Celebrity Cruises has officially launched its first-ever cruise series from Port Canaveral, as Celebrity Equinox departs December 3, 2024 on a 4-night Bahamas Getaway to Bimini and Nassau, Bahamas.
The 2,850-guest ship is the first in the Celebrity fleet to sail from the Central Florida port, the world’s second busiest in terms of passenger arrivals behind PortMiami. Through mid-April 2025, Celebrity Equinox will sail a variety of 7-night cruises to 15 destinations in the Eastern and Western Caribbean.
Some itineraries include a visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay, the 125-acre private island destination operated by parent company Royal Caribbean Group. It is a wildly popular retreat offering the exclusive Coco Beach Club, with its beachfront infinity pool; overwater cabanas in the adults-only Hideaway Beach; and multiple dining and bar areas.
“At Celebrity we are continually striving to elevate our guests’ vacation experience from start to finish, and are delighted to offer even more ways to relax, unwind and explore the Caribbean,” said Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises.
“The addition of Port Canaveral offers guests the ultimate flexibility for their perfect Caribbean getaway,” added Bethge.
With Celebrity Equinox based at Port Canaveral, the premium cruise line now has four ships operating from Florida ports during the winter 2024-25 season. Besides the new deployment, the 2,900-guest Celebrity Apex and 2,600-guest Celebrity Summit are based at Port Everglades, while the 2,200-guest Celebrity Constellation is based at Tampa.
Cruise port calls on Celebrity Equinox itineraries feature in-demand destinations like St. Maarten, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Belize, and Grand Cayman, to name a few.
Celebrity Equinox’s upcoming New Year cruise, for instance, departs Port Canaveral on December 28, 2024 and calls at Philipsburg, St. Maarten; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.
The cruise line in 2023 announced that Celebrity Equinox, a Solstice-class ship that launched in 2009, would deploy to Port Canaveral in 2024. The ship was last upgraded in 2019, and received The Retreat, a private luxury area for suite guests with dedicated concierges and butlers.
Celebrity Equinox offers guests 20-plus food and beverage venues, a full spa, and six stateroom and suite categories. AquaClass suites feature perks such as free fitness classes, dining at the specialty venue Blu, and a personal spa concierge, for example.
With its entry into the Port Canaveral market, Celebrity Cruises joins virtually every other major cruise line in homeporting at the popular port, known as the gateway to Orlando and its theme park shore excursions.
Celebrity Equinox Docked in Port Canaveral (Photo Credit: Port Canaveral)
Other lines with ships based at the port are Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line.
In fiscal year 2024, the port received 7.6 million cruise passengers from the 13 ships homeported there plus 900-plus calls from visiting ships. The total represents a 12% increase over the 6.8 million who visited in fiscal year 2023.
Celebrity Equinox Returns to Europe in Spring 2025
Following her seasonal deployment at Port Canaveral, Celebrity Equinox on April 19, 2025 will depart for the Mediterranean, where she will sail 9- and 10-night voyages between Barcelona and Rome through summer and fall 2025.
A 9-night Italian Riviera & France voyage, for instance, departs Rome on August 5, 2025 and calls at Naples, La Spezia, and Santa Margherita, Italy; and Nice and Marseille, France, before ending in Barcelona.
The ship will also feature several Turkey and Greek Isles cruises, calling at Mykonos, Santorini, and Katakolon, Greece; and Kusadasi and Istanbul, Turkey, on itineraries from both Rome and Barcelona.
In November 2025, Celebrity Equinox will reposition to South America as she prepares for seasonal cruises to Antarctica and the Falkland Islands.
Imagine the chance to cruise anywhere, anytime, for an entire year. That’s the premise behind Virgin Voyages’ newly introduced Annual Pass.
Starting in 2025, as early as January 1, passholders will have the ability to sail on any itinerary and ship within the cruise line’s fleet for a full 12 months. This includes the debut season of Brilliant Lady, which launches in September 2025.
The Virgin Voyages Annual Pass, which is priced at $120,000 excluding taxes and fees, comes with a range of benefits, such as priority boarding, complimentary laundry services, and a $100 bar tab credit per voyage as passholders automatically receive Deep Blue Extras loyalty perks, Virgin Voyages’ top tier in its loyalty program.
Passholders also have the option to bring a plus one, with the ability to switch companions throughout the year.
“What started as a sought-after ‘work from sea’ concept with our Season Pass has evolved into something even more special,”said Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group, which owns Virgin Voyages.
“Now, Sailors can jump aboard any of our ships, across with an endless variety of exciting destinations for an entire year,” he continued. “We’re offering unlimited opportunities for adventure in a way that has never been done in cruising before.”
While the Annual Pass is touted as an industry-first, the recently launched Villa Vie Odyssey residences at sea is the only other comparable offer with its Tour La Vie program that allows guests to board the ship at any time during its ongoing, multi-year cruise. That program is priced starting at $50,000 annually,
Still, Virgin Voyage’s Annual Pass is truly unique in offering a pass across an entire fleet rather than one vessel. This includes the flagship Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, and Resilient Lady, all of which are 110,000 gross tons and carry 2,700 passengers.
Passholders can book between now and March 31, 2025, with the pass valid for 12 months starting from their chosen embarkation date of January, February, March, or April 2025.
Virgin’s 2025 Lineup
In 2025, Virgin Voyages will launch its new Brilliant Lady, beginning cruises from New York City in September and October to Bermuda, Quebec City, Halifax, Boston, and Charleston, South Carolina.
The ship will then reposition to the Caribbean for winter 2025, where it will homeport in Miami as it offers 7- to 12-night voyages to Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire, and Jamaica. The latter will mark Virgin Voyages’ first visit to the island as it calls in Ocho Rios.
Virgin Voyages (Photo Credit: Joni Hanebutt)
Meanwhile, the cruise line’s first voyage of 2025 will be onboard Valiant Lady as she sails a 5-night roundtrip cruise from Miami to the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas on January 3.
Resilient Lady follows suit on January 4, 2025, with a 7-night roundtrip journey from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Aruba, Curacao, Martinique, and St. Kitts.
The following day, January 5, Scarlet Lady, which recently wrapped up a dry dock, continues her Caribbean sailings from Miami to Honduras, Mexico, and the Bahamas on a 6-night cruise.
Annual Pass holders will have more than Caribbean offerings, however. Resilient Lady will reposition to the Mediterranean in April 2025 and remain there until late October, and Scarlet Lady will do the same in May, before relocating to England briefly in August 2025, then heading back to the Med in September, and finally returning to the Caribbean in October.
Introducing a new ship to a fleet always brings excitement and increased bookings, but one cruise line has found its newest vessel and expanded cruise programs has led to its best year in bookings, ever.
Cunard Line has surpassed previous booking milestones in 2024, reporting a 23 percent year-on-year increase in guest reservations compared to the same period in 2023.
From January 1 to October 31, 2024, the luxury cruise line secured an additional 73,000 guest bookings, marking the highest numbers for this timeframe in the company’s 183-year history.
The surge follows the highly anticipated debut of Cunard’s newest ship, Queen Anne, and the rollout of expanded cruise itineraries for 2024 through 2027.
Said Katie McAlister, president of Cunard, “As we look ahead to 2025, we are proud to report record-breaking bookings that demonstrate the continued strength of Cunard’s commercial performance.”
“As an iconic British brand with growing international appeal, Cunard continues to attract travelers from across the globe who are drawn to the timeless elegance and modern luxury we provide,” she continued.
McAlister also praised the launch of Queen Anne for increasing Cunard’s capacity and attracting loyal and first-time guests. In fact, the cruise line witnessed a 49 percent increase in first-time bookings in 2024.
Additionally, both UK and North American markets contributed to the cruise line’s success, with a 24 percent increase in bookings from the UK and a 29 percent jump in North America.
The international appeal of Cunard also grew, as more than half of the bookings during this period came from outside the UK. Campaigns in international markets yielded a 22 percent rise in guest reservations.
New Ship and Itineraries Propel Growth
The introduction of Queen Anne, which debuted in May 2024, is noted as a pivotal reason for Cunard Line’s surging bookings. Following the 113,000-gross-ton vessel’s launch and consequent naming ceremony in Liverpool in June, the cruise line immediately saw record-breaking bookings.
The addition of the 2,996-passenger ship brought Cunard’s fleet to four ships for the first time since 1999, joining Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth, each capable of carrying 2,061 to 2,081 guests.
The Art Deco-inspired Queen Anne spans 14 decks and features 15 restaurants, Broadway-style entertainment at the Royal Court Theatre, a spa, ballroom dancing, outdoor recreation like pickleball, and a retractable-dome pool for all-weather enjoyment.
The ship also boasts the largest curated art collection at sea, with works from over 300 contemporary artists.
Another reason behind Cunard’s successful year was the introduction of new cruise programs that included the release of its winter 2025-2026 and summer 2026 itineraries in March, followed by the winter 2026-2027 program in October.
Cunard Line Ships
Its most recent announcement revealed more than 40 new itineraries across the fleet scheduled between October 2026 and April 2027, encompassing 101 destinations across 57 countries.
These voyages include the opportunity for guests to explore more than 60 UNESCO World Heritage sites and gives 22 overnight port stays and 26 late departures to enhance cultural immersion.
It was also unveiled during that time that Queen Anne will embark on her inaugural South American voyage during a 56-night roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale featuring maiden calls in Barbados and various Brazilian ports.
Cunard’s growth is on par with its parent company’s overall bookings. The cruise line is owned by Carnival Corporation, which also operates Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, P&O Cruises and P&O Cruises Australia.
Carnival Cruise Line has taken a lot of criticism in recent years with changes in service and atmosphere in the Main Dining Room restaurants. Now, a particular action – or lack thereof – has come to guests’ attention and sparked some debate.
The comment about wait staff in the restaurants was brought to the attention of John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador. Heald acts as a liaison between guests and the cruise line’s executives, individual ship teams, and overall customer service.
Nearly every day, Heald responds to hundreds of guest comments, questions, and requests on his popular Facebook page. With regards to the Main Dining Rooms onboard Carnival’s fleet of 27 ships, he has often helped arrange group seatings, specific dining times, or special dietary needs.
This comment, however, was about none of those, but instead focused on the decorum of the dining staff and what may or may not be expected as guests are seated at their assigned tables.
“Carnival waiters should pull back the chair for people especially those on mobility scooters who have walking challenges,”the guest stated.“If they do not do this it is wrong.”
Nearly 200 additional commenters have responded to the original poster, noting that most times, they have indeed had waiters assist with chairs and even place the cloth napkins on their laps.
Some of the respondents even received extra treatment if they were using mobility devices, such as chairs being removed entirely to accommodate a wheelchair or space being cleared for a cane or walker.
It is possible that at the time the original poster was being seated, an overly busy rush might have distracted the waiter or meant they were unable to pull out the chair. There is also no indication of whether or not the guest’s mobility scooter may have been blocking the chair so it was unable to be pulled out.
Having been on a fair number of Carnival cruises myself, I know the wait staff does generally pull out chairs for diners – if my husband doesn’t beat them to my chair when we are being seated!
Not all travelers are necessarily comfortable with the assistance or courtesy, however, depending on their individual circumstances and needs.
“As a person with mobility issues I prefer to have my family help me with the chair in the dining room,”one guest explained.“They know where to place the chair, so it is easy for me to get off the scooter and into the chair.”
Other travelers noted that the carpeted flooring of the dining rooms can make it difficult to “scoot” a chair back in if it is pulled out too far, and some guests just find the courtesy a bit awkward.
Heald followed up on the comment with a poll question, seeking responses to whether or not guests want their chairs pulled out.
Of more than 54,000 votes cast, approximately 17,500 (roughly 32%) agree that “I do not need somebody to pull my dining room chair out and put a napkin on my knee.”
Meanwhile, fewer than 300 (registered as 0%) argue that “Carnival is the only cruise line where they do not pull your chair out and place a napkin on your knee. That’s what all the other cruise lines do and this shows Carnival is low class.”
Main Dining Room Controversies
This is not the first Main Dining Room controversy Heald has discussed with concerned (even irate) guests.
Attire is a popular topic, from whether or not jeans should be worn to military uniforms to hats, shorts, and other clothing choices. This is especially true for Elegant Evenings, when some guests would like to see tuxedos and gowns required. Fortunately, Carnival has said this will not be happening.
Carnival Cruise Line Dining Room (Photo Credit: gary yim)
In November 2022, Carnival Cruise Line added a $5 (USD) surcharge for all entrees past the first two a guest might order in the same meal. This was ostensibly done to help curtail food waste as well as to possibly speed up service so all diners can be accommodated.
Several times, most recently just in September, Heald has explained the removal of table cloths in the Main Dining Room. This is a step many travelers see as negative and “cheapening” the experience of what is supposed to be luxury dining.
Of course, some issues seem insignificant but can make a big difference to diners – such as the temperature of butter to go with the fresh bread or whether Carnival Cruise Line offers “ketchup” or “catsup” as a condiment (yes, really).
Are you concerned about any – or all – of these dining room issues? Share your thoughts on the Cruise Hive boards!
A medical emergency on Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Jubilee forced the cruise ship to briefly turn back towards Galveston, Texas, late Sunday night, December 1, 2024. Just days later, Carnival Pride also encountered a medical emergency off the coast of North Carolina, requiring Coast Guard intervention.
The first incident occurred hours after the 183,521-gross-ton ship carrying up to 5,400 passengers had departed from Galveston for a 7-night Western Caribbean voyage.
Having departed from its homeport at 4 p.m. on November 30, 2024, passengers noticed on cruise trackers that the ship had reversed its course en route to Cozumel, Mexico, and was heading back to port.
A passenger on board shared that an announcement was made around midnight, alerting guests that Carnival Jubilee was heading back to Galveston for a medical emergency.
The US Coast Guard Heartland later confirmed it coordinated the evacuation of a 64-year-old male experiencing appendicitis-like symptoms.
Sector Houston-Galveston watchstanders coordinated with an Air Station Houston air crew to medevac a 64-year old male experiencing appendicitis-like symptoms from a cruise ship near Galveston, Tx. Air Station Corpus Christi also assisted with an HC-144 Ocean Sentry air crew.
“Watchstanders coordinated with an Air Station Houston crew to medevac a 64-year-old male experiencing appendicitis-like symptoms from a cruise ship near Galveston,” the Coast Guard shared.
The operation involved helicopter teams from Air Station House and an HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft for Air Station Corpus Christi.
By 3 a.m. on December 1, Carnival Jubilee had resumed its original course and is now continuing its planned itinerary, currently with a call in Costa Maya, Mexico, on December 3. The passenger’s condition remains undisclosed.
Another Emergency Aboard Pride
Two days later, at 1:26 a.m. on December 3, 2024, the 88,500-gross-ton Carnival Pride, sailing a 7-night Bahamian cruise from Baltimore, encountered its own medical emergency.
The 2,134-guest ship, which set off from Baltimore on December 1, was sailing off the coast of North Carolina’s Outer Banks when it was forced to turn towards shore due to an undisclosed medical emergency.
The US Coast Guard safely evacuated a male passenger and transported him to a local hospital, where he underwent successful surgery.
“Thank you so much for the Coast Guard getting us off and up to the hospital,”shared the passenger’s wife on social media. “Surgery was needed and was successful. It was our first cruise ever. We didn’t make it too far, but we are definitely coming back.”
She went on to express her appreciation to Carnival Pride’s medical team, saying, “Thank you all greatly for the teamwork and knowledge of the staff and medical team during our medical emergency. The hospital was greatly impressed by the medical team’s response.”
Carnival Pride Sailing (Photo Credit: Ella_Ca / Shutterstock)
Carnival Pride resumed its course following the medevac and is expected to arrive as scheduled in Nassau, Bahamas, on December 4.
The two incidents come on the heels of two other medical evacuations aboard Carnival Corporation-owned ships. On November 29, 2024, the US Coast Guard evacuated a 66-year-old female passenger from Holland America Line’s Koningsdam off the coast of Mexico.
The ship was on her last sea day as it concluded a 7-night Baja Peninsula voyage when the passenger experienced stroke symptoms. She was airlifted and transferred to a hospital in San Diego.
On the same day, and also the last day of a 7-night Mexican Riviera voyage, another guest was airlifted from Carnival Panorama. Prior to the incident, passengers reported that the crew was requesting blood donors.
While the emergencies were certainly not the best way to begin or end a cruise, the swift responses in each case highlight the collaboration between Carnival Corporation ships and the US Coast Guard, not to mention the high level of emergency preparedness found on each cruise ship.
There are some destinations and islands that are nearly synonymous with the cruising industry. Hundreds or even more than a thousand cruise ships can visit places like the Bahamas or the US Virgin Islands each year.
However, these top spots aren’t the only cruise line favorites. Industry-wide, cruise lines have begun crafting their own private destinations, where cruisers can enjoy carefully curated experiences and amenities, matching the cruise line’s branding and overall vibes.
Here are the cruise line private islands and destinations that you need to know about.
Owned by Carnival Corporation and thus visited by two of the corporation’s cruise lines — Carnival Cruise Line and Holland America Line — Half Moon Cay sits in the Bahamas, with 2,400 acres of space, including a two-mile beach. However, cruise passengers can only visit part of the island, at under 100 acres developed; the rest of the island is undisturbed nature.
When the cruise lines’ took over the island in 1996, it was completely undeveloped, and more than $16 million was invested to bring it up to visitable standards. It opened as a port of call in late 1997.
Of course, changes have been made to keep the private island current with today’s cruising standards. Most recently, Carnival Corp. announced major future renovations for the island, which will include a new pier capable of docking larger ships (currently, you have to tender at the island), an expanded beach, and new restaurants and bars.
For now, though, featured activities include bookable shore excursions that range from snorkeling to kayaking, boat tours to nature treks; dining and drinking at restaurants and bars; spa services; shopping at the market; playing at the waterpark; and just chilling in your cabana or on the beach.
Princess Cays (Carnival Corp)
Princess Cays, Bahamas (Photo Credit: GGAM)
Also owned by Carnival Corporation, Princess Cays is used by both Carnival Cruise Line and Princess Cruises. Princess Cays isn’t really its own island, like Half Moon Cay, though; instead, it’s a private resort area on the island of Eleuthera, in the Bahamas.
Opened in 1992, the resort is 40 acres and features include a beach, dining, drinking and various bookable experiences, such as water sports, stingray encounters and tours.
Most recently, Princess Cays received renovations in 2018, with new additions including WiFi service, refurbished retail and bar areas, shopping and general infrastructure. A new marina was also added, but you still have to tender to the resort.
Perfect Day at CocoCay (Royal Caribbean)
Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay (Photo Credit: All About Nature Photo)
Possibly the most well-known and recognizable of the cruise line private islands is Perfect Day at CocoCay. Owned by Royal Caribbean Group and used by Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises, CocoCay is a 125-acre, small island in the Bahamas, and it’s known for pushing the limits of what a private cruise line port of call can be (in true Royal Caribbean fashion!).
The island features a ton to do and see, including several record-breaking features or industry firsts. There’s the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean, the first overwater cabanas in the Bahamas, the biggest wave pool in the Caribbean and the tallest waterslide in North America. Otherwise, there’s plenty of beach space, an adults-only area, bars and restaurants, broader water park, helium balloon rides and more.
The private island is relatively new in the realm of cruise line private islands, reopening in May 2019, so renovations have been minimal. In 2023, the adults-only area was newly added, for example. Ships can dock right at the island, with no need for tendering.
Great Stirrup Cay (Norwegian Cruise Line)
NCL’s Great Stirrup Cay (Photo Credit: Nazar Skladanyi)
Also in the Bahamas, the 268-acre Great Stirrup Cay is a Norwegian Cruise Line property, first developed in the 1970s. Since then, the cruise line has upgraded the private island multiple times. In 2017, it added new restaurants and bars and expanded beach areas, as well as villas and a spa.
Most recently, the cruise line announced it would add a two-ship pier, removing the need for tendering. The pier will open in late 2025, if all stays on track.
For now, you’ll still have to tender, but when you do get to the island, you can expect beach-bumming, organized entertainment and beach activities, live music, water sports rentals, a zip line and ropes course, spa treatments, dining, drinking and shopping.
Harvest Caye (Norwegian Cruise Line)
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Harvest Caye (Photo Credit: Christina Calvo)
Norwegian Cruise Line’s other private destination is Harvest Caye, but it’s not in the Bahamas, as all the other islands we’ve covered thus far have been. Instead, you’ll find this 75-acre destination in Belize.
It opened in 2016 and, as of 2023, very vague talks were in the works with the Belizean government to make some changes to the island, but those are rather unsubstantiated.
For now, when you visit, you can expect a pier capable of accommodating cruise ships (so no tendering!), a shopping village, restaurants, bars, a wildlife sanctuary, terrarium, butterfly garden, and, of course, plenty of beach and pools.
Back in the Bahamas, the Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, owned by MSC Cruises, is the only private island marine reserve in the Bahamas. It’s technically an artificial island, and is just under 100 acres. Built in the 1960s, the cruise line took it over in 2015, with a $200 million upgrade investment.
Now, the cay offers seven beaches, a handful of food and drinks options, a lighthouse, spa, cabanas, a scuba diving center and an MSC Yacht Club exclusive space.
The island started a small refresh in early 2024, with changes including the addition of a kids lagoon, the expansion of the MSC Yacht Club restaurant, larger bars at the beaches, a new food hall, a new marine conservation center and more. The renovations will continue through early 2025, but ships are still visiting the island.
You may or may not have to tender to Ocean Cay, depending on when you arrive. When the pier is in use by another cruise ship, a second cruise ship will need to tender.
Castaway Cay (Disney Cruise Line)
Disney’s Castaway Cay (Photo Credit: Anthony Giarrusso)
One of two Disney Cruise Line private destinations, Castaway Cay in the Bahamas was purchased by the Walt Disney Company in 1997. It made waves as the first cruise line private island where tendering was not necessary.
The island is about a thousand acres in size, but only around 50 of those acres are in use. Visitors enjoy access to water activities, sporting equipment rentals, spa services, dining, multiple beaches, cabanas and an adults-only space. Of course, Mickey and friends are also present, for all your Disney family photo ops.
Over the years, Castaway Cay has received some upgrades and enhancements, but nothing overly exciting. In 2014, for example, the island added more dining and cabanas. Reports from cruisers visiting the island as recently as late 2024 reported construction to add more cabanas once again.
Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point (Disney Cruise Line)
Aerial View of Lookout Cay
Disney Cruise Line’s newer private destination is Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. It’s not a full island, but is a private space situated on the Bahamian island of Eleuthera.
The area was purchased in 2019 and Disney invested hundreds of millions in developing the peninsula, which measures in at approximately 700 acres (though nearly 200 acres have been designated a national park).
Lookout Cay just opened in mid-2024. It offers a beach separated into family and adults-only areas, bars, buffets, a kid-specific water park/splash area, family entertainment, a cultural center, bicycle rentals, nature trails, cabanas and excursions.
Do note that while you don’t need to tender at this destination, the pier is a half-mile-long, so you’ll have a bit of a hike between the ship and the actual land.
Labadee (Royal Caribbean)
Royal Caribbean’s Labadee Destination in Haiti (Photo Credit: fitzcrittle)
Royal Caribbean Group’s Labadee is billed as a private island, but it’s actually a peninsula that’s part of Haiti. Historically visited by Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara, the resort area, opened in 1980s, is a 260-acre property, with a two-berth pier (for no tendering!).
The area is highly guarded, and fenced off so that no locals can access it and no cruisers can leave, other than on the cruise ship. Despite this, there have been instances wherein Royal Caribbean has removed the destination from its itineraries, due to safety concerns.
Renovated in 2009, the area offers several beaches, the largest zip-line over water, an alpine coaster, dining and a flea market.
Some cruise lines don’t purchase an entire private island for their cruisers, or an expansive peninsula jutting out in the Caribbean. Instead, they go a little more low-key, such as with a smaller beach club.
Such is the case with Virgin Voyages’ Bimini Beach Club, which is technically open to the public in the Bimini destination in the Bahamas, but closed off to the public whenever a Virgin Voyages ship is in port. Then, cruisers get exclusive access to the club.
The ship won’t dock specifically at the club; instead, you’ll get off at the normal pier and then have to make your way through the destination to get to the beach club (don’t worry — there’s a tram for that). Think of the experience less like visiting a private island or peninsula and more like visiting a stand-alone resort while you’re in port.
Attractions at the beach club include multiple pools, a bar, restaurant and beach activities. A special area of the club is also set aside for suite guests. Excursions are available, as are cabanas.
The 4.5-acre property opened just a few years ago, under the Virgin Voyages flag, with development announced in 2019.
Upcoming Cruise Line Private Islands and Beach Clubs
Given the popularity of all of the above private islands and beach clubs, it’s no surprise that many cruise lines have even more offerings like these in the works.
Royal Caribbean Beach Club Paradise Island
Render Courtesy: Royal Caribbean
This will be the first Royal Beach Club, taking the approach cruisers have loved at Perfect Day at CocoCay and scaling it down into the beach club setting.
The 17-acre property will be situated on Paradise Island, near Nassau, and will offer beach, pools, cabanas, dining, drinks, shopping and more. The beach club is expected to open in the summer of 2025.
Royal Caribbean Beach Club Cozumel
Royal Beach Club Cozumel in Mexico
Another Royal Caribbean beach club is also in the works, in Cozumel, but you’ll have to wait a little bit longer for it to arrive. It’s slated to open in 2026.
The beach club will offer multiple pools (for both families and adults-only), swim-up bars, beach space, private cabanas, a restaurant and lounge, market and excursions and experiences that range from snorkeling to tequila tastings.
Perfect Day Mexico
Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day Mexico
Royal Caribbean is also mimicking its success with Perfect Day at CocoCay, but across the Caribbean, in Mexico. The new Perfect Day Mexico property will open in 2027, near Mahahual. While plans are still pretty vague, they include a waterpark, multiple pools, multiple beaches, restaurants, bars and entertainment.
Celebration Key
Celebration Key, Grand Bahama Island
Lastly, Celebration Key, a Carnival Cruise Line property, is anticipated to open in mid to late-2025. The port will be exclusively open to Carnival Cruise Line guests only (so no sharing with Holland America or Princess Cruises), but will not be a private island. Instead, the port and its surrounding resort will be located on Grand Bahama, near Freeport.
The private space is 340 acres and will offer an expansive number of attractions. There’s a family-friendly area with a lagoon, waterslides, beach cabanas and sports courts. An adult-friendly space will feature cabanas as well, and a swim-up bar and restaurants. A retail area offers duty-free shopping, as well as local vendors.
When it opens, the key will boast the newest largest freshwater lagoon in the Caribbean. Additionally, in total, the key will have more than 30 different venues for dining and drinking.
The week is beginning with a man overboard-type scare – but not in the way you would think.
In this case, the man didn’t fall or jump off a cruise ship – but rather leaped into the water to try to swim to a cruise ship docked in the Las Palmas Cruise Port in Gran Canaria.
The incident began on the morning of Monday, December 2, 2024, near the Poema del Mar Aquarium – which is located on the opposite side of the port from where the cruise ships dock at the Santa Catalina quay.
Luckily, good Samaritans called for help after seeing the man standing on a pontoon boat looking like he was about to jump.
But by the time police arrived, the man was already in the water and swimming toward the cruise ships. Only MSC Opera and Marella Discovery 2 were docked at the time – but the port can accommodate up to four cruise ships at once.
It’s unclear which vessel the unidentified man was trying to reach, and what he intended to do once he got there.
However, he never did reach his destination thanks to the quick intervention of police officers – although he did make it all the way to a busy section of the harbor between Pesquero and Sanapú.
This was quite dangerous, as in addition to cruise traffic, small ferries, pilot vessels, and Guardia Civil patrol boats are frequently sailing through this area.
First responders borrowed a Zodiac dinghy from a nearby sailboat for the rescue and were able to bring the man onboard without issue.
La Policía Portuaria, con la ayuda de los amarradores, rescató al nadador, que puso en peligro su vida y la seguridad marítima al lanzarse desde el muelle Sanapúhttps://t.co/qg75tmztwx
Once onshore, an ambulance arrived to make sure the man was uninjured, and ultimately transported him to the Doctor Negrín University Hospital for further evaluation.
According to local news outlet Atlantico Hoy, he was admitted to the psychiatric unit after confirming to first responders that his goal had been to swim to one of the cruise ships.
A Happy Ending – But With a Warning
As is usually the case with ports around the world, it is strictly forbidden to swim, bathe, or fish in the Las Palmas Cruise Port – and for good reason. In many places, people who disobey these rules can even be fined or arrested.
At best, the man could have caused a traffic jam in Spain’s third busiest cruise port. At worst, he could have been seriously injured or killed if he had been struck by a boat or cruise ship.
Busy harbors can also be quite polluted due to the presence of greenhouse gasses, such as sulfur dioxide and black carbon, that are released from onboard engines.
Most newer cruise ships have been designed to use greener fuel alternatives, such as plugging into shore power and using LNG-powered engines, as the cruise industry works to become carbon neutral by 2050.
Las Palmas Canary Islands (Photo Credit: Mateescu Mircea Mugur)
However, not every vessel is equipped with these environmentally friendly options just yet.
Swimming in potentially contaminated water could make the man very sick. While he thus far appears physically healthy, staff at the hospital will certainly be keeping an eye out in case he develops any symptoms.
While the situation would have been scary to watch for witnesses, the cruise ships and their guests were likely never in any danger because of the man’s actions.
Even if he had made it to the pier, he would not have been allowed to board either vessel. All guests and crew members have to go through security and must verify their identity before they are allowed to re-embark – which this man would not have been able to do.
If he had tried to force his way onboard or caused a scene, the onboard security teams would have quickly sprung into action to subdue him until local authorities arrived.
MSC Opera can host up to 2,150 passengers per sailing, while Marella Discovery 2 has a maximum capacity of 1,832 guests. It’s unclear how many guests were onboard during the incident – and if they were aware of what was unfolding.
Online rumors can quickly spread misinformation that can confuse and frustrate cruise passengers, and Carnival Cruise Line is attempting – once more – to clarify its mobility scooter policy and reassure guests.
New rumors have again surfaced about how Carnival Cruise Line is regulating mobility scooters, but with false information that is creating anger among guests who need these assistive devices.
The issue has been brought to John Heald’s attention through his popular Facebook page, where the Brand Ambassador helps with hundreds of guest comments, questions, and concerns nearly every day.
“Yesterday I was reading the [Facebook page]. He had received an email from Carnival saying he couldn’t bring his mobility scooter as Carnival had changed their policy. Only people who had booked a full accessible room could bring a mobility scooter,”the guest explained.
Carnival Cruise Line only offers a few fully accessible staterooms on each ship, but other cabins may have partial accessibility. Of course many staterooms have no explicit accessibility features but may still be perfectly suitable for travelers with limited mobility depending on their exact needs.
“[He] said Carnival was doing this because there were too many mobility scooters. I use one because I am overweight and have arthritis. I need my scooter not just to get around the boat but for trips ashore as I cannot walking especially on uneven or cobbled streets,”the guest continued.
“Is this fact, John? It is causing many of us so much worry. The worry is turning to anger. Is this the truth?”
If Carnival Cruise Line was in fact limiting the number of scooters permitted onboard each vessel, this could cause great stress for travelers, especially for sought-after itineraries that could meet such a limit quickly. Fortunately, this rumor is just that – a rumor.
“NO, it’s not the truth,”Heald said firmly.“You are not the only person who has asked and so before this gets out of hand I felt it best to clarify this is not true. This is yet another example of the stuff and nonsense that is allowed to be posted.”
It should be noted that many social media sites are unregulated and can have a wide range of fan pages, unofficial groups, and other posts that are not verified from any cruise line.
People posting on these pages may claim to have spoken to a crew member, called a cruise line, or otherwise “confirmed” their information, yet they seldom post proof of that verification.
Heald goes on to address the idea of how many mobility scooters are onboard and what is required of guests who use them.
“Yes we do have a lot of mobility scooters and that number is growing for sure,”he said.“We do not ask for any proof as to why you need one, or to inform us that you will be using one, or that you need a full ADA cabin to be allowed to bring one on board.”
When guests do book an accessible cabin, they are required to fill out the Mobility Questionnaire, but this is only to ensure that everyone is aware of scooter policies. The questionnaire also helps to ensure the onboard team is prepared to offer any necessary assistance to every traveler.
“The only thing we ask of mobility scooter users is to remember you cannot store your mobility scooter outside of your cabin door and to please drive responsibly and carefully,”Heald concluded.
Lots of Scooter Confusion
There has been a great deal of confusion about mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs this year as Carnival has been cracking down on oversized devices and inappropriate behavior.
To be clear, the cruise line’s policies have not changed, but enforcement is becoming more strict. Earlier this year, Carnival began sending emails to guests booked in accessible staterooms to ensure they were aware of the size restrictions on scooters and other mobility device policies.
All scooters and electric wheelchairs must be able to fit through cabin doors and be stored out of the way inside the stateroom. Guests are not permitted to “park” their scooters outside in the hallway or in other public spaces.
If a passenger’s scooter is too large, it will not be allowed onboard the ship at embarkation. At that time, guests may need to choose to travel without their scooter or rent a smaller scooter, or they may be denied boarding altogether.
At no time, however, has Carnival Cruise Line outright banned mobility scooters or limited the overall number that may be on an individual cruise. The only limitation is that oversized scooters cannot be accommodated.
Guests are also urged to practice caution when using onboard elevators or driving through public promenades and to ensure they are driving safely for everyone.
Travelers should always check a cruise line’s official website or contact a cruise line if they are unsure of a policy, and not rely on social media for information that may impact their sailing.
Lucy Southerton is an expert on all things cruising. As a crew member for around 10 years, she learned a lot working as a massage therapist, shopping ambassador, and cosmetic consultant and perfumer across mainstream brands like Virgin Voyages, Royal Caribbean, and Disney Cruise Line.
Along the way, she started her blog and YouTube channel, called Cruising As Crew, where she candidly shares about her experiences onboard and offers tips for future and current crew members.
But just like all crew members, Southerton had a lot to learn when she first started her career at sea – and a video of the influencer talking about how she accidentally discovered the hidden meaning behind cruisers who don upside down pineapples has recently resurfaced.
For context, Upside down pineapples are a common symbol to indicate that a couple is open to swinging or “wife swapping” – which is the practice of switching partners for a sexual encounter.
At the time, Southerton was working as a massage therapist in the onboard spa and was trying to make conversation with two guests that had come in for a couple’s massage.
She noticed they both wore the same upside-down pineapple necklaces, so she innocently asked what the jewelry meant – expecting to hear that it was something meaningful or sentimental for their relationship.
“They were both wearing silver pineapple or upside down pineapple necklaces, but they were very tasteful,” Southerton said in the video, which has been viewed nearly 906,000 times on YouTube.
“Oh, I love your necklaces. I think it’s so cute that you’re both wearing matching necklaces… But why the pineapple? What does that represent to you in your relationship?,”she recounted.
Naturally, the crew member was mortified when the couple burst out laughing and informed her that they were swingers and this is how other swingers could identify them – but she still shared her story to help save other crew members from making the same embarrassing mistake.
At the same time, she also warned that it’s never smart to assume – as passengers wearing pineapple jewelry might just simply like pineapples.
Are Upside Down Pineapples Going Away?
In addition to wearing upside down pineapples on their clothing or jewelry, some in the swinging community will also place an upside down pineapple on their cabin doors as a signal to other swingers.
The news of the ban organically arose in the comments of another post on Brand Ambassador John Heald’s Facebook page – in which another guest asked for Carnival to add a feature to the HUB App that would allow single cruisers to meet.
One commenter replied that all the single guest really needed to do was put an upside down pineapple on her door to attract a potential love interest – which Heald immediately shot down.
Upside down Pineapple
“Thank you for mentioning that, those are definitely no longer allowed on the ships and they will be removed from any cabin door. Thank you for reminding me to mention that,”Heald said.
It’s unclear when the ban actually went into effect.
While not everyone was happy about Carnival’s ban, no one seemed particularly surprised by it.
First, taking part in swinging can potentially lead to tense – or even dangerous – situations between passengers who have different boundaries and views on what their interaction should look like.
Some commenters also said that they saw pineapples pointed in all different directions – not just upside down – which led to confusion and mixed signals.
But more innocently, those who are unfamiliar with what the upside down pineapple symbol means – as Southerton was – may be able to avoid unwanted or awkward encounters by eliminating the risqué conversation starter.
