AAA is projecting that a record 22.4 million Americans will take ocean cruises in 2027, a 3.6% increase over 2026 and the fifth consecutive annual record.
The Caribbean remains the leading destination for American cruisers, accounting for 71% of projected passengers.
Though 7-night itineraries remain the most popular, shorter sailings of 6 nights or fewer continue to rise in demand.
The cruise industry has experienced significant growth in recent years and it continues to gain momentum. AAA (American Automobile Association) has released its 2027 cruise forecast, predicting a record high number of American cruise passengers next year.
The organization projects 22.4 million Americans will take cruises domestically and overseas in 2027. This represents a 3.6% increase in cruise passengers over 2026 and the fifth year in a row the number of American cruisers is expected to set a record.
When Cruise Hive covered AAA’s 2026 projections last October, the organization forecast 21.7 million American cruise passengers throughout the year. AAA now estimates 2026 will finish above its earlier projection.
AAA reports a surge in cruise travel following the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. The 22.4 million passengers projected for 2027 represent a 57% increase over the 14.2 million American cruise passengers reported in 2019.
Embarkation and debarkation ports saw a shift in popularity over the past year. Miami maintains its top spot as the most popular port, rising from 10.2% of passengers forecast for 2026 to 11.2% for 2027.
The second most popular port, Port Canaveral, also saw an increase in its percentage share. The Florida port rose from 8.8% for 2026 to 10.4% for 2027.
Other ports that saw an increase in popularity for 2027’s projections include Barcelona, Galveston, and Southampton. Fort Lauderdale, however, saw a slight decrease, dropping from 5.6% for the 2026 forecast to 5.3% for 2027.
Expected to Cruise Numbers AAA
The Caribbean Remains the Top Cruise Destination
The Caribbean is maintaining its place as the preferred destination for American cruisers in 2027. The region accounts for 71% of American cruise bookings in AAA’s forecast.
In the 2026 forecast, the Caribbean was predicted to account for 72% of American cruise bookings. The one-percentage-point decrease does not necessarily indicate fewer American passengers cruising in the Caribbean, as the overall number of cruise passengers is projected to increase.
Additionally, the Mediterranean appears to be growing in popularity among American cruisers. The region rose from 5% of projected bookings in 2026 to 6% in 2027.
Alaska, meanwhile, is the second most popular destination among American ocean cruise passengers. Holding steady from the 2026 projections, it accounts for 7% of the U.S. cruisers.
Shorter Cruises Continue to Gain Popularity
AAA has also reported that more Americans are taking shorter cruises. While 7-night cruises continue to be the most common option among cruisers, sailings of 6 nights or fewer have seen an increase in popularity.
The organization reported that, in 2019, just 39% of Americans booked these shorter itineraries. That number rose to 45% in 2025, though figures for 2026 and projections for 2027 were not provided.
This increase in demand for short getaways is further demonstrated by the actions of the cruise lines themselves. Cruise operators, such as Royal Caribbean and Carnival, have expanded their short cruise offerings in recent years.
The 2027 AAA cruise forecast was prepared in partnership with Tourism Economics, A Philadelphia area travel data and forecasting firm owned by Oxford Economics. Tourism Economics also prepared previous cruise forecasts for AAA.
It’s important to remember that these figures represent projections of what is expected based on data and not confirmed 2027 passenger totals. Those who are curious about the actual figures will have to wait until the end of 2027 to see how accurate the projections were.
The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners has confirmed that the SS United States will be reefed during the second week of November 2026.
The ship will be sunk 22 nautical miles southwest of Destin-Fort Walton Beach to become the world’s largest artificial reef.
All remediation work on the ship is complete and final approvals for her sinking have been granted, but weather is a factor in the exact reefing date.
The end of an era is close at hand, as the Board of County Commissioners of Okaloosa County, Florida has now set the timeline for the reefing of the SS United States, the 1951-launched ocean liner that has been at the center of controversy for several years.
“The vessel will be deployed in the Gulf about 22 [nautical miles] southwest of Destin-Fort Walton Beach, the second week of November 2026,”a statement from the Board of County Commissioners confirmed on October 9, 2026.
An exact date for the ship’s deployment has not yet been announced and the statement notes that it is a weather-dependent action that may change as conditions necessitate.
“The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners is working with our safety and security partners for a safe and efficient deployment,”the statement explained.“This is an exciting move forward to create a one-of-a-kind resource for the environment and for our tourism industry.”
The SS United States Conservancy is continuing its plans for a land-based museum that will be near the departure points for future diving tours to the ship. The museum will include the ship’s 6-story funnels, the radar mast, and other components that have been salvaged as the ship has been prepared for reefing, along with artwork and other artifacts from the vessel’s history.
According to the Conservancy’s online Frequently Asked Questions, the entire reefing process will be live-streamed, though exact details of the event have not yet been released.
“The deployment operations will require a wide security perimeter around the ship that the US Coast Guard and other authorities will maintain, so there will be no close-up vantage points,”the FAQ reads.“Private charters and other boats will advertise tours outside the security perimeter.”
SS United States (Photo Credit: Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners)
No explosives will be used to sink the ship once she is towed to her final position, and the Conservancy notes that she will likely be anchored for two days while final preparations are made. Controlled flooding will be used to gently sink the vessel and ensure an upright position on the Gulf floor about 180 feet down, with the ship’s top deck roughly 55 feet below the water’s surface.
How Has the Ship Been Prepared for Reefing?
Great care has been taken with preparing the ship for reefing, including removing all toxic materials that might present marine hazards once the vessel has been sunk. Parts of the ship that would be considered unsafe for even the most experienced divers have also been sealed so they will be inaccessible after the ship is reefed.
Information on Destin-Fort Walton Beach’s official website notes that other remediation has included:
Emptying, cleaning, and inspecting all 128 fuel and lubricant tanks
Removal of the ventilation system, wiring, and all exterior exfoliating paint
More than 400 portholes removed
All exterior flooring with high PCB concentration removed and disposed of appropriately
In addition, the deployment site has been thoroughly scanned and visually surveyed “to verify that there are no existing historical or natural resources that would be impacted by the deployment.”
The ship’s remediation has been undertaken in Mobile, Alabama. The SS United States was towed to Mobile in February 2025, departing Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 19 and reaching Mobile Bay on March 3. That voyage featured live tracking and various vantage opportunities for fans to see the ship underway at appropriate points on her 2,000-mile journey.
The SS United States had been docked in the City of Brotherly Love since 1996, but a rent dispute ended her stay at Pier 82. The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners approved the purchase of the ship in October 2024.
Virgin Voyages has cancelled Brilliant Lady’s October 30, 2027, Halloween cruise from Los Angeles after the ship was booked for a private charter.
The ship’s following 7-night Mexican Riviera sailing is also being replaced with separate 3- and 4-night cruises as part of a West Coast schedule adjustment.
Affected guests are being offered alternative sailings with onboard credit or a full refund of their voyage fare.
Halloween is the time for frights and surprises, though guests booked on the October 30, 2027 sailing aboard Brilliant Lady have gotten a scare they didn’t ask for. According to a notice shared by a guest on Reddit, Virgin Voyages has cancelled the cruise after the ship was booked for a private charter.
“Due to a private charter, this voyage has been canceled,”said the notice.“We’re sorry for the disruption. We know how much planning goes into a vacation like this, and we certainly don’t take this lightly.”
The 2,770-guest ship’s special Halloween cruise from Los Angeles was originally set to visit San Diego, Ensenada, and Cabo San Lucas. It was then scheduled to return to the Southern California port on November 6.
Details surrounding the charter and who booked it have not been publicly disclosed. The original Halloween sailing is still listed as available on Virgin Voyages’ website at the time of writing, though the booking link leads to an error page.
Cruise Hive readers will be aware that Virgin Voyages has cancelled cruises for charters in the past. For example, in August 2025, the cruise line cancelledScarlet Lady’s April 19, 2026 7-night Caribbean sailing aboard Scarlet Lady in favor of a charter by Summit at Sea.
Charters can often be more lucrative to cruise lines than a traditional sailing, as they usually involve buying out every cabin onboard. By comparison, there is no guarantee that every cabin will be filled on a typical sailing.
The Following Sailing Has Also Been Replaced
Guests booked on the following Brilliant Lady sailing are also facing a disruption. As part of a West Coast schedule adjustment, Virgin Voyages has replaced the sailing with two shorter cruises.
The 7-night Mexican Riviera cruise was originally set to depart from Los Angeles on November 6, 2027 and visit San Diego and an overnight in Cabo San Lucas before returning to Los Angeles on November 13.
Brilliant Lady Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Capturing Images)
In place of the original weeklong itinerary, Virgin Voyages will offer separate 4-night and 3-night cruises. While the new voyages have not yet appeared on Virgin Voyages’ website, details provided to affected guests indicate that the 4-night sailing will visit Catalina Island and Ensenada, while the 3-night cruise will visit Ensenada.
What Options Do Affected Guests Have?
One guest got a double-whammy with the schedule changes, as they were booked on both the October 30 and the subsequent November 6 sailings back-to-back. In a post on Reddit, the guest expressed disappointment and concern over how promotional benefits would be handled.
“Kind of bummed out, was really looking forward to it,”the guest said.“Now to figure out where to cruise next but to add insult to injury I’ve got MNVV [My Next Virgin Voyage] on both sailings and took advantage of the pay in full discount that’s no longer an option.”
The guest further explained the options presented to them by the cruise line. For both sailings, the guest was offered the opportunity to transfer to any other 7-night voyage departing from Los Angeles between September 18 and November 13, 2027, with their original fare and promotions honored, plus $100 in onboard credit.
Alternatively, they were given the option of a full refund of the voyage fare paid to their original payment method. The guest added that there was no mention of their MNVV certificates also being refunded with this option.
A third option, presented only for the November 6 sailing, was to switch to one of the new 3- or 4-night itineraries instead. Payments already made by guests who choose this option will be automatically applied to the new sailing, and guests will also receive the aforementioned $100 onboard credit.
Cruise cancellations due to charters and schedule adjustments are not uncommon, though they present difficulties for guests with limited travel flexibility. With both affected Brilliant Lady sailings still a year out, guests will have some time to decide what alternate option best suits their needs.
Many, many cruise itineraries sail around the Eastern Caribbean and, if you’re a frequent cruiser like myself, you probably have been to your fair share of Eastern Caribbean cruise ports.
However, if you’re a newbie or just booking a cruise through this part of the world for the first time, you may have a lot of questions. Which Eastern Caribbean cruise ports are best? Which are the busiest? Which have the most to do within the vicinity of the port?
I’m giving you a basic breakdown of the 13 most popular ports in this region, with all you need to know about ship capacity, recent updates, whether or not you have to tender (which can be a hard dealbreaker for some cruisers) and what you’ll find around you once you disembark.
San Juan is a gorgeous place to visit, whether you’re cruising or not. If you are, though, you’ll find yourself docking at one of two cruise terminals. There’s one in San Juan Bay and then the Pan American terminal nearby. Across the two, there are about 500 cruise ships that visit the destination annually.
The San Juan Bay terminal can accommodate up to seven ships at one time, while the Pan American terminal can accommodate two cruise ships. The former positions you so that you can easily explore Old San Juan throughout your day in port. The latter puts you closer to the airport, convention center and hotels. Neither requires tendering.
I’d recommend trying to get an itinerary that stops at the San Juan Bay terminal, just because Old San Juan is really the highlight of a stop on this island.
Puerto Rico owns the ports but is in a public-private partnership that brings together Global Ports Holding and the Puerto Rico Ports Authority. The port is in the midst of a $425 million redevelopment project that’s been ongoing for the last few years. Most recently, Pan American Pier West reopened following a $37 million transformation that included the remodeling of passenger areas.
(Note that Puerto Rico does also have another cruise port, in the south, near Ponce, but it receives significantly fewer ships.)
Cruise lines that visit San Juan, Puerto Rico include:
Carnival Cruise Line
Royal Caribbean
Celebrity Cruises
Princess Cruises
Costa Cruises
Regent Seven Seas
Windstar
Norwegian Cruise Line
AIDA
Seabourn
Silversea
MSC Cruises
Oceania Cruises
Disney Cruises
2. Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas
Cruise Ships Docked in St. Thomas
When visiting St. Thomas and Charlotte Amalie, your cruise ship will stop at one of two spots. There’s the Austin Babe Monsanto Marine Terminal in Crown Bay, and then there’s the Havensight Dock at Long Bay.
The Austin Babe Monsanto Marine Terminal in Crown Bay has two docks and can fit three cruise ships at a time. The terminal was previously a naval seaport, but it was developed into a marina and shopping and dining destination over the last several decades.
The owner of Crown Bay is the Virgin Islands Port Authority and it is investing further into the area, modernizing the existing facilities, expanding parking and ground transportation options and adding an additional pier. Construction is planned for 2026.
Meanwhile, the Havensight Dock at Long Bay is owned by The West Indian Company Limited. It welcomes about 300 ships and 1.5 million passengers on cruises every year and is the oldest and considered the most prestigious cruise pier in the destination.
The dock can accommodate three ships simultaneously and a current dredging project is underway to allow the dock to accommodate the largest ships possible.
Regardless of which option your ship docks at, you can expect to be a short taxi ride away from Charlotte Amalie, but again, both ports have dining and shopping options right within walking distance.
Since St. Thomas is so small, during a port day here, you can easily enjoy a range of activities, whether that means just hitting up the beach, exploring the capital city or taking in some nature. Additionally, since the neighboring island of St. John does not have its own cruise port, travelers interested in going there will dock at St. Thomas and then take a taxi and ferry to Cruz Bay.
Typically, you do not have to tender at St. Thomas, unless both ports are too crowded on the day of your arrival.
Cruise lines that visit St. Thomas include:
Royal Caribbean
Celebrity Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Lines
Holland America
SeaDream Yacht Club
Crystal Cruises
Emerald Cruises
Viking Cruises
Carnival Cruise Line
Disney Cruises
Explora Journeys
TUI Cruises
3. Frederiksted, St. Croix
Cruise Ship Docked in Frederiksted, St. Croix (Photo Credit: eskystudio)
Also in the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Croix is another popular destination during Eastern Caribbean cruises. There is only one cruise ship port here, the Ann E. Abramson Marine Facility, owned by the Virgin Islands Port Authority.
The port can accommodate one mid-size cruise ship and one smaller cruise ship simultaneously. Otherwise, for larger or more ships, tendering is necessary.
The pier is relatively low-key, with shopping and dining within walking distance, and ground transportation available to take you elsewhere throughout the island, such as to beaches and on excursions. The most recent upgrade was a tender landing service pier that reopened in early 2026.
Cruise lines that visit St. Croix include:
Royal Caribbean
Virgin Voyages
Carnival Cruise Line
Viking Cruises
Explora Journeys
Marella Cruises
Regent Seven Seas
Oceania Cruises
Azamara
Holland America Line
4. Road Town, Tortola
Check Point at Tortola Cruise Pier (Photo Credit: Grindstone Media Group)
For those cruise ships stopping in the British Virgin Islands’ Tortola, they’ll find themselves docking at Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park, overseen by the BVI Ports Authority.
The pier can accommodate cruise ships of sizes of up to 180,000 GT, and two ships at a time. Larger or additional ships (up to two more) can anchor in the harbor and then cruise passengers tender to the pier.
Next to the pier, there is an outdoor shopping mall with more than 70 retail stores, restaurants and service providers. From there, you’ll want to take a taxi (or boat!) to get to other activities around the area. You might want to visit nearby beaches, go island hopping or see the local dining and shopping options in Road Town. Taking a ferry from Tortola to Virgin Gorda and The Baths is a popular option.
The modern iteration of the pier is a little over a decade old and, in recognition of its age, in 2026, the BVI reconfirmed its commitment to continuing to make the pier as modern as possible. Going into the future, expansions are an option, as are efforts to make the port’s operations greener and more sustainable.
Cruise lines that visit Tortola include:
Royal Caribbean
Disney Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line
Celebrity Cruises
Cunard
Explora Journeys
TUI Cruises
Virgin Voyages
Carnival Cruise Line
Azamara
Holland America Line
P&O Cruises
Regent Seven Seas
AIDA
MSC Cruises
Marella Cruises
Oceania Cruises
Crystal Cruises
Costa Cruises
5. Philipsburg, St. Maarten
Cruise Ships Docked in St. Maarten, Eastern Caribbean (Photo Credit: Multiverse)
Directly adjacent to the port is the Harbour Point Village, with dining and shopping options. It’s also where you’ll go to find tours and excursion pick-up and drop-off points. Taxis are likewise available.
Tendering is typically not required here, unless all of the spots at the two piers are filled up, or weather makes docking impossible.
Cruise lines that visit St. Maarten include:
Royal Caribbean
Celebrity Cruises
Carnival Cruise Line
Princess Cruises
Atlas Ocean Voyages
TUI Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line
Cunard
Virgin Voyages
Explora Journeys
P&O Cruises
Holland America Line
Viking Ocean
Regent Seven Seas
Azamara
MSC Cruises
Four Seasons Yachts
Seadream Yacht Club
Marella Cruises
AIDA
Emerald Yacht Cruises
Star Clippers
6. Basseterre, St. Kitts
Cruise Ships Docked in St. Kitts (Photo Credit: Alexandre.ROSA)
Port Zante is the official Basseterre cruise port, overseen by the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis and the St. Christopher Air & Sea Ports Authority.
There are two piers within the port and the port is well-situated for exploring Basseterre on foot. Literally, within just a few minutes’ walk, you can be in the city center.
Even just immediately off the pier, you’ll find a pedestrian plaza with shopping, dining, taxis, tour providers and similar amenities. You can also walk to the nearby ferry terminal to take a boat from Port Zante to Nevis.
The port welcomes just under a million cruise passengers per year, and just under 400 ships per year. While two ships can dock at Port Zante simultaneously, having two ships in port at any given time is not a guarantee. In fact, you may find that there are days that no ship docks at all at Port Zante.
That said, if you check the ship schedule and do find that you will be docked alongside another ship during your day in port, I’d recommend that you plan for things to be a little bit busier throughout the area, and for things to just take a little bit longer. You’ll likely run into more lines, etc.
Tendering here is a rare, rare occurrence, and only necessary if things are particularly busy. Again, it’s rare.
In July 2026, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis and the St. Christopher Air & Sea Ports Authority broke ground on a new cruise terminal development for Port Zante. The aim is to create a terminal that will allow cruise lines to disembark directly from Port Zante during their itineraries, instead of merely using it as a port of call. The terminal will feature enhanced security, screening and passenger processing technology.
Cruise lines that visit Basseterre include:
Royal Caribbean
Celebrity Cruises
Holland America Line
Oceania Cruises
Princess Cruises
Carnival Cruise Line
TUI Cruises
MSC Cruises
P&O Cruises
Virgin Voyages
Star Clippers
Viking Cruises
Silversea Cruises
Marella Cruises
AIDA
Azamara
Windstar Cruises
Cunard
7. St. John’s, Antigua
Cruise Ships Docked in Antigua (Photo Credit: Antigua Cruise Port)
The Antigua Cruise Port has five operational berths and allows for tendering as needed. It can accommodate ships up to Oasis-class sizes.
When passengers disembark, they’re just a short walk away from the capital of St. John’s, as well as guest services and duty-free shopping, dining and other facilities. For those who want to explore a bit further away, taxis can take them to Falmouth Harbor on the south coast. It’s a maritime destination with sailing, but is quieter and upscale.
The port’s operator, Global Ports Holding, announced construction of a new cruise terminal for the port in early 2025. This new terminal will span four acres and will offer a range of amenities, including even more dining, shopping, a bazaar, a park, and a pool.
Cruise lines that visit Antigua include:
Royal Caribbean
Cunard
Carnival Cruise Line
TUI Cruises
Explora Journeys
Oceania Cruises
Windstar Cruises
Princess Cruises
Crystal Cruises
Regent Seven Seas
Azamara
AIDA
Viking Cruises
MSC Cruises
Marella Cruises
Holland America Line
P&O Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line
Four Seasons Yachts
Celebrity Cruises
Virgin Voyages
Viking Cruises
Silversea Cruises
Costa Cruises
Star Clippers
Seabourn Cruise Line
SeaDream Yacht Club
8. Amber Cove, Puerto Plata
Carnival Cruise Ship at Amber Cove (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)
Amber Cove, in Puerto Plata, the Dominican Republic, is an interesting port on this list because, rather than belonging to the government, like most cruise ports, this port is owned exclusively by Carnival Corporation.
Opened in 2015 and stretching over 25 acres, the port has two cruise ship berths and no tendering, and a quarter-mile pier. Immediately upon disembarking, passengers find themselves in a shopping and dining hub, with an “Aqua Zone” adjacent, featuring cabanas, a water slide, pool, and beach bar.
When Amber Cove opened in 2015, it was a big deal. The Carnival Corporation had been working on opening the port for five years. At the time, it had the biggest development budget of any private port in the Caribbean, totaling $85 million.
Over the last 11 years, there haven’t been any big, newsworthy upgrades to the port, but it’s still being kept up and refreshed as needed.
All that said, there’s no reason that you have to stay within this little Carnival Corporation-owned port if your ship stops here. You can go into the actual city of Puerto Plata with just a 15-minute drive or so. You can also book certain excursions that will take you further throughout the island.
Do note that while the port is owned by Carnival Corporation, that doesn’t mean that only Carnival Cruise Line ships dock here. Carnival Corporation owns a range of different lines, and so those lines underneath that broader umbrella may stop at the port as well. Additionally, historically, some other lines’ ships have included the port in their itineraries, but it’s far less common.
Cruise lines that visit Amber Cove include:
Carnival Cruise Line
Princess Cruises
Holland America Line
Seabourn Cruise Line
MSC Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line
Virgin Voyages
Royal Caribbean
Azamara
Celebrity Cruises
Costa Cruises
Cunard
Explora Journeys
Oceania Cruises
Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
9. Taino Bay, Puerto Plata
Cruise Ships Docked at Puerto Plata (Photo Credit: Joni Hanebutt)
Taino Bay is another cruise port in Puerto Plata, but I felt it was worth covering them separately, as they’re so different.
While Amber Cove is owned by Carnival Corporation and located several miles away from the actual city of Puerto Plata, and has kind of a more generic, resort-style feel, Taino Bay is literally on the edge of Puerto Plata. You can walk right into the city and you’ll have more of an opportunity to explore the broader destination as a whole.
Taino Bay is not owned by a cruise company, but is, instead, a result of a joint partnership between several private developers and the Dominican government.
Taino Bay opened in 2021 and the development offers a range of amenities directly off the pier, including shopping, dining, drinking, and even a lazy river and pool. All the while, as mentioned, you’re just a short walk away from all the history and culture in Puerto Plata itself.
Taino Bay can accommodate two large ships simultaneously. Passengers do not tender.
Since the Taino Bay pier and surrounding developments are still relatively new, there haven’t been any major changes made since opening. However, future changes have been announced as recently as late 2026, to improve some of the adjacent facilities, including improvements for walkways and sidewalks.
Cruise lines that visit Taino Bay include:
Celebrity Cruises
Cunard
MSC Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line
Oceania Cruises
Regent Seven Seas
Royal Caribbean
Virgin Voyages
10. Samana, Dominican Republic
Samana Launch
Those who may’ve visited Samana in the past will have a starkly different experience if they visit Samana on a future cruise. Within the last year, the brand-new Samana Bayport has opened, at least partially, for business. No longer do all cruise passengers stopping here have to tender, thanks to the completion of the first phase of what will ultimately be a $22 million private investment.
Both investors and the Dominican Port Authority are working together on this development. Once it’s finally completed, the destination will have a cruise port that will be able to handle up to 3 million cruise passengers per year, as well as three cruise ships simultaneously.
That said, tendering is not gone for good.
Only one ship is actually able to dock at the Seawalk pier, with capacity for ships carrying up to 5,000 passengers. If there are another two ships visiting Samana at the same time, they will still have to anchor and tender.
The port also has planned spaces for restaurants, shops, museums, a beach club, pool and amenities such as an information center and a place where cruisers can link up with ground or water transportation to travel further around the island. The destination is known for its whale-watching and similar eco-tourism opportunities.
Cruise lines that visit Samana include:
Crystal Cruises
TUI Cruises
AIDA
MSC Cruises
Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
Royal Caribbean
Costa Cruises
Virgin Voyages
Celebrity Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line
SeaDream Yacht Club
11. La Romana, Dominican Republic
La Romana Cruise Port Area (Photo Credit: KaSiontour1217)
The La Romana Cruise Terminal can trace its history all the way back to the 1910s, with the building of the first private industrial dock in the Dominican Republic. Now, the port has become a stopping point for many major cruise lines. La Romana Port is overseen by Central Romana Corporation, which also manages excursions/tours, ground transportation and similar services.
The port features two berths, but the West Berth is used primarily for exporting, while the East Berth is used exclusively for cruise ships. The cruise ship berth can accommodate ships of sizes up to 226,000 GT. There’s no need for tendering.
As of a few years ago, the terminal underwent some remodeling and expansion projects, to the tune of $15 million. That project included the addition of larger visitor recreation areas, including pool areas, a zip line, restaurants, bars and shops.
Beyond the port area, cruisers can explore further, taking boats to nearby islands for eco-tourism opportunities and beach bumming, or they can explore nearby villages.
Cruise lines that visit La Romana include:
TUI Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line
MSC Cruises
AIDA
Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
Marella Cruises
Regent Seven Seas
Costa Cruises
Royal Caribbean
Norwegian Cruise Line
12. Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos
Cruise Passengers on the Pier in Grand Turk (Photo Credit: Ajith Achuthann)
The Grand Turk Cruise Center is a 13-acre cruise port that welcomes guests in droves to the Turks and Caicos. It can serve two cruise ships at once, at the pier, with no need for tendering.
The Grand Turk Cruise Center is owned by Carnival Corporation, just like Amber Cove.
The port features a massive amount of shopping and restaurants, plus a spa and facilities for excursion and ground transportation providers. It also uniquely features the largest Margaritaville in the Caribbean. There’s additionally a large, resort-style pool. (If, though, you decide to leave the cruise center, you’ll find beautiful beaches nearby.)
The cruise center is such a destination in of itself that it even welcomes non-cruisers in for the day.
While this facility is currently the only cruise port on the island, it’s worth noting that it may not be that way for long. MSC Group has its sights set on developing its own cruising facility on the island. Again, though, just because this port is owned by Carnival Corporation, that doesn’t mean that only Carnival Cruise Lines visit.
Cruise lines that visit Grand Turk include:
Carnival Cruise Line
Princess Cruises
Virgin Voyages
Royal Caribbean
Cunard
Norwegian Cruise Line
AIDA
MSC Cruises
Holland America Line
Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
Silversea Cruises
Costa Cruises
Margaritaville at Sea
P&O Cruises
13. Labadee, Haiti
Royal Caribbean’s Labadee Destination in Haiti (Photo Credit: fitzcrittle)
A quick note before we get into this cruise port: Labadee’s operations are suspended through June 2027. This is due to safety concerns in Haiti. As such, itineraries that would normally stop here are replacing Labadee with stops elsewhere, such as at CocoCay or Nassau.
Labadee belongs to Royal Caribbean, as the cruise line’s very own private paradise and port on the shores of Haiti.
When cruisers dock here, they get access to tons of activity options, five beaches, and nine dining and drinking options. Plus, the destination is laid out in Royal Caribbean’s familiar “neighborhood” design, splitting up attractions so they’re more easily navigable.
However, unlike as is the case with some private port areas where you can choose to either stay in the resort-style setting or explore further afield, that is not an option at Labadee. Royal Caribbean’s property is entirely secured via double fencing and guarded, so as to protect cruisers from various safety risks. You must stay within the confines of the port.
When operational, Labadee can accommodate two cruise ships at once, with no need for tendering.
Unlike the above Carnival Cruise Line-owned port areas that allow other major lines to use their ports on occasion, Royal Caribbean Group restricts Labadee to Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises ships only.
For now, though, if you want to experience a Royal Caribbean private escape for yourself, you’ll have to go to CocoCay, Paradise Island or the soon-to-be-open Royal Beach Club Cozumel.
Norwegian Cruise Line has announced Norwegian Bella as the name of the sixth and last Prima class ship, scheduled to debut in May 2028.
The ship will offer primarily 7-night Mediterranean sailings from Barcelona, Spain for her inaugural season.
Guest feedback has helped guide new features and fleet favorites in her design, including Ocean Boulevard, a larger pool deck, and The Haven.
Cruises will look more beautiful than ever for Norwegian Cruise Line fans as bookings have now been opened for the sixth and final Prima class ship, Norwegian Bella.
The cruise line announced the ship’s name and initial itineraries on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, confirming the 170,000-gross ton ship will homeport from Barcelona for her inaugural season of 7-night roundtrip Mediterranean voyages. Depending on departure date, these sailings will visit destinations such as Salerno, Civitavecchia, Livorno, Marseille, La Spezia, and Palma de Mallorca.
One 5-night itinerary from Malta to Barcelona is also available embarking on Tuesday, May 2, 2028 and remaining overnight in Malta before setting sail the next morning, then visiting Salerno and Civitavecchia on the way to Spain.
While the 5-night sailing may well be the first time Norwegian Bella will officially welcome guests aboard, the cruise line has not yet announced which individual sailing could be labeled as the ship’s maiden voyage. It is not uncommon for cruise lines to celebrate a ship’s inaugural season with extra events and mementos on a number of early sailings.
Norwegian Bella Main Pool
The 3,921-guest Norwegian Bella is currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, along with her sister ship, Norwegian Aura, which is scheduled to join the fleet in May 2027. At 1,129 feet long, the two ships will be the largest in the NCL fleet when they debut, though the cruise line has already ordered a new, larger class with expected deliveries beginning in 2030.
As Norwegian Cruise Line is known for its outstanding hull art across the fleet, Norwegian Bella will not disappoint and certainly lives up to her name with original art designed by Australian contemporary artist George Rose. Vibrant color splashes across the ship’s hull in tropical hues, evoking an organic sense of movement and flow the length of the vessel.
“Designing the hull art for Norwegian Bella was an opportunity to capture the sense of wonder that travel inspires. Through vibrant color, organic forms and a feeling of movement, I wanted to create a piece that reflects the excitement of exploration and discovery,”said Rose.
“I’m looking forward to seeing my artwork come to life on a ship that will visit some of Europe’s most remarkable destinations, and I hope it becomes part of the memories guests create throughout their journey.”
New Features for Norwegian Bella Incorporating Guest Feedback
Norwegian Bella will have new, exclusive features as well as fleet favorites onboard to help guests make those fantastic memories. Guest feedback has been instrumental in designing the new ship and ensuring the ultimate in flexibility for guests’ preferred vacation experiences.
“Norwegian Bella marks a milestone moment in our fleet as the culmination of our award-winning Prima Class. Drawing on the innovations and guest feedback that have shaped the class from the very beginning, Norwegian Bella brings together our most sought-after experiences in one extraordinary ship,”said Marc Kazlauskas, president of Norwegian Cruise Line.
Norwegian Bella Ocean Heights
“Every detail has been thoughtfully designed to give guests the freedom and flexibility to vacation exactly how they want to, without anyone having to compromise.”
Those details include the 4-deck Ocean Heights multi-use complex spanning decks 18 through 21, which will be an adrenaline-filled waterpark, ropes course, and playground by day but becomes a social gathering spot with LED projections and immersive lighting at night.
Norwegian Bella Ocean Heights Night
For a quieter connection to the ocean, guests can stroll along the signature Prima class promenade, Ocean Boulevard, wrapping around Deck 8. Hot tubs, an outdoor bar, and infinity pools make Ocean Boulevard a great gathering space with panoramic ocean views.
The youngest guests onboard Norwegian Bella will enjoy Little Explorers’ Cay for ages 2-6, Adventure Alley for ages 6-10, and Surf’s Bay for teens. Features of the youth spaces include a playhouse and slides for the littles, winding tunnels with an ocean theme for older children, and a surf photo wall for the best teen selfies.
Everyone in the family will enjoy the pool deck, which is more than 15% larger than the pool decks onboard Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna. The Kids’ Aqua Park has a reimagined splash pad and interactive water features, while families will enjoy the Party Slide and the Infinity Loop figure-eight waterslide.
For fun while staying dry, Norwegian Bella has the iconic 10-deck “The Drop” dry slide, plus lawn games, miniature golf, and more.
The Vibe Beach Club continues to offer an elevated adults-only atmosphere with its own oceanfront bar, infinity hot tubs, and day beds, while the Mandara Spa & Salon has a meditation room, spa reflection pool, thermal suite, and other features designed for the ultimate in relaxation and pampering.
Norwegian Bella Staterooms and Suites
Norwegian Bella will have nearly 2,000 staterooms with accommodations ranging from inside staterooms and solo cabins to balconies and the 159 luxury suites of The Haven.
Located aft, The Haven is accessed through private elevators and includes separate family-friendly and adults-only areas. A private sundeck with an infinity pool, two hot tubs, and an exclusive outdoor sauna and cold room are all features available exclusively to guests in The Haven, along with a private restaurant, lounge space, 24-hour butler and concierge service, and other perks.
Further details on the ship’s dining venues, entertainment, and more are sure to be released in the coming months, building even more excitement for what is sure to be a beautiful ship.
The Port of Seattle ended its 2026 cruise season on October 18, 2026 with a record number of ship calls, revenue passengers, and homeported ships.
Cruise activity generated an estimated $1.2 billion in regional economic benefits, while shore power was utilized by a record 66% of ships.
Newcomers to the port helped fuel growth, with MSC Cruises and Virgin Voyages homeporting ships in Seattle for the first time.
The Port of Seattle officially wrapped up its 2026 cruise season on October 18 and has reported record-breaking figures. The Washington port recorded 330 total ship calls and nearly 2 million revenue passengers throughout the season.
Additionally, 16 ships across 10 Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) affiliated brands utilized Seattle as a homeport for Alaska itineraries. Cruise lines that homeported in Seattle in 2026 included Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise Line, among others.
These figures represent new records for the port, surpassing the previous record figures from last year. Cruise Hive previously covered Seattle’s 2025 cruise season, during which the port saw 298 ship calls, 1.9 million revenue passengers, and 14 homeported ships across 8 brands.
Cruising also contributed heavily to the local economy. The Port of Seattle reported that cruise activity brought an estimated $1.2 billion in economic benefit for the region and supported more than 5,120 local jobs, holding steady from the same figures in 2025.
Despite setting new records, Seattle’s passenger traffic fell short of the port’s initial forecast. When the season began in April 2026, the port expected approximately 2.1 million revenue passengers, compared with the nearly 2 million ultimately reported.
Shore Power Usage Reaches New High
The Port of Seattle has invested heavily in shore power in recent years. In 2024, it became the first port in the U.S. to independently mandate that all homeported ships utilize shore power by 2027.
An uptick in shore power usage was reported at the port in 2026, with a record 66% of ships utilizing the technology at berth, compared to 65% in 2025. This usage avoided an estimated 6,189 metric tons of CO2-equivalent emissions and 1.52 metric tons of diesel particulate matter.
Queen Elizabeth Ship in Seattle
All three cruise berths in Seattle are already shore power equipped and the port is continuing to invest in shore power infrastructure to support even more future utilization. Work will continue this fall on dredging and electrification projects to expand shore power at Pier 91.
This season, Princess Cruises also marked a first in further environmental improvements at the port. The 177,800-gross-ton Star Princess completed the first LNG bunkering operation in Elliott Bay, with 3% of the LNG supplied from renewable sources.
New Cruise Lines Help to Drive Seattle’s Growth
As cruising to Alaska grows in popularity, more cruise lines are looking to Seattle as a strategic homeport. In 2026, two cruise lines homeported from Seattle for the first time ever.
Sailing from Pier 91, MSC Cruises made its debut in the Emerald City with MSC Poesia. The 2,550-passenger ship sailed 7-night Alaska itineraries, departing from the port on Mondays throughout the season.
Another newcomer to the port was Virgin Voyages. The cruise line offered 7- to 12-night Alaska voyages aboard the 2,770-guest Brilliant Lady from Seattle beginning on May 21.
With the 2026 season behind it, the Port of Seattle is now looking ahead. In 2027, the port anticipates 326 calls and approximately 2 million revenue passengers.
The Italian Coast Guard posted a video of a medical airlift from Odyssey of the Seas conducted on Friday, October 16, 2026.
An ill guest was lifted in a litter to the hovering helicopter during 25 mph winds and waves over six feet.
The guest was successfully evacuated to Cannizzaro Hospital in Catania for treatment, but no details about their condition have been released.
The Italian Coast Guard (Guardia Costiera) recently conducted a precise medical evacuation airlift under tense conditions in the Ionian Sea from Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas. The crew of Nemo 10 at the Catania Coast Guard Air Base conducted the operation.
Video of the emergency airlift was posted on Sunday, October 18, 2026, though that does not necessarily indicate the actual date of the evacuation.
A Facebook group for the ship’s October 11 sailing, however, confirmed the airlift took place on Friday, October 16, 2026, at approximately 2 p.m. local time. At that time, Odyssey of the Seas was having a full day at sea, having visited Mykonos on Thursday, October 15, and heading for Naples as the final port visit on Saturday, October 17. The ship was sailing a 7-night Greece and Italy itinerary roundtrip from Civitavecchia.
The brief video is just 30 seconds long, but first shows the rescue helicopter approaching Odyssey of the Seas while the 4,198-guest cruise ship is clearly underway. One of the rescue personnel dropped to the deck of the ship with a passenger litter, and was then brought back up safely with the guest firmly secured to the litter.
Cruise ship crew members on the deck are seen providing tension to a tagline as the litter is guided upward, ensuring stability and helping keep the litter from spinning as the operation is completed.
“Emergency intervention in the Ionian Sea for the crew of Nemo 10 at the Catania Coast Guard Air Base,”the video is captioned. “The AW139 helicopter carried out a complex medical evacuation 120 miles east of the coast, rescuing a 64-year-old passenger who had suffered a serious illness on board a cruise ship.”
The video also notes that the evacuation was conducted during “adverse weather conditions” with waves more than two meters (6.5 feet) high and wind from the north at 22 knots (25 miles per hour).
These conditions would have created excessive motion for both the ship and the helicopter, and it was critical that both be kept synchronized as much as possible so the airlift could be safe and as smooth as possible.
No further details have been released about the passenger or their medical condition. The video caption did confirm the guest was successfully airlifted to Catania, Sicily, and handed over to the care of the medical staff at Cannizzaro Hospital.
It is standard practice not to reveal medical details or updates on evacuated guests in order to safeguard the individual’s privacy, as well as the privacy of their family members, friends, and traveling companions.
Odyssey of the Seas has been at the center of media attention for another emergency recently, when a woman went overboard on Friday, October 9, 2026 and was rescued roughly 20 hours later by the Hellenic Coast Guard.
Could a Helicopter Land?
Many commenters have asked on the Coast Guard’s Facebook post why the rescue helicopter couldn’t land onboard the cruise ship to facilitate the evacuation, an interesting question considering larger ships do appear to have helipads.
The 167,704-gross ton Odyssey of the Seas does indeed have a landing pad on her bow, but not for emergency landings in that way. When a cruise ship is underway, even in calm seas, small swells or wind shifts near the water’s surface could make any landing onto a moving vessel far riskier than a winch transfer.
With highly trained emergency crews, using a winch for a litter evacuation is actually a much safer operation. Furthermore, it can be faster to evacuate a guest via a litter with the helicopter already in the air, able to bring them to advanced medical care more quickly.
Cruise Hive’s thoughts are with the ill guest and their family members and friends, and we are ever grateful for those emergency personnel who are available to assist whenever those at sea need emergency help.
Carnival Cruise Line has confirmed the 2026 holiday decorating schedule for seasonal sailings across the fleet.
Carnival Encounter and Carnival Luminosa, both based in Brisbane, will be the first and last ships decorated for the season, respectively.
Holiday decorations will remain in place for New Year’s Eve sailings but typically come down quickly after January 1.
Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador, John Heald, has shared the decorating schedule for the 2026 holiday sailings for every ship in the Carnival fleet in a post to his more than 688,000 Facebook followers, giving eager travelers some holiday spirit to anticipate for their upcoming sailings.
The first Carnival ship to set sail in seasonal style will be Carnival Encounter on her Sunday, November 22 departure from Brisbane, a 6-night sailing to Airlie Beach, Cairns, and Willis Island.
Another Australia-based ship, Carnival Luminosa, will be the last ship to add holiday decorations onboard, as the ship won’t be decorated until her Monday, December 14, 2026 departure from Brisbane. That 4-night sailing to Airlie Beach is the ship’s first sailing from her Australia homeport following a dry dock refurbishment in Singapore from October 23 to late November.
The full fleet 2026 holiday decorating schedule is as follows, with each date being the first departure that will feature the onboard decorations:
Sunday, November 29: Celebration, Venezia, Legend, Panorama, Liberty, Pride
Monday, November 30: Freedom, Spirit, Breeze, Adventure (Australia)
Thursday, December 3: Sunrise, Miracle, Valor, Elation
Saturday, December 5: Horizon, Dream, Vista
Monday, December 14: Luminosa (Australia)
Heald noted that it isn’t the ship’s crew that does the decorating onboard, but rather a different team that comes onboard at each ship’s homeport to add the festive touches to the vessel.
Christmas on a Carnival Cruise (Photo Credit: Ihor Koptilin)
“The fleet’s decorations will not be done by the crew but by ‘Professional Christmas Decorators’ who have sandals and love green things and who make a living by decorating other people’s Christmas trees,”he quipped.
“And the moment those decorations go up, the ship’s music system will start blending in Christmas music and the elevators will be filled with the sound of Mariah Carey singing ‘All I Want for Christmas is me.’ When we all know that like most ladies, she definitely does not want me.”
Are There Special Decorations for New Year’s Eve?
Heald also confirmed that the ships will remain decorated for the holidays through New Year’s sailings in response to several guests asking about when the decorations are removed.
“The decorations will stay up for the [New Year’s Eve] cruises,”he said.
The holiday decorations are not changed specifically for New Year’s, but most ships will offer countdowns and balloon drop events to ring in 2027. These can be very memorable moments at sea, especially when the ship blows its horn at midnight and the pool deck is full of guests and crew members celebrating.
On or after January 1, some decorations may start to be removed and packed away by crew members in preparation for the holiday materials to be offloaded on the next turnaround day.
If guests embark anytime between the posted decorating dates and December 31, they will be able to enjoy the seasonal touches for their holiday at sea.
AIDAnova diverted from its scheduled course on October 18, 2026, to assist a burning fishing vessel in the Skagerrak.
Four fishermen escaped into a liferaft and were safely rescued by a smaller boat launched from the cruise ship, with no reported injuries.
A Norwegian rescue helicopter as well as another passenger vessel responded, while AIDAnova continued toward Bergen following the operation.
A cruise ship played a crucial role in a maritime rescue Sunday afternoon in the Skagerrak. After their fishing vessel caught on fire on October 18, 2026, four fishermen were safely rescued and brought aboard AIDA Cruises’ AIDAnova.
The 183,000-gross-ton cruise ship was sailing from Kiel, Germany, toward Bergen, Norway, in the waters between Norway and Denmark on the first sea day of a 7-night Norwegian World Heritage Sights cruise. The crew received a call to assist and the ship diverted from its course.
The four fishermen escaped onto a liferaft after the fire broke out. It remains unconfirmed how the fire started aboard the Danish-flagged fishing vessel.
AIDAnova arrived on the scene, along with a Norwegian rescue helicopter and another passenger vessel, Color Line’s ferry SuperSpeed 1. Although the other vessel and aircraft responded to the incident, it was AIDAnova’s crew that ultimately brought the fishermen to safety.
The cruise ship’s crew deployed a rescue boat and retrieved them from the liferaft while the fishing vessel continued to burn nearby. A passenger aboard AIDAnova shared photos and video of the incident on Facebook, showing guests watching from the deck as the rescue took place.
By 3:35 p.m., all four fishermen were safely aboard AIDAnova and reportedly taken to AIDAnova’s onboard medical facility. SuperSpeed 1 was then released and resumed its crossing.
AIDAnova (Photo Credit: Repina Valeriya)
The identities and nationalities of the four fishermen have not been publicly confirmed. Rescue coordinator Per Ivar Austnaberg of the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre of Southern Norway confirmed to Norwegian outlet VG that none of them were injured.
When a distress call happens at sea, the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) requires that any nearby and able vessels respond. As Cruise Hive covered in August, passengers aboard Carnival Conquestalso witnessed an at-sea rescue when the ship diverted to assist a stranded sailor.
No Change to AIDAnova’s Itinerary
AIDAnova left the scene at approximately 4:00 p.m., resuming its route toward Bergen. Despite the diversion, the ship reportedly made up the lost time and arrived in Bergen at its scheduled time of 9:00 a.m. on October 19.
From there, the ship will call at Geiranger, Alesund, and Stavanger before returning to Kiel on October 24. While some guests will disembark, others are booked on a longer 14-night combined voyage.
Those passengers will remain aboard as new guests embark for the subsequent 7-night cruise. AIDAnova will then call in Oslo, Kristiansand, Skagen, Copenhagen, and Aarhus before returning to Kiel on October 31.
