Blog Page 32

Norwegian Bliss Alaska Cruises Disrupted by Ongoing Propulsion System Issues

Calvin Musquez
-
0
Norwegian Bliss Alaska Cruises Disrupted by Ongoing Propulsion System Issues

Key Aspects:

  • Issues with the propulsion systems have forced several itinerary changes for Norwegian Bliss.
  • Four port visits on the current 7-day Alaska sailing have been shortened by up to three hours.
  • While NCL is compensating guests, future itineraries are facing similar delays.

Guests aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s 168,028 gross ton Norwegian Bliss just got a last-minute shake-up to their Alaska cruise itinerary.

The seven-day sailing departed from Seattle on May 30, 2026, at 4:00 pm, with the sailing including calls to Sitka, Juneau, Holkham Bay Glacier Fjords, Icy Strait Point, Ketchikan, and Victoria in Canada before returning to Seattle on June 6.

Shortly after boarding, however, guests were met with a notice from Captain Viktor Vranic informing them that a propulsion issue would affect their itinerary.

“Our vessel is currently experiencing a technical issue affecting one of our propulsion systems,” the notice read. “Please be assured that at no time does this situation impact the safety of our guests or crew. However, In order to allow our technical teams to thoroughly address the matter, adjustments to our planned itinerary will be necessary.”

Norwegian Bliss is outfitted with the ABB Azipod XO electrical propulsion system. While this electric motor system is designed for easy maneuverability and reliability in difficult sailing conditions, like the icy conditions faced during an Alaska cruise, it appears something has affected its ability to run at its full capabilities, possibly affecting the ship’s overall cruising speed.

This has led to significant delays at four scheduled port stops.

The stop in Sitka on June 1 was delayed by two hours, arriving at 12:00 p.m. instead of the originally scheduled 10:00 a.m. The following day, the arrival in Juneau was delayed by half an hour, arriving at 7:00 a.m. instead of 6:30 a.m. Holkham Bay Glacier Fjords later that evening and Icy Strait Point the following morning on June 3 remained unchanged.

The delays kicked back into gear the following day on June 4, with the 6:00 a.m. stop in Ketchikan being delayed until 6:30 a.m. The final stop in Victoria on June 5 will be the most delayed, arriving three hours later than planned, at 11:00 p.m. instead of 8:00 p.m.

The departure times remain unchanged from all ports, meaning that guests will not be able to make up the lost time on the backend, and will get less time in port than expected.

Norwegian Bliss in Seattle
Photo Credit: casa.da.photo / Shutterstock

Victoria is the most affected by these changes. With the departure time set for 11:59 p.m., just an hour after arrival, any plans guests may have had to briefly explore the Canadian city have been thoroughly quashed.

Despite the disappointment of these delays, the itinerary remains more or less intact, with all ports remaining, if somewhat shortened. 

Propulsion issues can have drastic impacts on cruise itineraries, even removing popular ports altogether, as recently happened on Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas, which Cruise Hive reported on May 27, 2026.

How Will Guests Be Compensated?

A delay can greatly impact plans, especially for those with excursions booked at specific times.

Norwegian Cruise Line assured guests that any impacted shore excursions booked through Norwegian will be automatically cancelled, and the funds refunded to the guest’s onboard account.

Additionally, as compensation for the lost time and any difficulty it may cause, Norwegian provided guests with $100 of non-refundable onboard credit per stateroom.

Future Cruises Affected

While the propulsion issues appear minor, it seems as though Norwegian Cruise Line is not confident about the prospect of a quick and permanent fix. 

A passenger booked on the June 13, 2026 sailing aboard the 4,010-guest capacity ship posted to Reddit about the impact the issues have had on their upcoming itinerary.

“Just got a note from Norwegian that due to propulsion system maintenance, ALL of the port schedules have shortened for Jun 13 sailing, ending with a 59 min stop in Victoria (ha!). How rare/normal is something like this? Worth complaining about?” the guest posted.

Five stops on that identical seven-day Alaska itinerary were shortened. Sitka has been shortened by an hour and half, Juneau, Icy Strait Point, and Ketchikan by half an hour each, and Victoria has once again been shortened by three whole hours. 

The sailing between these two cruises, an identical itinerary departing June 6, 2026, also seems to be affected, with guests taking to Facebook to express their frustration.

“All port times have been shortened,” one guest commented. “Sitka is 1 and 1/2 hrs shorter! I had the shuttle booked for 10:45am. They will not be in port until 11:30am. Now the only time available is at 1:30pm!”

Norwegian Bliss most recently underwent a major dry dock refurbishment from January 17, 2025 to February 2, 2025. While she is not due for another dry dock for another year or two, these issues make one wonder if her maintenance schedule ought to be moved up.

Carnival’s Brand Ambassador Is Scaling Back Social Media for More Face-to-Face

Catie Kovelman
-
0
Carnival’s Brand Ambassador Is Scaling Back Social Media for More Face-to-Face

Key Aspects:

  • John Heald is ready for a new chapter in his career that involves less time behind a screen.
  • Carnival’s brand ambassador will be spending less time on social media and more time interacting with guests and crew members in person.
  • Guests will still be able to ask Heald questions via a new email, though the cruise personality likely can’t answer everybody.

Over nearly four decades, John Heald has had a lot of roles while working for Carnival Cruise Line, including bartender, cruise director, senior cruise director, and his current designation of brand ambassador.

Since becoming brand ambassador in 2007, Heald has cultivated a following of 673,000 followers on his public Facebook. 

However, maintaining such a massive following like this comes with a lot of work. Heald spends roughly eight to nine hours a day, six days a week, engaging with Carnival guests and answering questions from behind a screen, and he is ready for a change.

Going forward, the brand ambassador will be evolving his role to focus less on full-time social media and getting onboard Carnival’s ships to interact with guests, crew members, and company leadership face-to-face.

In addition to passengers, the cruise personality also hopes to spend more time with his family during the final summer before his daughter leaves home to attend university.

“I really do want to be where I’m so very happy, and that isn’t behind a computer. It is here with you, but with the crew and with the guests, that’s the most important thing for me is that connectivity,” Heald said in a Facebook live video posted on June 2, 2026.

Heald announced the change alongside Carnival President Christine Duffy, who offered her full support as he makes this transition.

The duo were both onboard Carnival Sunrise’s 5-night Bahamas sailing, which embarked in Miami on May 30, 2026, to celebrate the grand opening of Half Moon Cay’s new pier and upgraded amenities.

The Facebook Page Isn’t Going Anywhere

Heald’s Facebook page won’t be going away, nor is he forgoing his online presence entirely. The platform will simply be used in different ways.

His content may shift to highlight more behind-the-scenes looks at new ships and other Carnival projects in development, as well as Heald’s own personal mini cruise vlogs.

John Heald
John Heald

However, he will also continue to make his three-minute live videos on a weekly basis (supposedly on Mondays), update his followers on important news and announcements, and of course, continue to share the fun.

“I’ll do my infamous three-minute videos. I’ll do one of those a week. I will help as many people as I can…I will never lose that connectivity with people. I will post all the news and anything that will be fun for you to read about,” Heald promised.

Instead of spending hours going through questions daily, Heald will be more selective in which questions are answered and which are turned into posts to share with the entire cruise community.

Cruise Questions Can Be Sent Via Email

Soon, Carnival guests will be able to get their burning questions to Heald via a new email address instead of posting them as comments on his Facebook page.

Cruise Hive learned that the email will be made public soon and is expected to go live by June 15, 2026.

“I’m still gonna answer questions. I’m gonna set up an email address which I will post later in the coming days so people can do that,” Heald confirmed.

But while he will do his best, it will simply be impossible for Heald to return everyone’s emails. However, the response on social media makes it clear that this is a trade guests are willing to make in order to see more of Heald in the flesh.

Here’s How Carnival Cruise Line Is Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday

Lissa Poirot
-
0
Here’s How Carnival Cruise Line Is Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Cruise Line will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with fleetwide events.
  • Seven ships will meet near Celebration Key for a special fireworks display, while three more will gather off San Diego.
  • The cruise line will also honor veterans and military families with community celebrations in several homeport cities.

As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, Carnival Cruise Line is planning a series of events both at sea and ashore that will span its fleet and several homeport communities.

The cruise line announced on June 4, 2026, just one month before the semiquincentennial in July, that it will commemorate America250 with onboard activities, fireworks-viewing opportunities, military tributes, and community celebrations throughout late June and early July.

The largest gathering will, of course, take place on July 4, 2026, when seven Carnival Cruise Line ships sailing from East Coast ports will meet near Celebration Key, the company’s new private destination on Grand Bahama Island.

Passengers onboard will witness a coordinated fireworks display amongst the vessels, which include Carnival Venezia, Carnival Elation, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Glory, Carnival Celebration, Carnival Sunrise, and Carnival Vista.

On the West Coast, three Carnival Cruise Line ships will position themselves together for views of the Port of San Diego’s Big Bay Boom fireworks show. This event includes Carnival Firenze, Carnival Radiance, and Carnival Luminosa.

“As America’s cruise line, we are bringing the fun from coast to coast so everyone can celebrate,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “There is no better way to honor this milestone than by bringing people together to salute our nation and create unforgettable moments at sea and shore.”

Passengers sailing during the July 4 holiday period will also see special programming onboard. Activities will include patriotic-themed deck parties, ship decorations, specialty food and beverage offerings, and holiday events featuring characters from the cruise line’s partnership with Dr. Seuss.

Carnival America250
(Photo Credit: Carnival Cruise Line)

Carnival is also recognizing members of the military during the holiday week. One military family on every sailing departing during the week of July 4 will receive an American flag that was flown over the US Capitol.

Veterans and active-duty military personnel sailing during that period will also receive a commemorative military pin.

Homeports, Tributes, and Fleetwide Activities

Carnival Cruise Line’s America250 programming extends beyond Independence Day and includes activities across the fleet beginning at embarkation.

Select ships will feature large patriotic inflatables on open decks, including a bad eagle and star display.

Across the fleet, ships will be decorated with America250 banners and themed décor. Passengers can expect Red, White, and Blue Deck parties, holiday-themed sailaway celebrations, balloon drops, and special appearances by Dr. Seuss’s Cat in the Hat.

Food and beverage offerings are also being updated for the celebration with specialty cocktails and commemorative products that include a branded beer called “America’s Cruisin.”

The cruise line is also bringing the celebration to several homeports. Community events aboard ships will take place in Baltimore on June 28 aboard Carnival Pride; Long Beach, California, on June 30 aboard Carnival Radiance; and two events in Florida on July 2 in Jacksonville and Tampa aboard Carnival Elation and Carnival Paradise, respectively.

More From Cruise Hive

Carnival Cruise Line is also sponsoring the Virginia Sail250 Fireworks Show in Norfolk on June 20, San Diego’s Big Bay Boom celebration, and Miami-Dade County’s 250 Independence Day Celebration on July 4.

The announcement of events comes shortly after the company began adding a new bow crest to its US-based ships featuring the phrase, “From Sea to Shining Sea.” The design already appears on Carnival Magic and Carnival Legend.

Editors’ note: This article was corrected for the seven cruise ships meeting up near Celebration Key.

Planning to Change a Celebrity Reflection Booking? You’ll Have to Wait

Lissa Poirot
-
0
Planning to Change a Celebrity Reflection Booking? You’ll Have to Wait

Key Aspects:

  • Celebrity Cruises has temporarily frozen changes to select Celebrity Reflection reservations. 
  • The cruise line is completing a system update expected to last through June 12, 2026.
  • Guests can still access the Celebrity Cruises website and app but cannot modify bookings during the maintenance period.

Anyone hoping to tweak a Celebrity Reflection booking this week may have to wait. 

Celebrity Cruises notified select customers that reservation changes have been suspended while the company completes technical updates affecting the ship’s booking system. The work is expected to take between 7 and 10 days.

The cruise line alerted passengers via email, saying that while reservations will remain intact, no modifications will be permitted during the maintenance period.

“We’re reaching out because we need to do some technical work on our systems that will impact select Celebrity Reflection reservations,” Celebrity Cruises said in the notice. “During this time there will be no changes to your reservation, however, these bookings will not accept any changes.”

The temporary freeze began on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, and is expected to be completed by June 12, 2026.

Although guests are unable to make changes to affected reservations, Celebrity Cruises said passengers can continue using the cruise line’s website and mobile app to review plans and manage certain pre-cruise activities.

Celebrity Reflection
Celebrity Reflection (Photo Credit: Wangkun Jia)

The notice did not specify what type of technical work is being performed or how many reservations are affected. It also did not indicate whether the work is tied to a broader technology upgrade, maintenance project, or system migration.

The restriction appears limited to Celebrity Reflection bookings rather than all reservations across the Celebrity Cruise fleet. Guests with questions can contact the cruise line directly through its customer service channels, or their travel advisor.

Celebrity Reflection Sailing from Fort Lauderdale

The reservation freeze comes as Celebrity Reflection is operating a series of short Caribbean cruises from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale.

The 3,046-passenger ship departed on a 4-night Key West and Perfect Day at CocoCay itinerary on June 1, 2026, calling at Key West before visiting the private island destination owned by Celebrity Cruises’ parent company, Royal Caribbean.

Read Also: Celebrity Ships By Age: Newest to Oldest

The sailing is scheduled to return to Fort Lauderdale on June 5. Immediately afterward, the vessel is scheduled to continue a rotation of 3- and 4-night cruises to destinations that also include Nassau and Bimini, Bahamas.

The technical work is expected to overlap with a June 5 sailing to Key West and Nassau and a June 8 voyage to Perfect Day at CocoCay and Bimini.

However, the company has not indicated that any of those voyages will be affected. The notice sent to guests does not mention itinerary changes, delays, embarkation impacts, or disruptions to onboard services.

Cruise lines periodically take booking systems offline for maintenance and upgrades. Just last month, Carnival Cruise Line conducted a planned technology update that was initially expected to last 18 hours but extended for several days.

The disruption contributed to a pricing glitch that displayed unusually low fares, leading the cruise line to cancel affected bookings and offer onboard credits to impacted guests.

Celebrity Cruises expects Celebrity Reflection’s update to operate as scheduled.

Carnival Magic to Host Cruise Line’s First-Ever President’s Cruise in 2027

Catie Kovelman
-
0
Carnival Magic to Host Cruise Line’s First-Ever President’s Cruise in 2027

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival offers an annual fan sailing for followers of Brand Ambassador John Heald, which are known as the “For Fun’s Sake” cruises.
  • In 2027, this fan sailing will be made even more exciting because it will become the first-ever President’s Cruise.
  • Carnival President Christine Duffy will join Heald onboard, with more special guests expected.

John Heald’s “For Fun’s Sake” (FFS) cruises are something that his followers always look forward to, and his ninth annual fan cruise in 2027 will be bigger and better than ever before.

Carnival Cruise Line’s beloved brand ambassador announced that his next fan sailing in 2027 would double as the cruise line’s first-ever President’s Cruise.

This means Carnival President Christine Duffy will be onboard for the fun, as well as some special guests who have not yet been announced.

“My FFS#9 cruise will now also be our first ever Presidents Cruise,” Heald shared in a Facebook post on June 2, 2026.

“It will include all the usual fun, private shows and events with me, a special gift and for the first time our President Christine will be there with us all and she may bring along some special guest stars too,” he continued.

Cruise Hive confirmed that the inaugural President’s Cruise will take place onboard Carnival Magic. The 130,000-gross ton ship will embark in Miami, Florida, where Carnival Cruise Line is headquartered, on February 28, 2027.

You can watch the video below of John Heald and Christine Duffy chatting about the President’s Cruise and more:

The 6-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary features stops at Celebration Key, Bahamas; Amber Cove, Dominican Republic; and Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos. There will also be two sea days in the mix.

How to Get Onboard

Prospective guests who would like to get in on the fun will need to book the cruise by August 30, 2026, and then wait for more information about joining the fan experience to come from Heald.

“You need to have booked the cruise by August 30th as in early September I will share how you get to be part of this extra special cruise…it will be brilliant,” Heald noted.

Carnival Magic’s February 28 departure can currently be booked as a normal sailing directly through Carnival Cruise Line or another trusted travel professional.

Suites are already sold out, but there are still interior cabins available starting at $459, ocean view cabins starting at $619, and balcony cabins offered at $719+.

Note that these are the prices listed on Carnival’s website as of the time of writing and pricing and availability are subject to change.

Carnival Magic Departing Miami
Carnival Magic Departing Miami (Photo Credit: Just dance)

It’s also important to note that there is usually an extra charge to participate in the fan events. In the past, this has been under $30 per person and included free drinks at cocktail parties and other fun perks.

Now that the official announcement has been made, the cruise will likely sail out quickly, as Heald’s fan cruises usually do.

Heald has 673,000 followers on Facebook alone, the majority of whom would love to meet him, and Carnival Magic only has room for 3,690 guests.

Will There Be More Opportunities to Meet Heald?

At the same time the President’s Cruise was announced, news began to spread that Heald would be stepping back from his full-time social media role to spend more time on cruise ships meeting guests in person.

This means that if cruise fans are not able to make this specific voyage, they will likely get at least another chance to meet Heald in person. And if this President’s Cruise is a success, Duffy may also make these sailings an annual tradition.

Heald also announced this special voyage just about a month after the eighth annual “For Fun’s Sake” cruise took place onboard Carnival Spirit. Heald and his fans voyaged to Alaska over the course of a 7-night itinerary, which embarked on May 5, 2026.

His eagerness to gear up for the next adventure with his fans also suggests that there will be more opportunities like these to come.

Israeli Cruise Ship Arrival Sparks Protest in Greece

Lissa Poirot
-
0
Israeli Cruise Ship Arrival Sparks Protest in Greece

Key Aspects:

  • Protesters gathered at the Port of Piraeus outside of Athens on June 3 to oppose the arrival of the Israeli-operated cruise ship Crown Iris. 
  • The demonstration occurred during Crown Iris‘ current 7-night sailing from Haifa. 
  • The protest is the latest in a series of demonstrations that have followed the vessel at Greek ports since 2025.

Tensions flared at Greece’s busiest cruise port as demonstrators gathered in Piraeus near Athens, Greece, to protest the arrival of the Israeli-operated Crown Iris. 

Protesters waving Palestinian flags gathered at the cruise port on June 3, 2026, in the latest in a series of actions targeting the ship amid the ongoing war in Gaza. Organizers described the vessel and its arrival as symbols of what they say is Greece’s growing cooperation with Israel.

Hundreds of protesters called for solidarity with Palestinians and urged local authorities not to welcome the ship.

Read Also: 11 Most Dangerous Cruise Ports You Should Be Extra Cautious About

The Crown Iris is operated by Israel cruise company Mano Maritime and regularly sails itineraries throughout the eastern Mediterranean. The more than 40,000-gross-ton ship has drawn protests at several Greek destinations in recent months as opposition to the war in Gaza has fueled demonstrations throughout the country.

One protest slogan, according to local reports, stated, ”They are unwanted here and have no business being here,” while another sign read, “No to genocide tourism.”

Authorities maintained a security presence around the port during the protest. The ship was able to complete its scheduled call with no immediate reports of injuries or major disruptions.

Current Voyage Includes Multiple Greek Ports

The protest in Piraeus took place during a 7-night cruise that departed Haifa, Israel, on May 31, 2026,

Carrying approximately 2,000 passengers, the vessel called in Kos, Greece, on June 2 before arriving in Piraeus on June 3 for a scheduled 14-hour stay from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m., local time. 

Crown Iris
Mano Cruises’ Crown Iris (Photo Credit: Mali Sokol)

Following its call in Athens, the ship is scheduled to continue to Nafplion, Greece, on June 4 and Syros, Greece, on June 5 before returning to Haifa on June 7.

This is was not the first time Crown Iris has faced opposition while sailing in Greek waters. In July 2025, demonstrators on the island of Syros gathered near the port and blocked access to the dock, preventing approximately 1,600 passengers from disembarking.

The ship ultimately departed the island without completing the scheduled visit and was rerouted. The incident drew international attention and prompted responses from both Greek and Israeli officials.

Additional demonstrations have since been reported at other Greek ports visited by Crown Iris, including Rhodes and Crete. By late 2025, Greek authorities had begun increasing security measures during some arrivals as a precaution against potential disruptions, including at ports like Patras and Katakolo.

Crown Iris is the only cruise ship operated by Mano Maritime, based in Haifa. The vessel entered service with the company in 2018 after previously sailing under different names, including Norwegian Majesty for Norwegian Cruise Line and Celestyal Majesty for Celestyal Cruises.

More From Cruise Hive

The company previously operated several other cruise ships over the years but have since left the fleet, leaving Crown Iris a recognizable Israeli brand.

The ship is spending the remainder of the year sailing to Greek ports.

Miami Cruise Port Car Rental: What Most Cruisers Don’t Know

Emrys Thakkar
-
0
Miami Cruise Port Car Rental: What Most Cruisers Don’t Know

Key Aspects:

  • There are no car rental offices located on-site at PortMiami.
  • The closest car rental offices to PortMiami include Avis, Hertz, and Budget.
  • You can also rent a car at Miami International Airport and book (paid) shuttle transportation between the airport and cruise terminals. 

There are no car rental offices directly located at the Miami cruise port, aka PortMiami. However, that doesn’t mean you’re not in luck when it comes to renting a car to explore the area either before or after your cruise. There are many national car rental brands that operate near the port, some of which even offer free shuttle services to and from the port. 

Here’s what you need to know so you can reserve the best car rental for your Miami cruise vacation.

In this Article:

Car Rental Companies Near Miami Cruise Port

Avis

While the downtown Miami Avis office may be located just under 3 miles from PortMiami, Avis does provide shuttle service between the two, making this a convenient option for most cruisers. 

Depending on traffic and the number of ships in port, the shuttle will pass by the cruise terminals every 20 to 30 minutes. (An Avis ambassador is on-site to direct customers as to where to go to wait for the shuttle).

Avis Vehicle Rental, Miami
Avis Vehicle Rental, Miami (Photo Credit: Solarisys / Shutterstock)

There’s no extra fee for the shuttle service, though available shuttle space may dictate whether or not the shuttle can stop right at that moment, and the number of ships in port determines when the last shuttle runs. 

Additionally, when you’re returning a car, you do have to actually take it back to the downtown Miami office and after-hours returns are not available (though, some other Avis locations may have a key drop box available).

  • Address: 99 SE 2nd St., Miami
  • Distance to cruise port: 2.9 mi.
  • Offers shuttle service: Yes

Budget

Similarly, Budget offers shuttle service between the Miami cruise port and its downtown Miami rental office. 

Again, this is a free service and the shuttle swings by the port every 20 to 30 minutes or so, based on demand and busyness. Budget ambassadors change positions based on need, so you may have to flag down the driver of the shuttle yourself, if an ambassador is not around.

Budget Miami Office
Budget Miami Office (Photo Credit: Solarisys / Shutterstock)

The shuttle service will take you not only to the rental office from the port, post-cruise, but also to port on embarkation day, if you’re returning your rental car ahead of your cruise rather than afterward. 

  • Address: 93 SE 2nd St, Miami
  • Distance to cruise port: 2.9 mi. 
  • Offers shuttle service: Yes

Hertz

This Hertz office‘s rental location is a bit closer to the cruise pier and offers some pretty agreeable deals, with average prices for a car reservation at this location working out to about $158 per day.

Hertz Vehicle Rental, Miami
Hertz Vehicle Rental, Miami (Photo Credit: Solarisys / Shutterstock)

While there is no advertised shuttle service to take you to and from the port, getting around shouldn’t be difficult, thanks to the wealth of rideshare services throughout the area.  

Note that some outdated articles and reviews will report that this office offers a shuttle, but as of 2024, this was no longer the case. 

  • Address: 229 SE 2nd St, Miami
  • Distance to cruise port: 2.2 mi. 
  • Offers shuttle service: No

Sixt Rent A Car

One of the closest Sixt locations to the port is actually located at the Intercontinental Miami. This location offers everything from super budget-friendly compact cars starting at under $50 per day, to luxury vehicles.

Sixt Vehicle Rental
Sixt Vehicle Rental (Photo Credit: Solarisys / Shutterstock)

You can easily find the rental counter on the first floor of the hotel’s lobby, where you’ll also find a Starbucks and a few stores and other food options.

  • Address: 100 Chopin Plaza, Miami
  • Distance to cruise port: 2.3 mi. 
  • Offers shuttle service: No

Supreme Rent a Car

If you’d prefer to work with a smaller, non-national company, Supreme Rent a Car is a Florida-based provider. It may be located further away from PortMiami, but it does offer pick-up and drop-off services. Choose from standard and luxury cars, SUVs and vans, and convertibles. Rates start at under $50 per day.

In addition to serving the area around PortMiami, the business also serves Miami International Airport, Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. 

  • Address: 3995 NW 26th Street, Miami 
  • Distance to cruise port: 7.2 mi. 
  • Offers shuttle service: Yes 

What About Renting a Car from the Miami Airport?

You can, of course, choose to rent a car directly at Miami International Airport (MIA), which can be a good fit for those who are already flying into the airport (rather than driving in and parking at PortMiami).

A popular option is to pick up your car at the airport as soon as you fly in, enjoy exploring and sightseeing ahead of your cruise, and then return the car to the rental office of your choice.

You could return the car to an office closer to the port (often for a surcharge), or why not take it back to the airport rental center and then take a shuttle between MIA and the cruise terminal.

Car Rental Offices at Miami Airport
Car Rental Offices at Miami Airport (Photo Credit: Solarisys / Shutterstock)

If you’re renting a car after your cruise rather than before it, you can plan for the same process, just in reverse, taking a shuttle from the airport to the ship, renting a car after disembarkation day, and later dropping your car off at the airport rental center before you finally board your flight home. 

As for getting that shuttle between MIA and PortMiami, the Port of Miami shuttle offers service between MIA and the cruise terminals, as well as between the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and the cruise port of Miami — and it’s not the only business to cater to travelers going between the airport and their cruise ship.

SixtRide, for instance, is a service offered by Sixt Rent A Car that gives you a chauffeured ride to and from the port as well. So, you have options.  

The MIA Rental Car Center is accessible from the airport via the MIA Mover that is located on Level 3 between the Dolphin and Flamingo Garages. 

The MIA Rental Car Center offers a robust number of offerings, including rentals from ACE Rent A Car, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Carnival Rent A Car, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, Royal, Sixt Rent A Car and Thrifty.

What About Tolls for a Miami Rental Car?

A large number of major highways around Miami charge tolls. Luckily, you don’t need to carry a bunch of quarters or cash in your pocket so that you can pay those tolls as you drive around.

Miami uses the SunPass system, which uses license plate cameras and transponders for cashless tolling. It’s highly likely that your rental company has a toll-related fee already built into your rental agreement.

Sign for Miami Beach
Sign for Miami Beach (Photo Credit: 4kclips)

So, for example, if you rent from Hertz, Dollar or Thrifty, you can choose an unlimited tolling option that costs $14.99 per day. However, if you do not opt in after your trip, you’ll be charged $9.99 per day that tolls are incurred, as well as the cost of each toll. 

Avis, Budget, Payless, National, Alamo and Enterprise all have similar set-ups at different price points, and it’s generally in your best interest to take the unlimited toll option.

Getting from PortMiami to the Car Rental Office

If you don’t hire a shuttle service or book with a rental car office that provides free shuttle service, you’ll need to get to the car rental office on your own, from PortMiami. Thankfully, it won’t be too difficult.

As soon as you leave the cruise ship, you’ll find a plethora of options to serve the millions of cruise passengers that flow through PortMiami each year. Old-school taxis are waiting right there, but you can also pre-book a taxi or rely on rideshare services. 

You might have to wait longer for an Uber or Lyft than you would for a taxi that’s already ready and waiting by the curb, but you’ll find the pricing to be not too different. For example, if you’re traveling between the Miami cruise port and airport, you’ll pay about $20 for a rideshare and about $27 for a taxi.

Santorini Shifts How Cruise Passengers Reach the Island

Lissa Poirot
-
0
Santorini Shifts How Cruise Passengers Reach the Island

Key Aspects:

  • Santorini has approved a new rule requiring more cruise passengers to come ashore through Fira Bay.
  • The change could lead to longer waits on busy cruise days.
  • The policy is part of broader efforts to manage more than 1.2 million cruise visitors.

Getting from a cruise ship to Santorini’s famous clifftop villages could take more planning this summer.

A new rule approved by Santorini’s Municipal Port Fund will change how cruise guests come ashore on the popular Greek Island. Under the policy, up to 70 percent of passengers from each cruise ship must disembark at Ormos Firon, also known as Fira Bay, while no more than 30 percent may arrive through Athinios Port.

The change could affect how quickly cruise visitors reach Fira and other popular parts of the island.

Many cruise visitors use Athinios as a way to avoid Santorini’s often-crowded cable car system. The cable car transports passengers between the waterfront below Fira and the town above, and long lines are common when multiple ships are in port.

With fewer passengers allowed to arrive through Athinios, more people may find themselves relying on the cable car to reach the island’s most popular areas.

The policy was approved unanimously by the Municipal Port Fund of Thira and will remain in effect until it is changed. Local officials said the new system is designed to improve safety, reduce congestion, and better manage traffic between the island’s ports.

Cruise Ships Visiting Santorini, Greece
Cruise Ships Visiting Santorini, Greece (Photo Credit: Ella Fogel)

In the decision, the board said the measure would support the “rational distribution of passenger and vehicle flows and smooth operation of ports” while helping ensure the “sustainable tourism management of the island.”

Officials also pointed to the need to ease pressure on Athinios, which serves as Santorini’s main ferry port and handles local and regional traffic in addition to cruise visitors.

Santorini’s Push to Manage Cruise Crowds

The new rule is the latest measure aimed at managing the large number of visitors arriving on the island during the cruise season.

The Greek island remains one of the most popular cruise destinations in the Mediterranean, attracting more than 1.2 million cruise passengers annually.

During the busiest days of the summer season, several ships can be anchored off the island at once, sending thousands of visitors ashore within a matter of hours.

Much of that traffic funnels through Fira, the island’s main cruise gateway, where passengers are transported ashore by tender boats.

The issue has gained national attention in Greece. Last year, the government approved a new cruise passenger fee for ships calling at Greek ports. Santorini and Mykonos were assigned the highest rates because of the number of visitors they receive each year.

During the peak summer season, cruise passengers visiting Santorini are charged €20 per person. Greek officials have said the fees are intended to help fund infrastructure improvements and other projects related to managing visitor traffic.

More From Cruise Hive

Santorini has also introduced an 8,000-passenger daily cap on cruise arrivals. Before the cap, some peak days saw more than 15,000 cruise visitors arrive. 

The new arrival policy joins a growing list of measures introduced as Santorini seeks to balance its popularity with the demands placed on the island’s ports, roads, and transportation systems.

Costa Maya Protest Shuts Down Royal Caribbean Excursions

Lissa Poirot
-
0
Costa Maya Protest Shuts Down Royal Caribbean Excursions

Key Aspects:

  • Workers blocked the main access road leading to the Costa Maya cruise port.
  • The protest forced the cancellation of shore excursions for cruise passengers.
  • Demonstrators say they are owed money from Royal Caribbean, which took over the port in 2025.

Cruise passengers arriving in Costa Maya on June 1, 2026, expected a typical day of beach breaks, Mayan ruins tours, and excursions along Mexico’s Caribbean coast. Instead, many found themselves stuck on buses or told their tours had been cancelled.

According to local news reports, workers blocked the main access road leading to the Costa Maya cruise port in Mahahual, Mexico, as part of a labor dispute.

The protests prevented vehicles and workers from entering or leaving the port area, creating challenges for cruise lines and local tour operators.

Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas, cruising from Galveston, Texas, and Enchantment of the Seas, sailing from Tampa, Florida, arrived for their calls at 7:00 and 8:00 a.m., respectively, only for passengers to board buses to nowhere during the visit.

Said one passenger, “Sat on a bus till 9:30 only to be told all excursions were cancelled. Couple of the locals told us it was because there were some workers on strike blocking the port exit.”

Reports indicate the protests focused on access roads serving the port area rather than cruise ships themselves, with the port a popular Western Caribbean stop for major cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, and Disney Cruise Line.

However, Royal Caribbean took over the Port of Mahahual in 2025, and reports indicate that protestors have not received profit-sharing payments from the company. The blockade of the port was meant to draw attention to their demands.

The disruption is not the first time protests have affected access to the port. Earlier this year, residents blocked access roads to the port while demanding infrastructure improvements from Royal Caribbean.

Costa Maya
Port Mahahual, Costa Maya (Photo Credit: Mary Baratto)

The cruise company responded with an announcement of more funding toward the improvement of roads in Nuevo Mahahual.

On February 20, 2026, Royal Caribbean Mexico President Ari Adler said, “Royal Caribbean is proud to support the well-being and development of Nuevo Mahahual. We consider ourselves a neighbor in this community, independent of any tourism project.”

Royal Caribbean Faces Growing Opposition

The latest protest comes as Royal Caribbean faces increasing scrutiny over its growing presence in Mahahual.

After taking control of Costa Maya in 2025, it had since announced plans to transform the area into a major cruise destination, including the development of the 230-acre Perfect Day Mexico.

The project was expected to be the company’s largest private destination development to date, featuring attractions, beaches, pools, and shore-side experiences designed for cruise guests. Not everyone embraced those plans.

Community groups and environmental organizations raised concerns about the scale of development and its potential impact on the local ecosystems and residents. Those concerns gained momentum and on May 19, 2026, Mexico’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources rejected Royal Caribbean’s proposal for the project.

The decision was a major setback for Royal Caribbean, which told Cruise Hive following the ruling that “Mahahual is a special place that deserves care and protection.”

While this week’s labor dispute may be separate from the environmental concerns, both point to growing tensions surrounding Royal Caribbean’s plans for Costa Maya.

Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas are expected to arrive in Costa May on June 3 and 4 from Tampa and Galveston, respectively, leaving passengers to wonder if there will be more disruptions.

1...313233...637Page 32 of 637