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Celebrity Cruises Orders 10 Ships For New River Cruise Brand

Donna Tunney
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Celebrity Cruises Orders 10 Ships For New River Cruise Brand

It was simply a matter of time before one of the major cruise lines expanded into the growing river cruise market, and now Celebrity Cruises has done just that.

The upmarket line, owned by Royal Caribbean Group and best known for its popular Edge-class blue-water ships, announced on January 28, 2025 the creation of Celebrity River Cruises.

The new river brand will eventually have 10 ships sailing in Europe, and beyond that, few details were provided. However, Celebrity officials promise that the new river ships will feature the premium elements and design of the Edge-class vessels.

“We’re thrilled to announce our entry into the river cruise market through our Celebrity Cruises premium travel brand.  Our guests and travel partners should expect us to do what we do best – innovate and elevate the river cruise experience as we meet the growing demand for intimate, culturally enriching travel experiences,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group.

Besides Celebrity Cruises and Celebrity River Cruises, Royal Caribbean Group owns and operates the Royal Caribbean and Silversea Cruises ocean-going fleets. Part of the motivation behind the new river division came from guest feedback, which indicated robust interest in the river cruise vacation option.

“With about half of our guests having experienced or intending to vacation on a river cruise, we know they will enjoy Celebrity’s elevated offering on the river,” added Liberty.

He also noted that the parent company plans to leverage its loyalty programs from the three brands to “keep guests within our ecosystem” of vacation products.

Royal Caribbean Group in 2024 took steps to enhance its brands’ loyalty programs with a new incentive called Loyalty Status Match.

Starting in June 2024, a new policy enabled guests to apply their existing loyalty club tier level, earned on any of the brands, to all three brands. Whether these blanket loyalty benefits will extend to the new river line remains to be seen.

Details of Ship Design, Itineraries Are Yet to Come

Royal Caribbean Group has not revealed the name of the shipyard where the river vessels will be built, nor has it provided any timeline for the brand to launch.

However, since all of Celebrity Cruises’ Edge-class ships have been constructed at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France, it appears likely that the river ships could be built there as well.

While the announcement referred to sailing the iconic rivers of Europe, no itinerary details were revealed either. Most river ships in Europe sail the Rhine, Danube, Seine, Rhone, Elbe, and Douro.

Celebrity Cruises Ship
Celebrity Cruises Ship (Photo Credit: Adam McCullough)

River ships typically accommodate between 150 and 220 guests, are about 400 feet long, and weigh 3,000- to 4,000-gross tons, a fraction of the size of contemporary mega-ships, so they do not take as long to build.

Few cruise lines operate both river and blue-water ships. The best known is Viking, which started as a river line in 1997 and expanded into ocean itineraries in 2015.

Another line, the former Crystal Cruises, an ultra-luxury brand that operated two ocean-going ships, expanded into river cruising with one vessel in 2016. It eventually expanded its river ships to four, before falling into bankruptcy in 2022 after parent company Genting Hong Kong became insolvent.

Celebrity Cruises, meanwhile, is forging ahead with more ocean-going ships as well. Just a week before unveiling its river division, the brand confirmed it has ordered a sixth Edge-class ship.

The new ship will be built at Chantiers de l’Atlantique with delivery in 2028, and will be a sister ship to Celebrity Xcel, which is under construction and due to enter service in November 2025.

The 3,260-guest Celebrity Xcel will be based in Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades and sail 7-night cruises to the Caribbean. The ship marked held a traditional keel-laying ceremony in June 2024.

Carnival to Continue Romantic Tradition Across the Fleet

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival to Continue Romantic Tradition Across the Fleet

Many cruisers love to set sail over special holidays, and none is more special for couples, wedding anniversaries, marriage proposals, and sharing the sea with that special someone than a Valentine’s Day cruise.

Carnival Cruise Line is committed to celebrating couples on that day of love with a romantic renewal of vows at sea, a massive group event held fleetwide on February 14.

The large-scale ceremony began in 2023, with the cruise line’s largest-ever vow renewal at sea hosted by Chief Fun Officer Shaquille O’Neal as a virtual officiant. It was even bigger in 2024 with Carnival Jubilee having joined the fleet.

Brand Ambassador John Heald has now confirmed that the popular ceremony will be held on Friday, February 14, 2025. No time has yet been set, but guests onboard Valentine’s Day sailings will be able to show their love with the fun recommitment.

Worth Reading: Future Cruise Guest Prepares for Romantic Proposal at Sea

“On Valentine’s Day the ships will once again have the romantic renewal at sea,” Heald said. “This will be hosted by our Chief Fun Officer Shaquille O’Neal on the Lido and or theatre big screens and is a very special moment for couples to enjoy together.”

Because the event is virtually hosted, times for the ceremony onboard different ships may vary based on other activity programming and operational needs. For example, ships that are embarking on Valentine’s Day may have the event later in the day once the vessel has set sail.

If weather permits, the vow renewal will be outdoors on the ship’s Lido Deck if the vessel is equipped with a Seaside Theater to broadcast Shaq’s role in the fun. If ships do not have the big screen, or if weather is problematic for outdoor events, the ceremony will be relocated to the ship’s main theater.

Following the vow renewal, an onboard reception will feature a DJ for romantic dancing, a champagne toast to celebrate the “new” couples, and an onboard kiss-cam for even more fun. And of course, there will be cake!

Read Also: How to Enjoy a Romantic Valentine’s Day Cruise

All couples are invited to participate in the fun, once-a-year romantic event, regardless of how long they have been together – or even if they just want to make it their first special moment.

Couples who have previously participated in the vow renewal note that it is indeed a special time, complete with Carnival’s fun vibe.

“We were on the Dream last year for this. It was so fun! Thank you for reminding us couples what really matters,” one guest commented.

Guests sailing over Valentine’s Day should check the Carnival Hub app or their FunTimes newsletter for the exact time and location for the vow renewal. Be sure to be there early – no one wants to be late on their wedding day!

More Valentine’s Day Activities

February 14 is a day to celebrate all things love across the Carnival fleet, even if guests prefer not to join in the vow renewal ceremony.

Other onboard activities will also have lovey-dovey themes, with such fun as trivia contests, romantic Dive-In movies, or even the entertaining (and more than a little risqué) “Love and Marriage” show.

Vow Renewal on Carnival Mardi Gras
Vow Renewal on Carnival Mardi Gras (Photo Credit: Carnival)

While there will be no exclusive menu for Valentine’s Day, Carnival Cruise Line’s usual dining fare, as well as onboard specialty restaurants, offer more than enough delicious and decadent variety for a date night dinner. Don’t forget the ultimate in a luxurious dessert – sharing a warm chocolate melting cake with that special someone!

Of course, couples who aren’t setting sail over Valentine’s Day can still express their love onboard any Carnival cruise, at any time of year.

The cruise line offers different romantic packages, including vow renewals, weddings, engagement proposals, and honeymoons for different group sizes, from just the special couple to events with up to 50 non-sailing guests at the ship’s homeport.

Travelers can also take their own steps to make any cruise an extra romantic occasion, such as celebrating a special date night on a formal night, spending time together in the adults-only Serenity area, or booking a couples spa massage deal.

Cruise Ship Passenger Arrested for Casino Fraud in Brazil

Catie Kovelman
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Cruise Ship Passenger Arrested for Casino Fraud in Brazil

For whatever reason, the month of January seems to be ending with a mini crime wave! 

First, news broke of a Florida deputy who was arrested on drug smuggling charges at PortMiami on January 23, 2025. 

But one day prior, on January 22, 2025, a 41-year-old cruise passenger was arrested in the Port of Salvador de Bahia, Brazil, on charges of fraud. 

According to early reports, the Brasília resident allegedly used fake credit cards – including a virtual credit card issued in the United States – to make expensive purchases and to gamble and place bets in the ship’s casino. 

The suspect initially bypassed detection, and was able to gamble and buy expensive perfumes and alcohol as soon as the stores and casino opened after embarkation. 

But after he attempted to register multiple cards in the casino, the financial institutions flagged them for fraud – with the Bahia state government stating that the suspect’s alleged actions caused a total loss of more than $6,000 (USD). 

When the cruiser was apprehended upon disembarking in the port, he had an iPhone, two ship access cards, and $2,600 in cash on his person. 

He joins the (thankfully small) ranks of other cruisers who have unsuccessfully tried to pull similar stunts – such as the four guests who were arrested for credit card fraud in PortMiami while sailing onboard MSC Magnifica in August of 2024. 

It’s unclear which cruise ship this guest was sailing on, but MSC Seaview and MSC Orchestra were the only vessels in the port that day. 

But as authorities say the suspect originally boarded the cruise ship in Santos, Brazil, it was most likely MSC Seaview – which embarked from the port on January 19, 2025, on a 7-night South America sailing. 

Salvador de Bahia was her first port call – meaning the detained passenger missed out on visiting Ilhéus and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, later in the voyage. 

MSC Cruises’ Happier History in Salvador de Bahia

Thankfully, the vast majority of visits to Brazil by MSC’s cruise ships do not result in passengers being taken into custody. 

The port, which can accommodate up to three large cruise ships and six cargo ships per day, has been experiencing a period of growth – of which MSC cruises has certainly contributed to. 

Looking back at 2022, MSC Fantasia helped to kick off a record-breaking season for Brazil by being the first of nine different ships to homeport in Santos, Brazil – with some of her 3-7-night itineraries, including calls on Salvador de Bahia. 

Looking ahead at cruise tracking data for the remainder of 2025, a variety of cruise lines do call on the port, which is just a short walk or taxi ride to the attractions in downtown Salvador, including brands like Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and Cunard Line.

Cruise Ship Docking in Salvador
Cruise Ship Docking in Salvador (Photo Credit: Gabriel S Fernandes)

However, MSC vessels have the greatest presence on the schedule. For example, February 2025 has 10 cruise ship calls scheduled – and eight are by MSC cruise ships (MSC Grandiosa, MSC Orchestra, and MSC Seaview).

Read Also: MSC Cruises Pulls Multiple South America Sailings for 2026-27

The official port numbers for 2024 have not been released yet, as the cruise season in Brazil runs from November 2024 to late April of 2025. 

That said, the 2022/2023 cruise season ended on a high note – and was considered the busiest season in the port’s history. 

The Salvador Maritime Terminal welcomed around 240,000 cruise guests – which is an increase of more than 59% compared to the 2018/2019 season prior to the Covid-19 pandemic shuttering the port for two years. 

Local authorities continue to strive to expand cruise tourism operations in the port, which is located on All Saints Bay.

World’s Biggest Cruise Ship Celebrates a Year at Sea

Melissa Mayntz
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World’s Biggest Cruise Ship Celebrates a Year at Sea

It’s hard to believe it was one year ago that Royal Caribbean’s massive Icon of the Seas welcomed her first guests and set sail for phenomenal vacation memories on January 27, 2024. And what a year of memories it has been!

The ship already has impressive stats of its own, but now the impressive numbers are in from her first year of sailing.

Icon of the Seas is homeported from Miami, Florida, offering 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries. That means 52 iconic vacations offered in the first year, with a total of 192,000 families welcomed onboard.

As Icon of the Seas has set sail, she has made 52 visits to Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island destination in the Bahamas. Try the funnel cake at Snack Shack, you won’t be sorry.

In addition to visiting CocoCay, Icon of the Seas has stopped 180 times at other top destinations, including making calls to Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico along with Roatan in Honduras for Western Caribbean itineraries.

On her Eastern Caribbean sailings, she visits Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis.

The first-of-her-class Icon of the Seas can welcome 5,610 travelers at double occupancy, and up to 7,600 guests when fully booked with all berths filled. That’s a lot of room for making iconic memories on every sailing!

For 7,900 travelers (and surely some crew members in that number), that has meant celebrating a birthday onboard Icon of the Seas. And if you’re a cake-and-ice-cream type of person for a birthday party, you may have had one (or more!) of the 1,594,467 ice cream cones served at Sprinkles over the past year!

If you prefer a milkshake, you have enjoyed the same treat as 55,350 total guests – all of which have been served at Desserted, portside on Deck 16 in the Thrill Island neighborhood.

For passengers who prefer a bit more adult libations, join in the fun at one of the four Lime and Coconut bars onboard, where 44,070 drinks have been served over the past year.

Some guests have even indulged in even more celebration as part of the 96 dinner party experiences offered at Celebration Table – a truly one-of-a-kind, exclusive, VIP option found on Icon of the Seas.

The fun onboard Icon of the Seas isn’t confined to treats and celebrations, however. The ship offers outstanding entertainment. In just the past year, that has included 426 stunt-filled ice shows and 308 performances of “The Wizard of Oz” and “The Effectors: The Origin Story.”

Even more impressive are the 449 performances of Aqua Action!, the high-diving, high-energy, high-excitement aquatic show. Together, those performances have included a mesmerizing 28,736 high dives under the AquaDome.

Guests who want to try their own adrenaline rush have plenty of options onboard Icon of the Seas, but none more unique than the Crown’s Edge ropes course with its surprise plunge into a swooping zipline. Nearly 15,000 guests have conquered that challenge in the past year – more than 280 guests each week!

All of this adds up to an amazing time for Icon of the Seas!

“It’s been an incredible year for Icon of the Seas,” said Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean’s President & CEO on the ship’s first official anniversary. “A big thanks to all of the dedicated crew who have put their heart and soul towards making this our most successful product ever! Happy 1 Year Icon!”

Icon of the Seas One Year in Service Stats
Icon of the Seas One Year in Service Stats

Up Next for Icon of the Seas

The massive, 248,663-gross-ton ship has no intention of slowing down, and will remain homeported from Miami for at least the next two years.

Read Also: Icon of the Seas Amenities and Everything You’ll Love Onboard

But up next is a new family member – the first sister ship for Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas, will debut at the end of August 2025 from Port Canaveral, Florida.

While the world’s two largest ships won’t be homeported together, they’re sure to share a special meetup at some point – and won’t that be a massive occasion worth celebrating with more than 14,000 of your closest friends!

Belfast Launches Ambitious £90-Million Cruise Project

Lissa Poirot
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Belfast Launches Ambitious £90-Million Cruise Project

As Great Britain’s cruise industry grows and passengers clamor to visit its port cities, Northern Ireland’s Belfast is working to improve its capabilities to make way for bigger cruise ships.

On January 27, 2025, Belfast Harbour unveiled plans for a new £90 million deepwater quay, which will accommodate some of the world’s largest cruise ships.

The initiative, part of a broader £300-million investment strategy stretching over the next 5 years, will significantly enhance the port’s capabilities. 

With the cruise sector already injecting £20 to £25 million annually into the local economy, the port anticipates a boost to regional tourism and its economic growth.

“This transformative project strengthens Belfast’s position as a world-class cruise destination, paving the way for the future of Cruise Belfast by accommodating larger vessels and enhancing the visitor experience,” said Gerry Lennon, chief executive of Visit Belfast.

Added Joe O’Neill, chief executive of Belfast Harbour, “The addition of a new deepwater quay will not only add to the c300,000 cruise visitors welcomed by Belfast Harbour each year, it also gives us the opportunity to expand our capacity in the assembly and installation of offshore wind.”

The first phase of the quay’s construction, primarily focused on supporting cruise tourism, is projected to be operational between 2027 and 2029. Stage two, anticipated to be complete by 2030, will enhance the quay’s infrastructure.

Enhanced Port Facilities and Offshore Wind Capabilities Coming

Belfast Harbour, which can welcome up to three cruise ships daily, has welcomed more than 1,400 cruise ships and nearly 2.5 million passengers and crew to Belfast since 1996. As the largest deepwater quay in Ireland, its current quay is just over a half mile long and 34 feet deep.

Last year, the harbor saw 260,000 passengers and crew arrivals across 60 cruise ships from 35 different cruise lines.

Belfast Harbour’s new strategy, titled “Advance Regional Prosperity 2025-2029,” includes a comprehensive £208 million investment in improving port facilities and an additional £105 million dedicated to the ongoing development of the Harbour Estate, including office, retail, hospitality, exhibition spaces, and affordable housing.

Worth Reading: Belfast Port Marks Major Milestone With Princess Cruises

The project will include renovations to the port’s current deepwater berth, Stormont Wharf, the addition of new warehouses, and the use of self-driving vehicles across the port.

Its full objectives are to enable economic growth, develop and improve the port, create places to live and work, and help Belfast Harbour reach net-zero cruise operations, in line with the UK’s 2050 target under the Clean Maritime Plan and investments in renewable energy. 

Aerial view of Belfast Harbour
Aerial view of Belfast Harbour (Photo Credit: Ballygally View Images)

In fact, one of the port’s main projects will be to create offshore wind farms, with Dr. Theresa Donaldson, chair of Belfast Harbour Commissioners, saying the development will make Belfast the only port on Ireland to feature offshore wind facilities.

Donaldon said, “We will continue our pioneering efforts to diversify and decarbonize, helping to reimagine and regenerate the city and bring additional prosperity to the region.”

Belfast Harbour’s cruise season traditionally operates between April and October, with 2025’s first call arriving on March 30 when Viking Ocean’s Viking Vela arrives on a 14-night British Isles voyage.

Its next arrivals, in April and May include Princess Cruises’ Regal Princess, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Pearl and Norwegian Prima, Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambition, Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam, Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Eclipse, MSC Cruises’ MSC Preziosa, and Oceania Cruises’ Vista.

Virgin Voyages Makes Inaugural Stop in Cartagena

Lissa Poirot
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Virgin Voyages Makes Inaugural Stop in Cartagena

Marking its first-ever call in Colombia, Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady arrived in Cartagena on January 24, 2025, for the cruise line’s inaugural visit to the South American nation nestled on the Caribbean Sea.

The call was the first stop during Resilient Lady’s 11-night Caribbean cruise from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Carrying 2,469 passengers, the vessel arrived at 8 a.m. and didn’t depart until midnight, providing guests with 16 hours to explore the vibrant city.

“This is a key moment for Colombia,” said Carmen Caballero, president of ProColombia, the country’s tourism promotion agency. “It is the result of years of collaboration with Virgin Voyages and other industry stakeholders.”

“At ProColombia, we have tirelessly promoted the country’s maritime connectivity with the goal of solidifying Colombia as an attractive destination for cruise tourism,” she continued. “This achievement reinforces our position as a regional leader and is a victory for all Colombians.”

Read Also: I Spent 7 Days on My First Adults-Only Virgin Voyages Cruise

The visit is the first of two for the 110,000-gross-ton vessel, which will return on a similar itinerary on April 4, 2025. Both sailings continue in the Caribbean to Curacao, Aruba, St. Lucia, Antigua, and St. Maarten ports.

Later in the year, Virgin Voyages will return with Valiant Lady and its brand-new vessel, Brilliant Lady, following construction competition in the Fincantieri shipyard in Genoa, Italy, in September.

Brilliant Lady, sailing from Miami, will first arrive in Cartagena on November 14, revisit on December 12, and return on two more sailings in winter 2026.

Valiant Lady, which will journey from San Juan, will make her inaugural call on December 5, 2025.

Cartagena Strengthening Role as Cruise Hub

Colonized in 1533, Cartagena has long been a critical port of South America. Its walled city and forts, built to protect the city from pirates in the 16th and 17th centuries, are now hoping to foster a relationship with cruise lines.

Worth Reading: Virgin Voyages Ship Makes Second Inaugural Call in a Week

On the day of Resilient Lady’s arrival, the city also welcomed three additional vessels, including Cunard Line’s 2,996-passenger Queen Anne and Norwegian Cruise Line’s 2,394-guest Norwegian Pearl and 3,804-guest Norwegian Joy.

Said Liliana Rodríguez, executive president of Corpoturismo, the tourism board of Cartagena, “Today, with four ships from three major cruise lines docked in our port and hosting nearly 23,000 tourists, Cartagena reaffirms its capacity, administrative commitment, and the synergy that defines our tourism ecosystem.”

Four ships in Cartagena
Four ships spend a day in Cartagena on January 24, 2025. (Photo Courtesy: Cartagena Port)

Overall, Colombia’s cruise and tourism sectors have seen significant growth. In 2024, the country welcomed 6.6 million international visitors, an 8.5 percent increase over the previous year.

Over 1.4 million annual visitors are American, with Colombian Ambassador to the US, Daniel García-Peña, adding, “Year on year, Colombia stands out as a top destination for American travelers.”

“This milestone also highlights the confidence of US and global tour operators in Colombia’s diverse offerings, further strengthening the connections that drive our economic and cultural exchange.”

More From Cruise Hive

The 2024-2025 cruise season, which began in September and ends on June 30, 2025, is fully underway, with Cartagena hoping to best its 327,283 passenger arrivals witnessed during the 2023-2024 season.

Additional cruise lines arriving during the season include AIDA Cruises’ AIDAluna on January 29, Princess Cruises’ Coral Princess on February 2, Oceania Cruises’ February 5 arrival of Vista, Seabourn’s Seabourn Ovation on February 7, and P&O Cruises, arriving on February 9 with Aurora.

MSC Cruises to Bring Massive World-Class Ship to Port Canaveral

Melissa Mayntz
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MSC Cruises to Bring Massive World-Class Ship to Port Canaveral

Cruise business is booming at Port Canaveral, and is about to get even bigger and busier with MSC Cruises now announcing that the fourth World-class ship will call the central Florida port home for the winter sailing season of 2027-2028.

This strengthens MSC Cruises’ relationship with Port Canaveral even further, and offers amazing cruise vacation opportunities to eager travelers at a time when the port’s popularity is surging.

While the new World-class ship is yet unnamed, she will be a sister ship to MSC World Europa and the upcoming MSC World America, which will be homeported year-round from Miami when she debuts in April.

This makes two World-class ships operating in North America, further expanding MSC Cruises’ presence in the region. There’s also MSC World Asia, which is currently under construction and will arrive in 2026.

“Our commitment to Port Canaveral is stronger than ever, thanks to the incredible support from our partners there and the growing demand from our guests who love the port’s convenient location,” said Lynn Torrent, EVP and Chief Commercial Officer of MSC Cruises USA.

“Having ships dedicated to offering both short and 7-night cruises year-round will ensure we have the right options available no matter when someone wants to sail. We’re especially excited to bring a World Class ship to Port Canaveral, continuing our long-standing pledge to deploy our most modern and innovative ships in the Caribbean market.”

The new ship will be offering year-round 7-night Caribbean itineraries. While no specific itinerary details have been released, it’s likely the ship will regularly visit MSC Cruises’ private island destination in the Bahamas – MSC Ocean Cay Marine Reserve – as well as other top Caribbean ports on both Eastern and Western routes.

At the same time, MSC Cruises has also confirmed that MSC Grandiosa will return to Port Canaveral for a second winter season in 2026-2027, this time offering 7-night Caribbean itineraries. Her first season from central Florida will begin in December 2025, when she will be offering 3- and 4-night itineraries.

“We are excited to have MSC Cruises expand their presence at Port Canaveral with the arrival of MSC Grandiosa and the deployment of their fourth World Class ship to homeport with us,” said Captain John Murray, CEO of Port Canaveral.

“The addition of these exceptional ships to our homeported fleet will add even more sailing options from Central Florida and reaffirm the cruise industry’s confidence in our ability to consistently deliver a world-class guest experience.”

No details of the fourth World-class ship have yet been revealed, not even the ship’s name. What is likely, however, is that the vessel will mirror some of the amazing features already aboard MSC World Europa and coming to MSC World America.

This includes as many as 19 dining options and 18 bars and lounges, onboard adrenaline-inducing features like a ropes course and possible thrill rides, a water park, elite retail options, and a fabulous MSC Yacht Club for travelers who want to enjoy even more exclusivity.

The World-class ships are roughly 210,000 gross tons and can welcome more than 6,700 passengers. Fueled by liquefied natural gas, they are up-to-date on the most innovative environmental standards and are also home to approximately 2,100 crew members who work diligently to give every guest amazing vacation experiences.

Sailing With MSC Cruises From Port Canaveral

While eager guests and MSC Cruises fans will have to wait two years yet for the new World-class ship to arrive at Port Canaveral, there are other MSC Cruises options available much sooner from the award-winning homeport.

MSC Seashore is currently homeported year-round from Port Canaveral, offering Bahamas and Caribbean itineraries to top destinations like Nassau, Costa Maya, and Cozumel, as well as MSC Ocean Cay Marine Reserve.

MSC Meraviglia Docked In Port Canaveral, Florida
MSC Meraviglia Docked In Port Canaveral, Florida (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks)

Read Also: MSC Cruise Ships By Age – Newest to Oldest

Her 3- and 4-night itineraries are easy to combine into back-to-back sailings along with 7-night options, giving travelers the ability to customize their cruise vacation to whatever length they prefer.

For guests who just want to visit Port Canaveral, MSC Meraviglia – homeported from New York – visits the Space Coast as a port of call on her 7-night Bahamas itineraries. This further connects the cruise line and homeport for a strong, diverse relationship sure to grow in the years to come.

MSC Cruises has also begun construction on its new cruise terminal in Galveston, showing even more dedication to expand in the North American market in years to come.

Carnival Cruise Line Adjusts for Super Bowl Showdown

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Cruise Line Adjusts for Super Bowl Showdown

Many cruise passengers like to know the schedule of onboard activities such as theme parties, production shows, and formal nights before they set sail so they can be prepared to make the most of every event.

Some external events, however, can have a tremendous impact on what happens onboard.

Such is the case with Carnival Cruise Line when some ships’ formal nights are about to conflict with the single biggest sporting event of the year – the Super Bowl.

The cruise line has already confirmed that the big game – Super Bowl LIX between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles – will be broadcast on the Seaside Theater screens as well as in key bars throughout the fleet. This gives passengers the opportunity to enjoy the game with other fans in a fantastic at-sea setting.

But what about when the game falls on what is traditionally a ship’s formal night or “Elegant Evening?” That night is filled with special dinner menus, multiple photo opportunities, a cocktail party with the ship’s captain or officers, and the chance to strut your stuff in more elegant attire for a very memorable evening.

The Super Bowl, however, begins at 6:30 p.m. – timing that can dramatically interfere with Elegant Evening activities for football fans.

Carnival Cruise Line’s formal nights are typically the second night of a sailing, as well as the sixth night (on 7-night cruises). Formal nights may vary on other cruise lengths.

With the Super Bowl being on Sunday, February 9, any Carnival Cruise ship that departs on a new sailing on Saturday, February 8 will have that elegant evening on Super Bowl Sunday. Or will it?

Multiple guests have reached out to Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald, asking about the potential conflict.

“Trying to get a straight answer for Carnival Dream is not changing the elegant night due to the Super Bowl. Many people don’t dress up for elegant nights, and more people care about the Super Bowl,” one guest explained.

Carnival Dream is currently homeported from Galveston, Texas. Her Super Bowl cruise is an 8-night itinerary departing on Saturday, February 8, with ports of call planned for Key West on Monday, February 10, followed each day by Freeport on Tuesday, Half Moon Cay on Wednesday, and Nassau on Thursday. The ship will return to the Lone Star State on Sunday, February 16.

Traditionally, Sunday would be the first formal night of the sailing, but with it being Super Bowl Sunday, Heald reached out to the team onboard to ask about any rescheduling.

“Both the Super Bowl and elegant night are I think equally important but I (we) do understand how excited people are to see the game on the big screens and in the lounges on the ship,” Heald noted.

Carnival Cruise Line Lido Deck
Carnival Cruise Line Lido Deck (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)

He has heard back from this one vessel already, and notes that the “provisional plan” for Carnival Dream is to move the first Elegant Evening to Monday, February 10 – the third night of the cruise and the day the ship will be visiting Key West.

Worth Reading: Carnival Cruise Line to Air Super Bowl But Not Olympic Games

“I will post the other ships that may have a football/elegant night clash and will do that as soon as I hear,” Heald noted.

Why Can’t Formal Night Be Changed?

Ultimately, each ship’s cruise director and other top leadership staff collaborate to work out the onboard activity schedules. While there will be every effort made to ensure top events are highlighted with few conflicts, it might not be possible for every ship to shift formal night away from the Super Bowl.

For example, ships departing on Saturday for 3-night weekend sailings may be unable to make such a change.

It is challenging for formal night to be the first night of a sailing, when many guests may be exhausted from travel and the craziness of embarkation. Furthermore, luggage might not be delivered to staterooms until later in the evening, making it hard to ensure best-dressed duds if formal night was so early.

Read Also: Carnival Cruise Line Addresses Attire Concerns for Formal Night

Similarly, moving formal night to the last night of a 3-night sailing is not practical. On these days, many guests need to have their formal attire packed away in luggage to set it out for collection earlier in the evening in preparation for debarkation.

Longer cruises can have more flexibility in their onboard scheduling, but still need to balance top onboard events with venue availability, timing, staffing, and other concerns.

Of course, guests do not need to participate in formal night, as dressing up, taking photos, and attending any activities onboard is always optional. No matter what guests choose to do, there is always plenty of fun to be had onboard!

Deputy Arrested in Royal Caribbean’s Miami Cruise Terminal

Catie Kovelman
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Deputy Arrested in Royal Caribbean’s Miami Cruise Terminal

A now fired Florida deputy named Francisco Melo likely thought he would be partying on a themed “Groove Cruise” that is currently taking place onboard Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas. However, the 36-year-old cop never actually made it onboard the Oasis-class ship.

Instead, he was arrested in the Royal Caribbean Cruise Terminal (Cruise Terminal A) by the Miami-Dade Police Force for allegedly trying to smuggle narcotic pills onboard by hiding them in bags of Skittles, which he planned to sell during the voyage. 

The special sailing, which embarked from PortMiami on January 23, 2025, and lasts until January 27, 2025, is a music festival at sea that features exclusive artist hosted activities and electronic dance music (EDM) parties. 

The itinerary for the short sailing primarily consisted of sea days, with a call on Labadee, Haiti- Royal Caribbean’s private destination – on January 25, 2025. 

According to CBS News Miami, drug sniffing dogs were brought into the cruise port and alerted authorities to the approximately 60 MDMA pills (commonly known as ecstasy or molly) inside of Melo’s luggage. 

The six-year veteran of the law was promptly taken into custody by the sheriff’s office that once employed him. He was relieved of duty and charged with the possession, sale, and trafficking of a controlled substance.  

“As sheriff, it’s my duty to make sure that our community can trust our deputies to protect them and uphold the law. I am disappointed to inform you that one of my deputies has been arrested for trafficking a controlled substance,” Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz said in a statement.

“Narcotics don’t just harm those who use them, they devastate families, and fuel crime. No one is above the law, and this office will not tolerate criminal behavior from anyone, especially those entrusted to enforce it. The actions of this individual are a betrayal of the public trust and of all the deputies who work tirelessly to protect our community,” continued Cordero-Stutz.

Melo has since been released on bond pending further legal proceedings. Royal Caribbean has not commented on the investigation or the arrest. 

Cruise Guests Never in Danger 

The up to 5,484 passengers onboard Allure of the Seas – or those passing through PortMiami’s eight other passenger terminals on January 23 – were never in any danger. 

In fact, authorities already knew that Melo was planning to embark on the chartered sailing – and suspected that he might be up to something nefarious.

Worth Reading: Cruise Passenger Jailed After Suffocating Woman During Voyage

In December of 2024, investigators set up an undercover operation in which Melo allegedly sold an undercover informant 12 MDMA pills for $240 – during which his upcoming cruise plans also came to light.

Therefore, local authorities and the Royal Caribbean security team were already on the lookout for the accused drug dealer – which resulted in the arrest.

Allure of the Seas Docked in Miami, Florida
Allure of the Seas Docked in Miami, Florida (Photo Credit: Adam McCullough)

“This arrest is the result of a collaborative effort between the MDSO, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Miami-Dade State Attorney Office’s Public Corruption Prosecution Unit, who are committed to upholding the integrity and maintaining the public trust in law enforcement within Miami-Dade County,” said Sheriff Cordero-Stutz.

Worth Reading: Cruise Guest Arrested While Embarking a Cruise Ship at Norfolk

As always, safety is always the top priority for all of the cruise lines – including Royal Caribbean. This is why all guests and crew members – not just suspected deviants – have to undergo thorough security checks and document verification prior to boarding their cruise ship. 

Some cruise lines even perform background checks on their incoming guests – which may uncover current warrants. If an active warrant is found, the appropriate authorities may be notified.

This is likely what happened to Dominic Weaver, who was recently arrested in PortMiami while disembarking his cruise ship in December 2024 – after successfully avoiding authorities for more than a decade. He allegedly owed more than $100,000 in back child support.

However, it’s unclear which cruise line the 47-year-old had sailed with and there were no reports of him causing problems while onboard. 

If a passenger is found to be a threat to themselves or others during the sailing, the onboard security team members are trained to quickly subdue the guest – potentially even confining them to their cabin or locking them in the brig (or onboard jail). 

While criminal activity is typically low in the cruising community, the cruise lines do take swift action when incidents arise.

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