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Seven MSC Cruise Ships Sailing from the US in Winter 2026-27

Donna Tunney
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Seven MSC Cruise Ships Sailing from the US in Winter 2026-27

MSC Cruises will have a big seasonal presence on the US East Coast during winter 2026-27, with multiple ships sailing to sun-and-fun destinations in the Eastern and Western Caribbean.

Two ships will operate from PortMiami and Port Canaveral, and one will be from New York. Adding to the wide range of choices will be another ship based at Galveston, Texas, and one special voyage — a transit of the Panama Canal on a one-time, Seattle-to-Miami itinerary.

All of the new voyages are open for booking, giving cruisers the opportunity to start planning for their favorite itinerary from among seven ships and four US homeports.

“Our commitment to the US market is stronger than ever. It’s creating more options for our guests and generating a wave of exciting opportunities for our valued Travel Advisor partners,” said Lynn Torrent, executive vice president and chief commercial officer for MSC Cruises USA. 

“Deploying some of our newest and largest ships from an expanding list of homeports gives vacationers more ways to enjoy our unique mix of European style and American comfort on everything from a quick weekend getaway to a once-in-a-lifetime voyage,” added Torrent.

MSC Cruises had already revealed that its newest ship, MSC World America, would be based at PortMiami following her launch in April 2025. Construction of the 215,863-gross-ton ship with capacity for 6,762 guests is nearing completion at Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France.

With delivery to the line just weeks away, the World-class ship has completed her sea trials and is receiving her finishing touches. MSC Cruises earlier this week announced that actor Drew Barrymore will be godmother to the new flagship at her April 9, 2025 christening at PortMiami.

The new-build will sail 7-night alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises, calling at top ports in each region plus the line’s private destination, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.

Joining the ship in PortMiami will be the 5,100-guest MSC Seaside, sailing 3- and 4-night Bahamas cruises to Nassau and Ocean Cay.

MSC Seaside Docked at Ocean Cay
MSC Seaside Docked at Ocean Cay (Photo Courtesy: MSC Cruises)

Another ship in the fleet, MSC Poesia, will sail to PortMiami at the conclusion of her Alaska season in late September 2026. The 20-night cruise will operate from Seattle to Miami, transiting the Panama Canal and calling at Los Angeles; San Diego; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Puntarenas, Costa Rica; Colon, Panama; and Cartagena, Colombia.

The remainder of MSC Poesia’s winter season has not yet been confirmed but is expected to be announced soon.

Meanwhile, at Port Canaveral, the 4,540-guest MSC Seashore will sail 3- and 4-night Bahamas cruises and the 4,842-guest MSC Grandiosa will offer 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages.

MSC Grandiosa will arrive at the Central Florida port following a 14-night transatlantic crossing from Barcelona departing October 31, 2026.

MSC Meraviglia to Sail Winter Voyages From Big Apple

Another East Coast embarkation port, New York, will be offered to guests sailing aboard the 4,488-passenger MSC Meraviglia.

Seven-night voyages from the Big Apple will take cruisers to the warm waters of the Caribbean and Bahamas, with calls at Port Canaveral — gateway to the theme parks of Orlando, plus Nassau and the Ocean Cay private reserve.

Read Also: Who Owns MSC Cruises – Behind the Global Cruise Line

Like MSC Grandiosa, MSC Meraviglia will arrive in North America following a transatlantic crossing, in this case a 19-night MSC Grand Voyage from Barcelona. 

Departing on October 20, 2026, the ship will call at Alicante and Cadiz, Spain; Gibraltar; Lisbon, Funchal, and Ponta Delgada, Portugal; and Boston before ending in New York.

The growing drive-to port of Galveston, Texas, on the Gulf Coast, will be the seasonal homeport to the 4,500-passenger MSC Seascape. The ship will sail 7-night Western Caribbean cruises to ports such as Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico, and Roatan, Honduras.

Carnival Ship Forced to Remain at Sea Longer Due to Tropical Cyclone

Donna Tunney
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Carnival Ship Forced to Remain at Sea Longer Due to Tropical Cyclone

It appears that Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Luminosa will have to further delay her return to Brisbane, Australia, by at least one day as powerful Tropical Cyclone Alfred continues to swirl toward the region.

The storm system already has caused the 2,260-guest ship to cancel her March 6, 2025 departure following the closure of the Brisbane port.

In the latest update from the ship’s captain, Carnival Luminosa is not expected to return to her seasonal homeport until at least March 10, 2025 — one day later than previously estimated.

Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald posted the captain’s newest storm-related comments on his popular Facebook page.

“I am thinking of the guests and crew on the Carnival Luminosa as she has another extra day at sea shlerting (sic) from the Cyclone. I thought I would share some of what my great friend and the Master of the Vessel Captain Marchi said this morning on his announcement,” John Heald wrote.

While assuring passengers that the ship is in a safe position at sea, the captain explained that the Brisbane port remains closed while it prepares for landfall from the storm, which is causing heavy rains and high winds. After landfall, port officials will complete a post-storm assessment before any ship is allowed to return.

“Alfred has slowed and is now expected to make landfall Friday afternoon, 7 March. We remain very optimistic that the post-storm assessment will be successfully completed sometime Saturday, 8 March, but given current forecasts, it seems more likely that we will not be able to head into port until Sunday, 9 March,” Captain Marchi explained to Carnival Luminosa guests. 

“Forecasts can change, however, and we are hopeful for a more positive outcome,” Captain Marchi added.

Carnival Luminosa is currently sailing well away from the storm, north of the Sunshine Coast.

The ship is scheduled to embark guests on her next sailing, a 4-day cruise to Airlie Beach on March 9, 2025. However, given the latest update it seems likely that the voyage will have to be cancelled as well, although Carnival Cruise Line has not yet confirmed it.

The cruise line is not alone in coping with Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Royal Caribbean’s 4,180-guest Quantum of the Seas, also seasonally homeporting in Brisbane, is operating a South Pacific voyage that departed Australia on February 28, 2025.

Carnival Luminosa
Carnival Luminosa (Photo Credit: Ian Dewar Photography)

What began as a 7-night sailing has so far been extended by three days due to the storm, and disembarkation in Brisbane is now rescheduled for March 10, 2025 rather than March 7, 2025. The ship originally was to depart on a 3-night cruise March 7, 2025, followed by a 4-night cruise on March 10, 2025.

Several other cruise ships sailing in the region also have had to adjust their routes due to the track of Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Category 2 Cyclone Expected to Reach Coast March 7

Tropical Cyclone Alfred is classified as a Category 2 cyclone moving toward the southeast Queensland coast. Brisbane is located in Queensland and is within the storm’s warning zone, according to the Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology.

Read Also: The 10 Roughest Seas in the World for Cruise Ships

The region is expecting heavy to intense rainfall  — possibly up to 30 inches — as the storm approaches the coastline with sustained winds of 95 kilometers (59 miles per hour) and gusts up to 130 kilometers (80 miles per hour).

As the storm’s core nears the coast, wind gusts could climb to a stunning 155 kilometers (96 miles per hour).

Besides Brisbane, Tropical Cyclone Alfred will impact Australia’s Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, and Byron Bay areas. Along with the port of Brisbane, area airports, schools, and other public facilities have been closed.

Poor Weather Causes Carnival Pride to Skip Port

Melissa Mayntz
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Poor Weather Causes Carnival Pride to Skip Port

Windy weather through The Bahamas is causing several disruptions to cruise ships on Thursday, March 6, 2025. This includes Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Pride, which is missing her planned visit to Princess Cays.

This type of port skipping is not uncommon and is always subject to weather conditions including high winds, waves, and visibility due to fog or driving rain. What is less common, however, is how guests have reacted to the announcement of the change.

Carnival Pride approached Princess Cays as planned early on Thursday morning in the hopes that the weather would not be too extreme for the visit. Unfortunately, high winds and swells forced the ship to move away, as the tender boats would not be able to safely convey guests to shore.

“Princess Cays was canceled because of bad weather, high winds, and swells which mean it would have been totally unsafe to use the tender service,” confirmed John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador.

Carnival Pride was to have been visiting Princess Cays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. as part of her current 7-night roundtrip sailing from Baltimore. The ship has already visited Nassau, and is scheduled to visit Freeport on Friday, March 7.

At the time Carnival Pride was to have begun anchoring to visit the private island destination, winds in the area were recorded at 18-22 knots (21-25 miles per hour). Combined with high swells, this would make the tender operations unsafe with the smaller boats rocking and gangways shifting too much.

When a port cancellation happens, Heald often hears from disappointed, disgruntled, and outright angry guests about how they may feel cheated, bait-and-switched, or otherwise put out due to the change.

“Normally, I give a bit of oxygen to those who scream and shout for compensation but today I want to change it up a little bit,” Heald said.

Heald then shared a photo of Carnival Pride‘s Guest Services Desk, which is located portside on Deck 2, Promenade Deck. Taken just after 9 a.m., shortly after the ship’s captain made the announcement of the port cancellation, the desk is empty – no guests in line to complain about how their cruise was ruined or to demand compensation for the missed port.

“Thank you to my good friend and Hotel Director Paul for sharing this [photo] with me and a special thank you to each and every guest who, although disappointed, will now allow our brilliant crew to serve and entertain them and continue to make them smile and bring them a massive dollop of fun,” Heald said.

For her unexpected day at sea, Carnival Pride‘s Fun Squad as well as her Cruise Director, Dustin Gabriel, will plan additional activities such as more trivia contests, games, puzzles, and crafts for everyone to enjoy. Extra live music may also be planned, as well as big screen movies or other fun.

More Ships Impacted by Bahamas Weather

Windy weather and swells have caused itinerary disruptions throughout The Bahamas this week, and Carnival Pride is not the only ship impacted.

Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas, which is homeported from Port Canaveral and offering 3- and 4-night Bahamas itineraries, has also had multiple changes to her current sailing.

The newest Oasis-class ship departed Port Canaveral on Monday, March 3, and was to have visited Nassau on Tuesday, March 4 followed by Perfect Day at CocoCay on Thursday, March 6.

Utopia of the Seas Arriving at Nassau Cruise Port
Utopia of the Seas Arriving at Nassau Cruise Port

Unfortunately, high winds meant Utopia of the Seas could not visit Nassau on the scheduled day, and that port visit was delayed until Wednesday, March 5, which was to have been a day at sea.

The ship is also unable to visit CocoCay on Thursday, and is instead spending another day at sea as she makes her leisurely way back to Port Canaveral for debarkation on Friday, March 7.

Read Also: What Are All the Cruise Line Private Islands and Destinations?

Satellite tracking data also shows that Adventure of the Seas, which should also have been at CocoCay on Thursday, is not currently at the private island but may instead be having a day at sea as well.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Jade was to have visited that cruise line’s private island, Great Stirrup Cay, on Thursday but is instead en route to her next port of call, Cozumel, Mexico.

Likewise, MSC Cruises’ MSC Meraviglia was to have been visiting MSC Ocean Cay Marine Reserve on Thursday, March 6, but is unable to stop as planned and is instead remaining at sea.

Poor weather can impact any ships sailing in any part of the world at any time of year. Cruise guests should always remain flexible and adaptable with their vacation plans, and enjoy every moment of their sailing no matter where it may – or may not – visit.

Carnival Alters Upcoming Sailings for Four Different Cruise Ships

Catie Kovelman
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Carnival Alters Upcoming Sailings for Four Different Cruise Ships

One of the great parts of cruising is that vacationers can plan far ahead – with some cruise lines offering the ability to book sailings up to a couple of years in advance.

Currently, Carnival allows guests to book cruises that will be setting sail as far out as June of 2027. 

But as part of planning so far ahead, cruisers need to keep an open mind when small changes become necessary as the voyage approaches – and Carnival has now tweaked multiple itineraries that will be operated by Carnival Venezia, Mardi Gras, Carnival Horizon, and Carnival Sunrise from 2025 through 2027. 

The cruise line did not provide a reason for the change, but it could be anything from port congestion or newly scheduled port construction to switching routes or accommodating maintenance needs onboard. 

Carnival Venezia

Carnival Venezia in New York
Carnival Venezia in New York (Photo Credit: Maksim Toome)

Kicking things off, four upcoming itineraries that will be operated by the 4,090-guest Carnival Venezia have been modified. 

The first sailing to be impacted is a one-way cruise from Port Canaveral, Florida, to New York City, New York, that sets sail on May 11, 2025 – which is changing in two minor ways.

First, the Vista-class ship will depart from Port Canaveral a half hour later than planned on embarkation day – pushing the time back from 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST. 

Additionally, the time in port for the first destination on the itinerary – which is a visit to Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos, on May 13, 2025 – has also been slightly modified, although the cruise line did not specify the new hours just yet. 

The following calls on the itinerary – Oranjestad, Aruba; Willemstad, Curacao; and St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands – remain unaffected. 

Looking ahead to the end of 2025, Carnival Venezia’s October 6 sailing and October 18 sailing will embark from New York’s Manhattan Cruise Terminal one hour later than planned – at 5 p.m. instead of 4:00 p.m. EST. 

The first voyage is a 12-night Eastern Caribbean voyage and the second is a 12-night Southern Caribbean cruise – and neither saw any ports of call impacted by the slightly delayed departure. 

Finally, the 135,225-gross ton ship will once again delay its departure from Port Canaveral for next year’s May 17, 2026, voyage – setting sail at 4:30 p.m. instead of 4 p.m. EST. 

Like this year, this will be another 11-night one-way sailing to New York – but no ports of call have been tweaked at this time. 

Mardi Gras 

Passengers celebrating Halloween onboard Mardi Gras’ October 30, 2025, sailing will also be delayed setting sail from Port Canaveral – which thankfully isn’t too scary of a shift. 

As with Carnival Venezia, the Excel-class ship will now set sail at 4:30 p.m. instead of 4 p.m. EST. None of the ports on the 9-day Eastern Caribbean itinerary have been impacted by the change.

The sailing features calls on St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Amber Cove, Dominican Republic; and Celebration Key, Carnival’s newest private destination in the Bahamas.

Carnival Horizon

Carnival Horizon in Miami, Florida
Carnival Horizon in Miami, Florida (Photo Credit: Ceri Breeze)

Next up is Carnival Horizon – which is one of Carnival’s Vista-class cruise ships. Only one voyage is impacted for this ship, and while no port calls have been removed, it’s a noteworthy change. 

The cruise in question is the 6-night Western Caribbean voyage embarking from Miami, Florida, on November 16, 2025. 

The main tweak is that the first port call on Ocho Rios, Jamaica, on November 18, has now been swapped with the final port call on Cozumel, Mexico, which was originally scheduled for November 20.

Now, the 3,960-guest ship will call on Cozumel first on November 18 and Ocho Rios on November 20. 

However, the time in port has been modified for all three ports on the itinerary – which includes Grand Cayman (George Town Harbour) on November 19. Carnival did not specify the new hours, but said all itineraries would be updated on their website within 24 hours. 

Carnival Sunrise

While Mardi Gras and Carnival Horizon only saw a single sailing impacted, six different itineraries have been adjusted for Carnival Sunrise. 

The first five, which embark on May 30, 2026, July 25, 2026, November 14, 2026, February 6, 2027, and March 6, 2027, all got the same change. These voyages will now call on Nassau, Bahamas, on a different date than originally planned. 

All five of these sailings offer the same 5-night Bahamas itinerary out of Miami. In addition to Nassau, the Sunshine-class ship is supposed to call on both of Carnival’s private island destinations in the Bahamas: the new Celebration Key and RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay. 

It’s unclear at this time if Nassau will be moving to the single sea day included on these itineraries or swapping with one of the other port calls. 

Read Also: Carnival Cruise Line Cabins and Suites: What Are the Options?

The final sailing to change for Carnival Sunrise is the 5-night Bahamas cruise embarking from Miami on September 14, 2026. 

This itinerary includes the same port calls as the other five voyages, but in this case, the port visits for Nassau and RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, have been reversed. 

This means the 2,984-guest vessel will now call on Nassau on September 16, 2025 (instead of September 17) and will visit RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, on September 17, 2025 (instead of September 16). 

Holland America Unveils New Mexico and Pacific Coast Cruises

Skyler Wolpert
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Holland America Unveils New Mexico and Pacific Coast Cruises

On March 5, 2025, Holland America Line opened bookings for its 2026-2027 Mexico and Pacific Coast seasons.

With a schedule full of sunshine, rainforests, and famous landmarks, there is something for everyone to choose from. These cruises will depart from September 2026 through April 2027.

The Pacific Coast Season aims to showcase Holland America Line’s expertise in the region — including visits to fjord-like waterways such as the one in British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest.

Ranging from 1 to 7 days, there are 11 itineraries available — offering round-trip options from Seattle or San Diego, as well as routes between Seattle, San Diego, and Vancouver.

You can choose from 5 ships for these Pacific Coast voyages — including Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, and Zaandam.

Eurodam will be offering 1 night cruises from Seattle to Vancouver — and Vancouver to Seattle — offering cruisers a brief and inexpensive way to experience the Pacific North West as well as Canada.

“This series of cruises provides great options for those seeking a quick escape and are also a great introduction for those who might be trying their first cruise,” added Paul Grigsby, Vice President of Revenue Planning and Deployment for Holland America Line.

If you are looking to check out a longer cruise, Noordam will be making 2 different 7-night round-trip voyages out of Seattle going to the Great Bear Rainforest.

This itinerary includes stops in Ketchikan, Alaska — as well as several ports in British Columbia where passengers will have the opportunity to view wildlife such as eagles, whales, and even the rare white-furred Kermode bear.

It also offers the extremely popular experience of sailing the historic Inside Passage — passing through Bella Bella and the Grenville Channel.

Cruises Exploring Mexico and San Diego

Zaandam and Koningsdam will be sailing in Mexico during this season — offering 16 different cruises with 8 itineraries to choose from.

Unlike the Pacific Coast cruises, the cruises to Mexico during the 2026-2027 season will offer 7 to 12 day cruises — offering both round-trips out of San Diego as well as cruises between San Diego and Vancouver.

Grigsby touched on the importance of the line sailing out of San Diego, adding “San Diego is an important homeport for Holland America Line and provides an exceptional experience to our guests at the beginning or end of their Mexican cruise vacations.”

Koningsdam offers the longest cruise of the entire 2026-2027 Mexico and Pacific Coast season — an epic 18-night journey from San Diego to Vancouver.

Departing March 20, 2027, this cruise offers a unique itinerary with multiple stops at the same port. Its first stop is Cabo San Lucas, Mexico — which is also its fifth stop.

Cruise Ship in San Diego
Cruise Ship in San Diego

Then, the ship will head to Pichilingue (La Paz) and Loreto, Mexico before returning to San Diego — before making that second stop in Cabo San Lucas.

After that, the cruise stops in Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta before going to San Diego again — finishing with a stop in Victoria, Canada, before heading to Vancouver where passengers will depart on April 7, 2027.

Read Also: One of These Mexico Cruise Ports Could Be on Your Itinerary

If you are looking for a shorter cruise but you still want to experience Mexico, there are cruises like the 7-night Mexican Riviera cruise on Zaandam.

Passengers will enjoy a journey with 3 days at sea and 3 captivating stops — including Cabo San Lucas, Pichilingue (La Paz), and Loreto, Mexico — offering a blend of stunning beaches and historically rich locations.

Other Mexican Rivera cruises make stops in Mazatlan, Mexico — where Holland America Line will be offering a full-day tour to the Colonial Villages of the Sierra Madre.

Clearly, the 2026-2027 Mexico and Pacific Coast seasons offer something for everyone — from a great introduction to cruising to epic voyages to explore the West Coast in its entirety.

Cruise Overboard Incident Claims the Life of Rock Star’s Fiancée

Lissa Poirot
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Cruise Overboard Incident Claims the Life of Rock Star’s Fiancée

In a tragic turn of events, a passenger who went overboard during “The 80s Cruise” has not been found three days after last being seen and has been declared dead.

“It is with broken hearts that we share the sad news that Kimberly Burch has passed away,” the guest’s family shared on social media.

“She was a beloved daughter, sister, sister-in-law, and aunt. She will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved her,” the post continued. 

“We ask for prayers during this time for our family as we try to wrap our minds around this heartbreaking tragedy.”

Burch, 56, was sailing with her fiancée, Taime Downe, lead singer of the rock band Faster Pussycat, one of the performing acts during the annual chartered cruise celebrating the tunes of the 1980s.

The voyage took place on Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas, with more than 40 musical performances scheduled, including those by Adam Ant, Christopher Cross, Men at Work, Warrant, and Sheila E.

In a final social media post from the ship on its March 2, 2025, departure date, Burch shared a selfie with Downe, captioned, “We made it aboard @the80scruise.”

Preliminary reports say Downe and his band had finished their set 90 minutes before the incident, and revealed Burch and Downe may have gotten into an argument following his set. 

It is alleged Burch jumped overboard from a balcony cabin on Deck 8 shortly after 10 p.m.

Read Also: Secret Codes on Cruise Ships Only Crew Members Know!

Passengers aboard the 3,286-passenger vessel reported “Oscar! Oscar! Oscar!” – the call for “man overboard” – around 11 p.m., as the band Squeeze was performing.

As the music came to an abrupt stop, so did Explorer of the Seas.

Its rescue crew, joined by crew from Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Pearl, which was sailing nearby, searched for Burch in the waters about 20 miles south of Freeport, Bahamas.

Explorer of the Seas Overboard
Explorer of the Seas Overboard (Photo Credits: DJ Superfly & Merrillie Redden)

The ships were relieved by rescue teams from the US Coast Guard, the Royal Bahamas Defense Force, and an AIRMIA MH-65 rescue helicopter, but none were able to locate Burch.

“Our crew immediately launched a search and rescue effort, is working with local authorities, and we are providing support and assistance to the guest’s family during this difficult time,” Royal Caribbean released in a statement.

“To respect the privacy of our guest’s family, we have no additional details to share,” it continued.”

Bahamian authorities are now investigating Burch’s death. Her mother told TMZ that she didn’t feel her daughter intentionally hurt herself.

Chartered Nostalgia

“The 80s Cruise” is not associated with Royal Caribbean. Instead, it is a chartered event operated by Entertainment Cruise Productions, based in St. Louis, Missouri.

The 7-day cruise from Miami departed on March 2 and is still sailing its scheduled itinerary that included visits to Nassau, Bahamas; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Royal Caribbean’s private destination, Labadee, Haiti.

It isn’t expected to return to Miami until March 9, with passengers remaining on board enjoying the ninth sailing of the “ultimate 80s party.”

Star Trek Cruise on Explorer of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas (Photo Credit: Merrillie Redden)

One of many themed cruises organized by Entertainment Cruise Productions, others voyages have sailed successfully without incident, including “The 90s Cruise,” a Comic-Con Cruise, the High Seas Rally, and a Star Trek-themed voyage.

A 10th-anniversary 80s voyage is also planned from Port Canaveral, which will take place February 27 to March 6, 2026, aboard Royal Caribbean’s Adventure of the Seas.

That sailing features musical guests Bret Michaels, Billy Ocean, Nile Rodgers & Chic, Berlin, OMD, Taylor Dayne, Sugarhill Gang, Quiet Riot, and Glass Tiger.

Entertainment Cruise Productions is one of a string of themed cruise operators delivering fans an opportunity to sail with musicians, celebrities, and other notable figures.

The events feature meet-and-greets, photo ops, themed events, and live performances. The company has not issued a statement on Burch’s death.

Unfounded Threat Disrupts Port Miami Traffic, Delays Cruisers

Melissa Mayntz
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Unfounded Threat Disrupts Port Miami Traffic, Delays Cruisers

A bomb threat that was called in to PortMiami on Monday, March 3, 2025 disrupted traffic around the port for several hours. This ultimately delayed thousands of cruisers either leaving the port area or heading to start their cruise vacations.

According to WSVN News, the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office responded to the port at approximately 9:15 a.m. after the threat was received. Details about the intent of the threat – whether it was targeted to a cruise ship, cargo vessel, cruise terminal, or specific individual – have not been made public.

While the exact security response has not been detailed to ensure proper protocols are not compromised, searches, road closures, and other steps were undoubtedly taken to ensure the safety of guests, port employees, and the cruise ships in port that morning.

The most significant impact to traffic in the area was the temporary closure of the PortMiami Tunnel, which directly connects I-395 (the MacArthur Causeway) to the port and the cruise terminals.

Five cruise ships from four different cruise lines were in PortMiami on Monday. Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas, MSC Cruises’ MSC Divina, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Joy, and Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Sunrise and Carnival Conquest all homeport from Miami and were both debarking and embarking guests when the threat occurred.

Ultimately, the incident was deemed a hoax, with no credible danger to the port or anyone in the vicinity.

Nevertheless, due to the security response, both departing and arriving cruise passengers experienced significant delays as they moved through the port region.

This caused great anxiety for some guests who feared possibly missing their cruise terminal arrival times, and could have risked missing out on their sailings altogether.

By 1:30 p.m., port operations has resumed as normal. This is well before cruise ships would have begun departing for their next itineraries.

There were no significant impacts to ship operations and all cruise ships were able to depart PortMiami as scheduled to begin their various sailings.

Similarly, there has been no ongoing disruption to port operations following the initial security response. Security does remain heightened in the area to ensure the port’s safety, and such precautions will continue as long as deemed necessary.

Bomb threats do not commonly involve cruise ships, but such incidents do happen. The most notable occurred in January 2024, when a 19-year-old Michigan man made a false bomb threat against Carnival Sunrise.

The threat was made via email just after the ship had left PortMiami. The emergency response included thoroughly searching the ship and escorting the vessel to the dock in Jamaica.

The man was indicted for the false threat and could face five years in prison as well as thousands of dollars of restitution if found guilty.

Undoubtedly, a full investigation will be made into this most recent incident at PortMiami, with severe consequences for anyone responsible for the hoax.

Avoiding Port Delays

While no cruise traveler could have predicted or planned for Monday’s disruption at PortMiami, there are ways to minimize the risk of missing one’s cruise due to such unanticipated delays.

Arriving at the homeport city a day or two before setting sail is essential, especially for guests who fly to the city and might have to contend with delayed or cancelled flights.

Cruise Ships in Miami, Florida
Cruise Ships in Miami, Florida (Photo Credit: MikeDotta)

Read Also: Miami Cruise Port Parking – Where to Park Guide

Choosing a hotel close to the cruise port can also minimize the impact of any traffic disruptions by having less distance to go between the hotel and the cruise terminal, just in case.

Planning for ride shares, taxis, or otherwise driving to the port should involve noting multiple routes in case of road closures, and leaving early can give travelers a few extra minutes in case of traffic backups or rerouting.

A wide range of unique incidents can impact traffic around a homeport as busy as Miami. Different annual marathons and music festivals can cause road closures and extra traffic, while emergency situations can also create challenges – such as when a seaplane crashed in the PortMiami channel, causing delays for several hours.

Norwegian Cruise Line Begins Rolling Out 4 New Musical Shows

Donna Tunney
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Norwegian Cruise Line Begins Rolling Out 4 New Musical Shows

Four new musical productions are debuting across nine ships in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet, offering high-energy song and dance shows designed to appeal to multiple generations of cruisers.

Each of the four — “Red, White, & British,” “Bring Back the 90s,” “ICONS: The Bands,” and “Ignite the Night,” highlights a genre or timeframe that is sure to please guests of varying ages.

Two of the original productions already are being performed on some Norwegian Cruise Line ships, while the other two will soon be unveiled.

Initially, the productions will be presented aboard Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Joy, and Norwegian Prima, and then will be introduced over time across the full 19-ship fleet.

Themes for each of the shows were created based on guest feedback and other consumer insights, the cruise line explained in its March 5, 2025 announcement introducing the new performances.

Said Bryan A. White, vice president of entertainment production for Norwegian Cruise Line: “We’re excited to further enhance our guests’ cruising experience by introducing even more exclusive original productions and offering a wider range of entertainment options across our fleet.”

He added, “These innovative shows, exclusively available onboard our ships, reflect our commitment to delivering unforgettable, one-of-a-kind experiences that elevate every aspect of our guests’ journey with NCL.”

The productions offer a combination of visual effects along with old and new favorites that cruisers will recognize. 

Here’s What Each New Production Will Offer Guests

Two of the shows already in production onboard Norwegian ships are “Bring Back the 90s” and  “Ignite the Night.”

“Bring Back the 90s” debuted aboard Norwegian Getaway’s March 2, 2025 cruise to the Caribbean from New Orleans. It features a series of vignettes that celebrate the fashion, pop culture, and music of the decade, with music by Alanis Morissette, Salt-N-Pepa, and Destiny’s Child, among others.

Read Also: Norwegian Cruise Line vs. Royal Caribbean: The Differences

The show, described as an Alice in Wonderland-style journey, combines music and dance with multimedia elements from the popular DJs The Hood Internet. In addition to Norwegian Getaway, the show will be introduced onboard Norwegian Joy on the ship’s July 7, 2025 cruise to Alaska from Seattle.

“Ignite the Night” made its debut on Norwegian Jewel’s March 2, 2025 Caribbean voyage from Tampa. Choreographed by Britt Stewart, a “Dancing With the Stars” celebrity, the new production is a blend of TV’s top award shows and Hollywood-style red carpet events. 

The dance performance will be added to the entertainment line-up on Norwegian Gem, starting with her September 5, 2025 Canada/New England cruise from Quebec City.

Soon to open onboard Norwegian Cruise Line ships are “Red, White, & British” and “ICONS: The Bands.”

NCL's Bring Back the 90s
NCL’s Bring Back the 90s

“Red, White, & British” will launch on Norwegian Breakaway’s March 14, 2025 sailing, a 14-night cruise from Southampton to Barcelona. The production showcases Britain’s iconic artists such as Queen and David Bowie, and other leading musicians and bands.

Following its debut, the show will also be featured on Norwegian Epic’s May 14, 2025 Greek Islands itinerary and then on Norwegian Prima’s August 24, 2025 Northern Europe cruise.

“ICONS: The Bands,” to be introduced on Norwegian Encore’s March 30, 2025 Panama Canal cruise from PortMiami, will be a performance dedicated to the world’s legendary bands and singers. The show will also feature the nine-person cast of Norwegian’s popular “Choir of Man” show.

The production will be an entertainment choice aboard Norwegian Escape’s May 25, 2025 Caribbean voyage, also from PortMiami.   

In addition to the four new original productions, guests on Norwegian Cruise Line ships will enjoy a musical program called “Mini Moments of More,” a musical pop-up series that will entertain using flash mob performances in venues across the ships’ public spaces.

Passenger Evacuated From Disney Cruise Ship by the US Coast Guard

Melissa Mayntz
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Passenger Evacuated From Disney Cruise Ship by the US Coast Guard

Unfortunately for one family aboard Disney Magic, what was to have been a magical cruise vacation has been cut short due to an emergency evacuation airlift.

On Monday, March 3, 2025, a 9-year-old female passenger required an airlift from the ship while the vessel was on the first full day of its current sailing.

The US Coast Guard (USCG) helicopter team at Air Station Houston responded to the medevac request, safely airlifting the young girl and transporting her to the University of Texas Medical Branch Hospital in Galveston.

“Air Station Houston medevaced a 9-year-old girl from a cruise ship 170 miles offshore Galveston, Monday. The helicopter crew arrived on scene and transported her to the UTMB,” the USCG Heartland team posted on X. “The patient was last reported to be in stable condition.”

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At the time of the medevac, Disney Magic reversed course and headed back toward Galveston to meet the USCG team. This ensures a faster operation and can help get the patient to essential care as quickly as possible.

Because the ship was enjoying a day at sea on Monday, there is no significant impact on the 4-night Western Caribbean itinerary. Disney Magic was still able to visit Progreso, Mexico as planned on Tuesday, March 4, and will return to Galveston on Thursday, March 6 following another fun day at sea.

No further details of the girl’s medical condition have been confirmed, as is customary to protect the patient’s privacy as well as the privacy of her family, friends, and traveling companions.

While cruise ship medical centers are well-equipped, evacuations can be essential when patients may need more critical or specialized care than the ship can provide.

It can undoubtedly be scary for a young cruiser to experience such a devastating event, but the USCG teams are highly trained to perform such operations as smoothly and calmly as possible. This can help ease patients’ anxiety in very unfamiliar and potentially frightening situations.

US Coast Guard Cruise Ship Evacs

Whenever called, the USCG stands ready to medevac guests, no matter how challenging the conditions.

In January 2025, Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans shared video footage of an airlift from Carnival Valor, showing very clearly just how precise the work must be to safely carry out the operation.

Rough weather, long distances, poor visibility and other challenges do not deter the USCG teams, who take all necessary steps to safeguard the lives of those they assist, and they do not give up.

For example, in April 2023, a USCG team had to abort their first rescue attempt for Carnival Dream, due to a severe squall that blew through the region as the operation was underway. A second crew was able to complete that evacuation once the weather cleared.

Coast Guard helicopter
Coast Guard helicopter (Photo Credit: Trevor Howard Jones)

USCG teams do not rest, either, and are always on call even when multiple evacuations may be necessary within a short time period.

In May 2023, Coast Guard Air Station San Diego managed three separate rescues of four total guests off the coast of southern California. Those operations involved a 47-year-old female from Carnival Panorama, a 74-year-old female and a 77-year-old female simultaneously from Majestic Princess, and an 84-year-old female from Carnival Spirit – all within a 24-hour period.

In April 2024, Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen facilitated a delicate rescue of a pregnant 35-year-old woman from Disney Fantasy who was experiencing health complications. That long-distance operation was successfully completed, which was 180 miles northwest of Puerto Rico.

Most recently, a 72-year-old man was evacuated from Holland America Line’s Koningsdam south of Honolulu, Hawaii.

Cruise Hive and all cruisers are grateful for the dedication and expertise of the United States Coast Guard and the hard-working teams who take every necessary step to offer assistance whenever needed.

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