Cruising Through Uncertainty and New Frontiers

TUI Group's cruise division absorbed 20 million euros in disruption costs during the third quarter of 2026 as Middle East tensions kept ships from transiting the Strait of Hormuz, trimming underlying EBIT to 133 million euros from 143 million a year earlier even as the average daily rate rose 4 percent to 252 euros and load factor reached 99 percent; CEO Sebastian Ebel pointed to wars, consumer caution and inflation in Europe's core markets, while Mein Schiff 5 prepares to reposition from the Mediterranean in mid-October for a Caribbean winter. National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions unveiled its 2028-29 expedition season, including a French Polynesia route linking six remote islands with Makatea and Pitcairn, Antarctic Cruise/Fly departures, a 10-night Iceland circumnavigation, and a Northwest Passage transit aboard Greg Mortimer, National Geographic Quest and National Geographic Venture. And Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Chile set out plans for a unified Southern Cone cruise pitch at Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami, with Corporacion de Puertos del Conosur, now 17 members strong, coordinating alongside Costa Cruises, MSC Cruises and CLIA Brazil.