Sailing somewhat against the current trend in the cruise industry, Costa Cruises has announced it will not visit ports in Egypt and Tunisia next year.

The cruise line, however, confirmed it would continue offering departures from Sharm el Sheikh on the Red Sea throughout the year.

The company cites “persistent negative perception” of these destinations to justify its decision to extend the moratorium it originally placed on visits earlier this year.

A company spokesperson said that Costa’s destinations for 2012 would “maintain the tranquillity and serenity that must characterize a holiday.”

Despite the moratorium, Costa Voyager will still offer seven-day Red Sea cruises year round, visiting the three Egyptian ports of Sokhna, Safaga and Sharm el Sheikh.

According to Costa the Red Sea is different from the rest of Egypt and still enjoys a positive perception among cruise passengers.

Many other cruise lines have since returned to Tunisia and Egypt.

In river cruise news Tauck’s latest riverboat, the MS Treasures, was recently launched in Cologne, Germany. The ceremony was attended by travel agents, local dignitaries, journalists and three generations of Tauck family members.

MS Treasures is the fourth new riverboat the company has launched in the last five years.

During the traditional christening ceremony the ship’s honorary godmother, Robin Tauck, who is also the granddaughter of Arthur Tauck that originally founded the company, officially welcomed the ship into their fleet.

Dan Mahar, the CEO of Tauk, said “This christening marks a very special moment in the growth and evolution of our river cruising efforts.”