On June 25, 2024, the Port of Seattle Commission approved a 10-year berthing agreement with Carnival Corporation that gives the cruise brand preferential privileges at Seattle, Washington’s two dedicated cruise terminals.
The deal will take effect this year, 2024, and will last until 2033, with the option to extend the agreement for five additional years, which would then conclude the arrangement in 2038.
The two cruise ports – Pier 91 (Smith Cove Terminal) and Pier 66 (Bell Street Terminal) – are only three miles apart. Between them, the terminals service eight major cruise lines and millions of visitors, with 291 ship calls and more than 1.7 million total visitors passing through the terminals in 2023.
All that said, Carnival Corporation’s access to preferential berthing for its 27 cruise ships is a huge win. Seattle is a particularly important port to the cruise company during the busy Alaska season, and this summer has been no exception.
Currently, Carnival Luminosa and Carnival Spirit are homeporting in Seattle, from where they are each offering 7-night Alaska cruises out of Pier 91 – which is the terminal that primarily services Carnival and Carnival-owned brands.
“Our guests love Seattle’s stunning natural beauty, urban charm, and eclectic assortment of attractions, and as our gateway to Alaska, one of our top markets globally. The Port of Seattle has long been a valued partner in our mutual ongoing success,”said Josh Weinstein, chief executive officer of Carnival Corporation & plc.
The special privileges also extend to Carnival Cruise Line’s sister companies, including Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, and Cunard Line, which also have been known to homeport in Seattle during the Alaska season.
New Agreement Benefits Economy And Sustainability
One of the key reasons the agreement between the Port of Seattle and Carnival Corporation came to be is the benefit to the local economy.
Over the course of 10 years, the partnership is expected to bring in around $186 million (USD) – bringing no less than 550,000 passengers to the seaport city each year. If the deal is extended to the full 15 years, the total revenue could grow to approximately $273 million.
As part of the agreement, the cruise line will also promote overnight stays for before and after sailings to further benefit the local tourism and hospitality industries. But perhaps even more impactful is the impact the partnership will have on the environment.
Carnival Luminosa in Seattle (Photo Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line)
In 2006, the Port of Seattle made history as the first cruise port in North America to offer shore power at two separate cruise berths, largely thanks to investments from the Carnival Corporation.
Today, 66% of visiting cruise ships are equipped to use the more environmentally-friendly power alternative – with the port setting a mandate for all visiting cruise ships to be able to plug into shore power by 2027.
Carnival is helping to make this happen by seeking commercial agreements with other cruise lines to plug their ships into Carnival’s existing shore power assets at Terminal 91.
Last year, in 2023, ships from Carnival Corporation also represented 100% of the shore power connections in the port across just over 100 calls – with the cruise brand committing seven ships with shore power capabilities to the region in 2025.
“For the past 20 years, we have worked closely with the Port of Seattle to pioneer shore power and secure the cruise industry’s role as a vital economic engine for the region. We are proud to continue our tradition of teamwork with this new agreement that will help further our economic, social, and environmental contributions to the region,”said Weinstein.
Additionally, the port and Carnival will collaborate on pilot programs to study the use of biofuel in cruise ship operations – a greener alternative to more traditional fuel sources – and to develop a responsible sourcing pilot program.
As part of the sourcing program, Carnival ships have promised to partner with local suppliers to support small, diverse, disadvantaged, and tribal businesses that are located in Washington.
Last but not least, Carnival has agreed to support Seattle’s goal of creating the world’s first cruise-focused Green Corridor from Seattle to Alaska.
As Carnival’s vessels sail to Alaska, Victoria and Vancouver, British Columbia, and back to Seattle, they will input data to a dashboard that will help the port track passenger, environmental, and economic impact metrics.
For the first time ever, Disney Cruise Line will have a ship permanently homeported in Asia when the new Disney Adventure debuts in 2025. The new ship will sail from the Marina Bay Cruise Centre in Singapore, remaining at that homeport for a minimum of five years in collaboration with Singapore Tourism Board.
Onboard, travelers will find everything they love about the cruise line’s signature amazing service, immersive theming, and worlds of wonder and fantasy. Disney Adventure is being designed to create a floating destination filled with oceangoing adventures, regardless of where the ship may visit.
Disney Adventure Features
“We’re bringing the magic of Disney Cruise Line to Asia for the first time ever, and we want to give our guests the cruise relaxation and Disney fun they can only experience aboard one of our ships,”said Sharon Siskie, senior vice president and general manager, Disney Cruise Line.“When they set sail on the Disney Adventure, guests will find incredible, immersive areas that bring the worlds of Disney, Pixar and Marvel to life in ways like never before.”
The ship, formerly planned as Global Dream for Genting Hong Kong but sold to Disney Cruise Line while under construction in November 2022, is billed as both “a journey and a destination” at once. Disney Cruise Line is well known for its immersive ships filled with signature Disney magic and storytelling, and Disney Adventure will not disappoint.
The ship will be themed in seven areas, each one encapsulating fantastic Disney wonder and the essence of the cruise line’s outstanding level of service and dedication to phenomenal experiences highlighting imagination, discovery, fantasy, and more.
The Disney Imagination Garden will be a gathering place and open-air performance venue inspired by a century of Disney adventures and adventurous characters, forming the heart of the vessel. Disney Discovery Reef will feature shopping and dining options for guests to explore, with inspiration from Disney’s iconic aquatic favorites – “The Little Mermaid,” “Lilo & Stitch,” “Finding Nemo,” and “Luca.”
San Fransokyo Street will be the ship’s family entertainment region, with a vibrantly colorful street market, interactive games, movie theaters, and more to engage travelers of all ages. The overall theme will be Walt Disney Animation Studios’ 2014 animated hit “Big Hero 6,” featuring Marvel Comics characters.
For travelers eager for poolside relaxation, Wayfinder Bay will be an open-air oasis with a more sophisticated vibe inspired by “Moana” and featuring Pacific Islands theming. The area promises outstanding views and a connection to the surrounding water.
Rendering Courtesy: Disney Cruise Line
Classic Disney favorites will come to life in Town Square, where ships, lounges, restaurants, cafes, and more will showcase summertime scenery and bits of some of the company’s most beloved films through the decades.
Guests will want to be on the lookout for touches of “Tangled,” “Frozen,” “Cinderella,” “The Princess and the Frog,” “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” and more.
Finally, for guests interested in more high-energy adventure, Marvel Landing will celebrate the iconic superhero (and supervillain) characters with all-new attractions, while Toy Story Place will be a whimsical and interactive play space with favorite Pixar personalities.
Together, all of these themed areas will bring Disney to life like never before, with options for travelers of all ages no matter what their Disney favorites may be.
“These uniquely Disney experiences will inspire families to reconnect, recharge and make unforgettable memories that they’ll cherish forever,”said Siskie.
The new ship is estimated to measure approximately 208,000 gross tons, which would make her one of the top 10 largest cruise ships in the world. It is common for a ship’s gross tonnage to not be confirmed until her construction is complete, as last-minute changes could impact that figure.
Disney Adventure is also believed to be able to welcome approximately 6,700 guests, with roughly 2,500 crew members aboard to provide the cruise line’s signature stellar service. As with the gross tonnage, this would put the ship firmly on the top 10 list of largest cruise ships.
While Disney Adventure‘s exact debut date and maiden voyage details have not yet been announced, the vessel will offer 3- and 4-night cruises, likely visiting top regional destinations in Malaysia and Thailand. It is also possible that select longer voyages may also be available, perhaps to Bali, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, or other amazing ports.
Are you looking for a new adventure aboard Disney Adventure? Stay tuned for more details to come!
For some cruise passengers, the whole point of taking a cruise is to hop from destination to destination, spending a day somewhere new and then heading off to the next port. It’s a way to see a lot of different places in one vacation.
However, you’ll notice something possibly surprising during your cruise: Not everyone gets off the cruise ship while the ship is in port. Some cruisers choose to forgo the in-port experience and remain right where they are.
Why? Here are 11 reasons why some passengers choose to remain on the cruise ship while they’re in port, and why you might consider doing so, too.
A cruise ship can be a busy, crowded place. Even the big mega ships, like Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, with its 20 decks, can feel a bit crowded every now and then, thanks to the 7,000-plus passenger capacity.
However, the large majority of cruise ship passengers head off the ship while it’s in port — meaning you get to enjoy the entire thing almost completely to yourself.
You’ll only be sharing the ship with your other fellow cruisers who are savvy enough to know that this is the time you can enjoy those top cruise ship experiences without standing in lengthy lines.
Cruise Passengers Lining Up for Buffet (Photo Credit: Melissa Herzog)
That’s right. Head to the buffet and walk right up to the food, no standing there with a plate in hand, waiting your turn. Have a problem? Go to guest services and you’ll find help immediately. Hate standing in line at the elevator? You won’t have to!
Whatever it is you want to do on your cruise ship, if you’ve been avoiding it simply because you know it’ll take a lengthy wait, just hold off until a port day and stay aboard.
2. There’s Plenty of Space by (and in!) the Pool
In this vein, just like you won’t have to wait in line a lot while exploring the cruise ship during a port day, you also won’t have to battle it out against your fellow cruisers for a spot by the pool.
If you’ve cruised before, you know how difficult it can be. There’s a finite number of loungers near the pool and, if you don’t arrive early enough, you could find yourself out of luck, with no lounger.
Main Pools
Even if you do arrive at the pool relatively early, you could find that all the nice loungers in the shade are taken, and that many loungers have been pseudo-reserved by cruisers who’ve simply placed their towels on their chairs and then disappeared (though cruise lines are cracking down on this practice!).
This is not the case on port days, when the majority of cruise ship passengers are off the ship, leaving all the loungers free for your picking.
Additionally, just like those extra passengers won’t be by the pool, they also won’t be in the pool. Say goodbye to a crowded cruise ship pool where you’re practically (or literally) bumping elbows with the guy beside you. On port days, you have plenty of space to splash and swim.
3. Been There, Done That
For some cruisers who decide to remain on the ship during port days, it’s not a matter of enjoying all the perks of doing so. Instead, they’ve simply already been there, done that.
Cruise Ships Docked in Dominican Republic, Caribbean (Photo Credit: Grindstone Media Group)
If you’re taking a fairly popular cruise, like Caribbean cruises that hit all the island hotspots, it’s not uncommon for your fellow cruisers to have already visited those islands at a previous time. As such, they might decide that getting off the ship and spending the day running around the destination just isn’t worth the hassle.
4. The Port Just Isn’t That Interesting
While cruise lines do make an effort to visit cruise destinations that are interesting and enjoyable for their cruisers, that’s not always how it works out. In some cases, the port doesn’t really offer that much to do.
Cruise Ship in Nassau, Bahamas (Photo Credit: Wangkun Jia)
If you don’t book a specific shore excursion, you may just end up doing nothing at all. In some other cases, the port is just filled with tourist traps, or maybe the port is near an interesting city, but you have to travel overland to get there, using up valuable time.
Some of the worst ports of call that cruisers have been to? Noted destinations include Le Havre, France; Belize City, Belize; Fujairah, United Arab Emirates; Colon, Panama; and Ensenada, Mexico. Surprisingly, a fair number of cruisers also don’t care for Nassau, even though it’s a highly popular cruise destination!
5. A Port Day is the Perfect Chance to Relax
If you’re hoping to relax a bit during your cruise, you may find that, once you get on the cruise ship, relaxation is harder to come by than you initially expected.
Sure, you can visit the spa, and there are adults-only areas on many ships (like the Solarium on Royal Caribbean), but many public spaces on a cruise ship are busy and crowded — hardly conducive to relaxing.
Celebrity Cruises Open Deck (Photo Credit: EWY Media / Shutterstock)
That’s not the case during a port day, when the crowds are gone. You can really slow down, enjoy the cruise ship at your own pace and not feel rushed or harried as you explore and enjoy all there is to do on these mini floating resorts.
Stay in bed and sleep in, without worrying about catching that in-demand lounger at the pool. Leisurely make your way to the buffet for breakfast, without worrying about the lines.
Head to the gym for a yoga session without battling for a spot. Slip into the pool or a hot tub and enjoy all the open space you need, and then head to the bar for drinks that arrive nearly as soon as you order them.
Doesn’t that sound like the relaxing vacation you want?
Additionally, it’s worth considering just how many ports your itinerary will visit. Some cruise ships visit a port every single day. Some visit even more than that!
If you find the idea of getting on and off the ship every single day, or multiple times a day, exhausting, you’ll want to plan to stay aboard the ship at least a day or two, to give yourself a chance to really relax.
6. You Can Get Some Discounts
Cruise ships know that there won’t be as much demand for their services and products during a port day, and so they often offer certain discounts during those days.
The Spa on Celebrity Edge
If you’ve been wanting to, for example, go to the spa during your cruise, but you’ve balked at the treatment prices, you may be able to find great deals on treatments during port days.
Look for port day discounts on the ship’s app or daily schedule of activities. Celebrity Cruises and Crystal Cruises, for example, offer spa discounts that are up to 20% off treatments!
7. It’s More Budget-Friendly to Stay on the Ship
While it’s perfectly possible to plan a budget-friendly cruise, especially if you avoid booking any extras, such as spa treatments or dinners at specialty restaurants, if you’re really trying to cut costs in all areas, you may want to also consider staying on the ship during port days.
As mentioned, during port days, you can get discounts on the ship, but additionally, you’ll avoid paying for pricey shore excursions. Even if you don’t book any shore excursions, you’ll likely find that, by just being in the port destination, you’re going to spend extra cash, purchasing overpriced souvenirs, food, bottled water, you name it.
Docked Cruise Ships in the Caribbean (Photo Credit: Todamo)
Staying on the ship during a port day can ultimately be your best choice for saving cash.
All that said, though, if you do decide to stay on the ship for budget reasons, don’t think it has to be an all or nothing choice. You don’t have to skip every single port in order to save cash.
Instead, consider skipping some ports that you’re less interested in, and then save your cash for spending on some of those bucket list-worthy shore excursions that you’d really prefer to experience.
8. Many Activities Don’t Slow Down
While, yes, you won’t find all the wide range of cruise ship activities in full swing on port days, as the cruise line knows there’ll be lesser demand, you will still find that many activities don’t slow down despite the lack of lines.
However, some venues may be closed entirely on certain ships and with certain cruise lines during port days. For example, Carnival’s casinos and shops are closed on port days.
Carnival Cruise Line’s BOLT Roller Coaster (Photo Credit: Camera walk)
You can still enjoy a full lineup of daily activities like seminars and games. All the big ship activities that you’d normally have to wait in line for, like go-kart racing, a roller coaster, waterslides, surf simulators or sky diving simulators, are still open. Restaurants are still open.
So, don’t think that just because it’s a port day, everything on the ship is shut down and closed, leaving you with nothing to do. You can still do everything you like, pretty much, just more easily.
9. It’s the Perfect Time to Get Those Pics
If you like to capture your cruise in every single way, from embarkation to debarkation, with tons of photos and videos, you may find yourself frustrated every time you’re trying to get that perfect shot and a fellow cruiser wanders into your view. That’s not the case during port days, though.
Taking Photo on a Cruise (Photo Credit: Janice Chen)
Pull out your camera or GoPro and go exploring. With the ship relatively empty, you’ll be able to get perfect photos of not just your family and traveling companions, but of the ship itself as well.
10. You Can Make the Most of Your Beverage Package
If you’ve purchased a high-priced beverage package and really want to get your money’s worth, a port day is the best time to do so.
For one, you won’t need to stand in line at the bar for any large amount of time, to get your next cocktail. For two, you can actually enjoy those cocktails by the pool or in one of the other public spaces on the ship, without being annoyed by crowds.
Bar on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas (Photo Credit: Solarisys / Shutterstock)
If you just prefer to post up at the bar to down a cocktail or two, you can do that as well, without frustratingly searching for a good seat and coming up empty.
Additionally, keep in mind that, if you’re a traveler who enjoys their vacation with a drink in hand at most times, you’ll be paying extra for those drinks in any port destination. That won’t be the case on the ship, where you already have a beverage package.
So, if your port plans just include heading to the beach and sipping a fruity drink while you watch the waves, save yourself the trouble and money and simply stay on the ship and sip that fruity drink by the pool.
11. Getting On and Off the Ship Can Just Be a Hassle
All of the above aside, though, getting on and off the ship, in and of itself, is just a hassle, particularly if you’re at a port that requires tendering. All that getting off the ship and getting on the tender and then getting off at port and then getting back and etc. — it takes time.
Cruise Ship Gangway in Port
Plus, it’s not like you get off at the port and then have as much time as you want to sightsee and experience the destination. Cruise ships keep strict schedules, so you’ll have to keep a close eye on your watch to ensure that you make it back in time to leave with the ship.
If you don’t, you’ll have a whole other annoyance to deal with, trying to either meet up with the ship at the next port, or simply make it back home. All of this can really make trying to get off at port less than worth it, if all you’re trying to do is kick back and relax during your cruise.
The Cruise Maryland Terminal at Port of Baltimore has announced that effective August 1, 2024, parking rates at the terminal will increase. The increase is a significant one – as much as 33 percent per night, depending on the type of vehicle being parked. Over the course of a weeklong cruise, this can be a much larger expense for cruise travelers to consider.
The parking rates for all vehicle types are increasing. Passenger vehicles and SUVs will rise from the current $15 per night to $20 per night, while recreational vehicles (RVs) under 30 feet will rise from $30 to $40 per night.
For both these classifications, the parking price is increasing by 33%. Larger RVs over 30 feet will cost $50 per night for parking rather than the current $40 per night, an increase of 25%.
Parking rates for Cruise Terminal Maryland have remain unchanged since at least 2017, despite fluctuations in operational costs, inflation, port development, and other factors.
No other operational practices for parking at Cruise Terminal Maryland are changing at this time. Parking will continue to be a cashless system that accepts only major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express). No advance reservations are required, and parking must be paid upon arrival.
Special needs accessible parking is available on site with accommodations for vans and other vehicles.
The new pricing does bring costs closer to homeport parking charges at other major US homeports, where passenger vehicle daily rates are as follows: PortMiami ($22), Port Canaveral ($17), Port Tampa Bay ($15.75), Port of New Orleans ($25), Port of Galveston ($18-25 based on availability), and Port of Long Beach ($23).
Parking rates at every homeport are always subject to change without notice, as are any discounted rates available at nearby lots or other parking facilities close to cruise terminals.
Why the Price Increase Now?
While no direct explanation has been offered for why the parking rates are being increased, the costs may well be related to recovery efforts and the economic impact following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, 2024.
That tragic event closed the Port of Baltimore for two months, with only limited and restricted traffic permitted until deeper channels could be safely cleared.
Carnival Cruise Line Baltimore Return (Photo Courtesy: Carnival)
During that time, Royal Caribbean International and Carnival Cruise Line – both of which homeport ships from Baltimore – relocated operations temporarily to Norfolk, Virginia. This permitted cruises to keep operating but created logistical challenges for port operations as well as passenger arrivals and departures.
Because of the tremendous costs associated with reopening the port, removing bridge debris, and eventually constructing a new bridge, it is not surprising that port parking – which has remained at a relatively low cost for years – will now increase.
Cruise lines may also see an increase in port fees and taxes at Port of Baltimore, which would be reflected in passenger fares from those homeports.
Carnival Cruise Line has verified that a known glitch with its online check-in system has been corrected, and clarified exactly when guests can complete the check-in process for their upcoming sailings.
Because of time zone issues, the problem has not been noticeable to every passenger, but has caused difficulties for guests crossing time zones to reach their embarkation ports.
Booked guests can check in for their sailing 14 days before embarkation. At that time, they are able to set up their onboard account, input travel information, and complete other steps for the ship’s manifest to ensure a smooth and efficient embarkation.
The exact time that check-in begins can be confusing, however. Travelers have wondered whether or not the window opens at midnight based on the cruise homeport, the guest’s registered location, or Carnival Cruise Line headquarters in Miami, Florida. Traditionally, the check-in window opens at midnight in Miami, where Carnival Cruise Line is based.
More and more guests, however, have reported a glitch that check-in has not been available until midnight at the embarkation port. While this may seem easy enough, travelers flying across time zones to reach their embarkation port may not always be aware of when that check-in time may be.
Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald has been fielding these comments over the past several days through his popular Facebook page, where he answers hundreds of questions daily about all types of issues, including technical problems.
“Check in for our next cruise on Carnival Jubilee out of Galveston didn’t open [until] midnight Galveston time (Central Time),”one traveler explained to Heald on June 10.“We tried and tried starting at midnight Eastern Time, but nothing worked [until] midnight in Galveston rolled around.”
“Thank you, I’ve had dozens of comments about this over the last few days,”Heald responded.“My colleagues are truly aware of this and are looking into it within the IT department. I apologize, I promise that I will let you know any news on this as soon as I can, and thank you for your patience.”
After more than two weeks of these glitches, the issue finally appears resolved and Heald has updated travelers on the situation and exactly when they can expect to check in for their sailings.
“We had had some problems with people checking in and the time zone they needed to do it,”he confirmed on June 26.“With a huge thanks to the beards I can tell you that the problem has now been fixed so when you do check in, you can do so at midnight Miami time.”
Miami, Florida is in the US Eastern Time Zone (ET), which is UTC-05:00 – an offset of five hours earlier than Coordinated Universal Time. It should also be noted that Florida observes Daylight Saving Time during the summer months, for travelers who may be attempting to check-in when that time adjustment is in effect.
Why Check-In Time Matters
While booked guests can complete their online check-in at any point from the time the window opens until midnight on the day before embarkation, completing the process early does have benefits.
Not only will travelers have their full embarkation information ready for a smooth experience at the cruise terminal, but one of the most critical parts of the check-in process is to choose the arrival appointment window. This is the 30-minute window when guests are expected to arrive at the terminal and can begin the embarkation process.
Carnival Cruise Line Ship Docked in Miami (Photo Credit: ByDroneVideos)
Arrival appointments were first tested before the pandemic shutdown as a way to smooth embarkation crowds, and the process proved very helpful in promoting social distancing during the cruise travel restart in 2021. Now, the process is standard for all major cruise lines, and helps minimize crowds and keep embarkation day chaos to a minimum.
The earliest arrival appointments can fill up quickly, however. Travelers who are able to check-in as close as possible to the beginning of the window – midnight, Miami time – have the greatest selection of options, and many guests will set alarms just to select their best possible arrival appointment.
It should be noted that the arrival appointment does not guarantee ship embarkation at that time. That 30-minute window is only when travelers will be able to arrive at the cruise terminal for their identity check and luggage screening.
Furthermore, Carnival Cruise Line’s highest tiers of VIFP Club loyalty – Diamond and Platinum guests – have the ability to check in two days earlier than other travelers, permitting them the widest possible selection of arrival appointment times.
Eager travelers often turn to social media for answers, but it is important to note that those answers aren’t often correct, even from people who claim to be in-the-know or have behind-the-scenes connections to a particular cruise line.
Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald regularly has to debunk rumors and incorrect information to reassure anxious guests.
One of the most persistent rumors about cruising recently surrounds correct travel documents with popular summer sailings to Alaska.
“Over the last week or so I have been answering multiple questions on the subject of a alleged passport requirement for Alaska,”Heald said.“Someone had posted on [social media] that everyone must have a passport to cruise to Alaska and yep, many believed her. I responded over and over again to everyone saying this was not correct.”
Carnival Cruise Line’s website discusses travel documentation, and while it is recommended that all guests travel with a passport, most sailings from US homeports do not require it. Instead, passengers may use a US passport card, state enhanced driver’s license, a certificate of US naturalization, a Native American Indian card, or a birth certificate with a government-issued photo ID.
While all Alaska cruises do include a stop in Canada to satisfy federal Jones Act requirements, US citizens do not need a passport to visit Canada. Citizens of other countries, however, may have different travel documentation requirements and should carefully investigate those guidelines to ensure they have the correct paperwork to set sail no matter where their Carnival ship is homeported.
All Carnival transatlantic and transpacific cruises, as well as voyages in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, or Asia, do require guests to have valid passports. If a cruise includes a port of call in either Colombia or Greenland, a passport is also required, regardless of the ship’s homeport or overall itinerary.
Other Recent Rumors
Heald has also dismissed other online rumors recently, involving onboard charges, menu items, and acceptable clothing.
For example, Carnival Cruise Line does NOT charge guests $5 for losing their Sail & Sign Card (room key). Replacement keys, whether lost or damaged, are easily gotten from the Guest Services desk onboard, without any fee – even if a traveler needs to replace their card more than once on the same cruise.
Similarly, meat is not being served on the cruise line’s new vegan menu. The cruise line has revamped its main dining room menus over the past two years, and in late 2023, rolled out new vegan options across the fleet. Plant-based meat substitutes are offered as appropriate proteins in the dishes, such as a grilled tofu steak and a Hawaiian salmon poke bowl.
Finally, guests will not be “thrown off the ship for wearing a t-shirt supporting a certain politician,”Heald confirmed.
Carnival Cruise Line does have a dress code to ensure respect, however, but it does not prohibit political endorsements. According to the cruise line’s website:
“All guests are expected to ensure their clothing and accessories are respectful to fellow guests. Specifically, items worn during the cruise should not contain any message that may be considered offensive or contain nudity, profanity, sexual innuendos/suggestions. In addition, clothing and accessories should not promote negative ethnic or racial, commentary, hatred, or violence in any form.”
The idea of “respectful” clothing is certainly open to interpretation. Simply expressing one’s own views or support (or lack thereof) for a specific politician or political candidate is not considered disrespectful, provided the clothing does not include profanity or other prohibited words or imagery.
Rather than relying on social media posts and rumors, guests should always seek out accurate information through the cruise line’s website and other reputable sources to ensure they are properly updated and informed before setting sail.
Princess Cruises has launched a new program that will provide guests with the best possible rates for its 2025 and 2026 cruises. The new “Better than Best Price Guarantee” ensures that if a guest finds a lower price for the same cruise, stateroom category, and sail date before their final payment, Princess Cruises will match the lower rate.
In addition, Princess Cruises will provide 120 percent of the difference to passengers in the form of onboard credit. The guarantee is available for bookings made between July 1 and September 2, 2024.
“Our new guarantee underscores the Princess commitment to offering unparalleled value and exceptional service to guests… value that is unmatched by land-based vacations,”said Terry Thornton, chief commercial officer of Princess Cruises.
Thornton also noted the importance of booking early as the demand for 2025 voyages is already nearly 30 percent higher than usual at this stage in the booking cycle.
“This offer not only guarantees the best rates, but also ensures guests can choose their preferred dates and destinations,” he continued.
The guarantee covers all 16 ships in the Princess fleet and includes inclusive packages like Princess Plus and Princess Premier. These packages include amenities such as Wi-Fi, beverages, desserts, fitness classes, and crew gratuities and save guests up to 65 percent compared to buying them separately.
Guests who find a lower price for the same Princess cruise, stateroom category, and sail date before their final payment must submit a Guarantee Claim Form to receive the “Better than Best Price Guarantee.”
Extensive Seasons Around the World
Princess Cruises will sail its largest-ever Americas season in 2025-2026 with 278 cruises departing from San Francisco and Los Angeles, California; Galveston, Texas; Fort Lauderdale and Port Canaveral, Florida; New York City, and Vancouver, Canada.
The season will be highlighted by the introduction of 175,500-gross-ton, 4,300-passenger Sun Princess, which will become the first Royal Class ship to homeport at Port Canaveral, offering Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries.
Overall, the Caribbean season will feature 10 ships visiting 29 destinations in 22 countries, with 178 departures covering 25 unique itineraries ranging from four to 20 days.
In addition to the Caribbean, the 2025 and 2026 seasons will feature a special 14-day Mexican Riviera cruise aboard Royal Princess to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Princess Cruises.
Photo Credit: Logutenko / Shutterstock.com
In 2025 and 2026, the cruise line is also gearing up for an exciting Australia season with a robust lineup of voyages exploring the continent’s stunning coastlines, vibrant cities, and unique natural wonders.
Highlights include sailings to iconic destinations such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Hobart, with special voyages to the Great Barrier Reef, Tasmania, and New Zealand.
The Australia season will begin in November 2025 on Discovery Princess, Crown Princess, and Grand Princess, covering 20 destinations across 11 countries.
Also in November 2025 through January 2026, Princess Cruises will enjoy a season in South America and Antarctica. The season will encompass 20 destinations across 11 countries, including a 17-day Antarctica Adventure cruise with four days of exploration in Antarctica and a 16-day Cape Horn & Strait of Magellan voyage.
Photo By: Princess Cruises
In Asia, Princess Cruises has extended its 2025-2026 season for Japan and Southeast Asia. The schedule will include 11 new voyages ranging from 9 to 22 days that visit 25 destinations in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan.
Of course, European sailings are also included in 2025 and 2026 itineraries, with the cruise line planning for its largest-ever European season in 2026 featuring an array of journeys across five ships. Running from March through November 2026, the season features 222 cruises, visiting 101 destinations in 29 countries.
Two Sphere-class ships, Sun Princess and Star Princess, will headline the 2025 season in the Mediterranean as Princess Cruises celebrates its 40th anniversary in the famed European sea.
Disney Cruise Line has announced an array of outstanding dining options to be found aboard the upcoming Disney Treasure when the new Wish-class vessel debuts in December.
The ship will feature the cruise line’s first-ever venue themed for the classic “The Aristocats” animated film, as well as “Guardians of the Galaxy,” “Zootopia,” and “Coco”-inspired options.
Released in 1970, the animated classic “The Aristocats” will see new life aboard Disney Treasure at the Scat Cat Lounge, bringing a more mature vibe to the furry favorite.
The lounge’s music will include a a reinterpretation performance of “Ev’erybody Wands to Be a Cat” along with stunning feline-inspired decor, such as a pawprint-adorned piano. Hidden nods to the film can be found throughout the lounge as well.
Exclusive cocktails will be offered in the Scat Cat Lounge. The Creme de la Creme Martini dessert drink blends chocolate and cognac, and the Cat Drink balances clarified bourbon, amaro, Aperol, and lemon in a stunning near-translucent beverage served in hand-crafted, cat-themed drinkware.
Because the Scat Cat Lounge will be positioned off the ship’s Grand Hall, it will also blend the “Aladdin” theme of the ship’s atrium characters. The lounge will have Agrabah-inspired architecture and a special Turkish Tea Experience for guests to enjoy, complete with a bejeweled tea pot (but no magic genie if you rub the pot!).
Comic fans sailing on Disney Treasure will love the Worlds of Marvel dining room, which will honor superheroes with the “Marvel Celebration of Heroes: Groot Remix” party, with hit songs and Marvel-themed activities throughout the meal.
Guests will enjoy that dining room twice on each voyage, with the other night featuring the “Avengers: Quantum Encounter” dining adventure with Ant-Man and The Wasp.
Another main dining venue, Plaza de Coco, is a colorful and vibrant visit to the 2017 film, with Mexican-inspired dishes to create a true culinary journey filled with music and flavor.
Jumbeaux’s Sweets
From Shrimp Diabla and Chorizo Street Croquettes to Luisa’s Pollo Asado, Enrique’s Port Wine Braised Center Cut Beef Short Rib, and Red Capsicum and Green Parsley Grilled Snapper, guests will have a full palette of flavors to enjoy.
Don’t miss dessert, either, for the Margarita Lime Cheesecake, Mexican Chocolate Tart, or the Warm Coconut Tre Leches cake.
If those desserts aren’t enough (NEVER enough dessert on a cruise!), guests can head to Jumbeaux’s Sweets to get the most delicious treats “Zootopia” (2016) has to offer.
If the 35 flavors of gelato aren’t tempting, consider a Judy Hopps Carrot Cupcake, the Nick Wilde Raspberry ‘n Cream Cupcake, the Mango Leopard Cakesicle, or the iconic Paw Shortbread Sandwich designed after the “pawpcicles” that bring Judy and Nick together.
Sailing aboard Disney Treasure
The 144,000-gross ton Disney Treasure, sister ship to the immensely popular Disney Wish, is currently under construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. She was first floated out at the end of March.
The ship’s maiden voyage is scheduled for December 21, 2024, and she will be homeported from Port Canaveral. Her first sailing will be a special Christmas cruise, a 7-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary visiting Tortola, St. Thomas, and Disney Cruise Line’s private island, Castaway Cay.
Disney Treasure Cruise Ship
The ship will offer both Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries, visiting other top destinations such as Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, and San Juan, depending on the departure date.
While every sailing will visit Castaway Cay, Disney Treasure is not yet scheduled to visit Disney Cruise Line’s newest private destination in The Bahamas, Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, which just welcomed its first guests earlier this month.
Disney Treasure will be able to welcome 4,000 guests onboard for each sailing, providing each one with a treasure trove of Disney magic and memories.
Costa Cruises has debuted new programming on June 27, 2024, designed specifically for families on its Mediterranean cruises. The new offerings include family-focused shore excursions and a variety of onboard entertainment and activities inspired by the itinerary.
The new program features two main options for shore excursions with one for children aged 3 to 13, accompanied by their families. The other is for teens aged 14 to 17, who can tour independently under the supervision of Costa staff.
Costa Cruises observatory (Photo Credit: Costa Cruises)
The exclusive shore excursions will be available in select western Mediterranean ports, including Savona, Genoa, Civitavecchia (Rome), Naples, Palermo, and Cagliari in Italy; Barcelona and Valencia in Spain; and Marseille in France.
In Palermo, for instance, families can visit iconic markets to gather ingredients for the Sicilian dessert, Cannolo, followed by a cooking class onboard. In Marseille, children can learn about the game of Petanque and traditional soap-making, while in Genoa, they can ride the historic Righi funicular railway and visit the observatory.
For teens, the program emphasizes adventure and independence. Under Costa staff supervision, teens can participate in photography tours to explore street art in Marseille or engage in water sports like surfing and paddle boarding along Cagliari’s coast.
Other activities include exploring Instagrammable spots in Naples, trekking to the Grotta dei Falsari near Savona, and learning sailing basics on the Lisca Bianca in Palermo.
The excursions are complemented by pre- and post-excursion activities onboard, curated by the “Squok Club” and the Teens Zone. Named after the mascot Squok, the Squeak Club serves younger children ages 3 to 6 in the mini club and ages 7 to 11 in the maxi club. Teenagers have their own space, divided into the Teens Zone Junior for ages 12 to 14 and the Teen Zone for ages 15 to 17.
Special programming does not extend to the Baby Squok Club, which is designed for children from 1 to 3, but parents are welcome to participate in excursions and leave children onboard with 24-hour advanced notice.
A Summer Season in the Mediterranean
Costa Cruises currently has several ships sailing in the Mediterranean for the summer season that will include the excursion programming. Costa Pacifica, which can accommodate 3,000-passengers, is currently ending a 3-night cruise on June 27 and relaunching on a similar 4-day voyage on June 28. It will continue to offer shorter cruises for families on time constraints.
The 6,554-passenger Costa Smeralda and 6,600-passenger Costa Toscana each embark on a 7-night voyage on June 27, ready to provide a good time to even the smallest of guests. Costa Deliziosa, holding 2,826 passengers, and Costa Fascinosa, accommodating 3,800 guests, launch on their 7-day voyages on June 29. Each ship will offer multiple dates to enjoy the adventures.
Costa Toscana (Photo Credit: Costa Cruises)
The ships will remain on their routes through the end of summer, so kids and families can enjoy the new programming before school resumes.
Additionally, Costa Toscana and Costa Smeralda will feature one day of each cruise entirely dedicated to families. Sqouk the mascot will lead the day-long festivities that culminates with an evening show at the Colosseo.
The two ships also debuted a new partnership that brings the popular animated character Bing Bunny to life this summer. The ships will offer meet and greets, themed parades, and parties, all with a Bing Bunny theme.
The Squok Club and Teen Zone will continue to offer its traditional programming, as well. Activities at the Squok Club, which operates from 9 a.m. to midnight, include games, arts and crafts, treasure hunts, sports tournaments, dance and karaoke contests, costume parades, and themed parties.
Meanwhile, teens can enjoy video games, graffiti, dance and music classes, karaoke, sports competitions, pool parties with midnight swims, games at the disco, and themed dinners.
