Latest news with #megaships
Condé Nast Traveler
5 hours ago
- Business
- Condé Nast Traveler
How to Build a Mega Cruise Ship
The work at Chantiers de l'Atlantique isn't limited to building megaships. During my visit two smaller vessels were also under construction: the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's 452-passenger Luminara and Celebrity Cruises' 3,248-passenger Celebrity Xcel. The shipyard has also played a central role in several recent green-tech cruise breakthroughs; by the end of next year, it will complete the construction of the world's largest sailing yacht, the Orient Express Corinthian, which will have a first-of-its-kind wind-powered propulsion system. No matter what your cruising preference, megaships are astonishing feats of human innovation. 'Any function you can imagine a land-based city should have—from electricity to water treatment plants—that's all here,' Bernhard Stacher, MSC Cruises' senior vice president of shipboard hospitality operations, told me. But unlike a city, 'it has to float.' A megaship requires its own security force, food production facilities, waste disposal systems, medical centers, and even its own jail and morgue. And its inhabitants must be kept entertained. That means water parks, Broadway-caliber musicals, comedy shows, karaoke, casinos, hundreds of hours of live music, and an almost unimaginable amount of booze. Behind every sailing is a level of logistical planning that surpasses even that of the largest resorts. 'If you're on land, you can easily call a supplier and say, 'Listen, I'm running out of flour. Can you deliver some tomorrow?'' Stacher said. 'With a ship that is not possible.' When I boarded MSC World America for its inaugural voyage, I saw no signs of the months of planning or years of construction. Instead of workers hanging in harnesses from the ceiling, there were acrobats in silver bodysuits dangling in aerial silks. The ship's steel bones had been fashionably concealed in Italian marble and polished chrome. 'It's magical to see a ship of this size come to life,' Lynn Torrent, MSC Cruises' president for North America, told me after our embarkation. 'It's really an overwhelming feeling.' As I sipped my first glass of Champagne while singers belted tunes from Dirty Dancing, the whirling noises of drills and saws felt worlds away. And that's the point, after all: to create a universe unto itself that is untethered to any semblance of reality. The next morning on my balcony, I glanced up to see a giant red swing set hanging over the side of the upper deck. High above the blue Bahamian sea, its riders shrieked in excitement, feeling the adrenaline—and the magic of an experience like no other. This article appeared in the July/August 2025 issue of Condé Nast Traveler. Subscribe to the magazine here.
Forbes
04-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Could Cruise Lines Be Forced To Rethink Size As Europe Pushes Back?
Could smaller cruise ships be the future for busy European cruise ports such as Barcelona? getty For years now, it seems that cruise lines have been obsessed with going bigger. Each new launch seemed to outdo the last, boasting more decks, more passengers, and more headline-grabbing onboard attractions. But as some of Europe's most iconic destinations move to restrict or even ban large cruise ships, a question looms: Could this be the beginning of the end for the megaship era? Cannes is the latest city to impose tough new rules. From 2026, ships carrying more than 1,000 passengers will no longer be allowed to dock in the glamorous French Riviera hotspot. It's just one example of a growing movement across Europe where authorities are drawing a line between the economic benefits of cruise tourism and its social and environmental costs. As pressure mounts and ports tighten their rules, cruise lines may be forced to reconsider not just where they sail, but how. The future of cruising might not be bigger after all. Cannes Says No To Cruise Lines' Megaships From January 1, 2026, vessels carrying more than 1,000 passengers will no longer be allowed to dock at the harbor in Cannes. Instead, larger ships must anchor offshore and transfer guests via tender boats, while daily disembarkations will be capped at 6,000 passengers. Described by the city council as a form of 'drastic regulation,' the new policy aims to make tourism in Cannes 'less numerous, less big, less polluting and more esthetic.' Mayor David Lisnard insists this is not a ban, but a strategic response to balance visitor demand with environmental concerns. 'Cannes has become a major cruise ship destination, with real economic benefits,' he said. 'It's not about banning cruise ships, but about regulating, organizing, setting guidelines for their navigation.' Environmental advocates have welcomed the move. In 2024, Cannes hosted 175 ships and more than 450,000 passengers, underscoring the significance of the shift. A Growing Movement Across Europe Cannes is just the latest in a series of high-profile European ports placing limits on cruise ship access. In recent years, cities across the continent have introduced restrictions to tackle the environmental impact of cruise tourism and the pressure it places on local infrastructure. Venice led the way by banning large ships from entering its historic lagoon in 2021, rerouting vessels over 25,000 gross tons to nearby industrial ports. Amsterdam has announced a phased reduction in cruise traffic, aiming to cap visits at 100 ships per year from 2026, with a long-term goal of eliminating cruise ships entirely by 2035. In Spain, Palma de Mallorca limits daily arrivals to just three ships, only one of which may carry more than 5,000 passengers. Meanwhile, Barcelona has capped arrivals at seven ships per day and banned the biggest ships from its downtown port. While that figure may seem high, Barcelona is one of the busiest cruise ports in the world and a major turnaround hub, making the restriction a significant step. Other cities, including Dubrovnik and Zeebrugge, have implemented caps on daily dockings, while Nice has restricted access to ships over 190 meters or with more than 900 passengers. The message from Europe is increasingly clear: smaller, better-managed cruise tourism is the way forward. Cruise Lines Need To Segment To Survive The rise of megaships continues to dominate the cruise industry's marketing and media coverage. Cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean are investing heavily in these floating resorts, aiming to attract younger travelers looking for an all-in-one vacation experience with amenities such as surf simulators and water parks. However, this is only one direction the industry is taking. Alongside the growth of megaships, a quieter but equally significant trend is reshaping the sector. There is increasing demand for smaller, boutique-style vessels that focus on cultural enrichment and sustainability, together with access to ports that larger ships cannot reach. Industry analysts report strong growth in the luxury cruise segment, where intimacy and curated experiences are prioritized over size and spectacle. Viking Ocean Cruises is a clear example. Its ocean-going ships each carry fewer than 1,000 passengers and focus on thoughtful itineraries and an enrichment-focused onboard atmosphere. Other lines, such as Explora Journeys, Seabourn, and Ponant are expanding with similar models that emphasise space, style and service. As cruise lines adapt to changing traveler expectations and increased regulatory pressure in major ports, the shift toward a more segmented and diversified market appears not just likely, but inevitable. Large megaships are likely to remain popular on well-established routes such as the Caribbean and parts of Europe, especially where the appeal lies in the ship itself. Travelers seeking cultural depth, unique ports, and a quieter, more personalized atmosphere will increasingly seek smaller ships. As ports introduce new restrictions and passenger expectations continue to evolve, cruise lines that can serve both ends of the market will be better positioned for long-term success. MORE FROM FORBES Forbes New To Cruising? These 5 Cruise Traditions May Surprise You By David Nikel Forbes When It Makes Sense To Book Cruise Line Shore Excursions By David Nikel Forbes Turnaround Ports Are The Cities That Power The Cruise Industry By David Nikel
The Independent
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
The real reason cruise passengers are getting younger – and their top chosen destinations
Record numbers of passengers embarked on a cruise in 2024, industry data shows, and the clientele is getting younger. A cruise holiday was once associated with older passengers but the industry has reinvented itself in recent years with the rising trend of megaships offering everything from giant waterslides to virtual reality arcades and rock climbing walls onboard. Many passengers are also attracted to the variety of destinations available and the possibility to visit more than one city and even multiple countries and continents during a sailing. Industry data released by the Cruise Lines International Association (Clia) today revealed that a record 2.4 million UK passengers went on a cruise last year. The average age of UK and Ireland cruisers has also continued to decrease. It is now 54.3 years - down from 55.1 in 2023 and 57 in 2019. Andy Harmer, UK and Ireland managing director for Clia, said: 'Cruising continues to capture the imagination of travellers across the UK and Ireland, as more and more people embrace the diversity, value and unique experiences a holiday at sea offers.' Here is why more people are cruising and where they are going. New ships Passengers are being attracted to the sea by an influx of new and exciting ships featuring rides and plenty of immersive activities and entertainment. For the first time, the CLIA-member cruise line fleet has exceeded 310 ocean-going vessels and the onboard facilities are attracting younger passengers and families. In recent years, Royal Caribbean has launched the world's largest cruise ship, Icon of The Seas, which features the largest waterslide on the ocean and even has a resident dog. It is also launching a sister ship Star of the Seas later this year. Disney Cruise Line launched Disney Treasure last year, which has character meet-ups and bars inspired by its theme parks including the Haunted Mansion. It also has a heroes-and-villains-themed ship, Disney Destiny, coming in November. There have been several high-profile ship launches this year to tempt passengers. This includes MSC World America, which has its own Cliffhanger swing ride that hangs over the side of the ship, and Norwegian Aqua, where passengers can ride on its hybrid waterslide and rollercoaster, the SlideCoaster. Princess Cruises and Celebrity Cruises also have highly-anticipated new ships launching later this year. Many regular cruisers may also have favourite ships they enjoy revisiting and some such as Cunard have a historical and established fleet, such as Queen Mary 2, known for its Southampton to New York sailings. The rise of river cruising River cruising is becoming increasingly popular and Clia says it is one of the fastest growing areas of the market as passengers seek smaller ship experiences. A river cruise can often get you closer to the centre of a destination and provide a more luxury and intimate sailing. Harmer said itinerary on the Rhine and the Danube are increasingly popular. River cruising is attracting new entrants as well. Tour operator Trafalgar is set to enter the market in spring 2026 with itineraries along the Rhine and Danube rivers. Lindblad Expeditions has announced plans to bring its exploration cruises to European rivers, while Celebrity Cruises is set to enter the river cruise market in 2027. Viking Cruises is planning to have 109 river cruise ships by 2028, giving passengers itineraries ranging from Europe to Egypt. Destination-focused The most popular region last year, according to Clia data, was the Mediterranean, where you can explore major cities such as Barcelona and Rome or even discover emerging areas in Croatia or the Greek islands. Many lines such as P&O Cruises and MSC Cruises have itineraries from Southampton, making it convenient for British passengers. P&O Cruises has a 14-night roundtrip sailing from Southampton aboard Arvia that visits the beaches of Mallorca, urban streets of Barcelona and historical Cadiz. It departs on 8 June 2025, with prices from £1,679 per person. If you fancy sailing straight from the sun, Royal Caribbean's newest ship Legend of the Seas will sail from Barcelona and Rome across the Med next summer. Northern Europe is the second most popular destination, with 26.5 per cent of British cruise passengers choosing routes towards the French coast, the fjords and northern lights of Norway or the chocolate of Bruges and tulip fields of Amsterdam. Cunard has a two-week northern Europe itinerary that visits the glacial and mountain scenery of Iceland and Norway aboard its newest ship Queen Anne. It departs Southampton on 9 August, with fares from £999 per person. The Caribbean and the Bahamas are also popular cruise destinations, with 13 per cent of passengers choosing the clear blue seas and sandy beaches of the region. Royal Caribbean's largest ship Icon, excels in this area. It has regular departures from Miami that include stops in Costa Maya, San Juan and it even has its own private island CocoCay. Prices start from £1,009 per person. The beaches of Tenerife and volcanic landscapes of Lanzarote also attracted 11.8 per cent of passengers to cruises around the Canary Islands. Brands such as Marella offer attractive all-inclusive cruises in the Canary Islands. For some winter sun, it has a seven-night sailing aboard Marella Voyager from Malaga to Tenerife with stops in Gibraltar and Madeira on 5 December. Prices start from £845 per person. Another popular option is transatlantic or world cruises, attracting 2.8 per cent of passengers last year. These sailings can be ideal ways to travel from the UK across the pond to the US or across the world. Cunard has a popular transatlantic sailing from Southampton to New York aboard Queen Mary 2. A roundtrip from Southampton to New York with Cunard, departing on 4 August 2025, starts at £3,369 per person. Harmer added: 'With an increasingly younger demographic onboard and more ships in the global fleet, the future of cruising has never looked brighter. And the wider benefits the industry delivers to local economies, suppliers and communities highlight the positive impact cruising has on a global scale.'
