Aroya Announces Return to the Red Sea

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Aroya Announces Return to the Red Sea

Aroya Cruises announced that it is returning to the Red Sea in September, with a new season of sailings departing from its homeport of Jeddah.

The company said that the new itineraries will take guests to some of the most captivating destinations in the region, including the private island of Jabal Al Sabaya and Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt.

After debuting in the region in late June, Aroya is currently completing a summer deployment in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Sailing from Galataport Istanbul, Aroya offered a series of weeklong cruises to destinations in Türkiye, Greece and Egypt.

“Our first Mediterranean season has been a significant milestone for Aroya Cruises, attracting guests from across the region and internationally,” said Aroya’s President, Joerg Rudolph.

“As we return to the Red Sea, we are building on this success with new itineraries that highlight the region’s culture, stunning landscapes, and renowned Arabian hospitality. With the new season, we continue our commitment to creating memorable journeys for both first-time cruisers and returning guests.”

Aroya’s summer season in the Mediterranean ends with an eight-night repositioning voyage that will sail from Istanbul to Jeddah on Sep. 12, 2025.

Ahead of launching its new season in the Red Sea, the Aroya is set to visit Kuşadası, Bodrum, the Suez Canal and Sharm El Sheikh.

Starting on September 20, 2025, the company offers three-, four-, and five-night cruises to the private island of Jabal Al Sabaya, as well as the Egyptian ports of Safaga (Hurghada) and Sharm El-Sheikh.

The Aroya is also set to make visits to Marsa Alam, which will be part of a newly launched itinerary. Other highlights of the season include a new interporting operation in Safaga, available on select departures.

According to the company, the new embarkation port provides added flexibility for travellers and creates new opportunities to experience Aroya’s Red Sea offering directly from Egypt’s coast.

Aroya added that its cruises in the region are designed for both regional guests seeking short escapes and international guests looking to discover the Red Sea.

“The itineraries showcase the diversity of the region’s coastlines and cultural landmarks, delivered with Saudi Arabia’s renowned Hafawa hospitality and the distinctive onboard experience that defines an Aroya journey,” the company stated.

Aroya also confirmed its return to Türkiye in 2026 and 2027 for extended seasons in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Virgin Voyages Cancels Scarlet Lady Cruise

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Virgin Voyages Cancels Scarlet Lady Cruise

Virgin Voyages recently cancelled a cruise on board the Scarlet Lady that was scheduled to sail from Miami on April 19, 2026.

According to a statement sent to booked guests, the sailing will no longer go ahead due to a full-ship charter.

“It looks like your Scarlet Lady sailing on April 19, 2026, has been privately chartered. We’re truly sorry for the impact this has on your plans, and we’re here to make it right,” Virgin Voyages said in the letter.

As part of its 2025-26 season in the region, the Scarlet Lady was scheduled to offer a seven-night cruise to the Eastern Caribbean.

Sailing from Virgin’s Terminal V in Miami, the itinerary included visits to Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, San Juan in Puerto Rico and Tortola in the British Virgin Islands.

Affected guests are being offered two options, including rebooking their cruise to the Resilient Lady’s April 18, 2026, cruise.

According to Virgin, the ship is set to offer the “San Juan & Dominican Dreams” itinerary, which also sails for seven nights and features visits to Puerto Plata and San Juan, as well as Bimini in the Bahamas.

Passengers will get the same cabin category on the new booking, with their original paid fares protected, the company added.

If the new voyage costs less than the original booking, Virgin said it will refund the difference to the original form of payment.

All promotions from the initial booking, including Bar Tab bonuses, will also carry over to the sailing onboard the Resilient Lady.

Some cabin categories are also set to receive the company’s Sailor Loot onboard credit as “a thank you for sticking with us.”

The company is also offering similar perks to guests who opt to change their booking for other seven-night cruises in the Caribbean.

Lastly, passengers will be able to cancel their bookings to receive a 100 per cent Future Voyage Credit or a full refund.

Carnival to Sell Freshly Baked Pastries Across Fleet

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Carnival to Sell Freshly Baked Pastries Across Fleet

Carnival Cruise Line is introducing a new offering of made-to-order pastries onboard its ships, according to Brand Ambassador John Heald.

In a social media post, he said that the snacks are currently being sold during breakfast onboard 11 vessels, including the Carnival Jubilee and the Carnival Celebration.

For a small fee, guests can order freshly fried doughnuts, beignets and churros, along with a wide choice of flavours and toppings.

Options include a choice of two or five doughnuts for $4 and $8, respectively, as well as four New Orleans-inspired beignets for $3.50.

Passengers can choose from different fillings and toppings, including powdered sugar, Boston cream and chocolate sauce.

Other options include golden churros rolled in cinnamon sugar, with five pieces for $3 and ten pieces available for $5.

Carnival is also offering a breakfast combo that allows guests to choose from two doughnuts and four beignets for $7.

Heald noted that the new offering is being rolled out across the Carnival fleet and will be available on all of the company’s North American ships within the next couple of weeks.

Other ships currently offering the pastries include the Mardi Gras, the Carnival Vista, the Carnival Horizon, the Carnival Panorama, the Carnival Firenze, the Carnival Venezia, the Carnival Magic, the Carnival Dream and the Carnival Breeze.

Depending on the vessel, the pastries are served in different locations onboard, including Street Eats, Sweet Spot or Seafood Shack.

Heald said that guests onboard can find more information about the product on the HUB App or the Funtimes journal.

In related news, Carnival recently introduced a new choice of coffee-to-go, which can be ordered as part of a new functionality of the HUB App.

The pick-up service is available from the Java Blue Café during morning hours on board selected ships of the fleet.