Protesters gathered at the Port of Piraeus outside of Athens on June 3 to oppose the arrival of the Israeli-operated cruise ship Crown Iris.
The demonstration occurred during Crown Iris‘ current 7-night sailing from Haifa.
The protest is the latest in a series of demonstrations that have followed the vessel at Greek ports since 2025.
Tensions flared at Greece’s busiest cruise port as demonstrators gathered in Piraeus near Athens, Greece, to protest the arrival of the Israeli-operated Crown Iris.
Protesters waving Palestinian flags gathered at the cruise port on June 3, 2026, in the latest in a series of actions targeting the ship amid the ongoing war in Gaza. Organizers described the vessel and its arrival as symbols of what they say is Greece’s growing cooperation with Israel.
Hundreds of protesters called for solidarity with Palestinians and urged local authorities not to welcome the ship.
The Crown Iris is operated by Israel cruise company Mano Maritime and regularly sails itineraries throughout the eastern Mediterranean. The more than 40,000-gross-ton ship has drawn protests at several Greek destinations in recent months as opposition to the war in Gaza has fueled demonstrations throughout the country.
One protest slogan, according to local reports, stated, ”They are unwanted here and have no business being here,” while another sign read, “No to genocide tourism.”
Authorities maintained a security presence around the port during the protest. The ship was able to complete its scheduled call with no immediate reports of injuries or major disruptions.
Current Voyage Includes Multiple Greek Ports
The protest in Piraeus took place during a 7-night cruise that departed Haifa, Israel, on May 31, 2026,
Carrying approximately 2,000 passengers, the vessel called in Kos, Greece, on June 2 before arriving in Piraeus on June 3 for a scheduled 14-hour stay from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m., local time.
Mano Cruises’ Crown Iris (Photo Credit: Mali Sokol)
Following its call in Athens, the ship is scheduled to continue to Nafplion, Greece, on June 4 and Syros, Greece, on June 5 before returning to Haifa on June 7.
This is was not the first time Crown Iris has faced opposition while sailing in Greek waters. In July 2025, demonstrators on the island of Syros gathered near the port and blocked access to the dock, preventing approximately 1,600 passengers from disembarking.
The ship ultimately departed the island without completing the scheduled visit and was rerouted. The incident drew international attention and prompted responses from both Greek and Israeli officials.
Additional demonstrations have since been reported at other Greek ports visited by Crown Iris, including Rhodes and Crete. By late 2025, Greek authorities had begun increasing security measures during some arrivals as a precaution against potential disruptions, including at ports like Patras and Katakolo.
Crown Iris is the only cruise ship operated by Mano Maritime, based in Haifa. The vessel entered service with the company in 2018 after previously sailing under different names, including Norwegian Majesty for Norwegian Cruise Line and Celestyal Majesty for Celestyal Cruises.
The company previously operated several other cruise ships over the years but have since left the fleet, leaving Crown Iris a recognizable Israeli brand.
The ship is spending the remainder of the year sailing to Greek ports.
There are no car rental offices located on-site at PortMiami.
The closest car rental offices to PortMiami include Avis, Hertz, and Budget.
You can also rent a car at Miami International Airport and book (paid) shuttle transportation between the airport and cruise terminals.
There are no car rental offices directly located at the Miami cruise port, aka PortMiami. However, that doesn’t mean you’re not in luck when it comes to renting a car to explore the area either before or after your cruise. There are many national car rental brands that operate near the port, some of which even offer free shuttle services to and from the port.
Here’s what you need to know so you can reserve the best car rental for your Miami cruise vacation.
While the downtown Miami Avis office may be located just under 3 miles from PortMiami, Avis does provide shuttle service between the two, making this a convenient option for most cruisers.
Depending on traffic and the number of ships in port, the shuttle will pass by the cruise terminals every 20 to 30 minutes. (An Avis ambassador is on-site to direct customers as to where to go to wait for the shuttle).
There’s no extra fee for the shuttle service, though available shuttle space may dictate whether or not the shuttle can stop right at that moment, and the number of ships in port determines when the last shuttle runs.
Additionally, when you’re returning a car, you do have to actually take it back to the downtown Miami office and after-hours returns are not available (though, some other Avis locations may have a key drop box available).
Address: 99 SE 2nd St., Miami
Distance to cruise port: 2.9 mi.
Offers shuttle service: Yes
Budget
Similarly, Budget offers shuttle service between the Miami cruise port and its downtown Miami rental office.
Again, this is a free service and the shuttle swings by the port every 20 to 30 minutes or so, based on demand and busyness. Budget ambassadors change positions based on need, so you may have to flag down the driver of the shuttle yourself, if an ambassador is not around.
The shuttle service will take you not only to the rental office from the port, post-cruise, but also to port on embarkation day, if you’re returning your rental car ahead of your cruise rather than afterward.
Address: 93 SE 2nd St, Miami
Distance to cruise port: 2.9 mi.
Offers shuttle service: Yes
Hertz
This Hertz office‘s rental location is a bit closer to the cruise pier and offers some pretty agreeable deals, with average prices for a car reservation at this location working out to about $158 per day.
While there is no advertised shuttle service to take you to and from the port, getting around shouldn’t be difficult, thanks to the wealth of rideshare services throughout the area.
Note that some outdated articles and reviews will report that this office offers a shuttle, but as of 2024, this was no longer the case.
Address: 229 SE 2nd St, Miami
Distance to cruise port: 2.2 mi.
Offers shuttle service: No
Sixt Rent A Car
One of the closest Sixt locations to the port is actually located at the Intercontinental Miami. This location offers everything from super budget-friendly compact cars starting at under $50 per day, to luxury vehicles.
You can easily find the rental counter on the first floor of the hotel’s lobby, where you’ll also find a Starbucks and a few stores and other food options.
Address: 100 Chopin Plaza, Miami
Distance to cruise port: 2.3 mi.
Offers shuttle service: No
Supreme Rent a Car
If you’d prefer to work with a smaller, non-national company, Supreme Rent a Car is a Florida-based provider. It may be located further away from PortMiami, but it does offer pick-up and drop-off services. Choose from standard and luxury cars, SUVs and vans, and convertibles. Rates start at under $50 per day.
In addition to serving the area around PortMiami, the business also serves Miami International Airport, Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
Address: 3995 NW 26th Street, Miami
Distance to cruise port: 7.2 mi.
Offers shuttle service: Yes
What About Renting a Car from the Miami Airport?
You can, of course, choose to rent a car directly at Miami International Airport (MIA), which can be a good fit for those who are already flying into the airport (rather than driving in and parking at PortMiami).
A popular option is to pick up your car at the airport as soon as you fly in, enjoy exploring and sightseeing ahead of your cruise, and then return the car to the rental office of your choice.
You could return the car to an office closer to the port (often for a surcharge), or why not take it back to the airport rental center and then take a shuttle between MIA and the cruise terminal.
Car Rental Offices at Miami Airport (Photo Credit: Solarisys / Shutterstock)
If you’re renting a car after your cruise rather than before it, you can plan for the same process, just in reverse, taking a shuttle from the airport to the ship, renting a car after disembarkation day, and later dropping your car off at the airport rental center before you finally board your flight home.
As for getting that shuttle between MIA and PortMiami, the Port of Miami shuttle offers service between MIA and the cruise terminals, as well as between the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and the cruise port of Miami — and it’s not the only business to cater to travelers going between the airport and their cruise ship.
SixtRide, for instance, is a service offered by Sixt Rent A Car that gives you a chauffeured ride to and from the port as well. So, you have options.
The MIA Rental Car Center is accessible from the airport via the MIA Mover that is located on Level 3 between the Dolphin and Flamingo Garages.
The MIA Rental Car Center offers a robust number of offerings, including rentals from ACE Rent A Car, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Carnival Rent A Car, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, Royal, Sixt Rent A Car and Thrifty.
What About Tolls for a Miami Rental Car?
A large number of major highways around Miami charge tolls. Luckily, you don’t need to carry a bunch of quarters or cash in your pocket so that you can pay those tolls as you drive around.
Miami uses the SunPass system, which uses license plate cameras and transponders for cashless tolling. It’s highly likely that your rental company has a toll-related fee already built into your rental agreement.
Sign for Miami Beach (Photo Credit: 4kclips)
So, for example, if you rent from Hertz, Dollar or Thrifty, you can choose an unlimited tolling option that costs $14.99 per day. However, if you do not opt in after your trip, you’ll be charged $9.99 per day that tolls are incurred, as well as the cost of each toll.
Avis, Budget, Payless, National, Alamo and Enterprise all have similar set-ups at different price points, and it’s generally in your best interest to take the unlimited toll option.
Getting from PortMiami to the Car Rental Office
If you don’t hire a shuttle service or book with a rental car office that provides free shuttle service, you’ll need to get to the car rental office on your own, from PortMiami. Thankfully, it won’t be too difficult.
You might have to wait longer for an Uber or Lyft than you would for a taxi that’s already ready and waiting by the curb, but you’ll find the pricing to be not too different. For example, if you’re traveling between the Miami cruise port and airport, you’ll pay about $20 for a rideshare and about $27 for a taxi.
Santorini has approved a new rule requiring more cruise passengers to come ashore through Fira Bay.
The change could lead to longer waits on busy cruise days.
The policy is part of broader efforts to manage more than 1.2 million cruise visitors.
Getting from a cruise ship to Santorini’s famous clifftop villages could take more planning this summer.
A new rule approved by Santorini’s Municipal Port Fund will change how cruise guests come ashore on the popular Greek Island. Under the policy, up to 70 percent of passengers from each cruise ship must disembark at Ormos Firon, also known as Fira Bay, while no more than 30 percent may arrive through Athinios Port.
The change could affect how quickly cruise visitors reach Fira and other popular parts of the island.
Many cruise visitors use Athinios as a way to avoid Santorini’s often-crowded cable car system. The cable car transports passengers between the waterfront below Fira and the town above, and long lines are common when multiple ships are in port.
With fewer passengers allowed to arrive through Athinios, more people may find themselves relying on the cable car to reach the island’s most popular areas.
The policy was approved unanimously by the Municipal Port Fund of Thira and will remain in effect until it is changed. Local officials said the new system is designed to improve safety, reduce congestion, and better manage traffic between the island’s ports.
Cruise Ships Visiting Santorini, Greece (Photo Credit: Ella Fogel)
In the decision, the board said the measure would support the “rational distribution of passenger and vehicle flows and smooth operation of ports” while helping ensure the “sustainable tourism management of the island.”
Officials also pointed to the need to ease pressure on Athinios, which serves as Santorini’s main ferry port and handles local and regional traffic in addition to cruise visitors.
Santorini’s Push to Manage Cruise Crowds
The new rule is the latest measure aimed at managing the large number of visitors arriving on the island during the cruise season.
The Greek island remains one of the most popular cruise destinations in the Mediterranean, attracting more than 1.2 million cruise passengers annually.
During the busiest days of the summer season, several ships can be anchored off the island at once, sending thousands of visitors ashore within a matter of hours.
Much of that traffic funnels through Fira, the island’s main cruise gateway, where passengers are transported ashore by tender boats.
The issue has gained national attention in Greece. Last year, the government approved a new cruise passenger fee for ships calling at Greek ports. Santorini and Mykonos were assigned the highest rates because of the number of visitors they receive each year.
During the peak summer season, cruise passengers visiting Santorini are charged €20 per person. Greek officials have said the fees are intended to help fund infrastructure improvements and other projects related to managing visitor traffic.
Santorini has also introduced an 8,000-passenger daily cap on cruise arrivals. Before the cap, some peak days saw more than 15,000 cruise visitors arrive.
The new arrival policy joins a growing list of measures introduced as Santorini seeks to balance its popularity with the demands placed on the island’s ports, roads, and transportation systems.
Workers blocked the main access road leading to the Costa Maya cruise port.
The protest forced the cancellation of shore excursions for cruise passengers.
Demonstrators say they are owed money from Royal Caribbean, which took over the port in 2025.
Cruise passengers arriving in Costa Maya on June 1, 2026, expected a typical day of beach breaks, Mayan ruins tours, and excursions along Mexico’s Caribbean coast. Instead, many found themselves stuck on buses or told their tours had been cancelled.
According to local news reports, workers blocked the main access road leading to the Costa Maya cruise port in Mahahual, Mexico, as part of a labor dispute.
The protests prevented vehicles and workers from entering or leaving the port area, creating challenges for cruise lines and local tour operators.
Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas, cruising from Galveston, Texas, and Enchantment of the Seas, sailing from Tampa, Florida, arrived for their calls at 7:00 and 8:00 a.m., respectively, only for passengers to board buses to nowhere during the visit.
Said one passenger, “Sat on a bus till 9:30 only to be told all excursions were cancelled. Couple of the locals told us it was because there were some workers on strike blocking the port exit.”
Reports indicate the protests focused on access roads serving the port area rather than cruise ships themselves, with the port a popular Western Caribbean stop for major cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, and Disney Cruise Line.
However, Royal Caribbean took over the Port of Mahahual in 2025, and reports indicate that protestors have not received profit-sharing payments from the company. The blockade of the port was meant to draw attention to their demands.
The disruption is not the first time protests have affected access to the port. Earlier this year, residents blocked access roads to the port while demanding infrastructure improvements from Royal Caribbean.
Port Mahahual, Costa Maya (Photo Credit: Mary Baratto)
The cruise company responded with an announcement of more funding toward the improvement of roads in Nuevo Mahahual.
On February 20, 2026, Royal Caribbean Mexico President Ari Adler said,“Royal Caribbean is proud to support the well-being and development of Nuevo Mahahual. We consider ourselves a neighbor in this community, independent of any tourism project.”
Royal Caribbean Faces Growing Opposition
The latest protest comes as Royal Caribbean faces increasing scrutiny over its growing presence in Mahahual.
After taking control of Costa Maya in 2025, it had since announced plans to transform the area into a major cruise destination, including the development of the 230-acre Perfect Day Mexico.
The project was expected to be the company’s largest private destination development to date, featuring attractions, beaches, pools, and shore-side experiences designed for cruise guests. Not everyone embraced those plans.
Community groups and environmental organizations raised concerns about the scale of development and its potential impact on the local ecosystems and residents. Those concerns gained momentum and on May 19, 2026, Mexico’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources rejected Royal Caribbean’s proposal for the project.
The decision was a major setback for Royal Caribbean, which told Cruise Hive following the ruling that “Mahahual is a special place that deserves care and protection.”
While this week’s labor dispute may be separate from the environmental concerns, both point to growing tensions surrounding Royal Caribbean’s plans for Costa Maya.
Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas are expected to arrive in Costa May on June 3 and 4 from Tampa and Galveston, respectively, leaving passengers to wonder if there will be more disruptions.
The CDC reported a gastrointestinal illness outbreak aboard National Geographic Sea Bird, a US-flagged ship.
Nine passengers and three crew members were affected.
The cause of the outbreak remains unknown.
Passengers on a small-ship expedition cruise in Alaska got a little more than they bargained for after a gastrointestinal illness spread among guests and crew during a recent sailing.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Vessel Sanitation Program reported the outbreak occurred aboard National Geographic Sea Bird, a small expedition vessel carrying 66 passengers and 24 crew members.
The sailing, operated by Lindblad Expeditions, was a 5-night voyage within Alaska’s Inside Passage that took place May 26 through May 31, 2026.
Unlike the large vessels operated by major cruise lines in Alaska, National Geographic Sea Bird sails under the US flag. The vessel is among a relatively small number of American-flagged cruise ships operating in US waters and is able to sail itineraries entirely within Alaska without calling in Canada, as required by most large cruise ships.
Nine passengers and three crew members reported symptoms consistent with acute gastroenteritis, which the CDC defines as three or more loose stools within a 24-hour period or vomiting accompanied by symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headache, muscle aches, or fever.
The outbreak was officially reported on May 28, just two days into the journey that included calls in Sitka, Haines, and the Inian Islands, Alaska, as well as scenic glacier days.
The CDC says samples were not provided by the affected guests or crew members, making it impossible to determine the cause of the outbreak that affected over 13 percent of passengers.
Although norovirus is a common cause of gastrointestinal illness on cruise ships, the cause of this outbreak remains unknown.
The National Geographic Sea Bird by Lindblad Expeditions (Photo Credit: National Geographic)
Lindblad Expeditions said crew members stepped up cleaning and disinfection efforts after the outbreak was reported. Passengers and crew who became ill were isolated from others onboard to help prevent additional cases.
The outbreak comes during the final season for National Geographic Sea Bird, a vessel that helped establish Lindblad Expeditions’ presence in the expedition cruise market.
A Bustling Opportunity for Illness
The outbreak aboard National Geographic Sea Bird comes during one of Alaska’s busiest cruise seasons on record, with dozens of ships carrying hundreds of thousands of passengers through the region between May and September 2026.
Major cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Celebrity Cruises, and several expedition operators, are all sailing Alaska itineraries this summer.
Like hotels and resorts, cruise ships occasionally experience gastrointestinal illness outbreaks. Because passengers share dining rooms, public restrooms, elevators, and other common areas, illnesses can move through a ship more easily once they are introduced.
Health officials remind passengers that one of the most effective ways to protect themselves is frequent handwashing with soap and water, particularly before eating and after using the restroom.
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can provide an additional layer of protection but are generally less effective against norovirus than proper handwashing.
Passengers who develop symptoms are encouraged to report them immediately to the ship’s medical center, as early reporting allows cruise lines to implement cleaning protocols and help prevent further spread.
This is the fifth US outbreak of 2026 following two norovirus outbreaks on Regent Seven Seas and Oceania Cruises, and two E. coli outbreaks on Princess Cruises.
National Geographic Sea Bird is currently sailing a subsequent 5-night journey in Alaska with no further reports of illness. The vessel will be arriving in Juneau on June 4, 2026.
The search for Wang Zyuan, who vanished during a cruise ship call in St. Kitts, has ended in tragedy.
An intensive, multi-day search concluded with rescuers finding Wang’s body on Mt. Liamuiga.
Caribbean authorities thanked the various organizations and volunteers who worked tirelessly to try to rescue the lost hiker.
The hunt for a missing cruise ship passenger has sadly come to a tragic conclusion less than a week after search and rescue efforts began.
Wang Zyuan, a Chinese man who became lost while hiking Mt. Liamuiga in St. Kitts on May 27, 2026, was found dead.
The Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF) confirmed that the 33-year-old had died in a Facebook post on June 1, 2026.
“It is with deep regret that the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF) confirms that Mr Wang Zyuan, who had been missing on the Mt. Liamuiga trail since Wednesday, May 27th, 2026, was located deceased on Monday, June 1st, 2026, by one of the search teams,”the post confirmed.
Caribbean authorities are now investigating the circumstances behind Wang’s death to try to figure out exactly what happened.
Cruise Hive previously reported that Wang called 911 after becoming lost on May 27 at around 2 p.m. local time, but quickly lost contact with first responders. Little is known about what happened to the hiker after that point.
It also still hasn’t been formally confirmed which cruise ship Wang was sailing on, though cruise tracking data shows Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas was the only vessel docked in Basseterre that day.
Additionally, it’s unclear if Wang was a cruise guest or a crew member. Royal Caribbean has not publicly identified him as an employee, but images of Wang seem to show him wearing a name tag.
Search Efforts Were Commendable
Although this situation didn’t end how anyone wanted, the people behind the rescue attempt still have the gratitude of the Caribbean authorities.
RSCNPF officers, the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force, the St. Kitts-Nevis Fire and Rescue Department, the Police Training School, the Forest Unit, the Red Cross, the Ross University K9 Unit, and civilian volunteers combed the stratovolcano for days.
Cruise Hiker Found
In addition to sending teams to search what is known as a highly challenging and physically demanding trail, authorities also attempted to use all the technology at their disposal, such as utilizing cell phone pings to pinpoint Wang’s location.
“Since May 27th, joint teams from the RSCNPF, the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force, the St. Kitts-Nevis Fire and Rescue Services, the Police Training School, the Forest Unit, the Red Cross, the Ross University K9 Unit, and dedicated community volunteers have searched the mountain daily,” RSCNPF wrote in its Facebook post.
“We are profoundly grateful to every person who gave their time and effort to this operation,” the police force continued.
While Wang was not found alive, their efforts mean that his body can be returned to his family and that his loved ones will have closure to help them heal from this tragedy.
Cruise Hive joins the RSCNPF in sending our heartfelt condolences to Wang’s family and friends.
Not The First Hiking-Related Cruise Death
Unfortunately, this is not the first time a cruise passenger (or potential employee) has lost their lives while hiking during a port call. Last year, Cruise Hive reported on three separate deaths that were related to hiking.
Most recently, an 81-year-old female guest died on Australia’s Lizard Island after being left behind by a Coral Expeditions ship in October 2025.
She was unable to complete the challenging hike to Cook’s Look, and somehow, no one noticed that she failed to return to her cruise ship.
Earlier in the year, two separate hiking tragedies unfolded in Alaska. In July, a missing cruise guest from Norwegian Bliss was found deceased 1,700 feet below the ridge line of a hiking trail in Juneau.
In September, two more cruise guests fell from a different trail in Juneau, and only one of the men survived.
Hopefully, this is the last of the hiking tragedies that will impact the cruise community going forward.
RelaxAway at Half Moon Cay celebrated its major expansion on June 1, 2026, following a massive renovation.
Guests will find expanded beach facilities, new dining venues, and upgraded amenities across the island.
The project added a new pier that allows Carnival Cruise Line’s largest ships to visit.
One of the Caribbean’s most recognizable private cruise destinations just got its biggest makeover in nearly three decades.
On June 1, 2026, Carnival Cruise Line celebrated the completion of a series of upgrades at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, with a ribbon cutting that included Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy.
The project introduces a collection of new amenities, expanded beachfront space, and upgraded transportation infrastructure at the private Bahamian destination, which has been a fixture on Carnival itineraries for years.
Among the most significant additions is a new pier, ending one of the destination’s long-standing challenges. Until now, some guests arriving at Half Moon Cay were required to tender ashore. The new facility will allow ships to dock directly, significantly increasing the number and type of vessels able to visit the island.
The pier also opens the destination to Carnival Cruise Line’s Excel-class ships, including Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee. Those vessels have been unable to call regularly because of tendering limitations.
Visitors will also find a broader range of beach amenities, including new complimentary loungers and umbrellas, as well as cabanas and daybeds for guests looking for a more private experience.
Upgraded Relaxaway, Half Moon Cay Opens
Several new food and beverage venues are now open as well. Orchid Beach Grill and Hibiscus Beach Grill serve buffet-style meals, while Luna Tide Beach Bar, Stay Awhile Beach Sack, and Lil’ Tiki Bar offer additional places to grab drinks and snacks throughout the day.
Getting around the island has also become easier. A new tram service connects different areas of the destination, while the newly added Papaya Pathway provides a scenic walking route for guests who prefer to explore on foot.
Work has also been completed on upgrades to portions of the island’s south side, including refreshed design elements and improvements to existing food and beverage facilities.
“RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay’s natural beauty has always made it a favorite for our guests and with the new pier, more ships can now easily access this incredible destination,” said Duffy.
She added, “We’re excited that more guests than ever will be able to experience the stunning beachfront and turquoise waters.”
Upgraded Relaxaway, Half Moon Cay Opens
The first vessel arriving to the newly completed destination was Carnival Sunrise, which docked at the pier at 8:00 a.m. on June 1, departing at 4 p.m.
Carnival Sunshine is arriving on June 2 from Norfolk, Virginia, and Carnival Dream and Carnival Pride will visit on June 3, from Miami and Baltimore, respectively.
Half Moon Cay’s Growth
The upgrades to Half Moon Cay come as cruise lines continue investing heavily in private destinations throughout the Caribbean, including Norwegian Cruise Line, which is expanding its Great Stirrup Cay destination, and Royal Caribbean, which is expanding its successful Perfect Day at CocoCay to other Caribbean destinations.
But long before private islands became a major battleground among cruise lines, Half Moon Cay was setting the standard.
The destination first opened in December 1997 after being developed by Holland America Line on Little San Salvador Island in the Bahamas. The island quickly earned a reputation for its wide beaches and undeveloped landscape.
Today, Half Moon Cay is shared by several brands within Carnival Corporation, including Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, and Holland America Line. Carnival says 22 ships from its fleet currently visit the destination, with sailings departing from homeports across the US.
Carnival Corporation first announced plans to enhance the destination in 2024, focusing on improvements while maintaining the natural character that made the island popular in the first place.
Half Moon Cay is part of the company’s Paradise Collection, which also includes Celebration Key, which opened on Grand Bahama in 2025, and Mahogany Bay in Honduras.
Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady returned to service following a two-week dry dock.
The ship received major upgrades and overhauls, including a brand new dining venue.
She went right back into service, offering Mediterranean and European itineraries through Autumn 2026.
Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady is back and better than ever following a two-week dry dock at Fincantieri’s Palermo shipyard.
The 110,000 gross ton ship entered dry dock on May 9, 2026, and finished up on Memorial Day, May 25. The ship is only six years old, having originally launched in May of 2020, but Virgin Voyages clearly has no intention of letting her become outdated.
“Valiant Lady was already one of the most compelling ships at sea, but we kept asking ourselves how to make her even more worth coming back for,”said Nirmal Saverimuttu, CEO of Virgin Voyages.
More than just a touch-up, this dry dock was a full-on refurbishment, upgrading spaces throughout the ship as well as introducing brand new venues. Cruise Hive has gotten the scoop on all of the exciting upgrades.
New retail options have been added, including onboard TAG Heuer and Pandora shops. Additionally, a ton of spaces onboard received upgrades and refreshes.
The Athletic Club on Deck 16 now features new shaded daybeds and upgraded ocean view lounge seating.
The central hub of the ship, The Roundabout, has received a facelift as well, now adorned in the ship’s signature plum color and new furniture. On the Rocks, the ship’s center bar located just below The Roundabout, has improved guests’ sight-lines by relocating a stage and adding additional seating.
Aquatic Club, Valiant Lady Dry Dock (Photo Credit: George Lozada)
Additionally, The Dock has added a windscreen and a new stage setup to remain as comfortable as possible in changing weather conditions.
In The Manor, the ship’s main late-night entertainment venue, Virgin Voyages has removed the raised platforms to open up the space to more freedom of movement on the dance floor.
Finally, to keep the party going and the drinks flowing, The Grounds Club Too, a specialty coffee shop in The Galley on Deck 15, now transforms into a full bar in the late afternoon and into the night.
But it’s not just spaces that have gotten an overhaul. Onboard entertainment has also been refreshed with new interactive shows and games to get everyone in on the fun.
New offerings include Sports Smarts in the Red Room theater, where you put your sports trivia knowledge to the test alongside your physical fitness through various challenges.
Or, if you’re more into spilling tea, you may prefer Dirty Laundry, which, according to Virgin Voyages, “turns strangers into teammates, secrets into conversation starters…”
The foodies amongst us may be more interested in some of the brand new food and drink experiences, such as Trust Your Tongue, in which you’ll rank unconventional flavor combinations.
And, speaking of food, perhaps the biggest change onboard is the addition of Ariya by Razzle Dazzle. Announced back in March 2026, Ariya is an upscale new restaurant serving modern Indian cuisine.
Ariya, Valiant Lady (Photo Credit: George Lozada)
Developed in partnership with Indie Culinaire and acclaimed Indian-American chef Maneet Chauhan, Ariya seats 220 guests, serving food inspired by dishes across India, in a setting inspired by the country’s many eclectic spice markets. The dining venue’s name is taken from the great-great-grandmother of Virgin Voyages’ founder, Sir Richard Branson.
The menu will feature Indian classics like Lamb Shank Biryani, puffed rice, and avocado chaat, as well as unique Indian-inspired cocktails.
Valiant Lady Is Already Sailing Again
Following this overhaul, Valiant Lady went right back into service, departing on her first post-dry-dock sailing on May 31, 2026. This sailing departed from Barcelona on a seven-day Spanish Isles itinerary, stopping at Palma de Mallorca, Civitavecchia, Cannes, and Ibiza before returning to Barcelona on June 6.
She continues to sail Mediterranean and European itineraries, including a 12-night “Total Eclipse of the Med” full solar eclipse Mediterranean cruise on August 10, 2026, from Barcelona, and the seven-night “Virgin Voyages Comedy Fest” sailing from Portsmouth in the UK on August 20, 2026.
In September 2026, she will reposition to New York for five to six-day Bermuda sailings and then onward to San Juan, where she will offer six to eight-night Caribbean cruises through April 2027.
If you’re looking forward to experiencing all of the upgrades and new spaces aboard Valiant Lady, there are a lot of itineraries to choose from!
Norwegian Cruise Line has cancelled Norwegian Viva sailings from San Juan, Puerto Rico in 2028.
The cruises, scheduled between January 2 and July 23, 2028, are being cancelled due to port availability issues.
The ship will instead sail from Miami to the Bahamas.
Passengers planning Southern Caribbean vacations aboard Norwegian Viva are facing unexpected changes after Norwegian Cruise Line cancelled a series of sailings from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The cruise line notified guests and travel advisors on June 1, 2026, that Norwegian Viva’s 7-night departures from San Juan scheduled between January 2, 2028, and July 23, 2028, will no longer operate.
In a letter sent to booked guests, the cruise line said the move is tied to changes in the deployment schedule of the newer Prima-class vessel, which entered service in 2023. The 3,195-passenger ship will now be operating out of Port Miami in Florida in 2028.
“While we try to maintain original itineraries as much as possible, at times modifications are made to optimize voyages due to changing port availability. As a result of port availability, Norwegian Viva’s sailings from January 2, 2028, through July 23, 2028, have been cancelled,” the notice stated.
The cancelled voyages were part of the 142,500-gross-ton ship’s Southern Caribbean program from Puerto Rico, which offered roundtrip itineraries to destinations throughout the region. The cruise line did not provide additional details about the port availability issues.
Guests booked on the affected voyages are now being automatically removed from their reservations and offered refunds or future cruise incentives as the cruise line works to reaccommodate travelers.
Norwegian Viva in Puerto Rico (Photo Courtesy: NCL)
Following Norwegian Viva’s redeployment, the ship will operate short Bahamas cruises from Miami. Those itineraries will include calls at Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island destination, Great Stirrup Cay, which is currently undergoing renovations and enhancements.
Alternatives, Refunds and Future Cruise Credits
Norwegian Cruise Line is providing several options for passengers impacted by the cancellations.
For guests still interested in sailing from San Juan, the company is directing passengers toward alternative Southern Caribbean itineraries aboard Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Viva’s sister ship in the Prima Class.
Norwegian Prima will operate similar roundtrip cruises from Puerto Rico and visit many of the same destinations originally scheduled for Norwegian Viva, providing minimal disruption to travel plans.
Its 7-night voyages will visit the British Virgin Islands, St. Kitts, Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Passengers who choose not to rebook will receive a full refund automatically. The cruise line said refunds will be returned to the original form of payment used at the time of booking.
Refund processing will begin within 30 business days. Guests who paid using Future Cruise Credits will have those credits automatically reinstated to their Latitudes Rewards accounts within 10 days of the cancellation date.
In addition to refunds, Norwegian Cruise Line is offering passengers a 10 percent Future Cruise Credit that can be applied toward any published sailing through December 31, 2028. The credit becomes available beginning June 8, 2026.
The company did not announce any additional compensation beyond the refund and the Future Cruise Credit offer, as passengers have ample time to rebook a cruise without losing deposits
