AIDA announced on 29th December that the AIDAperla will be arriving in the Western Mediterranean two months earlier than planned. The ship will enter service from Palma de Mallorca on 1st July 2017, sailing week-long cruises from Palma to Barcelona, also calling on Civitavecchia, Corsica and Livorno. The AIDAperla will be taking over the cruises offered by the 69,203gt/2008 built AIDAbella for July and August, with the AIDAbella moving to Northern Europe. The 125,000gt AIDAperla then moves to Northern Europe for summer 2018, picking up the AIDAprima’s previous itinerary from Hamburg to Southampton, Le Havre, Zeebrugge and Rotterdam.

Carnival Cruise Line announced on 15th December that a new 133,500 gt cruise ship, which will be the third vessel in the company’s Vista class series, will join the Carnival Cruise Line fleet in late 2019. The ship, under contract with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, was originally designated for the P&O Cruises Australia brand. In conjunction with this change, Carnival Cruise Line’s 113,562gt/2008 built Carnival Splendor (above) will be transferred to P&O Cruises Australia in late 2019. The ship will offer many of Carnival’s most popular guest features, a wide range of accommodation types and a number of new innovations unique to this vessel. The ship’s name, homeport and itinerary details will be announced at a later date but she will follow a year after the Carnival Horizon, due for delivery in 2018. The Carnival Corporation has reported the most profitable year in the company’s history and record fourth quarter earnings. The corporation generated $2.8 billion in net income for the full year 2016, an extra billion on the prior corresponding period. Revenues for the full year 2016 were $16.4 billion, $700 million higher than the $15.7 billion in 2015. On 12th January Carnival Cruise Line announced that it will reposition three of its newest and largest ships to new homeports in 2018. In September 2018 the Carnival Vista will move to Galveston, the Carnival Breeze will reposition to Port Canaveral, and the Carnival Magic will relocate to Miami.

CDF Croisieres’ office in Paris closed by the end of February and the operator’s two ships, the Horizon and Zenith were transferred to Pullmantur’s fleet as they concentrate on the Spanish and Latin American markets.

CroisiEurope announced in December that the construction of a third paddlewheel ship, the MS Elbe Princesse II, has officially begun at the STX shipyard in Saint-Nazaire. Following a four-month design phase, the steel cutting ceremony was held in Saint-Nazaire on 8th December. As a result of the success of the Loire Princesse in 2015 and the Elbe Princesse in 2016, CroisiEurope is building the Elbe Princesse II in order to increase it’s offering between Berlin and Prague on the Elbe and Vltava rivers. The ship will be 101m long with a 10.5m beam. Taking into consideration the navigational limitations of these rivers, the ship has a shallow hull draught, a low air draught and a ballasting system. Powered by paddlewheels, her cruising speed will be 15-16km per hour. The ship’s sleek, contemporary design will be very similar to her sister ship, the Elbe Princesse, with open spaces, large picture windows and modern colours bringing a touch of elegance. The ship will accommodate 90 guests in 45 comfortable, outward-facing cabins of more than 14m2 with French balconies on the upper deck. There will also be a 110m2 restaurant, a 145m2 panoramic lounge at the stern, a patio and a 1000m2 sun deck. The Elbe Princesse II is scheduled for delivery in February 2018. Like the Elbe Princesse, this newbuild will cruise between Berlin and the heart of Prague.

Crystal River Cruises’ celebrated the steel cutting ceremony for the Crystal Debussy and Crystal Ravel at MV Werften on 9th January. These two additional Rhine Class luxury river yachts are scheduled to sail in spring 2018. The first plates of the luxury river ships were flame cut in the presence of the Genting Group Executive Chairman Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern’s Economics Minister Harry Glawe and numerous other guests. The structurally identical Crystal Debussy and Crystal Ravel will be built at MV Werften’s Wismar yard, and measure approximately 135m long and 11m wide. Specifically designed for the growing European luxury river cruise market, the 106 passenger capacity duo will cruise the Rhine, the Danube, the Main and the Moselle.

Cunard and P&O Cruises have decided to remove Turkey from all 2017 itineraries, a decision based upon various sources including advice given by the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The Turkish ports have been replaced with either Greek ports or Sarande in Albania.

Fred. Olsen’s 28,613gt/1972 built Black Watch became the last cruise ship to call at Portsmouth International Port in 2016 on 23rd December on her Tinsel & Hogmanay cruise. The Black Watch departed Portsmouth late that day bound for Plymouth whilst Christmas Day was spent at sea, before stopping in Cobh, Dublin, Belfast, Leith Port in Edinburgh and back to London. The first cruise call of 2017 was scheduled for 25th February, when Swan Hellenic’s Minerva should have returned for the start of the spring and summer season but Swan Hellenic is no more. The cruise diary for 2017 was looking healthy with 47 ships booked to arrive, a 24% increase on 2016, but 19 have been lost due to the demise of All Leisure Holdings. Fred. Olsen Cruises also offered 25% cruise discounts for guests affected by All Leisure Group’s cancelled cruises (Voyages of Discovery and Swan Hellenic). The discount applies to any 2017/2018 or 2019 cruise.

Grand Bahama Shipyard completed work on an impressive 20 cruise vessels in 2016. The scope of works included significant propulsion and technical systems overhauls, hull treatment, upgrades of accommodations and public spaces and the addition of attractions. For 2017, Grand Bahama Shipyard has confirmed 23 cruise ships for refit, refurbishment or revitalisation. 2016’s first drydock was Holland America Line’s Maasdam, followed by the Veendam in March and the Prinsendam in May. Works included scrubber and ADG installations, thruster overhauls, steel works and extensive hull treatment. Royal Caribbean International docked three ships for significant overhauls and upgrades including the Liberty of the Seas. Cabins were added to her Deck 12 structure and a water park was installed. On the technical side, Azipods were overhauled, major tank conversions performed, general repairs undertaken and a scrubber system installed. The Jewel of the Seas visited in April and the Adventure of the Seas in October. Other visitors included the Azamara Journey, Celebrity Summit, Carnival Splendor/ Triumph/ Liberty/Magic/Valor plus the Adonia, Coral Princess, Norwegian Dawn and MSC Divina.

Hapag Lloyd’s 8,378gt/1991 built Hanseatic (above) will remain in the cruise operator’s fleet for an additional six months until September 2018. This will reduce the period of fleet reduction until the two new expedition ships are introduced in April 2019 and October 2019.

Holyhead has a 47% increase in the number of cruise ships and 60% increase on passenger numbers visiting in 2017 compared to 2016. The 2017 schedule features 44 cruise ships docking at the Orthios (formerly Anglesey Aluminium) berth as well as the refit berth, while the biggest ship due to call, the Celebrity Silhouette, will anchor in the outer harbour.

Lindblad Expeditions was forced to cancel a series of Antarctic sailings in December after the 3,984gt/2003 built National Geographic Orion suffered a power failure while cruising south of the Antarctic Circle during her 14-day Christmas voyage. The ship was required to proceed at reduced speed (5 knots) via the Drake Passage to Ushuaia, where a team of engineers was waiting. The 27th December departure was cancelled as well as January’s cruises, while onward travel plans from Ushuaia for those on board the ship during the incident required “some reconfiguring” due to the late arrival into port. Passengers on the affected voyage were reimbursed for any costs due to their late arrival along with a $1,000 credit towards future Lindblad travel.

MSC Cruises and French shipbuilder STX France finalised the contract details for the previously announced two options for Meraviglia-Plus class cruise ships on 21st December. With all ship specifications now agreed, the companies said that the contract came into force in December, with vessel delivery scheduled in October 2019 and July 2020, respectively. The two options were initially unveiled during a coin ceremony for the MSC Meraviglia, held at the shipyard on 1st February 2016. The two units are part of MSC Cruises’ EUR 9 billion investment plan for eleven new next-generation cruise ships that will come into service by 2026. The company said that the Meraviglia-Plus ships are a further evolution of the Meraviglia class prototype, increasing their gross tonnage to 177,000gt with 2,450 guest cabins. Featuring a length of 331m, the new vessels will be able to carry almost 6,300 passengers.

MSC has slightly revised its 2018-19 deployments. The new MSC Seaview will head to Brazil for winter 2018-2019 after her debut season sailing in the Mediterranean from Genoa. Meanwhile the MSC Splendida will not re-position to China year-round, as previously expected, and will sail back from Shanghai for the 2018-2019 winter season in the Middle East, sailing from Dubai on week-long cruises with calls in Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Qatar. The 2017-built MSC Meraviglia will sail in Northern Europe in 2018, using Hamburg as a turn-around port in the summer. The MSC Divina will also leave her year-round post in Miami to offer the 2018 summer season via seven-day cruises from Genoa, with alternative embarkation in Rome, Valencia and Marseille. The MSC Seaside will stay in Miami for 2018, and the MSC Divina will be back in the Caribbean for the 2018-2019 winter.

NCL’s 93,558gt/2006 built Norwegian Jade (above) arrived at the Port of Tampa Bay on 11th December for her 2016-2017 cruise season there. The 2,402-passenger ship, which replaces the Norwegian Star from last year, will sail a seven-day Western Caribbean itinerary departing on Sundays to Cozumel and Costa May, Roatan, Honduras, and Harvest Caye, Belize.

In addition, the Norwegian Jade sailed two eight-day Western Caribbean cruises in January. The ship will serve Hamburg and Southampton for the summer season of 2017. In 2018 the Norwegian Breakaway will leave New York on 15th April for Southampton. She will then undergo enhancements in dry dock and be based at Copenhagen and Warnemunde for the season. The Norwegian Jade will return to Europe in summer 2018 to again sail a series of Norway, Iceland and North Cape cruises from Southampton and Hamburg. The Norwegian Spirit will serve Civitavecchia and Venice after repositioning from the US West Coast.

The Norwegian Epic, will also sail seven-night Western Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona and Civitavecchia. In winter 2018/2019, the Norwegian Spirit will sail from Barcelona to the Canary Islands & Morocco, on a series of 10/11-night cruises. In Alaska the 2018 season will feature the brand-new Norwegian Bliss, from June 2018 (repositioning to Miami each winter), along with the Norwegian Pearl. In the Caribbean seven NCL ships will operate from New York, Port Canaveral, San Juan, Miami, New Orleans and Tampa.

From December 2018 to February 2019 the Norwegian Escape will sail from New York on extended 12 and 14-night Southern Caribbean cruises, as well as 14-night Western Caribbean cruises. The Norwegian Breakaway will also sail 10/11-night Eastern Caribbean cruises from New York. The Norwegian Gem will reposition to New Orleans, sailing to the Western Caribbean on 7/10/11 night cruises. The Norwegian Getaway will sail seven-night cruises that will also include a call to Harvest Caye whilst the Norwegian Pearl will homeport in Tampa during winter 2018, sailing seven-night cruises to the Western Caribbean. The Norwegian Dawn will seasonally homeport in San Juan, Puerto Rico during the winter 2018/2019 season whilst the Norwegian Jade will operate out of Miami November 2018-April 2019. The Norwegian Epic will again return to Port Canaveral in autumn 2018 whilst the Norwegian Epic will also offer a four-night Bahamas cruise from Port Canaveral and a five night Western Caribbean cruise.

Between April and September 2018 the Norwegian Escape will reposition for the first time since she was christened in 2015 and will sail from New York to Bermuda on sevennight cruises every Sunday. The Norwegian Gem will serve the Bahamas and Florida each Saturday from New York in summer 2018 whilst the ‘Escape will remain there for winter 2018/2019. The Norwegian Breakaway will also return to New York from Europe to sail seven-night Bahamas & Florida cruises from Manhattan during winter 2018/2019. Canada & New England itineraries will also be offered along with the Pride of America’s Hawaii cruises, Panama Canal cruises aboard the Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Pearl and Norwegian Star whilst the Norwegian Sun will once again return to South America in Winter 2018/2019.

P&O Cruises’ 84,342gt/2005 built Arcadia had a visit from Santa Claus, courtesy of Lowestoft’s RNLI Lifeboat, whilst the cruise ship was at anchor off the South Beach on Christmas Day. The vessel had been on a 9-night cruise which departed Southampton on 19th December, visiting Gothenburg, Copenhagen, Oslo, Amsterdam, Zeebrugge and Le Havre before returning to Southampton. Due to bad weather it was decided to anchor the ship in calmer waters for Christmas Day itself.

P&O Cruises Australia is firmly embracing the Australian identity with its new Pacific Explorer to be ‘emblazoned with the Southern Cross’ when she debuts this year. The line’s president, Sture Myrmell, said the five star constellation had strong emotional ties for people in Australia and NZ. The ship, which is currently sailing with Princess Cruises as the 77,441gt/1997 built Dawn Princess (above), joins the fleet under her new name in late June. The 2,000-passenger Pacific Explorer will feature similar dining experiences to those on the Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden including Angelo’s Italian, Dragon Lady and Waterfront Restaurant.

Silversea Cruises completed a major renovation of the 28,258gt/2001 built Silver Whisper (above) as 2017 got underway, just in time for the ship to host her 2017 World Cruise, an exclusive 116-day voyage from San Francisco to Monte Carlo that departed on 6th January. The gracefully remastered ship features an array of enhancements from elegant new carpeting in all the guest suites to new wall treatments and rejuvenated wood flooring in the restaurants, Connoisseur’s Corner, Panorama Lounge, Spa and Beauty Salon. The Restaurant and La Terrazza have also been outfitted with re-upholstered chairs. A new marble-topped bar and stylish new wood display cases grace the Observation Lounge, which has been refreshed with rich new panelling and wood accents. The pool deck has been upgraded with the installation of two new whirlpools plus a new synthetic turf has been placed on the jogging and spa decks, creating an inviting setting for outdoor activities.

Ponant Cruises has decided against deploying the first of its four newbuilds to Australia upon delivery in 2018. It was decided that there was too much “risk” associated with bringing the Explorer 1 to Australia at that time as the first Australian itineraries are two ten night charters in the Kimberley. Any delays with the ship’s delivery would cause a huge problem for Ponant’s valued charter client. Instead Ponant’s 10,944gt/2010 built L’Austral (above) will replace the newbuild in the region for 2018 and will operate Great Barrier Reef, New Zealand, Sub Antarctics and Kimberley voyages. The steel cutting for Ponant’s first of four new yachts, Le Laperouse, was cut in Vard’s Tulcea shipyard in Romania in early January. Le Laperouse and Le Champlain are set to be deployed in European waters for the April-October 2018 season and the other two will follow in 2019. The ice class vessels will be 131m in length with 92 cabins and suites and 110 crew.

Voyages to Antiquity, which specialises in cultural sailings aboard the 12,094gt/1973 built Aegean Odyssey, will offer its first ever season in the Caribbean and Cuba from November 2017. It will be the first time that Voyages to Antiquity has offered cruises to this area.