The yard, which works in the oil and gas industry, has secured contracts worth a total of around US$7.5 million from cruise operator Aqua Expeditions and passenger ship management company International Shipping Partners (ISP).

Starting mid-April, guests of Penn National's 18 casinos will be eligible to receive complimentary Caribbean and Mexican cruises or other cruise offers and discounts throughout the year aboard Carnival's 24 ships, depending on their level of play.

A survey of travel agents, conducted by Travel Leaders Group, suggests European river cruising will be hot this year. It landed in the survey's list of the Top 5 international destinations for the first time ever after ranking 21st just three years ago.

Florida’s Port Canaveral has started construction work on a new US$50.5 million cruise terminal complex with a 1,400 ft. berth and a 1,000-vehicle parking facility.

Miami port officials say more than 4 million cruise passengers used the facility in the most recent fiscal year, cementing its status as the world’s busiest cruise port, according to Jason Clampet and Associated Press.