On July 16, 2025, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an official report of the 18th outbreak to happen on a cruise ship this year.
Navigator of the Seas disembarked guests on July 11, which is the same day the crew sent the report of a gastrointestinal illness outbreak to the Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP).
The 7-night round-trip voyage departed out of Los Angeles on July 4 and called on ports in Cabo, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta in Mexico.
It is unclear when exactly the outbreak began, but the number of reported cases was high enough by the end of the cruise that the crew was required to report it to the VSP.
The rules state clearly that all outbreaks must be reported to the CDC when at least 3% of the crew or guests have any highly contagious symptoms.
As is pretty typical, the larger percentage of individuals on this sailing with gastrointestinal illness were the guests, not the crew.
According to the report done by the CDC, 134 of the 3,914 guests onboard the ship — which is 3.4% — experienced symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps.
On the other hand, only seven out of the 1,266 crew onboard (0.6%) had these same symptoms.
The outbreak may have been reported on disembarkation day, but the numbers are accumulated throughout the voyage.
That being said, the crew on Navigator of the Seas did take immediate action in response to the outbreak, beginning with increasing the cleaning and disinfecting procedures outlined in their outbreak and prevention response plan.
Beyond that, those who were ill were isolated and had specimens collected to help confirm the cause of the outbreak.
The crew also worked and consulted with the VSP to inform them of sanitation cleaning procedures and the reporting of cases of illness.
CDC Sign (Photo Credit: Tada Images)
While the final verdict on the causative agent for the outbreak has yet to be confirmed, but the CDC has hinted that it is likely to be Norovirus.
Despite the outbreak, Navigator of the Seas is currently wrapping up yet another 7-night voyage that has had no indications of a subsequent gastro illness outbreak.
Have Other Royal Caribbean Ships Had Outbreaks in 2025?
While there have been countless outbreaks this year, Royal Caribbean has only seen one other outbreak, and it was back in February.
Guests on the July 11 voyage were informed only two days ahead of time of the expected delay for embarkation.
Despite the delay, it seems as though this sailing went on without issue and is set to disembark guests in Los Angeles on July 18, having completed the same itinerary as the cruise the week before.
However, its next several sailings will be shorter 3- and 4-night cruises with stops in Ensenada, Mexico, as well as Catalina Island.
While it may seem like there are more outbreaks than ever, cruisers should not stress too much, as sanitation protocols are improving all the time on cruise ships!
The Cape Liberty Cruise Port in Bayonne, New Jersey, is a popular port for East Coast cruises headed out to the Bahamas, Bermuda, New England or Canada.
It’s easily accessible for those who live in New York, New Jersey or Connecticut, and arguably easier to drive to than the Manhattan NYC cruise port.
Myriad cruise lines sail from here, including Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Silversea Cruises and TUI Cruises.
So if you are, like many others, driving to this port for your next trip, what do you need to know? Here’s your quick Cape Liberty cruise parking guide.
Many cruisers prefer the convenience of affordable cruise parking directly at the port itself. Official port parking is typically plentiful, safe and ideally located just steps from your terminal. That said, while Cape Liberty parking is relatively affordable, it’s not always the cheapest option available.
The official Cape Liberty cruise port parking facility is located right next to the terminal, at 4 Port Terminal Blvd, Bayonne, NJ 07002.
However, in some instances, that parking facility does fill up, which necessitates the use of overflow parking lots located further away. Luckily, if you do have to use one of these overflow lots, the cruise port does provide free shuttle service to get you between the overflow lot and the terminal.
Unlike other cruise ports, you don’t need to (and actually can’t) make a parking reservation ahead of your cruise. Just show up and pay for your spot via any major credit cards. Depending on where you enter the garage, you may either pay upon arrival or upon departure.
Photo Credit: Valerie Johnson / Shutterstock
Rates are $30 per day for standard vehicles, $60 per day for an RV and or mini bus, and $90 per day for full-size buses.
Due to the height restriction of the garage, if your vehicle is taller than 7’4”, you can still park at the terminal, but you’ll be directed to the overflow lots regardless of whether or not there’s space left in the garage.
Wherever you park, the port does recommend that you drop off your luggage before you do so, at the terminal (and note that there are no luggage carts available).
Luggage should be tagged prior to arrival, per your cruise line’s instructions, and you can drop off luggage directly in front of the terminal, in drop-off zones 1–5, right next to the entrance.
When you arrive back at the terminal after your cruise is over, you can get porter service to help take your luggage back to your car.
Off-Site, Unofficial Cape Liberty Cruise Port Parking Options
Cape Liberty Cruise Parking
If, though, you’d like to compare and contrast your other parking options in the area, you can check out the following providers.
Just be sure that, whatever provider you choose, you’re not just looking for the cheapest price.
In addition to price, also look at facility amenities such as free shuttle service to the port, security features, free cancellations and whether or not the facility is covered (particularly if you’re cruising during the winter, when the area could see snow!). Take note of any height restrictions or vehicle exclusions, too.
Additionally, keep in mind that some of the popular, unofficial, off-site parking options are located at the nearby Newark International Airport.
As such, a provider’s shuttle service may serve the airport, but not the port. Despite this, many cruisers appreciate the cheaper prices that you can often find at these airport lots.
Park & Sail NJ
Cape Liberty Port
Park & Sail NJ offers parking options at 120 Chosin Few Way, which is a bit of a hike if you want to walk to the terminal, but it’s only a short, 6-minute car ride.
This secure parking facility gives you several different parking options, including valet parking, a short-term lot, a long-term lot, an economy open lot and parking garage.
Amenities include 24-hour service, a car wash, electric vehicle charging, and help with inflating tires or jumping batteries, if needed, after you arrive back from your cruise.
Cruise parking costs start at $17 per day for the most basic parking options.
Park2Go
Park2Go Lot
Park2Go is mostly dedicated to Newark airport parking and does not have a shuttle to the port. However, it is still a very popular option for those looking for off-site Cape Liberty cruise port parking.
Located at 780 Dowd Avenue, Elizabeth, NJ, the provider offers a valet indoor and outdoor hassle-free parking experience, as well as self-parking outdoor options.
Cars must not have any bike racks or hitches attached. If you have a bike rack or hitch attached to your vehicle, you’ll either be asked to remove it or face a $15-per-day extra fee.
Parking rates start at $19.99 per day for outdoor parking and $21.99 per day for heated, indoor parking. The parking facility is open 24 hours. Extra, $7-per-day fees apply to pickup trucks, vans and oversized SUVs.
Value Parking
Value Parking
Similarly, Value Parking, located at 139 McClellan Street, is primarily a Newark airport parking facility, but it’s a 20-minute taxi or rideshare ride from Cape Liberty cruise port, so some visitors see it as a potential, budget-friendly option.
You will need to get that taxi or rideshare, though, as complimentary shuttle service and public transportation do not go to the port. That extra cost may negate any good parking deal you get.
Depending on the lot you choose to park in (outdoor and covered options are both available), you could pay the low price of just $13.95 per day for your parking.
Extra services that the provider offers include car washing, car detailing and fuel refills.
Newark Long Term Parking
Newark Long Term Parking
Newark Long Term Parking, located at 422 Frelinghuysen Avenue, offers rates as low as $18.99 per day. The facility provides both valet and self-parking options, electric charging stations and a rewards program for special offers, exclusive discounts and cruise parking deals that can save you money as a frequent cruiser.
This parking lot does not accept oversized vehicles and there’s no flexibility whatsoever on that policy. Trucks, large SUVs and vehicles with hitches will all be turned away upon arrival.
Parking Search Platforms That Offer Cape Liberty Cruise Port Parking
In addition to official lots that offer Cape Liberty cruise port parking, you can also find websites that allow you to search for parking options in the general area, allowing you to book a spot with providers that may not have their own website, or providers that aren’t traditional parking options (such as hotels).
Cruise Terminal at Cape Liberty (Photo Credit: Leonard Zhukovsky)
Global Airport Parking
Global Airport Parking will show you a range of top facilities at various rates, that are located anywhere from a few miles to more than 20 miles away from the port. Some parking is available for as little as $7 per day.
Many of the parking providers on this booking platform do not offer any shuttle service to the port, so you’ll need to think about that before booking a cheap spot a long distance away from the cruise terminal. Thankfully, it’s not at all difficult to get Uber or Lyft service in this general area.
SpotHero
SpotHero allows you to book convenient parking spots all around the country, wherever you might be, not just near a cruise port or airport.
The search feature on this platform is very easy to use, with just a few simple clicks, and you can view the best deals on a handy map. The one downside is that this platform does not show as many options near Cape Liberty as some of the others.
Rates start at a few dollars per hour.
Rightway Parking
Rightway Parking specializes in airport and cruise port parking options, with service at a handful of ports around the United States.
With daily rates at less than $9 per day, a quick search displays all your options and all the information you might need to compare those options, including distance from the port, opening hours, whether or not shuttle service is available and whether or not staff are on-site for assistance as needed.
Hotel Cruise Parking Near Cape Liberty Cruise Port
Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas Docked at Cape Liberty (Photo Credit: Brian Logan Photography)
If you’re driving to Cape Liberty from far enough away that you’ll need to stay the night in a hotel, you can park your car at a handful of area hotels that will offer you a stay and off-cruise parking package.
If you think that you won’t need to stay overnight before embarkation day, and you can simply get up extra-early and drive four or five hours to the port, I’d caution you to rethink that.
Cruise ships won’t wait around for tardy passengers. I always recommend that, unless you live locally to your embarkation port, you plan on arriving in the port city the day or night before.
This ensures that traffic headaches or similar delays won’t make you miss embarkation (and the traffic in this part of New Jersey and in nearby NY can be intense!).
Plus, doing so just makes for a less stressful, more relaxed and seamless trip.
If you don’t want to search around for a hotel that offers such a package, you might also want to check out Trinity Reservations, a company that bundles your parking and hotel stay together, on your behalf, and then even provides shuttle service.
If you’ve ever wondered how a Holland America Line cruise ship really operates, you’ve got to look past the public spaces and staterooms and explore the inner workings of the vessel.
That opportunity is once again a reality, since the cruise line has resumed offering its behind-the-scenes ship tours.
These insider peeks at places most passengers will never see can bring a new perspective to cruise guests, who will be given guided tours of their ship’s bridge, main galley, laundry operations, the engine control room, and other spaces.
Guests who sign up for the tour, which carries a price tag of $179 per person and can be booked on the line’s web site as a shore excursion, will meet the crew members who work in the various departments.
“We hear so often from guests who’d love to see the bridge or where our chefs prepare their meals. By bringing back this tour experience we’re pulling back the curtain to these areas that are rarely visited,” said Carole Biencourt, vice president of onboard revenue at Holland America Line.
“It’s a fascinating look at the inner workings of a cruise ship, and guests love meeting the crew members who work behind the scenes to create such a memorable experience,” Biencourt added.
Some of the ship’s officers — perhaps even the captain, chief engineer, or executive chef — will interact with guests and provide insights into the operation centers. And there are some perks for guests who book the tour, including a special lanyard, a souvenir photo, and a commemorative certificate.
The tours are being offered on some ships now and will be expanded to the whole fleet by the end of July 2025.
The cruise line is getting the word out about the tours via social media. A post invites guests to “step into the heart of the ship with rare access to the bridge, galley, engine control room, and more! Plus meet the incredible crew who make it all run smoothly.”
The $179 price tag, however, got mixed reviews from commenters.
“That is way too much money to be shown around the ship,” wrote one cruiser.
“It was offered on my cruise last month..but I found it too expensive..would have loved to have done it otherwise,” commented another.
Others expressed a lot of interest in the tours.
“Oh my gosh…I would love to do that. That is so cool,” said one.
Added another: “Would love this. I hope they have available on my next cruise at the end of August.”
Firsthand Account: My Tour of the Line’s Zuiderdam
The $179 tour price notwithstanding, take it from someone who recently participated in a ship tour like the one described — do it, you’ll love it.
While sailing aboard Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam on a Canada/New England cruise in fall of 2024, I joined a media group tour of the 1,900-guest ship, hosted by the cruise director.
We started out on the bridge, where one of the senior officers explained the ship’s vast computer system and showed us how virtually all of the vessel’s operations are monitored 24/7 from the bridge.
Holland America Tour
From there we got a look at the main galley, where the lion’s share of the ship’s food is prepared and cooked, then continued into the main laundry area.
This was a real eye-opener: huge bins holding clean sheets, bathrobes, and towels filled the huge space, and crew members stood at big tables folding each one of the items with care and precision.
Holland America Line is not the only brand offering ship tours. Carnival Cruise Line does as well.
It’s Behind the Fun tour is similar to Holland America’s and it also charges for the activity. The fee varies based on the ship. For example, the price ranges from $90 on ships like Carnival Radiance and Carnival Sunshine, rising to $150 on Carnival Jubilee and Mardi Gras.
Eight months after a devastating earthquake crippled much of the infrastructure in the South Pacific destination of Vanuatu, local officials are heralding the return of cruise tourism.
Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Adventure will be the first cruise ship with regularly scheduled port calls to visit Vanuatu’s Port Vila. Her first call is set for August 8, 2025 as the ship sails a 10-night Vanuatu & New Caledonia voyage roundtrip from Sydney, Australia.
Other calls on the itinerary include Mystery Island, Vanuatu, Lifou, and Noumea, New Caledonia.
Carnival Adventure is not the first ship to call at Port Vila in 2025. The destination was a scheduled port call on Oceania Cruises’ Oceania Insignia’s world cruise on June 4, 2025.
Also, the line’s Oceania Regatta visited Port Vila on July 7, 2025 as part of her 72-night Asia & Oceania Odyssey Tokyo to Honolulu voyage.
The 2,600-guest Carnival Adventure will sail itineraries that feature Port Vila through September 2025. While the ship will continue to homeport in Sydney year-round, Port Vila is not included in winter 2025-26 itineraries, however, the ship will resume calls there in summer 2026.
Carnival Adventure and sister ship Carnival Encounter are the former Pacific Adventure and Pacific Encounter operated by P&O Australia, which, like Carnival Cruise Line, is a brand of Carnival Corporation.
In June 2024, the parent company announced that the P&O brand would be dissolved and the two ships transferred to the Carnival Cruise Line fleet. Carnival Encounter, also accommodating 2,600 guests, is homeported in Brisbane, Australia, and is featuring Port Vila on certain itineraries in 2025.
Landslide in Port Vila following a 7.3-magnitude earthquake. (Photo Credit: Dan McGarry)
Like other cruise lines, Carnival discontinued visits to Vanuatu following the 7.3 earthquake that hit the destination on December 16, 2024. It caused massive damage to the island, prompting Carnival Cruise Line to donate $60,000 to a local paramedic service that provided care to injured people.
Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas are among other cruise line ships that are returning to Port Vila in the coming months. The 4,100-guest Anthem of the Seas is homeporting in Sydney and the 4,000-guest Voyager of the Seas in Brisbane.
Local Population Gearing Up for Cruise Ship Visits
The Vanuatu Tourism Office is prepping for the launch of the destination’s first cruise tourism season since the 2024 earthquake.
In a Facebook post, the office, along with the Port Vila City Council and the Departments of Urban Affairs and Ports and Harbors, issued a community invite to a pre-cruise season meeting on July 23, 2025.
The gathering will bring local residents and businesses up to date on the preparations for the resumption of cruise tourism. Port Vila is a tender port, and discussions will include details about the destination’s temporary wharf facilities, the full cruise ship schedule, and other elements.
Royal Caribbean Ship at Port Vila (Photo Credit: Pilots Eyes)
The tourism office is also encouraging local businesses to put up welcome banners and other decorations in advance of the cruise ships’ arrivals. Local media reports indicate that the destination is planning a Port Vila Clean-Up Campaign to beautify areas frequented by cruise passengers.
“Many people are excited because we know the benefits cruise ships bring to our country and communities,” Rachel Koran, marketing office at the Vanuatu Tourism Office, told the local media outlet.
“We are already running awareness programs so that the public, and especially businesses, are informed and prepared to welcome the visitors on this important day,” added Koran.
The arrival of Carnival Adventure early on August 8, 2025, will be marked with a VIP ceremony attended by local government officials, who will issue a warm welcome to her passengers.
Carnival Cruise Line is pulling back the curtain on its 2027-28 deployments, and the first announcement reveals a plan to boost capacity in New Orleans.
The cruise line will continue to homeport two ships year-round in the Big Easy, but starting in May 2027 the 3,646-guest Carnival Dream will replace the 2,980-guest Carnival Valor, boosting double-occupancy guest capacity by about 700 passengers per sailing.
Carnival Liberty, accommodating 2,974 guests, double occupancy, will continue its deployment in New Orleans, sailing alongside Carnival Dream.
Between Carnival Dream and Carnival Liberty, the cruise line will offer a wide assortment of itineraries and cruise lengths, including visits to ports in the Western Caribbean and the Bahamas, and to Carnival’s new private destination, Celebration Key.
If both ships sail with all berths occupied, Carnival Dream and Carnival Liberty can accommodate 4,600 and 3,700, respectively, an indication of the cruise line’s faith in the growing New Orleans cruise market.
“More capacity with a larger ship means more tourism activity for Port NOLA and the region, where we’ve enjoyed a successful partnership for over three decades,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.
Indeed, in 2024, the cruise line celebrated its 30th anniversary of operating year-round voyages from the port, which is the 7th busiest cruise port in North America based on cruise arrivals.
Carnival Dream, the first ship in the line’s Dream class, currently sails year-round from Galveston, Texas. No word yet on which Carnival Cruise Line ship will replace her in the Gulf Coast port.
“As we roll out our deployment plans through the spring of 2028, we have great news to share with our homeport communities. Fun is on the move, and that means more options and more variety as guests book their future cruise vacations,” added Duffy.
Carnival Cruise Ship in New Orleans (Courtesy: Port of New Orleans)
Carnival Dream, which entered service in 2008, will wrap up her Texas deployment in early May 2027 with a 7-night Bahamas cruise calling at Nassau, Bahamas, Key West, and Celebration Key.
She will sail her first voyage from the Port of New Orleans on May 16, 2027, marking her first cruise from the Big Easy since her last deployment there in 2019.
From New Orleans, the ship will operate 4- and 5-day cruises to Mexico destinations, which are not yet confirmed but likely to include Progresso, Costa Maya, and/or Cozumel.
Carnival Liberty Slated to Remain at NOLA Into Spring 2028
Carnival Liberty, meanwhile, is scheduled to continue operating from New Orleans at least through April 2028. The Conquest-class ship that entered service in 2005 will sail 7-day Western Caribbean and Bahamas cruises, also offering itineraries that include Celebration Key.
Eight-day holiday sailings are also on Carnival Liberty’s roster, including during the Thanksgiving and Christmas weeks, plus a longer, 14-day Panama Canal voyage departing on November 28, 2027.
That cruise will feature calls to Aruba, Cartagena, Colon (Panama Canal), Curaçao, Cozumel, and Jamaica.
Carnival Liberty recently emerged from a dry dock renovation that added several popular spaces, such as the WaterWorks aqua park and the Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounge, designed for veterans and active-duty military members.
Carnival Valor, the ship being replaced by Carnival Dream, currently sails 4- and 5-night Western Caribbean cruises, and the cruise line has not yet disclosed where that ship will be deployed once Carnival Dream shifts to the Big Easy.
A “new era” of nighttime entertainment will debut this fall when Princess Cruises introduces the world to Star Princess, its second new Sphere-class ship.
The 4,300-passenger vessel is set to debut October 4, 2025, with a slate of new productions designed for various venues onboard, including two original theatrical shows in the Princess Arena, a classical candlelight concert series in The Dome, and a range of immersive events throughout the ship.
“We’re not just putting on shows; we’re crafting moments that will stay with guests long after the final curtain,” said Lorna Warren, Princess Cruises’ vice president hotel operations and guest experience.
She added, “Star Princess was designed to surprise, move, and inspire each and every night.”
The two new mainstage productions, Meridien and Illuminate: A Spectacle of Joy, were created by the production team at Black Skull Creative, a London-based studio that specializes in full-scale shows.
Meridien is being described as a cinematic-style story set aboard a luxury ship, while Illuminate is set in a circus environment with surreal visuals and a multi-generational pop soundtrack.
Both shows will feature original choreography and direction from award-winning creatives and are staged in the 178,000-gross-ton ship’s high-tech Princess Arena.
The cruise line also revealed it is bringing back Viva La Música, which first premiered on sister ship Sun Princess. The Latin-inspired dance show was choreographed by Liz Imperio, known for her work with Jennifer Lopez and Madonna.
Entertainment on Star Princess will span across venues in the ship’s key gathering spaces. In The Dome, for instance, the cruise line is debuting a Candlelight Concert Series.
Held in the glass-enclosed venue at the top of the ship, classical and cinematic performances will be staged by live musicians in a candlelit setting.
The Piazza, a central atrium area also enclosed in glass, will debut the Princess Jamz, a 45-minute music performance led by the ship’s cruise director and a 15-piece Princess World Orchestra.
The performance is planned as a regular event in the heart of the ship.
Star Princess debuts new entertainment. (Photo Credit: Princess Cruises)
Also debuting in the Piazza is the Celestial Champagne Soirée, a new take on the cruise line’s traditional Champagne Waterfall.
This event will incorporate music, light shows, and multimedia displays, adding a modern twist to the long-running tradition.
Excitement Is Building for Debut
Star Princess is nearing completion at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. Construction began with the keel-laying ceremony on December 11, 2023, and by September 2024, the ship was floated out of dry dock for the first time.
Originally scheduled to enter service in summer 2025, construction delays have pushed the debut to October 4, 2025.
Her maiden voyage will be an 11-night Mediterranean sailing from Barcelona, with calls in ports such as Marseille, France; Naples, Italy; and Gibraltar.
Latest Construction Photos of Star Princess (Credit: Princess Cruises)
After a transatlantic crossing that begins on October 22, 2025, the ship will reposition to Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades to begin a winter season of Caribbean cruises.
Arriving on November 5, 2025, her first US voyage will be a 3-night cruise to Princess Cruises’ private Princess Cays in the Bahamas.
The vessel will then continue to offer roundtrip Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries that include visits to Belize, Honduras, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Turks and Caicos, and the Bahamas.
By spring of 2026, Star Princess will head to Seattle to join the cruise line’s Alaska fleet, offering Inside Passage itineraries and visits to Glacier Bay National Park.
Let there be light, in this case a brighter, animated light on the crown-and-anchor logo aboard Royal Caribbean’s soon-to-debut Star of the Seas.
Images of the new-build, second in the line’s Icon class, were captured at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland where the mega-ship is undergoing final touches before her launch in four weeks.
A local photographer in Turku posted photos of the illuminated logo on Facebook, showing it changing colors and patterns. On sister ship Icon of the Seas, the giant logo’s lights are limited to its edges, but on Star of the Seas it’s a full-blown illumination that can show, for instance, a waving US flag.
“There was all sorts of animations at Star of the Seas light sign tonight. Apparently, they were filming a video at the shipyard for the use of the shipyard or a warehouse when a drone buzzed next to the ship, inside the shipyard area,” Janne-Petteri Kumpulainen wrote on social media.
Comments from the post indicate a thumbs-up for the splashy logo lights.
Besides the new, glowing logo on the exterior of the ship, innovative artwork will also be featured in the indoor spaces.
Large murals commissioned from three Caribbean-based artists, for instance, will grace the walls of the ship’s embarkation area, the Royal Promenade neighborhood, the Suite Sundeck Lobby, and the Suite Sundeck.
Testing of the new lighting on the logo was likely part of the ship’s final prepping before leaving the shipyard. Royal Caribbean took delivery of the 248,663-gross-ton vessel on July 10, 2025.
The handover followed successful sea trials in June, when the ship’s major systems, such as propulsion, navigation, and safety, were tested on the open sea. Before a series of preview cruises begin in mid-August, the ship will undergo final outfitting.
Crew members are onboard to set up various departments such as housekeeping, culinary, and entertainment, and final inspections will be completed before the ship sets sail.
In fact, the 5,600-guest Star of the Seas originally was to sail from Turku to Cadiz, Spain, for a short stay at the Navantia shipyard.
However, a metalworkers’ strike there forced the line to alter its plans; now the ship will sail to a shipyard at the Port of Algeciras, in Campamento, Spain, rather than Navantia.
Series of Showcase Cruises Begins in Mid-August
Star of the Seas will sail from Algeciras to Port Canaveral and sail her first preview cruise on August 16, 2025, a 4-night Star Showcase Cruise to Perfect Day at CocoCay, the cruise line’s private island in the Bahamas.
Three additional preview cruises will follow before the ship begins her series of 7-night alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises. Eastern Caribbean sailings will call at Perfect Day at CocoCay, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Philipsburg, St. Maarten.
Western Caribbean voyages will take guests to Perfect Day, Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico, and Roatan, Honduras.
Prior to the start of Star of the Seas’ cruises the ship will be christened at Port Canaveral, with Diana Ross, the “queen of Motown Records,” serving as godmother. The date of the naming ceremony has not yet been revealed.
Royal Caribbean confirmed that the event will be held in the ship’s AquaTheater, the centerpiece of the ship’s AquaDome neighborhood. Star of the Seas is a sister ship to Icon of the Seas, which debuted in 2024 and is based at PortMiami.
Carnival Cruise Line is giving its loyalty cruisers plenty of time to prepare for its much-publicized shift in its VIFP (Very Important Fun Person) loyalty program.
But that doesn’t mean loyalty members haven’t been upset.
Now, President Christine Duffy is addressing the changes directly to try to ease the building tension that has resulted in passengers jumping ship for competitor loyalty programs.
“We want to be transparent, and we want to be sure everyone understands, the program,”Duffy said during a visit on Carnival Vista on July 14.
“While we knew this change and this announcement was going to be difficult, the lifetime status benefits just cannot be delivered in the right way.”
Duffy cited exponential growth as a key factor in the decision. Since Carnival Cruise Line was founded in 1972, it will carry 110 million guests by the end of 2025 – 65 million of them in just the past 13 years.
With a growing fleet, including two more Excel-class ships and three Ace ships on the horizon, Duffy says the program’s original structure is no longer feasible.
“I really just want to reassure people that it is not our intention at all for people not to maintain their status, just lifetime status is not feasible given the number of people and the growth in the highest tiers,”said Duffy.
Carnival has already confirmed that the current VIFP credit card, issued through Barclays, will transition to a new version. “Any points you have today or on May 30, 2026, will automatically transfer to the new card,” Duffy added.
She also addressed concerns for top-tier Diamond guests. While lifetime benefits will end, existing Diamond members will have six years to maintain their status.
And although full point values and redemption details haven’t been announced yet, Duffy assured guests that points will accrue through both cruise purchases and everyday spending on the new credit card.
Duffy also noted that kids under 18 will no longer be eligible to join the new rewards program, as it aligns with legal guidelines and new program requirements.
Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy addresses new loyalty program aboard Carnival Vista. (Photo Credit: Carnival Cruise Line)
Credit card laws differ in Canada and Australia, and the cruise line is in active discussions to add them to the program, albeit with slight variations.
For anyone who has earned a Milestone before the new program launch, Duffy has assured that they will have the ability to use what they have earned for up to 5 years. A new Milestone program is also being developed.
What We Do Know
Carnival Cruise Line’s current VIFP Club will be fully replaced by Carnival Rewards effective June 1, 2026. The updated structure introduces two new systems, points and stars, designed to replace the traditional cruise day-based tracking.
Guests will earn 3 points per $1 spent on cruise fare, onboard extras such as spa treatments, drinks, specialty dining, and casino play, as well as everyday purchases using the Carnival Rewards Mastercard.
Those points can then be redeemed for perks, including future cruise credits and onboard amenities, offering greater flexibility than the current program.
At the same time, guests will also earn “stars,” which will determine their loyalty tier. These stars must be earned with a rolling two-year cycle, and status will now be based on spending activity rather than cumulative cruise history.
Full point-to-tier thresholds have not yet been disclosed, but Carnival Cruise Line has said details will arrive before the end of the year.
To honor VIFP loyalty, all current tiers remain in effect until May 31, 2028. Diamond members receive an extended grace period through May 31, 2032. After that, maintaining loyalty status will require ongoing participation under the new system.
True to its Southern California vibe, the city of Avalon on Catalina Island has historically taken a laid-back approach to cruise ship visits, allowing ships to call without firm anchorage agreements in place.
However, that practice is slated to change as the city is negotiating official, long-term pacts with three major cruise lines — Disney Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean.
Catalina Island, roughly 20 miles off the coast of Los Angeles, is a frequent port call on West Coast cruises. Known for its hiking, scuba diving, water sports, and cultural activities, the island has just two towns — Avalon and the small village of Two Harbors.
Avalon’s City Council at its July 15, 2025 meeting agreed to move forward with negotiating official port and anchorage agreements and directed its city manager to work toward executing the accords.
“Currently there is no written policy regarding the scheduling of cruise ship anchorage requests. However, the City Council reviews and adopts a resolution semi-annually confirming guidelines that establish a framework by which cruise ships are approved to visit Avalon as a port of call,” the meeting agenda stated.
Disney Cruise Line’s preliminary 5-year agreement, first disclosed earlier this year, would provide preferred anchorage space on Tuesdays and Saturdays during the shoulder season and on Tuesdays during the summer season.
The line would commit to certain wharfage fees and guarantee the arrival of at least 120,000 passengers each year. Avalon has no docks for cruise ships, and all vessels must anchor in the harbor and tender guests ashore.
Port agreements with all three cruise lines would become effective in September 2027. Like Disney Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line is looking at a 5-year agreement term, while Royal Caribbean’s preliminary terms call for a 3-year plan, according to city council documents.
Cruise Ship at Avalon, Catalina Island (Photo Credit: cvalle)
Carnival Cruise Line’s minimum passenger arrivals total is not included in the existing term schedule, but Royal Caribbean appears committed to bringing at least 100,000 cruise guests to the destination during each year of its agreement.
While the terms of the agreements are not yet final, Disney’s pact with Avalon likely includes two options for five-year agreement extensions, potentially giving Disney ships preferred anchorage sites for up to 15 years.
Major Lines Already Have a Robust Presence in Avalon
Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wonder and Disney Magic have included Catalina Island on certain itineraries for the past few years. In 2024 and again this year Disney Wonder called at Catalina Island on her 3- and 4-night Baja Cruises, which sail from San Diego and also visit Ensenada, Mexico.
In 2026, the ship is set to return to San Diego in March and begin another series of Baja cruises that feature calls to Catalina Island.
Currently, both Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean have ships calling at Catalina during the summer season. Both Carnival Radiance and Carnival Firenze, homeported at Los Angeles, visit the island on their 4-night Baja Mexico voyages.
Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas, also based in Los Angeles, is sailing 4-night Catalina & Ensenada cruises during summer 2025. Other ships due to call at the popular island include Holland America Line’s Koningsdam, which will visit in October 2025 as part of her 21-night Circle Hawaii and California Retreat voyage.
Indeed, Catalina Island has grown in popularity in recent years, with a surge of cruise ships making their inaugural calls at the destination in 2024. They included luxury line Seabourn’s Seabourn Sojourn.
