Author: Rebecca Gibson

Rebecca is the associate editor for Cruise & Ferry Review, Cruise & Ferry Interiors, Cruise & Ferry Itinerary Planning and CruiseandFerry.net. She manages all the content for both the website and the magazines in the Cruise & Ferry suite of publications, regularly interviewing senior executives from the world’s leading cruise and ferry lines, ports, destinations and passenger shipping-related companies to write features, reports and other articles.


Viking to debut new ship on Mekong River in 2025

Viking to debut new ship on Mekong River in 2025
By Rebecca Gibson | 15 November 2023

Brand to double its capacity in Southeast Asia by launching new vessel named Viking Tonle

American Cruise Lines takes delivery of American Glory

American Cruise Lines takes delivery of American Glory

American Cruise Lines

By Rebecca Gibson | 14 November 2023

The second of the brand's 12 new Coastal Cats will begin sailing US-based itineraries from 28 November

DL Services to redesign catering areas on first Aroya Cruises ship

DL Services to redesign catering areas on first Aroya Cruises ship
By Rebecca Gibson | 14 November 2023

Former World Dream will be extensively renovated before beginning service in Saudi Arabia

Norwegian's first Prima Plus ship will debut in April 2025

Norwegian's first Prima Plus ship will debut in April 2025

Norwegian Cruise Line

By Rebecca Gibson | 02 November 2023

Norwegian Aqua to have the world’s first hybrid roller coaster and waterslide and multiple other innovations

ABB signs 15-year Azipod XO maintenance deal with Carnival Corp

ABB signs 15-year Azipod XO maintenance deal with Carnival Corp

Carnival Corporation

By Rebecca Gibson | 02 November 2023

Partnership will help to cut improve fleet performance and energy and fuel efficiency

Embarking on unplanned adventures with Albatros Expeditions

Embarking on unplanned adventures with Albatros Expeditions

Christian Kruse

By Rebecca Gibson | 02 November 2023

Hans Lagerweij explains to Rebecca Gibson how the brand's flexible itineraries, diverse excursions and onboard teams of experts help it to deliver unique and immersive expedition cruises

Hans Lagerweij explains how the brand delivers unique and immersive expedition cruises    

How Telenor Satellite is delivering landline performance at sea

How Telenor Satellite is delivering landline performance at sea
By Rebecca Gibson | 26 October 2023

Telenor Satellite’s XipLink solution is helping passenger shipping operators to meet high passenger demand for faster and more reliable online services on their vessels

The XipLink solution is helping passenger shipping operators to meet high passenger demand

Cruise tourism generates record AUS $5.63 billion for Australia

Cruise tourism generates record AUS $5.63 billion for Australia

UnSplash/Jamie Davies

By Rebecca Gibson | 20 October 2023

Cruise ships made a combined total of 1,354 calls at 62 Australian ports in 2022-2023

Expedition Cruise Network launches travel trade training hub

Expedition Cruise Network launches travel trade training hub

Karsten Bidstrup/Hurtigruten

By Rebecca Gibson | 18 October 2023

Portal features videos and other resources sharing expedition cruise insights and information

Building excellence for the European ferry market

Building excellence for the European ferry market
By Rebecca Gibson | 17 October 2023

Incat Crowther’s Brett Crowther tells Rebecca Gibson how a client-centric approach and local presence deliver an excellent build solution for European ro-pax operators

Incat Crowther’s Brett Crowther discusses its build solution for European ro-pax operators

Why SES delivers connectivity confidence for cruise lines

Why SES delivers connectivity confidence for cruise lines

iStock

By Rebecca Gibson | 16 October 2023

Greg Martin and Simon Maher tell Rebecca Gibson how SES is pushing the performance limits of satellite communication technology to provide fast, secure and reliable connectivity to cruise ships

Greg Martin and Simon Maher share how the firm is transforming satellite communications at sea 

Explora Journeys christens first ship Explora I in New York

Explora Journeys christens first ship Explora I in New York

Explora Journeys

By Rebecca Gibson | 16 October 2023

Oceanographer Sylvia Earle officially names the first of six luxury Explora Journeys vessels 

Oceania Cruises plans first Alaska season for Riviera in 2025

Oceania Cruises plans first Alaska season for Riviera in 2025

Oceania Cruises

By Rebecca Gibson | 05 October 2023

Guests will be able to choose from 11 different itineraries and almost 300 shore excursions 

Norwegian to add more than 1,000 solo staterooms across its fleet

Norwegian to add more than 1,000 solo staterooms across its fleet

Norwegian Cruise Line

By Rebecca Gibson | 05 October 2023

Guests will be able to choose from three new stateroom categories across the entire fleet 

Celebrity Ascent successfully completes sea trials

Celebrity Ascent successfully completes sea trials

Tangi Lebigot/Chantiers de l’Atlantique

By Rebecca Gibson | 04 October 2023

Celebrity Cruises’ fourth Edge-class ship will begin service in November 2023

Wasaline to trial biogas on Aurora Botnia one day per week

Wasaline to trial biogas on Aurora Botnia one day per week

Wasaline

By Rebecca Gibson | 03 October 2023

New fuel will enable Wasaline to make 18 per cent of its weekly sailings climate neutral 

Holland America completes fleetwide shore power installation project

Holland America completes fleetwide shore power installation project

Holland America Line

By Rebecca Gibson | 28 September 2023

All 11 vessels can now connect to shoreside electricity in more than 18 ports worldwide

How the Expedition Cruise Network is promoting growth

How the Expedition Cruise Network is promoting growth
By Rebecca Gibson | 27 September 2023

Akvile Marozaite gives Rebecca Gibson an insight into how the new Expedition Cruise Network will work with travel agents and shipowners to promote the growth of a sustainable expedition cruise industry

Akvile Marozaite discusses how the new network will work with agents and shipowners

Cunard ships to offer SpaceX’s Starlink wi-fi by the end of 2023

Cunard ships to offer SpaceX’s Starlink wi-fi by the end of 2023

Cunard

By Rebecca Gibson | 18 September 2023

High-speed connectivity service will be available in staterooms and public spaces across the fleet

Why it’s all in the little details for Royal Caribbean

Why it’s all in the little details for Royal Caribbean
By Rebecca Gibson | 13 September 2023

Royal Caribbean Group’s Claudia Machado gives Rebecca Gibson an insight into why perfecting the small design elements is key to delivering the best possible onboard experience

Claudia Machado hives an insight into the importance of small design elements in onboard experience

UnCruise Adventures to optimise cruise pricing with IBS Software

UnCruise Adventures to optimise cruise pricing with IBS Software

UnCruise Adventures

By Rebecca Gibson | 12 September 2023

New reservation platform will aggregate real-time data to personalise packages and services for guests

How Silversea Cruises is transforming travel with immersive experiences

How Silversea Cruises is transforming travel with immersive experiences

Silversea Cruises

By Rebecca Gibson | 11 September 2023

President Barbara Muckermann tells Rebecca Gibson about the cruise line growing its fleet with innovative ships, upgrading its onboard offerings and expanding its portfolio of destinations

President Barbara Muckermann discusses the cruise line’s innovative offerings and expanding fleet

Gibraltar plans to construct new cruise terminal

Gibraltar plans to construct new cruise terminal

Ministry of Business, Tourism and The Port

By Rebecca Gibson | 07 September 2023

Government aims to make the territory the "most important cruise destination" in the Western Med

Celestyal Journey embarks on first cruise in the Aegean

Celestyal Journey embarks on first cruise in the Aegean

Celestyal Cruises

By Rebecca Gibson | 05 September 2023

Newly refurbished Celestyal Cruises ship enters service after €20 million refit

Condor Islander completes berthing trials in Portsmouth

Condor Islander completes berthing trials in Portsmouth

Brian Bracher/Portsmouth International Port

By Rebecca Gibson | 04 August 2023

Refurbished vessel will begin service for Condor Ferries in autumn 2023

Aurora Expeditions aims to be global leader in sustainable expedition travel

Aurora Expeditions aims to be global leader in sustainable expedition travel
By Rebecca Gibson | 28 July 2023

Operator shares plans to achieve B Corp Certification and net-zero emissions in first Impact Report

Explora Journeys and Fincantieri to delay delivery of Explora I

Explora Journeys and Fincantieri to delay delivery of Explora I

Explora Journeys

By Rebecca Gibson | 05 July 2023

New cruise ship will remain at the yard for a few additional weeks to undergo further enhancements

A new era of exceptional experiences with Crystal

A new era of exceptional experiences with Crystal

Crystal

By Rebecca Gibson | 22 June 2023

A&K Travel Group will take the Crystal brand’s long-standing legacy of luxury to new heights when it debuts the newly renovated Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony this year

A&K Travel Group will debut the renovated Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony this year

Fincantieri to build second cruise ship for Four Seasons Yachts

Fincantieri to build second cruise ship for Four Seasons Yachts

Four Seasons

By Rebecca Gibson | 20 June 2023

Italian shipbuilder will deliver the new €400 million ultra-luxury vessel in 2026 

Hurtigruten Norway to launch first zero-emission cruise ship in 2030

Hurtigruten Norway to launch first zero-emission cruise ship in 2030

Vard Design

By Rebecca Gibson | 07 June 2023

Battery-powered vessel to have a retractable sail with solar panels and an AI-powered manoeuvring system

NASA astronaut Dr Kathryn Sullivan christens Scenic Eclipse II in Spain

NASA astronaut Dr Kathryn Sullivan christens Scenic Eclipse II in Spain

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours

By Rebecca Gibson | 06 June 2023

New ultra-luxury yacht will spend summer sailing in the Mediterranean, Iceland and Scotland

Havila Voyages to be carbon neutral by 2028 and emission free by 2030

Havila Voyages to be carbon neutral by 2028 and emission free by 2030

Havila Kystruten

By Rebecca Gibson | 02 June 2023

Norwegian coastal operator will switch fuels to achieve these goals with its four existing ships

ABB debuts new ABB Dynafin electric propulsion concept

ABB debuts new ABB Dynafin electric propulsion concept

ABB Marine & Ports

By Rebecca Gibson | 31 May 2023

Industry-first solution will cut fuel consumption while increasing manoeuvrability and operational efficiency 

American Queen Voyages: A small-ship operator with a big vision

American Queen Voyages: A small-ship operator with a big vision
By Rebecca Gibson | 05 May 2023

Cindy D’Aoust outlines to Rebecca Gibson how creating strong connections between guests, crew members, partners and destinations will help make American Queen Voyages the cruise brand of choice for discerning travellers

Cindy D’Aoust outlines how strong connections are helping American Queen Voyages

Marella Cruises chooses two godmothers for Marella Voyager

Marella Cruises chooses two godmothers for Marella Voyager

Marella Cruises

By Rebecca Gibson | 19 April 2023

TUI employees Tatyana Olkhovska and Jacqui Nobile to christen the new ship in Malaga, Spain

Why Riverside Luxury Cruises is an exclusive market entrant

Why Riverside Luxury Cruises is an exclusive market entrant
By Rebecca Gibson | 13 April 2023

Gregor Gerlach and Stuart Perl tell Rebecca Gibson why Riverside Luxury Cruises will set new standards of luxury in the river cruise sector when its first ships begin sailing in spring 2023

Gregor Gerlach and Stuart Perl reveal how the line will set new standards for the river cruise sector

Perfecting luxury: How Studio DADO designed Oceania Cruises' Vista

Perfecting luxury: How Studio DADO designed Oceania Cruises' Vista
By Rebecca Gibson | 06 April 2023

Greg Walton and Yohandel Ruiz explain to Rebecca Gibson how Studio DADO has helped Oceania Cruises to set a new standard of luxury onboard Vista, its first Allura-class ship

Greg Walton and Yohandel Ruiz discuss the design concept for the first Allura-class cruise ship

Exceeding entertainment expectations at sea with Maxicaster

Exceeding entertainment expectations at sea with Maxicaster
By Rebecca Gibson | 23 March 2023

Andrew Brown tells Rebecca Gibson how Maxicaster’s modular, network-agnostic entertainment and passenger journey solution and its partnership with Anuvu help passenger ship operators to deliver high-quality live and on-demand entertainment

Andrew Brown explains how ship operators can deliver high-quality live and on-demand content

Chesapeake Shipbuilding starts work on new American Cruise Lines’ ship

Chesapeake Shipbuilding starts work on new American Cruise Lines’ ship

American Cruise Lines

By Rebecca Gibson | 14 March 2023

American Legend will be the fourth Coastal Cat vessel to join the fleet and start sailing in late 2024

Scenic Eclipse II successfully completes sea trials in the Adriatic

Scenic Eclipse II successfully completes sea trials in the Adriatic

Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours

By Rebecca Gibson | 02 March 2023

Ultra-luxury vessel has returned to Croatia’s 3. Maj shipyard for final outfitting ahead of April debut

Crystal outsources travel management services to Global Marine Travel

Crystal outsources travel management services to Global Marine Travel

Crystal

By Rebecca Gibson | 02 March 2023

Luxury cruise brand will use GMT's technology to create affordable airline and cruise travel packages

Celestyal acquires former Holland America Line cruise ship

Celestyal acquires former Holland America Line cruise ship

Celestyal

By Rebecca Gibson | 24 February 2023

Vessel will undergo a €20 million refit in Greece before starting service as Celestyal Journey

Solarglide gains type approval for adhesive solar films

Solarglide gains type approval for adhesive solar films

Solarglide

By Rebecca Gibson | 27 January 2023

UK firm’s products reduce solar glare and heat by up to 15C and can be used for multiple applications

Bahamas Maritime Authority launches new online reporting portal

Bahamas Maritime Authority launches new online reporting portal
By Rebecca Gibson | 24 January 2023

First-of-its-kind solution enables shipowners to compliantly report incidents onboard their vessels

Sailing to the heart of the destination with TUI River Cruises

Sailing to the heart of the destination with TUI River Cruises
By Rebecca Gibson | 07 December 2022

Katy Berzins tells Rebecca Gibson about the unique challenges of planning river-based itineraries and shares how the brand is curating unforgettable experiences

TUI’s Katy Berzins discusses how the business is approaching river cruising

How Scenic Group is creating a sense of exclusivity

How Scenic Group is creating a sense of exclusivity

Scenic Group

By Rebecca Gibson | 06 December 2022

Claudius Docekal tells Rebecca Gibson how the boutique size of Scenic Group’s ocean ships enable it to deliver itineraries with unique destinations and authentic and luxurious onshore experiences

Brand’s small vessels deliver intimate experiences that are appealing to cruise guests

Why year-round cruising is becoming popular in Denmark

Why year-round cruising is becoming popular in Denmark

Niclas Jessen

By Rebecca Gibson | 02 December 2022

CruiseCopenhagen is encouraging expedition cruise vessels to visit Denmark during off-peak seasons and benefit from unique shore excursions and quieter attractions

Quieter attractions and discounts on port fees are some of the perks for cruise lines

Finding friluftsliv while cruising in Fjord Norway

Finding friluftsliv while cruising in Fjord Norway

Cruise Norway

By Rebecca Gibson | 22 November 2022

Boasting a proud Viking history, countless sites of natural beauty and a rich culture, Norway is the ultimate year-round cruise destination. Rebecca Gibson highlights some of the country’s key attractions

Boasting a proud history, natural beauty and rich culture, Norway is a year-round destination

Resorts World Cruises is aiming high in Asia

Resorts World Cruises is aiming high in Asia
By Rebecca Gibson | 21 November 2022

Rebecca Gibson asks Michael Goh how Resorts World Cruises’ itineraries from Singapore and Malaysia are helping it to achieve its goal of driving the growth of the region’s luxury cruise market

Michael Goh shares how the brand’s itineraries are growing the region’s luxury cruise market

Finding unexpected benefits in the wake of crisis

Finding unexpected benefits in the wake of crisis

Ponant/Olivier Blaud

By Rebecca Gibson | 15 November 2022

Benoit Carassou-Maillan gives an insight into how Ponant’s efforts to become more agile and adaptable during the pandemic have empowered it to develop more innovative itineraries

Benoit Carassou-Maillan gives an insight into Ponant’s efforts to become more adaptable