Disney Signs 15-Year Agreement for Preferred Access at Icy Strait Point

Disney Signs 15-Year Agreement for Preferred Access at Icy Strait Point

Disney Cruise Line and Huna Totem Corporation have signed a 15-year agreement securing preferred weekly access at Icy Strait Point, ensuring Disney Cruise Line guests will continue visiting the Indigenous-owned Alaska destination through at least 2041, the company said in a press release.

“Icy Strait Point has been a valued part of our Alaska itineraries for nearly a decade, offering Disney Cruise Line guests an opportunity to experience the natural beauty, wildlife and rich cultural heritage of Hoonah and the broader Southeast Alaska region,” said Jose Fernandez, vice president of port strategy, development and operations at Disney Cruise Line.

The agreement provides Disney Cruise Line preferential docking at Icy Strait Point for one vessel each week and includes a minimum annual passenger guarantee.

Disney Cruise Line expanded its Alaska presence in 2026 to two ships, with select seven-night itineraries aboard the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder featuring calls at the destination.

Situated on the shores of Hoonah, Icy Strait Point is owned and operated by Huna Totem Corporation, an Alaska Native corporation representing more than 1,850 shareholders with Indigenous ties to Glacier Bay.

The destination is the largest employer in Hoonah and has welcomed over four million cruise travelers since opening in 2004.

“Disney Cruise Line has been an important part of the Icy Strait Point story for nearly a decade, and we’re grateful to build on that relationship through this agreement,” said Howard Sherman, Huna Totem Tourism Group president.

“Each Disney Cruise Line visit helps support local jobs, businesses and economic opportunity in Hoonah.”

TUI Welcomes Mein Schiff 4’s New Captain Adam Swietlik

TUI Welcomes Mein Schiff 4’s New Captain Adam Swietlik

TUI Cruises promoted Captain Adam Swietlik as the Captain of the Mein Schiff 4.

In a LinkedIn post, the company said: “Swietlik has been part of the TUI Cruises family since 2014 and has taken on various responsible positions within our fleet during this time,  most recently as Staff Captain for several years.”

The company said that Swietlik succeeds Captain Panos Varotsos, and that with more than 20 years of experience at sea and his team-oriented leadership style, he brings the best prerequisites for his new role.

“We wish Swietlik and his crew onboard Mein Schiff 4 all the best, much success and always a hand’s breadth of water under the keel,” TUI Cruises stated.

According to Schiffe Und Kreuzfahrten, Swietlik joined Celebrity Cruises in spring 2010 and, in 2014, moved to TUI Cruises. He worked at the company for five years and was then promoted to Staff Captain in 2019. Świetlik officially assumed command of the vessel on July 19, 2026.

According to the article, Swietlik will first sail the Mein Schiff 4 in the Adriatic Sea.

The ship is currently operating seven-night roundtrip cruises from Trieste, Italy, with visits to ports across Italy, Croatia, Montenegro, Greece, and Slovenia. The seasonal program will continue until October.

Swietlik will be the third new TUI Cruises captain brought on in 2026. At the beginning of the year, Kira Schikorr steered the Mein Schiff 6 in Asia for the first time, and Alexander Orendt first captained the Mein Schiff 3 from Bremerhaven.

The company said that the promotions are due, among other things, to the growth of the Mein Schiff fleet.

Viking Reveals Names of Its Next Two Ocean Ships

Viking Reveals Names of Its Next Two Ocean Ships

Viking recently revealed that its next two ocean newbuilds will be called the Viking Leda and the Viking Vega.

Currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard, the 998-passenger ships will join the company’s fleet, respectively, in late 2028 and mid-2029.

As previously announced, Viking is also set to take delivery of three ships between 2026 and 2028, including the Viking Libra, the Viking Astrea and the Viking Lyra.

The Viking Leda is scheduled to enter service in December 2028, kicking off a winter schedule in the Mediterranean.

According to published deployment, the vessel will offer a series of eight- to 16-day itineraries departing from Greece, Italy and Spain.

The cruises sail to destinations in the Aegean, the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, including the Greek Islands, the French Riviera and Morocco.

The Viking Vega is set to debut in June 2029, welcoming its first guests in the Mediterranean.

After offering itineraries in Southern Europe, the vessel is scheduled to reposition to the British Isles in mid-July 2029.

Highlights of the ship’s inaugural season include cruises departing from ports in Italy, Spain, Norway and the United Kingdom, such as Civitavecchia, Barcelona and Bergen.

The Leda and the Vega will be the 17th and 18th ocean ships built for Viking at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy.

The 47,000-ton vessels will feature a design similar to the Viking Star, which was the first newbuild introduced by the company in 2015.

In addition to the two ships, Viking’s current orderbook includes nine other vessels, with deliveries scheduled between 2026 and 2031.

Before welcoming the Leda and the Vega, the company is taking delivery of the industry’s first hydrogen-powered ships.

Set to be delivered in 2027 and 2028, respectively, the Viking Astrea and the Viking Lyra will be able to operate with zero emissions using a new technology that relies on containerized fuel.

Viking’s lineup also includes two additional expedition ships, which will join the Viking Octantis and the Viking Polaris in 2030 and 2031.