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Rouen Cruise Magazine Continues to Support 2026 Planning

March 2, 2026 11:30

As cruise planners seek destinations that combine operational efficiency with immersive guest experiences, Rouen is reinforcing its position as an overnight cultural anchor on the Seine. With its historic center just steps from the quay, illuminated monuments, evening concerts, and UNESCO‑recognized gastronomy, the city invites ships not just to dock, but to dwell. Rouen might be known for its Gothic spires and Impressionist legacy, but France’s historic Norman capital is now firmly on the map as one of the most immersive and well‑rounded cruise destinations in Northern Europe. And to make that case directly to cruise planners and executives, Rouen Tourisme continues to promote the Rouen Cruise Magazine as a key planning resource for the 2026 season and beyond. Beyond the Brochure: What Cruise Executives Will Find Inside This isn’t a standard city guide. The publication was created with itinerary designers, product teams, and shorex planners in mind. A deep dive into Rouen’s cultural DNA: Monet’s cathedral, Joan of Arc’s final days, and half‑timbered streets that start just a short walk from the gangway. Concrete updates on cruise‑readiness: Eco‑minded port infrastructure, turn‑around logistics, and strong overnight potential that make Rouen planner‑friendly as well as guest‑friendly. Smart, usable insights: A clean, printable, offline‑friendly format ideal for trade shows, sales meetings, and voyage‑planning workshops. A City That’s More Than a Stopover Rouen continues to attract industry attention because it feels like a destination, not a detour. “Rouen is the kind of place where you can actually dock, disembark, and start exploring immediately,” notes one European itinerary planner. Its accessibility, evening programming, and atmospheric setting strengthen the case for overnight calls on Seine itineraries linking Paris and Normandy. With record river and ocean activity in 2025 and a busy calendar already confirmed for 2026, Rouen is increasingly used as a cultural anchor port, with easy access to Paris, Giverny, Versailles, and the wider Normandy region. A Tool for Itinerary Planning in a Competitive Market With more ships competing for standout shore experiences, destinations need to bring more to the table. That is exactly what the magazine was designed to do. We didn’t want to just talk about Rouen, we wanted to create something useful; something executives can actually use when building programs and justifying route changes. Packed with visuals, quotes, and ideas, the magazine links Rouen’s heritage pillars (history, art, nature, industry, gastronomy) with the operational realities of cruise deployment. Grab a Copy, Stay in Touch Cruise Europe readers and industry partners can continue to access the Rouen Cruise Magazine online or request a printed version. ​ Download: https://bit.ly/4seHW5I Request a hard copy or discuss itinerary ideas: Contact Jaco Seyffert j.seyffert@rouentourisme.com

The first CE at Sea is widely applauded

February 25, 2026 18:04

The first Cruise Europe at Sea has taken place and, by all accounts, it was a resounding success. Jens Skrede, managing director, said: “We are delighted to have been able to host this special event for our members and truly grateful to MSC Cruises for taking such good care of us.” The 110 members enjoyed a four-day passage on MSC Splendida where they participated in workshops and meetings with MSC Cruises and the management of Costa Crociere but also heard about the EU regulatory framework for protecting the cruise ecosystem from Nikos Mertzanidis, executive director Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Europe. Visiting Barcelona, Marseilles, Genoa and Naples also gave members insight into cruise operations as well as tourist attractions. Valerie Conan, cruise director, Greater Le Havre Tourist Office, said on LinkedIn: “This immersion has consolidated our partnerships and confirmed the importance of collective work and constant dialogue to support the evolution of the sector.” While Melanie Henderson, cruise & marketing manger, Lerwick Harbour, said: “Good quality time spent with Cruise Europe colleagues elevated the programme, strengthening connections and all-important knowledge sharing so crucial across this industry.” And David Castro, head of commercial division, Port Authority of Vigo, said: “All of us who had the opportunity to be part of this journey witnessed first-hand the cruise industry’s firm commitment to sustainable, economic, social and environmental development.” For Niamh McCarthy, owner and managing director at Excursions Ireland, the big takeaway: “Collaboration, creativity and shared responsibility are the engines that will drive the cruise industry’s sustainable growth.”

Host MSC Cruises presents in-depth analysis of its workings

February 25, 2026 18:01

MSC Cruises will have a fleet of 33 ships by 2033, and its sister company Explora Journeys will have six luxury vessels by 2028.   Linden Coppell, VP sustainability & ESG at MSC Cruises, explained on board MSC Splendida: “We place sustainability at the heart of everything we do”.   Her presentation covered topics including how the company has implemented impressive operational measures, including full food-waste management, onboard water production via desalination, and its continuous focus on energy efficiency and innovation.   In terms of shore power, the company made 223 connections using 11,851MWh worldwide during the year. Northern European ports are up there when it comes to connectivity with Southampton being cited as a top port for connections (28) alongside Valletta (33) and Miami (24).   For MSC Cruises’ path to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, it says it is committed to pursuing a credible, robust and transparent energy transition plan focusing on three main decarbonisation levers: ship and engine technology; operational efficiency; and renewable fuels.   Linden said: “We expect to achieve peak emissions in 2030 (CO2-equivalent on a well-to-wake basis) and will then begin to really see absolute emissions reduce as we accelerate the transition to renewable fuels”.   The importance of community engagement was also a focus of Linden’s presentation as she explained the need for strong cooperation with and within the communities that MSC Cruises’ ships visit which strengthens local relationships, creates development, and increases the local value creation.

Outlining what CLIA is doing in Europe

February 25, 2026 17:59

Mertzanidis talked about what CLIA is doing to defend the cruise ecosystem in Brussels, outlining some of the EU framework that is in place which effects the industry, such as Fit for 55 and the Industrial Maritime Strategy. He also outlined CLIA’s EU strategic agenda which covers 2024 to 2029 and includes EU and IMO alignment to unlock innovation investment and maintain competitiveness, as well as unlocking funding, finance and investment to encourage innovation and accelerate decarbonisation. Mertzanidis said the the EU Industrial Maritime Strategy is “vital for maintaining European competitiveness and leadership in the global maritime sector.” He also highlighted that the EU Emissions Trading System review is a critical policy area of the cruise industry’s decarbonisation efforts. One of CLIA’s four key messages is to ensure a level playing field for all shipping segments and avoiding carbon leakage that could undermine environmental goals. In conclusion he said: “We remain committed to driving innovation, investing in green technologies, and fostering collaborative partnerships to achieve our shared environmental goals, all while continuing to deliver unparalleled economic and social benefits across Europe. Atle Kristian Johannessen, port director at Port of Kristiansand, posted on LinkedIn: “The sessions with CLIA in Europe with Nikos Mertzanidis and the Environmental Port Index (EPI) further underlined that transparency, environmental data and operational readiness will define competitiveness in Northern Europe in the years ahead.”

EPI is getting more and more support

February 25, 2026 17:53

The Environmental Port Index (EPI) is gaining traction within Cruise Europe. More than 40 ports are now signed up with more in the pipeline. In his presentation, chief commercial officer Annfinn Hjelm, highlighted a shared port perspective on cruise ship emissions and the importance of continued collaboration across the industry. He explained that the average EPI score development improved from 38.8 percent in 2022 on 1,907 port calls to 55.5 percent in 2025 on 3,869 port calls. But he also highlighted Bergen as an example of a port that has gone well over the average of 55.5 percent to 73 percent between 2019 (575 port calls) and 2025 (3,869). The key factor in improvement is due to the quality of fuel used but also to improved operation, newer ships and the use of shore power. By signing up to the EPI, ports are demonstrating a commitment to decarbonisation, aligning to an industry standard and sharing protocols. Hjelm said: “Different standards can create confusion for lines. By having same reports, all lines know what to expect while in a Cruise Europe port.” With cruiselines being under increasing pressure from cities, regulators and passengers to demonstrate sustainability, the EPI can help in their communication but also locally with port stakeholder management, media, politicians and the public.