Tauck Launches More Women’s Only Departures in 2027

Posted on 22 June, 2026 by Spacejunkie2

Tauck Launches More Women’s Only Departures in 2027

Tauck has announced the opening of additional bookings for 2027 Women’s Only Departures, expanding from three itineraries to seven and extending the collection beyond Europe to include North America for the first time.

All 2027 Women’s Only Departures are now open for booking.

The expanded collection spans Italy, France, Portugal, Scandinavia, England and Canada, with departures running from June to October.

Every Women’s Only Departure operates as a small-group itinerary averaging 24 guests and is led by a female Tauck Director, with one upfront price covering airport transfers, accommodations, most meals, exclusive access experiences and expert local guides, the company said in a press release.

European Itineraries

“A Week In… Champagne & Alsace” is a new eight-day itinerary exploring two of France’s most renowned wine regions, from the Alsatian villages of Kaysersberg and Colmar to the Champagne capital of Reims.

“A Week In… Italy’s Hidden Wine Country” is an eight-day immersion in Italy’s slow-food heartland, combining truffle hunting in the Langhe hills, a guided tasting of the region’s celebrated Barolo and Barbaresco wines and an exclusive early-opening visit to La Venaria Reale.

“A Week In… Copenhagen & Oslo” is an eight-day journey through two of northern European capitals. Highlights include a private palace dinner at Copenhagen’s historic Odd Fellows Mansion.

“Tuscany, Cinque Terre & the Portofino Coast” traces the arc of northwestern Italy from Chianti to the Ligurian coastline, combining the art and gastronomy of Tuscany with Cinque Terre and Portofino.

“England and the West Country” explores the landscapes, country houses and cathedral cities of southwestern England, the storied countryside that inspired Jane Austen and generations of English writers.

“A Week In… Portugal” is an eight-day journey from Porto’s historic riverfront to Lisbon’s grand avenues, tracing Portugal’s wine traditions, UNESCO World Heritage sites and coastal character.

North American Itinerary

“Canada’s Capital Cities plus Niagara Falls” explores the cultural and natural breadth of eastern Canada, and the spectacle of Niagara Falls.

The itinerary offers a rich cross-section of Canadian heritage, architecture and landscape, with Tauck’s signature access and guided depth throughout.

MSC Meraviglia Set for European Return in 2026

Posted on 25 January, 2025 by Spacejunkie2

The MSC Meraviglia is set to return to Europe in 2026 after sailing exclusively from New York City in April 2023.

According to the MSC Cruises website, the 2017-built vessel will offer a summer season in the Western Mediterranean starting in early May 2026, ahead of returning to North America later in the year.

As part of the deployment, the Meraviglia will offer a series of seven-night cruises to destinations in Italy, France, Spain and Tunisia, scheduled through October 2026.

The summer season in the region includes a series of seven-night itineraries to the ports of Livorno, Naples, Palermo, Tunis, Barcelona and Marseille.

Upon completing its European schedule, the 4,500-guest ship is scheduled to return to North America ahead of the 2026-27 winter season.

Starting in November 2026, the vessel offers a series of seven-night cruises to the Bahamas and Florida, departing from New York City.

In addition to MSC’s private island destination of Ocean Cay, the itinerary is scheduled to visit Nassau and Port Canaveral.

The MSC Meraviglia is also set to offer trans-Atlantic crossings before and after its summer season in the Western Mediterranean.

On its way to Europe, the vessel sails from New York City on April 19, 2026, offering a 16-night cruise that sails to destinations in Canada, Portugal, Spain, Gibraltar and France.

The ship then offers a similar itinerary on October 20, 2026, sailing from Barcelona for a 19-night crossing to the United States.

After repositioning from Port Canaveral, the MSC Meraviglia arrived at its homeport in New York City in April 2023.

As part of a year-round deployment on the U.S. East Coast, the vessel has been offering itineraries to Florida, the Bahamas and Bermuda, as well as Canada and New England.

Carnival Corp Posts 109% Occupancy in Third Quarter

Posted on 2 October, 2023 by Spacejunkie2

P&O one of the Carnival Group, photo credit Spacejunkie2 (Flickr account)

Carnival Corporation’s nine brands enjoyed full ships in the third quarter of 2023 as the company delivered a profit of over $1 billion and record revenue.

The ships on average were 109 percent full. Cruise ship occupancy is calculated by having two people in each stateroom, bringing a ship to 100 per cent. Any additional guests, such as children, will push a ship over the 100 per cent mark.

The company said that the 109 per cent occupancy number was better than its own expectations and marked a return to historical levels, compared to just 84 per cent in 2022 and 113 per cent in 2019, the last normal year prior to the pandemic.

“On the European front, occupancy came in better than anticipated for Costa and AIDA, with both brands hitting 119 per cent occupancy in August. Not to be outdone, P&O Cruises achieved its highest occupancy in over a decade,” said Josh Weinstein, president and CEO, on the company’s third-quarter earnings call.

“And so I can’t say that their yields were higher. But I can tell you that their occupancy is back, and they are well on their way, and that’s absolutely as expected,” said Weinstein, commenting on the company’s P&O brand.