Celebrating her 250th (a Quarter Millennial!) in 2026, Carnival Cruise Line is going to throw a party like never before.
In 2026, the cruise line will sail 10 special voyages to mark America’s big 2-5-0, giving guests a chance to honor the occasion at sea.
The cruises, ranging from 3- to 8-days, will depart from Miami, Port Canaveral, and Jacksonville, Florida; New York City; and Long Beach and San Francisco, California.
The highlight will be when seven east coast ships gather near the cruise line’s newest private destination, Celebration Key in the Bahamas, set to open in July 2025, and three west coast ships converge near Ensenada, Mexico, on July 4, 2026 – the day of America’s independence.
Independence Day celebrations will include patriotic-themed deck parties, onboard entertainment, and special food and drink options to enhance the festivities, with more details to come in future months.
“We’re America’s cruise line, and we’re commemorating this milestone in a big way!”said Carnival Cruise Line’s President Christine Duffy.“Uniting our ships will multiply the fun and make America’s 250th birthday even more memorable for guests who celebrate at sea.”
The special sailings opened for booking on November 21, 2024.
Coast-to-Coast Carnival Cruises Bring the Party to Sea
The special birthday voyages aboard Carnival Cruise Line ships begin on the East Coast, where itineraries include several 3- and 4-day options for partygoers seeking a shorter getaway.
Carnival Conquest and Carnival Glory, which can each accommodate 2,980 guests, will sail 3-day cruises to Celebration Key from Miami and Port Canaveral, respectively, both departing July 3, 2026.
Four-day options include the 2,984-passenger Carnival Sunrise from Miami and the 2,190-guest Carnival Elation from Jacksonville, with departures on July 2, 2026. These routes will also visit Celebration Key as well as Nassau, Bahamas.
Longer options are also available, such as a 7-day Eastern Caribbean cruise aboard Carnival Celebration, departing Miami with up to 5,374 passengers on June 28, 2026.
This itinerary, which also stops in Celebration Key, calls on Carnival’s other private destination, Amber Cove near Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic. It will also visit Nassau and Grand Turk in the Turks & Caicos.
Carnival Cruise Line, America’s 250th Birthday
Carnival Vista and its 3,934 guests will depart from Port Canaveral on June 27, 2026, for an 8-day itinerary that includes San Juan, Puerto Rico, and St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. Of course, it will also spend a day in both Amber Cove and Celebration Key.
Northeastern guests can get in on the party by spending 8 days with Carnival, departing New York City on July 1, 2026. The 4,090-passenger Carnival Venezia’s voyage will visit Nassau, Celebration Key, and Half Moon Cay, the private destination owned by Holland America Line, which is owned by Carnival Corporation.
On the west coast, options include the 4,126-guest Carnival Firenze’s 3-day Baja Mexico cruise from Long Beach, departing July 3, 2026, and Carnival Luminosa’s 4-day sailing from San Francisco with up to 2,826 passengers, departing July 2, 2026. Both itineraries feature a stop in Ensenada.
Meanwhile, 2,984-passenger Carnival Radiance will sail a 5-day Mexican Riviera cruise departing Long Beach on June 30, 2026, with calls at Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada.
Alas, although Carnival also homeports in Galveston, Texas; Baltimore, Maryland; Tampa, Florida; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Seattle, Washington, departures are not coinciding with the celebration.
It’s not even winter but the countdown to spring is on with MSC Cruises revealing new details about accommodations on its upcoming new vessel, MSC World America, debuting in April 2025.
The ship, designed to cater specifically to the US cruiser, will offer guests 19 stateroom categories, making this one of the most versatile ships in the fleet.
Options range from family staterooms with connecting rooms to ultra-luxurious Owner’s Suites in the exclusive MSC Yacht Club.
“Each stateroom on MSC World America is designed with care and attention to detail, mixing MSC Cruises’ European style with American comfort to create the perfect place to relax and rejuvenate after an exciting day exploring ashore,”said MSC Cruises.
At the pinnacle of luxury will be the Owner’s Suites. Spanning more than 1,600 square feet, each suite includes a large bedroom with a walk-in closet, a lavish bathroom with an imperial bathtub, and a separate living and dining area.
Guests in these suites can unwind on a private terrace featuring a hot tub and an al fresco dining setup, making them the most opulent accommodations in the MSC Cruises’ fleet.
The Duplex Suites, also part of the MSC Yacht Club, will span two levels for a home-away-from-home feel. The lower level includes a dining area, a living room, and a guest bathroom, while the upper level features a spacious bedroom with its own bathroom. Some of these suites will offer two-level private sundecks with hot tubs.
For families, the Connecting Family Staterooms connect through internal doors, while passengers wanting to stay in the heart of the action will find Promenade View Balcony Staterooms that overlook MSC World America’s outdoor promenade.
MSC World America Connecting Suite (Photo Credit: MSC Cruises)
Meanwhile, the Infinite Ocean View Staterooms, exclusive to MSC Cruises’ World Class ships, will feature a panoramic sliding window that transforms into a glass balcony railing to blur the line between indoors and outdoors and provide uninterrupted views of the horizon.
Additionally, the vessel offers three interior cabin options, ranging from 107 to 161 square feet; three ocean-view options across Decks 5 through 14, ranging from 129 to 215 square feet; and five types of balcony staterooms across Decks 9 through 16, ranging from 172 to 182 square feet.
Seven suite styles, found on Decks 9 through 16, may come with a private hot tub and balcony. These suites, beginning with the Grand Suite Aurea and extending to Deluxe Suite Aurea, span from 215 to 377 square feet.
Exclusive MSC Yacht Club suites, found on Decks 15 to 21, range in size from 161 to 1,119 square feet.
MSC World America Will Debut in April 2025
MSC World America is scheduled to set sail on its inaugural voyage on April 12, 2025, offering a range of 7- and 14-night Caribbean itineraries from Miami.
MSC World America at Shipyard (Photo Credit: Emrys Thakkar)
Beyond the ship-within-a-ship MSC Yacht Club district, guests will find a family area; an adults-only “zen” area; the Aqua Deck, which will be home to two pools that transform into an entertainment venue by night; and the Galleria shopping and dining hub.
The World Promenade, a highlight of the vessel, will surround an impressive 11-deck spiral dry slide and offer oceanfront dining and entertainment options, while The Terraces will combine retail outlets with dining venues and nighttime attractions like a karaoke bar and comedy club.
MSC World America is currently in the outfitting stage of construction at Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France. Get a sneak peek from the shipyard here.
Inclement weather is affecting guests onboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Viva as the ship sails the Western Mediterranean on an 11-night voyage that departed from Rome on November 18, 2024.
Bound for Lisbon, Portugal, the ship was to call at 10 popular ports in Italy, France, Spain, and the UK, but rough weather conditions have prompted the line to alter Norwegian Viva’s itinerary.
Under a revised itinerary, the ship will call at just eight ports, and add one day at sea plus an overnight in Barcelona in a bid to avoid heavy rain and windy conditions along the Italian, French, and Spanish coasts.
Cut from the itinerary are three in-demand destinations — Livorno, Italy, the port for Florence; and Nice and Marseille, France, gateway to Provence.
“Unfortunately, due to heavily deteriorating weather conditions in the North Tyrrhenian Sea and French Riviera, including the Gulf of Lion, our scheduled call to Livorno, Italy, and Nice and Provence, France, have been cancelled.
While the weather is outside our control, we share your disappointment and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause,” a notice distributed to Norwegian Viva guests said.
The National Weather Service forecast for the Riviera region from Italy to Spain calls for heavy rain and winds up to 22 miles per hour during the coming days. A Moderate Warning for wind is in effect for the coastal area of Nice, France, through midnight November 23, 2024.
Norwegian Viva was to call at Livorno on November 20, 2024 and remain in port from 9:15 am to 8:30 pm. Instead, the ship called at the port of Palermo, Sicily, visiting from 8 am to 7 pm. Nice, France, was on the itinerary for November 21, 2024, from 8 am to 6 pm, however, the ship spent the day at sea instead.
Rather than call at Marseille, France, on November 22, 2024, from 6 am to 6 pm, the ship will dock at Barcelona at 8 am and remain there overnight, departing on the morning of November 23, 2024.
Norwegian Viva Ship (Photo Credit: GEORGE STAMATIS)
After that, weather permitting, the itinerary will continue as originally planned, with calls to Palma De Majorca, Ibiza, Motril, and Cadiz, Spain, on November 24 to 27, 2024, followed by a final call to Gibraltar, UK, on November 28, 2024 before the cruise ends in Lisbon the next day.
The notice to guests pointed out that cruisers can look forward to exploring Sicily’s history, cuisine, and culture during the port call there, as well as experience an immersive overnight visit to Barcelona, world renowned for its architecture and rich cultural attributes.
Cruise Line Offers Onboard Credit, Discount on Future Cruise
Norwegian Cruise Line will attempt to blunt its guests’ disappointment by providing a $100 onboard credit per stateroom plus a 15% discount on a future cruise, which will be applied as a Future Cruise Credit. The credit will be valid starting on December 4, 2024 and is good for any published cruise departing through December 31, 2025.
Norwegian Viva is the line’s second Prima-class ship and entered service in 2023. Accommodating 3,200 guests, the ship was christened at PortMiami almost exactly a year ago, on November 28, 2023.
The ship features Norwegian Cruise Line’s largest inside, ocean view, and balcony cabins in addition to a large variety of suites.
Specialty restaurants include Food Republic, the Asian-Latin fusion eatery; Cagney’s Steakhouse, an American classic; Hasuki, serving Japanese dishes; Le Bistro, for French specialties; and Los Lobos, offering Mexican favorites, among other venues.
The Port of Dover has closed out its 2024 cruise season and although it hasn’t released final numbers, it looks to be one of the English port’s busiest.
After a final call by AIDA Cruises’ AIDAluna on November 7, 2024 – the same vessel that kicked off the season on April 3, 2024 – the predominantly ferry-focused port announced it is becoming a major player in UK’s cruise tourism, servicing over 20 cruise lines this year.
AIDA Cruises was the port’s biggest supporter, making six port calls to Dover with three ships carrying up to 2,050 passengers on each visit.
These included the AIDAdiva, AIDAbella, and AIDAluna, the latter of which recently set sail for Spain before heading to the Caribbean for the winter.
The port’s season featured several milestones, including inaugural visits by Viking Ocean’s Viking Saturn, Seabourn’s Seabourn Venture, Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Symphony, TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 4, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines’ Borealis, and the French cruise liner Renaissance.
These calls brought in thousands of visitors eager to visit the area known for its stunning White Cliffs and its proximity to historic attractions like Dover Castle and Canterbury Cathedral.
On two separate occasions, the port hosted three ships simultaneously, with its western dock berth providing direct access for guests to Dover’s marina and nearby waterfront attractions.
“It’s been a brilliant season, which has seen us welcome a diverse range of cruise ships of all sizes, multiple berths in use, wonderful inaugural call celebrations, and our long-standing customers returning for large sets of calls,” said Peter Wright, head of cruise at the Port of Dover.
Wright continued by expressing excitement for 2025 and thanking “our brilliant team here for working so hard to provide our guests with an exceptional welcome, and to our cruise lines for choosing Dover.”
Looking Ahead
Dover is already preparing for an even stronger 2025 cruise season, highlighted by Holland America Line’s 99,863-gross-ton Nieuw Statendam, accommodating over 2,660 guests, homeporting at the port beginning April 19.
The ship, which is scheduled to stay in Dover through October 16, 2026, will offer a variety of itineraries, beginning with a Canary and British Islands cruise, as well as voyages across Northern European ports.
Fred Olsen, which first arrived in August 2024 with the 1,400-passenger Borealis, will resume homeport operations earlier in 2025. The vessel will begin a season on May 28 with a mixture of Scandinavian and Mediterranean journeys.
Carnival Cruise Line will also position a ship from Dover, bringing its 2,124-passenger Carnival Miracle to port beginning May 18, 2025. Its itineraries to parts of Scandinavia and Spain will continue through August 10, 2025, and will resume in the summer of 2026.
Viking Oceans is already set to return to Dover, as well, with multiple ships carrying over 900 passengers scheduled to visit.
Port of Dover and Nieuw Statendam (Photo: Port of Dover)
Viking Vela will be the first ship of the 2025 season to call at the port when it arrives on March 25, 2025, during a 14-night British Isles voyage.
It will return to port throughout the season, joined by Viking Jupiter and Viking Saturn, both of which first arrive in June.
Furthermore, Viking Sky will call on the port during its 179-night World Cruise. Dover will serve as the extended voyage’s last port of call on May 4, 2025, before it concludes in London.
The vessel will then embark on a series of British Isles voyages, returning to Dover on numerous occasions.
Saga Cruises’ Spirit of Adventure, arriving May 9, 2025, and Seabourn’s Seabourn Sojourn, setting off on May 31, 2025, will also make Dover a homeport in 2025 with continuous offerings around the British Isles and Scandinavia.
Norwegian Cruise Line is alerting booked guests and their travel agents that scores of voyages during the winter 2025-26 season have been cancelled. In total, a whopping 38 sailings on three ships, Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Star, and Norwegian Dawn, have been nixed.
The cancelled cruises were to operate in far-flung regions, from the Caribbean to South America and Antarctica, plus Africa and Arabia. The cruise line offered no reason for the cancellations, which affects voyages between November 2025 and April 2026.
It also has not revealed where the ships, each accommodating 2,300 guests, will be deployed during that timeframe.
Norwegian Cruise Line is automatically refunding cruise fares to the guests’ original form of payment and is offering a 10% discount on another voyage as a Future Cruise Credit.
With the first cancelled voyages still about a year away, guests have plenty of time to rebook for the same timeframe on other Norwegian Cruise Line ships and alter any air arrangements.
However, that will not likely assuage disappointed guests who were looking forward to cruising to exotic destinations like Casablanca, Morocco; Willemstad, Curacao; and Cape Town, South Africa, for example.
What’s Cancelled on Norwegian Jewel?
In the case of Norwegian Jewel, all voyages between November 23, 2025, and April 5, 2026, will no longer operate.
The ship is based in Tampa, Florida, and was scheduled to sail alternating 7- and 14-night cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. Seven-night cruises were to call at Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; Harvest Caye, Belize; and Roatan, Honduras.
The longer option offered port calls to destinations including George Town, Grand Cayman; Oranjestad, Aruba; St Georges, Grenada; St Johns, Antigua; and St Thomas, US Virgin Islands.
Following the last cancelled cruise, Norwegian Jewel will pick up with her previously scheduled itineraries, starting April 16, 2026, following a repositioning to Philadelphia. From that port the ship will sail a series of 7-night cruises to Bermuda and Charleston, South Carolina.
In September 2026, the ship will operate a short series of Canada/New England cruises between Quebec City and Philadelphia. The 10- and 11-night voyages will call at ports such as Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; Sydney and Halifax, Nova Scotia; Bar Harbor and Portland, Maine; and Boston.
Here are Norwegian Star’s Nixed Voyages
Norwegian Star’s cancelled cruises were to operate between November 20, 2025 and April 14, 2026. Her first cancelled sailing was to have been a 14-night repositioning cruise from Lisbon to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, setting up the ship for a winter series in South America and Antarctica.
The repositioning cruise was to call at Tenerife, Canary Islands; Mindelo, Cape Verde; and Recife, Maceio, and Salvador De Bahia, Brazil.
A 14-night cruise that was to combine Antarctica with two South America destinations, Argentina and Chile, is among the cancelled voyages. Also a longer, 16-night itinerary featuring only ports in Argentina and Chile was pulled.
Norwegian Star Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Lukassek / Shutterstock)
Following the cancelled series, Norwegian Star’s first scheduled cruise departs on April 26, 2026, and sails from Lisbon to Southampton, UK. The repositioning sets up the ship’s summer series of voyages between Southampton and Reykjavik, Iceland.
The ship will sail 10- and 11-night Iceland, Norway, and Scotland cruises through summer 2026, calling at Reykjavik, Isafjord, and Akureyri, Iceland; Maloy and Leirvik, Norway; and Invergordon, and Edinburgh, Scotland.
These Norwegian Dawn Cruises Won’t Operate
Norwegian Dawn’s scheduled voyages between November 2, 2025 and April 12, 2026 were cancelled. The first nixed cruise was to be a 21-night Africa: Morocco, Canary Islands & Namibia sailing departing from Barcelona.
Plenty of exotic destinations were on the lengthy itinerary, including Casablanca and Agadir, Morocco; Arrecife and Tenerife, Canary Islands; Dakar, Senegal; Banjul, Gambia; Abidjan, Ivory Coast; Principe, Sao Tome and Principe; Luanda, Angola; and Walvis Bay, Namibia.
Norwegian Dawn’s schedule picks up as planned with an April 19, 2026 cruise from Lisbon to Barcelona. The 7-night itinerary calls at Cadiz and Motril, Spain; Gibraltar, UK; and Ibiza and Palma De Mallorca, Spain.
The ship’s 2026 summer series will offer, as scheduled, 7-night cruises in the Western Mediterranean.
Changes are coming to the way non-UK residents travel to the United Kingdom in 2025, and Norwegian Cruise Line is urging passengers to be ready.
In a letter sent to upcoming guests, the cruise line detailed the UK’s implementation of an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system, which will be required for many passengers disembarking at UK ports or entering England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland by air or sea.
“Please read this communication in its entirety to ensure you are in compliance with all required travel documentation for your upcoming cruise to the United Kingdom, to avoid any chance of being denied boarding,”said Norwegian Cruise Line.
The new mandate, which begins January 8, 2025, for non-European travelers and April 2, 2025, for European nationals, is meant to streamline entry processes into the UK.
Valid for two years or until the expiration of a passport, the new visa will allow for multiple entries and make travel to destinations in the UK more convenient.
The government has announced the electronic visa applications, which will cost of £10 per application, will open on November 27, 2024, for non-European travelers. Visas for European nationals will open on March 5, 2025.
Norwegian is suggesting passengers apply as soon as possible to avoid any issues for sailings in January and beyond.
“The visa can take up to three business days to obtain. As such, guests are strongly encouraged to begin the application process as soon as it become available,”the cruise line said.
Voyages Impacted by the New Requirements
The notice is particularly important for passengers of the 168,028-gross-ton Norwegian Bliss’ upcoming transatlantic voyage.
Departing from Miami on January 4, 2025, before the entry visa is required, the 4,004-passenger ship will arrive in Southampton, England, on January 17, 2025, after the new process begins. This could leave guests stuck without proper paperwork.
Norwegian Breakaway, which accommodates 3,903 guests, will also be making a transatlantic voyage from Miami on February 7, 2025. Arriving in Southampton on February 19, all passengers aboard the 145,655-gross-ton vessel not from the UK or Europe will need an ETA.
Another transatlantic voyage will take place on the 3,099-passenger Norwegian Prima. Departing from New York City on April 27, all non-European and European guests will require the new visas in order to visit Belfast, Northern Ireland, and Liverpool, England, before disembarking in Southampton on May 11, 2025.
UK ETA (Photo Credit: Cristian Storto)
The 143,535-gross-ton ship will begin to offer a series of cruises from between Southampton and Reykjavik between May and August 2025, requiring entry visas.
Additionally, it’s not too early for cruisers who intend to visit the UK in the spring and summer months to apply. NCL ships sailing into Southampton also include the 2,348-passenger Norwegian Star and 2,394-guest Norwegian Pearl.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s sister cruise lines, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas, will be affected by the new mandate. Oceania’s Vista, for example, will be making a journey from Miami to Southampton with a call in the Channel Islands, in late April, when all non-European and European guests will require the new visa.
Certain travelers are exempt from needing ETAs, including those with already-valid UK visas or those with permission to live, work, or study in the UK. Dual citizens with British or Irish citizenship using those passports are also permitted.
Considering the rising tensions in Haiti, some in the cruise community have been left scratching their heads as to why Royal Caribbean would continue sailing to its private destination of Labadee, Haiti.
After three separate commercial planes were shot at in Port-au-Prince in early November, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) prohibited flights to Haiti – while Royal Caribbean doubled down on its decision to return to Labadee.
However, the family-friendly brand has since come forward to assuage safety concerns for guests on cruises bound for the coastal peninsula – which is located on Haiti’s north coast in the Greater Antilles archipelago of the Caribbean Sea.
Royal Caribbean has been reaching out to current guests by sending letters to their staterooms, which explain that Labadee is over 100 miles away from the civil unrest currently unfolding in the capital of the Caribbean country – and the distance helps make it safe.
“Kindly note that the civil unrest taking place in Port-au-Prince is 128 miles south of our private destination, Labadee. The drive, on less-than-idea road conditions, would take more than six and a half hours,” reads one letter delivered to recent guests onboard Explorer of the Seas.
If any ill-intentioned groups or individuals should set their sights on Labadee, the peninsula’s location should give Royal Caribbean plenty of time to take appropriate actions and evacuate guests.
In addition to being far removed from the current chaos,the 260-acre resortis a controlled-access area with private security in place – and is only open to Royal Caribbean guests and employees.
The private beach area is also fenced-off with armed guards protecting it – who are usually kept out of sight but are always looking out for visitors.
As a heavily guarded area that is separated from the general population of Haiti, crime rates are much lower and safety is less of a concern.
“The U.S. Embassy has recognized Labadee as a cruise-exclusive area with private security, low crime, and a place where only standard precautions are needed,” Royal Caribbean confirmed.
The popular cruise brand concluded by reminding guests that safety is always the top priority – and by promising to remain vigilant as the situation within Haiti continues to develop.
Crime and Unrest Remain Prevalent in Haiti
Despite Royal Caribbean’s reassurances, visiting the private destination might still feel a little nerve-wracking – especially as Haiti as a whole has been given the most severe travel advisory from the US government.
Indeed, it has been a rough year for Haiti – with a state of emergency declared in March after around 4,000 dangerous criminals escaped from prisons in Port-Au-Prince and Croix des Bouquet.
Royal Caribbean’s Labadee Destination (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks / Shutterstock)
Soon after, Royal Caribbean did decide to suspend all sailings to Labadee out of an abundance of caution – and didn’t return until October when the cruise line was confident it was safe to do so.
That said, Royal Caribbean has promised to continue to monitor the situation – and is working with both local authorities and its own security teams in order to maintain a clear picture of any possible safety risks.
“We continue to monitor the situation very closely alongside local authorities and our security team…the safety of our guests remains our top priority,”continues the letter from the cruise line.
It also seems that the cruise line is exercising some extra caution by limiting shore excursions for the time being – with some saying their excursions to areas outside of the main resort, such as transportation and tours of the nearby Amiga Island, had been cancelled.
And of course, any passengers who still feel uncomfortable visiting Haiti are not required to go ashore. Guests are always welcomed to stay onboard while in port and enjoy all the amenities and entertainment that their cruise ship has to offer instead – and perhaps with less crowds.
It’s officially that time in the holiday season where we start reflecting on the past year and looking ahead to the next – and the world’s second busiest cruise port is no exception.
As the fiscal year ended on September 30, 2024, the leadership team at Florida’s Port Canaveral have now had a chance to review the numbers for 2024 – and ultimately found increased revenue in all business sectors.
In his annual “State of the Port” address on November 20, 2024, Canaveral Port Authority CEO Capt. John Murray confirmed that the port’s streak of record-breaking growth has indeed continued for another year – and much of the success can be attributed to cruise tourism.
During the 2024 fiscal year, the Orlando-based port earned $191 million in revenue – with cruise operations accounting for $156 million – or around 81% – of the total.
“Cruise continues to be a significant segment of our business portfolio with some of the newest and largest ships in the world based at Port Canaveral. This speaks volumes to the confidence our cruise partners have in our ability to consistently deliver exceptional results for their guests,” Capt. Murray stated.
Throughout the year, Port Canaveral welcomed 7.6 million passengers across 13 homeported ships and 911 cruise ship calls.
This is an approximate 12% increase on the 6.8 million cruise guests welcomed by the port in 2023, which was another record-breaking number at the time, and even more significantly ahead of the just over 4 million passengers that passed through Port Canaveral’s six cruise terminals in 2022.
Over the past year, the port also added new parking facilities – including an 8-story garage and a 6-story garage – and upgraded existing parking processing systems.
A total of 914,000 vehicles took advantage of the now more convenient parking, paying a daily rate of $17 plus tax – which certainly adds up with the number of cars using the garages.
Port CEO Capt. John Murray delivers the 2024 State of the Port presentation from Cruise Terminal 1 (Photo: Canaveral Port Authority)
Growth Expected to Continue in 2025
Port Canaveral is already looking ahead to the future, and is anticipating an even busier and more profitable year in 2025.
The port’s leadership team is projecting annual revenues to grow to $211 million from $191 million, which will largely be helped along by growing cruise operations.
Indeed, the port is anticipating a record-breaking 8.4 million passengers and a greater number of ship calls – 1,030 to be exact – in the new fiscal year.
Additionally, the number of cruise ships that will homeport in the popular port is jumping up from 13 to 16 in the 2025 fiscal year – and includes some of the newest and most exciting ships on the high seas.
Disney Cruise Line, for example, chose Port Canaveral as the first homeport for Disney Treasure– and she just made her debut in Florida on November 12, 2024.
When she officially enters service on December 21, 2024, Disney’s newest addition will use the port as her base as she operates round-trip, 7-night sailings throughout the Eastern and Western Caribbean.
Cruise Ships Docked in Port Canaveral (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks)
Similarly, Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas, which is currently under construction at the Meyer Turku Shipyard in Turku, Finland, will begin her career at Port Canaveral when she enters service in August of 2025.
Like Disney Treasure, Royal Caribbean’s new Icon-class vessel will alternate between week-long sailings to the Western and Eastern Caribbean – and will bring up to 5,610 guests to the port with every voyage.
Last but not least, Princess Cruises and Celebrity Cruises will each be taking advantage of Port Canaveral’s homeporting services for the first time ever.
Caribbean Princess will arrive at her new homeport at the end of November 2024 – arriving just a few days before Celebrity Equinox is expected to dock on December 3, 2024.
The Long Beach Cruise Terminal is operated by Carnival Cruise Corporation and is one of the busiest cruise terminals in Southern California.
Situated near downtown Long Beach and directly beside the iconic Queen Mary, it is a major departure point for Carnival cruise ships traveling to popular West Coast cruise destinations, like the Mexican Riviera and Hawaii.
The Long Beach Cruise Terminal is located roughly 23 miles south of downtown Los Angeles along the waterfront of Long Beach, California.
This strategic location provides visiting cruise ships with straightforward access to the Pacific Ocean, making it an ideal departure point for cruise ships with itineraries that involve traveling south along the Pacific Coast of Mexico, out to the Hawaiian Islands, or even north along the American Pacific Coast.
The cruise terminal is also located just a few miles southwest of the downtown core of Long Beach, making it a convenient location for cruise passengers hoping to do a little bit of sightseeing before boarding their cruise ship.
As mentioned, the cruise terminal is also located directly beside the iconic RMS Queen Mary Ocean Liner, which now operates as a floating hotel and museum, so visiting cruise guests do not have to travel far to see the sights.
Although the Long Beach Cruise Terminal is almost exclusively used by cruise ships owned by Carnival Cruise Line, it is also located just 3 miles from the much larger Port of Los Angeles, frequented by a much wider range of cruise lines. The Port of Los Angeles is also one of the busiest ports in the world, so many cruise passengers depart from this part of California.
Long Beach Cruise Terminal Address:
Long Beach Cruise Terminal, 231 Windsor Way, Long Beach, CA, USA 90802
Which Cruise Lines Use Long Beach Cruise Terminal?
Carnival Firenze in Long Beach, California
As mentioned, Long Beach Cruise Terminal is owned and operated by the Carnival Corporation, so it is exclusively used by ships under the Carnival Cruise Line banner and some of Carnival’s affiliated cruise lines. These include the following:
Carnival Cruise Line
Cunard Line
Princess Cruises
Holland America Line
Costa Cruises
While all the cruise lines listed above belong to the Carnival Corporation and can use the Long Beach Cruise Terminal, it is primarily used by Carnival Cruise Line cruise ships. Other major cruise lines, like Norwegian Cruise Line, depart from the nearby Port of Los Angeles-operated World Cruise Center in San Pedro, California.
Long Beach Cruise Terminal Pier and Terminal
Pier at the Long Beach Cruise Port (Photo Credit: mariakray)
The Long Beach Cruise Terminal consists of a single main pier, which is large enough to dock some of the largest cruise ships in the entire Carnival Cruise Line fleet.
While the pier stretches 1,550 feet and has two cruise ship berths, it is rarely used to dock more than a single cruise ship at any given time, as it was made to accommodate full-sized cruise ships.
The Long Beach Cruise Terminal really stands out because of its unique character. The building is actually a large converted geodesic dome that was previously used as a film location for major Hollywood movies.
Today, this unique, 12-story high domed structure houses all the check-in and security areas required of a major cruise port, but it still retains a truly unique character.
The charm of this former film location is enhanced by the fact that the interior of the terminal building also contains props from movies that were filmed there, as well as photos of the iconic World War II era floating plane prototype, the Spruce Goose, which was once housed inside the dome.
Another unique feature of the Long Beach Cruise Terminal is that visiting cruise passengers find their way to and from the pier by following an elevated bridge, which extends from the interior of the domed terminal building itself.
While there are stairs, the bridge also features elevators at either end, enabling passengers with mobility needs to find their way to and from the terminal building easily.
The unique Long Beach Cruise Terminal offers a wide range of services, ensuring all visiting cruise passengers enjoy a smooth embarkation process. These features include the following:
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Although connection speeds vary, visiting passengers can access complimentary Wi-Fi inside the domed terminal building. Just sign up with a valid email address, and you can enjoy free internet access for a full hour.
Check-in Counters
The domed terminal building is outfitted with plentiful check-in counters, including a separate area for priority boarding, which ensures all guests are processed quickly. There is also a dedicated luggage drop-off area, which functions like an airport.
If you choose to use this service, your bags are taken directly to your cabin or suite, where they will await your arrival. Since the Long Beach Cruise Terminal only deals with Carnival passengers, the check-in process is incredibly streamlined.
Seating Areas
Carnival Corporation made full use of the dome when renovating the structure, so you will find numerous seating areas throughout. The curved benches follow the dome shape, giving the interior a more welcoming atmosphere than a typical cruise terminal building so passengers can easily find a place to relax before boarding.
To the left of the entrance, you will see a spacious seating area decorated with a tropical theme, including fake palm trees and clouds and a large model of the Spruce Goose suspended from the ceiling.
Preferred Suite Waiting Area
Interior of Long Beach Cruise Terminal
A dedicated luxury waiting area exists for Preferred, Platinum, and Suite guests. Lounge chairs, televisions, and a complimentary menu of snacks and drinks await passengers staying in suites or qualifying through Carnival’s VIFP Club.
Full Accessibility
There is also a dedicated wheelchair assistance counter located at the end of the check-in counters. From here, passengers can request assistance with their luggage, borrow a wheelchair, or have dedicated assistance boarding the ship.
Several wheelchair-friendly restrooms are available, ensuring all guests can easily access these facilities. With proof of a valid permit, you can also book handicapped parking, which is located directly beside the terminal building.
Security Desks
Like the check-in counters, the security desks are designed to ensure a simplified and streamlined screening process. They are located immediately after you pass through the main entrance.
Parking at Long Beach Cruise Terminal
Cruise Parking Overview at Long beach Port (Photo Credit: trekandshoot)
Long Beach Cruise Terminal offers its own official on-site parking in a multi-level structure that sits directly adjacent to the domed cruise terminal.
On the off chance that the parking garage is fully booked, several nearby off-site parking options are available to those looking for overnight parking. Here’s a basic breakdown of your parking options:
Official On-Site Parking
As mentioned, parking at Long Beach Cruise Terminal is incredibly straightforward, thanks to a dedicated passenger parking garage. This five-story covered parking garage holds over 1,450 parking spaces.
All vehicles pay a standard rate of $23 per day, but oversized vehicles that take up more than one space will have to make other arrangements. An hourly rate of $4 per hour is charged for vehicles that do not require overnight parking, but the first 30 minutes is free.
There is also a dedicated handicapped parking available to visiting guests with a valid permit. These parking spots are near the terminal entrance, and porters are available with wheelchairs upon request.
Parking at the official garage or outdoor lot requires no advanced reservations, but full payment is required upon exit. Cash and all major credit cards are accepted.
Unofficial Off-Site Parking Options
Even though the official parking lots have nearly 1,500 spots available, they can fill up, especially when the larger cruise ships use the port. If this is the case, several off-site options are available with complimentary shuttle services to the terminal.
There is a large, open-air public parking lot located directly beside the nearby DoubleTree Hotel Maya. Located just 0.7 miles from the cruise port, this parking lot is easy to travel to and from.
The hotel operates a complimentary shuttle to the cruise terminal, which is free for those paying to use the parking lot. The parking lot also has charging stations for electric vehicles. Keep in mind that the parking is a steep $40 per day, but valet parking is included in the cost.
Traveling to Long Beach Cruise Terminal from Nearby Airports
For those flying into Long Beach before their cruise, several airports are located within driving distance. Here is a basic breakdown of the three main airports that are used by traveling cruise passengers:
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Los Angeles International Airport (Photo Credit: kingmondo)
As one of the busiest airports in the world, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the main airport that serves the greater Los Angeles area. Given that it is only 22.5 miles northeast of Long Beach Cruise Terminal, it is also the main airport used by cruise passengers flying in from outside of LA.
Even though it is only 22.5 miles away, you should anticipate a drive that could take 40 minutes to over an hour due to LA’s infamous traffic congestion. With that said, the drive is relatively straightforward. If you are planning to drive yourself, follow these directions:
From LAX, get on I-105 E
Merge onto the I-110 South towards San Pedro and continue for 6 miles
Merge onto the I-710 S towards Long Beach and continue for 2 miles
Take the exit towards South Harbor Scenic Drive and continue until you see signs for the Long Beach Cruise Terminal
If you do not plan on driving, plentiful taxis and rideshare vehicles are available at the airport. As the main airport in California, thousands of taxis strictly provide rides to and from the airport, so you won’t have to worry about calling your own cab. Expect the fare to be between $45 and $60, depending on the day of the week and time of day.
Long Beach Airport (LGB)
Long Beach Airport (Photo Credit: mikeledray)
Although much smaller than LAX, Long Beach Airport (LGB) is the closest airport to the cruise terminal. Located just over 11 miles away, LGB still serves nearly two million passengers per year, so there are daily flights from domestic airlines to other major American cities, including New Orleans, Nashville, Houston, and Salt Lake City.
Due to its proximity and the availability of budget flights, many cruise passengers will choose to fly into LGB rather than the much busier LAX. In most cases, the drive will take roughly 20 minutes; however, like driving anywhere in Los Angeles County, traffic can be an issue.
Take the exit for the I-405 N and continue for 8.5 miles
Take exit 32B, merge onto the I-710 S, and continue for 2 miles
Exit onto S Harbor Scenic Drive and continue until you see signs for the Long Beach Cruise Terminal
While there are not as many taxis operating out of LGB as LAX, there is still a dedicated taxi and rideshare area, so you can easily get a ride without having to call one yourself. Whether you take a traditional taxi or a rideshare vehicle, like an Uber or Lyft car, you can usually secure a ride for about $30.
Carnival Cruise Line occasionally offers complimentary shuttle buses from the airport, but you must check ahead of time.
John Wayne Airport (SNA)
John Wayne Airport (Photo Credit: F Armstrong Photography)
Located in Orange County, roughly 26 miles from the Long Beach Cruise Terminal, John Wayne Airport (SNA) is another airport that some cruise passengers will fly in and out of.
With dedicated services from major Canadian airlines, like Air Canada and WestJet, John Wayne Airport is a particularly popular arrival point for Canadian cruise passengers and those from Alaska. They also serve American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, so passengers fly in from all over the United States.
Since it is located in Orange County, you should anticipate plenty of traffic and a drive that will take between 45 minutes to well over an hour.
Get on CA-73 N from John Wayne Roadway and continue for 2.3 miles
Take the exit for I-405 for 15.5 miles, then take Exit 23 for CA-22 W
Continue on CA-22 W until you reach the Long Beach Cruise Terminal
Like the other two airports, getting a cab or rideshare vehicle from SNA is fairly straightforward. There is a designated waiting area for taxis, which operates on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Taxis tend to be about $75, as the traffic can be pretty heavy. If you want to save money, the airport offers a shuttle service, which can be booked 24 hours before your flight.
How to Get to Long Beach Cruise Terminal
Long Beach Cruise Terminal (Photo Credit: Robert V Schwemmer)
Whether you are going to the cruise terminal directly from one of the nearby airports, a hotel in Long Beach, or anywhere else in LA County, there are various transportation options available to you:
Rideshare and Taxis Vehicles
Taxis and rideshare services, like Uber, Lyft, and Wingz, are widely available throughout Long Beach and the surrounding area. Taxis do not have to abide by a mandated flat rate, so most use a meter rate, which is $2.97 per mile.
That said, most drivers will negotiate a flat rate for a specific location, especially if the destination is a popular spot, like the cruise terminal, so it is always worth asking.
Public Transportation
While public transit isn’t the fastest option, it is by far the most affordable. The Metro Blue Line also connects downtown Los Angeles to Long Beach.
From here, you can transfer to a Long Beach Transit Bus (LBT) and take Route 121, which has a stop directly in front of the Queen Mary. With regular single rides only costing $1.25 for a single ride or $4 for a full-day pass, it is the most budget-friendly option available.
Shuttle Services
Most of the hotels in the area offer complimentary shuttle services to the cruise terminal, as a significant number of their guests book a room before or after their cruise.
On occasion, Carnival will also run free shuttle services to the cruise terminal from the airports, but you always have to check with your cruise line ahead of time.
Dining Near Long Beach Cruise Terminal
Fuego at the Maya
It is no secret that Long Beach has an amazing restaurant scene. Luckily, several great options are located within a reasonable distance of the cruise terminal. If you are looking to grab a bite to eat before boarding, we recommend the following:
BO-Beau Kitchen & Roof Tap
Located just 1.9 miles from the Long Beach Cruise Terminal, BO-Beau Kitchen & Roof Tap offers upscale dishes in a casual environment.
With its unique rooftop beer garden, it’s a great place to enjoy a cold drink and a delicious plate of food while soaking up some of that Long Beach sunshine. With over 50 craft beers on tap, its famous house-made burger, and steak frites that are incredibly popular with locals, it’s a great option.
Fuego at the Maya
Located just 0.8 miles away on the main floor of the Maya Hotel, Fuego at the Maya is one of the closest options to the cruise terminal. With a Latin-inspired menu, this restaurant and lounge has a full outdoor patio with incredible harbor views.
Whether you’re looking for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, they serve throughout the day and have an amazing cocktail menu.
Chelsea Chowder House
For a unique dining experience, you can book a table at the Chelsea Chowder House, located on the Queen Mary. This surprisingly modern seafood and steak restaurant has an incredible menu.
As the name implies, the seafood chowders are the real highlight, but they have a menu that would suit any taste. It is less than 500 feet from the terminal building entrance and incredibly easy to walk to.
Gladstone’s Long Beach
Located just 1.6 miles away in nearby Shoreline Village, Gladstone’s Long Beach offers fresh seafood and a casual atmosphere. It also offers a full children’s menu and often has live music playing, especially on weekends, making it a fun, family-friendly restaurant for those traveling with kids.
Shopping Near Long Beach Cruise Terminal
The Pike Outlet, Long Beach (Photo Credit: Walter Cicchetti)
While the Long Beach Cruise Terminal does not have stores inside the building or surrounding it, like you get with some of the Caribbean cruise ports, there are still some great options for those hoping to do a bit of shopping before or after their cruise vacation.
The closest and most popular option is the nearby Long Beach Pike Outlets, which are only 1.5 miles away on the other side of the Los Angeles River. This waterfront entertainment and shopping district offers a wide variety of restaurants, entertainment venues, and, of course, outlet stores from some major brands.
With dedicated outlets for brands like Columbia, Converse, Guess, Levi’s, Sunglass Hut, a Nike Factory Store, and much more, shopping enthusiasts can find something that interests them. Plus, this nearby shopping district is also home to a few smaller souvenir shops, as well as the major brand-name outlets.
If you aren’t that into shopping but just want somewhere to kill some time, the Pike Outlets is well worth visiting. It is home to bars, nightclubs, a movie theater, and even a Ferris wheel.
The Best Time to Visit Long Beach
Like all of California, Long Beach is a year-round tourist destination, so the best time to visit depends on personal preference. That said, the most popular time of year to visit Long Beach is between September and November. The weather is not quite as hot and humid as the summer months, and the spring can be a little wet.
Keep in mind that Long Beach and the cruise terminal that shares its name can get a bit crowded in the late summer and early fall. Unfortunately, traffic is an issue in Long Beach throughout the year, so you should always give yourself extra travel time.
