The Biggest Cruise News Stories of June

New ships, new godmothers, new brand campaigns and a new Netflix show about the infamous “poop cruise” top the list of this month’s major cruise news stories. Here are some of the headlines you might have missed for June 2025.

New Netflix Show Revisits Infamous ‘Poop Cruise’

A new episode of Netflix’s “Trainwreck” show, available for streaming as of this month, revisits the infamous “poop cruise,” which took place on the Carnival Triumph in February 2013. 

After a fire broke out in the engine room, the ship lost power in the Gulf of Mexico, stranding thousands of passengers on the vessel for roughly four days without air conditioning, refrigeration, lights or working toilets. Guests began dragging mattresses out onto the open decks as raw sewage began to back up in some areas. Access to food and water became limited.

The 55-minute mini-documentary looks back on the chaotic situation—and the media frenzy that surrounded it. 

ASTA's Sarah Little Named Godmother of AmaWaterways' New Ship AmaSofia

This month, AmaWaterways tapped Sarah Little, senior vice president of business development for the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), to be the godmother of its new ship AmaSofia.

Little will christen the vessel in March 2026 during the ASTA River Cruise Expo in Amsterdam. The ship will offer 7-night European river cruises on the Danube River, including the line’s popular “Melodies of the Danube” and “Romantic Danube” itineraries. 

Celestyal Cruises Offers First Look at New Staterooms on Celestyal Discovery

This month, Celestyal Cruises offered a first look at the new staterooms aboard Celestyal Discovery, which underwent extensive renovations over the winter. It’s now sailing in the Greek Isles and will spend its inaugural season in the Arabian Gulf next winter. 

HX Expeditions Completes Refurbishment of MS Spitsbergen

HX Expeditions’ ship MS Spitsbergen returned to service this month just in time for the summer Arctic season after undergoing renovations. Updates included enhanced guest spaces, a new bistro, a state-of-the-art science center and a freshly painted exterior in HX’s updated indigo blue and sand livery.

Diana Ross Named Godmother of Royal Caribbean's Star of the Seas

Royal Caribbean selected Diana Ross to be the godmother of its newest ship, Star of the Seas. The music icon will participate in a traditional naming ceremony in the ship’s AquaTheater ahead of its debut from Port Canaveral, Florida, in August. 

Carnival Cruise Line Announces Launch of New Loyalty Rewards Program

This month, Carnival Cruise Line revealed its new loyalty program, called Carnival Rewards—however, it won’t take effect until June 2026. Carnival Rewards features a points-based system featuring personalized perks and new ways to earn status, including credit card spending. The current Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) program will be guests’ entry point into the new program.

Riviera Travel Debuts New Ship Riviera Radiance on the Danube River

In June, Riviera Travel’s newest ship Riviera Radiance completed its maiden voyage on the Danube River. The 178-guest ship took guests on the 15-day “Budapest to the Black Sea River Cruise” itinerary. Featuring a split-level design and three distinct dining venues, Riviera Radiance boasts the line’s largest-ever suites.

Riviera Radiance is the second new Riviera Travel ship to launch this year, following the Riviera Rose, which debuted on Portugal’s Douro River in April. 

Riviera Radiance (Photo Credit: Riviera Travel)

Viking Takes Delivery of New Ocean Ship, Viking Vesta

Viking’s fleet is growing yet again, as the cruise line took delivery of its newest ocean ship, VIking Vesta, in late June. The 499-stateroom ship, which can accommodate up to 998 guests, will spend her inaugural season sailing in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.

Holland America Line Unveils New Brand Campaign

Holland America Line debuted a new brand campaign this month called “Refreshingly Free,” which celebrates the line’s Caribbean cruises without the crowds, oversized ships and amusement parks at sea. 

“For more than 150 years, Holland America Line has elevated travel by sea, and now we’re excited to spotlight what makes our brand so different in the Caribbean—the elements on board and ashore that truly set us apart for guests who seek an alternative to amusement parks and overcrowded spaces,” says Kacy Cole, chief marketing officer for Holland America Line.

Oceania Cruises Names Godparents of Oceania Allura

Oceania Cruises’ newest ship, the 1,200-guest ship Oceania Allura, is slated to debut in July. However, in the meantime, the cruise line has announced that alumni from the Food & Wine Best New Chefs program will be the vessel’s godparents. They’ll join the christening ceremony in Miami, which is scheduled for November 13. 

Royal Caribbean to Revamp More Cruise Ships

Royal Caribbean announced this month that it plans to refurbish three of its ships in 2026.  Ovation of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas will all be getting makeovers through the cruise line’s “Royal Amplified” program, which launched in 2018. 

AmaWaterways Celebrates AmaMagdalena Christening in Colombia

AmaMagdalena started sailing in Colombia in April. However, in June, AmaWaterways held a christening ceremony to make it official.

The ceremony included Marianna Schlegel Donado, the ship’s godmother, who is an interior designer and Colombian entrepreneur and a former Queen of the Barranquilla Carnival. Her firm, Casa Schlegel Donado, helped design the interiors of the ship. Other attendees included the Governor of the Bolívar Department, the Mayor of Mompox and representatives from ProColombia, Fontur, Cormagdalena and residents. 

Representatives from AmaWaterways and Colombia celebrate the AmaMagdalena's christening. (Photo Credit: AmaWaterways)

American Cruise Lines Kicks Off Summer With New Ship Debut

In June, American Cruise Lines kicked off its largest season of New England cruises and launched its newest ship, American Patriot. After successfully passing sea trials, the 130-guest vessel set sail on its first cruise from Boston.

Carnival Cruise Line Offers First Look at Celebration Key

Fans of Carnival Cruise Line are eagerly awaiting the July debut of Celebration Key, the line’s exclusive destination on Grand Bahama. This month, the cruise line offered a first look at the sunny retreat by sharing new photos.

HX Expeditions Celebrates First-Ever Turnaround in Nuuk, Greenland

In June, HX Expeditions made its first-ever turnaround in Nuuk, Greenland, with the arrival of the vessel MS Fridtjof Nansen. More than 500 HX guests flew with Air Greenland to and from Nuuk, Copenhagen and Reykjaví over the course of 24 hours, setting a new record in the process.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises Offers First Look At Massive $25K Suite Aboard Seven Seas Prestige

If you’ve got at least $25,000 to spend, consider booking the new Skyview Regent Suite on Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ ship Seven Seas Prestige. The cruise line shared more details this month about the massive accommodation, which spans 8,794 square feet and can accommodate up to six guests. It’s one of the 12 suite categories onboard the 822-guest ship, and will be available starting at $25,000 per night.

 

Variety Cruises Completes Refurbishment Across Entire Fleet

Variety Cruises completed an extensive refurbishment of its entire fleet this month. The project started in November and included a complete renovation of the M/S Galileo. The company’s M/Y Harmony V ship also got a makeover, while Harmony G, Panorama, Panorama II, Variety Voyager, Pegasos and Callisto boats received essential maintenance and updates. In addition, the line rolled out enhanced staff training programs to support its global crew.

Royal Caribbean Group Announces Leadership Shakeup

In June, Royal Caribbean Group announced significant changes to its board leadership that will take effect later this year. 

Richard Fain, Chair of the Board of Directors since 1988, will step down from his role as Chairman of the cruise giant—which includes Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea—in the fourth quarter of 2025. Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty will succeed Fain as Chairman and CEO, assuming the role in Q4 2025. Fain will remain in his role as a Director on the Board.

Oceania Cruises Celebrates Steel Cutting for Oceania Sonata

This month, Oceania Cruises officially started construction on its new ship Oceania Sonata, the first ship in its new Sonata class. Crews performed the ship’s ceremonial steel cutting at the Fincantieri-Marghera shipyard in Venice, Italy.

The vessel is slated to debut in the summer of 2027, followed by sister ship Oceania Arietta.  Oceania Sonata will be the ninth ship in the Oceania Cruises fleet. Fincantieri has also constructed several other of the line’s ships, including Oceania Marina, Oceania Riviera, Oceania Vista and the forthcoming Oceania Allura, which debuts in July. 

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