Top Cruise Travel Stories From February

With wave season still driving sales and demand for spring and summer travel climbing daily, the cruise industry is again thriving.

With several studies indicating the industry is poised for another stellar year in 2023 and cruise lines improving the passenger experience to entice people back to the seas, it's a great time to plan a dream vacation.

The cruise industry made major waves over the last month, and here are the top cruise stories from February.

The U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) government inked a strategic partnership agreement with the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), under which the destination will receive increased cruise calls and local employment and purchasing opportunities.

FCCA will also undertake programs to convert cruise guests to overnight, land-based visitors, promote summer cruising, increase outreach to travel advisors and create consumer demand via the pact.

A new study of tourists asked them to share their travel interests and plans for 2023, highlighting trend insight for river cruising over the next year and beyond.

According to a "Wish List" survey from the Globus family of brands-Globus, Cosmos and Avalon Waterways-the top five rivers that cruisers are interested in sailing next include the Rhine (76 percent), Upper Danube (64 percent), Seine and Rhone (39 percent), Lower Danube (34 percent) and Douro (31 percent).

Windstar Cruises announced the launch of its Starlink Maritime high-speed, advanced broadband satellite internet capabilities. The cruise line launched the new Wi-Fi technology on Star Pride during a recent Caribbean voyage and plans to implement Starlink across most of its global fleet by mid-2023.

American Queen Voyages also revealed plans to become the first cruise line to upgrade its entire fleet by installing advanced SpaceX Starlink's advanced internet solution.

Carnival Cruise Line issued pre-cruise advisories outlining the do's and don'ts of appropriate cruise behavior. The advisories are now being dispatched via email to upcoming passengers, and focus on safety and guest behavior guidelines, underscoring such things as smoking policies and rules surrounding disruptive behavior and bringing alcohol onboard.

Royal Caribbean International started work on its second eagerly-awaited Icon-class ship and held a steel-cutting ceremony at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland. The new vessel has yet to be named and is slated to set sail in 2025.

Officials said the company would debut its first Icon-class ship, the Icon of the Seas, in January 2024. A third ship in the Icon class is expected in 2026.

Viking announced a new Viking Longship that will debut along the Seine River in France in 2025, a purpose-built sister ship to the other four that currently sail along the river. The new vessel will sail the eight-day Paris and the Heart of Normandy itinerary.

Following its first-ever Pixar Day at Sea debut in January, Disney Cruise Lines has announced that it will extend the popular new offering through early 2024. The cruise line has also announced additional dates for Marvel Day at Sea, which features the most popular personalities from the renowned comics, films and animated series.

American Cruise Lines has announced it will offer a special antiques cruise. On May 2, guests aboard the brand-new American Serenade will have a unique opportunity to attend a taping of ANTIQUES ROADSHOW when the riverboat stops in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Guests will receive VIP access to the ANTIQUES ROADSHOW event at the LSU Rural Life Museum and they can bring up to 2 items that can be appraised during the production event.

Norwegian Cruise Line announced it would reprise its popular 'Meet the Winemaker' cruise series in 2023 for its seventh year, complete with exclusive onboard programming that appeals to oenophiles and foodies of all experience and skill levels.

Carnival Cruise Line announced that premium Santo Tequilas from beloved celebrity chef Guy Fieri and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Sammy Hagar are now available to guests fleetwide. Moving forward, guests can look forward to enjoying the old-world-style Santo Blanco Tequila and the oak-aged Santo Reposado Tequila at every bar on every Carnival ship.

Guests sailing aboard Carnival Cruise Line's 24 ships this Valentine's Day were offered a new take on romance - the chance to participate in the company's largest vow renewal at sea - with ceremonies virtually officiated by none other than NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal, the line's chief fun officer.