Author: Alex Smith

Alex is a contributing writer for Cruise & Ferry Interiors, Cruise & Ferry Itinerary Planning and CruiseandFerry.net. He produces daily content for the website and interviews senior executives from the world's leading cruise companies, ports and destinations to write features, reports and other articles related to passenger shipping.

News, Onboard experience

Icon of the Seas to offer over 20 dining experiences

Icon of the Seas to offer over 20 dining experiences

Royal Caribbean International

By Alex Smith | 26 May 2023

Royal Caribbean International will debut a new eight-course experience and its first food hall

Report, Ports and Destinations

Okinawa: an island-hopping adventure in Japan

Okinawa: an island-hopping adventure in Japan

OCVB

By Alex Smith | 26 May 2023

Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture provides a wealth of natural and cultural highlights for visitors to discover during a cruise, with Ponant now sailing its first expedition voyages to the remote islands

Okinawa Prefecture provides a wealth of natural and cultural highlights for visitors to discover

Event

Seatrade Cruise & River Cruise Convention 2023

Seatrade Cruise & River Cruise Convention 2023

Julia Solonina/Unsplash

By Alex Smith | 25 May 2023

6-8 September 2023; Hamburg, Germany

The bi-annual event returns to unite the European cruise and river community

News, Itinerary planning

Viking to offer new ‘Treasures of the Rhine’ itinerary in December 2023

Viking to offer new ‘Treasures of the Rhine’ itinerary in December 2023

Viking

By Alex Smith | 24 May 2023

The winter voyage means that the cruise line will now operate year-round on the European river

Interview, Ports and Destinations

Gibraltar: a history of intrigue and seafaring

Gibraltar: a history of intrigue and seafaring
By Alex Smith | 24 May 2023

Kevin Bossino of Gibraltar Tourist Board talks with Alex Smith about Gibraltar’s remarkable past and its role in developing the next generation of seafarers

Kevin Bossino of Gibraltar Tourist Board discusses the Rock’s remarkable past as a maritime hub

News, Onboard experience

Volume Creative curates art collection for Virgin Voyages

Volume Creative curates art collection for Virgin Voyages

Volume Creative

By Alex Smith | 23 May 2023

The UK-based design agency were appointed as the art consultants for Resilient Lady

News, Building and refurbishment, Ferry news

Incat Tasmania delivers El Dorado Express to Daezer Ferry

Incat Tasmania delivers El Dorado Express to Daezer Ferry

Incat Tasmania

By Alex Smith | 23 May 2023

The high-speed catamaran will sail the route between Pohang and Ulleungdo in South Korea

News, Onboard experience

Explora Journeys reveals design of Owner’s Residence onboard Explora I

Explora Journeys reveals design of Owner’s Residence onboard Explora I

Explora Journeys

By Alex Smith | 19 May 2023

The suite will offer 280 square metres of space, furnished in a luxurious European style

Report, Ports and Destinations

Why the Port of San Diego is investing in growth

Why the Port of San Diego is investing in growth
By Alex Smith | 19 May 2023

The Port of San Diego is making improvements to its cruise ship terminals to cater for the rapid growth in cruise calls

The port is making improvements to its cruise terminals to cater for the rapid growth in calls

Event

Caribbean Week 2023: tourism resurgence in a new world

Caribbean Week 2023: tourism resurgence in a new world

Michael Discenza/Unsplash

By Alex Smith | 19 May 2023

The CTO Foundation will share insights into the tourism industry in the Caribbean in New York

News, Onboard experience, Events

CSI to debut new format for 2023 conference

CSI to debut new format for 2023 conference

Elite Exhibitions

By Alex Smith | 17 May 2023

Programme to feature a combination of keynote and workshop sessions on the event’s second day

News, Marine operations

TecnoVeritas to install environmental technology on Ponant’s Le Lyrial

TecnoVeritas to install environmental technology on Ponant’s Le Lyrial

Ponant/Philip Plisson

By Alex Smith | 17 May 2023

Selective catalytic reduction system to be installed onboard the Boreal-class vessel

News, Ports and Destinations

Positive statements improve views of cruise industry, study says

Positive statements improve views of cruise industry, study says

Visit Copenhagen

By Alex Smith | 16 May 2023

Cruise Copenhagen investigated ways to bolster support for cruising among Copenhagen residents

News, Ferry news, Marine operations

Aktien-Gesellschaft EMS to implement Bookit software

Aktien-Gesellschaft EMS to implement Bookit software

Hogia Ferry Systems

By Alex Smith | 16 May 2023

Hogia Ferry Systems' reservation software will be used for ferry and river cruise services

News, Ports and Destinations

Marella Cruises’ Discovery begins first sailing from Port Canaveral

Marella Cruises’ Discovery begins first sailing from Port Canaveral

Marella Cruises

By Alex Smith | 12 May 2023

The ship’s summer programme will include 26 sailings in North America and the Caribbean

News, Cruise news, Events

Oceania Cruises christens new ship Vista in Valletta

Oceania Cruises christens new ship Vista in Valletta

Oceania Cruises

By Alex Smith | 10 May 2023

Chef Giada De Laurentiis officially named the ship before a performance by Harry Connick Jr.

News, Ports and Destinations

Over €416 million to be invested in Adriatic Sea tourism, says report

Over €416 million to be invested in Adriatic Sea tourism, says report

Risposte Turismo

By Alex Smith | 09 May 2023

Risposte Tourismo presented its Adriatic Sea Tourism Report 2023 at the Adriatic Sea Forum

News, Itinerary planning, Ports and Destinations

Disney Cruise Line to call at Hamburg in 2024 cruise season

Disney Cruise Line to call at Hamburg in 2024 cruise season

MediaServer Hamburg/Andreas Vallbracht

By Alex Smith | 05 May 2023

A seven-day voyage to the British Isles will include a stop in Hamburg on 3 September 2024

News, Onboard experience

Explora Journeys partners with Michelin-star chef Mauro Uliassi

Explora Journeys partners with Michelin-star chef Mauro Uliassi

Explora Journeys

By Alex Smith | 05 May 2023

Uliassi will curate a menu showcasing Italian cuisine for Explora I’s Anthology restaurant

News, Ports and Destinations

Port of Aberdeen receives first cruise ship after £400 million expansion

Port of Aberdeen receives first cruise ship after £400 million expansion

Port of Aberdeen

By Alex Smith | 03 May 2023

The 202-metre-long AIDAaura is the longest vessel ever to visit the Scottish port

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