Holly Payne

1 week ago | seatrade-cruise.com | Holly Payne |Mary Bond

In this regular feature to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Seatrade Cruise Global in April 2025, we are inviting a cross section of executives working in the industry, from a wide range of sectors and geographies, to share insights on their first encounters with the wonderful world of cruise shipping. Describe the first time you saw a cruise ship. My first sight of a cruise ship was Europa (3) – ex. Kungsholm in 1974 in Bremerhaven, Germany.

2 weeks ago | seatrade-cruise.com | Holly Payne

Ocean Victory, on charter to start-up Alma Cruceros, has been detained at Port of Málaga since May 19 following its arrest by Spanish authorities, reportedly at the behest of the ship's agent, Lantimar Group. Lantimar Group declined to comment, and Alma Cruceros said it would be issuing a statement in a few days. Operational historyThe 186-passenger ship is on charter from SunStone Group, which did not respond to enquiries. Nor did the Port of Málaga.

2 weeks ago | seatrade-cruise.com | Holly Payne

Holly Payne, Editor Video Production and Deputy EditorGlobal Ports Holding, together with its local partner Sepcan and the Port Authority of Las Palmas, officially inaugurated two new cruise terminals in Lanzarote, and one new cruise terminal in Fuerteventura. The terminals are expected to welcome over one million cruise passengers annually. CeremoniesMehmet Kutman, chairman & CEO, Global Ports Holding, participated in the inauguration ceremonies alongside other senior GPH figures.

2 weeks ago | seatrade-cruise.com | Holly Payne

Harding+ unveiled a fully immersive, supermarket-themed store takeover in partnership with P&O Cruises and collectible plush brand Palm Pals. The experience, which opened on May 18 onboardIona, is designed to captivate a younger, multi-generational passenger demographic promoting interactivity and collectability. ‘Since launching Palm Pals four years ago with just 12 SKUs, this concept has broken all records,’ explained Garry Stoner, travel retail sales manager at Aurora World.

2 weeks ago | seatrade-cruise.com | Holly Payne

The Port of Dover marked a major milestone on May 21 with a double inaugural call day, welcoming both Windstar's Star Pride and Ponant's Le Laperouse for their first-ever visits to the Kent port. Le Laperouse's sister ship, Le Bellot, also sailed into Dover for the first time earlier in the month, meaning over 3,000 passengers traveled to the region in May. The port's first call of the 2025 season came from Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Miracle on May 18.