March 6: Actress turned chat show host Drew Barrymore will be the godmother of a new ship.
She'll get to christen MSC World America alongside heart throb Orlando Bloom, who stars with her in the company's Lets Holiday ad campaign in the USA.
The glittering ceremony is planned for April 9 at the new MSC Miami Cruise Terminal, which the company says will be the biggest in the world.
Barrymore said she "loves to travel,"
"It fuels my soul and being part of something that helps people set off on incredible adventures is just amazing," she said.
"There's something so magical about cruises; they let you discover the world in this really fun, unexpected way.
"And to be able to name MSC World America and send the ship off with well wishes and good luck is such an honour."
There's a long tradition of christening ships.
It started as a traditional ritual steeped in superstition.
More Aussies than ever are choosing to cruise and explore new places via the oceans instead of the skies.
Whether you take a short trip to an Australian destination, visit our neighbours in New Zealannd or the South Pacific, or fly and cruise in Alaska, the Caribbean or Mediterranean, you're promised a great value holiday.
Plus, these days there are cruise ships and itineraries that cater to pretty much every kind of traveller.
Here are some more cruise updates to get excited about …
March 5: Royal Caribbean has introduced its newest – adorable – crew member.
Sailor is set to become Chief Dog Officer on Star of the Seas.
Sailor's responsibilities are to live her best life and bring joy to guests and crew.
Once she grows into her role, Sailor will enjoy nonstop playtime on the Caribbean's most beautiful beaches like the vacation brand's top-rated private destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay, and call the dog-friendliest room ever home.
Sailor joins the ranks alongside Rover, the Chief Dog Officer on Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas.
The golden retriever lives onboard while serving as "family dog" of Icon's crew. She is also known to hang out on the bridge with the captain, and perform daily walks across the ship.
This program is built in partnership with the American Humane Society to always ensure the best care and training for all Chief Dog Officers.
February 28: Cunard's newest ship the Queen Anne has arrived in Australia for the first time as part of her maiden 107-day World Voyage.
Queen Anne is Cunard's first new ship in 14 years, and sailed into Sydney Harbour on Friday to much fanfare.
The design of Queen Anne was led by creative director Adam Tihany who orchestrated a team of world-class designers to imagine a ship that reflects Cunard's rich art-deco heritage while embracing modern elegance.
Sailing into Sydney is a bucket-list moment for cruise enthusiast around the world, and today, 2,610 guests aboard Queen Anne ticked this item off.
Among them are 1,067 guests sailing the entire World Voyage – including 39 proud Australians.
Queen Anne will visit further Australian ports including Brisbane, the Whitsunday Islands, Cairns, and Darwin injecting upwards of AUD$11 million into the local economies.
Queen Anne boasts 13 expansive decks, 15 exciting dining venues, including dishes curated by Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux, as well as accommodations for up to 3,000 guests in modern Staterooms and Suites.
After her time Down Under, the ship will continue her World Voyage to Bitung (Indonesia), Manila (Philippines) and Hong Kong.
February 24: The Port of Eden in NSW has welcomed the largest ever cruise ship with 4,862 people aboard Ovation of the Seas docking there at the weekend.
The 348-metre long, 168,666 tonne Ovation of the Seas made its maiden arrival in Snug Cove on Saturday.
The Ovation's arrival at Eden Cruise Wharf follows the NSW Government's approval of a planning modification which permits ships up to 370 metres long to berth in Eden.
Ovation of the Seas is one of 25 ships including 12 maiden calls to Eden this summer cruise season, with over 40,000 passengers and 20,000 crew estimated to inject millions of dollars into the local economy.
"Ovation of the Seas brings a massive boost to Eden and will see a surge in business for cafes, retailers, tour operators and more," Port Authority General Manager of Cruise Martin Bidgood said.
"With thousands of visitors stepping ashore, the benefits of cruise tourism will ripple through the entire Sapphire Coast region."
February 13: Disney Cruise Line's Disney Fantasy will sail from the UK for the first time.
Three, four and five night sailings will be on offer.
There are six options offering Disney magic as well as calls at ports in France, Spain and Belgium.
Disney Cruise Line's fourth ship will sail from Southampton from the UK summer this year.
Water coasters are a popular part of a Disney Cruise and a nod to the theme parks.
Ships that have them: Navigator of the Seas, Disney Wish, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy.
February 13: Richard Branson's cruise line, Virgin Voyages has announced a range of new deals and features.
For parties of eight or more, you can get ten per cent off, up to $475 AUD in free drinks and a dedicated group dinner at one of Virgin's six Michelin-inspired restaurants.
Meanwhile, the menus at on-board restaurants, Extra Virgin and Gunbae are getting a refresh.
Shop Scarlet Lady's recent glow-up – also brought the addition of two eclectic new shows.
Bringing it back to New Year's Eve 1999 is an interactive Y2K party.
The concert-style It's a Rock Show-ke features 80s and 90s classics and a live band.
Brilliant Lady, the fourth and final ship in the Virgin fleet, will make her debut in September, with a show inspired by Virgin Records' musical catalogue from the past five decades.
British comic and TV host Jack Whitehall will also headline Virgin Voyages' Comedy Festival.
Departing 10 August, 2025, from Miami and sailing to Bimini and Costa Maya, the five night specialty voyage will feature a stacked line-up of can't-miss comedians, the company says.
February 12: Crystal Cruises has announced its 2027 Pacific Rim World Cruise "Stories of the South Seas" – a 140-night tour spanning 83 locations in 29 countries.
From South and Central America, to Australia and New Zealand to parts of Asia, this cruise itinerary is brimming with magnificent landscapes and diverse cultural experiences.
The Crystal Serenity cruise ship will depart from San Diego on January 8, 2027, culminating in Vancouver, British Columbia, on May 28, 2027.
Standout experiences incorporated into the cruise include guided culinary tours in Thailand, private access to Indonesia's historic temples, and intimate cultural moments such as Fijian firewalking ceremonies.
Passengers will also be able to explore locations in Mexico, New Zealand, Australia, Southeast Asia, China, South Korea and Japan.
For a full itinerary of each month, find out more on Crystal Cruises' website.
February 5: Celebrity Cruises has introduced The Bazaar, a brand-new multi-level, multi-sensory space that will feature on its brand new billion-dollar ship Celebrity Xcel.
"Unlike anything else at sea", the new experience space will transform as the ship sails from port-to-port, bringing the sights, sounds, flavours, and traditions of each destination to life on board.
Guests will be able to peruse local artisan products in the market, attend destination-inspired festivals, delight in local tastings, try their hand at traditional crafts, dine out at the new open kitchen concept, Mosaic, including experiencing its industry-first Chef's Table and cookery school – and much more.
For example, Celebrity Xcel heads to Europe in 2026, so The Bazaar will transform to feature festivals, markets and culinary experiences inspired by Mediterranean destinations.
