Two major executive moves were announced last week. Lindblad Expeditions appointed Natalya Leahy as its new CEO, effective January 1, 2025. Leahy, who most recently served as Seabourn's president, will succeed Sven-Olof Lindblad, Lindblad Expeditions' founder and current CEO. He'll transition to co-chair of the board. Separately, James Rodriguez, president and CEO of Atlas Ocean Voyages, who'd previously planned to depart the cruise line at year’s end, announced that he will now stay with the upscale expedition brand.
On the new ship front, Travel Agent, other media and many travel advisors journeyed to Port Canaveral last week, for the central Florida debut of Disney Cruise Line's new 4,000-passenger Disney Treasure. Many venues aboard the colorful new ship are themed around Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars films. Other spaces including the new Haunted Mansion are "take offs" on beloved Disney theme park attractions. (Tip: Look for our photos and first impressions of this new ship, a sister to Disney Wish, in a separate story this week.)
In addition, cruise lines continue to update their existing ships. Earlier this month, Celebrity Cruises introduced the modernized Celebrity Infinity, following a recent drydock. Paul Gauguin Cruises' Paul Gauguin will soon receive a multimillion-dollar renovation during a seven-week drydock in Singapore, as reported in sister publication Luxury Travel Advisor. Between February and March 2025, the ship will receive a contemporary new look for its Le Grill restaurant; a refreshed pool deck with cabana areas; eight new connecting staterooms; the updating of soft goods and furnishings; and sustainability technology enhancements. In addition, Cunard Line's Queen Elizabeth also will undergo a significant refit.
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Beginning in late 2025, Tauck will offer a new Christmas Markets cruise on France’s Seine River. AmaWaterways has unveiled a new, 11-night “Secrets of Egypt & the Nile” cruise and land itinerary. It includes three nights in Cairo pre-cruise and one-night in Cairo post-cruise, where guests will stay at the St. Regis or the Nile Ritz-Carlton. Earlier this month, Mekong Kingdoms, a Southeast Asia luxury river operator, unveiled Boheme, the newest addition to its luxury fleet.
Gus Antorcha, newly named president of Princess Cruises, has been appointed to Brand USA's 2025 board of directors. It's the first time that a member of the board—which is charged with destination marketing for the United States—hails from the cruise industry. Shore Excursions Group is introducing more than 1,000 new shore excursions across the globe. In late 2025, Royal Caribbean International's new Royal Beach Club Paradise Island will open. First in the line's Royal Beach Club Collection, it will combine beach time on Paradise Island with the line's signature experiences.
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