Crystal has announced two major milestones in the construction of its first new ship in a quarter of a century.
The steel cutting for the new vessel will take place in May 2026, followed by the keel laying in December 2026, with the ship scheduled for delivery in May 2028.
The name of the new ship will be revealed shortly, with further details on her inaugural voyages and new suite categories expected by the end of the year. Her inaugural 2028 season will go on sale next spring, with a waitlist opening in advance.
“Behind the scenes, our teams have been working diligently on every element of this extraordinary project, from design and craftsmanship to technical innovation,” said Cristina Levis, CEO of A&K Travel Group.
“These milestones represent more than construction progress; they are a testament to our shared commitment with Fincantieri to deliver the most exceptional ship at sea, on schedule and with an unparalleled attention to detail.”
Renowned explorer to join AE Expeditions Tasmania voyage
Renowned explorer, author and environmental scientist Tim Jarvis AM will sail with AE Expeditions as a special guest on the inaugural voyage of its new ship, Douglas Mawson MV, an expedition that will circumnavigate Tasmania.
Jarvis, celebrated for retracing both Sir Douglas Mawson’s Antarctic story and Sir Ernest Shackleton’s survival journey, will deliver expert talks, host film screenings and offer on-deck interpretation throughout the voyage.
Through projects such as 25zero, which highlights the rapid disappearance of tropical glaciers, and the Forktree Project, which is rewilding farmland in South Australia, Jarvis connects scientific issues with real-world solutions, making him a compelling voice for conservation both onboard and beyond.
Named after Australia’s pioneering geologist and polar explorer, Douglas Mawson MV will carry up to 130 passengers. Its inaugural voyage will showcase Tasmania’s wild coastlines, islands and marine reserves, with opportunities for coastal hikes, Zodiac cruises, wildlife encounters and enrichment programmes led by AE Expeditions’ team alongside Jarvis.
Havila powers up with sustainable sailing
Havila Polaris will sail the Norwegian coastal route in November powered by pure liquefied biogas.
The ship’s tanks with be filled with 350 cubic metres of liquefied biogas, enough to fuel the vessel for a full round trip along the coast, supported by its large battery packs. The voyage aims to prove that using biogas can dramatically cut greenhouse gas emissions while supporting job creation in coastal communities.
The announcement follows news from Hurtigruten last week that it will operate a coastal voyage later this month using biodiesel. With biogas offering even greater emission reductions, Havila Voyages is taking the next step forward in sustainable shipping.
“Since announcing this sailing in August, we have worked with our gas suppliers, Barents Naturgass and Molgas, to secure enough biogas to carry out the voyage,” said CEO Bent Martini.
“We are pleased that the delivery is now confirmed. The amount of biogas we will have on board is significant and will reduce our greenhouse gas emissions from this voyage by more than 90%,” he added.
New destinations for MSC in summer 2027
MSC Cruises has unveiled plans for its 2027 summer season, with MSC Meraviglia set to sail from Southampton between May 18 and October 30, 2027. The ship will offer 19 sailings ranging from six to 14 nights, visiting a mix of new and popular destinations.
For the first time, MSC Meraviglia will sail a full season from the UK, calling at new destinations including Ibiza, Gibraltar and Tangier in Morocco, alongside ports such as the Canary Islands, Lisbon, Malaga and the Norwegian Fjords. A brand-new Baltic Sea itinerary will also feature Oslo, Fredericia and Copenhagen.
Meanwhile, MSC Virtuosa will complete her ex-UK summer season in 2026 before repositioning to the Mediterranean for summer 2027. From April to October 2027, she will homeport in Barcelona, sailing itineraries that include La Goulette (Tunisia), Palermo, Naples, Livorno and Marseille.
For winter sun seekers, MSC Preziosa will return to the UK for winter 2026/2027, replacing MSC Poesia. She will operate MSC Cruises’ longest-ever Southampton season, with increased capacity and an extended programme through to April 16, 2027.
All the above itineraries are on sale now.
Silversea spotlights immersive experiences
Silversea is spotlighting its portfolio of immersive experiences across more than 900 destinations on all seven continents.
Highlights include witnessing Rio Carnival from grandstand seating, enjoying exclusive vantage points at the Monaco Grand Prix, premier access to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, and ringing in the New Year in Madeira or Hong Kong with front-row views of fireworks.
Guests can also experience Japan’s cherry blossom season, Venice Carnival, and a total solar eclipse from the deck of Silver Shadow in 2026.
Silversea’s World Cruises and Grand Voyages also feature cultural immersion through exclusive events from traditional Polynesian celebrations and Bali rice paddy dinners to musical evenings in historic European venues.
