyage to South Africa that was scheduled to take place onboard the MSC Armonia in late 2026.

According to a statement sent to booked guests, the sailing cannot take place due to the geopolitical situation in the Red Sea region.

“Due to the persistent geopolitical situation in the Suez region and the impact this is having on maritime transport, it is now clear that we will not be able to guarantee safe transit through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea,” the company said.

The cruise onboard the MSC Armonia was scheduled to depart from Marghera, Italy, on November 1, 2026.

Sailing to Durban, the 26-night voyage was set to visit destinations in Croatia and Greece before transiting the Suez Canal.

The 2001-built vessel was then scheduled to sail to ports in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, such as Aqaba, Mahé, Diego Suarez and Port Louis.

“Your safety and well-being are our highest priority, and we want to offer you the certainty and peace of mind you need before leaving for your cruise,” MSC continued, noting that the decision to cancel the cruise was taken “after careful consideration.”

“We know that you have dedicated time to planning your cruise, and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused.”

The company said affected passengers will have three options, including canceling the booking with no penalty for a full refund.

Guests will also be able to transfer their reservations to any other MSC Grand Voyage of similar duration, the company said, adding that sailings with up to three additional nights are eligible.

In this case, MSC will guarantee the more favorable cruise fare between the original departure and the new one.

The company said passengers can also move their reservations to any other cruise currently scheduled without penalty.

The price of the newly selected cruise will be applied, and any payment already made for the previous cruise will be transferred to the new one, the company explained.

Debuting in the region, the MSC Armonia is scheduled to offer cruises in South Africa during the 2026-27 winter season.

Disney Cruise Line Teases Big Announcement

Posted on 25 August, 2026 by Spacejunkie2

Disney Cruise Line Teases Big Announcement

Disney Cruise Line is preparing to make a “big announcement” this week, according to an update shared on social media.

Further details were not revealed, but the announcement appears to be related to the company’s deployment plans.

The teaser post includes latitude coordinates corresponding to six locations across the Northern Hemisphere.

“Looks like the set is a little incomplete. What could this list be?” Disney Cruise Line asked its followers in the post.

Commenters speculated that the numbers represent homeports in North America and the Caribbean, with some pointing to a number that could refer to New York City.

Disney’s deployment plans currently cover sailings through late 2027, with its fleet offering itineraries in the Caribbean, the West Coast, Europe and Alaska.

The company also plans to continue operating the Disney Adventure in Southeast Asia, with a series of cruises from Singapore.

Disney said that it will reveal more details about its upcoming ship, the Disney Believe, in October.

Currently being built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany, the LNG-powered vessel is set to enter service in late 2027.

In a social media post earlier this month, the company said that it will preview the new ship’s features during a show onboard the Disney Wish.

Featuring Susan Egan, the one-night-only performance will take place onboard the vessel on October 7, 2026.

Disney also recently revealed the first details of its new series of three ships, which are scheduled for delivery in 2029 and 2030.

As previously reported by Cruise Industry News, the vessels will be built at Meyer Werft and will be slightly smaller than those in the Wish-class series.

MSC Installs Dragon Sculpture Aboard World Asia

Posted on 25 August, 2026 by Spacejunkie2

MSC Installs Dragon Sculpture Aboard World Asia

MSC Cruises has announced that the installation of the dragon sculpture aboard the World Asia is now complete, marking a milestone as the ship readies to welcome its first guests.

Marco Balich, chairman of Balich Wonder Studio, said: “For the first time, an icon becomes the defining symbol of a ship: a powerful expression of identity, created to inspire dreams and enrich every journey.”

“The dragon brings together vision, craftsmanship and emotion, creating an experience that will remain with guests long after their journey,” added Balich.

The company said in a press release that the dragon sculpture measures 12 meters in length and 3.5 meters in width. The stainless-steel sculpture is suspended 10 meters above the Outdoor World Promenade, the ship’s outdoor destination.

Finished in pearlescent white, the dragon sculpture features nearly 700 mirrors, 400 meters of integrated strip lighting and more than 3,000 LED light points.

According to the press release, Balich Wonder Studio designed the installation, which is set to become one of the ship’s most recognizable visual landmarks.

The centerpiece complements the World Asia’s design elements that reflect Asia’s rich culture, art and landscapes. The detailing aims to capture movement and reflection, creating the impression of a powerful figure flying above the ship.

The company added that when night falls, the sculpture illuminates, enhancing the atmosphere of the Outdoor World Promenade.

Currently under construction at Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, the World Asia will begin Mediterranean cruises from December 4, 2026, offering seven-night itineraries to Mediterranean destinations including Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa, Civitavecchia (Rome), Messina and Valletta.

The World Asia is the third ship in MSC Cruises’ World Class series.