In this issue

It's been a while since our last issue. 6 months, in fact. A lot has changed in that time. We've seen select routes reopen, and subsequently close, as travel restrictions fluctuated following the rise of the Omicron variant. And at the time of writing, we're witnessing the implosion of one of cruising's biggest Covid-19 casualties, as it looks like Crystal Cruises is being liquidated following huge losses and mountains of debt.

However, thanks to a growing vaccination rate, the dangers posed by Omicron seem manageable, if tackled sensibly. So what can we expect for the cruise industry, as we look ahead? In this issue, we take a look at the state of an industry that has endured a long wait on the sidelines. We also offer some predictions, highlighting some of the key trends to expect in the future for a sector that is desperate to bounce back.

We also look into a new robotic solution to cleaning hulls, profile a new ship from Havila powered by both LNG and battery power, find out about Norwegian company Northern Xplorer's new environmentally friendly cruise ship design, and investigate how the growth of LNG infrastructure has led to wider adoption of the fuel.

Don’t forget to follow us @FutureCruiseMag and let us know your thoughts.

Peter Nilson, editor