American Cruise Lines has announced that its new riverboat, the first in the company’s Modern Riverboat Series, will be named the American Song. The new vessel will boast a four-storey glass atrium, spacious lounges and the largest staterooms in the industry, including private furnished balconies and full-sized bathrooms. The inaugural season for the American Song begins in autumn 2018 on the Mississippi River and will then continue to the West Coast in 2019.

Aurora Expeditions will honour its founder, pioneering mountaineer and explorer Greg Mortimer, by naming its new ship after him. The vessel, set to debut in late 2019, will be the first expedition cruise ship to feature the patented Ulstein X-Bow which pierces waves with greater stability. The ship’s name will ensure that Greg’s legacy and vision for small group voyages continues. Aurora Expeditions was founded in 1991.

Carnival Cruise Line announced on 23rd November that it will expand capacity on its cruise offerings to Mexico from Galveston and New Orleans beginning in 2019. The announcement is a reflection of the cruise line’s position as a leader in Mexican cruising, with recent figures showing an 8.5% increase in Australians cruising to Mexico with Carnival Cruise Line this year. The 128,251gt/2009 built Carnival Dream will launch 4 and 5-day cruises to Mexico year-round from Galveston beginning in May 2019, becoming the newest and largest Carnival ship to operate a short cruise program from that port. The ‘Dream replaces the 110,348gt/2004 built Carnival Valor, which will transfer to New Orleans to also begin year-round 4 and 5-day cruises, beginning May 2019. She will be the largest ship to offer a year-round short cruise schedule from New Orleans.

Marella Cruises’ ships have been renamed with the Marella prefix replacing the Thomson name. For example, the 33,933gt/1984 built Marella Celebration (formerly Thomson Celebration) was noted in Gibraltar during November.