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Welcome to the first edition of my Cruise Weekly News and Cruise Weekly Hot Cruise Deals, sent directly to your email by Global Travel Media. So, here we go!

GTM’s CRUISE WEEKLY NEWS

ROYAL CARIBBEAN has announced the introduction of The SpongeBob Musical, the first at-sea production inspired by the Tony Award-winning Broadway show, aboard Hero of the Seas when the fourth Icon Class ship sets sail from Miami in August 2027. Part of the entertainment line-up aboard Royal Caribbean’s newest family ship, the adventure-packed production will bring the colourful world of Bikini Bottom to life in the Royal Theater. The SpongeBob Musical joins Royal Caribbean’s award-winning entertainment portfolio, which continues to push the boundaries of experiences across stage, air, water and ice for travellers of all ages.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN has announced its 2027 President’s Cruise aboard Odyssey of the Seas, with the seven-night sailing scheduled to depart from Civitavecchia, the port serving Rome, on 19 September 2027. The itinerary visits the Greek Isles and Southern Italy, with calls at Santorini, Kusadasi for Ephesus, Mykonos and Naples. The announcement was made by Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley during this year’s President’s Cruise. The annual event brings together Royal Caribbean guests, particularly members of the Crown & Anchor Society loyalty programme, for a sailing featuring additional events and activities.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN is changing its cancellation policy for certain new North American bookings beginning 11 October 2026. One of the biggest changes is the removal of the previous 25% cancellation penalty tier. That doesn’t mean every cancellation penalty is doubling, though. The revised conditions depend on the booking and cancellation period. Australian travellers should check the cancellation terms applicable to their bookings directly with Royal Caribbean before making any changes.

CRUISE PASSENGER reports that Palma, Mallorca, is tightening its cruise restrictions as European destinations increasingly seek to manage visitor numbers. Under an agreement involving the Balearic Government, Palma City Council and the cruise industry, the existing limit of three cruise ships per day will continue. From 2027, the permitted average daily cruise passenger capacity during the June-to-September peak season will fall from 8,500 to 7,500, calculated across each week. The agreement reflects growing pressure on popular European destinations to balance cruise tourism with the needs of local communities.

CRYSTAL has unveiled what it calls That Crystal Feeling, a new global brand campaign shifting the focus from simply where a journey takes guests to how it feels to travel with Crystal. Dreamlike, impressionistic and deeply sensory, the campaign captures the unhurried rhythm of life at sea, from morning through night, and the freedom that comes when there is nowhere else you need to be. At the heart of the campaign is a simple idea: Crystal is not just a way to see the world; it is also a place to step away from it. For more information about Crystal and to experience That Crystal Feeling, visit www.crystalcruises.com.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN has reportedly settled a lawsuit with the family of passenger Michael Virgil, who died following an incident aboard Navigator of the Seas in December 2024. The lawsuit, filed on 5 December 2025, alleged that Virgil had been served 33 alcoholic drinks. A settlement was reportedly reached on 8 January 2026, with final court approval delayed until September because Virgil’s seven-year-old son was a beneficiary. The settlement amount has not been publicly disclosed. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner classified Virgil’s death as a homicide, listing the combined effects of mechanical asphyxia, obesity, ethanol intoxication and cardiomegaly, or an enlarged heart, as contributing causes. The reported post-mortem blood-alcohol concentration was 0.182, although that figure requires caution because the sample was taken after death. The medical classification does not establish criminal wrongdoing, and the settlement should not be interpreted as an admission of liability or wrongdoing by Royal Caribbean.

GTM’s CRUISE WEEKLY HOT CRUISE DEALS

HURTIGRUTEN is offering members of its 1893 Ambassador Loyalty Programme an exclusive discount on eligible new bookings, which can be combined with selected other offers. A 5% discount is confirmed for new members, while additional loyalty benefits may apply depending on membership level and booking conditions. The special promotion is available on qualifying new bookings made by 15 October 2026, for departures through 31 March 2029. Terms and conditions apply.

TRAVEL AT 60 is promoting a selection of eight cruises closer to home, covering the South Pacific islands and Murray River paddleboats. Destinations include Fiji, Vanuatu and Tahiti, along with the Murray River and South Australian coast. Advertised prices start from A$1,829 per person, subject to confirmation of availability, departure dates and inclusions at the time of booking.

CARNIVAL LUMINOSA returns to Brisbane in December 2026, bringing another season of holidays to the Great Barrier Reef, the South Pacific and beyond. Advertised offers include a three-day getaway from Brisbane from A$616, a six-day Great Barrier Reef cruise from A$947, and Vanuatu and New Caledonia cruises advertised from A$1,028 and A$1,068, depending on the departure. These indicative fares require confirmation against Carnival’s current booking inventory. Prices and availability are subject to change.

AMAWATERWAYS, through Flight Centre’s Cruise Sale, is promoting selected river cruises with advertised savings of up to A$1,500, subject to the applicable promotion. Depending on the itinerary, inclusions may feature guided shore excursions, selected wines and beer with lunch and dinner, and onboard Wi-Fi. Destinations include the Seine from Paris to Normandy, the Mekong between Vietnam and Cambodia, Colombia’s Magdalena River, and the Grand Danube region, connecting destinations including Bucharest, Vienna and Prague through a combination of cruising and possible land arrangements. Selected itineraries can be paired with pre- or post-cruise land packages, with World360 Rewards benefits available on eligible bookings. Savings and inclusions should be confirmed for the individual voyage.

CRUISEABOUT is promoting Celebrity Cruises’ 2027 European sailings, with selected packages including beverages and Wi-Fi, accommodation upgrades and advertised savings of up to A$3,800 per stateroom, depending on the offer. Guests making eligible new bookings in a Veranda-category stateroom or above can also receive A$250 in Cruiseabout credit per booking. The credit is applied to the qualifying booking price and cannot be redeemed for cash or used towards the deposit. The promotion expires on 31 October 2026. Conditions apply, and individual inclusions and savings vary by sailing.

SEABOURN, through Cruise1st, is promoting a 2027 Antarctica 14-night holiday package featuring return international flights, a Buenos Aires hotel stay, charter flights between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia, and transfers, subject to the package conditions. Cruise1st has advertised a package price of A$17,999 per person, compared with a quoted Seabourn cruise-only fare of A$21,398 per person, suggesting a difference of A$3,399. The retailer also claims potential total savings of up to A$6,100 when other travel arrangements are considered. These comparisons and fare inclusions have not been independently verified and should be confirmed in writing with Cruise1st before booking.

VIKING is offering its Flights on Us promotion, providing eligible economy airfares booked through Viking up to a maximum value of A$2,800 per person on selected 2027–2029 voyages. The promotion includes qualifying European itineraries, allowing guests to explore one region or combine destinations on a longer journey. Viking’s promotional code FOU28 has been advertised in connection with the offer. Flights must be arranged through Viking, and any unused airfare benefit is not redeemable for cash. Selected departures, booking conditions and exclusions apply.

OCEANIA CRUISES has announced new 2028 voyages aboard its new ship, Oceania Aurelia, including an 18-day South Pacific Serenade itinerary departing Papeete on 23 February 2028 and concluding in Sydney on 13 March. The voyage visits Bora Bora, Pago Pago, Vava’u in Tonga, Lautoka in Fiji, Port Vila in Vanuatu and Nouméa in New Caledonia, crossing the International Date Line before arriving in Sydney. An advertised Concierge Veranda fare of A$13,680 per person requires confirmation. Oceania is also offering a 10-night Tokyo-to-Hong Kong voyage departing 22 April 2028, visiting Shimizu near Mount Fuji, Kobe for Kyoto, Hiroshima, Aburatsu, Okinawa and Kaohsiung in Taiwan before arriving in Hong Kong. The advertised Concierge Veranda fare of A$9,010 per person also requires confirmation of availability and current Australian pricing.

EXPLORA JOURNEYS is extending its Invitation to Celebrate promotion, offering savings of up to 30% on eligible best available fares, together with a reduced 10% deposit. The offer applies to qualifying new bookings made by 27 October 2026, subject to availability and the applicable terms and conditions.