Two British cruise influencers have been banned from all Carnival Corporation sailings – which accounts for 93 cruise ships – and it’s not for the reason you would expect.
While Carnival understandably has a zero tolerance policy for fightingor other behavior that can put its guests and crew members in danger, Dan Wailing and Jay Cannon have been banned for at least five years after speaking out publicly about their negative experiences onboard.
“Following a review of your recent interactions with us, we believe that you have both clearly demonstrated that we cannot offer the holiday that you are looking for. It is thus no longer appropriate for you to travel with us, or any of the Carnival group brands,”Carnival UK wrote to the cruisers.
The ban extends to all Carnival Cruise ships, as well as sister-brands like Cunard Line, P&O Cruises, and Princess Cruises.
“I am sorry to have to convey this decision to you. Please note that this letter represents our final decision on this matter, and you will therefore not be permitted to travel with us for a period of 5 years, after which we may review,” continued the letter.
You may know Wailing and Cannon from running a popular platform called Sail Away Magazine – which includes both a print publication and a podcast component – where the duo gives honest, unbiased reviews about their cruising experiences.
Just about two weeks ago, the cruise experts released a scathing review of Carnival Miracle– which they described as “the worst cruise we’ve ever done.”
Cruise Ship Docked in Southampton (Photo Credit: P.Cartwright)
Most notably, the pair was shocked by their dirty cruise cabin – where they found “pubic hairs on the bedside table, what looks like semen stains on the luggage mat, mould and bacteria in the soap dish” – but the leadership team onboard addressed the situation and apologized.
Looking further back, they have also publicly criticized P&O Cruises after their sailing on Aurora was cancelled at the last minute and have spoken out about a negative phone experience with Carnival’s UK PR and marketing staff in which they described the team as “delusional.”
They also ran a public poll, in which the results showed 72% of cruisers felt that the cruising experience had declined under the leadership of Carnival UK President, Paul Ludlow.
Is This Censorship?
While Wailing and Cannon cannot confirm the exact reason they were banned, they can’t help but wonder if it was retaliation for their negative – but honest – feedback.
“We were paying customers. And what did we do? We simply spoke up about disappointing experiences — including poor communication during cruise cancellations, and a lack of accountability in situations like the recent Maleth Aero flight scandal,”Wailing wrote in an email to Cruise Hive.
“To us, it’s simple: this feels like censorship. A warning to other passengers who might think about posting a critical review or sharing an honest opinion on social media,”Wailing’s email continued.
Understanding that there are always two sides to every story, Cruise Hive also reached out to Carnival Corporation for a statement but were told by a spokesperson that the company had nothing further to add.
It’s always possible that more has happened behind closed doors – such as unseen hostility coming from the frustrated cruisers – but there is no evidence of this at this time.
Alternatively, the criticism might have led Carnival leadership to worry about how the men might impact the experiences of others onboard – as was the case for two passengers who were banned from Villa Vie Odysseylast year after speaking out about the delays that plagued the residential ship.
“We have received over a dozen formal complaints from residents regarding your continuous complaints and negativity. This behavior has significantly impacted the morale and well-being of other passengers,”Chief operating officer Kathy Villalba said at the time.
In true Disney Cruise Line tradition, the new-build Disney Adventure has marked another construction milestone as giant-sized statues of Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, all dressed up in captain’s uniforms, were hoisted onto the stern of the ship.
Standing 18 feet tall and 12 feet wide, the characters were lifted by crane onto the stern and then bolted in place on June 12, 2025. The statues are depicted holding paint brushes and pails, adding finishing touches to the ship.
Disney Adventure is under construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Wismar, Germany, and will be based in Singapore when she enters service in late 2025.
The 208,000-gross-ton Disney Adventure will debut in December 2025 as the cruise line’s largest ship, able to accommodate 6,000 guests. The ship is the first in the Disney Cruise Line fleet to feature the Mickey and Minnie characters as ship captains on its stern.
Adding iconic Disney characters to each ship’s stern is a tradition on all Disney Cruise Line ships. Disney Fantasy features Dumbo, the flying elephant; Disney Magic has Goofy; and Disney Wonder sports Donald Duck and Huey, for instance.
Disney Adventure is the former Global Dream and was intended to sail for Genting Cruise Lines, owned by Genting Hong Kong. She was about 70% completed when the parent company went bankrupt in 2022, and was subsequently bought by Disney Cruise Line.
Stern Characters Installed
Since taking over the construction process Disney Cruise Line has transformed the vessel into traditional Disney style, adding signature Disney spaces, amenities, and services.
The ship reached another major milestone on April 19, 2025, when she was floated out of her construction bay and touched water for the first time. The float out signals the completion of a ship’s hull and the start of exterior construction of on-deck elements as well as interior design.
Disney Adventure’s Next Milestone: Sea Trials
The next big step for Disney Adventure will be her sea trials, when key systems such as navigation, propulsion, and safety are put to the test. Once she successfully completes sea trials any last-minute finishing touches will be wrapped up and the ship will be delivered to the cruise line.
Sea trial dates have not been revealed but are likely to be held in summer or early fall 2025.
Disney Adventure Cruise Ship Floats Out
Disney Adventure will be based at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre in Singapore for at least five years, according to an agreement the cruise line forged with the Singapore Tourism Board.
Following her repositioning cruise from the German shipyard, Disney Adventure will sail 3- to 5-night cruises to nowhere — meaning there are no port calls, roundtrip from Singapore.
There will be plenty to entertain guests onboard. Disney Adventure will have seven themed areas: Disney Imagination Garden, Disney Discovery Reef, Toy Story Place, Marvel Landing, Wayfinder Bay, San Fransokyo Street, and Town Square.
Disney Adventure is one of two ships the cruise line will introduce in 2025. Disney Destiny, under construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, is scheduled to debut in November 2025.
The ship is much smaller than Disney Adventure and, like most of the ships in Disney Cruise Line’s fleet, will accommodate 4,000 guests. Disney Destiny will be based at Fort Lauderdale and is slated to enter service with her inaugural cruise on November 20, 2025, a 4-night Bahamas sailing.
Even though cruise ships are not designed for speed, they can still move reasonably fast for their size. The average cruise ship speed typically sits between 18 and 20 knots, with some smaller ships traveling faster.
These averages translate to roughly 21 to 23 miles per hour (mph) on land. As for the top speed of a cruise ship, some can get up to 30 knots, or roughly 34.5 mph, under ideal conditions.
How Speed Is Measured for a Cruise Ship (Up to 22 knots!)
You may wonder why I listed average and top speeds for cruise ships in knots, but it’s a term used to measure nautical speed.
A knot is equivalent to one nautical mile per hour, which differs from a mile per hour on land, as they consider the Earth’s latitude and longitude. Accounting for the Earth’s circumference is more relevant for sea and air travel.
I’ll spare you the science behind the term and its historical background, but the main takeaway is that a nautical mile, or knot, equals roughly 1.15078 land miles, or 1.852 kilometers.
Cruise Ship Sailing at Sea (Photo Credit: GreenOak)
I know it sounds a little strange, but if you’re talking about a cruise ship traveling at 20 knots, it would be moving at roughly 23 mph from the perspective of someone standing on land.
If you’re still confused, here’s a quick conversion chart you can use to understand the speeds the average cruise ship travels:
18 knots = 20.7 mph or 33.3 km/h
19 knots = 21.8 mph or 35.1 km/h
20 knots = 23 mph or 37 km/h
If you’re ever trying to convert knots into miles per hour, you can just multiply the knots by 1.15078. It won’t be a perfect conversion, but you’ll be close enough!
Why Cruise Ships Don’t Travel at Full Speed
If most cruise ships can travel over 20 knots, why do they have a slower average speed? Well, they travel at slower speeds for a variety of reasons:
Just like when you’re driving your car, traveling athigher speeds increases fuel consumption. Not only would faster cruises mean vessels would have to set sail with more fuel, but doing so would increase operating costs for the cruise lines.
In other words, operating faster cruise ships would mean the cruise lines would have to increase fare prices, or reduce profits, which just isn’t going to happen.
To give you an idea of how impactful increased speeds would be on fuel consumption, a cruise ship running at 25 knots burns nearly 50% more fuel than an identical one operating at 20 knots.
Reducing costs by keeping the average cruising speed and fuel consumption down also has the added bonus of reducing carbon emissions. With the cruise industry under more pressure than ever to reduce its environmental impact, keeping speeds lower just makes sense from all angles.
Passenger Comfort
Cruise Passenger Sunbathing on Carnival Magic (Photo Credit: Ihor Koptilin)
Another reason cruise ships rarely travel at their top speed is that faster speeds usually translate to more noticeable movements, especially if the vessel is traveling in choppy waters.
After safety, cruise lines prioritize passenger comfort above pretty much everything else. By traveling at consistent and slower speeds, passengers experience a smoother ride. There’s also the simple fact that cruising is all about enjoying the journey.
Unlike ferries and some ocean liners, where getting to the destination as quickly as possible is the primary objective, a cruise is all about enjoying the journey and onboard experience, so there isn’t the same incentive to hit the gas.
Cruise ships also have to consider certain onboard activities and venues, like live shows, numerous restaurants, and even full-size swimming pools. Keeping the speed down helps minimize disruptions that could be an issue if the ship was cutting through the water at top speed.
That said, cruise ships sometimes increase their speed if a medical emergency occurs on the ship or they are behind schedule due to unforeseen delays, like severe weather.
Port Timing and Itinerary Considerations
Cruise Ship Arriving in Ibiza (Photo Credit: Pat Moore)
All cruise ships also have to adhere to set arrival times at the various ports they visit to coordinate with shore excursion providers and the port’s scheduling. Traveling at a predictable and moderate speed makes it much easier to stick to a set arrivals and departures schedule.
Since almost every vessel will travel at a similar speed, it is much easier to coordinate itineraries with other cruise ships than if ships were all traveling at various top speeds.
Again, a big part of taking any cruise is enjoying the trip, so cruise ship operators want to ensure that the ship’s speed is comfortable for passengers and that the ship arrives at ports exactly when it should.
Distance Per Day: How Far Cruise Ships Travel
Carnival Magic Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Just dance)
Given that cruise ships tend to travel at roughly 20 knots, they can cover about 400 to 500 nautical miles in 24 hours.
Assuming that the average cruise ship travels at about 19 knots, or roughly 21 miles per hour, it would cover 504 miles in 24 hours.
However, it’s important to remember that the vessels also slow down at points due to sea conditions or because their itinerary includes port-of-call visits, which is why the average tends to sit between 400 and 500 miles.
Naturally, when they approach a port, they significantly reduce their speed to comply with port regulations.
Typical Distances Covered
Cruise Ships Docked in Nassau, Bahamas (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks)
To give you an idea of how far a cruise ship will travel in a day, here are a few examples of average distances covered in various regions.
A Caribbean cruise from Miami to Nassau in the Bahamas would cover roughly 185 nautical miles, easily achievable at standard speeds in a day. Since these cruise itineraries usually involve island hopping, the distance covered per day is much lower than that of traveling much greater distances.
If you’re talking about a typical Alaska cruise, distances covered daily can be even shorter. This is because the main ports are relatively close to each other.
In fact, the entire Alaska portion of an Inside Passage voyage only measures around 500 miles, so ships tend to travel at a more leisurely pace. Plus, the entire purpose of an Alaska cruise is to take in the scenery, so it only makes sense to travel shorter distances per day at a slower pace.
Now, if you’re talking about transatlantic voyages, like a voyage from New York to Southampton in England, the journey would span about 3,150 nautical miles, which most cruise ships will try to cover in 7 days. To meet that schedule, they must cover roughly 450 nautical miles daily.
Fastest Cruise Ships on Record
SS United States Departs (Photo Credit: SS United States Conservancy – Hampton Roads Chapter)
Although almost every type of cruise ship prioritizes passenger comfort over speed, some were designed to cover huge distances at a faster speed than the average vessel.
While she is an ocean liner rather than a cruise ship, SS United States traveled at speeds of over 38 knots, or roughly 44 mph. This pace was achieved during her maiden voyage in 1952, making her the fastest ocean liner.
Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 is the current fastest ocean liner, achieving a maximum speed of 30 knots, roughly 35 mph. While these speeds are definitely impressive, it’s important to remember that both ships are actually classed as ocean liners, so they’re not technically the resort-style cruise ships most people think of when they book a cruise.
This is simply because the two types of passenger vessels are designed for different purposes. Ocean liners cover massive distances to transport passengers from one side of the ocean to the other, while cruise ships meander from port to port, providing guests with a more relaxed vacation-style experience.
If you’re strictly discussing cruise ships, most of the larger ones, like Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas, have a top speed between 22 and 24 knots. Again, most rarely hit their top speed, but thanks to their powerful propulsion systems, they can exceed their usual 18 to 20-knot speeds.
What Factors Affect a Cruise Ship’s Speed?
Since there is some variation between the speeds cruise ships travel, you might wonder what factors impact this. Here’s a quick overview:
The Size of the Ship and Engine Type
Photo Credit: Ihor Koptilin / Shutterstock
Larger cruise ships require more powerful engines, which means they can achieve higher top speeds. On the other hand, more modern vessels are also designed to conserve fuel and reduce emissions, so they typically prioritize fuel economy, which means running at slower and more consistent speeds.
Weather and Sea Conditions
Cruise Ship in Stormy Weather (Photo Credit: Ana del Castillo)
As you probably guessed, the weather and sea conditions can slow a cruise ship down. Rough conditions or choppy waters usually mean cruise ships move at slower speeds, both for the safety and comfort of the ship’s passengers.
In some cases, avoiding severe weather conditions can mean it will travel at faster speeds.
Itinerary Planning
Since cruise itineraries are carefully planned ahead of time to ensure timely arrivals at various ports, adjusting the ship’s speed can help a cruise ship maintain its schedule.
Environmental Conditions and Speed Limits
Certain areas also have speed limits enforced, both for the ships’ safety and the environment’s protection. This tends to be more of a factor when cruise ships travel near coastlines, which could be designated as protected marine environments.
See You on the Fastest Ship!
Even though cruise ships are usually capable of traveling at faster speeds, a number of factors mean they usually maintain a slower average speed.
Just like every aspect of the cruise industry, a cruise ship’s speed is carefully planned ahead of time. From maximizing passenger comfort to minimizing fuel consumption, the cruise industry balances these complexities perfectly.
The cruise industry continues to see a rush of excitement and record-breaking bookings – but cruise guests haven’t been rushing to Bermuda.
The Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA) is reporting a staggering 68.7% decrease in the number of cruise passengers that made it to the Atlantic Island in the first quarter of 2025.
Specifically, 13,368 cruise guests sailed to Bermuda between January and March across what was supposed to be ten ship calls.
While this may sound like a lot, it is actually a big decline from the 42,715 cruisers who visited during the same time period in 2024 and the 22,784 passengers who called in 2023.
Although the Bermuda cruise season is most active from April to November, cruise lines sail to the destination year-round – with ten cruise ships originally scheduled to visit the port in the first quarter.
However, the most updated port scheduleshows that four of the ships – P&O Cruises’ Ventura and Aurora, Cunard Line’s Queen Victoria, and Regent Seven Seas’ Grandeur – cancelled their planned calls.
It’s not clear why the cancellations occurred, but it is most likely related to the gale force windsthat are common during this time of year and make docking in the Royal Naval Dockyard unsafe.
But these scrapped calls meant that no cruise ships visited Bermuda in January, only ship one came in February, and the remaining five visited in March.
It’s also not uncommon for the expected number of ship calls to vary from year to year as the cruise lines are constantly trying to adjust itineraries to meet the demand from cruisers, while also accounting for factors like port availability.
The way the numbers worked out is that 179 ship calls are projected for 2025 as a whole – which is down from the 190 expected calls in 2024 and the 224 anticipated ship calls in 2023.
The actual numbers of visits usually varies, with the port really receiving 174 calls last year and 183 in 2023 – which suggests the total number for this year will be lower than projected as well.
Hope for Stronger Numbers
Despite a dismal first quarter, The Hon. Wayne L. Furbert, JP, MP, Bermuda’s Minister of Transport, expressed optimism for the upcoming cruise season at the beginning of the year.
“We are excited to welcome visitors from around the world to experience the beauty and hospitality of Bermuda. The cruise ship industry is a vital part of our tourism sector, and we are committed to ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for all passengers,”Minister Fubert said in a January press release.
He likely is right to be optimistic – as the remaining 169 ship calls for the year are primarily scheduled between April 2025 and November 2025 – with just two calls expected to close out the year in December.
Carnival Cruise Ships Docked in Bermuda (Photo Credit: EWY Media)
Bermuda also has contracts in place with ships that routinely call on the cruise port. Some ships are only expected to visit a few times, such as NCL’s Norwegian Prima.
However, other regular contract ships – such as Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas – are expected to call 20 and 21 times, respectively.
Meanwhile, the cruise industry as a whole has been continuing to strengthen year over year. A recent report from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) estimates that a record-breaking 37.7 million people are expected to take a cruise vacation this year.
That number is expected to continue to increase in coming years – with early predictions estimating that 39.6 people will cruise in 2026, 40.9 million will cruise in 2027, and 41.9 million will cruise in 2028.
As the industry continues to grow, it only makes sense that ports around the world – including Bermuda – will reap the benefits.
If you can pre-select your seat on an airplane, why can’t you pre-select your seat for dinner on a cruise ship?
This is something that one future Carnival guest has asked Brand Ambassador John Head on his public Facebook page – as she is worried that her and her husband’s weight will prevent them from fitting comfortably in a booth.
In order to save herself the embarrassment of requesting a new table once onboard, she was hoping to guarantee in advance that her family of four would not be assigned to a booth in the main dining room.
“We are booked for Legend for August…DH (Darling Husband), myself, and two grand kids. Darling husband and myself are fluffy people. I would rather say fluffy than large and we really do not feel comfortable in a booth,” the anonymous guest wrote to Heald.
It’s true that Carnival Legend’smain dining room, called Truffles, does have a mix of tables and booths. But there are a variety of seating options at the two-level venue to cater to different types of cruisers.
“As this is our first Carnival cruise, is there a way we can request a table instead of a booth…I don’t see why we cannot go on the app and choose a table before the cruise. This is what we can do with an airline seat when we fly,” she continued.
The guest then proceeded to comment on Heald’s own weight, calling him “fluffy” as well, as a way to drive home her point about needing a proper table.
But despite the insult, Heald did go out of his way to make sure the woman’s table preference would be honored – and noted that he is able to assist with some requests as long as he receives the request and booking details at least five days before embarkation day.
However, it’s important to note that these requests cannot always be accommodated. If cruisers were always allowed to pick their own seating, the dining rooms would descend into chaos – with some chairs and tables not used when they should be or resulting in longer wait times for other passengers.
Assigning Tables is Challenging
Deciding who should sit where in the main dining room is always a challenge – sort of akin to the ultimate game of Tetris.
Lots of factors come into play when the assignments are being made, such as keeping travel parties together and if guests have expressed a preference for private dining or sitting with other passengers – which can be indicated in the HUB App.
They are also balancing seating assignments for two different fixed meal times, as well as “wildcards” who choose “Your Time Dining” and may arrive for dinner anytime between 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. rather than at a specific time.
Carnival Cruise Line Dining Room (Credit: Carnival)
The reservation managers, or Maitre D’s as they are sometimes called, go through a complex process of sorting out seating for the following cruise during the current cruise – using a complicated computer software to help sort out all the details.
“It’s all quite a big process to say the least and my understanding of it is only that it is truly complicated,”Heald summarized.
Although there are no guarantees, guests who require a specific seating assignment may be able to email the Maitre D in advance or contact customer service – especially if the request is being made due to a disability.
Once onboard, guests who are unhappy with their seating assignments may approach the Maitre D desk for assistance.
Alternatively, cruisers may have more luck with specific seating requests at the specialty restaurants onboard.
Carnival Cruise Line had a bright idea for improving the cabins onboard Carnival Valor while she was in dry dock – and cruise fans will be glad to know that the change will soon be implemented fleet-wide.
In addition to many other exciting enhancements, Carnival Valor re-entered service after about a month in dry dock on June 11, 2025 – with new lamps in her 1,492 passenger staterooms.
However, these aren’t just any lighting features. These lamps come equipped with an extra plug, a USB outlet, and a USB-C port – which is used by all Apple iPhones after the iPhone 15 model.
Anyone who has ever cruised before knows that plugs are limited in cruise cabins – and charging devices can become complicated, especially when traveling with a bigger family or group. Therefore, extra places to charge is always a welcomed change.
“We added these new lamps on the Carnival Valor during dry dock and will be doing this to other ships in future dry docks. They have USB and ummmm the smaller one and a power plug for things like CPAP perhaps,”Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald shared on Facebook.
The exact timeline for when the other ships in the fleet will get these new lamps has not been announced, but it sounds like it will be soon – and in some cases – has already happened.
While the lights could be switched out on turnaround day when guests are disembarking and embarking, it’s also possible that the cruise line will wait for upcoming dry dock visits.
But if this still isn’t enough plugs for you – or the lamps haven’t been replaced before your next sailing – rest assured that you can also bring a power strip with extra plugs or a multi-plug USB outlet.
Even though competitors like Royal Caribbean have added these mutli-plug devices to their “prohibited items” list, Carnival has made it clear that they have no plans to follow suit with a ban of their own.
A Welcomed Change
Heald’s Facebook post was met with much enthusiasm, with more than 10,000 cruise fans sounding off in the comments section to express their happiness.
“It saves me running an extension cord across the floor so I can plug in my phone which I use as a clock at night,”one cruiser said.
Not only do many people use their phone as a clock, but it may also double as an alarm clock in the morning – and most groggy cruisers do not want to immediately leap out of bed to turn off the sound.
“So useful on the Glory back in February!! Gave our group of 6 split between 2 rooms AMPLE charging places,”another recent Carnival guest added.
But in addition to adding an extra convenience for cruisers, it also makes life a lot easier for guests who require a CPAP machine to sleep safely at night – which are used by an estimated 8 million people (at least) within the US.
Thanks to the additional bedside plug, it will now be easy to plug in CPAP machines on the nightstand instead of running cumbersome extension cords across the room.
One cruiser exclaimed: “Yes!!! Nothing ruines the flow of a room like a taped down extension cord for our CPAPS!”
Another chimed in: “Yes!! Then my husband won’t need an extension cord to plug in his CPAP and me trying not to trip over it in the middle of the night!!!!”
This also isn’t the first time Carnival has tried to make life easier for its CPAP-using clientele.
Toward the end of last year, the brand introduced the ability to pre-purchase distilled water – which CPAP machines require to produce the correct humidity for airway lubrication.
If you’re traveling on a Norwegian Cruise Line ship in the Caribbean Sea, there’s a good chance you will visit Harvest Caye, which is a private island owned by the cruise line. Located just off the coast of Southern Belize, the island paradise offers NCL guests stunning natural beauty, relaxation, and plenty of opportunities for adventure.
Harvest Caye is located just 1.5 miles south of the Placencia Peninsula along the southeast coast of Belize. As mentioned, Harvest Caye is only accessible to ships belonging to Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL).
Thanks to a single pier that stretches out from the northern tip of the island, NCL cruise ships can dock directly at this 75-acre oasis rather than using tender boats.
Aerial View of NCL’s Harvest Caye (Photo Credit: tantzi13)
While the pier can only accommodate one cruise ship at a time, it allows guests to disembark much more easily and get the most out of their time there.
Thanks in part to its convenient location along the Caribbean Sea, twelve ships from Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet regularly list a port of call visit to Harvest Caye in their itineraries.
Beach, Pool & Relaxation
Harvest Caye Beach (Photo Credit: PQK)
While the island of Harvest Caye is stunning, it has much more to offer than just gorgeous scenery. The first time I visited, I assumed it would look like any other cruise port in the Caribbean, but there are actually so many unique things to do and see.
In fact, I almost felt like I didn’t have enough time to do everything I wanted, which is why knowing what to expect is so useful for first-time visitors.
To make it easier for you to get the most out of your visit, I will break down Harvest Caye’s main highlights, starting with its picture-perfect beach.
The Beach
Loungers on Harvest Caye Beach (Photo Credit: James R. Martin)
The well-maintained white-sand beach spans a full 7 acres, making it the perfect location if you’re hoping to soak up the sun.
I absolutely loved the beachside cabanas, which can accommodate up to six guests at a time. And if lounging on a comfy cabana and listening to the waves isn’t enough, optional concierge food and beverage services are available.
Do yourself a favor and order a round of your favorite rum cocktails right to your cabana—it’s the ultimate way to indulge and unwind.
For those looking to keep costs down, plenty of complimentary beach loungers are available. The beach is also lined with ample private, air-conditioned bathrooms.
Like any good Caribbean beach, it is fully lined with shady palm trees, and the water is a beautiful turquoise. Whether you want to take a quick nap or splash around in the water, Harvest Caye’s beach is something you won’t want to miss.
The Lagoon and Marina
Lagoon (Photo Credit: RaksyBH)
A partially enclosed saltwater lagoon is also the perfect venue for trying out watersports. I tried paddle boarding for the first time, but you can also rent electric float boats, sea kayaks, and snorkeling gear.
Just beyond the lagoon, you’ll also find a large marina hosting a food and bar area. This is also where you can book some of the many shore excursions on offer at Harvest Caye, like the above-mentioned watersports experiences, fishing trips, and parasailing.
The Resort-Style Swimming Pool
Swimming Pool at Harvest Caye (Photo Credit: James R. Martin)
One of the island’s other major attractions is a 15,000-square-foot pool, which features a swim-up bar, a man-made waterfall, and complimentary access for all visitors. The swim-up bar was the main highlight for me, as it gave me the full resort experience that is sometimes missing from a cruise vacation.
If swimming isn’t your thing, there are plenty of shaded areas surrounding the pool and plenty of lounge chairs. If you’re traveling with children, the pool area is perfect.
Relaxation Vibes
Beer Stand on the Island (Photo Credit: RaksyBH)
I know I just said the beach is one of my favorite things about visiting Harvest Caye, but what really has me wanting to go back is how relaxing the entire experience is.
For starters, I found navigating the entire island really easy. With clear signage and a well-planned layout, exploring is a stress-free experience. It’s also well-staffed, which might explain why the entire island feels so clean and organized.
From strolling through the shopping village to finding bathroom facilities, everything just seemed straightforward, giving the island a really relaxing and inviting atmosphere.
While I definitely love experiencing different cultures and the more authentic experience I get when visiting Caribbean towns, visiting Harvest Caye is just easy. Plus, it’s totally safe, which isn’t something that can be taken for granted in that part of the world.
Things to Do in Harvest Caye
While relaxation is certainly a theme at Harvest Caye, that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to do on the island. Again, to help you properly plan your visit, here are the main highlights:
Adventure Activities
Harvest Caye Zip Line (Photo Credit: RaksyBH)
If you’re looking for excitement, the zip line experience offered at the 136-foot-high Flighthouse isn’t something you’ll want to miss. With 3,000 feet of zip line ropes available, it’s an amazing experience and a great way to see everything the island has to offer from above.
If you’re not feeling quite up to the full zip-lining experience, or you just want to save a few bucks, I’d still highly recommend climbing the Flighthouse, as there’s a free observation deck that’s definitely worth checking out. You can even see the mainland from there on a clear day!
Wildlife Experiences
Belize Sign (Photo Credit: James R. Martin)
While Harvest Caye definitely has a well-manicured look and feel, the island still offers plenty for nature lovers hoping to enjoy the natural ecosystem and wildlife.
The lagoon is home to a huge variety of tropical fish and turtle species, as well as plenty of sea birds in the trees that surround it.
Visiting the aviary allows you to view toucans and parrots, which are both native to the island. You can also explore the Blue Morpho Butterfly Garden, a sanctuary facility housing numerous species of butterflies, including the enormous Blue Morpho, for which the building is named.
Water Sports
Water Activities (Photo Credit: richard pross)
The island’s natural saltwater lagoon is the perfect spot to try a variety of water sports. There are marked off areas where visitors can snorkel and scuba dive in the clear waters.
As well as calm waters for paddleboarding and kayaking. For adrenaline junkies, the jet ski rentals can also be found on the north side of the lagoon, but there are speed limits in the lagoon itself, so visitors will do most of their jet skiing beyond the lagoon.
Personally, I found paddleboarding to be one of the highlights of my entire vacation. It was a new experience for me and a truly peaceful way to experience the island’s natural beauty.
Plus, it was a bit of a workout, which made me feel less guilty about eating an enormous burger on the rooftop patio at LandShark Bar & Grill afterwards.
Excursions Beyond the Island
Docked Tour Boats (Photo Credit: RaksyBH)
If you’re interested in exploring the mainland, Harvest Caye almost serves as a sort of gateway to the culture and natural beauty Belize has to offer.
In fact, NCL even offers a ferry from Harvest Caye to Placencia. A round-trip journey costs $25, which was a bit of a disappointment, given that I assumed it would be complimentary, but it’s definitely worth it if you want a more authentic island experience.
Like any excursions offered at Harvest Caye, you can purchase your ferry tickets before you arrive by visiting the excursion desk on your cruise ship. With a hard limit of only 400 tickets available per day, booking ahead of time is definitely a good idea if you want to explore beyond the island.
While the ferry is the most budget-friendly way to venture off the island, there are numerous excursions offered through NCL that will take you beyond Harvest Caye, including guided trips to Mayan ruins, river tubing adventures, and ATV tours to Cayo’s many waterfalls.
Tips for Making the Most of Your Visit
Harvest Caye Entrance (Photo Credit: RaksyBH)
It may be a relatively small island, but you’ll enjoy your visit to Harvest Caye so much more if you plan ahead. Here are a few tips I wish I knew the first time I visited the island:
Bring Cash
Although NCL operates Harvest Caye as a cashless port, meaning you can make most purchases using your cruise card, having some cash available for the local vendors in the shopping village is a great idea.
With locals from the mainland selling authentic, hand-made Belizean goods, you won’t want to find yourself without cash if you spot a souvenir you want.
Plan Your Meals
Unfortunately, NCL’s onboard dining and beverage packages do not extend to the island. If you want to eat or drink at venues like the LandShark Bar & Grill, plan for additional costs.
Book Excursions Ahead of Time
Pier and Island (Photo Credit: RaksyBH)
You’ll want to book your excursions before you get to the island, especially if you plan on going to the mainland. Spots are limited, and they tend to fill up quickly.
I’d even recommend booking your excursions as soon as you board your cruise ship if you want to ensure you have the experience you envision.
Arrive at the Beach and Pool Early
Cruise Passengers Enjoying the Beach (Photo Credit: Natasa Ivancev)
While the beach and the pool have plenty of loungers, shaded areas are somewhat limited. Knowing this, you’ll also want to bring sunscreen with you, especially if you are visiting with small children.
Speaking of kids, all the paths and walkways are paved, so you can bring strollers or scooters. In fact, you can even rent a golf cart if you want to explore the island in the most convenient way possible.
See You at Harvest Caye!
Harvest Caye offers a unique blend of relaxation and adventure. While it lacks some of the more authentic cultural experiences you’ll find elsewhere in the Caribbean, the pristine beach, natural lagoon, huge swimming pool, and simplified layout make it an amazing place to visit.
After completing a 19-night transpacific repositioning voyage, Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth has finally arrived in Seattle for the very first time.
The 90,901 gross-ton vessel arrived on the morning of June 12, 2025, the same day it will embark passengers for its first of many upcoming Alaskan cruises.
Queen Elizabeth’s arrival also marks the first time the ship will homeport in Seattle, expanding the cruise line’s offerings to those passengers interested in luxury sailings out of the Pacific Northwest.
“The Port of Seattle is honored to welcome Cunard and the iconic Queen Elizabeth for their first homeported season in Seattle,”shared Steve Metruck, Port of Seattle’s Executive Director. “This partnership marks a major milestone in our work to expand economic activity and to support local jobs through cruise, and we look forward to advancing together our shared vision for sustainability and responsible tourism.”
“Our view of luxury is rooted in a belief that experiences can be both elegant and relaxed, and our Alaska voyages aboard Queen Elizabeth personify that spirit,” addedLiz Fettes, the Senior Vice President of Commercial for North America at Cunard.
The Alaskan voyages aboard Queen Elizabeth in 2025 will run from June 12 through September 25 — after which the ship will be repositioned to Miami.
There are 11 available round-trip cruises during this time, ranging from 7- to 12 nights long. These sailings will call on Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, Glacier Bay National Park, as well as Victoria in British Columbia.
Passengers will also be able to enjoy the natural beauty of Hubbard Glacier, as well as experience scenic day viewings of the Inside Passage — the world’s longest-sheltered inland waterway.
Those guests on the June 12 sailing will be some of the first to experience the recent upgrades made to Queen Elizabeth, which concluded a dry dock in March of 2025.
Revitalized were the ship’s signature spaces, and the Princess and Queens Grills experiences were elevated.
Those passengers staying in the Grill Suites will find that the rooms are now more expansive and include extra amenities, butler services, and even exclusive access to private restaurants and spaces onboard.
Also exclusive for Grill Suite guests is a new three-course Gala Evening menu designed by Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux.
Among the upgrades to the ship available to all passengers is the Pavilion Wellness Café, a dining experience focused on mindful eating and feel-good food. Here is some good news — breakfast and lunch at this location are complimentary.
Queen Elizabeth Ship Arriving in Seattle
What is sadly not free is the three bespoke journeys available at the Harper’s Bazaar Wellness at Sea program.
The recover, energize, and relax packages are curated and include a selection of ELEMIS products, nutritious smoothies, wellness treatments, and rejuvenating masterclasses.
Beyond the upgrades, there are some experiences available exclusively for the Alaskan cruises on Queen Elizabeth.
This includes an enriching speaker series with the Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS), which will feature experts sharing insights on the region.
There will be a second speaker series with 11 local Alaskans called “Locals Onboard,” including a Denali expeditionist, a master Tlingit dance group, local historians, artists, and photographers.
To further honor Cunard’s presence in the Pacific Northwest, guests onboard will get to enjoy locally sourced wine from Charles Smith Wines, Double Canyon, Goose Ridge, Canoe Ridge Estate, and Elsom Cellars.
While Queen Elizabeth will reposition to Miami in September of 2025, the ship will be back homeporting in Seattle again beginning in May of 2026, offering more Alaskan voyages.
Princess Cruises is upping its game in Singapore for the 2026-27 season, adding a second ship to the homeport as it aims to boost its presence in the growing Asia cruise market.
Essentially doubling its capacity, the cruise line announced it will deploy Sapphire Princess to Singapore starting in October 2026, joining Diamond Princess, which has been sailing from Singapore on a seasonal basis for the last two years and is headed there again for the 2025-26 season.
Sapphire Princess and Diamond Princess are sister ships in the line’s Gem class, each with a capacity for 2,670 guests in double occupancy. They both entered service in 2004.
It will not be the first time that the two vessels were based in Singapore at the same time; both ships operated from the port during the 2018-19 season. In fact, Sapphire Princess became the first in the fleet to homeport at Singapore and was based there seasonally from 2014 to 2020.
Sapphire Princess will sail a 33-night repositioning cruise from Los Angeles to Singapore on November 22, 2026, calling at ports in Hawaii, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Vietnam. The sailing includes the Christmas holiday and concludes on December 26, 2026.
The ship will sail a total of 18 itineraries from Singapore, including a lengthy, 42-night Japan & Southeast Asia Grand Adventure. This sailing departs on February 6, 2027 and has a 14-night segment that includes the New Year holiday.
The shorter segment calls at Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Langkawi, Malaysia; Phuket, Ko Samui, and Bangkok, Thailand; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; and Sihanoukville, Cambodia.
Her roster of Southeast Asia departures is scheduled through late February 2027.
Sapphire Princess’s final departure from Singapore is a 14-night Southeast Asia & Japan with Halong Bay cruise, which concludes in Tokyo on March 6, 2027. Featured port calls are Nha Trang and Halong Bay, Vietnam; Hong Kong; Taiwan; and Ishigaki and Nagasaki, Japan.
Halong Bay is featured on most itineraries operated by both ships. The destination is known for its rainforests and beaches, and is a favorite with scuba divers, rock climbers, and hikers.
Diamond Princess to Sail From Singapore Until March 2027
The cruise line revealed some details of Diamond Princess’s2026-27 Singapore season earlier this year. Before deploying to Singapore, the ship will operate an extended season in Japan, sailing 7- to 28-day voyages from February to November 2026.
Her repositioning cruise to Singapore will be a 24-night Japan & Southeast Asia with Halong Bay sailing that departs Tokyo on November 25, 2026. The voyage calls at ports such as Kagoshima, Nagasaki, and Ishigaki, Japan; Taiwan; Hong Kong; and several destinations in Vietnam.
Diamond Princess Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Anton Balashov)
Once she launches her Singapore sailings, Diamond Princess will offer 11 voyages until March 2027. The itineraries feature 28 destinations and include holiday cruises.
A combination Christmas and New Year cruise departs Singapore on December 9, 2026. The 24-night Malaysia, Thailand & Vietnam with Halong Bay cruise visits ports in Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia.
Diamond Princess’s seasonal deployment to Singapore concludes in mid-March 2027.
Princess Cruises, a Carnival Corporation brand, has a fleet of 17 ships sailing global itineraries. The line’s newest ship is Sun Princess, which launched in 2024.
