Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) appointed veteran maritime executive Charles "Bud" Darr as its new president and CEO, effective February 3, 2025. Darr will succeed Kelly Craighead who had earlier announced plans to leave CLIA at year’s end. Darr will take CLIA's helm at a time of strong cruise industry growth and booming sales.
Late last week, Carnival Corporation reported record 2024 earnings. Full-year revenues hit an all-time high of $25 billion, up 15 percent from 2023, while full-year net income was $1.9 billion, outperforming the company's own guidance to financial analysts by $130 million. The cruise company said it expects 20 percent growth in earnings for 2025, and that more than two-thirds of the company's cruise capacity is sold for 2025.
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) announced significant enhancements for two ships entering multi-week drydocks in early 2025—Norwegian Bliss from January 17, 2025, through February 2, 2025, and Norwegian Breakaway from February 19, 2025, to March 14, 2025. Once the ships are back in service, they'll offer new venues and new experiences. Also, Norwegian Bliss’ Premier Owner’s Suites will be expanded to three bedrooms.
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Last Saturday, Disney Cruise Line’s new 4,000-passenger Disney Treasure set sail on its inaugural voyage from Port Canaveral, FL. Princess Cruises introduced a new 24-7 “Dine Line” at 1-833-805-DINE. It’s designed for guests to make onboard restaurant reservations, buy packages and more. Captain’s Circle Platinum and Elite members as well as guests booked in Suites or those in the Sanctuary Collection can access the Dine Line immediately after booking, even if their reservation is not yet paid in full. All other guests must have their cruise reservation paid in full before using the new Dine Line.
On the luxury cruise front, Silversea has unveiled new its new 2026-2027 voyage collection, according to sister publication Luxury Travel Advisor. The itineraries touch all seven continents and call at 400-plus destinations in more than 85 countries. Explora Journeys also opened bookings for its summer 2026 voyage lineup.
Celestyal Cruises introduced a new travel trade portal to support travel advisors. Separately, Riverside Luxury Cruises has introduced a new online education platform and certification program that will help travel advisors gain expertise in the brand’s luxury offerings. Certified advisors will also enjoy special travel agent rates on FAMS, and those who complete the course by January 31, 2025, will receive a $25 Amazon gift card.
In other cruise news, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through its Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) has been investigating four December 2024 gastrointestinal illness outbreaks on cruise ships. According to VSP, three of those—one on a Princess Cruises ship and two on Holland America Line ships—are attributable to norovirus. VSP is also investigating a recent gastrointestinal outbreak with an unknown cause on one Cunard Line ship.
Separately, ABC News in Los Angeles reports that the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation is looking into the death of a male Royal Caribbean International passenger who was restrained by Navigator of the Seas' security crew members after his allegedly belligerent behavior (with video taken by another passenger).
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