Thursday February 27

It has been yet another week that has demonstrated that the cruise industry is commited to growing the cruise business in the UK & Ireland, led by the excitinmg news that Royal Princess will be based in Southampton for part of 2015: read the story here

Talking of ship itineraries, the news from Thomson Cruises this week was about investment in the Caribbean, with Thomson Dream now also being based there for some winter sunshine: read the story here

Meanwhile it appears that new ports are going to be a big part of the plans for a number of cruise lines - most recently announced by Celebrity Cruises - read here - and by Regent Seven Seas Cruises - read here and also by Oceania Cruises - read here

The talk of 2015 continued when last Friday Britannia was floated out of its Italian ship yard to an audience of key travel agent partners - read here.

This week we also say lucky travel agents head to the Med to enjoy a glittering few days on-board MSC Splendida for the first international 'All Stars of the Sea' ceremony to acknowledge key travel partners.  During the event it was revealed that the longer voyage to Australia has been selling fast - read here.

Over in the world of river cruising the big announcement came from Avalon with the introduction of Suite ships to France: read here.

And CLIA was not short of news either with the launch of our dedicated site for the Selling Cruise Conference - read here and visit here.

Until next week....