You may notice a new look around here. CruiseInd is currently transitioning to an updated theme to improve readability, navigation, and overall performance.
On the morning of September 19, 2001 American Classic Voyages Co. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The timing was cruel, but the company’s troubles had been deepening long before that terrible month of September. The collapse of American Classic…
Quantum of the Seas was conceived under Royal Caribbean’s “Project Sunshine” program as a prototype for a new Quantum‑class, combining advanced naval engineering with a suite of headline-grabbing “firsts at sea,” but its radical dining experiment—Dynamic Dining—proved one of the…
The Hostile Takeover That Almost Sank Royal Caribbean In 1988, the cruise industry was a hotbed of ambition and intense rivalries. The biggest showdown was between two companies in positive growth mode: Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.…
Royal Caribbean’s visionary project that gave us the Oasis of the Seas was born from a desire to not just build a bigger cruise ship, but to completely redefine the cruise vacation experience. The result was a floating city that…
A cruise line like no other, Windstar Cruises. Windstar Cruises stands out in the cruise industry—rooted in bold innovation, boutique luxury, and a unique heritage. Here’s the full story: where it began, who founded it, and how it evolved into…
In the world of cruise ships, few stories are as dramatic and unusual as that of Genting Hong Kong’s Global-class vessels. What began as an ambitious vision to create the world’s largest cruise ships for the Asian market ended in…
In the mid-to-late 1980s, Cunard launched an ambitious project aimed at modernizing and revitalizing their fleet. Similar to the ill-fated Q3 saga, this project was also to replace an aging Queen. At the time, Cunard’s flagship was the iconic ocean…
via reddit user historicalharborsyt The iconic SS United States began its final journey, leaving its dock in Philadelphia after sitting there since 1996. On Monday, February 17, Tuesday February 18, Wednesday February 19th, it will be towed down the Delaware…
In the maritime world, few names carry the weight and prestige of Cunard. Known for its opulent liners and iconic transatlantic voyages, Cunard has been a symbol of luxury and innovation for over a century. However, not every ambitious project…
In our first part we cover the origins, design, and career of the Carnival Tropicale. In this post we will look at her life after she left Carnival Cruise Lines. Editors note: we will use the names ‘Carnival Tropicale’ and…
How Stanley McDonald’s bold vision transformed a single ship into one of the world’s most recognized cruise lines, shaping the modern cruise industry along the way. Few cruise lines can trace their origin and success to one person but that…
At the turn of the 20th century, European giants Cunard, Hamburg-Amerika Line, and White Star dominated the transatlantic market, but few know that plans for a major American competitor were in the works. Ever notice that at the turn of…
Many historians consider the Tropicale to be one of the first in an era of cruise ships that set a standard for what was come later. She was considered by many to be the first modern day liner. Editors note:…
UPDATE FEBRUARY 2025: On Friday February 15th, 2025, the SS United States moved for the very first time since 1996. With the assistance of several tug boats, including one that went between the ship and the pier to pry her…
Guildford, CT based American Cruise Line (ACL) is really a fascinating line unlike no other. American Cruise Lines was founded in 1972 by Charles A. Robertson, a visionary in the small-ship cruising industry, along with his wife, who played an…
Introduction The Queen Elizabeth, built in 2010, is a prominent member of the Cunard Line fleet, renowned for its elegance, luxury, with tradition mixed with modern amenities. This ship is the second Cunard vessel to bear the name (third if…
The cruise ship better known as the Norwegian Majesty, but now sailing as Crown Iris, has had a very interesting history. Let’s take a look. In 1990, Finland-based Birka Lines ordered a new cruise ferry for their overnight trips out…
This unique, one-of-a-kind ship can trace its origin back to 1978 and even to an entirely different ship called the Viking Saga. When Viking Saga was ordered, along with a sistership from the Finnish shipyard Wärtsilä in Perno, Finland, they…