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Royal Caribbean Reveals New Features Onboard Hero of the Seas

Royal Caribbean News

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Mar 30, 2026

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Royal Caribbean Reveals New Features Onboard Hero of the Seas

Key Aspects:

Royal Caribbean has announced brand new features for the next Icon Class ship, Hero of the Seas.
New pools, restaurants, and waterslides are all part of the features for the new ship.
Hero of the Seas will set sail in August 2027 and bookings are opening this week.

Excitement is building for Royal Caribbean’s upcoming fourth Icon Class ship, Hero of the Seas, and the cruise line has now revealed amazing first-in-fleet features for the new ship.

Among the most impressive new features are a total of nine onboard pools, family raft waterslides for all ages to enjoy, the largest swim-up bar at sea, and a whopping 28 dining venues, including an exclusive supper club experience.

“Icon Class truly set a new standard for family vacations, and Hero of the Seas takes that vision even further,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean.

“With more water, more thrills, and more choices for all ages, we’re continuing to build on what our guests love about Royal Caribbean and delivering the experiences families are looking for when vacationing together.”

Guests interested in being among the first to experience everything Hero of the Seas will offer can begin booking this week, with reservations opening to the cruise line’s Crown & Anchor Society members on Wednesday, April 1. Public bookings will open on Thursday, April 2.

The new ship is currently under construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Turku, Finland. Cruise Hive has already reported on several key milestones as the ship takes shape, including the installation of the Pearl in January 2026.

But what can guests expect onboard Hero of the Seas when she sets sail in August 2027?

Bigger-Than-Ever Splashtastic Fun

Poolside time is high on cruise travelers’ vacation plans and Hero of the Seas will deliver with nine different pools. The new Coconut Cove pool offers tropical vibes and in-water loungers adjacent to the Lime and Coconut bar, with stunning views over Central Park and its more than 30,500 plants.

Adults will love that The Hideaway will have not one but two pools, nearly doubling the water space in the adults-only area. Part of The Hideaway includes the largest swim-up bar at sea and an in-water DJ booth for outstanding vibes.

The Swim & Tonic pool and its swim-up bar are also being expanded for even more adults-only fun.

The youngest cruisers aren’t left out of expanded pools, however. In the Surfside family neighborhood, Spashaway Bay will have new features for junior cruisers.

Category 6 on Hero of the Seas (Image Credit: Royal Caribbean)

When families want to splash together, they can head for the Category 6 waterpark and its two new family raft slides, including the first-ever family funnel raft slide at sea, a tremendous slide that extends out over the ship’s starboard side.

Dramatic Dining Options on Hero of the Seas

To refuel after so much fun, Hero of the Seas is offering 28 dining venues, including exclusive new options.

The Orleans Parish Supper Club continues the multi-course, entertainment-oriented dining experiences first introduced aboard Icon of the Seas. On the new ship, the venue will feature gourmet Cajun and Creole dishes reminiscent of the French Quarter, accompanied by live jazz music and curated cocktails for an upscale dining event.

“We’re really tipping our cap to kind of traditional cocktails that were invented in New Orleans,” said Ed Eiswirth, Senior Director of Beverage Operations for Royal Caribbean. “Then putting our own little twist on them!”

Also continuing on Hero of the Seas is the Royal Railway. The train car dining venue “travels” through different destinations and blends food, entertainment, and technology for an immersive rail journey even while guests are sailing.

Four new food stalls will be part of the AquaDome Market for even more expansive tastes, while iconic favorites such as Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, Izumi, Chops Grille, Hooked Seafood, El Loco Fresh, and Sorrento’s will still be onboard.

Yet to be revealed is an all-new venue for the Surfside neighborhood. This new venue will host hands-on cooking classes for a variety of tastes, giving families even more experieences to enjoy together and memories to make on the most heroic vacations at sea.

Amazing Accommodations for Hero of the Seas

Sleep might be the last thing on guests’ minds on Hero of the Seas, but good rest is essential to make the most of every vacation moment.

With a capacity of up to 7,600 passengers, there will be plenty of different staterooms for guests to choose from for their best rest.

Of special note is the outstanding Ultimate Family Treehouse, a three-deck themed suite with a rooftop terrace, private whirlpool, and two main bedrooms each with a private bathroom and balcony. The rustic theme and nature touches offers a truly restful and nostalgic treehouse retreat for everyone!

Ultimate Family Treehouse (Image Credit: Royal Caribbean)

The two-story Royal Loft Suites have also been redesigned but without compromising the stunning ocean views, while families in Surfside have their own Ultimate Family Townhouse, Family Suites, and Family Infinite Ocean View Balconies to choose from.

Of course, more classic accommodations are also available, giving every cruiser their favorite type of stateroom as their home away from home.

Hero of the Seas will be offering 7-night Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean itineraries from Miami, visiting all the best ports of call along the way. Every sailing will also visit Perfect Day at CocoCay, ensuring guests truly do have heroic vacations no matter what they choose to do onboard, what refuels their adventures, or where they rest up.

Cruise Proposal Goes Wrong After Crew Accidentally Spoils the Moment

Carnival Cruise News

Melissa Mayntz

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Mar 29, 2026

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Cruise Proposal Goes Wrong After Crew Accidentally Spoils the Moment

Key Aspects:

A viral moment has resurfaced showing Carnival crew members spoiling a couple’s marriage proposal.
While the engagement was inadvertently revealed before the question was popped, the couple now enjoys the fun memory.
The incident happened in October 2017 aboard Carnival Breeze.

Many couples reflect on the memorable moments of their relationship, from when they first met to their first kiss, first date, and the marriage proposal that truly started their life together.

One Texas couple, however, is enjoying reflecting on that moment with their engagement video on TikTok, which has gone viral almost nine years after they got engaged.

Now with more than 2.1 million views and nearly 3,200 comments, the video shows a very unique engagement that could have gone much differently.

The now-happily-married couple got engaged onboard the Dream Class Carnival Breeze, but the crew was celebrating for them even before that important question was popped.

According to multiple sources for the viral story, the humorous incident happened in October 2017 during what was to have been a family cruise vacation. Carnival Breeze was sailing from Galveston at the time, able to welcome as many as 3,690 guests onboard.

Gary Bratton III had meticulously orchestrated the proposal, from purchasing the ring at the onboard Effy store to coordinating with the serving team at dinner. The plan was for the ring to be “delivered” to the family’s table at the start of dinner, at which time Gary would propose.

Unfortunately, just like cruises can suffer from delays, itinerary changes, and rough weather that might derail even the most carefully laid vacation plans, Gary’s proposal also got somewhat derailed.

Instead of delivering the ring and then discreetly permitting Gary to propose to Amanda, his long-time girlfriend, the serving team brought the ring over with a piece of cake and a candle at the end of the meal, singing “Happy Engagement to You” at the same time.

Mind you, this is before Gary had the time to ask Amanda that most romantic question!

Amanda recently shared a video of the moment on TikTok, and it’s clear to see that Gary is flustered at the mix-up, while she is simply confused.

@mandy_bratton
That time @carnival celebrated our engagement before he proposed! Ah, good times! Best story all these years later!
♬ original sound – mandy_bratton

Just like cruisers have to adapt when other factors interfere with their vacation plans, however, Gary also adapted on the spot. Even as the crew was still singing, he got down on one knee and moments later, had that critical “yes” answer.

The rest of the dining room cheered and applauded as the couple kissed.

While it may have been frustrating for Gary at the time and perhaps wasn’t the proposal Amanda might have envisioned, years later, they can still enjoy it.

“That time Carnival celebrated our engagement before he proposed! Ah, good times! Best story all these years later!” Amanda captioned the throwback video, noting they still laugh about it together.

Was the Engagement Ruined?

Commenters viewing the video for the first time have split opinions on whether or not the couple’s engagement was ruined by the crew’s timing mix-up.

While some are outraged, many commend Gary for not reacting poorly and instead just going with the flow.

“He was upset,” one commenter noted from Gary’s facial expression. “He probably had it planned a different way, but I love how he jumped in. This was perfect in its own special way.”

Others note that Gary’s reaction is a definite “green flag” for a man who will be adaptable when challenges might arise, as they so often do in a marriage.

More From Cruise Hive

In enjoying memories of what has become a very special moment, Amanda notes that she isn’t trying to get anything from the cruise line, just sharing their funny story.

Carnival Cruise Line has not officially responded to the viral video, but plenty of Carnival fans are sure to fondly recall their own cruise ship proposal moments!

Authorities Investigate Gastro Cases on Disney Adventure Cruise

Disney Cruise Line News

Melissa Mayntz

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Mar 28, 2026

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Authorities Investigate Gastro Cases on Disney Adventure Cruise

Key Aspects:

A minor outbreak of gastroenteritis has been reported aboard Disney Adventure.
The number of reported cases is just 9, or roughly one-tenth of one percent of individuals aboard.
The Singapore Food Agency is monitoring the ship in case of further illness reports.

The brand new Disney Adventure has not even been sailing for a month, and the massive ship has already been hit with a gastrointestinal illness outbreak, or has it?

The Singaporean daily newspaper The Straits Times has reported that nine individuals on one of the first sailings of Disney Adventure had gastroenteritis symptoms. While individuals have not been identified, eight were guests and one was a crew member.

The impacted cruise was the ship’s March 16, 2026 departure, a 3-night sailing. All of Disney Adventure‘s voyages are cruises to nowhere with no ports of call, and the ship sails year-round from Singapore. The ship welcomed her first guests on March 10.

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) is investigating the outbreak and will continue to monitor the ship to be sure no further cases are reported. As of Friday, March 27, there had been no further reported cases with gastroenteritis symptoms.

The infected individuals received medical treatment on March 18 and March 20, according to the SFA. No hospitalizations were required and each individual has since recovered.

Because the cruise ended on March 19, it appears some individuals did seek medical treatment after debarkation. While the cause of the outbreak has not been announced, norovirus is a very common infection that can be found not only on cruise ships, but anywhere large groups may congregate.

Disney Adventure Arrives in Singapore (Photo Credit: Steven Diaz)

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the incubation period for norovirus can be from 12-48 hours, and most people recover without significant intervention in 1-3 days. The virus is most widespread from December through April.

Cruise Hive has regularly reported on both types of outbreaks on different ships from different cruise lines.

So far in 2026, the CDC has noted just two outbreaks, one aboard Star Princess in mid-March (norovirus) and the other aboard Seven Seas Mariner in late January (e. coli, which has similar symptoms but a much longer incubation period).

Is This Really an Outbreak?

It may seem distressing that such a brand-new ship would feature a gastrointestinal outbreak, but the actual reported cases are extremely minimal compared to the ship’s overall size.

The Global Class Disney Adventure can host 4,222 guests at double occupancy and as many as 6,700 guests when fully booked with all berths filled. The ship is also home to approximately 2,300 crew members.

This means there may have been from 6,500 to 9,000 individuals onboard when the illness cases were reported. In total, the nine reported cases therefore represent just about one-tenth of one percent of everyone aboard.

Put another way, for every reported case onboard Disney Adventure, there were roughly 999 individuals who did not report any symptoms of illness.

It is possible, of course, that some travelers (or even some crew members) may choose not to report symptoms, particularly if their discomfort is mild and they may not even be aware that they are ill.

The CDC does not require an official report of any cruise ship outbreak in US waters until a minimum of 3% of guests or crew members report symptoms. Aboard Disney Adventure, though she is not sailing in the US, this would be at least 195-270 cases, depending on how fully booked the ship was at the time.

Guests on any cruise ship should take whatever steps they feel comfortable with to safeguard themselves from illness, including frequent and thorough handwashing, minimizing contact with high-use surfaces, and using hand sanitizer.

American Passenger Dies After Urgent Cruise Ship Evacuation

Cruise News

Catie Kovelman

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Mar 28, 2026

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American Passenger Dies After Urgent Cruise Ship Evacuation

Key Aspects:

An American guest of World Voyager suffered a cardiac episode just one day into the current sailing to Antarctica.
A heroic evacuation was completed through impressive coordination between the cruise ship and the Argentine Navy.
Sadly, the guest died after only 24 hours in a Ushuaia hospital.

A heroic cruise ship rescue has sadly ended in tragedy for a recent passenger of Atlas Ocean Voyages’ World Voyager.

The guest was onboard the expedition vessel for a 9-night sailing to Antarctica, which embarked in Ushuaia, Argentina, on March 19, 2026.

But only one day into the sailing, on Friday morning, March 20, 2026, a 74-year-old cruiser from the US suffered a serious heart attack and required an urgent rescue, according to the Argentine Navy.

By this point, the 10,000-gross ton ship was in the northern portion of the notoriously rough Drake Passage, just south of the Tierra del Fuego Archipelago in South America.

Despite completing a heroic rescue that required semi-rigid boats, a helicopter and a ship from the Argentinian Navy, the man did not survive. Cruise Hive learned that the guest died after spending just 24 hours in a local hospital.

A Valiant Rescue Effort

Upon realizing the seriousness of the man’s condition, World Voyager’s captain contacted the Argentine Navy’s Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) in Ushuaia to ask for immediate assistance.

Cruise tracking data shows that the ship altered course to get as close as possible to the Ushuaia Cruise Port, but wasn’t able to move quickly enough to help the ailing guest.

World Voyager only has a maximum cruising speed of 16 knots and often has to operate at slower speeds while sailing in rocky conditions, which is what the Drake Passage is known for.

Passenger Evacuation from World Voyager (Photo Credit: MRCC)

The ARA “Storni” ocean patrol vessel, which was already in the port of Ushuaia to fulfill search and rescue duties, was immediately deployed to help with personnel and equipment from the Ushuaia Naval Hospital onboard.

When the rescue team finally met up with the polar vessel on the afternoon of March 20, first responders from Storni deployed two fast semi-rigid boats that are capable of reaching speeds of up to 40 knots. They agreed the passenger was in need of an “immediate evacuation” and took over his care.

The MRCC also sent a helicopter to the scene and attempted to coordinate a medical air evacuation at Harberton Ranch, on the Beagle Channel, which would have been more efficient.

But as it was getting dark at this point, rescuers decided that it was safer to continue the evacuation by boat.

Medical personnel attempted to stabilize the patient on the way back to Ushuaia, where they arrived shortly after 10 p.m. The guest was then transferred to the Clinica San Jorge via ambulance, where he eventually died.

While it’s not the outcome that anyone was hoping for, the rescuers and medical team can take solace in the fact that they did their absolute best to save the cruise guest.

Per the Argentine Navy, Storni’s crew has already had to brush off the loss and has resumed its search and rescue duties within Ushuaia.

No Reported Itinerary Changes

Despite going off course, there were no itinerary changes reported for the 9-night sailing, with the ship visiting the Antarctic Peninsula from March 22 to 25 and passing through the Drake Passage twice. The sailing concludes in Ushuaia on March 28.

However, the sudden and tragic loss of a passenger like this on such an intimate sailing was surely felt by all onboard in other ways.

The smaller vessel only has room for 198 guests, and is likely operating at an even more limited capacity due to restrictions that only allow 100 guests to go ashore at one time in Antarctica.

This is also the final Antarctic expedition scheduled for World Voyager at this time, and it’s truly an awful way for the approximately 125 crew members onboard to end this deployment.

Cruise Hive is thinking of the passengers’ friends and family as they begin to cope with this tragedy.

Cruise News Roundup: Passenger Fall, Royal Caribbean Glitch, Cancellation, and More

Cruise News

Emrys Thakkar

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Mar 28, 2026

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Cruise News Roundup: Passenger Fall, Royal Caribbean Glitch, Cancellation, and More

It has been a busy week in cruise news, and we’re here to ensure you don’t miss any of the major stories!

A shore excursion in Nassau ended in a federal lawsuit, Carnival and Holland America have both pulled out of Tracy Arm Fjord for the Alaska season, and a passenger death aboard Anthem of the Seas brought New Zealand Police to the pier.

Here’s everything you need to caught up on:

Passenger Sues Carnival After Bench Collapses on Tour Boat

Not everyone has had a great time sailing with Carnival lately. Karolrae Knight certainly has not, and now she is taking the cruise line to federal court over it.

Knight had booked the “Swimming with the Pigs” express tour through Carnival ahead of her Nassau port call. She never made it to Pig Beach. About ten minutes into the boat ride, the bench she was sitting on collapsed without warning. She was thrown to the floor and came close to going overboard.

She was taken back to the Fantasy-class Carnival Elation, where medical staff diagnosed her with a fractured tailbone. Further treatment on land also revealed spinal injuries, including a bulging disc and tears at L4-L5 and S1. She filed suit against Carnival Corporation in federal court on March 20, 2026, seeking compensation for medical costs, lost wages, lost vacation expenses, and pain and suffering.

Her legal team argues Carnival was not upfront about the tour being operated by a third party, and that the cruise line should be held accountable since it marketed, sold, and profited from the excursion.

However, Carnival’s position, stated on its website, is that all shore excursions are run by independent operators and the cruise line accepts no responsibility for incidents that happen off the ship. The tour still holds a 4.4-star rating on Carnival’s website and remains available to book.

Carnival Cancels Rare Cruise for a Full-Ship Charter

Some Carnival Splendor guests planning a trip to New Zealand in October 2027 have had their plans pulled from under them. Their sailing has been cancelled, and the reason is a full-ship charter.

The affected voyage is the October 12, 2027 departure from Sydney, a 10-night round-trip that was set to take passengers all the way around New Zealand’s North Island, calling at Napier, Tauranga, Auckland, and the Bay of Islands before returning on October 22. However, the ship will still sail, just not for the public.

Carnival Splendor in Australia (Photo Credit: james wk)

Guests who want to rebook can have their cruise fare protected in a comparable cabin on a different sailing, plus a $100 AUD onboard credit per stateroom. Those who would rather have their money back will also receive a full refund, with processing starting April 4, 2026.

So finding a true like-for-like replacement will not be easy. The next 10-night North Island sailing does not depart until January 3, 2027, and after that it is January 17, 2028. Everything else heads to South Island. With 19 months until the original departure date, there is at least some breathing room to figure it out.

New Terminal Won’t Be Finished Before Its First Ship Arrives

Philadelphia is getting cruising back after a 15-year absence, but the new terminal will not quite be ready to greet its first ship.

Norwegian Jewel is still departing from the new PhilaPort cruise terminal on April 16, 2026, as planned. However, the terminal itself is still a construction site. A brutal February brought back-to-back snowstorms and weeks of bitter cold that halted outdoor work entirely. Passengers on the first sailings will embark from a temporary facility on site instead.

Both PhilaPort and Norwegian Cruise Line have confirmed sailings are going ahead on schedule. Norwegian also said it is finalising the logistics and will update affected guests with embarkation details shortly.

Once fully open, the terminal will serve the 2,368-passenger Norwegian Jewel on 7-night Bermuda round trips through early September, before the ship switches to New England and Canada sailings. Norwegian Pearl also arrives in November to take over Bermuda duties.

Royal Caribbean Guests Buried in Welcome Emails Due to a Glitch

Most passengers are happy to get a welcome email from Royal Caribbean after booking their cruise. However, getting the same one every single day for a month is a different story.

That is exactly what thousands of guests have been dealing with since at least February. The emails are the standard booking confirmation, identical every time, nudging passengers to download the app and pre-book packages. Guests on Harmony of the Seas, Star of the Seas, and Independence of the Seas have all reported the issue, and more ships are also likely affected.

Star of the Seas in the Caribbean (Photo Credit: Todamo)

Those who called customer service were told it is a known glitch being worked on. Some passengers theorised it was a deliberate push to drive pre-cruise spending. However, that seems a stretch given Royal Caribbean has been posting record bookings throughout 2025 and into this year.

It is also not the first time the cruise line has had a technical wobble. A wave of repeated app notifications went out in May 2025, and in February 2023 a safety briefing reminder was accidentally sent to every booked guest, whether they were sailing that day or months away.

Carnival Cancels Tracy Arm for the 2026 Alaska Season

Tracy Arm Fjord was already off the schedule for Holland America this Alaska season. Now Carnival has made the same call, and for the same reason.

A landslide on August 10, 2025 sent debris crashing into the fjord near the South Sawyer Glacier and triggered a tsunami warning. The area has been under close observation since, and geological conditions remain too unstable for cruise ship navigation. So Carnival confirmed the change in a letter to booked guests, and will switch all affected itineraries to Endicott Arm Fjord instead.

Carnival Luminosa Cruise Ship in Alaska (Photo Credit: Artha sant)

The two fjords share an entrance at Holkham Bay, around 50 miles south of Juneau. Endicott Arm is wider, carries far less risk, and also offers views of the Dawes Glacier, known for its vivid blue ice and dramatic calving. Not a bad consolation prize.

All three Carnival ships deployed to Alaska this year are affected. Carnival Spirit from April 28 through September 15, Carnival Luminosa from April 27 through September 10, and Carnival Miracle from April 27 through September 17.

Passenger Dies Aboard Anthem of the Seas

It has been a difficult sailing for Anthem of the Seas. The Quantum-class ship departed Sydney on March 22 on a 12-night New Zealand voyage, and within days, a passenger had died on board.

New Zealand Police were notified at around 1:45 a.m. on March 25 as the 4,180-guest ship made its way to Bay of Islands. Officers were waiting at the pier when she arrived that morning and launched a formal investigation on behalf of the coroner.

Royal Caribbean also confirmed the death and said it is cooperating fully with authorities. However, no details about the circumstances have been made public.

Anthem of the Seas in Australia (Photo Credit: Slow Walker)

The sailing was also hit by a separate, weather-related itinerary change. A subtropical low-pressure system brought heavy rain and strong winds across the North Island, forcing the ship to skip Tauranga on March 26. She headed straight to Napier instead, arriving around 10:30 a.m.

So whether ports further along the route will also be affected is not yet clear. The remaining itinerary includes Wellington, Lyttelton, Dunedin, and Fiordland National Park. She is due back in Sydney on April 3.

Seven-Year-Old Harmony of the Seas Video Is Making Waves Again

Some videos refuse to stay buried on the internet, and this one about Harmony of the Seas is a perfect example.

Footage of the Oasis-class ship leaving Port Everglades that first appeared seven years ago has gone viral all over again. Filmed from the Fort Lauderdale Jetties Public Beach, it shows the shoreline visibly receding as the ship passes by. Then the water comes rushing back in a surge that had beachgoers running and screaming.

Harmony of the Seas Wave (Credit: Kevin Kirouac)

So what is actually going on?

It comes down to Bernoulli’s Principle. As the ship moves through the channel, water is forced into a tighter space, speeds up, and creates lower pressure that pulls the sea surface down. Once the ship clears the area, pressure normalises and the water surges back. The bigger the ship, the more dramatic the effect.

At 226,963 gross tons and 1,188 feet long, Harmony of the Seas is about as big as it gets. She is also currently mid-transatlantic, heading to Barcelona to kick off her Mediterranean season. However, for anyone keen to see it for themselves, fifteen Royal Caribbean ships still sail from Fort Lauderdale, including Oasis-class sisters Allure of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, and Symphony of the Seas.

More Cruise Headlines

There was plenty more happening this week, including A passenger being arrested following an alleged incident in a sauna aboard a Celebrity Cruises ship; Princess Cruises also revealed its South America season with multiple Antarctica sailings; and more cruises have been cancelled as ships remain stranded at Persian Gulf ports due to ongoing regional tensions. MSC Cruises also dropped new details on the Harbour Park and Aqua Deck for the upcoming MSC World Asia.

Norwegian Luna Christened in Miami as NCL’s Newest Prima Plus-Class Ship

Norwegian Cruise Line News

Catie Kovelman

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Mar 28, 2026

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Norwegian Luna Christened in Miami as NCL’s Newest Prima Plus-Class Ship

Key Aspects:

Norwegian Luna was officially christened in Miami on March 27, 2026.
Her godmother, ELLE, was responsible for both breaking the ceremonial bottle and for designing the celestial hull art.
The newest NCL ship will begin her career at sea in the Caribbean.

After more than a year of anticipation, Norwegian Luna has officially been christened and is now a full-fledged member of Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet.

The christening ceremony was held in Miami, Florida, on March 27, 2026, in the LEED Gold-Certified Terminal B, which is operated by NCL and is commonly referred to as “The Pearl of Miami.”

“Today’s christening of Norwegian Luna marks an important milestone for our Company and a moment of great pride for our entire team,” said John W. Chidsey, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

Cruise Hive learned that more than 2,000 guests were in attendance to hear remarks from the cruise line’s leaders and to witness the traditional breaking of the bottle across the hull of the 156,000-gross ton ship.

A Very Special Godmother

Speaking of the lucky bottle smash, a very special godmother was in attendance to do the honors. ELLE, an internationally recognized street artist and painter, was chosen as the godmother.

Most of the time, the cruise lines will select movie stars or other celebrities to add some extra pizazz to the christening ceremonies. And while ELLE does have quite a following, this artist is a very special choice because she also created the signature artwork for the ship’s hull.

“Celebrating Norwegian Luna as the ship’s godmother is an incredible honor, and creating ‘La Luna’ has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my career,” said ELLE.

Titled “La Luna,” the hull art is a stunning dreamscape that is meant to symbolize humanity’s enduring relationship with the cosmos and its innate connection to the moon. Luna, of course, translates to moon in Spanish.

What to Expect Onboard

As one of the most innovative ships now in operation, the crews at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy, should be very proud of what they have accomplished in the creation of Norwegian Luna.

“Norwegian Luna represents the evolution of NCL – a brand built on freedom, flexibility and delivering experiences that resonate with every type of traveler,” said Marc Kazlauskas, President of Norwegian Cruise Line.

Like Norwegian Aqua, the first Prima Plus-class ship that launched in 2025, Norwegian Luna proudly features thrills like the Aqua Slidecoaster, the longest and fastest dual slides at sea that propel guests through two different courses.

Adding to the family-friendly fun, the new ship is debuting with Luna Midway, a first-of-its-kind experience that features Carnival games, Moon Climber (a multi-level obstacle course for both kids and adults), and Horizon Park (which features lawn-style games).

When guests get hungry, they will be able to choose from 17 different dining venues, which feature 15 different cuisine styles from around the world.

And as they digest their dinners, passengers can take in shows like “Elton: A Celebration of Elton John,” which is of course all about the legendary singer, as well as “HIKO: Innovation Meets Wonder,” which is a show that blends multimedia with cirque-style acrobatics and contemporary dance.

The entertainment offerings for adults have also been expanded with late-night offerings at The Improv at Sea and the creation of a brand new show, called “LunaTique.”

Where to Find Norwegian Luna

NCL’s second Prima Plus-class ship has technically already gotten an early start to her seafaring career.

After taking delivery of the new ship in early March, NCL had the vessel operate a transatlantic sailing to Miami. The historic cruise welcomed its first guests onboard in Rome on March 10 and Barcelona on March 12.

The 3,565-guest ship has also already completed one 4-night sailing to the Bahamas that embarked in Miami on March 23, during which she made her inaugural calls to Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay.

Her first official sailing following her christening will be a 3-night sailing to Great Stirrup Cay that embarks on April 1, 2026.

Going forward, the young ship will primarily operate 7-night sailings to the Caribbean from Miami, before repositioning to New York in April of 2027 to offer 7-night cruises to Bermuda.

Bookings are available now for guests who want to be among the first to experience all that the new ship has to offer, including through Cruise Hive’s bookings service.

What Is Causing Norwegian Aqua’s Unusually Late Start in New York?

Norwegian Cruise Line News

Donna Tunney

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Mar 27, 2026

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What Is Causing Norwegian Aqua’s Unusually Late Start in New York?

Most cruise ships arrive at their homeports during early morning hours, and embarkation for the next voyage gets underway shortly after current passengers debark.

But that will not be the case with one Norwegian Cruise Line ship’s April 18, 2026, departure from New York, and booked guests are being alerted.

The 3,571-guest Norwegian Aqua, the first ship in Norwegian Cruise Line’s Prima Plus Class, will not arrive at her New York pier until 3 p.m. on departure day.

Since the ship is repositioning from PortMiami to New York on April 16, 2026, the required sailing time between the two ports means a late arrival for Norwegian Aqua.

One guest, a first-time cruiser unaccustomed to the nuances of cruise ship deployments, was among the booked passengers who received an emailed notice from the cruise line detailing how embarkation would be handled on departure day.

Among other instructions, the cruise line alert advises booked guests to adhere strictly to the check-in time they selected when booking the voyage, since the cruise terminal will be closed to all passengers until 3 p.m.

“On embarkation day, Norwegian Aqua is scheduled to arrive at the pier in the afternoon. As a result, the terminal will remain closed during the morning hours and will not open before 3:00 pm,” states Norwegian Cruise Line’s notice to guests.

Anyone arriving early will not be allowed to enter the terminal. Uneasy about the alert, the guest posted it on Reddit, asking for advice from more seasoned cruisers.

Norwegian Aqua in New York (Photo Credit: Norwegian Cruise Line)

A few experienced cruisers commented, including one who noted the challenges of a ship repositioning a long distance in a short amount of time.

“So that is actually the first cruise out of New York. Aqua is dropping off passengers on the 16th in Miami and then sailing up to New York in about 48 hours. That is about the fastest a big cruise ship can make it,” said one commenter.

Another chimed in about the cruise line’s intention to keep embarkation running smoothly.

“Most cruises start boarding around 10:00 am, and passengers have gotten used to arriving early and being allowed to board even if their assigned time is later,” the commenter posted.

“This sounds like NCL is just making clear that it won’t be possible to do so this time. I wouldn’t worry about it at all,” he added.

In addition to strict adherence to scheduled check-in times, the cruise line’s alert reminds guests to make sure their luggage tags, with name and stateroom number visible, are attached to all baggage, since this enables port staff to move bags directly to cabins in a timely manner.

Ship to Begin Voyages From New York to Bermuda

Norwegian Aqua’s seasonal deployment to New York will follow a 4-night Bahamas cruise to Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay, departing on April 12, 2026. After debarking guests on April 16, the ship will sail directly to New York, arriving in the afternoon of April 18.

Sailing from New York until mid-October 2026, Norwegian Aqua will operate 5- and 7-night cruises to Bermuda. Seven-night sailings will spend two nights at Kings Wharf, Bermuda, while the shorter voyage features one overnight there.

Norwegian Aqua began her seasonal deployment at PortMiami in October 2025, sailing 7-night cruises to Bahamas and Caribbean destinations. The ship is a sister to Prima-class ships Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, and features some unique activities, such as the Aqua Slidecoaster, a hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide.

The ship was christened at PortMiami on April 13, 2025, with Emmy Award-winning actor Eric Stonestreet serving as godfather. Norwegian Aqua will return to PortMiami for the winter 2026-27 season.

Carnival Ignites 2026 With Explosive Booking Growth and Record Revenue

Carnival Cruise News

Donna Tunney

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Mar 27, 2026

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Carnival Ignites 2026 With Explosive Booking Growth and Record Revenue

Key Aspects:

Carnival Corporation revealed a double-digit rise in bookings in the first quarter of 2026.
The company’s eight brands had record revenues of $6.2 billion.
Occupancy rates across the lines held steady at 103%.

Carnival Corporation reported a first-quarter bonanza on March 27, 2026, with results showing bookings for the year up by double digits, along with record revenue.

As parent company to eight major cruise brands across the globe, Carnival Corporation’s strong performance bodes well for the industry as a whole.

The cruise giant owns popular brands that cruisers worldwide embrace: Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, P&O Cruises, Costa Cruises, AIDA Cruises, and the luxury lines Seabourn and Cunard.

Its financial first quarter ran from December 1, 2025 to February 28, 2026, which is prime Wave Season, when cruise lines offer special promotions and perks in a bid to get as many advance reservations on the books as possible.

According to the conglomerate’s results, fully 85% of scheduled cruises across the brands in 2026 are already booked, with guest deposits reaching upward of $8 billion — that’s nearly 10% more than the same timeframe in 2025.

“We delivered an incredibly strong start to the year, achieving our highest level of bookings ever on strong demand that extended well into 2028 sailings,” said Josh Weinstein, CEO of Carnival Corporation.

“Bookings for 2026 were up double digits, which further pulled forward our already record booked position for the remainder of the year at historically high prices (in constant currency),” added Weinstein.

Carnival Cruise Line Miami Office — Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive

The CEO, who did not specify the exact double-digit rise, has plenty to celebrate, since the company posted record-breaking revenues of $6.2 billion and net income of $258 million.

In the corporation’s first-quarter stats, the occupancy rate percentage across the brands held steady at 103%, the same as in first-quarter 2025.

Holland America Line, one of the company’s premium brands, has had a particularly good few months. The line reported in early January 2026 that it was experiencing a major booking spike for Europe cruises.

In fact, demand rose by 30% overall and by 50% on itineraries featuring Northern Europe. The brand’s Wave Season deals, promoted under the tagline Start Your Journey, offered reduced deposits, up to 30% cruise fare discounts, and up to $500 in onboard credits, among other benefits.

What About Those Rising Fuel Prices?

Since Carnival Corporation’s financial results pertain to a time period that ended on February 28, 2026, the effects of higher fuel prices due to the Iran war are not evident. In fact, the military campaign that has rocked the price of oil began on the same day that Carnival Corporation’s first quarter ended.

That said, the company did refer to the ongoing issue in the Concerning Factors section of its first-quarter report, noting: “Increases in fuel costs, changes in the types of fuel consumed and availability of fuel supply may adversely impact our scheduled itineraries and costs.”

Two cruise lines have already implemented fuel surcharges. Asia-based StarCruises and Dream Cruises, both owned by Resorts World Cruises, notified booked passengers that fuel surcharges of HKD (Hong Kong Dollar) 200 (about $25 USD) and SGD (Singapore Dollar) 15 (about $11.70 USD), respectively, would be added to fares.

The surcharges took effect on March 20. None of the Carnival Corporation brands have so far moved to enact fuel surcharges.

Miami Considering Non-Stop Train Between Airport and Cruise Port

Port News

Calvin Musquez

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Mar 27, 2026

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Miami Considering Non-Stop Train Between Airport and Cruise Port

Key Aspects:

Miami officials are considering a train service to alleviate traffic between the airport and the cruise port.
Two proposed rail lines are being considered.
The project is estimated to cost between $600 million and $800 million.

Miami-Dade transportation officials are considering recommendations for a non-stop train service connecting Miami International Airport and PortMiami.

A recent study, the Miami-Dade Transportation Planning Organization (MDTPO) 2050 Master Plan, showed promising results for an expanded rail line connecting the two major Miami destinations.

The study, which was published in September 2025, explored the economic feasibility of public transportation solutions between the airport and cruise port. PortMiami, the Cruise Capital of the World, regularly deals with an extremely high volume of passengers, particularly on busy weekends.

The railway proposals aim to address the dense traffic that follows from the ever-increasing number of tourists passing through the city on the way to the port. PortMiami currently has 10 cruise terminals working with over 20 cruise lines and welcoming millions of passengers a year.

Eight public transportation solutions were originally proposed in the study. Now, according to a report by CBS News, MDTPO has narrowed that down to two proposals.

Details Of The Proposed Solutions

The first option is a 9-mile extension to the existing MetroMover track. The MetroMover is a free people mover system with 21 stations in Downtown Miami.

This is the simpler solution, as it could incorporate existing structures such as the Miami River Bridge. The major drawback to this proposal is capacity. The MetroMover cars have a maximum capacity of only 50 people each and average only 9 miles per hour.

Cruise Ships Docked at PortMiami, Florida (Photo Credit: Just dance)

The second proposed option would be significantly higher capacity. This plan would add a 10-mile extension to the Metrorail track. Metrorail is a rapid transit railway system currently spanning 25 miles of track.

This proposal would expand that to 35 miles of track. The construction of this solution, however, would be much more involved, requiring a new bridge to be built.

It’s interesting to note that neither of these solutions was advanced in previous screenings by MDTPO, but it seems that reconsiderations have taken place.

Whichever proposal is accepted, it comes with a substantial price tag for taxpayers. The project is estimated to cost between $600 million and $800 million in capital expenses and $9 million to $15 million in annual operational costs.

How Bad Is Traffic in PortMiami?

PortMiami consistently ranks as the busiest cruise port in the world, and it’s only getting busier by the day.

In 2025, the Cruise Capital of the World welcomed a record 8,564,225 cruise passengers through its terminals. MDTPO estimates that by 2050, that number could rise to as high as 24,100,00.

But it’s not just cruisers that influence traffic. Miami is the second most populous city in the state of Florida, with approximately 2.84 million people living in Miami-Dade County.

High numbers of ships in port, special events, and road work can all turn a leisurely drive to the cruise terminal into an aggravating standstill. It’s become a regular occurrence for cruise lines to send their guests reminders to leave plenty of time to avoid the busy downtown Miami congestion.

Earlier this month, CruiseHive reported on Carnival Cruise Line warning passengers of just such a high traffic weekend. Cruisers were advised to allow extra time to reach their ships due to construction downtown as well as the Bounce Back for Cancer event.

There’s no word yet on how long these proposed projects will take to complete. In the meantime, we all know what construction does to traffic, so if you’re cruising out of PortMiami, be sure to leave plenty of time to get to your ship.