After around 18 months, 100% of the ships in the Carnival Corporation fleet have been fitted out with Starlink internet connectivity, paving the way for a more connected cruise experience.
Since the release of Starlink maritime in 2022, the Elon Musk-owned company has taken the cruise industry world by storm, promising a much better, lower latency connection for guests onboard, but also playing an instrumental part in enabling ships systems to operate in a cloud environment, enhancing safety onboard.
With the completion of the rollout of Starlink onboard the more than 90 cruise ships in Carnival’s collection of nine cruise lines, guests can now enjoy internet speeds that far surpass anything possible in the past.
Carnival Passengers Using Starlink
The process started onboard the ships of Carnival Cruise Line and AIDA Cruises in 2022. Since then, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line, P&O Cruises Australia, P&O Cruises UK, Princess Cruises, and Seabourn have also been outfitted.
Josh Weinstein, CEO of Carnival Corporation:“Starlink has been a game-changer for the onboard connectivity experience our cruise lines deliver to their guests, and we’ve already seen a surge in guest satisfaction and positive feedback from the super-fast and reliable Wi-Fi service we provide onboard.”
By combining the technology that Starlink offers, together with 5G capability on some ships, and Medium-Earth Orbit (MEO) satellite systems, Carnival Corporation said it has quadrupled its fleetwide bandwidth since 2019.
So, Can I Watch Netflix Onboard A Cruise Ship?
Weinstein’s comments should be taken in with some perspective. While those that have Starlink at home will usually be able to reach speeds of up to 300 Mbps, onboard ships, these speeds are unlikely. This is mostly because the connections the ship has are shared with hundreds, if not thousands of devices, which all take a share of the bandwidth.
So even though there could be multiple dishes onboard, speeds are more likely to be between 5 to 150 Mbps for downloads and upload speeds from 20 to 40 Mbps, depending on the ship’s location and satellite coverage.
Yet, even those numbers are markedly better than what has been achieved in the past, where even opening emails could be troublesome. Watching your favorite Netflix series, streaming sports matches, working remotely, or live streaming your adventures from the ship are definitely in the range of possibilities.
“We see this technology as a win-win-win – it provides our guests with more flexibility to stay as connected as they’d like on vacation, it allows our crew to stay in touch with friends and loved ones, and it enhances our onboard operational systems,” Weinstein continued.
As Weinstein mentioned, Starlink isn’t all about the guest experience. The system enables cruise lines to significantly improve their onboard technical capabilities. This ranges from real-time remote engine and critical systems monitoring to implementing predictive maintenance systems.
Photo Courtesy: Royal Caribbean / Celebrity Cruises
These systems analyze real-time data to predict potential equipment failures before they occur, reducing any potential issues that could lead to a cruise ship breaking down, and potentially, cancelled cruises.
Starlink also ensures cruise lines can make use of artificial intelligence, predicting guests’ movements around vessels. This can help in optimizing crowd control, ensuring that popular areas do not become overcrowded, and improving the overall guest experience.
Princess Cruises’ Enchanted Princess is having multiple changes to her planned August 31, 2024 sailing due to local restrictions on cruise ship visits. Guests have been notified of the adjustments so they can reconsider their travel plans if preferred.
Enchanted Princess is scheduled to homeport from New York City for the autumn sailing season. The ship will be offering a total of ten 7-night cruises exploring popular ports in New England and Canada at the peak of the fall foliage period.
Unfortunately, the ship’s August 31 sailing will not be keeping to the original planned itinerary. Guests are being notified of not one, but two port of call adjustments for that cruise, with a third change shifting the time the ship will be visiting another destination.
Photo Credit: EWY Media / Shutterstock
“Please be advised that due to recent restrictions on cruise ships in Rockland, Maine, Enchanted Princess will no longer call to Rockland on Tuesday, September 3 and will instead call to Eastport, Maine,”the notification read.“Additionally, we will no longer call to Newport, Rhode Island on Sunday, September 1 and will instead spend the day at sea.”
Interestingly, while Princess Cruises cites “recent restrictions on cruise ships in Rockland” as the reason for changing the port of call, but Rockland voted in fall 2023 to raise limits and welcome more ships.
However, those new limits only permit one large ship (up to 3,000 guests) during each week in September and October. The 145,281-gross-ton, Royal-class Enchanted Princess still exceeds that limit with her capacity of 3,660 passengers.
No explanation has been offered for why Enchanted Princess will not be visiting Newport, but it may be due to sailing speeds and the additional distance to reach Eastport for the replacement visit.
Eastport is approximately 140 miles of sailing distance further northeast than Rockland, which would take an extra six hours of sailing at the ship’s typical speed of 25 miles per hour.
Newport, Rhode Island (Photo Credit: Yingna Cai)
As one further adjustment to the itinerary, Enchanted Princess has also changed the time she will be visiting Boston, Massachusetts. While the port of call visit will still be on Monday, September 2, the ship will now be in port from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. rather than 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Overall, the number of hours in port while visiting Boston remains unchanged.
This may mean, however, that travelers who have arranged private excursions may need to contact their tour providers to adapt to the new schedule. Tours arranged through Princess Cruises will be automatically adjusted or cancelled if necessary due to the itinerary changes.
Other Enchanted Princess Itinerary Changes
The itinerary change for Enchanted Princess‘s August 31 departure comes on the heels of several other changes for the ship’s autumn itineraries.
Autumn sailings to New England and the Canadian Maritime provinces are popular cruises, as guests have an amazing opportunity to see spectacular foliage and experience the wonderful culture and natural beauty of the region.
With more small communities imposing limits on the number of cruise ships or the total number of passengers who may be able to visit at once, however, these sailings may become more limited with fewer options for eager travelers.
Any cruise travelers with fall foliage sailings planned, no matter what cruise line, should stay in close communication with their line in case of itinerary adjustments, port cancellations, or other changes as these new restrictions come into more widespread practice.
Guests sailing aboard Princess Cruises’ Enchanted Princess during her fall 2024 deployment from New York will not be visiting all the planned ports of call. The cruise line has begun reaching out to booked guests to alert them to the change, as local visit restrictions are impacting multiple itineraries.
Because of local limits on cruise ship guests, Enchanted Princess is switching to a different port of call on the same date as planned on the original itineraries.
“Please be advised that due to restrictions affecting cruise ships in Bar Harbor, Maine, Enchanted Princess will no longer call to Bar Harbor,”the email notification read.“Instead, we will now call to Portland, Maine.”
Multiple itineraries are impacted by this change from late August through the end of October. The departure dates that had planned visits to Bar Harbor include the August 24, September 14, September 21, September 28, October 5, October 12, October 19, and October 26 sailings.
Guests booked on any of those 7-night cruises should stay alert to the possibility of itinerary changes and communication from the cruise line. At this time, the rest of the schedule and other ports of call – including Newport, Boston, Halifax, and on select dates, Saint John – are not affected.
This change will be disappointing to some guests, as one of the most popular attractions in Bar Harbor is the opportunity to visit the famed Acadia National Park with its natural beauty and scenic vistas.
Portland is located roughly 115 miles southwest of Bar Harbor, and the two communities are quite different. Bar Harbor, for example, is a resort town with a population of just over 5,000 residents. Portland, on the other hand, is the largest city in Maine with a population of nearly 70,000.
This means each port of call has very different experiences to offer visitors. Travelers will not be able to enjoy the same opportunities in Portland that they would have in Bar Harbor, though the city will offer its own variety of unique attractions and experiences.
If guests have already booked shore excursions for Bar Harbor through Princess Cruises, those tours will be automatically cancelled and refunds issued back to the original form of payment. New excursion options for Portland will be made available within the next two weeks so travelers can plan for their time in the city.
Bar Harbor Limiting Visits
These changes for Enchanted Princess come as Bar Harbor has sought to limit cruise ship visits in an effort to preserve the town’s unique character and avoid overcrowding.
Unfortunately, the limit of 1,000 passengers per day will drastically restrict which ships can call on the destination. The severe cap was upheld by the US District Court for the District of Maine in early March after challenges from local businesses, many of which rely on tourists during the brief autumn season.
Cruise Passengers in Bar Harbor (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks)
It should be noted that there are no limits in Bar Harbor that impact visitors arriving by automobiles, but the cap only applies to cruise ships.
The 145,281-gross-ton, Royal-class Enchanted Princess can welcome 3,660 passengers per sailing, and is also home to more than 1,300 international crew members. No ship in the Princess Cruises fleet has a capacity of under 1,000, meaning that no ship from the cruise line may be permitted to visit Bar Harbor.
Various ships from Norwegian Cruise Line and Holland America Line also have multiple visits to Bar Harbor planned for 2024, and may face similar itinerary changes.
American Cruise Lines also regularly visits Bar Harbor, but the small ships in the line fall well under the visitor cap for Bar Harbor, so their itineraries are unlikely to be impacted.
Similarly, other small luxury lines or expedition ships may likewise include Bar Harbor on various itineraries, and their smaller sizes can easily be accommodated under the new limitations.
Holland America Line has revealed its itineraries for two extended cruises set to sail in 2026. The Grand World Voyage on the Volendam and the Grand Australia and New Zealand Voyage on the Zaandam will each begin their journeys in January.
Volendam and Zaandam will both depart from the U.S. on the roundtrip voyages and feature a special meeting in Sydney, Australia, during their itineraries.
The Grand Australia and New Zealand Voyage will take travelers on a 93-day journey, exploring regions such as Hawaii, Fiji, and various South Pacific islands, alongside multiple stops in Australia and New Zealand. The itinerary promises extended port visits for a deeper exploration of the local cultures and landscapes.
Photo Courtesy: Holland America Line
Said Beth Bodensteiner, chief commercial officer for Holland America Line,“Our team crafted this itinerary to show guests the parts of Australia and New Zealand they expect to visit, but also included frequently asked for, but rarely visited, ports throughout Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.”
For the Grand World Voyage, guests can enjoy an expansive 132-day journey that touches all seven continents, with Bodensteiner adding, “Our Grand Voyages are renowned for connecting guests with the world’s most fascinating places while sailing roundtrip from the United States.”
Grand Voyages to Cover Global Destinations
The Grand World Voyage will depart on the 1,432-passenger Volendam from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on its 132-day roundtrip journey. Embarking on January 4, 2026, the cruise will cover 48 ports across 25 countries.
Highlights of the voyage on the nearly 62,000 gross ton ship include a four-day scenic cruise through Antarctica and a new and rare cruise through France’s Gironde Estuary, the largest estuary in Western Europe, to visit Bordeaux and its famous wine-producing area.
Conversely, the Grand Australia and New Zealand Voyage aboard the 1,432-passenger Zaandam offers a slightly shorter yet equally enhancing 93-day experience. Departing from San Diego, California, also on January 4, 2026, this cruise includes 44 ports in 10 countries across two continents.
Unique cruising experiences on the Down Under itinerary include two days of scenic cruising in the Great Barrier Reef and a mix of tropical and urban destinations with six overnight calls in Fremantle (Perth), Sydney, and Hobart, Australia; Auckland, New Zealand; Papeete; and Honolulu, Hawaii.
Volendam will also offer nine overnight stays on its voyage when it calls on Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Papeete, French Polynesia; Sydney, Australia; Male, Maldives; and Bali, Indonesia; Singapore; Safaga (Luxor) and Alexandria, Egypt; and Lisbon, Portugal.
Photo By: Prayitno (Creative Commons)
Volendam will also enjoy late-night departures in Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy; Oslo, Norway; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Colombo, Sri Lanka; and Moorea, French Polynesia.
The two ships will both be in Sydney together as Zaandam arrives on March 6 for its overnight call, and Volendam appears the following day for its overnight visit.
Additionally, passengers on the 61,396-gross-ton Zaandam will enjoy late-night departures in Adelaide, Australia, and the French Polynesian ports of Moorea, Raitea, and Huahine.
Each Grand Voyage will also be available for segment sailings. Volendam offers a 32-day segment from Fort Lauderdale to San Antonio (Santiago), Chile, and a 61-day segment from Fort Lauderdale to Sydney. Zaandam’s shorter segment is a 60-day sailing from San Diego to Sydney.
The Australia and New Zealand Grand Voyage starts at $17,699 per person for inside cabins, while the same cabin category for the Grand Voyage starts at$27,399 per person.
Antigua and Barbuda have reached a significant milestone in their tourism industry, welcoming the 500,000th cruise passenger of the year at St. John’s Harbour on May 9, 2024.
The historic event occurred in under five months, showcasing a rapid increase in cruise traffic compared to previous years.
Antigua Cruise Port’s Operation Manager Rawle Reynolds, highlighted the exceptional growth to the local media, saying, “In the years of being a cruise tourism destination, this is the first time at such a fast pace in the 4th month of the year that we’ve been able to reach 500,000 passengers at this time of the year.”
Heritage Quay, St. John, Antigua (Photo Credit: Dennis MacDonald)
Antigua Cruise Port in St. John’s Harbour already received 496,000 passengers on 255 ship calls as of May 5 when Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Beyond and Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Sky arrived on May 9. The two ships brought over 4,000 passengers, pushing the total number of visitors past the half-million mark.
Cynthia Jacobs Browne, officer-in-charge at Antigua Cruise Port, expressed her enthusiasm over the achievements, stating, “These numbers are extremely exciting for us. Every passenger represents an opportunity for a taxi driver, restauranteur, shop owner, or tour operator to promote the best of Antigua and to make a better living.”
She went on to say, “We are on track for a record-breaking year, and we could not be prouder of our team and our success at this point. Bookings for the summer season are also up, and we are on course to outperform last year’s numbers. We look forward to sharing more record-breaking news soon.”
Antigua Cruise followed its half-million passenger count with the May 10 arrival of NCL’s 2,402-passenger Norwegian Jade. Princess Cruises’ 3,080-passenger Emerald Princess will also arrive this month.
Antigua Sets Eyes on Historic Cruise Tourism Numbers
Antigua’s surge in cruise activity has brought in more than 105,000 more passengers and an increase of 42 calls compared to May 2023. It’s worth noting that Antigua welcomed just over 500,000 cruise passengers for the entirety of last year.
The port anticipates a record number of visitors by the end of 2024, with projections to welcome over 800,000 passengers through 309 regular port calls and 27 turnaround calls.
Antigua’s unprecedented growth includes homeporting P&O Cruises’ 5,200-passenger P&O Arvia, Scenic Group’s 100-passenger Emerald Sakara, Star Clippers’ 277-guest Royal Clipper two ships from the SeaDream Yacht Club fleet.
Photo Credit: Antigua Cruise Port
Also contributing to the growth is the opening of the port’s new $30-million Oasis-class berth, which allowed P&O Arvia to homeport on the island. The largest ship to call Antigua home, the Excel-class ship also brings 1,800 crew members to the nation.
Earlier this year, the Antiguian government also announced it would begin developing Rat Island, north of St. John’s cruise terminal, as an extension of the Antigua Cruise Port. Rat Island will welcome small cruise ships and yachts, leaving the port’s Heritage Quay for larger cruise vessels.
The twin-island nation is also considering adding an entertainment and dining hub on Rat Island, similar to its offerings at Heritage Quay.
Although the development of a $100-million beach club, in partnership with Royal Caribbean International, was announced before the pandemic, it is uncertain if the private destination resort will be back on track in the near future. The beach club would be constructed at Fort James and be similar to the new beach club Royal Caribbean is building in Nassau, Bahamas, adding to Antigua and Barbuda’s thriving cruise industry.
In anticipation of the 250th anniversary of America on July 4, 2026, Princess Cruises has unveiled its new “Historic America Cruisetour,” a 14-night journey that blends a comprehensive land tour with a scenic Canada and New England cruise.
The cruisetour, which kicks off in 2025 from New York City, offers cruisers an in-depth exploration of the United States’ foundational history.
The itinerary begins with a seven-night land tour featuring stops in the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C., Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, and Gettysburg and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Each destination has been chosen for its significant contributions to American history.
Photo Credit: Princess Cruises
Guests will then embark on the Enchanted Princess for a 7-day roundtrip cruise.
“Visiting our nation’s capital, nearby historic cities and landmarks always ranks high on travelers’ lists of places to visit in their lifetime,” said Terry Thornton, chief commercial officer at Princess Cruises.“We are making traveling to historic America easy, educational, and memorable with our knowledgeable and inspiring tour guides sharing the incredible stories of our country’s settlers, leaders, landmarks, and historic sites.”
The cruisetour includes hotel accommodations, motorcoach transportation, and most meals, alongside guided tours that highlight major historical sites.
Cruisetour Explores America’s Foundation
The Historic America cruisetour has 10 departure dates throughout August, September, and October 2025, beginning August 16 and ending with the last itinerary setting sail on October 18.
Guests will arrive in Washington, D.C., and explore its national monuments and museums, including an evening illumination tour of landmarks like the Lincoln and Vietnam War Memorials, with two full nights in a D.C.-area hotel.
The journey continues with visits to Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown Settlement in Virginia, home to the first permanent English settlement in North America. Travelers will enjoy dinner at a Colonial Williamsburg tavern, spend the night, and have a full day to enjoy the living-history Museum, which features costumed reenactors showcasing life in 18th-century Williamsburg.
Independence Hall, Philadelphia (Photo Credit: f11photo)
The tour also includes visits to Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello estate, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as Harpers Ferry National Historic Park in Virginia and the iconic Gettysburg Battlefield, offering insights into both the Revolutionary and Civil War eras.
Finally, the land tour ends in Philadelphia, where guests will spend a full day and night visiting the Liberty Bell, the Betsy Ross House, and other pivotal sites in the birthplace of American democracy, including Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776.
After completing the land tour, guests will travel to New York City and board the 141,000-gross-ton Enchanted Princess to sail along the picturesque coastlines of New England and Canada.
The 3,660-passenger cruise will call on Newport, Rhode Island, home to Gilded Age mansions and a vibrant waterfront; Boston, Massachusetts, which witnessed the start of the American Revolution; and Portland, Maine’s Old Port district.
The cruise also calls in Halifax, Nova Scotia, which became the refuge of Loyalists fleeing the newly independent American states.
Built in 2020 and launched in 2021 following the pandemic, the Enchanted Princess spends most of the year in the Caribbean, based in Fort Lauderdale, before relocating to New York City from August through October to visit New England and Canadian ports.
Its 2024 Canada and New England itineraries, as well as 7-night roundtrip voyages, stop in Newport, Boston, and Halifax and visit additional and varying ports, including Bar Harbor, Maine, and Saint John, New Brunswick. The 2025 cruisetour will be the first time the cruise will offer the extensive 7-night vacation package for these itineraries.
Crew members aboard Carnival Venezia smoothly handled an emergency situation that coincidentally happened during an emergency drill. The incident happened while the ship was docked in St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands on Friday, May 10.
St. Thomas was the first port of call on the ship’s current sailing, an 11-night Eastern Caribbean voyage from New York. Carnival Venezia departed the Big Apple on Monday, May 6.
It is common for crew safety drills to be conducted while a ship is in port and most guests are off the ship enjoying a new destination. This gives crew members plenty of room to work and ensure proper procedures are being followed, while being less confusing or disruptive for guests.
Fallen Carnival Crew Member Being Rescued
According to a report on Crew Center, the standard emergency drill was underway when a man overboard alert was called. A further announcement was made to clarify that this was not part of the drill, but was an actual emergency situation. A crew member had fallen overboard from Carnival Venezia‘s aft.
The ship’s rescue boat – a small, yellow craft that can be launched quickly and maneuvered easily – was immediately brought into service and sped to the crew member’s position in the water. He was easily taken aboard, and did not appear to have any severe injuries.
The crew member has not been identified, but was wearing a blue work jumpsuit and a bright yellow automatically inflating life vest that is easily visible in the water. Most likely, the crew member was working on the ship’s hull when he slipped and fell into the water.
Crew emergency drill turned into a real rescue operation after a crew member fell overboard from cruise ship.https://t.co/4LfpI0PP3w Video: Linda Spanky Warhaftig COPs Cruisers Opinion Page pic.twitter.com/tHFFohw0Kk
While cruise ships are docked, crew members often perform maintenance such as window or balcony washing, painting, and other tasks that are not possible to do while the vessel is at sea.
All emergency personnel responded swiftly to this unexpected incident, and carried out the rescue quickly and efficiently.
The brief emergency did not cause any disruption to Carnival Venezia‘s onboard activities, nor was the ship’s itinerary impacted in any way. After St. Thomas, the ship visited San Juan on Saturday, May 11, and still has calls to Amber Cove, Grand Turk, and Half Moon Cay on the itinerary before she will return to New York on Friday, May 17.
The 135,225-gross-ton Carnival Venezia can welcome 4,208 guests aboard for each sailing at double occupancy, or up to 5,260 travelers when fully booked. She is also home to over 1,200 international crew members.
Safety Drills for Guests and Crew
Cruise travelers are very familiar with the mandatory muster drill conducted on embarkation day on every sailing. Through brief presentations and online videos, guests are apprised of onboard safety procedures and must proceed to their muster stations to verify that they have checked in and understand the safety guidelines.
On most cruise lines, these e-muster drills are largely completed at guests’ convenience with individual muster check-ins. In years past, in-person muster drills were used, with large crowds of guests gathered at their muster stations while emergency information was read over the public address systems.
Carnival Venezia Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Mariusz Lopusiewicz)
At the moment, only Disney Cruise Line has returned to the in-person muster drills, which may be a more convenient option with young families. Because of the success of e-muster drills on other cruise lines, it is unlikely that in-person drills will become more widespread, though updates and changes are always possible.
Prior to a cruise ship departing its homeport, the safety signals (blasts on the horn) are sounded, and crew members report to their emergency duties for the brief drill. On ships using e-muster drills, guests do not participate at that time.
Cruise ship crew members also participate in other emergency drills every week. These may include simulations of different types of emergencies, tests of emergency equipment such as lowering lifeboats, and other essential tasks.
Frequent drills ensure that all crew members and guests onboard are familiar with any emergency procedures should they become necessary in a real life situation.
Cruises are supposed to be an opportunity for passengers to relax and unwind. But while these vacations offer a brief escape from reality, they don’t provide a break from other people.
With mega-cruise ships like Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seasable to accommodate up to 7,600 passengers at once, it’s simply inevitable that some personalities will clash.
In a Reddit forum dedicated to venting about “rude, demanding, entitled, memorable, or just plain odd” passengers, commenters have noticed a particularly high number of cruise ship Karens hanging out by the pool.
Cruise Ship Pool Loungers (Photo Credit: ODIN Daniel)
One anonymous poster shared that he and his wife decided to stay on the ship during a port call to relax by the pool. With fewer guests onboard, they were able to take advantage of “premium loungers” that were partially submerged in the shallow pool water.
It was a peaceful day until the poster got up to use the restroom. His wife and his things remained on his lounger, as he only intended to be away for a few minutes. But another lady saw this as her opportunity to swoop in and claim the spot for herself.
“I got up to go use the restroom and a lady jumped into my lounger and declared that I Ieft. All my stuff was sitting there along with my wife. I was maybe 10 feet away and came back to let her know I would be returning after I went to the bathroom. You would have thought I stole her puppy or something. Loudly complaining how it wasn’t fair, we had been there all day, blah blah blah,”wrote the poster.
The couple ended up staying as long as they possibly could, even beyond the length of time they intended to stay “just to listen to her complain.”
Apparently, those pool loungers are in extremely high demand, as one user witnessed an intoxicated woman urinate in her chair instead of getting up to use the bathroom because she didn’t want to risk losing her spot.
“I heard a person calling for staff and when I looked over I realized why. One drunk woman apparently didn’t want to get up and risk losing her chair so she decided to just lay there and urinate through her bathing suit and the chair, and the puddle was making its way to the pool,” wrote another user.
Luckily, crew members saw what was happening and were able to intervene. They cleaned up the mess, and after a struggle, had the woman removed by security.
Carnival Cracks Down On Lounge Chair Policy
While chair hogging has been an issue on many cruise lines, Carnival has had a particular problem with it. The 27-ship cruise line has been working harder to push its “chairing is caring” mindset and crack down on inconsiderate guests who claim prime poolside lounge chairs for hours without actually using them.
Beginning in February of 2024, the cruise line began placing extra emphasis on enforcing no chair saving rules through sticker notifications and time limits – although these rules have been in place for years. But now, designated “ChairShare” team members place stickers on empty chairs that contain unattended passenger belongings.
“We stopped by at _____ and found this chair empty,”the stickers read.“Hope you’re having a great time… but for the benefit of all we limit how long chairs can be left unattended. At _____ we’ll move your stuff to the towel hut for safekeeping.”
Chair Hog Carnival Enforcement
The crew members fill in the blanks with the time they found the “reserved” chair empty and the time in which the items would be removed.
This doesn’t mean guests can’t ever leave their lounges to use the restroom, quickly retrieve something from their cabin, grab a snack, or the like. It’s okay for passengers to step away for a few minutes. The policy is instead meant to prevent passengers from reserving chairs for extended time periods – or even the whole day – without actually using them.
A common practice, which goes against cruise ship etiquette, is for passengers to race up to the pool deck early in the morning to reserve the best available seats for themselves and their families, but not actually return to use them for a long time – which is unfair to other guests who would like a turn.
Ultimately, guests need to be respectful of other passengers while using the pool and go back to the old golden rules of “treat others how you want to be treated” and “sharing is caring.”
Additional pool etiquette to keep in mind is not letting food or drinks spill into the water, keeping an eye on children for their safety and to not disturb other cruisers, and save any nude sunbathing or skinny dipping habits for the privacy one’s own home.
St. Kitts, one of the two islands that make up the Caribbean nation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, is an enchanting destination that draws over one million tourists annually. With its natural island beauty, unique cultural heritage, and wide range of historical landmarks, it is no wonder that St. Kitts is one of the most popular ports of call for Eastern Caribbean itineraries.
We will provide cruise passengers with an in-depth breakdown of the St. Kitts Cruise Port, including its facilities, nearby attractions, and practical travel tips for getting the most out of their time on the island.
The main cruise port on the island of St. Kitts is strategically located in Basseterre, the nation’s capital city. The St. Kitts Cruise Port is known by its formal name – Port Zante. The port and its terminals are located right along the central coast of Basseterre, which is nestled along the island’s southeastern shore.
The exact address is as follows: 77RG PVQ, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevins
This convenient location allows cruise ships to pull directly alongside the city so their passengers can easily explore the heart of the capital city. Its vibrant mixture of Caribbean and Georgian Era architecture makes it the perfect location for culturally enriching exploration and adventure.
Number of Terminals and Piers
As mentioned, the island’s main cruise port is Port Zante, which has a single terminal. Until recently, the port operated around a single pier; however, at just over 1,000 feet in length and with a depth of 28 feet, this pier remains large enough to have two dedicated berths.
Aerial View of the Piers in St. Kitts (Photo Credit: Anthony Giarrusso)
It also means that Port Zante can welcome the world’s largest cruise ships, including Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class vessels. In 2019, the port was expanded to have a second pier, allowing four large cruise ships to dock directly in the port at any given time.
Port Zante’s cruise terminal is actually very impressive, with the entire port complex sprawling over 30 acres.
Port Facilities and Features
The port delivers a pleasant experience for visitors. The two piers offer many port-side services, including restaurants, duty-free shops, local vendor stalls, and a dedicated tourist information center.
A major food court even has a swimming pool that is open to visitors free of charge. The information center is located within the terminal facility, and you can also purchase excursion packages and tickets to local attractions here.
The port also offers free Wi-FI to visitors. Simply connect to the public hotspot, Port Zane FREE Wi-Fi, and you should have immediate internet access. This is a relatively rare feature of a Caribbean cruise port, so it is very welcome. If, for whatever reason, you have trouble connecting, you can also find free Wi-Fi at the Sweet Beach Bar & Restaurant, which is just outside of the terminal.
St. Kitts Cruise Terminal (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks)
The main terminal also has banking facilities, ATMs, public telephones, and plenty of well-maintained bathroom facilities. A steel band and street performers wearing colorful costumes welcome most visitors to the island.
This effort to make navigating the cruise terminal such a passenger-friendly experience reflects that tourism is a critical component of the country’s economy. In fact, tourism accounts for one-tenth of the country’s GDP, so it is no surprise that they invested a significant amount of public funds into developing the cruise port and its facilities.
Accessibility within the Port
Port Zante’s piers and terminal building were designed to welcome all passengers, making the entire port wheelchair-friendly.
Cruise Lines that Use the Port
As mentioned, Saint Kitts and Nevis is one of the more popular Caribbean Islands for cruise ships, so it is no surprise that many major cruise lines visit Port Zante.
Cruise Ships Docked in St. Kitts (Photo Credit: SKNIS)
Just some of the cruise lines that regularly visit include Royal Caribbean International, Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Celebrity Cruises, Virgin Voyages, Norwegian Cruise Line and Disney Cruise Line.
Port Zante’s berthing arrangements are incredibly well-organized, so multiple cruise ships can be seen coming and going at any given time. There are very few delays, which makes for a more enjoyable experience for visitors.
Options for Transportation
Visitors tend to use taxis to get from the port to the core of the city and the surrounding area. With a designated Taxi Terminal just outside Port Zante, exploring the city and surrounding attractions is straightforward and convenient.
To get a taxi, simply wait in the fast-moving line. Most taxi drivers offer flat rates to some of the city’s main attractions.
St. Kitts Port Area With Buses (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks)
Some of the larger cruise lines also offer complimentary shuttle services to popular attractions, providing an affordable and hassle-free way to explore the city. If this is the case, you will probably be informed by checking your cruise line’s app.
Traffic can be a little bit congested in Basseterre during peak tourist season, especially if you are looking to get to the downtown area. However, the taxi pickup zone within the port is very well-organized, so you shouldn’t have to wait long to get a cab, even with traffic.
Important Facts About St. Kitts and Nevis
Language
As a former British colony, English is the official language of St. Kitts and Nevis. This explains why it is one of the more popular destinations for Caribbean cruises.
Currency
The country’s official currency is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar, which is pegged to the US Dollar at a rate of roughly ECD 2.7 to USD 1. With that said, American currency is also widely accepted, but usually just in smaller denominations, so avoid bringing $50 and $100 bills.
Time Zone
St. Kitts and Nevis operate on Atlantic Standard Time (AST) throughout the year, meaning they do not observe daylight savings time. Instead, the entire country follows a set clock year-round.
Nearby Amenities and Attractions
One of the best things about visiting the port is that the city and its attractions are within reasonable walking distance. We recommend the following:
The National Museum of St. Kitts
National Museum of St. Kitts (Photo Credit: quiggyt4)
The museum is located just steps outside the port. Built in 1894, it is a former British treasury building. The historical structure displays exhibits that showcase the island’s culture, colonial history, and pre-empire indigenous past. Given that it can be walked to in under five minutes, it is always worth visiting.
St. Kitts and Nevis Independence Square
This compact park is just a 10-minute walk from the cruise terminal and centers around a 19th-century water feature. With shaded benches and eye-catching tropical gardens, it is a great place to sit back and get a feel for the city.
The park is also located a short distance from a traditional British red phone box, making you feel like you’re in a tropical version of London, England.
Port Zante Shopping
You don’t even have to leave the cruise port to enjoy an afternoon of shopping and eating. With the Pelican Shopping Mall built directly into the Port Zante area, plus a wide range of souvenir, duty-free, and jewelry stores, the port offers some of the city’s best shopping. Plus, there are ice cream shops, a bar, and several restaurants.
Shopping in Basseterre (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks)
Distance to Popular Attractions
If you have more time to explore the city and the surrounding area, plenty of amazing sights and attractions are within a relatively short taxi ride. The following are just some of the more popular options:
Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park
Brimstone Hill Fortress (Photo Credit: quiggyt4)
Located roughly 12 miles from Port Zante, this UNESCO World Heritage Site offers visitors an opportunity to explore a well-preserved 17th-century British military outpost. Not only is the colonial fortress worth exploring, but the surrounding area was granted national park status, and it provides stunning, panoramic views of the island’s coastline.
The St. Kitts Scenic Railway
Located less than two miles north of the port, the Scenic Railway allows visitors to take a three-hour round trip along a 20th-century railroad. The tracks follow the island’s coastline for roughly 30 miles, making it one of the easiest ways to see the island’s national beauty. Plus, the train is open-air, so you can really get a feel for the sights and sounds.
Historic Zone of Basseterre
Located just a short walk, the city of Basseterre is home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site of its own. The entire historic downtown core is incredibly well-preserved, with examples of French colonial architecture, as well as British architecture that followed English colonial rule. The area is located just a short cab ride from the cruise port, but it’s also possible to walk, as it’s only about a mile away.
Picadilly Circus Square in Basseterre (Photo Credit: EQRoy)
Take the opportunity to wander around and explore. There are plenty of shops and restaurants offering hand-made souvenirs and local dishes. Don’t forget your camera!
Seasonal Weather and Best Time to Visit
While St. Kitts and Nevis is a year-round tourist destination, weather conditions and average temperatures vary throughout the year. In general, most people consider the months between November and March to be the best time to visit. This is because temperatures are pleasant but not overly hot and humid. There is also a reduced risk of tropical storms during this time of year.
These ideal conditions also mean that the island is at its busiest with cruise traffic and other forms of tourism, so it can get slightly crowded. If you go during different times of the year, you can save some money and encounter fewer crowds.
View of St. Kitts (Photo Credit: Anthony Giarrusso)
Fall and Winter: Temperatures range from 75°F to 80°F, with relatively low humidity and a consistent breeze. This makes the fall and winter the ideal seasons to spend time outdoors sightseeing.
Spring and Summer: Temperatures tend to sit around 85°F, but humidity can make it feel warmer, especially in the mid-summer months. The likelihood of rain also increases substantially, especially between June and September, which also happens to be Hurricane Season.
Popular Beaches and the Distances from Port
Frigate Bay: Located roughly 4 miles from Port Zante, you’ll probably need a cab or shuttle bus to get to Frigate Bay, but it is one of the most popular beach destinations on the island. With its white sand, clear ocean waters, and a number of beachfront restaurants and bars, it’s the perfect place to spend an afternoon.
Frigate Bay (Photo Credit: Kevin Ruck)
South Friars Bay Beach: At 6 miles from the port, South Friars Bay Beach requires a slightly longer drive, but its tranquil atmosphere and notoriously calm waters are perfect for swimming and water sports. Whether you want to snorkel or enjoy a relaxing beach day, it’s worth visiting.
Cockleshell Bay: Although it’s an 8-mile taxi ride away, Cockleshell Bay offers visitors the opportunity to spend the day on a truly stunning beach. Not only is the white sand exactly what you want out of a Caribbean beach, but you can take in amazing views of the Caribbean Sea and even Nevis Peak in the distance. Since it’s a bit farther than the other tourist-friendly beaches, it has a quieter and more secluded atmosphere.
Visiting Nevis from Saint Kitts
As you may have guessed, Nevis is the second island that makes up the nation of Saint Kitts and Nevis. For those wanting to see more of the country, a regular ferry service offers a scenic and enjoyable ride across “The Narrows” gap that separates the two islands. The ferry takes about 45 minutes, and it leaves from the same port that cruise ships dock in, so the commute is really easy.
Welcome Sign at Port of Charlestown on Nevis Island (Photo Credit: Mystic Stock Photography)
If you do make it across to the sister island of Nevis, we recommend visiting the Alexander Hamilton Birthplace. Now a museum, this Georgian-era house is located in the center of Charleston, the capital of Nevis. History buffs will love the opportunity to learn about the interesting history of Alexander Hamilton and the island’s colonial past.
You can also spend the day on Pinney’s Beach, which offers the same crystal-clear waters, palm trees, and white sand as the beaches of St. Kitts but with smaller crowds. Nevis is also home to the Nevis Volcano, which gave the island its name. No longer active, this volcano and the lush forests that cover it make it a favorite for hiking enthusiasts.
Dining Around St. Kitts Cruise Port
Thanks to the booming tourist industry and the unique blend of cultures that have mingled throughout the island’s complex past, the country and its cities have amazing restaurant scenes.
While you can find some of the more recognizable American-owned chains, the real charm is the family-owned restaurants that serve up the authentic flavors and ingredients of St. Kitts and Nevis.
If you do want to take in some of the local cuisine, we recommend trying stewed saltfish, stewed goat, conch fritters, and pretty much any of the seafood restaurants. You can also find plenty of stands blending up fresh fruit smoothies. St. Kitts and Nevis also has plenty of its own rum distilleries, so make sure you sample some of the local stuff!
No Rush Bar at Port Zante (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks)
We have a soft spot for Four Ways Restaurant & Bar in Basseterre. The open-air seating is the perfect setting for trying some of the island’s most iconic dishes and cocktails. It’s also just a short walk from the port, but far enough that you won’t have to wait long to get a table.
If you’re looking for a few cold drinks and the opportunity to relax in a true St. Kitts gem, you can also visit places like Jabou’s Hideaway. Friendly locals and tourists alike frequent bars like this, providing a more authentic experience than you will get in the bars found within Port Zante itself. If you want to embrace the experience, don’t forget to sample the local rum and Caribbean beers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can you walk around St. Kitts from the cruise port?
Yes, the city of Basseterre is immediately outside of the cruise port, so you can easily walk into town for quick access to shops, restaurants, and attractions.
How far is the beach from St. Kitts cruise port?
Sea Glass Beach is the nearest beach to the cruise port, just under three miles away. However, most people travel slightly further to Frigate Bay Beach, which is much nicer and is located a short distance from Dolphin Discovery at St Kitts.
Is St. Kitts a tender port?
No, Port Zante functions primarily as a docked port, but tendering is possible at some of the island’s smaller ports. Typically, this is only done by some of the smaller cruise lines.
