Where Will Your Next Cruise Take You?

The article argues that travel’s huge AI spending will not deliver full value without a **neutral, shared infrastructure layer** that can carry trusted traveler data across suppliers and platforms. It says fragmented, siloed data is still the industry’s biggest obstacle, because AI agents depend on accurate, permissioned information to avoid costly booking errors and poor customer experiences.

MSC Cruises has opened sales for its Summer 2028 Alaska program, confirming that MSC Poesia will return to Seattle for a third consecutive season of seven-night cruises. The 2028 deployment will run from April 24 to September 18, with weekly itineraries focused on Alaska’s natural landscapes, glaciers and wildlife. The announcement builds on MSC’s inaugural Alaska season from Seattle in 2026 and a second season already on sale for 2027.

Windstar Cruises has expanded its Mystery Cruise program with two new itineraries for 2027 in Northern Europe and Japan, complementing the already announced 2026 Spanish Mystery Cruise. The concept keeps ports secret until shortly before arrival, with added exclusive Destination Discovery events and a booking promotion to stimulate early demand.

Seabourn’s expedition ship Seabourn Venture recently delivered around 500 kilograms of fresh fruits and vegetables to residents of Ittoqqortoormiit, one of the world’s most remote communities in East Greenland, which typically receives supply ships only twice a year. Working with a local coordinator, the line prioritized elders, children, and families for the distribution and complemented the visit with ship tours, refreshments, and Zodiac rides for local children, emphasizing cultural exchange and community engagement.

MSC Cruises will deploy eight ships in Europe for the 2027-28 winter season, with a strong focus on the Mediterranean plus dedicated programs in Northern Europe and the Canary Islands/Madeira. The lineup includes the new MSC World Asia, several established vessels in the Western and Eastern Mediterranean, MSC Preziosa from Southampton to key Northern ports, and MSC Fantasia on week-long Canary Islands itineraries.

The Port of Galveston has launched its first comprehensive waterfront mobility study as part of its 20-Year Strategic Master Plan, aimed at ensuring people and goods can move safely and efficiently through the port, cruise terminals, downtown and nearby neighborhoods as activity grows. Going beyond a traditional traffic study, it will assess all modes of transportation—vehicles, pedestrians, transit, trolleys and bicycles—and recommend infrastructure and wayfinding improvements supported in part by millions of dollars in recently awarded grants.