Lindblad Expeditions makes its largest-ever acquisition, buying into two air travel brands
Lindblad Expeditions Holdings has taken a 60% stake in White Desert Antarctica, a luxury Antarctic travel operator, and Echo Charlie, a new aviation venture flying restored DC-3 aircraft to remote destinations, for roughly $61 million in cash plus about $6 million in balance-sheet cash. CEO Natalya Leahy called it "the largest transaction in the history of the company," and the deal extends Lindblad's expedition reach into Patagonia, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands alongside its Antarctic program.
Royal Caribbean lays the keel for a fifth Icon-class ship
Construction has formally begun on Royal Caribbean's fifth Icon-class vessel at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, with the keel-laying ceremony held this week ahead of a planned 2028 debut. The still-unnamed "Icon 5" will join Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas, and their sister ships as the line continues to scale its newest class.
MSC World Asia completes final sea trials
MSC Cruises' newest ship, MSC World Asia, has wrapped up its final round of sea trials off the French coast, clearing the way for delivery ahead of its planned debut later this year. The ship is the latest in MSC's World Class series, following World Europa and World America.
CFC rebrands as Ambassador Croisières with an expanded 2028 program
Following its merger with UK-based Ambassador Cruise Line, French operator Compagnie Française de Croisières has rebranded as Ambassador Croisières and announced an expanded sailing program for 2028. The move consolidates the two lines' fleets and itineraries under a single Ambassador Group identity.
Crystal Symphony opens its 2026–27 season in Ecuador — while sister ship Crystal Serenity takes on the 2027 world voyage
Crystal Symphony kicked off its new season with a call at Manta, Ecuador, as part of a 32-night repositioning voyage from San Diego to New York via the Panama Canal. Crystal has confirmed that it's Crystal Serenity, not Symphony, that will carry the line's flag on its 2027 around-the-world voyage — a useful reminder for world-cruise shoppers to double-check which ship in a fleet is actually doing the full circumnavigation before booking.