Tag Archives: SHIPPING

Upgraded Celebrity Solstice Begins Spring Season in the Pacific

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Upgraded Celebrity Solstice Begins Spring Season in the Pacific

The Celebrity Solstice recently kicked off a spring season in the Pacific after undergoing a major upgrade project at a shipyard in Singapore.

As part of a $250-million refit program that will see other Solstice-class vessels being modernized, the 2008-built ship welcomed guests back on March 2, 2026.

Sailing from Singapore Marina Bay Cruise Center, the vessel offered a 12-night cruise that ended in Hong Kong earlier this month.

The Celebrity Solstice is now set to offer additional itineraries in Southeast Asia and the South Pacific before repositioning to Alaska for a summer season.

The schedule includes a 14-night cruise to Australia that sails between Singapore and Sydney, featuring visits to Bali, Darwin, Port Douglas, Yorkeys Knob and Airlie Beach.

In early April, the Solstice is also set to offer a 16-night itinerary to the South Pacific that is highlighted by destinations in Fiji.

Sailing between Sydney and Honolulu, the cruise features visits to Lifou, Lautoka, Apia, Pago Pago and Suva.

The 122,000-ton vessel is then set to arrive in Alaska in early May for a series of seven-night cruises departing from Vancouver.

The itineraries include visits to Ketchikan, Skagway, Juneau and Icy Strait Point, in addition to scenic cruising at Hubbard Glacier and the Tracy Arm Fjord.

In October, the ship returns to Hawaii before kicking off a winter season in Australia, New Zealand and Asia.

During its 45-day drydock, the Celebrity Solstice saw the debut of new dining venues, as well as updated public areas and staterooms.

The vessel’s capacity was also significantly increased with the addition of 54 extra cabins to areas across six decks.

Among the new features introduced onboard is Trattoria Rossa, a new Italian-inspired specialty restaurant that replaced Qsine at Silk Harvest.

The Celebrity Solstice also saw the addition of the Sunset Park, a new outdoor venue that will offer lawn games and open-air concerts.

Noordam Starts Repositioning Cruise to West Coast

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Noordam Starts Repositioning Cruise to West Coast

The Noordam sailed from Australia earlier this month to kick off a 36-night repositioning voyage to the West Coast.

Sailing between Sydney and Seattle, the month-long itinerary started in mid-March and includes destinations in the South Pacific, French Polynesia and Hawaii.

The cruise is highlighted by overnight visits to Honolulu and Tahiti, as well as stops in 15 additional ports of call.

In addition to traditional destinations such as Nouméa, Lautoka and Nawiliwili, the cruise also features stops at less-visited ports, including Vava’u in Tonga, Rarotonga in the Cook Islands, Fakarava in French Polynesia and Kailua-Kona in Hawaii.

Upon completing the repositioning voyage, the Noordam is set to kick off its summer deployment in Alaska.

Part of the company’s six-ship lineup in the region, the vessel will operate a series of seven-night cruises departing from Seattle.

In addition to Alaska, the itineraries of the 2006-built ship sail to the Great Bear Rainforest, with visits to Victoria, Prince Rupert, Nanaimo and Ketchikan.

The vessel’s season also includes a unique 28-night voyage that sails to the Arctic Circle during the summer solstice.

Part of Holland America’s Legendary Voyages schedule, the itinerary features visits to ports in Southwest Alaska and the Far North, including Kodiak, Dutch Harbor and Nome.

Wrapping up its deployment in the region, the Noordam also offers the company’s “Great Alaska Explorer” itinerary in late August.

The 14-night cruise sails roundtrip from Seattle and features visits to Nanaimo, Prince Rupert, Ketchikan, Juneau, Valdez, Anchorage and Kodiak, as well as scenic cruising at Hubbard Glacier.

The Noordam is also scheduled to offer a 28-night itinerary that combines ports of call in Alaska and Hawaii before repositioning back to Australia for the 2026-27 winter.

Starting in mid-November, the ship operates 14- to 35-night cruises in the South Pacific departing from Sydney and Auckland.

Four Seasons I Kicks Off Maiden Mediterranean Voyage

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Four Seasons I Kicks Off Maiden Mediterranean Voyage

The Four Seasons I, Four Seasons Yachts’ first vessel, starts its maiden voyage in the Mediterranean today, March 20.

For its inaugural season, Mediterranean itineraries aboard the Four Seasons I will be paired with what the company describes as iconic ports and off-the-beaten-path coastal discoveries.

The debut year will see 32 voyages across 52 sailings, reaching 130 destinations in over 30 countries and territories throughout the Mediterranean in summer and the Caribbean and Bahamas in winter, the company said in a statement.

“Today’s luxury traveler values time, trust, and authenticity above all. With the confidence our guests place in Four Seasons comes an equally high expectation for excellence,” said Ben Trodd, CEO, Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings Ltd., joint owner/operator of Four Seasons Yachts.

“At Four Seasons Yachts, we answer that call by combining our global standard for luxury hospitality with renowned maritime leadership, inviting our guests to explore the world from an entirely new vantage point.”

The company added that the maiden voyage coincides with the 65th anniversary of Four Seasons and the opening of its first hotel on the first day of spring in 1961.

Honoring this legacy, Four Seasons founder and chairman Isadore Sharp and his wife Rosalie Sharp have been named godparents of Four Seasons I.

Alejandro Reynal, president and CEO, Four Seasons, commented: “Four Seasons Yachts is a continuation of the pioneering ambition on which Four Seasons was built, and will reflect the same genuine care, service excellence, and exceptional moments we create for guests on land. We are proud to introduce a new expression of our brand at sea, opening an entirely new horizon for our guests.”

The ship was built by Fincantieri and delivered to Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings, the joint owner and operator of Four Seasons Yacht, in late February.