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Royal Caribbean Clarifies Transportation at Private Island Destination

Catie Kovelman
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Royal Caribbean Clarifies Transportation at Private Island Destination

After some misinformation was spread online about the tram service at Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean is finally setting the record straight. 

For the convenience of cruise guests, the cruise line’s private island destination provides continuous tram service throughout the day, including from where the ships dock to the Arrivals Plaza. 

However, an official statement that went out on the Royal Caribbean app not long ago stated that this helpful transportation service would be discontinued for most guests as of October 1, 2024 – the exception being guests with disabilities. 

“Beginning October 1, 2024, tram service at CocoCay pier will be discontinued. Trams for guests with special needs, wheelchairs, scooters, etc. will still be available by the end of the pier,” read the update.

“The main tram service will continue operations next to the entrance of the Thrill Water Park,” continued the family friendly cruise line.

However, this news was not entirely correct. The tram service was temporarily limited to disabled guests for the week of October 1-8, 2024 – but this was not a permanent change. 

But before the policy could be clarified, many fans of the exclusive Bahamas destination were thrown into a tizzy as they wondered what qualified as disabled enough to score a ride. 

Many worried that invisible disabilities would prevent them from using the service even though they needed it. 

“How do they categorize special needs? I have a bad knee but I don’t need a walker, scooter etc…? But the walk is a killer,” one person wrote on Facebook. 

“My mom uses the tram. While she doesn’t have a scooter or wheelchair, she needs it because of a walking limitation since her stroke. If she was to walk all the way, then she would be extremely tired for the rest of the day. Not everyone’s disability is visible,” another cruiser commented. 

Even if the service was going away, future cruisers could likely request a medical exemption in advance if they were worried about being denied the service – or at least pack a doctor’s note just in case. 

But luckily, Royal Caribbean cruisers can rest assured that the tram service isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. 

Royal Caribbean Clarifies Tram Service Operations

In all the worry, multiple people within the cruise community reached out to Royal Caribbean for answers – and shared the replies they received online. 

While it’s not clear why the tram service was temporarily limited, the responses from the cruise line make it clear that the limited operations during the week of October 1-8 was a rare, one-time situation.

Pier at CocoCay
Pier at CocoCay (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks)

One frequent cruiser, who reached out to the office of Royal Caribbean CEO Michael Bayley, received the following reply: “Unfortunately, we are aware of misinformation that has been shared online regarding the tram service in Coco Cay.” 

“I spoke with our Leadership team on the island earlier today and can verify that our tram service runs every 15 minutes, all day, including continuous from the ship to the Arrivals Plaza with accessible trams available on regular rotation throughout the island,” continued the response. 

Read Also: Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay: Full Guide

However, if the original announcement had been accurate, it doesn’t mean that guests with disabilities couldn’t visit the exclusive destination – which is part of the Berry Islands in the center of the Bahamas archipelago. 

In addition to the trams, the private island is designed to be accessible, and features complimentary beach-friendly wheelchairs and wheelchair accessible pools in the Oasis Lagoon and Thrill Waterpark. 

For guests that would have had to walk from the pier to the heart of the island, or for those that choose to in order to avoid lines at the tram stops, the stroll usually only takes around 5-6 minutes. 

Indeed, the island is on the smaller side at less than a mile wide and only about 200 yards long, covering a total of 125 acres.

Gangways Cause Problems for Carnival Ship Disembarkation

Melissa Mayntz
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Gangways Cause Problems for Carnival Ship Disembarkation

Many cruise travelers choose voyages and itineraries that visit unique destinations, and it can be frustrating when glitches at those destinations can cause delays. This can mean less time to enjoy a port of call or feeling more rushed instead of the relaxed, enjoyable feel of a cruise vacation.

This was the case with the newly refreshed Carnival Panorama as the ship visited Manila, capital city of the Philippines, on Friday, October 18, 2024 during her one-way post-dry-dock sailing from Singapore back to her southern California homeport of Long Beach.

As the ship arrived in Manila, it became apparent that one of the two pier gangways available for the ship to use for guests was unsafe. This left just a single gangway for the more than 4,000 travelers to use in order to explore the port.

Multiple guests onboard reached out to Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald, to express their frustration at the long lines and disembarkation delays.

Some passengers noted waiting to debark the ship for three hours or longer due to the gangway issues, with some of the crowded stairs and hallways being uncomfortably warm at the same time.

Heald responded to explain the situation in the hopes of alleviating some frustration, and urged travelers not to take their disappointment out on the ship’s crew members.

“Today in the Philippines the ship arrived to find the gangway the port was unsafe to use. This resulted in only one gangway being safe enough for guests. This has meant some delays in disembarking and the frustration of this has been felt by a few screamers on board and a lot of you writing to me,” Heald explained.

“I spoke with the senior officers who explained that the second gangway that was offered was unsafe. I saw the photos, it was and there was no way the ship would allow guests to use it. It was a safety decision and the right one.”

The photos of the second gangway clearly show extensive rust and decay, which could have made the gangway unstable and dangerous.

One guest also wrote to Heald, noting that the pier had other gangways available, but Heald clarified why they could not be substituted.

“The port had at least 7 gangways on the dock, plus Carnival has internal gangways, so Carnival needs to stop blaming ports and take responsibility,” the guest remarked.

“The gangways you saw would not fit. Plus the one other gangway we could have used was unsafe,” Heald responded. “It was a difficult day and I know the crew did all they could but this was not safe for you or any guest to use.”

Carnival Panorama returns to service with new signature livery
Carnival Panorama returns to service with a new signature livery. (Photo Credit: Carnival Cruise Line)

As for “internal gangways” the ship may carry, they are not intended for guest use and may not be able to be used on specific piers depending on size, harbor water depth, safety features, and other factors.

The ship was able to request a second gangway while in Manila, which was delivered and made available later in the day as guests were returning to the ship. This permitted faster embarkation and fewer delays, and Carnival Panorama was able to depart as planned.

The ship’s transpacific cruise is continuing with the next stop being Guam, then Honolulu, before she will arrive in California on Tuesday, November 5.

Always Treat the Crew Respectfully

Guests who are faced with these types of delays during any cruise vacation may understandably be upset, but it is never acceptable to yell at crew members about the situation.

“I know the wait was unacceptable but seeing the reports of people screaming at the crew, well, that is not acceptable, it really isn’t,” Heald said. “I hope the people who screamed and swore at the crew are reading this and realize they were wrong to do so.”

If passengers are truly troubled by a situation, it is best to visit the Guest Services desk to see about a resolution. In this type of case, however, the cruise line did all that was possible to alleviate the lines as soon as safely possible.

Read Also: 15 Mistakes to Avoid on a Carnival Cruise

Furthermore, guests should never expect any sort of compensation for such an inconvenience. While it can be a disruption to one’s plans for a day in port, ultimately, it is a simply a part of international travel that glitches can occur.

What is the biggest glitch you’ve faced in a port of call? Share your experiences on the Cruise Hive boards!

Carnival Details New Cruises From New Orleans and Long Beach

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Details New Cruises From New Orleans and Long Beach

In a continuing rollout of future itineraries from a variety of popular homeports, Carnival Cruise Line has officially released late 2026 and early 2027 sailings from New Orleans and Long Beach.

Both homeports will continue offering cruises with ships already deployed there. The sailings have proven consistently popular with cruise travelers, both locals as well as guests flying or driving in for their oceangoing vacations.

“The sailings we’re opening today showcase the diverse array of destinations and itineraries available to our guests. We believe variety is essential to allow guests to curate unforgettable cruises as they plan future vacations,” said Fred Stein, vice president of itinerary planning for Carnival Cruise Line.

“New Orleans and Long Beach are vital to our homeport strategy, and bring great new options to our guests who sail from each port as we continue to broaden our overall cruise schedule for 2026-27.”

Conquest-class sister ships Carnival Liberty and Carnival Valor will remain in New Orleans, offering a variety of eastern, western, and southern Caribbean cruises as well as the occasional Bahamas itinerary – sure to be in high demand with the opening of Celebration Key.

The Big Easy homeport is especially important to Carnival Cruise Line’s continued growth, as the port recently welcomed its 7 millionth guest (aboard Carnival Valor!) and celebrated 30 years of sailings from New Orleans.

Carnival Valor will continue offering 4- and 5-night Western Caribbean cruises, visiting Cozumel and Progreso. These are mainstay itineraries for many cruise fans eager for a getaway who want more than a weekend but less than a week to enjoy.

Meanwhile, Carnival Liberty will offer 7-night sailings, mixing Eastern and Western Caribbean routes with top destinations such as Belize, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Mexico, Key West, and more.

Of special interest are itineraries that include the private Bahamian destination of Half Moon Cay, which will be expanded in 2026 to offer even more fun for visitors.

Carnival Liberty is also offering select 6- and 8-night sailings, plus a unique 14-night Carnival Journeys Panama Canal voyage departing November 29, 2026.

That sought-after itinerary will not only visit unique ports such as Aruba, Colombia and Costa Rica, but the visit to the Panama Canal is a bucket-list opportunity for many travelers.

Carnival Valor Docked in New Orleans
Carnival Valor Docked in New Orleans (Photo Credit: Ute Sonja Medley)

On the West Coast, Carnival Panorama – fresh from her recent dry dock and upgrade in Singapore – will remain in Long Beach, offering 6- and 8-night Mexican Riviera itineraries.

These sailings offer a wonderful way to experience all the vibrancy of Mexico with ports of call such as Cabo San Lucas, Ensenada, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and La Paz.

Read Also: What to Expect When You Go on a Carnival Cruise

The 133,500-gross-ton, Vista-class ship can welcome 5,146 guests per sailing, all of whom will enjoy the new non-smoking casino, luxurious retail upgrades, new miniature golf course, and other updates. Onboard, 1,450 international crew members will ensure that every passenger has a great time on their cruise to Mexico.

More New Itineraries Released

Carnival Cruise Line has gradually been releasing future itineraries for different regions, giving travelers great options for booking future vacations.

For example, just days ago the cruise line released itineraries from PortMiami, including sailings for Carnival Magic and Carnival Sunrise.

Before that, upcoming itineraries for Galveston and Jacksonville were revealed, as well as a range of sailings from Port Canaveral, San Francisco, and more Miami options.

Still to come are releases for the cruise line’s Alaska sailing seasons as well as European cruises, both of which are in high demand and sure to be of top interest for Carnival Cruise Line fans.

With demand for cruises remaining high and choice sailings filling up fast, eager travelers are booking earlier and earlier to make sure they have the top choice of sailing dates, available staterooms, and most popular ships.

Two Ports Welcome Inaugural Cruise Ship Visits in the Canary Islands

Donna Tunney
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Two Ports Welcome Inaugural Cruise Ship Visits in the Canary Islands

Two cruise ports in the Canary Islands marked the arrival of high-profile ships making their maiden calls to the destinations. Both facilities, Lanzarote Cruise Port and Las Palmas Cruise Port, are managed by Global Ports Holding.

Lanzarote, the fourth-largest in the Canary Island chain, welcomed luxury line Silversea Cruises’ Silver Whisper on October 12, 2024. The ship visited during a 15-day sailing roundtrip from Lisbon, Portugal.

A day later, on neighboring Gran Canaria Island, the Las Palmas port hosted Costa Cruises’ Costa Diadema for the first time.

With her upscale guests, Silver Whisper’s visit is seen as an economic boon to the port, with the island receiving substantial revenue as passengers debarked for excursions, shopping, and other activities.

“The arrival of such distinguished vessels further solidifies the Canary Islands’ position as a destination of choice for discerning travelers seeking luxury and adventure,” a statement from Lanzarote Cruise Port said.

The ship, which entered service in 2001, accommodates 388 guests and 302 crew members. Lanzarote Cruise Port is situated in the island’s capital city of Arrecife, and can accommodate two cruise ships simultaneously. The island is best known for its beaches and volcanic landscapes.

Silver Whisper’s sister ship, Silver Moon, is slated to call at the port on October 27, 2024. Other cruise ships set to visit Lanzarote in the coming weeks include Costa Diadema, AIDA Cruises’ AIDAperla, and Princess Cruises’ Sky Princess.

Silver Whisper’s other port calls featured multiple Canary Island destinations, such as Santa Cruz de la Palma, San Sebastián de la Gomera, and Puerto del Rosario. The ship also called at Praia da Vitoria, Faial Island, and Ponta Delgada, all in the Azores.

In December 2024, the ship will deploy to Asia, where she will sail a series of winter cruises from Singapore, Hong, Kong, and Tokyo.

The 3,700-guest Costa Diadema called at Las Palmas on October 13, 2024, during her 10-day cruise roundtrip from Barcelona. Port officials at Las Palmas Cruise Port believe that Costa Diadema’s visit enhances the Canary Islands’ popularity as a top winter destination.

“The Costa Diadema’s inaugural visit reinforces the region’s significance on the global cruise map, creating new opportunities for tourism and further strengthening the appeal of the Canary Islands as a must-visit destination for winter escapes,” a statement from Las Palmas Cruise Port noted.

Costa Diadema Inaugural Call Ceremony at Las Palmas Cruise Port
Costa Diadema Inaugural Call Ceremony at Las Palmas Cruise Port

The Dream-class ship, which launched in 2014, also visited the Canary Islands ports in Lanzarote, Puerto del Rosario, and Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Read Also: Incredible Cruise Ships With Family Suites

Costa Diadema will continue to sail Western Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona through November, before repositioning to South America for a series of winter voyages.

New Port Facilities Are Under Construction

Global Ports Holding (GPH), which operates both the Lanzarote Cruise Port and the Las Palmas Cruise Port, in 2023 announced a major infrastructure development that calls for the construction of new cruise terminals at both facilities and on the island of Fuerteventura, where it operates a small port.

GPH is investing 40 million euros ($43 million USD) in the three locations. The largest terminal is set for Las Palmas, already one of Spain’s busiest cruise ports. The new terminal, to be situated at the Santa Catalina Pier, will be a two-story space consisting of about 46,000 square feet.

More From Cruise Hive

When completed, the Las Palmas terminal will be able to accommodate up to four cruise ships. In Lanzarote, two terminals are being built in different locations in Arrecife, and will have capacity for several cruise ships.

And in Fuerteventura, a new terminal will be constructed at Puerto del Rosario, nearby the city center and with restaurants and other amenities. The decision to upgrade the facilities at the three locations was initially revealed in 2022.

Five MSC Cruise Ships Sailing the Caribbean This Winter

Lissa Poirot
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Five MSC Cruise Ships Sailing the Caribbean This Winter

There will be more ways to have fun in the sun this winter, with MSC Cruises revealing on October 17, 2024, that it will have five ships sailing to the Caribbean from American ports during the season.

Sailing from PortMiami, Port Canaveral, and New York City, the cruise line will offer more than 120 sailings across the region’s most beloved destinations between October 2024 and March 2025.

Itineraries will range from short getaways to extended cruises with stops at over 22 ports throughout the Caribbean, including the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and the Cayman Islands.

All five MSC Cruises ships in the region, including MSC Seascape, MSC Seaside, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Seashore, and MSC Divina, will call at the cruise line’s private Bahamian island destination, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.

The vessels will also make frequent stops in Nassau, Bahamas.

Three of MSC’s ships – the 170,412-gross-ton MSC Seascape, the 153,516-gross-ton MSC Seaside, and the 171,598-gross-ton MSC Meraviglia will also visit San Juan, Puerto Rico, regularly. 

Read Also: Things to Know About Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve

For those looking to explore Cozumel, Mexico, MSC Seascape and MSC Seaside will also join the 169,400-gross-ton MSC Seashore in calls to the island renowned for snorkeling and Mayan history.

MSC Seascape, which has already been offering fall cruises to the Caribbean from its home base in Miami, will launch on a 7-night roundtrip voyage to Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Mexico, and Ocean Cay on October 19, 2024.

Also departing from Miami will be MSC Seaside, setting off on its first winter voyage on November 17, 2024. The itinerary includes Ocean Cay, Nassau, and San Juan, as well as Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; Costa Maya, Mexico; and Roatan, Honduras.

Additionally, MSC Divina, currently wrapping up a fall season sailing in Italy, Greece, and Turkey, will launch into the Caribbean with a 4-night roundtrip itinerary to Nassau and Ocean Cay on November 18, 2024, from Miami. The ship will also feature longer voyages into the Eastern Caribbean islands.

Providing options from Port Canaveral, Florida, MSC Seashore is already offering voyages to Ocean Cay and Nassau, as well as Costa Maya and Cozumel routes. The ship will continue in the region into spring 2025.

Finally, MSC Meraviglia, currently offering cruises to Bermuda, Port Canaveral, Ocean Cay, and Nassau from New York, will delve deeper into the Caribbean beginning in January 2025, sailing a 21-night Eastern Caribbean route from New York.

Coral Research Center to Open Ahead of Season

With Ocean Cay a primary destination for MSC Cruises’ winter voyages, the cruise line’s MSC Foundation also announced its new Marine Conservation Center will be completed ahead of the season.

The state-of-the-art facility, which works to restore and protect coral reefs at Ocean Cay, will include a coral nursery with five species and 13 genotypes of reef-building coral. Phase Two of the project, introducing educational facilities, is expected to be finished by April 2025.

MSC Ocean Cay Marine Reserve
MSC Ocean Cay Marine Reserve (Photo Credit: MSC Cruises)

The five ships sailing in the Caribbean are part of the cruise line’s strategy to sail more itineraries from U.S. ports. MSC Cruises will expand to a record seven ships in the U.S. during the winter season in 2025-2026, including the 181,541-gross-ton MSC Grandiosa sailing from Galveston, Texas.

Its upcoming 215-863-gross-ton MSC World America, under construction at Chantiers de l’Atlantique in France, is being tailored for the North American market and will offer more voyages to the Caribbean from its Miami homeport when it debuts in April 2025.

Bar Harbor to Consider Repeal of Cruise Arrivals Cap

Donna Tunney
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Bar Harbor to Consider Repeal of Cruise Arrivals Cap

The November election ballot in Bar Harbor, Maine, one of the top, seasonal cruise ports in New England,  will offer voters the chance to repeal a 2022 law that capped daily cruise arrivals at 1,000 and replace it with one that roughly triples the number of people allowed to disembark in the destination.

Under the initiative put forward by town officials, the November 5, 2024 ballot increases the daily limit to 3,200 cruise guests, which is just a few hundred less than the number allowed before the 2022 vote.

Prior to 2022, the town capped disembarkations at 3,500 per day, and while that number was generally considered low, it was high enough to enable most cruise ships to debark all guests who wanted to go ashore.

With the daily cap lowered to 1,000 per day, even mid-sized ships were unable to debark all those who wanted to leave the ship for excursions. The lower cap, which took effect in the 2024 season, prompted many cruise ships to abandon Bar Harbor as a port of call, leading to a dramatic loss of revenue for businesses and tour operators in the town.

The election ballot article (Article 4) also would change the way in which cruise ship visits are managed. If approved, the article would require that cruise lines reach agreements directly with the town, enabling town officials — rather than the pier owners, to enforce the daily limits.

Like other New England destinations, cruise ships call between April and November, with the height of the season being July through October. The proposed cruise arrival caps take into consideration the region’s high and low tourist seasons.

For the 2025 through 2029 seasons, the new law would allow a daily cap of 3,200 and an annual cap of 200,000. The daily ship limit would be three vessels. The measure also indicates monthly and multi-month limits. The cap for April would be 5,000; for May through August, 20,000; for September and October, 55,000; and for November, 5,000.

The new ballot measure also states that no ship will call at the destination on July 4 of any year. Cruise ships with capacity of up to 200 guests are not included in the cap.

Quality of Life Issues at Core of Local Dispute

The effort to lower daily cruise arrivals followed a 2021 community survey that found the majority of residents were concerned about the impacts of the cruise industry on their quality of life and the region’s environment.

Read Also: I Cruised Eastern Canada on Holland America: Here’s What I Loved Best

Bar Harbor, Maine
Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks / Shutterstock

Bar Harbor is located on Mount Desert Island, a pristine destination that is home to the renowned Acadia National Park. Some 4 million people visit the 47,000-acre park each year for camping, hiking, horseback riding, and many other activities. The park is a major destination for cruise ship shore excursions.

In the survey, 55% of respondents said cruise tourism has a negative effect on Bar Harbor, and 53% said it negatively impacts their quality of life.

However, commercial interests in the town, such as stores, restaurants, bars, and tour vendors, rely on summer visitors for the lion’s share of their annual revenue.

A month after the November 2022 vote that lowered the daily cap to 1,000 cruise guests, the local business group Association to Protect and Preserve Local Livelihoods filed an appeal with the US District Court for the District of Maine.

The court ultimately rejected the appeal.

Special Comic-Con Cruise Unveils Extensive List of Onboard Talent

Catie Kovelman
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Special Comic-Con Cruise Unveils Extensive List of Onboard Talent

The inaugural Comic-Con cruise, which aims to bring the experience of the annual San Diego Comic-Con Convention to Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas, will be quite the star studded event.  

The 4-night sailing is meant to be a celebration of popular culture and beloved fandoms – and Comic-Con international has now unveiled which specific stars will be creating unforgettable experiences for fans when the ship embarks from Tampa, Florida, on February 5, 2025. 

“We’re excited to show Comic-Con fans what Comic-Con: The Cruise has in store for them when it sails in 2025,” said Greg Laubach, Executive Director of Entertainment Cruise Productions.

“These talented actors and insiders will be on the ship day and night, with limitless opportunities for everyone to get to know them during performances, activities and events in a whole new kind of way,” continued Laubach.

While it was previously announced that actress and singer Felicia Day would be the cruise guest host, it’s now known that celebrities like Warwick Davis, George Takei, Ernie Hudson, Mary McDonnell, Tricia Helfer, Grace Park, Rekha Sharma, Amy Jo Johnson, Scott Grimes, Greg Grunberg, Virginia Gardner, Grace Caroline Currey, Jonah Ray, and Ted Lange will be joining her. 

Entertainment industry insiders like Robb Pearlman, Bob Bergen (voice of Porky Pig), makeup artist Thomas Surprenant, and cosplay guests Yaya Han and Cowbutt Crunchies, will also be making appearances. 

Like the convention on land, there will also be an Artist’s Alley, which is typically a section of the exhibition area where influencers and crafters make and sell art as a special part of the bigger vendor area. 

In this case, this is where cruisers will be able to find big names like Amanda Conner, Adam Hughes, Jimmy Palmiotti, Afua Richardson, Kip Rasmussen, Sarah Myer, and Joe Wos.

There will also be representatives from Bob Ross, Inc. and artists Justin Thompson and Mary Shyne, who will help celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Peanuts Franchise (Charlie Brown). 

What Happens Onboard a Comic-Con Cruise?

With only one scheduled port call on Cozumel, Mexico, fans will have two sea days to fill to the brim with fun activities onboard Royal Caribbean’s 2,476-guest ship. 

The celebrities on board will be taking part in many unique experiences, such as group panels and tell-all Q&A sessions, meet-and-greets, autograph and photo sessions, talent-hosted tastings, trivia sessions, live demonstrations, and more. 

Some lucky cruisers may even have a chance to run into their favorite celebrities in informal settings, such as relaxing by the pool or taking on the 40-ft rock climbing wall – giving them an extra chance to say hello to their industry heroes.

Open Deck of Ultimate World Cruise
Open Deck of Ultimate World Cruise (Photo Credit: Jeff Whyte)

There will also be an unparalleled lineup of talent performing special shows nightly – with some of the top-billed acts featuring The Action Figures (Scott Grimes, Greg Grunberg, and Amy Jo Johnson), celebrity DJ Alanah Pearce, dueling piano players Brian Wilk and Brad Heron, and party band Funky Bonez.

Read Also: Royal Caribbean Amenities You Should Pre-Book

Cosplay is a big part of the Comic-Con convention, and guests will also be encouraged to dress up at sea. 

Each night of the cruise has a theme, including classic Cosplay, Sci-Fi, Pajama-Con, and Tropical Vacation Fandom, and guests will be encouraged to show off their creative looks at a different party corresponding with each theme.

If this sounds like your cup of tea, reservations are still available for the first-of-its-kind sailing – starting at $990 per person on a double occupancy cruise cabin rate. 

It would be prudent to act quickly, as the annual San Diego convention typically sells out within hours. 

Norwegian Cruise Line Commits to Sailing from New Galveston Terminal

Melissa Mayntz
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Norwegian Cruise Line Commits to Sailing from New Galveston Terminal

Everything is bigger in Texas, including cruising! Now, following months of negotiation, Norwegian Cruise Line and Galveston Wharves have officially announced a long-term agreement for Norwegian ships to homeport from the port’s newest cruise terminal after it opens in November 2025.

The announcement was made at the annual Galveston Economic Development Partnership on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, with more than 300 community leaders, corporate executives, port officials, and others in attendance.

“They say ‘Build it and they will come.’ We’re honored that this leading global cruise company is expanding its offerings in Texas, sailing from our new cruise terminal,” said Rodger Rees, Galveston Wharves port director and CEO.

Norwegian Cruise Line has been offering limited, seasonal sailings from Galveston for two years, ever since Norwegian Prima first offered Texas-based cruises beginning in October 2022.

Now, the new agreement is a 10-year contract with various renewal options for further deployments well past that time frame. Not only Norwegian Cruise Line, but all also ships from all of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) will be able to homeport from Galveston. This includes Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

“Galveston is a key hub for NCLH. We recognize the strategic importance of this city, not just for its prime location but for the warmth and hospitality of the people here,” said Dan Farkas, NCLH executive vice president. “This long-term partnership is a promise to grow alongside Galveston, to invest in its future, and to bring world-class cruise experiences through our award-winning cruise brands.”

The terminal in question is the upcoming complex at Pier 16, which broke ground under an agreement with MSC Cruises in August. Both Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC Cruises will use the new facility for their Texas-based ships.

The first Norwegian Cruise Line ships to homeport from Galveston will be sister ships Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, which will begin offering Western Caribbean itineraries from November 2025. The ships will visit top regional ports, including Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Harvest Caye, Norwegian’s private island destination in Belize.

Galveston’s Cruise Growth

The new cruise terminal complex is a $156 million development, which will include not only the fourth terminal – converted from an existing cargo warehouse – but also support structures and surrounding infrastructure.

The 165,000-square-foot terminal will offer state-of-the-art passenger processing, while an adjacent $55 million parking garage will ensure space enough for the anticipated surge in visitors.

This will include not only Norwegian Cruise Line Holding ships, but also cruise sailings from MSC Cruises’ MSC Seascape, as both cruise lines will base from the terminal.

Port of Galveston Cruise Terminal 16
Port of Galveston Cruise Terminal 16

Galveston Wharves officials expect that once the new terminal is fully operational, the port will welcome more than 2 million passengers annually. This should begin in 2026 and will mark a new milestone in the port’s 24-year cruise vacation history.

Read Also: Galveston Cruise Port – The Essential Guide for Your Cruise

The cruise port is a tremendous economic boon to the local community, supporting 4,547 jobs and $732.5 million in local business revenue – hotels, restaurants, transportation, attractions, etc. – in 2023. This contributes $25.3 million in state and local taxes as well, which supports further projects to benefit the entire community.

When the fourth cruise terminal is operational, it is forecast to add another 925 jobs and $177 million in annual local business revenue. The city of Galveston will benefit directly from passenger and parking fees, plus the raised profile more cruise sailings will give to the community.

Cruise growth in Galveston is sure to continue as multiple cruise lines base more and larger ships from the Texas homeport, such as Carnival Cruise Line’s four-ship-deployment – a first for the cruise port – as well as Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class Harmony of the Seas.

Disney Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, and MSC Cruises also all have ships either currently or soon-to-be homeported from Galveston, offering Texas-sized adventures for all types of cruise travelers.

Carnival Ship Arrives at New Homeport for Biggest-Ever Deployment

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Ship Arrives at New Homeport for Biggest-Ever Deployment

Carnival Cruise Line has become the first-ever cruise line to set sail with four vessels simultaneously homeported from Galveston, Texas, bringing even more diversity and amazing cruise vacation options to the Lone Star State as Carnival Miracle has joined her fleetmates for her first Texas-sized sailing.

The 85,942-gross-ton, Spirit class ship sailed into Galveston Bay on Wednesday morning, October 16, 2024, ready to welcome guests aboard for the first in her season of Caribbean and Panama Canal itineraries. The ship will offer a total of 18 departures through March 2025, giving travelers some amazing options to choose from.

“Galveston continues to grow in popularity with our guests,” said Fred Stein, vice president of itinerary planning for Carnival.

“Adding a fourth Carnival ship to homeport in this great city gives our guests expanded choices, especially with the upcoming longer cruises Carnival Miracle will sail, which are ideal for those who want to experience a wider variety of beautiful ports of call and enjoy more time at sea.”

Among the highlights of Carnival Miracle‘s Texas-based deployment are her four Panama Canal sailings, with departures on November 15, December 27, February 7, and March 3. Each 10-night cruise will visit ports in Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, and Honduras (or Grand Cayman for the March 3 sailing), with the partial transit of the famous canal a highlight of each voyage.

Also of special interest are the ship’s 12-night Southern Caribbean voyages, a unique option not typically seen departing from Galveston. Carnival Miracle is offering these departures on November 3, December 15, and January 26.

From Texas, the ship will turn her bow south to visit the highly desirable destinations of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao – the famed “ABC” cruise itinerary that is a bucket-list sailing for many travelers – along with other top Caribbean ports along the way.

Carnival Miracle will also offer several Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings from Texas, visiting popular ports such as Costa Maya, Belize, Cozumel, Amber Cove, Princess Cays, Nassau, and more, depending on cruise length and departure date.

Four Carnival Ships in Texas

Carnival Miracle joins three of her sister ships in Texas: Carnival Dream, Carnival Breeze, and Carnival Jubilee. Each ship offers unique options for guests and great fun for all cruise travelers.

The 128,251-gross-ton Carnival Dream and the 128,052-gross-ton Carnival Breeze are both Dream-class vessels, but with slight differences.

While Carnival Dream debuted the popular class, Carnival Breeze is the most unique as the first Carnival cruise ship not to have been designed by Joe Farcus, whose classic colorful vibes and vibrant architecture are characteristic of older ships in the fleet.

Carnival Miracle Cruise Ship
Carnival Miracle Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Ritu Manoj Jethani)

Read Also: All Carnival Cruise Ships by Age – Newest to Oldest

The 183,521-gross-ton Carnival Jubilee, however, is the cruise line’s current flagship and newest vessel, having just debuted in December 2023. With special connections to the Lone Star State, including the iconic star on her bow, the Excel-class vessel is one of Carnival’s largest.

Along with Carnival Miracle, the four ships together can welcome more than 15,000 guests simultaneously, offering tremendous variety for cruise fans in Texas.

While Carnival Miracle may be the smallest of the ships currently homeported from Galveston, she still offers Carnival Cruise Line’s signature style and fun with phenomenal production shows, live comedy appearances, the award-winning Guy’s Burger Joint, and much more.

Following her season in Texas, Carnival Miracle will reposition to Europe for the 2025 summer season, and in the fall, Carnival Legend will be homeported from Galveston as the fourth vessel. Carnival Miracle will return in fall 2026 to offer more Texas-sized fun, rejoining Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Dream, and Carnival Breeze at that time.

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