Philadelphia’s new PhilaPort cruise terminal will not be completed in time for its first scheduled sailing on April 16, 2026.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Jewel will still depart as planned.
Embarkation will be handled from a temporary facility while construction continues.
Cruising is set to return to Philadelphia in April, but the city’s new cruise terminal will not be ready in time for its first sailing.
The inaugural voyage from the new PhilaPort cruise terminal near Philadelphia International Airport is still scheduled for April 16, 2026, when Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Jewel departs on its first sailing from the port.
However, the site remains an active construction zone with no completed terminal building in place. Instead of the permanent facility, which broke ground in December 2025, embarkation for the first voyages will take place from a temporary setup.
PhilaPort confirmed that the 2,368-passenger ship will still sail as planned, despite the unfinished terminal.
“There will be no delay for cruise passengers. The first scheduled sailing of the Norwegian Jewel will depart Philadelphia as planned on Thursday, April 16,” the port said in a statement to local media.
The delay comes from Philadelphia’s extreme winter weather conditions that brought back-to-back snowstorms in February and bitter cold temperatures that prevented workers from safely working outdoors and snow that wouldn’t melt.
In response, the port says, “the embarkation process for the initial sailings will operate from a temporary facility.”
Norwegian Cruise Line said it is continuing to work with PhilaPort on the logistics for embarkation and disembarkation for those sailings taking place before construction can be completed.
“We are finalizing those plans and will communicate embarkation and disembarkation details with impacted guests as they become available, which we anticipate will be within the next week,”the cruise line told ABC.
Philadelphia’s Port Expansion
The new cruise terminal in Philadelphia is part of a broader effort to restore the city as a homeport for cruise ships after 15 years without regular departures.
PhilaPort announced plans to develop a new homeport in 2024, offering a dedicated facility capable of handling modern cruise ships and thousands of embarking passengers.
The site sits near Philadelphia International Airport and major highways, making the port accessible to guests across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and the broader Mid-Atlantic region.
The terminal is designed to include passenger processing areas, baggage handling facilities, and transportation staging areas for buses, taxis, and rideshare services.
Norwegian Cruise Line was the first cruise operator to commit to sailing from the port as part of the relaunch.
The Norwegian Jewel, a 93,502-gross-ton ship, will operate sailings from Philadelphia beginning on April 16, 2026, and featuring 7-night roundtrip voyages to Bermuda.
The cruises will spend two days at sea before arriving at Kings Wharf in Bermuda for an overnight call. The itinerary also includes a call in Charleston, South Carolina, and two additional sea days.
The Bermuda season will last until September 5, when Norwegian Jewel will begin offering roundtrip New England and Canada fall voyages between the City of Brotherly Love and Quebec City through October 17, 2026.
In November 2026, the 93,530-gross-ton Norwegian Pearl arrives in Philadelphia to resume the cruise line’s Bermuda sailings.
The Port of Tampa Bay does not have rental car facilities on the premises, but there are plenty of rental offices nearby, some of which offer pick-up services.
Renting a car at Tampa International Airport (TPA) is also a convenient option.
Book your rental car in advance for peak sailing seasons, January through April, for the best deals and greater car availability.
If you’re sailing from the Tampa Cruise Port, and you don’t live locally, then you may very well want to rent a car before or after your sailing.
While it’s not strictly necessary if you’re going straight from the airport to the cruise port (which I don’t recommend, as that’s a risky move; flight delays can mean a missed ship) or from your hotel to the cruise port, if you want to do any sightseeing or vacationing pre or post cruise, then a car rental is key.
There aren’t, unfortunately, any rental companies that operate at the port itself. However, it’s not difficult to find options close by. Here are some to consider before making a reservation.
Car Rental Companies Near Port Tampa Bay
As mentioned, there are no car rental facilities actually at the cruise port. However, you’ll find that there are plenty of rental car providers within just a mile or two of the port.
Enterprise / Alamo / National at North Nebraska Ave
Pick from three different rental car companies, all located at one address.
Yes, Enterprise, Alamo, and National all operate out of the same location, just about a mile from the cruise port. While their offerings and prices may slightly differ, it’s worth noting that Alamo is the most highly rated of the three on Google, with more positive traveler reviews, so maybe give it a chance even if it’s not your go-to rental brand.
Car Rental Location Near Tampa Port (Photo Credit: KK Stock)
Enterprise does offer pick-up service during normal business hours, but you need to call the rental office in advance to arrange for pickups. After-hours returns are not available. Similarly, Alamo does not offer self-service or skip the counter service at this location.
Enterprise / Alamo at N Nebraska Ave
Address
608 N Nebraska Ave, Tampa
Distance to port
Approx. 1 mile
Port shuttle
Enterprise does offer pick-up service, but there’s currently no dedicated shuttle to and from the port.
Notes
Schedule pick-up service in advance. Do note that service outside the normal hours of operation for the rental agency, and self-service, is not available.
Hertz at the Marriott Waterside Hotel
For the greatest convenience, why not rent your car at the same hotel you plan on staying at? This Hertz location is actually situated on the third floor of the Marriott Waterside Hotel.
Hertz Rental Desk in Tampa (Photo Credit: EQRoy)
The office provides a range of vehicles, with average daily prices being quite affordable. There is no shuttle service, but it’s a popular pick for cruisers anyway, as it’s just a short walk from the port (and even if you don’t want to walk with your luggage, rideshares are always an option).
Hertz at Marriott Waterside Hotel
Address
700 S Florida Ave, Tampa
Distance to port
Approx. 1.4 miles
Port shuttle
No shuttle service available
Notes
The office is located on the third floor of the Marriott hotel.
Avis / Budget at Embassy Suites Hotel
Similarly, you’ll find both an Avis and a Budget office at the Embassy Suites Hotel in downtown Tampa. Avis provides budget, luxury and 4×4 vehicles here. After-hours returns are not available. Budget similarly does not allow for after-hours returns.
Avis and Budget in Florida (Photo Credit: Adam McCullough)
However, you can get shuttle service between this hotel and the port! The shuttle is not directly operated by the car rental companies, but Budget does remind travelers of this option on its website, saying that customers can use the Downtowner App to schedule service between the two locations (service is free and available 11 am to 11 pm on weekends, or 6 am to 11 pm on weekdays), or they can schedule and pay for shuttle service through Blue One Transportation.
Avis / Budget at Embassy Suites, Downtown Tampa
Address
513 S Florida Ave, Tampa
Distance to port
Approx. 1.1 mile
Port shuttle
Shuttle service available via the Downtowner App or Blue One Transportation
Notes
Both Avis and Budget operate from this location. Closed on holidays and does not allow for after-hour returns.
Cindy’s Coastal Rentals
Cindy’s Coastal Rentals is a unique option in that it’s a boutique auto rental company that actually delivers the car to you, versus you picking up the car. Since this is a small, local company, the types and number of vehicles are limited, but they do include luxury vehicles from brands such as Porsche, Audi, BMW, and more.
While you may pay more than you would with a national brand, you may just find that the delivery service and personalized touch are worth it.
Cindy’s Coastal Rentals
Address
West Tampa
Distance to port
N/A, Car is delivered to you
Port shuttle
As the car is delivered to you and picked up from you, there’s no need for a shuttle.
Notes
Bookings are made via Turo.
Star Car Rent a Car
Another local spot, Star Car Rent a Car, offers a fleet of various vehicles, from mid-size to full-size sedans and SUVs. You can pay for your rental with cash here, and there’s no credit check before renting. The provider does require three day min rentals and is closed on Sundays.
Star Car Rent a Car
Address
7006 N Nebraska Ave, Tampa
Distance to port
5.3 miles
Port shuttle
No shuttle service is provided and since the location is a bit further away, you’ll need to take a rideshare between the rental office and port.
Notes
A three-day minimum rental is required, and the office is closed on Sundays.
Uzziel Logistics
Uzziel Logistics specializes in providing a luxury car rental experience, with vehicles delivered when you need it, wherever you are in Tampa. Rental options include Mercedes and Tesla vehicles. Chauffeur service is also available through this company, if that’s of interest to you.
Uzziel Logistics
Address
16040 Sonoma Grove Cir, TampaS
Distance to port
N/A, Car is delivered to you
Port shuttle
As the car is delivered to you and picked up from you, there’s no need for a shuttle.
Notes
Limited vehicles available and $150 deposit required at booking.
Car Rentals from Tampa International Airport
The Tampa International Airport (TPA) is just nine miles from the cruise port and offers its own range of car rental providers right on site. As such, if you’re flying into Tampa for your cruise, it may just be most convenient for you to book a car here.
Car rental brands with airport locations at TPA include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Thrifty, Ace, American, Fox, NextCar, Payless, Sixt and Zipcar. Additionally, there are another 12 car rental companies with offices nearby, who provide pick up and drop off between their offices and the airport.
Tampa International Airport (Photo Credit: EQRoy)
The airport’s rental car center can be accessed by taking the SkyConnect train from the Main Terminal. Then, when you drop off your car before flying home, you can do so right there at the rental car center before heading to your gate.
Just make sure to book your vehicle in advance if you want to get one at the airport, so you can skip the hassle of waiting in long rental counter lines, and get to enjoying your vacation sooner.
Rideshare and Taxi Alternatives
If you don’t plan on doing a whole lot of driving around the Tampa area, and you really just need to get from the airport to your hotel and then to the port, then you may be able to get by just fine with no rental at all.
In this case, you can use rideshares and taxis to get anywhere that you don’t want to walk.
Tampa Cruise Parking (Photo Credit: Feng Cheng)
Uber and Lyft offer service throughout the region, and taking, for example, the nine-mile ride between the airport and cruise port will cost you around $30, give or take, depending on demand. Taxi rides cost similarly.
Pro tip: When you’re ordering a rideshare from the cruise port, walk a little bit away from the port so that your driver can find you more quickly and conveniently.
One Way Car Rentals from Florida Airports
It could be the case that you’re not flying directly into Tampa, but are instead flying into another airport, whether because it’s just more convenient for you, the fares were more affordable, or you were able to get a direct flight versus one with a layover. For example, you might fly into Orlando, Fort Myers, Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale or Miami, which are all under 300 miles from Tampa.
If this is the case, you may want to book a rental car at that airport and then drive it into Tampa for your cruise, where you can drop it off at the rental company’s local Tampa office. Just note that doing this, while pretty easy and convenient, will come with additional fees and surcharges, and you might need to also pay tolls while driving.
Furthermore, if you plan to keep the car for the duration of your cruise and use it afterward, you’ll need to pay for cruise parking near Tampa port, too.
Tips for Getting the Best Deal on Your Tampa Car Rental
The more money you save on your car rental, the more money you have to spend during your cruise. As such, make sure you’re getting the best deal possible.
For example, book as far in advance as you can, particularly if you’re traveling during Tampa’s peak cruising time, January through April. This will give you not only the best deal, but also the greatest number of vehicle options. If you’re worried you might need to cancel, just opt for a rental with a flexible cancellation policy.
Don’t just stick to the direct booking sites, either. Compare your options using travel deal aggregators like Kayak or Expedia to get a feel for all the possibilities.
Photo Credit: Port Tampa Bay
If you can, limit the drivers on the rental to just one, so you’re not paying extra for more drivers.
When it comes to insurance, check whether or not you have a travel credit card with rental car collision coverage before buying coverage from the rental company.
While you’re at it, keep in mind that a higher voluntary excess/deductible will lower your daily rate … but if you do get into an accident, you’re going to pay more out-of-pocket costs. Just something to consider.
Finally, return your rental with a full tank of gas rather than allowing the rental company to cover that chore. Their fees for this typically aren’t a great value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a car rental at the Tampa cruise port?
No, there are no on-site car rental options at the Tampa cruise port, but you can find car rental companies about a mile away, easily reachable via shuttles and rideshares.
Do I need a car in Tampa before my cruise?
If you’re just going from the airport to the hotel to the cruise port, you don’t need a car in Tampa before your cruise and can rely on rideshares and taxis. Some hotels also offer shuttles and there’s a free downtown Tampa streetcar. However, if you plan on sticking around the area before or after your cruise to explore Tampa’s attractions, get a rental.
How do I get to the rental cars at Tampa Airport?
Take the SkyConnect train from the Main Terminal.
What are the requirements to rent a car in Florida?
You’ll need to be at least 21 years old to rent a car in Florida, and be able to show a drivers license. Some rental car companies may require a credit card (not all) and some may charge extra for drivers under the age of 25.
Carnival Dream completed a 16-day dry dock in Marseille, France.
The ship added new venues and refreshed guest spaces and is now on a transatlantic repositioning voyage from Barcelona.
It will resume Caribbean cruises from its Galveston, Texas, homeport on April 5, 2026.
Fresh from a 16-day dry dock in Marseille, France, Carnival Dream is sailing back to Texas with several new and updated onboard spaces.
The ship departed Barcelona on March 21, 2026, on a transatlantic repositioning voyage that includes stops in Alicante and Málaga, Spain, and Gibraltar, UK, before arriving in Galveston, Texas, on April 5, 2026, to resume offering Western Caribbean voyages.
The refurbishment introduces several new venues along with updates to existing guest areas.
“After completing a 16-day dry dock in Marseille, Carnival Dream is returning to Galveston, further anchoring Carnival Cruise Line’s four-ship lineup at the Texas homeport,” said the cruise line.
Among the additions is Dreams Studio, a dedicated photography venue designed for professional onboard photo sessions. The space allows guests to schedule portrait photography experiences during their voyage rather than relying on pop-up photo stations.
Upgraded Carnival Dreams Studio on Carnival Dream
Another addition is the new Carnival Adventures Store. The space functions as a central hub where guests can browse and book shore excursions offered through the cruise line before arriving at each port of call.
Retail spaces were also refreshed during the dry dock, including the Effy Jewelry boutique, which continues to carry a curated selection of fine jewelry sold onboard. Passengers reported a new carpet in the ship’s Lido Marketplace in place of tile.
Changes were also made to the ship’s casino. The gaming space was modernized with a new layout and now includes a dedicated host station intended to provide assistance to players and help manage casino services.
Upgraded Carnival Dream Casino Space
The Marseille shipyard visit marks the vessel’s first major dry dock since 2021, where it received Carnival Cruise Line’s distinctive red, white, and blue hull livery that has since rolled out across the fleet.
Carnival Dream Will Resume Caribbean Cruises
Carnival Dream entered dry dock at Chantier Naval de Marseille for scheduled maintenance and upgrades that included repairs to it propellers and stabilizers beginning in early March 2026.
Once dry dock was complete, the 130,000-gross-ton vessel set off from Barcelona with up to 3,646 passengers for a repositioning cruise that included a stop at Celebration Key, Carnival Cruise Line’s new private destination in the Bahamas that began welcoming guests in July 2025.
Following its April 5 arrival, the vessel will enjoy 6-, 7-, and 8-night voyages, mainly to the Western Caribbean calls of Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; and Belize City, Belize.
Carnival Dream’s first Galveston sailing will visit Montego Bay, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; and Cozumel on a 7-night roundtrip cruise.
The ship will also sail to the Bahamas on its longer journeys, visiting Key West, Florida, and Nassau, as well as Carnival Corporation’s private destination, Half Moon Cay and Celebration Key.
She joins sister ships Carnival Legend, Carnival Breeze, and Carnival Jubilee in Galveston, where the port invested $53 million to expand and refurbish its operations to host more vessels.
With 29 cruise ships in its fleet, Carnival Cruise Line often has ships rotating in dry dock, with Carnival Conquest recently returning in February and Carnival Encounter wrapping up March 5.
Carnival Splendor is about to embark on one of its rare 10-night New Zealand sailings on March 23.
But because of stormy weather impacting New Zealand’s North Island, itinerary changes may be coming.
Carnival Cruise Line is monitoring the weather and will issue another update ahead of embarkation.
Cruise lines like to give guests as much warning as possible when it comes to itinerary changes, even when that means there is simply a chance of a last-minute switch.
Because of stormy weather, Carnival Splendor’s next sailing may have to adjust. The 10-night New Zealand itinerary will embark in Sydney, Australia, on March 23, 2026. No changes have been announced just yet, but they could be coming.
“Our Fleet Operations Centre is actively monitoring the weather forecasts for our New Zealand itinerary, as unfavourable conditions are expected later in the week,” Carnival wrote in a letter to impacted guests.
Assuming nothing changes, the 3,012-guest ship is supposed to visit Napier, Tauranga (Rotorua), Auckland, and Bay of Islands (Russell) in New Zealand. The cruise would then conclude in Sydney on April 2, 2026.
When Will Carnival Issue Another Update?
As this is still a developing situation, and weather can sometimes be unpredictable, it’s possible that no itinerary changes would be made until the 113,573-gross ton ship has begun the voyage.
However, Carnival has promised to issue another update before embarkation on March 23, 2026, regarding the forecast and potential adjustments. Guests can also sign up for Carnival Text Alerts to receive immediate, real-time updates.
Carnival Splendor Vessel (Photo Credit: denbaim)
“At present, there is no change to our itinerary, but as everyone’s safety is our priority, we will continue to monitor the weather and provide you with another update ahead of embarkation tomorrow, Monday, 23 March 2026,”Carnival wrote.
Though safety has to come first, it would be a shame if significant changes needed to be made, as the Splendor-class flagship only rarely offers these extended New Zealand itineraries.
Cruise Hive also reported that Carnival has cancelled the October 12, 2027, sailing in favor of a ship-wide charter, which was one of the few times that this same New Zealand itinerary was being offered by Carnival Splendor. This could make potential changes hurt just a bit more.
The Sydney-based vessel primarily offers shorter sailings that last for less than a week, with some longer voyages sprinkled in occasionally.
How Bad is the Storm?
The North Island of New Zealand is under multiple severe weather watches due to a deep subtropical low-pressure system, which is expected to bring heavy winds and rain.
“A deep subtropical low moves to the west of the upper North Island, bringing frontal rain and strengthening northeasterly winds to the north of the North Island. There is moderate confidence for warning amounts of rain, and severe gale northeast winds, in Northland,” the Met Service predicts.
The weather is currently expected to be at its worst from March 25 through March 27, with the upper North Island under both a heavy rain watch and a strong wind watch.
Tauranga, Auckland, and Bay of Islands are close to where the storm is expected to hit, though the Carnival Ship will not call at these ports until March 28-30.
If cruisers are lucky, the timing may work out where the storm passes before the ship is due to arrive. Cruise Hive will continue to monitor for itinerary changes and will share updates if and when more information comes to light.
In 2013, Carnival Triumph was stranded at sea after an engine fire in an infamous sailing known as the “poop cruise.”
The incident resulted in widespread changes across the cruise industry and Carnival’s fleet, including Triumph, which now sails under its new name, Carnival Sunrise.
The 2025 Netflix documentary Trainwreck: Poop Cruise recounted the experiences of passengers and crew members of the “poop cruise.”
In 2013, Carnival Triumph was stranded at sea for four days after an engine fire left the ship with no power or working toilets. The result: the now-infamous “poop cruise.” The incident brought about major overhauls across the cruise industry and Carnival’s own fleet. The Carnival Triumph is still in service today, sailing under her new name, Carnival Sunrise.
Triumph’s Infamous “Poop Cruise” Incident
When news broke of the February 2013 “poop cruise” experience, the public was horrified.
Triumph passengers, looking forward to a trip to the Caribbean, experienced a cruise unlike any other. It became one of the most widely reported cruise-related disasters and left the entire cruise industry wondering what had gone wrong.
The cruise began as expected, departing from Galveston, Texas, for a four-day trip to Cozumel. The ship, which first entered service in 1999, was 14 years old at the time.
All was going as planned until an engine room fire flared up, damaging Triumph’s power system, including the engines. The ship was approximately 150 miles off the coast of the Yucatán Peninsula in the Gulf of Mexico.
Carnival Triumph Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: William A. Morgan)
As a result, more than 4,200 people, including passengers and crew, were stranded in Gulf waters with no power on board. Onboard conditions deteriorated quickly.
There was no air conditioning. Toilets stopped flushing, and passengers were given biohazard bags for the disposal of waste. Sewage backed up into the bathrooms and hallways. Guests were instructed to urinate in their showers when the ship’s plumbing stopped working.
In a 2025 Netflix documentaryTrainwreck: Poop Cruise, passengers described their experience of walking around the ship’s hallways that were filled with waste and hearing “squish, squish, squish,” beneath their feet. One crew member described the bathrooms as “poop lasagna” with layers of water, waste, and toilet paper.
In addition to the heat, smell, and overall unsanitary conditions, there were concerns about the limited food supply that remained available.
With the ship’s power systems compromised, refrigeration became unreliable, raising questions about whether perishable food could be stored safely. At one point, the US Coast Guard dropped emergency food and water supplies to help passengers endure the crisis.
Carnival Triumph During “Poop Cruise” (Photo Credit: Netflix)
Even then, passengers worried about how the food had been handled and whether basic sanitation standards could be maintained in a ship where so many other systems had already failed.
Passengers compared the devastation to history’s most devastating sailing, exclaiming, “Oh my God, this is it, this is the Titanic – we’re going down.”
Four days after the fire, tugboats arrived to tow Triumph to Mobile, Alabama. They finally reached port on Valentine’s Day, ending the nightmare.
Following the incident, Carnival compensated passengers with a full refund. They also received travel reimbursements and credits toward future cruises, which, understandably, were met with reluctance.
What Happened to Carnival Triumph After the Poop Cruise?
The ship underwent major renovations throughout 2018 and 2019 following the incident. A massive two-month transformation also took place at the popular Navantia shipyard in Cadiz, Spain. It was one of the most extensive rebuilds of a ship in cruise history and cost Carnival approximately $200 million.
The result? Carnival Sunrise.
The revamped ship, while still measuring in at 893 feet in length with a gross tonnage of 101,509 GT, featured both cosmetic and functional upgrades. This included new engines, redundant generator systems, redesigned sewage systems, and upgraded fire-suppression equipment.
Carnival Sunrise Cruise Ship
In addition to the upgrades that directly addressed the failures, the ship also featured updated public areas, new restaurants, additional cabins, and fresh entertainment spaces.
Carnival wanted to modernize the ship and restore public confidence in the ability to cruise safely and enjoyably.
How the Poop Cruise Incident Changed the Cruise Industry
Sunrise is one of three ships in Carnival’s Sunshine-class of ships, which also includes Carnival Sunshine and Carnival Radiance. All three ships in this class have undergone major upgrades over the years.
Carnival Destiny became Carnival Sunshine in 2013, which was an upgrade that was not directly tied to the poop cruise. Carnival Victory became Carnival Radiance following an upgrade in 2021, a refurbishment that was sped up due to the issues related to the poop cruise.
The goal was to create safer ships that allowed passengers to return to cruising with confidence. Improvements included:
Enhanced Fire Prevention and Suppression Systems
Carnival Fire Protection Systems (Credit: Carnival)
The fleet now features state-of-the-art fire detection and suppression, especially in the engine rooms. This includes improved monitoring systems, more fire barriers, and enhanced auto-suppression equipment. The upgrades ensure that fires are detected and suppressed as quickly as possible.
Redundant Power and Propulsion Safeguards
These redundancy measures prevent a single engine failure from disabling critical onboard systems. Even in the event of engine failure, onboard systems, including propulsion, refrigeration, lighting, and sanitation, continue to operate. If an engine emergency arises, the goal is that passengers can stay safe and comfortable onboard while awaiting rescue.
Improved Emergency Response Procedures
Beyond the ship improvements, Carnival did everything it could to ensure that staff and crew respond to emergencies in the best way possible. Emergency training and crisis management programs were expanded and now focus on better communication with passengers.
Carnival Triumph to Carnival Sunrise Transformation (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)
Additionally, Carnival implemented better contingency plans for extended power outages and created an improved plan for rescue.
Can You Still Sail on Carnival Triumph?
Yes. Following the renovations, Triumph set sail again in 2019 under its new name, Carnival Sunrise. The updates were so extensive that many passengers, after watching the Netflix documentary, were surprised to learn that they had sailed on the infamous poop cruise ship.
The ship’s passenger capacity is now reported at 2,984, compared to the original capacity of 3,470 before the overhaul.
Carnival Sunrise sails four- and five-day cruises from Miami, Florida. Passengers enjoy trips through the Caribbean to destinations including the Bahamas, Grand Turk, and Half Moon Cay.
Fortunately, stories like the poop cruise are rare. The vast majority of cruises deliver nothing but smooth sailing. And despite the occasional incident, cruising is still one of the most relaxing and enjoyable ways to see the world.
One October 2027 sailing of Carnival Splendor is now cancelled due to a full-ship charter.
Already booked guests will receive a full refund or can choose a different sailing with their cruise rate protected.
The 10-night itinerary to New Zealand is a rare one and could be challenging for guests to replace.
Carnival Cruise Line has reached out to guests booked on one upcoming sailing of Carnival Splendor to alert them that their voyage has been cancelled.
The impacted sailing is the ship’s October 12, 2027 departure from Sydney. The 10-night, round-trip voyage was to have sailed completely around the North Island of New Zealand, with stops in Napier, Tauranga, Auckland, and the Bay of Islands before returning to Sydney on October 22.
“We are very sorry to inform you that the ship has been chartered and your cruise has been cancelled,”the email notification read.
To be clear, Carnival Splendor will still be sailing on the voyage, but it is no longer a public sailing and not available to book except through the chartering organization, which has not been revealed. Instead, guests who had already booked the getaway have a couple of options.
If travelers want to reschedule to a different sailing date, their cruise rate will be protected in similar accommodations. Port fees, taxes, and onboard expenses are not generally protected, just the cruise rate. If guests do rebook, they will receive a $100 (AUD) onboard credit per stateroom for the new sailing.
Carnival Splendor offers relatively diverse sailings from Sydney, ranging from 3-night cruises to nowhere to a number of 10- and 12-night voyages.
Carnival Splendor Docked in Sydney, Australia (Photo Credit: Stepan Skorobogadko)
Several similar cruises are departing in fall 2027, close to the date of the now-chartered voyage. On November 6, 2027, for example, the ship has a 10-night sailing to New Zealand, but around South Island instead of North Island.
The only other date in 2027 when the ship is offering a 10-night cruise around North Island departs on January 3. All other 10-night cruises are to South Island. The January 17, 2028 cruise is also to North Island.
The scarcity of this itinerary will make it challenging for guests to replace their sailing with a very close option, though a replacement cruise does not necessarily have to be aboard Carnival Splendor. If guests are flexible with their destination preferences, they may have more options.
Carnival Adventure is also homeported from Sydney in late 2027, but does not offer sailings to New Zealand at all.
If guests prefer not to reschedule, they will receive an automatic full refund of their cruise fare and all pre-purchased items back to the original form of payment. Refunds will begin processing on April 4, 2026, but could take up to three weeks, depending on the policies of individual financial institutions.
Why the Cancellation?
Carnival Cruise Line has not disclosed the nature of the full ship charter, but this is not unusual and protects the privacy of the chartering organization.
Multiple different music cruises have been scheduled aboard Carnival Splendor in 2026, including the Hellbound metal music cruise and Rock the Boat. It is possible that the 2027 cruises for those events may be the longer sailing that is now chartered.
Other music tours, special interest groups, and even corporations may also schedule full-ship charters, causing open bookings to suddenly be cancelled.
Cruise Hive has regularly reported on such charter cancellations, which can happen on all cruise lines for different ships, destinations, and cruise lengths.
While this can be frustrating for guests, especially for such a sought-after itinerary, at least this particular Carnival Splendor cancellation is 19 months away. This permits guests plenty of time for rebooking on a different voyage for their cruise vacation plans.
One passenger of Carnival Elation, who was injured when a bench broke during a shore excursion, is suing Carnival for negligence.
Her legal team alleges that Carnival should have been aware of the danger and was not clear that the tour would be operated by a third party.
Carnival states on its website that tours are operated by independent companies and the brand does not control their operations.
A former guest of Carnival Elation was injured during a shore excursion, and now she wants Carnival Cruise Line to answer for their alleged role in her accident in court.
Karolrae Knight filed a lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in federal court in Florida on March 20, 2026, after getting injured on her way to a shore excursion in Nassau, Bahamas, on March 24, 2025.
At the time, Knight was participating in the “Swimming with the Pigs: Express” shore excursion, which she booked through Carnival Cruise Line.
However, she never actually got to swim with the famous Bahamian pigs because the bench she was sitting on broke shortly into the boat ride to Pig Beach.
Per the lawsuit, which was sent to Cruise Hive by Knight’s attorneys, the Alabama resident was thrown onto the floor when the bench collapsed and nearly fell overboard from the small transport boat.
For context, the popular shore excursion is the shorter of the two pig tours that Carnival offers in Nassau. The experience, which lasts for about two hours, includes a 20-minute boat ride to and from the location and about 30 minutes of interaction with the animals.
“KNIGHT was seated on a bench along with two other passengers. Approximately ten (10) minutes after departure, while waters were calm, the bench suddenly and unexpectedly collapsed,”the claim states.
“The collapse caused KNIGHT to be violently thrown downward onto the floor of the vessel. KNIGHT nearly fell overboard into the ocean. The seating was not reasonably fit for its intended purpose and failed under normal and foreseeable passenger use,” it continues.
Broken Bench on Tour Boat
The cruise guest was too injured to continue with the tour. She was taken back to the 71,909-gross ton ship, where the onboard medical team diagnosed Knight with a fractured tail bone and provided immediate care.
Knight continued to pursue medical treatment on land after her symptoms worsened, and was subsequently diagnosed with significant spinal injuries, including a bulging disc and tear at L4-L5 and an additional tear at S1.
She is looking for compensation for medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and lost vacation costs. A jury trial is requested.
Transparency Around Independent Tours
Even though the shore excursion was operated by a vetted, independent tour company, Knight’s legal team have accused Carnival of five counts of negligence.
Knight’s legal team believes that Carnival was not transparent surrounding the fact that the tour would be operated by an independent company, nor did Knight interact with the tour provider until the day of the excursion.
Since Carnival marketed, sold, and profited off the shore excursion, Knight and her attorneys believe that they should be held at fault for her accident.
However, Carnival’s website clearly states that the cruise line does not operate any of its shore excursions. It simply sells tours as a convenience to its guests.
“All of the shore excursions, including any related transportation, are operated by local independent companies and they are solely responsible for their products, excursions and any related transportation,”Carnival’s website states.
“Carnival is not responsible for any losses, damage, death, injuries or claims whatsoever arising from, connected with, or related to any activities engaged in by guests while off of Carnival’s ships or tenders in any port of call. This includes all shore excursions, whether sold onboard or by third parties ashore,” the brand continues.
Currently, the cruise line sells 39 shore excursions for Nassau, which are usually enjoyed without any hiccups by guests of Carnival Elation and several other ships in the fleet.
Did Carnival Provide Proper Oversight?
The lawsuit also goes on to argue that the cruise line should have been aware of the dangers associated with the shore excursion and did not properly warn guests.
This argument suggests that Carnival did not provide proper oversight of its contracted vendors. However, the cruise line has made no promise to do so, beyond researching companies to select reputable tour providers.
“Carnival neither supervises nor controls tour operators actions, nor makes any representation either expressed or implied as to their suitability,”Carnival’s website added.
The exception to this is that the cruise line does monitor guest feedback on shore excursions seriously, and will consider switching to different providers if a pattern of problems arise.
At this time, the “Swimming with the Pigs: Express” tour is still available for purchase and has mostly been reviewed positively, with a rating of 4.4 stars out of five on Carnival’s website.
The 2,190-guest Carnival Elation is also still sailing to the Bahamas from Jacksonville, with its current 4- to 5-night itineraries frequently featuring Nassau.
If you’ve missed any of the big cruise news headlines in recent days, you are in the right place. Cruise Hive’s weekly recap has all of the top stories and more.
Some of the developments in this week’s edition include Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Jubilee earning a perfect health inspection score; a video showing a trio of pier-runners turning out to be a faked incident; and Holland America Line shifting its vessels away from Alaska’s Tracy Arm Fjord due to unstable ice conditions.
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Viral Pier-Runner Video Found to Be Fake
Did they really miss their cruise ship or not? That was the question when a video surfaced on social media showing three distraught young women running along a pier as a cruise ship moved away from its berth at the Port of Nassau, Bahamas.
The video, posted on March 2, 2026, went viral, garnering 27 million views and being shared more than 50,000 times. But it turns out that the pier-running spectacle was a fake.
The video shows the three running toward what appears to be Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Freedom as it pulls away from its dock.
Cruise Influencers Caught Faking Missing the Ship (Footage Credit: @weirdgirlgrwms)
But, in fact, the three gals were seen earlier on the pier, practicing for the video. Turns out that a guest watching from aboard Carnival Freedom, which was docked at the time, filmed their rehearsals.
Pier-runner videos often go viral, as passengers onboard docked cruise ships use their phones to film guests who arrive late to the pier and, unfortunately, miss their ship.
In this case, it appears that the three women in the video were not guests on Carnival Freedom but more likely were sailing on MSC Cruises’ MSC Seashore, which was in Nassau on the same day. The Carnival ship was identified thanks to its funnel design, which features whale tale wings.
Cruise Line Issues Conduct Reminder to Spring Breakers
Anticipating a busy spring break season, Norwegian Cruise Line is reminding booked guests about certain rules and regulations designed to promote good conduct and avoid rowdy behavior.
Guests due to sail on Norwegian Joy were among those who received a letter from the cruise line detailing the minimum drinking age, adult supervision requirements, and other items.
Generally, cruisers can expect to see spring breakers onboard sailings in March and April, and while the cruise line welcomes younger passengers, it wants all guests to behave appropriately.
Norwegian Joy to Sail Crime Cruise (Photo Credit: Ute Sonja Medley)
Among the reminders: The minimum drinking age across the cruise line is 21; however, those aged 18 to 20 can be served beer and wine if they have parental consent — forms are available at the Guest Services Desk.
Also, guests are asked to avoid making noise in hallways, and running in public spaces. Diving into pools is prohibited, and saving deck chairs is not allowed.
One of the major concerns is supervision. At least one guest over age 21 is required in every cabin. Groups of college students sharing staterooms must abide by the rule — even two 20-year-olds cannot stay in a cabin without someone over age 21.
Dress codes were included in the letter to guests, asking all passengers to dress appropriately in dining rooms and specialty restaurants.
Holland America Replaces Tracy Arm Scenic Cruising
Tracy Arm Fjord is a prime cruising ground for cruise ships sailing Alaska’s Inside Passage, but due to unstable ice conditions, Holland America Line has revised its itineraries to avoid the area.
The instability came to light in August 2025, when a landslide sent rocks and debris into the fjord, spurring a tsunami warning inside the waterway. According to the US Geological Survey, the slopes of the fjord’s glacier are continuing to shift, risking more landslides.
Alaska Glacier (Photo Credit: Martin Gstoehl)
Rather than take that risk, Holland America is replacing Tracy Arm with Endicott Arm, a nearby fjord with equally spectacular glacier viewing opportunities. In fact, ships scheduled to include Endicott Arm will provide guests with a longer viewing day — a full 8.5 hours.
Among the ships that were slated to visit Tracy Arm and instead will cruise along Endicott Arm is Koningsdam, which was to offer scenic cruising of the fjord on May 4, 2026, as it sails a 7-night cruise from Vancouver, British Columbia.
Noordam was to follow on May 6, sailing from Seattle. Other ships slated to tour the fjord in summer 2026 include Zaandam, departing from Vancouver, and Eurodam, sailing from Seattle.
Both Tracy Arm and Endicott Arm are fjords of Holkham Bay, about 45 miles southeast of Juneau.
Carnival Issues Itinerary Updates on Mexico Sailings
Guests booked to sail Mexican Riviera cruises aboard Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Panorama in August and September 2026 are being informed of multiple itinerary changes.
The 4,008-guest ship, sailing from Long Beach, California, typically visits the popular ports of Cabo San Lucas, La Paz, and Mazatlan, and while no destinations have been dropped from itineraries, the order of port calls and time in port have changed in several instances.
Also, departure and arrival times at Long Beach have been adjusted in some cases, meaning that booked guests may have to alter air travel and other transportation plans.
Carnival Panorama Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Erik Morgan)
Carnival Cruise Line offered no explanation regarding the revisions, but noted that guests who booked shore excursions through the line will have their shore tours automatically adjusted to reflect the new itineraries.
Guests who booked independent excursions must make their own schedule updates.
Itinerary changes vary from sailing to sailing. For example, on the August 15, 2026, departure, the order of port calls was reversed and arrival times were altered. On the ship’s September 6 sailing, departure from Long Beach was pushed back by one hour, to 5 p.m., and the order of port calls was changed.
Carnival Jubilee Earns a Perfect Health Inspection Score
Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Jubilee, a ship that entered service in 2023 and sails year-round from Galveston, has something to celebrate: It earned a perfect health inspection score from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Cruise line ambassador John Heald used his popular Facebook page to congratulate the 1,700-plus crew members on the distinction. The 5,362-guest ship received a score of 100 on the comprehensive, and surprise, inspection by CDC officials.
Carnival Jubilee Crew
The CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program requires the inspections of cruise ships at US ports at least twice each year. It’s a major undertaking, typically requiring inspectors to remain onboard a ship for up to eight hours.
Using a 100-point scale, inspectors review a wide range of public health standards. Ships earning scores of 86 or higher are considered satisfactory. Carnival Jubilee’s previous inspection, in October of 2025, earned the ship a score of 97.
The 183,521-gross-ton ship sails Western Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries.
Flushed Towel Causes a Big Problem on Cruise Ship
In virtually every bathroom, in every cabin, in every cruise ship operating today, a sign above the toilet reminds guests that only toilet paper should be flushed. But apparently, that didn’t sink in with one passenger aboard the current sailing of MSC Cruises’ MSC Meraviglia.
The ship, which departed March 15, 2026, on a 7-night Bahamas cruise from New York, suffered a blockage in its toilet and sewage system after someone apparently flushed a cotton towel.
In a notice to guests, the ship’s management informed passengers of the technical issue and said engineers were working to correct the problem.
Photo Credit: Andrea Izzotti / Shutterstock.com
The news made its way to social media and, oddly, some former passengers posted comments indicating that they had received similar notices on previous MSC Meraviglia cruises.
Those notices remain a mystery, but other former guests also commented about sewage smells and other plumbing problems on the ship, which entered service in 2017.
Fortunately, MSC Meraviglia is due to enter dry dock for routine maintenance in April 2026, so any ongoing plumbing issues are likely to be addressed. Meanwhile, the ship’s current cruise is proceeding normally, with no changes to its itinerary. MSC Cruises also later confirmed that there are currently no issues onboard.
First Glance at Royal Beach Club Lelepa
Royal Caribbean took the wraps off its new Royal Beach Club Lelepa, a private destination in Vanuatu slated to open in October 2027.
Among its features will be a nature trail, an adult-only area, two beaches, various water sports, and multiple food and drink venues featuring local cuisine.
Visits to the beach club will be included in guests’ cruise fare. Lounge chairs, towels, and umbrellas will be complimentary to guests, while comfy daybeds will be offered for rent. A retail area will offer souvenirs and other locally made goods.
Royal Beach Club Lelepa
Remote and exotic, Vanuatu is known for its crystal clear blue waters, active volcanoes, and pristine dive sites. The destination is a South Pacific archipelago roughly 1,500 miles east of Australia.
When it opens, Royal Beach Club Lelepa will become the first private cruise destination in the Southern Hemisphere.
Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas will be the first Royal Caribbean ships to call at the destination.
More Cruise Headlines
There are plenty more important news stories that happened in the past week, so let’s keep going. Check out our coverage of Princess Cruises unveiling new experiences in its North to Alaska program in summer 2026; ongoing hostilities in the Persian Gulf region causing TUI Cruises to cancel more sailings; and MSC Cruises’ MSC Poesiarefreshing its menus and beverage choices.
Also, one Royal Caribbean holiday cruise in 2026 will feature a rare overnight stay in Cozumel, Mexico; and a proposal to build a larger cruise port in Tampa, Florida, hits a major roadblock.
Virgin Voyages has announced a “Sisters at Sea” meetup of the entire fleet on February 16, 2027.
The meetup will happen roughly 44 miles north of Cuba, 200 miles south of Nassau.
The four Lady Ships will be sailing voyages from 5-10 nights for the historic occasion.
Many cruise guests get great enjoyment seeing what other ships they may be sailing with, whether docking together in ports of call or passing at sea. For Virgin Voyages guests, a very unique opportunity is on the horizon for February 2027.
For the first time ever, all four Virgin cruise ships will be meeting at sea. The historic meetup, named “Sisters at Sea,” will happen on Tuesday, February 16, 2027.
The meetup location has been determined as 44 miles north of Nuevitas, Cuba and 200 miles south of Nassau, Bahamas. For the geographically-minded, the precise location is 22°12’57″N latitude, 77°16’07″W longitude in the Caribbean.
This will be the first time in recorded history that any cruise line brings together its entire fleet for a meetup. While Cruise Hive has reported on similar meetups for various special occasions, bringing a whole fleet together is definitely significant.
“When we launched Scarlet Lady, we had a vision, and that vision was always four ships but one community,”said Virgin Founder Sir Richard Branson. “This fleetwide meet-up is that dream made real.”
A total of roughly 15,000 guests and crew members will be in attendance onboard the ships, which are sure to have exclusive activities (and likely merchandise!) to commemorate the once-in-history event.
“There are voyages, and then there are moments that are so epic they become lifelong memories. Sisters at Sea is the latter, and we have so much planned to blow your mind and make you laugh and cry with joy,”said Nathan Rosenberg, Chief Marketing Officer.
“When those four ships are on the water together, and we hear the collective cheers from every Crew member and Sailor, it will be proof that nothing is more powerful than the community that loves and supports you and that we are better together.”
Richard Branson on Virgin Voyages (Photo Credit: Bold Man Media)
Few details about the celebrations have been revealed, though the adults-only Virgin Voyages is well known for a carefree vibe and invitation for guests to enjoy their cruise, their way. A “synchronized horn salute” is planned, along with simultaneous deck parties on all four ships.
Further details are sure to be announced in the months to come as the clock counts down to the convergence of Lady Ships.
Four Voyages for the Celebration
Naturally, there are just four cruises that will experience the Sisters at Sea meetup. Applicable voyages range from 5-10 nights, giving travelers unique options to join in the event.
Scarlet Lady will be on the shortest cruise, a 5-night Bahamas sailing departing Miami on February 15. Valiant Lady will depart from San Juan 2 days earlier, on a 7-night sailing that includes visits to the Dominican Republic and Grand Turk.
Resilient Lady will likewise be on a 7-night cruise for the meetup. She will set sail from Miami on Valentine’s Day with visits to Mexico and Bimini on the itinerary.
Brilliant Lady will be on the longest cruise for the Sisters at Sea meetup. The youngest Lady Ship will set sail from Miami on February 8 for a 10-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary, stopping at St. Maarten, Tortola, San Juan, St. Croix, Bimini, and Puerto Plata.
Each of the identical Lady Ships can welcome as many as 2,700 guests onboard, along with roughly 1,160 international crew members.
While each sailing will enjoy its planned ports of call, the meetup will undoubtedly be the highlight of each voyage. Onboard, guests will also get an exclusive preview of upcoming deployments and plans for the cruise line, further building excitement across the fleet even as all the ships greet one another.
Other Cruise Ship Meetups
While Virgin Voyages’ full fleet Sisters at Sea meetup will be extraordinary, different cruise lines have hosted various meetups for different events.
Carnival Cruise Line, for example, hosted several multi-ship meetup celebrations in 2022 for its 50th birthday celebrations and is already planning meetups in 2027 to celebrate sailing for 55 years.
Not all meetups are necessarily for large numbers of ships, however. In fact, one significant recent meetup only had a single active cruise ship.
On February 2, 2026, Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2 met up with her namesake, Queen Mary, during a visit to Long Beach. Though Queen Mary retired from service in 1967, the “royal rendezvous” was a nostalgic moment for fans of both ships.
