P&O Cruises is introducing a new cancellation fee for its young cruisers program, a move that may be controversial for parents depending on their family’s plan for the youth facilities and how their child may react on different days of a cruise vacation.
The fee is meant to ensure adequate space in the facility for everyone to enjoy, reducing last-minute cancellations or no-show guests.
Guests onboard Azura have received letters regarding the new charges, while app booking screens show the same information. It is unknown at this time whether the the fees are only being tested in a limited manner onboard one ship, or if they will be rolled out fleet-wide in the coming days or weeks.
“We are writing to inform you of our upcoming changes to The Reef,”the letter explained.“From 30th May 2024, there will now be cancellation charges.”
While The Reef – a youth space for children up to 12 years of age, with age-based groups and activities – is free for guests to use, pre-registration is required. The facility often fills to capacity, and it can be frustrating for travelers when others fill up registrations but then fail to take advantage of their reserved session times.
“A cancellation charge of £5 [$6.36 USD] will be applied to your on board account for a session cancelled less than 24 hours before the session start time and a charge of £10 [$12.73 USD] for a session which is not attended,”the letter read.
It should be noted that these fees only apply for The Reef for children ages 12 and younger. The teen club, H2O, does not require advance booking and there is no mention of fees whether or not teens (ages 13-17) use that space.
Reactions to the fees are mixed. Some parents appreciate the fee, as it may ensure travelers aren’t making reservations they may not strongly intend to keep. Those types of “just-in-case” reservations could fill up space that would otherwise be available to more children.
Other parents, however, prefer a more flexible option and note that some children may change their minds about play sessions or be shy or uncomfortable on different days. This could result either in unwanted fees or else pressuring a young cruiser to take part in activities they aren’t interested in, leading to fussy behavior or temper tantrums.
Some travelers have also expressed concern at the 24-hour-notice requirement, as that may not always be possible depending on when a reservation is made. For example, if a reservation is made on embarkation day for the next morning, it would never be possible to cancel more than 24 hours in advance.
Scubas, as part of The Reef on P&O Cruises
Similarly, it is possible a child may start feeling ill before a play reservation, and there is concern that parents might put their child into The Reef anyway in order to avoid fees. This could potentially spread illness to other children using the space.
Undoubtedly P&O Cruises will use guest feedback and responses to further refine the program, as is common when new processes are introduced.
Similar to Other Fees
This new fee is similar to cancellation and no-show fees some cruise lines charge for specialty restaurant reservations. These are used in an effort to prevent travelers from booking multiple restaurants either before sailing or on embarkation day, then simply cancelling or not showing up when they make plans in port or choose other dining options on different days.
Many shore excursions also have similar cancellation windows, and if guests do not cancel far enough in advance, they may be charged a fee. If passengers do not show up for a tour they have already booked and paid for, they are not given any refund and must still pay the full fee.
Restaurants, activity spaces, and tours cannot overbook reservations and risk forcing someone out of their dedicated time slot. Therefore, it makes sense to impose penalties as an incentive for guests to honor their reservations or else give others sufficient opportunity to take advantage of a cancellation.
Halloween is one of the most popular holidays in the world, and Carnival Cruise Line offers a lot of not-so-scary fun onboard its fleet during spooky sailings.
The cruise line has announced the exact sailing dates for Halloween-themed cruises in 2024, giving guests the opportunity to prep their scary best for a fun and festive getaway.
All ships in the Carnival fleet will offer Halloween sailings throughout October, but the exact date for the first themed voyage depends on each individual ship’s schedule. Similarly, the exact number of Halloween cruises will depend on whether a ship is offering shorter or longer voyages.
Carnival Cruise Ship at Night (Photo Credit: NAN728 / Shutterstock)
“Cruising at Halloween is a brilliant experience. And this year we will again be celebrating the whole month of October,”confirmed John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador.
The first ship to welcome guests with spooky decorations and fun will be Carnival Spirit on her September 24 departure, which is a 15-night Carnival Journeys sailing roundtrip from Seattle and visiting Hawaii.
Likewise, the last ship to offer frightful fun will be Carnival Panorama, which will showcase her Halloween decorations for a single sailing leaving Singapore following a month-long dry dock. The ship’s only Halloween cruise is her 24-night one-way sailing from Singapore to Long Beach, California.
The complete list of departure dates for Halloween sailings across the Fun Ship fleet is as follows:
Carnival Breeze – September 28; October 3, 7, 12, 17, 21, 26, 31
Carnival Celebration – September 29; October 6, 13, 20, 27
Carnival Conquest – September 30; October 4, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28
Carnival Dream – September 29; October 5, 13, 19
Carnival Elation – September 30; October 5, 10, 14, 19, 24, 28
Carnival Firenze – September 28; October 5, 12, 19, 26
Carnival Freedom – September 28; October 3, 7, 12, 17, 21, 26, 31
Carnival Glory – September 30; October 4, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28
Carnival Horizon – September 28; October 6, 12, 20, 26
Carnival Jubilee – September 28; October 5, 12, 19, 26
Carnival Legend – September 26; October 6, 16, 26
Carnival Liberty – September 29; October 6, 13, 20, 27
Carnival Luminosa – October 1, 12, 16, 23, 30
Carnival Magic – September 29; October 5, 13, 19, 27
Mardi Gras – September 28; October 5, 12, 19, 26
Carnival Miracle – October 1, 16, 25
Carnival Panorama – October 12
Carnival Paradise – September 30; October 6, 10, 14, 19, 24, 28
Carnival Pride – September 29; October 6, 13, 20, 27
Carnival Radiance – September 30; October 4, 7, 13, 27, 31
Carnival Spirit – September 24; October 9, 26
Carnival Splendor – September 27; October 6, 10, 13, 21, 31
Carnival Sunrise – September 30; October 5, 10, 14, 19, 24, 28
Carnival Sunshine – September 28; October 3, 7, 12, 17, 21, 26, 31
Carnival Valor – September 30; October 5, 10, 14, 19, 24, 28
Carnival Venezia – September 27; October 4, 14, 25
Carnival Vista – September 29; October 5, 13, 19, 27
In total, Carnival Cruise Line is offering 151 Halloween sailings, with every ship in the fleet participating in the festive fun no matter where in the world it is setting sail. Carnival Conquest and Carnival Glory are offering the most sailings, with 9 Halloween cruises each.
Carnival Conquest is homeported from Miami, while Carnival Glory is homeported from Port Canaveral. Both ships offer 3- and 4-night Bahamas cruises to visit destinations such as Bimini, Nassau, Princess Cays, and Half Moon Cay, depending on the ship and departure date.
Of special note is newly updated Carnival Legend, which will finish the spooky season during her 15-night transatlantic cruise from Rome to Tampa. That sailing departs Rome on October 26 and will visit Spain, Portugal, the Azores, and Nassau before arriving in Florida on November 10. It is likely that the seasonal decorations will be removed in early November while the ship is en route.
Carnival Cruise Ship Deck During Sunset (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)
Carnival Luminosa will not display her Halloween decorations until October 1, partway through the ship’s transpacific sailing from Seattle to Sydney. On October 1, the ship is scheduled to visit Moorea Island in French Polynesia. She will arrive in Sydney on October 12.
Finally, Carnival Miracle‘s first Halloween Cruise will depart October 1, which is a 15-night one-way repositioning cruise as the ship moves from San Francisco to Galveston.
What to Expect on Carnival Halloween Cruises
Each of the cruise line’s Halloween sailings will be filled with extra activities and fun themed to the season, including special trivia contests, seasonal music, spooky craft projects, unique menu items, and more.
“Halloween is always an exciting time aboard Carnival and we take it to the next level with Frightfully Fun activities that guests of all ages can enjoy,”Carnival Cruise Line’s website describes the season.
One of the most highly anticipated events of these seasonal sailings are costume parties, with guests invited to join in and show of their spooky spirit.
“The ships will be decorated and there will be a some frightfully fun events including a special costume party,”said Heald.“I hope many of you will take part and bring your costume. For something really scary buy a pair of suspenders, stick a pillow down your shirt, smack yourself in the face with a frying pan and go as John Heald, Brand Ambassador.”
Have you ever set sail on a Halloween cruise? Share your experiences, tips, and tricks-or-treats on the Cruise Hive boards!
After years of hard work and anticipation, Disney Cruise Line’s second private island destination is ready to welcome its first guests.
Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, which is located on Eleuthera in the Bahamas, has been under construction since April 2022. But the private experience is finally finished – just in time for the first guests to set foot on the island’s sandy shores on June 7, 2024.
On Thursday, May 30, 2024, leaders from Disney Cruise Line, the Bahamian Government, and the local community gathered to celebrate the new destination’s completion with a special ceremony.
Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point
President of New Experiences Portfolio and Disney Signature Experiences Thomas Mazloum had this to say:“For years, our teams at Disney Cruise Line and Walt Disney Imagineering have collaborated with the incredible community in The Bahamas to bring our second island destination to life. And today, we gathered alongside government officials and local leaders to celebrate the completion of Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point!”
The ceremony was held on the island at the Goombay Cultural Center, which can be found across from Lookout Cay and is a place where guests can experience a taste of “Junkanoo,” which is the joyful Bahamian festival that inspired the design of Disney’s new private destination.
During the commemorative ceremony, Bahamas Prime Minister Philip Davis spoke to the benefits of the partnership between the Disney brand and the Bahamas, complimenting how Disney kept authenticity and sustainability at the forefront of their designs and how the cruise line’s presence will benefit the economy, such as through supplying approximately 200 new jobs for locals.
Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point
“The local community of South Eleuthera has been at the heart of designing the tourist experience for the Cay. Disney has collaborated with the local businesses to ensure they sell authentic, high quality Bahamian goods…and that services to support the operation, such as the shore excursions, are Bahamian-led and highlight the works and history of Bahamians,” said Davis.
Beginning next week on June 6, 2024, the island will officially be open to guests, who will get to meet Mickey and Minnie in their traditional, Junkanoo-inspired attire, embrace Bahamian culture, and enjoy beach-side lounging, dining, water sports, and other excursions.
Disney Magic, the oldest ship in Disney’s fleet, will do the honors of bringing the first visitors to Disney’s new private destination.
The 2,400-passenger vessel will operate a round-trip preview cruise out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, which will embark on June 6, 2024. The 1998-launched vessel will make the first-ever call on Lookout Cay the following morning on June 7, 2024. She will then visit Nassau, Bahamas, on June 8, before returning to Fort Lauderdale on June 9.
“We cannot wait to welcome guests to the island when the Disney Magic arrives for the very first time next week! Congratulations to all who made this dream a reality,” Mazloum wrote on LinkedIn.
The first official sailing to Lighthouse Point will be operated by Disney Fantasy, which entered service in 2012.
The 7-night inaugural sailing will embark from Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, on June 8, 2024. Lighthouse Point will be both the first and last port call of the voyage, with visits planned for June 10 and June 13.
Between the stops at Lookout Cay, Disney Fantasy will call on Nassau, Bahamas, and Castaway Cay, Disney’s first private island that opened on July 30, 1998.
In addition to the first two sailings, there are currently 163 different cruises scheduled to embark between June of 2024 and September of 2025 that include Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point on the itinerary – with even more visits sure to be added in the future.
On the heels of Barcelona’s Mayor Jaume Collboni and Valencia’s María José Catalá announcing measures to further limit cruise passengers from disembarking in the city to ease congestion and over-tourism, the mayor of Palma de Mallorca, Spain, has announced the city council will be seeking to do the same.
On May 29, 2024, Mayor Jaime Martinez unveiled a series of proposals aimed at mitigating the impact of mass tourism on Palma, the capital city of the Balearic Islands located on the island of Mallorca. Central to his plan is a partial ban on cruise ships to either limit the number of cruise ships or to allow only cruise ships who home port in Mallorca, situated in the Mediterranean Sea.
As reported by the Majorca Daily Bulletin, the mayor said the most important factor in easing over-tourism is to “regulate, limit, or prohibit the arrival of certain cruise ships, and permit only small and medium-sized ones.”
Palma de Majorca (Photo Credit: Pandora Pictures)
He went on to add, “We also propose limiting the number of cruise ships or allowing only those that have Palma as their home port.”
The mayor also suggested implementing two new taxes, similar to those recently underway in Venice, Italy, that would charge a tourism tax to cruise passengers. One would be an arrival fee into port and another would be a fee to enter the city, potentially double-taxing passengers on ships that call on Palma.
Additionally, Martinez emphasized the need for a revision of rubbish charges across all ports, limiting rental cars in the city, limiting or banning “party boats,” cracking down on illegal accommodation rentals and banning new rental places, and limiting the size of tourist groups and guided tours to reduce the strain on local infrastructure.
Mayor’s Proposal Faces Opposition
The mayor’s proposal follows the recent announcement from Palma that authorities are moving forward with a renewal of cruise restrictions in place since May 2022.
The current partial ban limits the number of visiting vessels to a daily cap of three, with only one ship allowed to carry over 5,000 passengers. The Committee on Tourism, Trade, Employment, Culture, and Sport submitted a proposal to the city council and the Balearic Islands Port Authority (APB) last week. If approved, the agreement will move discussions to the International Cruise Line Association (CLIA) for an extension.
Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas (Photo Credit: Palephotography / Shutterstock)
However, Mayor Martinez’s proposal aims to further restrict cruise ships and passengers. Following his announcement, Spain’s far-right political party, Vox, and three additional opposing parties voted down the measures on May 30, claiming they were not consulted.
A spokesperson for Vox said the ban on mega-cruise ships is contrary to its policies. “We live from tourism,” the spokesperson told the Majorca Daily Bulletin. “Without it, the young people would emigrate. Before taking measures, we must be democratic. There must be consensus or there may be many repercussions.”
Although the proposed measures and details need to be addressed by multiple parties and organizations, Mayor Martinez said, “they will be carried out.”
Palma’s summer season is underway and between June and August, the port will welcome nearly 250 calls, many of them mega-cruises, including Royal Caribbean’s 5,602-passsenger Oasis of the Seas and Norwegian Cruise Line’s 4,270-passenger Norwegian Escape.
Currently AIDA Cruises’ AIDAcosma home ports in Palma de Mallorca and has 36 cruises scheduled between June and August. The ship has a capacity to hold 6,654 passengers and 1,500 crew members.
Going on an Eastern Caribbean cruise and wondering what each port of call has to offer? Or perhaps you’re booking a cruise vacation from Tampa, Miami, or Fort Lauderdale cruise ports and don’t know which cruise itinerary will suit you best. We’re here to help by giving you insight into the most ideal Eastern Caribbean ports of call (in our opinion!).
Eastern Caribbean cruises typically visit ports of call on the beautiful islands of Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, the Greater Antilles, the British and U.S. Virgin Islands, St Maarten, and St Kitts. The best time to visit these cool ports of call is in the winter season, from December to April.
Here’s our essential cruise guide covering these popular ports of call. We include terminal and pier info, which ports have tenders, popular attractions, and things to see and do independently if you don’t want to join an official cruise shore excursion.
Historic San Juan is the capital of the island of Puerto Rico and one of the busiest cruise ports in the Eastern Caribbean. As well as being a port of embarkation and disembarkation, many cruises include San Juan as a port of call.
Located in the heart of Old San Juan, the port has two cruise terminals. It is just a short stroll from the shops, cafes and historic fort in Old San Juan.
Photo Credit: NAPA / Shutterstock
Once ashore, explore the narrow streets and colonial architecture. Within the historic walled city, the 16th-century El Morro military fort presides over the town and can be visited independently or as part of a City Walking Tour with a local guide.
If you want to visit the Bacardi Rum Factory, take the ferry from Pier 2 to Catano, then catch the bus for the 10-minute ride to the factory. Upgrade to a mixologist course and create your own cocktail! Nature lovers can head inland on a tour to El Yunque and enjoy an amazing tropical rainforest experience.
Cruise lines visiting San Juan in 2024-25 include:
Princess Cruises
MSC Cruises
Carnival Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line
Royal Caribbean International
Holland America
Celebrity Cruises
Viking Cruises
Seabourn
Azamara
Oceania Cruises
Disney Cruise Line
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Crystal Cruises
Virgin Voyages
Windstar Cruises
Philipsburg, St. Maarten
The Caribbean island of St. Maarten/St. Martin is divided between the two nations of France and the Netherlands. It provides the best of both cultures with French food and fashion in the north, and the quaint architecture and Dutch influences in the south.
The cruise port is in Philipsburg, capital of the Dutch area. Cruise ships typically dock at the A.C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facility, which acts as the cruise terminal. The dock can accommodate several ships at once, including the largest and newest cruise vessels.
Cruise Ships Docked in St. Maarten, in the Caribbean. Photo Credit: Dennis MacDonald)
There is a shopping village right at the cruise terminal area with duty-free shopping, restaurants, bars and souvenir stalls. There are also restrooms, WiFi, and an island information center. The main town of Philipsburg is a 20-minute walk from the pier. Buses run regularly to and from the cruise ships, and taxis are cheap and plentiful.
Visit the waterfront market and white-sand beaches around Philipsburg, browse the shops, relax at a beachfront café or visit the Sint Maarten Museum.
Cruise lines visiting Philipsburg in 2024-25 include:
Princess Cruises
Carnival Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line
Royal Caribbean International
Holland America
Celebrity Cruises
P&O Cruises
Viking Cruises
Azamara
Oceania Cruises
Windstar Cruises
Amber Cove / Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
Amber Cove cruise port is located on the north coast of the Dominican Republic, which is on the east side of the island of Hispaniola. It can accommodate up to two ships at a time. Ships dock directly at the L-shaped pier, allowing visitors to walk straight off the ship.
Developed by Carnival Corporation, the port Cruise Center has a currency exchange, Wi-Fi, restrooms and an information desk. There are several shops, restaurants, and modern facilities, along with a variety of craft stalls selling local jewelry and souvenirs. The Aqua Zone next to the Cruise Center is crammed with fun activities.
Carnival Cruise Ship at Amber Cove (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)
Amber Cove is on the Bay of Maimon, close to the town of Puerto Plata, which also features its own cruise port. Puerto Plata caters to non-Carnival vessels, such as those from Norwegian Cruise Line and Virgin Voyages.
The coast is known for its beautiful sandy beaches, lush greenery, and tasty cuisine. Other popular activities for cruisers include visiting local rum distilleries, taking hikes as part of an eco-adventure in the rainforest, relaxing on the beach, swimming with dolphins, water sports, riding the cable car or walking along the promenade.
Cruise lines visiting Amber Cove/ Puerto Plata in 2024-25 include:
Princess Cruises
Royal Caribbean International
Carnival Cruise Line
Holland America
Costa Cruises
La Romana, Dominican Republic
Located on the southeastern side of the Dominican Republic, the port of La Romana is close to the town of the same name.
The dock is at the mouth of the Rio Dulco River, and two cruise ships can berth simultaneously, one on each side of the river. Larger cruise ships use the eastern quay, which has a pier for cruise ships up to 350m in length. The western quay accommodates smaller cruise ships up to 250m in length.
La Romana Cruise Port Area (Photo Credit: KaSiontour1217)
The open-air terminal is known as Sugar Breeze Cruise Terminal, and it has a few buildings and facilities that are just a short walk from the ship’s gangway. The port has fairly basic facilities, including restrooms, a bar, a coffee shop, taxis, a pharmacy, handicraft stalls, and information desks. There is a ChuChu train to downtown and a shuttle bus to Altos de Chavon.
La Romana is a popular cruise destination with beautiful beaches, clear Caribbean waters, watersports, local shops, bars and attractions.
Excursions from the port include attractions such as the 16th-century village of Altos de Chavin, snorkeling in the turquoise waters, scuba diving, river kayaking, ziplining, and trips to the paradise islands of Catalina and Saona.
Cruise lines visiting La Romana in 2024-25 include:
Carnival Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line
Royal Caribbean International
Costa Cruises
Windstar Cruises
Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
Known as the Gateway to the US Virgin Islands, Charlotte Amalie Cruise Port is on the south side of the island of St. Thomas. Unusually, the port has two cruise ports.
Havensight Cruise Port has three docks east of the town of Charlotte Amalie. Crown Bay is two miles west of Charlotte Amalie and has one pier with two further docks.
Havensight cruise terminal consists of a one-km-long pier located a 20-minute walk or short taxi ride from the town. However, you might just want to stay at the terminal, which is a shopper’s paradise! It has a vast open-air mall with duty-free shops, jewelry shops, bars, and places to eat. Tour buses and taxis pick up passengers outside the terminal gates.
Cruise Ships in the US Virgin Islands (Photo Credit: Victor Maschek)
If your cruise ship docks in Crown Bay, the walk is difficult, and a taxi or shuttle bus (if available) is recommended. Onsight, the pier gates lead into a modern cruise terminal with excellent amenities.
Look out for the Windmill building that houses the Information Center! The Crown Bay Center is a large shopping mall just outside the pier gates with lots of duty-free shops, restrooms, ATMs, free Wi-Fi, restaurants, craft stalls, and souvenir shops.
Beyond the port, attractions on St. Thomas include the famous Skyride to Paradise Point, beautiful Magens Bay Beach, and a Butterfly Farm. Boat charters, catamaran trips, and lagoon kayaking trips can all be booked from your cruise excursion desk as part of your Eastern Caribbean cruise.
Cruise lines visiting St. Thomas in 2024-25 include:
Royal Caribbean International
Azamara
SeaDream
Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
St. Croix, US Virgin Islands
Cruise ships visit the beautiful Saint Croix dock at the newly renovated waterfront in Frederiksted. The 500m-long pier can accommodate two cruise ships simultaneously.
An electric trolley transports cruisers along the lengthy dock. There’s an information kiosk, restrooms and local shops. It’s easy to walk ashore and explore this quaint town with many historic buildings, including Fort Frederik.
Photo Courtesy: Virgin Islands Port Authority
St. Croix is a luxury playground with beautiful beaches, historic towns and duty-free shopping (up to $1600 allowed for US citizens). Local vendors line the waterfront with stalls selling crafts, jewelry, T-shirts and souvenirs.
Visit Whim Plantation, the Cruzan Rum Factory, St Geoge Botanical Gardens or explore part of the 72-mile Heritage Trail. A taxi can take you to the historic harbor town of Christiansted, with its quaint Danish architecture.
Cruise lines visiting St Croix in 2024-25 include:
Carnival Cruise Line
SeaDream
Royal Caribbean International
Norwegian Cruise Line
Holland America
Celebrity Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Virgin Voyages
Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
St. John, US Virgin Islands
St. John is one of three main islands making up the US Virgin Islands, along with Saint Croix and St. Thomas. The main port is Cruz Bay, which has basic facilities. It is on the west side of the island and is mainly visited by smaller luxury cruise lines. Cruise ships have to anchor offshore and tender cruisers ashore.
St. John USVI (Photo Credit: Ramunas Bruzas)
Much of this tiny 50km² island is protected by the Virgin Islands National Park, which extends to include the coral reefs and shoreline. Beaches, watersports, and island hopping are the main attractions for cruisers.
Cruise lines visiting St John in 2024-25 include:
Azamara
SeaDream
Windstar Cruises
Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Part of the British Virgin Islands, Tortola is a British Overseas Territory which consists of four islands: Tortola, Andgada, Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke. Most larger cruise ships dock at Road Harbour in a sheltered bay on the south coast of Tortola.
The 400m-long pier is large enough to handle two smaller cruise ships (up to 180,000 GRT) at once, but not the larger vessels such as RCI Oasis class.
Cruise Ships Docked in Tortola, British Virgin Islands (Photo Credit: Khairil Azhar Junos)
The cruise terminal is right next to Tortola Pier Park, an 80,000 sq. ft—area with 50 shops and restaurants. From the terminal, you can rent bicycles to explore the island or book a taxi and head to one of the beautiful white sandy beaches. The closest beach is Cane Garden Bay, about five miles from the cruise port.
Luxury cruise lines and smaller ships may dock at the neighboring island of Jost Van Dyke. The New Horizon Fast Ferry transports travelers to Tortola in around 20 minutes. One must-do is sampling the Rum Cake that Tortola is famous for.
Cruise lines visiting Tortola in 2024-25 include:
Royal Caribbean International
Princess Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line
Virgin Voyages
Seabourn Cruise Line
Crystal Cruises
Celebrity Cruises
Carnival Cruise Line
Windstar Cruises
Star Clippers
Labadee, Haiti
Labadee is the exclusive private resort developed and managed by Royal Caribbean for its cruise ships and those belonging to the sister cruise company Celebrity Cruises.
It is a gated enclave located on a peninsula on the north coast of the island of Haiti. The entire resort is no more than 800 meters long and 4000 meters wide.
Labadee has a 400-meter-long pier extending south into Buccaneer’s Bay. It can only accommodate one ship at a time. There is no terminal as such.
Royal Caribbean’s Labadee, Haiti (Photo Credit: fitzcrittle / Shutterstock)
Cruisers walk from the ship to the gated entrance to this private resort where there are private cabanas, restaurants, bars, waterslides, dining options and amenities that outshine even the best onboard activities.
Visit the Trading Post stalls, ride the awesome Dragons Breath Zip Line or book tours to go parasailing, jet skiing, deep-sea fishing, kayaking, snorkeling and sailing.
There is a free tender that takes passengers from the cruise dock to Columbus Cove, the farthest beach in Labadee, for a relaxing beach experience. There is also a free tram connecting the resort entrance with Columbus Cove Tram Station, stopping at Barefoot Tram Station and the Town Square along the way. Those with mobility issues can use beach wheelchairs provided by the resort.
Cruise lines visiting Labadee in 2024-25 include (note that the cruise lines have temporarily halted calls to the destination due to local unrest):
Royal Caribbean International
Celebrity Cruises
Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos
Grand Turk is a 10-km-long island that is part of the Turks and Caicos. Although it is just 2km wide, it has plenty of attractions and things to do.
Cruise ships arriving at Grand Turk dock at the end of the pier, right next to a beautiful sandy beach on the southernmost tip of the island. The pier accommodates a maximum of two ships at one time.
Carnival Magic at Grand Turk (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)
The open-air terminal has tour booths, a Margaritaville Bar, a restaurant, a pool, and Trading Post shops at the Cruise Center. The Flow Rider surfing attraction is a popular shore excursion booked through your cruise line.
Activities on Grand Turk include adrenaline-pumping activities such as 4×4 safaris, Dune Buggy Rides, horseback riding and catamaran cruises.
Cultural tours visit historic homes, the Old Town, the Lighthouse and the interesting National Museum. The island has many beaches close to the pier, or a short taxi ride away if you want to escape the crowds.
Cruise lines visiting Grand Turk in 2024-25 include:
Princess Cruises
Carnival Cruise Line
Royal Caribbean International
Holland America
Costa Cruises
Virgin Voyages
St. John’s, Antigua
Not to be confused with the tiny island of St. John, USVI, St. John’s is the largest town and main port on the larger island of Antigua. The cruise port is located on the northwest coast of the island. Cruise ships dock at Heritage Quay in the heart of this delightful town.
It can accommodate up to four cruise ships at a time, including larger Oasis-class cruise ships. Some cruise ships may dock at the adjacent Redcliffe Quay where old Georgian buildings house cafes and boutiques.
Antigua Cruise Port
Larger ships may dock at the Deepwater Harbour Terminal, about 1.5km from St. John’s. Smaller vessels may use English Harbour on the south side of the island.
Most attractions are an easy walk from Heritage Quay and Redcliffe Quay. Explore the magnificent St. John’s Cathedral and UNESCO-listed Nelson’s Dockyard or take a taxi to one of the 365 beaches on the island.
There are two indoor/outdoor malls for duty-free shopping just steps from the dock. Heritage Quay Mall is a shopper’s paradise on two floors. The weekend Farmer’s Market is a highlight on Fridays and Saturdays.
Cruise lines visiting St. John’s, Antigua in 2024-25 include:
Princess Cruises
MSC Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line
Royal Caribbean International
Holland America
Celebrity Cruises
Viking Cruises
Seabourn
Cunard Line
Costa Cruises
Oceania Cruises
Virgin Voyages
Port Zante, Basseterre, St. Kitts
Basseterre is on the island of St. Kitts in the West Indies. It has two different piers to accommodate up to four large cruise ships at once, with additional ships docking at the cargo port or tendering passengers ashore in peak winter months. You can read our full guide on the St. Kitts cruise port here.
Located on the southeast coast of the island, the terminal area is known as Port Zante. It is the site of a welcome center, duty-free shopping, and a colorful produce market. The terminal also has restaurants, shops, and cafes where cruisers can step ashore and stretch their legs.
Cruise Ships Docked in St. Kitts (Photo Credit: Anthony Giarrusso)
Colorful red and yellow wooden fishing boats bob alongside the pier, making a great photo op! The waterfront Treasury Building harks back to the days when the island was an important sugar colony.
Downtown Basseterre is a 10-minute walk from the port. It is known locally as “The Circus”. It’s a lovely town to explore on foot as the streets are laid out in a grid.
The St. Kitts Scenic Railway is a great way to explore the island on a 3-hour sightseeing tour. Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site worth visiting by taxi or tour. The sister island of Nevis is a 45-minute ferry ride away.
Cruise lines visiting St. Kitts in 2024-25 include:
Princess Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line
Royal Caribbean International
Holland America
Celebrity Cruises
Viking Cruises
Seabourn
Cunard Line
Crystal Cruises
Star Clippers
Windstar Cruises
We’ll See You on an Eastern Caribbean Cruise!
Armed with all this information, it’s easy to book your next cruise based on these ideal ports of call across the Eastern Caribbean. You can also check ports that you might visit while sailing in the Western Caribbean!
Princess Cruises has unveiled its new “Love Line Premium Liquors” collection, developed in collaboration with celebrities Pitbull, Jason Aldean, and Romero Britto. The exclusive selection of wines and spirits is set to enhance the experience for guests sailing on the Love Boat ships, beginning with the new Sphere-class Sun Princess.
“The Love Line Collection is a natural extension of the elegance and sophistication found throughout our Princess ships and makes every sip a journey worth savoring,”said John Padgett, president of Princess Cruises.
Sun Princess Cruise Ship
He went on to add that Princess Cruises is proud to introduce “an exceptional selection of spirits that reflect the diverse tastes and preferences of our guests.”
Currently offered on the 175,000-gross-ton Sun Princess, which debuted on February 28, 2024, the Love Line Premium Liquors collection is currently being rolled out across the entire fleet for their summer voyages.
Guests booked on a Princess Premier package, which includes premium drinks as well as two specialty meals per sailing, unlimited casual meals and desserts, fee-waived OceanNow delivery, unlimited room service delivery, reserved theater seating, fitness classes, and Wi-Fi, will have these premium spirits as part of their beverage collection.
Princess Collaborates with Pitbull, Romero Britto and Jason Aldean
The Love Line Collection includes the unique contributions of each celebrity partner, highlighting their individual tastes and styles. For instance, globally renowned Miami-based musician Pitbull, also known as Mr. 305, lent his hand to the creation of the Voli 305 Vodka.
Meant to embody the vibrant energy of Miami nightlife, the vodka is distilled in Miami and features regionally sourced Florida sweet corn to create a distinctive vodka with a smooth finish.
For an equally distinctive liquor, Brazilian artist Romero Britto, founder of the Happy Art Movement, teamed up with Venetian winemaker Villa Sandi to create Love Prosecco. The renowned prosecco maker has been creating Champagne-inspired sparkling wine since 1622.
Voli 305 Vodka by Pitbull
Britto’s Love Prosecco is noted for its refreshing taste with flavors of melon, lemon, mineral, and white peach. Britto also designed the bottle to mirror the unique artwork and design of the Love by Britto restaurant found on Princess Cruises, which showcases art meant to inspire fun, love, and optimism.
Love Prosecco will be a feature of the dining experience at Love by Britto on Sun Princess and will also be available across the Princess fleet.
Also, a part of the Love Line Collection is three wines created by legendary country singer Jason Aldean, along with his sister Kai Wicks and country artist Chuck Wicks. The Melorosa Sauvignon Blanc offers a crisp and dry wine, with hints of herbs and grasses, while the Melorosa Cabernet Sauvignon features rich dark fruit notes, with flavors of blueberry and blackberry, and hints of mocha and cedar.
Love Prosecco by Britto (Photo Courtesy: Princess Cruises)
The Love Line Collection also includes a Red Blend wine, with all three wines developed in California.
Sun Princess is currently sailing a 21-night Mediterranean voyage that launched in Barcelona, Spain, on May 11. The roundtrip cruise is visiting iconic ports, including Gibraltar; Marseille, France; Rome (Civitavecchia); Istanbul, Turkey; and Mykonos, Greece.
Princess Cruises, which is owned by Carnival Corporation, operates a fleet of 15 ships, all currently sailing. Caribbean Princess, Sky Princess, and Regal Princess are sailing in Europe, with roundtrip voyage from Southampton to Northern Europe, while Diamond Princess is homeported in Yokohama, Japan, for the summer.
Seven ships are in Alaska this summer, including Royal Princess, Grand Princess,Discovery Princess, Sapphire Princess, Crown Princess, Majestic Princess, and Ruby Princess, all of which began sailing from Vancouver earlier this week.
Meanwhile, Emerald Princess,Island Princess, and Enchanted Princess will spend the summer in the Caribbean, sailing roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale.
Coral Princess, which will wrap up a world cruise in Sydney, Australia on August 19, will spend its summer months in Europe after it arrives in the Canary Islands on June 2.
Carnival Legend has left dry dock and is ready to welcome guests in Barcelona, Spain for her first post-renovation sailing, departing Thursday, May 30, 2024. The ship now boasts a range of upgrades and enhancements, including the rebranding of popular spaces and the addition of Carnival Cruise Line favorites.
One of the biggest additions to the 22-year-old ship is a new Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounge on Deck 2 (Promenade Deck), formerly the Dreamteam Sports Bar. This patriotically-themed venue is now available on 13 Carnival ships, having first debuted on Carnival Panorama in 2019. The lounge pays tribute to both active-duty military personnel and veterans of all service branches.
Carnival Legend Heroes Bar
Red-white-and-blue décor is highlighted with authentic military momentos for an extra-special touch. On Carnival Legend, the boots of Deshauna Barber, godmother of Carnival Vista and a captain in the United States Army Reserve, have a special place of honor.
Other new venues now open on Carnival Legend are the Dreams Studio for professional portrait sessions, the Carnival Adventures desk to book amazing shore tours, an expanded casino, and a new miniature golf course.
The ship also now has a dedicated Chef’s Table space on Deck 1 (Riviera Deck), which was formerly the lower level of the Medusa’s Lair Dance Club. Part of that club space was renovated for the wildly popular Chef’s Table, while the rest was converted into additional staterooms, including accessible staterooms.
Several other spaces onboard have been rebranded and updated. The steakhouse has been refreshed to become Fahrenheit 555, and the spa is rebranded as the Cloud 9 Spa and Fitness Center – both popular and familiar brands across the Carnival fleet.
Retail shops have been refreshed, as well as youth spaces updated for both Circle C and Camp Ocean. Other public areas have been similarly refreshed with new flooring, upholstery, and lighting as needed, and the ship has undergone other technical behind-the-scenes updates, as well as hull cleaning and general maintenance.
Carnival Legend Spa Upgrade
Overall, the dry dock lasted a full month, as Carnival Legend first left service at the end of April. The work was completed in Marseille, France, and the ship is now better-than-new and ready to welcome eager travelers for truly legendary cruise vacations.
The 88,500-gross-ton, Spirit-class Carnival Legend can welcome 2,124 guests at double occupancy, and is also home to just over 900 international crew members.
Ready to Sail in Europe
Carnival Legend‘s first post-dry-dock sailing is an 8-night roundtrip cruise from Barcelona, with visits to Malta, Sicily, Naples, Rome, Livorno, and Toulon before returning to Barcelona on Friday, June 7. This is the ship’s only roundtrip offering from Barcelona, as her next sailing is a one-way repositioning to Dover, UK.
From Dover, Carnival Legend will offer 6 roundtrip cruises to outstanding destinations in Iceland, Ireland, Scotland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, and Germany, depending on departure date. On August 18, the ship will then move to Rome to offer a further 6 departures for Mediterranean and Greek Isles ports of call.
Carnival Legend Dry Dock
On October 26, the refreshed ship will conclude her European season and leave Rome for a 15-night transatlantic cruise to her new homeport of Tampa, Florida. Along the way, Carnival Legend will visit Spain, Portugal, the Azores, and the Bahamas, before arriving in the Sunshine State on November 10.
From Tampa, the ship will offer a winter season of Caribbean itineraries, before moving to San Francisco to offer alternating Alaska and Mexico sailings for summer 2025. Following that season, Carnival Legend will be homeported in Galveston with a variety of Western Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean, and Panama Canal cruise options.
With so much diversity coming up in Carnival Legend‘s sailing schedule, guests will have many options to enjoy the refreshed ship no matter where they set sail.
In an industry first, Royal Caribbean Group, the parent company of three major cruise brands, created a Loyalty Status Match program that allows guests to apply their existing loyalty club tier level — earned on any of the brands — to all three cruise lines.
The change takes effect on cruises departing on and after June 5, 2024 on bookings with Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises.
Royal Caribbean Group announced the pioneering reward program on May 30, 2024 as part of an effort to enhance the guest experience for cruisers who are members of Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society, Celebrity Cruises’ Captain’s Club, and Silversea’s Venetian Society.
Royal Caribbean-Owned Cruise Ships
All three loyalty programs provide popular perks, free amenities, and service bonuses to frequent guests, such as early check-in, priority reservations for restaurants and entertainment, early booking access to new itineraries; private parties; and free laundry services, for example.
Frequent guests earn points for each night they sail, accumulating many points over time and attaining various benefit tier levels. Prior to the new match program, the points and/or tiers were not reciprocal between the brands.
“We strive to provide guests with experiences within our portfolio of brands that meet them for all of life’s moments. Each of our differentiated brands have passionate fans who take pride in the status they’ve achieved through repeat sailings,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group.
Loyalty Plans Operate on Point-Based Systems
Royal Caribbean Group’s various loyalty programs operate in similar ways, using a point system to indicate the level of benefits each line offers.
With Royal Caribbean’s Crown and Anchor Club, guests earn 1 point for each night they spend on one of the line’s ships and 2 points if they book a suite. The lowest level is Gold, for anyone who has sailed at least three nights.
On Silversea Cruises, the group’s luxury brand, the line’s Venetian Society has 5 milestone tiers, including 1 day; 100 days; 250 days; 350 days; and 500-plus days.
Venetian Society members who have sailed 100 days receive an invitation to a private onboard party for Venetian Society members, and free laundry service, for example, while those who have sailed 350 days receive a free 7-day voyage.
Celebrity Cruises’ Captain’s Club also has 5 tiers: Classic (2 to 149 points), Select (150 to 299 points), Elite (300 to 749 points), Elite Plus (750 to 2,999 points), and Zenith (3,000-plus points). With this brand, points are based on stateroom category.
Inside and ocean view cabins earn 2 points per night of sailing, up to 8 points for Sky Suite bookings, 18 points for Edge Villa, Penthouse, and Reflection suites, and at the top end, 24 points for guests staying in an Iconic Suite.
After enrolling in the new program, guests will be eligible to take advantage of point-for-point matches among the three brands, allowing them to receive all onboard perks tied to their tier status.
Cruisers who are already signed up for more than one of the group’s loyalty programs will automatically be matched to the status level they are entitled to.
Royal Caribbean Group’s three brands operate a total of 66 ships on global itineraries. The group also owns a 50% stake in a joint venture that operates TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. The shared loyalty program does not apply to those cruise lines.
Carnival Cruise Line has reached out to guests booked on two upcoming sailings of Carnival Splendor with notification of dramatic itinerary changes.
One cruise is having all ports of call changed and adding extra sea days where replacements aren’t possible, and the second sailing is only keeping a single port of call from the original itinerary.
The impacted sailings are the June 11 and June 24 sailings, both departing from Sydney, Australia. These are South Pacific itineraries and both had scheduled visits to Noumea, New Caledonia, which is currently experiencing significant unrest, protests, and even rioting over controversial election reform laws.
Carnival Splendor In Vanuatu (Photo Credit: A.Flassig)
Due to the violence, the island’s international airport has been closed, a nationwide curfew is in effect, and a state of emergency has been declared. The Australian government is urging travelers to “reconsider your need to travel” to New Caledonia, while the US Department of State likewise lists New Caledonia as a Level 3 travel advisory, “Reconsider Travel.”
Carnival Cruise Line has opted to avoid all ports of call in New Caledonia for Carnival Splendor‘s two upcoming cruises, which means multiple ports missed for eager guests.
“As a result of civil unrest in Noumea, it is necessary to revise our itinerary,”the notification emails read.“Everyone’s safety is our priority, and we really have no choice other than to make these changes. We know you were looking forward to the original itinerary we had planned and share your disappointment for this unexpected change.”
The June 11 sailing is a 9-night cruise that had planned to visit Noumea for two stops, which would have given travelers extra time to enjoy the capital city of New Caledonia. Also on the itinerary was Mystery Island in Vanuatu as well as a stop at Lifou Island, New Caledonia.
Now, that cruise will not be able to visit any of the original four planned ports. Instead, the ship will visit Vila, Vanuatu on Saturday, June 15 and Santo, Vanuatu on Sunday, June 16. All the rest of the days will be days at sea.
The June 24 cruise is a 10-night sailing that had likewise planned two stops in Noumea as well as Mystery Island and Lifou Island. That voyage will still be visiting Mystery Island on Friday, June 28 (instead of Saturday, June 29 as originally scheduled), but the other port calls have been dropped. Instead, guests will visit Vila on Saturday, June 29 and Santo on Sunday, June 30. All other days are sea days.
Any shore tours purchased through Carnival Cruise Line for the now-cancelled ports will be automatically refunded back to the original form of payment. New ports will have tour options available for purchase online or while onboard from the Carnival Adventures desk, portside on Deck 3 in the Splendor Lobby.
Carnival Cruise Line is also permitting guests to cancel their cruise altogether without fees or penalties if they prefer, and they will receive a 100% future cruise credit. All pre-purchased items – drink packages, spa treatments, specialty dining, etc. – would be fully refunded.
The 113,573-gross-ton Carnival Splendor can welcome 3,012 passengers, and is also home to just over 1,100 international crew members.
Will More Cruises Be Impacted?
At this time, only the two sailings – June 11 and June 24 – are impacted by these changes. Because Carnival Splendor is homeported year-round from Sydney, however, it is possible that additional South Pacific sailings may be similarly adjusted.
Whether or not more cruises have visits to New Caledonia removed will depend on if the violence subsides and the destination is deemed safe for tourists once more. Guests booked on upcoming sailings should stay in close contact with Carnival Cruise Line in case of further updates or itinerary changes.
Cruise lines always keep the safety of guests and crew members as the first priority, and it is not unheard of for port visits to be cancelled due to local instability.
Similarly, many cruise lines have adjusted itineraries through the Red Sea due to widespread regional violence that makes sailing through the Suez Canal inadvisable at this time. This caused Virgin Voyages to cancel the entire Australia season for Resilient Lady, as there is no practical way for the ship to reach the region with the Red Sea not a safe option.
It should be noted that cruise lines are able to change itineraries for such reasons with no obligation to provide compensation to guests. Most lines, however, will offer some remuneration for dramatic alterations as a gesture of goodwill for guests’ disappointment.
