Royal Caribbean has added to its list of cancelled sailings on the Empress of the Seas. Seven more cancellations bring the total to 13 aborted itineraries through May 23, 2016 due to maintenance work required in the ship’s galleys.

Guests originally booked on the March 30, April 4, April 7, April 11, April 16 and April 21 sailings and rebooked on one of the newly cancelled sailings will receive a full refund and a future cruise credit of 100 percent. 

Guests scheduled to sail within 14 days of departure on the cancelled April 25 or April 30 sailing, who do not rebook, will receive a full refund and a future cruise credit of 50% of the fare paid. 

All other guests scheduled to sail on the May 5th - May 23rd sail dates will be provided an onboard credit if they rebook to another Royal Caribbean sailing. 

CLIA Releases Statement on Cuba 

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) welcomes the Cuban government's positive and fair decision to allow all American citizens equal opportunity to visit Cuba. The cruise industry understands the power that travel has to bring learning and understanding between nations and cultures. Further, CLIA fully supports the rights of all people to travel freely and have the opportunity to experience a wide range of destinations. Every step that nations take towards open access and free interchange between citizens is a step in the right direction. 

Avalon offers hiking, biking, canoeing and cooking 

Avalon Waterways is launching special interest cruises next year. Active Discovery on the Danube “gives cruisers the opportunity to bike, hike and canoe along the Danube,” said Patrick Clark, managing director of Avalon Waterways. 

“They can also explore an ice cave, take an archery lesson, descend into an underground salt mine or ascend up a mountain during a guided climb. This is European vacation focused on enjoying every moment of the journey.” The nine day vacation, which includes two full days in Vienna, sails from Linz to Budapest or vice versa. 

Norwegian looks to Cuba 

Cuban-American Frank Del Rio, CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line said his company is seeking approval to sail to Cuba. He stated last year, “Florida and Cuba are only 222 miles apart. “That's what makes it so exciting. God put that body of land in the right place for the cruise industry.” 

“Cuba is more than a sandbar in the Caribbean. It has history. It has culture. We think of the music. We think of the arts. It has multiple ports, too.” Del Rio suggests that the cruise industry is always looking for new destinations and Cuba is looking to increase tourism. 

“The great thing about the cruise industry is that we bring our own infrastructure with us.” “When we visit Cuba, we don't need anything. Just a couple of buses, so we can bring people to the sites.” 

Delfin takes over 

Delfin Amazon Cruises, owner of vessel Amazon Discovery announced that it is taking over all promotional and sales efforts of the ship. The Amazon Discovery is a leisure cruise vessel formerly offered by Haimark Travel. 

Departing from Iquitos and operating along the Amazon River towards the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, the Amazon Discovery will honor existing guest reservations and continue to operate as scheduled.