Author: Amber Hickman

Amber is a contributing writer for both the Cruise and Ferry suite of publications and CruiseandFerry.net. She produces daily content for the website and interviews senior executives from across the passenger shipping industry to write features, reports and other articles for the publications.

News, Carnival

Carnival Venezia officially joins the Carnival Cruise Line Fleet

Carnival Venezia officially joins the Carnival Cruise Line Fleet

Carnival Cruise

By Amber Hickman | 22 March 2023

Carnival Cruises’ first ‘Fun Italian Style’ ship will feature new food and entertainment options

News, Building and refurbishment

YSA Design and Omega Architects create concept boutique cruise ship

YSA Design and Omega Architects create concept boutique cruise ship

YSA Design and Omega Architects

By Amber Hickman | 22 March 2023

The designs visualise a small cruise ship with the characteristics of a luxury yacht

News, Ports and Destinations

Greenock Ocean Terminal set to break cruise ship record in 2023

Greenock Ocean Terminal set to break cruise ship record in 2023

Cruise Glasgow

By Amber Hickman | 15 March 2023

The Scottish port will host 91 calls this season, a 25 per cent rise from 2022

News, Onboard experience

LG debuts new screens designed for outdoor areas on cruise ships

LG debuts new screens designed for outdoor areas on cruise ships

LG Business Solutions

By Amber Hickman | 15 March 2023

The screens will display a high-quality picture, regardless of the weather conditions

Cruise news, Marine operations

Exploris to streamline management with Lloyd’s Register solution

Exploris to streamline management with Lloyd’s Register solution

Exploris

By Amber Hickman | 01 March 2023

Cloud-based platform will help new expedition cruise brand to improve operational efficiency

Cruise news

Giada De Laurentiis to christen Oceania Cruises’ Vista in Malta

Giada De Laurentiis to christen Oceania Cruises’ Vista in Malta

Oceania Cruises

By Amber Hickman | 01 March 2023

The celebrity chef will also create two signature dishes to be served onboard the ship

News, Ports and Destinations

Resorts World Cruises ship to homeport in Kaohsiung from April

Resorts World Cruises ship to homeport in Kaohsiung from April

Resorts World Cruises

By Amber Hickman | 22 February 2023

Resorts World One will make 78 calls to the Taiwanese city in 2023

News, Marine operations

Color Line to improve data management with Telenor Maritime

Color Line to improve data management with Telenor Maritime

Facebook/Color Line

By Amber Hickman | 15 February 2023

Unified Hosting Service will help ferry operator digitise tasks and reach sustainability goals

News, Onboard experience

Windstar Cruises to implement SpaceX’s Starlink internet across fleet

Windstar Cruises to implement SpaceX’s Starlink internet across fleet

Windstar Cruises

By Amber Hickman | 15 February 2023

High-speed service to deliver more reliable wi-fi for guests sailing on all ships by mid-2023

Building and refurbishment, Cruise news

Fincantieri hosts coin ceremony for Explora II

Fincantieri hosts coin ceremony for Explora II

Explora Journeys

By Amber Hickman | 08 February 2023

New Explora Journeys ship is expected to start sailing in August 2024

Cruise news, Ports and Destinations

Porto Cruise Terminal breaks 2019 record for cruise ship calls

Porto Cruise Terminal breaks 2019 record for cruise ship calls

Porto Cruise Terminal

By Amber Hickman | 08 February 2023

Portuguese port received 112 cruise ship visits in 2022 and is set to hit another all-time high in 2023

News, Itinerary planning

Costa Cruises to base multiple ships in Northern Europe and the Med in 2024

Costa Cruises to base multiple ships in Northern Europe and the Med in 2024

Costa Cruises

By Amber Hickman | 02 February 2023

Destinations such as France, Italy, Greece and the Baltic region are included

News, Cruise news

T. Mariotti to construct luxury yacht for Aman Group

T. Mariotti to construct luxury yacht for Aman Group

Aman Group

By Amber Hickman | 25 January 2023

Project Sama is part of a collaboration between Aman Group and Cruise Saudi

News, Cruise news

Oceania Cruises’ Riviera to sail first season in Asia in 2024

Oceania Cruises’ Riviera to sail first season in Asia in 2024

Oceania Cruises

By Amber Hickman | 25 January 2023

The ship will offer 25 unique voyages in the region with itineraries ranging from 10 to 82 days

News, Ports and Destinations

New harbour at Port of Aberdeen to boost Scottish cruise sector

New harbour at Port of Aberdeen to boost Scottish cruise sector

Port of Aberdeen

By Amber Hickman | 25 January 2023

The £400 million facility will allow the port to accommodate larger and a greater number of ships

News, Cruise news

Viva Cruises begins 2023 river cruising season in Düsseldorf

Viva Cruises begins 2023 river cruising season in Düsseldorf

Viva Cruises

By Amber Hickman | 19 January 2023

Ships Viva One and Viva Moments will be sailing to the Netherlands and Belgium from January to March

News, Ports and Destinations

Port of A Coruña broke cruise traffic record in 2022

Port of A Coruña broke cruise traffic record in 2022

Port of A Coruña

By Amber Hickman | 18 January 2023

Spanish port beats 2017 record after welcoming almost 223,000 passengers during 136 calls

News, Ports and Destinations

Nine Baltic ports apply for EU grant to develop shore power

Nine Baltic ports apply for EU grant to develop shore power

Ports of Stockholm

By Amber Hickman | 18 January 2023

The money would fund pilot studies to develop infrastructure for passenger ships and other vessels

News, Onboard experience

Silversea Cruises to offer new public venues onboard Silver Nova

Silversea Cruises to offer new public venues onboard Silver Nova

Silversea Cruises

By Amber Hickman | 11 January 2023

Reimagined restaurants, lounges and bars will feature on the ship, which will debut this August

News, Cruise news

Viking Neptune named by godmother and NASA astronaut Nicole Stott

Viking Neptune named by godmother and NASA astronaut Nicole Stott

Viking

By Amber Hickman | 11 January 2023

The vessel departed on the 138-day Viking World Cruise in December

News, Ports and Destinations

Port of Galveston hosted one million cruise passengers in 2022

Port of Galveston hosted one million cruise passengers in 2022

Royal Caribbean International

By Amber Hickman | 04 January 2023

Texan port achieved pre-pandemic levels of cruise traffic and opened new Royal Caribbean terminal

News, Itinerary planning

Holland America Line plans new Arctic Circle itinerary for 2024

Holland America Line plans new Arctic Circle itinerary for 2024

Holland America Group

By Amber Hickman | 04 January 2023

The 28-day cruise will allow guests to visit the region during the summer solstice

News, Cruise news, Ports and Destinations

MSC Cruises and Galveston Wharves plan to develop new homeport

MSC Cruises and Galveston Wharves plan to develop new homeport

MSC Cruises

By Amber Hickman | 21 December 2022

The organisations have signed a memorandum of understanding outlining possible agreement

News, Building and refurbishment, Ferry news

Rauma shipyard begins construction on second ferry for Spirit of Tasmania

Rauma shipyard begins construction on second ferry for Spirit of Tasmania

Rauma Marine Constructions

By Amber Hickman | 21 December 2022

The two ferries will operate on the world’s southernmost open sea route

News, Onboard experience

Interior design sectors call for sustainability guidelines

Interior design sectors call for sustainability guidelines

SDS UK

By Amber Hickman | 15 December 2022

Industries called for regulators to act during this year’s Sustainable Design Summit

News, Onboard experience, Carnival

Carnival and Starboard enhance retail experiences

Carnival and Starboard enhance retail experiences

Carnival Cruise Line

By Amber Hickman | 14 December 2022

Carnival Celebration will feature first-at-sea brand launches and themed merchandise

News, Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean and Meyer Turku aim to build carbon-neutral ship

Royal Caribbean and Meyer Turku aim to build carbon-neutral ship

Royal Caribbean Group

By Amber Hickman | 14 December 2022

Firms sign declaration with Finnish Government to drive innovation and sustainable shipbuilding

News, Onboard experience, Cruise news, Carnival

Carnival Venezia to feature first-in-fleet spaces

Carnival Venezia to feature first-in-fleet spaces

Carnival Cruises

By Amber Hickman | 13 December 2022

Ship will offer new staterooms, a lido with retractable roof and Italian-style food and entertainment

News, Building and refurbishment

Tallink Grupp receives MyStar ferry from Rauma Marine Construction

Tallink Grupp receives MyStar ferry from Rauma Marine Construction

Semmeli Korhonen

By Amber Hickman | 07 December 2022

The ship will can carry 2,000 passengers and will operate between Estonia and Finland

News, Cruise news

Dr Kathy Sullivan named as godmother of Scenic Eclipse II

Dr Kathy Sullivan named as godmother of Scenic Eclipse II

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours

By Amber Hickman | 07 December 2022

Nasa scientist is the ‘living embodiment of new yacht’s spirit of innovation and exploration

News, Onboard experience, P&O Cruises

New shore experiences for P&O cruise guests onboard Arvia

New shore experiences for P&O cruise guests onboard Arvia

P&O Cruises

By Amber Hickman | 01 December 2022

Opportunities for guests on the cruise line’s latest ship include workshops and distillery tours

News, Building and refurbishment

CSIE 2022: Continental exhibits surfaces and upholstery

CSIE 2022: Continental exhibits surfaces and upholstery

Silversea Cruises

By Amber Hickman | 30 November 2022

The surface designer is showcasing some of its options for furniture upholstery

News, Cruise news

Virgin Voyages partners with Paysafe for safer transactions

Virgin Voyages partners with Paysafe for safer transactions

Virgin Voyages

By Amber Hickman | 30 November 2022

By implementing the payment platform, the cruise operator aims to streamline booking experiences

News, Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean Group marks 30 years of sustainability improvements

Royal Caribbean Group marks 30 years of sustainability improvements

Royal Caribbean Group

By Amber Hickman | 23 November 2022

Cruise group has reduced the environmental impact of the business and is striving towards net zero

News, Ports and Destinations

Cruise Gate Hamburg hosts record number of cruise calls

Cruise Gate Hamburg hosts record number of cruise calls

Christian Spahrbier

By Amber Hickman | 23 November 2022

German port beats pre-pandemic levels and expects another increase in ship visits in 2023

News, Building and refurbishment, Ferry news

Torghatten Trafikkselskap cuts energy use with Schottel EcoPellers

Torghatten Trafikkselskap cuts energy use with Schottel EcoPellers

Torghatten Trafikkselskap

By Amber Hickman | 16 November 2022

Norwegian line records 25 per cent drop in energy usage on ferry after propulsion system upgrade

News, Building and refurbishment, Cruise news

Chesapeake Shipbuilding begins work on American Cruise Lines’ new ship

Chesapeake Shipbuilding begins work on American Cruise Lines’ new ship

American Cruise Lines

By Amber Hickman | 16 November 2022

American Liberty will be a part of the brand’s coastal cruise fleet in the USA

News, Building and refurbishment, Princess Cruises

Bluestone to fit air lubrication systems on two of Princess Cruises ships

Bluestone to fit air lubrication systems on two of Princess Cruises ships

Silverstream Technologies

By Amber Hickman | 15 November 2022

The upgrades on Sky Princess and Enchanted Princess will help reduce emissions and fuel usage

News, Cruise news

SDS 2022 to help create sustainable interior design framework

SDS 2022 to help create sustainable interior design framework

Ultrafabrics

By Amber Hickman | 14 November 2022

The summit will also showcase green products for the cruise, hotel and aircraft sectors

News, Building and refurbishment

Valenciaport approves construction of new passenger terminal

Valenciaport approves construction of new passenger terminal

Valenciaport

By Amber Hickman | 14 November 2022

The sustainable facility will cater to different types of ship traffic

News, News, Building and refurbishment

Lloyd’s Register launches framework for assessing ship sustainability

Lloyd’s Register launches framework for assessing ship sustainability

Lloyd's Register

By Amber Hickman | 11 November 2022

The system will assess vessels on how ready they are for operating with zero-carbon fuel

News, Cruise news, Fincantieri

Viking takes delivery of Viking Neptune from Fincantieri

Viking takes delivery of Viking Neptune from Fincantieri

Viking

By Amber Hickman | 11 November 2022

The ship is piloting a small hydrogen fuel cell for onboard operations

News, Building and refurbishment, Cruise news

Aurora Expeditions launches Sylvia Earle ahead of inaugural voyage

Aurora Expeditions launches Sylvia Earle ahead of inaugural voyage

Benjamin Tan/Aurora Expeditions

By Amber Hickman | 10 November 2022

The new small ship will sail from Argentina to Antarctica in December 2022

News, Building and refurbishment, Royal Caribbean

New Royal Caribbean Terminal opens in Galveston

New Royal Caribbean Terminal opens in Galveston

Royal Caribbean International

By Amber Hickman | 10 November 2022

The facility is homeport to Allure of The Seas and will welcome up to 630,000 travellers a year

News, Building and refurbishment, Royal Caribbean

ABB and Royal Caribbean Group develop safer braking system

ABB and Royal Caribbean Group develop safer braking system

Royal Caribbean Group

By Amber Hickman | 09 November 2022

Solution minimises a ship’s stopping time and distance without compromising steering capability

News, Building and refurbishment, Cruise news

Havila Capella christened in Fosnavåg celebration

Havila Capella christened in Fosnavåg celebration

Havila Voyages

By Amber Hickman | 09 November 2022

Havila Voyages’ coastal cruise ship began operation last year

News, Onboard experience, Carnival, P&O Cruises

Harding+ and Cotswolds Distillery partner for P&O and Cunard

Harding+ and Cotswolds Distillery partner for P&O and Cunard

Harding+

By Amber Hickman | 04 November 2022

The ships will be the only ones in the cruise industry to sell the range of UK-produced whiskies and gins

News, Building and refurbishment, Carnival

Meyer Turku hands Carnival Celebration to Carnival Cruise Line

Meyer Turku hands Carnival Celebration to Carnival Cruise Line

 

Meyer Turku/Lavea Media

 

By Amber Hickman | 03 November 2022

Delivery of new Excel-class ship marks the culmination of brand’s 50th birthday celebrations

News, Marine operations

RWO fits advanced wastewater treatment system on Celebrity ships

RWO fits advanced wastewater treatment system on Celebrity ships

Celebrity Cruises

By Amber Hickman | 02 November 2022

Technology will reduce the environmental impact of Celebrity Silhouette and Celebrity Reflection

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