Ph oto cre dit : Te ijo Ni em elä 6 Editor’s Commentary 8 Upfront 14 Getting to know Windstar’s Peter Tobler, Director of Hotel Operations 16 Norwegian Cruise Line introduces Aqua, progresses with Luna 18 Mein Schiff Relax – JOI-Design’s first large scale cruise ship project 20 Royal Caribbean introduces another record-breaking ship 26 Seven-year journey creating the largest cruise ship in the world 27 MSC Cruises brings World-class cruising to North America 30 Residential cruise ship market re-invented 32 Company Profile: American Cruise Lines ON THE COVER: Made in America cruise ships. Lounge of Viking Mississippi, American Patriot and American Liberty ON THE CONTENTS PAGE: Coastal Cat American Legend docked at Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, Maryland CONTENTS SUMMER 2025 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SUMMER 2025 3 CB-TAITTO SUMMER 2025.indd 3 CB-TAITTO SUMMER 2025.indd 3 16.9.2025 10.19 16.9.2025 10.19
4 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SUMMER 2025 CST#2052644-40 Seven Continents Twenty-One Rivers Five Oceans One Viking Condé Nast Traveler’s #1 for Oceans, Rivers and Expeditions Visit viking.com, call 1-800-2-VIKING or see your Travel Advisor #1 River #1 Ocean #1 Expedition CB-TAITTO SUMMER 2025.indd 4 CB-TAITTO SUMMER 2025.indd 4 16.9.2025 10.19 16.9.2025 10.19
CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SUMMER 2025 5 CST#2052644-40 Seven Continents Twenty-One Rivers Five Oceans One Viking Condé Nast Traveler’s #1 for Oceans, Rivers and Expeditions Visit viking.com, call 1-800-2-VIKING or see your Travel Advisor #1 River #1 Ocean #1 Expedition CB-TAITTO SUMMER 2025.indd 5 CB-TAITTO SUMMER 2025.indd 5 16.9.2025 10.19 16.9.2025 10.19
6 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SUMMER 2025 J apan is quickly becoming both a major cruise destination and a source market, thanks to renewed interest of domestic shipowners and increased deployment of international cruise lines. Two Japanese shipping conglomerates, namely Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line), long neglected the investments for their domestic cruise ship fleets, but progress began a few years ago — both shipping companies identified the need to diversify their portfolios. First, NYK Line announced a newbuilding order for its Asuka cruise brand in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic in summer 2021. The 52,265-gross-ton and 740-guest ship, named Asuka III, joined its 1990-built fleetmate Asuka II this summer, exclusively serving the Japanese source market. A local rival, MOL, launched a completely new brand, Mitsui Ocean Cruises, and opted to serve both a domestic and an international customer base. It first opted for a secondhand tonnage by acquiring 2009-built 32,346-grosston and 458-guest ultra-luxury cruise ship Seabourn Odyssey and renaming it Mitsui Ocean Fuji. With this move, MOL was able to re-energize the market before NYK Line. And hot on the heels of Mitsui Ocean Fuji, MOL also contracted to buy its sister ship Seabourn Sojourn (to be renamed Mitsui Ocean Sakura), which will replace the 1990-built Nippon Maru in 2026. Before these developments, a new Japanese shipowner entered the market a year ago with a newbuilding order — but this time representing a first mega cruise ship by a domestic company. German Meyer Werft will build a 144,000-gross-ton Disney Wish-class ship for the Oriental Land Company, which operates Disney theme parks in Japan. The vessel is scheduled for delivery in late 2028, beginning operations in early 2029. Foreign cruise lines also continue to source Japanese guests, basing more tonnage in Japan during the high season, which is summer. Princess Cruises, which first entered the market in 2013, announced it will double its footprint in 2027. In addition to the 115,875-gross-ton and 2,670-guest Diamond Princess, it will also deploy its sister ship Sapphire Princess in Japan. Princess is one of the best-known foreign cruise brands in Japan. So, how large is the Japanese source market right now and how does it compare to other Asian markets? “The Asian market grew a robust 13% in 2024, building on its remarkable 195% rebound in 2023 after the prolonged impact of COVID-19’s devastation. A total of 2.6 million Asians took cruises to destinations worldwide last year. While still well below the peak of 2018 (4.2 million passengers) and the strong result in 2019 (3.7 million), it is clear that Asia is again embracing cruising,” Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) reported. The largest source market is mainland China with 931,000 annual guests, followed by Singapore and India. Japan is fourth, up 11.7% to 227,000 guests. Japan’s gross domestic product per capita was close to US $32,500 last year. Along with a growing retired population, Japan is ideal for further investments for the local source market. As far as destinations for foreign visitors, Japan is booming. Last year it welcomed a record of 37 million tourists, a 15% boost from before the pandemic in 2019. Cruises, however, represent a tiny fraction of the number: Last year Japan received 1.44 million international cruise travelers, which is still down from pre-pandemic levels. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLITT), the country accommodated 1,923 international ship calls in its ports. Japan is ideal for cruise ship travel with multiple islands, archipelagos and waterways. MLITT lists as many as 142 ports of call, of which the major ones are in the Tokyo region (consisting of three cruise terminals, including Yokohama). Other popular ports include Kobe, Osaka, Naha, Hakata, Nagasaki and Ishigaki. Over 33 years, I have closely covered all of Japan’s aspects in the cruise business, and right now its prospects look more exciting than ever. EDITOR’S COMMENTARY Japan progresses as a cruise destination and source market HOW TO FOLLOW US X/@cruisebusiness || Facebook/CruiseBusinessUSA || Instagram/niemelateijo || E-mail christer.gorschelnik(a)kolumbus.fi CruiseBusiness.com Magazine Editor Teijo Niemelä Publisher Cruise Media LLC Chief Content Officer Carolyn Spencer Brown Sales Christer Gorschelnik COMPANY ADDRESS Cruise Media LLC 409 Riverview Road Chestertown, MD 21620 USA Telephone +1-609-751-2344 E-mail cruisemediallc(a)gmail.com SALES OFFICE USA Teijo Niemelä 409 Riverview Road Chestertown, MD 21620USA Telephone +1-609-751-2344 E-mail cruisemediallc(a)gmail.com SALES OFFICE FINLAND ChrisGo Consulting Pahtankatu 10 as 10 FI-21200 Raisio, Finland Telephone +358-440-159 554 E-mail christer.gorschelnik(a)kolumbus.fi FEATURED CONTRIBUTOR Carolyn Spencer Brown, the longtime, award-winning Editor-in-Chief of Cruise Critic, is Chief Content Officer of Cruise Media LLC. In that role, she oversees the company’s branded content projects for cruise lines, business to business clients and ports and destinations: carolynspencerbrown.com v the voyage begins here the voyage begins here Everything needed for a seamless journey is right here. Port Everglades guests enjoy easy access through a leading international airport, direct highway connections, state-of-the-art terminals, secure parking, and boundless preand post-cruise possibilities in the world’s most inviting destination, Greater Fort Lauderdale, where Everyone Under the Sun is embraced with open arms. We make it easy. PortEverglades.net CB-TAITTO SUMMER 2025.indd 6 CB-TAITTO SUMMER 2025.indd 6 16.9.2025 10.19 16.9.2025 10.19
CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SUMMER 2025 7 v the voyage begins here the voyage begins here Everything needed for a seamless journey is right here. Port Everglades guests enjoy easy access through a leading international airport, direct highway connections, state-of-the-art terminals, secure parking, and boundless preand post-cruise possibilities in the world’s most inviting destination, Greater Fort Lauderdale, where Everyone Under the Sun is embraced with open arms. We make it easy. PortEverglades.net CB-TAITTO SUMMER 2025.indd 7 CB-TAITTO SUMMER 2025.indd 7 16.9.2025 10.19 16.9.2025 10.19
8 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SUMMER 2025 UPFRONT ELEVATE YOUR EXHIBITION PRESENCE Independently Strong, Together Brilliant Tired of generic exhibition stands that blend into the background? Wulff Entre crafts unique, engaging environments that ensure your brand stands out. As a design and project of?ce, we create spaces for meaningful encounters worldwide. Our independently together approach means you can join a joint national pavilion and still maintain your distinct brand look and feel. Bene?t from shared services like onsite support, meeting rooms, storage and delegation visits plus the increased visibility of a joint presence – all while proudly showcasing your unique identity! Let us help you plan and ful?ll your exhibition dreams. Exhibit with Us at Upcoming Maritime & Offshore Exhibitions: March 2026: • Energy Week, Vaasa, 16 19 • APM Asia Paci?c Maritime, Singapore, 25 27 April 2026: • Sea-Air-Space, Maryland USA, 6 9 • Sea Japan, Tokyo, 10 12 • Seatrade Cruise Global, Miami, 13 16 May 2026: • Navalia, Spain, 19 21 • CNE Combined Naval Event, Farnborough 19 21 June 2026: • Posidonia, Athens 1 5 August 2026: • Nor-Fishing, Trondheim 18 20 • ONS, Stavanger 24 27 September 2026 • SMM, Hamburg, 1 4 • WindEnergy, Hamburg 22 25 • Seatrade Cruise Med, Malaga TBD October 2026 • OTD, Bergen TBD November 2026 • Euronaval, Paris 3 6 August 2025: • ONS, Stavanger, 24 27 September 2025: • SPE Offshore Europe, Aberdeen, 2 5 • DSEI, London, 9-12 • Seatrade Europe, Hamburg, 10 12 • INMEX SMM, Mumbai, 10 12 • London International Shipping Week, London, 15 19 • Monaco Yacht Show, Monaco, 24 27 October 2025: • OTD Energy, Stavanger, 15 16 • Kormarine, Busan, 21 24 November 2025: • Europort, Rotterdam, 4 7 • METSTRADE, Amsterdam, 18 20 December 2025: • Marintec China, Shanghai, 2 5 • Cruise Ship Interiors Design Expo Europe, Hamburg, 3 4 • International Work Boat Show, New Orleans, 3 5 February 2026: • Euromaritime, Marseille, 3 5 Contact us for more information: Salla Salonen Account Director +358 50 401 7455 salla.salonen@wulffentre.com www.wulffentre.com The first newbuild designed specifically for the Japanese cruise line and Japanese source market for decades, the 52,265-gross-ton and 740-guest Asuka III, was officially named in Yokohama on July 11. Asuka III was the first new prototype cruise ship ordered since the start of pandemic and it was constructed at the Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany. Tamiko Soga, wife of Takaya Soga, President of parent company Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha, had the honor of serving as godmother. American Cruise Lines christened its first Patriot-class newbuilding, American Patriot, during July Fourth festivities in Newport, Rhode Island. This fleet of new 130-passenger ships is designed exclusively for cruising in the United States. Patriot-class sister ships American Pioneer, American Maverick and American Ranger will launch later this year and into 2026. The godmother’s duties were carried out by Susan Daly, President of Sail Newport. Also pictured on the left, Charles B. Robertson, President & CEO, and Bret Bullock, Vice President of Guest Experience. Carnival Cruise Line officially opened its $600 million Celebration Key in Grand Bahama, when the “Fun Ship” line’s Carnival Vista made its first official call to the destination on July 19. Along with nearly 5,000 guests were Carnival Corp. & plc CEO Josh Weinstein, Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy and Chief Fun Officer Shaquille O’Neal. Celebration Key’s new experiences and offerings span five distinctive areas and include more than 30 food and beverage venues. The destination will initially bring more than 2 million guests a year to Grand Bahama. By 2028, this number is expected to grow to 4 million. Celebration Key features an adjacent cruise pier capable of accommodating two of Carnival’s largest ships simultaneously. Already, construction on an extension to the pier is underway to accommodate two additional ships. 8 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SUMMER 2025 CB-TAITTO SUMMER 2025.indd 8 CB-TAITTO SUMMER 2025.indd 8 16.9.2025 10.19 16.9.2025 10.19
CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SUMMER 2025 9 ELEVATE YOUR EXHIBITION PRESENCE Independently Strong, Together Brilliant Tired of generic exhibition stands that blend into the background? Wulff Entre crafts unique, engaging environments that ensure your brand stands out. As a design and project of?ce, we create spaces for meaningful encounters worldwide. Our independently together approach means you can join a joint national pavilion and still maintain your distinct brand look and feel. Bene?t from shared services like onsite support, meeting rooms, storage and delegation visits plus the increased visibility of a joint presence – all while proudly showcasing your unique identity! Let us help you plan and ful?ll your exhibition dreams. Exhibit with Us at Upcoming Maritime & Offshore Exhibitions: March 2026: • Energy Week, Vaasa, 16 19 • APM Asia Paci?c Maritime, Singapore, 25 27 April 2026: • Sea-Air-Space, Maryland USA, 6 9 • Sea Japan, Tokyo, 10 12 • Seatrade Cruise Global, Miami, 13 16 May 2026: • Navalia, Spain, 19 21 • CNE Combined Naval Event, Farnborough 19 21 June 2026: • Posidonia, Athens 1 5 August 2026: • Nor-Fishing, Trondheim 18 20 • ONS, Stavanger 24 27 September 2026 • SMM, Hamburg, 1 4 • WindEnergy, Hamburg 22 25 • Seatrade Cruise Med, Malaga TBD October 2026 • OTD, Bergen TBD November 2026 • Euronaval, Paris 3 6 August 2025: • ONS, Stavanger, 24 27 September 2025: • SPE Offshore Europe, Aberdeen, 2 5 • DSEI, London, 9-12 • Seatrade Europe, Hamburg, 10 12 • INMEX SMM, Mumbai, 10 12 • London International Shipping Week, London, 15 19 • Monaco Yacht Show, Monaco, 24 27 October 2025: • OTD Energy, Stavanger, 15 16 • Kormarine, Busan, 21 24 November 2025: • Europort, Rotterdam, 4 7 • METSTRADE, Amsterdam, 18 20 December 2025: • Marintec China, Shanghai, 2 5 • Cruise Ship Interiors Design Expo Europe, Hamburg, 3 4 • International Work Boat Show, New Orleans, 3 5 February 2026: • Euromaritime, Marseille, 3 5 Contact us for more information: Salla Salonen Account Director +358 50 401 7455 salla.salonen@wulffentre.com www.wulffentre.com CB-TAITTO SUMMER 2025.indd 9 CB-TAITTO SUMMER 2025.indd 9 16.9.2025 10.19 16.9.2025 10.19
10 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SUMMER 2025 MSC Cruises officially named its MSC World America, the second 215,863-gross-ton and 6,762-guest World-class ship, in a ceremony at the company’s new terminal at PortMiami on April 9. The ship’s godmother Drew Barrymore was joined by Orlando Bloom, who co-stars with her in the company’s “Let’s Holiday” campaign that debuted during the Super Bowl. UPFRONT Explora Journeys, the luxury brand of the MSC Group, celebrated a triple milestone at Fincantieri’s Genoa Sestri Ponente shipyard on July 14. The Explora III was floated out, while the coin ceremony for Explora IV and the steel cutting for Explora V took place. The new Explora ships currently under construction will be slightly larger at 72,810 gross tons compared to the I and II with a gross tonnage of 63,900. Attendees at the ceremonies included Explora President Anna Nash and Cruise Division of MSC Group Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago The two newest National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions ships in the Galápagos fleet were officially named on July 10. National Geographic Delfina and National Geographic Gemini were acquired from Celebrity Cruises. Members of the shipboard teams and their children were honored during the bottle-breaking ceremony, underscoring Lindblad’s commitment to the local community and dedication to preserving and protecting the region. From left to right: Dr. Jaime Chavez; Miguel Bermeo, Electrician; Victor Acurio, Chief Engineer; Jose Vergara, Third Officer; Nathaly Alban, Captain of National Geographic Gemini; Julian Puente, Second Officer; Pablo Peña, Eduardo, Technical Superintendent; Ana Esteves, Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations; Natalya Leahy, Lindblad Expeditions CEO; Jhon Iturralde, Captain of National Geographic Delfina; and Victor Cruz, Second Engineer on the bow of National Geographic Gemini just moments before the bottle-breaking ceremony. Joe Schott, President of Disney Signature Experiences, joined Philip Gennotte from Walt Disney Imagineering, Bernd Eikens from Meyer Werft and Cruise Director Carly Scott to cut the first piece of steel for the next addition to the Disney Cruise Line fleet on Aug. 8, 2025, at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. The next newbuild will be the fourth unit of 144,000-gross-ton Disney Wish-class ships. The third, Disney Destiny, will be delivered later this fall. Disney will also launch its “one-off” 208,000-gross-ton Disney Adventure this fall, which will sail exclusively from Singapore. 10 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SUMMER 2025 CB-TAITTO SUMMER 2025.indd 10 CB-TAITTO SUMMER 2025.indd 10 16.9.2025 10.19 16.9.2025 10.19
CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SUMMER 2025 11 Fincantieri and Oceania Cruises (part of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.) cut the steel for the next-generation Oceania Sonata at the Fincantieri’s Margera shipyard on June 4. The event was attended by Harry Sommer, President & CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., Jason Montague, Chief Luxury Officer of Oceania Cruises, Luigi Matarazzo, General Manager of the Merchant Ships Division of Fincantieri, and Marco Lunardi, SVP Marghera Shipyard. Oceania Sonata will join the fleet in summer 2027 and will be followed by three more sister ships. UPFRONT Oceania Cruises took delivery of Oceania Allura from Fincantieri’s Genoa Sestri shipyard on July 10. At 68,000 gross tons, Oceania Allura has a capacity for 1,200 guests. Signing the papers from left, Fincantieri’s Luigi Matarazzo and Oceania’s Jason Montague. At the end of July, Royal Caribbean International set a milestone for the record books, celebrating 100 million guests. The Duquette family (Chris, Madeline and Jillian) from Parkland, Florida, were named Royal Caribbean’s 100 millionth guests on the Icon of the Seas. Alongside the Royal Caribbean crew, the family celebrated the major milestone with upgrades and prizes. CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SUMMER 2025 11 CB-TAITTO SUMMER 2025.indd 11 CB-TAITTO SUMMER 2025.indd 11 16.9.2025 10.19 16.9.2025 10.19
12 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SUMMER 2025 UPFRONT SunStone Maritime Group A/S — the leading tonnage provider for expedition cruise shipping — has taken the next step in leadership transition. After 35 years as CEO, founder Niels-Erik Lund retired as CEO on June 30, 2025. Niels-Erik will remain involved in the group as a member of the Board of Directors. As of July 1, Carsten Lund assumed the role of CEO of the Group. He previously served as SunStone’s Chief Commercial Officer, where he was responsible for the company’s client relations and commercial development. This scheduled transition is the latest step in SunStone’s succession plan to transfer the responsibility of leading the family-owned group to Carsten and his brother Christian Lund, who continues as Chief Operating Officer. Royal Caribbean took delivery of Star of the Seas at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland. Alongside more than 1,250 crew members and partners, Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean President and CEO Michael Bayley, Meyer Turku CEO Casimir Lindholm and Meyer Turku Chairman Jaakko Eskola marked the moment just a few weeks ahead of Star’s August debut in Port Canaveral, Florida. Star of the Seas is the second 248,663-gross-ton Icon-class ship and will be followed by Legend of the Seas next year and still-unnamed sister ship in 2027. 12 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SUMMER 2025 CB-TAITTO SUMMER 2025.indd 12 CB-TAITTO SUMMER 2025.indd 12 16.9.2025 10.19 16.9.2025 10.19
CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SUMMER 2025 13 Victory Cruise Lines re-introduced 4,954-gross-ton 190-guest Victory I and Victory II for trading in the Great Lakes. The company, founded by John Waggoner, celebrated the christening of Victory I in Toronto on April 27. The duties of godmother were carried out by Emily Coleman, daughter of John and Claudette Waggoner. Sister ship Victory II was named in Chicago on May 12. Both ships are scheduled to operate 10to 15-night voyages from Chicago, Toronto, Milwaukee and Montreal now through October, before a pause for the winter months. Viking named its newest ocean vessel, Viking Vesta, in Split, Croatia, on June 30. At 54,300 gross tons and 998 guests, Vesta is slightly larger than the original prototype, Viking Star, which was introduced 10 years ago and was later joined by nine identical sister ships. With the introduction of Vesta, Viking’s ocean fleet now includes 14 vessels, including two expedition ships and one ship in China. Pictured from left to right are Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking; Lene Tangevald-Jensen, godmother of the Viking Vesta; Captain Anders Steen; Karine Hagen, Viking Executive Vice President of Product, and Lene’s partner Olav Nils Sunde during the naming ceremony of the Viking Vesta. UPFRONT CB-TAITTO SUMMER 2025.indd 13 CB-TAITTO SUMMER 2025.indd 13 16.9.2025 10.19 16.9.2025 10.19
14 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SUMMER 2025 Getting to know Windstar’s Peter Tobler, Director of Hotel Operations I n Winds of Change, Windstar’s podcast, Peter Tobler talks about his origins: He grew up in Switzerland and his career path followed in the footsteps — at least for a time — of his father, also a hotelier. After switching to the cruise industry, he worked for lines such as Norwegian, Princess and Seabourn. And this is a cool bit of karma: Tobler was the person who first hired Chris Prelog, now Windstar’s President, to Seabourn. “I spent a brief period of time, just about six months, being the General Manager of two hotels and six independent restaurants in Austria,” Tobler told Winds of Change host and Windstar Chief Commercial Officer Janet Bava. “And Chris at the time was the Assistant General Manager of one of the hotels. I told Chris, I mean, the guy was already a genius back then: ‘If you’re ever interested in the cruise industry, call me.’” Prelog’s stories about his first cruise contract at Seabourn take place aboard Windstar’s now-Star Legend, while Tobler’s first ship was Seabourn Pride. Which is now Windstar’s Star Pride. What a karmic connection! For this conversation with Tobler, though, we wanted to focus on the legacy he’s building around Windstar’s food and beverage programs. Carolyn Spencer Brown: You’ve been with Windstar for almost nine years now. How has its culinary program evolved since then? Peter Tobler: We’ve embraced a more modern, more contemporary approach that’s a reflection of global cuisine with a focus on ingredients, dishes and drinks from the places we’re visiting. We’ve expanded existing partnerships — with the James Beard Foundation and with Gallo’s LUX Wines initiative. Spencer Brown: Peter, can you give us a quick, high-level look at what’s evolving in the culinary space onboard Windstar’s ships this year and beyond? Tobler: 2025 marks the 10th anniversary as the official cruise partner of the James Beard Foundation and that goes beyond featuring dishes created by its chefs, the best in America, to inviting these chefs to host voyages onboard. This year, for such a significant milestone, our five James Beard Foundation cruises (there are still a few left if you want to sign up!) all feature chefs who’ve already been part of this partnership — and our guests are thrilled to welcome them back. We’ve also created a relationship with the luxury division of Gallo Winery, LUX Wines, to offer tastings of superior wines and other educational forays onboard. This year, we created a new specialty restaurant concept, called Basil + Bamboo. And last, but by no means least, Windstar heads back to Alaska in 2026 and we’re busy creating new food and beverage menus that reflect the region. It’s been a busy year. Spencer Brown: Let’s tackle these one at a time. Tell us about Windstar’s James Beard Foundation partnership. Tobler: The 10th anniversary (of the partnership) is a big deal for both of us. James Beard Foundation consists of the best chefs in the U.S. Through this relationship we’ve gained access to their dishes, and to the chefs themselves, especially onboard our JBF hosted voyages. I think what they do is an art form, what they do in the culinary scene is truly art. And I think what we’re able to curate on board is absolutely spectacular. This year we’re also co-hosting seven wine cruises and four of them are a combination of James Beard Foundation chefs and Gallo’s LUX Wines. As well, our guests have loved interacting with these celebrity chefs and winemakers and wine ambassadors. They are such a diverse group of people from all over the world. And you don’t have to sail on the hosted cruises to feel the James Beard impact onboard. Amphora’s menus continue to feature dishes with recipes that have been created by James Beard chefs; it’s part of our core offering. These additions to our menus occur every single day on every single sailing. INTERVIEW By Carolyn Spencer Brown I will argue that Peter Tobler, who over the last eight years has led Windstar’s culinary operations, has the best job in the company. That’s because Tobler, in addition to overseeing many crucial functions, is a visionary whose gift for the culinary arts has lifted the line with new accomplishments. Peter Tobler is a frequent speaker in cruise industry events Peter Tobler CB-TAITTO SUMMER 2025.indd 14 CB-TAITTO SUMMER 2025.indd 14 16.9.2025 10.19 16.9.2025 10.19
CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SUMMER 2025 15 Getting to know Windstar’s Peter Tobler, Director of Hotel Operations Spencer Brown: Basil + Bamboo is Windstar’s first new specialty restaurant in a while. Tell us about the new concept. Tobler: We launched our first Basil + Bamboo on Star Breeze in Tahiti this spring. It’s a mix of Mediterranean and Asian cuisine, and is what we call a MediterrAsian menu. There’s both a focus on specific Asian dishes (mainly Japanese with some Indonesian) and of course Mediterranean-influenced recipes. Other dishes have been created that fuse the two, like Miso Spencer Brown: What should we order from the menu? Tobler: Anything and everything! My favorite, when dining with a larger table, is to order sharing plates so we can all taste so many different dishes. Basil + Bamboo has tapas offerings, a raw bar and a sushi/ sashimi menu. Entrées include fusion dishes that blend the best of both regions; I love the miso black cod with Spanish jamon, and beef medallions and a creamy parmesan polenta — with ponzu jus. And the feedback so far has been phenomenal. It’s so popular that now we’ve created a second menu because some of our guests want to sail back-to-back cruises and we want to make sure they have additional choices to select from. Spencer Brown: Will Basil + Bamboo be operating on other ships in Windstar’s fleet? Tobler: It’s already launched on Star Breeze, in Tahiti. It will be part of Star Seeker, which is debuting in December 2025 and in the same month, Star Legend, which will just be coming from a drydock, will replace Cuadro 44 with Basil + Bamboo. Star Pride will get the new restaurant in April 2026. And when Star Explorer debuts in December 2026, it will also have Basil + Bamboo. (Editor’s note: Tobler pronounces basil as bay-sl rather than like the name of Switzerland’s Basel.) Basil + Bamboo is a new Mediterranean/Asian specialty restaurant on Windstar ships CB-TAITTO SUMMER 2025.indd 15 CB-TAITTO SUMMER 2025.indd 15 16.9.2025 10.19 16.9.2025 10.19
16 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SUMMER 2025 Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the contemporary brand of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., introduced its first Prima Plus-class ship in April, sailing from various U.S. East Coast ports, including Port Canaveral, PortMiami and New York. The 156,300-gross-ton and 3,571-guest Norwegian Aqua is a stretched version of Norwegian’s Prima-class ships, which were first introduced in 2022 with the delivery of namesake Norwegian Prima. Aqua and its sister ship Luna, to be introduced next year, are 10% larger than the original prototype. All together, NCL has ordered a total of six Prima-class ships from Italy’s Fincantieri. Built in Marghera, the project was first called Leonardo-class and was originally designed with smaller platforms than previous NCL Breakaway and Breakaway Plus-classes. The fifth and sixth Prima-class ships, which will be delivered in 2027 and 2028, will be again 20% larger than the original pair. Although NCL still has three ships on Prima-class to be delivered, it has already contracted for larger 225,000-gross-ton ships, which will be built at Fincantieri’s Monfalcone facility. What’s new on the Norwegian Aqua Norwegian Aqua boasts many first-in-the-industry activities including the hallmark top-deck attraction, the Aqua Slidecoaster. The world’s first-ever hybrid waterslide and roller coaster continues to generate growing social media buzz with a high-speed powered launch that propels adventurous guests through dual slides that race across three decks. Guests can also enjoy the brand-new Glow Court, a digital sports complex with an interactive LED floor offering unique and interactive games by day and transforming into an electric club by night. For activities the whole family can enjoy together, the new Aqua Game Zone has multigenerational appeal with retro arcade games such as Ms. Pac-Man and Mario Bros., complemented by New Age virtual reality experiences and classic carnival games. The current trend is to offer more and smaller dining venues, many of which carry an extra charge. Among the 17 different dining options, there is NCL’s first Thai restaurant, Sukhothai, and the brand’s first-ever plant-based eatery in the 10-station food hall, Indulge. Norwegian Aqua also features 18 bars and lounges, including Metropolitan Bar, the industry’s first sustainable craft cocktail bar. As far as the outdoor spaces are concerned, the ship’s stretch allowed it to expand the main pool deck and the adults-only Vibe Beach Club is now more spacious than before. On the entertainment front, Norwegian Aqua features a headlining production of “Revolution: A Celebration of Prince,” an immersive theatrical concert experience created in-house with top industry talent, honoring the multi-Grammy Award-nominated and winner Prince. Other main stage productions include “Elements: The World Expanded,” an enhanced version of NCL’s top-rated show, blending acrobatics, magic and stunning visuals inspired by the four elements — earth, wind, fire and water; as well as interactive game shows such as the “Price is Right LIVE.” Where will Norwegian Aqua sail? Since its delivery in spring, Norwegian Aqua has been deployed for short stints in PortMiami and Port Canaveral before moving to New York, where it is currently sailing to Bermuda. Following its New York City sailings and just in time to beat the winter blues, Norwegian Aqua will travel to Miami to sail 4-, 5and 7-night Bahamas and Caribbean cruises from October 2025 through April 2026. In 2026, Norwegian Aqua will return to New York City for an extended season of Bermuda sailings from April 2026 to October 2026. Norwegian Cruise Line introduces Aqua, progresses with Luna SHIP REVIEW Norwegian Aqua in Port Miami CB-TAITTO SUMMER 2025.indd 16 CB-TAITTO SUMMER 2025.indd 16 16.9.2025 10.19 16.9.2025 10.19
CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SUMMER 2025 17 Sukhothai Metropolitan Bar Planterie in Indulge Food Hall Balcony cabin Penrose Atrium is the focal point of Norwegian Aqua CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2024 17 CB-TAITTO SUMMER 2025.indd 17 CB-TAITTO SUMMER 2025.indd 17 16.9.2025 10.19 16.9.2025 10.19
18 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SUMMER 2025 Launched in April 2025, the 157,651-grosston Mein Schiff Relax represents many milestones. Not only is the vessel the first in TUI Cruises’ new InTUItion class, as well as its largest to-date and its first capable of running on cleaner-burning LNG fuel, it is also interior architect JOI-Design’s first large-scale seafaring cruise ship project following the studio’s modernization of the riverboat experience with A-ROSA Sena. Mein Schiff Relax carries nearly 4,000 passengers (double occupancy) and was built at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, following JOI-Design’s winning 2019 pitch to TUI Cruises — a joint venture between TUI and Royal Caribbean Group — to create the vessel’s most exclusive areas: all the suites, plus the private venues accessible only to passengers staying in these luxurious cabins. The studio’s poetic vision was to create an idyllic seaside atmosphere inspired by the beautiful shapes found in nature and the ship’s name and core philosophy, “relax.” Where sea meets sky, placid horizon lines stretch out to infinity; along the coast, every single pebble is uniquely contoured; underwater, playful shapes evoke the shells that aquatic creatures call home; and on the shores, ripples of sand echo the ebb and flow of the tides. Smooth shapes and the simplicity of horizontal lines create a sophisticated feel. “We designed the interiors of Mein Schiff Relax as a harmonious blend of sophistication, functionality and natural inspiration, all guided by an overarching philosophy of relaxation and simplicity,” says Barbara Wiethoff, Partner, JOI-Design. “Our design draws heavily from nature, with straight lines and horizontal elements symbolizing calm landscapes, while fluid textures and patterns evoke smoothness and tranquility. This balance of aesthetic appeal and practical functionality ensures that guests experience both beauty and comfort throughout their journeys.” Fleets of suites The ship’s suites come in different configurations including 110 26-square-meter Junior Balcony Suites; 14 30-square-meter Beautiful View Suites; four 28to 38-square-meter Wanderlust Suites; eight 45-square-meter Vision Suites; and two 88-square-meter Great Freedom Suites whose two-story layouts feature two large terraces, a master bedroom, a walk-in closet, a bathroom with its own sauna, and additional living spaces. “These contemporary nature-inspired suites are calming oases away from the excitement of the public spaces. A spectrum of platinum and indigo tones creates an elegant backdrop for tranquil water views, while curved shapes and refined textures subconsciously influence passengers to decompress and feel pampered within a relaxing retreat,” JOI-Design says in describing the accommodations. X for exclusive: X-Coast, X-Lounge and X-View Suite guests can unwind in Mein Schiff Relax’s public-yet-private entertainment spaces designed to harmonize with the surrounding seascape in an atmosphere of casual luxury. In the laidback yet refined X-Coast restaurant on Deck 6, soft shades of blue mirror the ocean, while sun-washed shell tones blend with golden touches inspired by the waves’ dancing glints of light. The result is a setting that feels luminous, relaxed and effortlessly inviting. In the evenings, the dining venue serves Mediterranean recipes created by Michelin-starred chef Theodor Falser. Connected to X-Coast on the above level, Deck 7, is X-Lounge. Here, the palette shifts as deep berry tones capture the warmth of the setting sun and add sophisticated elegance. Across all its zones, fluid forms and an airy openness enhance the seamless connection between design and nature. Drawing inspiration from the luxurious SHIP DESIGN Mein Schiff Relax — JOI-Design’s first large-scale cruise ship project CB-TAITTO SUMMER 2025.indd 18 CB-TAITTO SUMMER 2025.indd 18 16.9.2025 10.19 16.9.2025 10.19
CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SUMMER 2025 19 yachts dotting the shores of Monaco, casual dining venue X-View was designed with a muted palette and woven textures reminiscent of the ropes and rattan found aboard these stylish crafts. The ship itself can be powered by LNG or Marine Gas Oil and has been designed to transition to alternative energy sources such as bio and e-LNG in anticipation of them becoming readily available. In addition to its dual-fuel configuration, Mein Schiff Relax features new catalytic converters meeting Euro 6 standards, a generative turbine using residual heat from the diesel generators, and a shore power connection for ports. It also has a highly efficient waste treatment system capable of transforming organic materials into recyclable components through a thermal process. Mein Schiff Relax’s sister ship, Mein Schiff Flow, will launch next year with additional areas featuring concepts created by JOI-Design. A newcomer in the cruise industry JOI-Design is a newcomer in cruise ship design, but the company has numerous references in various hospitality segments, including hotels, bars and restaurants. Among others, JOI-Design has been also responsible for designing Lufthansa lounges in both Frankfurt and Munich airports. Mein Schiff Relax — JOI-Design’s first large-scale cruise ship project CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2024 19 CB-TAITTO SUMMER 2025.indd 19 CB-TAITTO SUMMER 2025.indd 19 16.9.2025 10.19 16.9.2025 10.19
20 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SUMMER 2025 SHIP REVIEW Star of the Seas Royal Caribbean introduces another record-breaking ship Royal Caribbean International — the contemporary brand of Royal Caribbean Group — bets on big cruise vessels. It was the first cruise company to introduce a vessel bigger than 200,000 gross tons, Oasis of the Seas in 2009, and while also taking delivery of slightly smaller Quantum-class ships, its focus has been to build more Oasis and Icon-class ships. Royal Caribbean International operates 29 cruise vessels across the globe. Its ships range from the nearly 30-year-old 73,817-gross-ton and 1,992-guest Grandeur of the Seas to the 248,663-gross-ton and 5,610-guest sister ships Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas. Since 2009, Royal Caribbean has contracted seven Oasis-class ships (with gross tonnage of approximately 225,000 and capacity of 5,600 guests), four Icon-class ships, and five slightly smaller Quantum-class ships at 168,666 gross tons and 4,180 passengers. The company also operates smaller Freedom-, Voyager-, Radianceand Grandeur-class ships. Only six ships of Grandeurand Radiance-class are smaller than 100,000 gross tons. They are also getting older in the fleet. While Royal Caribbean’s current order book consists of only one more Oasis-class ship and two more Icon-class ships, there has been some public discussion of renewing the smaller end of the fleet. Grandeur-class ships are currently 27 to 29 years old, while the youngest Radiance-class vessel is now 21 years old. Royal Caribbean International is the leading operator of 200,000-plusgross-ton vessels, but other companies are slowly joining the field. The first one to pass the mark was privately owned MSC Cruises, which now operates two 216,638-gross-ton World-class ships with four more on order. Later this year, Disney Cruise Line will take delivery of the 20 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SUMMER 2025 By Teijo Niemelä Lincoln Park Supper Club CB-TAITTO SUMMER 2025.indd 20 CB-TAITTO SUMMER 2025.indd 20 16.9.2025 10.19 16.9.2025 10.19