Cruise lovers on the West Coast are often clamoring for new and innovative itineraries and departure options closer to home, and Royal Caribbean is making that happen for 2026 and 2027.
Not only a new homeport option but a new destination, as well as five ships in three different classes are bringing better cruise variety to California.
The most highly anticipated news of the new itinerary releases is the unveiling of a brand new US homeport for Royal Caribbean – San Diego. In October 2026, Serenade of the Seas will begin sailing from America’s Finest City offering 3-, 4-, and 7-night itineraries for the winter 2026-2027 season.
These voyages will explore throughout the Mexican Riviera, offering fantastic port visits to Cabo San Lucas, Ensenada, and more.
Of special interest are sailings visiting La Paz – a brand new port destination for the cruise line, at which Serenade of the Seas will be enjoying a very special inaugural call and celebration.
Guests can enjoy the white sand beaches, a 3-mile-long Malecón boardwalk, unbelievable snorkeling, and stunning sunsets with every port visit.
Guests sailing from Los Angeles will have four ships to choose from in 2026 and 2027, with itineraries ranging from 3-8 nights of adventure.
For weekend getaways filled with the vibrancy of Mexico and the dazzle of Royal Caribbean, Quantum of the Seas will be offering summer 3- and 4-night itineraries to Catalina Island and Ensenada. Select longer 7-night sailings will also include overnight visits to Cabo San Lucas.
Ovation of the Seas will likewise offer a diverse season of 3-, 4-, and 7-night sailing options from Los Angeles during the winter season of 2026-2027.
Shorter cruises will visit Catalina and Ensenada, while longer sailings will also overnight in Cabo San Lucas, providing guests with more time to admire and explore that destination.
For more immersive explorations into the different ports of the Mexican Riviera, sister ships Navigator of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas are offering expanded itineraries in the region.
Navigator of the Seas will be offering 7-night sailings to Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta – three top destinations that each offer different insights into the region’s diverse cultures.
Voyager of the Seas will be sailing both 6- and 8-night options with a diverse selection of port destinations. Depending on sailing date and cruise length, Voyager of the Seas will be visiting Catalina Island, Ensenada, Puerto Vallarta, and Cabo San Lucas.
Booking New Mexican Riviera Itineraries
The new Winter 2026-2027 itineraries are open for bookings for Crown & Anchor Society members from Wednesday, February 12, 2025, giving “loyal to Royal” guests the first pick of these amazing new options.
All bookings will be available for any interested cruisers from Thursday, February 13. The top sailings, particularly holiday cruises with all the special features they offer, are sure to fill up quickly.
Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas (Photo Credit: Dennis MacDonald)
Other top options are sure to include back-to-back sailings as each ship repositions for the season, such as joining Serenade of the Seas from Vancouver to San Diego on September 27, 2026.
Or go back even further – enjoy the ship’s last Alaska cruise of the season, her reposition to San Diego, and her first Mexican Riviera sailing from her new homeport. This dream back-to-back-to-back cruise would span 3 sailings, more than 2,700 miles, and a total of 14 nights from September 20 through October 4.
Ovation of the Seas will likewise be repositioning from the Alaska season, as will Voyager of the Seas, so similar back-to-back options will be available on those ships for dedicated cruisers.
Interested guests will want to act right away to secure their preferred travel dates and ships, to ensure their upcoming cruise vacation will be everything they want it to be.
What was meant to be a sun-filled last day in the Bahamas ahead of the holidays turned into a nightmare for a passenger during a less-than-perfect day at Perfect Day at CocoCay.
As Royal Caribbean’s 248,663-gross-ton Icon of the Seas– the world’s largest cruise ship – was wrapping up a 7-night roundtrip cruise from Miami, it pulled into its private destination to provide guests a chance to have some fun in the sun, surf, and sand on December 20, 2024.
On that day, Jessica Haro, one of the ship’s 5,610 passengers, joined 12 other passengers and two guides from Royal Caribbean for a jet ski excursion marked as safe for beginners.
During the excursion, however, Haro claims she was hit by a guide, also on a jet ski, at a high speed.
Haro suffered four spinal fractures and extensive internal injuries from the incident, some of which she says are permanent and will require additional medical expenses.
As a result, Haro and her attorney, Justin Shapiro of Lessfield & Partners in Miami, have filed a federal lawsuit against the cruise line on February 10, 2025.
The lawsuit seeks damages of more than $5 million, which includes legal fees.
In the suit, Haro alleges,“In the course of the jet ski tour, Royal Caribbean’s tour guide, who was hired to protect Ms. Haro, suddenly and recklessly crashed his jet ski into the rear of Ms. Haro’s jet ski at a high rate of speed while trying to pass her.”
“The tour guide ultimately drove his jet ski over the top of Ms. Haro’s jet ski, causing a violent impact with Ms. Haro’s body,” the suit continues.
The suit reveals Haro “had very little previous experience operating a personal watercraft but decided to book the guided jet ski excursion based on [Royal Caribbean’s] effort in marketing the excursion as being ideal for novice operators and that no experience operating a personal watercraft was necessary.”
Safety and Legal Challenges
“Perfect Day at CocoCay Guided Wave Jet Tour – Driver” is a one-hour and 15-minute add-on at the destination available to guests ages 16 and older. Guests can participate solo or with a passenger for a maximum of two guests per jet ski.
Royal Caribbean warns that guests are not allowed to consume alcohol before the tour and does not recommend it for anyone pregnant or with cardiac or heart conditions, asthma or respiratory conditions, diabetes, epilepsy, or any other medical condition.
Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks)
Passengers who participate in jet ski excursions at CocoCay are required to wear life jackets and are asked to complete liability waivers that releases the cruise line and its employees from actions “arising from any accident [or] injury” connected with a “rental, participation, use, or operation of” a jet ski.
In 2013, Royal Caribbean faced a similar lawsuit when a passenger sailing on Monarch of the Seas was injured in a crash during a jet ski excursion at Perfect Day at CocoCay.
The defendants also claimed the accident occurred while going slower and being hit by a faster jet ski.
During that suit, the cruise line sought to limit its liability due to the liability waiver, but a US District judge ruled the waiver was void due to provisions limiting liability for personal injuries caused by negligence.
Despite the two unrelated lawsuits, jet ski accidents are very uncommon at CocoCay, which sees over 2.5 million guests each year.
While some passenger reviews remark on the fast pace, most who add on the excursion give it rave reviews.
Royal Caribbean International is planning to open its 17-acre Royal Beach Club on Paradise Island in December 2025.
Royal Beach Club on Paradise Island has recently entered a new phase of development, marked by an open call for Bahamian businesses to contribute to the club’s unique experiences.
Construction began in April 2024 with a heavy focus on incorporating the local Bahamian culture. As part of the next phase of construction, Royal Caribbean International is seeking proposals for everything from refrigeration technicians to the development of a new signature venue, “The Bunker.”
Philip Simon, President of Royal Caribbean Bahamas, said, “Our call for proposals from Bahamian businesses and artisans is a crucial next step in the Royal Beach Club’s development and ultimate success.”
This initiative explicitly calls for proposals from local Bahamian businesses for various goods and services, reinforcing Royal Caribbean’s commitment to fostering opportunities within the Bahamian community.
Simon added, “This initiative underscores our dedication to creating opportunities for local entrepreneurs and supporting the Bahamian community by ensuring the beach club is a space for Bahamians to thrive.”
In the coming weeks, one of the biggest categories of opening bids will encompass trades and facilities maintenance, which will be crucial to the beach club’s day-to-day operations. These bids include mechanical, plumbing, and electrical repair as well as refrigeration technicians, carpenters, and upholsterers.
Other priority services include some things that the average person would not think of when it comes to maintaining a club owned by a cruise line, such as pest control, security, medical, landscaping, pool maintenance, and provision of retail and Bahamian products.
Some additional opportunities include housekeeping, beach and water activities, development of “The Bunker,” music, and entertainment.
Royal Beach Club Paradise Island will be the first of the Royal Beach Club Collection. Located on one of Nassau’s most idyllic beaches, this club hopes to bring the Bahamian culture to its guests through unique partnerships with Bahamian businesses.
The Royal Beach Club will be exclusively for Royal Caribbean cruise passengers, but Bahamian residents will also be able to come with friends and family at a reduced rate. It is, however, not free for cruise passengers, requiring an additional fee for all-inclusive day passes.
This new club combines the spirit and beauty of The Bahamas with signature Royal Caribbean touches throughout the services, design, and experiences.
One of the highlights of this collaboration is the public-private partnership in which Bahamians will own up to 49% equity. The Bahamas’ economy has relied heavily on tourism since the early 1900s, making it integral for the country to maintain and expand its relationship with cruise lines.
Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, Bahamas
Bahamians Love Tourism
Another new beach club from a cruise line is welcomed as increased job opportunities for locals.
The country of The Bahamas relies heavily on tourism, with tourism, tourism-related services, and construction contributing to 80% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The Bahamas cruise tourism broke records in 2024, with projections for 2025 being even higher. With the boom in passengers expected, opportunities for exclusive locations offered through cruise lines continue to grow.
Royal Caribbean Group has brought in a significant amount of tourism to the country, bringing two million passengers in 2024 alone which generated an economic impact of $450 million.
Nassau has been given a reputation for not being everyone’s favorite cruise port, but with the introductions of clubs such as the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, Nassau becomes a port with more to offer.
Proper elevator etiquette comes up frequently in Carnival Cruise Line forums – but it’s not just Carnival guests who have noticed some poor behavior while using the lifts.
This time, Royal Caribbean passengers are trying to understand why other guests are always in so much of a rush when they use the elevators that they can’t be courteous toward their fellow passengers.
“Some people need to just slow down…As everyone knows the elevators can be chaotic at times, especially when trying to go from Floor 15 to 5 on a sea day,” the cruiser began their post.
This certainly can be true, especially for an Oasis-class shiplike this one that is at or close to its maximum capacity of 6,988 guests.
“One day while descending any time we stopped and the door would open, either for someone to get on or off, this older lady would start spamming the close door button immediately. It didn’t matter if a family was trying to leave or someone was in the lobby trying to get on she would just hit that button furiously,” the recent guest shared.
While I can understand feeling stressed in a situation where the woman was running late to a specialty dining reservation or a spa treatment, the onus is ultimately on the passenger to plan better – assuming that was the case.
Otherwise, what’s the rush? Cruises are supposed to be an opportunity to relax and unwind.
Plus, closing the door while other guests are trying to enter or exit the elevator can actually be dangerous – especially if the sensor does not stop the doors on time and the doors shut with a person caught in their grasp.
I can speak to this, as I once broke my wrist because it got stuck in the doors while trying to hold the elevator for someone I saw coming – and I wouldn’t wish that experience on anyone!
More Misdeeds in Cruise Ship Elevators
Clearly, something about getting into a cruise ship elevatortriggers a sense of rage for some passengers – because this woman’s rude behavior was not an isolated incident.
There was at least one other passenger who thought he might have been onboard the 236,857-gross ton Wonder of the Seas at the same time as the original poster – and that he may have encountered the same rushing guest.
“By any chance was it an Asian lady? We were on the same cruise and there was one time we were trying to get an elevator, it arrived, the doors opened, and she immediately was pushing the button saying ‘close the doors close the doors,’” another recent guest asked in the comments.
Atrium and Elevators on Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)
“To be fair this elevator was full, so I do understand, it would just be funny if she was the one doing it all the time,”they continued.
The Redditor who started the thread confirmed that the description did not match – so there were at least two women onboard with a big sense of urgency.
The enraged guest falsely accused the wheelchair user of hitting the mother, before allegedly shoving the disabled guest and throwing her off balance – leaving the cruise guest in tears.
Also this week, an injured Carnival cruiser – who is not able to use the stairs – spoke out about her struggles to even make it onto an elevatorduring peak times, such as disembarkation.
World cruise aficionados have an exciting itinerary to consider from Costa Cruises in 2027, a 139-day voyage to 47 iconic destinations across the globe.
Costa Cruises, one of nine Carnival Corporation brands, has opened bookings for the sailing, which departs from Savona, Italy, on November 24, 2026 and concludes there on April 12, 2027.
The 2,260-guest Costa Deliziosa will operate the voyage, which will span three oceans and include visits to five continents. Some of the ship’s port calls will represent Costa Cruises’ maiden visits to the destinations.
Besides Savona, World Cruise guests have the option to depart from additional European ports, including Rome, on November 24, 2026, Marseille, France, on November 26, 2026, and Barcelona, Spain, on November 27, 2026.
Additionally, a 100-day segment is offered from San Francisco, which is among the US West Coast ports the ship will visit before she makes her way to the South Pacific.
“With the World Cruise 2027 we want to offer a truly unique and unforgettable experience, combining the exploration of iconic places with the proposal of exclusive destinations, some of which have never been touched before by our itineraries,” said Luigi Stefanelli, Vice President of Worldwide Sales for Costa Cruises.
One of the new destinations Costa Deliziosa will visit is Half Moon Cay, the private island in the Bahamas owned by Carnival Corporation and used exclusively by its cruise brands.
The destination features white-sand beaches, multiple water adventures, private cabanas, dining venues, retail markets, waterfront bars, and more. By that time, there will also be a pier at the island, which could be an option for the ship.
During the voyage the ship will overnight at several key destinations, including New York, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sydney, and Tokyo. In fact, Costa Deliziosa will be docked at the Port of Los Angeles for New Year’s Eve.
The overnight stay in the City of Angels will enable guests to experience a unique excursion featuring helicopter tours to the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas.
Added Stefanelli: “With this edition, we want to redefine and innovate the concept of travel around the world, offering a once-in-a-lifetime experience for those who dream of an extraordinary adventure and the opportunity to discover the world with the quality and hospitality that distinguish Costa Cruises.”
Itinerary to Feature Iconic Destinations on 5 Continents
After sailing across the Western Mediterranean, Costa Deliziosa will make her transatlantic crossing, with her first port of call in North America being New York. The ship, which launched in 2009, will sail south to Half Moon Cay and other ports in the Caribbean before transiting the Panama Canal.
Photo Credit: Thirasia / Shutterstock
The Mexican Riviera is next on the ship’s itinerary, followed by the US West Coast cities of San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. From there, guests will experience the Hawaiian Islands, Tahiti and other South Pacific destinations, and Australia and New Zealand.
Asia comes next, with calls to Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore, and other exotic ports. Costa Deliziosa will sail across the Indian Ocean to the Maldives and then to South Africa, visiting Cape Town, Durban, and Port Elisabeth. The ship will then make her way north to the Canary Islands and sail eastward into the Mediterranean.
The per-person, double, cruise fare for the full World Cruise starts at €17,999 ($18,760 USD). Guests can choose from among four cabin and suite categories.
Amenities onboard Costa Deliziosa include seven pools and hot tubs, five dining venues, and a dozen bars and lounges. Broadway-style shows are offered in the ship’s theater, and guests can take advantage of an outdoor sports area and full fitness center.
Cruise travelers are generally eager to board their ship and settle in, getting their vacation started right away. A critical part of starting that vacation, however, is completing the mandatory safety briefing – the muster drill.
But is the muster drill cruisers know and love today – a quick stop at their muster station rather than the longer, mass drill of years past – really the safest option? Does a faster drill provide adequate information for travelers in the event of a real at-sea emergency?
The issue has been raised to John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador, with concerns about how prepared cruise passengers may really be if the drill becomes a real-life situation.
“I hate to be a buzz kill… I feel the old way was more detailed and informative. Going to get life jackets in your cabin and actually putting them on, and proceeding to your muster station and standing at your boat number is what really would happen if there was a true emergency,”one guest explained.
“Hearing the actual warning from the ships horn and everyone going thru the process at the same time is the feeling of what will actually go on during a true emergency.”
The guest goes on to suggest that even bringing down a lifeboat and having guests practice boarding could be a prudent step in the safety drill, noting that in a true emergency guests may not know what to do.
“Where is [the] ‘safety first’ concept?”the guest asked. “‘Getting it over with and starting my cruise’ could be the worst thought you ever had.”
It may seem like the updated, e-muster is only an abbreviated safety drill that doesn’t properly convey enough information in case of an emergency. Heald explains, however, that there is more safety preparation behind the scenes that guests aren’t aware of.
“The most important thing you need to know is this, while the actual guest lifeboat drill is shorter and more precise, the training for the crew has only increased,”he said.
“Every week there are crew drills. Each and every week there are specific areas such as firefighting, guest abandon ship practices, and so much more that the crew undertake each and every week, multiple times a week.”
Heald himself has been serving at sea for nearly 39 years and is personally experienced with just how safety procedures have been updated and refined throughout the years.
Yes, this means that individual travelers spend less time as part of a mass muster drill, but the overall attention to safety onboard has increased over the decades.
When Should Guests Complete the E-Muster?
Another guest chimes in on the other side of the discussion, believing that being “forced” to visit one’s muster station first detracts from that initial excitement of getting onboard.
“I do not get excited [to board the ship],”the guest said.“That is because of the enforced change you have made sending us to the muster station first!”
To be clear, Carnival Cruise Line does not “force” guests to their muster station as soon as they board.
While doing the safety briefing right away is strongly encouraged and crew members are available to help guests find their muster stations, guests can still choose to have lunch first, drop their luggage in their stateroom if they have those privileges, take a spa tour, or enjoy a welcome aboard drink.
“Standing in line, and then waiting around for a lifejacket demonstration is not an exciting way to start any cruise,”the guest continued.“Then you find out that if you don’t follow these rules your card gets suspended so that you cannot get any cocktail service.”
Carnival Cruise Ship Muster Drill (Photo Credit: Felipe Sanchez)
Carnival Cruise Line’s policy is that a guest can only order two drinks before their onboard account will be “suspended” until they have completed their safety drill. This guest, however, would prefer a return to mass drill that was often scheduled for 3:30 or 4 p.m., just before the ship would set sail.
“Return to the previous way of doing the muster station drill. Yes it was longer but everybody was relaxed and we can do what we want as soon as we get on the ship [before the drill],”the guest requested.
Heald noted that Carnival Cruise Line is in no way considering a return to the old-style, in-person muster drill, but found the discussion a curious one on his Facebook page.
Different commenters noted that the in-person drills take longer for everyone and could be very stressful, especially on hot days when guests were standing in the sun during the entire drill.
Other travelers note that during the in-person drill, it could be difficult to get a large crowd to fully quiet down as directed. This could make the drill take longer or else meant other guests couldn’t hear the safety instructions anyway.
With more than 4,000 comments on the guest’s post, very few (I couldn’t find a single one!) agree with the idea that the old muster drill is preferable.
Having experienced both myself, on multiple cruise lines, I have to say the new drill feels equally safe and informative, and it’s much nicer to get it finished in just a few minutes and say Bon Voyage!
Following delays due to extra concerns about the ship’s safety and environmental risks, the SS United States is once again ready to begin her final journey.
The revised schedule has the ship taking her first steps away from Pier 82 since she docked in 1996 on Valentine’s Day – February 14, 2025.
The update comes from the SS United States Conservancy, which has worked hard to ensure the public is properly informed about the ship’s movements.
This permits fans to watch the ship sail away as she begins her slow and careful trip to Florida, where she will be converted into the world’s largest artificial coral reef.
“After completing additional due diligence involving further testing and safety protocols for the U.S. Coast Guard, Okaloosa County has again received approval to proceed with moving the SS United States from Pier 82 in South Philadelphia to a docking area in Mobile, Alabama,”the Conservancy confirmed.
The ship was originally scheduled to begin her trip on Thursday, February 6, before the need for additional information become apparent and the move was delayed.
Now, the ship is once more ready to get underway – just in time for the romance of a cruise vacation to merge with the most romantic day of the year.
“While still subject to last-minute changes or cancellations due to weather or other factors, the first phase of the operations to move America’s Flagship will begin on Friday, February 14th.”
The relocation of the 58,329-gross-ton, 990-foot ocean liner will be conducted in several phases. First, the ship will be moved laterally from Pier 82 to Pier 80, at which time she will undoubtedly undergo additional brief assessments.
This small but necessary movement is expected at roughly 2:47 p.m. on Friday, February 14, in conjunction with the local high tide. The tugboats will connect to the ship several hours prior to that maneuver.
The SS United States will then be towed down the Delaware River, passing several top vantage points for anyone interested in seeing her stately progress. That movement is now planned for 11:18 a.m. on Monday, February 17, when the river is at low tide to facilitate the ship’s passage beneath key bridges.
Bridge closures are being planned as the ship moves, ensuring the safety of motorists, spectators, and the crews moving the aged liner. Interested fans have several options for where to see the ship, including from the nearby IKEA parking lot and from public waterfront parks.
Moving the SS United States to Alabama
It will take approximately two weeks for the SS United States to move to Mobile, Alabama, where the refurbishment work will be completed so she will be safe to scuttle.
“Okaloosa’s contractors will be utilizing real-time route planning, which will adjust the ship’s course every 6-hours based on weather and currents,”the Conservancy explained.
The ship’s full course can be tracked online through Destin-Fort Walton Beach’s website. While the ship is on her way to Alabama, her final resting place will be off the coast of Destin-Fort Walton Beach.
SS United States Ocean Liner (Photo Credit: KC Lindman)
The entire voyage will be made under tow, ensuring the ship remains stable along the way.
Once she reaches the shipyard in Mobile, the work necessary to prepare the ship for placement as an artificial reef will take approximately a year. The exact timing will depend on overall shipyard scheduling and whether or not additional difficulties may be encountered during the work.
The Conservancy will continue to be involved in the ship’s conversion to an artificial coral reef, and will help plan the land-based museum that will be nearby the ship’s final location.
That museum will contain artifacts, artwork, and relics from the ship and her long history, extending her legacy far into the future even while her hull rests beneath the waves.
More than 4.6 cruise passengers visited the island of Cozumel off the coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula in 2024.
But passengers boarding Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady on February 23, 2025, won’t join the growing number of visitors.
The cruise line alerted its upcoming sailors that port congestion is forcing the 110,000-gross-ton vessel to find a new call during its 5-night “Riviera Maya” voyage.
Up to 2,770 guests will now visit Grand Turk in the Turks and Caicos Islands on February 25. And with the only other call on the roundtrip journey from Miami being the Bimini Islands in the Bahamas, they may need to rename the sailing.
“We wanted to let you know that we’ve had to make a port change to your voyage,”said Virgin Voyages to guests.
“Due to port congestion, we’re adjusting our itinerary and replacing Cozumel (Playa del Carmen) with Grand Turk in the beautiful Turks and Caicos.”
Passengers were not offered anything other than an apology from the cruise line, but many passengers on social media shared excitement in the change.
“I’ve been to Cozumel 3 times on a cruise so I’m actually VERY happy about this!” shared one passenger on Reddit.
“I was very excited to see this message this morning,” said another.
Despite one sailor being disappointed by the island’s lack of cenotes and submersible excursions, passengers considered the change an upgrade.
Not Such a Bad Alternative
Besides Valiant Lady, more than 166,000 passengers are scheduled to visit Cozumel on February 25, 2025, including Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Legend and Carnival Miracle and Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas.
Three additional vessels from Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises are also on the call sheet.
Cozumel Cruise Port, which decided to add a $5 fee per passenger to support the costs of managing such a large volume of visitors in 2025, operates the International Cruise Terminal, Punta Langosta, and Puerto Maya cruise terminals.
It can actually accommodate 10 cruise ships at one time but typically will not host more than eight vessels at once.
Grand Turk (Photo Credit: JTTucker)
Although Virgin Voyages’ arrival would fall within the port’s capabilities, the fact so many large ships will be in port on the same day could mean a less-than-pleasant experience for its passengers, all having to compete for limited tour operators available for excursions.
In Grand Turk, which will also welcome Carnival Cruise Line’s 4,090-passenger Carnival Venezia when Valiant Lady arrives, sailors can expect a less crowded experience.
Instead of eight ships a day, the port typically sees just eight ships a week.
But that doesn’t mean the port isn’t up to par with Cozumel. In 2024, the port welcomed over 1 million cruise passengers and has already started 2025 strong, with more than 150,000 guests already gracing its shores.
The 13-acre Grand Turk Cruise Center is also a dedicated cruise center with a beach, lagoon-like swimming pool, duty-free shopping, restaurants, and a spa just steps from disembarkation. Here, cruisers will also find the Caribbean’s largest Margaritaville, featuring a swim-up bar.
The center is much like the Virgin Voyage’s private Beach Club at Bimini, which offers a lagoon-style swimming pool, beach, private cabanas, and free meals and snacks.
Great Stirrup Cay is a private island owned by Norwegian Cruise Line and located in the Bahamas. The island is exclusive to cruisers traveling on NCL ships in the Caribbean, and it offers plenty to do — from kayaking to snorkeling, zip lining to simply hanging out with a drink on the beach.
Here’s everything you can do and what to expect if you plan on cruising on an itinerary that travels to Great Stirrup Cay in the near future.
While exploring a new-to-you cruise port has its charms, I do think that there’s just something special about visiting a cruise line-exclusive destination.
All of the activities are coordinated by the cruise line, so there’s no risking it with third-party excursion providers. Everything is designed so you can have as much fun as possible. In some cases, you can enjoy on-shore activities without even paying extra.
As for Great Stirrup Cay, this 268-acre locale in the Berry Islands of the Bahamas was purchased by Norwegian Cruise Line in the 1970s. Originally, the island was a pirate’s hideaway, then a U.S. military post, and there’s even a historic lighthouse on the island, dating to the 1860s.
New Pier Redner at Great Stirrup Cay (Credit: Norwegian Cruise Line)
When Norwegian Cruise Line eventually developed the island, it was the first time that a cruise line had ever taken over an island and used it exclusively for its guests.
Over the years, Norwegian Cruise Line has made various refurbishments and enhancements to the island, such as a $1 million upgrade in the 1990s, and further additions in the 2010s.
Most recently, the cruise line said it would be building a new pier on the island, which would help negate the need for tendering upon arrival at the island.
As of early 2025, the two-ship pier is expected to be open by late 2025, which will allow NCL to double the number of guests on the island at one time, starting in 2026. That could mean that as many as 700,000 cruisers visit the island each year.
Beaches
Beach on Great Stirrup Cay (Photo Credit: Wynn Imaging)
There are three main beaches on the private island, giving you access to the crystal clear waters: Infinity Beach, Lighthouse Beach and Cabana Beach.
Infinity Beach and Lighthouse Beach both offer convenient locations close to other amenities such as bars, restaurants, the historic lighthouse and zip lining. The latter can accommodate hundreds of cruisers and, thus, can get a little bit crowded.
Meanwhile, the Cabana Beach, while on the small side, still offers a food truck and then cabanas for rent.
There are two types of cabanas you can rent: premium and classic cabanas. Premium cabanas are larger, suitable for up to eight people and come with furnishings such as sofas and water toys like floating mats, as well as bottled water. Classic cabanas are slightly smaller, suitable for six people, but with similar amenities.
Premium cabana rentals are $714 for an all-day rental. Classic cabana rentals are $659 for an all-day rental.
In addition to cabanas, you can also rent clam shells, which are exactly what they sound like: clam shell-shaped coverings that sit on the beach and provide shade without the unwieldiness of a beach umbrella. Clam shell rentals start at $50 for an all-day rental.
Dining and Bars
Dining at Great Stirrup Cay (Photo Credit: Asif Islam)
You’ll be able to dine as much as you like on Great Stirrup Cay, as all of the dining is included in your cruise fare. Additionally, if you have a drinks package on your cruise ship, you’ll be able to use it on Great Stirrup Cay as well.
If you do not have a drinks package, your drink purchases will simply be charged to your account via your cruise card.)
Food options include Abaco Taco, for a handful of taco options, and Jumbey Beach Grill, which is a buffet with barbecue entrees and side dishes. There’s also a food truck on Cabana Beach, with sandwiches.
While past cruisers’ reviews of the build your own taco options aren’t that great, many say that the buffet’s barbecue is quite tasty.
That said, your overall dining options are a little limited, so if you have special dietary requirements or are particularly picky, you may want to eat before you leave the ship or after you get back to the ship.
As for bars, there are four to choose from, scattered across the island: Patron Bar, Betram’s Bar, Bacardi Bar and Lighthouse Beach Bar.
Activities
Passengers Enjoying Activities at Great Stirrup Cay (Photo Credit: Victor Maschek)
You’ll find an array of activities on Great Stirrup Cay. However, before you begin planning your day, keep in mind that some are complimentary and you can just show up ahead of time and enjoy them, while others do require an extra fee and must be booked like any on-shore excursion at any port.
There’s a snorkel center on the island where you can rent equipment for snorkeling excursions. Snorkeling equipment runs about $15 for kids and $30 for adults.
Once you’ve rented your equipment, you can enjoy heading out to snorkeling spots like an underwater sculpture garden, where you can check out the coral reefs and swim among the marine life like stingrays and starfish.
If you’d prefer an excursion that keeps you above the water, you can sign up for a waverunner tour (from $175). Other excursions include kayaking (from $59) and stand up paddle boarding (from $43) trips, or a guided trip to a nearby island where you can swim with pigs (from $175).
There are multiple zip lines on the island (including the Seahawk zip line and Osprey traverse zip line), as well as ropes courses. To ride on the zip lines, you must be at least eight years old and you do have to weigh less than 250 pounds.
Depending on the zip line you choose, you could soar above nearly 3,000 feet of open air! There’s also a zip line that hangs from the replica lighthouse. One-hour zip line and ropes course experiences start at $87.
For a bit of retail therapy, take a trip to the island’s marketplace, where you can buy souvenirs and a few necessities, in case you forgot beachwear. There’s also a good selection of Bahamian crafts and local products.
If you want to shop a bit, bring some cash (dollars are good), as the locals selling at the marketplace will not accept credit cards.
Silver Cove
Silver Cove Villa Beach
Just like so many cruise ships now have special VIP areas where only suite guests are admitted and which usually offer private restaurants, sun decks and more, so does Great Stirrup Cay have a similar VIP area on the island: Silver Cove.
Silver Cove is only open to those who rent a private villa on the island. In addition to housing the villas, this portion of the island also features several beautiful outdoor spots to sunbathe or lounge, an infinity pool, a spa, two private beaches (Silver Cove Lagoon and Villa Beach), an upscale Silver Cove buffet and bar, and a separate bar.
Do note, that you don’t have to book a Silver Cove villa in order to use the spa. You can book a spa appointment without booking a villa, but that’s the only part of Silver Cove that you can access without that villa rental.
That doesn’t mean that you can’t still enjoy a great day at the Silver Cove spa, though; after your treatment, check out the spa’s hot tubs’ stellar views of the ocean.
As for the villas themselves, you have a few different choices here. The largest option is a two-bedroom family villa that can accommodate up to 16 cruisers.
In addition to the two bedrooms, there are also two bathrooms, living and dining spaces, large outdoor living spaces, complimentary on-demand movies on the villa TV and in-villa food service.
The smallest villa option is the Ocean Villa, which can accommodate only six cruisers. While there aren’t any bedrooms in the villa (though, why would you need bedrooms anyway, when you’re only on the island for a day?), there is a living and dining space, and full private restroom.
Villa rentals range in cost, but start at around $650.
Good news, though — even if you didn’t book a Haven suite on your Norwegian Cruise Line ship, you can still get access to Silver Cove. Just because you’re not a so-called VIP on the ship doesn’t mean that you can’t be a VIP on land.
Tips for Visiting Great Stirrup Cay
Beach and Lighthouse on Great Stirrup Cay (Photo Credit: Nazar Skladanyi)
There are a few things you’ll want to remember when visiting Great Stirrup Cay, for the best experience possible, which I can let you know about:
For one, keep in mind that until the new two-ship pier is finished, you’ll need to tender to the private island. That means you’ll need to get to the tender ship, wait in line and then travel to the island on the small tender boats. Then, you’ll need to get back to the ship on the tender boats, which can also include a wait.
To avoid long wait times for the tender boats, you’ll want to both leave to get to the island early in the morning (or extra-late in the evening) and then plan to head back to the ship at least an hour or two before the ship’s departure time.
You’ll also want to get off the ship as early as possible, in order to snag a good spot on the beach, if you plan to spend most of your day beach-bumming.
I know, I know — getting up early is the last thing you want to do when you’re on a cruise ship, on vacation. However, believe me when I say that it’s well worth it to get that prime beach real estate.
Then, if you want to travel to Great Stirrup Cay, you’ll need to be sure that you book a cruise on one of the ships and itineraries that stop there.
Great Stirrup Cay (Photo Credit: Victor Maschek)
Currently, ships that travel to Great Stirrup Cay include Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Sky, Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Viva.
If you’ve decided that you want to enjoy any of the paid excursions or activities while on the island, make sure to stop by the excursion desk on the cruise ship ahead of your arrival, to book those activities.
When I go into port, I like to bring along a small backpack or tote bag packed with any need-to-have items, like sunscreen, water bottles, swim shoes, etc., depending on what I plan on doing while in that port.
This is still a good idea when you go to Great Stirrup Cay — but you’ll also want to keep in mind that, unlike as is the case on some cruise ship private islands, there are no lockers here.
That means if you’re taking an excursion and want to put your bag or some valuables away while you’re zip lining or scuba diving, you’re out of luck.
Lastly, there’s no WiFi on Great Stirrup Cay, so don’t expect to be able to immediately upload all of your selfies to your favorite social media platform.
You’ll need either an international data plan in order to have service, or you’ll simply need to wait until you’re back on the ship (if you have one of the ship’s WiFi packages) to access any online content.
