Guests booked onboard two upcoming sailings of Disney Dream have been notified that their cruises have been cancelled. The impacted cruises are the November 8 and November 13 departures, both in 2025.
This gives travelers roughly 15 months to adjust their travel plans and choose an alternative Disney cruise if they wish.
Disney Dream is sailing from Fort Lauderdale at that time. The November 8, 2025 departure was to have been a 5-night Western Caribbean sailing to Castaway Cay and Cozumel.
Meanwhile, the November 13 departure was to have been a 4-night Bahamian cruise visiting Nassau as well as Disney Cruise Line’s newest private destination, Lighthouse Point, which just welcomed its first guests in June 2024.
Guests and their associated travel agents are receiving further details about compensation, including their full refund returned to the original form of payment. The time to process refunds will vary based on individual banking institutions.
Impacted travelers will also receive a 20% discount on a future Disney Cruise Line getaway that departs on or before September 3, 2026.
Further terms and conditions may apply to the discount offer, such as the types of sailings available for rebooking. Typically, holiday cruises are not eligible for such offers, but it can vary between different cruise lines and different circumstances.
The 129,690-gross-ton Disney Dream can welcome 4,000 guests per sailing. She is currently sailing a northern European season from Southampton, visiting top ports in Norway, Iceland, France, Belgium, Spain, Germany, and other Western European countries.
The ship will enjoy a 13-night transatlantic cruise departing October 20, 2024 that will bring her to Fort Lauderdale, where she will remain homeported at least through April 2026 offering shorter itineraries to the Bahamas and the Western Caribbean.
Why Two Cancellations?
Very little information was provided about the reasoning behind the cancellations, other than for “operational needs.” This may mean the sailings have been privately chartered, or the cruise line may be adjusting itinerary lengths to different options at that time.
Speculation has been high that perhaps the ship will be entering dry dock during that time period, but it should be noted that Disney Dream is already scheduled for an extended dry dock from mid-September through mid-October this year, 2024.
This will be undertaken at the Damen Shiprepair Brest yard in western France and will include significant upgrades and refreshment.
It is unlikely that another dry dock would be planned just a year later, particularly for just a few days. Typically, smaller dry docks are emergency repair situations and would not be scheduled more than a year in advance.
To give Disney Destiny appropriate fanfare, the cruise line will want to use the dedicated cruise terminal and not have another ship needing attention or distracting from the welcoming celebration, christening, media previews, and other activities.
At this time, however, this is pure speculation, as the maiden sailings for Disney Destiny have not been released, nor have official announcements been made for any inaugural celebrations. Such information should be forthcoming in the next few weeks and months.
The 144,000-gross-ton Disney Destiny will likewise be able welcome the same number of passengers as Disney Dream – 4,000 per sailing – but the larger ship will have more amenities and extra features to make each voyage truly filled with extraordinary experiences.
Disney Destiny is currently under construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. She floated into the main construction hall earlier this month after Disney Treasure – the second Wish-class ship – floated out to begin finishing and outfitting work.
Virgin Voyages is gearing up for Resilient Lady to arrive in Portsmouth, U.K., on August 23, 2024. It will be the ship’s inaugural U.K. season, and the third time the cruise line has brought a ship to the port along the English Channel.
Following a summer of sailing through the Greek Isles, Resilient Lady’s U.K. season, running from August to October 2024, will feature a range of cruise options, from 3-night getaways to 12-night adventures.
The 110,000-gross-ton ship will now embark on a series of European voyages, including destinations such as Amsterdam, Bruges, Lisbon, and beyond.
“We’re back in British waters once again, this time with a variety of short cultural stints and sunny adventure sailings to help Sailors escape the British weather,”said Shane Riley, vice president of U.K. and international sales at Virgin Voyages.
“We first set sail from Portsmouth on our maiden voyage back in 2021 [aboard Scarlet Lady], so we’re delighted to return this September and October,” he continued.
The 2,770-guest Resilient Lady will sail on various itineraries, including short cultural trips and longer adventures. The ship’s visit to Portsmouth marks the third time a Virgin Voyages vessel has made port in the city.
“We’re so pleased Virgin Voyages is coming back for a third time with the incredible Resilient Lady,”said Councilor Steve Pitt, leader of Portsmouth City Council.“We’re also proud to be the first – and only – port in the world to have welcomed all three Virgin Voyage ships.”
He continued to highlight the significance by adding, “As a council-owned port, this has huge economic significance for the city, and with our aim to be the first port of call for luxury, boutique and expedition cruise lines in the U.K., we look forward to welcoming the award-winning cruise ship to her new home.”
Virgin Voyages Expands UK Offerings
Currently in Le Verdon, France, as it sails to its new homeport from Barcelona on a 10-night repositioning cruise, Resilient Lady’s U.K.-based itineraries include a 4-night roundtrip to Amsterdam, where passengers will have the opportunity to explore the city’s canals, gardens, and nightlife during an overnight stay.
Another option is a 3-night voyage to Zeebrugge, Belgium, allowing passengers to visit the historic city of Bruges and its iconic belfry.
Photo Courtesy: Virgin Voyages
One of the standout itineraries is a 6-night cruise that includes stops in La Coruña and Bilbao, Spain, and Bordeaux, France, offering passengers the chance to experience the cultural and culinary highlights of the region.
Additionally, Resilient Lady will feature a special 12-night voyage to Spain and Morocco, with stops in Lisbon, Portugal; Casablanca, Morocco; and Ibiza, Malaga, and Barcelona, Spain. These voyages are not roundtrip and will require passengers to return via Spain.
Virgin Voyages is also introducing its first-ever Comedy Festival at sea, headlined by comedian Russell Howard. The 5-night event will include performances by other notable comedians, such as Ria Lina and Simon Brodkin. The voyage sets sail September 14, 2024.
Moreover, Virgin Voyages will be bringing back its Virgin Celebration Voyage, a special sailing departing September 3, 2024, that includes exclusive events featuring Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson and singer Boy George.
Although the 2024 sailings are sold out, the cruise line has announced plans to continue the experience in 2025, with dates to be confirmed. Due to its popularity, the Comedy Festival is also already planning to return in 2025.
Carnival Cruise Line notified guests of itinerary adjustments affecting the 2025 to 2026 sailings on Carnival Spirit. The changes indicate the cruise line has removed the port of Bimini in the Bahamas from 10 sailings between November 2025 and March 2026.
The 88,500-gross-ton, 2,214-passenger ship is currently sailing out of Seattle for its Alaska cruises but will reposition to Mobile, Alabama, in October 2024, where it will offer various Bahamian cruises.
In an email to a passenger dated August 15, 2024, Carnival Cruise Line stated,“We have made adjustment to the itineraries for the following cruises, which includes yours. The voyages will now be visiting the ports of call as indicated below. The changes will be reflected on your booking within 24 hours.”
The altered sail dates include November 8, November 22, December 6, December 20, and December 28, 2025. Additional sailings on January 31, February 14, February 28, March 14, and March 28, 2026, are also impacted.
The company did not reveal the reason behind the removal of the port from its lineup. However, the port, which first opened in 2021, is owned and operated by Resorts World Bimini. It serves as a connection to a large beachfront complex that includes a hotel, casino, marina, and shopping district.
Carnival Corporation, which owns Carnival Cruise Line, is slated to open its own private resort, Celebration Key, in July 2025, ahead of the voyages. This port, located on Grand Bahama, will feature an expansive beach, an adults-only venue, family-friendly zones, and numerous dining and drinking options.
Additionally, the cruise line has replaced Bimini with visits to the private Half Moon Cay island, also owned by Carnival Corporation. The Bahamian resort features a 2.5-mile-long beach with watersports, a kids’ water park, shopping, dining, and adventures.
Carnival Spirit Itinerary Changes
Carnival Spirit will begin its 2025-2026 winter season in Mobile with a 5-night western Caribbean cruise departing on October 28, 2025.
Its 8-night voyages were originally scheduled to call on Bimini after a day at sea, and then travel to Celebration Key, the also Carnival Corporation-owned private Princess Cays, and Nassau, Bahamas, before a sea day and a return to homeport.
Princess Cays, often utilized by Princess Cruise Lines, is located on Eleuthera Island, and features a wide beach, an adults-only area, kids’ play areas, shopping, and island adventures.
Carnival Spirit Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Carmen K. Sisson / Shutterstock)
The adjusted 8-night schedules have eliminated Bimini and replaced it with calls in Half Moon Cay for the November 22 and December 20, 2025, and March 14, 2026, sailings. The remaining cancellations replace the call with an additional sea day.
For passengers on the affected 8-night cruises, pre-purchased shore excursions will automatically be refunded to guests’ original form of payment. Any excursions booked privately are at the passenger’s discretion to cancel and receive a refund.
At this time, 6-night cruises aboard Carnival Spirit will still call in Bimini, departing on November 2, November 16, November 30, and December 14, 2025, as well as January 5 and 11, February 8 and 22, March 8 and 22, and April 5, 2026.
These itineraries call on Bimini after a day at sea, then visit Celebration Key before two additional sea days.
By a 4-1 vote, members of the Port Canaveral Commission reversed their decision to construct a new cruise terminal on the north side of the facility.
The August 21, 2024 decision followed concerns raised by officials at the Florida Department of Commerce and Department of Transportation, who had issued a letter to the port commissioners on August 2, 2024.
The challenge from the state officials centered on whether the addition of a terminal in the proposed location, at North Cargo Berth 8, would affect the planned expansion of liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities that support Space Florida, the state’s aerospace division.
While Port Canaveral is a major hub for the cruise industry and provides LNG to cruise ships, it also supports the space industry with LNG. The fuel lowers emissions and is a key environmental component for the cruise industry, which is now routinely constructing ships that are powered by LNG.
In their letter to the Port Canaveral Commission, Florida Department of Commerce Secretary J. Alex Kelly and Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue suggested that by building another cruise terminal on the north side of Port Canaveral, the port would essentially be “supporting one sector to the direct detriment of the other.”
The two high-level officials told the commission that their decision to build the terminal must be reversed, although it was not clear why they believed the new cruise facilities would impact any space industry infrastructure.
The state Department of Commerce also questioned the commission’s actions regarding an $8 million grant for a road project that would lead to the new cruise terminal, saying it would review the port’s compliance with the grant’s criteria.
Commission Chairman Micah Loyd noted that the letter from the state officials indicated there was some confusion on their part about the process to establish the location of the proposed terminal.
“The letter addressed the state’s disappointment in the location, and it reinforced that we are to support space and cargo in that location. We’ve been asked to put that location on hold,” said Micah Loyd, chairman of the Port Canaveral Commission.
Plan for New Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal
Some commission members appeared disappointed with the state’s position and the outcome of the terminal proposal. After commenting on the state’s challenges, a majority of commissioners voted to nix the cruise terminal plan.
“The port has not identified another place for a cruise terminal. Reversing the decision is not easy, but I would make a motion to do so,” said Jerry Allender, secretary and treasurer of Port Canaveral Commission.
“In general I’m a proponent of home rule, there are certainly exceptions, but when you have an asset that is as valuable as the port is, and the importance extends beyond regional to encompass state and federal concerns, and desires and wishes, where it’s really that much of an important asset, it requires flexibility,” said Fritz VanVolkenburgh, member of Port Canaveral Commission.
Port Canaveral Is the World’s Second-Busiest Cruise Port
Port Canaveral currently has six cruise terminals: Terminal 1, Terminal 3, Terminal 5, Terminal 6, Terminal 8, and Terminal 10.
It is the second-busiest port in the world in terms of cruise arrivals, welcoming 6.9 million cruise guests in 2023. Only PortMiami is busier, with 7.3 million cruise arrivals.
All of the major cruise lines have a presence at Port Canaveral. Lines that homeport ships at the facility for a wide variety of Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries include Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Disney Cruise Line.
A federal judge has denied the appeal of the SS United States Conservancy requesting additional time to seek out a new berth and arrange transportation for the decaying ocean liner.
Now, the September 12, 2024 deadline is the firm finale for the ship’s days in Philadelphia, and the vessel’s future remains uncertain.
The motion to appeal the 90-day eviction deadline was filed in July, but has not gone in favor of the Conservancy. Instead, Judge Anita Brody of the US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania agreed that the ship must vacate Pier 82 no later than September 12.
There is hope, however, as a further extension may be made if the Conservancy has a valid contract for the ship’s relocation by the deadline.
“While our three-month extension to handle logistical, safety, environmental, and regulatory challenges associated with moving the vessel was not granted, we appreciate Judge Brody’s openness to the ship staying at her current pier beyond September 12 should we secure a contract to remove the vessel by that time,”a statement from the Conservancy read.
“We also appreciated her expectation that a good faith negotiation between the Conservancy and Penn Warehousing, the pier operator, for a reasonable extension be undertaken, should that scenario come to pass.”
According to CBS News Philadelphia, the attorney for the plaintiff, Penn Warehousing, noted that there are different options for the ship, including several Florida counties that have expressed interest in using the SS United States hull as part of an artificial reef.
The Conservancy launched a $500,000 fundraising campaign in early July to help fund the ship’s transportation and relocation to a new destination. No confirmation of how much money has been raised is available, but neither have any firm plans been made of where the ship could go.
While the ship is languishing at Pier 82 Penn Warehousing is losing business, particularly since other shipping clients have already expressed interest in using the dock space.
“Even while it solicits half a million dollars from the general public to fund a voyage to nowhere, the Conservancy has studiously ignored offers from at least two entities that stand ready to take charge of the SSUS and remove it from Pier 82 on a timely basis and at no cost to the Conservancy — and in fact to its economic benefit,”Penn Warehousing attorneys noted in a court filing.
The SS United States Conservancy has previously sited difficulties in relocating the ship on such a short deadline, including the forecasted active Atlantic hurricane season. Technical concerns with safely relocating the ship have also been a consideration, but the relocation efforts are continuing at an accelerated pace.
Unfortunately, time has now run out and in just over three weeks, the SS United States must vacate the pier that has been its home since 1996. During that time, various conservation and restorations efforts have been attempted, but the ship has been unable to be fully restored or turned into a usable museum or other historical site.
Will America’s Flagship Be Lost?
It is unclear whether there can be any further emergency appeals or extensions to the eviction deadline, nor what may happen to the ship if it is unable to be moved by September 12 or does not have a contract for relocation by that time.
It is possible the SS United States may be seized by Penn Warehousing, or else the Conservancy could be assessed heavy fines – even millions of dollars – if the ship is not removed by the deadline.
SS United States Docked in Philadelphia (Photo Credit: Felix Mizioznikov)
The 53,392-gross-ton ocean liner was built in the early 1950s and officially entered service in 1952. During her years of active service, she set speed records – unbroken to this day – for transatlantic crossings, and became a symbol of American ingenuity and shipbuilding.
The ship was removed from service in 1969 and for more than 50 years has changed ownership multiple times, and was even briefly owned by Norwegian Cruise Line but without sailing. The SS United States Conservancy purchased the ship in February 2011 and has been continually raising funds and seeking restoration options.
Unfortunately, such plans have not been successful, and after docking fee increases in 2021, finances have dwindled to care for the ship. Her fate yet remains uncertain, but what is certain is that her time is most definitely running out.
Yet another European city is considering a plan to move cruise ship docking facilities away from the popular downtown area and force vessels to dock more distant from the city center.
This time, the port in question is Bordeaux in southwestern France, a top destination for many European and Canary Island itineraries.
The initiative to ban cruise ships from Bordeaux’s center is being led by the city’s mayor, Pierre Hurmic, following complaints from citizens about the ships’ appearance and pollution.
According to The Local, the number of cruise ships permitted to dock in Bordeaux is already limited to roughly 40 per year, but the new ban would remove them from the city center altogether.
Bordeaux is a richly historic city, and docking right in the downtown area is a unique and amazing experience for visitors. Such a prime docking location at Port de La Lune is also very convenient for local tours and exploring the city.
The current cruise port is approximately 60 miles from the Atlantic Ocean up the river Gironde via a large estuary that permits vessels to move right into the city center. Now, however, local officials have proposed that ships instead dock on the right bank of the Garonne, roughly 2 miles downstream from the city center.
While this may not seem like a significant relocation for cruise ships, it can make a tremendous difference for visitors in terms of walking off their ship to explore the port.
Furthermore, changing which bank ships are able to dock at also means needing to cross bridges or use other means to cross the river to enjoy all the sites of the city.
The reasoning behind the change is both aesthetic and environmental. With a history spanning centuries, the center of Bordeaux is filled with distinct architecture and historic sites. In fact, Port de la Lune is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Modern cruise ships, however, dwarf some of the local architecture and clash with the overall historic presence of the city.
“More and more people in Bordeaux are being disturbed by the arrival of cruise ships in the city centre, and it’s becoming increasingly unpleasant,”said Hurmic.
Local residents are split on the proposition, with some favoring the relocation of cruise ships for environmental reasons. Furthermore, it would be easier to construct new, more environmentally-sound facilities in a new location that could better support visiting cruise ships.
Other residents, however, note that the move could be harmful to local businesses. One local study has noted that cruise guests spend an average of €150 (approximately $167 USD) per visit on tours, retail purchases, and most critical for the region, its famous wine.
Oceania Cruise Ship Docked in Bordeaux, France (Photo Credit: Eo naya)
Some business owners are concerned that if the cruise ship dock is moved, travelers may not be as motivated to explore the city and the economic impact will fall.
Ships from a variety of cruise lines currently visit Bordeaux, including Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Oceania Cruises, and Silversea Cruises. The destination is also very popular with river cruises, but those voyages are not facing the same limitations or restrictions as ocean cruises.
Other Cities Making Similar Proposals
Bordeaux is only the latest city to be considering such cruise ship bans, size limits, or port relocations. Different destinations in Europe, including Santorini, Greece; Palma, Majorca; and Valencia, Spain have all investigated similar measures.
Similar movements have been noted in top ports of call in Alaska, Maine, and even Key West, Florida, with varying degrees of success.
In some locations, the movement to ban ships is not necessarily an official one, but is being led by environmental protestors and similar activities. This has happened several times recently with ships being blocked in Amsterdam, Netherlands and protests at different ports in Spain.
Other destinations may not be banning vessels directly, but are increasing tourist taxes on cruise passengers, such as in Venice and Barcelona.
But how do cruise passengers feel about such protests, bans, and fees? Share your thoughts on the Cruise Hive boards!
Star of the Seas, which will be slightly bigger than her older sister at an estimated 250,800-gross tons, will feature some fan favorites from Icon of the Seas – many of which have been improved upon since Icon’s launch in January – as well as some exciting new additions.
Perhaps at the top of the list of new and improved offerings are the Lincoln Park Supper Club, a restaurant inspired by 1930s Chicago that pairs dining with live entertainment, six waterslides at the Category 6 waterpark that will get the adrenaline flowing, and the second of the only two suspended infinity pools at sea in the adults-only Hideaway Pool.
The first Hideaway pool can be found onboard the first Icon-class ship, and provides a unique experience and views as guests float mid-air eight stories above the ocean.
“Star of the Seas is the second bold act of this exciting, new era of vacations first introduced with Icon of the Seas, and it’s putting the world’s best vacation on the map at yet another top travel destination,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International.
While Star of the Seas expands on the success Icon of the Seas has already experienced throughout her first year in service, she will still feature many of the immediate favorites from the world’s largest cruise ship (for now).
One of the tried-and-true favorites that is being reimagined on the new ship include the Royal Promenade neighborhood, with floor-to-ceiling views, as well as bars, restaurants, the spa, and other entertainment venues.
Central Park, which is named for the famous New York park and first debuted on the Oasis-class ships, will also be making an appearance on the new ship – this time featuring more than 30,500 real plants.
Of course, the exclusive suite neighborhood from Iconwill also be available on Star of the Seas. As the name implies, this is where the ship’s most luxurious cabins will be found – and if she sails in the footsteps of Icon of the Seas, there will also be an extra sundeck for only these passengers to enjoy.
Star of the Seas Infographic
Reimagined Neighborhoods Onboard Star of the Seas
Like the world’s current largest cruise ship, Star of the Seas will be able to accommodate 5,610 passengers, who will spend their days soaking in the fun across eight different themed neighborhoods.
Also like her older sister, Star of the Seas will be home to 2,350 crew members to make sure the neighborhoods are running at peak performance.
While some of these names may sound familiar to Royal Caribbean cruisers, the neighborhoods have been reimagined for an enhanced experience – and five are now completely unique to the new ship.
First, Thrill Island debuted the world’s largest waterpark at sea – Category 6 – onboard Icon of the Seas. This neighborhood will be back with even more adrenaline-pumping action, including six record-breaking waterslides, with one thrill ride reaching 154 feet above sea level, as well as fan favorites like the FlowRider surf simulator.
Surfside is a neighborhood designed for young families – who may prefer wholesome quality time spent as a family instead of the more intense thrills.
This portion of the ship will feature Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay to allow kids to splash and swim safely based on their ages, as well as the Surfside Eatery and the Lemon Post Bar, which are perfect for family-friendly snacks.
Icon Class Central Park
Chill island is a more adult venue that will feature seven pools across three decks – each of which offers a unique vibe and experience. Highlights of this neighborhood include live bands and DJs, a swim-up bar called Swim & Tonic, and Royal Bay, the largest pool at sea.
Meanwhile, Aquadome will be a tranquil oasis by day, but a party hotspot by night, featuring wraparound ocean views and jaw-dropping shows at the AquaTheater, with performances by skilled high divers, aerialists, dancers, and even robots.
When guests get hungry or need a break from the action, they can then mosey on over to the AquaDome Market food hall, which will be home to eateries like the Rye & Bean Bar, Hooked, and The Overlook Bar.
Star of the Seas Will Begin Career In Florida
The newest addition to Royal Caribbean’s fleet is currently under construction in Turku, Finland, where she has been in dry dock since the end of 2023.
Star of the Seas is expected to enter service in August of 2025, with her maiden voyage – a 7-night Western Caribbean sailing out of Port Canaveral, Florida – scheduled for embarkation on August 31, 2025.
The inaugural voyage will call on Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; Cozumel, Mexico; and Perfect Day at Coco Cay, the cruise line’s private island destination in the Bahamas.
While it won’t be ready before the new vessel enters service, Royal Caribbean is also building a second private island destination via a beach club on Cozumel – which is expected to open in 2026 and is something the mega-ship’s guests will be able to enjoy in the future.
Indeed, the cruise ship will continue to homeport in Port Canaveral long-term, and will alterate between weeklong Caribbean vacations, and 3 and 4-night weekend getaways to the Bahamas.
It’s also worth noting that mega-cruise ships offering mini cruises is a fairly new concept – which was only recently pioneered by Utopia of the Seas– another new addition to the fleet.
In the past, shorter sailings were typically reserved for smaller vessels – as less than a week doesn’t really give passengers ample time to explore all the amenities and experiences onboard a larger ship.
When you’re on a cruise, you may be surprised to learn that it’s not truly an all-inclusive experience. You’ll still pay for specialty dining, spa or beauty treatments, excursions and the like.
That said, while there are plenty of ways to upgrade your cruise experience, you don’t have to. You can enjoy a cruise to the fullest without paying a penny more than your cruise fare.
If you go this route, it’ll mean dining at only your ship’s free, complimentary restaurants — and, on a Carnival Cruise Line ship, your options will be both plentiful and delicious. These are the free Carnival cruise dining options that you’ll want to check out during your next Carnival cruise. Go on. Dig in — it’s free!
Every cruise ship has a main dining room (or two or three!) and every cruise line includes dining in the main dining room in the price of your cruise fare. It’s a classic cruising experience and it’s open to everyone.
On Carnival, the main dining rooms serve both breakfast and dinner. The dinner is three courses, but don’t let that make you think the experience will be stuffy.
The dining rooms are “cruise casual,” so while you won’t wear your bathing suit to the dinner table, you also don’t need to dress to the nines either. (Unless, of course, you’re attending one of Carnival’s Cruise Elegant evenings, during which cruisers typically gussy up for the fun of it.)
Carnival Luminosa Dining Room
During breakfast, expect all your classics: pastries, pancakes, waffles, eggs and cereals. During dinner, you’ll have your pick of an appetizer, entrée and dessert. Options might include roasted duck rolls or shrimp cocktail for the appetizer, short rib or Cornish game hen for the entrée and then cheesecake or chocolate cake for dessert.
The dining room is also home to special dining events, such as the seaday brunches (free!) and Dr. Seuss-themed family breakfasts (which come with a small fee).
The main dining rooms will typically have some sort of “fancy”-sounding name, like Carnivale and Festivale, which are the main dining rooms on Carnival Celebration. They’re also typically located on Decks 3 and 4.
Lido Restaurant
Like main dining rooms, buffets are a staple on cruise ships. You’ll find a Lido Restaurant on every single Carnival cruise ship and typically on, as the name suggests, the Lido Deck.
Carnival Cruise Line Lido Marketplace Buffet (Photo Credit: Emrys Thakkar)
This is arguably your most casual dining option, and it’s also open well into the evening, so you can nearly always find a bite.
The Lido Restaurant serves a breakfast buffet from 7:30 a.m. until noon, a lunch buffet and specialty stations from 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., and dinner from 6 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. Then, there are smaller “stations” within the Lido Restaurant that have their own hours (we’ll get to those in a bit).
You can find just about anything here. There’s a deli counter, salad bar, Asian station, pasta station, barbecue, pizza and more.
Carnival Deli
The Carnival Deli is considered a separate entity from the Lido buffet, but it’s still sometimes located inside or near the buffet. Expect a pretty standard sandwich or sub shop experience here, with hot and cold sandwiches piled high with all your typical toppings.
Choose from hot sandwiches like meatball subs or a grilled ham and cheese, or cold sandwiches like tuna salad or BLTs. You can choose sides like fries or cole slaw, and there’s even a hot dog and veggie burger, as well as a wrap, on the menu.
Carnival Deli Menu
The Carnival Deli is located on Carnival Breeze, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Dream, Carnival Elation, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Firenze, Carnival Glory, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Legend, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Luminosa, Carnival Magic, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Panorama, Carnival Paradise, Carnival Pride, Carnival Radiance, Carnival Spirit, Carnival Splendor, Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Sunshine, Carnival Valor, Carnival Venezia and Carnival Vista.
Other ships may have sandwich shops, but these ships are the ones that specifically have the Carnival Deli.
Swirls
Similarly, Swirls is considered its own thing, but it’s typically located inside the Lido buffet. It’s a self-serve ice cream and frozen yogurt stand that’s open until midnight. The options are limited, and include your basic chocolate, vanilla and strawberry.
Swirl Ice Cream on Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Barbara Kalbfleisch)
Swirls ice cream is available on all Carnival cruise ships.
The Sweet Spot
Likewise, The Sweet Spot is typically located within the buffet, and is your place to go for all the other desserts (beyond the ice cream at Swirls) that your heart could desire. There’s pie, cakes, cookies, fruit and more, and it’s all available nearly all day, and on all ships.
Piazza Panini
This new addition to the Carnival lineup only currently appears aboard Mardi Gras, on Deck 8, and is open for lunch and dinner. The counter-order restaurant tries to offer a bit of an Italian street food vibe, mixed with what you could typically find at The Carnival Deli. (Note that The Carnival Deli is not on Mardi Gras.)
Piazza on Mardi Gras
So, you can get some of the same sandwiches you’d normally get at The Carnival Deli, here, like the tuna salad and grilled ham and cheese, but you also can get pressed paninis like a caprese panini or a Sicilia panini with eggplant parm, mozzarella, basil and tomato sauce on ciabatta.
The menu also offers specialty Italian desserts after 8 p.m. The eatery closes at 10 p.m.
Deco Deli
Similarly, Deco Deli is only on Carnival Celebration, and offers some Carnival Deli fare, but this is the ship’s main sandwich spot. Deco Deli is also open for lunch and dinner, and is situated in the 820 Biscayne zone on the ship. It channels the ship’s overall Miami vibes, offering Cuban-style eats.
So, again, expect those same deli sandwiches you can get on most other Carnival ships, but also some extra-specific options like a Cubano sandwich, with roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese and mustard, or Pan Con Lechon, with pulled pork, onion and mojo sauce.
Il Mercato
Only on Carnival Firenze, this is a deli also offering a lot of Carnival Deli menu items, but also a build-your-own meatball plate, where you can choose between beef or chicken meatballs and three types of sauce. There’s also a build-a-hot-dog option.
Il Mercato
The eatery is located on Deck 11 and is open for both lunch and dinner, until 10 p.m.
Beach Buns
Yes, yet another sandwich concept from Carnival, and this one is likewise just on one ship: Carnival Jubilee. Open for lunch and dinner until 10 p.m., it’s a casual counter-service restaurant located on Deck 8.
Whereas Deco Deli offers deli sandwiches and Cuban eats, and Piazza Panini offers deli sandwiches and paninis, Beach Buns offers deli sandwiches plus brats and hot dogs. It also has some soups, salads and desserts on offer. The hot dog selection allows you to choose from four sausage styles, five bun styles and five toppings.
Pizza Pirate
Whether you’re looking for a slice of pizza to soak up the many drinks you’ve had over the course of a sea day, or you’re searching for a casual, late-night bite after most of the other restaurants aboard the ship have closed, Pizza Pirate delivers.
Pizza Pirate Menu
Pizza Pirate is a buffet that’s typically found near the ship’s pools, and it serves up pizza until 4 a.m. each day. It’s located on the following ships: Carnival Breeze, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Elation, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Glory, Carnival Legend, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Paradise, Carnival Pride and Carnival Valor.
Expect more than your mere pepperoni and cheese here. Margherita pizzas and pies topped with fresh mozzarella, gorgonzola, roasted garlic, prosciutto and more await.
Pizzeria del Capitano
Pizzeria del Capitano is extremely similar, but just found on different ships.
You can find this small pizza buffet with late hours and a handful of tasty pizza options on Carnival Dream, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Luminosa, Carnival Magic, Carnival Panorama, Carnival Radiance, Carnival Spirit, Carnival Splendor, Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Sunshine, Carnival Vista and Mardi Gras.
Pizzeria del Capitano
The menus at both pizzerias are the exact same, so don’t worry if you’ve only been to one and not the other. You’re not missing anything! Pizzeria del Capitano is also open 9 a.m.–4 a.m.
(It’s worth noting that there are two other pizza restaurants with the exact same concept, on Carnival cruise ships, but with different names: Miami Slice on Carnival Celebration and Coastal Slice on Carnival Jubilee.)
Pasta Bella
Similarly to the two different pizza options on Carnival’s ships, which are basically the same concept but with a different name, there are also two pasta bars that you’ll find on select ships. They likewise have two different names, but they’re pretty much the same, and both only serve lunch.
Pasta Bella Menu
The first is Pasta Bella, which you’ll only exclusively find on Carnival Dream, above the Lido deck. The eatery is basically a make-your-own pasta counter, with your choice of three pastas, five sauces and then 12 vegetable and protein add-ons. You can also order lasagna, Caesar salads and bread.
The Captain’s Pasta Bar
The Captain’s Pasta Bar is basically the same thing as Pasta Bella, but on more ships. It’s also only open for lunch, and can be found on Carnival Breeze, Horizon, Magic, Panorama, Sunrise, Sunshine and Vista. It’s typically located on one of the higher decks.
The Captain’s Pasta Bar Menu
Like Pasta Bella, The Captain’s Pasta Bar serves your choice of three pastas, five sauces and then 12 vegetable and protein add-ons. Unlike Pasta Bella, though, The Captain’s Pasta Bar transforms into a specialty Italian restaurant for dinner: Cucina del Capitano.
Fresh Creations
Fresh Creations is only on a limited number of Carnival cruise ships and situated within the Serenity adults-only retreat. Serving lunch, it’s basically a salad bar.
You can pick from nine different kinds of greens, add on your pick of six proteins and then go all out with your choice of toppings — there’s more than three dozen topping options to pick from.
Fresh Creations
If you’re having a bit of a problem picking, the restaurant does offer a few salads that are made for you, with a specific combination of ingredients.
Fresh Creations is on Carnival Celebration, Carnival Firenze, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Jubilee, Mardi Gras, Carnival Panorama and Carnival Vista.
Chibang!
This unique restaurant is found on Carnival Celebration, Carnival Jubilee and Mardi Gras. It offers both lunch and dinner and is considered an alternative to the main dining room.
Chibang on Carnival Jubilee
Unfortunately, Carnival has put some odd parameters around the dining here. While it is technically free, you’ll be charged $8 per guest per visit if you go to the restaurant more than once during your cruise (this rule only applies to Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras, not Jubilee).
Regardless, if you go, you’ll find menus that combine Chinese and Mexican flavors. From the very same lunch menu, you can order both a noodle bowl and a burrito bowl.
Chibang Menu
At dinner, you can order appetizers like egg drop soup and pot stickers, but also nachos and quesadillas, before digging into entrees like sweet and sour shrimp and kung pao chicken or steak ranchero and pollo en mole.
BlueIguana Cantina
BlueIguana Cantina was added to the Carnival dining lineup in 2011, as part of the Fun Ship 2.0 series of ship refurbishments, and the eatery has been a fan favorite ever since.
BlueIguana Cantina on Mardi Gras (Credit: Melissa Mayntz)
Typically located on ships’ Lido Decks, near the main pool, the restaurants feature an automated tortilla-making machine, and those tortillas then go on to appear in the various Mexican-inspired menu items.
The main highlight here is lunch, with menu items including, tacos, a salsa bar and build-your-own burritos. However, BlueIguana Cantina also serves breakfast. Avoid the crowds at the buffet and come here to enjoy breakfast tacos, arepas and huevos rancheros.
Near BlueIguana Cantina, there’s typically also the BlueIguana Tequila Bar, serving tequila-based libations.
BlueIguana Cantina Menu
BlueIguana Cantina can be found on Carnival Breeze, Carnival Celebration, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Dream, Carnival Elation, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Glory, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Legend, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Magic, Mardi Gras, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Panorama, Carnival Paradise, Carnival Pride, Carnival Radiance, Carnival Spirit, Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Sunshine, Carnival Valor and Carnival Vista.
Tacos & Burritos
Carnival Luminosa does not, sadly, have its own BlueIguana Cantina outpost, but for those on the ship, they don’t have to forgo their taco and burrito cravings.
The ship has its own complimentary dining venue near the pool that’s very nearly the same, offering both breakfast and lunch and, as the name suggests, primarily tacos and burritos.
Tomodoro
Tomodoro is a unique restaurant featured just on Carnival Firenze and Carnival Venezia. It’s near the main pool and open for both breakfast and lunch, and it does offer Mexican eats, just like BlueIguana Cantina and Tacos & Burritos. However, this restaurant gives that concept a spin, with an Italian fusion take.
Tomodoro
As such, the menu includes not just tacos and burritos, but also Italian-inspired sandwiches and wraps. At breakfast, you can build your own burrito, choosing your tortilla, protein and other fillings.
Chicken Shack
Another limited restaurant, Chicken Shack is only on Carnival Firenze. Chicken Shack offers lunch only, and fried chicken sandwiches. The restaurant is a bit of a spiff off of the Shaq’s Big Chicken restaurant that you’ll find on some other Carnival ships.
Choose from an array of chicken-based sandwiches topped with a variety of sauces, cheeses and similar, and then pick a side, like potato salad or slaw.
Guy’s Burger Joint
Guy’s Burger Joint may arguably be the most beloved Carnival restaurant of them all. Like, BlueIguana Cantina, Guy’s Burger Joint first came about in 2011, as part of the Fun Ship 2.0 series of ship renovations, and now you can find this eatery on every single Carnival ship except Carnival Luminosa.
With a menu crafted by celebrity chef Guy Fieri, this restaurant has big road trip vibes (a la Fieri’s hit show, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives) and offers larger than life burgers and tasty hand-cut fries. There are multiple condiment and topping stations, and walls are covered with road trip paraphernalia.
Guy’s Burger Joint
The menu includes a handful of burger options, whether you want something a little basic (like “The Plain Jane”) or something loaded down with chili, onion rings, bacon and more.
Burgers can also come topped with “super melty cheese” and a “secret” Donkey Sauce that’s really just a mix of mayo, mustard, garlic, Worcestershire, salt and pepper.
If you pay a visit to Guy’s Burger Joint during your next cruise, make sure to go on a port day. The restaurant is quite popular so lines can get long, especially on sea days. Or, try to go to the restaurant a little later than typical lunchtime.
On some ships, Guy’s Burger Joint offers breakfast as well, and also special menu items. For example, on Carnival’s Italian-style ships, Carnival Venezia and Carnival Firenze, the eatery offers some Italian-style burgers with pepperoni and mozzarella. Breakfast is available on newer ships, with menu items like breakfast sandwiches and breakfast-inspired burgers.
Regardless of the ship, you can typically find Guy’s Burger Joint on the Lido decks, mid-ship, near the main pool.
Off the Grill
As mentioned, Carnival Luminosa is the sole ship that does not include a Guy’s Burger Joint. However, Carnival has tried to make up for this a bit by installing a somewhat different poolside burger joint, Off the Grill.
There, you can find burgers and fries, during the lunchtime and late afternoon. The specialty is the garlic butter buns, and otherwise you can find basic burgers like a classic beef, cheeseburger, veggie burger and chicken burger.
Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse
Seeing all the success that the cruise line had with Guy’s Burger Joint, it’s just natural that Carnival Cruise Line would go on to partner with Guy Fieri again, to craft a new restaurant. This time, they went the way of a barbecue restaurant, with Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse.
Now, you can find this eatery on the following ships: Carnival Breeze, Carnival Dream, Carnival Magic, Carnival Radiance, Carnival Sunrise and Carnival Vista. It’s located on the Promenade Deck.
Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse
So, what’s the menu look like? Choose from a selection of in-house smoked meats, such as pork butt, chicken, beef and sausage, and add on classic barbecue sides like potato salad, slaw, collard greens or mac ‘n cheese.
Do note that there is another part of this restaurant concept that is not fully complimentary, and that’s Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse | Brewhouse.
Announced in 2017, this concept is an expansion of the former, offering full-service dining at dinner and a brewery located within the restaurant. This eatery also offers a broader menu, with items like smoked salmon and desserts. This restaurant is on Carnival Celebration, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Jubilee, Mardi Gras and Carnival Panorama.
That said, while this isn’t a fully complimentary restaurant, if you’re sailing on one of these ships, that doesn’t mean that you have to give up your dreams of trying Guy Fieri’s barbecue.
On sea days, the restaurant does offer a complimentary buffet for lunch. Additionally, on Carnival Celebration, Mardi Gras and Carnival Jubilee, you can eat dinner at this restaurant for free, as it’s considered an alternative to the main dining room.
Ol’ Fashioned BBQ
Other Carnival ships do have barbecue concepts on offer, even if they’re not Guy Fieri-approved. Ol’ Fashioned BBQ is located in the Lido Marketplace on Carnival Conquest, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Glory, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Luminosa, Carnival Splendor and Carnival Valor.
Ol’ Fashioned BBQ Menu
There, you’ll find a limited menu of barbecue — your choice of pork butt, chicken or smoked beef — and sides that include mac ‘n cheese, potato salad, slaw, baked beans and bread.
La Strada Grill
Another complimentary restaurant that only shows up on Carnival’s Italian-themed ships, Carnival Firenze and Carnival Venezia, La Strada Grill is situated on Deck 5 and has been compared to Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse, but with an Italian twist.
The menu offers smoked pulled pork and Italian sausage, as well as roast beef and chicken heroes, alongside sides dishes like mac ‘n cheese and various Italian salads, such as a Caesar and panzanella salad.
The restaurant is only open for lunch on embarkation days and sea days.
Big Chicken
Big Chicken is among the newest complimentary restaurants that can be found on Carnival cruise ships. It’s only found on Carnival Celebration, Carnival Jubilee, Mardi Gras and Carnival Radiance. It serves both breakfast and lunch, with lunch available until 5 p.m. and all-day breakfast available from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Photo By: Carnival Cruise Line
This restaurant is the result of another celebrity partnership, this time with Shaquille O’Neal. The partnership was announced in 2018. However, you won’t just find this restaurant on Carnival ships; it also has some land-based locations, such as in Las Vegas.
What’s the menu look like? Your chicken options include a traditional fried chicken basket, chicken strip sand chicken sandwiches with toppings like various cheeses, slaws, bacon, sauces and more. Sides include potato salad, slaw and pickles. For breakfast, choose between an omelet, biscuit sandwich or fried chicken and biscuits.
Masala Tiger
Masala Tiger is an Indian restaurant that you’ll only find on Carnival Splendor, on Deck 9. Only open for lunch, the restaurant offers Indian signature menu items cooked in a traditional clay oven, as well as vegetarian options.
Compared to a lot of lunch-only complimentary restaurants that you’ll find across Carnival’s fleet, you’ll actually see quite a few meal options here.
In addition to the chaat buffet and various bread options, there’s typically eight entrée options that range from chicken reshmi kabab to vegetable biryani to chicken malai tikka. Depending on when you sail, the menu items may vary.
Street Eats
Another newer addition to Carnival Cruise Line’s complimentary restaurants, Street Eats is only found on Carnival Celebration, Carnival Jubilee and Mardi Gras. With a food truck-style approach, the restaurant is open for lunch and offers three food stalls that change up what they serve, depending on the day.
Mad Sizzle at Street Eats
The three counter-service food stalls are themed, and dubbed Mad Sizzle, Steam Dream and Time Fries. Mad Sizzle specializes in Asian and Middle Eastern bites, Steam Dream specializes in bao buns and pot stickers and Time Fries specializes in gourmet french fries.
At any given time, you might find kebabs or chicken satay at Mad Sizzle, pork dumplings or beef bao at Steam Dream and chimichurri or poutine fries at Time Fries. The offerings change up frequently, so consider stopping by multiple times during your cruise!
Street Eats is located on Deck 16.
Lucky Bowl
Only found on Carnival Sunrise, Lucky Bowl offers Asian-style bowls, whether you opt for a brothy pho, a rice bowl topped with Hainanese chicken or a bowl of rice noodles topped with bulgogi beef. The offerings change daily, with usually three options available at lunch. Breakfast options are also available.
Lucky Bowl can be found behind BlueIguana, near the deli.
Room Service
Lastly, while Carnival does offer 24/7 room service, it’s worth noting that not all of the room service is complimentary. In many cases, extra charges do apply.
You can get complimentary continental breakfast from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., every day of your cruise except for on the last morning of the cruise. You will need to pay a delivery fee, though, even if it’s pretty small.
The menu includes fresh fruit and cereal, baked items, yogurt and beverages. You can order breakfast sandwiches from the same menu, but, again, those are not free.
You can only get the continental breakfast items for free. The rest of the day, room service comes with a fee. Also, beverages ordered through room service will not be covered by your beverage package. An extra fee will apply.
With a groundbreaking ceremony stimulated with great fanfare and excitement, construction is now officially underway on the fourth cruise terminal at the Port of Galveston.
The upcoming Cruise Terminal 16 officially began construction on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, and is slated to welcome MSC Cruises’ MSC Seascape in November 2025.
When complete, the terminal will welcome guests with lush landscaping, digital screens at the entryway, a spacious check-in area, and a dedicated lounge for MSC Yacht Club guests.
Cruise Terminal 16 Large Digital Screens
The groundbreaking ceremony for the $151 million complex was attended by more than 100 executives and local VIPs, as well as elected officials, port partners, and community leaders.
A large-scale rendering of the new 165,000-square-foot terminal was revealed, complete with landscaping details, parking garage, and MSC Seascape docked and ready to welcome guests.
Cruise Terminal 16 MSC Yacht Club Lounge
“We have so much to celebrate today with this milestone and what it means to our community, cruise guests and port partners,”said Rodger Reese, Galveston Wharves Port Director and CEO.“This beautiful new terminal will generate jobs and economic growth for the region, an exciting new cruise choice for our market, and growth opportunities for our port partners.”
Reese also extended a welcome to MSC Cruises. Europe’s top cruise line is continuing its expansion into the North American market, and homeporting the 170,400-gross-ton, Seaside EVO-class MSC Seascape from Texas will be great progress with that effort.
“Having a cruise line of this stature homeporting in Galveston says a great deal about our position in the U.S. and global cruise markets,”said Reese.
“Adding Galveston as our fourth homeport will make it even easier for travelers from the central and western parts of the country to enjoy our distinctive mix of European style and American comfort,”agreed Rick Sasso, MSC Cruises US Chairman.
“This state-of-the-art terminal will set the tone for a memorable cruise experience. We are thrilled to work closely with the Galveston Wharves to shape the future of cruising in Texas, delivering extraordinary vacations and unforgettable moments aboard the beautiful and modern MSC Seascape.”
The new cruise terminal is expected to open in late 2025. With its first full year of operation in 2026, the port is expected to welcome more than 2 million travelers annually, a new record for Galveston’s operation as a passenger cruise port.
Port of Galveston is already homeport to ships from Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Disney Cruise Line, and Princess Cruises. Adding more diversity to the cruise lineup from the Texas homeport is sure to bring even more interest to the Lone Star State as a top cruising hub.
Port of Galveston Cruise Terminal 16 Check-In
When MSC Seascape joins the Galveston ship lineup, she will be offering 7-night Western Caribbean itineraries visiting three top destinations: Roatan Island in Honduras as well as Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico. The ship can welcome 4,540 guests at double occupancy, or up to 5,877 travelers when fully booked with all berths filled.
Cruise Terminal Galveston Impact
It isn’t just cruises that will be impacted by the new Cruise Terminal 16 and the presence of MSC Cruises in Galveston.
In 2022, the Port of Galveston supported 3,500 local jobs and generated $568 million in local business revenue from retailers, restaurants, transportation, hotels, and sightseeing. An additional $73.5 million was generated from local purchases by passengers and crew.
The opening of the fourth cruise terminal next year is expected to add another 925 jobs and $177 million in annual local revenue. Even the city of Galveston will benefit from passenger fees and sales tax revenues from the onsite cruise parking.
Port of Galveston is the fourth most popular cruise port in the US and also services cargo operations through Galveston Harbor. The 840-acre port is well positioned for future growth and has the facilities to expand as cruise, cargo, and commercial businesses continue to grow.
Have you set sail from Galveston? Share your favorite cruises and Port of Galveston tips on the Cruise Hive boards!
