Cruise News Rundown: 9/22/2025-9/28/2025
Welcome to the first edition of Cruise Rundown. This is your weekly source for the latest cruise news, cruise deals, and cruise tips to help you plan and have a great cruise vacation.
Cruise News Roundup
Star Princess Delivered To Princess Cruises- Princess Cruises has taken delivery of their newest cruise ship, the Star Princess. The Star Princess will be the second Sphere-class vessel and 17th in the fleet. It was handed over in a ceremony at Fincantieri Shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. The Star Princess will make her inaugural voyage on October 4th in Barcelona. It will be an 11-day Western Mediterranean cruise. (9/26/2025, Princess Cruises)
Virgin Voyages Introduces New Pricing Model- Virgin Voyages announced new pricing tiers for Sea Terrace cabins and below. The new structure named VoyageFair Choices, will debut on October 7, 2025 and is a response from Sailor and First Mate feedback. The three new pricing models are Base Fare, Essential Fare, and Premium Fare. To learn more about the fare models, check out my recent Facebook post. Virgin Voyages also announced that service gratuities will no longer be included in the price. They will be a separate line item on the invoice. (9/25/2025, Virgin Voyages)
Celebrity River Cruises Opens Remaining Inventory On 2027 Sailings- Celebrity Cruises opened their remaining inventory for their inaugural season of river vacations on September 25. Guests will be able to experience seven-night vacations on state of the art river ships. Celebrity’s river ships will feature revolutionary open decks, eight restaurants and bars, and five innovative, boutique stateroom categories. 33 seven-night sailings will be available in 2027 on the Rhine and Danube rivers in Europe. (9/24/2025, Royal Caribbean Group)
MSC Poesia To Receive Major Upgrades Ahead Of 2026 Summer Alaska Season- MSC Cruises announced that the MSC Poesia will receive major upgrades ahead of its Alaska season next summer. Upgrades will include MSC Yacht Club, two specialty restaurants, new sports bar, revamped MSC Aurea Spa, and an enhanced MSC Gym Powered by Technogym. This will be one of the largest upgrades in MSC Cruises history. (9/24/2025, MSC Cruises)
Culinary Ambassadors To Set Sail On Select Holland America Line’s 2026 Grand Voyages- Members of Holland America’s Culinary Ambassador program will be added to select Grand Voyages in 2026. Ambassadors will include Global Fresh Fish Ambassador Chef Masaharu Morimoto, Seattle Restaurateur Chef Ethan Stowell, and Master Tea Blender and CEO of Art of Tea Steve Schwartz will join segments of the 133-day Grand World Voyage while Chocolatier Jacques Torres will join part of the 93-day Grand Australia and New Zealand Voyage. (9/24/2025, Holland America)
Royal Caribbean Group Reaches Long Term Agreement with Meyer Turku Through 2036- Royal Caribbean Group has announced the framework for a long term agreement with shipbuilder Meyer Turku. In the agreement, Royal Caribbean Group will have the rights to build at Meyer Turku through 2036. In addition to securing shipbuilding slots, they also confirmed an order for Icon 5 (2028, subject to financing) and have added an option for Icon 7. (9/23/2025, Royal Caribbean Group)
Cruise Tip Of The Week
This week’s cruise tip is to arrive at your destination city at least one day prior to the cruise. Anything can happen when you are traveling. Flights can get cancelled or delayed. You could get stuck in traffic. It’s better to play it safe and arrive early so that you have peace of mind that you are there. It will give you time to relax, make final preparations, and maybe even explore the city before your cruise.
