AIDAprima Guests Test Self Check-In Terminals in Hamburg
AIDA Cruises tested digital guest check-in with all guests for the first time in a pilot project at the Steinwerder Cruise Center in Hamburg.
According to a company statement, guests were able to embark independently for a cruise aboard the AIDAprima at one of the 20 digital check-in terminals on July 23, 2026.
During check-in, a photo was taken of each guest, which is stored in the ship system for the duration of the trip. The image was then compared with the photo on guests’ ID documents based on biometric data.
Digital check-in was found to speed up the embarkation process at the terminal, offering more flexibility in combination with the personal service available at a classic counter.
The new service was developed in collaboration with Lufthansa Industry Solutions over a period of two years, adapting self-service check-in terminals from aviation for use in cruises.
This included, among other things, the integration of printers for boarding passes and the connection to the ship’s systems.
The boarding pass is RFID-encoded, serving as a means of payment onboard and as a key to the cabin, among other things.
AIDA noted that it intends to use the findings from the pilot project to explore further use of this technology.
Explora and Fincantieri Celebrate Explora III’s Delivery
The delivery ceremony of the Explora III, the third vessel built by Fincantieri for Explora Journeys, took place today in Genoa at the Fincantieri shipyard in Sestri Ponente.
Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Group’s Cruise Division, said: “The delivery of the Explora III marks another important milestone in realizing our vision for Explora Journeys.”
“In just three years, we have defined a new and distinctive perspective in ocean travel. With each new ship, we expand our ability to offer guests new perspectives on the world through increasingly immersive experiences in the destinations we visit,” added Vago.
“The Explora III reflects our commitment to innovation, craftsmanship excellence and responsible growth, while contributing to the broader economic benefits that cruise tourism brings to coastal destinations and communities.”
Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and general manager of Fincantieri, said: “The Explora III testifies to Fincantieri’s ability to lead the transformation of the shipbuilding industry through innovation, sustainability and the evolution towards new technologies and alternative fuels.”
“The entry into the fleet of the first ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) marks a significant milestone in this journey, an expression of the development of increasingly sustainable and technologically advanced solutions,” added Folgiero.
Fincantieri said in a press release that the newbuild was celebrated with numerous authorities and institutions in attendance, including:
President of the Liguria Region, Marco Bucci
Mayor of Genoa, Silvia Salis
Admiral Inspector Antonio Ranieri, and
President of the Port System Authority of the Western Ligurian Sea, Matteo Paroli.
The Explora III is the third out of six ships; the remaining three are all under construction and will take to the sea within two years: the Explora IV and Explora V in 2027, and Explora VI in 2028.
Guests were welcomed by:
Biagio Mazzotta, president of Fincantieri
Pierroberto Folgiero, chief executive officer and general manager of Fincantieri;
Luigi Matarazzo, general manager of Fincantieri’s Merchant Ships Division
Massimo Canesin, director of the Fincantieri Shipyard in Sestri
Diego Aponte, chairman of the MSC Group
Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of the Cruise Division of the MSC Group
Anna Nash, president of Explora Journeys
Maya Aponte, godmother of the ship, and
other managers of Fincantieri and MSC.
The Explora III will use liquefied natural gas (LNG), reducing emissions of sulfur oxides by 99 percent, nitrogen oxides by 85 percent, particulate matter by 98 percent and greenhouse gases by up to 20 percent.
It is designed to run on renewable and latest-generation fuels such as bio-LNG, synthetic LNG and biofuels. The Explora V and Explora VI will also adopt fuel cells.
Designed and built under RINA class surveillance, the Explora III has been acknowledged for its environmentally sustainable and passenger-comfort design, and was certified to sail in the polar regions.
Disney Signs 15-Year Agreement for Preferred Access at Icy Strait Point
Disney Cruise Line and Huna Totem Corporation have signed a 15-year agreement securing preferred weekly access at Icy Strait Point, ensuring Disney Cruise Line guests will continue visiting the Indigenous-owned Alaska destination through at least 2041, the company said in a press release.
“Icy Strait Point has been a valued part of our Alaska itineraries for nearly a decade, offering Disney Cruise Line guests an opportunity to experience the natural beauty, wildlife and rich cultural heritage of Hoonah and the broader Southeast Alaska region,” said Jose Fernandez, vice president of port strategy, development and operations at Disney Cruise Line.
The agreement provides Disney Cruise Line preferential docking at Icy Strait Point for one vessel each week and includes a minimum annual passenger guarantee.
Disney Cruise Line expanded its Alaska presence in 2026 to two ships, with select seven-night itineraries aboard the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder featuring calls at the destination.
Situated on the shores of Hoonah, Icy Strait Point is owned and operated by Huna Totem Corporation, an Alaska Native corporation representing more than 1,850 shareholders with Indigenous ties to Glacier Bay.
The destination is the largest employer in Hoonah and has welcomed over four million cruise travelers since opening in 2004.
“Disney Cruise Line has been an important part of the Icy Strait Point story for nearly a decade, and we’re grateful to build on that relationship through this agreement,” said Howard Sherman, Huna Totem Tourism Group president.
“Each Disney Cruise Line visit helps support local jobs, businesses and economic opportunity in Hoonah.”
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