MSC Bellissima Completes 2025 Season in China

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MSC Bellissima Completes 2025 Season in China

The MSC Bellissima recently completed MSC Cruises’ 2025 deployment in China after offering over 30 cruises from the country.

Serving the Chinese market, the 4,500-guest ship arrived in Shanghai in mid-January, offering winter sailings to Japan and South Korea.

The four- and five-night cruises, which continued to be offered through early March, included visits to destinations such as Fukuoka, Sasebo and Jeju.

The Meraviglia-class ship then repositioned to other Asian countries before returning to Shanghai in mid-July.

As part of a summer deployment in China, the vessel offered additional cruises to Japan and South Korea through early September.

The four- and five-night itineraries featured visits to more ports of call, such as Okinawa, Busan and Incheon.

The MSC Bellissima is set to offer cruises departing from Tokyo in October before repositioning to Naha and Keelung.

As part of its interporting operations in the region, the Bellissima offers a series of short cruises to Japan and Taiwan through the end of the year.

In addition to Naha and Keelung, the four-night itineraries feature alternating visits to Ishigaki and Miyakojima.

Similar sailings are set to be offered in early 2026, with departures from the two homeports scheduled through late January.

According to published deployment, the MSC Bellissima is poised to return to China next year, kicking off a repositioning cruise to Shanghai soon after completing its winter deployment in Japan and Taiwan.

As the largest cruise ship in Asia, the 167,600-ton vessel has been sailing year-round in the region since 2023.

Built at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France, the MSC Bellissima entered service in 2019 as a sister to the MSC Meraviglia.

After spending its inaugural season in Europe, the vessel also offered itineraries in the Middle East and the Red Sea before repositioning to the Far East.

American Launches First All-U.S. Cruises on Great Lakes

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American Launches First All-U.S. Cruises on Great Lakes

American Cruise Lines is launching a series of all-U.S. cruises on the Great Lakes starting in 2026, the company announced in a press release.

The sailings will be operated by the American Patriot and are being introduced in response to guest demand, the company said.

Three new itineraries are set to be offered between May and August 2026, with additional departures planned for 2027.

“Guests have long asked for our style of cruising on the Great Lakes,” said Charles B. Robertson, president and CEO of American Cruise Lines.

“We are now proud to offer these cruises as only Americans can, aboard a new small ship sailing 100 per cent domestically,” he added.

The company said that this announcement marks the first time in decades that an American ship will offer domestic cruises in the growing Great Lakes cruise market.

“Without the need to cross borders, the new cruises are a completely unique experience apart from all other cruise lines currently on the lakes,” American added.

While other ships dock at ports intended for foreign ships and international entry, the American Patriot can dock in the heart of small towns, city parks and private marinas, the company continued.

American’s 2026 Great Lakes itineraries include a nine-day cruise visiting the Thousand Islands and Niagara Falls, while an additional nine-day itinerary highlights Lake Michigan, Green Bay Inlet and the Upper Peninsula.

The line’s signature 14-day cruise, dubbed the American Great Lakes, travels 800 miles through three of the Great Lakes: Erie, Huron and Michigan.

All sailings offer an included pre-cruise hotel stay and complimentary domestic airfare, American explained.

“Each itinerary is comprised of days filled with excursions in small towns and time spent cruising the magnificent Lakes,” the company added.

As all itineraries begin, end and remain in the U.S., passports or international flights are unnecessary for U.S. travellers.

Virgin Voyages: Cameo on The Real Housewives of Miami

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Virgin Voyages: Cameo on The Real Housewives of Miami

Virgin Voyages has announced that it will feature on Bravo’s series “The Real Housewives of Miami” in two back-to-back episodes, premiering on Thursday, September 4.

The company said in a press release that the collaboration began when Richard Branson invited Miami entrepreneur Marysol Patton on board to toast her recent wedding. Joined by her girlfriends, the Housewives set sail in November.

“We couldn’t imagine a better way to showcase the Virgin Voyages experience than through the fabulous lens of The Real Housewives of Miami,” said Nicole Huang, SVP at Virgin Voyages.

“These episodes truly capture the spirit of our brand: bold, sophisticated and always a little fabulous. We love being the go-to vacation for celebrating life’s biggest and most glamorous milestones,” added Huang.

Virgin added that the cameo underscores its growing presence in pop culture while reinforcing its reputation.

According to the press release, the ladies experienced the company’s most iconic experiences, which included The Perch, a retro VHS-inspired 80s aerobics class, culinary adventures at The Wake and Test Kitchen with an edible theatre.

The group also had bites and Champagne at Richard’s Rooftop.