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Virgin Voyages Makes a Wi-Fi Change Passengers Didn’t Expect

Lissa Poirot
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Virgin Voyages Makes a Wi-Fi Change Passengers Didn’t Expect

For those lucky enough to work remotely, Virgin Voyages has been quietly integrating a new update to its onboard Wi-Fi to offer a more premium option.

The “Work from Sea” plan targets those who can or need to bring their laptops onboard while sailing. It is meant to support virtual meetings and improved streaming services.

However, the premium service comes at a hefty cost of $50 per day for a Voyage Pass, with the same price applied for each additional device. This means guests must pay twice – with no discount – to have it on their laptop and their phone.

Additionally, the plan is not available as a 24-hour pass option for those who may need to do just a little work while cruising.

Although not yet advertised on Virgin Voyages’ website, one passenger sailing on Scarlet Lady in the Western Caribbean from Miami spotted the upgrade while trying to utilize the Premium Wi-Fi, originally the highest tier.

“Indulge in our fastest connection speeds (5x that of Classic wifi!) – optimized for virtual meetings and work tools like VPN,” said Virgin Voyages. “Stream videos and music, and browse websites with ease.”

The passenger noted the Premium plan’s capabilities had been downgraded, with Virgin Voyages touting the plan is 2x faster than its basic Classic plan, and can manage streaming and video calling.

Read Also: Do Cruise Ships Have Wi-Fi – 5 Things to Know

Guests took to social media to share their frustration at the new plan, with many accusing the cruise line of nickel-and-diming passengers and deliberately reducing Wi-Fi speeds on lower-tiered plans.

Other guests noticed the biggest difference between the two plans is the Work from Sea plan is the only option for VPN services.

“No VPN outside the Work from Sea option is a bit ridiculous. My work computer is a brick without a VPN,” said one passenger. “I don’t need video meetings, but I’ll have to pay for the highest level just to access emails on that laptop.”

Evolving Connectivity on Virgin Voyages

Virgin Voyages, which confirmed the updated Wi-Fi plans, is now offering them fleetwide on Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, and Resilient Lady, all 110,000-gross-ton ships that accommodate 2,770 passengers.

The Classic Wi-Fi plan remains the basic, complimentary service for browsing, emailing, and accessing social media platforms.

This plan is available on one device per person and offers essential online needs for passengers who want minimal internet access at sea.

Said one passenger, “Just got off the Scarlet Lady. The free plan was good. Could play most games and was streaming Whatnot auctions.”

Cruise Wi-Fi
Cruise Wi-Fi

A step above, the revised Premium Wi-Fi is now a mid-tier option that can handle streaming, video calls, and enhanced social media engagement. However, VPN access was removed from the plan’s offerings.

It is priced at $40 for a 24-hour pass or $30 per day when opting for a Voyage Pass, which covers the cruise duration from the time of purchase.

Guests who are booked in Mega RockStar suites, who have Deep Blue Extras (offered after sailing four times on Virgin Voyages), or who are members of the cruise line’s private 485C loyalty club receive Premium service for free.

The Work from Sea plan offers the most robust internet connection and can accommodate audio and video calls, virtual meetings, gaming, streaming, and VPN.

Annual Pass and Summer Season Pass holders will now receive Work from Sea Wi-Fi instead of the Premium option. The new Wi-Fi tiers will also apply to Brilliant Lady when she debuts in New York in September 2025.

With Queen Anne’s First Visit, Cunard Makes a Splash at PortMiami

Donna Tunney
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With Queen Anne’s First Visit, Cunard Makes a Splash at PortMiami

Cunard’s Queen Anne continued to make history as the 3,000-guest ship, the line’s first new-build in 14 years, expanded her North American port calls to Miami.

The ship, which debuted in Europe in May 2024, is sailing her inaugural world cruise on an itinerary that featured her maiden transatlantic crossing. Queen Anne’s first North American stop was New York’s Brooklyn Cruise Terminal on January 18, 2025.

Her visit to PortMiami on January 21, 2025, precedes Queen Anne’s journey to Central and South America, and beyond, as her 107-day world voyage continues. 

The ship’s visit to Miami was celebratory and featured a performance by American actress and Broadway star Sutton Foster, winner of two Tony Awards, in Queen Anne’s Royal Court Theatre.

Foster’s appearance on the Cunard new-build was a precursor to another planned performance by the actress aboard the line’s Queen Elizabeth, when that ship homeports in Miami for the winter 2025-26 season. Details of Foster’s performance on the 2,080-guest ship have not yet been announced.

“We were incredibly proud to be in Miami today to celebrate our new ship Queen Anne during her North America debut,” said Katie McAlister, president of Cunard. 

“We are equally excited to call Miami home when Queen Elizabeth begins her Caribbean season from this vibrant city later this year. We’re honored and excited to bring guests our signature White Star Service, and compelling entertainment, wellness, and culinary offerings to their Caribbean voyage experience,” McAlister added.

Foster, who won a Tony Award in 2002 for her role as Millie Dillmount in “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” and in 2011 for her performance as Reno Sweeney in “Anything Goes,” cited Cunard’s support for the performing arts and is looking forward to sailing aboard Queen Elizabeth. 

“I am so thrilled to have the opportunity to sail and perform on board Queen Elizabeth during the ship’s first Caribbean season. It’s gratifying to see Cunard’s dedication for the performing arts, bringing their guests truly special entertainment experiences and I’m delighted to have asked to be a part of that,” said Sutton Foster.

As Queen Anne continues on her world cruise, Cunard is planning ahead for Queen Elizabeth’s deployment to PortMiami, starting in October 2025. Queen Elizabeth, which entered service in 2010 and was Cunard’s newest ship before Queen Anne launched, will arrive in PortMiami following a summer 2025 program in Alaska.

Two-time Tony Award Winner Sutton Foster
Two-time Tony Award Winner Sutton Foster

Her Caribbean schedule was announced in February 2024, along with other Cunard ship deployments. In addition to Queen Anne and Queen Elizabeth, the iconic UK brand operates the 2,060-guest Queen Victoria, launched in 2007, and the 2,700-guest Queen Mary 2, which began sailing in 2003.

Ship to Sail Cunard’s First Full Season From Miami

Following her Alaska season, Queen Elizabeth will operate a 40-night repositioning cruise from Seattle to Miami, departing on September 18, 2025 and arriving at the South Florida port on October 28, 2025. 

Read Also: 14 Cruise Etiquette Rules You Need to Know About

From Miami, the ship will offer 9-night Western Caribbean cruises, 12-night Eastern Caribbean itineraries, and 21-night voyages that feature ports in both regions of the Caribbean. 

Eastern Caribbean sailings will call at Antigua, St. Lucia, Barbados, St. Maarten, and Tortola. Western Caribbean voyages will visit Jamaica, Honduras, and Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico.

Queen Elizabeth will homeport in Miami until April 2026, representing the first time a Cunard ship has been based there for a full season.

Following her PortMiami deployment, Queen Elizabeth will return to Seattle for another summer series of Alaska voyages.

Disney Cruise Line Increases Gratuities Twice in Three Months

Melissa Mayntz
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Disney Cruise Line Increases Gratuities Twice in Three Months

In a surprise move, Disney Cruise Line has once more increased the amount for the recommended gratuities, the second such increase in just three months.

These gratuities are paid to crew members who offer personal onboard services, including the dedicated dining room staff and stateroom hosts.

The new rates, effective from January 22, 2025, are $16 (USD) per person, per day for standard rooms and $27.25 per person, per day for Concierge-level staterooms and suites.

Just days ago, the rates were $14.50 and $23.50, respectively. This latest increase is a hike of roughly 10% for standard staterooms, and 14% for the more luxurious accommodations with more personalized services.

All cruise lines increase gratuity rates periodically, just as all prices increase over time. What is most surprising about this latest gratuity increase, however, is that Disney Cruise Line just raised some of its gratuities in October 2024.

At that time, the rate for standard stateroom categories was not changed, but the concierge and suite gratuity rate was previously $15.50. The October increase brought the rate to $23.50. Now, the further increase to $27.25 is a total of 76% higher than just a few months ago.

This can be a significant budget blow for travelers, especially families. For a family of four on a 7-night Disney cruise traveling in a concierge stateroom, for example, gratuities would now total $763. Just a few months ago, those gratuities would have been $434.

Similarly, in a standard stateroom, gratuities for a family of four on a 7-night sailing will now be $448, rather than the $406 under the previous rate.

The increase to standard gratuities is not so surprising, as those rates were not changed in October. In fact, the new $16 per person, per day rate is the same as the suggested gratuities for Carnival Cruise Line (also $16), slightly lower than Royal Caribbean ($18.50), a good bit lower than Norwegian Cruise Line ($20), and the same as MSC Cruises ($16).

Disney Cruise Line does have the highest gratuity rate for suites and upper level staterooms, however. Comparatively, Carnival Cruise Line suggests $18, Royal Caribbean’s rate is $21, Norwegian Cruise Line is $25, and MSC Cruises is $20.

All gratuity rates are per person, per day. On Disney Cruise Line, this applies for guests of any age – even very young children – while Carnival Cruise Line and MSC Cruises, no service charge or gratuities are applied to children under two years old. On Norwegian Cruise Line, guests under three years old are not charged.

Like Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean does automatically apply gratuities for travelers of all ages.

Are the Gratuity Rates Justified?

While it can be startling for cruisers to see gratuities automatically added to their onboard accounts, there is no doubt that onboard crew members work hard to earn that recognition.

Disney Cruise Line, in particular, is well-known for its exceptional service, bringing the company’s iconic magic to every sailing and ensuring that guests have amazingly memorable cruise vacations.

Disney Dream in the Bahamas
Disney Dream in the Bahamas (Photo Credit: Adam McCullough)

The gratuities are split among each guest’s dining room team – the server, assistant server, and head server. Those crew members move to each successive dining room with their assigned guests on Disney Cruise Line’s rotational dining arrangement, ensuring familiar, personalized service each night.

The stateroom host also receives a portion of the gratuities. This crew member is responsible for cleaning staterooms, refreshing towels, and ensuring that all features of the individual cabins are up to Disney Cruise Line’s high standards.

Read Also: What a Cruise Ship Cabin Steward Really Does

In suites and concierge-level staterooms, the gratuities are also extended to the assistant stateroom host as well as the Concierge Lounge team that provides additional service and personalization for all guests.

Travelers always have the discretion to adjust gratuities at the Guest Services desk if they wish, or extra cash may be offered to crew members who offer a truly exceptional experience.

Virgin Voyages Alters Upcoming Sailing Due to Maintenance

Catie Kovelman
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Virgin Voyages Alters Upcoming Sailing Due to Maintenance

With the exception of when cruise ships enter dry dock to undergo more significant maintenance, routine inspections, and larger overhauls, they are essentially operating sailings 24/7, 365 days a year.

Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady is no exception – and sometimes operating at this capacity means adjusting itineraries to address maintenance needs that pop up. 

This is the case for the 2,770-guest ship’s upcoming Dominican Daze voyage that is due to embark from Miami, Florida, on January 31, 2025. 

The 5-night sailing was supposed to call on Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; and Bimini Islands, Bahamas – but has had to exchange the visit to Puerto Plata on February 2 with a day in Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos, due to unspecified maintenance needs. 

The visit to Bimini Islands on February 4 remains unaffected. 

“To keep Valiant Lady ship-shape, our Crew needs to perform some extra maintenance that will impact the amount of time we have in port. To ensure we provide you with an incredible experience and the same amount of time in port stops, we’re adjusting our itinerary and replacing Puerto Plata with Grand Turk in the beautiful Turks & Caicos,” Virgin Voyages wrote to impacted passengers.

The adults-only cruise line did not specify exactly what needed to be done or when the maintenance will take place, but it will most likely be completed in PortMiami before heading back to sea – perhaps delaying the previously scheduled 6 p.m. EST departure time on embarkation day. 

This would make sense – as Grand Turk is over 100 nautical miles closer to the cruise port than Puerto Plata. 

It’s also worth noting that passengers currently onboard the 110,000-gross ton ship – which embarked on the same Dominican Daze itinerary on January 17, 2025 – also reported that their cruise switched from Puerto Plata to Grand Turk.

It’s unclear if maintenance was also the culprit in this case – although some current guests reported that work was being completed on one of the engines. This, however, has not been confirmed by Virgin Voyages.

Could More Sailings be Impacted? 

According to cruise tracking data, the identical Dominican Daze itinerary will be offered several more times from now until the end of October 2025 – with cruise tracking data showing Puerto Plata included on subsequent voyages. 

The ship alternates between this itinerary, 5-night Riviera Maya cruises, and 4-night Fire Sunset Soiree sailings – all of which are based out of Miami.

So far, only the current and upcoming Dominican Daze itineraries seem to have been impacted – but since it’s happened twice, it could happen again. As always, Virgin Voyages will communicate any changes that might arise with booked guests as soon as possible. 

That said, Valiant Lady isn’t known for maintenance issues or breaking down. Some passengers reported plumbing issues and flooding in December 2024, but as a relatively young vessel, she doesn’t have a reputation as being a “problem ship.”

Valiant Lady Cruise Ship
Valiant Lady Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Wayleebird)

Her maiden voyage was only about three years ago in March of 2022 – meaning she is still a bit too young to have made her first routine dry dock visit since entering service. 

Read Also: Grand Turk Cruise Port: Pier, Facilities and What’s Nearby

But while changing the itinerary at the last minute can be an inconvenience, many impacted passengers have actually seen the port switch as an upgrade – suggesting future guests might not feel too disappointed either if the change were to occur again. 

“On ship now. We were changed to Grand Turk as well…WORTH IT!!!! I highly recommend the two hour golf cart tour, SO much fun. I’m on Dominican Daze again in April and I hope we get [Grand Turk] again,” one current guest shared. 

“That happened on our 1/17 sailing – no complaints – Grand Turk is beautiful and so nice,” another passenger added. 

“Walk to the left of the ship and find Jack Shack. The sand, the water, the drinks…it’s all you need!”, a third cruiser recommended.

Indeed, the popular port is known for its diving, snorkeling, beaches, and its historic lighthouse – and many would agree that it isn’t a bad place to spend a day.

Celebrity Cruises is Seeking Help to Define its New Ship

Catie Kovelman
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Celebrity Cruises is Seeking Help to Define its New Ship

The cruise lines are no stranger to seeking customer feedback. In fact, most cruisers will tell you they received a survey after their sailing asking about their experience and what potential improvements could be made. 

However, Celebrity Cruises is making history by changing the way it collects feedback. Instead of surveying guests after their voyage, Celebrity is inviting vacationers to inform the experiences that will be offered on its upcoming new-build, Celebrity Xcel, before she even enters service at the end of 2025. 

As part of the first-of-its-kind “Xcel Dream Makers” program, the global cruise community is invited to sample and vote on experiences for the fifth Edge-class ship – giving consumers the final say on the 3,260-passenger vessel’s offerings by attending in person events and responding to online polls. 

With the sixth Edge-class ship officially ordered with an anticipated launch in 2028, it’s also possible that the insights learned from the “Dream Makers” program now will inform the offerings not just onboard Celebrity Xcel, but also for her newly announced sister ship. 

“We want to ensure our guests love our products and experiences, so involving them in the process to perfect Celebrity Xcel was a great way to achieve this,” said Michael Scheiner, chief marketing and product officer of Celebrity Cruises.

“Celebrity Cruises is known for ground-breaking innovation in ship design and experiences unlike any other at sea, when Xcel launches guests won’t have just found their happy place, they’ll have helped us build it,” continued Scheiner.

Participants will specifically help with perfecting the ship’s design and decor, as well as the culinary and entertainment offerings onboard. 

Some examples of where cruisers may be asked to weigh in include choosing their favorite interior design elements and textiles, ranking their favorite dishes and drinks, selecting table settings, and giving input on props, costumes, and playlists for performances. 

Anyone is welcomed to participate in the program – and interested cruisers can sign up to receive more information on Celebrity’s website. Those that express interest will be sent official registration forms on February 8, 2025. 

Next Celebrity Ship Already Making History

In addition to acting as the catalyst for the new “Dream Makers” program, Celebrity Xcel has already been designed as a trailblazer in the cruise industry.

For example, the 141,420-gross ton ship will launch with the first tri-fuel capable engine, which is a greener alternative to the standard diesel engines of the past. 

This marks an important step forward in Royal Caribbean’s commitment to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 – which is the parent company of Celebrity Cruises. 

While many of the new experiences onboard are yet to be announced – and may still need to be determined by the “Dream Maker” crowdsourcing program – there have already been hints that the new ship will provide an all-day “date night” experience, complete with a new brunch and dance parties.

Celebrity Xcel Cruise Ship
Celebrity Xcel Cruise Ship (Photo Courtesy: Celebrity Cruises)

That said, the mega-ship did just celebrate an important milestone that marks the completion of her exterior when she floated out from dry dock at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, on January 18, 2025. 

Read Also: Cruise Hive Discussion Boards: Who is Looking Forward to Celebrity Xcel?

More experiences and innovations to be enjoyed onboard will likely be unveiled as the new ship’s maiden voyage approaches and her interior is finalized. 

Speaking of which, Celebrity Xcel will officially enter service with a 5-night Bahamas cruise embarking from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on November 18, 2025. The inaugural itinerary features calls on Cozumel, Mexico, and Bimini Islands, Bahamas. 

From there, the new addition will spend her inaugural season sailing seven-night itineraries that alternative between the Bahamas, Mexico, the Cayman Islands, Puerto Plata, St. Tomas, and St. Maarten. 

Her deployments for 2026 have also already been announced – and include an inaugural summer season operating voyages in the Mediterranean before repositioning to PortMiami in Florida for the winter. 

Celebrity Cruises to Expand Its Fleet with Another Edge-Class Ship

Melissa Mayntz
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Celebrity Cruises to Expand Its Fleet with Another Edge-Class Ship

Royal Caribbean Group has formally ordered a sixth vessel for the award-winning Edge class of Celebrity Cruises. The new ship will be built at Chantiers de l’Atlantique with delivery in 2028, and will be a sister ship for the upcoming Celebrity Xcel.

The Edge-class vessels have proven enormously popular for the premium cruise line, with their innovative features that offer guests immersive experiences. The instantly recognizable Magic Carpet, for example, brings guests closer to the sea with unparalleled views and transformative uses for superior versatility.

“The strong ties between Chantiers de l’Atlantique and Royal Caribbean Group have led to the creation of the unique Edge Series design,” said Laurent Castaing, Chief Executive Officer, Chantiers de l’Atlantique.

“This sixth ship marks the epitome of a pioneering series in the cruise industry that is both elegant, high-performing, and ever more innovative.”

No details have been announced about the eighth ship in the series other than she will be a sister to Celebrity Xcel, which will debut in November 2025 from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Celebrity Xcel is set to bring even more new experiences to guests, including the new Xcel Dream Makers that will incorporate guest-driven decisions into the ship’s design.

“Celebrity Xcel will be the happy place of vacationers globally when she launches in November and we’re thrilled to be making this commitment to bring her a sister ship in Edge 6,” said Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises.

“Celebrity Xcel will take forward the best of Edge Series ships coupled with seven new experiences, all perfected with the help of our recently announced Xcel Dream Makers – an industry first program enlisting the power of cruisers to make final decisions across culinary, interior design, and entertainment.”

When the new ship debuts in 2028, she will continue what will then be a 10-year-legacy of innovative excellence in the class, following Celebrity Edge (2018), Celebrity Apex (2020), Celebrity Beyond (2022), Celebrity Ascent (2023), and Celebrity Xcel (2025).

“Celebrity’s Edge Series redefined premium travel at sea, blending groundbreaking design and unforgettable guest experiences. Each ship in this award-winning series has set a new standard for the industry, and Celebrity Xcel, sailing later this year, is no exception,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group.

Celebrity Xcel Cruise Ship
Celebrity Xcel Cruise Ship (Photo Courtesy: Celebrity Cruises)

“Partnering with Chantiers de l’Atlantique to expand the Edge Series with Edge 6 is another milestone in our mission to deliver the world’s best vacations responsibly.”

The new ship’s name, homeport, new features, or possible itineraries are not yet available, though all these and more are sure to be released in the time leading up to the new ship’s delivery and debut.

Royal Caribbean Group Expanding for All Cruisers

The new ship will further expand Royal Caribbean Group’s commitment to growth in all sectors to suit all cruise passengers.

The company now has six new ships on order across its three brands – Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises.

Coming up for Royal Caribbean is the much-anticipated Star of the Seas, the second ginormous Icon-class vessel. She has already floated out and is undergoing her next phase of construction ahead of her August 31, 2025 debut from Port Canaveral, Florida.

Two more as-yet-unnamed Icon-class ships have already been ordered for 2026 and 2027, as well as a surprise seventh ship for the wildly popular Oasis class, which will join the fleet in 2028.

Celebrity Xcel and now the new sixth Edge-class ship are the only two vessels on order for Celebrity Cruises.

Read Also: Who Owns Celebrity Cruises?

While no new ships are currently on order for luxury brand Silversea, Silver Nova (2023) and Silver Ray (2024) are the largest ships ever built for that line and bring outstanding features to discerning travelers.

The new ships across all brands will be particularly interesting to frequent travelers, as the company offers a loyalty status match across all its brands. This gives guests even more options to enjoy the cruise vacation of their choice with all the benefits they have earned across all three fleets.

Norwegian Cruise Line Adds a Major New Debarkation Option

Melissa Mayntz
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Norwegian Cruise Line Adds a Major New Debarkation Option

Getting up early on a hectic debarkation morning can really put a damper on those post-cruise-vacation vibes.

Norwegian Cruise Line, however, is now offering a late checkout service on select ships and European sailings. This will give guests a chance to sleep in and enjoy just a few more hours of relaxation before they head home.

This new service will allow guests to remain onboard their ship until approximately 12:30-1 p.m. Until that time, they can enjoy the ship’s available amenities as well as a dedicated buffet lunch.

Guests will still need to vacate their staterooms by 8:30 a.m. Luggage will be stored securely at the cruise terminal until guests leave the ship.

It should be noted that certain onboard services may not be available on debarkation day due to port regulations and crew members being engaged in debarkation duties.

For debarkation, Late Checkout guests will meet in a designated area onboard at 12:30-1 p.m., and will then depart the vessel at 1-1:30 p.m. to head to the airport. The exact departure time will depend on the debarkation port and may vary on different sailings.

The Late Checkout Service is debuting for the 2025 European season at an extra cost for interested travelers. The rate is published at $49 (USD) for adults and $39 for children, ages 3-12. Children under three are free.

Rates may be adjusted as the service is refined, and could vary for different homeports.

To be eligible for the Late Checkout Service, guests must be flying after the cruise and listed on the cruise line’s Air/Sea manifest (onward travel information provided at check-in). It is recommended, though not required, for guests to purchase an airport transfer through Norwegian Cruise Line.

Naturally, guests ought to have late flights in order to take advantage of this new service.

Norwegian Cruise Line recommends that travelers in Barcelona, Lisbon, and Reykjavik have flights departing after 5 p.m. Travelers in Trieste, Civitavecchia/Rome, Piraeus/Athens, and Southampton should have flights after 6 p.m.

Which Ships Are Offering Late Checkout?

This new program is being piloted on select Norwegian Cruise Line ships and sailings for the 2025 season.

Late Checkout is being offered on select sailings from the following ships:

  • Norwegian Breakaway (Barcelona and Trieste)
  • Norwegian Star (Lisbon, Southampton, and Reykjavik)
  • Norwegian Viva (Lisbon, Civitavecchia, Piraeus, and Trieste)
  • Norwegian Prima (Southampton and Reykjavik)
  • Norwegian Sky (Barcelona, Civitavecchia, Lisbon, and Trieste)
  • Norwegian Epic (Civitavecchia and Lisbon)
  • Norwegian Pearl (Southampton, Civitavecchia, Piraeus, and Trieste)
  • Norwegian Dawn (Lisbon, Civitavecchia, Trieste, Southampton, and Barcelona)

Booked guests should confirm whether or not their sailing departure date is one that will offer the Late Checkout service. Space may be limited and reservations could fill up quickly based on shuttle capacities.

Norwegian Cruise Line in Southampton, UK
Norwegian Cruise Line in Southampton, UK (Photo Credit: Skyshark Media)

At this time, the service is not being offered in other destinations, such as Alaska or Caribbean sailings.

Read Also: How Long Does It Take to Get Off a Cruise Ship?

As this is the first time Norwegian Cruise Line has offered a Late Checkout service, it is possible this pilot program may be expanded to additional homeports if it is successful and popular.

Factors that could contribute to any expansion include how easy it is to reach local airports, how many guests are interested in the service, and whether or not onboard operations are negatively impacted by guests staying later on the ship.

It is also unknown whether or not this may have an impact on embarkation for incoming guests. On many European sailings, however, guests can embark and debark at many ports of call.

Cruise ship crews are well experienced with this type of operation and scheduling, and Late Checkout should proceed smoothly.

Construction Begins for Two-Ship Pier at Great Stirrup Cay

Donna Tunney
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Construction Begins for Two-Ship Pier at Great Stirrup Cay

It won’t be long before Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ private island destination in the Bahamas, can simultaneously host two of the company’s biggest ships now that work on the island’s first pier has begun.

Currently, all ships calling at the island for a day of sun and fun must anchor offshore and tender guests to the destination — a challenge considering some of the largest ships can accommodate 4,000 passengers.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) owns and operates Norwegian Cruise Line, premium boutique line Oceania Cruises, and ultra-luxe Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

The cruise conglomerate announced on January 20, 2025 that construction of the pier officially got under way on January 17, 2025. The building project is beginning later than originally scheduled.

When the project was revealed in April 2024, Norwegian officials expected construction to start in summer 2024, with work completed in late 2025.

Nonetheless, the ground-breaking was a celebratory event, with cruise line and Bahamian government officials participating.

“This past Friday, we celebrated a major milestone! We officially broke ground on the construction of our pier at our stunning private island, Great Stirrup Cay! This exciting $150 million project will enhance access to our highest guest-rated destination in the world,” Harry Sommer, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, stated.

“We’re honored to have had the Bahamas Prime Minister Philip Edward Davis MP KC and Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper join us for this special occasion, along with other local leaders,” Sommer added.

The executive’s post did not confirm a completion date for the project, which, once finished, will enable ships from all three of the brands owned by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings to call at the destination.

Besides Great Stirrup Cay, NCLH owns a second private destination, Harvest Caye, in Belize. Between the two, the cruise brands have exclusive island retreats in the Eastern and Western Caribbean.

Ground-Breaking Ceremony at Great Stirrup Cay
Ground-Breaking Ceremony at Great Stirrup Cay

Pier Development to Precede Fleet Expansions

The addition of a pier to accommodate two large cruise ships was announced at the same time when NCLH confirmed it would undertake a major expansion of its brands’ fleets. The announcement, in April 2024, revealed that 25,000 berths would be added across the three brands.

During the next 10 years, eight new-builds will be constructed, with launch dates ranging from 2026 to 2036.

Norwegian Cruise Line will receive four 200,000-gross-ton ships, each with a capacity for up to about 5,000 passengers. Staggered deliveries are planned for 2030, 2032, 2034, and 2036.

Oceania Cruises will welcome two 86,000-gross ton ships, each accommodating 1,450 guests and launching in 2027 and 2029.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises will receive two ships. The 77,000-gross ton ships carrying up to 850 guests are expected to enter service in 2026 and 2029.

Read Also: Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas – What You Need to Know

Both Oceania and Norwegian Cruise Line currently have new-builds under construction. Oceania’s Allura is due to launch in late July 2025. The 1,200-guest ship, being built at a Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, was originally slated to debut in June 2025. 

However, her introduction was postponed, causing several cruises in June and July 2025 to be cancelled. Her inaugural sailing is currently set for July 18, 2025, from Trieste, Italy, to Athens.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s new-build, Norwegian Luna, is scheduled to launch in April 2026 from PortMiami.

Carnival Answers: Why Is There an All-Aboard Time for Overnight Visits?

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Answers: Why Is There an All-Aboard Time for Overnight Visits?

An overnight visit to a popular port can be an exciting opportunity for cruise travelers and a chance to enjoy a delicious dinner at a local restaurant, various nightlife opportunities, and other fun ashore.

Why, then, will a cruise line still list an evening “all aboard” time for a port when the ship will be there the next day as well? Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador John Heald has answered one guest’s concerns, with an explanation travelers should take note of for their own port visits.

“I am going on my first cruise that docks at a port overnight (Cabo San Lucas) so I wanted to make sure I understood the rules. According to my itinerary the back on board time for the first night is 18:00, do I really have to be back on board by then?” the guest asks. “Does the port close or something?”

The guest does not reveal which cruise they are sailing on, but for example, Carnival Radiance often offers Mexican Riviera itineraries that include overnight calls to Cabo San Lucas. The ship’s itinerary is listed as visiting the gorgeous Mexican destination from 10 a.m. the first morning until 4 p.m. the next afternoon.

The all-aboard time for the first evening can be confusing to new travelers or even experienced cruisers, but Heald explains why it is necessary.

“Remember you’re tendering, which means you’re using the water shuttle to get to the ship. So that’s the last time you need to be back on board according to the shuttle schedule,” Heald notes, but he does go on with an informative warning for guests who choose to remain ashore overnight.

“But I should also mention that there is a chance always that on the second day when the ship returns and begins the tendering schedule again that bad weather may stop this from happening, which would mean you would have to fly home at your own expense and it would be theoretically the end of the cruise.”

Carnival Cruise Line visits a wide range of tendering ports of call, from Cabo San Lucas in Mexico to Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas to Nanortalik in Greenland to Santorini in Greece.

Some popular ports of call may also be water shuttle destinations depending on the sailing and berth availability. This includes Icy Strait Point in Alaska, Prince Rupert in Canada, and Kirkwall in the UK.

Guests should always review Carnival’s official list of water shuttle ports for updated information on what to expect at different ports of call.

Can Guests Stay Ashore Overnight?

Travelers can opt to enjoy a local hotel or resort during an overnight ship visit if they choose. This would be at their own expense, and they would have to make their arrangements independently as this is not a type of tour or excursion option offered through Carnival Cruise Line.

Heald does explain, however, that it is important to notify Guest Services if guests choose to stay ashore.

“Now, you can stay in a hotel overnight if you wish to and all you need to do if you intend to do that is to let Guest Services know 24 hours before you [are] arriving to Cabo San Lucas,” he said.

Carnival Cruise Ship at Night
Carnival Cruise Ship at Night (Photo Credit: NAN728 / Shutterstock)

Read Also: What Happens If You Miss Your Cruise Ship?

Some travelers may want to enjoy a local resort’s amenities during an overnight stay, spend time in a different casino, or have friends or family members living in the area to meet up with for such a long port stay.

Whatever the reason, it is vital to inform Guest Services so they are aware that no one is missing from the ship, which could cause an emergency overboard alert or onboard search.

Guests should also be sure to note the final all aboard time when their ship will be leaving, just to ensure they don’t suffer the humiliation of being a pier runner or accidentally miss the ship!

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