Avalon Waterways’ ‘suite ships’ feature extra-wide cabins, called Panorama Suites, which offer 200 square feet of living space.   The river ship building boom continues, with Avalon Waterways today saying it has ordered two more “suite ships” to debut in spring 2013.   The 166-passenger Avalon Expression and 128-passenger Avalon Artistry II will join [...]

In the summer of 2013, Celebrity Cruises will bring Solstice Class style to Alaska for the first time. Six Solsitce Class ships will visit 25 countries from seven departure ports and visit a total of 88 destinations in Europealone, six representing Celebrity firsts.   The first-time destinations include Liverpool, England; Waterford, Ireland; Torshavn, Faroe Islands; [...]

  Oceania Cruises’ 1,250-passenger Marina, which debuted in January 2011.   Oceania Cruises will send three ships to Europe for the summer of 2013, one less than this year.   The line announced this week that the 1,250-passenger Riviera will spend the summer of 2013 sailing in the Mediterranean, while the 1,250-passenger Marina and 684-passenger [...]

  Passengers disembark the fire-damaged Costa Allegra in the Seychelles Islands on March 1, 2012.   The fire-damaged Costa Allegra will not return to service, the top executive at Costa Cruises’ parent company revealed today.    Carnival CEO Micky Arison told Wall Street analysts during a conference call that the 1,000-passenger vessel, which needs costly [...]

  Carnival Cruise Lines’ 2,974-passenger Carnival Freedom.     Waiting for fares to come down before you book a cruise for the coming year? You could be waiting a long time, says the head of the world’s largest cruise company.     Carnival Corp. chairman and CEO Micky Arison tells USA TODAY that consumers expecting [...]

  Paul Gauguin Cruises’ 332-passenger Paul Gauguin.   Always wanted to cruise the South Pacific? Here’s your chance: South Pacific specialist Paul Gauguin Cruises has launched a two-week sale on select voyages in the region.   Paul Gauguin says eight summer departures of its seven-night Tahiti & the Society Islands itinerary are being marked down [...]

  The 332-passenger Paul Gauguin cruises from Tahiti to French Polynesia and the South Pacific.   The 332-passenger Paul Gauguin, which cruises from Tahiti to French Polynesia and the South Pacific, has undergone a $7 million renovation, the largest rehab in the ship’s 14-year history.   Officials of Paul Gauguin Cruises say the project took [...]

  Viking River Cruises is launching voyages on Portugal’s Douro River in 2013.   Two major river cruise lines that cater to North Americans will be expanding into Portugal in 2013.   Industry giant Viking River Cruises this week announced plans for a new 10-night tour that combines a cruise on Portugal’s Douro River with [...]

Industry giant Carnival today announced it would offer its widest array of European itineraries ever in 2013.   The line says it will send the 2,124-passenger Carnival Legend to the Continent next year from April to October in an extended season of sailings that will include the line’s first Norwegian fjords itinerary and its first [...]

  Regent Seven Seas’ 700-passenger Seven Seas Mariner.   Add Regent Seven Seas and Azamara Club Cruises to the list of lines with new Europe promotions.   Luxury line Regent is offering customers who book one of 10 upcoming Europe sailings reduced rates on business class flights across the Atlantic to reach their ships. The [...]