etwas MEERzeit

On February 3, 2026, an unscheduled maneuver took place during AIDAperla's voyage from Willemstad to St. George’s. Due to an acute medical emergency on board, the ship's command decided to interrupt the course towards Grenada and turn back. This was necessary to meet a rescue helicopter from the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard, thereby ensuring the aircraft remained within range for a safe patient evacuation (MedEvac).

On February 2, 2026, passengers and crew of the MSC Orchestra faced a test of patience off the coast of Marseille that exemplifies current tensions in the Mediterranean. Instead of entering the port early in the morning as scheduled, the cruise ship was blocked at the "Passe Nord" by a fleet of small boats operated by the FNSM-CGT union. The background to this maneuver was not an environmental protest, but a fierce labor dispute. Union members used the MSC Orchestra as a highly visible lever to demonstrate against so-called "social dumping" and the use of international flag registers by the parent company, MSC Group—which also owns the ferry operator GNV.

Due to itinerary adjustments for the 2025/2026 winter season, the popular ice rink on AIDAprima will now officially remain in operation until March 21, 2026. Originally scheduled for the Orient, the ship is now spending the season in home waters. As safety in the Red Sea takes priority, the entire fleet planning was adapted, granting Northern Europe fans a significantly longer skating season.

MSC Cruises is investing heavily in fleet modernization: On February 2, 2026, the cruise line announced that MSC Musica and MSC Orchestra will also be equipped with the exclusive "Yacht Club" concept. This means the popular "ship-within-a-ship" area will be available on a total of 19 ships by 2027. The refurbishment begins with MSC Musica in November 2026, just in time for the South American season, followed by MSC Orchestra in March 2027 before its deployment in the Eastern Mediterranean. For fans of the cruise line, this signifies a consistent luxury standard across almost all ship classes.

AIDAprima is sailing through Northern European waters on its winter schedule from Kiel in February 2026. Originally planned for the Orient, the security situation in the Red Sea led to Kiel becoming the base port. Currently, however, the weather is causing an adjustment to the schedule: The sequence of port calls in Oslo and Kristiansand was changed at short notice, which initially raised questions among some guests.

Anyone traveling in Hamburg today will need strong nerves and plenty of patience. Since early Monday morning, February 2, 2026, a large-scale warning strike by the ver.di trade union has brought the Hanseatic city and the metropolitan region to a virtual standstill. The walkout began at 03:00 AM and is scheduled to last exactly 24 hours until Tuesday morning. Not only commuters are affected, but also sensitive areas of port management and administration. The background is a massive collective bargaining dispute involving three simultaneous negotiation strands.

On Sunday, February 1, 2026, the AIDAprima docked punctually at 8:00 AM at Kiel's Ostseekai, marking the end of its 23-day "Great Winter Break Canaries" voyage. This popular itinerary allowed sun-seekers to travel from Germany to the Canary Islands and back without the need for a flight. Despite stormy conditions on the return leg, the Hyperion-class liner safely reached berth 27 for its scheduled passenger turnaround.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is getting serious and transforming the high seas into a massive floating fan zone. Just in time for the FIFA World Cup 2026, the cruise line announced it will broadcast all 104 matches of the tournament live across its entire fleet. Thanks to a cooperation with IMG and the Sport 24 channel, vacationers no longer have to choose between their dream trip and the championship fight. No matter which of the 19 ships you are on, the ball will be rolling across the screens—both on two dedicated channels in the staterooms and on large screens in public areas.

The Costa Toscana, the LNG flagship of Costa Crociere, has temporarily suspended its regular service and has been located in the port of Marseille since January 28, 2026. The ship is undergoing comprehensive maintenance in the massive "Forme 10" dry dock at the Chantier Naval de Marseille (CNM) until February 15, 2026. This scheduled shipyard stay marks the transition from operational service to a short but intensive phase of maintenance before the vessel welcomes passengers back on board.

On January 26, 2026, Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas experienced an unforeseen adjustment to its schedule. During a five-day voyage through the Western Caribbean, an urgent medical emergency on board forced the ship's command to take immediate action. After leaving Nassau, the decision was made to alter course and return unscheduled to the home port of PortMiami to safely disembark the patient requiring care. The cruise line confirmed the incident, emphasizing that medical care took priority over adhering to the original itinerary.

In the wake of the extensive modernization of AIDAluna in the winter of 2025, around 4,700 items of furniture were given a second chance. Instead of ending up in a landfill, approximately 143 tons of inventory were saved for a good cause as part of the "AIDA Evolution" program. This was made possible by an impressive logistical collaboration between AIDA Cruises, the association "Der Hafen hilft! e.V." (The Port Helps), Daimler Truck, and HHLA. While the ship was in dry dock in Marseille, volunteers ensured the smooth removal of the furniture directly from the vessel.

AIDA Cruises is ringing in the crucial phase for one of the event highlights of 2026. With the launch of the AIDAradio Newcomer Contest on January 26, the search for fresh talent for the AIDA Festival Cruise has officially begun. Until February 22, bands, solo artists, and DJs can apply to secure a coveted slot on the main stage of the AIDAprima. The competition aims to provide a platform for unknown musicians alongside established stars. Following a pre-selection by an expert jury, a public online voting process in March will determine the winner, who will then share the stage with national heavyweights.

AIDA Cruises is sending a strong strategic signal by firmly returning to the Orient with AIDAperla in the winter of 2027/2028. The unique aspect of this season's planning is the journey to the destination: due to the current security situation in the Red Sea, the cruise line is bypassing the Suez Canal. Instead, a spectacular 43-day "Globetrotter" voyage will take the ship from Hamburg around the African continent starting November 4, 2027. Traveling via the Canary Islands, Namibia, South Africa, and Mauritius, the ship will finally reach Dubai – a true adventure that combines safety with new destinations.

On the weekend of January 24th and 25th, 2026, the RMS Queen Mary 2 made maritime history. As the only ocean liner still in active service today, the Cunard Line flagship completed its very first transit through the Panama Canal. This was only made possible by utilizing the Neo-Panamax locks, which opened in 2016. Since the "Queen" was specifically designed for the rough North Atlantic, her width was simply too great for the original lock systems. Captain Hall safely maneuvered the ocean giant from the Atlantic into the Pacific, marking the end of an era in which the ship always had to take the long detour around South America.

MSC Cruises is opening a new chapter in the Caribbean, placing a strong focus on the Dominican Republic. As announced by CEO Gianni Onorato at the FITUR tourism trade fair, the MSC Opera will be stationed year-round at the port of La Romana starting in November 2026. With this move, the cruise line is moving away from purely seasonal patterns, offering attractive cruises in the Southern Caribbean during the summer months as well. This decision underscores confidence in the region and creates a genuine alternative to the heavily frequented departures from Florida.