It’s hard to believe it was one year ago that Royal Caribbean’s massive Icon of the Seas welcomed her first guests and set sail for phenomenal vacation memories on January 27, 2024. And what a year of memories it has been!
The ship already has impressive stats of its own, but now the impressive numbers are in from her first year of sailing.
Icon of the Seas is homeported from Miami, Florida, offering 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries. That means 52 iconic vacations offered in the first year, with a total of 192,000 families welcomed onboard.
As Icon of the Seas has set sail, she has made 52 visits to Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island destination in the Bahamas. Try the funnel cake at Snack Shack, you won’t be sorry.
In addition to visiting CocoCay, Icon of the Seas has stopped 180 times at other top destinations, including making calls to Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico along with Roatan in Honduras for Western Caribbean itineraries.
On her Eastern Caribbean sailings, she visits Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis.
The first-of-her-class Icon of the Seas can welcome 5,610 travelers at double occupancy, and up to 7,600 guests when fully booked with all berths filled. That’s a lot of room for making iconic memories on every sailing!
For 7,900 travelers (and surely some crew members in that number), that has meant celebrating a birthday onboard Icon of the Seas. And if you’re a cake-and-ice-cream type of person for a birthday party, you may have had one (or more!) of the 1,594,467 ice cream cones served at Sprinkles over the past year!
If you prefer a milkshake, you have enjoyed the same treat as 55,350 total guests – all of which have been served at Desserted, portside on Deck 16 in the Thrill Island neighborhood.
For passengers who prefer a bit more adult libations, join in the fun at one of the four Lime and Coconut bars onboard, where 44,070 drinks have been served over the past year.
Some guests have even indulged in even more celebration as part of the 96 dinner party experiences offered at Celebration Table – a truly one-of-a-kind, exclusive, VIP option found on Icon of the Seas.
The fun onboard Icon of the Seas isn’t confined to treats and celebrations, however. The ship offers outstanding entertainment. In just the past year, that has included 426 stunt-filled ice shows and 308 performances of “The Wizard of Oz” and “The Effectors: The Origin Story.”
Even more impressive are the 449 performances of Aqua Action!, the high-diving, high-energy, high-excitement aquatic show. Together, those performances have included a mesmerizing 28,736 high dives under the AquaDome.
Guests who want to try their own adrenaline rush have plenty of options onboard Icon of the Seas, but none more unique than the Crown’s Edge ropes course with its surprise plunge into a swooping zipline. Nearly 15,000 guests have conquered that challenge in the past year – more than 280 guests each week!
All of this adds up to an amazing time for Icon of the Seas!
“It’s been an incredible year for Icon of the Seas,”said Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean’s President & CEO on the ship’s first official anniversary.“A big thanks to all of the dedicated crew who have put their heart and soul towards making this our most successful product ever! Happy 1 Year Icon!”
Icon of the Seas One Year in Service Stats
Up Next for Icon of the Seas
The massive, 248,663-gross-ton ship has no intention of slowing down, and will remain homeported from Miami for at least the next two years.
But up next is a new family member – the first sister ship for Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas, will debut at the end of August 2025 from Port Canaveral, Florida.
While the world’s two largest ships won’t be homeported together, they’re sure to share a special meetup at some point – and won’t that be a massive occasion worth celebrating with more than 14,000 of your closest friends!
As Great Britain’s cruise industry grows and passengers clamor to visit its port cities, Northern Ireland’s Belfast is working to improve its capabilities to make way for bigger cruise ships.
On January 27, 2025, Belfast Harbour unveiled plans for a new £90 million deepwater quay, which will accommodate some of the world’s largest cruise ships.
The initiative, part of a broader £300-million investment strategy stretching over the next 5 years, will significantly enhance the port’s capabilities.
With the cruise sector already injecting £20 to £25 million annually into the local economy, the port anticipates a boost to regional tourism and its economic growth.
“This transformative project strengthens Belfast’s position as a world-class cruise destination, paving the way for the future of Cruise Belfast by accommodating larger vessels and enhancing the visitor experience,”said Gerry Lennon, chief executive of Visit Belfast.
Added Joe O’Neill, chief executive of Belfast Harbour, “The addition of a new deepwater quay will not only add to the c300,000 cruise visitors welcomed by Belfast Harbour each year, it also gives us the opportunity to expand our capacity in the assembly and installation of offshore wind.”
The first phase of the quay’s construction, primarily focused on supporting cruise tourism, is projected to be operational between 2027 and 2029. Stage two, anticipated to be complete by 2030, will enhance the quay’s infrastructure.
Enhanced Port Facilities and Offshore Wind Capabilities Coming
Belfast Harbour, which can welcome up to three cruise ships daily, has welcomed more than 1,400 cruise ships and nearly 2.5 million passengers and crew to Belfast since 1996. As the largest deepwater quay in Ireland, its current quay is just over a half mile long and 34 feet deep.
Last year, the harbor saw 260,000 passengers and crew arrivals across 60 cruise ships from 35 different cruise lines.
Belfast Harbour’s new strategy, titled “Advance Regional Prosperity 2025-2029,” includes a comprehensive £208 million investment in improving port facilities and an additional £105 million dedicated to the ongoing development of the Harbour Estate, including office, retail, hospitality, exhibition spaces, and affordable housing.
The project will include renovations to the port’s current deepwater berth, Stormont Wharf, the addition of new warehouses, and the use of self-driving vehicles across the port.
Its full objectives are to enable economic growth, develop and improve the port, create places to live and work, and help Belfast Harbour reach net-zero cruise operations, in line with the UK’s 2050 target under the Clean Maritime Plan and investments in renewable energy.
Aerial view of Belfast Harbour (Photo Credit: Ballygally View Images)
In fact, one of the port’s main projects will be to create offshore wind farms, with Dr. Theresa Donaldson, chair of Belfast Harbour Commissioners, saying the development will make Belfast the only port on Ireland to feature offshore wind facilities.
Donaldon said,“We will continue our pioneering efforts to diversify and decarbonize, helping to reimagine and regenerate the city and bring additional prosperity to the region.”
Belfast Harbour’s cruise season traditionally operates between April and October, with 2025’s first call arriving on March 30 when Viking Ocean’s Viking Vela arrives on a 14-night British Isles voyage.
Its next arrivals, in April and May include Princess Cruises’ Regal Princess, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Pearl and Norwegian Prima, Ambassador Cruise Line’sAmbition, Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam, Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Eclipse, MSC Cruises’ MSC Preziosa, and Oceania Cruises’ Vista.
Marking its first-ever call in Colombia, Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady arrived in Cartagena on January 24, 2025, for the cruise line’s inaugural visit to the South American nation nestled on the Caribbean Sea.
The call was the first stop during Resilient Lady’s 11-night Caribbean cruise from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Carrying 2,469 passengers, the vessel arrived at 8 a.m. and didn’t depart until midnight, providing guests with 16 hours to explore the vibrant city.
“This is a key moment for Colombia,”said Carmen Caballero, president of ProColombia, the country’s tourism promotion agency.“It is the result of years of collaboration with Virgin Voyages and other industry stakeholders.”
“At ProColombia, we have tirelessly promoted the country’s maritime connectivity with the goal of solidifying Colombia as an attractive destination for cruise tourism,” she continued. “This achievement reinforces our position as a regional leader and is a victory for all Colombians.”
The visit is the first of two for the 110,000-gross-ton vessel, which will return on a similar itinerary on April 4, 2025. Both sailings continue in the Caribbean to Curacao, Aruba, St. Lucia, Antigua, and St. Maarten ports.
Later in the year, Virgin Voyages will return with Valiant Lady and its brand-new vessel, Brilliant Lady, following construction competition in the Fincantieri shipyard in Genoa, Italy, in September.
Brilliant Lady, sailing from Miami, will first arrive in Cartagena on November 14, revisit on December 12, and return on two more sailings in winter 2026.
Valiant Lady, which will journey from San Juan, will make her inaugural call on December 5, 2025.
Cartagena Strengthening Role as Cruise Hub
Colonized in 1533, Cartagena has long been a critical port of South America. Its walled city and forts, built to protect the city from pirates in the 16th and 17th centuries, are now hoping to foster a relationship with cruise lines.
On the day of Resilient Lady’s arrival, the city also welcomed three additional vessels, including Cunard Line’s 2,996-passenger Queen Anne and Norwegian Cruise Line’s 2,394-guest Norwegian Pearl and 3,804-guest Norwegian Joy.
Said Liliana Rodríguez, executive president of Corpoturismo, the tourism board of Cartagena,“Today, with four ships from three major cruise lines docked in our port and hosting nearly 23,000 tourists, Cartagena reaffirms its capacity, administrative commitment, and the synergy that defines our tourism ecosystem.”
Four ships spend a day in Cartagena on January 24, 2025. (Photo Courtesy: Cartagena Port)
Overall, Colombia’s cruise and tourism sectors have seen significant growth. In 2024, the country welcomed 6.6 million international visitors, an 8.5 percent increase over the previous year.
Over 1.4 million annual visitors are American, with Colombian Ambassador to the US, Daniel García-Peña, adding,“Year on year, Colombia stands out as a top destination for American travelers.”
“This milestone also highlights the confidence of US and global tour operators in Colombia’s diverse offerings, further strengthening the connections that drive our economic and cultural exchange.”
The 2024-2025 cruise season, which began in September and ends on June 30, 2025, is fully underway, with Cartagena hoping to best its 327,283 passenger arrivals witnessed during the 2023-2024 season.
Additional cruise lines arriving during the season include AIDA Cruises’ AIDAluna on January 29, Princess Cruises’ Coral Princess on February 2, Oceania Cruises’ February 5 arrival of Vista, Seabourn’s SeabournOvation on February 7, and P&O Cruises, arriving on February 9 with Aurora.
If the first few weeks of 2025 are any indication of how the year will look for Virgin Voyages, Sir Richard Branson’s boutique cruise line is going to have a banner year.
The company just revealed its revenue and bookings during the first three weeks of January are breaking company records.
Virgin Voyages reported a 60 percent increase in revenue year-over-year and a 40 percent surge in new bookings, “delivering the strongest future bookings and revenue growth in the company’s history,” according to a spokesperson from the cruise line.
This growth follows a strong Black Friday and holiday season in 2024, with nearly sold-out inventory through the first quarter of 2025.
Demand also remains high for summer voyages in the Mediterranean and new US itineraries for the upcoming Brilliant Lady, debuting in New York City in fall 2025.
“Thanks to our First Mates who have championed our growth based on their clients’ feedback, and to our loyal Sailors who are delivering record repeat rates, last year was a brilliant one and delivered massive growth from new customers, along with existing cruisers and those new to cruise,”said Nirmal Saverimutti, Virgin Voyages CEO.
He continued, “Our strongest start ever is a testament to our award-winning service and experience, our no nickel and diming value inclusions, and the launch of additional destinations with longer itineraries from 8 to 14 nights and more than 30 new ports coming online.”
Virgin Voyages also attributes its success to expanding offerings that include themed sailings, such as its Celebrations Voyages and Marvelous Voyages.
Saverimuttu added, “2025 is looking like a red-letter year with new food concepts, new music, more comedy-based entertainment, a new ship that completes our fleet, and the return of Eat & Drink Month.”
Expanded Offerings in 2025
Virgin Voyages’ 2025 is packed with new destinations and exciting onboard experiences, but its highlight will be the launch of Brilliant Lady in September, bringing the cruise line’s fleet to four vessels.
The 110,000-gross-ton, 2,652-passenger vessel, wrapping up construction at Fincantieri shipyard in Genoa, Italy, will debut in New York and feature itineraries to and from American homeports, including Miami, Los Angeles, and Seattle, as well as Barcelona, Athens, and Portsmouth, England.
The cruise line’s focus on bucket-list experiences will continue through 30 new ports of call, including a chance to visit Branson’s own private island, Necker Island, in the British Virgin Islands, as well as its popular Caribbean itineraries, where its Scarlet Lady, Resilient Lady, and Valiant Lady vessels are all currently sailing.
Resilient Lady, cruising out of San Juan, Puerto Rico, is currently on an 11-night voyage and spending a day in Oranjestad, Aruba, as Scarlet Lady is in Puerto Plata/Amber Cove, Dominican Republic, on an 8-night sailing from Miami.
Valiant Lady, also sailing from Miami, is currently in Cozumel, Mexico, on a 5-night journey to Riviera Maya.
The cruise line’s Wave Season promotion, launched on January 2, 2025, included a near-BOGO 80 percent discount on a second passenger’s fare when one fare was purchased.
Additionally, guests received onboard credits of up to $300 per stateroom to be used toward beverages.
Its newest advancement is the creation of a Groups program to help larger groups book cruises with Virgin Voyages.
Cruise business is booming at Port Canaveral, and is about to get even bigger and busier with MSC Cruises now announcing that the fourth World-class ship will call the central Florida port home for the winter sailing season of 2027-2028.
This strengthens MSC Cruises’ relationship with Port Canaveral even further, and offers amazing cruise vacation opportunities to eager travelers at a time when the port’s popularity is surging.
While the new World-class ship is yet unnamed, she will be a sister ship to MSC World Europa and the upcoming MSC World America, which will be homeported year-round from Miami when she debuts in April.
This makes two World-class ships operating in North America, further expanding MSC Cruises’ presence in the region. There’s also MSC World Asia, which is currently under construction and will arrive in 2026.
“Our commitment to Port Canaveral is stronger than ever, thanks to the incredible support from our partners there and the growing demand from our guests who love the port’s convenient location,”said Lynn Torrent, EVP and Chief Commercial Officer of MSC Cruises USA.
“Having ships dedicated to offering both short and 7-night cruises year-round will ensure we have the right options available no matter when someone wants to sail. We’re especially excited to bring a World Class ship to Port Canaveral, continuing our long-standing pledge to deploy our most modern and innovative ships in the Caribbean market.”
The new ship will be offering year-round 7-night Caribbean itineraries. While no specific itinerary details have been released, it’s likely the ship will regularly visit MSC Cruises’ private island destination in the Bahamas – MSC Ocean Cay Marine Reserve – as well as other top Caribbean ports on both Eastern and Western routes.
At the same time, MSC Cruises has also confirmed that MSC Grandiosa will return to Port Canaveral for a second winter season in 2026-2027, this time offering 7-night Caribbean itineraries. Her first season from central Florida will begin in December 2025, when she will be offering 3- and 4-night itineraries.
“We are excited to have MSC Cruises expand their presence at Port Canaveral with the arrival of MSC Grandiosa and the deployment of their fourth World Class ship to homeport with us,”said Captain John Murray, CEO of Port Canaveral.
“The addition of these exceptional ships to our homeported fleet will add even more sailing options from Central Florida and reaffirm the cruise industry’s confidence in our ability to consistently deliver a world-class guest experience.”
No details of the fourth World-class ship have yet been revealed, not even the ship’s name. What is likely, however, is that the vessel will mirror some of the amazing features already aboard MSC World Europa and coming to MSC World America.
This includes as many as 19 dining options and 18 bars and lounges, onboard adrenaline-inducing features like a ropes course and possible thrill rides, a water park, elite retail options, and a fabulous MSC Yacht Club for travelers who want to enjoy even more exclusivity.
The World-class ships are roughly 210,000 gross tons and can welcome more than 6,700 passengers. Fueled by liquefied natural gas, they are up-to-date on the most innovative environmental standards and are also home to approximately 2,100 crew members who work diligently to give every guest amazing vacation experiences.
Sailing With MSC Cruises From Port Canaveral
While eager guests and MSC Cruises fans will have to wait two years yet for the new World-class ship to arrive at Port Canaveral, there are other MSC Cruises options available much sooner from the award-winning homeport.
MSC Seashore is currently homeported year-round from Port Canaveral, offering Bahamas and Caribbean itineraries to top destinations like Nassau, Costa Maya, and Cozumel, as well as MSC Ocean Cay Marine Reserve.
MSC Meraviglia Docked In Port Canaveral, Florida (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks)
Her 3- and 4-night itineraries are easy to combine into back-to-back sailings along with 7-night options, giving travelers the ability to customize their cruise vacation to whatever length they prefer.
For guests who just want to visit Port Canaveral, MSC Meraviglia – homeported from New York – visits the Space Coast as a port of call on her 7-night Bahamas itineraries. This further connects the cruise line and homeport for a strong, diverse relationship sure to grow in the years to come.
For the first time, AAA, the American Automobile Association, released what is the first annual cruise travel forecast on January 26, 2025, revealing that many US residents plan to take an ocean cruise in 2025.
The 2025 Cruise Outlook anticipates that 19 million Americans will take to the seas, reflecting a 4.5 percent increase over the 18.2 million who cruised in 2024.
The forecast also marks a rise from pre-pandemic levels, up to 34 percent compared to the 14.2 million US cruisers in 2019.
Said Debbie Haas, AAA’s vice president of travel,“The cruise industry’s focus on bigger ships, shorter itineraries, and private islands has contributed to remarkable growth in recent years.”
“Cruise lines have introduced larger ships, which accommodate more guests and have an incredible range of amenities on board,” she continued. “It’s at the point now where the ship itself can be the destination.”
AAA’s data, which is based on scheduled cruise itineraries across nearly every major cruise ship along with cruise-specific analytics on economics and travel trends, also show there is growing consumer confidence in travel, fueled by rising incomes and increased discretionary spending.
Surveys reveal that a number of passengers are prioritizing travel in the coming year.
Much of the data aligns with trends taking place around the world, where numerous ports are sharing 2024 passenger arrival records have been shattering pre-pandemic highs, including ports in the Bahamas, Miami, and even smaller destinations like Malta.
19 Million Americans to Cruise in 2025 (Credit: AAA)
Caribbean Cruises and Mega Ships Dominate
AAA’s data also examined where passengers are most likely to travel in 2025, with the Caribbean serving as the dominant choice for US cruise passengers. In fact, the Caribbean accounts for 72 percent of all itineraries in 2025. This pattern also consistently follows pre-pandemic trends seen in 2018 and 2019.
Earlier this month alone, the US Virgin Islands witnessed a single-day record arrival for passengers on cruise ships, while nearby Antigua closed its own record-breaking year with more than 13,000 cruise guests descending upon the island on December 31, 2024.
Itinerary Length (Credit: AAA)
According to AAA, shorter Caribbean cruises of 5 days or less are gaining traction, projected to grow from just 2 percent of all Caribbean sailings in 2023 to 18 percent by 2025. However, cruises lasting 6 to 8 days remain the most popular length for passengers.
Alaskan cruises are the second most popular itineraries, expected to attract 6 percent of US travelers, while the Mediterranean will host 5 percent. These also reflect a return to pre-pandemic patterns after a temporary spike in demand for these regions during 2022 and 2023.
AAA also reports that Florida is the epicenter of cruise travel, with PortMiami, Port Canaveral, and Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale ranking as the busiest ports worldwide.
Cruise Destinations & Top 10 Ports (Credit: AAA)
The report revealed mega-ships play a major role in these ports, noting Miami is home to Royal Caribbean’s massive 5,610-guest, 248,663-gross-ton Icon of the Seas, which debuted at the port in January 2024.
“So much has been included on these new ships, from fine dining to live entertainment, shopping, and activities for all ages,” added Hass. “Cruising is like staying at a floating all-inclusive resort, which delivers you to the world’s most beautiful destinations.”
Miami will soon share the spotlight with Port Canaveral as Royal Caribbean’s larger sister, the 250,800-gross-ton, Star of the Seas, also carrying 5,610 passengers, debuts this summer.
Many cruise passengers like to know the schedule of onboard activities such as theme parties, production shows, and formal nights before they set sail so they can be prepared to make the most of every event.
Some external events, however, can have a tremendous impact on what happens onboard.
Such is the case with Carnival Cruise Line when some ships’ formal nights are about to conflict with the single biggest sporting event of the year – the Super Bowl.
The cruise line has already confirmed that the big game – Super Bowl LIX between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles – will be broadcast on the Seaside Theater screens as well as in key bars throughout the fleet. This gives passengers the opportunity to enjoy the game with other fans in a fantastic at-sea setting.
But what about when the game falls on what is traditionally a ship’s formal night or “Elegant Evening?” That night is filled with special dinner menus, multiple photo opportunities, a cocktail party with the ship’s captain or officers, and the chance to strut your stuff in more elegant attire for a very memorable evening.
The Super Bowl, however, begins at 6:30 p.m. – timing that can dramatically interfere with Elegant Evening activities for football fans.
Carnival Cruise Line’s formal nights are typically the second night of a sailing, as well as the sixth night (on 7-night cruises). Formal nights may vary on other cruise lengths.
With the Super Bowl being on Sunday, February 9, any Carnival Cruise ship that departs on a new sailing on Saturday, February 8 will have that elegant evening on Super Bowl Sunday. Or will it?
“Trying to get a straight answer for Carnival Dream is not changing the elegant night due to the Super Bowl. Many people don’t dress up for elegant nights, and more people care about the Super Bowl,”one guest explained.
Carnival Dream is currently homeported from Galveston, Texas. Her Super Bowl cruise is an 8-night itinerary departing on Saturday, February 8, with ports of call planned for Key West on Monday, February 10, followed each day by Freeport on Tuesday, Half Moon Cay on Wednesday, and Nassau on Thursday. The ship will return to the Lone Star State on Sunday, February 16.
Traditionally, Sunday would be the first formal night of the sailing, but with it being Super Bowl Sunday, Heald reached out to the team onboard to ask about any rescheduling.
“Both the Super Bowl and elegant night are I think equally important but I (we) do understand how excited people are to see the game on the big screens and in the lounges on the ship,”Heald noted.
Carnival Cruise Line Lido Deck (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)
He has heard back from this one vessel already, and notes that the “provisional plan” for Carnival Dream is to move the first Elegant Evening to Monday, February 10 – the third night of the cruise and the day the ship will be visiting Key West.
“I will post the other ships that may have a football/elegant night clash and will do that as soon as I hear,”Heald noted.
Why Can’t Formal Night Be Changed?
Ultimately, each ship’s cruise director and other top leadership staff collaborate to work out the onboard activity schedules. While there will be every effort made to ensure top events are highlighted with few conflicts, it might not be possible for every ship to shift formal night away from the Super Bowl.
For example, ships departing on Saturday for 3-night weekend sailings may be unable to make such a change.
It is challenging for formal night to be the first night of a sailing, when many guests may be exhausted from travel and the craziness of embarkation. Furthermore, luggage might not be delivered to staterooms until later in the evening, making it hard to ensure best-dressed duds if formal night was so early.
Similarly, moving formal night to the last night of a 3-night sailing is not practical. On these days, many guests need to have their formal attire packed away in luggage to set it out for collection earlier in the evening in preparation for debarkation.
Longer cruises can have more flexibility in their onboard scheduling, but still need to balance top onboard events with venue availability, timing, staffing, and other concerns.
Of course, guests do not need to participate in formal night, as dressing up, taking photos, and attending any activities onboard is always optional. No matter what guests choose to do, there is always plenty of fun to be had onboard!
A now fired Florida deputy named Francisco Melo likely thought he would be partying on a themed “Groove Cruise” that is currently taking place onboard Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas. However, the 36-year-old cop never actually made it onboard the Oasis-class ship.
Instead, he was arrested in the Royal Caribbean Cruise Terminal (Cruise Terminal A) by the Miami-Dade Police Force for allegedly trying to smuggle narcotic pills onboard by hiding them in bags of Skittles, which he planned to sell during the voyage.
The special sailing, which embarked from PortMiami on January 23, 2025, and lasts until January 27, 2025, is a music festival at sea that features exclusive artist hosted activities and electronic dance music (EDM) parties.
The itinerary for the short sailing primarily consisted of sea days, with a call on Labadee, Haiti- Royal Caribbean’s private destination – on January 25, 2025.
According to CBS News Miami, drug sniffing dogs were brought into the cruise port and alerted authorities to the approximately 60 MDMA pills (commonly known as ecstasy or molly) inside of Melo’s luggage.
The six-year veteran of the law was promptly taken into custody by the sheriff’s office that once employed him. He was relieved of duty and charged with the possession, sale, and trafficking of a controlled substance.
“As sheriff, it’s my duty to make sure that our community can trust our deputies to protect them and uphold the law. I am disappointed to inform you that one of my deputies has been arrested for trafficking a controlled substance,” Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz said in a statement.
“Narcotics don’t just harm those who use them, they devastate families, and fuel crime. No one is above the law, and this office will not tolerate criminal behavior from anyone, especially those entrusted to enforce it. The actions of this individual are a betrayal of the public trust and of all the deputies who work tirelessly to protect our community,”continued Cordero-Stutz.
Melo has since been released on bond pending further legal proceedings. Royal Caribbean has not commented on the investigation or the arrest.
Cruise Guests Never in Danger
The up to 5,484 passengers onboard Allure of the Seas – or those passing through PortMiami’s eight other passenger terminals on January 23 – were never in any danger.
In fact, authorities already knew that Melo was planning to embark on the chartered sailing – and suspected that he might be up to something nefarious.
In December of 2024, investigators set up an undercover operation in which Melo allegedly sold an undercover informant 12 MDMA pills for $240 – during which his upcoming cruise plans also came to light.
Therefore, local authorities and the Royal Caribbean security team were already on the lookout for the accused drug dealer – which resulted in the arrest.
Allure of the Seas Docked in Miami, Florida (Photo Credit: Adam McCullough)
“This arrest is the result of a collaborative effort between the MDSO, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Miami-Dade State Attorney Office’s Public Corruption Prosecution Unit, who are committed to upholding the integrity and maintaining the public trust in law enforcement within Miami-Dade County,”said Sheriff Cordero-Stutz.
As always, safety is always the top priority for all of the cruise lines – including Royal Caribbean. This is why all guests and crew members – not just suspected deviants – have to undergo thorough security checks anddocument verification prior to boarding their cruise ship.
Some cruise lines even perform background checks on their incoming guests – which may uncover current warrants. If an active warrant is found, the appropriate authorities may be notified.
This is likely what happened to Dominic Weaver, who was recently arrested in PortMiami while disembarking his cruise ship in December 2024 – after successfully avoiding authorities for more than a decade. He allegedly owed more than $100,000 in back child support.
However, it’s unclear which cruise line the 47-year-old had sailed with and there were no reports of him causing problems while onboard.
If a passenger is found to be a threat to themselves or others during the sailing, the onboard security team members are trained to quickly subdue the guest – potentially even confining them to their cabin or locking them in the brig(or onboard jail).
While criminal activity is typically low in the cruising community, the cruise lines do take swift action when incidents arise.
When is the best time to go on a cruise? The question is simple but the answer definitely isn’t. For the Caribbean, I’d recommend going on a cruise between December and April, when you’re clear of hurricane season.
In contrast, for an Alaskan cruise, you can really only go between April and October, as the Alaskan cruising season isn’t year-round.
In short, it will depend on a large range of factors, including where you’re cruising, what matters most to you (for example, getting a good deal vs. avoiding crowds), your availability and more.
Here’s everything you’ll want to take into account, before you book, for every popular cruise region across the world.
The Best Time to Go on a Cruise to Get a Good Deal
The short answer? The best time to go on a cruise and get a good deal is any time when most schools are in session.
I always think that cruising is a great way to travel on a budget, particularly if you make a few key, good choices, such as cruising on a more affordable cruise line or opting to only enjoy the amenities included within your fare. It’s also great if you’re cruising as a family or in a group, and want to save money by all staying together.
However, if your budget is your primary concern, then you’ll want to book your cruise for certain times of the year, in order to get the best deal possible.
In general, aim for a cruise itinerary that takes place during the shoulder season, when demand is not as high. Aim to cruise in mid-winter, after the holidays, in the late spring months after spring break has concluded or in the early fall before fall break commences.
Around major holidays and during the summer months, it’s all the more likely that families will be flocking to the cruise ships, increasing demand and cruise fares with it.
Here are a few examples I found from three of the biggest cruise lines:
For a Royal Caribbean July 2026 7-night Western Caribbean and Perfect Day cruise on Icon of the Seas, departing from Miami, you’ll pay a starting fare of $2,146 per person — in February 2026, the starting fare is $1,665 per person
For a Carnival Cruise Line July 2026 4-day Mexico from Long Beach, CA cruise on Carnival Firenze, you’ll pay a starting fare of $534 per person – in January 2026, the starting fare is $344 per person
For a Norwegian Cruise Line June 2026 7-day Alaska Glacier Bay, Skagway and Juneau cruise, departing from Seattle, on Norwegian Encore, you’ll pay a starting fare of $1,655 per person – in October 2026, the starting fare is $1,174 per person
Cruise ships are massive. One the biggest of them, such as Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, all can easily fit more than 5,000 passengers on a single sailing.
However, if you prefer a less-crowded cruise, you can try to time your sailing to when cruise ships may not be as hectic and filled to the brim.
Look for cruises that take place during the school year, specifically. This will sometimes lower the number of passengers on board, and at least lower the number of families and children on board, if you’re concerned with noise.
You can also look for cruises that are taking place during undesirable time periods based on weather, such as during peak hurricane season in the Caribbean, or when it’s particularly cold in Alaska or Northern Europe.
Keep in mind, though, that if you really want to avoid kid-filled, crowded cruise ships, your best bet is to cruise on a smaller ship or with a smaller cruise line that prioritizes cruiser space and a low cruiser-to-crew member ratio — or to cruise on with adults-only cruise line, like Viking or Virgin Voyages.
The Caribbean
Cruise Ships Docked in St. Maarten, Caribbean (Photo Credit: Dennis MacDonald)
If you’re dreaming of a Caribbean cruise, one major consideration will be the Caribbean hurricane season. Avoid going on a cruise to the Caribbean during this period, June 1–Nov. 30. When you attempt to cruise during the summer, aka hurricane season, you always run the risk of your trip being canceled
If you do find that you don’t mind the hurricane risk, just be sure to buy some travel insurance when you book your trip. You’ll have a little extra money to do so, because cruises during this time period are often more affordable.
You may also want to plan your cruise for the months of hurricane season that are historically less active, storms-wise, such as June or July, or November.
Hurricanes aside, for the best Caribbean weather possible, the summer’s not going to be ideal anyway, with its extra-hot temps. Winter and spring Caribbean weather will be plenty warm enough for you to lounge by the pool.
The only Caribbean destination where this is not the case is Bermuda. Due to its northern location and resulting cooler temps, it’s really best to visit in the late spring to fall.
Luckily, this geography also puts Bermuda further out of the paths of many hurricanes, so hurricane season isn’t quite as much of a worry on Bermuda cruises.
Beyond weather, when booking a Caribbean cruise, you may also want to consider the timing of Carnival. Just about every island has a huge Carnival celebration and you may either want to make it or miss it.
Additionally, some cruise ports are going to be particularly busy anyway, during certain months of the year. For example, the busiest cruise port in the Caribbean is the Bahamas’ Nassau cruise port, which sees approximately 3.7 million passengers per year.
In the past, the port has set arrival records, particularly in the winter months, December and February, welcoming tens of thousands of cruisers in a single day.
The second-busiest cruise port is in the Mexican Caribbean — Cozumel. Again, it’s welcoming a good portion of its millions of travelers per year between the months of December and February.
As such, if you want to avoid crowds both while you’re in port and while you’re on a cruise ship, you may prefer to avoid the peak winter Caribbean cruise season, and wait until the spring, when you can avoid some crowds, but also stay clear of hurricane season.
Alaska
Passengers on Cruise Ship in Ketchikan, Alaska (Photo Credit: PRivas01)
Alaskan cruises don’t run year-round. Typically, cruise lines offer cruises to Alaska between April and October.
Going on a cruise at the very beginning of the Alaskan cruise season or at the very end of the Alaskan cruise season can mean much colder temperatures.
For milder weather, more daylight hours with which to explore and more wildlife watching opportunities, opt for a peak season mid-summer Alaskan cruise.
That said, if you want the best deal on an Alaska cruise vacation possible and don’t mind missing the whales and other wildlife, consider traveling during those colder months, in the spring and fall.
This is also when you’ll find fewer crowds, as the number of visitors to Alaska in the summer can be staggering.
According to the Alaska Travel Industry Association, in 2023, more than 2.6 million visitors stopped by in the summer, May through September (with the large majority of those visitors coming by cruise).
In Juneau, a popular Alaskan cruise stop, at the height of summer, they can see as many as 21,000 cruise passengers per day.
Europe
Norwegian Bliss in Lisbon, Portugal (Photo Credit: DacologyPhoto)
Europe is obviously an entire continent so you can’t really say that there’s one ideal time to take a European cruise. The best times of year for a European cruise are all going to depend on where in Europe you’re cruising.
For example, Mediterranean cruises offer excellent weather between the spring and fall, but the mid-summer brings high prices and high crowds. If you want lower crowds and lower prices, cruise earlier or later in the year.
If you’re interested in taking a Northern European cruise, like those that visit Scandinavian regions, you’ll find that, much as is the case with Alaskan cruises, you can’t typically cruise year-round due to the temperatures. Most Northern European cruises operate for the summer and early fall.
The closer to mid-summer you cruise, the better the weather, the higher the prices and the more crowded the ships. In contrast, if you opt for a late spring or an early fall cruise, you heighten your chances of getting to see the northern lights, will enjoy lower crowds and will find lower prices.
And then, of course, there are river cruises throughout Europe. When thinking about what time to take a European river cruise, you need to think about what exactly it is you want to do during your cruise.
Want to check out some German holiday markets? Go during the holidays. Want to sightsee on foot? Plan to cruise during the spring through fall, for milder weather.
In general, wherever you go in Europe, you can expect crowds both on cruise ships and on land to be highest in late summer, around August and early September.
Asia or Australia
Royal Princess Docked in Sydney, Australia (Photo Credit: Stepan Skorobogadko)
It’s equally difficult to nail down one specific time that it’s best to cruise in Asia or Australia, as this is likewise a huge region.
If you’re planning on cruising to Southeast Asia, go during late winter or early spring, when you’re more likely to avoid monsoon and cyclone seasons.
If you’re planning on cruising northward, toward Russia, you need to keep colder temperatures in mind. As such, you may want to cruise in mid-summer.
If you’re planning on cruising around Australia or New Zealand, try September to November, when the weather isn’t too hot and when you’re more likely to avoid crowds, as well as get a good deal.
South or Central America
Cruise Ships Heading Through Panama Canal (Photo Credit: Dennis MacDonald)
Again, it’s a huge area, so choosing the best time to go on a cruise to South America or Central America will vary vastly depending on where exactly you’re cruising.
In Central America, the busiest cruising season lasts from the holidays and through the spring, so that’s when you’ll see the most crowds. However, the spring and summer bring rain and the fall brings hurricane season.
So, pick your poison. I personally would pick a wintertime cruise, preferring the crowds and extra demand to the potentially poor weather.
In South America, you can usually find mild weather throughout most of the continent in the fall, with winter temps only becoming a worry if you get down near Antarctica.
Antarctica
Two Seabourn Ships Meet in Antarctica
And speaking of going on an Antarctic cruise, you may be surprised to find that the best time to travel to this region of the world is actually the winter, as the Northern Hemisphere’s winter months are the Southern Hemisphere’s summer months.
As such, cruising to Antarctica between November and March will give you the best weather and best wildlife-watching opportunities.
Do keep in mind, though, if you’re eyeing an Antarctic cruise, that many cruises will take you through the Drake Passage, home to some of the roughest waters in the world. It’s generally agreed that November and March are when the waters are particularly bad, but December and January are calmer.
Arctic
Small Cruise Ship Sailing the Harsh Conditions of the Arctic (Photo Credit: knelson20)
In the exact opposite, if you want to take a cruise to the top of the world, you’ll travel during the Northern Hemisphere’s summer, so May to September. This is when Arctic cruises enjoy lots of daylight and wildlife watching, like whale watching.
If you do want to take a wintertime Arctic cruise and see the northern lights, it is possible to do so, but not typically with a major cruise line. Instead, these sailings are often only undertaken by small expedition ships.
Mexico
The best time to go on a cruise to Mexico is in the winter or spring, which is Mexico’s dry season. Doing so allows you to avoid the threat of hurricanes on the country’s Atlantic-facing side (though if you must cruise during hurricane season, you can always opt to cruise on the country’s Pacific-facing side, where the threat is lessened.)
However, do note that the winter and spring are the busiest times to cruise to Mexico, even if it is the best, weather-wise. For fewer crowds and lower prices, cruise in the summer.
Hawaii
Cruise Ship Docked in Honolulu, Hawaii (Photo Credit: SvetlanaSF)
When you cruise to Hawaii, you enjoy the tropical vibes of the Caribbean, but without the risk of hurricanes. As such, you might choose to cruise to Hawaii during times of the year — summer and fall — that cruising to the Caribbean is a little riskier. Summer is also a good time to visit Hawaii due to the lack of rain.
Do note that travel to Hawaii in general is more expensive around the holidays and in the summer, but you can find good deals on cruises to Hawaii in the late pre-holidays fall and early post-holidays winter. This is also the best time to cruise to Hawaii for fewer crowds.
New England and Canada
Celebrity Cruise Ship at Port of Halifax (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks)
Like Alaskan cruises, New England and Canada cruises aren’t typically offered in the winter months. Instead, cruise lines set sail for these locales between May and October.
The best time to go on a Canada or New England cruise, though, isn’t mid-summer, like it is in Alaska. Instead, try to go on a fall cruise to New England and/or Canada, when you can catch both the foliage and some great cruise fares.
The Best Time to Go on a Cruise with a Party Atmosphere
Virgin Voyages Deck Party (Photo Credit: AVOXY)
While it’s not exactly my preference, some cruisers do like to really party when they get on the ship. A cruise, for them, is a whirlwind of all-you-can-drink, all-you-can-eat, all-you-can-swim fun.
Some cruise lines are more apt to have a party atmosphere than others, particularly the more budget-friendly cruise lines, like Carnival Cruise Line.
That said, hands-down, the top time to cruise for a party atmosphere is during the spring, when the college-aged spring breakers are flocking to the cruise ports for affordable getaways.
For Families
Royal Caribbean Cruise Deck (Photo Credit: Joni Hanebutt)
Lastly, if you want the exact opposite, and a totally family-friendly cruise where there’s lots to do for the kids, and plenty of opportunities for them to play with their fellow little cruisers in the kids club or pool, go with a summer cruise.
You’ll find plenty of other families on cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean or Norwegian Cruise Line, and lots to do for the influx of kiddos. Yes, you’ll pay higher prices in many instances, but you may find it worth it.
Anytime is a Good Time for a Cruise
I may be biased, but anytime is a good time for a cruise. That said, it’s not always a good time to cruise, in every portion of the world.
While I might risk hurricane season on occasion, for example, I’m not going to risk a bumpy ride along the Drake Passage on the way to Antarctica when the waters are supposedly at their worst in November and March.
Take all of the above factors — price, crowds, cruise experience and weather — into consideration before choosing the right cruise and right time to cruise, for you.
