Global Ports Services, a ground operations firm, reviewed its key operational successes from 2025.
The company handled turnaround services for TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff Relax.
It also opened a new headquarters office in Malaga, Spain.
Global Ports Holding is a familiar name to cruise industry insiders, since the firm enjoys long-term management contracts with 30-plus ports around the world. However, some might not realize the full scope of operations provided by its Global Ports Services (GPS) division.
GPS handles, for instance, ground services that include everything from passenger and luggage security to the loading of cruise ship provisions, setting up gangways, coordinating harbor pilots — even managing mail for crew members, among other tasks.
As 2025 winds down, the service company is looking back on the milestones it reached and the strides it made as operations continue to expand across the world. Among them is the opening of a new headquarters office in Malaga, Spain, as business in the region grows.
“2025 has been a year of meaningful progress: expanding our reach, deepening client relationships, and delivering services that meet the rising standards of the cruise industry,” said Jordi Guillem, director of GPH Port Services.
“We are committed to building on this momentum and continuing to provide integrated port services that bring efficiency, quality, and added value to every port call,” Guillem added.
In Barcelona, the Mediterranean’s busiest cruise port that Global Ports Holding (GPH) has managed since 2014, the services company handled five embarkations and debarkations for TUI Cruises’ newest ship, Mein Schiff Relax.
The 4,100-guest ship entered service in February 2025 as the first in the cruise line’s InTUItion class. Mein Schiff Relax is among the industry’s most technologically advanced; she is powered by liquefied natural gas, is equipped for shore-power connection, and has a thermal waste treatment system.
Port of Barcelona Attracts Cruise Ships Year-round
Barcelona is a sought-after port of call as well as an embarkation port. The destination is included on many transatlantic crossings and world voyages.
In winter 2026, several cruise ships are operating roundtrip from Barcelona, such as MSC World Europa and MSC Orchestra, while others, including Viking’s Viking Vesta, are sailing between Barcelona and Athens and Rome.
Cruise Ships Docked in Barcelona, Spain (Photo Credit: Iglwch)
Along with its new office in Malaga, GPS notes that it managed operations for Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady, including crew movements and onboard logistics after she left her shipyard.
The 2,770-guest ship was built at a Fincantieri yard in Italy, entered service in September 2025, and began sailing from PortMiami a month later.
In another first, GPS handled its initial cruise ship embarkation and debarkation at Lisbon Cruise Port.
Global Ports Holding manages key ports in the Mediterranean and Caribbean. They include facilities in Nassau, St. Lucia, and San Juan in the Caribbean.
In Europe, the company has contracts to operate the ports in Valencia and Tarragona, Spain; Messina, Sicily; Valletta, Malta; and Kusadasi, Turkey, among others.
In 2024, it completed a major construction project at the Tarragona Cruise Port, about an hour south of Barcelona. The new $6 million cruise terminal now accommodates up to four cruise ships.
A 55-year-old woman, Ann Evans, has been reported missing in St. Maarten.
Evans was a guest aboard Rotterdam during a visit on November 20 but never returned to the cruise ship following an organized tour.
Little further information is available about Evans, but authorities are appealing to the public for help in locating her.
During this Thanksgiving week filled with family, one family member is missing from a recent cruise and authorities are requesting help from the public to locate 55-year-old Ms. Ann Evans.
Evans was a guest aboard Holland America Line’s Rotterdam on its current sailing, a 12-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary that departed Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday, November 16, 2025.
On Thursday, November 20, Rotterdam was docked in St. Maarten and Evans debarked the ship at 10 a.m. as part of an organized tour. She left the tour bus at a scheduled stop in Marigot, French Saint Martin, but failed to return to the bus or the cruise ship later that day.
“Efforts to locate Ms. Evans are ongoing, and law enforcement authorities on both the Dutch and French sides of the island have been alerted,”a statement from the Police Force of Sint Maarten said.
Missing Ann Evans
Anyone with information on Evans’ whereabouts is asked to come forward to the authorities. Furthermore, local authorities are appealing to Evans herself.
“If Ms. Evans herself sees this message, she is kindly requested to contact her family, the Police Force of Sint Maarten, or the French Gendarmerie as soon as possible to confirm her safety,”the statement urged.
Rotterdam continued on its itinerary as planned and will be back in Port Everglades on Friday, November 28. The 99,860-gross-ton ship can host as many as 2,668 travelers at double occupancy, or up to 4,173 guests when fully booked with all berths filled.
The search for Evans has been expanded across various social media channels and it is hoped that someone will have information on her whereabouts or she herself will come forward.
Evans is a US citizen, but it is unknown whether or not she may have personal ties to St. Maarten.
Strange Circumstances – Where Is the Urgency?
With little other information revealed about Evans and no strong pleas from family members or friends, it’s strange that the call for help to find the woman hasn’t come until six days after she went missing.
This is similar to an incident in September 2025 about a guest missing from Carnival Horizon. Jessica Collins, a 47-year-old guest, never returned to the cruise ship after debarking by herself in Bonaire.
Authorities reached out with requests for assistance to find her, and the guest contacted Carnival Cruise Line the next day to confirm that she was safe but did not want to be located.
In that incident, however, authorities alerted the public somewhat earlier and the case was resolved more quickly, even if not in the way that family members might have wished.
It is unknown whether or not Ann Evans also wants to be left alone or if she has been a victim of something more nefarious during her visit to the Dutch-French island. It is also possible that she may have suffered some medical incident.
Another possibility, though unlikely, is that Evans may simply have become lost and failed to return to the ship on time, and therefore was left behind in the port. It would seem, however, that she would have reached out to port authorities earlier if that were the case.
Hopefully, the more people who see alerts about Evans’ disappearance, some information will surface to help her be located and ensure her safety.
The first two cruise terminal arrival appointments for Carnival Venezia‘s November 30 departure have been delayed.
This minimal delay is due to a US Coast Guard inspection before the ship’s 14-night Carnival Journeys sailing.
There are no mechanical problems reported aboard Carnival Venezia and the inspection is a routine occurrence.
Guests looking forward to setting sail on their 14-night Carnival Journeys Southern Caribbean itinerary aboard Carnival Venezia on Sunday, November 30, 2025 will have to wait just a tiny bit longer.
Carnival Cruise Line has reached out to booked guests to alert them to a minor embarkation change before the ship can welcome them aboard at Port Canaveral.
The US Coast Guard will be conducting a routine inspection before the sailing. In order to permit adequate time for that inspection, the first cruise terminal arrival appointments must be pushed back.
“As a result it is necessary to partially revise embarkation plans,”the notification read.
Carnival Cruise Line schedules cruise terminal arrival times in 30-minute intervals. For Carnival Venezia‘s November 30 departure, only the first two time slots are impacted.
If guests originally selected the 10-10:30 a.m. arrival times, they should now plan to arrive at Port Canaveral from 11-11:30 a.m. Similarly, the 10:30-11 a.m. arrival time is also pushed back an hour and guests should plan to arrive from 11:30 a.m. to noon.
All other cruise terminal arrival times are unchanged, and there should be no impact to the ship’s planned departure for the sailing.
Guests are urged, however, not to disregard the change in arrival times. If guests arrive outside their scheduled appointment time, they will be asked to leave and return at the appropriate time.
Unfortunately, such policies are not always enforced consistently. Recent guests have reported congestion and confusion at the cruise port when these sorts of delays are necessary.
Carnival Venezia in the Caribbean (Photo Credit: Sumerdita_Dphots)
It’s understandable that guests want to get onboard Carnival Venezia quickly and get right to their cruise vacation fun. A delay of just one hour, however, is only one-third of one percent of the 14-night itinerary, and patience is essential to permit the inspection to proceed without difficulty.
Carnival Venezia has an outstanding itinerary planned for this sailing, with port visits to St. Thomas, Antigua, St. Lucia, Grenada, Barbados, St. Maarten, Tortola, and San Juan over the next two weeks before returning to Port Canaveral on Sunday, December 14.
The brief delay for some embarkation is a small inconvenience ahead of such an outstanding sailing, and should have no impact to all the fun guests can expect onboard.
Why Are Inspections Necessary?
This delay is similar to the recent inspection onboard Carnival Miracle, which caused a similar cruise terminal arrival appointment delay ahead of the ship’s November 22, 2025 departure.
These inspections are conducted on all cruise ships operating from US homeports. Safety equipment and procedures are carefully investigated to ensure complete compliance with US regulations.
There is no reported problem with any mechanical systems onboard Carnival Venezia and the ship is operating smoothly.
Hopefully, Carnival Venezia will come through her upcoming inspection without difficulty and it will be smooth sailing ahead for her up to 5,260 guests who will surely enjoy a phenomenal cruise vacation.
As a result, a visit to Celebration Key was shortened and debarkation in PortMiami was adjusted.
Propulsion issues can happen anytime for a variety of reasons, and this is not the only ship to experience engine troubles this month.
Just days after Carnival Horizon developed significant propulsion issues in mid-November, another Carnival cruise ship experienced some technical issues of its own.
On November 20, 2025, guests onboard Carnival Conquest received letters informing them that Conquest-class flagship had developed propulsion issues that limited her speed.
“Overnight, the ship developed a mechanical issue that is limiting its speed,”Captain Giuseppe Donato wrote to the up to 2,980 guests onboard.
“Our engineers are working to resolve it, but since we are sailing slower than required, our arrival into Celebration Key will be later than scheduled,” the letter continued.
Rather than cancel the port call entirely, the plan was to shorten the call to Celebration Key in the Bahamas on November 20, 2025, by several hours.
This was the second and final call of a 4-night Bahamas sailing that was based out of Miami, Florida.
The 2002-launched ship arrived at the island destination at around 11:30 a.m. instead of the previously scheduled 8 a.m. A $50 onboard credit was issued for the inconvenience.
Debarkation Gets Rearranged
Soon after learning of the propulsion issues, cruisers were also notified that debarkation in PortMiami had been moved to a new terminal on November 21.
Instead of returning to Terminal D, where the cruise originally embarked, the voyage would now conclude at Terminal F.
“When we return to PortMiami, we will be docking at Terminal F instead of Terminal D, where we embarked,”Hotel Director Martin Fowler wrote to guests in another letter that was delivered on November 20, 2025.
While a specific reason for the change was not given, it would be a big coincidence if the cause was not related to the propulsion situation.
While the two terminals are within walking distance, the walk can be cumbersome when carrying luggage. Therefore, complimentary shuttles were available to bring guests back to Terminal D.
This, of course, would force guests embarking on the November 21 sailing, which was a 3-night voyage to Celebration Key, to adjust their plans as well.
Why Do Propulsion Problems Happen?
Per cruise tracking data, Carnival Conquest now appears to be operating normally and is in the middle of a 4-night Bahamas sailing that embarked on November 24.
Cruise Hive reached out to Carnival to ask if the issue was indeed resolved, but did not receive a response in time for publication.
But before the cruise community gets too harsh toward the ship’s hiccup, keep in mind that propulsion issues can happen for a variety of reasons related to mechanical failures, electrical problems, and even external factors.
Carnival Conquest Departing Miami (Photo Credit: Dennis MacDonald)
As these ships operate 24/7 every single day of the year with rare exception, sometimes onboard systems simply end up out of whack – even with constant maintenance and inspections.
It’s unclear what caused the recent propulsion issues onboard Carnival Conquest, or if the reason might be related to similar difficulties that impacted the ship earlier this year.
In January, engine troubles delayed the 110,000-gross ton vessel’s return to Miami by several hours at the end of a 3-night getaway cruise to Nassau, Bahamas.
Meanwhile, guests booked onboard MSC Meraviglia’s November 30, 2025, voyage have been notified that their Bahamas itinerary has been altered due to speed limitations.
If you find your cruise has been impacted by engine troubles, it’s important to do your best to remain patient, flexible, and respectful.
Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale is urging guests to be aware of heavy traffic for the holiday weekend.
A total of 21 cruise ships will homeport from Fort Lauderdale in just a few days.
Saturday will be the busiest day with 7 ships and 54,000 guests or more moving through the port.
It’s no surprise that traffic will be heavy around the Thanksgiving holiday, but many people think of that only with respect to driving to a relative’s home or heading to the airport. What about cruise ports?
“With the influx of cruise guests traveling during the Thanksgiving holiday, port users and visitors should expect traffic delays. Motorists are encouraged to allow for additional drive time until December 1st,”the alert explained.
From Wednesday, November 26, through Sunday, November 30, there are 21 cruise ships that will be making their way through Port Everglades.
While Wednesday isn’t too busy with just Viking Mars and Disney Dream in port, the weekend will get much more hectic. No ships are actually homeporting on Thanksgiving Day, but traffic picks up significantly for the holiday weekend.
On Friday, November 28, six different ships from five different cruise lines will be passing through Port Everglades:
Holland America Line’s Rotterdam is beginning a 21-night Southern Caribbean ABC cruise
Disney Destiny is welcoming guests for a 5-night Bahamas Disney Vacation Club sailing
Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas both for 3-night Bahamas cruises
Celebrity Reflection is beginning a 3-night Key West and Bahamas voyage
Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Serenity is setting off on a 9-night one-way sailing to Barbados
When all six vessels are combined, there may be more than 38,500 cruise passengers passing through Port Everglades on Black Friday.
Saturday, November 29 is even busier, with seven vessels in port representing fantastic vacations from four cruise lines:
The brand new Star Princess is setting off on a 7-night Western Caribbean itinerary
Oasis of the Seas is beginning an 8-night Southern Caribbean voyage
Nieuw Statendam and Koningsdam are offering 7- and 10-night Caribbean itineraries, respectively
Celebrity Summit is offering a 5-night Bahamas getaway
Celebrity Silhouette is beginning an 8-night Southern Caribbean ABC itinerary
Caribbean Princess is starting a 12-night Costa Rica and Panama Canal journey
With the size of these vessels, the passenger numbers are even higher with more than 54,000 guests either returning from cruises or setting sail on their vacations.
Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port (Photo Credit: Drew Rawcliffe)
Sunday, November 30, is slightly less frenetic with “only” six ships from four cruise lines in port.
Eurodam is beginning a 7-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary
Sun Princess and Majestic Princess are offering 7-night Eastern and 6-night Western Caribbean sailings, respectively
Allure of the Seas is beginning a 6-night Western Caribbean itinerary
Celebrity Xcel is setting off on a 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise, while Celebrity Eclipse begins a 6-night Western Caribbean itinerary
Still, there will likely be more than 46,000 guests moving through Port Everglades on Sunday as Thanksgiving holiday traffic winds down.
Of course, arranging ride shares, taxis, or shuttles can help ease some of the anticipated weekend congestion, but travelers should still plan for extra time to reach the cruise port at the appropriate time.
Port Everglades Urges Preparation
All of this extensive cruise traffic will likely cause congestion to and from the port, including at parking facilities.
Port Everglades is urging travelers to allot extra time for their drive to ensure they reach their respective cruise terminals on time. Furthermore, guests are encouraged to have their necessary paperwork in hand as they reach the cruise port to minimize holdups.
“To expedite access into the port, have photo IDs and cruise confirmations ready when approaching the security checkpoints,”the notification said.
Guests should avoid having those critical documents in any bags, as they will need to show their paperwork to security guards in order to enter the cruise port.
Above all, travelers should be patient with any congestion or bottlenecks as they arrive for their cruise vacations. While these busy days at the homeport will undoubtedly cause stress, the wonderful sun and beaches of the Caribbean await travelers!
Juneau recorded a total of 1,700,842 cruise passengers in 2025, marking another year of growth for Alaska’s busiest cruise port.
Large cruise ships accounted for 1,688,738 of those passengers, reflecting a 0.6 percent increase over 2024.
Small-ship operators contributed an additional 12,104 passengers as expedition-style cruising extends the season.
The 2025 Alaska cruise season was another successful year for port towns featured along the routes of many cruise lines. Juneau, Alaska, the state’s busiest cruise port, closed its season with yet another spike in passenger traffic, with a total of 1,700,842 guests arriving in town from cruise ships.
The bulk of those visitors came from larger cruise vessels, which brought 1,688,738 passengers to Juneau this year.
That’s just a 0.6 percent increase from 2024, when those vessels delivered 1,677,935 passengers.
While the year-over-year change is modest, port officials say the stability underscores Juneau’s role in major Alaskan itineraries.
Small-ship traffic also contributed to this year’s totals, with cruise lines such as UnCruise, American Cruise Lines, and Baranof Dream Cruises adding another 12,104 passengers.
Although these vessels carry far fewer passengers than traditional cruise ships, officials note their presence extends the season into shoulder months and continues to grow as expedition and adventure-style itineraries gain popularity in Southeast Alaska.
Planning for Another Year of Growth
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Encore closed out Juneau’s season on October 14, 2025. Now Docks & Harbors, which is responsible for managing Juneau’s port facilities, cruise berths, and waterfront operations, is turning its attention to shaping what’s ahead.
Hosting the 2025 annual Alaska Association of Harbormasters & Port Administrators (AAHPA) meeting earlier in November, planning sessions focused on how the city will handle continued high-volume cruise traffic at a time when demand remains strong and local debates over passenger numbers continue.
Cruise Passengers in Juneau, Alaska (Photo Credit: Kenneth Sponsler)
Much of the public debate is whether Juneau can or should place limits on cruise calls to no more than five large vessels per day and a visitor cap of 16,000 people daily, with Saturdays dropping to 12,000 cruise guests.
Those proposals have contributed to a wave of new private port development around Juneau, including Royal Caribbean’s current construction of a new two-berth cruise port, Goldbelt Aaní, on nearby Douglas Island.
Docks & Harbors used its November meeting to discuss long-term infrastructure needs, passenger-flow management on peak days, and capital projects required to support more than 1.7 million annual visitors. The board also addressed concerns that the new ports in development could shift traffic away from downtown docks.
The board also evaluated how Juneau’s decision to nearly double cruise dockage fees beginning in 2026 could affect port revenue and cruise scheduling.
The 2026 Alaska season will begin in mid-April with Holland America Line sending Noordam as the first and one of the last ships to arrive in the Inner Passage. Juneau will welcome its first vessel of the season, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Bliss, on April 28, 2026.
How much does it cost to build modern cruise ships? Many people, whether they are cruisers or not, are surprised to learn that it costs over US$500 million to get a cruise ship up and operating, with the most elaborate ships having a price tag of up to $2 billion.
The exact cost of building a cruise ship varies depending on the cruise line, the ship size, the features of the ship, and other factors.
Many Carnival and Princess ships cost about three-quarters of a billion dollars, while Royal Caribbean’s newest ships, Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas, cost about $2 billion.
Real Examples of Cruise Ship Building Costs
Ship Name
Cruise Line
Cost to Build
Passenger Capacity (Double Occupancy)
Launch Year
Star of the Seas
Royal Caribbean
$2 billion
5,610
2025
Wonder of the Seas
Royal Caribbean
$1.35 billion
5,734
2022
Carnival Celebration
Carnival
$0.95 billion
5,374
2022
Celebrity Edge
Celebrity Cruises
$0.9 billion
2,918
2018
As one of the newest, largest, and most elaborate ships in operation, it’s not surprising that Star of the Seas has such a high price tag. It’s part of Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class of ships, which means more space, more entertainment, and more advanced technology.
In comparison, Carnival’s Celebration cost about half of what Star of the Seas cost to build. That doesn’t mean it isn’t a great ship. It’s arguably Carnival’s most fun ship, which is saying a lot since the cruise line is known for being fun.
Icon Class Ships at Meyer Turku (Photo Credit: Jouni Niskakoski)
One reason for this is BOLT, the world’s first rollercoaster at sea. Although it’s been around for a few years now, I still consider it one of the greatest thrills you can experience at sea. Celebration also features six themed zones, further enhancing its theme park atmosphere.
Why Do Cruise Ships Cost So Much to Build?
Many factors affect the cost of building a cruise ship.
First and foremost, the ship must be safe. This includes a design capable of withstanding harsh ocean conditions and advanced navigation and emergency systems. Ships must comply with strict international safety regulations.
Everything from fire-suppression equipment to lifeboat capacity must meet rigorous standards. All of these things take time and expense in the construction process, which increases the cost.
MSC World America at the Shipyard (Photo Credit: Emrys Thakkar)
Additionally, some features that add to the cost are not necessary for safety but make a ship more marketable.
Larger ships with complex features and state-of-the-art technology cost more than smaller, more basic ships. Whether you’re a frequent cruiser or you’re planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip, many people want the best of the best.
Factors that Affect Build Cost
Several specific things affect the building cost of a cruise ship, including:
Size and Gross Tonnage
Larger ships require more steel, materials, and structural work, which drives up both raw costs and build time.
Labor Costs and Shipyard Location
Wages and expertise vary by country, so building in a high-cost or highly specialized yard significantly raises overall expenses.
Propulsion Systems and Engineering
High-performance engines, propulsion units like azipods, and other advanced mechanical systems require specialized design, integration, and testing, which significantly increases construction costs.
Regulatory Compliance and Safety Features
Meeting international safety, fire, and evacuation standards, including having enough lifeboats, requires expensive systems, redundancies, and certifications.
Passenger Capacity
Increasing passenger capacity requires more cabins, larger public spaces, and more amenities, driving up material and labor costs.
Onboard Amenities
Things like dining options, pools, theaters, and other onboard features add to the cost of building a ship. Each requires special design, adding millions in construction costs.
Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas Ultimate Abyss Installation
And for really over-the-top amenities, such as Carnival’s BOLT rollercoaster or Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate Abyss 10-deck high stainless steel slide, you’re looking at an even higher cost.
It’s all well worth the expense, though. Thrills and fun activities like these are often the deciding factor for many cruisers seeking a unique experience.
Environmental Technology
The cleanest, most advanced technology and alternative-fuel systems are costly to install and integrate. However, they’re essential for emissions compliance and are increasing in popularity among cruisers.
Some ships have switched to LNG (liquefied natural gas), a cleaner-burning fuel that’s cooled into a liquid so ships can store and use it more efficiently.
All of these factors play a role in the final cost of cruise ship construction.
Where Are Cruise Ships Built?
The world’s major shipyards focusing on cruise ship construction are located in Europe.
The best-known shipyards include Meyer Turku (Finland), Fincantieri (Italy), Meyer Werft (Germany), and Chantiers de l’Atlantique (France). These regions dominate the industry due to their highly skilled labor force and decades of experience building ships.
Carnival Cruise Ship at the Meyer Werft Shipyard (Photo Credit: MartinLueke)
Additionally, the shipyards have the infrastructure needed to handle the massive components and advanced technology that go into cruise ship construction.
Refurbishing vs. Building New
Updating an older ship is one way that cruise lines can offer the most up-to-date amenities and safety features on a ship without starting from scratch. In many cases, refurbishing an older ship costs less than building new, but it isn’t always a worthwhile investment.
For example, a smaller ship from budget-friendly cruise lines might not offer an ROI with updates due to its smaller capacity. And if a ship is too old or damaged, structural improvements could cost nearly as much as building from scratch.
Mariner of the Seas at the Shipyard
On the other hand, updates focused on interior improvements or upgraded technology on a ship with a sound structure are a great way to bring new life to an older ship.
It can cost anywhere from $80 to $150 million to refurbish a large cruise ship, which represents just 20-30% of the new construction cost while extending its service life by up to 15 years.
The average cruise ship sails for a couple of decades. Most become less popular later in their lifespan, but updates can increase their appeal with refreshed amenities and improved comfort.
What Is the Most Expensive Cruise Ship to Build?
Royal Caribbean sails the two most expensive cruise ships built to date. Both the Icon of the Seas, launched in 2024, and the Star of the Seas, launched in 2025, cost $2 billion to make. Each has a double occupancy capacity of 5,610 passengers.
AquaDome Installation on Legend of the Seas at Meyer Turku
Star of the Seas, in particular, offers an unforgettable cruise experience that includes 20 decks of activities. It’s divided into themed “neighborhoods,” including Thrill Island waterpark and Chill Island pools and swim-up bars, as well as family-friendly and adults-only sections.
Entertainment on board includes Broadway-quality productions, ice shows, and the AquaDome, where you can see aqua-theater performances. The Star of the Seas runs on cleaner-burning LNG fuel and uses an advanced AI system to create a safer, less wasteful experience.
Comparing Cost Per Passenger
It’s not surprising that some of the most expensive ships built are also some of the largest mega-ships in operation. However, many mid-size andexpedition ships have a high cost per passenger/berth because they sail with fewer passengers on board.
Most ships cost in the range of about $100,000 to $350,000 per passenger to build.
For example, the Star of the Seas‘ per-passenger cost is approximately $263,000. The original cost of building was US$2 billion, and the ship holds more than 5,610 passengers at double occupancy.
However, the smaller luxury expedition vessel Hanseatic Nature, operated by Hapag-Lloyd, had a total cost of $155 million to build, but its small capacity of just 199 guests means the cost is $779,000 per passenger.
Carnival Cruise Line Passengers (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks)
These per-passenger estimates are approximate and based on the original cost of building the ships. Another way of looking at per-berth cost is to evaluate the current values of ships in a cruise line and compare that to the passenger value.
For example, according to Royal Caribbean’s annual report, its current fleet is carried on its books at $39.3 billion. When you divide that value by the company’s published capacity of 94,100 berths, you get an estimated $418,000 per berth.
Remember, this is based on book value (not original construction cost) and includes depreciation, so it doesn’t exactly match “build cost per passenger,” but it’s a useful ballpark estimate.
Read Also: World’s Most Expensive Cruise in 2027 to Cost Up to $839,999 Per Guest
Larger ships that cost more to build might actually be less expensive in the long run as cruise companies make back their investment faster than with smaller capacity ships.
How Much Does It Cost to Run a Cruise Ship for One Day?
The daily operating cost of a cruise ship is based on several factors, including:
Fuel and Energy
Fuel prices account for approximately 9% of a ship’s operating cost. In addition to the cost of buying fuel, cruise ships must also account for transporting, delivering, and storing the fuel.
In many cases, fuel is one of, if not the most, expensive daily costs of operating the ship.
Cruise ships use an average of 140 to 250 tons of fuel daily. With an average cost of US$3.00 per gallon ($1,056 per ton), daily fuel costs for a ship range from $148,000 to $264,000.
Crew Salaries and Onboard Staff
Cruise ships are nothing without their staff, and operating a ship requires a lot of staff.
Paying staff accounts for approximately 13% of a ship’s operating budget. Larger ships have thousands of crew members, while smaller ships and expedition ships have a few hundred. Most ships staff one crew member for every two to three passengers.
Royal Caribbean Crew Members (Photo Credit: EWY Media)
The average salary for a crew member is approximately $2,000 per month, but this varies widely based on the work they’re doing. For example, cabin stewards and bartenders earn far less than ship captains.
Most cruise ships also offer a variety of entertainment that employs dozens of performers. Salaries for musicians, actors, and casino dealers, and more, add to the cost of staff.
Food and Beverage
Supplying a cruise ship with food and drinks is another massive expense. On many ships, food is available around the clock and, in some cases, in unlimited supply for cruisers. Add to that the cost of storing and preparing the food, and you’ve got a significant daily expense.
Maintenance and Consumables
Safe and comfortable cruising means the ship must be equipped with everything (and more) that you’d expect to find in a hotel. Clean towels, toilet paper, linens, and toiletries must be replenished each day.
Ships also need regular maintenance of engines, plumbing, and HVAC systems to keep everything running smoothly. These ongoing costs for supplies and upkeep can add millions of dollars to a ship’s operating budget.
Port Fees, Taxes, and Insurance
Cruise companies must also budget forport fees, taxes, and insurance costs. It costs a cruise ship money every time it pulls into port. Ships are also subject to taxes and duties in each country they visit.
Multiple Cruise Ships Docked in Nassau, Bahamas (Photo Credit: Sven Hansche)
Not to mention, cruise lines carry extensive insurance coverage to protect against accidents, natural disasters, and liability claims, which can amount to millions annually for a single vessel.
These costs are often passed on to passengers in their ticket price.
How Much Does a Cruise Ship Make Each Cruise?
Like the operating expenses, the profit from each cruise varies based on the size of the ship, operating costs, and other factors. Cruises have several revenue streams, including:
The average profit margin per cruise is about 15%, or $291 per passenger. The highest revenue is generated by ticket sales, but onboard services, such as gambling, excursions, drinks, and personal services, can account for more than 30% of the total profit.
The cruise industry turns a profit, but this profit is reduced every time fuel prices spike or there is a reduction in passengers. For passengers who book an inside stateroom and skip drink packages or specialty dining, cruise lines often operate at a loss.
What’s the Bottom Line?
Cruise ships cost a fortune to build because cruisers want bigger spaces, cooler tech advancements, and experiences that aren’t available anywhere else. That’s part of the fun of cruising.
So next time you’re onboard, take a moment to appreciate just how much engineering magic goes into your vacation.
A Taiwanese national was arrested in the Philippines after his cruise ship docked in Currimao Port.
Tsai Chin Hao faces charges from an outstanding arrest warrant issued in the US.
The suspect was discovered during immigration procedures aboard StarCruises’ Star Navigator.
Drama surrounding the arrest of an alleged fugitive from justice unfolded onboard a cruise ship as it arrived in Philippine territory on a voyage from Taiwan.
The unusual event was handled by the Philippines Bureau of Immigration (BI) on November 22, 2025, when authorities realized that 54-year-old Tsai Chin Hao was a passenger on Star Navigator, which had arrived at Currimao Port, Ilocos Norte, Philippines.
Hao was named in an Interpol alert as the subject of an arrest warrant in the US, where he is a former citizen. The immigration office identifies him as a current Taiwanese national. The charges contained in his arrest warrant were not revealed.
According to BI, Hao was discovered when eight officers were conducting routine immigration procedures after the ship arrived at the port, the first and only call on the ship’s two-night getaway sailing from Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
The officers, along with the Philippines’ National Bureau of Investigation, apprehended Hao and turned him over to the BI Fugitive Search Unit.
“This operation reflects our firm commitment to secure our borders and uphold [President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s] directive. Our officers remain vigilant in ensuring that the Philippines does not become a refuge for fugitives,” said Joel Anthony Viado, commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration.
It is unclear where Hao was taken, and when he might be returned to the US for prosecution.
The 1,856-guest Star Navigator sails 2- and 5-night cruises roundtrip from Taiwan. The cruise was the ship’s first visit to Currimao Port as part of a series of voyages that will continue until late January 2026.
Indeed, the Ilocos Norte Tourism office welcomed the ship in a Facebook post, saying that the region’s growing tourism is a boon to local businesses.
Cruise Ship to Begin New Series of Asia Sailings in 2026
Star Navigator, an older ship that launched in 1998, will shift to 2-, 3-, and 5-night sailings in February 2026, offering destinations farther afield in East Asia.
Sailing from Keelung, Taiwan, two-night cruises will call at Ishigaki, Japan, for instance, while 5-night voyages will visit Busan, South Korea, and Nagasaki and Naha, Japan.
Photo: Dream Cruises Asia
Other 5-night cruises to Japan will call at Kumamoto and Kagoshima.
StarCruises is a new brand in the cruise industry. In February 2025, Resorts World Cruises was split into two entities — StarCruises and Dream Cruises. Resorts World was formed in 2022 by a former executive of Genting Cruises, which was owned by Genting Hong Kong, a firm that went bankrupt that same year.
Star Navigator formerly operated as Resorts World One. Before that, the ship was named Explorer Dream and sailed for Dream Cruises.
They’re Unusual, But Arrests Do Happen During Cruises
While not a common occurrence, arrests of cruise guests happen from time to time. Most recently, a guest, Phillip Andrew Ortiz, was arrested at PortMiami during the November 22, 2025 embarkation of Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Encore.
Ortiz is accused of assaulting another cruiser during an altercation on the ship. In another noteworthy case, a guest sailing on Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas was arrested after he jumped overboard as guests were disembarking in Puerto Rico in September 2025.
His alleged crime? Trying to avoid paying the cruise line a $16,000 debt he incurred in the ship’s casino.
Anna Kepner’s death has officially been ruled a homicide on her death certificate.
It lists the cause of death as “mechanical asphyxia.”
Kepner’s step-brother is currently a suspect, but her grandparents have spoken out to say that the step-sibling was devastated by her death.
Following weeks of investigating and waiting for answers, Anna Kepner’s recent death onboard Carnival Horizon is officially classified as a homicide.
The 18-year-old’s death certificate, which was issued on Monday, November 24, 2025, and provided to ABC News by the family, lists the manner of death as “mechanical asphyxia.”
This aligns with the cause on the formal death certificate, which states that Kepner “was mechanically asphyxiated by other person(s).”
Additionally, the date of injury is now listed as November 6, 2025, with the time of death unknown.
Previously, the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner had listed the time of death as 11:17 a.m. on Friday, November 7, 2025. This will likely now be revised, if it hasn’t been already.
Kepner’s body was found on November 7, hidden under a bed in her cruise cabin, covered with a sheet and life jackets.
When the Carnival ship arrived in PortMiami, FBI agents were waiting to begin their investigation.
Even now, this is still a developing situation. Additional elements like the autopsy and toxicology reports have not yet been released.
No Arrests Have Been Made
Although Kepner’s death has officially been ruled a homicide, her killer has not yet been arrested.
As of the time of this publication, no charges have been filed.
That said, court filings show that authorities have been looking at Kepner’s 16-year-old step-brotheras a possible suspect, who was sharing a cruise cabin with the deceased.
Carnival Horizon and Anna Kepner (Photo Credits: YES Market Media & anna.kepner16)
Kepner’s stepmom, Shauntel Hudson, had requested to delay custody proceedings with her ex-husband because “a criminal case may be initiated” against one of her children.
At least in the public eye, suspicion around the step-sibling has increased in response to security footage.
Although the footage has not been publicly released, it supposedly shows that the step-brother entered the cruise cabin shortly after Kepner was last seen alive and did not emerge again that night.
Meanwhile, Kepner’s other sibling was captured coming into the room briefly, and venturing back out to explore the ship and take pictures.
Kepner’s Grandparents Speak Out
The step-sibling has received quite a bit of backlash from the media and public, and understandably so.
However, Kepner’s grandparents, who were also on the cruise, may have a different perspective.
Barbara said that Anna and her step-brother were close and got along well, describing the duo as having been “two peas in a pod.”
The grandparents said that the step-siblings volunteered to stay in the same cabin together, but knew that they had the option to stay with the rest of the family if any disagreements occurred.
“The two younger girls stayed with the parents and then the three teenagers, they decided amongst themselves they wanted to stay in the room together,”Barbara said.
“But we had a larger room and we made it very clear that at any time if they weren’t getting along, they didn’t want to be together, we had an extra bed in our room that they could come to,”the grandmother continued.
Per the grandparents, the step-brother was devastated upon learning about the cheerleader’s death.
“He was an emotional mess. He couldn’t even speak. He couldn’t believe what had happened,” Barbara recounted.
She went on to explain that the step-brother was so distraught that he had to be hospitalized for psychiatric observation after the Carnival ship returned to Miami.
He has since been released to the care of another relative at an undisclosed location.
For now, the investigation continues. The family and onlookers alike will have to continue to wait for concrete answers about what really happened to poor Anna Kepner.
