Two-and-a-half years after the first steel was cut for Star of the Seas’ hull construction, Royal Caribbean’s second Icon-class ship has officially left the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland and will soon enter service.
The 248,663-gross-ton vessel, sister to Icon of the Seas, was delivered to the cruise line on July 10, 2025 during a ceremony in Turku. The ship, which will accommodate 5,600 guests in double occupancy, remained at the shipyard until July 17, 2025, when she set sail for another shipyard in Spain.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls! Star of the Seas says goodbye to Turku, Finland and all the amazing people who built this beautiful Royal Caribbean ship! We salute you all,” Michael Bayley, CEO of Royal Caribbean, posted on social media.
Congratulations streamed in from supporters and cruise line fans, with many commenting they are booked to sail on the new ship’s upcoming itineraries and looking forward to getting an early look at her spaces and amenities.
“Can’t wait to sail on Star in 30 days!!!!,” wrote one enthusiastic cruiser.
“So excited for my preview sailing! She’s gorgeous!,” posted another.
Construction of the mega-ship got under way in February 2023, and her float-out — when the ship’s hull touches water for the first time, was in early October 2024.
Fast-forward to June 2025, when the ship aced her sea trials with successful testing of major onboard systems such as navigation, propulsion, and safety.
After leaving the shipyard in Spain, Star of the Seas will sail her maiden transatlantic voyage.
However, before that, cruise ship tracking data shows Star of the Seas is heading to Cadiz, despite earlier reports that the vessel would avoid heading there. Star of the Seas is set to arrive at the Spanish port on July 24.
Star of the Seas Location
Once she arrives at Port Canaveral, the ship will operate four preview, or showcase, cruises for travel partners, media, and VIPs. The first, departing on August 16, 2025, will be a 4-night Star Showcase Cruise to Perfect Day at CocoCay, the cruise line’s private island in the Bahamas.
The ship’s first regular sailing is set to depart on August 31, 2025 and is a 7-night Western Caribbean itinerary with calls at CocoCay, Roatan, Honduras, and Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico. The ship will sail alternating 7-night Western and Eastern Caribbean cruises.
Eastern Caribbean sailings will call at Perfect Day at CocoCay, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Philipsburg, St. Maarten.
Royal Caribbean has not yet disclosed the date of her naming ceremony but has confirmed that Motown superstar Diana Ross, formerly the lead singer of the iconic band The Supremes, will serve as godmother.
The event will be held in the ship’s AquaTheater, in the AquaDome neighborhood, a popular space featuring restaurants and dining venues that debuted aboard Icon of the Seas when that ship entered service in 2024.
New Elements, Icon-Class Favorites Featured on New-Build
In the run-up to the launch of Star of the Seas cruise watchers are learning about new elements as well as Icon-class favorites that guests will enjoy onboard the ship.
Just days ago it was revealed that the new-build will sport an updated crown-and-anchor logo on the ship’s exterior, featuring animated lighting that can illuminate colorful patterns such as the US flag, among other iconic designs.
Star of the Seas Departing Meyer Turku Shipyard
Star of the Seas will have the same eight neighborhoods and amenities as Icon of the Seas, including the Lincoln Park Supper Club, a venue inspired by a 1930s-era Chicago supper club offering multi-course gourmet dinners and live music.
For thrill seekers, six waterslides and the FlowRider surf simulator will keep guests busy at the ship’s Category 6 water park. The ship will feature seven swimming pools, including one for young families in the Surfside neighborhood and an infinity pool at the adult-only Hideaway area.
Virgin Voyages has announced its first-ever True Crime Cruise, which will coincide with the 2025 Halloween season.
The 5-night Caribbean sailing will be hosted onboard Valiant Lady and will embark from Miami on October 10, 2025.
During the cruise, true crime fans will get to enjoy live podcast recordings, meet-and-greets with top podcasters, and more.
Virgin Voyages has a real treat in store for fans of the strange, dark, mysterious, and downright scary.
During the upcoming Halloween season, the premier adults-only cruise linewill offer its very first true crime-themed sailing through a collaboration with iHeartMedia.
Valiant Lady will host the special 5-night voyage, which will embark from Miami, Florida,on October 10, 2025.
The 2,770-guest ship will sail to popular destinations like Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, and Bimini Island, Bahamas – but the real excitement might be found onboard for this trip.
“We’ve tapped into a massive fandom and paired it with our uniquely elevated product,” said Nathan Rosenberg, Chief Marketing Officer and head of sales at Virgin Voyages.
“We designed the True Crime Voyage to tap into something people are already passionate about,”Nathan continued.
The experience onboard has been inspired by some of iHeartMedia’s most popular true crime podcasts, such as “Betrayal,” “Buried Bones,” and “Stuff They Don’t Want You to Know.”
Considering iHeartMedia reaches over a quarter of a billion listeners in the US every month, it goes without saying that shows like these have an absolutely massive following.
The podcasters behind these shows will be onboard to participate in live podcast recordings, meet and greets, and to join guests in savoring signature cocktails and snacks that have been inspired by famous cases.
There will also be “How to Podcast” workshops led by top podcast hosts who have found success and special giveaways.
More true crime personalities may still be announced as the cruise approaches, and knowing Virgin Voyages,’ there are likely plenty of exciting surprises still to come.
Halloween Onboard Valiant Lady
One element of the True Crime sailing that Virgin Voyages has absolutely nailed for fans (like me) is the timing.
Scheduling this cruise to take place during Spooky Season (as the kids say) is a great way to help true crime lovers get into the spirit. But, what can cruisers expect from a Halloween cruise?
Virgin Voyages describes these sailings as “The Halloween Voyages: No Kids. Just Treats is the answer to your Halloween prayers.”
The fact that kids won’t be onboard also likely contributes to the brand’s ability to launch a sailing with content that is usually meant for mature audiences.
Virgin Voyages True Crime Cruise
“We’re doing costume contests, themed food & drink, and more,” the cruise line’s website states.
In the midst of the true crime deep dive, guests will also be able to participate in a costume party and contest and to enjoy specialty spirits and treats that are only onboard for the duration of the season.
There will also be a special assortment of eerie meetups, such as themed trivia, skull-painting, and “haunted” grog walks.
Additionally, the onboard entertainment is revamped with a never-before-seen show by the Happenings cast and live music from a decked-out band.
Meanwhile, the festival stage will feature a variety of comedy, music, magic, and dance performances that all feature a Halloween twist.
But if the spooky vibes aren’t for you, you might prefer being onboard for one of the cruise line’s special New Year’s, Christmas, or Valentine’s Day cruises.
In 2025 and 2026, the cruise line will also be hosting other themed cruises like “Eat and Drink Festivals,” Comedy Fest Voyages, and Red Hot sailings– during which founder Sir Richard Branson is onboard for the fun.
The number of cruise terminals at Barcelona’s Adossat wharf will be cut from seven to five.
Terminals A, B, and C will be demolished, and a brand new terminal with a capacity for 7,000 guests will open at the location of terminal C by 2030.
Additional measures are being taken to improve sustainability and mobility for cruise passengers within the port.
As the busiest cruise port in the Mediterranean, Spain’s Port of Barcelona has been battling issues related to over tourism and pollution from cruise ship emissions for years.
A partial cruise ban is already in effect that prohibits cruise ships from docking at the Northern docks (Muelle Barcelona Norte to the World Trade Center), already limiting docking areas from more than ten to just seven.
The next step in this plan, which is part of a 2018 agreement to regulate cruise ship activity between the city council and the bustling port, is to further cut down the number of cruise terminals on Adossat Wharf.
Adossat wharf, also known as Moll Adossat, is the primary cruise terminal on Barcelona’s south side.
It is currently home to seven cruise terminals, but under the new agreement, this will be cut down to five.
The oldest terminals, which are A, B, and C, will be demolished to create a brand new, state-of-the-art public terminal where the current terminal C is standing.
Once completed, the new facility will have the ability to welcome up to 7,000 cruisers simultaneously.
The remaining terminals will still be privately owned. For reference, terminals D and E are operated by Carnival and terminal H is operated by MSC Cruises.
Terminal G is still under construction, but is expected to open for Royal Caribbean ships in 2027.
Demolition of terminal C will begin at the end of 2026, construction of the new facilities will kick off in 2027, and the new and improved terminal is expected to be ready by 2030.
To give the cruise lines time to plan, demolition of terminals A and B won’t begin until the second half of 2028.
Improved Mobility and Sustainability
The investment to reorganize cruise infrastructure will cost an estimated €185 million ($215,013,475 USD), which is in addition to the €265 million ($307,999,859.30 USD) investment already made for the earlier 2018 agreement.
Local authorities will be making every penny of their investment count with improved mobility for cruise guests and updating infrastructure to be more environmentally friendly.
For example, the terminals will be adapted to offer shore power, which is an environmentally friendly option many cruise lines have already adopted as theywork to become carbon neutral.
Cruise Ships Docked in Barcelona, Spain (Photo Credit: Fernando M. Elkspera)
“These actions represent a public-private investment of 185 million euros, which adds to the investments made under the 2018 agreement, and confirm the Port of Barcelona’s commitment to the sustainable development of cruise activity,”José Alberto Carbonell, president of the Port of Barcelona, said, in part.
As part of the improvements, the Porta d’Europa Bridge will be expanded to incorporate cycle and pedestrian paths, which will help improve mobility on the wharf.
Additionally, an urban corridor will be created along the Montjuïc coastline that will eventually connect Plaça de les Drassanes with the Marina del Prat Vermell and the Zona Franca.
This route will come with a variety of public transportation options and will be able to accommodate bikers and pedestrians, which should also help to ease traffic.
Additionally, a long-term study will be conducted to evaluate the mobility of cruise ship passengers.
As part of this, a shuttle service will be provided. While this service will be used to collect data, it’s also convenient because the walk from the wharf to the city center can take around 25 minutes.
On July 16, 2025, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an official report of the 18th outbreak to happen on a cruise ship this year.
Navigator of the Seas disembarked guests on July 11, which is the same day the crew sent the report of a gastrointestinal illness outbreak to the Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP).
The 7-night round-trip voyage departed out of Los Angeles on July 4 and called on ports in Cabo, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta in Mexico.
It is unclear when exactly the outbreak began, but the number of reported cases was high enough by the end of the cruise that the crew was required to report it to the VSP.
The rules state clearly that all outbreaks must be reported to the CDC when at least 3% of the crew or guests have any highly contagious symptoms.
As is pretty typical, the larger percentage of individuals on this sailing with gastrointestinal illness were the guests, not the crew.
According to the report done by the CDC, 134 of the 3,914 guests onboard the ship — which is 3.4% — experienced symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps.
On the other hand, only seven out of the 1,266 crew onboard (0.6%) had these same symptoms.
The outbreak may have been reported on disembarkation day, but the numbers are accumulated throughout the voyage.
That being said, the crew on Navigator of the Seas did take immediate action in response to the outbreak, beginning with increasing the cleaning and disinfecting procedures outlined in their outbreak and prevention response plan.
Beyond that, those who were ill were isolated and had specimens collected to help confirm the cause of the outbreak.
The crew also worked and consulted with the VSP to inform them of sanitation cleaning procedures and the reporting of cases of illness.
CDC Sign (Photo Credit: Tada Images)
While the final verdict on the causative agent for the outbreak has yet to be confirmed, but the CDC has hinted that it is likely to be Norovirus.
Despite the outbreak, Navigator of the Seas is currently wrapping up yet another 7-night voyage that has had no indications of a subsequent gastro illness outbreak.
Have Other Royal Caribbean Ships Had Outbreaks in 2025?
While there have been countless outbreaks this year, Royal Caribbean has only seen one other outbreak, and it was back in February.
Guests on the July 11 voyage were informed only two days ahead of time of the expected delay for embarkation.
Despite the delay, it seems as though this sailing went on without issue and is set to disembark guests in Los Angeles on July 18, having completed the same itinerary as the cruise the week before.
However, its next several sailings will be shorter 3- and 4-night cruises with stops in Ensenada, Mexico, as well as Catalina Island.
While it may seem like there are more outbreaks than ever, cruisers should not stress too much, as sanitation protocols are improving all the time on cruise ships!
The Cape Liberty Cruise Port in Bayonne, New Jersey, is a popular port for East Coast cruises headed out to the Bahamas, Bermuda, New England or Canada.
It’s easily accessible for those who live in New York, New Jersey or Connecticut, and arguably easier to drive to than the Manhattan NYC cruise port.
Myriad cruise lines sail from here, including Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Silversea Cruises and TUI Cruises.
So if you are, like many others, driving to this port for your next trip, what do you need to know? Here’s your quick Cape Liberty cruise parking guide.
Many cruisers prefer the convenience of affordable cruise parking directly at the port itself. Official port parking is typically plentiful, safe and ideally located just steps from your terminal. That said, while Cape Liberty parking is relatively affordable, it’s not always the cheapest option available.
The official Cape Liberty cruise port parking facility is located right next to the terminal, at 4 Port Terminal Blvd, Bayonne, NJ 07002.
However, in some instances, that parking facility does fill up, which necessitates the use of overflow parking lots located further away. Luckily, if you do have to use one of these overflow lots, the cruise port does provide free shuttle service to get you between the overflow lot and the terminal.
Unlike other cruise ports, you don’t need to (and actually can’t) make a parking reservation ahead of your cruise. Just show up and pay for your spot via any major credit cards. Depending on where you enter the garage, you may either pay upon arrival or upon departure.
Photo Credit: Valerie Johnson / Shutterstock
Rates are $30 per day for standard vehicles, $60 per day for an RV and or mini bus, and $90 per day for full-size buses.
Due to the height restriction of the garage, if your vehicle is taller than 7’4”, you can still park at the terminal, but you’ll be directed to the overflow lots regardless of whether or not there’s space left in the garage.
Wherever you park, the port does recommend that you drop off your luggage before you do so, at the terminal (and note that there are no luggage carts available).
Luggage should be tagged prior to arrival, per your cruise line’s instructions, and you can drop off luggage directly in front of the terminal, in drop-off zones 1–5, right next to the entrance.
When you arrive back at the terminal after your cruise is over, you can get porter service to help take your luggage back to your car.
Off-Site, Unofficial Cape Liberty Cruise Port Parking Options
Cape Liberty Cruise Parking
If, though, you’d like to compare and contrast your other parking options in the area, you can check out the following providers.
Just be sure that, whatever provider you choose, you’re not just looking for the cheapest price.
In addition to price, also look at facility amenities such as free shuttle service to the port, security features, free cancellations and whether or not the facility is covered (particularly if you’re cruising during the winter, when the area could see snow!). Take note of any height restrictions or vehicle exclusions, too.
Additionally, keep in mind that some of the popular, unofficial, off-site parking options are located at the nearby Newark International Airport.
As such, a provider’s shuttle service may serve the airport, but not the port. Despite this, many cruisers appreciate the cheaper prices that you can often find at these airport lots.
Park & Sail NJ
Cape Liberty Port
Park & Sail NJ offers parking options at 120 Chosin Few Way, which is a bit of a hike if you want to walk to the terminal, but it’s only a short, 6-minute car ride.
This secure parking facility gives you several different parking options, including valet parking, a short-term lot, a long-term lot, an economy open lot and parking garage.
Amenities include 24-hour service, a car wash, electric vehicle charging, and help with inflating tires or jumping batteries, if needed, after you arrive back from your cruise.
Cruise parking costs start at $17 per day for the most basic parking options.
Park2Go
Park2Go Lot
Park2Go is mostly dedicated to Newark airport parking and does not have a shuttle to the port. However, it is still a very popular option for those looking for off-site Cape Liberty cruise port parking.
Located at 780 Dowd Avenue, Elizabeth, NJ, the provider offers a valet indoor and outdoor hassle-free parking experience, as well as self-parking outdoor options.
Cars must not have any bike racks or hitches attached. If you have a bike rack or hitch attached to your vehicle, you’ll either be asked to remove it or face a $15-per-day extra fee.
Parking rates start at $19.99 per day for outdoor parking and $21.99 per day for heated, indoor parking. The parking facility is open 24 hours. Extra, $7-per-day fees apply to pickup trucks, vans and oversized SUVs.
Value Parking
Value Parking
Similarly, Value Parking, located at 139 McClellan Street, is primarily a Newark airport parking facility, but it’s a 20-minute taxi or rideshare ride from Cape Liberty cruise port, so some visitors see it as a potential, budget-friendly option.
You will need to get that taxi or rideshare, though, as complimentary shuttle service and public transportation do not go to the port. That extra cost may negate any good parking deal you get.
Depending on the lot you choose to park in (outdoor and covered options are both available), you could pay the low price of just $13.95 per day for your parking.
Extra services that the provider offers include car washing, car detailing and fuel refills.
Newark Long Term Parking
Newark Long Term Parking
Newark Long Term Parking, located at 422 Frelinghuysen Avenue, offers rates as low as $18.99 per day. The facility provides both valet and self-parking options, electric charging stations and a rewards program for special offers, exclusive discounts and cruise parking deals that can save you money as a frequent cruiser.
This parking lot does not accept oversized vehicles and there’s no flexibility whatsoever on that policy. Trucks, large SUVs and vehicles with hitches will all be turned away upon arrival.
Parking Search Platforms That Offer Cape Liberty Cruise Port Parking
In addition to official lots that offer Cape Liberty cruise port parking, you can also find websites that allow you to search for parking options in the general area, allowing you to book a spot with providers that may not have their own website, or providers that aren’t traditional parking options (such as hotels).
Cruise Terminal at Cape Liberty (Photo Credit: Leonard Zhukovsky)
Global Airport Parking
Global Airport Parking will show you a range of top facilities at various rates, that are located anywhere from a few miles to more than 20 miles away from the port. Some parking is available for as little as $7 per day.
Many of the parking providers on this booking platform do not offer any shuttle service to the port, so you’ll need to think about that before booking a cheap spot a long distance away from the cruise terminal. Thankfully, it’s not at all difficult to get Uber or Lyft service in this general area.
SpotHero
SpotHero allows you to book convenient parking spots all around the country, wherever you might be, not just near a cruise port or airport.
The search feature on this platform is very easy to use, with just a few simple clicks, and you can view the best deals on a handy map. The one downside is that this platform does not show as many options near Cape Liberty as some of the others.
Rates start at a few dollars per hour.
Rightway Parking
Rightway Parking specializes in airport and cruise port parking options, with service at a handful of ports around the United States.
With daily rates at less than $9 per day, a quick search displays all your options and all the information you might need to compare those options, including distance from the port, opening hours, whether or not shuttle service is available and whether or not staff are on-site for assistance as needed.
Hotel Cruise Parking Near Cape Liberty Cruise Port
Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas Docked at Cape Liberty (Photo Credit: Brian Logan Photography)
If you’re driving to Cape Liberty from far enough away that you’ll need to stay the night in a hotel, you can park your car at a handful of area hotels that will offer you a stay and off-cruise parking package.
If you think that you won’t need to stay overnight before embarkation day, and you can simply get up extra-early and drive four or five hours to the port, I’d caution you to rethink that.
Cruise ships won’t wait around for tardy passengers. I always recommend that, unless you live locally to your embarkation port, you plan on arriving in the port city the day or night before.
This ensures that traffic headaches or similar delays won’t make you miss embarkation (and the traffic in this part of New Jersey and in nearby NY can be intense!).
Plus, doing so just makes for a less stressful, more relaxed and seamless trip.
If you don’t want to search around for a hotel that offers such a package, you might also want to check out Trinity Reservations, a company that bundles your parking and hotel stay together, on your behalf, and then even provides shuttle service.
If you’ve ever wondered how a Holland America Line cruise ship really operates, you’ve got to look past the public spaces and staterooms and explore the inner workings of the vessel.
That opportunity is once again a reality, since the cruise line has resumed offering its behind-the-scenes ship tours.
These insider peeks at places most passengers will never see can bring a new perspective to cruise guests, who will be given guided tours of their ship’s bridge, main galley, laundry operations, the engine control room, and other spaces.
Guests who sign up for the tour, which carries a price tag of $179 per person and can be booked on the line’s web site as a shore excursion, will meet the crew members who work in the various departments.
“We hear so often from guests who’d love to see the bridge or where our chefs prepare their meals. By bringing back this tour experience we’re pulling back the curtain to these areas that are rarely visited,” said Carole Biencourt, vice president of onboard revenue at Holland America Line.
“It’s a fascinating look at the inner workings of a cruise ship, and guests love meeting the crew members who work behind the scenes to create such a memorable experience,” Biencourt added.
Some of the ship’s officers — perhaps even the captain, chief engineer, or executive chef — will interact with guests and provide insights into the operation centers. And there are some perks for guests who book the tour, including a special lanyard, a souvenir photo, and a commemorative certificate.
The tours are being offered on some ships now and will be expanded to the whole fleet by the end of July 2025.
The cruise line is getting the word out about the tours via social media. A post invites guests to “step into the heart of the ship with rare access to the bridge, galley, engine control room, and more! Plus meet the incredible crew who make it all run smoothly.”
The $179 price tag, however, got mixed reviews from commenters.
“That is way too much money to be shown around the ship,” wrote one cruiser.
“It was offered on my cruise last month..but I found it too expensive..would have loved to have done it otherwise,” commented another.
Others expressed a lot of interest in the tours.
“Oh my gosh…I would love to do that. That is so cool,” said one.
Added another: “Would love this. I hope they have available on my next cruise at the end of August.”
Firsthand Account: My Tour of the Line’s Zuiderdam
The $179 tour price notwithstanding, take it from someone who recently participated in a ship tour like the one described — do it, you’ll love it.
While sailing aboard Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam on a Canada/New England cruise in fall of 2024, I joined a media group tour of the 1,900-guest ship, hosted by the cruise director.
We started out on the bridge, where one of the senior officers explained the ship’s vast computer system and showed us how virtually all of the vessel’s operations are monitored 24/7 from the bridge.
Holland America Tour
From there we got a look at the main galley, where the lion’s share of the ship’s food is prepared and cooked, then continued into the main laundry area.
This was a real eye-opener: huge bins holding clean sheets, bathrobes, and towels filled the huge space, and crew members stood at big tables folding each one of the items with care and precision.
Holland America Line is not the only brand offering ship tours. Carnival Cruise Line does as well.
It’s Behind the Fun tour is similar to Holland America’s and it also charges for the activity. The fee varies based on the ship. For example, the price ranges from $90 on ships like Carnival Radiance and Carnival Sunshine, rising to $150 on Carnival Jubilee and Mardi Gras.
Eight months after a devastating earthquake crippled much of the infrastructure in the South Pacific destination of Vanuatu, local officials are heralding the return of cruise tourism.
Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Adventure will be the first cruise ship with regularly scheduled port calls to visit Vanuatu’s Port Vila. Her first call is set for August 8, 2025 as the ship sails a 10-night Vanuatu & New Caledonia voyage roundtrip from Sydney, Australia.
Other calls on the itinerary include Mystery Island, Vanuatu, Lifou, and Noumea, New Caledonia.
Carnival Adventure is not the first ship to call at Port Vila in 2025. The destination was a scheduled port call on Oceania Cruises’ Oceania Insignia’s world cruise on June 4, 2025.
Also, the line’s Oceania Regatta visited Port Vila on July 7, 2025 as part of her 72-night Asia & Oceania Odyssey Tokyo to Honolulu voyage.
The 2,600-guest Carnival Adventure will sail itineraries that feature Port Vila through September 2025. While the ship will continue to homeport in Sydney year-round, Port Vila is not included in winter 2025-26 itineraries, however, the ship will resume calls there in summer 2026.
Carnival Adventure and sister ship Carnival Encounter are the former Pacific Adventure and Pacific Encounter operated by P&O Australia, which, like Carnival Cruise Line, is a brand of Carnival Corporation.
In June 2024, the parent company announced that the P&O brand would be dissolved and the two ships transferred to the Carnival Cruise Line fleet. Carnival Encounter, also accommodating 2,600 guests, is homeported in Brisbane, Australia, and is featuring Port Vila on certain itineraries in 2025.
Landslide in Port Vila following a 7.3-magnitude earthquake. (Photo Credit: Dan McGarry)
Like other cruise lines, Carnival discontinued visits to Vanuatu following the 7.3 earthquake that hit the destination on December 16, 2024. It caused massive damage to the island, prompting Carnival Cruise Line to donate $60,000 to a local paramedic service that provided care to injured people.
Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas are among other cruise line ships that are returning to Port Vila in the coming months. The 4,100-guest Anthem of the Seas is homeporting in Sydney and the 4,000-guest Voyager of the Seas in Brisbane.
Local Population Gearing Up for Cruise Ship Visits
The Vanuatu Tourism Office is prepping for the launch of the destination’s first cruise tourism season since the 2024 earthquake.
In a Facebook post, the office, along with the Port Vila City Council and the Departments of Urban Affairs and Ports and Harbors, issued a community invite to a pre-cruise season meeting on July 23, 2025.
The gathering will bring local residents and businesses up to date on the preparations for the resumption of cruise tourism. Port Vila is a tender port, and discussions will include details about the destination’s temporary wharf facilities, the full cruise ship schedule, and other elements.
Royal Caribbean Ship at Port Vila (Photo Credit: Pilots Eyes)
The tourism office is also encouraging local businesses to put up welcome banners and other decorations in advance of the cruise ships’ arrivals. Local media reports indicate that the destination is planning a Port Vila Clean-Up Campaign to beautify areas frequented by cruise passengers.
“Many people are excited because we know the benefits cruise ships bring to our country and communities,” Rachel Koran, marketing office at the Vanuatu Tourism Office, told the local media outlet.
“We are already running awareness programs so that the public, and especially businesses, are informed and prepared to welcome the visitors on this important day,” added Koran.
The arrival of Carnival Adventure early on August 8, 2025, will be marked with a VIP ceremony attended by local government officials, who will issue a warm welcome to her passengers.
Carnival Cruise Line is pulling back the curtain on its 2027-28 deployments, and the first announcement reveals a plan to boost capacity in New Orleans.
The cruise line will continue to homeport two ships year-round in the Big Easy, but starting in May 2027 the 3,646-guest Carnival Dream will replace the 2,980-guest Carnival Valor, boosting double-occupancy guest capacity by about 700 passengers per sailing.
Carnival Liberty, accommodating 2,974 guests, double occupancy, will continue its deployment in New Orleans, sailing alongside Carnival Dream.
Between Carnival Dream and Carnival Liberty, the cruise line will offer a wide assortment of itineraries and cruise lengths, including visits to ports in the Western Caribbean and the Bahamas, and to Carnival’s new private destination, Celebration Key.
If both ships sail with all berths occupied, Carnival Dream and Carnival Liberty can accommodate 4,600 and 3,700, respectively, an indication of the cruise line’s faith in the growing New Orleans cruise market.
“More capacity with a larger ship means more tourism activity for Port NOLA and the region, where we’ve enjoyed a successful partnership for over three decades,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.
Indeed, in 2024, the cruise line celebrated its 30th anniversary of operating year-round voyages from the port, which is the 7th busiest cruise port in North America based on cruise arrivals.
Carnival Dream, the first ship in the line’s Dream class, currently sails year-round from Galveston, Texas. No word yet on which Carnival Cruise Line ship will replace her in the Gulf Coast port.
“As we roll out our deployment plans through the spring of 2028, we have great news to share with our homeport communities. Fun is on the move, and that means more options and more variety as guests book their future cruise vacations,” added Duffy.
Carnival Cruise Ship in New Orleans (Courtesy: Port of New Orleans)
Carnival Dream, which entered service in 2008, will wrap up her Texas deployment in early May 2027 with a 7-night Bahamas cruise calling at Nassau, Bahamas, Key West, and Celebration Key.
She will sail her first voyage from the Port of New Orleans on May 16, 2027, marking her first cruise from the Big Easy since her last deployment there in 2019.
From New Orleans, the ship will operate 4- and 5-day cruises to Mexico destinations, which are not yet confirmed but likely to include Progresso, Costa Maya, and/or Cozumel.
Carnival Liberty Slated to Remain at NOLA Into Spring 2028
Carnival Liberty, meanwhile, is scheduled to continue operating from New Orleans at least through April 2028. The Conquest-class ship that entered service in 2005 will sail 7-day Western Caribbean and Bahamas cruises, also offering itineraries that include Celebration Key.
Eight-day holiday sailings are also on Carnival Liberty’s roster, including during the Thanksgiving and Christmas weeks, plus a longer, 14-day Panama Canal voyage departing on November 28, 2027.
That cruise will feature calls to Aruba, Cartagena, Colon (Panama Canal), Curaçao, Cozumel, and Jamaica.
Carnival Liberty recently emerged from a dry dock renovation that added several popular spaces, such as the WaterWorks aqua park and the Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounge, designed for veterans and active-duty military members.
Carnival Valor, the ship being replaced by Carnival Dream, currently sails 4- and 5-night Western Caribbean cruises, and the cruise line has not yet disclosed where that ship will be deployed once Carnival Dream shifts to the Big Easy.
A “new era” of nighttime entertainment will debut this fall when Princess Cruises introduces the world to Star Princess, its second new Sphere-class ship.
The 4,300-passenger vessel is set to debut October 4, 2025, with a slate of new productions designed for various venues onboard, including two original theatrical shows in the Princess Arena, a classical candlelight concert series in The Dome, and a range of immersive events throughout the ship.
“We’re not just putting on shows; we’re crafting moments that will stay with guests long after the final curtain,” said Lorna Warren, Princess Cruises’ vice president hotel operations and guest experience.
She added, “Star Princess was designed to surprise, move, and inspire each and every night.”
The two new mainstage productions, Meridien and Illuminate: A Spectacle of Joy, were created by the production team at Black Skull Creative, a London-based studio that specializes in full-scale shows.
Meridien is being described as a cinematic-style story set aboard a luxury ship, while Illuminate is set in a circus environment with surreal visuals and a multi-generational pop soundtrack.
Both shows will feature original choreography and direction from award-winning creatives and are staged in the 178,000-gross-ton ship’s high-tech Princess Arena.
The cruise line also revealed it is bringing back Viva La Música, which first premiered on sister ship Sun Princess. The Latin-inspired dance show was choreographed by Liz Imperio, known for her work with Jennifer Lopez and Madonna.
Entertainment on Star Princess will span across venues in the ship’s key gathering spaces. In The Dome, for instance, the cruise line is debuting a Candlelight Concert Series.
Held in the glass-enclosed venue at the top of the ship, classical and cinematic performances will be staged by live musicians in a candlelit setting.
The Piazza, a central atrium area also enclosed in glass, will debut the Princess Jamz, a 45-minute music performance led by the ship’s cruise director and a 15-piece Princess World Orchestra.
The performance is planned as a regular event in the heart of the ship.
Star Princess debuts new entertainment. (Photo Credit: Princess Cruises)
Also debuting in the Piazza is the Celestial Champagne Soirée, a new take on the cruise line’s traditional Champagne Waterfall.
This event will incorporate music, light shows, and multimedia displays, adding a modern twist to the long-running tradition.
Excitement Is Building for Debut
Star Princess is nearing completion at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. Construction began with the keel-laying ceremony on December 11, 2023, and by September 2024, the ship was floated out of dry dock for the first time.
Originally scheduled to enter service in summer 2025, construction delays have pushed the debut to October 4, 2025.
Her maiden voyage will be an 11-night Mediterranean sailing from Barcelona, with calls in ports such as Marseille, France; Naples, Italy; and Gibraltar.
Latest Construction Photos of Star Princess (Credit: Princess Cruises)
After a transatlantic crossing that begins on October 22, 2025, the ship will reposition to Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades to begin a winter season of Caribbean cruises.
Arriving on November 5, 2025, her first US voyage will be a 3-night cruise to Princess Cruises’ private Princess Cays in the Bahamas.
The vessel will then continue to offer roundtrip Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries that include visits to Belize, Honduras, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Turks and Caicos, and the Bahamas.
By spring of 2026, Star Princess will head to Seattle to join the cruise line’s Alaska fleet, offering Inside Passage itineraries and visits to Glacier Bay National Park.
