CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2025/2026 1 REVIEWING CRUISE BUSINESS GLOBALLY WINTER 2025/2026 Magazine CELEBRITY XCEL One of the new stars of Port Everglades Viking reaches a major milestone Why Korea is riding a wave of popularity CB-TAITTO WINTER 2025-2026.indd 1 CB-TAITTO WINTER 2025-2026.indd 1 22.1.2026 16.06 22.1.2026 16.06
4 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2025/2026 A t the time of writing, it was Christmas Eve and I was spending time on the brand new luxury cruise ship Star Seeker in Palma de Mallorca. The 10,204-gross-ton and 224-guest Windstar Cruises’ ship was acquired just a mere week earlier from the Portuguese shipowner Mystic Invest, which was part of the Mystic’s original six-ship order several years ago from the WestSEA Viana Shipyard. The year 2025 will close with a record cruise order book with large cruise lines securing newbuilding slots for their megaships now further in advance than ever before. Especially active was MSC Group’s Cruise Division, which not only contracted with Chantiers de l’Atlantique in France for four additional 216,638-gross-ton World-class ships, but also bagged a landmark order with German Meyer Werft (first ever for MSC with the German yard) for four plus two options of New Frontier-class newbuildings with deliveries between 2030 and 2035. These will register approximately 180,000 gross tons. Earlier in 2025 Royal Caribbean Group — currently the most valuable public cruise corporation in the world with a market capitalization of $79.7 billion — had secured a contract with Finland’s Meyer Turku shipyard securing shipbuilding slots until 2036. Simultaneously, Royal Caribbean ordered a fifth 248,663-gross-ton Icon-class vessel and secured options for two more. All four shipbuilding groups in Europe, including Italy’s Fincantieri, Chantiers de l’Atlantique, Meyer Turku and Meyer Werft, are now booked far in advance with large megaships, as well as some medium-size and smaller cruise newbuildings. Especially busy is Fincantieri with clients such as Four Seasons Yachts and Viking. But when it comes to the smaller ships, we are witnessing activity shifting to Asia, and especially to Chinese shipyards. SunStone Ships recently took delivery of the seventh and last of its Ulstein-designed 8,178-gross-ton Infinity-class newbuild Douglas Mawson from China Merchants Shipyard. SunStone Ships was the first-ever cruise company to commission cruise ships in China, and has since been followed by some others. Interestingly, just before the delivery of Star Seeker, Mystic Invest announced that it has signed a firm contract for one newbuild and three options in China. Meanwhile, Ocean Advise, a subsidiary of Blue Waterways, announced in early December an order up to eight expedition and coastal cruise ships from China Merchant Heavy Shipyard in Jiangsu. The ships will carry up to 186 guests in expedition missions or up to 260 in coastal cruising. The Basel, Switzerland-based United Waterways is a large tonnage provider and ship management company. The most-followed cruise shipbuilding project in China, however, has been the construction of 135,500-gross-ton Adora Magic City and slightly larger sister ship Adora Flora City. The design of the ships is based on Carnival’s over decade-old Vista-class and the project has been closely assisted by Fincantieri. Chinese shipyards have built their know-how for years. While they still rely a lot on European expertise for engineering and technology, they have taken more and more ambitious projects — including large cruise ferries. I was especially impressed with the high quality of Baltic cruise ferry Viking Glory and ropax ferry FinnSirius — both plying the waters between Southwest Finland and Sweden. EDITOR’S COMMENTARY Are newbuilding contracts for small cruise ships shifting to China? 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 What if there wasn’t an hour car ride from the airport to the cruise port? What if it wasn’t just another port, but an extra destination? What if waiting time could become wading time? What if the lead up and come down, was just as relaxing as the cruise itself? What if the trip was just easier? Less transportation time. More cruise time. What if quality service always came first? CB-TAITTO WINTER 2025-2026.indd 4 CB-TAITTO WINTER 2025-2026.indd 4 22.1.2026 16.06 22.1.2026 16.06
CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2025/2026 5 What if there wasn’t an hour car ride from the airport to the cruise port? What if it wasn’t just another port, but an extra destination? What if waiting time could become wading time? What if the lead up and come down, was just as relaxing as the cruise itself? What if the trip was just easier? Less transportation time. More cruise time. What if quality service always came first? CB-TAITTO WINTER 2025-2026.indd 5 CB-TAITTO WINTER 2025-2026.indd 5 22.1.2026 16.06 22.1.2026 16.06
6 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2025/2026 #1 for Rivers #1 for Oceans Five years in a row Visit viking.com, call 1-800-2-VIKING or see your Travel Advisor CST#2052644-40 Seven Continents Twenty-One Rivers Five Oceans CB-TAITTO WINTER 2025-2026.indd 6 CB-TAITTO WINTER 2025-2026.indd 6 22.1.2026 16.06 22.1.2026 16.06
CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2025/2026 7 #1 for Rivers #1 for Oceans Five years in a row Visit viking.com, call 1-800-2-VIKING or see your Travel Advisor CST#2052644-40 Seven Continents Twenty-One Rivers Five Oceans CB-TAITTO WINTER 2025-2026.indd 7 CB-TAITTO WINTER 2025-2026.indd 7 22.1.2026 16.06 22.1.2026 16.06
8 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2025/2026 UPFRONT Carnival Cruise Line celebrated 25 years of sailing from Galveston, Texas, with an event aboard its flagship, Carnival Jubilee. As the first cruise line to homeport in Galveston in 2000, the event highlighted Carnival’s quarter-century of growth — including more than 10 million guests through the port and elevating Galveston as a premier cruise destination. Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy welcomed community leaders, business partners and government officials including U.S. Congressman Randy Weber, Galveston Mayor Craig Brown and Galveston Port Director and CEO Rodger Rees to commemorate the cruise line’s longstanding relationship with the community. American Cruise Lines celebrated the christening of its 130-guest American Pioneer in Key West, Florida, on Nov. 10. It is the 21st ship in the company’s U.S.-flagged fleet. American Pioneer’s christening celebration included cruise guests, local partners and community members. All attendees gathered on the ship’s top deck for the official blessing and ceremonial bottle smash, followed by a reception in the ship’s Sky Lounge. Charles B. Robertson, President & CEO of American Cruise Lines, gave remarks as did American Pioneer’s Godmother, Danise “Dee Dee” Henriquez, Mayor of Key West. American Pioneer is the second new American Cruise Lines ship to have Mayor Henriquez as godmother. Celebrity Cruises, the second-largest brand of Royal Caribbean Group, took delivery of its fifth Edge-class ship from Chantiers de l’Atlantique on Oct. 23. On the same day, the company announced the name of the sixth of the series: Celebrity Xcite will set sail in 2028. Celebrity Xcel registers 141,420 gross tons and carries 3,260 guests (double occupancy). The ship spends its inaugural season sailing from Port Everglades to the Caribbean. Representing Royal Caribbean Group were Jason T. Liberty, Chairman and CEO; Laura Hodges Bethge, President of Celebrity and Harri Kulovaara, EVP of Maritime & Newbuilding. 8 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2025/2026 CB-TAITTO WINTER 2025-2026.indd 8 CB-TAITTO WINTER 2025-2026.indd 8 22.1.2026 16.06 22.1.2026 16.06
CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2025/2026 9 Disney Cruise Line officially named its seventh ship, the Meyer Werft-built 144,000-grosston Disney Destiny, in its base port of Port Everglades. The festive evening culminated in a sparkling pop of Champagne and the ceremonial christening blessing bestowed by the ship’s godmother, Susan Egan. UPFRONT Explora Journeys, the luxury ocean travel brand of the MSC Group, formed a partnership with world-renowned tennis champion Jannik Sinner (pictured with Anna Nash, Global President of Explora Journeys), who will serve as the brand’s new ambassador. The announcement was revealed just ahead of the US Open in August. The partnership was officially unveiled at an exclusive event at The CORE: Club in New York City. The highlight of the evening was an engaging Q&A session with Jannik Sinner, during which he spoke candidly about his personal wellness philosophy, the importance of balance in high-performance environments, and his excitement about bringing his mindset to life through the Explora Journeys experience. Sinner’s role as Brand Ambassador will see him appearing in select brand campaigns and co-creating a series of exclusive onboard activations and wellness rituals with his team. This collaboration will further enhance Explora Journeys’ mission to connect guests with experiences that combine modern European elegance, immersive discovery and the restorative power of the ocean. Celestyal, the two-ship Greek boutique cruise line, marked its first ever visit to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with a traditional plaque exchange ceremony in collaboration with Cruise Saudi. The 1,260-guest Celestyal Journey’s maiden call took place on Nov. 29 as the final port on the cruise line’s new special 7-night “Athens to Jeddah” voyage, which left Athens on Nov. 22 and called at Marmaris, Turkey, and three ports in Egypt — Port Said, Sharm el Sheikh and Safaga — before concluding in Jeddah. The ceremony was attended by representatives of Celestyal including Capt. Angelos Vassilakos, as well as senior team members from Cruise Saudi and port officials. The 1,360-guest Celestyal Discovery also called in Jeddah on Dec. 5, before joining her fleetmate for her inaugural season in the Arabian Gulf region. MSC Cruises and Chantiers de l’Atlantique announced a major extension on Nov. 12 of their longstanding relationship with orders for two additional World-class ships — numbers 7 and 8 — due to be delivered in 2030 and 2031. The announcement was made at a double celebration event to mark important maritime milestones for two other World Class ships currently under construction at Chantiers de l’Atlantique’s shipyard in Saint Nazaire, France — the float-out of MSC World Asia and coin ceremony of MSC World Atlantic. Valued at €3.5 billion, the orders announced today raise MSC Cruises’ total investment in France this year to nearly €7 billion for the construction of the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth World Class ships. Signing the contract from left to right: Laurent Castaing, General Manager, Chantiers de l’Atlantique, and Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, Cruise Division, MSC Group. CRUIS CB-TAITTO WINTER 2025-2026.indd 9 CB-TAITTO WINTER 2025-2026.indd 9 22.1.2026 16.06 22.1.2026 16.06
10 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2025/2026 Oceania Cruises, the culinary and destination-focused luxury cruise line named its eighth vessel, the 68,000-gross-ton and 1,200-guest Oceania Allura, in PortMiami on Nov. 13. Acclaimed chefs George Mendes, Katie Button, Tavel Bristol-Joseph, Lawrence “LT” Smith, Aisha Ibrahim and Calvin Eng had the honor of representing the Food & Wine Best New Chefs franchise as godparents during the christening ceremony with the time-honored tradition of breaking a Champagne bottle across the ship’s bow. Princess Cruises, part of Carnival Corp., officially named its second 177,000-gross-ton and 4,300-guest Star Princess in Port Everglades on Nov. 7. Princess had selected celebrity couple Camila and Matthew McConaughey as godparents, and they christened the ship by breaking a bottle of Pantalones Organic Tequila, a brand they co-founded. Hosted by travel and lifestyle TV personality Dawn McCoy, the star-studded naming ceremony took place in the ship’s spectacular Princess Arena, where guests enjoyed an evening of inspiring tributes from Princess President Gus Antorcha and Star Princess Capt. Gennaro Arma, with live entertainment. The celebration continued with a special performance by nine-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow. To cap off the event, a shimmering drone show filled the starry sky paying tribute to Star Princess’ upcoming itinerary to Alaska. Royal Caribbean International, Colombian authorities and representatives from the Port of Cartagena held a ceremony to celebrate the start of the season for Serenade of the Seas in Cartagena, Colombia, its new homeport in October. Authorities and port representatives presented the captain of Serenade with a commemorative plaque. The ceremony was attended by (from left to right): Juan Carlos Acosta Rodríguez, Manager of CONTECAR at Grupo Puerto de Cartagena; Maria Emilia Bonillas, Coordinator of the Cartagena Cruise Terminal; Itzel Valdés, Associate Vice President, Royal Caribbean, Latin America and the Caribbean; and Carlos Díaz, Captain, Serenade of the Seas. Royal Caribbean International and Chantiers de l’Atlantique celebrated the steel cut of the seventh Oasis-class ship on Oct. 23. At approximately 225,000 gross tons, Oasis-class is the second-largest cruise ship series tonnage-wise in the industry, just behind Royal Caribbean’s Icon-class. The first Oasis-class ship started operations in 2009, so it will be almost 19 years between the first and the latest when number 7 enters service in 2028. Royal Caribbean was represented by Chairman and CEO Jason T. Liberty and EVP Harri Kulovaara. UPFRONT CB-TAITTO WINTER 2025-2026.indd 10 CB-TAITTO WINTER 2025-2026.indd 10 22.1.2026 16.07 22.1.2026 16.07
CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2025/2026 11 Royal Caribbean International’s first Beach Club is ready in Nassau, the Bahamas. The cruise line, along with local community members and government leaders of the Bahamas, hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony just a few days ahead of the beach club’s Dec. 23 grand opening. Pictured left to right are: Philip Simon, President, Royal Caribbean Bahamas; Jay Schneider, Chief Product Innovation Officer, Royal Caribbean; The Honourable Philip E. Davis, Prime Minister of The Bahamas; Jason T. Liberty, Chairman & CEO, Royal Caribbean Group; Michael Bayley, President & CEO, Royal Caribbean; The Honourable Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister of The Bahamas; Latia Duncombe, Director General of Tourism, Investments & Aviation of The Bahamas; and Troy Smith, General Manager, Royal Beach Club Paradise Island. UPFRONT Viking became the first-ever cruise brand globally to operate over 100 cruise ships. On Oct. 21, it celebrated the simultaneous naming of nine new river ships, which operate in Africa, Asia and Europe. Of the nine new river ships, the Viking Annar, the Viking Dagur, the Viking Eldir and the Viking Honir will sail Viking’s most popular itineraries along the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers. The Viking Nerthus, the Viking Gyda and the Viking Tonle sail the Seine, Douro and Mekong rivers, respectively. The two other new ships named the Viking Thoth and the Viking Amun, sail the Nile River. CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2025/2026 11 CB-TAITTO WINTER 2025-2026.indd 11 CB-TAITTO WINTER 2025-2026.indd 11 22.1.2026 16.07 22.1.2026 16.07
12 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2025/2026 UPFRONT Christmas arrived early for Meyer Werft. On Dec. 15, MSC Cruises and Meyer Werft announced the landmark order for four vessels plus two options of the New Frontier class, with deliveries beginning in 2030. The new class will register approximately 180,000 gross tons and carry 5,400 guests. The announcement was made at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy in Berlin by Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Katherina Reiche and Energy Minister-President Lower Saxony, Olaf Lies, MSC Cruises’ Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago and Meyer Werft’s CEO Dr. Bernd Eikens. Viking and the Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) announced just before Christmas a long-term agreement making Viking the main sponsor for the National Team Academy (Landslagsskolen) and Norway’s U-level national teams. Through the “Future Vikings” program, Viking’s sponsorship will help lay the foundation for Norwegian football’s top talent development for at least the next five years. Pictured in the center Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen and on the right Karl-Petter Løken, General Secretary of the Norwegian Football Federation. Windstar Cruises officially took delivery of the 9,315-gross-ton and 224-guest all-suite cruise ship Star Seeker on Dec. 15. The ship was originally commissioned from the Portuguese WestSEA Shipyard in Viana de Castelo by Mystic Invest, but Windstar acquired the new building while under construction. The ceremony formalized the transfer of ownership. Representing Mystic was Mario Ferreira and Windstar were President Chris Prelog, Chief Operating Officer Stijn Creupelandt, Chief Commercial Officer Janet Bava and Vice President of Expansion Projects John Gunner, who oversaw the shipbuilding program. 12 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2025/2026 #WeLoveCruising CRUISE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD ® PortMiami.biz WINTER is Coming CB-TAITTO WINTER 2025-2026.indd 12 CB-TAITTO WINTER 2025-2026.indd 12 22.1.2026 16.07 22.1.2026 16.07
CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2025/2026 13 #WeLoveCruising CRUISE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD ® PortMiami.biz WINTER is Coming CB-TAITTO WINTER 2025-2026.indd 13 CB-TAITTO WINTER 2025-2026.indd 13 22.1.2026 16.07 22.1.2026 16.07
14 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2025/2026 TECHNOLOGY Cruise LNG enters its next phase Lower slip, smarter engines and a clearer path forward 14 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2025/2026 CB-TAITTO WINTER 2025-2026.indd 14 CB-TAITTO WINTER 2025-2026.indd 14 22.1.2026 16.07 22.1.2026 16.07
CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2025/2026 15 Maikel Arts, Head of Cruise at Wärtsilä, examines how the use of liquified natural gas as a fuel has moved beyond its pioneering phase in the cruise sector, with new engine generations, independent measurements of emissions and advanced combustion technologies driving methane slip down to the lowest levels seen in commercial shipping. The past few years have marked a turning point for the use of liquified natural gas (LNG) in the cruise sector. LNG in cruises has shifted from cautious experiment to operational reality faster than most people expected. It’s no longer a symbol of early-adopter ambition. It’s a fuel that’s maturing through real ships, verified measurements and a new generation of engines shaped by what operators have learned at sea. LNG’s established strengths as a marine, or ‘bunker,’ fuel, are well understood. It cuts sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides and particulates to near-zero levels. It brings a measurable reduction in CO2 emissions compared with heavy fuel oil (HFO). When Royal Caribbean introduced the 248,663-gross-ton Icon of the Seas early 2024, the conversation in maritime circles changed instantly. It’s impossible to call LNG experimental on a vessel that carries almost 10,000 people and runs its entire hotel and propulsion load on six Wärtsilä 46DF engines. Icon of the Seas didn’t just set a benchmark for ship size, it proved that LNG could power a floating city without compromising reliability, capability or passenger experience. Those gains matter, but one issue has always commanded attention: methane slip. Methane is a far more potent greenhouse gas than CO2 over a 100-year period, so even small percentages count. Early LNG designs delivered meaningful reductions in methane slip overall but slip still needed to fall if LNG was going to retain credibility as a long-term solution. Part of the focus on addressing the issue of methane slip comes from scale, not just in vessel size, but in global supply capabilities. Ten years ago, LNG-fueled cruise ships — and other types of LNG-fueled vessels — were rare, viewed as ambitious prototypes or one-off statements. Today, they’re a visible part of the global fleet. More shipyards are building LNG tonnage, operators are ordering larger vessels, and By Maikel Arts, Head of Cruise, Wärtsilä Cruise LNG enters its next phase Lower slip, smarter engines and a clearer path forward Maikel Arts, Head of Cruise, Wärtsilä Maikel Arts, Head of Cruise, Wärtsilä CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2025/2026 15 CB-TAITTO WINTER 2025-2026.indd 15 CB-TAITTO WINTER 2025-2026.indd 15 22.1.2026 16.07 22.1.2026 16.07
16 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2025/2026 ports are expanding LNG fuel supply capabilities because they’re seeing consistent operational behavior from ships already in service. The industry has moved past asking whether LNG works. It now asks how to make it work better, and how the next generation of engines can support that progression by getting methane slip as low as possible. A maturing story shaped by real ships Look across today’s LNG cruise fleet and you’ll see something that didn’t exist even five years ago: a pattern. Take MSC Cruises as an example here. The company runs Wärtsilä 46DF engines on MSC Euribia, MSC World Europa and MSC World America, operating some of the highest-profile LNG vessels in the global fleet. Their experience has shown that dual-fuel engines can combine emissions reduction and deliver the stability and predictability cruise operators need. That foundation made it possible to go further. World Asia is the next step. It will be the first cruise ship for MSC Cruises built with Wärtsilä’s 46TS-DF engines. Two-stage turbocharging, a system that uses two turbochargers in series to compress engine air for better performance, supports a more efficient combustion process that results in higher efficiency and lower methane slip. One of the engines is also piloting Wärtsilä’s NextDF combustion technology. According to Wärtsilä’s published data, NextDF lowers methane emissions in gas mode to below 1.4% across the load range and can reach around 1.1% across the most common operating window. That’s a remarkable shift from the early dual-fuel era, and this installation will test those numbers under the steady, predictable engine power loads typical of cruise itineraries. Evidence from existing ships is heading in the same direction. Cruise vessels tend to operate their engines in load bands where combustion is naturally cleaner compared to single-engine use cases. Independent measurements on MSC Cruises’ LNG ships confirm that methane slip sits well below default regulatory factors. Brittany Ferries’ Salamanca is an even clearer example, recording an annual average slip coefficient of 1.57%. Earlier in-service cruise studies reported around 1.7%. These aren’t hypothetical figures. They are real-world averages which are consistent and lower than the default values for methane slip for Otto cycle dual fuel engines from EU (3.1%) and IMO (3.5%). One short point is worth stating plainly: The cruise industry is proving what LNG as a marine fuel can actually do to ensure the global shipping industry can meaningfully reduce greenhouse gas emissions. What’s changing in combustion The gains being seen aren’t the product of a single upgrade. They come from a combination of combustion control, injector refinement and real-time optimization, developed over years of testing and incremental improvement. Wärtsilä’s NextDF technology employs a closed-loop control architecture using sensors to continuously monitor engine pressure. The system automatically adjusts combustion timing, injection parameters and air–fuel ratios, which is essentially how and when fuel mixes with air and burns to power the engine. Rather than relying on a fixed combustion map, the engine responds dynamically to variations in load, temperature and fuel quality and continuously adapts to operating conditions to maintain optimal performance. Why does this matter? Methane slip typically rises when combustion moves outside its optimum zone. The new model expands that zone. It keeps combustion stable further into the load range and softens transitions when the ship’s energy demand changes. Cruise ships, with their long, predictable operating cycles, are perfectly placed to make use of this. There’s also a practical advantage in how predictable cruise itineraries are. Ships run similar weekly cycles for months at a time. That consistency gives engineers and operators a data-rich environment to validate engine behavior, identify trends and refine performance. The repetition helps separate noise from signal, allowing genuine combustion improvements to stand out. Extending improvements across the fleet For Wärtsilä, the 46TS-DF installation on World Asia is the headline, but it’s not the full story. The most important development for the cruise segment might be the spread of the same combustion concept into other engine families. The Wärtsilä 31DF sits below the 46 series in output but has been in service since 2018. Its low-emission configuration reduces methane slip by up to 85% compared with earlier versions. It’s efficient, compact and already used in several vessel types, which gives it a proven operational record. For midsize cruise and expedition ships, it offers a practical and credible pathway to lower methane performance without moving to a larger power class. Then there’s the Wärtsilä 25DF. With a smaller power range and a modular architecture, it’s well suited to boutique and expedition ships. Here, the NextDF configuration brings methane emissions to below 2% across all load points and around 1.1% across a wide load range. The platform is also designed to support ammonia-capable variants in future. This gives smaller operators the option to adopt the same advanced combustion approach now becoming available on flagship vessels. And there’s another angle that matters. Cruise fleet renewal is staggered: Newbuilds arrive in clusters, but many operators run mixed-engine fleets for long periods. Extending NextDF across the 46TS-DF, 31DF and 25DF families allows that entire mixed landscape to improve, not just the newest arrivals. It also means operators aren’t forced into a “big ship or nothing” scenario. They can modernize their emissions profile whether they run a 200,000-gross-ton flagship or a 20,000-gross-ton expedition vessel. These engine families mean LNG methane reductions aren’t limited to megaships. They’re becoming fleet-wide. Making NextDF available across the 46TS-DF, 31DF and 25DF platforms means that cruise operators can reduce methane slip while maintaining a focus on lifecycle cost and long-term operational efficiency. Why cruises continues to lead The cruise industry has become one of the clearest proving grounds for LNG because it sits under a level of scrutiny that few other segments face. These vessels operate close to major coastal cities. Their emissions are visible to passengers, port authorities, investors and NGOs. If LNG is going to prove itself, it must do so in the place where attention is highest. The industry is also uniquely complex. A cruise ship isn’t just a means of transport. CB-TAITTO WINTER 2025-2026.indd 16 CB-TAITTO WINTER 2025-2026.indd 16 22.1.2026 16.07 22.1.2026 16.07
CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2025/2026 17 It’s a hotel, a power station, an entertainment venue and a logistics platform at sea. Engines need to deliver power to everything from propulsion and air conditioning to laundry loads and galleys. Performance under this combination of demands says far more about a fuel’s capability than operation on point-to-point cargo routes. Icon of the Seas and World Europa showed that LNG can carry this burden consistently. Hybrid technologies enhance that picture further. Cruise ships increasingly use batteries to smooth load fluctuations. Fuel cells may reduce consumption at defined operating points. Waste heat recovery improves efficiency. None of these technologies replaces LNG, but all of them help stabilize engine operation, which reduces slip further. When renewable methane becomes more widely available, the existing LNG ecosystem can use it immediately. Some cruise operators are already beginning to test renewable drop-in fuels. Bio-LNG is derived from the liquefaction of biomethane, which can be produced from the degradation of biomass and waste through a chemical or thermal process. Because bio-LNG can be made from feedstock such as agricultural waste, food waste, sewage sludge and manure, it is considered a renewable fuel that can further reduce the carbon footprint of ships using LNG fuel systems. In July 2025, TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff Relax completed a ship-to-ship bio-LNG bunkering operation via a barge at the Port of Barcelona. Powered by Wärtsilä 46DF engines, the vessel demonstrated that renewable methane can be used directly within existing LNG systems and infrastructure. Bio-LNG, recycling carbon that’s already part of the natural carbon cycle, can reduce emissions by up to 80% compared with traditional marine fuels like HFO. Even today, with most LNG still fossil-derived, the gap between early dual-fuel engines and the newest methane-optimized designs is enormous. Slip has fallen by more than 90% across three decades of development. With NextDF-equipped engines, the weighted average can approach around 1% in real cruise operation. Those aren’t projections or controlled-test values. They’re grounded in what ships are doing at sea right now. Regulation and recognition Technology has moved faster than regulation. Both the European Union and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) still rely on default methane slip factors that don’t reflect the lower values delivered by modern engines. Operators making significant investments in best-in-class technologies don’t yet see that performance reflected in regulatory calculations. Recognition of measured performance, rather than default factors, would accelerate adoption and reward early movers. This matters because cruise operators plan years ahead. LNG offers compliance today and compatibility with renewable variants tomorrow. With NextDF, it also provides a credible answer to methane slip, which is one of the most important variables in the fuel’s long-term climate profile. It’s not surprising that LNG continues to be selected for new vessels across multiple upcoming classes, including Icon, Oasis, InTUItion, Sphere and World class. What comes next LNG’s development in cruise hasn’t relied on single breakthroughs. Progress has come through steady refinement, ship by ship and engine generation by engine generation. As more vessels enter service with 46TS-DF and NextDF-enabled engines, the industry will gain a richer understanding of methane performance under extended cruise operating cycles. At Wärtsilä, expanding the same combustion approach into the 31DF and 25DF platforms strengthens that trajectory. It means smaller LNG cruise and expedition ships can reach the same low-slip outcomes as the largest newcomers in the fleet. Over time, this will help pull down the average emissions profile of the entire LNG cruise segment. Operators are also starting to see LNG differently. Cruise lines are beginning to view LNG not simply as a transitional choice, but as a platform. Better combustion reduces methane slip and increases efficiency, while renewable methane offers lifecycle emissions reductions without the need for new infrastructure. That is why several shipping companies and cruise lines have already successfully trailed bio-methane for their ships. MSC Cruises, for example, has now operated multiple cruises using carbon neutral bio-methane applied through the mass balance method, demonstrating that renewable methane can be feasible at commercial scale. Other companies such as Destination Gotland are blending bio-methane as a physical molecule with fossil LNG in their LNGPac tanks and Wӓrtsilӓ 46DF engines without any modifications needed. Over time, bio-methane and, eventually, synthetic methane are expected to extend compliance pathways for cruise operators up to 2050 and beyond, supporting the continued compliance of LNG-fueled cruise ships as a viable long-term option. These developments reinforce each other. The more operators understand how these pieces fit together, the better equipped they are becoming in planning cruise ships with long-term viability. LNG isn’t standing still. It’s evolving through better combustion, more stable hybridization and a clear pathway to renewable methane. For an industry looking for dependable, low-carbon solutions while maintaining passenger expectations and operational resilience, that combination isn’t trivial. It’s shaping how cruise lines think about the next decade of fleet renewal. And it’s the clearest sign yet that LNG has entered its next phase: one defined not by aspiration, but by results. 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18 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2025/2026 Windstar Cruises is a well-known brand name in the luxury cruise segment. While other luxury cruise lines have expanded their fleets with larger vessels, Windstar has actually opted for smaller ships. We sailed on the new Star Seeker over Christmas 2025. It is the company’s first newbuild since 1988. Since its founding in 1984, Windstar Cruises has gone through many ownership changes. The current owner, Xanterra Parks and Resorts, acquired the fledgling cruise line in 2011 from the bankrupt Ambassadors International Inc. Previously Windstar was part of Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s largest cruise operator. When owned by Carnival, the company’s fleet included just three sailing ships, with capacity ranging from 148 guests to 342. When Xanterra acquired the cruise brand, it still had three vessels with a total capacity well below 1,000 guests. The company quickly added three vessels from Carnival-owned Seabourn, each with a capacity of 212 guests. These all-suite luxury ships were stretched at Fincantieri’s Palermo shipyard in Italy, which brought these 1988-1992-built vintage vessels new leases on life and a higher capacity of 312 guests. At 12,995 gross tons, Star Breeze, Star Legend and Star Pride are now Windstar’s largest vessels. The small-ship ultra-luxury segment is difficult to expand profitably. Four years ago, Portuguese Mystic Invest offered Windstar a unique opportunity to increase its fleet size. It had ordered six expedition ships from WestSEA Viana shipyard in Northern Portugal for its brands, including Atlas Ocean Voyages, Mystic Cruises and Nicko Cruises. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the cruise industry, Mystic sought to sell some of its upcoming newbuilds. In a deal, Windstar Cruises acquired one of the newbuilds under construction and another unit now operating on a charter for Quark Expeditions: Star Seeker joined Windstar as its first newbuild since the 1980s and Star Explorer (built in 2019 and operating as World Explorer for Quark Expeditions) will join the Windstar fleet at the end of 2026. With a gross tonnage of 10,204 and guest capacity of 224, Star Seeker and Star Explorer fit unique segments in the luxury cruise markets. Unlike most of the new competition, at 130 meters (427 feet), the ships are small enough to dock at city centers, such as in our case, Malaga, Spain, whereas larger luxury ships must use terminals just outside the city. When the Windstar fleet receives its eighth vessel, its guest capacity will be 2,022 (double occupancy). Windstar Cruises calls its ships yachts, but we have witnessed numerous entrants for the “yacht cruise segment” in recent years. These include companies such as Scenic Group, Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and soon-to-be-launched Four Seasons Yachts. These ships are typically larger than the new Star Seeker, but also offer a higher space ratio with much higher per diem rates than Windstar ships. REQUIRED MODIFICATIONS FOR WINDSTAR SPECIFICATIONS When Windstar Cruises announced the acquisition of two new ships SHIP PREVIEW Star Seeker enters service in unique segment Star Seeker in Port of Malaga before its first revenue cruise By Teijo Niemelä Ph oto cre dit , all ph oto s: Te ijo Ni em elä CB-TAITTO WINTER 2025-2026.indd 18 CB-TAITTO WINTER 2025-2026.indd 18 22.1.2026 16.07 22.1.2026 16.07
CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2025/2026 19 Star Seeker enters service in unique segment in April 2024, the construction of the Star Seeker was already well underway at WestSEA Viana shipyard. The ship was originally intended to serve as an expedition ship in the waters of Antarctica and elsewhere, but Windstar’s plans were completely different. Therefore a number of modifications were carried out. The main focus was on both bow and aft sections. As John Gunner, Vice President, Expansion Projects, explained at blog.windstarcruises. com, the company wanted to have “far more yacht-like, narrower and longer bow with more flair.” This allowed Windstar also to incorporate a whirlpool on Deck 5 forward. An equally important addition was a ducktail in stern, which allowed the ship to feature a marina as well. The increased stability also increased the ship’s capacity from 190 guests to 224 by adding suites on Deck 7 behind the pool area — and on expedition siblings, this area was reserved for Zodiacs. With increased length (131.5 meters, 431 feet), Star Seeker is also up to 1 knot faster than its siblings. Perhaps the largest modification indoors was adding a dedicated spa on the forward on Deck 4, which, on expedition ships, houses an auditorium. As the spa is located forward of the ship’s Lounge, a separate entrance through a staircase was installed on Deck 5 above. THE YACHT CLUB A THIRD LARGER Windstar Cruises acquired the unfinished Star Seeker “as is,” so each modification cost more money. Apart from major changes described above, the general arrangement of the ship stayed largely the same. The passenger cabins and public rooms are located on Decks 3-7 and there are two staircases (each with one Lutz passenger elevator) connecting the decks. The ship has two main Rolls-Royce/Bergen main engines and it remains ice class 1B, which makes it the first ice-classified unit in the fleet. Star Bar & Grill Star Seeker is fitted with AquaBanas inflatables The Yacht Club Ph oto cre dit , all ph oto s: Te ijo Ni em elä Vista Veranda Suite with a space of 323 square feet CB-TAITTO WINTER 2025-2026.indd 19 CB-TAITTO WINTER 2025-2026.indd 19 22.1.2026 16.07 22.1.2026 16.07
20 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE WINTER 2025/2026 The main galley located on Deck 3 beneath the main dining room, Amphora, was originally designed by Mystic, but another galley was added on the starboard side of Deck 4 for the new specialty restaurant Basil + Bamboo, which serves Asian/Mediterranean fusion cuisine. A large buffet set up in the center of Amphora restaurant allows the venue to also serve breakfast and lunch as self-serve. Amphora also features al fresco seating behind the dining room. On other Windstar vessels, Amphora is mainly used for dinner service. The pool area on Deck 7 was also modified to have enough space for Windstar’s signature outdoor barbecue. As far as interior design is concerned, “We are designing Star Seeker to reflect a balance of intimacy and openness,” said Jessica Payne, Senior Manager, Interior Design, in blog.windstar.com. “With floor-toceiling windows everywhere, guests are always connected to the sea, and the whole ship transforms as the sun rises and sets.” She added: “We really took inspiration from the always-changing light and colors of the ocean, and that’s reflected in how the spaces evolve throughout the day — just like the sea itself. Every space is designed to be multipurpose, shifting naturally from morning to night to create different moods and experiences.” On the forward atop Deck 7 is one of Star Seeker’s signature lounges, The Yacht Club. According to Gunner, it is a third larger than on other Star-class ships and it functions as an all-day “living room,” serving specialty coffees and snacks during the day and cocktails during the evening. It is also fitted with a grand piano and small library with books and board games. Meanwhile, on Deck 4 amidships just behind the spa, is the ship’s social hub The Lounge. Daytimes it hosts lectures, trivia games and movies, and at nighttime, it transforms into a lively nightclub with live entertainment. BALCONIES AND INFINITE BALCONIES What sets Star Seeker and the upcoming Star Explorer apart from their fleetmates are the guest accommodations. This is the first time Windstar ships feature private verandahs on most of the suites — there are only 10 Oceanview Suites with 203 square feet. Most of the suites are spread to three decks, Deck 5, Deck 6 and Deck 7. Most of the Veranda Suites range from 280 square feet to 323 square feet. The verandahs are spacious with two comfortable seats and a coffee table. The ship also features Infinity Suites without a balcony. WHERE STAR SEEKER SAILS ON ITS INAUGURAL YEAR Star Seeker’s first revenue sailing began from Malaga, Spain, on Dec. 28 and ended in PortMiami on Jan. 13, 2026. After the official christening by godmother Libby Anschutz, the ship will sail in the Caribbean before heading to Alaska in May 2026, and then to Japan beginning in September 2026 . Cr Pool deck is re-designed to host signature barbecue events CB-TAITTO WINTER 2025-2026.indd 20 CB-TAITTO WINTER 2025-2026.indd 20 22.1.2026 16.07 22.1.2026 16.07