Carnival Cruise Lines’ newest ship, the 130,000-ton Carnival Magic, is undergoing sea trials in the Adriatic Sea in preparation for its May 1 debut in Europe. Currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, the 3,690-passenger vessel had a full contingent of officers, technicians and engineers on board who tested the Carnival Magic’s navigation and mechanical systems.

Royal Caribbean International is offering upgrades to a Central Park- or Boardwalk-view balcony stateroom to those who book an inside stateroom on select seven-night sailings of Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas in April. For a four- or five-night cruise, vacationers can get an upgrade to a balcony stateroom when they book an inside stateroom for select April sailings aboard Navigator of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean International unveiled its 2012 Europe cruise and cruise-tour season, upping the ante from its 2011 lineup of 11 ships to 12 for 2012, which will again include two 154,000-ton Freedom-class ships. Also noteworthy is the introduction of eight “interports,” which allow passengers to board in places other than the 12 official homeports.

Royal Caribbean International (RCI) has announced that it will expand the number of Middle East itineraries in November following a popular uptake of its current offering. The cruise line has reported that its sailings are virtually fully booked for the rest of this season.

Europe's river cruise season got off to a more glittery launch than usual this weekend in Amsterdam when Uniworld christened the S.S. Antoinette, its first-ever newbuild. The 146-passenger vessel, built at Holland's Shipyard De Hoop, is the most innovative ship sailing on Europe's rivers today.

The Mazatlan Tourism Trust has issued a response to the cancellation of several cruise lines’ port calls to the destination. Tourism officials are speaking out about the safety of the destination and how the incidents were reported.