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Marella Launches Second Country Rhythms Themed Cruise

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Marella Launches Second Country Rhythms Themed Cruise

Marella Cruises has announced the return of its adult-only country music-themed cruise, “Country Rhythms,” aboard the Marella Explorer in November 2027.

Chris Hackney, CEO at Marella Cruises, said:  “Following strong demand for our first Country Rhythms themed cruise in February 2026 and successful booking results in its first year, we’re excited to bring it back for a second season in winter 2027.”

“These impressive stats from our first country-themed cruise, alongside our market research, have shown that our new and existing customers are keen to explore new themed cruises involving beloved country music combined with our all-inclusive and end-to-end cruise offering,” added Hackney.

“We’re excited to announce more news in the future for Country Rhythms 2027, so stay tuned.”

The themed cruise will include a country music lineup of live singers and acts, which will be announced at a later date. The themed cruise will go on sale from July 2, 2026.

TUI’s UK cruise line said in a press release that the sailing will feature country-themed activities including a Barn Dance bash, production shows and line dancing classes.

There will be two sailings for customers to experience the cruises:

The first is a four-night sailing from Thursday, November 11, 2027, to Monday, November 15, 2027.

The cruise embarks from Malaga, Spain and sails through Gibraltar; day at sea; Puerto del Rosario, Fuerteventura and finishing in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria.

The second will be a five-night cruise from Thursday, November 11, 2027, to Tuesday, November 16, 2027.

The cruise sails from Malaga through Gibraltar; day at sea; Puerto del Rosario, Fuerteventura; Las Palmas, Gran Canaria and ending in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

All sailings will have TUI Airways flights across six regional airports including London Gatwick, Bristol, Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow and Belfast.

Noordam on Holland America’s 28-Night Cruise to Alaska

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Noordam on Holland America’s 28-Night Cruise to Alaska

The Noordam sailed from Seattle earlier this month to kick off Holland America Line’s 28-night Legendary Alaska Arctic Circle Solstice Voyage.

As one of the company’s longest cruises in the region, the monthlong itinerary includes visits to a wide range of destinations across Alaska and British Columbia.

After departing from its homeport in Washington, the Noordam sailed to Ketchikan, Sitka and Icy Strait Point.

The 2006-built vessel then visited Valdez before calling at two of Alaska’s less-visited destinations: Dutch Harbor and Nome.

Holland America is the only large cruise line visiting the latter through 2027, with a second visit scheduled for the Noordam next summer.

Continuing its cruise, the Noordam is now scheduled to visit Kodiak ahead of an overnight stay in Anchorage. Other ports of call include Haines, Juneau and Wrangell, as well as Prince Rupert.

The itinerary also features scenic cruising near Hubbard Glacier, the Inside Passage and Endicott Arm Fjord. Concluding the legendary voyage, the Noordam is scheduled to return to Seattle on July 5, 2026.

The 1,900-passenger ship will then offer Holland America’s Alaska Explorer itinerary, which sails to Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan and Victoria over seven nights.

In early September, the vessel will offer another monthlong legendary voyage: the 27-night Glaciers & Volcanoes cruise.

It also sails roundtrip from Seattle, combining destinations in Alaska and Hawaii, including Anchorage, Sitka, Dutch Harbor, Honolulu, Kahului and Hilo.

Later this year, the Noordam repositions to Australia via a 34-night legendary voyage that will sail from Seattle to Sydney.

The vessel is scheduled to spend the 2026-27 winter season sailing to destinations in the South Pacific from Sydney and Auckland.

Royal Caribbean’s Legend to Drydock in Spain Ahead of Maiden Voyage

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Royal Caribbean’s Legend to Drydock in Spain Ahead of Maiden Voyage

Royal Caribbean’s new Legend of the Seas is scheduled to drydock in Cadiz ahead of its maiden voyage, according to reports by Spanish media.

Recently delivered by the Meyer Turku shipyard, the LNG-powered vessel is scheduled to welcome its first guests at the Italian port of Civitavecchia on July 4, 2026.

According to a report by Diario de Cadiz, the Legend is scheduled to arrive at the Navantia shipyard on June 22, 2026.

The 250,800-ton vessel will reportedly enter the facility’s Dique 4 to undergo final adjustments over the course of five days.

The local news source said that Navantia workers will prepare the gardens and green areas of Legend’s Central Park.

In late 2023, the Spanish shipyard installed over 10,000 natural plants aboard the Icon of the Seas.

The drydock will also include other technical work, Diario de Cadiz said, as well as be the location for various inspections and provisioning.

As part of its inaugural season, the Legend of the Seas is scheduled to offer a series of seven-night cruises to the Western Mediterranean.

The itineraries feature visits to destinations in Spain, France and Italy, including Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Marseille and La Spezia.

Following a repositioning voyage to Florida, the Icon-class ship will kick off a series of cruises from Port Everglades.

As part of its 2027-28 winter season, the Legend will operate six- to eight-night itineraries to the Caribbean and the Bahamas.

After the delivery of the 5,610-passenger ship, Royal Caribbean’s orderbook now has seven vessels, including the Hero of the Seas.

Set to enter service in 2027, the fourth Icon-class ship will offer seven-night cruises to the Caribbean sailing from PortMiami.

According to data from Cruise Industry News’ global cruise ship orderbook, six other vessels are scheduled to enter service through 2031.