Shipmonk

16/01/2025

The keel has been laid for the new Emerald Cruises luxury ship, Emerald Kaia, in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam. Set to debut in April 2026, the 128-passenger vessel - the third superyacht in the fleet - will have a swim-up platform, marina facilities and inflatable slide.

15/01/2025

Comedian-turned-artist Jim Moir (aka Vic Reeves), author Jenny Eclair and celebrity photographer Scarlet Page will capture guests’ most memorable moments on Fred Olsen cruises in 2025 - Moir on Borealis leaving Dover on May 28; Eclair on Balmoral from Rosyth on June 27 and Page on Bolette from Liverpool on July 25.

14/01/2025

The new Viking Vela was forced to change course from Narvik to Ålesund after passengers reported the ship was rocked by 100mph winds and 35ft seas off the coast of Norway. A Viking spokesperson confirmed: ‘The weather conditions were worse than forecast.’

10/01/2025

Why Disney is betting big on cruise ships - my latest piece for the Telegraph (subscription service)

The entertainment behemoth’s cruise line plans to more than double its fleet in the next six years

09/01/2025

Ambassador Cruise Line and French cruise operator Compagnie Française de Croisières have agreed to merge, forming the Ambassador Group. The no-fly cruise line will operate a fleet of three small-to-mid-size vessels - Renaissance, Ambience and Ambition.

Ambassador CEO Christian Verhounig said: 'The combination of Ambassador and CFC is a bold step towards our shared vision for the cruise industry. Together we will lead the way in offering affordable, high-quality, authentic and environmentally responsible cruises.'

03/01/2025

Adventure on the high seas as new cruise ships set sail in 2025

Disney, Royal, Princess, NCL and MSC are among those adding to fleets

31/12/2024

Wishing everyone a fantastic new year ☺️

28/12/2024

My piece on Disney Treasure is in today’s Daily Star (and tomorrow’s Sunday Mirror) ☺️🚢

Here’s the online version…

https://www.mirror.co.uk/travel/cruises/onboard-disneys-huge-new-ship-34383651

24/12/2024

Have a wonderful time, everyone! And here's to a fabulous 2025!

20/12/2024

Windstar announces first-ever series of cruises home-porting in London in 2026. The voyages on Star Pride - three short taster cruises to Belgium and France, as well as two longer trips through the Norwegian fjords - will sail under Tower Bridge.

19/12/2024

Having just returned from Disney Treasure, I've been asked to write an article about what makes the line successful (their current six-strong fleet is due to more than double by 2031). Are you a Disney superfan or just been once or twice? What do you love about the cruises?

I'd be especially interested to hear if you're going to be on the maiden Disney Treasure voyage on Saturday - it would be great to catch up while you're on the voyage to find out what you think.

Many thanks!

18/12/2024

A Christmas special of Channel 5 drama The Good Ship Murder, starring Shayne Ward and Catherine Tyldesley and filmed on MSC Virtuosa, airs tonight at 9pm, followed by a second seven-part series in the new year.

16/12/2024

An early Christmas present for residential ship Villa Vie Odyssey - its classification certificate, which was due to run out on Christmas Day, has been extended until 2029.

08/12/2024

On board Virgin Atlantic to Orlando to spend a night in Disney World then board the new Disney Treasure for a three-night cruise tomorrow. Follow me on X, Bluesky or Instagram (all ) for pictures and updates ☺️

04/12/2024

New year, new look: Cunard's Queen Elizabeth is to get a major refurb ahead of her 2025 Alaska and Caribbean seasons

Changes include refreshed Queens Room and Grills

03/12/2024

Virgin Voyages is to launch an Annual Pass in 2025, allowing travellers to enjoy unlimited cruises for a year on all the line’s adult-only ships. Priced at £94,689.12/$120,000 (excluding taxes/fees), the pass is available on a first-come, first-served basis until March 31.

03/12/2024

Viking Vela has become the 13th ship to be delivered by Fincantieri to Viking - and the first with an increased passenger capacity of 998. The vessel was handed over in Ancona, Italy. Including options and confirmed orders, another 13 ships are due to join the fleet.

03/12/2024

Cunard reports record-breaking bookings in 2024 following the launch of its latest ship, Queen Anne. From January 1 to October 31, bookings were up 73,000, or 23%, on the same period in 2023.