Tag Archives: Europe

AIDAcosma Itineraries Changed Due to Drydock

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AIDAcosma Itineraries Changed Due to Drydock

AIDA Cruises is adjusting two itineraries of the AIDAcosma due to changes to the ship’s scheduled drydock, according to a report by Schiffe und Kreuzfahrten.

The LNG-powered ship is scheduled to undergo its first routine drydock in the fall of 2026 following its delivery in 2021.

As part of the adjustment, AIDA reportedly pushed forward the departure dates of two sailings, which were scheduled to start on Nov. 29, 2026, and Dec. 5, 2026.

According to the German cruise news website, the sailings will now depart, respectively, on Nov. 26, 2026, and Dec. 3, 2026.

Cruising from Palma de Mallorca, Spain, the AIDAcosma is set to offer itineraries to the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands during the timeframe.

The first cruise sails for six nights and features visits to destinations in Spain, France and Italy, such as Barcelona, Marseille, La Spezia and Civitavecchia.

As part of the ship’s repositioning voyage to the Canaries, the second cruise sails between Palma de Mallorca and Las Palmas.

The seven-night itinerary features visits to Málaga, Cádiz, Puerto de Rosario and Arrecife before arriving in Las Palmas.

AIDA is currently informing guests of the changes, Schiffe und Kreuzfahrten’s report added, with further details expected to be released soon.

Passengers who booked pre- and post-cruise packages with the company will have their travel arrangements adjusted to meet the new departure and arrival dates.

Built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany, the AIDAcosma is part of Carnival Corporation’s Excel class and entered service in 2021.

As a sister to the 2018-built AIDAnova, the 180,000-ton vessel serves the German-speaking markets in itineraries to the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Middle East and the Canaries.

Upon completing its scheduled drydock, the AIDAcosma is scheduled to offer winter cruises in the Atlantic, sailing to the Canary Islands and Madeira.

Legend of the Seas Floats Out at Meyer Turku

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Legend of the Seas Floats Out at Meyer Turku

Meyer Turku hosted a festive ceremony on August 29, 2025, to celebrate the float out of Royal Caribbean International’s new Legend of the Seas.

According to a press release, the traditional float-out ceremony included speeches by representatives of the shipyard and the cruise line, as well as a gun salute and a playful competition to open the water valves of the construction basin in Finland.

During the weekend following the ceremony, the new 250,800-ton ship was moved to the outfitting dock, where finishing work will continue for another year.

“The Legend of the Seas continues the state-of-the-art Icon Class, which allows the Finnish maritime industry to showcase its unique expertise at its best,” said Casimir Lindholm, CEO of Meyer Turku.

“The shipyard, Royal Caribbean and an extensive network of partners work together to develop the processes and concepts from ship to ship. Alongside its sister ships, the Legend of the Seas will also mark an important milestone in increasingly responsible shipbuilding,” he added.

At 365 meters long, nearly 50 meters wide, the 248,000-ton LNG-powered vessel is the third ship in Royal Caribbean’s Icon class.

The first in the series, the Icon of the Seas, was delivered to the brand in November 2023, followed by the Star of the Seas in July 2025.

The fourth Icon Class ship, currently under construction at the shipyard and yet to be named, will be completed in 2027.

According to Meyer Turku, Royal Caribbean’s agreement with the shipyard also includes options to build fifth and sixth Icon Class ships.

Set to spend its inaugural season in the Mediterranean, the Legend of the Seas will be delivered to Royal Caribbean in the summer of 2026.

Following initial itineraries in Europe, the ship is scheduled to debut in the United States ahead of sailing in the Caribbean during the 2026-27 winter season.

Saint John Welcomes Unscheduled Visit from Norwegian Aqua

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Saint John Welcomes Unscheduled Visit from Norwegian Aqua

Saint John in Canada welcomed the new Norwegian Aqua for an unscheduled visit earlier this week.

Initially set to visit Bermuda, the Norwegian Cruise Line ship was diverted to the port due to the impact of Hurricane Erin.

“It was a beautiful sunny day, and guests were in good spirits despite not being at the port they signed up for,” Natalie Allaby, Port Saint John’s director of cruise, marketing and engagement, told Cruise Industry News.

“Days like yesterday remind us of how our cruise sector was born back in September of 1989: a hurricane diversion from an NYC cruise destined for Bermuda that came our way instead,” she continued.

The first cruise ship to visit Saint John was the Cunard Princess, which arrived at the port in Canada’s Bay of Fundy due to a diversion caused by Hurricane Gabrielle.

“We hope we can be of assistance should any additional diversions need to occur during the 2025 hurricane season,” Allaby added.

The call also marked the first visit of a Prima-class ship to Saint John, she added, noting that the port is happy to accommodate unscheduled calls.

After departing from New York City, the Norwegian Aqua made its inaugural visit to Saint John on Aug. 20, 2025.

The visit was part of a four-night cruise that also marked the ship’s debut in NYC and the Canada and New England region.

Initially set to include an overnight call at the Royal Naval Dockyard in Bermuda, the itinerary was adjusted due to Hurricane Erin.

In a statement sent to guests onboard, Norwegian said that the change was necessary to allow the ship to “steer clear” of the storm and forecasted rough weather.

While the Norwegian Aqua is not scheduled to make additional visits to Saint John, the port is set to welcome other vessels from the company, including the Norwegian Getaway and the Norwegian Gem.