Cruise Archives - Com Namibia

Five Cruise Ship Deliveries Set to Define the End of 2026

September 11, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Le 4 décembre verra entrer simultanément en service le plus grand et l’un des plus innovants navires de notre sélection, MSC World Asia et Viking Libra (photo) @Fincantieri

Hurtigruten

The delivery of Explora III, on July 24 in Genoa, has not closed the book on 2026’s novelties.

After its christening in Barcelona and the start of its inaugural season on August 3, five other cruise ships are still due to enter service before year-end. Explora Journeys.

The calendar sketches an astonishing contrast. The smallest, the Magellan Discoverer will welcome fewer than a hundred passengers in Antarctica. The largest, the MSC World Asia, will be able to embark up to 6,762 in the Mediterranean.

Between the two lie three other models: a large cruise ship intended for the Chinese market, a vessel partially powered by liquid hydrogen, and a new showcase of all-inclusive ultra-luxury.

A 2026 vintage with character

With thirteen new cruise ships, 2026 is not a record year for the number of deliveries. The vintage stands out more for its eclectic mix.

According to Cruise Industry News’ orderbook, the ships delivered this year add roughly 27,000 beds and a cumulative investment estimated at 9.5 billion dollars.

The fleet has already been enriched by the Norwegian Luna, the Disney Adventure, the Mein Schiff Flow or the Legend of the Seas, which became the largest cruise ship in the world. Delivered on July 24, Explora III was the eighth ship in this lineup.

The 2026 vintage thus covers almost all sector evolutions. It brings together floating resorts capable of hosting thousands of passengers, ultra-luxury units, a small expedition vessel, and the first responses from the shipowners to the question of the post-fossil-fuel era.

September: Magellan Discoverer opens the final wave

The eagerly awaited Magellan Discoverer is slated for delivery in September before beginning its itineraries in November, during the southern hemisphere season 2026-2027.

Built in Chile for Antarctica21, it will become the first hybrid-electric polar ship built in South America. Classified as PC6, it will be able to accommodate 76 passengers within the company’s “air-cruise” programs and 96 on wholly maritime journeys.

The model enables travelers to reach Antarctica by air, without crossing the Drake Passage, and then board near the peninsula. Batteries, electric propulsion, heat recovery and a scientific laboratory are expected to enable the company to pursue a low-impact approach in one of the planet’s most sensitive environments.

November 6: China delivers Adora Flora City

The next major milestone is set for November 6. Adora Flora City is to be delivered in Shanghai, before heading to Guangzhou to begin its commercial career.

The second large cruise ship built in China after Adora Magic City, the vessel measures 341 metres and has 2,130 cabins. It can accommodate up to 5,232 passengers. The inaugural voyage will depart from Nansha Port, in Guangzhou, on November 22. The five-night itinerary will call at Hong Kong and Chan May, gateway to Huế in Vietnam.

The interior design, dining and entertainment will incorporate references to Chinese culture. A special program bringing together Cantonese opera, acrobatics, traditional music and puppet theatre is planned for the inaugural voyage.

4 décembre : Viking Libra ouvre l’ère de l’hydrogène

Delivered by Fincantieri in November, Viking Libra is set to welcome its first guests on December 4 in Piraeus. Its inaugural voyage will be a ten-day itinerary through the Greek islands, returning to Athens on December 13.

The ship will stay true to Viking’s established format: a relatively compact footprint, 499 balcony cabins and a capacity limited to 998 passengers. The breakthrough will lie beneath the hull.

Viking Libra will be equipped with a propulsion system partially powered by liquid hydrogen and fuel cells. With a power output of up to 6 MW, this installation is designed to allow the cruise ship to operate with zero emissions during certain sailing sequences or at its ports of call.

Viking presents it as the first cruise ship in the world capable of using liquid hydrogen directly for propulsion.

A highly watched first, even though the vessel will also retain conventional engines.

La sculpture est appelée à devenir l'une des signatures de MSC World Asia @MSC

Imagined by Balich Wonder Studio, the dragon becomes the main symbol of the Asian references woven into the ship’s design. Despite its name and this aesthetic universe, MSC World Asia will not immediately head toward Asia.

After its delivery in Saint-Nazaire and its christening in Le Havre on November 28, it will move on to Marseille to begin its first Mediterranean season. The dragon will thus come to life in Europe.

Published by Laurent Guéna Journalist – TourMaG.com
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Why Choose a Cruise Over a Land Tour? [ABO]

September 5, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Vacances en circuit ou en croisière ? Comment choisir ? A moins de combiner les deux... - DepositPhotos.com, lsantilli

TAP Air Portugal

Recently, friends took their first cruise. They found it enjoyable, albeit somewhat “frustrating”.

“This isn’t for us,” they explained, mentioning that they did not have enough time on land during the various port calls. “Too short, too fast.” I can understand them.

Cruises are ideal when you are seeking a stress-free trip to multiple destinations, because they allow visiting several places without unpacking your suitcases and offer an all-inclusive budget (meals/housing included).

On the other hand, land tours are preferable if you seek deeper immersion, greater flexibility, and better control of your schedule and pace.

In both cases, the idea remains to be able to discover as much as possible and to multiply experiences. We are talking here about travels where the purpose, the reason, is not the destination, but the journey itself.

The Vacation Club Detour: A Choice That Must Be Well-Targeted

I take the opportunity to open a parentheses because, ashore, you also find the vacation club.

In this specific case, the client will look at both the destination and what is included: activities (which can be very expensive), meals, restaurants, drinks, pool access, wifi, etc. Often, they will stay in the same place and keep the same room. A considerable advantage that is also found on cruises.

About the creation of Club Med, what a beautiful Franco-Belgian boast it is! I must underscore it… and mention the cruise ship Club Med 2, a successful blend of cruising and club living. Yes, yes, it is a cruise ship. Sorry, I’m too purist to call it “a sailing ship.” The importance of words. End of the digression.

Thus, unless your client prefers changing hotels several times and packing and unpacking every day or every other day, advise them to opt for a cruise rather than a land tour for a single destination (remote and magical) such as French Polynesia.

In the end, it will be truly cheaper to choose a cruise departing from Papeete than to visit several islands and stay in beautiful hotels, traveling by plane. Especially since the price of meals and drinks in high-end hotels on these islands is relatively expensive, this must be taken into account.

Find all of Frédéric Jansen’s chronicles by clicking here.

Land tour vs cruise: why not combine them?

Another possible option: combine a land tour and a cruise.

I have known luxury cruise lines that ventured into this territory… but be careful, it is a sensitive topic! It is indeed difficult to find qualified staff (and for the francophone niche, guides who speak good French) and trustworthy agencies around the world. It takes time and requires serious support and preparation.

Likewise, the scouting – when there is any, since it costs money – is usually done by one or two people. Yet, in all the places visited later as well as in the restaurants, imagine 50 or 100 people doing the same thing. This preparation, this study, is essential.

As for the escort profession (on a land tour and thus also as a pre-cruise option), while it is certainly pleasing, it can also be quite challenging. Adaptation, being available 24/7, short nights, unforeseen events…

And if the pre-cruise does not go well, I can assure you that, from boarding, passengers will let the crew, the ship’s management… and the other passengers know. “Welcome on board!” A good start to the cruise.

Nevertheless, I would recommend offering it in this order: a land tour first and then a cruise. It is preferable. The main argument being that the cruise will be more restful after days spent on land.

“The best way to travel is to discover the land by the sea,” is that not so, Mr. de Kersauson? Keep his phrase in mind.

Australia / New Zealand

For such distant journeys, a combination is essential. Far too many clients think they can visit these destinations in 15 days.

My recommendation : Opt for three weeks or more. Otherwise, it’s frustrating.

Japan

Japan is also about the interior, its mountains, its villages and its hidden onsen. Hence the combination.

Vietnam

The same reasons as Japan.

Caribbean

Really? A pre-cruise in the Caribbean? Isn’t the cruise enough? Here is my explanation and guidance. Martinique and Guadeloupe are indeed islands, but they are large and cannot be explored in a single port call.

My recommendation : A few days on these islands, one after another, or even combined. How can you miss Les Saintes (south of Guadeloupe)? Will you really skip the moment to sing Voulzy on Marie-Galante? Smiles. You must take the time. France, in its broad sense, is beautiful, all of France!

And if you want to surprise, there are still paradise corners in the Caribbean. Take Tobago, a gem further south, located to the north of its larger neighboring island, Trinidad. A bit further north, the Grenadines.

Some lesser-known islands such as Canouan, Mayreau, Bequia (with a stop at Mac’s for its famous lobster pizza), Carriacou. The pre-cruise becomes synonymous with luxury, rest, paradise, adventure… And the locals, who are slowly but surely recovering from Hurricane Beryl that affected them a couple of years ago, are so charming and welcoming.

The Mediterranean

Rome, Venice, Naples, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Marseille, Nice, Dubrovnik, Athens… and I’m forgetting others, deserve these few days of pre-cruise, as there is so much to see, so much to live!

Finally, cruising isn’t only about destinations: there are onboard activities, that multicultural side with passengers and even crew members, different languages, etc. What a richness!

What are the advantages and disadvantages of cruise vacations?

I say it and repeat it: the cruise world comprises so many different products that you have to target carefully.

Cruises (as we imagine them) are ideal for families, multigenerational groups, first-time travelers, couples, and those seeking relaxation. With the option, or not, to visit, ashore, sites, towns and villages of interest.

Advantages : unpack once, visit several places (usually one port of call per day), easily plan your program thanks especially to the ship’s daily journal, enjoy onboard entertainment.

Disadvantages : indeed you must cope with limited time in each port, less flexibility due to excursion schedules, meals, and excursions’ timing… and potential hidden costs (excursions, beverages, Wi-Fi, etc.).

What are the advantages and disadvantages of land travel?

A land journey is ideal for backpacking adventurers, for culture enthusiasts, and for those who want to stay longer in one place.

Advantages : deep cultural immersion, flexible itineraries, more spacious accommodations, and the freedom to set your own pace.

Disadvantages : greater logistical planning when not using a tour operator, higher costs for meals and transport, but also the time (lost?) spent in transit.

Frédéric Jansen - Photo Studio Digital PhotoShop

Frédéric Jansen est un consultant d’origine belge et avant d’avoir récemment officié à terre pendant 7 ans comme Global Brand Ambassador pour une compagnie française, il a été directeur de croisière durant 20 ans pour 9 compagnies de croisières, à bord de 20 navires différents.

Organisateur et accompagnateur de voyages extrêmes pour une clientèle haut de gamme, il a voyagé dans le monde entier avec une passion pour les langues, les rencontres avec les populations et les cultures locales.

Il est sur le point de publier son premier ouvrage « Journal de Bord d’un Directeur de Croisière » (en deux versions, française et anglaise), où il retrace ses anecdotes de voyage les plus incroyables.

Il a également participé récemment à plusieurs émissions : Héros avec Faustine Bollaert (RTL) ; Legend avec Guillaume Pley (YouTube) et NRJ Belgique avec Mike.

Travel & Cruise Summit Marseille: A New Meeting for Tourism Leaders (Video)

August 31, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Le futur du travel, de la croisière et de la relation client à l'ère de l'IA, au cœur des débats du « Travel & Cruise Summit Marseille » - Photo : NP

Costa Rica

It was in the setting of the InterContinental Marseille Hôtel Dieu that the young consulting firm MUDA Travel Consulting — celebrating its first anniversary at the start of July — brought together clients, partners and prospects for an intimate gathering on July 8.

About thirty travel executives, mostly from the luxury travel and cruise sectors, gathered for an afternoon of reflection and exchange, in a relaxed, convivial atmosphere.

Named “Travel & Cruise Summit Marseille”, this event — supported by Salesforce, Revolut Business and TourMaG — was the occasion for the co-founders, Medih Fatihi and Thomas Verdier Fuentes, to better showcase the full scope of their capabilities. MUDA brings together around twenty independent consultants with varied profiles: engineers, HR specialists, customer-relations experts, etc. — but also to highlight the projects of the clients they accompany. The partners, among others, include former Ponant executives, giving them a solid expertise in the worlds of luxury and cruising.

In the room, several Ponant executives had traveled to attend, but also well-known figures from the maritime world such as Hervé Bellaïche (Catlante Catamarans), Clément Mousset (ex-Orient Express Silenseas), and other luxury names such as Véronique Leiber (Peplum).

AI at the Heart of the Discussions

If the setting, facing the Old Port on a very sunny day, helped elevate the gathering, the content and the quality of the exchanges laid the first stone of this new “club” of leaders.

On the program then, the future of cruising and the customer relationship in the AI era.

Far from another AI conference, the format was meant to be interactive, led by Medih Fatihi and Thomas Verdier Fuentes, but also by their partner Salesforce, which joined to discuss the challenges of customer relations in hospitality in the AI era.

The speakers notably stressed that travelers, especially the younger generations, now expect ever more personalized experiences and immediate responses, whatever the channel used.

In this context, AI is expected to automate low-value tasks, while the teams focus on advisory, customer relations and the creation of differentiating experiences.

Another issue highlighted: the evolution of Internet search and visibility. Professionals emphasized the importance of “GEO” (Generative Engine Optimization), which consists of making travel offers visible and usable by conversational AIs like ChatGPT or Claude.

Incomplete or outdated data can now penalize a brand directly in the responses generated by these new tools.

Gen Z, a Clientele Not to Be Neglected

Equally enriching was the discussion about the future of luxury cruising, and more broadly the experience sought by high-net-worth clients. “Behaviors are changing, and notably Gen Z, who is much more oriented toward experience than possessions. A few years ago, one sign of wealth was a second home; today it’s more about going to live different experiences,” introduced Medih Fatihi.

A boon for the travel sector, provided one knows how to attract these clients.

The speakers cited in particular the Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons, Orient Express or Aman groups to emphasize that the clientele of these hotels is not necessarily the same as the one found aboard their ships.

Read about this: Luxury cruises: the high end sets sail!

“There is a marketing and distribution challenge” for shipowners, added Medih Fatihi, who, to stand out, must offer more intimate, lesser-known destinations and increasingly refined onshore experiences.

“Wealthy people turn to experiences to feel things, while in a more and more connected world they feel increasingly disconnected,” emphasized Alina Oenning, who has been working for several months to launch a new yachting company.

Without being able to reveal many details about her project at the moment, the leader nonetheless shared her feedback and questions about Gen Z. “Nothing excites them anymore, neither a Dior purchase nor a luxury car,” she said, noting that while experience is sought by her clients, the ‘purpose’ is also an integral part of the equation.

In other words: what’s the point of consuming a luxury product if there is no purpose, or rather meaning?

For her, this purpose can be expressed, for example, by inviting cruisers to participate in scientific research that can be conducted aboard expedition ships.

A way to foster open-mindedness, gatherings, exchanges and to feel involved within a club. What better way to build loyalty? MUDA’s teams would hardly disagree…

Rivages du Monde Celebrates 25th Anniversary with Danube Event Cruise

August 23, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Le M/S Amadeus Silver II naviguant sur le Danube. © Rivages du Monde

CroisiEurope

For its 25th anniversary, Rivages du Monde offers from October 19 to 30, 2026, an unprecedented musical cruise on the Danube, from Bucharest to Munich, aboard the elegant M/S Amadeus Silver II.

The 84 cabins (including 12 junior suites) of this refined floating hotel, served by an elevator and spread over three decks, all provide a distinctly contemporary atmosphere with an outward-facing feel.

The ship’s public areas are also open to the river. Several lounges, a library, a hairdressing and massage service (for an extra fee) and a shop complete the offering. While breakfast is served as a buffet, lunch and dinner are served à la carte in the panoramic dining room.

On board, Wi‑Fi is free.

An Exceptional Program

Thought of as a tribute to culture, music and European heritage, the itinerary will allow visits to the Danube’s most beautiful capitals: Bucharest, Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, and also Belgrade thanks to a surprise stop in Serbia. Each of these cities, with their palaces, historic cafes and musical traditions, tells the continent’s soul.

Guests will also enjoy a nocturnal cruise through illuminated Budapest and a folklore show in Bulgaria.

For this anniversary cruise, four internationally renowned artists — the mezzo-soprano Delphine Haidan, the pianist Laure Favre-Kahn, the French clarinetist Pierre Génisson and the pianist and conductor Bruno Fontaine — will perform, in the evenings, two concerts.

The first will be a musical journey through the heart of Europe. The second will offer a musical crossing between Europe and America, from Mahler and Strauss’s grand Viennese frescoes to jazz and Broadway lights.

Since its inception in 2001, Alain Souleille, Rivages du Monde, has cultivated a vision of travel where culture, encounters and discovery take precedence over speed.

A quarter of a century later, this anniversary cruise continues to reflect that mindset and to offer an authentic experience.

Also to read: Rivages du Monde continues to elevate its range

Published by Paula Boyer Head of LuxuryTravelMaG section – TourMaG.com
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Cruise Tourism: Marseille Aims to Better Manage Passenger Flows

August 23, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

L'équipe de Marseille Provence Croisière fêtera les 30 ans de l'association à la fin de l'année - Photo : MPC

CroisiEurope

“Our aim is not to run more cruises, but to do better.”

One year after his election as president of Marseille Provence Croisière (MPC), Jacques Hardelay reiterates the direction he intends to give the association: to better integrate cruise activity into the region and maximize its local economic impact.

This strategy notably involves a better understanding of the passengers.

MPC has strengthened its statistical observatory to analyze nationalities, maritime and riverine flows as well as the itineraries of cruise passengers in the city.

The objective is in particular to anticipate saturation risks in certain neighborhoods.

Targeting the Mainline Passengers

These data should also feed a joint strategy with Marseille Provence Airport to develop direct air links and attract more passengers boarding or disembarking in Marseille.

A clientele known as the ‘head of line’, deemed more beneficial for the local economy since they are likely to stay in the city before or after their cruise.

In the same spirit, Marseille Provence Croisière is preparing the promotion of the future J4 maritime terminal, which should allow the destination to strengthen its positioning in the luxury small-cruise market.

On the environmental front, the on-quay electrical power supply installations, officially inaugurated in April 2026, are now operational. A commissioning phase is nonetheless necessary: each vessel must carry out its own tests and adjustments before regularly using the equipment.

According to MPC, several shipowners are choosing Marseille to carry out these technical tests.

Marseille Provence Croisière Will Celebrate Its 30th Anniversary

The association is also working on developing short provisioning circuits for ships, with initial direct contracts between inland shipowners and regional wine producers, and similar efforts undertaken for maritime cruising as well.

The association also plans to strengthen dialogue with local stakeholders. Working groups bringing together hoteliers, merchants and tourist sites have been created, while a strengthening of territorial governance is scheduled for July.

This new phase comes a few months before Marseille Provence Croisière’s 30th anniversary. Created in 1996 under the name Club de la Croisière Marseille Provence, the association adopted its current name in 2023.

Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas Completes Its Maiden Mediterranean Cruise, Impressing Industry Professionals

August 23, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

CroisiEurope

Parlons chiffres pour commencer. Fruit d’un investissement de 2 milliards de dollars, le Legend of the Seas mesure 364 mètres de long, compte 20 ponts et dispose de 2 805 cabines réparties en 28 catégories, dont certaines comme les suites donnent accès à des restaurants réservés exclusivement à leurs occupants. Mais le « Legend of the Seas » c’est bien plus que cela…

Ce n’est pas un hasard si le troisième navire de la classe Icon de Royal Caribbean a conçu ses espaces comme les quartiers d’une ville, huit au total. À l’image de Central Park, un véritable parc urbain avec plus de 30.000 plantes naturelles entourant les bars et restaurants qui s’y trouvent, et où l’on recherche une plus grande tranquillité avec le chant des oiseaux pour bruit de fond. Tout en contraste avec le Category 6, la zone qui abrite le plus grand parc aquatique jamais construit sur un paquebot de croisière et où vous trouverez des toboggans à couper le souffle. Parce que sur le « Legend of the Seas » il y a une croisière, des installations et des moments pour tous les types de clients. Les plus petits ont même un quartier de plus de 1.500m2, l’Adventure Ocean où des moniteurs spécialisés les accueillent pour des activités réparties par groupes d’âge. Sans oublier les clients des Suites qui peuvent profiter d’un quartier qui leur est exclusivement réservé, sur 3 étages et avec des vues époustouflantes. Avec leur restaurant, leur lounge, leur solarium et leurs macro-jacuzzis, tout cela en exclusivité pour les clients qui voyagent en Suites.

Ce qui est certain aussi, c’est que Royal Caribbean maîtrise parfaitement l’art de la logistique en mer, gérant les flux comme personne, évitant les attroupements dans les zones les plus prisées comme les buffets, les restaurants, les salles de spectacles ou les ponts supérieurs. La zone des ascenseurs du « Legend of the Seas » nous transporte dans le futur, un futur où prendre l’ascenseur est un jeu d’enfant et une master-class d’efficacité.

Au-delà des principales caractéristiques qui définissent le nouveau navire de la compagnie, les dirigeants de Royal Caribbean ont présenté les messages clés pour le secteur lors d’une conférence de presse organisée à bord lors de la traversée inaugurale.

Design and Vacation Ecosystem

L’idée n’est plus de rivaliser dans la construction des plus grands navires, mais de concevoir et de développer un véritable écosystème complet de vacances, en mettant l’accent sur l’innovation technologique, l’intelligence artificielle appliquée à une gestion efficace, les destinations privées et des itinéraires comprenant différents ports d’escale. À cette fin, Royal Caribbean a annoncé la nouvelle génération de navires appartenant à la classe Discovery, dont le premier est prévu pour 2029 et le second pour 2032, tous deux de taille inférieure à leurs prédécesseurs et prêts à traverser le canal de Panama, mais aussi à voguer sur les eaux en Alaska et en Europe.

De même, les dirigeants ont souligné l’importance stratégique de l’Europe dans leurs opérations, où les dépenses moyennes de leurs passagers sur les destinations sont plus élevées qu’ailleurs, et où l’offre culturelle est unique, tout en respectant les réglementations environnementales exigées par les ports européens. Une excellente nouvelle pour continuer à voir de plus en plus de navires de Royal Caribbean programmés dans le futur pour une saison en Europe.

A cet effet, Barcelone s’impose comme le port d’embarquement du « Legend of the Seas » sur 2026 et 2027 pour les itinéraires en Méditerranée occidentale, aux côtés de Civitavecchia (Rome), juste avant le début de la saison des Caraïbes et leurs escales sur l’île privée de Royal Caribbean aux Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Au-delà des 28 options gastronomiques, des sept piscines et des expériences aquatiques des plus variées, des espaces réservés aux adultes à The Hideaway et du bar aquatique Swim & Tonic, de la tyrolienne et de la passerelle suspendue à 47 mètres au-dessus de la mer à Crown’s Edge, les vues panoramiques sur l’océan depuis la Royal Promenade et le Pearl, ainsi que le Central Park mentionné précédemment, en passant par le quartier des Suites jusqu’à l’Ultimate Family Townhouse de trois étages, réaménagée avec des espaces pour toute la famille, il y a un domaine dans lequel Royal Caribbean n’a pas de concurrence : les spectacles.

Music, Shows and Exceptional Performances

Des spectacles tels que Charlie and the Chocolate Factory de Roald Dahl et America’s Got Talent LIVE à bord du Legend of the Seas, ainsi que les acrobaties époustouflantes de Shockwave dans l’AquaTheater, où des plongeurs s’élancent depuis le plafond, et les spectacles de patinage sur glace de Fusion à l’Absolute Zero, font de Royal Caribbean le roi incontesté du divertissement en mer, avec un déploiement de moyens et de professionnels dignes des meilleurs spectacles du monde. Et tout cela est inclus dans le prix de votre cabine, une valeur incontestable qu’il convient de mettre en avant.

A Benchmark for ‘New Generation’ Cruises

Le « Legend of the Seas » est une véritable déclaration d’intentions. Il traduit avant tout comment Royal Caribbean sait satisfaire les différents goûts et attentes des passagers. L’œil expert des professionnels embarqués pendant la croisière inaugurale a aussi été impressionné par un navire qui nous avance le fonctionnement de l’industrie des croisières dans le futur, ses tendances, et l’art de gérer la logistique en donnant l’impression que sa complexité absolue est un jeu d’enfant. Et tout cela au départ de Barcelone, à moins d’1h30 de Paris… Alors qu’attendons-nous pour découvrir les meilleures vacances en mer ?

Summer 2027: Costa Reinvents Cruise Itineraries as a True Travel Experience

August 22, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Nouveaux itinéraires été 2027 © Costa Croisières

Et si chaque itinéraire racontait désormais sa propre histoire ?

Today, travelers seek far more than a simple sequence of ports of call. They want to experience an atmosphere, discover a destination from a different angle and choose a journey that aligns with their desires, whether it be relaxation, culture, gastronomy, or discovery.

More than ever, the overall experience, both onboard and on land, has become a decisive criterion in choosing a vacation. It is in this logic that Costa is rethinking its summer 2027 programming with a new generation of itineraries built around clearly identifiable travel universes.

The company is gradually moving away from a purely geographical approach in favor of real travel concepts. Each itinerary now has its own identity, expressed from its name and carried by a strong emotional throughline. Thus, Dolce Vita speaks to lovers of the Mediterranean art of living, between Portofino, Taormine and the Amalfi Coast. Blue Islands highlights the finest Greek islands and their infinite shades of blue. Golden Islands takes travelers to the heart of the “Islands of Gold” in the Mediterranean, with four islands united by crystal-clear waters, vibrant atmospheres and spectacular sunrises and sunsets. Nordic Soul invites travelers to discover Northern Europe through its grand landscapes, preserved nature and Scandinavian way of life. With Adriatic & Cyclades, Costa brings together the charm of the Adriatic and the mythical magic of the Cyclades for an immersion among cultures, traditions and iconic panoramas.

Exemple de nouveaux concepts © Costa Croisières

These itineraries are only a preview of the new Summer 2027 collection. Many other itineraries await discovery, each designed to offer a different way to explore a destination and experience the cruise. Through this approach, Costa turns the itinerary into a true travel experience, giving travel agencies new selling points and a more inspiring way to present its offer.

How do these new itineraries facilitate sales in agencies?

This new approach helps agents guide clients more easily according to their desires rather than a simple list of ports of call. The choice is no longer limited to Western or Eastern Mediterranean, but to different ways of living one’s vacation: relaxation, cultural discovery, spectacular landscapes, Mediterranean ambiance, or immersion in nature.

For advisors, the messaging also evolves. It becomes possible to recommend an experience before recommending a destination. A client drawn to elegance, gastronomy, and the art of living will naturally be steered toward Dolce Vita, while a lover of islands, turquoise landscapes and seaside atmosphere will find happiness in Blue Islands.

The company also reinforces this promise with exclusive experiences on board and on land. The Sea Experiences, the Land Experiences inspired by the visited regions create a stronger link between the itinerary and the traveler’s experience, offering a seamless journey from the first to the last day of the cruise.

How to entice a former client to sail again to a destination they already know?

This is one of the major strengths of this lineup. Many travelers already know the Mediterranean’s classics or the Greek Islands. Yet, thanks to this new approach, they now have new reasons to return.

The experience evolves both on land and at sea. A client who sailed in the Mediterranean a few years ago will not simply rediscover the same itinerary: they will find a new way to live their journey. The storytelling of journeys, the Sea Experiences & Land Experiences on offer allow re-discovering familiar places from a totally new angle.

Finally, among the highlights of the Summer 2027 season, Costa also signs the return of the highly anticipated Eclipse Cruise. After the success of the 2026 edition, sold out, it will once again offer the chance to observe a total solar eclipse at sea on August 2, 2027, departing La Seyne-sur-Mer on July 27, 2027 with a return on August 7, 2027, aboard the Costa Fascinosa. A 10-day rare experience that perfectly illustrates the company’s ambition: to transform every cruise into a unique and memorable journey.

Croisière de l’éclipse – Visuel généré par IA © Costa Croisières

Where to find all the information to sell these new concepts?

To assist agencies in marketing this new offering, the Italian company has also modernized Costa Extra, its sales portal dedicated to tourism professionals.

Summer 2027 sales are now open, with all the new itineraries available for booking. Agents can find all the information they need to sell: detailed descriptions, sales arguments, visual contents and videos dedicated to each travel concept, whether Dolce Vita, Blue Islands, Golden Islands, Nordic Soul, Seaside Dream or Lights of the Mediterranean.

Exemple d’une page de réservation C|Extra - © Costa Croisières

Cruise Lines Buy Up Paradise Islands in Droves

August 21, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

In brochures, they make quite an impression. Lately, private islands have become one of the cruise industry’s latest weapons to entice passengers. In the Bahamas, Royal Caribbean, for example, transformed Little Stirrup Cay into a true fun park. Renamed Perfect Day at CocoCay, or CocoCay for the in‑the‑know, the island offers white-sand beaches, pools, private cabanas and a vast water park. From the ship’s portholes, the vegetation is nearly erased by the neon-coloured slides that saturate the landscape, like giant serpents.

“There, everyone is having fun”, recounts a Daily Mail journalist who tried the experience. In the edition of Thursday, August 13, he describes entire families cavorting in the pools and couples toasting with champagne in the private overwater cabanas.

A world designed specifically for the traveler

Since its opening in 2019, which cost $250 million in investments (about €231 million), CocoCay has become Royal Caribbean’s most popular port of call worldwide. The 58‑hectare island now concentrates all vacationers’ desires: families can enjoy the water attractions, adults have access to calmer zones and sometimes areas reserved for those over the legal age. Royal Caribbean has refined its winning formula to turn CocoCay into a model.

After a first Royal Beach Club in Nassau, the company opened another space in Santorini, and it aims to offer a total of eight such complexes by 2028.

More money away from crowds and constraints

Yet the concept is far from new. Norwegian Cruise Line was the first to buy its own island in 1977, with Great Stirrup Cay, also in the Bahamas. Since then, Disney Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line and others have followed. The movement has accelerated on all fronts in recent years. MSC Cruises would notably have invested $200 million (around €185 million) to transform a former industrial island into a marine reserve at Ocean Cay.

Carnival, for its part, has developed Celebration Key on more than 26 hectares of land in Grand Bahama, featuring a lagoon and one of the longest bars accessible from a pool anywhere in the world.

For all these companies, these islands primarily represent a new revenue stream. Passengers can access certain facilities for free, but paid options pile up quickly. Restaurants, drinks, watersports or private cabanas help push up the bill. At CocoCay, the star of the line, access to the water park starts at around €77 per person, while booking premium cabanas can cost nearly €3,500.

At the same time, the companies also save on certain costs tied to traditional port calls and avoid conflicts with residents of destinations that are very touristy, or even overrun.

World Rivers: The New Horizon for Cruise Travelers

August 13, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Les plages de sable blanc d'Alter do Chão, sur les rives du Tapajós, l'un des principaux affluents de l'Amazone, offrent un visage méconnu de l'Amazonie brésilienne - DepositPhotos.com, Pedarilhos

For decades, river cruising has revolved around Europe’s grand classics.

Danube, Rhine, Seine, Douro… So many itineraries that have become staples for travelers drawn to the proximity of cities, the richness of heritage, and the comfort of serene navigation.

But as the market matures, a new trend has asserted itself in recent years: the most loyal travelers now look far beyond the Old Continent.

“Customers typically begin with the big classics, like the Douro or the Danube. Once these routes are completed, they seek new rivers, new cultures, and new experiences,” summarizes Alain Souleille, president of Rivages du Monde.

A new ship on the Mekong for Rivages du Monde

An evolution that perfectly illustrates the industry’s transformation: today, nearly 90% of Rivages du Monde’s activity is devoted to river cruising.

To meet this demand, the specialist continues expanding into destinations that are still off the beaten path, such as the Congo.

From autumn 2026, a new ship built in Vietnam, the Romance, will begin service on the Mekong.

More spacious, featuring large panoramic windows, a spa, and solar panels, it caters to guests who now seek both comfort and immersion.

“Rivers are living arteries that allow you to venture into regions that are otherwise hard to access, crossroads of cultures, wildlife, and unique ecosystems. The landscapes vary from port to port, with cities, communities, and villages along the banks sharing immense cultural wealth. Often, the boat is simply the best way to discover these regions,” explains Lionel Rabiet, president of Voyages d’Exception.

Voyages d’Exception’s favorites for India and China

Beyond Europe, the head of the company and its marketing director Mathieu Ramus often cite the Brahmaputra in the Indian state of Assam. “It is one of Asia’s mightiest rivers. It traverses an India that few travelers know, weaving through tea gardens, traditional villages, and national parks home to one-horned rhinoceroses, elephants, and Bengal tigers.”

For Lionel Rabiet, it is a route designed “for travelers who wish to discover an authentic, still relatively unexplored India.”

In India, still, the operator notes that the backwaters of Kerala offer an immersion into a calmer India along the waterways, where daily life continues to revolve around water. This itinerary is notably undertaken aboard the RV Kochi Pandaw, an intimate ten-cabin vessel.

Further east, the Yangtze lets travelers traverse imperial China amid landscapes that the road cannot reveal.

The Amazon as CroisiEurope’s new exploration frontier

Another favorite is the Tapajós, a tributary of the Amazon. “White-sand beaches, waters of a deep blue… a Caribbean-like paradise in the heart of the Amazon, distant from the clichés of green hell,” describes Lionel Rabiet, who sees it as one of the continent’s most pristine and least explored regions.

This diversification has also become a strategic axis for CroisiEurope. After navigating the Nile, the Ganges, the Mekong, and Southern Africa, the company is now preparing its entry into the Amazon.

In 2027, the Brasilian Dream will enter service, a new Brazil-built vessel offering three itineraries on the Amazon, the Rio Negro, and the Tapajós, with the aim of revealing a more intimate Amazon near local communities and biodiversity.

Far-flung destinations are already a cornerstone of its international portfolio.

In Southern Africa, CroisiEurope combines navigation on the Zambezi and Lake Kariba with overland safaris to Victoria Falls. On the Mekong, between Vietnam and Cambodia, the company focuses on immersion in Southeast Asia—among stilt villages, floating markets, Khmer temples, and rice paddies.

Nil: the dahabeyas bring the wind back to the heart of the cruise

Published by Laurent Guéna Journalist – TourMaG.com
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A Blue World: Connecting River Cruise Operators with French Ports of Call

August 12, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Lyon est l'une des principales escales des croisières fluviales françaises. Un Monde Bleu y organise les excursions et coordonne les prestations terrestres pour le compte de tour-opérateurs internationaux - DepositPhotos.com, Panther Media Seller

CroisiEurope

Pour le passager, tout paraît simple. Le bateau accoste, un autocar attend sur le quai et, quelques minutes plus tard, le groupe prend la direction d’un domaine viticole, d’un village ou d’un grand site touristique.

Derrière cette apparente fluidité se cache pourtant une organisation complexe.

Guides, transporteurs, restaurateurs, musées, domaines viticoles, hôtels : une croisière fluviale mobilise à chaque escale de nombreux prestataires.

C’est précisément le rôle d’une agence réceptive comme Un Monde Bleu, qui fête cette année ses trente ans. Son métier : prendre en charge toute la partie terrestre des programmes proposés en France par ses clients, principalement des tour-opérateurs étrangers.

« Nous pouvons nous occuper de toute la gestion touristique à partir du moment où le client pose le pied sur le territoire français », résume Loïck Andamaye, directeur produits et développements du DMC.

From the airport to the ship

The agency’s history is closely linked to the development of river cruising in France.

In its early days, under the name Route Marine, the organization accompanied the first operations of a German-speaking shipping company that aimed to position a vessel on the Rhône.

Its role already consisted of organizing the land portion: excursions, transportation, seeking sightseeing sites or wine estates capable of welcoming passengers.

Thirty years later, the principle remains the same, but the scope has expanded considerably. Today the agency operates across the various French river basins and can also organize pre- or post-cruise stays. Paris, Geneva, Champagne, Brittany or the Côte d’Azur can thus be integrated into multi-day programs.

For a cruise on the Rhône, for example, American passengers can begin their journey with three days in Paris. Un Monde Bleu then arranges airport reception, transfers, the hotel and excursions, before guiding the group to Lyon by TGV.

The agency can even handle luggage separately to the ship and organize an activity between the train’s arrival and embarkation time.

A single point of contact for foreign tour operators

Loïck Andamaye, directeur Produits et Développements d'Un Monde Bleu - Photo : UMB

Une fois la croisière commencée, elle est en mesure d’orchestrer les excursions à chaque escale, mais également certaines animations à bord : démonstrations, spectacles ou interventions d’artistes locaux.

Pour les tour-opérateurs, l’intérêt est de disposer d’un interlocuteur unique capable d’organiser les prestations sur l’ensemble du territoire français.

Cette position fait également de l’agence une porte d’entrée pour les acteurs locaux souhaitant travailler avec la croisière fluviale.

« Une petite cave du Beaujolais peut difficilement entrer directement en contact avec une grande compagnie internationale. Son message risque de se perdre. Notre rôle est justement de faire l’interface entre le local et le tour-opérateur », explique Loïck Andamaye.

Encore faut-il pouvoir répondre aux contraintes de l’accueil des groupes. Capacité, sanitaires, horaires d’ouverture, accessibilité des autocars ou capacité à réagir à une modification d’itinéraire : l’agence accompagne également les prestataires dans leur adaptation aux exigences de cette clientèle.

The advisory role is growing

Car les imprévus font partie du quotidien. Une écluse en panne ou une modification de navigation peut décaler une escale de plusieurs jours. Le tour-opérateur prévient alors son agence réceptive, qui réorganise l’ensemble de la chaîne : guides, autocars, restaurants et sites de visite.

Le métier évolue cependant. Pendant longtemps, les compagnies demandaient essentiellement des excursions classiques : visite de Lyon, découverte du Beaujolais ou grands incontournables parisiens. La concurrence entre les opérateurs et la volonté de rajeunir la clientèle changent désormais la donne.

« Les compagnies nous demandent davantage de produits actifs, des excursions à vélo ou des randonnées. Certaines réfléchissent aussi aux croisières familiales », souligne Loïck Andamaye.

Cette évolution a conduit Un Monde Bleu à créer un département Produits et Développements. Son travail commence désormais très en amont de l’exploitation. L’agence travaille déjà sur des programmes pour 2028.

Elle doit aussi éviter que les compagnies, pourtant concurrentes, ne proposent toutes les mêmes visites au même moment.

Lorsqu’une dizaine de bateaux sont présents simultanément dans une destination, il faut répartir les départs des autocars, décaler les horaires et diversifier les excursions. Une manière de préserver l’expérience des passagers, mais aussi de limiter la pression sur les territoires et leurs habitants.

Lire aussi : Responsable d’escale fluviale : ce métier de l’ombre qui fait toute la différence

Climat, nouvelles destinations et saisons plus longues

A strong demand for France

For Loïck Andamaye, the French potential remains substantial. If the Rhine and the Danube still concentrate most of the European fleet, demand for France remains strong.

The main constraint today would be less commercial than capacity-related: tour operators sometimes struggle to find available ships, and transferring a ship from one river basin to another represents a significant investment.

But prospects remain favorable. « Clients love France and want to include it in their programs. There are ships leaving the market, especially when they are replaced, but there are more arrivals than departures », estimates Loïck Andamaye.

These prospects should further strengthen the role of these discreet intermediaries.

Published by Laurent Guéna Journalist – TourMaG.com
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