Cruise & Ferry
Townsville 2025-26 Cruise Season Opens – Cruise Industry News
The cruise season at the port of Townsville has kicked off with the arrival of the Regatta, carrying over 1,200 passengers and 380 crew.
The CDN reported that the port expects a record 26 cruise ships, including seven large-class vessels and two overnight stays.
The ships will carry more than 31,000 passengers and 14,000 crew members.
“With the practical completion of our $251 million channel upgrade project earlier this year, cruise ships longer than 238 meters can now safely access our port,” Port of Townsville CEO Ranee Crosby said.
“Some of these large-class cruise ships can carry up to 3000 guests, which is triple the number of guests we’ve previously welcomed from a single ship,” added Crosby.
“Townsville’s cruise season is becoming longer as more cruise lines look to our city, and we’re excited to be welcoming passengers over the winter months when our region really shines.”
According to the news, Townsville will host two overnight stays, including the maiden visit of The World in December, for the first time.
Queensland’s Finance, Trade, Employment and Training Minister Ros Bates said: “The completion of the channel upgrade project secures Townsville’s position as a gateway to Asia-Pacific and ensures the port is well positioned to meet growing demand into the future, whether that’s in trade or tourism.”
Crosby added: “With our warm tropical spirit and genuine hospitality, Townsville is leaving a lasting impression.”
The port said that it has invested $5.9 million to upgrade its cruise terminals to accommodate the increasing number of visitors.
The Majestic Princess recently sailed from Southampton to kick off a repositioning cruise to Canada and New England.
After sailing from the British port on July 18, the Princess Cruises vessel is now offering a 15-night voyage that will end in Boston.
The trans-Atlantic cruise features visits to destinations in Iceland and Canada, including Reykjavik, Isafjord and Grundarfjordur, as well as Charlottetown, Sydney and Halifax.
After arriving at its new homeport in North America, the Majestic Princess is set to kick off its first-ever fall foliage season in Canada and New England.
Sailing roundtrip from Boston, the vessel offers seven-night cruises around the region that include visits to Portland, Halifax, Sydney, Eastport and Saint John.
In September, the Majestic Princess is also scheduled to offer open-jaw itineraries that sail between Quebec City and Boston.
Upon completing the deployment on the East Coast, the 141,000-ton ship is set to reposition to Fort Lauderdale for itineraries in the Caribbean.
Before arriving in Florida, the vessel offers a 14-night “Canada and Colonial America” itinerary that sails between Quebec City and Port Everglades.
The open-jaw itinerary includes visits to Saguenay, Charlottetown, Sydney, Halifax, Boston, New York City, Newport and Norfolk.
As part of its 2025-26 winter season, the Royal-class ship offers six- to eight-night cruises from Fort Lauderdale to destinations in the Western, Southern and Eastern Caribbean.
Originally designed for service in China and Asia, the Majestic Princess was built at the Fincantieri shipyard in 2017.
Before kicking off its maiden season in the Mediterranean earlier this year, the 3,600-guest ship underwent a major refurbishment at a shipyard in Italy.
As part of the modernization project, the vessel debuted new venues, reimagined spaces and refined touches, including the addition of O’Malley’s Irish Pub and Bellini’s Cocktail Bar.
The Majestic Princess also got new dining options, such as the Ocean Terrace Sushi Bar, Alfredo’s Slice and The Salty Dog Grill.
Cruise & Ferry
StarCruises Renews Partnership with Tung Wah Group of Hospitals – Cruise Industry News
StarCruises has renewed its collaboration with the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, building on its 2023 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) partnership.
The company said in a press release that in 2025, its summer charity cruise welcomed over 20 underprivileged families, comprising more than 60 guests onboard the Star Voyager.
“As part of our ongoing CSR initiatives in the communities where we homeport and visit, we are pleased to once again collaborate with the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals in Hong Kong,” said Michael Goh, president of StarDream Cruises.
“This meaningful cruise journey aims to bring joy and lasting memories to families in need. Cruise travel is more than a leisure experience; it also helps children broaden their horizons and gain valuable life knowledge,” added Goh.
The ship set sail on a three-day cruise to Kaohsiung, offering children of all ages from the group a unique opportunity to learn and have fun aboard.
The “Summer Voyage” featured the “Little Dreamers” experience, where children discover dining etiquette, shipboard knowledge and life jacket safety through hands-on activities and guided tours, the company said.
In the “Little Captain” session, young participants stepped into the role of ship officers to explore basic nautical skills and safety procedures. In addition, the “Little Butler” workshop allowed children to experience hospitality firsthand by learning dining etiquette and service techniques.
According to the press release, the sailing was the first-ever cruise experience for many of the families.
In Kaohsiung, guests explored cultural highlights, including the Pier-2 Art Center and Cijin Old Street. Back onboard, guests had the opportunity to enjoy the ship’s dining, entertainment and recreational facilities.
Cruise & Ferry
Dream Cruise Drydock Completed: Tianjin Orient International’s Ship Returns to Sea with Stunning Upgrades, Read More to Know Latest Updates
Sunday, July 20, 2025
Tianjin Orient International Cruise Line Dream Cruise drydocke Tianjin Orient International Cruise Line’s Dream Cruise survived its planned drydock and maintenance in Qingdao, China, and is now back in service this month.
Extensive Maintenance at Qingdao Shipyard
The Dream Cruise, which went into Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding Heavy Industry shipyard at the end of June for necessary routine works. The 77,000 ton ship spent eleven days entering drydock to meet international safety standards.
In this brief but thorough session, all the essential technical work had been carried out- hull painting, rust removal, engine work and oil pump overhaul etc. These upgrades will help keep the Dream Cruise seaworthy, fuel efficient and environmentally responsible.
Refreshing the Vessel’s Appearance
A work of art One of the biggest visual changes was the fitment of a new eye-catching livery. The Dream Cruise now has stylish wave patterns on its hull in time for passengers to sail in it. New colors on the main mast are used highlighting the improved appearance of the ship.
Upgraded Interior to Elevate the Riding Experience
In addition to technical upgrades, the Qingdao drydock also dedicated itself to minor upgrades to the the ship’s interior. Public spaces and staterooms were upgraded to provide more comfort and convenience for guests. These small but significant enhancements provide customers with a fresh environment, ensuring they continue to choose Dream Cruise when traveling.
Resuming Voyages from Tianjin
Following the drydock in early July, Dream Cruise quickly returned to Tianjin homeport. It quickly went back to its successful routine of short international cruises, and opened its arms, encouraging passengers to return to its decks.
The cruise itineraries mostly includes known international places, including Sasebo, Nagasaki, Fukuoka in Japan and Jeju in Korea. These places offer a perfect blend of rich culture, beautiful nature, and other various attractions, and they thereby add more reasons for those who are making a Tour to Dream Cruise.
A Ship with a Rich History
The Dream Cruise used to be the Sea Princess, a very popular ship under the Princess Cruises name. Constructed at the world-famous Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, the ship first set sail in 1998, as the lead-vessel in Princess Cruises’ acclaimed Sun Class.
Sea Princess was retired from the Princess Cruises’ fleet in 2020 in response to the changing fleet strategy. The ship was later sold to Sanya International Cruise Development and renamed Charming. But the ship was forced into a long layup (with pandemic-related restrictions denying Chinese cruises) and some time to think.
In 2023, Dream Cruises purchased the ship and renamed it Dream. Prior to the current drydock, the ship received an intensive three month modernization at a separate Chinese shipyard. The previous refurbishment involved a complete overhaul of public spaces, cabins, systems and key technical components across the ship.
Ensuring Passenger Safety and Comfort
Scheduled drydocks, such as the recent session in Qingdao, help make sure cruise ships maintain the highest safety and comfort standards. Throughout these maintenance periods class inspections are carried out to confirm that the ship continues to meet with international maritime standards and to provide peace of mind for passengers.
This new drydock done in Qingdao is the recent evidence of Tianjin Orient International Cruise Line’s standard enhancement meanwhile. The Dream Cruise will be able to provide its guests with more reliable, comfortable and memorable voyages.
Boost to Chinese Cruise Industry
The rebirth of Dream Cruise is symbolic of a resurgence in China’s cruise industry, one making a remarkably fast recovery from the pandemic. Expanded activity at shipyards such as Qingdao Beihai suggest greater optimism and sector acumen.
With wonderful new hardware and itineraries, Dream Cruise will contribute to TOICL’s competitiveness! Tourism It hopes will lure the flow of tourists and put the region’s travel, and tourism sectors back into gear.
Future Prospects
Going forward, the Dream Cruise will continue to provide offerings of alluring voyages from Tianjin that deliver rich experiences at its regional destinations. The ship’s recent reno makes it a top choice for travel, offering a mix of luxury, ease, and adventure.
As travel restrictions continue to relax, Tianjin Orient International Cruise Line expects to encounter a surge in the demand for cruise voyages. The refreshed and well-cared for Dream Cruise is expected to factor in helping to satisfy this demand.
The completion of a successful drydock and return to service certainly bodes well for a new chapter in the Dream Cruise’s legacy. The ship’s renewal highlights the ongoing transformation and innovation of the cruise lines to meet shifting travel needs and industry standards.
-
Cruise & Ferry3 days agoHolland America Unifies with American Cruise Line, Carnival, Princess, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Margaritaville at Sea in Alluring More US and Canada Tourists with New Innovative Tours, This is For Your Next Trip Planning
-
Travel Trends1 day ago
Tour Packages in Kerala: Exclusive & Affordable Getaways
-
Spiritual Travel3 days ago
IHCL to Hit 400 Hotels as Sports, Religious Travel Drive Demand
-
Ways to Travel3 days ago
Exodus Adventure Travels Launches A “September to Remember”
-
Discounts & Price Drops3 days ago
South India Shopping Mall offers mega Ashadam discounts
-
Brand Stories1 day ago
Artificial intelligence put to work on extension
-
Discounts & Price Drops2 days ago
Mega discounts at South India Shopping Mall
-
Flight Buzz3 days ago
American, Delta and United Airlines Face Many Flight Cancellations Across US Due to Severe Thunderstorms: New Updates You Need to Know
-
Wellness Travel2 days ago
7 Unexpected Wellness Retreats to Relax and Recharge
-
Travel Trends2 days ago
How Vivanta Stays Is Tapping Into Travel’s Biggest Trends
