Hurtigruten reveals updated design
Hurtigruten’s vision for the world’s most energy-efficient cruise ship is advancing, with its groundbreaking Sea Zero project recently completing a new phase of rigorous testing at SINTEF Ocean’s facilities in Trondheim, Norway. Following months of design work and testing, the ship design has been further refined to be longer, lower, and more stable, now featuring two large retractable sails, that can be raised or lowered as needed. The recent digital simulations and physical trials in Trondheim, using an eight-metre model tested in SINTEF’s ocean basin and towing tank, confirmed that the sails alone could reduce energy consumption by 10–15 per cent. Emirates and TUI Cruises renew partnership Emirates has renewed its strategic partnership with TUI Cruises, further cementing Dubai's position as a premier global cruise tourism hub. The strategic extension of this partnership coincides with TUI Cruises' expansion in Dubai, marked by the addition of a second vessel homeporting its operations there for the 2025/2026 cruise season. Emirates will continue to work closely with TUI Cruises across several areas, including marketing initiatives, planning and operational strategies. Emirates will strategically coordinate flight schedules with TUI Cruises' itineraries, ensuring optimal connectivity between air and sea segments for cruise customers. Ponant to explore 2026 total solar eclipse PONANT explorations will offer three itineraries to observe the total solar eclipse under optimal conditions–at sea, off the coasts of Iceland and Spain. On August 12, 2026, the fascinating astronomical phenomenon of a total solar eclipse will occur, visible from select regions of the Northern Hemisphere. As a day of onshore excursions comes to an end, the ship sets sail for the open sea. The Captain ensures the vessel is positioned at the best vantage point, far from the landforms and the cloud cover. On the outer decks, guests equipped with their observation glasses attentively listen to the explanations of renowned specialists on board. Cruise Saudi launches exclusive Saba Beach Cruise Saudi, a Public Investment Fund portfolio company responsible for the creation and development of Saudi’s cruise sector, announced the soft launch of Saba Beach on Jabal AlSabaya – Cruise Saudi’s newly developed private island. The soft launch of Saba Beach marks a significant milestone for Cruise Saudi, and the development of the private island is a natural progression in Cruise Saudi’s mission to position Saudi as a prominent destination for cruising. Just a short sail from Jeddah, roughly 220 Nautical miles, Jabal AlSabaya will be exclusively accessible to all cruise line passengers, offering an unparalleled Red Sea experience that combines luxury, local culture, and the natural beauty of Saudi’s coastline. Qatar welcomes 190,000 cruise passengers Qatar Tourism has announced remarkable mid-season success for the 2024/2025 cruise season, reaffirming the State of Qatar’s position as a growing hub for cruise tourism in the GCC region. By January 20, 2025, Qatar welcomed over 53 cruise ships, bringing an impressive 191,944 cruise passengers to Qatar’s shores. This includes 20,951 turnaround passengers who have used Doha as a starting point for their cruise journeys. To date, visitors from Germany lead arrival figures with (30.2 per cent), followed by Russia at (10.8 per cent) and Italy at (9.2 per cent). The top 10 nationalities collectively account for 69.2 per cent of the total number of passengers.