Regent Seven Seas Cruises, one of the world’s finest ultra-luxury cruise lines, celebrated the keel laying for the first of a brand new class of ships that will debut in 2026.
Image was provided by Regent Seven Seas Cruises®
The laying of the keel for Seven Seas Prestige marks the official start of construction for the new luxury cruise ship. The ship will be 77,000 gross tons in size but carry only 850 guests, one of the highest passenger-to-space ratios in the industry.
Seven Seas Prestige will debut in 2026 with beautifully appointed suites, and lavish, thoughtfully designed restaurants, bars and lounges, and public areas.
The ship will also introduce brand new accommodation categories – including a reimagination of the palatial Regent Suite, plus new dining experiences.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises said the ship will redefine luxury travel and it will be the cruise line’s first new ship class in 10 years.
Seven Seas Prestige is under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy.
In keeping with maritime tradition, three specially selected coins were welded onto the keel of the ship. Photo Credit: Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Jason Montague, Chief Luxury Officer for Regent Seven Seas Cruises, gave the following statement:
“Seven Seas Prestige represents our continued legacy of elevating the standard of ultra-luxury travel and we are proud to cement our place as leaders in the industry with this exciting milestone.
“Expertise, passion, and dedication to perfection are shared values between Regent and Fincantieri, and there is no one better placed to bring Seven Seas Prestige to life as we usher in a new age of excellence for Regent Seven Seas Cruises.”
The following will be included on all cruises taken on Seven Seas Prestige:
Unlimited shore excursions in every port
All dining and specialty restaurants
Fine wines and spirits
Starlink WiFi
Valet laundry service
Gratuities
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Before I became a full-time blogger, I worked in the marketing department of a well-known specialist cruise travel agency for five years.
In that time, I sat at my desk and watched the price of cruises go up and down, and up again.
I’ve seen cruises priced at £13 per night and cruises that cost over £4,000 per night. I’ve spotted some incredible deals (and booked them), and I’ve also scratched my head at why some cruises are priced so much higher than others.
I like to cruise as often as I can, and to do that, I usually cruise as cheaply as possible.
Cruises aren’t expensive if you know how to find the cheap deals.
Don’t be fooled, my sunglasses are from Primark
How I Afford to Cruise So Often…
I’ll be honest with you. I don’t spend a lot of money on cruises. In fact, the total I spend on multiple cruises for our family of four each year is less than most people spend on leasing a car.
You could also raise the money for up to five family cruises per year by quitting smoking, making a packed lunch each day for work or getting a better deal on your household bills. As long as you know how to find good value cruises, that is!
So, read on to find out how to go on a cruise for cheap, including where to find discount cruises…
When booking any kind of holiday, it’s important not to think about the ticket price, but to think about the total price, after you’ve paid for absolutely everything.
Trust me, I went to Center Parcs last year to see how it compared to a cruise and a cruise is so much cheaper when you factor everything in! You can read about experiment here.
All cruises include:
Accommodation on the ship
Food in the main dining room, buffet and snack bars
Tips/gratuities (these are included by some cruise lines)
Of course, any extras are optional. I usually don’t bother dining in speciality restaurants and I like to take my own drinks on board when I can.
Don’t Forget to Factor in Gratuities
Tips for cruise staff members (also known as gratuities) are an important cost that you’ll need to factor in.
Gratuities are charged per person, per day and added on to your bill for you to pay at the end of your cruise. The fees vary depending on the cruise line but are often around $16-18 per person, per day. When you add those on, a seven-night cruise for a family of four can cost an extra $450, or more.
However, not all cruise lines charge extra for gratuities. Some include gratuities in the ticket price of your cruise.
Cruise lines which don’t charge extra for gratuities (for UK guests) are:
Marella Cruises
MSC Cruises
P&O Cruises
How To Find Cheap Cruises
The first step to finding a cheap cruise is to choose your cruise line wisely.
Some cruise lines offer much cheaper cruises than others. Whilst there may be some differences in the level of service on-board or the quality of the food and entertainment, there are no bad cruise ships in the way that there are bad hotels and resorts.
Whichever cruise ship you choose, it will be spotlessly clean, the staff will look after you and you’ll have a great choice of quality food and entertainment.
The Best Cheap Cruise Lines
Here are the cheapest cruise lines in price order (low to high):
MSC Cruises
Costa Cruises
P&O Cruises
Are you surprised by that list? I wouldn’t expect so – MSC and Costa are well known as being good cruise lines for cheap sailings, and P&O Cruises offers great value too.
However, it’s important to note that this is based on the lead-in price. Once you add on taxes, fees and gratuities, the actual cost of your cruise could be twice as much with some cruise lines. So it’s important to consider exactly what’s included in your cruise.
You also need to consider transport. MSC may offer some cheap Caribbean cruises but a lot of their cheapest cruises will be one-way Europe cruises, so you’d need flights. Same with Costa – it’s not just about how to get a cheap cruise but also how to get cheap flights too, sometimes.
You’ll find some large price differences between different ships in each fleet. Cruising on a newer cruise ship will cost more than a cruise on an older ship.
Why? Well, newer cruise ships are larger with more facilities on-board. People get excited about new ships and don’t mind paying more, especially for the maiden voyages.
Are new cruise ships better? Not always. Cruise ships are thoroughly refurbished every three years, so even on the oldest ships you’ll never find peeling paint or shabby furnishings.
Royal Caribbean charges around $1 more per drink on the newest ships, which doesn’t sound a lot but it can add up. Royal Caribbean drinks packages cost more on the newer ships too.
Rather than looking for the biggest, newest ships, don’t rule out some older ships which will be as good as new once you get on board.
The Best Cheap Cruise Cabins
An inside cabin on P&O Britannia
The cheapest cabins are inside cabins with no windows. I almost always choose an inside cabin when I cruise. The only reason I would choose a cabin with a balcony is if I were cruising to a scenic destination like the Norwegian Fjords or Alaska.
Or, if the balcony price wasn’t too dissimilar to the price of the inside cabin.
Other reasons why people pay extra for a balcony include claustrophobia or having a baby who will only take naps in a bed.
Sometimes, you’ll find cruise promotions offering free or cheap upgrades to balcony cabins. However, these are usually only on cold-weather cruises where you wouldn’t want to spend a lot of time on your balcony anyway.
The cheapest inside cabins are called ‘guarantee cabins’. This means that the cruise line chooses your stateroom number for you, and you’re guaranteed a cabin of that type, or better. If you want to, you can pay extra to choose your own cabin number, but in my opinion, this is rarely worth it.
The Best Cheap Cruise Destinations
Avoid flying if you can
The cheapest cruise destination for you will usually be not too far from home. If you can drive to the cruise port rather than flying, you’ll save hundreds straight away as you won’t need to pay for a flight or pre-cruise hotel.
If you live in the UK, choose a cruise that departs from a UK port. Southampton is the most popular cruise port in the UK and it handles over 90% of UK departures.
If you live in the US, you’ll find that most cruises depart from the various cruise ports in Florida, although you can also embark in Texas, New York, Louisiana, Alaska, Washington, California and Massachusetts, amongst others.
Be sure to look up your nearest port and see which ships sail from there to see if you can save on airfare.
The Cheapest Time Of Year To Cruise
On a ship in the UK in February
Certain months are much cheaper than others and this depends very much on the destination and the weather that you can expect at that time of year.
The cheapest time to cruise in Europe and the Mediterranean is December and January (but not Christmas and New Year). This is mainly because the weather is cold.
The cheapest time to cruise in the Caribbean is August, September and October. This is because of hurricane season and the risk that cruises may miss ports or be cancelled altogether due to bad weather.
If your cruise is cancelled due to a hurricane you’ll get about two days’ notice, so hopefully, you won’t have taken your flight, but you’ll probably have packed your bags!
The most expensive time to cruise is always Christmas and New Year when prices will skyrocket to double or triple the normal price. The UK school summer holidays can be pretty expensive too.
When you’re cruising as a family, one of the most important things to pay attention to is the child prices.
Sometimes, kids cruise free and sometimes you’ll be charged the full adult fare for each child. Choosing a cruise where kids go free for a family of four will save you up to 50% on your total cruise price straight away.
Here’s how much each cruise line charges for kids:
Carnival – Full adult price
Celebrity Cruises – Full adult price
Costa Cruises – Children under 18 pay only port fees and service fees (approx £150 per week)
Cunard – Full adult price
Disney Cruise Line – Full adult price
MSC Cruises – Children under 18 cruise FREE when booking in the USA and from £119 when booking in the UK
Norwegian Cruise Line – Full adult price except when the Free At Sea promotion is on when kids cruise free
P&O Cruises – Full adult price in the school holidays and £99 per week in term-time
Princess Cruises – Full adult price but look out for £99 kids offers
Royal Caribbean – Full adult price except when the Kids Sail Free promotion is on
MSC Cruises and Cunard do not charge for children under two years of age. Costa Cruises, P&O Cruises and Disney Cruise Line charge a reduced fare for babies. Most other cruise lines charge the full adult price unless there’s a special promotion on at the time of booking.
Now you know which cruise lines offer the cheapest cruises (Costa, MSC, P&O) as well as which ships to choose (older ones), cabins (inside), destinations (no-fly) and the cheapest time of year to cruise (term-time when it’s not sunny).
The next step is to know where to look for the cheapest deals. My one secret to finding cheap cruise deals is…
Don’t go looking for deals, let the deals come to you!
Why? Well, let’s imagine you own a cruise line for a moment… Most of the time you’ll want to sell cruises with as much profit margin as possible, right?
Most of the time, you can rely on a steady income of high-profit sales. People search for your website, find what they want and book it.
However, that strategy doesn’t work when:
a) It’s getting closer to the sailing date but your ships are still half-empty
b) You’ve just released six months’ worths of new itineraries so your ships are completely empty
In these cases, cruise lines will reduce prices and add on free extras to encourage people to BOOK NOW. When they do this, they’re no longer going for a high-profit margin – they’re going for volume of sales.
Now, imagine you work in the marketing department of the cruise line. The prices have dropped and it’s your job to sell as many cruises are possible. How do you get the biggest volume of sales?
You could reach out to contact as many potential customers as possible and tell them about the great deals. Or, even better, you get travel agents to do it for you.
The cheapest ways for travel agents to get cruise deals in front of the biggest audiences possible are email marketing, SMS (text messages) and social media. And this is exactly where they head when they have cheap cruise deals to push.
How do customers find these cheapest cruise deals?
Follow cruise travel agents on Facebook and Twitter (and turn on notifications)
Sign up to receive email marketing from cruise travel agents (do this on their website)
Opt in to receive deals by text message
Every Thursday, I send an email with the best cruise deals I’ve found that week.
You can sign up here, and I’ll send it to you too.
NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!
I’m ALWAYS looking for cruise bargains! These are the best deals I found this week…
Then, you’ve got to be patient. You must accept that you might not book your cruise today, or next week. But, when that perfect cheap cruise deal comes up, you’ll be ready to pounce.
And you do need to act fast! Wait longer than 24 hours and there’s a good chance that the cheapest cabins will sell out and you’ll be left paying an extra £300 for a cabin with a window (eye roll).
Are Cruises Cheaper Through a Travel Agent?
Cruises should always be cheaper through a travel agent. If they’re not, then you need to find yourself a new travel agent!
Most cruise travel agents make money in two ways:
They receive a % commission on every cruise they sell
If they reach monthly, quarterly or yearly sales targets, they get bonuses
The bonuses that travel agents receive for hitting their targets can be huge. So when a sales target deadline is coming up, travel agents may be willing to sell cruises at cost price or even at a loss to earn their big bonus payment.
What’s more, some cruise travel agents use a specific business model whereby they buy up thousands of cabins in bulk for a cheap rate. Once the travel agent owns those cabins, they have to sell them. Even if they make a small loss on some of the cabins, it’s better than the loss that would be made if the cabins remained unsold.
As well as getting the best price on your cruise, there are other advantages to booking your cruise with a travel agent rather than directly with the cruise line. If you’re booking flights and hotels too, a travel agent can get you the best package price, sort everything out for you and take charge if anything goes wrong.
Do Cruises Get Cheaper Closer to the Sailing Date?
It’s a myth that cruises get cheaper closer to the sailing date. In fact, cruise prices are cheapest when they first go on sale, which is 18 to 24 months before the departure date.
Only if the cruise doesn’t sell out will there be a price drop. This will happen 6 to 12 weeks before departure.
The following graph demonstrates what often happens to cruise prices over time. The red circles are the cheap prices that you want to book!
Should You Hold out for a Last-Minute Cruise Deal?
If you want a cabin for two people and aren’t fussy about where you go, when you go or on which ship, then you can definitely save money by booking your cruise 6 to 12 weeks before departure. Prices are likely to drop at this time because balance payments are due and some passengers drop out.
If you want a family cabin for three or four passengers, then the sad truth is that you are very unlikely to find a cheap last-minute deal.
Cabins with extra beds are always in short supply. I once went to book a cruise the day after it went on sale (almost two years before departure) and all the inside four-berth cabins were already gone!
In the cruise industry, the period from right after Christmas, through to February is known as ‘wave season’ because cruise lines see a big ‘wave’ of bookings around January.
The reason for this wave is that Christmas is out of the way and people start to think about what they want to do in the coming year. Thoughts naturally turn to travel and marketers cash in on this by offering incentives to get people to book cruises.
Is January a good time to book a cruise? Possibly. There are some good deals. But there are also some mediocre deals that are disguised as good deals. Just keep your wits about you and don’t jump to book just because you saw a ‘January Sale’ banner.
How To Book A Cheap Cruise
If you’ve read this far, you should now know some of the tips about how to cruise for cheap. Let’s have a quick recap…
Choose a cheap cruise line – the cheapest ones are Costa, MSC, P&O Cruises and Carnival
Choose a cheaper ship – an older, smaller one
Opt fora guaranteed inside cabin
Depart from your nearest port
Go in term-time or when the weather isn’t perfect
Don’t pay full price for kids – Choose Costa and MSC Cruises at any time or NCL, P&O and Royal Caribbean if there’s a kids sail free offer on
Look out for emails and Facebook offers from cruise travel agents
Book early (or late for only two people if you’re flexible)
Now, if you haven’t already, make sure you get my weekly email where I send you the best cruise deals, including those I’m booking myself!
Get Help Booking Your Family Cruise
Cruise Family are the only UK specialists in cruises for families of 5+ (and smaller ones too!)
Let them find your perfect trip…
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
Galveston cruise goers will have one less ship to pick from out of the Texas port, after the announcement that a 3,560-passenger ship is moving out.
Princess Cruises has canceled a full season of sailings on Majestic Princess out of Galveston, Texas. The decision to reposition the ship will impact all cruises planned between November 2026 and March 2027.
The cruise line announced the change as part of a shift in its “global fleet deployment strategy,” meaning we still don’t know if another ship from the Princess fleet will be taking Majestic’s place.
In a letter to passengers, Princess Cruises said the following:
“We’ve made the tough call to cancel all Majestic Princess sailings from Galveston scheduled between November 2026 and March 2027. We’re sorry for the inconvenience and thank our guests for their understanding as we adjust our worldwide plans.”
Cruise passengers with canceled sailings will get full refunds and can rebook on other cruises, including options from Galveston.
Princess is also helping guests find new trips to replace the canceled ones. Even though the impacted sailings are well over a year out, many cruisers like to book up to two years in advance.
While repricing allows a booked passenger to rebook if a better price is found, booking this far in advance also means things like a ship repositioning can happen.
Majestic Princess, built in 2017 for the Chinese market, started sailing out of Galveston shortly after the cruise industry restarted.
Majestic Princess
The cancelation announcement for the ship comes just two years after Princess added to its Texas offerings Regal Princess.
As it stands now, after Regal Princess finishes her last scheduled trip in March 2026, Princess will have no ships based in Galveston. This, of course, can change with a coming announcement.
The cruise line hasn’t shared details about where Majestic Princess will go next, but they promise “exceptional vacation experiences” are still ahead. Meanwhile, Galveston’s port remains busy with other major cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Disney, and Carnival still sailing from there.
Majestic Princess is currently sailing in the Mediterranean on a 10-day cruise out of Rome (Civitavecchia). After several longer itineraries in Europe the ship will take a transatlantic cruise from Southampton to Boston in August of this year.
In November, the ship is scheduled to offer sailings out of Port Everglades, cruising on 6-, 8-, and 14-day trips to the Caribbean and ABC Islands.
Cruise Fever reached out to Princess Cruises about the canceled cruises and received the following statement:
“Princess Cruises has made the difficult decision to cancel all sailings aboard Majestic Princess from Galveston scheduled between November 2026 and March 2027 as part of our broader global fleet deployment strategy. We sincerely regret any inconvenience this may cause our guests and appreciate their understanding as we work to enhance our global cruise offerings.
“All affected guests have been provided a full refund, and we are actively assisting them with alternative cruise options, including other sailings from Galveston and a variety of Caribbean itineraries. We remain committed to delivering exceptional vacation experiences and look forward to welcoming guests aboard Majestic Princess in its soon-to-be-announced deployment.
“The Regal Princess will operate all its scheduled voyages from Galveston through and including the cruise departing Galveston on March 15, 2026.”
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As the cruise industry sets sail toward its busiest year yet, a surprising trend is emerging from the social media waves: more travellers are now seeking serenity over socialising, and peace over parties.
Cruise travel insurance provider Avanti has responded to this growing appetite for tranquillity with the launch of its new “Quiet Cruise Guide”, backed by 25-year maritime veteran and cruise expert Mark Barton.
The guide aims to help holidaymakers avoid the rowdiest crowds and discover alternative routes for a more relaxing cruise experience.
With major cruise lines reporting record-breaking passenger volumes – Royal Caribbean alone welcomed 8.6 million passengers in 2024 – the trend is clear.
But while young travellers fuel much of the boom, not everyone is onboard with the onboard energy.
Younger crowds, louder cruises?
According to Avanti’s social media analysis, over 16% of Instagram posts from popular cruise-related hashtags now highlight the desire for calmer, alternative experiences.
Meanwhile, posts showcasing mainstream or party cruises can average more than 8,000 likes each.
“As cruise holidays attract more young people, videos of wild pool parties and packed bars are going viral,
“It’s no surprise that many seasoned travellers are looking for a quieter way to sail.”
Mark Barton
That’s where the Quiet Cruise Guide comes in, offering expert-backed advice for booking a peaceful voyage, plus a range of alternative destinations dubbed “quiet cruise dupes” that offer the beauty and charm of popular ports – without the chaos.
Alternative destinations for quieter getaways
Sea of Cortez & Baja Peninsula instead of the Caribbean Teeming with marine life and framed by desert landscapes, this Mexican gem is ideal for cruisers seeking natural beauty without the Caribbean bustle.
Barton recommends the region for its vibrant markets, national parks, and mouth-watering local cuisine like ceviche and fish tacos.
Vietnam & the Philippines instead of Japan & China For cultural richness and scenic tranquillity, Southeast Asia offers an escape from the tourist-heavy ports of East Asia.
Spring is perfect for exploring temples, snorkelling in turquoise bays, and enjoying warm sunshine in peaceful destinations like Ko Samui.
French Polynesia instead of Hawaii With its turquoise lagoons and overwater bungalows, French Polynesia offers everything Hawaii does – minus the crowds. Barton notes destinations like Bora Bora and Tahiti are rising stars in quiet-themed cruise content, making them ideal for a serene island-hopping holiday.
Alongside destination advice, Barton shares two golden rules for booking a calmer cruise experience:
Choose river cruises for a more intimate experience
“River cruises tend to attract fewer families and avoid the massive crowds of sea cruises,” says Barton. Top picks include the Nile, Danube, Rhône, and Mekong, offering rich cultural experiences and scenic journeys through ancient cities and lush landscapes.
Avoid inaugural seasons
Brand-new ships draw huge crowds eager to see the latest in cruise innovation. Barton suggests steering clear of maiden voyages:
“People love the smell of fresh paint – but that also means packed decks and sold-out experiences. Older ships offer a more relaxed pace without sacrificing quality.”
As cruise holidays evolve, the desire for peaceful escapes is growing louder.
Whether you’re exploring the secluded coves of Baja, floating past temples on the Mekong, or sipping cocktails under the stars in French Polynesia, quiet cruising is the next big wave – and thanks to Avanti’s Quiet Cruise Guide, it’s never been easier to set sail in peace.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
The world of cruises is abuzz in this past week as four major new cruise ships all reached significant milestones in their journey. Each of the ships is sailing for…
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The world of cruises is abuzz in this past week as four major new cruise ships all reached significant milestones in their journey.
Each of the ships is sailing for a completely different cruise line and offering a wholly different experience, and they’re all at different stages of their construction journey.
One is set to launch imminently, one has hit water for the first time, and one has just had the keel laid – but excitement is almost equal for all three!
Norwegian Aqua welcomes invited guests ahead of inaugural season
Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, Norwegian Aqua, has been offering exclusive previews to over 2,000 invited guests ahead of her christening ceremony.
Following the official handover on 13th March 2025, the 156,300 gross-ton ship has been cruising through the Mediterranean before making stops in Lisbon, Portugal, on 21st March 2025, to welcome travel partners, media, and industry insiders.
Set to debut officially on 16th April 2025, Norwegian Aqua will embark on her first official voyage, a 7-night Caribbean cruise from PortMiami.
The ship boasts several industry-first attractions, including the Glow Court digital sports complex and the Aqua Slidecoaster, a hybrid waterslide and rollercoaster combination.
Additionally, Norwegian Aqua offers 17 restaurants, 18 bars and lounges, including the first Thai specialty restaurant for the cruise line, Sukhothai.
After her inaugural season, Norwegian Aqua will sail to the Bahamas, the Caribbean, and Bermuda from various ports, including Miami, Port Canaveral, and New York.
With her innovative design and exciting features, Norwegian Aqua is poised to offer a new level of cruising excitement.
MSC Cruises celebrates the delivery of MSC World America
On 27th March 2025, MSC Cruises marked a major milestone with the handover of its largest vessel yet, the MSC World America, from the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France.
This 215,863-gross-ton ship will soon embark on her maiden voyage, offering passengers a host of new dining, entertainment, and activity options.
During the handover ceremony, key figures from MSC Cruises, including Captain Gianluigi Aponte and Pierfrancesco Vago, joined Laurent Castaing, General Manager of the shipyard, in celebrating this achievement.
MSC World America stands out not only for her size but also for her eco-friendly features, such as advanced shore power connectivity and an efficient wastewater treatment system.
Designed with sustainability in mind, she holds one of the best energy efficiency ratings according to the International Maritime Organization.
The ship’s first official journey will be a seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise, departing from PortMiami on 12th April 2025, following a glamorous christening ceremony with her godmother, Drew Barrymore.
MSC World America will offer alternating 7-night sailings in the Caribbean, with a focus on destinations like the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and MSC’s Ocean Cay Marine Reserve in the Bahamas.
Disney Destiny reaches key milestone as she touches water for the first time
Over in Germany, Disney Cruise Line is preparing for the debut of the Disney Destiny, with the ship now one step closer to completion.
The latest milestone occurred on 24th March 2025, when the 144,000-gross-ton ship underwent a “float up” process at Meyer Werft shipyard.
Unlike the typical “float out,” where ships are moved into open water, the “float up” involved filling the dry dock with water to lift the ship, preparing her for further construction and testing.
As construction continues, the focus will shift to the ship’s interior, which promises to be just as magical as Disney’s other vessels.
The staterooms will feature designs inspired by Disney heroes like Hercules, Mulan, and The Incredibles.
Disney Destiny is expected to embark on her maiden voyage on 24th November 2025, offering a 4-night Bahamas sailing from Port Everglades, Florida, and calling at Disney’s private islands.
Seven Seas Prestige begins her journey with a keel laying ceremony
Lastly, Regent Seven Seas Cruises celebrated the keel laying of its upcoming ultra-luxury vessel, Seven Seas Prestige, at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy, on 27th March 2025.
This significant event was marked by the placement of three coins in the ship’s keel, a traditional maritime gesture for good luck.
The Seven Seas Prestige will be the first of two new ships in the Prestige-class and will accommodate just 850 guests, offering one of the highest guest-to-space ratios in the industry.
Set to debut in 2026, the ship will introduce new suite categories and enhanced dining venues, setting a new standard for luxury cruising. Seven Seas Prestige will be followed by her sister ship in 2029.
As these four ships near their respective debuts, the cruise industry is eagerly anticipating the experiences they will offer.
Whether it’s Norwegian Aqua’s thrilling new features, MSC World America’s green innovations, Disney Destiny’s whimsical interiors, or Seven Seas Prestige’s ultra-luxury amenities, these vessels are poised to shape the future of cruising.
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If you found this interesting, please share!
Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
Many cruise guests who thought they had secured a great advance deal on their upcoming getaways have been disappointed after one of the world’s bigger cruise lines announced sweeping cancellations….
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Many cruise guests who thought they had secured a great advance deal on their upcoming getaways have been disappointed after one of the world’s bigger cruise lines announced sweeping cancellations.
Princess Cruises has announced 15 cancelled cruises for its Royal-class ship Majestic Princess between November 2026 and March 2027.
“Princess Cruises has made the difficult decision to cancel all sailings aboard Majestic Princess from Galveston scheduled between November 2026 and March 2027,
“We sincerely regret any inconvenience this may cause our guests and appreciate their understanding as we work to enhance our global offerings.”
Princess Cruises statement
Guests affected by the cancellations will receive full refunds, and the line is assisting with alternative cruise options.
However, some passengers expressed concern that rebooking may come at a higher cost than their original reservations.
Texas off the map for Princess – for now
The cancellation marks a shift from Princess Cruises’ recent efforts to strengthen its partnership with the Port of Galveston.
In November 2023, the line made headlines by homeporting the 3,560-guest Regal Princess in Texas and praised the region’s strong cruise market.
At the time, Terry Thornton, Chief Commercial Officer for Princess Cruises, had noted, “Princess loves Texas, and we know Texas enjoys the convenience of having the Love Boat so close by.”
Despite this enthusiasm, the cruise line’s decision now means no Princess ship is scheduled to sail from Texas beyond March 2026, when Regal Princess concludes her currently planned voyages.
The withdrawal of Majestic Princess from Galveston appears to be part of a larger realignment of the cruise line’s global deployment, with unconfirmed reports from passengers suggesting other long-haul voyages are being cancelled.
One guest shared that their 32-day Island Princess cruise from Los Angeles to the South Pacific and Hawaii in September 2026 was also scrapped. Another noted the cancellation of a Southeast Asia cruise scheduled for the same period.
These changes suggest Princess Cruises may be repositioning multiple ships to accommodate a new strategy, although no official replacements or new itineraries have yet been announced.
While the loss of Majestic Princess may sting for fans of the line, the Port of Galveston remains one of the busiest cruise hubs in the U.S., and passengers still have plenty of options.
In 2024, the port welcomed over 380 cruise ship calls and 3.4 million passengers, setting new records for cruise traffic.
It serves as a homeport for several major lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Disney Cruise Line, and Norwegian Cruise Line.
What’s next for Princess?
Princess Cruises has hinted that a new deployment announcement is on the horizon, which could reveal where Majestic Princess and potentially other vessels are heading next.
For now, affected guests are encouraged to contact Princess Cruises for assistance with rebooking and refunds.
Travellers eyeing future voyages should also keep a close watch for upcoming deployment news, as more reshuffles may be on the way.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
Cruise passengers seeking a dose of culture with their ocean views now have a definitive list of where to go, thanks to a new study by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines….
The number of people choosing to see the world on their own terms is soaring, with searches for “solo travel tips” increasing by a staggering 5,043% over the past year….
One of the best-loved cruise brands aimed at British guests has revealed that it is considering adding two more ships to the fleet – but with a huge twist. For…
The legendary name of Orient Express takes to the sea as Orient Express Corinthian, the world’s largest sailing yacht, has officially opened for reservations. Due to set sail in summer…
MSC Cruises and Chantiers de l’Atlantique celebrated milestones on Thursday for three World Class ships in Saint-Nazaire, France, with the delivery of MSC World America, the coin ceremony for MSC World Asia, and steel cutting for the newly named MSC World Atlantic.
Attendees included Captain Gianluigi Aponte, Founder and Group Chairman of MSC; Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Group’s Cruise Division; Laurent Castaing, Chantiers de l’Atlantique General Manager; and the French Minister for Industry and Energy, Marc Ferracci. They were also joined by representatives of MSC Cruises’ new build team and shipyard workers who built the ship over the last 30 months.
MSC World America
MSC World America is the 23rd ship in the cruise line’s fleet and will be officially named on April 9 at the company’s new state-of-the-art MSC Miami Cruise Terminal, the largest in the world. The ship offers new venues and concepts tailored specifically to the North American market, combining European style with American comfort.
“Today is a proud moment for all of us at MSC Cruises and Chantiers de l’Atlantique as we mark these major milestones in the development of our fleet. Our new flagship is a testament to our long-standing, innovative partnership spanning over 20 years, resulting in five groundbreaking prototypes and 19 ships. Together, we continue to push boundaries, combining cutting-edge design, the latest technologies, and a richness of experiences to set new standards in cruising and always striving to further improve the environmental performance of each ship. We look forward to raising the bar even higher with the upcoming MSC World Asia and MSC World Atlantic.” said Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of Cruise Division, MSC Group.
MSC World Asia celebrated its coin ceremony, during which commemorative coins were placed inside the ship as a sign of blessing during construction and to bring good fortune to the ship. Two godmothers, Marialuisa Iaccarino, VP Shore Excursions for MSC Cruises; and Flavie Biondo, Chargé d’affaires for Chantiers de l’Atlantique placed the coins in the ship’s hull. MSC World Asia will enter service during winter 2026-27 with Mediterranean cruises to destinations in France, Italy, Spain, and Malta.
MSC Cruises’ third celebration was a steel-cutting ceremony to start construction of the line’s fourth World Class ship, due to enter service in 2027. The ship’s name—MSC World Atlantic—was revealed for the first time.MSC World Atlantic will offer cruises from Port Canaveral, sailing to the Caribbean starting with the winter 2027-28 season.
The World Class platform set new standards in cruising with the introduction of MSC World Europa in 2022, and it continues to evolve with each new ship incorporating innovations in design, technology and guest experience. World Class ships are named in honor of the world’s continents and oceans but do not necessarily indicate where they will be deployed. The naming convention reflects the global nature of MSC Cruises, which sails to all parts of the world.
MSC World America is one of the most energy-efficient cruise ships in the world, surpassing all design requirements under the International Maritime Organization’s Energy Efficiency Design Index. Her latest-generation engines run on LNG, which enables a direct transition toward drop-in bio and synthetic renewable fuels.
The ship is also equipped with shore power, which allows the engines to be switched off while in connected ports that offer it, such as the new MSC Cruise Terminal in Miami. The ship also has an advanced wastewater treatment system and a comprehensive onboard recycling management plant, which significantly reduces waste output.
The Classification Society, Bureau Veritas, has awarded MSC World America its Platinum Pearl Award in recognition of MSC Cruises’ 20-year commitment to health, safety, and environmental protection across its fleet of ships.
MSC World America‘s inaugural season of Caribbean cruises from Miami will start on April 12. 7-night Eastern Caribbean itineraries include calls at Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and MSC Cruises’ private island—Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. The ship’s 7-night Western Caribbean voyages will call at Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; Isla de Roatan, Honduras; and Ocean Cay.
The words used to describe a ship can be confusing for anyone that has limited nautical experience. There are a whole load of words that don’t really get used in any other walk of life. And a few words that you do know from normal life but which take on a completely new meaning when you are talking about a cruise ship.
So, if you find yourself wondering what is the difference between bow, stern and aft, then you’re not alone.
These terms get used a lot but are often not fully understood outside the boating world. So, I thought I would pull this guide together to fill you in.
It’s not essential to know all these terms before you go on a cruise but it’s nice to know what they mean in case you hear them being used by crew.
Understanding The Bow And Stern Of A Ship
In simple terms, the bow of a ship is the front and the stern is the back. The bow is the very front part of the ship and it’s often formed by an angled hull that will carve its way through the waves. The stern is the name for the part of the ship that is right at the back.
Cruise ships often have an open deck at the bow and the stern. If you like to see where you are headed then the bow is a great place to take in the view. The stern is a good place to stand as you leave port so that you can catch a last glimpse of the place you have just visited.
The Origins Of Bow And Stern
The terms bow and stern have been in use for hundreds of years. It is likely that the word stern came into English from the Norse language of the Vikings around the 8th century while the word bow has Germanic roots.
Bow
Etymology Of ‘Bow’
The use of the word bow for the front of the ship is believed to have originated from the German word ‘Bogen’ which means bend, bow, or arch. This eventually became bow in Modern English having developed from the Old English word ‘boga’.
The use of this word to describe the front of a ship started because wooden planks had to be bent or ‘bowed’ at the front of the ship to create a curved hull that was able to cut its way through the water.
Etymology Of ‘Stern’
The Old Norse word ‘styra’ means to steer and this became the word ‘styrne’ in Old English. Later this became the more familiar ‘stern’ in Middle English. This makes sense because at this time sailing ships were steered from the back (stern!).
Aft and forward are directional terms rather than the names of parts of a ship. The bow is located forward on a ship (at the front) while the stern is located aft (at the back). When on a cruise ship you might talk about walking to the aft (back or stern) or walking forward (to the front/bow).
Etymology Of ‘Aft’
The term aft derives from the Old English æftan which means behind. The aft of the ship would be behind the mast or the captain on a sailing ship so it makes sense to use it as a directional term.
The word after comes from the same origin as aft and knowing this might help you to remember the meaning of aft, as it’s the area that arrives after the rest of the ship.
Aft vs. Stern: Why They’re Not Quite the Same
Aft is not the same as stern. Aft is a direction while the stern is a physical location. So you might walk aft from the bow of the ship and find yourself at the stern. The stern is a place and it’s the very back end of the ship.
It can be a bit tricky to get your head around these terms at first. Forward is pretty straightforward(!) as a directional term but aft may take a bit longer to get used to.
How To Remember Bow And Stern
I think that the simplest way to remember bow and stern is to think of them as a pair. Bow and stern. You know that they go together and one is the opposite of the other. Hopefully, you even know that one is the front of a ship and one is the back.
Once you have got that you just need to get one or other of the terms fixed inside your head and I suggest getting the bow locked in as it’s the easier one to remember.
Here are a couple of easy ways to remember it:
When you bow you lean forward. So the bow of a ship must be the forward end. Easy.
The front of a ship is curved, like a bow. This is in fact how the bow of the ship got its name and is another good way to remember it (don’t ask me why it’s now bow as rhymes with cow and not bow as rhymes with mow!?)
Hopefully, this will help you to remember what the terms bow and stern mean so that you will feel right at home on a cruise ship!
I hope that this post has helped you to better understand a few commonly used nautical terms.
Bow = Front
Stern = Back
Forward = Forwards direction
Aft = Backwards direction
So, moving forward will take you to the bow at the front of the ship. While if you are heading aft you will be going backwards and eventually you’ll get to the stern, which is the back of the ship.
Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
The words used to describe a ship can be confusing for anyone that has limited nautical experience. There are a whole load of words that don’t really get used in any other walk of life. And a few words that you do know from normal life but which take on a completely new meaning when you are talking about a cruise ship.
So, if you find yourself wondering what is the difference between bow, stern and aft, then you’re not alone.
These terms get used a lot but are often not fully understood outside the boating world. So, I thought I would pull this guide together to fill you in.
It’s not essential to know all these terms before you go on a cruise but it’s nice to know what they mean in case you hear them being used by crew.
Understanding The Bow And Stern Of A Ship
In simple terms, the bow of a ship is the front and the stern is the back. The bow is the very front part of the ship and it’s often formed by an angled hull that will carve its way through the waves. The stern is the name for the part of the ship that is right at the back.
Cruise ships often have an open deck at the bow and the stern. If you like to see where you are headed then the bow is a great place to take in the view. The stern is a good place to stand as you leave port so that you can catch a last glimpse of the place you have just visited.
The Origins Of Bow And Stern
The terms bow and stern have been in use for hundreds of years. It is likely that the word stern came into English from the Norse language of the Vikings around the 8th century while the word bow has Germanic roots.
Bow
Etymology Of ‘Bow’
The use of the word bow for the front of the ship is believed to have originated from the German word ‘Bogen’ which means bend, bow, or arch. This eventually became bow in Modern English having developed from the Old English word ‘boga’.
The use of this word to describe the front of a ship started because wooden planks had to be bent or ‘bowed’ at the front of the ship to create a curved hull that was able to cut its way through the water.
Etymology Of ‘Stern’
The Old Norse word ‘styra’ means to steer and this became the word ‘styrne’ in Old English. Later this became the more familiar ‘stern’ in Middle English. This makes sense because at this time sailing ships were steered from the back (stern!).
Aft and forward are directional terms rather than the names of parts of a ship. The bow is located forward on a ship (at the front) while the stern is located aft (at the back). When on a cruise ship you might talk about walking to the aft (back or stern) or walking forward (to the front/bow).
Etymology Of ‘Aft’
The term aft derives from the Old English æftan which means behind. The aft of the ship would be behind the mast or the captain on a sailing ship so it makes sense to use it as a directional term.
The word after comes from the same origin as aft and knowing this might help you to remember the meaning of aft, as it’s the area that arrives after the rest of the ship.
Aft vs. Stern: Why They’re Not Quite the Same
Aft is not the same as stern. Aft is a direction while the stern is a physical location. So you might walk aft from the bow of the ship and find yourself at the stern. The stern is a place and it’s the very back end of the ship.
It can be a bit tricky to get your head around these terms at first. Forward is pretty straightforward(!) as a directional term but aft may take a bit longer to get used to.
How To Remember Bow And Stern
I think that the simplest way to remember bow and stern is to think of them as a pair. Bow and stern. You know that they go together and one is the opposite of the other. Hopefully, you even know that one is the front of a ship and one is the back.
Once you have got that you just need to get one or other of the terms fixed inside your head and I suggest getting the bow locked in as it’s the easier one to remember.
Here are a couple of easy ways to remember it:
When you bow you lean forward. So the bow of a ship must be the forward end. Easy.
The front of a ship is curved, like a bow. This is in fact how the bow of the ship got its name and is another good way to remember it (don’t ask me why it’s now bow as rhymes with cow and not bow as rhymes with mow!?)
Hopefully, this will help you to remember what the terms bow and stern mean so that you will feel right at home on a cruise ship!
I hope that this post has helped you to better understand a few commonly used nautical terms.
Bow = Front
Stern = Back
Forward = Forwards direction
Aft = Backwards direction
So, moving forward will take you to the bow at the front of the ship. While if you are heading aft you will be going backwards and eventually you’ll get to the stern, which is the back of the ship.
Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
Cruise passengers seeking a dose of culture with their ocean views now have a definitive list of where to go, thanks to a new study by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.
The cruise operator analysed 46 of Europe’s most popular ports to identify the continent’s most culturally rich cruise destinations — and Rome (via Civitavecchia) has topped the list.
The rankings were based on a wide range of cultural indicators, including UNESCO World Heritage sites, Michelin-recognised restaurants, TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice awards, and the presence of historic landmarks and museums.
The result is a comprehensive guide to Europe’s must-visit cultural cruise ports.
Top 5 most cultured destinations in Europe
Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy
Barcelona, Spain
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Lisbon, Portugal
Athens (Piraeus), Greece
Dubbed The Eternal City, Rome was rated the number one destination for cultural cruising thanks to its centuries of history, iconic architecture, and world-class museums.
While the city itself only counts as one UNESCO World Heritage Site, it covers an expansive area and includes landmark sites like the Colosseum, Pantheon, and Vatican City.
Cruisers calling at Civitavecchia – the gateway port to Rome – often benefit from overnight stays, giving ample time to explore the Italian capital’s cultural riches.
Not only did Rome take the top spot, but Italy emerged as the country with the most cultured cruise ports. Ten Italian ports were featured in the rankings, including Naples, Venice, Genoa, and Cagliari – underscoring the country’s rich cultural offering for cruise guests.
Spain followed closely with nine destinations in the rankings, including Las Palmas and Valencia. Portugal, the Netherlands, and Greece rounded out the top five most culturally rich cruise countries.
In terms of the ports, second on the list is Barcelona, famed for its nine UNESCO sites – more than any other destination in the study – including seven designed by Antoni Gaudí.
The Spanish city also boasts a top-tier culinary scene, with one of the highest numbers of Michelin-starred and recognised restaurants across Europe.
In third place, Amsterdam leads the way for both attractions and food.
The Dutch capital has the highest number of TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice ‘Best of the Best’ awards and an impressive 83 Michelin-recognised restaurants, including 31 with stars.
Visitors can dive into cultural landmarks like the Anne Frank House and the Van Gogh Museum – home to the world’s largest Van Gogh collection.
How the study was put together
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines used a normalised scoring system to assess 46 of Europe’s most popular cruise destinations. Each port was ranked based on:
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
European Capital of Culture designations
TripAdvisor’s Traveller’s Choice and Best of the Best awards
Number of highly rated attractions
Michelin-starred and Michelin-recognised restaurants
The study offers valuable insights for cruise guests who seek more than sun and sea, helping them choose ports that offer immersive cultural experiences – whether they’re exploring ancient ruins, indulging in fine dining, or discovering art and architecture.
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Don’t miss the latest Fred. Olsen offers…
Related posts
If you found this interesting, please share!
Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
The number of people choosing to see the world on their own terms is soaring, with searches for “solo travel tips” increasing by a staggering 5,043% over the past year….
One of the best-loved cruise brands aimed at British guests has revealed that it is considering adding two more ships to the fleet – but with a huge twist. For…
The legendary name of Orient Express takes to the sea as Orient Express Corinthian, the world’s largest sailing yacht, has officially opened for reservations. Due to set sail in summer…
A cruise excursion off the coast of Cartagena, Colombia turned into a terrifying ordeal for 38 passengers from AIDAbella on Thursday 20th March, 2025, when the small boat they were…
