Norwegian Cruise Line is alerting booked guests and their travel agents that scores of voyages during the winter 2025-26 season have been cancelled. In total, a whopping 38 sailings on three ships, Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Star, and Norwegian Dawn, have been nixed.
The cancelled cruises were to operate in far-flung regions, from the Caribbean to South America and Antarctica, plus Africa and Arabia. The cruise line offered no reason for the cancellations, which affects voyages between November 2025 and April 2026.
It also has not revealed where the ships, each accommodating 2,300 guests, will be deployed during that timeframe.
Norwegian Cruise Line is automatically refunding cruise fares to the guests’ original form of payment and is offering a 10% discount on another voyage as a Future Cruise Credit.
With the first cancelled voyages still about a year away, guests have plenty of time to rebook for the same timeframe on other Norwegian Cruise Line ships and alter any air arrangements.
However, that will not likely assuage disappointed guests who were looking forward to cruising to exotic destinations like Casablanca, Morocco; Willemstad, Curacao; and Cape Town, South Africa, for example.
What’s Cancelled on Norwegian Jewel?
In the case of Norwegian Jewel, all voyages between November 23, 2025, and April 5, 2026, will no longer operate.
The ship is based in Tampa, Florida, and was scheduled to sail alternating 7- and 14-night cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. Seven-night cruises were to call at Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; Harvest Caye, Belize; and Roatan, Honduras.
The longer option offered port calls to destinations including George Town, Grand Cayman; Oranjestad, Aruba; St Georges, Grenada; St Johns, Antigua; and St Thomas, US Virgin Islands.
Following the last cancelled cruise, Norwegian Jewel will pick up with her previously scheduled itineraries, starting April 16, 2026, following a repositioning to Philadelphia. From that port the ship will sail a series of 7-night cruises to Bermuda and Charleston, South Carolina.
In September 2026, the ship will operate a short series of Canada/New England cruises between Quebec City and Philadelphia. The 10- and 11-night voyages will call at ports such as Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; Sydney and Halifax, Nova Scotia; Bar Harbor and Portland, Maine; and Boston.
Here are Norwegian Star’s Nixed Voyages
Norwegian Star’s cancelled cruises were to operate between November 20, 2025 and April 14, 2026. Her first cancelled sailing was to have been a 14-night repositioning cruise from Lisbon to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, setting up the ship for a winter series in South America and Antarctica.
The repositioning cruise was to call at Tenerife, Canary Islands; Mindelo, Cape Verde; and Recife, Maceio, and Salvador De Bahia, Brazil.
A 14-night cruise that was to combine Antarctica with two South America destinations, Argentina and Chile, is among the cancelled voyages. Also a longer, 16-night itinerary featuring only ports in Argentina and Chile was pulled.
Norwegian Star Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Lukassek / Shutterstock)
Following the cancelled series, Norwegian Star’s first scheduled cruise departs on April 26, 2026, and sails from Lisbon to Southampton, UK. The repositioning sets up the ship’s summer series of voyages between Southampton and Reykjavik, Iceland.
The ship will sail 10- and 11-night Iceland, Norway, and Scotland cruises through summer 2026, calling at Reykjavik, Isafjord, and Akureyri, Iceland; Maloy and Leirvik, Norway; and Invergordon, and Edinburgh, Scotland.
These Norwegian Dawn Cruises Won’t Operate
Norwegian Dawn’s scheduled voyages between November 2, 2025 and April 12, 2026 were cancelled. The first nixed cruise was to be a 21-night Africa: Morocco, Canary Islands & Namibia sailing departing from Barcelona.
Plenty of exotic destinations were on the lengthy itinerary, including Casablanca and Agadir, Morocco; Arrecife and Tenerife, Canary Islands; Dakar, Senegal; Banjul, Gambia; Abidjan, Ivory Coast; Principe, Sao Tome and Principe; Luanda, Angola; and Walvis Bay, Namibia.
Norwegian Dawn’s schedule picks up as planned with an April 19, 2026 cruise from Lisbon to Barcelona. The 7-night itinerary calls at Cadiz and Motril, Spain; Gibraltar, UK; and Ibiza and Palma De Mallorca, Spain.
The ship’s 2026 summer series will offer, as scheduled, 7-night cruises in the Western Mediterranean.
Changes are coming to the way non-UK residents travel to the United Kingdom in 2025, and Norwegian Cruise Line is urging passengers to be ready.
In a letter sent to upcoming guests, the cruise line detailed the UK’s implementation of an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system, which will be required for many passengers disembarking at UK ports or entering England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland by air or sea.
“Please read this communication in its entirety to ensure you are in compliance with all required travel documentation for your upcoming cruise to the United Kingdom, to avoid any chance of being denied boarding,”said Norwegian Cruise Line.
The new mandate, which begins January 8, 2025, for non-European travelers and April 2, 2025, for European nationals, is meant to streamline entry processes into the UK.
Valid for two years or until the expiration of a passport, the new visa will allow for multiple entries and make travel to destinations in the UK more convenient.
The government has announced the electronic visa applications, which will cost of £10 per application, will open on November 27, 2024, for non-European travelers. Visas for European nationals will open on March 5, 2025.
Norwegian is suggesting passengers apply as soon as possible to avoid any issues for sailings in January and beyond.
“The visa can take up to three business days to obtain. As such, guests are strongly encouraged to begin the application process as soon as it become available,”the cruise line said.
Voyages Impacted by the New Requirements
The notice is particularly important for passengers of the 168,028-gross-ton Norwegian Bliss’ upcoming transatlantic voyage.
Departing from Miami on January 4, 2025, before the entry visa is required, the 4,004-passenger ship will arrive in Southampton, England, on January 17, 2025, after the new process begins. This could leave guests stuck without proper paperwork.
Norwegian Breakaway, which accommodates 3,903 guests, will also be making a transatlantic voyage from Miami on February 7, 2025. Arriving in Southampton on February 19, all passengers aboard the 145,655-gross-ton vessel not from the UK or Europe will need an ETA.
Another transatlantic voyage will take place on the 3,099-passenger Norwegian Prima. Departing from New York City on April 27, all non-European and European guests will require the new visas in order to visit Belfast, Northern Ireland, and Liverpool, England, before disembarking in Southampton on May 11, 2025.
UK ETA (Photo Credit: Cristian Storto)
The 143,535-gross-ton ship will begin to offer a series of cruises from between Southampton and Reykjavik between May and August 2025, requiring entry visas.
Additionally, it’s not too early for cruisers who intend to visit the UK in the spring and summer months to apply. NCL ships sailing into Southampton also include the 2,348-passenger Norwegian Star and 2,394-guest Norwegian Pearl.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s sister cruise lines, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas, will be affected by the new mandate. Oceania’s Vista, for example, will be making a journey from Miami to Southampton with a call in the Channel Islands, in late April, when all non-European and European guests will require the new visa.
Certain travelers are exempt from needing ETAs, including those with already-valid UK visas or those with permission to live, work, or study in the UK. Dual citizens with British or Irish citizenship using those passports are also permitted.
Considering the rising tensions in Haiti, some in the cruise community have been left scratching their heads as to why Royal Caribbean would continue sailing to its private destination of Labadee, Haiti.
After three separate commercial planes were shot at in Port-au-Prince in early November, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) prohibited flights to Haiti – while Royal Caribbean doubled down on its decision to return to Labadee.
However, the family-friendly brand has since come forward to assuage safety concerns for guests on cruises bound for the coastal peninsula – which is located on Haiti’s north coast in the Greater Antilles archipelago of the Caribbean Sea.
Royal Caribbean has been reaching out to current guests by sending letters to their staterooms, which explain that Labadee is over 100 miles away from the civil unrest currently unfolding in the capital of the Caribbean country – and the distance helps make it safe.
“Kindly note that the civil unrest taking place in Port-au-Prince is 128 miles south of our private destination, Labadee. The drive, on less-than-idea road conditions, would take more than six and a half hours,” reads one letter delivered to recent guests onboard Explorer of the Seas.
If any ill-intentioned groups or individuals should set their sights on Labadee, the peninsula’s location should give Royal Caribbean plenty of time to take appropriate actions and evacuate guests.
In addition to being far removed from the current chaos,the 260-acre resortis a controlled-access area with private security in place – and is only open to Royal Caribbean guests and employees.
The private beach area is also fenced-off with armed guards protecting it – who are usually kept out of sight but are always looking out for visitors.
As a heavily guarded area that is separated from the general population of Haiti, crime rates are much lower and safety is less of a concern.
“The U.S. Embassy has recognized Labadee as a cruise-exclusive area with private security, low crime, and a place where only standard precautions are needed,” Royal Caribbean confirmed.
The popular cruise brand concluded by reminding guests that safety is always the top priority – and by promising to remain vigilant as the situation within Haiti continues to develop.
Crime and Unrest Remain Prevalent in Haiti
Despite Royal Caribbean’s reassurances, visiting the private destination might still feel a little nerve-wracking – especially as Haiti as a whole has been given the most severe travel advisory from the US government.
Indeed, it has been a rough year for Haiti – with a state of emergency declared in March after around 4,000 dangerous criminals escaped from prisons in Port-Au-Prince and Croix des Bouquet.
Royal Caribbean’s Labadee Destination (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks / Shutterstock)
Soon after, Royal Caribbean did decide to suspend all sailings to Labadee out of an abundance of caution – and didn’t return until October when the cruise line was confident it was safe to do so.
That said, Royal Caribbean has promised to continue to monitor the situation – and is working with both local authorities and its own security teams in order to maintain a clear picture of any possible safety risks.
“We continue to monitor the situation very closely alongside local authorities and our security team…the safety of our guests remains our top priority,”continues the letter from the cruise line.
It also seems that the cruise line is exercising some extra caution by limiting shore excursions for the time being – with some saying their excursions to areas outside of the main resort, such as transportation and tours of the nearby Amiga Island, had been cancelled.
And of course, any passengers who still feel uncomfortable visiting Haiti are not required to go ashore. Guests are always welcomed to stay onboard while in port and enjoy all the amenities and entertainment that their cruise ship has to offer instead – and perhaps with less crowds.
It’s officially that time in the holiday season where we start reflecting on the past year and looking ahead to the next – and the world’s second busiest cruise port is no exception.
As the fiscal year ended on September 30, 2024, the leadership team at Florida’s Port Canaveral have now had a chance to review the numbers for 2024 – and ultimately found increased revenue in all business sectors.
In his annual “State of the Port” address on November 20, 2024, Canaveral Port Authority CEO Capt. John Murray confirmed that the port’s streak of record-breaking growth has indeed continued for another year – and much of the success can be attributed to cruise tourism.
During the 2024 fiscal year, the Orlando-based port earned $191 million in revenue – with cruise operations accounting for $156 million – or around 81% – of the total.
“Cruise continues to be a significant segment of our business portfolio with some of the newest and largest ships in the world based at Port Canaveral. This speaks volumes to the confidence our cruise partners have in our ability to consistently deliver exceptional results for their guests,” Capt. Murray stated.
Throughout the year, Port Canaveral welcomed 7.6 million passengers across 13 homeported ships and 911 cruise ship calls.
This is an approximate 12% increase on the 6.8 million cruise guests welcomed by the port in 2023, which was another record-breaking number at the time, and even more significantly ahead of the just over 4 million passengers that passed through Port Canaveral’s six cruise terminals in 2022.
Over the past year, the port also added new parking facilities – including an 8-story garage and a 6-story garage – and upgraded existing parking processing systems.
A total of 914,000 vehicles took advantage of the now more convenient parking, paying a daily rate of $17 plus tax – which certainly adds up with the number of cars using the garages.
Port CEO Capt. John Murray delivers the 2024 State of the Port presentation from Cruise Terminal 1 (Photo: Canaveral Port Authority)
Growth Expected to Continue in 2025
Port Canaveral is already looking ahead to the future, and is anticipating an even busier and more profitable year in 2025.
The port’s leadership team is projecting annual revenues to grow to $211 million from $191 million, which will largely be helped along by growing cruise operations.
Indeed, the port is anticipating a record-breaking 8.4 million passengers and a greater number of ship calls – 1,030 to be exact – in the new fiscal year.
Additionally, the number of cruise ships that will homeport in the popular port is jumping up from 13 to 16 in the 2025 fiscal year – and includes some of the newest and most exciting ships on the high seas.
Disney Cruise Line, for example, chose Port Canaveral as the first homeport for Disney Treasure– and she just made her debut in Florida on November 12, 2024.
When she officially enters service on December 21, 2024, Disney’s newest addition will use the port as her base as she operates round-trip, 7-night sailings throughout the Eastern and Western Caribbean.
Cruise Ships Docked in Port Canaveral (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks)
Similarly, Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas, which is currently under construction at the Meyer Turku Shipyard in Turku, Finland, will begin her career at Port Canaveral when she enters service in August of 2025.
Like Disney Treasure, Royal Caribbean’s new Icon-class vessel will alternate between week-long sailings to the Western and Eastern Caribbean – and will bring up to 5,610 guests to the port with every voyage.
Last but not least, Princess Cruises and Celebrity Cruises will each be taking advantage of Port Canaveral’s homeporting services for the first time ever.
Caribbean Princess will arrive at her new homeport at the end of November 2024 – arriving just a few days before Celebrity Equinox is expected to dock on December 3, 2024.
The Long Beach Cruise Terminal is operated by Carnival Cruise Corporation and is one of the busiest cruise terminals in Southern California.
Situated near downtown Long Beach and directly beside the iconic Queen Mary, it is a major departure point for Carnival cruise ships traveling to popular West Coast cruise destinations, like the Mexican Riviera and Hawaii.
The Long Beach Cruise Terminal is located roughly 23 miles south of downtown Los Angeles along the waterfront of Long Beach, California.
This strategic location provides visiting cruise ships with straightforward access to the Pacific Ocean, making it an ideal departure point for cruise ships with itineraries that involve traveling south along the Pacific Coast of Mexico, out to the Hawaiian Islands, or even north along the American Pacific Coast.
The cruise terminal is also located just a few miles southwest of the downtown core of Long Beach, making it a convenient location for cruise passengers hoping to do a little bit of sightseeing before boarding their cruise ship.
As mentioned, the cruise terminal is also located directly beside the iconic RMS Queen Mary Ocean Liner, which now operates as a floating hotel and museum, so visiting cruise guests do not have to travel far to see the sights.
Although the Long Beach Cruise Terminal is almost exclusively used by cruise ships owned by Carnival Cruise Line, it is also located just 3 miles from the much larger Port of Los Angeles, frequented by a much wider range of cruise lines. The Port of Los Angeles is also one of the busiest ports in the world, so many cruise passengers depart from this part of California.
Long Beach Cruise Terminal Address:
Long Beach Cruise Terminal, 231 Windsor Way, Long Beach, CA, USA 90802
Which Cruise Lines Use Long Beach Cruise Terminal?
Carnival Firenze in Long Beach, California
As mentioned, Long Beach Cruise Terminal is owned and operated by the Carnival Corporation, so it is exclusively used by ships under the Carnival Cruise Line banner and some of Carnival’s affiliated cruise lines. These include the following:
Carnival Cruise Line
Cunard Line
Princess Cruises
Holland America Line
Costa Cruises
While all the cruise lines listed above belong to the Carnival Corporation and can use the Long Beach Cruise Terminal, it is primarily used by Carnival Cruise Line cruise ships. Other major cruise lines, like Norwegian Cruise Line, depart from the nearby Port of Los Angeles-operated World Cruise Center in San Pedro, California.
Long Beach Cruise Terminal Pier and Terminal
Pier at the Long Beach Cruise Port (Photo Credit: mariakray)
The Long Beach Cruise Terminal consists of a single main pier, which is large enough to dock some of the largest cruise ships in the entire Carnival Cruise Line fleet.
While the pier stretches 1,550 feet and has two cruise ship berths, it is rarely used to dock more than a single cruise ship at any given time, as it was made to accommodate full-sized cruise ships.
The Long Beach Cruise Terminal really stands out because of its unique character. The building is actually a large converted geodesic dome that was previously used as a film location for major Hollywood movies.
Today, this unique, 12-story high domed structure houses all the check-in and security areas required of a major cruise port, but it still retains a truly unique character.
The charm of this former film location is enhanced by the fact that the interior of the terminal building also contains props from movies that were filmed there, as well as photos of the iconic World War II era floating plane prototype, the Spruce Goose, which was once housed inside the dome.
Another unique feature of the Long Beach Cruise Terminal is that visiting cruise passengers find their way to and from the pier by following an elevated bridge, which extends from the interior of the domed terminal building itself.
While there are stairs, the bridge also features elevators at either end, enabling passengers with mobility needs to find their way to and from the terminal building easily.
The unique Long Beach Cruise Terminal offers a wide range of services, ensuring all visiting cruise passengers enjoy a smooth embarkation process. These features include the following:
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Although connection speeds vary, visiting passengers can access complimentary Wi-Fi inside the domed terminal building. Just sign up with a valid email address, and you can enjoy free internet access for a full hour.
Check-in Counters
The domed terminal building is outfitted with plentiful check-in counters, including a separate area for priority boarding, which ensures all guests are processed quickly. There is also a dedicated luggage drop-off area, which functions like an airport.
If you choose to use this service, your bags are taken directly to your cabin or suite, where they will await your arrival. Since the Long Beach Cruise Terminal only deals with Carnival passengers, the check-in process is incredibly streamlined.
Seating Areas
Carnival Corporation made full use of the dome when renovating the structure, so you will find numerous seating areas throughout. The curved benches follow the dome shape, giving the interior a more welcoming atmosphere than a typical cruise terminal building so passengers can easily find a place to relax before boarding.
To the left of the entrance, you will see a spacious seating area decorated with a tropical theme, including fake palm trees and clouds and a large model of the Spruce Goose suspended from the ceiling.
Preferred Suite Waiting Area
Interior of Long Beach Cruise Terminal
A dedicated luxury waiting area exists for Preferred, Platinum, and Suite guests. Lounge chairs, televisions, and a complimentary menu of snacks and drinks await passengers staying in suites or qualifying through Carnival’s VIFP Club.
Full Accessibility
There is also a dedicated wheelchair assistance counter located at the end of the check-in counters. From here, passengers can request assistance with their luggage, borrow a wheelchair, or have dedicated assistance boarding the ship.
Several wheelchair-friendly restrooms are available, ensuring all guests can easily access these facilities. With proof of a valid permit, you can also book handicapped parking, which is located directly beside the terminal building.
Security Desks
Like the check-in counters, the security desks are designed to ensure a simplified and streamlined screening process. They are located immediately after you pass through the main entrance.
Parking at Long Beach Cruise Terminal
Cruise Parking Overview at Long beach Port (Photo Credit: trekandshoot)
Long Beach Cruise Terminal offers its own official on-site parking in a multi-level structure that sits directly adjacent to the domed cruise terminal.
On the off chance that the parking garage is fully booked, several nearby off-site parking options are available to those looking for overnight parking. Here’s a basic breakdown of your parking options:
Official On-Site Parking
As mentioned, parking at Long Beach Cruise Terminal is incredibly straightforward, thanks to a dedicated passenger parking garage. This five-story covered parking garage holds over 1,450 parking spaces.
All vehicles pay a standard rate of $23 per day, but oversized vehicles that take up more than one space will have to make other arrangements. An hourly rate of $4 per hour is charged for vehicles that do not require overnight parking, but the first 30 minutes is free.
There is also a dedicated handicapped parking available to visiting guests with a valid permit. These parking spots are near the terminal entrance, and porters are available with wheelchairs upon request.
Parking at the official garage or outdoor lot requires no advanced reservations, but full payment is required upon exit. Cash and all major credit cards are accepted.
Unofficial Off-Site Parking Options
Even though the official parking lots have nearly 1,500 spots available, they can fill up, especially when the larger cruise ships use the port. If this is the case, several off-site options are available with complimentary shuttle services to the terminal.
There is a large, open-air public parking lot located directly beside the nearby DoubleTree Hotel Maya. Located just 0.7 miles from the cruise port, this parking lot is easy to travel to and from.
The hotel operates a complimentary shuttle to the cruise terminal, which is free for those paying to use the parking lot. The parking lot also has charging stations for electric vehicles. Keep in mind that the parking is a steep $40 per day, but valet parking is included in the cost.
Traveling to Long Beach Cruise Terminal from Nearby Airports
For those flying into Long Beach before their cruise, several airports are located within driving distance. Here is a basic breakdown of the three main airports that are used by traveling cruise passengers:
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Los Angeles International Airport (Photo Credit: kingmondo)
As one of the busiest airports in the world, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the main airport that serves the greater Los Angeles area. Given that it is only 22.5 miles northeast of Long Beach Cruise Terminal, it is also the main airport used by cruise passengers flying in from outside of LA.
Even though it is only 22.5 miles away, you should anticipate a drive that could take 40 minutes to over an hour due to LA’s infamous traffic congestion. With that said, the drive is relatively straightforward. If you are planning to drive yourself, follow these directions:
From LAX, get on I-105 E
Merge onto the I-110 South towards San Pedro and continue for 6 miles
Merge onto the I-710 S towards Long Beach and continue for 2 miles
Take the exit towards South Harbor Scenic Drive and continue until you see signs for the Long Beach Cruise Terminal
If you do not plan on driving, plentiful taxis and rideshare vehicles are available at the airport. As the main airport in California, thousands of taxis strictly provide rides to and from the airport, so you won’t have to worry about calling your own cab. Expect the fare to be between $45 and $60, depending on the day of the week and time of day.
Long Beach Airport (LGB)
Long Beach Airport (Photo Credit: mikeledray)
Although much smaller than LAX, Long Beach Airport (LGB) is the closest airport to the cruise terminal. Located just over 11 miles away, LGB still serves nearly two million passengers per year, so there are daily flights from domestic airlines to other major American cities, including New Orleans, Nashville, Houston, and Salt Lake City.
Due to its proximity and the availability of budget flights, many cruise passengers will choose to fly into LGB rather than the much busier LAX. In most cases, the drive will take roughly 20 minutes; however, like driving anywhere in Los Angeles County, traffic can be an issue.
Take the exit for the I-405 N and continue for 8.5 miles
Take exit 32B, merge onto the I-710 S, and continue for 2 miles
Exit onto S Harbor Scenic Drive and continue until you see signs for the Long Beach Cruise Terminal
While there are not as many taxis operating out of LGB as LAX, there is still a dedicated taxi and rideshare area, so you can easily get a ride without having to call one yourself. Whether you take a traditional taxi or a rideshare vehicle, like an Uber or Lyft car, you can usually secure a ride for about $30.
Carnival Cruise Line occasionally offers complimentary shuttle buses from the airport, but you must check ahead of time.
John Wayne Airport (SNA)
John Wayne Airport (Photo Credit: F Armstrong Photography)
Located in Orange County, roughly 26 miles from the Long Beach Cruise Terminal, John Wayne Airport (SNA) is another airport that some cruise passengers will fly in and out of.
With dedicated services from major Canadian airlines, like Air Canada and WestJet, John Wayne Airport is a particularly popular arrival point for Canadian cruise passengers and those from Alaska. They also serve American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, so passengers fly in from all over the United States.
Since it is located in Orange County, you should anticipate plenty of traffic and a drive that will take between 45 minutes to well over an hour.
Get on CA-73 N from John Wayne Roadway and continue for 2.3 miles
Take the exit for I-405 for 15.5 miles, then take Exit 23 for CA-22 W
Continue on CA-22 W until you reach the Long Beach Cruise Terminal
Like the other two airports, getting a cab or rideshare vehicle from SNA is fairly straightforward. There is a designated waiting area for taxis, which operates on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Taxis tend to be about $75, as the traffic can be pretty heavy. If you want to save money, the airport offers a shuttle service, which can be booked 24 hours before your flight.
How to Get to Long Beach Cruise Terminal
Long Beach Cruise Terminal (Photo Credit: Robert V Schwemmer)
Whether you are going to the cruise terminal directly from one of the nearby airports, a hotel in Long Beach, or anywhere else in LA County, there are various transportation options available to you:
Rideshare and Taxis Vehicles
Taxis and rideshare services, like Uber, Lyft, and Wingz, are widely available throughout Long Beach and the surrounding area. Taxis do not have to abide by a mandated flat rate, so most use a meter rate, which is $2.97 per mile.
That said, most drivers will negotiate a flat rate for a specific location, especially if the destination is a popular spot, like the cruise terminal, so it is always worth asking.
Public Transportation
While public transit isn’t the fastest option, it is by far the most affordable. The Metro Blue Line also connects downtown Los Angeles to Long Beach.
From here, you can transfer to a Long Beach Transit Bus (LBT) and take Route 121, which has a stop directly in front of the Queen Mary. With regular single rides only costing $1.25 for a single ride or $4 for a full-day pass, it is the most budget-friendly option available.
Shuttle Services
Most of the hotels in the area offer complimentary shuttle services to the cruise terminal, as a significant number of their guests book a room before or after their cruise.
On occasion, Carnival will also run free shuttle services to the cruise terminal from the airports, but you always have to check with your cruise line ahead of time.
Dining Near Long Beach Cruise Terminal
Fuego at the Maya
It is no secret that Long Beach has an amazing restaurant scene. Luckily, several great options are located within a reasonable distance of the cruise terminal. If you are looking to grab a bite to eat before boarding, we recommend the following:
BO-Beau Kitchen & Roof Tap
Located just 1.9 miles from the Long Beach Cruise Terminal, BO-Beau Kitchen & Roof Tap offers upscale dishes in a casual environment.
With its unique rooftop beer garden, it’s a great place to enjoy a cold drink and a delicious plate of food while soaking up some of that Long Beach sunshine. With over 50 craft beers on tap, its famous house-made burger, and steak frites that are incredibly popular with locals, it’s a great option.
Fuego at the Maya
Located just 0.8 miles away on the main floor of the Maya Hotel, Fuego at the Maya is one of the closest options to the cruise terminal. With a Latin-inspired menu, this restaurant and lounge has a full outdoor patio with incredible harbor views.
Whether you’re looking for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, they serve throughout the day and have an amazing cocktail menu.
Chelsea Chowder House
For a unique dining experience, you can book a table at the Chelsea Chowder House, located on the Queen Mary. This surprisingly modern seafood and steak restaurant has an incredible menu.
As the name implies, the seafood chowders are the real highlight, but they have a menu that would suit any taste. It is less than 500 feet from the terminal building entrance and incredibly easy to walk to.
Gladstone’s Long Beach
Located just 1.6 miles away in nearby Shoreline Village, Gladstone’s Long Beach offers fresh seafood and a casual atmosphere. It also offers a full children’s menu and often has live music playing, especially on weekends, making it a fun, family-friendly restaurant for those traveling with kids.
Shopping Near Long Beach Cruise Terminal
The Pike Outlet, Long Beach (Photo Credit: Walter Cicchetti)
While the Long Beach Cruise Terminal does not have stores inside the building or surrounding it, like you get with some of the Caribbean cruise ports, there are still some great options for those hoping to do a bit of shopping before or after their cruise vacation.
The closest and most popular option is the nearby Long Beach Pike Outlets, which are only 1.5 miles away on the other side of the Los Angeles River. This waterfront entertainment and shopping district offers a wide variety of restaurants, entertainment venues, and, of course, outlet stores from some major brands.
With dedicated outlets for brands like Columbia, Converse, Guess, Levi’s, Sunglass Hut, a Nike Factory Store, and much more, shopping enthusiasts can find something that interests them. Plus, this nearby shopping district is also home to a few smaller souvenir shops, as well as the major brand-name outlets.
If you aren’t that into shopping but just want somewhere to kill some time, the Pike Outlets is well worth visiting. It is home to bars, nightclubs, a movie theater, and even a Ferris wheel.
The Best Time to Visit Long Beach
Like all of California, Long Beach is a year-round tourist destination, so the best time to visit depends on personal preference. That said, the most popular time of year to visit Long Beach is between September and November. The weather is not quite as hot and humid as the summer months, and the spring can be a little wet.
Keep in mind that Long Beach and the cruise terminal that shares its name can get a bit crowded in the late summer and early fall. Unfortunately, traffic is an issue in Long Beach throughout the year, so you should always give yourself extra travel time.
As Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Disney Treasure, gears up for her maiden voyage next month, she is making the publicity rounds in a big way. Recently, the vessel made a splash in Nassau Cruise Port on November 15, marking its first-ever visit to the Bahamian capital.
The arrival of the 144,236-gross-ton-ship, which recently crossed the Atlantic Ocean from Eemshaven, Netherlands, to arrive at her homeport of Port Canaveral, Florida, was heralded by a water cannon salute upon entering Nassau Harbour.
“We are thrilled to welcome Disney Treasure to Nassau Cruise Port,”said Mike Maura Jr., CEO of Nassau Cruise Port.“Disney Cruise Line has been a valued partner for many years, with their vessels making 168 calls to our port this year alone, bringing 724,300 passengers to experience the magic of the Bahamas.”
Following the visit, the ship continued north to New York City, where it held a live-streamed christening ceremony on November 19, ahead of a media day to introduce journalists and travel advisors to Disney’s latest innovations.
These include new dining experiences like Plaza de Coco, inspired by Disney and Pixar’s “Coco;” a new Skipper Society lounge modeled after Disney’s Magic Kingdom’s Jungle Cruise; a new Haunted Mansion-styled bar; and a new live music venue, the Scat Cat Lounge.
While in New York, the ship will be a highlight of the city’s annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Featured in a new float that will be televised to millions of viewers worldwide, performers will give a peek at the vessel’s brand-new Broadway-style musical modeled after the Disney hit, “Moana.”
Although the Bahamas are frequently on the roster for Disney Cruise Line, Disney Treasure’s first season itineraries do not actually include stops in the island’s largest city.
The special call was instead symbolic, highlighting the company’s long-standing partnership with the Bahamas and its growing cruise industry.
In fact, the vessel will kick off its inaugural season with a maiden voyage from Port Canaveral to the British and US Virgin Islands on December 21, 2024, stopping in the Bahamas only to enjoy a day at the cruise line’s private destination, Castaway Cay.
Disney Treasure will then offer continuous 7-night voyages to the Eastern and Western Caribbean, with western routes also visiting Castaway Cay and Mexico, Jamaica and Grand Cayman.
Disney Treasure in Nassau (Photo Credit: Nassau Cruise Port)
However, when sister ship, the Disney Destiny, debuts in November 2025, it will feature Nassau on its steady lineup of 4-day voyages between Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Maura anticipates the new carriers will increase the cruise line’s calls to Nassau to 229 in 2025.
As the Disney Treasure arrived in Nassau, it joined the Disney Dream and two ships from Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line to bring nearly 12,000 passengers to Nassau, contributing to what officials project will be another record-breaking year for arrivals at the port.
In 2023, the port welcomed 1,210 cruise ships carrying nearly 4.5 million passengers, marking a 14 percent increase over the previous record set in 2019.
“Disney Treasure is a truly magical vessel,”said Maura. “Much like Disney, Nassau Cruise Port is committed to creating a welcoming, family-friendly environment where visitors of all ages can create lasting memories.”
Following a $330-million redevelopment that increased the port’s capacity to accommodate up to 30,000 passengers daily in 2024, Nassau Cruise Port is now planning a $35-million water park filled with family-friendly recreational activities. The project will be completed in December 2025.
After five years of homeporting at Charleston, South Carolina, Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Sunshine will soon shut down operations there and redeploy to another East Coast port, Norfolk, Virginia.
The move was a long time coming, since the South Carolina Ports Authority confirmed back in 2022 that it would not extend its homeport pact with the cruise line beyond 2024.
At the time, it explained that the authority’s project to redevelop Charleston’s Union Pier Terminal would prevent any cruise ship from homeporting operations.
As a result, there will be no ship based at Charleston for the foreseeable future, however, the port will continue to welcome single-day port calls from various ships.
Among them are Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas in January, February, and March 2025; Oceania Cruises’ Vista in April 2025; and Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Silhouette in May 2025, for example.
Carnival Sunshine, like all other cruise ships, temporarily suspended operations during the pandemic and restarted service from Charleston in January 2022. The ship typically sailed 4- and 5-night itineraries to the Bahamas.
It will continue to sail those routes through December, adding one 10-night Eastern Caribbean departure on December 2, 2024.
The ship’s final departure from the Port of Charleston will be on December 30, 2024, a 5-night Bahamas voyage that calls at Nassau, Bahamas, and Half Moon Cay, the cruise line’s private island destination, during the New Year holiday.
Carnival Sunshine is scheduled to enter dry dock from January 4 to February 15, 2025.
From her new year-round homeport at Norfolk, Carnival Sunshine, a 3,000-guest ship that entered service in 1995, will sail her first cruise from the Virginia port on February 16, 2025. The 8-night Eastern Caribbean voyage will visit the Dominican Republic, Turks & Caicos, and Princess Cays, Bahamas.
The ship will alternate between 6-night Bahamas cruises to Freeport, Nassau, and Bimini, and the 8-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary. Several Canada/New England voyages are scheduled for fall 2026.
Cruise Line’s History at Charleston Goes Back to 2010
The cruise line first deployed Carnival Sunshine to Charleston in May 2019, replacing Carnival Ecstasy, which was shifted to Jacksonville, Florida. The 2,000-guest Carnival Ecstasy had been based at Charleston starting in 2016, replacing the 2,000-guest Carnival Fascination.
But Carnival Cruise Line’s relationship with Charleston goes back even further. The line first deployed a ship at the South Caroline port in 2010, when it homeported the 2,056-guest Carnival Fantasy there, offering 5- to 7-day voyages to the Bahamas and Key West.
Carnival Ship in Charleston
Carnival Fantasy’s introduction to Charleston was celebrated when the ship began operating on May 18, 2010. A gala, onboard luncheon event was attended by city and port officials, and John Heald, who is now the cruise line’s popular brand ambassador. At the time he was a senior cruise director.
It has not been all smooth sailing for Carnival Cruise Line in Charleston, however. In June 2011, four citizen groups filed a lawsuit against the line, claiming that Carnival Fantasy was a nuisance and did not conform to local zoning regulations.
Pollution, noise, traffic jams, and other complaints were part of the suit, which was bandied about in court for several years. The case ultimately was dismissed.
Norwegian Cruise Line has chosen award-winning American actor Eric Stonestreet to be godfather to Norwegian Aqua, its new-build set to debut in April 2025 as the first vessel in the brand’s Prima Plus Class.
Stonestreet, famous for his role as Cameron Tucker in the hit TV show “Modern Family,” will christen the 3,600-guest Norwegian Aqua at PortMiami on April 13, 2025. The 156,300-gross ton ship is under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy.
Norwegian Aqua was floated out of her construction bay in April 2024 and is undergoing her interior design. Still to come are the ship’s sea trials, when navigation, propulsion, safety, and other systems will be tested before her handover to the cruise line.
“We are very excited to officially welcome Eric Stonestreet to the NCL team!“ said David J. Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line.
“Eric’s authenticity, wit, charm and genuine desire to bring happiness to the masses embodies the role of godfather for Norwegian Aqua, as well as who we are and what we stand for as a company. We are honored to have Eric as the godfather of Norwegian Aqua,” added Herrera.
In addition to his role in “Modern Family,” Stonestreet appeared in movies, including “The Secret Life of Pets” and “Identity Thief.” He also is appearing in season two of “The Santa Clauses,” a Disney+ series.
Norwegian Aqua will introduce several new concepts, dining venues, and thrill rides, such as the Aqua Slidecoaster, a combination rollercoaster-waterslide; a new sports complex called Glow Court; and the Aqua Game Zone.
“I am blown away by what’s in store for Norwegian Aqua and I cannot wait to take a ride on the Aqua Slidecoaster, indulge in some red curry at the all-new Sukhothai and most importantly create lifelong memories with my own family while on board this innovative new ship,” said Eric Stonestreet.
Sukhothai is the name of a new-to-the-fleet Thai specialty restaurant offering traditional Thai favorites plus some new creations like Salt and Pepper Prawns, and Thai Grilled Steak Salad. The venue will be designed with bamboo screens, paper lights, and other decor inspired by Thai culture.
Other new dining options to debut on Norwegian Aqua include Planterie — a nod to vegan and vegetarian guests. Located in the Indulge Food Hall, it will dish up plant-based cuisine such as the Mediterranean Goddess Bowl featuring spiced vegetables, tabbouleh, and honey-roasted carrots.
The line’s first Prima Plus-class ship will also be the first to offer three-bedroom duplex suites as part of The Haven by Norwegian, the exclusive and luxurious ship-within-a-ship area that offers a private sundeck, infinity pool, lounge, and bar.
Norwegian Aqua to Sail Maiden Season From Port Canaveral
At the gala christening event, Stonestreet will break a champagne bottle across the ship’s bow in a traditional maritime ceremony that blesses the ship, its crew, and guests, and wishes them safe travels.
While PortMiami is the location of the naming ceremony, it will not initially be her homeport. Following her christening voyage, Norwegian Aqua will move up the Florida coast to Port Canaveral, where she will be based until August 2025.
Norwegian Aqua Cruise Ship
From Port Canaveral, the ship will sail 7-day cruises to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; and Great Stirrup Cay, the cruise line’s private island in the Bahamas.
From August to October 2025, the ship will operate a series of Bermuda cruises from New York. After that, Norwegian Aqua will deploy to PortMiami, offering 5- and 7-day Eastern Caribbean voyages through April 2026.
The cruise line’s second Prima Plus-class ship, Norwegian Luna, is due to enter service in April 2026. The vessel is under construction at the same Fincantieri shipyard as Norwegian Aqua.
A christening is one of the most important milestones in the life of a new cruise ship. But in the case of Disney Treasure, many fans were left wanting more – and not in a good way.
After weeks of building anticipation, the short ceremony took place on Tuesday, November 19, at 8 p.m. EST.
Onlookers gathered to watch the traditional naming ceremony in New York Harbor, while thousands morelive streamed the christening from home.
The festivities began with a live performance from American Idol winner and recording artist Jordan Sparks – who is the voice behind the Triton-class ship’s signature theme song, “Live the Adventure.”
As the first ship in Disney’s fleetto have its own theme song, it was only fitting for the song to be sung at the 4,000-passenger vessel’s christening.
The cruise line then used drones to display a light show over New York Harbor that featured classic Disney characters and paid homage to new experiences launching with the ship.
For example, a “Coco” section commemorated the opening of the Plaza de Coco dinner theater experience and a “Moana” segment was included in connection with the new “Moana” stage show,titled “Disney: The Tale of Moana.”
After the light show, the 144,236-gross ton vessel was symbolically named and christened using a giant champagne bottle in the sky – which was created by the same drones that performed the light show.
Once the ship was christened, the bottle faded into what looked like stars in the night sky.
While the effect was cool, the tradition that dates back to the 1800s is for the ship’s godparent to break a bottle of champagne over the bow for good luck – and this didn’t actually happen.
That said, Disney may have opted for this artistic approach as the company made all of its employees – or cast members as they call them – the godparents of the new ship.
Of course, it would have been impossible for thousands of cast members to be part of the christening – but representatives could have been selected to carry out the tradition.
You can watch the full ceremony below:
Christening Ceremony Disappoints Fans
Disney Treasure’s christening came after weeks of anticipation – with the cruise line teasing the performances and encouraging cruise fans at home to live stream the festivities.
Disney is also famous for its top-notch storytelling and stellar performances, which set high expectations for this historic event.
The cruise line even made a big deal about Disney Treasure leaving her first homeport – Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida – to host the christening in New York, which added to the hype.
But when all was said and done, many felt that the event simply didn’t meet their expectations – leaving many underwhelmed.
“It was cool, but a 10 minute ceremony is underwhelming, especially considering they took it all the way to New York City for the ceremony for the first time,”one person commented under the livestream on YouTube.
Indeed, the ceremony was on the short but sweet side at just around 10 minutes long. Meanwhile, the average ship christening lasts for around 15 to 30 minutes.
Others pointed out a lack of participation from key figures within the Disney Cruise Line brand. There were no speeches from Disney executives – at least not on the live stream – and even Mickey Mouse didn’t make an appearance.
“So like what happened to all of the fireworks, and where was Mickey Mouse? There are expectations that Disney has built within their fan base and one of them is absolutely a glorious fireworks spectacular,”commented another live streamer.
All that said, Disney will get one more opportunity to impress New Yorkers before Disney Treasure officially enters service – as the new ship will be represented as part of an elaborate float joining the 98th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
The new vessel will then officially enter service with her maiden voyage on December 21, 2024.
