Tag Archives: ice

Aurora Expeditions Completes Largest Antarctic Season

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Aurora Expeditions Completes Largest Antarctic Season

Photo credit Spacejunkie2 – Flickr photostream https://flic.kr/ps/GkiQt

Aurora Expeditions has completed its largest Antarctic season to date, operating 30 voyages, facilitating an estimated 819 landings and welcoming a 30 percent increase in expeditioners representing 56 nationalities, according to an announcement.

“This season represents a significant milestone for Aurora Expeditions,” said Michael Heath, chief executive officer at Aurora Expeditions.

“Delivering 30 voyages to Antarctica, including a return to East Antarctica, and operating three ships in the region for the first time reflects both our heritage and how we continue to evolve.”

The 2025-26 program included the launch of the company’s third expedition vessel, the Douglas Mawson, in Sydney in November ahead of its inaugural Antarctic season.

This was the first time in the company’s 35-year history that Aurora operated three ships simultaneously in Antarctica.

The season marked a return to East Antarctica after 15 years, alongside the introduction of Active Antarctica voyages featuring 14 included activities.

The Douglas Mawson reached 78 degrees 44.405 minutes south, marking the southernmost voyage in history, the company said.

Aurora also recorded 2,835 polar plunges, delivered 269 on board lectures and saw expeditioners contribute thousands of hours to on board citizen science programs supporting initiatives such as whale and seabird monitoring, oceanographic data collection and polar ecosystem observation.

The program introduced AI-powered routing technology and microplastic filtration systems to Antarctica.

The season also marked the introduction of drone-supported scouting used to assist bridge teams with real-time ice and landing site assessment.

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.

MSC Warns of Potential Delays in New York City

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MSC Warns of Potential Delays in New York City

MSC Cruises informed guests that the upcoming cruise of the MSC Meraviglia may suffer from potential delays due to the weather in New York City.

As part of the company’s farewell season from the homeport, the vessel is set to depart from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal.

“The National Weather Service has forecast heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures for New York City on Sunday,” the company said in a statement.

“While this weather event is not expected to impact the arrival or departure of the MSC Meraviglia in New York, there may be delays impacting guests’ arrival to the port,” MSC continued.

“To ensure a smooth embarkation process, please plan ahead and allow extra travel time. We also recommend monitoring local news and official traffic advisories for the most up-to-date information before your departure.”

MSC also warned guests that, despite the potential delays, the cruise terminal’s doors “will close promptly at 2:30 p.m.”

“We kindly ask you to adhere strictly to the check-in window indicated in your most recent e-ticket,” the company continued.

Offering a seven-night cruise to the Bahamas and Florida, the MSC Meraviglia is scheduled to depart from New York City at 3 p.m.

The ship’s itinerary includes visits to Port Canaveral and Nassau, in addition to MSC’s private island destination of Ocean Cay.

In related news, Carnival Cruise Line issued a similar statement for guests set to embark on the Carnival Pride on Jan. 25, 2026.

Sailing from its homeport in Baltimore, the 2001-built ship is set to offer a weeklong cruise to the Bahamas.

Bad weather is also causing the Harmony of the Seas to shorten its current cruise to the Western Caribbean.

After sailing from Galveston, the Royal Caribbean ship will return to Texas one day earlier due to a major winter storm.