Star Clippers has made maritime history by becoming the first  ever cruise line to call at the Port of Barletta, Italy, opening an exciting new chapter for one of Puglia's most historic and culturally rich destinations.

Guests on board the 166-guest capacity cruise ship were greeted by a local band on the pier as Star Clipper arrived into the Apulian port. The inaugural call reflects Star Clippers' longstanding commitment to discovering and showcasing destinations beyond the traditional cruise circuit, offering guests immersive experiences in ports that remain largely untouched by mainstream tourism.

Captain Vadim Novikov, the fleet’s youngest Master at  37 years old, led the vessel’s arrival alongside the pilot, local, highly trained maritime expert,  before being presented with a celebratory plaque  (pictured with Mr. Pietro Bianco, Head of the Port Operations Department for Barletta). The arrival was welcomed by local authorities and port representatives who view the visit as a significant opportunity to showcase Barletta's cultural, historical and economic attractions to an international audience.

The destination was a part of an 11-night Rome to Venice sailing. 

The cruise line will continue to visit Barletta with another call scheduled for July 2026 and further visits in 2027. The port is one of 27 new ports of call  announced when the company unveiled their summer 2027 Mediterranean programme.

Fay McCormack, General Manager of Star Clippers’ UK GSA, says,  ‘First calls are exceptionally rare in today's cruise industry, which makes this achievement especially significant. As the first cruise line ever to visit Barletta, Star Clippers is not simply adding a new port to an itinerary,  we are helping place a remarkable destination on the global cruise map. Throughout our history, we have sought out remarkable destinations beyond the traditional cruise circuit  and Barletta embodies exactly the kind of authentic cultural discovery our guests value. This milestone reflects the pioneering spirit that has always defined our company and our passion for bringing guests to extraordinary places that larger ships often cannot reach.’

image (c) StarClippers via PR company

The Viking Annar and the Viking Fjolvar Join Award-Winning Fleet of Viking Longships
 Viking® has taken delivery of its newest river ships, the Viking Annar and the Viking Fjolvar. Both vessels were built at Meyer's Neptun Werft shipyard in Rostock-Warnemünde, Germany. The Viking Annar will sail Viking's itineraries on the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers, while the Viking Fjolvar will sail itineraries on the Seine River.

“We are proud to welcome the Viking Annar and the Viking Fjolvar to our growing fleet of award-winning river ships,” said Leah Talactac, President and CEO of Viking. “Exploring by river offers an unmatched way to discover a destination’s history, culture and local life and these new vessels allow even more curious travellers to experience Europe in Viking comfort.”

The Viking Annar
Hosting 190 guests in 95 staterooms, the Viking Annar is built specifically to navigate the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers. As a Viking Longship, the vessel features elegant Scandinavian design and the industry-leading innovations for which Viking is known, such as a patented square bow that allows the ship to have three full decks and an indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace, as well as asymmetric corridors that enable Viking to offer true two-room suites. The Viking Annar itineraries will include Rhine Getaway, Grand European Tour, Passage to Eastern Europe, European Sojourn and Christmas on the Rhine.

The Viking Fjolvar
Hosting 168 guests in 84 staterooms, the Viking Fjolvar is built specifically to navigate the Seine River and dock at Viking’s exclusive docking location in the heart of Paris. The vessel features the same design elements as Viking Longships and will sail roundtrip from Paris on Seine River itineraries that include Paris & the Heart of Normandy and the new Christmastime in Paris & Normandy.

To make a booking or for more information call 0800 458 69 00 or go to www.viking.com

​​MSC Cruises has partnered with award-winning Blackeye Gin, bringing the premium spirit onboard MSC Virtuosa.

• Founded by 2003 Rugby World Cup winners Mike Tindall and James Haskell alongside broadcaster Alex Payne.

Blackeye Gin is available in all bars on MSC Virtuosa, included for guests with a Premium Drinks Package and those staying in MSC Yacht Club.

  MSC Cruises has announced a new partnership with Blackeye Gin, bringing the award-winning English spirit to MSC Virtuosa. Founded by England Rugby World Cup winners Mike Tindall and James Haskell, alongside respected broadcaster Alex Payne, Blackeye Gin has quickly built a reputation as a high quality, characterful spirit, often described as the unofficial spirit of rugby.

Following a successful trial in 2025, where guest feedback highlighted strong demand, MSC Cruises has confirmed Blackeye Gin will now be fully integrated into the onboard drinks offering on MSC Virtuosa. The gin is available at all bars and is included for guests with a Premium Drinks Package or for those staying in MSC Yacht Club, MSC Cruises ‘ship-within-a-ship’ concept. In this exclusive area of the ship guests enjoy personalised service, priority embarkation and disembarkation; luxurious suites; private lounge, restaurant, sun deck and pool; 24-hour butler and concierge service; thermal suite access; Wi-Fi and premium drinks - and yes, that includes Blackeye Gin of course!

The Blackeye Gin partnership supports MSC Cruises’ wider strategy to further localise its food and beverage offering for the UK market, ensuring guests can enjoy familiar, high-quality brands with strong national relevance.

About Blackeye Gin
Rugby legends Mike Tindall and James Haskell, alongside television presenter Alex Payne, are the proud founders of Blackeye Gin - the ‘unofficial spirit of rugby’. Blackeye was born out of the overwhelming enthusiasm from the loyal listeners of the founders’ podcast, The Good, The Bad, and The Rugby, who made the initial suggestion after one particularly 'energetic' show. 

Named in homage to the physical nature of the sport, Blackeye also captures all those who ride the storms and celebrate the sunshine. The trio have since developed a brand with a mission to support the future of rugby, creating a fund with the backing of an impressive advisory board and significant support from some of the most iconic names in rugby globally.

Tasting Notes: A smooth gin with a viscous mouthfeel. Some woody notes and some warmth before a complex, rounded finish.   www.blackeyegin.co.uk

Images  ©​  Ivan Sarfatti & MSC cruises

The new programme expands Azamara Cruises’ onboard entertainment following its debut aboard Azamara Pursuit
 

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Azamara Cruises, the small-ship cruise line renowned for Destination Immersion® and Extended Destination Days, is continuing the rollout of its new onboard entertainment programme aboard Azamara Journey with the debut of original stage productions created in partnership with RWS Global, the world leader in live experiences across entertainment and sports. Following the successful launch aboard Azamara Pursuit last month, Azamara Journey becomes the second ship in the fleet to introduce the brand’s reimagined evening entertainment experience, combining live music, immersive storytelling, dynamic performances and cinematic visuals.
  
“Entertainment is an essential part of the onboard experience, and we’re excited to continue evolving our programming aboard Azamara Journey,” said Simon Blacoe, Vice President of Hotel Operations at Azamara Cruises. “These new productions bring together incredible talent, memorable music, and immersive storytelling to create dynamic performances that guests can enjoy throughout their sailing.”
 
Azamara Journey
Developed exclusively for Azamara Cruises, the new productions combine live music, theatrical storytelling, striking visuals, and contemporary choreography to create immersive, high-energy entertainment experiences onboard.

• Rendezvous in Paris – A flirty, sophisticated cabaret that reimagines a Parisian dream with dazzling couture costumes inspired by the Lido de Paris and the cheeky flair of Blanc de Blanc. Set to the velvety sounds of classics from Moulin Rouge to Édith Piaf, the show sparkles with elegance, audience interaction and a touch of Parisian charm. With opulent visuals and cast full of personality, Rendezvous in Paris is a delight from start to finish.
• Cinemaphonic – High-excitement musical revue following four starry-eyed dreamers from casting calls to award shows. Packed with showstoppers and movie magic, this glitzy backstage-to-spotlight spectacle blends Golden Age glamour with a pop-chart punch

Featured Across the Fleet (shows to debut on Azamara Onward and Azamara Quest at a later date)

• Written in the Stars invites the Azamara audience on a breathtaking theatrical journey, where the night sky becomes a living canvas of performance, storytelling and wonder. Guided by celestial muses, two star-crossed lovers embark on a journey that begins in a grand library and sweeps them into a world beyond the page. 
• Vinyl Records: The Studio Sessions – A high-energy spectacle  with dynamic dancers, live musicians, multimedia projection and bold storytelling, set within the immersive aesthetic of a vintage recording studio. 

The new entertainment initiative reflects Azamara Cruises’ continued investment in enriching the onboard guest experience through original productions inspired by culture, music and travel. Following the debut aboard Azamara Pursuit and now Azamara Journey, the new shows will continue rolling out across the fleet aboard Azamara Quest in November 2026 and Azamara Onward in April 2027.

visit www.azamara.com
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​Summer 2028 Overview

• EXPLORA I: From April to October, the ship visits six countries and 25  Mediterranean destinations . Guests can visit the Cyclades, the Dodecanese and the Turkish Coast, experiencing after-hours Mykonos and Istanbul with overnight stays.
• EXPLORA II: Exploring the Western Mediterranean, North Africa and French and Italian Rivieras, the ship visits 36 destinations from April to October. Itineraries incorporate the Balearic Islands and Madeira, featuring an overnight stay in Lisbon and late departures from eight ports including Ibiza, Capri and Casablanca.
• EXPLORA III: Returning to the pristine wilderness of Alaska from May to September, the ship navigates 20 destinations across the USA and Canada. Itineraries feature scenic sailings through the Inside Passage and Gulf of Alaska, providing a vantage point for the Hubbard Glacier and calls to Juneau, Skagway and smaller communities including Wrangell and Klawock.
• EXPLORA IV: From May to October, the ship sails Northern Europe and the Baltic Sea, uncovering 51 destinations across 15 countries. Guests can cycle along Amsterdam's  canals or stroll  Stockholm's parks during immersive overnight stays, while 11 maiden calls including  Djúpivogur in Iceland, reveal the region's more remote shores.
• EXPLORA V: Between May and September, the ship sails the Baltic Sea, Norwegian fjords and the North Atlantic before sailing to Iceland and Greenland. The season then transitions to the North American Eastern Seaboard to witness the autumn foliage, with overnights in New York City and Quebec City and late departures from Halifax and Boston.
• EXPLORA VI: From August to November 2028, the fleet's newest ship sails the Mediterranean across 13 Journeys. Starting with her Maiden Journey from Rome to Barcelona, itineraries cover Sicily, Sardinia and the French Riviera. During October and November, the ship is Adriatic bound, visiting  Trogir and Dubrovnik.

To celebrate the launch of the new Summer 2028 Journeys Collection, Explora Journeys continue to offer Early Booking Benefit. This initiative rewards guests who choose to plan their future Journeys in advance, providing preferred rates and the first opportunity to secure specific suites on the Inaugural Journeys Collection of EXPLORA VI.