Explora III Arrives in Northern Europe During Maiden Season

Posted on 7 September, 2026 by Spacejunkie2

Explora III Arrives in Northern Europe During Maiden Season

Explora Journeys’ newest ship, the Explora III, recently arrived in Northern Europe during its maiden season.

The vessel is now offering a series of cruises to the Baltic Sea, Scandinavia and the British Isles, having welcomed its first guests in early August.

The Explora III kicked off its schedule in the region a few weeks later, following a repositioning voyage that started in Lisbon, Portugal.

The 15-night itinerary included visits to destinations in Spain, England, France and Norway before ending in Copenhagen, Denmark.

For its debut in the region, the ship is now offering a cruise in the Baltic that sails to Estonia, Sweden and Latvia.

The eight-night itinerary is highlighted by stops in Tallinn, Riga, Visby and Ronne, in addition to an overnight call in Stockholm.

The ship will offer additional itineraries to Scandinavia, the British Isles and Iceland before repositioning to North America.

In late September, the Explora III will cross the Atlantic for the first time ahead of a fall season in Canada and New England.

The vessel will then reposition to the Caribbean in late October, offering itineraries departing from Miami, Puerto Rico and Barbados.

Built at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Sestri Ponente, Italy, the Explora III was delivered to Explora Journeys in late July.

As the third ship in a series that began with the Explora I in 2023, the 922-passenger vessel is the first in the company’s fleet to be powered by LNG.

The 70,000-ton vessel is also slightly larger than its predecessors, offering additional public areas and more suites.

Before arriving in Northern Europe, the ship offered itineraries in the Mediterranean, Iberia and the Atlantic.

Explora is now preparing to welcome the Explora IV and the Explora V to its fleet in 2027, with the Explora VI following suit in 2028.

NCL reveals spa and dining offerings on newest ship

Posted on 28 August, 2026 by Spacejunkie2

NCL reveals spa and dining offerings on newest ship

Norwegian Cruise Line has revealed details of the dining and spa facilities on its latest ship Norwegian Aura, which launches next May.

The Prima Plus Class vessel is the line’s largest ship and will be able to host 3,880 passengers in 1,970 cabins.

It boasts the industry’s “most expansive” thermal suite, featuring 15 wellness experiences, and NCL’s first specialty restaurant dedicated to Indian cuisine, called Tamara.

The Panorama Room on deck six features LED displays, synchronised lighting and visuals that evolve throughout the day and evening, “transporting guests through ever-changing landscapes, artwork and scenic environments as they dine”.

Other restaurants, bars and lounges have been redesigned and repositioned to create more space.

Gary Anslow, vice-president for the UK, Ireland, Middle East and Africa, said: “Norwegian Aura is all about giving guests more of what they love, with spaces and experiences that make vacations feel even easier.

“From Tamara, our new Indian specialty restaurant, which expands the already guest-favourite eatery in Indulge to an elevated culinary offering; to The Panorama Room’s immersive dining experience and our most expansive Thermal Suite to date, every addition has been purposefully designed to give guests more freedom, choice and opportunities to relax, recharge and enjoy their vacation their way, without compromise.”

The Mandara Spa, which includes the thermal suite, also offers a sensory rain pool, said to be the first of its kind at sea.

The 360-degree experience transforms from calm waters to a tropical rainfall and eventually a dramatic thunderstorm, with simulated lightning effects and the sounds of rolling thunder.

The culinary programme includes 22 food and beverage options spanning more than 10 distinct cuisines.

Norwegian Aura will also feature Ocean Heights, an activity zone for parents and kids.

It will offer six slides, the 82-foot Aura Ropes Course, a multi-level obstacle course, Moon Climber, and Aura Midway featuring carnival-style games and a nine-hole mini golf course.

The ship will first set sail in Europe with a seven-day Mediterranean voyage from Trieste to Barcelona on May 21, 2027, followed by a 13-day transatlantic voyage to Miami.

In the summer of 2027 as well as the summer of 2028, Norwegian Aura will sail seven-day Eastern Caribbean voyages. During winter 2027-28, Norwegian Aura will offer week-long Western Caribbean voyages.

Disney Cruise Line to return to New York in 2027-28 programme

Posted on 28 August, 2026 by Spacejunkie2

Disney Cruise Line to return to New York in 2027-28 programme

Disney Treasure in New York

Disney Cruise Line will return to New York for the first time in four years as part of its autumn 2027 and spring 2028 programme.

Disney Wish will sail seven four to seven-night cruises from the city from September 2027, featuring New England and Canada’s Atlantic Coast, with ports of call including Boston, Saint John and Halifax.

Five of the sailings will also call at Bermuda, with three offering an extra day in port.

The season features expanded sailings to San Juan, Puerto Rico, with Disney Wish, Disney Fantasy and Disney Magic including the port on selected itineraries.

Three Wish Class ships will homeport from Port Canaveral from November 2027, including newest vessel Disney Destiny, alongside Disney Wish and Disney Treasure.

Disney Destiny will initially sail three to five-night itineraries from Fort Lauderdale in autumn 2027, before homeporting from Port Canaveral for the first time to offer three to seven-night sailings to the Bahamas and western Caribbean.

Disney Wish will offer three and four-night voyages to the Bahamas following its New York season, while Disney Treasure will operate seven-night sailings to the eastern and western Caribbean.

Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy also join the Port Canaveral line-up from November 2027.

On the US West Coast, Disney Magic and Disney Wonder will sail from San Diego through to early November 2027, offering three to seven-night Baja and Mexican Riviera itineraries.

Disney Magic will complete two Panama Canal repositioning cruises: a 14-night eastbound sailing to Galveston in November 2027 – featuring a maiden call at Fuerte Amador for Panama City – and a westbound voyage from San Diego in March 2028 with a maiden call at Colon, Panama.

The ship will also operate a series of seven-night cruises from Galveston.

In Asia, Disney Adventure will continue operating three and four-night itineraries from Singapore, including a maiden port call at Langkawi, Malaysia.

Early bookings for Castaway Club members open on August 31, ahead of general sale on September 8.

Tracy Wilson, senior vice-president and general manager of Disney Cruise Line operations, said: “Disney Cruise Line is proud to be a leader in family cruising, helping our guests create lasting memories in even more destinations.

“We are delighted to return to a guest-favourite port in New York, introduce maiden calls in Panama and continue visiting destinations throughout the Caribbean and beyond with our growing fleet.”