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Disney Cruise Line Revises Repositioning Itinerary to Avoid Port

Lissa Poirot
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Disney Cruise Line Revises Repositioning Itinerary to Avoid Port

Less than a year after civil unrest that erupted in May 2024, some cruise lines are still wary of bringing passengers to New Caledonia’s capital city of Nouméa. 

This includes Disney Cruise Line, which just announced its 84,130-gross-ton Disney Wonder will skip its intended February 13, 2025, call to the island.

The 2,713-passenger vessel has been in Sydney and Melbourne for 3- and 4-night sailing to Hobart, Tasmania, and New Plymouth, New Zealand.

As it embarks on 16-night repositioning voyage, it will bypass the island and instead spend an additional day at sea.

Unfortunately for guests, this now forces the cruise to spend 11 days at sea with just three calls, including Suva, Fiji; Pago Pago, American Samoa; and Nawiliwili on the Hawaiian Island of Kauai, before arriving in Honolulu in Oahu on February 25.

Disney Cruise Line explained the decision is a result of the unrest in the nation.

“Due to the limited availability of experiences as a result of the prior unrest in Nouméa, New Caledonia, and for the comfort of guests and crew, we have made the decision to bypass Nouméa to spend the day at sea,” it said.

While disappointing, the cruise line added more time at port in Suva, arriving at 7 a.m. and not departing until 7 p.m., and is leaving the remaining itinerary largely unchanged.

Read Also: Disney Cruise Ships: Newest to Oldest

In a gesture of goodwill, Disney Wonder is offering a per-stateroom onboard credit of $250. The non-refundable credit is applicable only during the cruise and can be used toward shipboard services, merchandise, food and beverages.

Additionally, guests with pre-booked excursions in Nouméa will see these automatically removed from their plans. The cruise line did not say if the cancellations will be automatically refunded or left as credits in guest accounts. 

Passengers who booked independent excursions are advised to cancel those.

Safety Concerns Shape Cruise Line Decisions

Nouméa, known for its blend of French and Melanesian culture, has long been a favorite among South Pacific cruise itineraries for its turquoise lagoons, vibrant markets, and rich history.

In May 2024, protests and demonstrations broke out in Nouméa due to debates surrounding the independence of New Caledonia from France, with fear a civil war was imminent. 

The unrest led to disruptions in several areas, including the Nouméa Cruise Ship Terminal, with previous reports of blockades and protests affecting passenger disembarkation and local tour operations.

Although 10 people died and dozens more were injured, the violence has since subsided following an accord reached between France and New Caledonia in June.

Cruise Ship Visiting Noumea, New Caledonia
Cruise Ship Visiting Noumea, New Caledonia (Photo Credit: EA Given)

Still, the US Department of State and other foreign nations have a remaining travel advisory for New Caledonia.

“US citizens should reconsider travel to New Caledonia or consider departing by commercial or other privately available transportation options, in light of the current security situation and infrastructure challenges following riots related to electoral reform in May 2024,” says the Level 3 advisory.

Despite Disney Cruise Line’s concerns, other cruise lines have returned to New Caledonia. 

Since January 1, 2025, Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas, Carnival Cruise Line’s Splendor and Luminosa, P&O Cruises Australia’s Pacific Encounter and Pacific Adventure, and Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Edge have all called on Nouméa.

Disney Wonder also cancelled calls in Nouméa during a New Year’s Eve voyage, instead visiting Eden, Australia, and Hobart, along with its scheduled January 16 visit, which will travel to New Plymouth instead.

Royal Caribbean Takes Precautionary Measures Due to Recent Guests

Melissa Mayntz
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Royal Caribbean Takes Precautionary Measures Due to Recent Guests

Royal Caribbean has reached out to guests booked onboard Symphony of the Seas within the last few months with details about possible exposure to Legionella. Two guests on recent sailings of the ship have been diagnosed with the disease, prompting the notification.

“Your health and safety are always our top priority and in an abundance of caution, we are reaching out for your awareness,” the notification read.

“The CDC [US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] has advised that while they are unsure where exposed, two guests who sailed on Symphony of the Seas (one in October and one in December) were later diagnosed with Legionella.”

The exact sailing dates of the infected passengers were not disclosed, just October 2024 and December 2024. The Oasis-class ship was sailing from Cape Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey in October, and from PortMiami, Florida in December.

“While this does not imply or confirm that the contracted this onboard our ship, as a precautionary measure, we implemented heightened sanitation protocols and followed all CDC guidance,” the cruise line explained.

Symphony of the Seas is still homeported from Miami offering 7-night Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean itineraries, all of which call on Royal Caribbean’s private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay. The 228,081-gross-ton ship can welcome up to 6,680 guests onboard, and is also home to 2,200 international crew members.

To put the number of reported cases in perspective, two passengers out of two sailings means just two guests from roughly 12,000 travelers, or roughly two hundredths of one percent (.016%).

According to the CDC, legionella is not spread from person-to-person, but rather through contaminated water, such as in hot tubs or shared water sources. This is the most common way for the infection to spread on a cruise ship, as has happened previously onboard different vessels and different cruise lines.

Celebrity Cruises notified guests of a similar situation aboard Celebrity Ascent in January 2024, while hot tubs were linked to an outbreak onboard two undisclosed cruise ships from late 2022 to early 2024.

In each case, impacted ships increased cleaning and sanitizing of hot tubs, public water fountains, and other potential areas of contagion, as well as inspecting water sources onboard for any contamination.

Passengers on Symphony of the Seas have also reported that the cruise line provided a letter to each cabin regarding the exposure.

Why So Long for the Notification?

It can be disconcerting for travelers to receive this notification months after returning home from their weeklong cruise. This timeline is fairly standard for a Legionella diagnosis, however, as it can take some time for the disease to be identified and properly diagnosed.

Most people exposed to Legionella do not get sick, but the disease can be of concern to those who may have previous breathing difficulties or who may be immunocompromised. Symptoms may be mild or could advance to severe pneumonia.

Royal Caribbean is urging anyone concerned about the illness or possible infection to reach out to their doctor or contact their local or state health department for more information.

Symphony of the Seas
Symphony of the Seas (Photo Credit: EWY Media)

To be clear, it is not known where or when the affected individuals who sailed aboard Symphony of the Seas may have contracted the infection. It is possible they were infected prior to sailing or equally likely they did not contract the disease until after their respective cruises.

Furthermore, there has never been an outbreak of any confirmed disease aboard Symphony of the Seas that has been reported to the CDC.

The CDC notes that the incubation period for Legionella is typically 2-14 days, but can be longer. Antibiotics can successfully treat the disease.

Guests can take many precautions to stay healthy while enjoying a cruise vacation. Washing one’s hands frequently as well as using hand sanitizer can help safeguard against more common outbreaks, such as norovirus.

Getting enough sleep, eating healthy, and minimizing overindulgences are other steps that can help all cruisers enjoy their vacation without inadvertently contracting an illness while onboard.

Two Cruise Lines Merge to Create New European Brand

Donna Tunney
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Two Cruise Lines Merge to Create New European Brand

Two cruise lines, one catering to the UK market and the other to the French market, are merging to form a new European brand with a three-ship fleet of mid-size vessels.

The UK-based Ambassador Cruise Line, with two ships, and Compagnie Française de Croisières (CFC), headquartered in Marseille, France, and operating one ship, are known for their no-fly cruises. Both sail from multiple UK and European ports and appeal to guests who wish to avoid flying to an embarkation port.

However, the merged company, to be called Ambassador Group, will launch a Caribbean cruise program in October 2025. Using source markets from the UK, France, and the Netherlands, the Caribbean series will be operated in partnership with Corendon, a travel operator based in the Netherlands.

Corendon also operates Corendon Airlines, a company unit that likely will form the core of the cruise brand’s fly-cruise packages. Few details of Ambassador Group’s Caribbean plans have been revealed, but the brand intends to have multiple embarkations ports, including Barbados, Martinique, and Curaçao.

The new Ambassador Group will include Ambassador Cruise Line ships Ambience and Ambition, and CFC’s Renaissance.

“CFC is a new and growing French brand, and this merger with Ambassador, a successful, ambitious British brand that wants to grow markets and destinations, is extremely positive for both businesses, maximising synergies to create a formidable force in the cruise industry,” said Maëlysse Pierrot-Guibourt, CEO of Compagnie Française de Croisières.

The 1,200-guest Renaissance was recently refurbished, but will enter dry dock in January 2025 to complete the installation of IMO Tier III environmental technologies, the companies said in their January 9, 2025 merger announcement.

IMO Tier III refers to the International Maritime Organization’s emission standards for nitrogen oxides. The two Ambassador ships already are IMO compliant.

With the merger of the two cruise lines, the new brand sees an opportunity to tap into the growing European cruise market, which is expected to increase about 12% in the coming five years.

“The combination of Ambassador and CFC is a bold step towards our shared vision for the cruise industry. By uniting our strengths, we are creating an organisation that delivers exceptional experiences to our guests while upholding sustainable practices,” said Christian Verhounig, CEO of Ambassador Cruise Line.

According to Cruise Lines International Association Europe, in 2023 8.2 million Europeans cruised, reflecting a 6.5% jump from pre-pandemic 2019. The biggest source market was Germany, providing about 31% of the total number, followed by the UK and Ireland, with a 28% share of the market.

Three-Ship Fleet to Offer Mid-Size Experience

Both CFC and Ambassador Cruise Line are fairly new companies, having launched just two years ago. CFC began operations with its solo vessel, Renaissance.

The ship was built by Holland America Line and entered service in 1993, sailing under the name Maasdam. The ship underwent a substantial renovation before launching as Renaissance under the CFC brand.

RENAISSANCE Cruise Ship
RENAISSANCE Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Alexandre Prevot)

Ambassador Cruise Line launched operations with its first ship, Ambience, in 2022, christening the vessel in April of that year. Ambience was built in 1991 and accommodates 1,400 passengers.

The ship formerly sailed for P&O Cruises Australia before being sold to Ocean Builders, an outfit that eventually sold her to Ambassador.

More From Cruise Hive

Ambassador purchased the 1,248-guest Ambition from AIDA Cruises in 2022 and the ship began sailing under the Ambassador brand in 2023. Formerly named AIDAmira, the vessel had entered service in 1999 as Mistral for Festival Cruises, and operated as Grand Mistral with Ibero Cruises, and as Costa neoRiviera for Costa Cruises.

Each of the three ships offers a traditional French or British product and onboard experience, and their unique features will be retained following the merger, which is expected to close by the end of January 2025.

Carnival Cruise Line Confirms Homeport Not Impacted by Fires

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Cruise Line Confirms Homeport Not Impacted by Fires

With multiple massive wildfires raging out of control in the Los Angeles area, it is understandable that cruise travelers with sailings booked from Long Beach would be concerned about whether or not their departures will be impacted. Guests have reached out to John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador, for details.

Fortunately, Heald has confirmed that at this time, no Carnival cruises are impacted and the Port of Long Beach is operating as normal.

“I wondered about Long Beach and sailings from there in the next couple weeks,” one guest asked. “Will we be notified by text or email if anything changes?”

The concerned guest is setting sail on Carnival Panorama‘s January 25, 2025 departure, a 7-night Mexican Riviera itinerary visiting Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas.

For now, however, there are no operational changes expected at Long Beach, though Carnival Cruise Line is monitoring the situation and will make adjustments if they become necessary.

“We do not anticipate any impact to Carnival’s homeport schedule in Long Beach but will, of course, follow the direction of local law enforcement,” Heald explained. “Safety is always a priority, and we urge our guests to do the same.”

The raging wildfires are tearing through multiple Los Angeles neighborhoods. As of Thursday, January 9, 2025, The Palisades fire has burned approximately 17,200 acres, including many homes and historic buildings. The Eaton fire has burned 10,600 acres, and the Sunset fire has burned more than 40 acres.

Together, the fires have devastated an area equivalent to more than 43 square miles. All three fires are zero percent contained at the time of this writing.

For cruise guests, however, it is important to note that the Los Angeles area is extensive, and the worst of the fires are 30 miles north of the cruise port.

Nevertheless, travelers with upcoming cruises will still want to keep in close contact with Carnival in case of any delays or disruptions. Furthermore, air travel is likely to be impacted, and guests should be in touch with their airline to ensure they will be able to reach the cruise homeport as planned.

Carnival Cruise Line currently has three vessels homeported from Long Beach: Carnival Firenze, Carnival Panorama, and Carnival Radiance.

In addition, ships from Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruises are also homeported from the nearby Los Angeles Cruise Port. No cruise lines have made any sailing adjustments at this time.

Many Natural Disasters Impact Cruises

It is not unusual for different natural disasters to impact cruise operations, either by closing homeports or forcing itinerary changes for ports of call.

Hurricanes and coastal storms are the most familiar incidents that affect cruises, but other disasters can certainly cause disruptions depending on where, when, and how they occur.

For example, Carnival Cruise Line and other cruise lines diverted sailings away from Port Vila, Vanuatu, following the 7.3 magnitude earthquake that struck on December 17, 2024.

In August 2023, extensive wildfires on Maui destroyed much of the popular port of Lahaina, and cruise lines likewise changed ship itineraries to alternative ports of call or days at sea.

Landslide in Port Vila following 7.3-magnitude earthquake.
Landslide in Port Vila following 7.3-magnitude earthquake. (Photo Credit: Dan McGarry)

While it may seem that shifting cruise ship visits would cause even more difficulty for ports that depend on tourist income, doing so permits emergency services to work effectively without attending to visitors as well.

Furthermore, when different disasters strike, port communities may be unable to offer services to travelers until recovery efforts are underway.

Cruise lines are not without compassion, however, and often offer assistance to devastated port communities.

Carnival Cruise Line’s President, Christine Duffy, recently held a skydiving fundraiser to support Tampa Bay and other communities impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The cruise line has also donated $60,000 to paramedic services in Vanuatu.

Cruise Hive’s thoughts are with everyone impacted by the California wildfires and other incidents, with hopes that communities can rebuild and regain their strength over what will be a long recovery period in the years ahead.

Florida Port Sets New Record With Facial Recognition

Melissa Mayntz
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Florida Port Sets New Record With Facial Recognition

The Port of Palm Beach is yet another cruise homeport that has added facial recognition technology to speed up passenger processing, with phenomenal results.

On January 3, 2025, the first day the technology was fully in place, more than 1,400 cruise passengers were processed before 10 a.m. – a record for the cruise port.

This is a historic event for the port, which while it isn’t as popular as PortMiami (70 miles to the south) or Port Canaveral (120 miles to the north), still offers unique sailings for guests.

Margaritaville at Sea’s smaller vessel, Margaritaville at Sea Paradise – formerly Costa Classica – offers a year-round selection of 2-, 3-, and 4-night sailings to Nassau and Freeport in the Bahamas, ideal for quick getaways and available exclusively from the Port of Palm Beach.

With the implementation of the facial recognition technology, which is already in use at many other major cruise homeports, guests are able to leave their ship and process through customs in a fraction of the time as former, one-on-one agent processing required.

Furthermore, when guests are able to debark a ship more quickly, incoming guests can begin embarkation that much sooner to get their cruise vacations underway.

The cruise line is fully committed to the Port of Palm Beach and ensuring a smooth, hassle-free experience for every guest.

“We are excited about the partnership with both the Port of Palm Beach and U.S. Customs & Border Protection to help significantly improve the experience for cruise guests.” said Anthony Stice, Margaritaville at Sea Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations. “We look forward to continuing to find ways to elevate the experience for our guests to make their sailings as easy-breezy as possible.”

Margaritaville at Sea Paradise can welcome 1,308 guests at double occupancy, or up to 1,680 travelers if the ship is fully booked with all berths filled.

In total, the cruise port processes roughly 400,000 cruise passengers each year, along with cargo and commodities traffic as well as private marine operations.

Paradise Cruise Ship
Paradise Cruise Ship (Photo Courtesy: Port of West Palm Beach)

Parking Improvements Also Implemented

In addition to the new facial recognition technology, the port has also begun offering self-parking to permit guests more options and to maximize passenger flow while minimizing congestion and traffic.

“We’ve worked closely with Palm Beach Parking to ensure our parking operations are as smooth and safe as possible,” said Michael Meekins, Port of Palm Beach Executive Director. “With their team of attendants on hand to direct passengers, we eliminate any confusion on entering and exiting the premises, and provide a safer, faster, and more organized environment for everyone.”

Read Also: Florida Cruise Ports – Your Full Overview and Guide

The cruise port offers limited valet parking on a first come, first served basis, and a specific area is designated for ride-share services adjacent to the cruise terminal for maximum convenience. A walkway connects vehicle areas with the cruise ship, ensuring easy directions for both arriving and departing guests.

A new, permanent walkway structure is planned, which will include an overhead canopy for weather protection and greater comfort.

“Additionally, we have even more improvements planned, including the installation of sidewalks, signage, pavement resurfacing, striping, minor landscaping, and new fencing,” confirmed Meekins.

With both Port Canaveral and PortMiami growing busier than ever – even running out of cruise terminal space at times – cruise travelers interested in a calmer, peaceful sailing that still offers all the vibrancy of a visit to the Bahamas will definitely want to keep Port of Palm Beach in mind.

MSC Cruises Ship to Set Sail Late Due to Terminal Construction

Melissa Mayntz
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MSC Cruises Ship to Set Sail Late Due to Terminal Construction

Guests looking forward to their 7-night Caribbean getaway aboard MSC Cruises’ MSC Seaside will have to wait a little longer than expected, due to terminal construction delays and berth availability at PortMiami.

Booked guests were notified more than two weeks ahead of the sailing that the January 26, 2025 departure will now depart PortMiami at 11 p.m. instead of 5 p.m. as originally scheduled. This delay extends to embarkation as well, which will now not begin until 6 p.m. – an hour after the ship was to have set sail.

“While we had hoped that this would be one of the first sailings from our new MSC Miami Cruise Terminal, more time is needed to finalize the terminal,” the email notification read. “As a result of this and due to the unavailability of alternative berths in PortMiami, your departure time on Sunday, January 26, 2025 has changed.”

On January 26, eight other ships, in addition to MSC Seaside, are scheduled for the south Florida homeport: P&O Cruises’ Ventura, Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas and Explorer of the Seas; Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady; Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Gem; and Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Horizon and Carnival Celebration.

Additionally, PortMiami must also accommodate commercial cargo traffic as well as private watercraft, making any rescheduling or shifting for cruise ships a significant logistical challenge.

Unfortunately, the only feasible solution is to simply delay MSC Seaside‘s return to her homeport. This will also impact guests onboard the January 19, 2025 departure, as they will be later returning to the port than anticipated.

The cruise line is also urging guests not to arrive at the cruise terminal earlier than 6 p.m. for check in, as the previous sailings’ guests must disembark and leave the terminal before incoming passengers can be accommodated. There will also be no way for guests to leave luggage earlier in the day.

“For your comfort and to avoid a long wait, we kindly ask you to strictly adhere to your assigned check-in time,” the email continues. “Be mindful that doors will close at 10:00PM, ahead of the ship’s 11:00PM departure.”

Updated cruise terminal check-in times will be emailed to those travelers who had already completed their web check-in.

MSC Cruises is providing a $150 (USD) non-refundable onboard credit per person as compensation for the delay (maximum $300 per stateroom).

No changes have been made to the ship’s itinerary, which includes visits to MSC Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, Nassau, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic.

MSC Cruises’ New Miami Terminal

The new cruise terminal MSC Cruises is building at PortMiami will be the largest cruise terminal in North America. Ground was broken for the facility in March 2022 in partnership with Fincantieri, and will include such enhancements and upgrades as the ability for shore power connectivity to reduce in-port emissions.

Construction at New MSC Cruise Terminal
Construction at New MSC Cruise Terminal (Photo Credit: Ceri Breeze)

Ultimately, the terminal (logistically known as Cruise Terminals AA/AAA) will be able to accommodate two MSC ships simultaneously, once both berths are fully operational. This will help expand the cruise line’s operations in the Caribbean and bring its unique cruise experience to more travelers.

Read Also: Miami Cruise Terminal Guide – What You Need to Know

A new parking facility is also part of the construction, which will be very welcome at PortMiami’s overcrowded lots.

Initially, the $300 million project was slated to be completed by the end of 2023 or early 2024, but construction delays are always inevitable. New regulations, seasonal storm interruptions, and other events have all impacted the construction timeline.

MSC Cruises guests booked on upcoming sailings from PortMiami may want to be mindful of the possibility of similar delays in the final weeks of construction until the new terminal is ready to welcome her first vessels.

Record-Breaking Cruise Arrivals Propel US Virgin Islands Tourism

Lissa Poirot
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Record-Breaking Cruise Arrivals Propel US Virgin Islands Tourism

The US Virgin Islands is celebrating an extraordinary year of tourism, spurred by a historic surge in cruise passenger arrivals throughout 2024.

Welcoming an all-time high of 1,770,922 cruise passenger arrivals, the collection of islands in the Caribbean saw a near-10-percent increase compared to 2023.

That number is made even more impressive, considering the USVI had already seen a near-double increase in passenger arrivals in 2023, indicating a continued growth trajectory.

“As a destination, we continue to explore, elevate, and improve, which further supports the ongoing goal to build upon our commitment to be a premier Caribbean destination,” said the Department of Tourism Commissioner Joseph Boschulte.

The islands, of which St. Thomas’ capital, Charlotte Amalie, serves as the most-visited, saw the arrival of nine ships making their maiden calls in 2024, including the brand-new Disney Treasure by Disney Cruise Line. 

Setting sail on its maiden voyage on December 21, the 4,000-guest vessel included St. Thomas on its itinerary, and will continue to do so throughout 2025.

Additionally, the US territory saw first visits from Virgin Voyages’ 2,770-passenger Scarlet Lady, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas, carrying 5,610 and 2,416 guests, respectively; Celebrity Cruises’ 2,910-passenger Celebrity Apex, and Princess Cruises’ Sun Princess, carrying up to 4,300 cruisers.

Explora Journeys, owned by MSC Cruises, also brought its Explora I and Explora II vessels to the tranquil, turquoise waters of USVI for the first time.

The USVI’s primary cruise ports include Charlotte Amalie and Crown Bay, located just west of the city on St. Thomas, and St. Croix’s Frederiksted, found on the west end of the island. 

Although the smaller island of St. John doesn’t offer a cruise port, many passengers make their way to the island via tender to the National Park dock.

Growth Expected to Continue in 2025

Although cruise arrivals led USVI’s tourism, the USVI also witnessed increased visits by air in 2024. Combined arrivals at Cyril E. King Airport in St. Thomas and Henry E. Rohlsen Airport in St. Croix reached a total of 932,265 passengers.

This number exceeded the previous record-high by over 100,000 and represented a 16.5 percent growth over 2023.

And just before the year came to an end, the US Virgin Islands set a new single-day record for arrivals by cruise and by air with 4,606 people descending on the islands on December 28, 2024.

On that day, Explora Journeys’ Explora II and Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Viva were calling in St. Thomas.

Cruise Ships in the US Virgin Islands
Cruise Ships in the US Virgin Islands (Photo Credit: Victor Maschek)

Read Also: St. Thomas Cruise Port – Piers, Overview and What to Do

The record-breaking momentum culminated in an impressive week of receiving more than 24,000 visitors – nearly 6 percent more than the previous high set in March 2024.

Commissioner Boschulte has high hopes for 2025 and says the USVI will “continue to push the creativity of our marketing strategies… to connect with and keep the US Virgin Islands top of mind for new and returning travelers.”

However, in 2025, cruise passengers arriving in St. Thomas will face increased fees that will help fund infrastructure projects on the island. Beginning on April 1, passengers will begin paying an extra $3 per person to help fund the Charlotte Amalie Harbor Dredging Project.

The project will deepen the harbor to accommodate larger cruise ships and was requested by Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Carnival Cruise Line, who intend to bring more ships to USVI.

Also increasing will be wharfage fees, by just $.44 per person, to help maintain facilities at the Charlotte Amalie’s West Indian Company Dock and Crown Bay’s Austin “Babe” Monsanto Marine Terminal.

Cunard Vessel Will Return to Alaska for the 2026 Cruise Season

Lissa Poirot
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Cunard Vessel Will Return to Alaska for the 2026 Cruise Season

Another cruise line has announced it will be including Alaska in its array of itineraries in 2026, bringing a luxury liner to the waters of the Last Frontier.

Cunard Line revealed it will offer 15 roundtrip cruises to Alaska from Seattle on its 2,000-passenger Queen Elizabeth, which is scheduled for a major makeover in early 2025.

The journeys, ranging from 7 to 12 nights, will be offered for sailings between May and September 2026.

“Alaska is a truly unique destination, and we’re delighted to return with our 2026 program,” said Cunard President Katie McAlister. “Sailing through its spectacular fjords and seeing the immense glaciers is an experience like no other.”

The 2026 itineraries showcase the state’s picturesque landscapes like the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Glacier Bay National Park and Hubbard Glacier.

They also include stops in popular ports like Ketchikan, Haines, and Juneau, Alaska, the latter of which will be imposing a limit of 16,000 cruise ship passengers – 12,000 on Saturdays – beginning in 2026.

The newly announced season expands upon the 90,900-gross-ton Queen Elizabeth’s nine sailings to Alaska in 2025 and begins with a 10-night journey on May 4, 2026. 

That initial voyage will take guests through the Inner Passage with stops in Victoria, British Colombia, and Sitka, Glacier Bay National Park, Juneau, Tracy Arm Fjord, and Ketchikan, Alaska.

The last sailing of the season will be a 7-night itinerary to Victoria, Juneau, Tracy Arm Fjord, and Ketchikan, departing on September 17, 2026.

Read Also: The Best Time to Cruise Alaska: Months to Choose

Passengers selecting the longest cruise, 12 nights departing on May 21, will visit the same ports, as well as Wrangell, Icy Strait Point, Hubbard Glacier, and Haines.

“These voyages promise to create unforgettable memories, and we can’t wait to welcome our guests on boardQueen Elizabeth,” added McAlister.

An Upgrade Ahead of Diverse Itineraries

Last month, Cunard announced Queen Elizabeth will be entering dry dock at Singapore’s Seatrium’s Admiralty Yard February 25 through March 13, 2025, before she begins her 2025 season in Alaska.

During dry dock, the vessel will receive interior and exterior refreshes, including new furnishings and Michelin-enhanced dining options in the cruise line’s signature Grills experience.

Passengers will see the Commodore Club, Queens Room, Garden Lounge, and The Pavilion refreshed while welcoming the new Wellness Café in The Pavilion and the Harper’s Bazaar Wellness at Sea programming.

Queen Elizabeth Cruise Ship in Alaska
Queen Elizabeth Cruise Ship in Alaska (Photo Credit: lenic)

In addition to the Alaska itineraries, Queen Elizabeth will offer more extensive exploration through repositioning voyages that will take guests through the Panama Canal. 

The vessel begins a 20-night repositioning option from Miami on April 14, 2026, to Seattle, where she will arrive on May 4. During this voyage, passengers will enjoy calls in Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Los Angeles, California, before her Pacific Northwest arrival.

A 32-night itinerary departs earlier, on April 2, 2026, and adds a 12-night roundtrip journey from Miami to Puerto Rico, Antigua, St. Lucia, Barbados, St. Maarten, and the British Virgin Islands before returning on April 14.

Additionally, guests can book a 42-night option, which encompasses the Caribbean and Alaska all in one.

Also offered are various repositioning sailings back to Miami from Seattle, when Queen Elizabeth returns to Miami in September. The longest is a 40-night itinerary.

Bookings for the new cruises opened on January 8, 2025, with Cunard offering up to $800 onboard credit per stateroom for reservations made by March 26, 2025.

Technical Problems Give Norwegian Cruise Line’s New App a Rocky Start

Lissa Poirot
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Technical Problems Give Norwegian Cruise Line’s New App a Rocky Start

While the old adage, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” often holds true, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) chose a different path in an effort to enhance its onboard guest experience.

Beginning in late August 2024, the cruise line initiated the rollout of a brand-new app across its fleet of 19 ships, meant to provide cabin access and reservation details, allow guests to upload travel documents and check-in online, and book entertainment, shore excursions, and dining reservations.

First introduced on Norwegian Sky’s August 30, 2024, voyage in the Caribbean, the initial rollout was received with positive reviews and the cruise line saying the app was part of its commitment “to being the easiest cruise line to work with.”

But just over a week into the New Year, the new app has guests singing a different tune.

On January 1, 2025, NCL officially shut down its older app and fully transitioned to its new creation. According to user reviews on the App Store, Google Play, and social media, technical difficulties have led to nothing but frustration for many guests.

“Why on earth would you shut down your old app when the new one is NOT working,” wrote one App Store user who gave the app a 1-star review. “When I was on the ship three weeks ago, I was able to get into both apps. The new app is prettier, but the old app was much easier to use.”

Wrote another user on Google Play who also left a 1-star review, “I really want to rate this app higher due to the improved design, but the performance is AWFUL. It takes forever to load, if it loads at all, and every tap results in staring at a blank wireframe screen while it reloads.”

In response, Norwegian Cruise Line responded to Cruise Hive and said, “Guest feedback is incredibly important to us. NCL is committed to delivering an exceptional experience that allows guests to vacation with ease.”

“Over the past few days there was a technical issue loading our new mobile app that has since been resolved,” said the cruise line.

While some passengers have reported deleting and reinstalling the app initially helped, they continued to experience trouble. NCL recommends guests continue to update the app, “as we are regularly deploying new features.”

“Now it opens in less than 3 second and you can move from page to page pretty effortlessly,” wrote one guest, following NCL’s advice and January 7 update.

NCL Efforts to Refine New App

Beyond the loading difficulties and blank screens, when the app works, passengers have mixed reviews on the features of the new app.

While some passengers have reported an inability to select and save activities into a personal calendar of events and others say reservations are missing, others feel the sleek, modern app functions better than the earlier version.

NCL App
NCL App

“Everything is well-organized, making it effortless to book excursions, manage dining, and keep track of activities,” said on Apple reviewer. “The real-time itinerary updates and easy access to shipboard accounts are fantastic, keeping you in the loop with just a few taps.”

Added a Google Play user, “Having port times listed in the itinerary is sooo helpful and I like the horizontal pre-cruise checklist section for easy access to the on-ship planning.”

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

Introducing new technology often comes with initial hiccups, and Norwegian Cruise Line is actively addressing the performance issues and bugs being reported by its guests.

Passengers experiencing trouble with the app are finding the website a good alternative in the meantime.

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