Tag Archives: Cruising

Valletta Cruise Port Reports Record 2025 Passenger Numbers

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Valletta Cruise Port Reports Record 2025 Passenger Numbers

MSC Opera departing Valletta Harbour, photo credit Spacejunkie2 https://flic.kr/ps/GkiQt photostream

Valletta Cruise Port has reported continued growth in both passenger numbers and ship calls for the full 2025 season.

The port welcomed 385 calls in 2025, an increase of 8 percent compared to 357 calls in 2024.

A record 962,966 passengers passed through the port in 2025, surpassing the previous year’s 940,915 and representing an increase of 2.3 percent year-on-year.

“The sustained growth recorded in 2025 reflects Valletta’s strong positioning within the Mediterranean cruise market. Malta’s unique combination of rich cultural heritage and close proximity to other key destinations continues to make Valletta an attractive and highly sought-after cruise port,” said Stephen Xuereb, chief operating officer of Global Ports Holding and chief executive officer of Valletta Cruise Port.

“This performance is further supported by ongoing investment in port infrastructure and passenger services, as well as close collaboration with our industry partners, which together have strengthened Malta’s appeal to cruise operators and passengers.”

Of the total passenger movements, 772,664 were transit visitors enjoying daytime visits ashore, while 190,302 were turnaround passengers beginning or ending their cruise in Malta.

Valletta Cruise Port was named the most beautiful port in the world in a study conducted by All Clear Insurance.

The company examined how visually attractive different cruise ports are and Valletta Cruise Port ranked first, receiving a perfect score of 100 percent.

The 2025 results build on momentum from 2024, when the port recorded more than 940,000 cruise passengers, exceeding the previous pre-pandemic high from 2019.

Royal Caribbean Cancels Anthem’s Upcoming Cruise

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Royal Caribbean Cancels Anthem’s Upcoming Cruise

Royal Caribbean International cancelled the upcoming cruise of the Anthem of the Seas, which was scheduled to depart from Sydney on January 27, 2026.

As part of its winter season sailing from Australia, the 2015-built vessel was set to offer a ten-night itinerary to New Zealand.

According to a statement sent to booked guests, the cruise is no longer going ahead due to a technical issue.

The ship is now expected to arrive in Eden later this week, where it will dock for repairs.

“The Anthem of the Seas experienced a technical issue on its last sailing, and we’re returning to begin required maintenance,” Royal Caribbean explained.

The company added that it won’t be able to complete these needed repairs before the January 27, 2026, cruise.

“We know how much time and effort go into planning your cruise, and we’re truly sorry for this disappointing news,” Royal Caribbean continued.

The company stated that affected guests will be fully reimbursed, receiving a 100% refund of the cruise fare, as well as taxes, fees, pre-paid packages, gratuities, amenities, and shore excursions booked through Royal Caribbean.

“Additionally, to make up for this, you’ll also receive a 25 per cent Future Cruise Credit (FCC) to be used towards a future sailing departing within one year,” Royal Caribbean added.

The company also said it will reimburse non-refundable, pre-purchased travel fees incurred, such as flight, hotel, train ticket, or rental car expenses.

Guests will be able to claim refunds for up to $200 per person for domestic flight changes or up to $400 per person for international flight changes.

Royal Caribbean is also reimbursing up to $250 per stateroom for up to two nights of hotel accommodation and up to $100 per person, per day for incidentals.

Anthem’s cancelled cruise was set to visit five ports of call in New Zealand, including Picton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.

The 4,202-passenger ship was also set to offer scenic cruising at Fjordland National Park before returning to Sydney.

Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey to Return to Cape Liberty One Day Later

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Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey to Return to Cape Liberty One Day Later

Royal Caribbean International warned guests set to embark on the upcoming cruise of the Odyssey of the Seas that their sailing will be delayed by one day.

According to a statement, the ship is scheduled to dock at its homeport in Cape Liberty on January 27, 2026, instead of January 26, 2026.

“Due to the major winter storm affecting much of the East and Northeast U.S., and the impacts on land-based travel and port operations, we are delaying our arrival into Bayonne,” Royal Caribbean said.

The company added that the decision will “allow for weather to improve and shore-based operations to recover.”

“For many guests experiencing difficulties getting to Bayonne, we hope this relieves some worry as you’ll have an extra day to make it there safely,” Royal Caribbean continued.

Originally set to offer an 11-night cruise to the Southern Caribbean, the Odyssey of the Seas is now set to offer a shortened voyage with a revised itinerary.

“Due to this change, our calls to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, will be cancelled and instead, we’ll enjoy some extra time onboard,” the company added.

Previously scheduled visits to St. John’s in Antigua, Bridgetown in Barbados, Castries in St. Lucia, and Philipsburg in St. Maarten will go ahead as planned.

As compensation for the last-minute change, Royal Caribbean is offering guests a pro-rated one-day refund of the paid cruise fare in the form of onboard cruise credit. Any refundable unused credit at the end of the cruise will be refunded to guests.

In related news, Royal Caribbean also shortened a cruise on board the Harmony of the Seas due to a winter storm in Texas.

As previously reported by Cruise Industry News, the Oasis-class vessel returned to its homeport in Galveston one day earlier to avoid the weather system.