Tag Archives: cruises

Alma Cruceros Reveals First Details of its New Cruise Line

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Alma Cruceros has revealed the first details of its new cruise operation.

The startup brand is set to operate SunStone’s Ocean Victory during summer seasons starting in 2025.

According to its website, Alma is based in Málaga and plans to become the first luxury cruise line based in Spain.

The company is led by Elisardo Sánchez Burgos, who also serves as Executive President of the Premium Hotels Group.

“An idea that was conceived in May 2018 soon became a dream and is now becoming reality thanks to the enthusiastic and persevering efforts of a wonderfully talented team,” he said in a social media update.

Alma Cruceros is set to embark on its maiden season in April 2025. The maiden voyage sails from Las Palmas, in the Canary Islands, to Málaga, in the Western Mediterranean.

According to Burgos, the ship will operate primarily from Málaga, offering itineraries to ports in the region of Andalucía, as well as Ceuta and Melilla, two Spanish ports on the North African coast.

“Our project is very important to support the growth and consolidation of the cruise industry in these ports. In some of them, we will be the first shipping company in terms of number of calls,” he said in a LinkedIn post.

Bookings for the maiden season opened in June, with 16 cruises currently on sale for departures between April and October 2025.

In addition to Málaga, the Ocean Victory is also set to offer cruises departing from Barcelona and Tarragona for itineraries to different regions of Spain, including Costa Brava, Costa Azul and the Balearic Islands.

The 186-guest vessel will also sail to international destinations, with planned visits to ports in Corsica, France, and Sardinia, Italy. According to the company’s website, prices for a seven-night cruise start at 3,570 euros per person.

With an all-inclusive product, Alma Cruceros plans to offer an “oasis of sustainability and luxury experiences,” according to its website.

Originally designed for upscale cruises in remote parts of the globe, the Ocean Victory represents the “perfect fusion of modern luxury and eco-responsibility, offering an unparalleled onboard experience,” the company added.

Alma also said that its product will focus on the Spanish identity, with a celebration of the local culture that will resonate with Spanish-speaking guests.

Different aspects of the onboard experience, from gastronomy to entertainment, were tailored to reflect the Spanish heritage.

Part of SunStone’s Infinity Class, the Ocean Victory will operate for Alma Cruceros as part of a charter agreement announced back in April.

The 2021-built vessel also offers winter seasons in Antarctica for Albatros Expeditions as part of a different charter deal.

Oceania Cruises Floats Out New Ship Allura In Italy

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Oceania Cruises celebrated the float out of its new ship, the Allura, at the Fincantieri shipyard in Sestri Ponente, Italy.

The 1,200-guest ship was floated from the drydock and moved to the fitting-out berth to begin outfitting interiors, the company announced.

The Allura was blessed by the shipyard’s chaplain, Father Stefano and christened by Caterina Romeo, a designer in Fincantieri’s technical department.

“Our hearts and minds are with the entire team at Fincantieri as they mourn the passing of General Graziano,” stated Frank A. Del Rio, president of Oceania Cruises.

“The float out is an important moment for all at Oceania Cruises and Fincantieri, as we progress closer to Allura joining our family. Now that we have completed her shell, we are excited to get started on her interior. We have lots of exciting enhancements on Allura, our eighth vessel, further elevating our offerings and firmly cementing Oceania Cruises as the only ultra-premium cruise brand.”

The Allura will enter service from Trieste, Italy, on July 18, 2025, sailing to Athens, Greece, and visiting Rijeka, Croatia; Ravenna, Italy; Dubrovnik, Croatia; and Kotor, Montenegro. After her summer season in the Mediterranean, the Allura will sail to Canada and New England for a series of voyages in North America before her inaugural winter season in the Caribbean, homeporting in Miami. 

Australia Set for Record-Breaking Cruise Capacity in 2024

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According to the 2024 Cruise Industry News Annual Report, the Australian cruise market is poised for record-breaking cruise capacity in 2024.

Building on a strong 2023, the region will see 57 different cruise ships from various brands.

Accounting for approximately four per cent of the global cruise market share, some of the big deployment moves include the arrival of the Crown Princess.

Joining Princess Cruises’ lineup in Australia and New Zealand for the 2024-25 season, the 3,100-guest vessel will offer cruises departing from Sydney, Auckland, Brisbane and more.

Taking over the program currently offered by the Coral Princess, the Crown is also scheduled to offer longer cruises, including sailing to the South Pacific and Europe.

Cruise Industry News independent research shows that P&O Australia continues to serve as the market leader, with three ships operating year-round from ports in Australia and New Zealand.

The company’s fleet includes the Pacific Encounter and the Pacific Adventure, which are among the largest ships sailing in the region.

Other brands with significant capacity in the Australia and New Zealand regions include Royal Caribbean International and Carnival Cruise Line.

Royal Caribbean is deploying three ships to the region in 2024, offering seasonal programs from Sydney and Brisbane.

In addition to the Carnival Splendor operating a year-round schedule out of Sydney, Carnival is once again deploying the Carnival Luminosa to Australia in 2024.

After joining the company’s fleet in 2022, the 2,260-guest ship has been offering seasonal programs from Brisbane.

Australia and New Zealand’s 2024 lineup is also highlighted by Disney Cruise Line, which is returning to the region for a second consecutive season in late 2024.

Following a successful debut in 2023, the Disney Wonder will return to the market in late October for an extended program that features itineraries departing from Brisbane, Auckland, Melbourne and Sydney.