After a very controversial stint last year when Royal Caribbean Cruises threatened to boycott Trinidad and Tobago if its $6 million seized as evidence by the Trinidad and Tobago Customs & Excise Division was not returned to them, the Spain-based Royal Caribbean Pullmantur Group is now interested in strengthening ties with Tobago.

Celebrity Cruises has introduced new Asia itineraries for winter 2012-13, its first season in the region. The itineraries will be aboard the Celebrity Millennium, which Celebrity plans to “Solsticize” in April 2012. In Asia, the ship will visit nine countries new to the brand, including Vietnam, Thailand and China.

Carnival Cruise Lines is kicking off its 2011 Bermuda program, which will operate a record 16 departures from four eastern U.S. homeports -- Baltimore, Md.; Norfolk, Va.; New York; and Charleston, S.C. Carnival is the only cruise line offering Bermuda cruises from Charleston.

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.