Explora Journeys’ team in Australia and New Zealand will continue to expand as the luxury cruise line continues to forge its own path down under. In Sydney this week from his home in the UK, Antonio Paradiso, VP International Sales at MSC Cruises & Explora Journeys + Managing Director UK, Ireland & Australia, tells LATTE that the three-year strategy for the brand will be to increase its footprint here, steadily.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises has recorded robust bookings for its 2027/2028 program launched late last month, which includes the luxury cruise line’s new ship, Seven Seas Prestige.

Explora Journeys celebrated its Virtuoso partners who have demonstrated unwavering support since the ultra-luxury brand’s launch at a lavish dinner held at Ocean Prime in Las Vegas. The event coincided with Virtuoso Travel Week, which itself welcomed more than 4,800 participants from around the world.

AmaWaterways will stick to what it knows best and not venture into open seas, remaining laser-focused on the rivers of the world, Co-Founder Kristin Karst has reiterated.

AmaWaterways is reveling in the success of being pioneers in the Colombia luxury river cruise market, with the US-based company driven by the destination’s vibrant culture, rich biodiversity, unique product and potential route expansion.

Aqua Expeditions’ Founder and CEO, Francesco Galli Zugaro, has revealed the luxury small ship operator’s new superyacht destined to sail East African waters was signed only a few months ago from a private owner based in the US.

Luxury river cruise operator Uniworld will become a ‘super brand’ of The Travel Corporation, under new owners Apollo, it has been revealed.

Having pioneered the launch of river cruising in Colombia earlier this year, AmaWaterways is “actively looking” at new destinations to add to its offering, CEO Catherine Powell has confirmed.

Tauck’s investment in two new river boats for the Rhône and Seine in Europe is likely to be broadened to even more new ships, LATTE can reveal. Speaking with LATTE at Virtuoso Travel Week, Tauck’s President, Jeremy Palmer, alluded to further fleet expansion on the rivers.

Sea Cloud Cruises CEO & President, Mirell Reyes, believes the Australian market holds untapped potential for the brand, suggesting frontline luxury advisors should consider the “romance” of tall ship sailing.

Virtuoso released its annual vault of client booking data and trends last week in Las Vegas at the 37th annual Virtuoso Travel Week.Taking a deep dive into the data, Misty Belles, Vice President, Global Public Relations for Virtuoso said the traveller profile for Australians in 2025 was gearing towards more active trips and that their interest in cruising continues to expand.

Virtuoso CEO and Chairman Matthew Upchurch is encouraging the industry to flip from using the phrase ‘over tourism’ to ‘destination stewardship’, which the World Travel & Tourism Council has been referring to the edgy topic for the past four years.