Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings will no longer consider the development of a day destination in the Daniel’s Head area of western Bermuda.
The company had a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding with the Bermuda Land Management Corporation, but it was announced on September 21, 2026, that exploratory discussions have ended.
It is possible another cruise company may consider the area for development into a private destination, though no such plans have been confirmed or disclosed.
Following more than a year of discussions and evaluation, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) will no longer be considering development of the Daniel’s Head area of Bermuda into a tourist destination at this time.
According to Bernews, the announcement from the Bermuda Land Management Corporation (BLMC) confirmed the cruise company’s withdrawal from the project consideration, though no formal agreement or lease had been reached.
The two entities had entered into a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding in July 2025, which was to include assessments for potential investment into the 18-acre site as a “first class day tourism product.”
No details on what that product might have become, such as a new private destination, were ever disclosed, as the project did not pass beyond evaluation stages.
“The discussions were exploratory, with any potential development subject to further conceptual and financial evaluation, as well as stakeholder engagement,”BLMC clarified in a statement released on Monday, September 21, 2026, noting that NCLH had tendered their decision on August 17, 2026.
Likewise, no details or conclusions from those discussions have been released by either BLMC or NCLH.
“We appreciate the time and effort that Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings invested in exploring the potential of Daniel’s Head with us. While we are naturally disappointed that they have decided not to pursue the opportunity at this time, we respect their decision and value our ongoing relationship with NCL,”said Andrew Dias, BLMC Chief Executive Officer.
This decision in no way impacts visits to Bermuda planned for NCLH’s ships. In fact, Norwegian Aqua will be at King’s Wharf for an overnight visit from 8 a.m. Friday, September 25 until 3 p.m. Saturday, September 26.
Will Another Cruise Line Develop Daniel’s Head?
Daniel’s Head is located west of Somerset Village on a spur of land on the western side of Bermuda, approximately a 15-20-minute drive from the King’s Wharf cruise terminal area. This could potentially be a highly desirable location for a private cruise line destination or beach club concept for use not only by cruise guests, but by local residents as well as other tourists.
While no other cruise line or corporation has yet stepped up to consider Daniel’s Head for development, BLMC notes that the location is still available and they are willing to pursue other discussions with interested parties.
“Daniel’s Head remains a significant and exciting opportunity for Bermuda. The property has been underutilised for many years, and we now have an opportunity to invite other experienced partners to put forward their vision for the site,”said Dias.
“Our objective is to identify a partner and a development proposal that is commercially sound, appropriate for the location and delivers meaningful benefits for Bermuda and the surrounding community. We look forward to seeing what opportunities the market can bring forward.”
There are now Royal Beach Clubs open or in development in Santorini, Cozumel, and Lelepa (Vanuatu). Bermuda could be an interesting addition to that portfolio, though Royal Caribbean Group has not confirmed any such interest in the destination at this time.
Carnival Corporation & plc is another that might expand its private destination offerings following the great response to Celebration Key near Freeport, Bahamas, as well as the ongoing popularity of the corporation’s other private destinations, including RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay.
MSC Cruises is also expanding its private destination locations. Cruise Hive reported in April 2026 that the company is creating a luxury beach retreat, Sandy Cay, near Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in the Bahamas. A new destination in Bermuda would be an intriguing offering for MSC Cruises to bridge the gap between the line’s European offerings and its expanding North American presence.
To be clear, no cruise line has yet confirmed any interest in Daniel’s Head, but the property will certainly be one to watch in years to come.
While Seattle may be more famous for its coffee culture and bustling tech industry, this seaport city also serves as an important embarkation point for many leading cruise lines, especially cruises to Alaska.
Whether you are planning an Alaskan cruise that departs from the Emerald City or embarking on a completely different itinerary, you will want to familiarize yourself with the Port of Seattle and its two cruise ship terminals.
The Port of Seattle operates two dedicated cruise terminals—Bell Street Cruise Terminal at Pier 66 along the waterfront near the city’s downtown core and Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91, just northwest of it. Given that the two terminals are located several miles apart, it’s important to double-check where your ship is departing from before you set off.
If your cruise departs from the Bell Street Cruise Terminal at Pier 66, you will need to follow directions to 2225 Alaskan Way, South Seattle, Washington 98121.
On the other hand, to get to a cruise ship docked at the Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91, you will follow directions to 2001 West Garfield Street, Seattle, Washington 98119.
All About Pier 91 (Smith Cove Terminal)
Cruise Ships Docked in Seattle (Photo Credit: Port of Seattle)
Pier 91 (Smith Cove) is the main cruise terminal in the Port of Seattle. It currently serves Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Virgin Voyages, and Royal Caribbean and offers two berths.
It is located at the north end of Seattle’s waterfront and is about 3 miles from the city center. The terminal address is Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91, 2001 West Garfield Street, Seattle, WA 98119.
On arrival, cruise passengers may be offered soft drinks while waiting to board, but there are no cafes actually at the cruise terminal. However, there is plenty of seating with a great waterfront view and restrooms are available. There is also an ATM for passengers to use at the terminal.
Passenger services at Pier 91 include a rental car kiosk onsite, a drop-off point for cruise passengers and a ground transportation hub for buses and taxis.
Porters are available to help with luggage and can be easily spotted by their red caps. The cruise terminal offers baggage storage to keep your bags secure before and after your cruise.
On arrival at Pier 91 cruise terminal, all passengers are serviced at one general check-in desk. There is no separate entrance or line for cruise passengers booking a suite, unlike Pier 66.
Pier 66 (Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal)
Norwegian Encore at Pier 66, Seattle (Photo Credit: Michelangelo DeSantis)
The Pier 66 Bell Street Terminal is part of an 11-acre complex right on Seattle’s waterfront close to Pike Place Market, the Big Wheel, Seattle Aquarium, and the downtown district. It is about 15 miles north of Sea-Tac Airport. The facility can cater for two cruise ships at the same time.
The terminal address is: Bell Street Terminal at Pier 66, 2225 Alaskan Way South, Seattle, WA 98121
After baggage drop, security, and check-in at Pier 66, cruise passengers may be asked to wait for boarding, especially if they arrive ahead of time. There is a separate area for VIP and suite passengers as well as a general waiting area.
Passengers may be offered soft drinks while waiting to board, but there are no cafes actually at the cruise terminal. There is plenty of seating with a great waterfront view, and restrooms are available.
Porters are available to assist with luggage and can easily be spotted with their red caps. There is a baggage storage service at the cruise terminal for luggage storage before and after your cruise. However, all bags must be reclaimed the same day before 3.30 pm.
Distance From Seattle Cruise Ports to the Airport
Both of the Port of Seattle’s main cruise piers are within a fairly convenient distance of Seattle’s airport, the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. For those flying into Seattle prior to their cruise, the amount of time it will take will depend on which of the two piers your ship is departing from and traffic conditions when you arrive.
Sea-Tac Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) (Photo Credit: EQRoy / Shutterstock)
On average, you can expect a 25-minute drive to downtown’s Bell Street Cruise Terminal or a 30 to 35-minute commute to the Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 66.
With that said, traffic into downtown Seattle can be pretty congested if you arrive during rush hour, so you should give yourself extra time if you are hoping to drive from Seattle’s airport to either pier between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. or between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., especially on a workday.
Directions:
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal at Pier 66 (14.1 miles):
Get on WA-518 W from Airport Expressway (drive for 2.3 miles)
Take WA-509 N and Highway 99 N to Alaskan Way S. Once on Alaskan Way S., continue for 1.8 miles. Watch for signs for the Bell Street Cruise Terminal and exit left when you see it. The terminal entrance will be on the right.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91 (19 miles):
Get on WA-518 from Airport Expressway (drive for 2.3 miles)
Take WA-509 N to Dexter Ave N (after 12.2 miles, take the exit towards Mercer Street)
Drive along Mercer Street before turning left onto Elliot Ave. Follow signs for the Smith Cove Cruise Terminal
Transportation Options from the Airport to Seattle Cruise Ports
For those flying into Seattle, rather than driving directly to their respective cruise terminal, numerous options make it easy to get from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
Several low-cost shuttle services link the airport and the Port of Seattle. With well-marked pick-up and drop-off points at each terminal, this is a good option for those looking to cut down on transportation costs.
Seattle’s Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91 (Photo Credit: lenic / Shutterstock)
If you prefer to travel directly to your designated departure point, taxis are readily available outside the airport terminals. Not only is getting a cab easy, but all of Seattle’s major taxi companies offer flat rates between the airport and the two cruise terminals.
Given Seattle’s reputation as one of the major tech hubs in the United States, you won’t be surprised to learn that rideshare services, including Uber and Lyft, are also plentiful and easy to reach.
In fact, you will even pass by one of Uber’s main engineering offices on your way to either cruise port, which explains why so many drivers are available. While these can be affordable, ensure you avoid surge rates if you arrive during rush hour, as it can cost more than a taxi.
Parking at Seattle Cruise Port
Overnight and temporary parking is available at both terminals. Bell Street Cruise Terminal has covered parking on the other side of the road from the terminal and a sky bridge connecting the parking garage to the terminal entrance. There are plenty of spaces, and overnight parking is available for $23 per day. We recommend booking your spot ahead of time.
Bell Street Cruise Terminal (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)
Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91 also has on-site parking and a free shuttle that helps cruise passengers travel between the terminal entrance and the parking lot. Parking is a little bit more expensive at $29 per day, but you can save $2 per day if you book online ahead of time.
Traveling by Train to the Port of Seattle
Amtrak offers budget-friendly train routes connecting Seattle to other major American cities. If you prefer to take the scenic route to your cruise departure point, you can easily take the train to the King Street Amtrak Station, which is located in the city’s downtown core.
From the station, taxis take roughly 10 minutes to the Bell Street Cruise Terminal and about 20 minutes to the Smith Cove Terminal. Again, travel times can vary depending on traffic and downtown construction delays, so you may want to give yourself more time. After all,the last thing you want is to be late for your cruise!
Differences Between the Two Terminals
Apart from the fact that Bell Street Pier is located in the heart of downtown Seattle while Smith Cove Cruise Terminal is situated slightly north of it, near the city’s Magnolia neighborhood, the two terminals are relatively similar.
Both feature modern terminal facilities, including clean and wheelchair-friendly restrooms, numerous seating areas, and information booths. Unfortunately, neither terminal offers complimentary Wi-Fi, but it can be purchased for a small fee. Most cruise passengers find that their cell phone reception is pretty strong, which is rarely an issue for American travelers.
Norwegian Bliss Docked in Seattle, Washington (Photo Credit: Wirestock Creators / Shutterstock)
The Bell Street Terminal offers a VIP waiting area for passengers who have paid extra. While this isn’t necessary, it can be worthwhile if you plan to arrive early. If you have paid for a suite, you may even qualify for free access to the VIP area, so it is worth checking with your cruise line.
Where the two piers really differ is in size. The Bell Street Terminal caters more to smaller cruise ships and fewer cruise lines, so it is the smaller of the two terminals. For those traveling on a full-size cruise ship, it is more likely that you will depart from the larger Smith Cove Terminal at Pier 91.
Accessibility
The terminal was designed to be highly accessible, so there are plenty of wheelchair ramps. Individual cruise lines also offer wheelchairs and attendants who can help passengers in need of assistance. If you require a wheelchair, it is a good idea to contact your cruise line ahead of time to ensure that they will have one waiting for your arrival.
Relationship Between the Port and Alaska’s Cruise Industry
The Port of Seattle is an essential embarkation and disembarkation point for cruises, with itineraries that take them to explore Alaska’s pristine coastline. Thanks to the strategic Pacific Northwest location of the two cruise terminals and Seattle’s world-class international airport, it is one of the preferred choices for some of the world’s most reputable cruise lines.
Cruise Ships Docked in Seattle
While San Francisco, California, and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, both have port facilities that allow Alaska cruises to depart from them, without the Port of Seattle, the entire Alaskan cruise market would suffer. In 2023 alone, 251 cruise ships departed from Seattle on their way to Alaska. Industry forecasts anticipate this number will grow to at least 275 this year.
Not only does the port help hundreds of thousands of travelers explore Alaska’s rugged landscape and untamed wildlife, but it has been doing so for 25 years! This explains why the Port of Seattle is considered to be one of the main gateways to Alaska.
Nearby Amenities
With Seattle being a tourist destination in its own right, many cruise passengers departing from the Port of Seattle will give themselves a few days either before or after their cruise to explore the city. Luckily, there are plenty of amenities and points of interest located within a short distance of the two cruise ports:
Explore Downtown
While they may not necessarily be within walking distance of the downtown core, the two cruise terminals are located relatively close. Bell Street at Pier 66 is just over a mile away from downtown, so you could reach it with a 25-minute walk, but the Smith Cove Cruise Terminal is over 3 miles away and would require walking along roads that are not overly pedestrian-friendly.
Photo Credit: Alexander Oganezov / Shutterstock.com
Whether you walk or take a cab, downtown Seattle is home to some truly iconic sights. We recommend going up the Space Needle for a 360° view of the city and the surrounding area. The Seattle Great Wheel also offers some stunning views of Seattle’s downtown waterfront, and tickets are less than $30.
Downtown Seattle is also a foodie’s playground; with restaurants, casual eateries, and countless coffee shops, it’s not difficult to treat your tastebuds while you walk around the downtown area.
Visit the Seattle Aquarium
Seattle Aquarium is roughly half a mile from Pier 66, so passengers could easily walk to it. For those departing from the Smith Cove Cruise Terminal, it would be about a 1-hour walk or 15-minute drive, but it is well worth visiting.
Seattle Aquarium (Photo Credit: Joy Prescott / Shutterstock)
Seattle’s iconic Pike Place Market is just steps away from Seattle Aquarium, so travel times are almost identical. For over a century, the Pike Place Market has acted as the unofficial center of Seattle’s downtown and the heart and soul of the city’s unique culture.
Pike Place Market (Photo Credit: Grindstone Media Group)
With shops catering to tourists and locals, you’ll surely find something that catches your eye. As one of the oldest and largest continuously operating markets in the country, it’s not something you’ll want to miss.
PortMiami welcomed its 10 millionth cruise passenger of fiscal year 2026 on September 14, setting a new annual record with just over two weeks remaining in the fiscal year.
The milestone puts cruise passenger traffic nearly 17% above the previous record of 8.56 million set in fiscal year 2025.
Port officials credit expanded cruise-line offerings and continued investment in terminal infrastructure for the growth.
PortMiami has sailed past its own record set one year ago, facilitating 10 million cruise passenger movements in fiscal year 2026. This marks the highest annual cruise passenger volume in the Florida port’s history.
The 10-millionth cruise passenger moved through the port on September 14, 2026. While it is unknown which cruise ship that specific passenger was sailing on, six vessels were in PortMiami that day: Resilient Lady, Norwegian Getaway, Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Conquest, MSC Seaside, and Wonder of the Seas.
“I’m immensely proud of our team and cruise and port partners, whose collaborative efforts made this achievement possible,”said Port Director and CEO Jonathan Daniels.“Reaching 10 million passengers reflects our focus on innovation, efficiency and superior passenger experience, as we continue to modernize PortMiami’s infrastructure and expand our capacity for future growth.”
The milestone came with just over two weeks left in fiscal year 2026, which began on October 1, 2025 and ends on September 30, 2026. Cruise Hive previously reported that PortMiami set its previous record in fiscal year 2025, when 8,564,225 cruise passengers passed through the port.
PortMiami has already added at least 1,435,775 passenger movements on top of that previous record, with still more time in the fiscal year. This represents growth of nearly 17% over the previous record, more than four times the 4% increase recorded from fiscal year 2024 to 2025.
New Ships and Terminals Fuel PortMiami’s Growth
Officials at PortMiami credit this growth, in large part, to continued investment in modernizing and expanding infrastructure. New and upgraded terminals have been built to accommodate the newest and largest ships in the industry.
A notable addition to the port came in April 2025, when MSC’s Terminal AA opened at the port. The largest cruise terminal in the world, Terminal AA can process up to 36,000 passengers a day and can hold up to three ships at a time.
PortMiami Cruise Ships Aerial
The 2025-26 season brought 10 additional ships to PortMiami, which arrived between October 2025 and May 2026. Several of those vessels were newbuilds, including Windstar Cruises’ Star Seeker, Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady, and Norwegian Luna.
The 3,565-passenger Norwegian Luna debuted at the port in March 2026 at the LEED Gold-certified Terminal B, which opened in 2021, following a major redevelopment of the previous terminal. Other newcomers to Miami included Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth, MSC Cruises’ MSC Grandiosa, and Oceania Cruises’ Allura.
PortMiami Continues Expanding
PortMiami isn’t finished expanding, either. Royal Caribbean’s new Terminal G is currently under construction and expected to open in 2027, adding further capacity as passenger numbers continue to climb. The new terminal is being built to accommodate the largest cruise ships in the world, including Royal Caribbean’s Icon-class.
With more than a week remaining in the fiscal year at the time of publication, PortMiami’s final passenger count won’t be known until after September 30. However, the 10-million milestone underscores the rapid growth in cruise traffic at the Florida port.
Carnival Cruise Line opened registration for the first-ever President’s Cruise and FFS#9 on Monday, September 21, 2026 at 10 a.m. (ET).
Guests reported initial delays and registration difficulties for the event onboard Carnival Magic‘s February 28, 2027 sailing, but those technical issues now appear resolved.
The $40 per person fee covers exclusive access to special events, gifts, and meet-and-greet opportunities with Christine Duffy, John Heald, and Emeril Lagasse.
Carnival Cruise Line fans eager to enjoy exclusive events, swag, and meet-and-greets with the cruise line’s president, Christine Duffy, can now register for the special President’s Cruise onboard Carnival Magic‘s February 28, 2027 sailing.
That same cruise is also brand ambassador John Heald’s FFS#9 (For Fun’s Sake) cruise, the ninth such voyage where he will be onboard to host events and activities. The $40 (USD) registration fee covers both the President’s Cruise events as well as the FFS activities.
Heald has also announced that Chef Emeril Lagasse, the Chief Culinary Officer for Carnival Cruise Line, will be part of the special events. Lagasse was named to the position of Chief Culinary Officer in December 2022, and his distinctive dishes have been part of restaurant menus and specialty dining onboard different Carnival ships for years.
Registration opened at 10 a.m. (ET) on Monday, September 21, 2026. Guests must already be booked on the 6-night Eastern Caribbean sailing to register for the special events and can find the registration page listed as a “President’s Cruise Experience” shore excursion for the cruise.
“The fee is for the fabulous parties, a special lanyard and a special gift and to be invited to all the FUN events with Christine and I and our special guest, our Chief Culinary Officer Chef [sic] Emeril Lagasse,”Heald confirmed on Facebook when he announced the registration was open.
“Thank you so much and I so look forward to seeing you all for a massive [dollop] of FUN.”
Heald’s FFS cruises typically involve customized swag and gifts such as towel clips, a coffee mug, or similar merchandise to commemorate the sailing. The exact gifts are not usually announced ahead of the sailing but are a fun surprise for participating guests.
The official registration page confirms that exclusive welcome and farewell cocktail parties are included with the President’s Cruise events, plus a “special gift and signing with Christine” and “an exclusive experience with Chief Culinary Officer Emeril Lagasse.”
There will also be multiple question-and-answer sessions with both Duffy and Heald, though the topics of the sessions (or if they will be more guest-driven and free-form) have not been disclosed.
While there were some initial glitches and delays with the registration, as multiple guests reported being unable to follow the registration link, the process now appears to be working smoothly.
Credit: Carnival Cruise Line
“Every time I go to check it says page not found,”one guest reported to Heald on his registration post, while another noted“Took a bit but got it!”
Such temporary glitches are not uncommon when a website may be overwhelmed with traffic, and registration for these sailings often fills up quickly.
The 3,690-guest Carnival Magic was selected to host the event, but this is not a full-ship charter or other exclusive sailing. Guests onboard do not have to participate in any FFS or President’s Cruise events but must register if they wish to do so.
By restricting registration, Carnival Cruise Line ensures that interested guests can indeed participate in all the unique events without overcrowding or running out of gifts. The exact number of registrations that will be accepted has not been disclosed but may be related to the size of the ship’s venues and how many guests can be reasonably accommodated at different events.
The sailing will depart Miami on Sunday, February 28, 2027 with visits planned for Celebration Key (Monday, March 1 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.), Amber Cove (Wednesday, March 3 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.), and Grand Turk (Thursday, March 4 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
Carnival Magic will return to Miami on Saturday, March 6, 2027 to continue offering her regular schedule of 6- and 8-night Caribbean sailings from the Florida homeport.
Carnival Sunrise will no longer be visiting Princess Cays during her October 31, 2026 sailing, a 5-night cruise from Miami.
Instead, the ship will visit RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay on Monday, November 2 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., the same day and time originally planned for Princess Cays.
There are no other changes for the itinerary at this time and no technical problems are reported for Carnival Sunrise.
Carnival Cruise Line guests have been alerted to a Halloween treat (or is it a trick?) for the October 31, 2026 departure of Carnival Sunrise. While the 5-night cruise from Miami will still be visiting two private destinations along with Nassau, the first private port has been changed.
Booked guests have received email notifications about the port swap so they can plan accordingly.
“We have made an adjustment to the planned itinerary for your cruise,”the email confirmed.“The visit to Princess Cays has been replaced by a call on RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay.”
The cruise line has also noted that pre-paid shore excursions for Princess Cays will automatically be cancelled and refunded to the original form of payment. Guests can book tours for RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay on the cruise line’s website or through the Carnival Hub app prior to sailing, or onboard at the Carnival Adventures desk on Deck 3 (Lobby Deck), midship on the port side.
Originally, the 2,984-guest Carnival Sunrise was to depart Miami on Saturday, October 31, 2026 at 3:30 p.m. and Princess Cays was the first visit on the itinerary, on Monday, November 2 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Now the ship will be at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay on Monday, November 2 for the same time, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The visits to Nassau on Tuesday, November 3 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Celebration Key on Wednesday, November 4 also from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. are not changed, nor is there any change for Carnival Sunrise to return to Miami by 8 a.m. on Thursday, November 5.
Carnival Sunrise is homeported at PortMiami year-round, offering 4- and 5-night Bahamas cruises with calls to the island nation’s capital as well as private Bahamian destinations.
Why the Change?
Carnival Cruise Line has not provided any further explanation for swapping Princess Cays with RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay. Both destinations offer guests a variety of beach day options, watersports, snorkeling, and other popular activities.
The swap comes as sister line Princess Cruises moves away from Princess Cays, with no calls to the private destination currently scheduled from November 2026 onward. The cruise line has not detailed the reasoning behind the change.
In fact, Princess Cays and RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay are only approximately 15 miles apart, albeit on different islands in the Bahamian archipelago. Both are southeast of Nassau and are common destinations for ships in the Carnival Corporation & plc family, including Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, and Holland America Line.
It is not uncommon for cruise lines to tweak itineraries and even swap port visits as schedules are refined prior to sailing. Cruise Hive reported that Carnival Cruise Line recently made the exact same change from Princess Cays to RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay for the November 9, 2026 sailing of Carnival Paradise from Tampa.
In late August 2026, multiple sailings were impacted by small tweaks, including the same Princess Cays-to-RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay private destination swap for Carnival Spirit‘s November 8, 2026 sailing from Mobile.
Sailings for Carnival Legend, Carnival Elation, and Carnival Conquest also had itinerary shuffles that involved RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, such as adjusting the times in port or changing the dates of upcoming visits.
Factors such as berth availability or port construction can impact ship port of call schedules, even weeks ahead of planned visits.
Carnival Cruise Line has given no indication that there are any technical difficulties with Carnival Sunrise that necessitate the port change, and there are no adjustments to the ship’s onboard activities or operations at this time.
A male guest is confirmed to have jumped overboard from Carnival Panorama on the afternoon of Saturday, September 19, 2026.
The ship reversed course after the guest was reported missing and all guests were confined to staterooms while a full onboard search was underway.
Onboard CCTV footage confirmed the overboard and both the US Coast Guard and Mexican authorities were alerted to the incident.
It’s a sad afternoon onboard Carnival Panorama as a male guest has been confirmed overboard from the 133,500-gross-ton ship as she finishes the last full day of a 7-night sailing that departed Long Beach, California on Sunday, September 13, 2026.
A guest by the handle JRichShops onboard the ship reported on Reddit that announcements to locate a missing guest began at roughly 11 a.m. on Saturday morning, September 19, as the ship was at sea. Carnival Panorama had departed from her last port of call on the sailing, Puerto Vallarta, at 8 p.m. on Thursday, September 17.
The call for the missing guest was repeated several times throughout the morning and early afternoon. At approximately 3 p.m., the ship appeared to make a broad turn and begin heading south again, away from the northern route back to Long Beach.
Carnival Cruise Line confirmed the overboard with Cruise Hive:
“Carnival Cruise Line confirmed Saturday that a male guest aboard Carnival Panorama jumped overboard while the ship was sailing from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, to Long Beach, California,” a spokesperson stated.
AIS tracking confirms the ship’s change of course roughly 190 miles south of Ensenada, 345 miles south-southeast of Long Beach.
At 3:30 p.m., an announcement was made over the ship’s public address system that there would be a shipwide search and all guests were asked to return to their staterooms. Security visited staterooms to scan guests’ ship identification cards, as is standard procedure for this type of search in an overboard situation.
An hour later, another announcement indicated the search was continuing and guests were to remain in their staterooms.
At 5 p.m., the ship’s captain and cruise director made announcements that the guest had been confirmed overboard following a review of onboard cameras, and that local authorities would continue the search and rescue operation. The family and traveling companions of the missing guest were notified and offered support from the care team.
Carnival Panorama at Long Beach (Photo Credit: Ritu Manoj Jethani)
A Carnival Cruise Line spokesperson continued to state to Cruise Hive, “When notified of a missing guest, the ship’s team initiated search and investigation procedures, including reviewing CCTV footage and notifying the both the U.S. and Mexico Coast Guards. Carnival is providing support to the family who was traveling with the guest, and our thoughts and prayers are with them and their loved ones.”
With the onboard search concluded, guests were free to leave their staterooms. The ship returned to her original course, heading back to Long Beach.
No further details about the guest or the circumstances of the overboard have been disclosed. Cruise Hive’s thoughts are with the family members, friends, and crew members impacted by this unfortunate incident.
Will the Next Cruise Be Impacted?
It is not known at this time if Carnival Panorama will now be delayed in her return to Long Beach given the distance that will need to be recovered for her to reach her homeport by 9 a.m. as planned.
After the conclusion of the search, the ship was moving at 21 knots (24 miles per hour) as she headed back to California, close to her top speed. This would be necessary for the ship to reach Long Beach on schedule, but any further deviation or speed changes for other reasons could cause a delay.
If necessary, embarkation for the next sailing could be pushed back to accommodate a later arrival, but Carnival Cruise Line has not confirmed any changes at this time and the statement did not mention any impact to the next cruise.
The ship’s next itinerary, departing on Sunday, September 20, 2026, is a 6-night Mexican Riviera sailing with visits to Ensenada and Cabo San Lucas.
Cruise Hive recently reported on a delay for Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas following a double medical evacuation. The significant delay means the ship is returning to Cape Liberty, New Jersey, eight hours later than scheduled. To accommodate that delay, the next sailing is embarking later in the evening and dropping a visit to Port Canaveral.
Carnival Panorama‘s delay for search operations was not nearly as lengthy and it is possible there may be no significant schedule changes, though the cruise line has not yet confirmed any details.
Silver Moon will remain in Tokyo until September 21 instead of departing on September 19 as planned due to Typhoon Dujuan.
Because of the delay, the port visits to Osaka, Kochi, and Miyako, Iwate are also adjusted on the 14-night itinerary and the visit to Hiroshima is cancelled.
Typhoon Dujuan will be closest to Tokyo at roughly 2 a.m. on September 21 but will be well past the area by the time Silver Moon departs that night.
Guests aboard Silversea’s Silver Moon will not depart Tokyo on Saturday, September 19, 2026 as planned. Because Typhoon Dujuan is expected to impact the region in the next two days, Silversea has chosen to keep the ship in Tokyo until the weather clears, though guests have boarded the ship as planned.
“We would like to inform you of an adjustment to our itinerary,”the email sent to guests explains.“Considering the expected conditions in the region, we will extend our stay in Tokyo until September 21. Given Tokyo’s central location and its connectivity to destinations across Japan, this adjustment will provide flexibility as we continue to monitor conditions.”
Silver Moon was originally scheduled to depart Tokyo on a 14-night voyage around Japan at 7 p.m. on Saturday, September 19. Now, the revised itinerary has the 596-guest ship remaining in the capital city until 9 p.m. on Monday, September 21 and other itinerary changes are necessary to accommodate the delay.
The visit to Osaka that was to have been an overnight call on September 21-22 will now be a full day visit from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, September 23. Similarly, the visit to Kochi that was scheduled for September 23 will now be on Thursday, September 24, though the time in port (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) will remain the same.
Hiroshima was to have been the third port visit on the itinerary but that stop has now been completely cancelled, and the final port on the itinerary, Miyako, Iwate has been extended by one hour and will be from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, October 1 rather than departing at 5 p.m. as originally scheduled.
The visits to Busan, South Korea (Saturday, September 26 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.), Kanazawa (Monday, September 28 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.), and Hakodate (Wednesday, September 30 from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.) are unchanged.
Tours through Silversea for the call to Hiroshima as well as the adjusted visit to Osaka have now been cancelled, though guests can rebook updated tours for Osaka. If guests had booked tours for the visit to Kochi, those will automatically be moved to the new visit date.
Silversea has not addressed any mention of compensation for the significant itinerary changes, though the number of nights guests will spend onboard the ship has not changed.
Typhoon Dujuan Update
According to Weather Underground, Typhoon (Tropical Cyclone) Dujuan is currently located approximately 525 miles south-southwest of Tokyo, moving northwest at nine miles per hour (mph). Winds are registering at 75 mph with some higher gusts recorded.
Typhoon Dujuan (Credit: Japan Meteorological Agency)
The storm is expected to continue tracking north-northwest through Sunday, September 20, gradually turning east as it passes Japan on Monday, September 21. It will be closest to Tokyo at roughly 2 a.m. that morning, but is expected to remain well offshore from the capital city. Pacific-side offshore islands are warned of heavy rain, strong winds, and the potential for landslides and flooding.
Later on Monday and into Tuesday, the storm is expected to turn toward the east and begin weakening.
By the time Silver Moon departs Tokyo at 9 p.m. Monday, the storm’s center should be roughly 400 miles northeast of Tokyo and continuing to move east-northeast.
No other cruise ships are scheduled for Tokyo at the same time as Silver Moon, though Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Millennium is arriving in the city on Tuesday, September 22 at 8 a.m. By that time, the storm’s influence should be well past the Land of the Rising Sun.
Oasis of the Seas will be delayed eight hours in her return to New Jersey on September 20, 2026 following emergency medical evacuations that required the ship to return to Nassau.
The delay is also causing embarkation for the ship’s next departure to be pushed back by 7-8 hours and the next visit to Port Canaveral is now cancelled.
Guests on the now-delayed cruise are receiving onboard credit as a gesture of goodwill for their understanding of the last-minute change.
Following two medical evacuations on her current sailing, Oasis of the Seas will now be delayed in her return to her Cape Liberty, New Jersey homeport on Sunday, September 20, 2026.
A letter has been delivered to guests onboard detailing the delay and when the ship is now expected to arrive.
“As previously announced by our Captain, our medical staff determined that two of our guests needed urgent medical attention. We successfully debarked our guests so they could receive additional medical care,”the letter explained.
“As a result, we’ll now be delayed in our return to Cape Liberty. We plan on arriving at approximately 2:00 pm, with debarkation starting around 2:30 pm. We appreciate your patience and understanding, knowing we’d do the same for you or a loved one in a similar situation.”
Oasis of the Seas was originally scheduled to arrive back to Cape Liberty at approximately 6 a.m. Sunday.
This eight-hour delay will have a knock-on effect for guests with flights to catch on Sunday, but Royal Caribbean is providing some assistance to help guests rearrange their plans.
First, each stateroom (not each guest) will have a voucher for 60 minutes of complimentary internet access available on the cruise line’s app to help them contact airlines, hotels, or friends and family members.
If guests had booked flights through the cruise line’s Flights by Royal team, those flights will automatically be adjusted to the new arrival time and guests will receive confirmation details by email.
Guests who have booked air travel independently will need to contact their airline directly, but the letter confirms that Royal Caribbean will reimburse change fees up to $200 (USD) for domestic flights and $400 for international flights, per person. Receipts and documentation must be submitted for review and reimbursement.
The nature of the medical emergencies has not been disclosed, though the captain’s announcement did indicate that one involved a critically-ill 7-year-old child. This required the ship to return to Nassau as that was the closest possible hospital, and while en route back to Nassau, another guest was reported critically ill.
Oasis of the Seas Letter (Photo Credit: Susie Freckles)
There is no information about whether the illnesses are related or if the guests knew one another.
Both patients were debarked in Nassau but nothing further about their condition has been disclosed, as is standard procedure to protect the privacy of the guests as well as their friends, family members, and traveling companions.
Next Embarkation Delayed, Port Canaveral Cancelled
Naturally, Oasis of the Seas‘ late arrival back to Cape Liberty will mean the next embarkation is subsequently delayed. The ship’s September 20, 2026 sailing is also a 7-night Bahamas itinerary with visits planned to Port Canaveral, Perfect Day CocoCay, and Nassau.
Due to the delay, however, embarking guests have now been informed that their embarkation is pushed back to the evening and the port visit to Florida will not be possible.
Updated check-in windows for guests’ arrival to the cruise terminal are now 7-8 hours later than originally planned, and all guests must be checked in and onboard the ship no later than 9:30 p.m.
Instead of the visit to Port Canaveral that was planned for 12:30-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22, the ship will now spend that day at sea as she makes her way to the Bahamas.
Oasis of the Seas will also arrive slightly earlier than originally planned to what is now her first port of call, Perfect Day CocoCay. The ship was supposed to arrive at the private island destination at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 23, but will now arrive at 7:45 a.m. instead. The departure time of 5 p.m. is unchanged, and there are no further adjustments to the itinerary.
The notification of the itinerary change also confirmed that any pre-paid shore excursions booked through Royal Caribbean for Port Canaveral have already been cancelled and will be refunded as onboard credit to guests’ accounts. Any amount remaining after the sailing will be refunded to the card on file.
Royal Caribbean is also providing a non-refundable onboard credit to each stateroom for the last-minute change as a “gesture of goodwill” for guests’ understanding of the situation. Inside and oceanview staterooms will receive $100 (USD), balconies and Neighborhood staterooms will receive $150, and suites will receive $200.
If there are third and fourth guests booked into the same staterooms the onboard credit will be increased by $50 each for those additional guests.
Why the Delay Almost Two Days Early?
It may seem odd that this significant delay is already confirmed almost two full days before the ship will arrive back in New Jersey, but the distance Oasis of the Seas has covered on this itinerary is extreme.
While the trip to Florida and the Bahamas and the port visits were uneventful, AIS tracking confirms that Oasis of the Seas reversed course back to Nassau just as the vessel was east of Treasure Cay, roughly 120 miles northeast of Nassau.
“We are now heading full speed towards Bayonne,”the captain confirmed.“I have all available engines on full load [and] we’re doing about 20-20.5 knots [23.5 miles per hour].”
If Oasis of the Seas kept that speed for the entire trip from Nassau to Cape Liberty, without any adjustments for navigation, moving into New York Harbor, or docking procedures, she would still need more than 46 hours to complete the trip.
This calculation is consistent with the ship’s new arrival time estimate into Cape Liberty of 2 p.m. on Sunday.
The first of three gigablocks of Disney Believe has been floated out at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany.
This gigablock comprises the central portion of the ship, including the Grand Hall space, and the forward gigablock will be assembled next.
Disney Believe is scheduled for delivery to Disney Cruise Line in 2027, but no exact date, homeport, or itineraries have been announced.
You’d better believe it, the upcoming Disney Believe is already taking shape as the first of her three gigablocks has been finished and floated out at the Meyer Werft shipyard, where the Wish-class vessel is under construction in Papenburg, Germany.
Cruise Hive previously reported on the ship’s steel cutting in August 2025, which is when the materials for the gigablocks first began to be prepped and assembled.
Now, the first gigablock is complete. This forms the midship of Disney Believe, including the Grand Hall and adjacent spaces.
Disney Cruise Line announced in August 2026 that the ship’s bronze Grand Hall statue would be the adventurous heroine-princess Moana, striking a confident pose and with her sidekicks Pua and Heihei at her side.
Renderings of the Grand Hall also show extensive Polynesian influences in the architecture and decor, as well as a water pattern in the carpeting and wave details on the walls.
Each individual gigablock can weigh over 31,000 tons and is complete with walls, plumbing, and wiring. Other details, such as finishing touches like painting, carpeting, and artwork, are not installed at this stage.
Photos shared by Disney Cruise Line on Facebook clearly show that the ship’s lifeboat davits are already in place, but no lifeboats are present yet. An interior photo of the Grand Hall space shows the rough structure of where the different decks are, including what will become the balcony of the space where princesses often greet guests, especially at embarkation.
Once all three are ready, the next step will be for the gigablocks to be welded together, a precise operation to ensure all joints and connections are properly aligned and secure.
The next gigablock for Disney Believe will be the ship’s forward section. That space includes the main show theater and various lounges. The aft gigablock will be the last assembled, including two of the main themed restaurants for the ship’s rotational dining.
Disney Believe Gigablock at Meyer Werft
Disney Cruise Line has not yet announced what the dining restaurants will be onboard Disney Believe. All three of her sister Wish-class ships include Worlds of Marvel and 1923.
The third rotational restaurant on each ship offers a unique themed experience associated with some of the most popular Disney movies: Arendelle (“Frozen” – Disney Wish), Plaza de Coco (“Coco” – Disney Treasure), and Pride Lands (“Lion King” – Disney Destiny).
Block Cruise Ship Assembly
Modern mega-ship construction is a puzzle-like process. Individual blocks are built as sections, and those sections are brought together to assemble the vessel.
This permits different crews to be working independently on different sections of the ship simultaneously, coordinating effort and expertise for the most efficient construction process.
As blocks are finished, they are connected in sections and the ship takes physical shape. While individual ships have unique construction plans, block sizes, shapes, and the order of assembly can vary.
Now that Disney Believe‘s first gigablock is floating, excitement will continue to grow for the fourth Wish-class ship. Delivery of the vessel is expected in 2027, at which time Disney Cruise Line will take possession of the ship.
No official debut date has been announced for the ship but Disney Cruise Line updated its fleet expansion timeline in August 2026, which now shows Disney Believe‘s launch to be “late calendar 2027.” No homeport or itineraries have been confirmed, but those details should be released in the months to come as the ship continues to come together.
