Dave Monk

Sailing the high-end seas: why agents are perfectly placed to bring yachting to the masses As demand for mainstream and high-end yachting product and itineraries soars, could these smaller-ship sailings not only prove an important gateway into the world of cruising but also stand alone as i...

Yachting is the new cruising... my latest piece for @ttgmedia.bsky.social

www.ttgmedia.com/cruise/saili...

Congratulations to Jo Rzymowska, who has been made an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours List today for her outstanding contribution to diversity and inclusion in the travel industry. She said: ‘We must keep pushing for a world where everyone feels seen, heard and valued.’

Living the dream: the growing – and lucrative – market starting to appear on the trade's radar TTG contributor Dave Monk discovers how the growing number of residential ships offer both high-net-worth clients and cruise agents a dream scenario

My piece for @ttgmedia.bsky.social about residential cruising is now online…

www.ttgmedia.com/cruise/livin...

For the first time in 20 years, I’m about to board QE2 - the former Cunard ship that is now a luxury hotel in Dubai.

Sailing towards Dubai on Celestyal Journey

Food in the main dining room of Celestyal Journey last night. The steak was a €25.95 supplement but I fancied it.

The Al Fateh Grand Mosque in Bahrain, as seen on an excursion from Celestyal Journey

Sailing away from Doha as our Arabian Gulf cruise on Celestyal Journey begins…

My junior suite on Celestyal Journey

Boarding Celestyal Journey in Doha for a week’s cruise around the Arabian Gulf

Waking up in Doha ahead of joining Celestyal for a week-long cruise around the Arabian Gulf

Living the high (32,000ft) life in Qatar Airways business class

Settling into my seat on Qatar Airways - business class certainly spoils you!

And so the adventure begins - I’m at Heathrow preparing to fly with Qatar Airways to Doha to board Celestyal Journey for a week’s cruise around the Arabian Gulf. Follow me on X/Twiitter, Bluesky or Instagram (all @shipmonk) for updates and pictures.

MSC World America has successfully completed sea trials in the Atlantic. The 23rd ship in the MSC Cruises fleet is due to be handed over at its French shipyard on March 27 and named in Miami on April 9.

Legend of the Seas, the third Royal Caribbean Icon-class ship, will launch in Europe. The newcomer will debut with 7-night Western Mediterranean holidays from Barcelona between July and October 2026 before heading to the Caribbean later in the year.

The £1.2bn project hoping to bring cruise ship building back to Scotland The founder of Dark Island hopes the uber-wealthy will fork out up to £41m for a suite on his residential cruise ship

The £1.2bn project hoping to bring cruise ship building back to Scotland - my latest piece for the Telegraph (subscription service)

www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/news/...

Celebrity River Cruises will rock the boat and shake up river, agents say Celebrity Cruises’ planned entry into the river market will attract the brand a swathe of new customers and rock the boats of the sector’s established operators, agents have told TTG

Celebrity River Cruises will rock the boat and shake up river, agents say

Celebrity River Cruises will ‘rock the boat and shake up river’, agents say Celebrity Cruises’ planned entry into the river market will attract a swathe of new customers to the brand and rock the boats of the sector’s established operators, agents have told TTG

Celebrity River Cruises will rock the boat and shake up river cruising, agents say - my piece for @ttgmedia.bsky.social

www.ttgmedia.com/cruise/celeb...

Royal Caribbean Group has signed an agreement with Chantiers de l'Atlantique to order a sixth Edge-class ship for delivery to Celebrity Cruises in 2028. Edge 6 or ‘Xcel 2’ will be the sister ship to Celebrity Xcel, which is preparing to take its inaugural voyage later this year.

Link here:

cloud.na.celebritycruises.com/EMOptin?CID=...

Cruisers are being invited to help make key decisions on culinary, entertainment and interior design offerings on Celebrity Xcel, launching in November. Through online polls and in-person events, the Dream Makers will test, try and vote on new experiences.

Artist Jim Moir (aka Vic Reeves), author Jenny Eclair and celebrity photographer Scarlet Page will capture guests’ most memorable moments on Fred Olsen cruises in 2025 - Moir on Borealis leaving Dover on May 28; Eclair on Balmoral from Rosyth on June 27 and Page on Bolette from Liverpool on July 25.

The new Viking Vela was forced to change course from Narvik to Ålesund after passengers reported the ship was rocked by 100mph winds and 35ft seas off the coast of Norway. A Viking spokesperson confirmed: ‘The weather conditions were worse than forecast.’

Why Disney is betting big on cruise ships The entertainment behemoth’s cruise line plans to more than double its fleet in the next six years

Why Disney is betting big on cruise ships - my latest piece for the Telegraph (subscription service)

www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/cruis...

Why Disney is betting big on cruise ships The entertainment behemoth’s cruise line plans to more than double its fleet in the next six years

Your favorite cruising Duo and our friends the Morrill’s were featured in a Daily Telegraph article today by David Monk (aka @shipmonk.bsky.social). It’s a fun read. Be sure to check it out!

www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/cruis...

Have a wonderful time, everyone! And here's to a fabulous 2025!

The conclusion to Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks at Disney World last night 🎆 (Music on! ☺️)

After an exhausting (but fun) 12 hours in Disney World, I haven’t the energy to post about all the amazing things I saw and did, including some terrifying rides! I leave you with one picture of Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime fireworks ☺️

At Disney World ☺️