Guests booked on four of Norwegian Cruise Line’s most popular ships will not be able to take their cruises as planned in 2025 and 2026, as the cruise line has just announced the cancellation of 35 different sailings.
The impacted cruises are for departure dates ranging from November 29, 2025 through April 11, 2026, with voyages on Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Encore, and Norwegian Joy all affected.
While the first now-cancelled sailings are just under a year away, travelers may understandably be frustrated at having their cruise vacations – which may have already been booked for a year or more – removed.
A total of 35 cruises are cancelled for “fleet redeployments” though the nature of those redeployments has not been specified.
Norwegian Bliss Cancellations
For Norwegian Bliss, 9 total cruises are cancelled – the ship’s November 30, December 5, December 20, and December 27, 2025 departures, as well as her January 3, January 10, February 1, February 16, and March 3, 2026 departures.
This includes the ship’s last roundtrip departure from Los Angeles (November 30), as well as her highly anticipated 15-night repositioning cruise to Miami (December 5 and February 1). All other sailings she’d planned from Miami in early 2025 and her return trips to Los Angeles (January 10 and February 16) are also cancelled.
This appears to indicate that Norwegian Bliss will be remaining in Los Angeles before returning to Seattle to begin the Alaska sailing season in April 2026.
Norwegian Breakaway Cancellations
Norwegian Breakaway / Photo Credit: Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Breakaway now has 10 different cruises cancelled between January 6 and February 6, 2026. This is the ship’s entire short stay at Port Canaveral, when she was to have been offering 3- and 4-night Bahamas itineraries with visits to Great Stirrup Cay.
Before and after the now-cancelled cruises, the ship is sailing from New York for Caribbean, Barbados, Antigua, and Bahamas getaways, which she will presumably now continue throughout that time period instead of moving to Florida for just over a month.
It should be noted that Norwegian Breakaway did not have repositioning sailings scheduled between New York and Florida. Instead, the ship would have moved between the two homeports without guests onboard.
Norwegian Encore Cancellations
Norwegian Encore has just 7 sailings included in this round of cancellations. Now, the ship will not be sailing her planned voyages between November 29, 2025 and January 16, 2026.
As with Norwegian Bliss, this represents a short season that Norwegian Encore was to have offered from a different homeport. In this case, the ship is homeported from Miami and was to have moved to Los Angeles briefly.
Now, the repositioning sailings – Miami to Los Angeles departing on November 29, 2025 and Los Angeles to Miami departing on January 16, 2026 – are both cancelled. Likewise, all the California departures, which were to have been Mexican Riviera itineraries, are also cancelled.
Norwegian Joy Cancellations
Norwegian Joy in New York (Photo Credit: Just dance)
Finally, a total of 9 cruises aboard Norwegian Joy are now cancelled, including select departures from November 2025 through April 2026.
During this time frame, the ship is homeported from Port Canaveral but not all cruises are impacted. The following departure dates are now cancelled: November 29; December 13, 20, and 27; January 17; February 21 and 26; March 3; and April 11.
The first five of these cancelled cruises were all 7-night Caribbean sailings, while the February 21 and 26 departures were to have been 5-night Bahamas cruises. The March 3 cruise was a unique 4-night itinerary to Great Stirrup Cay and Nassau.
The April 11 departure is the most surprising cancellation, as it was to have been Norwegian Joy’s unique 23-night repositioning voyage between Port Canaveral and Seattle, with visits to destinations in Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, and more along the way.
As the ship is still scheduled for her Alaskan season to begin on May 13, 2026, a new repositioning cruise may soon be announced.
Compensation Offered
All guests on any of the 35 now-cancelled cruises will be receiving a full refund of their cruise fare and all associated taxes, fees, and pre-paid expenses. These refunds will be automatically returned to the original form of payment, though processing times may vary.
Furthermore, travelers are being offered a 10% discount with a future cruise credit (FCC), the details of which will be sent to individual guests on Monday, December 9.
Terms and conditions of the future cruise credit may vary based on the original ship booked or date of the voyage, but this does give travelers an opportunity to select a different Norwegian Cruise Line sailing to replace the vacation they can now no longer take.
This latest round of cancellations follows a similar burst of cancellations impacting Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Star, and Norwegian Dawn. A total of 38 voyages were cancelled for those three ships less than a month ago, with the same refund and FCC compensation offers.
Two Florida residents are urging cruisegoers to be careful when booking a cruise. According to News4Jax, the friends thought they had secured a dream vacation, only to find out their booking was a scam.
The duo said they responded to a Facebook ad promoting a heavily discounted Royal Caribbean cruise. Contacting someone they thought was a legitimate travel agency to book their voyage, they received what they thought was real confirmation details for a 3-night itinerary aboard Utopia of the Seas.
The 236,860-gross-ton ship is currently offering 3- and 4-night itineraries from Port Canaveral to the Bahamas that visits Nassau and Royal Caribbean’s private destination, Perfect Day at Coco Cay.
Nyeasha Lambert of Jacksonville and Rochelle Price of Ocala, Florida, made regular payments for a $523 cruise through Cash App. However, on the day of departure, the friends were turned away, as their reservation never existed.
“It was embarrassing,” the 71-year-old Lambert told Northern Florida media, saying she was literally crying, saying, “What just happened?”
The couple reported the incident to authorities and are warning others to always book directly through a cruise line or a trusted travel advisor.
Authorities are investigating the scam and emphasizing fraudulent travel offers are on the rise, particularly during the holiday season, when people are eager to secure deals.
Protecting Yourself From Cruise Scams
Unfortunately, stories like these are not uncommon. In 2023, an 83-year-old woman contacted authorities about a travel agency that had taken her payments but cancelled her Alaskan cruise a day before she was set to depart, without refund.
Investigators discovered a fake travel agency and arrested a man for scamming thousands of dollars from elderly passengers to take his own vacations.
Another woman in England, age 64, lost £6,300 on a Caribbean cruise she booked through a fraudulent company on eBay.
Spotting a scam can be tricky, especially when an offer seems too good to pass up. But the adage holds true: If it’s too good to be true, it probably is.
Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Justin Kozemchak)
However, the deal Lambert and Price thought they were securing is not that far off of Royal Caribbean’s official pricing through its website. Currently, 3-night roundtrip cruises from Port Canaveral to the Bahamas begin at $585, including taxes and fees.
However, one red flag in the transaction was the payment method. Unsolicited deals that require payments to be made through apps like Cash App or other peer-to-peer platforms are often untraceable and provide little to no recourse for refunds.
Unlike credit cards, which offer fraud protection and the ability to dispute charges, payments made through apps are considered final and are nearly impossible to reverse, making them a preferred choice for scammers seeking to make a quick buck.
In the case of the eBay scam, eBay is typically a safe platform that offers a Money Back Guarantee if purchases are completed through approved payment methods. However, the guarantee does not apply to travel tickets or vouchers.
Before booking a cruise, guests should take the time to compare a deal in question to similar offers from legitimate sources. As scammers can create websites that look real and post fake positive reviews, experts advise travelers to check review sites like Google Reviews, Trustpilot, or the Better Business Bureau.
Of course, contacting or booking through a cruise line directly can confirm the authenticity of a deal and guarantee a reservation.
A Norwegian Cruise Line vessel just got its first taste of “Sugar City,” showing its 3,099 passengers and 1,506 crew members a bit of the sweet life.
Pulling into Port Zante on December 5, 2024, Norwegian Prima, the first ship in the cruise line’s Prima Class, made her inaugural call on the island of St. Kitts.
“Today’s arrival of Norwegian Prima is a remarkable highlight of our dynamic cruise season,”said Hon. Marsha T. Henderson, St. Kitt’s minister of tourism. “With each new call, we strengthen the island’s position as a must-visit stop on the world’s most prestigious itineraries.“
As the first in a new line of Prima Class ships, Henderson referred to the 140,000-gross-ton Norwegian Prima as “a masterpiece of modern cruising, offering unparalleled experiences that align perfectly with St. Kitt’s reputation as a premier destination.“
Upon arrival, the ship’s captain, Roger Gustavsen, accepted a plaque from St. Kitts commemorating the inaugural visit, as is tradition in maritime protocol.
Norwegian Prima arrived at Port Zante in the island’s capital city of Basseterre during an 11-night Caribbean voyage that departed from New York City on November 30. Prior to the call, the ship had visited the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.
It will continue to call on the US and British Virgin Islands before returning to New York on December 11.
St. Kitts will remain on Norwegian Prima’s route for two additional sailings. One, another voyage from New York departing on December 21, and the other during a 14-night journey from Galveston, Texas, departing on January 17, 2025.
St. Kitts Breaks Records and Prepares for 1 Million Passengers
St. Kitts has seen a surge in tourism due to strategic efforts by the island. By the end of September 2024, the island witnessed a near-22-percent increase in visitors over the previous year, with 118,574 total guest arrivals in just 30 days.
Much of the island’s tourism can be attributed to cruise ships, with St. Kitts welcoming just over 670,000 passengers during its 2023-2024 season.
Said Henderson, “St. Kitts is on an upward trajectory, and I commend my team, our stakeholders, and the local community for your support and invaluable contributions to the industry.”
Norwegian Prima (Photo Credit: St. Kitts Tourism)
In 2024-2025, Kitts is expecting even greater numbers in cruise tourism, with projections exceeding 1 million passengers from 391 scheduled cruise calls that include Norwegian Prima’s first visit, as well as inaugural calls from Explora Journey’s Explora II on December 2 and MSC Cruises’ MSC Virtuosa on December 4.
In fact, the island just witnessed a record-breaking six ships calling at Port Zante and nearby Carambola Beach Club on December 3, 2024.
This included the world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s 5,610-passenger Icon of the Seas, along with Windstar Cruises’ Star Pride, Seabourn Cruise Line’s Seabourn Ovation, Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Serenity, Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Apex, and AIDA Cruises’ AIDAperla.
The six vessels equated to 13,458 passengers in one day, with St. Kitts reporting guests spent an average $145 per person during calls.
The island will also be featured on Royal Caribbean’s new Star of the Seas’s radar when the ship completes construction at Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland in July 2025. The 250,800-gross-ton, 5,610-passenger vessel is scheduled to make her first appearance on St. Kitts on September 11, 2025.
The number of Carnival Cruise Line itinerary revisions on 2025 and 2026 voyages continues to grow, with a newly announced spate of changes impacting 21 cruises on eight ships.
In notices to booked guests on December 5, 2024, the cruise line detailed a series of route changes, port replacements, and altered time in ports on the nearly two dozen voyages.
Most of the affected cruises are a year or more away, giving cruisers time to make changes if they wish, but some are just months away.
In all cases, any affected shore excursions pre-purchased through the cruise line will be automatically refunded or adjusted, as needed, and land tours for any new ports will be offered for booking before embarkation day.
Carnival Celebration
Four 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruises sailing roundtrip from PortMiami on the 5,362-guest Carnival Celebration are impacted. The order of port visits was revised, but detailed changes were not revealed on the ship’s March 23, 2025 and November 16, 2025 cruises.
The sailings will call at Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos; Amber Cove, Dominican Republic; and Nassau, Bahamas.
On the ship’s December 28, 2025 and February 22, 2026 cruises, a call at San Juan, Puerto Rico, was replaced with Amber Cove. Other port calls are to Celebration Key, and St. Thomas.
Carnival Sunshine
Three 6-night Bahamas sailings on the 3,758-guest Carnival Sunshine, based in Norfolk, Virginia, are affected. The ship’s November 9 and 15, 2025 cruises will call at Half Moon Cay rather than Bimini. These itineraries also will have a revised order of port calls and altered port times.
The ship’s December 13, 2025 voyage will visit Princess Cays instead of Bimini, and there are modified port times and days in Nassau and Princess Cays.
Carnival Vista
The 3,934-guest Carnival Vista has one itinerary change on her November 15, 2025 departure from Port Canaveral. The 6-night Eastern Caribbean cruise will call at Grand Turk rather than Half Moon Cay. Other calls will be made to Celebration Key and Amber Cove.
Carnival Magic, with a capacity for 3,690 guests, has three impacted cruises, all 8-night Eastern Caribbean sailings roundtrip from PortMiami.
Her November 21, 2025 and February 21, 2026 cruises will visit St. Croix instead of St. Thomas, while the November 29, 2025 sailing will call at Princess Cays rather than Half Moon Cay.
Carnival Sunrise
The 2,984-guest Carnival Sunrise will replace a call to Half Moon Cay with Princess Cays on her December 4 and 13, 2025 and February 26, 2026 Bahamas cruises. Additionally, the December 13, 2025 voyage has adjusted days and times in port.
Carnival Spirit
The 2,610-guest Carnival Spirit has an adjusted departure time from her homeport of Mobile, Alabama on January 18, 2025. The 12-night Southern Caribbean voyage will depart at 5 p.m. instead of the originally planned 4 pm.
The cruise calls at popular destinations such as Curacao, Jamaica, and Grand Cayman. A second cruise, a 6-night Bahamas sailing departing on February 22, 2026, will visit Nassau instead of Bimini. The ship will also visit Celebration Key.
Carnival Pride
Carnival Pride in Baltimore (Photo Credit: Joe Andrucyk, Bill Mc Allen / Flickr)
Guests sailing on the 2,680-guest Carnival Pride’s 14-night Greenland and Canada cruise, roundtrip from Baltimore on August 17, 2025, will see port times and the order of port visits altered.
The cruise will call at adventurous destinations, including Nanortalik and Qaqortoq, Greenland; St. Anthony and Corner Brook, Newfoundland; and Sydney, Nova Scotia.
Carnival Firenze
Carnival Firenze, the 4,090-guest Fun Italian Style ship, has four cruises impacted by revisions. All are 4-night Baja Mexico cruises that operate roundtrip from Los Angeles. The departures on March 1 and 15, 2026 and April 2 and 12, 2026 all will remove Catalina Island from their itineraries and instead feature a second visit to Ensenada.
Catalina Island and Ensenada are the only two calls on the original itinerary. Port times have also been altered for these sailings.
Carnival Cruise Line in recent weeks, has announced large numbers of revised itineraries. In October 2024, the line confirmed that 22 voyages on 10 ships with departures in 2025 and 2026 were being altered with a variety of route changes and modified port times.
Holiday meals are always filled with delicious treats and once-a-year dishes, and Carnival Cruise Line’s Christmas Gala Dinner is no different.
The special holiday menu includes a variety of seasonal dishes that evoke traditional tastes and elevated favorites, as well as classic Carnival dishes for those who have different preferences.
For appetizers, the special featured Christmas starter is a luxurious baked brie with cranberry-pecan crumble and fig and olive crostini. Other options include a short rib and yam croquette with pear and mustard relish and a pimento aioli, deviled eggs with candied bacon, and a roasted pumpkin soup with brown butter and thyme.
If cruisers prefer more classic appetizers, both the BLT wedge salad and the Caesar salad will be available, as well as shrimp cocktail and other options.
Three special Christmas entrees are on offer for the dinner menu, starting with the classic holiday roasted tom turkey with sage stuffing, sweet potato casserole, giblet gravy, and cranberry relish.
If passengers had their fill of turkey on the Thanksgiving menu (whether they set sail with Carnival or enjoyed the holiday at home), they can opt for honey glazed ham with herbed potatoes, roasted carrots, asparagus, candied pineapple, and raisin sauce.
A delicious vegetarian entree is also available – cauliflower and gruyere cheese souffle, served with asparagus and mushroom beurre blanc, Brussels sprouts, and glazed pecans.
Of course, Carnival’s classic entrees are tasty enough for any holiday meal as well, and several favorite options are part of the Christmas Gala Dinner menu.
Oven-baked salmon with lemon risotto and skillet vegetables, ricotta ravioli with aged parmesan, grilled black tiger jumbo shrimp with fava bean and pea stew, and flame-grilled striploin steak with green beans almondine are just a few of the available entrees.
As with every night on a Carnival ship, guests can also order the popular Steakhouse Selections – broiled filet mignon, grilled lamb chops, a New York strip steak, or surf & turf with a lobster tail – for the standard $23 surcharge. An 18% gratuity service charge is also added to all Steakhouse Selection orders.
Desserts are the crown jewels of the holiday season, and Carnival’s Christmas menu does not disappoint. The featured dessert is a stunning eggnog cheesecake, served with raspberry cremeux, spiced cream, and mint “snow” for nostalgic effect.
Several other desserts also feature outstanding seasonal tastes. The classic bourbon pecan pie is garnished with creme Chantilly and whiskey caviar, while the buche de noel is a low-calorie option without any added sugar, featuring coffee anglaise and honey oat crumble.
Carnival Cruise Line Christmas Dinner Menu
Of course, guests will still be able to finish their holiday meal with the iconic Carnival chocolate melting cake, fresh tropical fruit, or the savory cheese plate. And as it’s Christmas, why not order more than one dessert? There’s no reason to have just one – it’s the holidays!
Travelers should also know that if they have food allergies or sensitivities, different menu items can be prepared in a way that is safe and still seasonally delicious.
“We would be able to prepare everything that you need without you having to worry about your allergies,”John Heald, Carnival’s Brand Ambassador, confirmed.“We are always ready to do that.”
Guests should inform their dining room team about any allergies on the first night of the cruise, and they will make notes to ensure a delicious dining experience without any complications. In the case of more severe dietary concerns, contacting the special needs team before sailing will help prevent mishaps.
More Christmas Treats Onboard
While the Christmas Gala Dinner menu will be the highlight of seasonal dining for many cruisers, there are sure to be other treats available as well.
Many of the same dishes will be offered at the Lido Marketplace buffet for guests who prefer a more casual, at-your-leisure dining experience.
Additional cookies, cakes, and other treats with seasonal flavors will also be on offer. Of course, guests can also take advantage of all the other food available onboard, including Guy’s Burger Joint and other free dining venues.
For late night snacks, the new expanded Lido buffet service includes pizza, sandwiches, soups, and more. Guests will never lack delicious options on a Carnival cruise!
There used to be a lower daily rate that had been charged on longer sailings (six nights or more), but the change eliminates this discount.
The same day, it also came to light that Carnival has increased the cost of its Wi-Fi packages by a minimum of 12% over previous pricing – regardless of if guests purchase their internet service in advance or once onboard.
The Social Wi-Fi plan, which includes access to social media websites and apps, originally cost $15.30 per day when purchased in advance and $18 per day onboard. But now, the cost has risen to $18.70 when pre-purchased and $22 once onboard.
The middle tier Value Wi-Fi plan rose from $19.55 pre-cruise to $22.10 per day when purchased in advance – with the onboard price increasing from $23 to $26 per day.
The highest quality Premium Wi-Fi Plan increased the least – but still rose from $21.25 pre-cruise to $23.80, with the onboard price rising from $25 to $28.
Naturally, many were upset about the price hikes – especially as Carnival is largely viewed as a budget-friendly cruise line and because the changes came without notice.
Brand Ambassador John Heald tried to explain the reasons behind the increase on his public Facebook page, but still was met with much rage in the comments of his posts.
“I do understand your disappointment that I did not advise you of the increase in some of the services that we are offering such as the cheers program. I have scheduled comments with my colleagues and the beards,”Heald posted.
“We’re proud of the quality and value a Carnival cruise vacation provides our guests. Recent nominal price adjustments to help cover higher costs and our investments in on board offerings allow us to continue providing the high-quality experiences our guests know and love,”Heald continued.
This initial response, however, was not enough to stop the barrage of angry comments from flooding in.
Guests Lash Out Against Bad Timing and Poor Communication
Believe it or not, most passengers were less upset about the price changes than they were about the timing of the news and the lack of warning.
With Christmas just weeks away, many folks found that their holiday spirit was dampened by the surprise increase – especially among those that already find themselves overextended buying holiday presents.
If anything, many were expecting holiday related discounts from the cruise line – not to have to shell out extra cash for their next vacation.
“Please address the insane increase on CHEERS with no warning and right before Christmas.This is the second increase in a year. And the last one, we were given a heads up if already booked. This time we were blindsided and during the holidays,”one person wrote on Heald’s Facebook page.
“And here I was hoping for a Black Friday or Travel Tuesday deal for it and BAM!! Just kidding, best I can do is INCREASE IT,” she continued.
However, the bigger issue at hand wasn’t the holiday timing, but rather that the change wasn’t communicated as previous price increases have been in the past – which would have allowed future guests to take advantage of the old prices.
“I was waiting until next week to pay for the cheers package (I know my fault) so it was a very unpleasant surprise to find out they raised the price. While I understand that prices are rising and they are not obligated to say anything, a day or 2 notice would have been great,”one future guest wrote.
However, not everyone was so friendly in the way they expressed their frustration – with Heald actually having to make another post to address the onslaught of cyberbullying that came his way.
“Anything that involves some of the name calling and personal attacks that were posted today, well, please, I respectfully ask you to refrain from that,”Heald wrote.
It likely also doesn’t help that the price increases came at a time where there has been a growing annoyance about overcrowding on Carnival ships – which was already seen as taking away from the value of cruising.
The first-ever fully dog-friendly cruise is coming soon, with great interest from doting dog owners eager to set sail with their pets.
While it sounds like an amazing opportunity, there is no way this dog owner would ever walk my dog up a pet-friendly gangway. But why not?
Why I Would Never Take a Dog-Friendly Cruise
While travel agencies, cruise lines, and travel insurance companies will take all possible precautions for smooth sailing on any dog-friendly cruise, there are just too many things that could be very unpredictable onboard.
1. Seasickness
Just like humans, dogs can suffer from motion sickness. While my dog has never had issues even on longer car rides, setting sail for a multi-night cruise is a unique situation.
Having been on dozens of cruises myself, I am very familiar with how each voyage is different and how weather patterns can change quickly, causing pitching and rolling that might upset even the strongest stomachs.
I love roller coasters, have no trouble on car rides or in elevators, and enjoy most ship motion, but more than once I’ve had a bit of a queasy stomach on rough waters.
Once the cruise is underway, there would be no realistic option to debark early if one’s dog reacts badly to the ship’s motion. Instead, it will just be necessary to continue with the voyage, subjecting the dog to miserable conditions for several days. This is not something I’m comfortable risking, as there’s really no way to tell beforehand if a pet will get seasick.
2. Pests and Diseases
Dog on Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Zivica Kerkez)
While all dogs boarding a cruise ship would undoubtedly be required to be up-to-date on required vaccinations, there is always a risk that diseases such as kennel cough could be passed from pooch to pooch, even if vaccinated. This highly communicable disease is a respiratory infection frequently found in boarding facilities, doggy day cares, grooming salons, and other group venues.
Like our own flu vaccine, the canine bordetella vaccine is not 100% effective against all kennel cough occurrences, and even a vaccinated dog can become infected. While not usually too severe and very treatable, it’s yet another risk I’m just not comfortable taking.
Furthermore, what about fleas and ticks that might be brought onboard? Different dog owners use different types of pest preventatives, and each one has different levels of effectiveness. Even a dog on flea and tick meds might occasionally have a pest, which can easily jump from one pet to another.
3. Stress and Anxiety
I take cruises to relax, as a fantastic way to unplug and escape the worries of the world while enjoying an amazing getaway. But taking my dog along would amp up my stress level onboard as I worry about his well-being and care in a very unique and unusual situation.
Furthermore, dogs thrive on routine, and I’ve seen firsthand how our dog might get uneasy and unpredictable in new and potentially frightening situations. No matter how well-trained, well-socialized, or well-adjusted any dog may be, a cruise would certainly be stressful.
This can lead to unpredictable behavior and even physical illness (the type of tummy troubles we don’t necessarily enjoy cleaning up). Even if my own dog adapts fine to life on the high seas, there’s no telling how other dogs onboard may react in adjacent staterooms or elsewhere on the ship.
4. Behavior and Training
Dog Playing in the Water (Photo Credit: Pascale Gueret)
All responsible dog owners will take steps to ensure their furry family member can confidently obey basic commands such as sit, down, or stay. Our dog follows these commands and knows a variety of tricks and other more advanced commands as well.
Onboard a dog-friendly cruise, however, there is no guarantee that all the pets are thoroughly trained. Furthermore, even the most well-trained dog may get distracted by unusual situations and may not obey as expected.
This could be even more of a problem on a dog-friendly sailing, as restrictions may require that only smaller dogs be welcomed aboard. Unfortunately, many small dog owners may be lax about thorough training because it can be just too easy to pick up one’s small dog when they disobey, laughing off potentially problematic behavior as cute instead.
I’m guilty of this myself, as there are times when our 18-pound dog believes he weighs 180 pounds and wants to defend his territory with that attitude. Rather than intensive training to correct that behavior, we may just deflect him instead (not great training practice, and certainly not useful on a cruise).
5. Size and Breed Restrictions
For safety and insurance purposes, any dog-friendly sailing is likely to restrict canine cruisers to certain body weights or overall sizes. Larger dogs or breeds perceived to have more aggressive behaviors are not likely to be as welcome.
While this may put some dog owners at ease, even small dogs can be aggressive in the right (or wrong) situation. I still have scars from a mean-tempered and poorly trained Chihuahua from when I was a kid – scars that are also my fault, to be fair, but that do prove that even a 10-pound dog can be potentially dangerous.
Every dog owner believes their dog is friendly, welcoming, and well-mannered, but each of those traits can have different definitions for different owners and different animals. I don’t want to risk my own dog’s safety based on another owner’s assumptions in a very unknown and first-of-its-kind situation.
6. Relief Areas
Dog Cruise Relief Station (Photo Credit: denbaim)
Whenever a service dog is onboard a cruise a special relief area is set up, usually on a lower deck in a quiet corner where the dog can more comfortably “do its business.” Depending on what stateroom the owner books, a similar relief area may be set up on their private verandah or balcony.
True service dogs are specially trained to “go” on command as needed and are accustomed to a wide range of surfaces and circumstances that can meet their bathroom needs. Few pets, however, have the same control and versatility for bathroom breaks as a fully trained service dog.
My dog is thoroughly house trained and has not had an accident in longer than I can recall. He takes his bathroom breaks in the yard or on walks, even in completely new areas.
He has never, however, used a litter box, artificial turf, or other similar surface that might be used in an onboard relief area, and I’m not sure he’d know what to do with it.
If other dogs onboard aren’t used to relief area arrangements, it could mean a very messy situation indeed, not to mention that illnesses and parasites such as worms are passed through feces – another risk I’d rather not take.
7. Onboard Restrictions
While a dog-friendly cruise will naturally permit pets to enjoy many areas of the ship, there are sure to be select venues where dogs aren’t allowed. For health and safety reasons, this is likely to include all restaurants and pool areas, two areas my family really enjoys on every cruise.
This means that if our dog were to accompany us on a sailing, there would be lengthy times when he would need to be left alone in our stateroom, crated in a kennel, or under other doggy daycare supervision – not actually enjoying the cruise with us as advertised.
While our dog is crate trained and comfortable in his accommodations, that may not be true for every dog owner. An upset dog can become a loud or destructive one, which can then cause reactions from other dogs, perhaps in nearby staterooms or common areas.
8. Paperwork
Dog Paperwork (Photo Credit: Krakenimages)
The paperwork necessary to bring a domestic animal to a foreign country can be convoluted and confusing. While travel agencies arranging dog-friendly sailings will likely take steps to help streamline the process for their booked travelers, it is still up to owners to be sure their dog is properly documented for a successful visit.
Without the proper paperwork, guests and their canine travel companions may be denied boarding at the last minute, or else may not be permitted to debark in ports of call.
For dog owners whose pets have challenging histories – an adopted older dog from a shelter, for example, that may be lacking a puppy vaccination history – the necessary paperwork can be an extra difficulty for setting sail.
I do have my dog’s paperwork, but over the years, it is possible that changing veterinarians, a more detailed health history with medical problems, changes in medication, or other challenges could make the paperwork even worse than trying to renew a human passport at short notice.
9. Emergencies
Dog-Friendly Cruise (Photo Credit: Able Image)
No pet owner wants to face the possibility of an emergency with their dog, particularly when far from home. While a dog-friendly cruise will undoubtedly have a vet onboard in case of emergencies, how well-equipped will any cruise ship really be for animal care? What meds may be stocked onboard, and what emergency equipment?
When a human has an emergency during a cruise they may be disembarked early to seek further care at land-based facilities, but will that be possible for a dog?
What standard of veterinary care may be available in different ports of call, just in case? These are questions that may be nearly impossible to answer but could be critical for the health and well-being of a beloved pet onboard a cruise.
10. Cost
Cruises can be very affordable vacations, but it is always more expensive to travel with a pet. Even when traveling on land, there are pet fees over and above the standard booking costs for hotels, and extra services for a pet – doggy day care, grooming, etc. – also have extra fees.
It stands to reason that a cruise line would also charge an extra fee for a pet-friendly sailing. This cost could help cover any extra staff that might be needed onboard to help with dog care, sanitation, supervision, and other duties, as well as to cover any potential damage or other expensive outcomes from dogs onboard.
Just as some hotels have a per-night pet fee while others charge a flat rate regardless of stay length, cruise lines might also vary in how they charge for any pets onboard. The dog’s size could also factor in to a fee’s overall total.
This also doesn’t count extra travel charges for cruise passengers to reach their cruise homeport with their pet. These could include airline pet fees, pet fees for hotel stays before and after sailing, or extra fees for other transportation such as surcharges with rideshare services when a pet is also part of the group.
Choose Wisely for Your Dog
Ultimately, every dog owner has to choose the experiences they want to have with their pet and decide for themselves whether certain experiences may be worth the inherent risks.
There will surely be plenty of demand for dog-friendly sailings if the difficulties are worked out, and different cruise lines may offer a wide range of possibilities for oceangoing canines.
For me and my dog, we’ll happily enjoy a stroll on the beach, a visit to a local park, and an extra play session at home. When I do set sail on my next cruise, I’ll be sure to bring dog toys back for us to enjoy together on dry land.
The world’s second-busiest cruise port is going to see even more passengers arriving at its terminals in the coming months.
On November 26, 2024, Port Canaveral celebrated the arrival of Royal Caribbean’s 3,600-passenger Voyager of the Seas, which will homeport at the port for its 2024-25 winter season.
The ship joins Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas, Utopia of the Seas, and Adventure of the Seas at the Space Coast port, which saw more than 7.6 million passengers during fiscal 2024.
To mark the occasion, a traditional maritime plaque ceremony was held aboard the ship.
Although Voyager of the Seas set off on her first sailing from Port Canaveral on November 30, 2024, a 5-night Eastern Caribbean journey to the Dominican Republic and the cruise line’s private destination, Labadee, in Haiti, the formal plaque exchange took place on December 5, 2024, after the ship returned.
Prior to departing on a 4-night Bahamas cruise to Royal Caribbean’s other private destination, Perfect Day at Coco Cay, and Nassau, Captain Josep M. Ruyra received the warm welcome from Canaveral Port Authority Commission Vice Chairman Wayne Justice.
“Port Canaveral is thrilled to welcome Voyager of the Seas as the fourth Royal Caribbean International ship to call the port home,”a statement from the port revealed.“Welcome to Port Canaveral, Voyager of the Seas!“
The vessel is now operating 4- and 5-night voyages from Central Florida to the Caribbean through May 3, 2025.
Together, the four Royal Caribbean ships calling Port Canaveral home this season will bring a combined total of 18,118 passengers to the port for each sailing, reinforcing its role as a key hub for Caribbean cruises.
Voyager of the Seas Plaque Ceremony (Photo Credit: Port Canaveral)
Port Canaveral Poised for Record-Breaking Growth in 2025
Port Canaveral has experienced significant growth in cruise ship arrivals and passenger traffic in recent years. At the beginning of 2024, the port projected it would receive 7.3 million passengers. Instead, fiscal year reports recorded a record-breaking 7.6 million.
Trailing behind PortMiami, which witnessed more than 8.2 million visitors in fiscal 2024 and overtook Port Canaveral as the world’s busiest port in 2023, officials anticipate it will host 8.4 million cruise guests in 2025, spurred by the arrival of several new ships.
Royal Caribbean’s 5,668-passenger Utopia of the Seas, the second-largest vessel in the fleet made Canaveral its home when it debuted in July 2024, where it is slated to remain through at least April 2026, providing 3- and 4-night weekly sailings to the Bahamas.
The cruise line’s new Star of the Seas, currently under construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, is also scheduled to arrive in the summer 2025.
Voyager of the Seas Docked in Port Canaveral
As the second Icon Class ship after Icon of the Seas, the 250,800-gross-ton vessel will bring 5,610 guests for its weekly 7-night sailings to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. The ship is scheduled to stay through April 2027.
Meanwhile, Disney Cruise Line’s newest vessel, the 144,000-gross-ton Disney Treasure, is making her much-anticipated maiden voyage from Port Canaveral on December 21, 2024. Carrying up to 4,000 guests, the ship will call the Space Coast home through May 2026.
MSC Cruises’ 181,541-gross-ton MSC Grandiosa, carrying up to 4,842 passengers, will become the cruise line’s largest ship to homeport at Port Canaveral when it arrives in December 2025.
In total, the port will homeport 16 ships in 2025 and anticipates more than 1,000 calls.
Cruisers who depart from driving destinations may have the ease of getting to ports easier than those who have to fly, but that ease often turns into a headache when it comes to parking congestion.
From heavy traffic to constant construction and limited shuttles from distant lots to cruise terminals, the experience can cause anxiety and stress that disrupt the start of a vacation.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) is hoping to change that at the world’s busiest cruise port by taking over operations at PortMiami Garage.
The port, which welcomed more than 8.2 million passengers in fiscal 2024, is growing, and with it, passengers need more parking.
NCLH, which owns Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, will take over Cruise Terminal B Garage’s operations and maintenance and announced it will also develop a new multipurpose parking facility at PortMiami.
“This agreement highlights our strong and growing partnership with PortMiami,” said Dan Farkas, executive vice president, general counsel, and chief development officer at NCLH.
“With increased passenger commitments and new infrastructure management and development, we are ensuring that PortMiami continues to lead as a world-class hub for the cruise industry and a key driver of our local economy,” he continued.
The agreement marks a major step in addressing the increasing volume of passengers moving through PortMiami, including Norwegian’s added commitment to bring 25 million more passengers over the next 30 years, bringing the company’s total to nearly 75 million during the initial terms of the agreement.
“By combining Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ and PortMiami’s resources, we can invest in infrastructure projects which will benefit the growing number of cruise customers,”said Danielle Cohen Higgins, chairwoman of PortMiami’s Resiliency and Sustainability Committee.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava expressed optimism about the partnership and said, “By collaborating with our valued partners and investing in future-ready transportation projects, we are ensuring our global position as Cruise Capital of the World.”
The new multipurpose parking facility will boost parking capacity by adding a minimum of 2,000 additional parking space. Although a construction date has not been announced, NCLH says the project will be complete by late 2028.
Major Cruise Lines Invest in PortMiami
This isn’t the first time Norwegian has expanded its footprint at PortMiami. In 2021, Norwegian Cruise Line unveiled a new 188,000-square-foot terminal and parking garage capable of accommodating ships holding up to 5,000 passengers.
Known as Terminal B, the LEED Gold Certified project designed by Miami-based architecture firm Bermello Ajamil & Partners Inc., cost more than $100 million.
View of PortMiami in Florida (Photo Credit: Just dance)
However, Norwegian Cruise Line is not alone in addressing the parking needs of its passengers. Royal Caribbean Group is set to begin construction on new Terminal G in 2025. The project, with an estimated cost exceeding $2.8 billion, includes expanding the multi-level parking garage at the terminal.
Completion is anticipated by late 2027, and the new terminal is expected to more than double Royal Caribbean’s annual passenger movements across its brands, which include Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises.
Carnival Cruise Line also completed an expansion project at Terminal F in early 2023. The 471,500-square-foot project welcomes 100,000 passengers annually.
