True crime buffs and amateur sleuths can test their skills, learn from crime experts, and enjoy the company of like-minded cruisers onboard the “Wondery Exhibit C: A True Crime Cruise,” a voyage setting sail in early 2026.
Operated aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s 3,883-guest Norwegian Joy, the crime-focused 4-night cruise will sail roundtrip from PortMiami on January 26, 2026, and feature one port call at Nassau, Bahamas.
Wondery is a podcast studio and network that hosts several popular crime podcasts, and the hosts of some of them will be sailing onboard the cruise. Guests will have chances to meet and interact with the podcast hosts.
The voyage also will have two special guests — John and Callahan Walsh, the co-hosts of the long-running hit TV show “America’s Most Wanted,” which first aired in 1988. The show ran for 24 seasons and solved nearly 1,200 crime cases.
Guests sailing on the themed voyage will have plenty of opportunities to learn about crime-solving tactics, including forensic science, criminal profiles, and investigative techniques, during panel discussions and presentations.
Among the planned activities are a live murder mystery show in which the audience helps solve a fictional crime by using clues and interrogating suspects; a program called Historical True Crime that revisits famous crimes of the past; true crime trivia games; self-defense classes; and themed dance parties, among others.
Podcast hosts scheduled to sail on the voyage include Hannah Maguire and Suruthi Bala, co-hosts of Redhanded; Scaachi Koul and Sarah Hagi, co-hosts of Scamfluencers; Aaron Habel and Justin Evans, co-hosts of Generation Why; Carl Miller, host of Kill List; and Tracy Pattin, host of Hollywood & Crime.
Additionally, cruisers will gain insights into the criminal mind from a raft of true crime experts, including Susan Constantine, specializing in body language; Kris Mohandie, a forensic psychologist; Alilna Burroughs, a blood spatter expert; Cece Moore, a genetic genealogist; and Tori Telfer, a crime reporter.
Also, Robert Souza and Tom Lange, both former Los Angeles police officers skilled in solving robberies and homicides, will provide a law enforcement perspective.
Several of the podcasters will be available for photo ops with guests. The pre-arranged photo sessions vary based on the cruise package booked by guests.
Cruise Packages Offered for ‘Sleuths and Detectives’
Two packages are offered to those booking the true crime cruise: Silver Sleuths and Diamond Detectives.
The Silver Sleuths plan covers the 4-night cruise fare, all meals at included dining venues, basic beverages (not alcoholic), access to the podcast hosts and the various activities, one photo op with a podcaster, and True Crime Cruise credentials.
Cruise fares range from $1,335 per person, double occupancy, for an interior cabin, to $1,795 per person, double, for a balcony cabin, and $3,535 per person, double for a large penthouse suite.
Crime Cruise Details
The Diamond Detectives plan includes all of the Silver Sleuth amenities plus accommodations in The Haven, Norwegian Cruise Line’s private, key-card-access luxury area.
Additional perks include exclusive experiences with the podcasters, early entry to meet-and-greet events and photo ops, and a special gift.
Fares for the enhanced package range from $3,935 per person, double, in a penthouse suite to $4,335 per person, double, for a two-bedroom family villa with balcony.
None of the cruise fares cover crew member tips, alcoholic beverages, room service, WiFi access, shore excursions, or specialty dining.
Norwegian Joy offers five dining venues included in all base fares — three main dining rooms, Manhattan Room, Taste, and Savor, plus the Garden Cafe buffet, and the Local Bar & Grill. For those booking accommodations in The Haven, a private venue, The Haven Restaurant, also is available.
Guests will pay extra to dine in the ship’s 8 specialty restaurants, which include the popular Cagney’s Steakhouse, the seafood-focused Ocean Blue, and La Cucina, serving Italian fare.
Carnival Cruise Line’s official Brand Ambassador, John Heald, has set sail this week on his “For Fun’s Sake” cruise, and is wrapping up the popular voyage with exclusive gifts for travelers.
The “FFS” cruises are an annual tradition with Heald and give Carnival cruise fans the opportunity to meet him and enjoy unique and insightful question-and-answer sessions, cocktail parties, and other special events.
The current FFS cruise is aboard Carnival Magic, which departed Miami, Florida on Sunday, February 16 and has visited Half Moon Cay, Amber Cove, and Grand Turk. A day at sea will conclude the 6-night Eastern Caribbean cruise, and the ship will return to Miami on Saturday, February 22.
One of the most coveted parts of this exclusive cruise is the FFS swag for guests registered for the event. At the end of the sailing, Heald hosts a signing event and each guest also gets a lovely gift as a memorable souvenir for the voyage.
Aboard Carnival Magic, the signing event was held on Friday morning, the last sea day of the voyage. Even though it was scheduled to begin at 8 a.m., excited guests were lining up well before that time for their chance to meet Heald, thank him for all the fun, and pick up their gifts.
“As you can see, people are very excited for me to sign things, so I think we better open the doors early,”Heald said, walking down the ship’s promenade alongside a very long line outside the Spotlight Lounge.
Guests brought a variety of items for Heald to sign, including photos, door magnets, shirts, rubber ducks, and more. Some guests arrived as early as 6:30 a.m. to line up ahead of the three-hour event.
The gift Heald is presenting to his FFS guests is a lovely coffee mug with a lid. The mug features a raised FFS logo with the ship’s name, date of the sailing, and “Cruise With John Heald” on the side.
Guests are also receiving a second gift, a pair of FFS towel clips in an oversized clothespin design, also with the ship’s name and sailing date.
“You can either use it as a towel clip, or if you’ve got very big underpants, you can wash them on the line and you can put them there,”Heald quipped.
Heald is well known for his tongue-in-cheek humor, no matter what type of situation he may be faced with either in person or through his popular Facebook page. Each week, he responds to hundreds of comments, requests, inquiries, and complaints, always trying to help guests have a great cruise experience.
Carnival Cruise Line Gifts
Carnival Cruise Line offers exclusive gifts through the “Very Important Fun Person” (VIFP) loyalty program once guests have reached the Gold, Platinum, or Diamond tier.
At the Gold tier, VIFP guests receive a pin on every sailing, customized with the year. Platinum and Diamond level cruisers also receive a pin, but it is a different design and includes the ship’s name, making them very sought after as collectible souvenirs.
Platinum and Diamond guests also receive a VIFP logo gift on each sailing. Those gifts are not available for retail purchase, and the item changes periodically.
Guests do not need to reach a certain level of the VIFP club in order to join Heald on a FFS cruise, and the gifts offered during the sailing are for all registered guests for the event, regardless of loyalty status.
While this year’s FFS sailing is now drawing to a close, the 2026 cruise is sure to be announced soon for travelers to join in. In the past, Heald has made appearances on different ships and different itineraries, trying to share the FFS love with as many guests as possible.
These are not full-ship charter sailings but the spaces for Heald’s events do fill up quickly, and interested guests and Heald fans should make their reservations right away to be part of the next FFS cruise.
Galveston processes a huge number of cruise passengers each year. In fact, in 2024, Galveston Wharves set a new record, with more than 3 million cruisers setting sail from this Texas destination near Houston.
That said, you might be surprised to know that, for all these people, Galveston only has three cruise terminals (much less than, say, Port Everglades, which has eight terminals to handle its near-same number of cruisers).
If you’re planning on cruising from Galveston soon, here’s everything you need to know about these three terminals, for the most convenient, easiest embarkation possible.
In 2024, Galveston remained the fourth most popular cruise port in North America, as well as the eighth busiest cruise port in the world, with nearly 400 sailings and the aforementioned 3 million-plus cruisers hitting the open seas from Galveston Island, heading to popular cruise ship ports of call like the Western Caribbean, Cozumel and Costa Maya.
The Galveston Cruise Port’s three cruise terminals are Cruise Terminal 10, Cruise Terminal 25, and Cruise Terminal 28.
From these three terminals, the following cruise lines offer service: Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean International.
Cruise Terminal 25 primarily hosts Carnival Cruise Line ships. Cruise Terminal 10 hosts primarily Royal Caribbean ships. Cruise Terminal 28 hosts the remaining lines.
The Future of the Port of Galveston
Port of Galveston Cruise Terminal 16
It’s expected that even more passengers will sail from the Galveston Port in 2025. Current projections anticipate 3.6 million passengers will cruise from this already thriving maritime commercial center in 2025, with more than 400 sailings. This is partially the case because the port will open a new, fourth terminal in 2025.
The new Cruise Terminal 16 is anticipated to cost more than $150 million and will be primarily dedicated to MSC Cruises, which currently doesn’t even serve Galveston, making this an especially exciting development.
MSC Cruises plans to base MSC Seascape here, year-round, when the terminal begins operations. The terminal, when it opens hopefully in November 2025, will measure in at about 165,000 square feet and will also bring with it a new, adjacent parking garage, adding to the already plentiful Galveston parking options.
Renderings of the anticipated new terminal show very large, spacious embarkation and disembarkation areas capable of accommodating large crowds, and sleek, contemporary décor.
Galveston Cruise Terminal 10
Royal Caribbean’s Galveston Terminal (Photo Credit: Felix Mizioznikov)
Galveston’s Cruise Terminal 10 opened in 2022, so it’s still relatively new. Made possible via a partnership with Royal Caribbean — the main cruise line to use this terminal — it cost an impressive $125 million to build. It accommodates well over half-a-million cruise passengers per year.
Since the terminal is only a few years old, it still feels modern and up-to-date inside. You’ll see Royal Caribbean branding on the exterior, which features a contemporary blue, geometric motif. The interior is very spacious, and offers lots of seating and décor in Royal Caribbean-familiar shades of blue.
The artistic flair from the exterior continues on past the terminal entrance, with art installations like “The Galveston Beach Trio,” a series of instrument-playing animals.
The terminal is also capable of hosting some of Royal Caribbean’s largest ships, such as those within the Oasis class: Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas.
The majority of these ships have set size records as they’ve debuted in past years and, as such, haven’t always been able to sail from just any port.
While Terminals 25 and 28 are relatively close to one another, this terminal sits quite a ways away, about a mile from Terminals 25 and 28.
Amenities
Zero Energy Cruise Terminal Infographic
The 200,000-square-foot terminal complex on 10 acres of land is the world’s first zero-energy cruise terminal, as well as the first terminal in Texas to achieve LEED Gold certification.
You can see this commitment to sustainability through the terminal’s solar panels, bike racks, EV charging stations and more. Additionally, the terminal incorporates a large degree of tech-savvy amenities, including facial recognition and mobile check-in capabilities.
Designed to somewhat mimic an airport terminal, Terminal 10 has similar amenities and a similar layout, with “arrivals” on the terminal’s first floor and check-in on the terminal’s second floor. There are multiple lounge areas to sit and wait for embarkation.
Drop Off and Pick Up
Royal Caribbean’s Galveston Cruise Terminal
There is a pick-up and drop-off ground transportation area right next to the Cruise Terminal 10 pier, off Royal Caribbean Way. Private cars, as well as Lyft and Uber services, can easily access this drop-off/pick-up point.
You’ll want to use the below address (1028 Harborside Drive) to get there, but the small loop road where you’ll be dropped off or picked up is technically Royal Caribbean Way if you look at a map, either Google Maps or one of the port’s official parking maps.
Speaking of parking, there are several parking lots nearby, within walking distance, including the port’s North Lot and North Premium Lot (the premium lot is just “premium” because it’s covered). If you’re driving your own car, you can park at either of these lots for under $30 per day.
This terminal, formerly known as Terminal 1, was expanded in 2010, for Carnival Cruise Line’s usage and the line’s older Dream-class ships. As such, it’s quite a bit older than Cruise Terminal 10.
However, in 2023, it did receive some further renovations to better serve Carnival Cruise Line’s newer ships, including the line’s Excel-class ships (which currently include Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee).
These most recent renovations totaled an estimated $53 million, and renovations included improving border patrol facilities, erecting new gangways, expanding passenger and luggage areas, building a new roof, redesigning the terminal’s interior, adding nearby parking spots and adding escalators and elevators.
The result is a terminal that can handle far more passengers, more efficiently and more comfortably.
That said, while the “new” Terminal 25 certainly feels fresh, some of the décor choices do feel like a bit of a throwback to Carnival Cruises’ earlier years, with, for example, a color palette that’s a mix of bright orange, blue and mustard yellow.
Drop Off and Pick Up
Port of Galveston, Texas (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)
Passengers can be picked up and dropped off right at Terminal 25, at 2502 Harborside Drive. If you need to park, parking attendants will direct you to a lot, but otherwise porters will help you with your luggage, if needed.
If you decide to park a long distance away from the terminal, shuttle services are available. Shuttles run regularly during embarkation hours.
Cruise Lines at This Terminal: Primarily Carnival, but also could include Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Disney Cruises depending upon scheduling
Galveston Cruise Terminal 28
Photo Credit: Port of Galveston
Formerly known as Terminal 2, this terminal was once primarily used by Royal Caribbean until the cruise line established its own dedicated terminal with the newer Terminal 10.
With infrastructure originally designed to accommodate Royal Caribbean’s Freedom-class ships (Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas and Independence of the Seas), the cruise line’s larger group of newer ships have far surpassed this class in size, requiring more space as can be found at Terminal 10.
Drop Off and Pick Up
Cruise travelers can be picked up and dropped immediately in front of Terminal 28, at 2502 Harborside Drive. Parking lots are nearby, but porters will be there to help you with your luggage, if needed.
Guests sailing aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Encore are experiencing some new and refreshed spaces thanks to the ship’s recently completed two-week dry dock.
The ship is the fourth in the line’s Breakaway Plus class, following Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Escape, and Norwegian Joy. The 4,000-guest mega-ship launched in 2019.
Among the planned enhancements the cruise line announced in August 2024, guests are now enjoying Spice H2O, the free adults-only outdoor area located on the ship’s main pool deck. The space, which debuted with the Breakaway Plus class of ships, has multiple hot tubs, spacious day beds, pools, and a dedicated bar area.
Limited to guests 18 and older, Spice H20 is a complimentary alternative to the line’s Vibe Beach Club, which also is an adult-only area but charges an entry fee.
Norwegian Encore’s dry dock included major renovations to The Haven, the line’s ship-with-in-a-ship private area featuring luxury accommodations, lounge areas, concierge services, and restaurants.
The ship’s Premier Owner’s Suites were expanded to three bedrooms, up from two, and the living room and master bedroom were renovated. The suites also received new balcony furnishings, and a dining room.
Improvements to Norwegian Encore featured several dining venue changes, too. Two specialty restaurants, Cagney’s Steakhouse and Teppanyaki, were expanded and the Ocean Blue restaurant was replaced by Palomar, which features Mediterranean cuisine.
The dry dock also repurposed some of the ship’s Observation Lounge into 24 additional balcony cabins and two club balcony cabins.
It was not all smooth sailing, however, as the clock ran out on the scheduled dry dock before some of the upgrades were completed.
The 169,116-gross-ton ship was in dry dock from November 18 to December 2, 2024, and returned to service on December 3, 2024. Her 12-night transatlantic crossing from Southampton to PortMiami began without all work completed.
Norwegian Encore’s Premier Owner’s Suites (Photo Courtesy: NCL)
For instance, the expansion of Teppanyaki was not finished by embarkation day and work continued on the eatery, which was closed to guests until December 8, 2024.
Also, Spice H20 required more space than originally estimated, and as a result the ship permanently closed the Laser Tag area, using that space for the adult-only retreat.
Norwegian Encore Will Deploy to Alaska in Spring 2025
Through March 2025, Norwegian Encore is sailing 7-night Caribbean voyages that call at Amber Cove, Dominican Republic; St. Thomas, USVI; Tortola, BVI; and Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas.
On March 30, 2025, the ship will sail a 21-night Panama Canal: Mexico, Colombia, and Costa Rica voyage as Norwegian Encore repositions to the US West Coast. The ship is due to arrive in Seattle on April 20, 2025, where she will be based for seasonal Alaska cruises.
The 7-night voyages will call at pristine Alaskan ports such as Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan, plus Victoria, British Columbia, with scenic cruising through Glacier Bay. Norwegian Encore will return to PortMiami at the conclusion of her Alaska deployment in fall 2025.
Norwegian Encore Docked in Miami (Photo Credit: Just dance)
Norwegian Cruise Line also recently upgraded Norwegian Bliss, which was dry docked from January 17 to February 2, 2025. Among the improvements the ship received was a new cinema concept, Silver Screen Bistro, and an outdoor recreation area called Horizon Park.
Like Norwegian Encore, the 4,000-guest ship also received expanded venues for Cagney’s Steakhouse and Teppanyaki, and enhancements to The Haven.
Meanwhile, the 3,900-guest Norwegian Breakaway entered dry dock on February 19, 2025 and will return to service on March 14, 2025. The ship will receive an outdoor activity area called The Stadium as well as Horizon Park.
Like the other ships, Cagney’s Steakhouse will be expanded on Norwegian Breakaway, and Ocean Blue will transform into Palomar. The Vibe Beach Club and The Haven Sundeck also will be expanded.
Have you ever wanted to go on a ship’s very first cruise? Now is your chance to book the inaugural trip on Royal Caribbean’s third Icon-class ship, Legend of the Seas.
It might be a long wait for this vessel’s first cruise – which is currently scheduled for the end of Summer in 2026 – but there is no harm in planning ahead for this rare opportunity.
The 7-night Western Mediterranean cruise will be round-trip out of Barcelona, Spain – departing on August 2 and returning on August 9, 2026.
The itinerary is packed with stunning and historic locations along the Mediterranean – such as Palma de Mallorca in Spain and Florence, Rome, and Naples in Italy.
The 7-night Western Mediterranean cruise is round-trip out of Barcelona, Spain – departing on August 2 and returning on August 9, 2026.
Following the unveiling of the ship’s name, which Cruise Hive reported on, I’ve decided to dive into the pricing to see just how affordable – or not – this ship is.
The most affordable room – an interior cabin – goes for $1,998 per person per night. I will spare you doing the math – for 1 person on this cruise, it will cost $5,624 in the cheapest cabin. While you won’t have a window, you will at least have a TV and a desk!
On the other end of the spectrum, Royal Suite Class staterooms such as the Royal Loft Suite cost up to $51,246 per person.
Hypothetically, let’s say a family of 4 – 2 adults and 2 children – stay in the Royal Loft Suite on this cruise. This would cost that family $150,460.
Starting in October, 2026, Legend of the Seas will also offer 3-night Western Mediterranean cruises – which are significantly more affordable. The very first one of these cruises departs on October 22 out of Rome, Italy.
An interior cabin runs at $1,017 per person per night – where staterooms in the Royal Suite Class start at $3,344 per person per night.
The largest suite available on this cruise is the Icon Loft Suite, which will cost $17,368 for a single individual for the entire cruise.
Legend of the Seas Off to the Caribbean
Lucky for cruise goers, the very first cruise Legend of the Seas has scheduled in the Bahamas is a bit more affordable than the inaugural Mediterranean itinerary. With its affordability also comes a trade-off – there is only one stop.
Interior cabins start at just $895 per person per night – making the most affordable room on this new ship $2,140 for the 3-night cruise.
On the flip side, Royal Suite Class staterooms start at $1,793 per person per night. These suites are great for families and large groups – but for 1 person on the cruise, it will cost $3,928.
However, an interior room on the inaugural cruise is $5,624 – so $3,928 for a suite is not such a bad deal. Cruise math at its finest!
Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas
One bonus is that the first cruise in the Caribbean is eligible for Kids Sail Free savings – when this promotion is available, guests 12 years old and younger get free cruise fares.
If you are looking into one of Legend of the Seas’ longer tropical itineraries, it will start offering both 6 and 8-night Western Caribbean cruises just in time to escape the winter weather.
The ship will depart on its first 8-day Western Caribbean cruise on November 14, 2025 – stopping in Willemstad, Curacao and Oranjestad, Aruba, as well as Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Cabins range in price from $4,346 for interior cabins – to a staggering $149,396 for the most expensive suite.
Departing on November 22, 2026, Legend of the Seas will go on its first 6-day Western Caribbean cruise – making stops at Perfect Day at CocoCay, as well as Falmouth, Jamaica and Labadee, Haiti.
Prices range from $3,571 for an interior cabin – to $10,968 for a suite – all the way up to $124,510 for the Royal Loft Suite.
Before Legend of the Seas arrives, we’ve still got sister ship Star of the Seas, which will debut in summer of 2025.
Even the most popular social media stars aren’t immune from cruel backlash on social media – including Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald.
While Heald’s public Facebook pageis supposed to be a place of positivity where he celebrates cruising and answers questions for his followers, a recent post regarding his dinner onboard Carnival Magic got cooked in the comments section.
The post in question included a photo of barbecue spare ribs and chips (or french fries), which Heald said was “one of the most popular dishes tonight.”
Apparently the answer was a resounding “no,” as one cruiser noticed the post was soon taken down – allegedly due to the negativity it received.
The cruiser said: “The comments started rolling in, and let’s just say they weren’t exactly flattering. People were roasting the dish left and right, with comments like ‘What’s that supposed to be?’, ‘Looks like something I’d find in a school cafeteria’, and ‘Is that a fossilized chicken nugget?’”
“Needless to say, John Heald didn’t take too kindly to the criticism. In a move that can only be described as ‘social media panic’, he deleted the post altogether,” they continued.
Ultimately, the cruise fan thought the social media faux pas was hilarious, and even admitted that almost everyone has been in situations where the only solution was to hit the delete button.
“Anyway, I just thought this was a funny story that highlights the perils of social media. Even the big guys can have an off day (or an off meal, in this case),”they said.
“I should add that I’m not trying to bash John Heald or Carnival Cruise Line here. We’ve all had our share of social media mishaps, and this one just happened to be particularly entertaining,” they added later for clarity.
Heald has not directly addressed this situation, but did recently post a reminder on his Facebook page that “foul language and rude comments will not be tolerated.”
Where in the World is John Heald?
While Heald frequently answers questions and engages with his followers from the comfort of his home in the UK, he is currently onboard the3,690-guest Carnival Magicfor the seventh annual “For Fun’s Sake” cruise.
While the cruise personality usually sails several times per year, he hosts these specific voyages annually to connect with his fans.
The 6-night Eastern Caribbean voyage embarked from Miami, Florida, on February 16, 2025, and features calls on RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, which is Carnival’s private island destination in the Bahamas; Amber Cove, Dominican Republic; and Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos.
Along the way, Heald has been keeping his followers at home updated on the sailing. As part of this, he has been sharing the daily menus in the main dining rooms – and seemed to have received a mostly positive reception until this recent post.
While the photo was admittedly not the most appetizing, with some saying the spare ribs looked more like a “brownie” or a “Kid Cuisine” microwave meal, it’s possible that it tasted better than it looked.
“I just saw the same post in my feed and thought ‘dang that looks terrible, what are the comments saying’ and when I tried to open them it showed that the post had been removed. I’m sure as a Brit, he probably thought this qualified as good looking barbecue,” another one of Heald’s followers said on Reddit.
From my own (admittedly limited) experiencesailing with Carnival Cruise Line, I can attest that the meals I had in the main dining room were often hit or miss.
That said, I did have plenty of meals I enjoyed – especially from other eateries onboard like Guy’s Burger Joint and while partaking in specialty dining at the Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse.
With the first ever Comic-Con Cruise only just wrapping up as a huge success, the organizers behind the event have announced that the fan event will be returning to the high seas in 2026.
The masterminds behind the themed sailings, San Diego Comic Convention and Entertainment Cruise Productions, have titled the second rendition of this voyage as Comic-Con: The Cruise Vol. 2: The Ultimate Fan Adventure.
The first Comic-Con Cruise, or Volume 1 as comic books fans would call it, was hosted onboard Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas from February 5 to February 9, 2025.
Next time, the convention at sea will be held onboard Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Constellation – which is a cruise line owned by Royal Caribbean.
The 4-night cruise will sail round-trip from Tampa, Florida – embarking on January 30, 2026, and concluding on February 3, 2026.
The itinerary will only feature one port of call, which is on Nassau, Bahamas, leaving the up to 2,170 guests plenty of time to enjoy the exclusive events and all the amenities the Millennium-class ship has to offer.
As Comic-Con events are famous for selling out quickly – especially the annual convention in San Diego – interested cruisers will want to reserve their spot quickly.
Comic-Con: The Cruise Vol. 1 also nearly sold out – and Serenade of the Seas had a slightly greater capacity with room for up to 2,490 passengers.
Bookings have already opened on the official website for Comic-Con: The Cruise and start at $1,100 per person (USD) on a double occupancy rate – with payment plans available.
The cruise fare also includes all performances, interviews, parties, events, and meals in the main dining facilities onboard the 90,940-gross ton ship.
A Celebration of Big Franchise Anniversaries
As with the 2025 sailing, next year’s voyage will feature an array of talent– with actress and singer Felicia Day returning as the official host.
But the second Comic-Con Cruise will be extra special because it will celebrate the 25th anniversary of both “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” and “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.”
First Comic-Con Cruise (Photo Courtesy: Entertainment Cruise Productions)
“Comic-Con: The Cruise Vol. 2, The Ultimate Fan Adventure™, will bring fandom and fantasy together to celebrate the 25th anniversaries of both The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in 2026,” reads a press release.
“Actors from the legendary films, including Dominic Monaghan (The Lord of the Rings, Lost, Star Wars, X-Men), Billy Boyd (The Lord of the Rings, Outlander, Master and Commander) and Jason Isaacs (Harry Potter, Star Trek, The Dark Crystal, The OA) will headline the cruise, joining host Felicia Day for this once-in-a-lifetime experience,” continues the release.
Dominic Monaghan is famous for playing Meriadoc “Merry” Brandybuck in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, while Billy Boyd played Peregrin “Pippin” Took – both of which helped to make hobbits a household name.
Meanwhile, Jason Isaacs is famous for playing Lucius Malfoy – the sinister father of Draco Malfoy – in the eight “Harry Potter” films.
These stars, along with more big names that are yet to be announced, will take part in unique experiences like group panels, Q&A sessions, meet and greets, special screenings, and autograph and photography opportunities.
Other elements of the Comic-Con conventions on land will also be present at sea, including plenty of cosplay opportunities (with themed parties and nightly entertainment) and lots of shopping from popular exhibitors.
There will also be an Artist’s Alley onboard, where independent artists can market their original artwork, crafts, and commissions.
There are plenty of car rental options in Cape Canaveral, and at the nearby Orlando airport. Some car rental offices are even conveniently located within just a half-mile of the cruise port. Here’s what you need to know.
Do You Really Need a Rental Car When Cruising From Port Canaveral?
Why would you need to purchase a rental car from these various rental companies ahead of your Port Canaveral cruise?
Well, if you’re cruising out of Port Canaveral and not driving your own transportation directly from home, to the port, you’re probably flying into the Orlando Airport (MCO) in Florida. However, the Orlando airport is about a 45-minute drive away from the port. As such, you’ll need to rent a car to drive between the two.
Likewise, if you decide to stick around for a few days and explore Cape Canaveral either before or after your cruise (which I highly recommend, as there’s so much in the vicinity to do and see), you’ll need a rental car, as it’ll be the easiest way to get around the area.
Ready to explore your options? Here are some of the area rental providers with the best rates, customer care and quantity of vehicles.
Orlando International Airport Rental Cars
Car Rental Sign at Orlando International Airport (Photo Credit: Khairil Azhar Junos)
Renting a car at the airport is a very convenient option, as you can go straight from the plane and baggage area to your rental car, and then drive on to Cape Canaveral.
Once there, you can park at one of the many options at or near the port, for the duration of your cruise. After your cruise is over, you can pick up your car, drive back to the airport, drop off the vehicle at the rental office and fly home.
If you rent a car at Orlando International Airport, you’ll have a few options. The following providers host car rental counters at the airport:
Alamo
Avis
Budget
Dollar Car Rental
Enterprise
Hertz
Sixt
National
Payless
Thrifty
Depending on the car rental provider you choose, the car rental counter will be located either on Level 1 of Terminal A or B, or on Level 4 of Terminal C. When booking, pay close attention to the location of your chosen provider’s car rental counter.
While the price of renting your car at the Orlando airport will differ heavily depending on how long you rent the car for, your pick-up date, what kind of car you rent and which rental provider you choose.
It’s entirely possible to rent a car from the airport for an entire week for under $100, if you use a third-party booking provider like Kayak, which allows you to compare and contrast similar rates from all of the airport-based providers.
Car Rental Providers at Other Nearby Airports
While the Orlando Airport (MCO) is definitely the busiest, most popular spot to fly in for a Port Canaveral cruise, there are other options if you want to fly in elsewhere.
If you do choose one of these other airports, here are the best rental providers for cruise ship passengers, at those airports, that you’ll find.
Sanford Airport
Check-In at Sanford Airport (Photo Credit: Joni Hanebutt)
Sanford Airport (SFB) is about an hour’s drive away from the port. Much like MCO, Sanford offers on-site rentals from a range of providers, including:
Alamo
Avis
Budget
Dollar
Enterprise
Hertz
National
If you compare and contrast prices from the various providers, you can easily find car rental rates starting at around $55 per day. Again, though, exact price will depend on vehicle availability, the type of car you rent, how long you rent it for, rental date and which rental provider you choose.
If you do not like the options at the airport terminal, there are also some car rental locations around Sanford Airport that will pick you up at the airport and ferry you to their office, where you can then pick up your car.
Just be sure to check out the pick-up service policies and allowable pick-up distance of any off-airport location, to verify availability.
Melbourne Orlando International Airport
Melbourne Orlando International Airport
Then, there’s the Melbourne airport (MLB), which is only about 30 miles from the port, but you won’t find as many commercial flights flying in here. Still, if you find yourself at MLB, you can rent cars from the following providers, thanks to a central rental car counter near the airport’s baggage claim:
Alamo
Avis
Budget
Dollar
Enterprise
Hertz
National
Thrifty
Across these various providers, you can find rentals going for as little as $45 per day.
Car Rental Providers Near Port Canaveral
Budget Car Rental in Cape Canaveral (Photo Credit: Solarisys)
However, you may want to book a car with a rental location closer to the terminal. This is a particularly good option if you, say, don’t want to just go straight from the airport to the cruise ship, and back again.
Maybe you want to, instead, as I suggested above, stay a few days in the area before or after your cruise.
If you get your rental car from a provider’s office near the port, you’ll be able to take a rideshare service from the airport, to the rental car office, pick up your car and drive around with ease for a few days. Then, on embarkation day, you can drop the car off and, in some cases, even walk right to the port from the rental office.
In contrast, if you want to explore Port Canaveral after your cruise, you can walk from the port to your chosen rental car office, pick up your car, and then head to your hotel. When you’re ready to go home, you can drop the rental car off and take a rideshare to the airport.
If you don’t feel like walking, many of these rental car providers also offer shuttle services.
So, what are your options if you want to make an advance reservation with a provider with nearby locations close to the port?
Enterprise, National and Alamo – 0.5 miles from Port Canaveral
All three of these providers share an office just half a mile from the port (710 Mullet Road), and they do offer a shuttle service that runs about every half an hour, starting in the morning and running until mid-afternoon.
Alamo offers midsize and standard SUVs, economy vehicles, compact vehicles, full-size vehicles, and minivans, and you can find rental prices starting at around $60 per day. The Alamo office is closed on Tuesdays, but after-hours returns are offered, as is accelerated check-in.
With prices starting at around $75 per day, National offers economy vehicles, compact vehicles, midsize vehicles, full-size vehicles, SUVs, and minivans. National is closed at this location on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but after-hours returns are available.
Enterprise is likewise closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at this location, with after-hours returns available. With prices starting at around $60 per day, this office offers midsize SUVs, economy vehicles, compact vehicles, midsize vehicles, cargo vans, pickup trucks and minivans.
Hertz (8963 Astronaut Boulevard) – 1 mile from Port Canaveral
Another nearby office, this Hertz location, is open 8 a.m.–3 p.m. every day except Tuesday and Wednesday (as such, if these days and hours of operation do not work with your cruise, you may want to choose another provider that’s open Mon – Fri).
You can find cars as cheap as $70 per day. Vehicle options include SUVs, cars, trucks, and vans. There is a shuttle that runs between the office and the port.
Budget (8401 Astronaut Boulevard) – 1.6 miles from Port Canaveral
One of the closest Budget locations, this office offers a free Budget shuttle and free pick-up service to and from the port. It’s open every day of the week.
You can find pretty good deals at this office, with rentals available at around $40 per day. Pick from electric vehicles, economy cars, compact cars, full-size vehicles, sports cars, pick-up trucks, SUVS and more.
Avis (6650 North Atlantic Ave) – 2.6 miles from Port Canaveral
Also, open every day of the week and offering a shuttle to ferry you and your luggage to and from the port, this Avis office offers SUVS, electric vehicles, sedans, luxury cars, convertibles, trucks and vans. Much like the nearby Budget office, you can find vehicles here starting at about $40 per day.
Tips for Saving Money on a Rental Car Before Your Cruise
Cruise Ships Docked at Port Canaveral (Photo Credit: Port Canaveral)
Before finalizing your reservation with any of the above car rental providers, there are a few things you can do to ensure you’re getting the best deal possible (and thus saving the most money possible, so you can spend it on your actual cruise!).
Check the Rental Agreement
Always check your rental agreements’ terms of service and, if you have further queries, contact customer service and ask to speak with someone from the provider’s customer service center. If you don’t, you may find that you rack up penalty and excess fees related to your booking.
For example, some providers require a minimum length for your rental, like a minimum three-day rental, so even if you thought you were getting a two-day rental, you may end up paying for three days. Or, you may incur mileage charges if you drive the car more than permitted.
If you’ve already booked your rental, you can usually view the agreement online, when you view your upcoming reservations. Use your reservation reference number to look up any valid info, if you do not have an account with a password.
Avoid Extra, Unnecessary Fees
There are a variety of renters fees that you might end up paying unnecessarily, when renting a car in the United States.
For example, if you want to put both your drivers license and a family members’ driver’s license on the rental agreement, you’ll pay more for any and all additional drivers (and when you’re using the car for such a short period of time, having two drivers on the agreement isn’t really necessary).
Additionally, you may also face extra fines if you bring the vehicle back without filling up the gas tank. While this is an extra step in your travel day, filling up the rental car before returning it can save you cash and help you avoid surcharges.
Likewise, you’ll pay extra for one-way rentals as well. While a one-way rental may seem like it makes more sense than paying for parking for the rental car during your cruise, compare and contrast the prices before your time of reservation. You may find that parking the car is indeed more affordable than a one-way rental.
Look for Coupons and Extra Deals
Car Rental Directions at Orlando Airport (Photo Credit: Craig Russell)
You can sometimes find a coupon code and extra deals by joining the rental car provider’s loyalty program ahead of time. Make sure you do this before you make your reservation and receive a reservation confirmation.
You’ll typically receive deals, a best rate guarantee or a discount code in your email inbox, so be sure to check your junk e-mail folder in addition to your inbox.
Even if you don’t receive a discount, you may be able to receive other extra perks through your loyalty program, such as a free bonus rental day or a free upgrade.
No news of a promotion, upgrade offers or rental deals in your inbox? You may also find them when you log into the provider’s website using a profile number, valid membership number or valid membership ID.
Additionally, if you’re a frequent renter, being a loyalty program member can help you accrue points (like Avis Preferred Points) that you can use for discounts and upgrades like a free day with future rentals.
Rethink Modifications and Optional Items
Lastly, most car rental providers will offer you some extra items that you might not actually need. Rethink purchasing GPS services (your phone will suffice) or cars with fancy entertainment systems.
You might likewise choose a less-extravagant vehicle. While the sports car or convertible might be tempting, you’ll definitely pay more than you would for a small sedan.
The only optional items that might be 100% necessary are safety or size-related necessities such as booster seats or child car seats, or a larger car to fit all your luggage.
With no nearby airport, most cruisers embarking from the Port of Galveston choose to drive there — and when they get there, they need to park somewhere. Luckily, parking at the Galveston port is easy and affordable.
There are eight official parking lots and one garage at the port, near the terminals and/or with free shuttle service to the terminals. There are also at least four nearby, third-party parking lots and garages that provide shuttle service to the port.
Here’s what you’ll need to know before you arrive or make parking reservations.
The nearest commercial airport to the Port of Galveston is the William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) in Houston. The cruise port is about a 45-minute drive away from the airport.
As such, you can’t just fly into the Houston airport and then take an Uber or taxi to the port, like you might in Fort Lauderdale (unless, of course, you have a really big travel budget).
Many cruisers who absolutely must fly into the airport (such as if they’re coming from a few states away) to take a cruise opt to rent a car at the airport and then drive from the airport to the cruise port and park.
The airport offers a robust number of car rental providers, on-site, including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar Car Rental, Easirent, Enterprise, Fox, Hertz, National, Payless, Sixt and Thrifty.
Port Galveston Parking Lots and Garages
Galveston Parking Lot (Photo Credit: Port of Galveston)
There are myriad Galveston cruise parking lot and garage options, and which you choose to park in will depend on what cruise terminal you’re departing from.
To make booking the correct, most convenient parking option easy, when you pre-book your parking on the Galveston port website, a form will ask you to select the ship you’re sailing on, such as Carnival Jubilee or Carnival Dream, and then it will direct you to the correct lots or garages for booking.
If you’re cruising out of Cruise Terminal 25 or 28, there are two parking lots with a free shuttle, at 160 33rd Street and 224 33rd Street; a parking lot with no shuttle, at 2702 Harborside Drive; and a parking garage at 150 Rosenberg.
If you’re cruising out of Cruise Terminal 10, there are three parking lots with a free shuttle, at 1152 Royal Caribbean Way, 1201 Royal Caribbean Way and 1390 Royal Caribbean Way.
There’s a Pier 12 Parking Lot on Royal Caribbean Circle that does not have its own free shuttle pick-up spot, but it is within walking distance of some. A covered, “premium” parking lot is on Royal Caribbean Circle, with no shuttle service.
Port of Galveston parking lots are police-patrolled 24/7. ADA handicap-accessible parking is available in all lots. As mentioned, once you’ve parked, shuttle buses are available to transport you and your baggage to and from the cruise terminal.
However, shuttle service is not available at the parking garage or lots that are within walking distance of the terminal.
Port of Galveston parking lot and garage rates are based on availability, but it’s not impossible to find parking for $20–$30 per day, which would put your cost at around $175–$230 total, depending on your cruise length.
Unofficial Port of Galveston Parking Options
EZ Cruise Parking Lot
You don’t have to park directly at the port if you would prefer to shop around. Here are a few other options.
EZ Cruise Parking provides a variety of parking options, including lot parking, covered parking, handicap parking and electric vehicle parking, with shuttle service to and from the port. However, the business does not provide pricing online and you have to request a reservation in order to receive a quote.
Port Parking also offers parking options in Galveston, with indoor and outdoor parking, and prices starting at as little as $10 per day. This service provider also offers RV parking, electric vehicle parking/charging and shuttle services.
Discount Cruise Parking provides shuttle service to the port that runs every 15 minutes or so. Helpful staff are available if you need help moving your luggage. Depending on the cruise and length of time you’ll be gone, you can expect rates starting at under $100 total.
Falstaff Cruise Parkingprovides indoor and gated parking facilities, with a 24/7 shuttle. At the time of publish, the online reservation system is not available, though, so you may need to call for quotes.
Whichever third-party parking provider you book with, look out for additional surcharges before signing the bottom line. Particularly look at info regarding cancellations and any cancellation fee.
Options if You Don’t Want to Park
Carnival Ship Docked in Galveston, Texas (Photo Credit: Port of Galveston)
It is possible to find shuttles that will take you directly between the cruise port and the Houston airport.
Galveston Express is one such service. It offers round-trip shuttle service seven days a week starting at $40 per person, with discounts for seniors and children.
Another is Island Breeze Shuttle, with rates starting at $105 one way, with prices increasing based on your number of passengers, as well as your time of arrival.
You may also be able to find transportation via your cruise line. For example, Carnival Cruise Line offers airport-to-pier and vice versa transportation (but there are some time restrictions and your flight must arrive between certain time periods to use the shuttle).
You can purchase this service through My Cruise Manager. Other cruise lines that provide transport between the airport and the port include Royal Caribbean and Disney.
I, however, do not recommend this option, as it may put you under a bit of a time crunch, particularly if your flight is delayed or canceled.
Parking at Nearby Hotels
View of Galveston Near the Port (Photo Credit: Marathon Media)
Lastly, many hotels in popular port cities offer free parking for the duration of your cruise, if you have a hotel booking at the start of your cruise, the night before your departure date.
I personally find this option very desirable, particularly because I always advise, if you’re flying into a city for a cruise, that you arrive a day before the cruise embarks.
This ensures you actually make the ship. (I’ve heard way too many horror stories about cruisers not making their ship simply because their flight was just an hour or two delayed!)
Plus, I like being able to settle in and relax a bit before the cruise leaves the next day. You can go out in the afternoon or evening and experience the port city and its entertainment and dining, and get your vacation started a little earlier, and relax before your cruise leaves (versus reaching the cruise ship in a totally stressed state, because you were hurrying to get there).
