Seatrade Miami Convention 2024 News
By Anne Kalosh
From newbuilds to a new expedition brand, plenty of small-ship news emerged from cruising’s biggest annual B2B event, Seatrade Cruise Global, this month.
The Seatrade Miami Convention 2024, with a jam-packed conference schedule and a sprawling trade show touting anything and everything cruise-related, drew an outsize crowd of more than 11,000 to Miami Beach, Florida this month.
Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami broke lots of small-ship news. * Photo: Seatrade Cruise Global
Pandemic Gloom is Gone
As an editor and reporter for Seatrade, it was a particularly exhilarating and upbeat week. For the first time in some years, strengths and opportunities were the focus rather than challenges.
Finally, it seems, the business has shaken off the pandemic gloom. Cruise lines report strong bookings and on-board spending, and passengers are reserving trips further out, a sign of consumer confidence.
Decarbonization Drive
The pressure to meet stringent greenhouse-gas reduction goals in Europe by 2035 and to get to net-zero carbon emissions globally by 2050 remains a focus. But lines are doing what they can to incorporate new technology and practices to cut fuel consumption while the quest for non-polluting fuels continues as an urgent task for society, not just shipping.
On the eve of Seatrade, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings announced a blockbuster, eight-ship order for its three cruise brands: four newbuilds for Norwegian Cruise Line and two each for Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. This demonstrated confidence in the future, setting the tone for the week.
Small-ship lines had their own upbeat news.
Here’s a recap of some key announcements from the Seatrade Miami Convention 2024:
Windstar Cruises Adding Two Ships
As QuirkyCruise’s Ted Scull has already reported here, Windstar Cruises will be adding a pair of 224-passenger all-suite ships to its fleet, both acquired from Portugal’s Mystic Invest. The first, coming in December 2025, is a newbuild from West Sea Viana that had been planned for Mystic Invest’s Atlas Ocean Voyages. It will be called Star Seeker.
The other, coming in December 2026, is the 2019-built World Explorer, the first ship in the Mystic expedition series. It is currently on seasonal charter to Quark Expeditions and will be renamed Star Explorer.
(On a personal note, I feel a connection to this ship as I was on hand for World Explorer’s naming festivities. Practically a national event in Portugal, the event drew the country’s prime minister amid a host of other dignitaries. Supermodel/singer Carla Bruni, who’s married to former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, served as the godmother.)
As Ted reported, both ships will be customized for Windstar Cruises.
“They will be full-on Windstar ships,” Windstar President Christopher Prelog told me at Seatrade. John Gunner, VP of expansion projects, who oversaw the lengthening of Windstar’s trio of Star-class motor yachts, is managing the conversions.
Prelog pointed out that having more ships enables the line to expand deployment and bring back one of its sail-powered ships, Wind Star, to Tahiti, where it will join Star Breeze in 2027.
RELATED: Judi Cohen reviews her Windstar Tahiti cruise.
Windstar announced two new ships will join its fleet. * Photo: Windstar
A Third Yacht for Emerald Cruises
Scenic Group’s Seatrade announcement was a third yacht for its Emerald Cruises brand. The 128-passenger Emerald Kaia will be slightly larger than sisters Emerald Azzurra and Emerald Sakara, with new features.
The 128-passenger Emerald Kaia will be slightly larger than Emerald Cruises’ first two yachts. * Rendering: Scenic Group
Among these are an expanded Sky Deck, now with an indoor lounge. Dining will be enhanced, adding a large alfresco terrace at La Cucina restaurant, while a new private experience, Night Market, will offer Asian-style grills for up to eight people, at an extra cost.
Emerald Kaia’s marina will add an interior lounge, more water sports offerings and the possibility of swimming to the marina from an open-air gym. The Elements Spa will be substantially expanded.
All cabins and suites will have 10 percent larger floor plans.
As Ken Muskat, managing director of Scenic Group USA, put it: “Emerald Kaia sets a new standard for experiencing the super-yacht lifestyle.”
Emerald Kaia is scheduled to debut in April 2026 and will spend summer in the Adriatic Sea before redeploying to the Seychelles in winter 2026/27.
VIDEO: Below is a preview of Emerald Kaia.
River Vessel Updates
At Seatrade Scenic Group also unveiled a design update for 18 Scenic and Emerald Cruises river vessels across Central Europe and France.
The comprehensive refresh of their main decks introduces new layouts, modern furniture and day-to-night features to its lounge and specialty dining spaces.
The main thrust is aligning with the sophisticated design and amenities of the Scenic and Emerald yachts to offer a taste of the group’s oceangoing experiences.
Scenic Eclipse I and II Enhancements
Scenic Eclipse and Scenic Eclipse II are set to receive significant enhancements as well. Ahead of its Mediterranean season Scenic Eclipse will undergo a dry dock in April to add innovations that debuted on Scenic Eclipse II, including its Senses Spa, and updates to outdoor dining venues for warm weather enjoyment.
Additionally, Scenic Eclipse II will be getting a custom-designed Scenic Neptune II submersible from Triton Submarines and four SEABOBs.
Jason Flesher, director of discovery operations for Scenic Group, said the submersible will offer 360-degree views, adding: “The clarity of the acrylic hull once submerged is such that you feel at one with the water.”
Scenic Eclipse II, here, will inspire changes on the earlier Scenic Eclipse. * Photo: Scenic Group
RELATED: Peter Knego reviews his Scenic Eclipse adventure.
American Cruise Lines
American Cruise Lines announced a pair of coastal ships — the 125-passenger American Patriot and American Pioneer — for 2025.
These are the fifth and sixth in a series of 12 small ships to be built at the company’s affiliated Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Maryland. Unlike the prior coastal catamarans, they have a traditional bow plus a slightly deeper draft.
American Cruise Lines, which recently emerged as the winning bidder for the four river vessels of defunct American Queen Voyages, is also adding a modern riverboat in 2025. So that makes for three newbuilds next year.
RELATED: Anne Kalosh reports that American Cruise Lines adds AQV vessels to its fleet.
American Patriot is planned to begin sailing in June, and American Pioneer in November. Both will ply the U.S East Coast, including new 15-day “Grand Florida Coast & Keys” cruises. This longer Florida itinerary follows the successful 2024 launch of eight-day “Florida Gulf Coast & Keys” cruises.
The 125-passenger American Patriot and a sister, American Pioneer, will be joining American Cruise Lines in 2025. * Rendering: American Cruise Lines
The coastal ships will have five decks and 56 staterooms with all-balcony accommodations including large standard staterooms, suites and singles. Their fourth decks will house all-suite accommodations ranging from a sizable 420 square feet to 620 square feet.
Public rooms include a main lounge and restaurant with water views from every seat on Deck 1. Deck 5 will have sitting, dining and fitness areas including a 360-degree Skywalk walking track, an indoor Sky Lounge, outside Sun Deck and casual café. A Bow Terrace and Horizon Lounge on Deck 3 and an indoor fitness center on Deck 4 round out the facilities.
Sea Cloud Cruises
Sea Cloud Cruises took the opportunity of the Seatrade convention to announce acclaimed Puerto Rican chefs will sail aboard Sea Cloud Spirit during its early 2025 cruises featuring San Juan. Regional dishes, chef-led cooking demonstrations, rum tastings and culinary discussions are in store.
“Sea Cloud Cruises has focused efforts on growing in North America and developing regional culinary moments, in this case Puerto Rico, complementing our authentic sailing experience,” said Mirell Reyes, the line’s North America president.
The San Juan Guest Chef Series is curated by award-winning food writer Kathleen Squires and husband Ronnie Rodriguez, proprietors of Chef’s Dinner Table in New York.
Food writer Kathleen Squires and husband Ronnie Rodriguez, proprietors of Chef’s Dinner Table in New York, curated the San Juan Guest Chef Series for Sea Cloud Cruises. * Photo: Sea Cloud Cruises
The Jan. 4 cruise, from St. Maarten to San Juan, is hosted by Chef Wilo Benet. Subsequent January sailings, all docking at San Juan, will feature Chef Julie Carrión Jan. 10-17, Chef Francis Guzmán, Jan. 17-24 and Chef Mario Pagán. Jan. 24-Feb.1.
Benet’s cruise will include a special Three Kings Dinner on Jan. 6 and demonstrations of how to make tostones with caviar and coquito from scratch. Carrión’s cruise will feature an interactive pasteles-making class and a tembleque dessert demo. Ceviche and fritter demonstrations will be part of Guzmán’s sailing, while Pagán will prepare a signature dish, pegao with tuna tartare.
More info here on these culinary cruises.
RELATED: Anne reviews the new Sea Cloud Spirit.
RELATED: Peter Knego shares his Sea Cloud videos and review.
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New Brand Positive Polar
More intriguing small-ship news capped Seatrade Cruise Global on the last day when start-up Positive Polar announced it has a vessel and plans to begin operating in November. The expedition company has entered into a lease-purchase agreement for Ocean Atlantic and plans to begin cruising in Antarctica in November.
Arctic cruises will follow.
The 198-pax Ocean Atlantic, in a previous incarnation with Alabatros Expeditions.* Photo: Alabatros Expeditions
Positive Polar is touted as “not only an expedition. It’s an outdoor wildlife adventure on a mission to help the planet.”
“Our main focus is on whale restoration,” said Hugo Hinrichsen, CEO and co-founder of Positive Polar. As a former frigate captain and the descendant of Danish whalers, his dream is to revive the whale population is very personal.
From left, Positive Polar’s cofounders Hugo Hinrichsen and Jennifer Bonilla, and CCO Hans Lagerweij. * Photo: Anne Kalosh
Carbon Pump Cycle
According to Positive Polar, whales play a critical role in the natural carbon pump cycle. Cruise line co-founder Jennifer Bonilla explained: “Whale poop fertilizes the ocean and creates organisms that sink carbon from the atmosphere.”
These organisms, phytoplankton, live on the surface and feed marine life before they fall to the bottom of the ocean, sinking carbon as they go.
A Positive Polar video explains the ocean absorbs more than one-third of the world’s carbon dioxide gas emissions. Whales influence the ocean’s ability to absorb CO2. Their movements mix the water, delivering and recycling nutrients, promoting biodiversity and mitigating climate change by sequestering carbon for long periods.
Positive Polar explains the ocean’s role in the carbon cycle. * Source: Positive Polar
Positive Polar said it plans to “work with scientists to responsibly spread nutrients,” mimicking what whales do, resulting in more fish and more carbon capture.
“This will be a ship of opportunity and a platform for critical research,” Bonilla said. The company plans extensive research laboratories on board where scientists will work to test this specific hypothesis and generate findings for peer review.
Passengers can expect a regular expedition cruise experience on what Positive Polar said will be a comfortable ship with amenities like a “whaleness area” with saunas and hot tubs. They may participate in the research if they wish.
“We want to make guests proud about traveling with us,” Hinrichsen said.
And that wraps up our small-ship cruise news from the Seatrade Miami Convention 2024.
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