Cruise News

Carnival Expands Internet of Things to More Ships

Andrew Sheivachman, Skift

Carnival has been talking about the Ocean Medallion for a while now. Expect the technology to be deployed on more ships soon, with new improvements to guest experience in the process.

Cruising’s Pollution Problem Won’t Be Solved Any Time Soon

Andrew Sheivachman, Skift

Cruise ships are giant floating hotels with shopping malls and casinos inside. The industry has made progress on sustainability, but much more needs to be done as consumer habits shift toward more sustainable vacation options.

Carnival’s Profit Plummets After Trump Cuba Ban

Rosie Spinks, Skift

After a whopping 20 percent drop in second quarter earnings, Carnival is facing the realization that while itineraries to Cuba might have warranted higher-priced tickets, the political volatility of the Trump administration means they were not a safe bet.

Royal Caribbean’s Vision for Data-Driven Cruising Is Almost Here

Andrew Sheivachman, Skift

For all the talk of using bracelets and smartphones to improve the cruise experience, more needs to be done to improve internal processes and make cruising more sustainable.

Travelers Are Becoming More Environmentally Aware. Has the Cruise Industry Noticed?

Rosie Spinks, Skift

The cruise industry has historically benefitted from a consumer base that is broadly forgiving of its environmental missteps. But times are changing.

Skift Tech Forum: Carnival Builds a Connected Cruise Experience

Andrew Sheivachman, Skift

Cruising has lagged behind other sectors of travel when it comes to digitization and personalization. A new wave of technology, though, is creating a more seamless experience for cruisers around the world.

Carnival Pays $20 Million Penalty Because Its Ships Continue to Pollute

Curt Anderson, Associated Press

The cruise industry is notoriously difficult to regulate, which is perhaps why seeing Carnival's top executives plead "guilty" before a judge is so striking. The question is: Will this spectacle actually provoke a change in their practices?

Cruise Ship Crashes Into Dock and Tourist Boat in Crowded Venice Canal

Cain Burdeau and Luca Bruno, Bloomberg

The high summer season for travel is underway, and the warning signs of overtourism are coming fast and furious. Just days after a river cruise ship collided with another in Hungary's capital, causing fatalities, a cruise ship rammed into a dock and a riverboat in Venice. The need for popular destinations to devise better ways to manage adverse effects of tourism grows ever urgent.

Genting Builds Cruise Fleet With Ambitions Beyond Asian Waters

Raini Hamdi, Skift

Genting unlocked Asia's cruise market 25 years ago. It would be a shame if it does not get a chunk of what's now a significant source of tourism revenue. The company is making all the right moves, including plans to go global. Asians are always seeking new products and new places.

River Cruise Ships Collide in Fatal Danube Accident

Jihye Lee and Zoltan Simon, Bloomberg

Norwegian Cruise Line Sees No Danger on the Horizon

Patrick Whyte, Skift

We're a long way into the current economic cycle and despite the potential for a slowdown, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings CEO Frank Del Rio sees plenty of reasons to be cheerful.

SeaWorld Attendance Gets Boost Thanks to New Rides

Sean O'Neill, Skift

SeaWorld's challenges have not gone away. But it enjoys several advantages over its theme park rivals, such as having marine-themed parks, which are a rare and distinctive product. Its new CEO is rightly focused on investing for growth while finding operational efficiencies.