Princess Cruises is rolling out the Sanctuary Collection to five additional ships in 2027: Royal Princess, Discovery Princess, Enchanted Princess, Regal Princess, and Sky Princess.
The offering is part of a multi-year, fleetwide modernization project to enhance guest experiences with more elevated options.
There has not yet been any announcement about whether more ships will also receive Sanctuary Collection upgrades, which are already available on Sun Princess and Star Princess.
Princess Cruises is bringing the exclusive resort-style Sanctuary Collection to some of the favorite ships in the fleet, with plans to expand the offering to Royal Princess, Discovery Princess, Enchanted Princess, Regal Princess, and Sky Princess.
The cruise line announced on Thursday, October 22, 2026 that the Sanctuary Collection, first introduced aboard Sun Princess and Star Princess, will be expanded as the first phase of a multi-year fleet modernization project with a focus on guest experiences and elevated options.
“The Sanctuary Collection has quickly become one of the most distinctive and desirable ways to experience Princess,”said Gus Antorcha, Princess Cruises president.
“Expanding Sanctuary Collection across five additional Royal Class ships allows more guests to enjoy the privacy, personalized service and premium amenities they would expect from an intimate luxury resort, while still having the destinations, entertainment and choices of a Princess cruise just steps away.”
The Sanctuary Collection will be available on each of the ships from different dates as work is completed to convert spaces to the exclusive experience. For each vessel, the first sailings with Sanctuary Collection availability are as follows:
Royal Princess: January 4, 2027 departure from Sydney, Australia (12-night roundtrip Fiji sailing)
Regal Princess: April 17, 2027 departure from Fort Lauderdale, Florida (13-night one-way transatlantic cruise to Southampton)
Discovery Princess: April 24, 2027 departure from Los Angeles, California (7-night roundtrip Mexican Riviera cruise)
Sky Princess: May 29, 2027 departure from Southampton, UK (14-night roundtrip Baltic voyage)
Enchanted Princess: June 12, 2027 departure from Civitavecchia, Italy (7-night Mediterranean and Adriatic sailing)
Bookings for the Sanctuary Collection on Royal Princess are now available. For the other four ships, bookings will be on sale from November 5 (Regal Princess), December 4 (Discovery Princess), December 10 (Sky Princess), and December 17 (Enchanted Princess).
Any guests who have already booked Royal Princess with a stateroom in the Reserve Collection will be automatically upgraded to the Sanctuary Collection experience at no additional cost, but without the Princess Premier package that will be included with new bookings.
The Sanctuary Sign on Star Princess (Photo Credit: Catie Kovelman / Cruise Hive)
The cruise line has not yet confirmed whether any existing bookings for the other four ships will be similarly changed to the Sanctuary Collection as applicable.
Princess Cruises has not said whether dry docks will be needed as the Sanctuary Collection is implemented. It is possible that any refurbishment work could be done during voyages leading up to the availability dates. This could mean certain spaces may be unavailable to guests onboard until the work is complete.
The Sanctuary Collection is a curated package that starts with luxury accommodations for select suites and other staterooms, including newly constructed oceanview staterooms as the collection expands across the five ships. Depending on the ship, select mini-suites and balconies are also part of the collection.
For those guests in Sanctuary Suites, a dedicated concierge will be available to help coordinate onboard experiences such as dining and entertainment, and suite guests will also have access to the exclusive Suite Lounge for relaxing and refreshments.
For all Sanctuary Collection guests, regardless of stateroom type, benefits include the private Sanctuary Club with lounge areas and personalized service, a dedicated pool, and upgraded lounge chairs. Shaded cabanas are available for an additional fee, and food and beverage service can be delivered poolside. Live music is occasionally featured in the Sanctuary Club.
All Sanctuary Collection guests will also be able to dine in the Sanctuary Restaurant with destination-inspired menus.
As part of new bookings for the Sanctuary Collection once sales open on individual ships, the Princess Premier package will be included with unlimited premium beverages, specialty dining, high-speed WiFi access, gratuities, complimentary room service, and other amenities.
P&O Cruises’ Iona has cancelled her visit to Bilbao-Getxo on Thursday, October 22, due to Storm Austen.
The ship is spending the day at sea instead and will find sheltered waters near Brixham to wait out the rough weather.
There is no change to Iona‘s expected return to Southampton on Saturday, October 24.
Guests onboard P&O Cruises’ Iona have had multiple changes to the current cruise itinerary, first due to unrest in France and now due to Storm Austen.
Through onboard announcements and a letter delivered to guests’ staterooms on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, the ship’s captain confirmed that Iona will be unable to visit her last port on the 7-night cruise that departed Southampton on Saturday, October 17.
“As per my earlier announcement, I am sorry to have to update you on a further change to our itinerary due to Storm Austen,”Captain Andrew Foote wrote.“Having considered the conditions ahead, we have made the decision to cancel our call to Getxo and return to Southampton.”
Earlier on the weeklong sailing, Iona skipped a planned visit to Le Havre (Paris) on Sunday, October 18 due to civil unrest in France, and modified the subsequent calls to Vigo and A Coruña.
The visit to Bilbao-Getxo was to have been on Thursday, October 22. Instead, Iona will now spend Thursday at sea, and AIS tracking confirms the ship is now en route to Southampton rather than docked at the Spanish port.
“As we make our way through the Bay of Biscay, we expect conditions to be uncomfortable at times,”the captain cautioned guests.“Once we are through the Bay, we intend to head towards the Brixham area, where we can seek more sheltered conditions before continuing our journey to Southampton.”
Iona was able to cross the Bay of Biscay overnight from Wednesday evening to Thursday morning. According to Windy.com, winds across the Bay of Biscay at that time ranged from 20-30 miles per hour. On Friday, when the 184,089-gross ton Iona will be sheltering near Brixham, winds through the English Channel are expected to be 40-50 miles per hour.
Brixham is located on the southern coast of Devon, approximately 120 nautical miles (sailing distance) from Southampton. There is no indication that the ship will actually visit Brixham as a port, only that Iona will be in the more sheltered area to wait out Storm Austen before moving on to Southampton.
Iona is now the fourth ship to have confirmed changes related to Storm Austen. Cruise Hive has already reported on early arrivals into Southampton for P&O Cruises’ Arvia as well as MSC Cruises’ MSC Preziosa and MSC Virtuosa, all due to the inclement weather.
How Are Guests Coping With Weather Conditions?
Guests currently onboard Iona have been discussing the rough conditions on a Facebook group for the sailing, with mixed reactions.
“How’s everyone coping so far?”one guest asked, adding a cruise ship and nauseated face emojis.
Some guests enjoy the motion, while others are not so pleased at feeling more of the ocean than they prefer.
“Best part of cruising for me,”one guest commented, while another noted,“Hoping the movement eases up a wee bit soon.”
Several guests have reported staying in their staterooms because they feel ill, and others had trouble sleeping because of the excessive motion through the Bay of Biscay.
According to the Met Office, Friday, October 23 is likely to be the roughest day of winds for Storm Austen.
“A spell of very strong northwesterly winds is likely on Friday morning,”the Amber wind warning from 10 a.m. on Thursday notes.“There is a good chance that gusts of 60-70 mph will develop widely for a time with perhaps some gusts around 80 mph for exposed headlands. Very strong winds will be combined with spells of heavy rain. Remaining windy for the rest of Friday but winds will gradually ease.”
A more widespread Yellow wind warning for Friday specifies gusts of 50-70 miles per hour, with the strongest winds along coastal areas in southern England and Wales, easing during Friday afternoon.
P&O Cruises’ Arvia and MSC Cruises’ MSC Preziosa and MSC Virtuosa will all arrive in Southampton, UK, earlier than planned due to Storm Austen.
The three ships will all arrive late Thursday evening, October 22, instead of on Friday and, in the case of MSC Virtuosa, Saturday, as originally planned.
Alerts have already been issued for the southern UK and coastal areas for strong wind gusts up to 50-70 miles per hour on Friday, October 23.
Thousands of cruise guests on three ships have now had their itineraries altered as they head for Southampton, UK ahead of Storm Austen.
P&O Cruises’ Arvia as well as MSC Cruises’ MSC Preziosa and MSC Virtuosa have all adjusted their routes and arrivals for Southampton to stay ahead of the storm’s worst impact.
The Associated British Ports schedule for Southampton confirms the early arrivals for the three vessels, which are now expected into Southampton late Thursday evening, October 22, 2026. MSC Virtuosa and Arvia will both arrive at approximately 7 p.m., while MSC Preziosa will arrive at approximately 9:30 p.m. Exact times are subject to weather conditions, port traffic, and local pilot availability.
Originally, Arvia and MSC Preziosa were scheduled to arrive on Friday morning, October 23, while MSC Virtuosa was not due into Southampton until Saturday morning, October 24.
The 5,282-guest Arvia is concluding a 13-night Mediterranean sailing that departed Southampton on Saturday, October 10, while the 3,959-guest MSC Preziosa is finishing a Northern Europe route with various departure points, including Southampton. MSC Virtuosa is due to conclude a 5-night Northern Europe sailing that left Southampton on Monday, October 19.
MSC Cruises has also sent an alert to guests booked on MSC Preziosa that the ship will also be departing early, noting that guests must arrive at the City Cruise Terminal no later than 2 p.m. According to the original itinerary, the ship wasn’t planned to depart until 8 p.m., but will now depart at 6 p.m. instead on Friday, October 23.
Guests booked on any of the three ships should stay in close contact with their cruise line for further details as official confirmations are made.
Arvia is set to begin a 14-night transatlantic cruise from Southampton to Barbados, while MSC Preziosa and MSC Virtuosa will both be sailing Northern Europe itineraries. No itinerary changes are yet confirmed for those sailings and any adjustments will depend on the storm’s impact.
“Storm Austen is expected to bring a spell of impactful weather to parts of the UK from Thursday night and through Friday. While there remains some uncertainty in the exact track of the storm, there is increasing confidence in the potential for disruptive winds across parts of southwest England,”said Chris Bulmer, Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster, on Wednesday.
“Winds gusts could potentially reach 60-70 mph for a time, and these strong winds will be combined with spells of heavy rain. People in affected areas should keep up to date with the latest forecast and warnings as the event develops.”
Friday is an Amber Warning from 3-10 a.m. with wind gusts expected up to 60-70 miles per hour, while some exposed headlands may experience gusts up to 80 mph. The warning area stretches across the southwestern UK from Hartland to Cornwall to Plymouth.
A Yellow Warning for wind from midnight to 2 p.m. on Friday extends much further across the southern UK, with wind gusts expected to reach 50-60 mph, while coastal areas could see gusts of 70 mph or higher.
The UK is not the only sailing region impacted by severe storms recently.
Royal Caribbean has acknowledged a temporary error on its FAQ that listed gratuities incorrectly but has confirmed there is no gratuity change at this time.
The gratuities FAQ has been updated to clarify that guests are able to adjust the 18% automatic gratuity added to drinks and specialty dining if they wish.
A fake press release claiming guests can no longer adjust daily gratuities while onboard their Royal Caribbean sailing has also been debunked by the current FAQ.
Royal Caribbean has sparked immediate concern among guests for what has turned out to be a simple error on its website that seemed to indicate a gratuity increase for drinks and specialty dining.
The cruise line’s service gratuity policy FAQ was recently updated, and for a short period, indicated a 20% automatic gratuity for beverages and beverage packages, specialty dining and specialty dining packages, room service, and minibar purchases, as well as a 20% automatic gratuity for spa and salon services.
While the 20% gratuity rate for spa and salon services is accurate, the beverage and dining gratuity rate actually remains at 18% with no increase.
Cruise Hive reached out to Royal Caribbean for confirmation of the error and received a statement acknowledging the mix-up.
“We recently identified an error in an FAQ that incorrectly stated gratuity information. To clarify, there has been no change to our gratuity rates. Gratuities for beverages and dining remain at 18% as previously communicated,”the cruise line said.“The FAQ has been corrected, and we apologize for any confusion this error may have caused.”
What has changed on the FAQ, however, is guests’ ability to adjust those automatic gratuities if they wish. In addition to some slight rewording, an entirely new line has been added to the FAQ, noting that:
“These gratuities are optional and may be adjusted or removed at the guest’s sole discretion.”
While guests have always been able to adjust or remove the daily gratuities added to their onboard SeaPass accounts, it was not clear previously whether the percentages added to drinks and dining could be adjusted as well. Now, the cruise line has provided that clarification.
More Gratuity Rumors Circulating
An even bigger rumor has also been circulating about Royal Caribbean gratuities: that guests will no longer be able to remove the daily automatic gratuities once they board their ship.
A seemingly authentic press release has been posted to social media and quickly spread, claiming the change.
“Effective immediately, daily gratitude (gratuity) charges added to guest accounts can no longer be removed or adjusted at Guest Services desks while onboard,”the notice reads.“This change applies to all Royal Caribbean International sailings departing on or after October 19, 2026.”
The message goes on to explain that guests previously could remove or modify charges, but that will no longer be permitted.
“Under the updated policy, these charges are now non-removable once applied to the guest account,”the notice states.
Fake Royal Caribbean Gratuities Letter
Where the message gets muddy is that it explains guests can still prepay gratuities prior to sailing or “make alternative arrangements through the Royal Caribbean app or website before embarkation” but does not describe what those alternative arrangements may be.
Even more peculiar is that the message goes on to note, “this change does not affect the ability of guests to provide additional discretionary tips for exceptional service, which remain welcome and appreciated by the crew.”
Well, who wouldn’t welcome and appreciate an extra tip? Nevertheless, the “release” is a bogus one. While the message is free of the typos and poor grammar that often give fake notices away, and it even lists media contact information for the cruise line, one big clue is right at the top.
The message opens with the Royal Caribbean International trademarked logo. The only problem is that the cruise line retired that logo in September 2024, when it dropped “International” and introduced a modernized design with a brighter blue and a standalone crown and anchor with a slightly adjusted shape.
While it would be understandable for some overlapping use between old and new logos shortly after such a switch, there is no reason the old logo would be on a press release that was supposedly published more than two years later.
Royal Caribbean’s gratuities FAQ still boldly states, right at the top, “Gratuities are optional. Guests may adjust or remove them entirely at their sole discretion, as described below.”
The description then later notes that, “Guests may modify or remove any gratuity by visiting the Guest Relations desk onboard at any time prior to the morning of disembarkation,” clearly debunking this false press release.
MSC Cruises has unveiled the Grand Hamptons Villa, a two-story luxury family accommodation debuting aboard MSC World Atlantic in November 2027.
The more than 2,475-square-foot villa accommodates up to eight guests and features a private cinema, kids’ suite, climbing tower, secret door, and oceanfront terrace.
This exclusive accommodation also includes MSC Yacht Club benefits, including 24-hour butler and concierge services.
Just over a year before MSC World Atlantic is set to debut from Port Canaveral, MSC Cruises has revealed concepts for a brand new family accommodation onboard. The two-story Grand Hamptons Villa will come in at over 2,475 square feet of indoor and outdoor space and features several unique and surprising elements.
Massive family suites are nothing new on cruises, as Cruise Hive has previously covered. Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Disney, and Norwegian Cruise Line have all introduced their own luxury accommodations catered to families in the past.
However, up until now, MSC Cruises has never had the same sort of large-scale suites designed specifically for family entertainment. The closest offerings previously were the Yacht Club Executive and Family Suites found on the cruise line’s Fantasia Class ships.
The Grand Hamptons Villa will change that picture. The concept, inspired by the Hamptons in New York, features large, luxurious spaces for up to eight guests, designed with the whole family in mind, including kids.
“As a family-owned company, we understand what makes a great family holiday and the importance of creating accommodations that enable families to make the most of their time together while enjoying the space and flexibility they need,”said MSC Cruises CEO Gianni Onorato.
MSC World Atlantic Grand Hamptons Villa
The villa was designed in partnership with Storyland Studios, a California-based design firm, primarily working in the theme park and interactive experience industries. The company has previously done design work for Knott’s Berry Farm, LEGOLAND, Disney, and Warner Bros., among others.
Standout features of the new space include a double-height living room, a dedicated entertainment loft, and a primary suite with its own private balcony featuring an outdoor shower. The entertainment loft offers a private movie theater lounge, while an oceanfront terrace will have a hot tub and deck games.
Other Family Amenities
In the living area, The Grand Hamptons Villa will have a private library for quiet reading. An interactive play area to keep kids entertained will be accessible via a climbing tower from the living area.
A mysterious feature for this play space was teased by the cruise line, referred to as a “secret door”. No details were provided about this door by the cruise line, besides that it will reveal “daily surprises”.
The living area also includes a dining area, kitchenette, and bar. Meanwhile, in the entertainment loft, guests will find a digital gaming table and a LEGO wall.
MSC World Atlantic Grand Hamptons Villa
Additionally, a double cabin, separate twin bedroom, and a dedicated kids’ suite will round out the sleeping arrangements. The kids’ suite will have custom bunk beds, individual televisions, and a private bathroom.
Guests booking the villa will receive access to Yacht Club benefits. These include 24-hour butler and concierge services, access to Yacht Club exclusive areas, a dedicated cleaning team, the Premium Extra Drinks package, a Fun Pass, and unlimited specialty dining and Wi-Fi.
MSC World Atlantic Debuts in 2027
The villa will be available exclusively on MSC World Atlantic when it debuts next year, and bookings are currently available. The 6,758-guest ship is currently undergoing interior, public-space, and technical work at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard after touching water for the first time in September 2026.
MSC World Atlantic, the fourth ship in MSC’s World Class, is scheduled to debut from Port Canaveral on November 13, 2027. It will sail a 7-night maiden voyage from the Florida port, visiting Nassau, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Cozumel, and Costa Maya, Mexico.
From there, it will offer year-round 7- and 14-night Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral. Those offerings are currently slated to continue until at least summer 2028.
AAA is projecting that a record 22.4 million Americans will take ocean cruises in 2027, a 3.6% increase over 2026 and the fifth consecutive annual record.
The Caribbean remains the leading destination for American cruisers, accounting for 71% of projected passengers.
Though 7-night itineraries remain the most popular, shorter sailings of 6 nights or fewer continue to rise in demand.
The cruise industry has experienced significant growth in recent years and it continues to gain momentum. AAA (American Automobile Association) has released its 2027 cruise forecast, predicting a record high number of American cruise passengers next year.
The organization projects 22.4 million Americans will take cruises domestically and overseas in 2027. This represents a 3.6% increase in cruise passengers over 2026 and the fifth year in a row the number of American cruisers is expected to set a record.
When Cruise Hive covered AAA’s 2026 projections last October, the organization forecast 21.7 million American cruise passengers throughout the year. AAA now estimates 2026 will finish above its earlier projection.
AAA reports a surge in cruise travel following the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. The 22.4 million passengers projected for 2027 represent a 57% increase over the 14.2 million American cruise passengers reported in 2019.
Embarkation and debarkation ports saw a shift in popularity over the past year. Miami maintains its top spot as the most popular port, rising from 10.2% of passengers forecast for 2026 to 11.2% for 2027.
The second most popular port, Port Canaveral, also saw an increase in its percentage share. The Florida port rose from 8.8% for 2026 to 10.4% for 2027.
Other ports that saw an increase in popularity for 2027’s projections include Barcelona, Galveston, and Southampton. Fort Lauderdale, however, saw a slight decrease, dropping from 5.6% for the 2026 forecast to 5.3% for 2027.
Expected to Cruise Numbers AAA
The Caribbean Remains the Top Cruise Destination
The Caribbean is maintaining its place as the preferred destination for American cruisers in 2027. The region accounts for 71% of American cruise bookings in AAA’s forecast.
In the 2026 forecast, the Caribbean was predicted to account for 72% of American cruise bookings. The one-percentage-point decrease does not necessarily indicate fewer American passengers cruising in the Caribbean, as the overall number of cruise passengers is projected to increase.
Additionally, the Mediterranean appears to be growing in popularity among American cruisers. The region rose from 5% of projected bookings in 2026 to 6% in 2027.
Alaska, meanwhile, is the second most popular destination among American ocean cruise passengers. Holding steady from the 2026 projections, it accounts for 7% of the U.S. cruisers.
Shorter Cruises Continue to Gain Popularity
AAA has also reported that more Americans are taking shorter cruises. While 7-night cruises continue to be the most common option among cruisers, sailings of 6 nights or fewer have seen an increase in popularity.
The organization reported that, in 2019, just 39% of Americans booked these shorter itineraries. That number rose to 45% in 2025, though figures for 2026 and projections for 2027 were not provided.
This increase in demand for short getaways is further demonstrated by the actions of the cruise lines themselves. Cruise operators, such as Royal Caribbean and Carnival, have expanded their short cruise offerings in recent years.
The 2027 AAA cruise forecast was prepared in partnership with Tourism Economics, A Philadelphia area travel data and forecasting firm owned by Oxford Economics. Tourism Economics also prepared previous cruise forecasts for AAA.
It’s important to remember that these figures represent projections of what is expected based on data and not confirmed 2027 passenger totals. Those who are curious about the actual figures will have to wait until the end of 2027 to see how accurate the projections were.
The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners has confirmed that the SS United States will be reefed during the second week of November 2026.
The ship will be sunk 22 nautical miles southwest of Destin-Fort Walton Beach to become the world’s largest artificial reef.
All remediation work on the ship is complete and final approvals for her sinking have been granted, but weather is a factor in the exact reefing date.
The end of an era is close at hand, as the Board of County Commissioners of Okaloosa County, Florida has now set the timeline for the reefing of the SS United States, the 1951-launched ocean liner that has been at the center of controversy for several years.
“The vessel will be deployed in the Gulf about 22 [nautical miles] southwest of Destin-Fort Walton Beach, the second week of November 2026,”a statement from the Board of County Commissioners confirmed on October 9, 2026.
An exact date for the ship’s deployment has not yet been announced and the statement notes that it is a weather-dependent action that may change as conditions necessitate.
“The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners is working with our safety and security partners for a safe and efficient deployment,”the statement explained.“This is an exciting move forward to create a one-of-a-kind resource for the environment and for our tourism industry.”
The SS United States Conservancy is continuing its plans for a land-based museum that will be near the departure points for future diving tours to the ship. The museum will include the ship’s 6-story funnels, the radar mast, and other components that have been salvaged as the ship has been prepared for reefing, along with artwork and other artifacts from the vessel’s history.
According to the Conservancy’s online Frequently Asked Questions, the entire reefing process will be live-streamed, though exact details of the event have not yet been released.
“The deployment operations will require a wide security perimeter around the ship that the US Coast Guard and other authorities will maintain, so there will be no close-up vantage points,”the FAQ reads.“Private charters and other boats will advertise tours outside the security perimeter.”
SS United States (Photo Credit: Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners)
No explosives will be used to sink the ship once she is towed to her final position, and the Conservancy notes that she will likely be anchored for two days while final preparations are made. Controlled flooding will be used to gently sink the vessel and ensure an upright position on the Gulf floor about 180 feet down, with the ship’s top deck roughly 55 feet below the water’s surface.
How Has the Ship Been Prepared for Reefing?
Great care has been taken with preparing the ship for reefing, including removing all toxic materials that might present marine hazards once the vessel has been sunk. Parts of the ship that would be considered unsafe for even the most experienced divers have also been sealed so they will be inaccessible after the ship is reefed.
Information on Destin-Fort Walton Beach’s official website notes that other remediation has included:
Emptying, cleaning, and inspecting all 128 fuel and lubricant tanks
Removal of the ventilation system, wiring, and all exterior exfoliating paint
More than 400 portholes removed
All exterior flooring with high PCB concentration removed and disposed of appropriately
In addition, the deployment site has been thoroughly scanned and visually surveyed “to verify that there are no existing historical or natural resources that would be impacted by the deployment.”
The ship’s remediation has been undertaken in Mobile, Alabama. The SS United States was towed to Mobile in February 2025, departing Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 19 and reaching Mobile Bay on March 3. That voyage featured live tracking and various vantage opportunities for fans to see the ship underway at appropriate points on her 2,000-mile journey.
The SS United States had been docked in the City of Brotherly Love since 1996, but a rent dispute ended her stay at Pier 82. The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners approved the purchase of the ship in October 2024.
Virgin Voyages has cancelled Brilliant Lady’s October 30, 2027, Halloween cruise from Los Angeles after the ship was booked for a private charter.
The ship’s following 7-night Mexican Riviera sailing is also being replaced with separate 3- and 4-night cruises as part of a West Coast schedule adjustment.
Affected guests are being offered alternative sailings with onboard credit or a full refund of their voyage fare.
Halloween is the time for frights and surprises, though guests booked on the October 30, 2027 sailing aboard Brilliant Lady have gotten a scare they didn’t ask for. According to a notice shared by a guest on Reddit, Virgin Voyages has cancelled the cruise after the ship was booked for a private charter.
“Due to a private charter, this voyage has been canceled,”said the notice.“We’re sorry for the disruption. We know how much planning goes into a vacation like this, and we certainly don’t take this lightly.”
The 2,770-guest ship’s special Halloween cruise from Los Angeles was originally set to visit San Diego, Ensenada, and Cabo San Lucas. It was then scheduled to return to the Southern California port on November 6.
Details surrounding the charter and who booked it have not been publicly disclosed. The original Halloween sailing is still listed as available on Virgin Voyages’ website at the time of writing, though the booking link leads to an error page.
Cruise Hive readers will be aware that Virgin Voyages has cancelled cruises for charters in the past. For example, in August 2025, the cruise line cancelledScarlet Lady’s April 19, 2026 7-night Caribbean sailing aboard Scarlet Lady in favor of a charter by Summit at Sea.
Charters can often be more lucrative to cruise lines than a traditional sailing, as they usually involve buying out every cabin onboard. By comparison, there is no guarantee that every cabin will be filled on a typical sailing.
The Following Sailing Has Also Been Replaced
Guests booked on the following Brilliant Lady sailing are also facing a disruption. As part of a West Coast schedule adjustment, Virgin Voyages has replaced the sailing with two shorter cruises.
The 7-night Mexican Riviera cruise was originally set to depart from Los Angeles on November 6, 2027 and visit San Diego and an overnight in Cabo San Lucas before returning to Los Angeles on November 13.
Brilliant Lady Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Capturing Images)
In place of the original weeklong itinerary, Virgin Voyages will offer separate 4-night and 3-night cruises. While the new voyages have not yet appeared on Virgin Voyages’ website, details provided to affected guests indicate that the 4-night sailing will visit Catalina Island and Ensenada, while the 3-night cruise will visit Ensenada.
What Options Do Affected Guests Have?
One guest got a double-whammy with the schedule changes, as they were booked on both the October 30 and the subsequent November 6 sailings back-to-back. In a post on Reddit, the guest expressed disappointment and concern over how promotional benefits would be handled.
“Kind of bummed out, was really looking forward to it,”the guest said.“Now to figure out where to cruise next but to add insult to injury I’ve got MNVV [My Next Virgin Voyage] on both sailings and took advantage of the pay in full discount that’s no longer an option.”
The guest further explained the options presented to them by the cruise line. For both sailings, the guest was offered the opportunity to transfer to any other 7-night voyage departing from Los Angeles between September 18 and November 13, 2027, with their original fare and promotions honored, plus $100 in onboard credit.
Alternatively, they were given the option of a full refund of the voyage fare paid to their original payment method. The guest added that there was no mention of their MNVV certificates also being refunded with this option.
A third option, presented only for the November 6 sailing, was to switch to one of the new 3- or 4-night itineraries instead. Payments already made by guests who choose this option will be automatically applied to the new sailing, and guests will also receive the aforementioned $100 onboard credit.
Cruise cancellations due to charters and schedule adjustments are not uncommon, though they present difficulties for guests with limited travel flexibility. With both affected Brilliant Lady sailings still a year out, guests will have some time to decide what alternate option best suits their needs.
Many, many cruise itineraries sail around the Eastern Caribbean and, if you’re a frequent cruiser like myself, you probably have been to your fair share of Eastern Caribbean cruise ports.
However, if you’re a newbie or just booking a cruise through this part of the world for the first time, you may have a lot of questions. Which Eastern Caribbean cruise ports are best? Which are the busiest? Which have the most to do within the vicinity of the port?
I’m giving you a basic breakdown of the 13 most popular ports in this region, with all you need to know about ship capacity, recent updates, whether or not you have to tender (which can be a hard dealbreaker for some cruisers) and what you’ll find around you once you disembark.
San Juan is a gorgeous place to visit, whether you’re cruising or not. If you are, though, you’ll find yourself docking at one of two cruise terminals. There’s one in San Juan Bay and then the Pan American terminal nearby. Across the two, there are about 500 cruise ships that visit the destination annually.
The San Juan Bay terminal can accommodate up to seven ships at one time, while the Pan American terminal can accommodate two cruise ships. The former positions you so that you can easily explore Old San Juan throughout your day in port. The latter puts you closer to the airport, convention center and hotels. Neither requires tendering.
I’d recommend trying to get an itinerary that stops at the San Juan Bay terminal, just because Old San Juan is really the highlight of a stop on this island.
Puerto Rico owns the ports but is in a public-private partnership that brings together Global Ports Holding and the Puerto Rico Ports Authority. The port is in the midst of a $425 million redevelopment project that’s been ongoing for the last few years. Most recently, Pan American Pier West reopened following a $37 million transformation that included the remodeling of passenger areas.
(Note that Puerto Rico does also have another cruise port, in the south, near Ponce, but it receives significantly fewer ships.)
Cruise lines that visit San Juan, Puerto Rico include:
Carnival Cruise Line
Royal Caribbean
Celebrity Cruises
Princess Cruises
Costa Cruises
Regent Seven Seas
Windstar
Norwegian Cruise Line
AIDA
Seabourn
Silversea
MSC Cruises
Oceania Cruises
Disney Cruises
2. Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas
Cruise Ships Docked in St. Thomas
When visiting St. Thomas and Charlotte Amalie, your cruise ship will stop at one of two spots. There’s the Austin Babe Monsanto Marine Terminal in Crown Bay, and then there’s the Havensight Dock at Long Bay.
The Austin Babe Monsanto Marine Terminal in Crown Bay has two docks and can fit three cruise ships at a time. The terminal was previously a naval seaport, but it was developed into a marina and shopping and dining destination over the last several decades.
The owner of Crown Bay is the Virgin Islands Port Authority and it is investing further into the area, modernizing the existing facilities, expanding parking and ground transportation options and adding an additional pier. Construction is planned for 2026.
Meanwhile, the Havensight Dock at Long Bay is owned by The West Indian Company Limited. It welcomes about 300 ships and 1.5 million passengers on cruises every year and is the oldest and considered the most prestigious cruise pier in the destination.
The dock can accommodate three ships simultaneously and a current dredging project is underway to allow the dock to accommodate the largest ships possible.
Regardless of which option your ship docks at, you can expect to be a short taxi ride away from Charlotte Amalie, but again, both ports have dining and shopping options right within walking distance.
Since St. Thomas is so small, during a port day here, you can easily enjoy a range of activities, whether that means just hitting up the beach, exploring the capital city or taking in some nature. Additionally, since the neighboring island of St. John does not have its own cruise port, travelers interested in going there will dock at St. Thomas and then take a taxi and ferry to Cruz Bay.
Typically, you do not have to tender at St. Thomas, unless both ports are too crowded on the day of your arrival.
Cruise lines that visit St. Thomas include:
Royal Caribbean
Celebrity Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Lines
Holland America
SeaDream Yacht Club
Crystal Cruises
Emerald Cruises
Viking Cruises
Carnival Cruise Line
Disney Cruises
Explora Journeys
TUI Cruises
3. Frederiksted, St. Croix
Cruise Ship Docked in Frederiksted, St. Croix (Photo Credit: eskystudio)
Also in the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Croix is another popular destination during Eastern Caribbean cruises. There is only one cruise ship port here, the Ann E. Abramson Marine Facility, owned by the Virgin Islands Port Authority.
The port can accommodate one mid-size cruise ship and one smaller cruise ship simultaneously. Otherwise, for larger or more ships, tendering is necessary.
The pier is relatively low-key, with shopping and dining within walking distance, and ground transportation available to take you elsewhere throughout the island, such as to beaches and on excursions. The most recent upgrade was a tender landing service pier that reopened in early 2026.
Cruise lines that visit St. Croix include:
Royal Caribbean
Virgin Voyages
Carnival Cruise Line
Viking Cruises
Explora Journeys
Marella Cruises
Regent Seven Seas
Oceania Cruises
Azamara
Holland America Line
4. Road Town, Tortola
Check Point at Tortola Cruise Pier (Photo Credit: Grindstone Media Group)
For those cruise ships stopping in the British Virgin Islands’ Tortola, they’ll find themselves docking at Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park, overseen by the BVI Ports Authority.
The pier can accommodate cruise ships of sizes of up to 180,000 GT, and two ships at a time. Larger or additional ships (up to two more) can anchor in the harbor and then cruise passengers tender to the pier.
Next to the pier, there is an outdoor shopping mall with more than 70 retail stores, restaurants and service providers. From there, you’ll want to take a taxi (or boat!) to get to other activities around the area. You might want to visit nearby beaches, go island hopping or see the local dining and shopping options in Road Town. Taking a ferry from Tortola to Virgin Gorda and The Baths is a popular option.
The modern iteration of the pier is a little over a decade old and, in recognition of its age, in 2026, the BVI reconfirmed its commitment to continuing to make the pier as modern as possible. Going into the future, expansions are an option, as are efforts to make the port’s operations greener and more sustainable.
Cruise lines that visit Tortola include:
Royal Caribbean
Disney Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line
Celebrity Cruises
Cunard
Explora Journeys
TUI Cruises
Virgin Voyages
Carnival Cruise Line
Azamara
Holland America Line
P&O Cruises
Regent Seven Seas
AIDA
MSC Cruises
Marella Cruises
Oceania Cruises
Crystal Cruises
Costa Cruises
5. Philipsburg, St. Maarten
Cruise Ships Docked in St. Maarten, Eastern Caribbean (Photo Credit: Multiverse)
Directly adjacent to the port is the Harbour Point Village, with dining and shopping options. It’s also where you’ll go to find tours and excursion pick-up and drop-off points. Taxis are likewise available.
Tendering is typically not required here, unless all of the spots at the two piers are filled up, or weather makes docking impossible.
Cruise lines that visit St. Maarten include:
Royal Caribbean
Celebrity Cruises
Carnival Cruise Line
Princess Cruises
Atlas Ocean Voyages
TUI Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line
Cunard
Virgin Voyages
Explora Journeys
P&O Cruises
Holland America Line
Viking Ocean
Regent Seven Seas
Azamara
MSC Cruises
Four Seasons Yachts
Seadream Yacht Club
Marella Cruises
AIDA
Emerald Yacht Cruises
Star Clippers
6. Basseterre, St. Kitts
Cruise Ships Docked in St. Kitts (Photo Credit: Alexandre.ROSA)
Port Zante is the official Basseterre cruise port, overseen by the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis and the St. Christopher Air & Sea Ports Authority.
There are two piers within the port and the port is well-situated for exploring Basseterre on foot. Literally, within just a few minutes’ walk, you can be in the city center.
Even just immediately off the pier, you’ll find a pedestrian plaza with shopping, dining, taxis, tour providers and similar amenities. You can also walk to the nearby ferry terminal to take a boat from Port Zante to Nevis.
The port welcomes just under a million cruise passengers per year, and just under 400 ships per year. While two ships can dock at Port Zante simultaneously, having two ships in port at any given time is not a guarantee. In fact, you may find that there are days that no ship docks at all at Port Zante.
That said, if you check the ship schedule and do find that you will be docked alongside another ship during your day in port, I’d recommend that you plan for things to be a little bit busier throughout the area, and for things to just take a little bit longer. You’ll likely run into more lines, etc.
Tendering here is a rare, rare occurrence, and only necessary if things are particularly busy. Again, it’s rare.
In July 2026, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis and the St. Christopher Air & Sea Ports Authority broke ground on a new cruise terminal development for Port Zante. The aim is to create a terminal that will allow cruise lines to disembark directly from Port Zante during their itineraries, instead of merely using it as a port of call. The terminal will feature enhanced security, screening and passenger processing technology.
Cruise lines that visit Basseterre include:
Royal Caribbean
Celebrity Cruises
Holland America Line
Oceania Cruises
Princess Cruises
Carnival Cruise Line
TUI Cruises
MSC Cruises
P&O Cruises
Virgin Voyages
Star Clippers
Viking Cruises
Silversea Cruises
Marella Cruises
AIDA
Azamara
Windstar Cruises
Cunard
7. St. John’s, Antigua
Cruise Ships Docked in Antigua (Photo Credit: Antigua Cruise Port)
The Antigua Cruise Port has five operational berths and allows for tendering as needed. It can accommodate ships up to Oasis-class sizes.
When passengers disembark, they’re just a short walk away from the capital of St. John’s, as well as guest services and duty-free shopping, dining and other facilities. For those who want to explore a bit further away, taxis can take them to Falmouth Harbor on the south coast. It’s a maritime destination with sailing, but is quieter and upscale.
The port’s operator, Global Ports Holding, announced construction of a new cruise terminal for the port in early 2025. This new terminal will span four acres and will offer a range of amenities, including even more dining, shopping, a bazaar, a park, and a pool.
Cruise lines that visit Antigua include:
Royal Caribbean
Cunard
Carnival Cruise Line
TUI Cruises
Explora Journeys
Oceania Cruises
Windstar Cruises
Princess Cruises
Crystal Cruises
Regent Seven Seas
Azamara
AIDA
Viking Cruises
MSC Cruises
Marella Cruises
Holland America Line
P&O Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line
Four Seasons Yachts
Celebrity Cruises
Virgin Voyages
Viking Cruises
Silversea Cruises
Costa Cruises
Star Clippers
Seabourn Cruise Line
SeaDream Yacht Club
8. Amber Cove, Puerto Plata
Carnival Cruise Ship at Amber Cove (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)
Amber Cove, in Puerto Plata, the Dominican Republic, is an interesting port on this list because, rather than belonging to the government, like most cruise ports, this port is owned exclusively by Carnival Corporation.
Opened in 2015 and stretching over 25 acres, the port has two cruise ship berths and no tendering, and a quarter-mile pier. Immediately upon disembarking, passengers find themselves in a shopping and dining hub, with an “Aqua Zone” adjacent, featuring cabanas, a water slide, pool, and beach bar.
When Amber Cove opened in 2015, it was a big deal. The Carnival Corporation had been working on opening the port for five years. At the time, it had the biggest development budget of any private port in the Caribbean, totaling $85 million.
Over the last 11 years, there haven’t been any big, newsworthy upgrades to the port, but it’s still being kept up and refreshed as needed.
All that said, there’s no reason that you have to stay within this little Carnival Corporation-owned port if your ship stops here. You can go into the actual city of Puerto Plata with just a 15-minute drive or so. You can also book certain excursions that will take you further throughout the island.
Do note that while the port is owned by Carnival Corporation, that doesn’t mean that only Carnival Cruise Line ships dock here. Carnival Corporation owns a range of different lines, and so those lines underneath that broader umbrella may stop at the port as well. Additionally, historically, some other lines’ ships have included the port in their itineraries, but it’s far less common.
Cruise lines that visit Amber Cove include:
Carnival Cruise Line
Princess Cruises
Holland America Line
Seabourn Cruise Line
MSC Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line
Virgin Voyages
Royal Caribbean
Azamara
Celebrity Cruises
Costa Cruises
Cunard
Explora Journeys
Oceania Cruises
Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
9. Taino Bay, Puerto Plata
Cruise Ships Docked at Puerto Plata (Photo Credit: Joni Hanebutt)
Taino Bay is another cruise port in Puerto Plata, but I felt it was worth covering them separately, as they’re so different.
While Amber Cove is owned by Carnival Corporation and located several miles away from the actual city of Puerto Plata, and has kind of a more generic, resort-style feel, Taino Bay is literally on the edge of Puerto Plata. You can walk right into the city and you’ll have more of an opportunity to explore the broader destination as a whole.
Taino Bay is not owned by a cruise company, but is, instead, a result of a joint partnership between several private developers and the Dominican government.
Taino Bay opened in 2021 and the development offers a range of amenities directly off the pier, including shopping, dining, drinking, and even a lazy river and pool. All the while, as mentioned, you’re just a short walk away from all the history and culture in Puerto Plata itself.
Taino Bay can accommodate two large ships simultaneously. Passengers do not tender.
Since the Taino Bay pier and surrounding developments are still relatively new, there haven’t been any major changes made since opening. However, future changes have been announced as recently as late 2026, to improve some of the adjacent facilities, including improvements for walkways and sidewalks.
Cruise lines that visit Taino Bay include:
Celebrity Cruises
Cunard
MSC Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line
Oceania Cruises
Regent Seven Seas
Royal Caribbean
Virgin Voyages
10. Samana, Dominican Republic
Samana Launch
Those who may’ve visited Samana in the past will have a starkly different experience if they visit Samana on a future cruise. Within the last year, the brand-new Samana Bayport has opened, at least partially, for business. No longer do all cruise passengers stopping here have to tender, thanks to the completion of the first phase of what will ultimately be a $22 million private investment.
Both investors and the Dominican Port Authority are working together on this development. Once it’s finally completed, the destination will have a cruise port that will be able to handle up to 3 million cruise passengers per year, as well as three cruise ships simultaneously.
That said, tendering is not gone for good.
Only one ship is actually able to dock at the Seawalk pier, with capacity for ships carrying up to 5,000 passengers. If there are another two ships visiting Samana at the same time, they will still have to anchor and tender.
The port also has planned spaces for restaurants, shops, museums, a beach club, pool and amenities such as an information center and a place where cruisers can link up with ground or water transportation to travel further around the island. The destination is known for its whale-watching and similar eco-tourism opportunities.
Cruise lines that visit Samana include:
Crystal Cruises
TUI Cruises
AIDA
MSC Cruises
Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
Royal Caribbean
Costa Cruises
Virgin Voyages
Celebrity Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line
SeaDream Yacht Club
11. La Romana, Dominican Republic
La Romana Cruise Port Area (Photo Credit: KaSiontour1217)
The La Romana Cruise Terminal can trace its history all the way back to the 1910s, with the building of the first private industrial dock in the Dominican Republic. Now, the port has become a stopping point for many major cruise lines. La Romana Port is overseen by Central Romana Corporation, which also manages excursions/tours, ground transportation and similar services.
The port features two berths, but the West Berth is used primarily for exporting, while the East Berth is used exclusively for cruise ships. The cruise ship berth can accommodate ships of sizes up to 226,000 GT. There’s no need for tendering.
As of a few years ago, the terminal underwent some remodeling and expansion projects, to the tune of $15 million. That project included the addition of larger visitor recreation areas, including pool areas, a zip line, restaurants, bars and shops.
Beyond the port area, cruisers can explore further, taking boats to nearby islands for eco-tourism opportunities and beach bumming, or they can explore nearby villages.
Cruise lines that visit La Romana include:
TUI Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line
MSC Cruises
AIDA
Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
Marella Cruises
Regent Seven Seas
Costa Cruises
Royal Caribbean
Norwegian Cruise Line
12. Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos
Cruise Passengers on the Pier in Grand Turk (Photo Credit: Ajith Achuthann)
The Grand Turk Cruise Center is a 13-acre cruise port that welcomes guests in droves to the Turks and Caicos. It can serve two cruise ships at once, at the pier, with no need for tendering.
The Grand Turk Cruise Center is owned by Carnival Corporation, just like Amber Cove.
The port features a massive amount of shopping and restaurants, plus a spa and facilities for excursion and ground transportation providers. It also uniquely features the largest Margaritaville in the Caribbean. There’s additionally a large, resort-style pool. (If, though, you decide to leave the cruise center, you’ll find beautiful beaches nearby.)
The cruise center is such a destination in of itself that it even welcomes non-cruisers in for the day.
While this facility is currently the only cruise port on the island, it’s worth noting that it may not be that way for long. MSC Group has its sights set on developing its own cruising facility on the island. Again, though, just because this port is owned by Carnival Corporation, that doesn’t mean that only Carnival Cruise Lines visit.
Cruise lines that visit Grand Turk include:
Carnival Cruise Line
Princess Cruises
Virgin Voyages
Royal Caribbean
Cunard
Norwegian Cruise Line
AIDA
MSC Cruises
Holland America Line
Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
Silversea Cruises
Costa Cruises
Margaritaville at Sea
P&O Cruises
13. Labadee, Haiti
Royal Caribbean’s Labadee Destination in Haiti (Photo Credit: fitzcrittle)
A quick note before we get into this cruise port: Labadee’s operations are suspended through June 2027. This is due to safety concerns in Haiti. As such, itineraries that would normally stop here are replacing Labadee with stops elsewhere, such as at CocoCay or Nassau.
Labadee belongs to Royal Caribbean, as the cruise line’s very own private paradise and port on the shores of Haiti.
When cruisers dock here, they get access to tons of activity options, five beaches, and nine dining and drinking options. Plus, the destination is laid out in Royal Caribbean’s familiar “neighborhood” design, splitting up attractions so they’re more easily navigable.
However, unlike as is the case with some private port areas where you can choose to either stay in the resort-style setting or explore further afield, that is not an option at Labadee. Royal Caribbean’s property is entirely secured via double fencing and guarded, so as to protect cruisers from various safety risks. You must stay within the confines of the port.
When operational, Labadee can accommodate two cruise ships at once, with no need for tendering.
Unlike the above Carnival Cruise Line-owned port areas that allow other major lines to use their ports on occasion, Royal Caribbean Group restricts Labadee to Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises ships only.
For now, though, if you want to experience a Royal Caribbean private escape for yourself, you’ll have to go to CocoCay, Paradise Island or the soon-to-be-open Royal Beach Club Cozumel.
