Suntory Global Spirits has partnered with Holland America Line to launch two special barrels of Knob Creek exclusively with the cruise line, a big step for Suntory’s ambitions for its cruise business. Drew Foulk, Senior Manager, Dining & Beverage Operations and Innovation for Holland America Line & Seabourn, traveled to the James B. Beam Distilling […]
Cruise
Starboard unveils multisensory shopping experiences onboard Celebrity Cruises’ newest ship, Celebrity Xcel
Starboard Group has unveiled an entirely new multisensory retail experience aboard Celebrity Xcel, Celebrity Cruises’ fifth ship in its groundbreaking Edge Series. Crafted around the ship’s design, Starboard’s offering merges modern luxury, sensory exploration and technology to create a retail world that it says transcends traditional shopping. Guests are invited to discover exclusive first-at-sea brand debuts, immersive digital […]
Hampton Water Rosé joins Princess Cruises’ celebrity-crafted Love Line Premium Liquors Collection
Princess Cruises has added Hampton Water Rosé to its Love Line Premium Liquors Collection. Crafted in partnership with Jesse Bongiovi and his dad, Jon Bon Jovi, along with world-renowned winemaker, Gérard Bertrand, Hampton Water Rosé has received critical acclaim for its quality and lively fresh wine. The wines are available fleetwide and included in Princess […]
Port of Seattle 2025 cruise season ends with record passenger numbers
The Port of Seattle announced a record 2025 cruise season, one which delivered an estimated $1.2 billion in regional economic benefit, while providing more than 5,120 individuals direct and indirect jobs throughout the season. The season – which ended on Oct. 21 –also served a record number of passengers and sailings, plus significant shore power use by ships in […]
Harding+ and Pandora launch bespoke engraving machines at sea
Cruise retailer Harding+ has announced the launch of Pandora engraving machines onboard select cruise ships. A global first in travel retail, the engraving machines offer guests the chance to create bespoke personalized jewelry pieces while at sea. Following its debut in October, the service is now live across five ships – P&O Cruises Arvia and Iona, Sun Princess, and […]
PortMiami welcomes 10 new cruise ships for the 2025-2026 cruise season
PortMiami will welcome 10 new cruise ships, including five new build vessels, during the 2025-2026 cruise season. Starting in October 2025, a new roster of ships will set sail from PortMiami, including Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth and Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady. In November, Holland America’s Zuiderdam, Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Xcel and Oceania Cruises’ Allura will make their debut. In December, the port welcomes MSC […]
Starboard to debut vibrant, immersive “concept gallery” retail experience aboard Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady
Starboard Group has announced the latest expansion of its partnership with Virgin Voyages as the exclusive retail partner for Brilliant Lady, where it will offer a blend of luxury, sustainability and discovery across 5,500 square feet of retail space when the ship departs from New York City on its inaugural voyage on Sept. 5, 2025. “We’re […]
Heinemann highlights top-tier spirits onboard Star of the Seas
Heinemann Americas has unveiled a “bold new cruise retail concept” aboard Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas, which the company says further strengthens a partnership that has grown steadily since 2019. With 10 distinct retail venues on board, the ship delivers a next-level shopping experience, featuring everything from exclusive Royal Caribbean logo merchandise, fine watches, […]
Azamara Cruises appoints former Starboard executive Lisa Kauffman as Chief Marketing Officer
Azamara Cruises has has announced the appointment of Lisa Kauffman as Chief Marketing Officer. Kauffman most recently served as Chief Marketing and Experience Officer at Starboard Group, where she led global B2B as well as B2C marketing strategies, digital innovation, integrated communications, and Retailtainment. In her new role, Kauffman will oversee marketing and communications, including […]
Starboard debuts luxury retail onboard The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s new superyacht, Luminara
Starboard Luxury, in collaboration with The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, has debuted dedicated retail spaces for Cartier, IWC Schaffhausen, and Piaget aboard the fleet’s newest yacht, Luminara. These luxury retail offerings represent first-at-sea experiences for The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and feature an array of jewelry, Swiss timepieces, and accessories expertly curated by Starboard Luxury. “Starboard Luxury is honored to bring together […]
Avolta expands presence in cruise retail onboard NCL’s newly launched Norwegian Aqua ship
Avolta, the main retail partner for the Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) fleet, has expanded its presence in the cruise channel with the recent launch of NCL’s latest ship, Norwegian Aqua. Avolta has opened eight duty free shops, together with additional spaces for sunglasses, fashion, watches and pre-loved luxury. Showcasing a range of products across all the […]
Starboard Group and Invicta Watch Group to launch exclusive Invicta Tequila on 26 cruise ships
Starboard Group has announced the launch of Invicta Tequila, a new lifestyle product developed in collaboration with Invicta Watch Group and produced by Casa Maestri Distillery in Mexico. The premium tequila will launch exclusively on 26 cruise ships this summer; it is Invicta’s latest expansion as a lifestyle brand and is a first-of-its-kind—and first-at-sea—collaboration between […]
Heineken expands draught beer training program to cruise
Heineken Global Duty Free is accelerating its draught beer training program for Cruise partners, with consumer-focused quality a key component in its growth strategy. Participating cruise lines include Carnival, Celebrity, Costa, Holland America, MSC, Princess, P&O, and Royal Caribbean. The Heineken Passion & Quality Training program has been developed to address the dynamics of the […]
Starboard appoints Anthony Richards to elevate retail experiences
Starboard Group has announced the appointment of Anthony Richards as Vice President of Retail Experience & Sales Optimization, effective July 7. In this newly created role, Richards will lead the creation and execution of “innovative, multisensory retail experiences at sea, creating unforgettable destination-oriented experiences that delight shoppers and drive conversion and loyalty,” says the company. […]
Nikka Japanese Whisky extends partnership with MONARQ Group to US Cruise
Nikka Japanese Whisky has extended its partnership with MONARQ Group to the US Duty Free Cruise Channel. The new extended distribution agreement builds on MONARQ’s successful collaboration with the brand across Latin America and the Caribbean. MONARQ Group will introduce the Nikka range—including Nikka Whisky From The Barrel, as well as its Coffey Vodka and Coffey Gin—to selective […]
