The winter cruise season in the Caribbean has kicked off and the island of St. Lucia is gearing up for an unprecedented influx of passengers.
The port expects to welcome nearly 34 percent more passengers and 74 percent more cruise ship calls than it witnessed in 2023-2024’s season, which runs from October through March.
Saint Lucia Cruise Port celebrated its season’s launch with a ceremony at Port Castries, accompanied by cultural performances and attended by local and industry officials.
Minister of Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture, and Information Hon. Dr. Ernest Hilaire, spoke of the port’s optimistic outlook, reporting it expects 823,132 passengers on 459 calls this year, as opposed to 2023-2024’s 614,980 passengers aboard 264 calls.
This would set a new record for the port, topping its pre-pandemic best of 790,000 set in 2019.
“The start of this cruise season presents us with a wonderful opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to enhancing the guest experience, supporting our cruise line partners, and collaborating with local industry stakeholders to ensure our mutual success,”said Lancelot Arnold, general manager of Saint Lucia Cruise Port.
“We are looking forward to a busy and exciting cruise season with a positive outlook for our company and community,” he continued.
The kickoff ceremony included Captains Evangelos Saitis and Per Olov Mathias Sebom from Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Summit and Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas as each ship arrived in Castries on October 10 during Caribbean sailings.
The 2,158-passenger, 91,000-gross-ton Celebrity Summit called in Castries during its 8-day, one-way repositioning voyage from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Meanwhile, the 78,878-gross-ton Rhapsody of the Seas, carrying 2,416 passengers on a similar route, arrived in Castries from San Juan on a 7-night journey.
Celebrity Summit has since returned to Castries three times as it began its series of 7-day roundtrip itineraries from San Juan, which also called in Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Johns, Antigua; Bridgetown, Barbados; and Roseau, Dominica.
It will visit Castries again on November 5, 2024, and will sail the same route through January 4, 2025.
Cruise Passengers in St. Lucia (Photo Credit: Dennis MacDonald)
Rhapsody of the Seas has also been back on three sailings and will next arrive on November 7, 2024, as it continues its string of 7-night Southern Caribbean cruises from San Juan through April 6, 2024.
The Saint Lucia Cruise Port is also receiving ships from Seven Seas Cruises, P&O Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Explora Journeys, Oceania Cruises, Viking Oceans, TUI Cruises, Holland America Line, AIDA Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, and Saga Cruises during what will be its busiest year.
Cruise Port Expanding
Not only is Saint Lucia Cruise Port poised for a record-breaking season, it is undergoing expansion under the management of Global Ports Holding, which officially took over operations in early 2024.
Currently accommodating ships at its Pointe Seraphine and La Place Carenage cruise ports, the expansion plans include upgrading existing infrastructure to accommodate larger ships and boost passenger flow.
Pointe Seraphine, about a 20-minute walk from downtown, will expand one cruise ship berth to welcome larger cruise ships, while the smaller La Place terminal will be adding two berths, along with a new boardwalk to provide easy access into town.
Additionally, Global Ports Holdings is adding a new vendor arcade and ferry facility at Banannes Bay’s Fishermen’s Village.
Carnival Cruise Line is going all in on the hot cruising ducks phenomenon with a brand new character. None other than “Ducky” will soon be spotted across the Carnival fleet, joining in the feathery fun and adding more smiles to every sailing.
The new friendly figure has already appeared aboard the cruise line’s newest ship, Carnival Jubilee, and has been seen posing with the ship’s Hotel Director, Pierre and Director of Guest Operations, Greg.
The reveal of the new and fun mascot was announced by Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald, on his popular Facebook page.
“I would like to introduce you to a brilliant and fun addition to the ships. Coming soon to your cruise you’re going to see the continuation of the duck phenomenon,”Heald said.“Here with Carnival Jubilee Hotel Director Pierre and Hotel Director and Director of Guest Operations Greg please meet ummmm… Ducky the Duck.”
Okay, so the name may not be the most creative, but Ducky is sure to bring smiles and fun to Carnival cruisers of all ages.
At this time, there is no definitive timeline of when Ducky will join different Carnival ships, but surely it won’t be long before cruise passengers find the feathered crew member strutting down the promenade, dancing by the lido pool, or waving from the show stage.
Guest reaction to Ducky has been enthusiastically positive, with many commenters happy about the addition to Carnival’s fun, even if they themselves don’t hide or seek out ducks in the guest-led scavenger hunt.
“This is awesome!!! I can’t wait to see him & look forward to taking a picture with him.”
“I don’t hide or look for ducks myself but I know a lot of people and especially kids love it. I think the duck mascot is a great idea and I’d like to get my picture taken with it.”
“It is great to see Carnival embracing something else that brings joy to its passengers and crew.”
“This is awesome. Sure hope I have better luck finding this duck.”
Not everyone is happy with the addition, however, and Heald has already responded to one guest who has declared they will remove their gratuities because of the new Ducky character.
“This duck is not going to be chasing you around the ship, it’s not going to be in your cabin. It’s not going to affect your cruise at all. So to threaten removal of gratuities because of this is quite honestly nonsense,”Heald said.“My advice is enjoy your cruise and if you don’t want to have anything to do with the duck, don’t and instead going to do something that brings you fun and happiness.”
Former Carnival Cruise Mascots
Ducky the Duck is not Carnival Cruise Line’s first larger-than-life onboard phenomenon. Many frequent cruise travelers will fondly remember “Fun Ship Freddy” – a grinning whale tail embodiment of Carnival’s iconic funnel decked out in Fun Squad attire.
The cruise line has also had life-size towel animals as occasional mascots, including one of the most familiar and beloved characters, the elephant.
Fun Ship Freddy Mascot
Favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including Thing 1 and Thing 2, the Cat in the Hat, and during the holiday season, even the Grinch also make appearances on Carnival ships, though they aren’t considered official mascots.
All these fun characters are always willing to take photos with guests and offer high-fives or hugs. They are often found strolling on the Lido Deck or make appearances at special events, but do not barge in to private conversations or push themselves on guests who aren’t interested.
Undoubtedly, Ducky the Duck will be spotted soon across the Carnival fleet – share your cruising duck photos on the Cruise Hive boards!
Belize City is the largest city in Belize and the main entry point for cruise passengers looking to explore this small but picturesque Central American country.
Belize Cruise Port is a relatively small tender port, but it still welcomes hundreds of thousands of passengers to the country each year.
This guide will explain everything you need to know about the port and why it is becoming one of the most desirable destinations for Caribbean cruise itineraries.
The Belize Cruise Port is located in Belize’s former capital, Belize City. Although Belmopan is now the country’s capital, Belize City is still the nation’s most populous city, so it is home to a wide range of exciting amenities that appeal to visiting tourists.
Plus, the city is near some of Central America’s most popular attractions, like the Xunantunich Mayan ruins, the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, and the Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center.
Belize City is roughly 70 miles southeast of the Mexican border and 45 miles northeast of Belmopan. It is directly on the waters of the Caribbean Sea, with other popular continental cruise ports, like Mexico’s Cozumel Cruise Port and Cancun Cruise Port, to its north. This strategic and convenient location partially explains why it is growing in popularity as a port of call on Western Caribbean cruise itineraries.
Within Belize City, Belize Cruise Port sits at the city’s most eastern point. Once cruise passengers arrive at one of the several tender boat docks, they are greeted by the Belize Fort Street Tourism Village, which features a collection of souvenir shops, restaurants, excursion operator kiosks, and other amenities that are helpful for visiting tourists.
The Belize City Cruise Port and the Fort Street Tourism Village just outside of it are located just a short distance from the city’s historic center, which also happens to be one of the safest neighborhoods.
Belize Cruise Port Address
The cruise terminal, as well as the Belize Tourism Village, are located at the following address:
Belize Cruise Port, Fort George Jetty, 8 Fort Street, Belize City, Belize
Belize Cruise Port and Terminal
Map of the Belize Cruise Port Area (Photo Credit: Dennis MacDonald)
As mentioned, Belize Cruise Port is a tender port, meaning cruise ships do not dock directly at the port. Instead, cruise ships anchor approximately 2 miles from the mainland, and passengers are tendered from the ship to the smaller tendering docks on the edge of the Fort Street Tourism Village with smaller boats.
These smaller tender boats take an average of 15 minutes to travel from the ship to the cruise port.
There are four docking points for tender boats to bring cruise passengers ashore. Since the port has no dedicated cruise ship berths, it is a relatively small port. This is due to the simple fact that the waters along Belize City’s coast are far too shallow for large vessels.
The tender boat docks converge at a single pier so passengers can quickly walk to the Fort Street Tourism Village and the small terminal building.
Belize Cruise Port Amenities and Facilities
Terminal 4 in Belize (Photo Credit: Dennis MacDonald)
Although it is much smaller than many of the major cruise ports in the Caribbean, Belize Cruise Port and the Tourism Village still offer many of the services and amenities visiting passengers need for a smooth and enjoyable visit.
Complimentary Wi-Fi and Smart App
While the Wi-Fi is somewhat spotty, it is free to use. In fact, the Belize Tourism Board offers a complimentary BTB Cruise App, which makes it easy to connect to the Wi-Fi while you are in the Tourism Village.
It also makes it easy to view cruise ship information, tender boat departure times, and taxi contact information. The app also provides a GPS-enabled map and allows visiting passengers to set reminder alarms for when they should return to the port.
Shopping
Shopping in the Belize Port Area (Photo Credit: Dennis MacDonald)
The Tourism Village, located right at the edge of the tendering pier, is also home to the city’s main shopping area. Over 30 gift shops and vendor stands offer handmade souvenirs, including hot sauces, locally distilled rum, and more.
There is also a duty-free shop, which carries alcohol, perfume, sunglasses, and other designer goods, as well as an international jewelry store.
Restaurants
The colorful Front Street Tourism Village is also home to a variety of bars and restaurants, including the MOHO Chocolate Shop and Snack Bar, which offers ice cream, locally made chocolates, and much more.
The four dedicated local cuisine restaurants allow visitors to sample the flavors of Belize without having to travel into Belize City itself. There are also three permanent bars, including one sports bar that shows local and international sporting events.
Restrooms and Accessibility
Along with numerous shaded seating areas for passengers to wait for their tender boats, the Tourism Village has plenty of clean and modern restrooms. Although it is a fairly small and basic cruise port, all of the facilities, including the restrooms, were designed to be wheelchair accessible, ensuring all visitors can enjoy the experience.
Security Office
There is a security office located at the foot of the Tourism Village, where you will arrive from your tender boat. Here, you will find a tourism information kiosk and a customs and security office. If you want a unique memory of your visit to Belize, you can even ask for a passport stamp, which is free for visiting cruise passengers.
ATMs and Currency Exchange Services
The Tourism Village is home to several ATMs, which carry the local currency, the Belize Dollar, as well as US dollars, which are accepted throughout the cruise port and beyond.
Tour Operator Stands
Tour Hut in Belize (Photo Credit: Dennis MacDonald)
Right along the main boardwalk of the Tourism Village, you can find offices and kiosks for local tourism operators. If you have pre-booked a shore excursion, you can meet at these points, or you can book an exciting excursion right in the port.
With excursion offerings including trips to the Mayan ruins, jungle tours, caverns and caves exploration adventures, snorkeling trips, and much more, it can be one of the most exciting ways to visit Belize.
Cruise Lines That Visit Belize
Even though it is only a tender port, numerous major cruise lines include a visit to the Belize Cruise Port along their Caribbean itineraries. These cruise lines include the following:
Carnival Cruise Line
Royal Caribbean International
Celebrity Cruises
Princess Cruises
MSC Cruises
It is also worth noting that Norwegian Cruise Line operates a separate, private cruise port called the Harvest Caye Cruise Port, located roughly 115 miles south of Belize City.
This $50 million cruise port and island adventure park is exclusively owned by Norwegian Cruise Line, so you will only visit if you are traveling on one of their cruise ships; otherwise, you will almost certainly pass through Belize Cruise Port in Belize City during your stop in the country.
Parking Belize Cruise Port
Vehicles Parked Near the Cruise Port (Photo Credit: Dennis MacDonald)
If you plan to drive to Belize Cruise Port from the airport or somewhere else in Belize City, you can find parking options near the port. With that said, passenger parking is limited, as most visitors tend to take taxis or shuttle buses to the port, especially if they are flying into the country. If you are looking for parking near the tender ports or the Front Street Tourism Village, you have the following options available to you:
Official Cruise Port Parking Lot
Unfortunately, there is no dedicated overnight parking lot that services the cruise terminal, but there is a drop-off and pickup point, as well as a one-hour parking lot located directly at the north end of the Front Street Tourism Village. The one-hour parking lot is free, but you will be told to move your vehicle if you stay for too long.
If you have decided to rent a vehicle and require long-term parking, you will be much better off going with one of the private lots or paying to use one of the garages at the nearby hotels.
Private Parking Lots
The closest parking lot is the BCU Parking Lot, located at 184 North Front Street, 0.4 miles from the Belize Cruise Port. Rates must be paid in cash, with the Belize Dollar (BZD) being the preferred currency. You have the option to pay in US Dollars (USD), but the rates are offered at a 1:1 ratio, so it is much more affordable to use the local currency.
Parking rates are BZD 3 for 1 hour, 5 for BZD half a day, 10 BZD for a full day (7 a.m. to 10 p.m.), and 25 BZD for full overnight, 24-hour parking.
When available, the Fort George Hotel & Spa, which is just 200 feet away from the port, allows long-term parking for non-guests. That said, paying guests always have priority to the parking facilities, so it is best to book ahead of time if you plan on parking, but don’t plan on staying in the hotel itself. Parking rates at the hotel vary depending on the season and demand, so you should ask ahead of time.
Traveling From Nearby Airports
Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (Photo Credit: Rob Crandall)
For those planning to fly into Belize City, Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (BZE), is the main airport for international travelers arriving into the country.
Not only does it service more international flights than any other airport in Belize, it is only located 10.6 miles northwest of the Belize Cruise Port in the nearby town of Ladyville.
Although Sir Barry Bowen Municipal Airport is much closer to the port than Philip S.W. Goldson Airport, it only serves local flights, so very few cruise ship passengers will actually fly in or out of this smaller city airport.
Traveling to and From Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (BZE)
Since the airport is less than 11 miles from the port, travel time tends to be between 25 and 35 minutes, although this can increase if you arrive during rush hour.
Belize City may only have a permanent population of just over 67,000 residents, but it is a major employment center for the country, so traffic into and out of the city can be fairly substantial in the mornings and late afternoons. If your flight arrives at this time, give yourself some extra travel time.
Directions from the Airport
Follow International Airport Road until you see the turnoff for the Northern Highway (Philip Goldson Hwy)
Take Northern Highway for 6.2 miles, then take the exit for North Front Street
Follow N Front Street for 1.1 miles
At the roundabout, take the second exit onto Fort Street
Continue and look for signs for Belize Cruise Terminal 2
Airport Travel Options
Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (Photo Credit: Ely Penner)
If you are planning to fly into or out of Belize City, you have the following travel options available to you.
Taxis are by far the most popular mode of transportation to and from the airport and throughout Belize City itself. Since relatively few people own their own vehicles in Belize, most rely on taxis for everyday life, so they are readily available and relatively cheap.
For transportation to or from the airport, expect to pay between 15 and 30 USD, depending on the time of day and the season when you are in Belize.
Unfortunately, there are no mandated flat rates, so it is a good idea to inquire about costs before you get into a cab. There is a taxi pickup zone outside the arrival terminal at the airport and at the Tourism Village, so you do not have to worry about booking one ahead of time.
Renting a vehicle is another popular option, especially for those planning to see some of the sights Belize offers before they board their cruise ship. To make things easier, several international car rental companies operate out of the airport, including Alamo Rent-A-Car, Enterprise, and Thrifty Car Rentals.
While rates depend on the time of year and the type of vehicle, a typical rental car will run about 45 USD per day. Remember that parking at the cruise port is limited, so you will want to plan ahead.
How to Get to Belize Cruise Port
Welcome to Belize Sign (Photo Credit: Dennis MacDonald)
Whether you are coming from the airport, a hotel in Belize City, or even one of the nearby towns, getting to and from Belize Cruise Port is fairly straightforward. The following are the most popular options for transportation within the city and to the cruise port itself:
Taxis
As mentioned, private taxis are the most common and convenient form of transportation within Belize City. They offer the easiest way to get to and from the cruise port and other tourist attractions in and around Belize City.
They are readily available at the cruise port and throughout the city, especially near the major attractions, like the Museum of Belize and House of Culture.
While fares vary depending on how far you want to travel, most destinations within the city will cost between 10 and 30 USD for a one-way trip.
The city does not enforce flat rates, so it is always a good idea to ask about costs ahead of time. You should also make sure you only take a registered cab rather than a taxi that does not have any markings.
Car Rentals
Whether you’re traveling from the airport or you want to have the freedom to explore the city and surrounding area with your own vehicle, car rentals can be a practical solution.
Parking can be an issue in the city, but most attractions have free parking lots. If you plan to stay in Belize City overnight, most hotels also provide guests with complimentary parking.
Car rental rates vary, but you should anticipate daily rental rates of around 40 USD if you rent within Belize City itself. Keep in mind that some of the more remote tourist attractions involve driving on unpaved roads, so renting a vehicle with four-wheel drive is advisable.
Public Buses
In Belize City, public buses offer moreaffordable transportation than taxis, however, they tend to be very packed, hot, and quite slow. The slow speed is partially due to the significant number of stops. They are also not the safest form of transportation.
It can be a way to save money and experience more of the local culture but don’t be surprised if some of your fellow travelers carry live chickens and other sights that might appear odd to tourists. One-way travel costs less than 1 USD, but make sure you are careful and always keep your bags within eyesight.
Water Taxis
Water Taxis at Belize Cruise Port (Photo Credit: Dennis MacDonald)
Water taxis are another affordable way to travel, especially if you plan to visit popular island destinations like Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker.
The San Pedro Express Water Taxi Company is one of two water taxi companies operating out of the harbor, and we would always recommend buying a round-trip ticket for roughly 15 USD to save nearly 10 USD.
Private Shuttles
Another easy and comfortable way to get around Belize City and the surrounding areas is to book a private shuttle or transfer. You can usually arrange your itinerary ahead of time so a driver will pick you up and then proceed to take you to the specific attractions you and your group would like to see. Some can even take you as far as San Pedro.
Belize Paradise Shuttles and MC Shuttles & Tours are amongst the most affordable options, and you can arrange to have a bus or van pick you up directly at the airport or the cruise port.
Again, rates will depend on where you are traveling to and how complicated your itinerary will be, but you can inquire about costs over email. Expect to pay closer to 120 USD, but these rates can be much higher if you go far beyond the city’s borders.
Beaches Near Belize Cruise Port
Caye Caulker, Belize (Photo Credit: Ps-Fotos)
Even though Belize is far more famous for its scuba diving and snorkeling, this small country is also home to some truly stunning beaches. Unfortunately, none of the beaches within Belize City are really worth visiting, but if you want to spend some time unwinding on the sand before you have to head back to your cruise ship, there are several island beaches that are easy to visit.
Beaches on Caye Caulker
Caye Caulker is a reasonably small limestone island located roughly 21 miles away from Belize Cruise Port. Despite its small size, this island is lined with white sand beaches that lead to crystal-clear Caribbean waters.
The beaches have a relaxed atmosphere, making them perfect for relaxing and swimming. The surrounding reef system is also teeming with marine life, including sea turtles, nurse sharks, manta rays, and tropical fish, so it is a popular diving location.
Plus, the island is home to plenty of beachside bars and restaurants, so it is well worth the scenic water taxi ride from Belize City, which only takes about 30 minutes.
Beaches on Ambergris Caye
At roughly 35 miles from the Belize Cruise Port, getting to Ambergris Caye will take a little more time, but it is still accessible via water taxi. It also happens to be the largest island off the coast of mainland Belize, and its beaches are some of the best you’ll find anywhere in the country.
With that signature powdery white sand that you find along the best Caribbean beaches, as well as palm trees and stunning turquoise waters, it’s the ideal destination for rest and relaxation. A water taxi from Belize City will take about an hour and a half, so make sure you give yourself plenty of travel time.
The island is also home to an incredible array of marine and rainforest wildlife, including howler monkeys, iguanas, toucans, and much more.
Dining Near Belize Cruise Port
Dining Venue at the Belize Terminal Area (Photo Credit: Dennis MacDonald)
Whether you want to stick to the Tourist Village or don’t mind wandering into Belize City for a bite to eat, visiting Belize Cruise Port is an amazing opportunity to sample some truly memorable cuisine.
Here are just a few of the options near the cruise port that we recommend:
The Treehouse Restaurant Belize
Located just 0.2 miles from the terminal, you can walk to the Treehouse Restaurant Belize in 5 minutes. The restaurant is located in the lobby of the Fort George Hotel and Spa, but it is open to the general public.
Enjoy an incredible island atmosphere, made even more memorable by the huge skylights and open-air design. The menu boasts a wide range of local flavors and international dishes, and every item on the menu is made with the freshest local ingredients.
The Celebrity Restaurant & Bar
Celebrity Restaurant & Bar Belize serves a unique mix of local, Mexican, and Turkish dishes. It is an excellent option for those with more adventurous palates and those with more basic tastes.
They also have a full breakfast menu for early risers. Given that the restaurant is just 0.4 miles north of the cruise port, you can easily walk along Marine Parade Boulevard and find your way there in less than 10 minutes.
Ms. Patty’s Belizean Food
You can’t miss a visit to Ms. Patty’s Belizean Food for an authentic taste of the local cuisine. It’s just 0.3 miles northeast of the cruise port on Eyre Street, so it’s very easy to find.
When you arrive, you’ll quickly notice that everything on the menu is cooked in-house, and this small, family-owned restaurant is one of the best places in the country to try local dishes, like fried lobster, red beans, and rice, fried plantains, Belizean-style grilled chicken, and more.
Keep in mind this is a very casual roadside restaurant, so you will most likely eat your meal on one of the picnic tables, but the food is incredibly popular with locals and tourists alike. Plus, you might even get to meet the famous Ms. Patty herself!
Dining at the Tourism Village
As mentioned, there are plenty of dining options at or near the Fort Street Tourism Village. Some highlights include Martha’s Café, which serves locally grown coffee, and The Wet Lizard, which has a menu filled with delicious fried seafood and sides. Since the Tourism Village is just steps away from the tender dock, it’s one of the most convenient locations to grab a casual meal or cold drink.
Shopping Near Belize Cruise Port
Shopping Location Just Next to the Port (Photo Credit: Dennis MacDonald)
Shopping is fairly limited in Belize City, especially compared to some of the more well-established shopping hubs found elsewhere in the Caribbean, but the Fort Street Tourism Village more than makes up for the lack of stores in the city itself.
As mentioned, the Tourism Village is home to a duty-free shop where cruise passengers can purchase souvenirs and duty-free goods like liquor, designer goods, and jewelry. The entire tourism complex is also littered with local vendor stands and kiosks where you can buy locally-made items.
The Baron Bliss Lighthouse Market is another option. As the name implies, it is located near the famous Baron Bliss Lighthouse, roughly a quarter of a mile from the port. Like the tourism village, it offers a variety of handmade goods, including paintings, carvings, and more. Just make sure that you bring cash, as very few vendors will accept credit cards.
The Best Time to Visit Belize
Belize City might be a year-round tourist destination, but the cruise season typically runs from early November to late April.
This period also aligns with Belize’s dry season, where visitors can expect temperatures to range between 75° and 85° F. Thanks to the pleasant temperatures, reduced humidity, and limited rainfall, this is generally considered the best time to visit Belize.
Anticipate crowds if you plan on visiting Belize City during the peak of the cruise season, usually between late December and February.
If you travel there outside of the typical cruise season, you should expect a significant amount of rain, especially during late summer, when Belize can experience the effects of hurricanes and tropical storms.
Here we go again! As we near the end of a brutal hurricane season, there are three possible storms brewing in the Caribbean Sea that are already impacting cruising.
With this in mind, Royal Caribbean will be re-routing its ships that are embarking on cruises in the Bahamas and the Western Caribbean. This includes Radiance of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, and Vision of the Seas – out of an abundance of caution.
For the three cruise ships that are being rerouted by the weather, the change will impact their upcoming sailings, embarking today and tomorrow (November 2-3, 2024). There’s also another ship that is already well into its sailing.
Later today, on the evening of November 2, Radiance of the Seas will set sail on a 7-night Bahamas cruise from Tampa, Florida.
The original itinerary called for stops at Bimini Islands, Bahamas; Freeport, Bahamas; Nassau, Bahamas; and Perfect Day at CocoCay, the cruise line’s private island destination in the Bahamas.
However, the itinerary has been entirely redone to avoid the weather – with the new stops including Cozumel, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; Belize City, Belize; and Costa Maya, Mexico.
“Along with our Chief Meteorologist, Craig Setzer, we’ve been monitoring inclement weather along our intended path due to a developing storm system forecasted to bring increasingly strong winds across the area, impacting our planned ports and potentially making them unsafe to visit,”Royal Caribbean wrote to impacted guests.
But instead of entirely redoing the itinerary for the 6-night Western Caribbean sailing, the winds are simply changing the order of the port calls – with the Freedom-class cruise ship swapping the days she will visit Labadee, Haiti, and George Town, Grand Cayman. The final port of call on the itinerary – Falmouth, Jamaica – remains unaffected.
Welcome to November, but not the end of hurricane season…quite yet. Global computer models are beginning to come into agreement on the complex evolution of two weather features in & near the Caribbean over the next week. The non-tropical disturbance currently bringing the bad… pic.twitter.com/5Q62ZDgkaD
Passengers are also reporting an itinerary change for Vision of the Seas’ October 31 sailing out of Baltimore. The vessel has added Port Canaveral and has cancelled stops in Nassau and CocoCay.
Brilliance of the Seas, which is sailing a 7-night western Caribbean itinerary departing New Orleans on November 2, is being impacted by the developing storm in the Southwestern Caribbean. The ship has cancelled the call to Grand Cayman and will instead visit Belize.
Guests currently on Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas are also reporting bumpy weather conditions during its short 3-night sailing from Port Canaveral. However, no change in the itinerary has yet been confirmed. The large Oasis-class vessel had its previous sailing adjusted, as Cruise Hive reported here.
Three Possible Storm Systems
While the three storms brewing in the Caribbean aren’t expected to be as severe as Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, which devastated Florida, the safer and more comfortable choice for cruise ships is to simply steer clear of any possible bad weather.
Cruise ships are designed to handle rough seas, such as with stabilizing systems. But rocky seas can certainly make the voyage uncomfortable, especially for those prone to sea sickness.
Additionally, storm systems can be somewhat unpredictable and strengthen quickly – so it’s better to stay where the skies are blue and the sea is calm out of an abundance of caution.
“While uncertainty about exact details remain (how strong, exactly where), combining weather systems over the next several days will impact Florida, The Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, & Caymans with exceptionally windy and stormy periods this week,”Craig Setzer, Royal Caribbean’s Chief Meteorologist, posted on X on the morning of Saturday, November 2.
Freedom of the Seas (Photo Credit: EQRoy / Shutterstock)
According to the National Hurricane Center (NOAA), Subtropical Storm Patty is making its way through the northeastern Atlantic Ocean toward the Azores – bringing rain to Jamaica, Hispaniola, and Cuba over the next couple of days.
At the same time, NOAA is monitoring a storm forming just north of Puerto Rico in the Southwestern Caribbean Sea, which has an 80% chance of becoming a full-fledged cyclone in the next week.
A third disturbance is also brewing near the Greater Antilles, but the current trough of low pressure only has about a 10% chance of developing into a cyclone. It is expected to dissipate or be absorbed by another pressure system.
It is easy for cruise travelers to lose track of time while on vacation, especially when Daylight Saving Time begins or ends. But how is the semi-annual time change handled onboard Carnival Cruise Line’s fleet of 27 ships?
One concerned guest who is setting sail on Saturday, November 2, 2024 raised the question to John Heald, the cruise line’s Brand Ambassador, for clarification.
“Hey, it’s been a couple years since I’ve sailed during a time change. How is this handled? We leave on 11/2 on Jubilee and time changes on that day,”the guest explained.“For some reason I’m thinking the ships don’t adjust times and wait till the next sailing. What is the answer?”
The guest’s confusion is understandable, as cruise ships do not typically change times during a sailing. Instead, they remain on their homeport time throughout the voyage, unless the ship moves exceptionally far through multiple time zones, making such a change necessary.
For example, Carnival Jubilee is homeported from Galveston, Texas, and her November 2, 2024 departure is a 7-night Western Caribbean itineraries visiting Roatan, Costa Maya, and Cozumel.
Galveston is in the US Central Time Zone, while the ports Carnival Jubilee will be visiting are in the equivalent of the Eastern Time Zone. Furthermore, the two ports in Mexico, both in the state of Quintana Roo, do not observe Daylight Saving Time (it was abolished in 2015).
This can make cruise ship times very confusing indeed, but Heald offers clarification about what will happen onboard Carnival’s vessels.
“Yes indeed, the ship’s sailing today or that have already sailed from a North America home port will be changing their clocks one hour back tonight before going to bed,”Heald confirmed.“There will of course be reminders given on board.”
This means that all Carnival ships sailing from US homeports – no matter which homeport – will set their time back by one hour as Daylight Saving Time ends. This gives travelers onboard an “extra” hour to enjoy their cruise!
While the use of Daylight Saving Time can be controversial – some people want to stay on it year-round, others want to eliminate its use altogether – there is agreement that it does make understanding the time on different dates and in different places more confusing.
Furthermore, different countries adjust their clocks on different days, making it even more challenging to figure out exactly what time it is, especially for international travel such as on cruise ships.
Other Cruise Ship Time Changes
In general, cruise ships do not change their onboard time so long as they either match their ports of call or are off by just an hour.
When a ship does travel far enough that a time change is necessary, guests are notified about the change by letters delivered to their staterooms as well as several onboard announcements.
The Main Dining Room staff will also often mention the time change to guests at dinner time as one more reminder, and signs may be posted in public areas.
Carnival Cruise Line Deck Party (Photo Credit: Ritu Manoj Jethani)
The types of itineraries where onboard time changes are essential are unique voyages such as transatlantic cruises and transpacific cruises, as well as general repositioning voyages as ships are redeployed to new regions with different homeport time zones.
Similarly, cruises that depart California or other West Coast homeports to visit Hawaii will also adjust their onboard times as they head for the Aloha State as well as during their return trip to California.
Some Eastern Caribbean itineraries adjust times, though many Western Caribbean sailings do not – even if ports of call are “off” by an hour in local time, the ship remains on “ship time” according to its homeport.
This can be confusing for visitors, but cruise travelers should always remember to remain on “ship time” while in a port of call so they do not risk missing the ship as it departs for its next destination.
Odyssey of the Seas is likely the first of many cruise ships that will reroute to avoid the popular port of Valencia, Spain, in the coming days to weeks while the region recovers from one of its biggest natural disasters in decades.
The city, which is located on the east coast of the Iberian Peninsula on the Mediterranean Sea, took the brunt of a severe storm that brought a year’s worth of rain in just one day.
This resulted in significant damage to infrastructure and loss of life – with the death toll reaching over 200 as of November 1, 2024.
With this in mind, Royal Caribbean has opted to cancel Odyssey of the Seas’ scheduled call on Valencia, which was scheduled for November 6, 2024, and will impact the cruise embarkingfrom Rome, Italy, on November 3, 2024.
Instead, the passengers of the Quantum-class vessel will spend the day in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, which is about 177 nautical miles to the east of Valencia.
“Recently, Valencia experienced severe flash flooding making it difficult to navigate the area. As a result, and to provide you with the best experience, we’ll need to skip our visit to Valencia, Spain, and enjoy a day in Palma de Mallorca, Spain instead,”Royal Caribbean wrote to impacted guests.
“We’re terribly sorry for the last-minute change – the safety and well-being of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit are always our top priority,”continued the letter.
Aside from this understandable change, the rest of the 14-night Transatlantic sailingis expected to unfold as scheduled.
The cruise, which primarily features sea days, will also call on Barcelona, Spain; Cartagena, Spain; Malaga, Spain; and Funchal, Madeira; before disembarking in New York City on November 17.
The Impact on Cruise Tourism
The Valencia cruise port, which has two berths capable of accommodating the world’s largest mega ships, is still able to safely dock cruise ships. However, the city itself is not yet able to welcome the thousands of tourists they bring with its usual fanfare.
On October 31, 2024, MSC Seaside became the first vessel to visit the port since the flash flooding began – which largely took place to allow for pre-scheduled disembarkation and embarkation of guests.
“Considering these exceptional circumstances, we strongly recommend that transit guests remain onboard and enjoy MSC Seaside’s amenities as the city has been devastated by the flood, with infrastructure and services massively disrupted,”Captain Danilo Cha wrote in a letter to current passengers.
Indeed, there is significant damage to roads and structures within the city, along with power outages, with many areas still flooded and inaccessible.
This also means that public transportation, from the high-speed rail service to the shuttle buses that usually drive guests the 2.5 miles from the dock to the city center, is also out of commission for the time being.
Throughout the month of November, the port is scheduled to welcome at least one cruise ship per day, almost daily.
Holland America’s Oosterdam, Celebrity Equinox, MSC Explora 2, Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas, and Fred. Olsen’s Borealis are just a sampling of the ships listed on the port schedule for the next week alone.
As it will likely take weeks to months to repair the damage caused by the flooding, it’s unclear if more ships will alter course like Odyssey of the Seas, or if some will come as planned for a modified visit like MSC Seaside.
With two back-to-back sailings cancelled for Regal Princess due to undisclosed technical difficulties, future cruisers have been anxiously waiting to find out if a third voyage would be scrapped.
The week-long Western Caribbean sailings that were scheduled to embark from Galveston, Texas, on October 27, 2024 and November 3, 2024, were both cancelled at the last minute – with passengers of the first voyage only learning the news two days before they were due to set sail.
But thankfully, Princess Cruises had some good news to share. In an update released on November 1, 2024, the Carnival-owned brand confirmed that the next sailing – another 7-night Western Caribbean cruise – will be able to go ahead as planned on November 10.
“Repairs on Regal Princess are progressing as planned in preparation for her scheduled November 10 departure from Galveston,”shared the cruise line.
“We are actively communicating with guests booked on this voyage to keep them informed. Our team remains focused on ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience, and we look forward to welcoming guests aboard,”continued the statement.
The 3,560-passenger ship will be operating a week-long cruise to Cozumel, Mexico; Costa Maya, Mexico; and Roatan Island, Honduras – and will continue to offer identical itineraries with Galveston as her homeport until mid-January 2025.
In fact, the two cancelled sailings would have been her first two voyages based out of her Texan homeport – as the vessel was in the middle of making her way to Texas from Southampton, U.K., when things started going wrong onboard.
While the cruise line has not confirmed the exact nature of the technical errors that temporarily removed the 2014-launched ship from service, it’s likelyconnected to an engine room firethat occurred during her recent Transatlantic crossing and subsequent power outages that happened later in the sailing.
Princess Cruises Increases the Compensation
Understandably, the guests who had been looking forward to their cruise vacations were disappointed by the last-minute cancellation.
Initially, Princess Cruises tried to make things right by providing guests with a full refund of their cruise fare and shore excursions reserved through the cruise line, and offered guests a 25% credit to use on a future booking.
They also offered to cover nonrefundable airfare change fees of up to $200 per person. But for some, this gesture wasn’t enough to match the inconvenience and disappointment they felt.
“You cancelled our cruise less than two days prior. 10 of us had this planned for over a year. You think 25% cruise credit covers this?!?”, one frustrated cruiser, who was supposed to be on the October 27 sailing, posted on X.
Perhaps in response to the online criticism, Princess also announced that they would be doubling the 25% future cruise credit to 50%.
“As a gesture of goodwill, guests who were affected by the cancellations of the October 27 and November 3 sailings will receive an increased Future Cruise Credit (FCC), raised from 25% to 50% of their original cruise fare,”the cruise line said in a statement.
“This enhanced FCC will be automatically applied to guest accounts and can be used for bookings made by May 31, 2025, and sailing by May 31, 2026,” continued the memo.
Most likely, if cruisers rebooked on Regal Princess in the future, they probably wouldn’t encounter this same issue – especially if it really is connected to a freak incident, like an engine room fire.
Regal Princess generally has a good reputation. At only around 10 years old, she is still fairly young, and underwent a refurbishment in 2017.
That said, cruise ships operate 24/7 all year long, and sometimes things simply go wrong – although the crew members do work hard to maintain the ships.
If you’re on the fence about booking that next cruise, Royal Caribbean is going to make it easier by giving you more time to hold a booking before pulling the trigger.
On October 28, 2024, Royal Caribbean officially changed its courtesy hold policy, which lets guests and travel advisors temporarily hold reservations without a deposit.
The new guidelines give cruisers up to five days to book a held itinerary.
“We are pleased to share an update to our courtesy hold policy aimed at providing a more streamlined booking experience, making your bookings easier to manage, and encouraging your clients to finalize their reservations earlier,”the cruise line stated in a letter to travel advisors.
“The amount of time allotted for a courtesy hold is dependent upon the number of days prior to sailing,”Royal Caribbean said, while also pointing out that it will no longer offer extensions, so once the hold period ends, a deposit is required to keep the booking.
Royal Caribbean previously allowed potential guests to hold a booking with no deposit for 24 or 48 hours. The booking hold guaranteed a cabin selection and cruise price would not be lost, giving passengers the opportunity to sleep on it before committing.
Under the revised policy, the hold time varies on how close the sail date is. For trips within the next 30 days, there’s no hold time – meaning the reservation must be confirmed with a deposit to secure.
However, sailings 31 to 45 days out can be held for one day, those 46 to 90 days out can be held for two days, and those more than 91 days out get the full five days.
Booking deposits have to be received before the courtesy hold window closed, as was the case under the old policy.
“Please note that any booking created before October 28th will be honored under the existing option date policy,” added the cruise line.
The courtesy hold updates affect only FIT (Free Independent Traveler) bookings, which are individual reservations.
Group bookings will continue to follow the existing deposit schedule, which allows for holds for 30 days without deposits. (Although groups requiring 16 or more staterooms are required to pay an initial deposit of $50 per stateroom.)
The Advantage of Courtesy Holds
Courtesy hold policies are common features among cruise lines and airlines, allowing guests to temporarily reserve a space without committing to a deposit. These policies give potential cruisers a window to make decisions or coordinate with fellow passengers and finalize their plans.
Royal Caribbean Amenities (Photo Credit: Marathon Media)
These holds offer benefits to both the passenger and the cruise lines. For guests, a courtesy hold can reduce the pressure of making an instant decision, giving them time to verify travel documents, align with other travelers, and confirm availability at work or other personal responsibilities.
It also allows passengers not to miss out on special sales and travel deals with limited booking timeframes advertised to inspire cruising when they weren’t actively seeking to plan a voyage.
Cruise lines also benefit by improving the booking experience, reducing the likelihood of late cancellations, and minimizing overbookings, so this new policy is a win-win for cruisers and Royal Caribbean alike.
With the new courtesy hold, Royal Caribbean one-upped its competitors. Other lines, such as Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, and Celebrity Cruises offer courtesy holds for 48 hours.
Carnival Cruise Line fans are not happy. Looks like AARP changed its discount available for members of Carnival Cruise Line, lowering the rate from 10 percent to 8 percent off.
This translates to a $92 price tag for a $100 Carnival gift card and $460 for a $500 card, where previously, the savings allowed members to buy the same $100 card for $90.
Initially, some cruisers logged onto AARP and found gift cards for the cruise line missing altogether.
The sudden change sparked angry discussions on social media, where members voiced disappointment, even reaching out to Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald, with not-so-kind feedback.
“I received a large amount of bollockings this morning about a change to the percentage of something to do with the gift cards,”he posted on his page. “This has nothing to do with the cruise line.”
“That’s what happens when thousands of cruisers listen to tips in this group and sign up for AARP. Supply and demand,”wrote a cruiser on a public Facebook page not operated by Carnival Cruise Line.
“Getting a $500 gift card for $460 is still awesome though,” the passenger went on to say. “Still saving and happy to be cruising.”
Although Heald went on to say the gift cards rates are determined “by the people that distribute them,” AARP’s discounts are created in partnership with various companies, including cruise lines.
As some noted, the discounts can come and go and fluctuate due to demand and cruise ship availability, just as regular discounts are offered by the cruise lines themselves.
How Rewards Offer Savings
AARP, typically reserved for ages 50 and older, offers its members the opportunity to purchase discounted digital gift cards for various retailers and services through its AARP Rewards program, a special loyalty program that members need to enroll in.
These gift cards, of which only five per month can be purchased, can be redeemed for cruise bookings and onboard spending just like cash, helping cruise guests save money on travel.
However, AARP clearly defines the Carnival Cruise Line gift cards are a “limited time offer, while supplies last.”
AARP Carnival Gift Card
Members of AARP can also find discounts under their membership benefits, along with savings in various categories beyond travel, such as entertainment, health and wellness, and dining.
The company also features Limited Time Deals. For example, a current Limited Time Deal provides free Surf Wi-Packages on 2025 Grand Voyages of Holland America Line, while a standard Cruise Deal features up to $200 onboard credit on select cruises on the same cruise line.
AARP’s travel discounts, for the most part, are pretty decent. Members can find coupons and online offers and also link their membership to participating travel brands to rack up rewards points. It advertises that it saved its members $580 million in everyday and travel discounts in 2023.
But, AARP works much like credit card rewards programs, which may offer their own discounts and gift card options. Anyone attempting to score a cruise deal should scour through each of their memberships and credit cards to find the best deals, not to mention travel agents, booking engines, and the cruise lines themselves.
Carnival Cruise Line, for example, is currently offering a sale through Sunday, November 3, 2024, with up to 40 percent off sailings through April 2027 with free room upgrades and 50 percent off deposits.
A discount is a discount. Enjoy them when you can find them!
