Cruise news: Bluey to appear on Disney Cruise Lines for families starting January 2025
Cruising is becoming more popular than ever.
Whether you take a short trip to an Australian destination, go further afield in the South Pacific, or fly and cruise in Alaska, the Caribbean or Mediterranean, you're promised a great value holiday.
Here are some of the exciting cruise updates that happened in 2024.
Bluey to appear on Disney Cruise Lines for families starting January 2025
December 20: From 10 January 2025, Bluey-lovers and their families can embark on a cruise themed around their favourite blue heeler, departing from Australia and New Zealand and operated by the Disney Cruise Line.
Families onboard will be able to interact with Bluey and her sister, Bingo, through special meet-and-greets, an interactive clue-filled game, and a dance featuring Bluey's signature moves.
Cunard reports record-breaking bookings in 2024
December 5: Luxury British cruise line, Cunard has reported record-breaking bookings in 2024 following the launch of its highly anticipated ship, Queen Anne.
From 1 January to 31 October this year, Cunard recorded an impressive 73,000 additional guest reservations compared to the same period in 2023, representing a 23 per cent year-on-year increase.
Specifically, both the UK and North American markets contributed significantly to this success, with a 24 per cent increase in guests booking from the UK and 29 per cent more from North America compared to 2023.
In addition to international growth, Cunard continues to attract both new and returning travellers.
From 1 January to 31 October 2024, the brand saw a 49 per cent rise in first-time guests choosing to sail with Cunard compared to the same period in 2023.
Viking takes delivery of new ship
December 4: Viking has taken delivery of the company's newest ocean ship, the Viking Vela at a ceremony that took place at Fincantieri's shipyard in Ancona, Italy.
Classified as a small ship, the Viking Vela has 499 staterooms that can host 998 guests and joins the company's growing fleet of award-winning ocean ships.
"We are proud to welcome the newest sister ship to our award-winning ocean fleet," said Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking. "Together with Fincantieri we have built the world's most elegant small ocean ships. With the arrival of our newest vessel, we look forward to introducing even more curious travellers to the Viking way of exploration."
Viking Vela will spend her inaugural season sailing itineraries in the Mediterranean and in Northern Europe.
Viking is working on a project for a partial hybrid propulsion system for future ocean ships based on liquid hydrogen and fuel cells, which could allow the company to operate at zero-emission in the Norwegian Fjords and other sensitive environments.
While the Viking Vela has a traditional propulsion platform, she is considered hydrogen-ready and can be retrofitted in the future.
Cruise line links up with Aussie university
November 15: HX (formerly known as Hurtigruten Expeditions), has announced a pioneering global partnership with the University of Tasmania and its Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies.
For the first time, HX's guests and expedition teams will have the opportunity to explore Antarctic and polar science with world-leading researchers, in a university developed program that blends immersive learning with real-world experiences.
The online course can be accessed anywhere in the world.
Both guests and expedition staff will receive an official University of Tasmania certificate.
HX has already hosted over 30 scientists and UTAS-related university students on polar expeditions over the last three years to work on scientific and social science projects.
This is part of HX's ongoing science support program that provides over 1,800 free cabin and cruise nights to scientists and research students each year, an initiative that's part of the expedition company's ongoing and significant focus on sustainability.
Princess Cruises brings back epic voyage
November 14: Aussies can jump aboard a new cruise lasting for an epic 79 days.
Princess Cruises is bringing back its Circle Pacific Voyage, which visits three continents and covers over 23,600 nautical miles.
The round trip aboard Grand Princess departs Sydney, Brisbane and Auckland in June 2027.
You'l visit 32 destinations across 13 countries – including the United States, Canada, Tahiti, Japan, Singapore, and Vietnam.
The cruise also crosses the equator and the international dateline twice.
Other highlights include an overnight stay in Hong Kong as well aslate-night departures from Honolulu, Juneau, Los Angeles, Osaka (for Kyoto), Singapore,Suva, Tahiti (Papeete) and Canada's Victoria.
