Semester at Sea Opens Applications for Fall 2027 Voyage

Posted on 14 July, 2026 by Spacejunkie2

Semester at Sea Opens Applications for Fall 2027 Voyage

Semester at Sea recently opened applications for its Fall 2027 World Voyage, which will take place onboard the World Odyssey.

According to an update shared by the company, the 104-day itinerary will sail to four continents and two oceans starting on September 9, 2027.

Departing from Ijmuiden in the Netherlands, the 140th voyage will be highlighted by visits to destinations in Portugal, Morocco, Brazil, St. Helena and South Africa.

Before ending in Thailand in late December, the cruise is also scheduled to sail to additional ports in Southeast Asia and the Far East, including Sri Lanka, Singapore, Vietnam and Hong Kong.

Semester at Sea noted that the voyage will feature six days in most ports, allowing for deeper immersion in destinations.

The company said passengers will move “beyond tourism to engage with local community leaders, environmental experts and historic heritage sites.”

A seven-day visit to Cape Town is returning by popular demand, the brand continued, noting that the South African city has been consistently ranked as a favorite destination by its alumni and guests.

For the first time in recent years, the voyage will feature a visit to Singapore, which Semester at Sea said offers a unique opportunity to experience one of the world’s most sophisticated green cities.

The company also highlighted days at sea, noting that the World Odyssey is transformed into a “floating campus” for its voyages.

“Students will take comparative coursework that brings the world outside their cabin window into the classroom, led by a world-class faculty dedicated to global perspectives,” it added.

Applications for the Fall 2027 Voyage for both students and Lifelong Learners opened on July 1, 2026.

Operating for Semester at Sea as part of a charter deal, the World Odyssey usually spends summer seasons sailing for Phoenix Reisen as the Deutschland.

With Phoenix Reisen deciding not to renew its contract beyond 2026, plans for the ship’s 2027 summer season are unclear.

Originally built for Peter Deilmann in Germany, the World Odyssey entered service in 1998 before making its debut for Semester at Sea in late 2015

Aurora Expeditions’ Biggest Year Yet: New Ship, New Markets

Posted on 10 July, 2026 by Spacejunkie2

Aurora Expeditions’ Biggest Year Yet: New Ship, New Markets

Photo Credit Spacejunkie2-Flickr https://flic.kr/ps/GkiQt

Aurora Expeditions closed out 2025 as its biggest year ever and is building on that momentum as the company recently expanded to three ships with the new Douglas Mawson, according to an interview with Chief Marketing Officer Katie Malone featured in the 2026 Expedition Report by Cruise Industry News.

There is also a charter deal with Lindblad for Alaska and a Mediterranean deployment that puts the newest vessel somewhere most polar operators don’t go.

Aurora operates the Greg Mortimer, the Sylvia Earle, and the Douglas Mawson. All three ships are part of the SunStone Infinity-class series on long-term charter deals.

The Douglas Mawson maxes out at 130 passengers for expedition cruises; however, the ship can accommodate more guests on small-ship cruises in the Mediterranean and British Isles.

The Mediterranean deployment kicks off this year with itineraries focused on storytelling.

Each sailing features a “Master Storyteller” with historians, genealogists, art experts or cultural specialists, alongside Aurora’s expedition team. Guests also receive all-inclusive “Your Choice” excursions at each port.

It’s a test of whether Aurora’s expedition DNA translates to warm-water cruising.

The company bills it as “Vantage Explorations,” distinct from traditional expedition cruising but using the same ships and operational philosophy. Aurora acquired some assets from bankrupt Vantage in 2024.

Meanwhile, the company made headlines in December 2025 when Lindblad Expeditions announced it would charter the Greg Mortimer for Alaska cruises starting in 2027.

The deal will run for three years and covers the Northern Hemisphere summer season.

That’s one-third of Aurora’s fleet capacity gone for six months a year, but Malone said not to worry.

“The Greg Mortimer will be chartered for six months during the Northern Hemisphere summer in 2027 and 2028, with an option for 2029,” Malone said. “This forms part of our long-term fleet and growth strategy, designed to optimize seasonal deployment and align all our capacity with the demand that is out there.”

With the Greg Mortimer in Alaska with Lindblad, Aurora will operate Europe, Arctic and expedition programs using the Sylvia Earle and Douglas Mawson.

The Greg Mortimer continues operating in Antarctica and other geographies outside the charter window.

The Lindblad deal solves a deployment problem, too, as it maximizes utilization without Aurora needing to build its own Alaska sales infrastructure.

Four Seasons Orders Third Ship for 2031 Delivery

Posted on 9 July, 2026 by Spacejunkie2

Four Seasons Orders Third Ship for 2031 Delivery

Fincantieri announced today that it has signed a contract with Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings, which is the joint owner/operator of Four Seasons Yacht, for the construction of a third ultra-luxury cruise ship.

Delivery of the new vessel is scheduled for 2031. It is the third ship in a new class of ultra-luxury cruise ships designed and built by Fincantieri at its Ancona shipyard. The Four Seasons I debuted earlier this year and will be followed by a sister ship in early 2028, according to the Italian shipbuilder.

The new ship will retain the same residential-style, “all-suite” concept that characterizes the first vessel in the class, the companies said.

Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and general manager of Fincantieri, stated: “This new order represents another significant step in the development of our partnership with Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings LTD, which has become a benchmark for innovation in luxury hospitality at sea.

The decision to expand the fleet with a third vessel reflects the strength of a long-term industrial vision and confirms market appreciation for a concept that has successfully created a new segment combining luxury hospitality with advanced shipbuilding.

Designed and built at our Ancona shipyard, the vessel further reinforces the site’s role as a Fincantieri center of excellence for the construction of ultra-luxury ships, where innovation, craftsmanship, and industrial expertise come together to deliver the highest standards of quality and refinement.”