As the sailing date approaches, every cruise traveler knows that giddy countdown feeling and is happily planning for shore excursions, beach days, and onboard fun. But what happens when a highly anticipated port visit is swapped for another destination just a month before departure?
Guests aboard Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas are dealing with just such a situation, as they’ve now been notified that their March 29, 2025 sailing will not be visiting St. Thomas as planned.
While the ship will still be enjoying an 8-night Eastern Caribbean voyage roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, that one key port of call has been changed.
“To provide you with the best experience during your journey, we’ve made some adjustments,”the notification read.“We’ll skip our visit to Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, and we’ll sepnd a full day in St. Johns, Antigua, instead. ‘Knot’ to worry, while it’s not the original itinerary we planned, we’re excited to explore this new port with you!”
Freedom of the Seas will depart Port Everglades as planned on Saturday, March 29, and spend the first two full days of the cruise at sea. Tuesday, April 1 (no foolin’!) the ship will visit St. Maarten from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The visit to St. Thomas was to have been from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 2. That day will now be spent at Antigua, for the same time frame. Charlotte Amalie and St. Johns are approximately 220 miles apart. Philipsburg, St. Maarten is almost exactly halfway between the two ports.
After Antigua, Freedom of the Seas will spend Thursday, April 3 in Basseterre, St. Kitts. Two more leisurely days at sea will follow as the ship heads back to Fort Lauderdale for debarkation on Sunday, April 6.
Any shore tours guests had already booked for the now cancelled visit to St. Thomas will be automatically refunded back to travelers’ original form of payment.
Additional excursion opportunities for Antigua are being made available for booking online. Guests will also be able to book tours for any of the ship’s port visits onboard by visiting the Shore Excursions desk on Deck 5, starboard side, near the Guest Services Desk.
Why the Port Change?
Royal Caribbean has not offered any details beyond “to provide you with the best experience” as explanation for the port change just a month before setting sail. Cruise itineraries are typically set two years or more in advance, and cruise lines do try to maintain those original itineraries whenever possible.
It is likely this port swap is part of a knock-on effect from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Because of continuing difficulties with pier construction and safety certifications that have kept larger Royal Caribbean ships from docking there for months, those larger ships – Symphony of the Seas and now Icon of the Seas – have been rerouted to other destinations.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship in the US Virgin Islands (Photo Credit: GagliardiPhotography / Shutterstock)
One of those destinations is St. Thomas, which can better handle the larger ships, depending on their overall itinerary. This does mean, however, that Freedom of the Seas has had to change her schedule as well.
Trying to balance which ships are visiting which ports on which days is a complex logistical operation. Not only does berth space need to be available to accommodate each vessel, but Royal Caribbean is undoubtedly working to ensure as little overcrowding as possible so everyone enjoys their time in port.
The availability of port workers and tour operators will also factor in to such decisions, as well as sailing speeds, time spent in port, and how an individual destination best works into the other parts of a ship’s planned itinerary.
While some guests will undoubtedly be disappointed to no longer be visiting St. Thomas, the opportunity to explore Antigua can be very exciting for travelers.
With stunning beaches, outstanding architecture, vibrant marketplaces, and more, the port will surely be a memorable one for everyone aboard Freedom of the Seas.
When booking a cruise, you have a lot of important decisions to make — starting with, which cruise line do you want to cruise with? Making the right choice is about more than just picking a ship that’s going to where you want to go, for the price you want to pay.
You need to pick a cruise line that will give you the amenities you want, the experience you’d most prefer and fellow cruisers you’ll enjoy being around. To help you out, here are some of the key differences you’ll notice between 11 major cruise lines.
Key Differences Between Major Cruise Lines
Cruise Line
Fleet Size
Market Share
Largest Class
Carnival Cruise Line
27
15.8%
Excel Class
Royal Caribbean
29
17.2%
Icon Class
MSC Cruises
22
12.3%
World Class
Norwegian Cruise Line
19
7.6%
Breakaway Plus Class
Princess Cruises
17
5.6%
Sphere Class
Costa Cruises
9
4.7%
Excellence Class
Celebrity Cruises
16
4.4%
Edge Class
Holland America Line
11
2.6%
Pinnacle Class
Disney Cruise Line
6
1.6%
Wish Class
Virgin Voyages
3
N/A
N/A
P&O Cruises
7
2.5%
Excellence Class
Carnival Cruise Line
Easily one of the most recognizable cruise lines on the oceans, Carnival Cruise Line, based in Miami and owned by Carnival Corporation & PLC, claims a big chunk of the market share.
With nearly 30 ships, too, and cruises all over the globe, you’ll not be left wanting for options if you decide to vacation with Carnival Cruise Line.
So what makes Carnival Cruise Line so popular? One of the big things is affordability. Budget-friendly cruises are the name of the game here.
As such, you’ll often find these cruises are packed with travelers looking for a deal — think busy or big families, groups of friends on a bachelor or bachelorette party and even college kids on spring break.
As such, you can expect a bit of a party crowd on many Carnival cruises, and plenty of opportunities to let your hair down. From night clubs and karaoke, to a plethora of bars, the ships give you everything you need to have a good time, without even setting foot in port.
When you do set foot in port, though, you’ll find that the cruise line visits an array of the top cruising destinations in the world, on itineraries both long and short. If you only have three days, you can take a Carnival cruise.
Carnival Cruise Line Ships in Nassau (Photo Credit: MatGar)
One cool thing to note? Carnival Cruise Line frequently partners with well-known celebrities to launch certain venues, such as the line’s various restaurants created in partnership with celebrity chef Guy Fieri, as well as the newer chicken restaurant launched alongside Shaquille O’Neal.
The ships range from the pretty old and outdated, to the brand-new and big. If you’re not seeing what you like when checking out a particular Carnival Cruise Line ship, you can probably find another that catches your fancy if you just look to another one of the line’s many ship classes.
There are eight Carnival Classes in total, with the biggest and most ground-breaking class being the Excel class, with its multiple ships that have debuted in recent years including Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee. Of course, you’ll find the most amenities and greatest variety of cabins on these biggest ships.
That said, I don’t like to advise that you only cruise on the biggest, newer ships in any fleet. I find that there’s often plenty to love about smaller ships as well, particularly if you don’t like huge crowds or get overwhelmed when you have a lot of options. So, pick the ship that’s best for you, not necessarily the newest.
Royal Caribbean
Brilliance of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas (Photo Credit: Eric Glenn)
Also based in Miami, Royal Caribbean likewise prioritizes fun, but there’s less of a party crowd on these ships, compared to Carnival Cruise Line.
Additionally, Royal Caribbean really puts the focus on families, while still delivering lots for the adults to do, too. This is a cruise line that really tries to offer something for everyone.
Additionally, Royal Caribbean is known for having some of the biggest and best ships in the business, across its six ship classes. The cruise line is constantly setting records for its massive ships and first-at-sea features.
For example, on the cruise line’s most noteworthy and talked-about ship in recent history, Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean introduced the largest waterpark at sea, along with the tallest drop slide at sea, the first open free-fall slide at sea, the first mat-racing duo slide at sea and the first family raft slide at sea.
Most Royal Caribbean ships are split into neighborhoods, with each neighborhood themed around a certain experience. For example, one neighborhood might be themed around the spa and wellness activities, while another might be all about nightlife, while yet another might be geared 100% toward family fun.
While not the most budget-friendly line out there, Royal Caribbean gives you a great bang for your buck, and you’ll find plenty of different cruise itineraries to choose from, all over the world.
MSC Cruises
MSC Cruise Ships (Photo Credit: Gabriel S Fernandes)
MSC Cruisesmay not be as popular in the United States as Royal Caribbean or Carnival Cruise Line, with a much smaller market share, but MSC Cruises still holds its own in other parts of the world. According to the brand, it’s currently the leading cruise line in Europe, South America, the Middle East and Southern Africa.
MSC Cruises tries to offer a somewhat more premium experience than what you might get on, say, Carnival Cruise Line, but still manages to pack in a lot of fun, via waterparks and bowling alleys, and similar amenities.
The cruise line additionally manages to be relatively budget-friendly, compared to some of the other cruise lines on this list, and it attracts a broad mix of families, singles and couples.
MSC Cruises’ newest class of ships (out of six total classes) is the World Class, and these are some pretty mammoth ships. MSC World America and MSC World Europa offer a huge number of dining and drinking venues, and record-setting features such as the longest dry slide at sea.
While MSC Cruises may not visit every single big port of call, it does sail to many unique destinations, particularly in those regions of the world where it dominates, like the Middle East and Southern Africa. MSC Cruises is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, with offices in Italian port cities.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line Ships in Miami (Photo Credit: Just dance)
Like Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line manages to be very family friendly, while also offering something for cruisers of all ages to love. As such, you’ll find a good mix of different types of cruisers on these ships.
In addition to providing a wealth of entertainment and dining options on its ships, and plenty of stateroom and suite options, too, Norwegian Cruise Line takes the power of choice even further, by implementing a “freestyle” approach to cruising.
Rather than relying on pre-chosen reservations and schedules for your cruising days, you can dine when you want, with open seating in the dining rooms, for example.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s ships are spread over nine classes, and the ships range in size from huge mega ships like Norwegian Encore to smaller ships like Norwegian Spirit, so you can take your pick depending on your size preferences.
Also like Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line consistently adds “first at sea” features to its new ships to attract avid cruisers, such as the first go-kart track at sea on Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima, and the first hybrid roller coaster and waterslide at sea on Norwegian Aqua.
Norwegian Cruise Line visits major cruise destinations all over the world, from Asia to the Caribbean, Alaska to Europe. The cruise line is based out of Miami.
For more luxurious experiences, you might look to Princess Cruises, based out of Santa Clarita, California. On the somewhat pricier side, Princess Cruises attracts an older crowd that can afford the higher fares.
Along these lines, Princess Cruises’s vessels also offer activities and entertainment that appeal to that older demographic. Think educational lectures and sun lounging versus go-kart tracks and waterparks.
Princess Cruises also does not have some of the biggest ships in the world, but you’ll notice that the ships aren’t as crowded and that you’ll typically get a nicer stateroom or suite on Princess. In general, the cruises are a bit more relaxed and low-key.
Princess Cruises ships are spread across four classes, with the new Sphere Class taking center stage. The first in the class, Sun Princess is the line’s newest ship, and carries just over 4,000 passengers. If you want something smaller, opt for the line’s Coral Class ships, which hold just 2,000 passengers at double occupancy.
Princess Cruises travels to more than a hundred countries throughout every major cruising region in the world.
Costa Cruises
Costa Cruise Ships (Photo Credit: ODIN Daniel)
Like MSC Cruises, Costa Cruises may not be all that familiar to North Americans, but you’ll find that this Italian line has a huge presence in Europe, so if you plan on taking a Mediterranean cruise in the near future, Costa Cruises will be one of your options.
That said, the Italian-headquartered Costa Cruises doesn’t stick to European itineraries only. The line’s handful of ships sail all over the world.
There are five Costa Cruises cruise ship classes, but some of these classes only contain one or two ships. Most of the line’s ships are in the Concordia class, though the line’s biggest ships are its two Excellence-class ships: Costa Tuscana and Costa Smeralda.
Much like Norwegian Cruise Line, Costa Cruises offers a variety of activities, amenities and entertainment for all ages, at a reasonable price point, so expect to see a mix of cruisers on these ships. You’ll find touches of Italian and Mediterranean-inspired designs throughout each ship.
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Edge Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Dans Destinations)
Based in Miami, Celebrity Cruises offers a higher end, adults-focused and modern type of cruising experience, but without dipping into the luxury cruise lines category. Thus, if you want a cruise that feels a bit fancy, but you can’t afford one of the luxury lines, consider Celebrity Cruises.
Celebrity Cruises boasts a good handful of newer ships among its fleet, and those new ships offer high-end dining from celebrity chefs, unique stateroom and suite options (like the special balcony Infinite Veranda staterooms), The Retreat area for a VIP ship-within-a-ship experience and cool venues like the Lawn Club, with its real grass on one of the upper decks. Expect equally unique entertainment, too, from glass-blowing workshops to off-Broadway shows.
The Edge Class, encompassing Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Beyond and Celebrity Ascent, is the newest and most innovative class of Celebrity Cruises ships.
Beyond the large, standard cruise ships, Celebrity Cruises also operates a few smaller, expedition cruising ships that will take you to in-demand locales like the Galapagos.
Holland America Line
Holland America Cruise Ships (Photo Credit: Ute Sonja Medley)
Based out of Seattle, Washington, Holland America Line is a very traditional cruise line that attracts an older demographic of guests. Don’t expect a lot of high-thrill, adrenaline-pumping entertainment on the top deck.
Instead, you’ll find slower activities that are more suited to the curious traveler seeking an enriching trip. Think wine tastings or cooking classes.
Holland America travels to a variety of destinations all over the globe and provides plenty of similarly enriching shore excursions for its cruisers.
Holland America ships are split into four classes, but all ships are pretty similar and, like Princess Cruises, the line puts an emphasis on lack of crowding. The Pinnacle Class offers the biggest and newest ships in the line’s fleet.
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Dream Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: P.Cartwright)
One of the smaller major cruise lines, Disney Cruise Line, based in Celebration, Florida, gives you exactly what you’d expect: a cruise that’s 100% geared toward Disney fans, both young and old. Families are the primary demographic here, but you’ll see a fair share of Disney adults, too.
Disney Cruise Line has experienced more rapid growth over the last decade. Founded in the 1990s,the oldest Disney cruise ship, Disney Magic, set sail for the first time in 1998.
The line operated just two ships until 2011, with the four remaining ships joining the fleet in 2012, 2022 and 2024. A handful of other ships are planned to join the fleet in the coming years.
Everything is themed around Disney franchises and characters, but don’t worry — it’s done so elegantly that you’ll never feel like you’ve been plopped into the middle of a theme park.
Disney doesn’t forget the adults all the while, with luxurious fine dining and adults-only areas that make it possible for parents to get away for a bit on their own.
Because Disney Cruise Line only has a handful of ships, its destinations are a bit more limited, but it still heads to some of the major cruising regions, stopping throughout the Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska and beyond.
Additionally, due to only having a few ships, the line has relatively few classes. Ships are split between Wish Class, Dream Class and Magic Class. Wish Class is the newest.
Virgin Voyages
(Photo Credit: Virgin Voyages)
An even newer and smaller cruise line, Virgin Voyages, whose first ship launched in 2020, is an adults-only cruise line that currently only has a three ships in its fleet.
Those ships offer a fun environment that appeals to younger cruisers, but not necessarily the college crowd that frequently heads to Carnival Cruise Line (likely due to the higher cruise fares you’ll find with Virgin Voyages).
Expect a high emphasis on trendy experiences, from the dining to the drinks, staterooms and suites to the gym and fitness classes. One great perk? There are a lot of freebies within the line’s nearly all inclusive fare, such as all gratuities and Wi-Fi.
Virgin Voyages primarily sails in the Caribbean, Mexico and Mediterranean. The cruise line’s headquarters is in Plantation, Florida.
While the ship’s current fleet is limited to Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady and Resilient Lady, plans are in the works for fourth ship to join them in the latter half of 2025. All ships are on the smaller side, holding fewer than 3,000 passengers each.
P&O Cruises
P&O Cruise Ships (Photo Credit: Kirk Fisher)
This British cruise line based in Southampton, England may not be as familiar to the American cruising market, much like Costa Cruises, but it certainly offers a lot to love, and if you’re cruising in Europe, you’ll definitely have it as an option.
In addition to sailing the Caribbean, South America, Mediterranean and South Pacific, P&O Cruises also operates some river ships. Of P&O Cruises’ seven ships, the two Excellence-class ships, Iona and Arvia, are the largest and newest, both debuted within the last five years.
Additionally, like Costa Cruises, P&O Cruises is likewise suitable for all ages, and you’ll find a mix of families, younger and older couples on this cruise line.
There’s a nice blend of amenities, with all your basic venues and entertainment, including various dining options, bars, a spa, gym and multiple pools on most ships.
Cruise vacations are typically about relaxation, tropical drinks, and smooth sailing. Unless, of course, your ship happens to sail straight into a Category 4 cyclone.
That’s exactly what happened to nearly 1,500 passengers aboard P&O Cruises Australia’s Pacific Aria in May 2017, and after a long legal battle, they’re finally seeing some compensation.
A class-action lawsuit against Carnival Corporation, P&O Cruises Australia’s parent company, just resulted in a $2.4-million settlement for affected guests.
The lawsuit, initially filed by former passenger Debrah Jackson in 2023, claimed the company knowingly sent guests into the storm’s path without offering them a way to cancel or reschedule their trip.
“At the time the ship departed from Brisbane [Carnival] knew, or a reasonable and prudent cruise operator in the position of [Carnival] would have known, of the existence of Cyclone Donna,” the claim stated.
Carnival Corporation, however, denied any wrongdoing, pointing to their booking terms, which clearly state that itineraries can change due to weather or other unseen circumstances.
The company insisted that, at the time of departure, it believed the cruise could proceed as planned. Despite this, the company chose to settle rather than risk a drawn-out legal fight.
On February 27, 2024, Brisbane Federal Court Justice Roger Derrington sided with the guests and approved the settlement, which will compensate passengers who joined the suit nearly double what they originally paid for the trip.
With the median ticket price for the cruise $944, each class-action member will receive that amount plus an additional $900 in compensation. Jackson, will receive an additional $2,000 as lead plaintiff.
The total settlement includes $1.2 million for passenger payouts, while legal fees were capped at $1 million.
“The enjoyment of the cruise was not as desired and, generally, the cruise was a rather unpleasant experience,”Judge Derrington stated in his ruling.
What Happened on That Cruise?
The Pacific Aria, a 55,819-gross-ton ship, which was sold to Celestyal Cruises in 2023 and renamed the Celestyal Journey, set sail from Brisbane on May 5, 2017, on a 7-night cruise to New Caledonia in the South Pacific.
The itinerary included stops in Noumea, Lifou Island, and Port Vila, along with three days at sea.
The problem? Cyclone Donna was already brewing in the South Pacific before the ship even left port.
The storm first formed as a tropical disturbance northwest of Vanuatu on April 29, 2017, and had already been upgraded to a Category 1 cyclone by May 3, two days before the Pacific Aria departed.
Pacific Eden Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Travelstock by Powerhouse)
By May 7, it had intensified into a Category 4 beast, packing 145 mile per hour winds and waves as high as 20 to 23 feet near Vanuatu and New Caledonia.
Instead of island hopping, passengers found themselves stuck at sea in brutal conditions. When the ship reached Noumea, the island was already in lockdown because of the storm.
After that, the remaining port stops were cancelled, and the ship spent the rest of the cruise at sea navigating the massive swells.
Things got so bad onboard that passengers reported furniture sliding across rooms, tables overturning, and the ship listing for an hour. Some even claimed seawater flooded into cabins and corridors.
“This was a truly a cruise from hell, with many passengers so scared they confined themselves to their cabin,” Peter Carter, director of Carter Capner Law, who took on the lawsuit,told media.
It’s not the first time passengers have taken a cruise line to court after a voyage turned into a nightmare at sea.
Nearly 200 guests also sued Norwegian Cruise Line after its Norwegian Breakaway sailed into a bomb cyclone in January 2018 while returning to New York from the Bahamas.
The lawsuit accuses the cruise line of negligence with passengers saying they feared for their lives as the ship faced massive swells and flooding. That lawsuit is ongoing.
Galveston Wharves, the fourth-busiest North American cruise port that has consistently broken arrivals records in recent years, is moving ahead with several infrastructure projects detailed in its 20-Year Strategic Master Plan — all designed to make transiting the port smooth sailing for cruise passengers.
The port, on the Texas Gulf Coast, welcomed 1.6 million cruise guests in 2024 and is poised to receive 1.75 million in 2025.
Roughly two-thirds of passengers sailing from Galveston are drive-to cruisers, making traffic flow and parking a major part of the port’s master plan.
The port has recently completed $53 million in upgrades to Carnival Cruise Line’s Cruise Terminal 25 and construction is under way on the $156 million Cruise Terminal 16, which will open in late 2025 and accommodate MSC Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line ships.
The port also operates Cruise Terminal 28, which is used by multiple lines, and Cruise Terminal 10, which is operated in partnership with Royal Caribbean.
With growth expected to continue, the Galveston Wharves Board of Trustees on February 6, 2025 approved financing an updated master plan for the port, which will handle more than 400 cruise ship embarkations and debarkations in 2025.
Guests entering and exiting the area use Harborside Drive, a busy, five-mile stretch of road that connects the port to Interstate 45.
Galveston Wharves already is working to reopen a pedestrian skywalk — Harborside Walkover, at Harborside and 25th Street, which will provide easier access to cruise terminals 25 and 28.
However, port officials say more planning is needed to ease traffic, and staff plans to use Waze for Cities, a traffic data program, to review and analyze traffic patterns.
Port consultants will then use the data to help create traffic management plans aimed at easing congestion along the Harborside corridor.
“A big focus in the master plan update will be how we can continue to efficiently manage traffic on and around Harborside Drive as our cruise, cargo and commercial businesses grow. Our current master plan includes a 2.25-mile-long internal roadway, cueing lanes at cruise terminals and on-site parking garages,” Rodger Rees, port director and CEO of Galveston Wharves wrote in a port update.
“Those recommendations are already having a positive impact. We’re looking forward to seeing what recommendations the consultants make in the updated plan to accommodate future port growth,” Rees wrote.
Updated Plan Will Highlight Pedestrian Safety at the Port
The updated plan also will address pedestrian safety issues. For example, when Terminal 10 was built for Royal Caribbean, it included on-site parking for guests, allowing them to drop off luggage at the terminal and park nearby.
That is not the case at other terminals, where guests must use Harborside Drive to drop off luggage, then drive to a parking area where, after parking their vehicle, they take a shuttle bus back to the terminal.
Galveston Cruise Port (Photo Credit: Felix Mizioznikov)
Among the safety highlights in the updated plan will be an expansion of a park-and-walk Express lot next to Terminals 25 and 28. The under-construction Terminal 16 will have two on-site parking lots.
Galveston Wharves is a homeport for ships from all of the major cruise lines, including Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, and Princess Cruises.
The port is home to Carnival Cruise Line’s newest ship, Carnival Jubilee, which entered service in 2023. Ships sailing from the Gulf Coast port operate Western Caribbean cruises.
Galveston Wharves in 2025 is celebrating its 200th anniversary. Created in 1825, the port will host a birthday party on May 22, 2025, which coincides with National Maritime Day. Other celebratory events are slated for October 2025.
Many cruise travelers want to unpack right away after embarkation, ensuring their clothing is unwrinkled, everything is organized, and they are ready to dress for any occasion onboard. But what about when you start unpacking and find you don’t have enough hangers to finish the job?
One Carnival cruise guest discovered just that problem recently aboard Carnival Radiance, with only a few hangers in their several closets to accommodate all the attire for multiple guests.
In their disappointment, they reached out to Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald, to let him know of the apparently distressing situation.
“Maybe you should tell everyone to bring their own coat hangers. On the Radiance now with my husband, our teenage daughters and get this. We have only nine coat hangers, Nine!!”the guest explained.
“Where is the cabin steward’s pre-cruise check and prep? Not an awesome start is it John? Does anyone travel with their own hangars? I know I can request more but there never seems [to be] enough. There should be at least 20 IMHO. I will speak with the steward and see what he has to say for himself. This needs to be addressed.”
While I can’t imagine getting so upset about the lack of a few hangers, everyone packs different clothing for a cruise and some attire definitely needs to be hung to look its best.
Heald did respond to the guest’s concern and took immediate action to ensure they had enough hangers in their stateroom.
“Thank you and I did speak with the ship and arranged for many coat hangers to be delivered to their cabin,”he said.
Wouldn’t it be fun if “many” meant 50 or more? One would never run out of hangers.
While the guest only says they are “on the Radiance now” it is possible this comment was sent to Heald recently and not necessarily the day he published it. Carnival Radiance is homeported from Long Beach, California.
The ship’s current sailing – if this is a recent email – is a 4-night Baja Mexico voyage with visits to Catalina Island and Ensenada. The ship departed on Thursday, February 27, and will return to California on Monday, March 3.
Do People Steal Cruise Ship Hangers?
Following the upset guest’s concerns, Heald encouraged more discussion and offered a surprising revelation.
“This post reminded me of what a senior housekeeping beard told me a few weeks ago,”Heald commented. “Along with towels, bathrobes, and the occasional cabin attendant, one of the most stolen items is, yep, you guessed it… Coat hangers.”
While I’ve occasionally had to request additional hangers – something our stateroom steward always provides promptly – I’ve never personally run off with one from a cruise ship.
Carnival Cruise Line Cabin (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)
Some commenters note that they bring their own slim hangers from home, as it’s easier to pack in garment bags. Others don’t always hang up much clothing, while still other guests simply ask for more hangers if needed.
Heald continues to note that he dislikes the hangers onboard Carnival ships, as well as hotel hangers.
“They are the devil’s work and are designed to be sodding useless in normal closets, a headless stub that you have to shove into the ring but can’t and then all your clothes fall off,”he said.“And if the ship is moving a bit more than usual the unused coat hangers they bang against each other making a clicking sound that can drive a person crazy.”
He later admits that he has “hanger management issues” (insert groan for a bad pun), but asks whether or not other cruisers have ever stolen a hanger. No one is really admitting to stealing the hangers from the ship, at least not on purpose.
To minimize the noise of loose hangers on a swaying ship, different guests have suggested putting extra hangers in a drawer, under the bed, or just on the floor of the closet. This way, spare hangers aren’t able to move and click with the motion of the ship.
Cruises can certainly cost a pretty penny – so when cruisers pay for a certain kind of stateroom, they expect to get what they booked.
But, a recent guest of Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Jadewas left feeling disappointed and angry when she boarded the 2,402-guest ship to find her cabin’s balcony didn’t have the view she was expecting.
Instead, it would be obstructed by a large, circular maintenance apparatus for a portion of her voyage through the Panama Canal.
“When we arrived in our cabin, we had a letter advising that due to regulations during Panama Transit crossings a maintenance apparatus has to be secured against the ship…Essentially this blocked our view until we arrived in Colombia,”the cruiser shared.
As the Panama Canal becomes extremely narrow, it’s possible that the normal storage of maintenance items like these would have made the 93,558-gross ton vessel too wide.
It’s not clear which sailing the recent guest was onboard for, but the Jewel-class ship just completed two one-way Panama Canal Cruises.
The first 11-night sailing embarked from Tampa, Florida, on January 29, 2025, while the 11-night return voyage embarked from Panama City on February 9, 2025.
If the guest was on the first cruise, her view would have been obstructed for more than half of the sailing – as the ship did not call on Cartagena, Colombia, until Day 8.
But if she was onboard for the subsequent sailing, Cartagena was the first port call on the itinerary, so she would have only had to live with the unsatisfactory view for a couple of days.
The second sailing brought the 2006-launched vessel to Miami, Florida, which will be her homeport through the end of March.
Did Norwegian Cruise Line Respond Appropriately?
While the cruise guest was disappointed with her private balcony, what really upset her was the lack of communication from Norwegian Cruise Line – which made her feel like the brand had “deceived” her.
“They knew the cabin view was impacted well in advance and did not advise us. I asked for a refund of the difference between an obstructed and non obstructed cabin but was basically told ‘too bad so sad,’”she said.
“It is not even the money, it is the principle. I should have been told. The whole purpose of the balcony was to enjoy the canal from our stateroom. Feeling so ripped off,”she continued.
However, while the cruise line didn’t refund the passenger in cash, she was provided with a $500 onboard credit that could be used for things like spa treatments and specialty dining.
Even though her sailing ended at least a week ago, the jilted cruiser still felt she deserved further compensation.
However, the cruising community largely felt that the matter reached its resolution when she accepted the $500 onboard credit.
“I would also be annoyed but I think once you took the $500 it was settled,” one person replied.
“This is like the story you hear about people who are in a car accident, and then quickly accept money from the other party’s insurance company, only to then find out that doing so prevents you from any other course of action. The moment you accepted that $500, you shot yourself in both feet,” another cruise fan confirmed.
That said, the recent guest’s disappointment is certainly valid – and many cruisers do take their balcony views very seriously.
Last year, one cruiser even went viral after complaining that the safety railing on her private balconyobstructed her view too much – which resulted in a lot of online ridicule.
Few things put a damper on your vacation more than the cruise line losing your luggage – which is perhaps extra frustrating when you have a pretty good idea of where it is.
The Merritt family has found themselves in this very situation after embarking on Carnival Magic’s 8-night Southern Caribbean sailing that set sail from Miami, Florida, on February 8, 2025.
The cruise was meant to be a celebration of Jason and Tammy Merritt’s 26th wedding anniversary, but the trip quickly took a turn for the worse when they realized Jason’s luggage had gotten lost.
While losing luggage is always a hassle, this situation was particularly pressing – as the missing suitcase contained essential medication, a CPAP machine, car keys, and valuable electronics, such as an iPad and AirPods.
That said, those very same AirPods may hold the key to solving the mystery of where the luggage went, as the family has been using the “Find My iPhone” App to track the small headphones.
Surprisingly, the app revealed that the luggage was indeed onboard the 3,690-guest ship. Since that discovery was made, it’s just been a question of where.
“It is February 10, 2025, and we’re going to start a game called where is our luggage,”Tammy said in an Instagram video when she first began documenting the ordeal.
“So, our luggage is somewhere on this ship, but Carnival can’t find it.”she shared. “My husband has been without his suitcase since we boarded the ship on Saturday. That means he has had one pair of clothes, including one pair of underwear, for this entire trip.”
Tammy’s hope at the time – which was day 3 of the sailing – was that one of her followers would be onboard or know someone onboard who could help them hunt down the missing belongings.
However, the cruise came and went without any sightings of the mysterious suitcase and it hasn’t been found since the family returned home – which was more than one week ago.
The family has continued to use the “Find my iPhone” app to track the AirPods, and the data shows that they are still sailing the Caribbean onboard the Dream-class ship.
Finding some humor in this bizarre situation, Tammy has shared screenshots of where the AirPods have been since the family disembarked.
The AirPods, which Tammy calls Daddy-O’s, were most recently pinging in San Juan, Puerto Rico – but have also now sailed to St. Maarten and Charlotte Amalie (the capital of the US Virgin Islands).
“I know you were wondering this morning and YES the Daddy-O’s are STILL aboard the Carnival Magic, in San Juan PR to be exact,” Tammy updated on February 27, 2025.
“Having visited this beautiful port before, I can’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy as they sail to all of these tropical destinations!,”She joked.
Their location has consistently matched the location of the Carnival ship when compared to cruise tracking data.
Depending on what happened to the luggage, it’s possible that the small headphones fell out and just haven’t been noticed. But odds are, the luggage is somewhere onboard in an unusual hiding place.
How is Carnival Helping?
According to Abbey Merritt, who is the couple’s college-aged daughter, the cruise line gave the family $50 per day – or $350 by the end of the sailing – to replace their belongings.
However, Abbey said that was not enough to get the basic needs – especially because they couldn’t find many of these, including underwear, in the Fun Shops.
Tammy added that Carnival did provide her husband with a free T-shirt and a bag of toiletries as well, but that this was not enough to replace the items in the missing suitcase – which she estimated was valued at around $1,000.
According to Carnival’s website, guests who find their luggage is lost or damaged during the embarkation process must fill out a claim form with a member of the guest services team onboard, while guests who experience issues during disembarkation must do the same with a port agent.
AirPods Tracking on Lost Luggage (Credit: Tammy Merritt)
Claims of damage or loss made after guests leave the cruise terminal will not be considered. When guests return home, the next step is to submit copies of receipt(s) showing what it cost to repair or replace broken or missing items for reimbursement.
“Carnival’s maximum liability for lost or damaged bags is limited to US $250 per bag per Guest up to a maximum of two (2) bags per Guest for sailings 14 days or less and up to a maximum of three (3) bags per Guest for sailings 15 days or longer,”the policy states.
But per Tammy’s updates, Carnival has not offered any additional reimbursement – with a recent email from the cruise line stating “regrettably, we are not able to compensate for the replacement of any missing items.”
However, while the luggage has not been returned to the family, Carnival Cruise Line confirmed that members of the 1,386-person crew onboard Carnival Magic are still searching.
“Our team on shore has been in contact with the guest and has been working with our team on board Carnival Magic. Multiple searches for the bag have been conducted on board, and we continue to work toward resolving this issue with the guest directly,” Carnival said in a statement to KFOR (News 4).
And unfortunately, this isn’t the first time luggage has been lostby a cruise line – and it likely won’t be the last.
This family’s misfortune also serves as a cautionary tale to remind guests to pack the essentials they can’t live without – such as medication, medical devices, and valuables – in their carry-on so they can’t get lost for even a short time period.
It may sound like a distant dream, but yes, you can retire on a cruise ship! Plus, you do not have to be rich to do so. In recent years, many retirees have embraced this lifestyle full-time as an alternative to traditional retirement communities.
If you do your research and know how to budget properly, your average living expenses could be around $50,000 per year, which would cover everything from cruise fares and onboard spending to utilities, gratuities, and more.
Absolutely! Retiring on a cruise ship is not just the outlandish dream it was once considered to be. In fact, it can even be a practical, exciting option that many senior cruise passengers have already turned into their permanent reality.
Imagine trading a fixed apartment in a traditional retirement community or facility for a floating cabin residence on a luxury cruise ship where you can enjoy ocean views every single day.
With prices for cruises dropping at the same time that annual fees for retirement residences are skyrocketing, it is now becoming a viable and even practical way to live out some of your golden years.
People do this in a way that is far more straightforward than you may think. Many retired people looking to live this lifestyle choose to book back-to-back voyages through reputable cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruises, Princess Cruises, and Holland America Line.
Some cruise lines make it easy for retirees by offering multi-voyage packages geared toward senior demographics. Other retirees simply choose to design their own itinerary that combines their love for travel with a laid-back yet sophisticated lifestyle.
This can involve booking consecutive cruises on the same cruise ship or traveling the world by regularly switching cruise lines to find ships that follow their preferred itinerary.
Cruise Ship Retirement Logistics
Passengers Heading for Cruise (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)
You might be wondering about the logistics of such an alternative lifestyle. Well, like all aspects of retirement, it’s all about planning.
For instance, some cruisers set up a system where each ticket for their next trip is pre-booked, ensuring that there is never a gap in their annual travel schedule and they don’t have to worry about any downtime between cruise voyages.
Most retirees also opt for all-inclusive packages that cover all their onboard expenses, meaning everything from entertainment and beverages to laundry and housekeeping is taken care of.
For those retiring on a budget, this type of cruise package makes financial planning much easier, as you know up-front how much each week, month, and year of your retirement will cost ahead of time.
One long-time cruiser and author, Lee Wachtstetter, also affectionately known as Mama Lee, has been living full-time on Crystal Serenity.
The 86-year-old Florida widow lives a life of luxury on the ship at a cost of roughly $164,000 per year, which may sound steep, but it’s not outrageous when you consider what she gets for that money, especially when you compare the costs of living in a luxury assisted living facility.
In her book I May Be Homeless, But You Should See My Yacht, which details her life on a cruise ship, Mama Lee wrote, “Living on a cruise ship has given me endless horizons. I wake up every day with a new view and new stories to share.”
And that really is the beauty of a cruise ship retirement: the freedom to change your scenery as often as you like while enjoying top-notch luxury amenities and a social life that involves meeting new people every single voyage and growing close ties with the crew and fellow permanent residents.
How Much Does It Cost to Retire on a Cruise Ship?
Deck of a Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: steve estvanik)
So, how much does it actually cost to live on a cruise ship? Well, as you can probably guess, costs vary depending on a wide variety of factors, including your chosen cruise lines and the level of comfort and luxury you are looking to enjoy throughout your retirement.
While it is technically possible to live a full year on a cruise ship for as little as $28,000, that would be a pretty bare-bones lifestyle.
More realistic statistics suggest that most people spend between $40,000 and $50,000 per year on cruise fares and living expenses, so it’s important to consider all ongoing costs, not just look at cruise fares alone.
Trust me, I know that budgeting isn’t the most exciting or glamorous topic, but I’m here to make it a little bit easier; so, here’s a very basic breakdown of the typical annual costs you would need to consider if you are serious about cruise ship retirement:
Cost Summary:
Cabin Fare
$20,000
Gratuities and Beverage Fees
$5,000
Port Fees and Utilities
$3,000
Onboard Spending
$7,000
Miscellaneous Expenses
$5,000
Total
$40,000
Your Stateroom or Cabin Fare
Unsurprisingly, your accommodations while on board the ship or several ships you choose to retire on will be your most costly expense. While this figure will vary depending on the type of stateroom you choose, it’s possible to spend approximately $20,000 per year in combined fares.
Gratuities and Beverages
Drinks on a Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: SOZO-PHOTO)
Fortunately, plenty of cruise lines now offer package deals that combine your gratuities and beverage costs into one set fee. Not only does this help with budgeting, but it also makes for a more care-free retirement.
Rather than worrying if you should enjoy that drink by the pool, you know it’s included, so you can just order what you want when you want it. Again, fees vary from cruise line to cruise line, but you can expect to budget around $5,000 per year for this.
Keep in mind that beverage packages that include alcohol are more expensive, but those that cover soda, coffee, juice, and other non-alcoholic drinks are actually fairly affordable.
Port Fees and Utilities
Villa Vie Residences’ Odyssey
Port fees are the mandatory charges used to cover the docking fees and local taxes cruise ships must pay for each passenger they carry.
They are usually separate from the base fare, so you should expect to pay somewhere around $3,000 per year to cover them. Again, the destinations you visit and the size of the ship will impact the cost of these fees, so they could be higher or lower.
Onboard Spending
View of the Pool Deck on Azamara Quest (Photo Credit Nigel Jarvis)
This can be a discretionary expense, but I would personally budget roughly $7,000 per year for onboard spending. After all, you want to be able to treat yourself once in a while. If you’re on a tight budget, there are plenty of ways to save money to reduce this spending.
Miscellaneous Expenses
To play it safe, I’d also budget around $5,000 per year just for extra expenses. Everything from sunscreen to buying a new laptop to staying in touch with your family and friends back on land will cost you money outside your cruise budget, so I’d say $5,000 is a fair figure.
Total Costs
Villa Vie Odyssey Balcony Cabin
Keep in mind this is just an example budget, but our estimated annual costs hover between $40,000 and $50,000 per year, which actually isn’t that bad, especially when you start looking at retirement costs.
Again, these figures cover many facets of life onboard—a comfortable cabin with ocean views, the convenience of pre-paid cruise fares, beverages, and dining expenses. Some retirees even reduce these costs by choosing single occupancy or negotiating crew member-style discounts on traditional cruise ships.
If you’re planning to purchase a long-term package or sign up for a long-term stay on a residential ship, I’d always recommend sitting down with a financial advisor who can help you work through every part of your budget and the bottom line total you’ll need to cover your entire retirement on a cruise ship.
Benefits of Living Retirement on a Cruise Ship
If you’ve ever enjoyed a cruise vacation, you probably know that there are plenty of reasons why a cruise ship retirement would be an incredible lifestyle.
Simplified Budgeting
Retired Couple on a Cruise (Photo Credit: G B Hart)
For starters, most cruise ships today offer an all-inclusive model, meaning your living expenses are bundled into one straightforward and predictable monthly cost.
For those wanting to keep their budgeting simple, the all-inclusive model is an appealing alternative to managing separate bills for rent, utilities, groceries, entertainment, and more. Plus, who doesn’t love having all of their meals cooked for them by professionals?
Imagine having the whole package: comfortable staterooms with private balconies, gourmet meals, round-the-clock entertainment, and even medical facilities onboard if health concerns should arise.
A Fun and Rewarding Social Life
Super Mario With Royal Caribbean President Michael Bayley
Given that loneliness is a common issue for seniors, many retirees are drawn to the social aspect of living on a cruise ship. With organized activities like day sailing excursions, themed parties, and a constant flow of entertainment and new guests, there are endless opportunities to make new friends and become part of a vibrant community of fellow retirees.
One of the best examples is Mario Salcedo, or “Super Mario,” as he’s affectionately known. Super Mario is a well-known, long-term Royal Caribbean cruiser who has lived continuously on cruise ships since early 2000.
As someone who has been on over 1,000 cruises, including traveling on 25 different Royal Caribbean ships, he regularly talks about the unmatched sense of community he experiences at sea.
Others have even chosen to make their residence on board a luxury cruise ship, finding that the social opportunities, combined with beautiful ocean views and regular stops at exotic ports, make for a truly fulfilling experience.
In fact, he was featured in a 10-minute New York Times documentary titled The Happiest Guy in the World, which kind of tells you everything you need to know about his lifestyle and social life.
Simplified Assistance and Luxury
Villa Vie Odyssey Cruise Ship
Another significant perk is the convenience factor. With everything from housekeeping to laundry already handled for you, you can focus on enjoying your retirement without worrying about the mundane details of daily life.
Plus, many ships offer excellent health insurance and Medicare options, so you can rest assured that you can access top-notch medical care on and off the ship.
Most cruise ships are also designed with full accessibility in mind, meaning seniors with mobility concerns don’t need to worry about being unable to access certain areas of the ship.
For those serious about cruise ship retirement, certain cruise lines, including Villa Vie Residences, create all-inclusive cruises that act as full-time homes for retired passengers.
If you’re traveling on a ship designed entirely for retired people, everything is oriented towards your age bracket. From accessible cabins to a full medical center dedicated to the care of senior guests, the concerns of retired travelers are taken care of. In some sense, they almost act like an assisted living facility at sea.
Plus, these cruise lines offer long-term “villa” rentals for guaranteed 15-year stretches, so you don’t have to worry about booking numerous trips or adjusting your budget each year. Instead, everything is just simplified on residential cruise ships.
Potential Problems (And How to Solve Them)
Pretty much any cruise enthusiast is going to think that cruise ship retirement sounds like the perfect lifestyle, but there are some challenges you might face, and it’s always a good idea to be prepared to face them.
Healthcare Concerns
Cruise Ship Medical Center (Photo Credit: Ihor Koptilin)
We already discussed that health concerns are a primary issue facing most retirees, not just those planning to live at sea. To make things easy, modern cruise ships now come equipped with state-of-the-art medical facilities, so the reality that you might be far from home when you need urgent care doesn’t need to be something you’re overly anxious about.
Still, it is important to ensure that your health insurance or Medicare coverage is current and comprehensive enough to handle any emergency health issue. Always check with your provider to confirm that you are fully covered, even when you are away from your country of origin.
I would also recommend considering the potential challenges associated with mobility in your senior years. Even if you’re fully mobile right now, as you age, the physical demands of life on a ship might become more taxing.
To overcome these issues, most cruise lines offer accommodations designed for senior living and those with mobility concerns, but it’s important to research these options carefully.
Before you make any long-term decisions, contact a few different cruise lines and ask about accessibility for senior passengers on their ships. It is definitely worth taking the time to do so, even if it doesn’t seem like the most pressing concern right now.
Staying Connected with Family and Friends
Using a Laptop During the Cruise (Photo Credit: simona pilolla 2)
Staying connected with family is another potential hurdle many retirees face, not just those at sea.
With that said, the constant travel related to cruise ship retirement might make it harder for you to keep in touch with friends and loved ones, so plan to have some reliable way to communicate with them, like traveling on a ship equipped with high-speed Internet and having an Internet package that covers full access.
With apps like FaceTime, Zoom, Google Meet, and others making video communication easier than ever before, all you really need is Internet access and a reliable computer or smartphone to stay connected. Still, it is something you will want to take into consideration.
You may also want to budget for flights to spend a few weeks a year visiting family. While video chatting is great, it can’t fully replace seeing loved ones face-to-face.
Who knows, your family might even be into the idea of coming to you, as visiting Grandma and Grandpa on a cruise ship is a lot more enticing than visiting them at a boring retirement community.
Beyond the basic logistical concerns, many people overlook other things, such as storing their personal belongings. This can be tricky on cruise ships, as luggage allotments are strictly regulated.
You might have to downsize significantly, as even a dedicated residential ship isn’t going to have the same level of space you get with a traditional home.
It’s always a good idea to focus on multifunctional items that can suit a life at sea, but that doesn’t mean you have to throw away all of your furniture and treasured personal belongings.
If you don’t have family and friends willing to care for your belongings, renting space at a storage facility is actually a lot less expensive than you may think, especially if you sign up for a long-term rental. These climate-controlled spaces can keep your items safe while you enjoy your retirement.
Budgeting
Cruise Passengers Enjoy the Views of Alaska (Photo Credit: Gene R Samit)
We have already gone over budgeting, but it’s probably the most pressing concern faced by all retirees, especially those planning to retire on a cruise ship, where fees are typically measured in weeks rather than years.
While the all-inclusive model simplifies things, unexpected fees can occur. Many cruisers find it helpful to set aside an emergency fund and regularly review their onboard spending to ensure they remain within their means.
You can also cut down on annual costs by planning to spend periods on land visiting family and friends when cruise costs are at their highest. Even Super Mario avoids sailing during Christmas and New Year’s, as costs are at their absolute highest.
One experienced cruiser on Reddit also recommended choosing a cruise line that offers a loyalty program that provides cost-cutting incentives for regular passengers, posting, “Loyalty programs you stick with can lower your prices and you’ll earn free stuff after a few years.”
See You There!
It may seem like a distant dream, but retiring on a cruise ship doesn’t have to be a far-off fantasy reserved only for the rich. It can be a practical option, evidenced by the fact that it is becoming increasingly popular.
With careful planning, budgeting, and a keen eye on the practicalities of daily living at sea, many retirees have found that a cruise ship retirement offers a unique blend of adventure, comfort, and community.
From enjoying the luxury of the ship itself to exploring and seeing new destinations almost every single day of the year, this lifestyle is all about embracing endless horizons and writing your own storylines at sea.
So, if you’re ready to leave conventional living behind and dive into a life of adventure, consider this your invitation to explore the many possibilities of cruise ship retirement. Here’s to spending your golden years living a life filled with freedom, adventure, and the beauty of the open sea!
Whether it’s the stunning natural beauty of the Hawaiian Islands or the intricate architecture that defines the Panama Canal, Holland America Line has it all!
On February 27, 2025 bookings opened for the cruise line’s 2026-2027 Hawaii and Panama Canal cruise season.
There are 25 voyages to choose from — starting in September 2026 and ending April 2027. Cruise lines often schedule cruises this time of year to avoid peak hurricane season.
Over half of Holland America Line’s fleet will be sailing to multiple tropical destinations, offering itineraries that span from 14 to 35 days.
For those interested in the Panama Canal, ships like Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, and Zuiderdam will be sailing 12 different voyages — all are wonderful opportunities to explore scenic and historic countries across North America.
Also, for the first time in 15 years, Holland America Line will be making stops in Acapulco, Mexico— a port that is almost 500 years old.
This is only on select Panama Canal itineraries, so if you are eager to visit this area, make sure to check the itinerary before booking.
“Each cruise will transit the historic canal, giving guests a front row seat to the fascinating operation of locomotives that guide the ships through the locks,” said Paul Grigsby, Vice President of Deployment, Revenue Planning and Analytics for Holland America Line.
Holland America Line’s Hawaiian itineraries will be sailing on Koningsdam, Noordam, and Zaandam across 13 voyages — though not all are fully tropical as some will also be making stops in Alaska for the ‘Glaciers and Volcano’ itinerary.
Of all of the vessels involved in this 2026-2027 season, Zuiderdam and Zaandam are 2 of the 3 oldest ships in Holland America Line’s current fleet.
The 63,000 gross ton Zaandam is the second oldest and second smallest — and has a max capacity of 1,438 passengers.
The largest ship involved in this particular cruise season is the 86,700 gross ton Nieuw Amsterdam. This vessel’s max capacity is 50% more than the Zaandam — with enough room for 2,160 passengers.
Something a bit unique about these voyages is that most of them are segmented.
The New Holland America Interaries!
A 30-day cruise may be a bit too longfor some — so why not go on the same cruise for 18 days? Thanks to Holland America Line’s planning, you can do exactly that!
A total of 19 of the voyages are segmented — meaning passengers get to experience part of the cruise itinerary without needing to commit to the full journey.
Usually, these segments range from a few weeks to a month or more — Holland America Line’s start as low as 1 day and go up to 12.
Segmenting cruise voyages has multiple benefits, such as more flexible scheduling and reduced costs. For example, there are two options to choose from on the Zaandam voyage that departs November 19, 2026.
The first option is a 30-day round-trip voyage out of SanDiego to Hawaii and the Sea of Cortez — with rooms starting at $3,512 per person.
Zaandam Cruise Ship
The second option is an 18-day round-trip Hawaiian Holiday voyage out of San Diego, and rooms start at a much lower cost of $2,204 per person.
So how is the same cruise round-trip to the same place? Day 19 is a stop in San Diego for the longer voyage guests to enjoy before another day at sea — and time for the Hawaiian Holiday guests to depart.
Because 31 days was not enough, the longest of the Hawaiian voyages is the 35-day round-trip Legendary Hawaii, Tahiti, and Marques cruise out of San Diego.
This cruise will make stops in Hawaii including Nawiliwili, Honolulu, Kona, and Kahului.
Then, it will briefly stop at Tabuaeran (Fanning Island), Kiribati before heading to French Polynesia — where it will make stops at Avatoru, Huahine, Bora Bora, Raiatea, Papeete, Bahia d Opunoha, Fakarava, and Taiohae.
The longest of the Panama Canal Voyages is the 21-day Panama Canal cruise on Nieuw Amsterdam. After departing from Vancouver, Canada, it heads to two stops in California — San Francisco and San Diego.
Then, it heads to Mexico where it makes three stops before visiting Guatemala, El Salvador, and Colombia — after which passengers disembark in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
What are you waiting for? Paradise is calling — time to book your next cruise!
