The US Department of State has issued a Level 2 Travel Advisory for The Bahamas due to a recent increase in crime that may affect cruise guests.
The specific areas where heightened crime is noted are both Nassau and Freeport, and certain popular water activities are also listed as needing additional caution.
Travel Advisory for The Bahamas Due to Crime
A Level 2 Travel Advisory has been issued for visitors to The Bahamas due to crime and water activity safety. The advisory, updated by the US State Department on Friday, January 26, 2024, specifically lists New Providence (Nassau) and Grand Bahama (Freeport) islands as where the majority of crime occurs.
A Level 2 Travel Advisory is a guideline to “Exercise Increased Caution” if traveling to the destination. This is a sensible precaution for any traveler when visiting a foreign nation or unfamiliar region. The Bahamas has been listed at a Level 2 alert for more than a year, but the information is regularly updated to note more recent concerns.
“Violent crime, such as burglaries, armed robberies, and sexual assaults, occur in both tourist and non-tourist areas,”the advisory states.
Cruise Passengers in the Bahamas (Photo Credit: Wagner Santos de Almeida / Shutterstock)
A high homicide rate is also noted but is not common in non-tourist areas. The US Embassy in Nassau notes in a separate security alert issued on January 24 that 18 homicides have occurred in Nassau so far in 2024, at all hours of the day, but that such incidents are primarily retaliatory gang violence.
Travel Warning Includes Water Activities
Of special note in the travel advisory is the attention paid to water activities, including tours, use of recreational watercraft, swimming, and shark encounters.
“Activities involving commercial recreational watercraft, including water tours, are not consistently regulated. Watercraft may be poorly maintained, and some operators may not have safety certifications,”the advisory said.“Commercial watercraft operators have discretion to operate their vessels regardless of weather forecasts; injuries and fatalities have occurred.”
This is likely a reference to the unfortunate incident in November 2023 when a Blue Lagoon Island ferry sank after encountering rough waves, and one cruise passenger – an elderly woman – died. The exact circumstances of her death were not detailed, and cruise lines suspended offering the tours for several weeks until further safety protocols and inspections were completed.
Blue Lagoon Island has since reopened for tourists, but it is up to individual cruise lines whether or not to offer shore excursions for guests to purchase. Any visitors can purchase tours not offered through the cruise line if they prefer.
Nassau Cruise Port Upgrades
The advisory also noted that sharks have become a recent concern in The Bahamas, with injuries and fatalities in recent weeks.
“Be mindful of sharks when swimming and engaging in water activities, as there have been recent fatal and non-fatal incidents involving sharks,”the advisory reads.
A 10-year-old boy was bitten by a shark in mid-January while participating in an encounter experience through Blue Adventures by Stuart Cove, a tour operated through Atlantis Paradise Island Resort. This has prompted the temporary closure of the excursion offering. It should be noted, however, that the injured boy was not a cruise ship guest.
Travel Advisories to Other Popular Destinations
It is worthwhile to note that the US Department of State regularly issues travel advisories on popular cruise destinations around the world, with varying levels of precaution suggested.
Other destinations with Level 2 advisories include the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, the Turks and Caicos, the UK, and Belize. Level 3 advisories – “Reconsider Travel” – apply to destinations such as Honduras, Colombia, and Jamaica.
Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisories apply to extremely unstable regions, such as Russia, Ukraine, and Haiti – destinations that are rarely visited by cruise lines at this time.
Travelers should be aware that advisories are generally issued for an entire country, even if the crime or other instability is limited to a relatively small region.
Cruise lines are aware of these advisories and take every precaution to keep guests safe, including adjusting itineraries or changing port visits if a destination is considered extremely unstable.
It’s easy to stay up to date on the big cruise headlines with Cruise Hive, where we’ve got full coverage of all major developments. In this week’s update, read about Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Carnival Cruise Line.
Let’s get going with this week’s top cruise news stories from Cruise Hive, including Princess Cruises raising its internet rates big time, Norwegian Cruise Line possibly home-porting a ship in Jacksonville, Florida, the gala christening of Icon of the Seas, Carnival Cruise Line replacing a Dr. Seuss breakfast event, the cancellation of Sun Princess’ maiden voyage, and Norwegian Cruise Line deploying two ships to US homeports.
Cruise Line Hikes Internet Rates, Pushes Bundling
In what appears to be an effort to sell more bundled packages of onboard services, Princess Cruises is hiking the price of its internet plans — but only if a plan is bought independently of other packages, like dining or beverage plans.
In a notification to travel agents, Princess Cruises said guests buying a WiFi plan for one device will pay $24.99 per day, a hefty increase of 65% compared to the current cost of $14.99 per day. The cost increase for a four-device plan will rise to $44.99 per day, up from $39.99. The new rates took effect on pre-cruise purchases starting January 22, 2024.
The increased costs are designed to make it financially unwise to buy only an internet plan. Under the Princess Plus package, for instance, guests can pay about $60 per day for a plan that covers not only unlimited WiFi but also beverages, crew gratuities, specialty dining, room service, fitness classes, and other services and perks.
Any guest booked to sail who has already pre-paid for an internet plan will not be charged the new rates. Internet services onboard Princess Cruises’ ships, like most others in the industry, now use Starlink satellites from SpaceX, which provide much faster access than previous services.
Is a Norwegian Cruise Line Ship Bound For JAXPort?
It appears likely that Norwegian Cruise Line is looking at Jacksonville, Florida, as a potential homeport for one of its cruise ships.
Cruise insiders spotted a new landing page on the cruise line’s website, showing sailings from Jacksonville marked “Coming Soon.” Also, local media reports indicate that an official of the port, called JaxPort, recently told the port authority’s board that a cruise line is expressing interest in home-porting a ship.
JaxPort CEO Eric Green did not disclose the name of the interested line, but said it is not Carnival Cruise Line, which currently homeports its 2,190-guest Carnival Elation at Jacksonville.
Cruise Ship Docked in Jacksonville, Florida (Photo Credit: Ramunas Bruzas)
The ship sails 4- and 5-night cruises to the Bahamas year-round. Other blue-water cruise lines that sometimes call at Jacksonville include Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Crystal, and American Cruise Lines offers river cruises from Jacksonville.
The port, in northern Florida about 165 miles from Port Canaveral, could be a good departure port not only for Caribbean and Bahamas sailings but also Bermuda and even New England/Canada cruises.
There is a height limit for ships entering JaxPort, since the city’s Dames Point Bridge requires vessels to be under 180 feet from the water line in order to pass under it.
World’s Biggest Ship, Icon of the Seas, Is Christened
Able to accommodate 7,600 guests at full capacity, the 248,663-gross ton ship is the first of the line’s innovative Icon class. Her christening featured maritime traditions such as blessings from clergy, a bagpiper, and the singing of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” while adding some new elements, including videos of crew members talking about the ship and performances by the ship’s entertainment staff.
Icon of the Seas Naming
Royal Caribbean executives attended the event along with PortMiami and Miami-Dade County officials, plus representatives of the Meyer Turku shipyard that constructed the vessel.
The ship will depart on her inaugural voyage on January 27, 2024, sailing a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise calling at Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico, and Royal Caribbean’s private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Icon of the Seas will operate alternate 7-night Western and Eastern Caribbean voyages, with Eastern Caribbean cruises slated to call at St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, and Perfect Day at CocoCay. Port calls will depend on the departure date.
New Seuss Breakfast Event Begins Rolling Out
Carnival Cruise Line is saying good-bye to its Dr. Seuss Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast and hello to a new Seuss-inspired meal, the Thing 1 & 2 Birthday Breakfast. The swap has already rolled out on the line’s newest ship, Carnival Jubilee, and will be introduced fleet-wide through early May 2024.
For years the green eggs and ham event has been held once per cruise in each ship’s main dining room. The line charges $10 for adults and $8 for children, but fees for the new event will rise to $15 for adults and $10 for children.
Dr. Seuss Carnival Cruise Breakfast
Thing 1 & Thing 2 are characters from the Seuss book “The Cat in the Hat.” Breakfast foods on the new menu offer delights such as Who-Ville Red Velvet French Toast and a Who Roast Beast Omelet. A green eggs and ham platter also will be available.
The revamped breakfast event will debut on Carnival Cruise Line ships on various dates through May 7, 2024, when the final introduction will be made on Carnival Firenze. Some key roll-out dates include March 16 for Mardi Gras, March 17 for Carnival Celebration, April 5 for Carnival Venezia, and April 6 for Carnival Vista.
The Dr. Seuss Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast will continue to be offered on the ships until each vessel’s swap date.
The 10-night “Grand Mediterranean” cruise from Barcelona to Rome was to depart on February 8, 2024 and make port calls at Palma de Mallorca, Messina, Athens, Ephesus, Crete, and Naples.
Neither the shipyard nor the cruise line has offered a reason for the delay, but cruise watchers suggest that supply chain obstacles, labor shortages, or inspection issues could be among the challenges.
Sun Princess Under Construction (Photo Credit: Novikov Aleksey / Shutterstock)
So far, only the maiden voyage has been cancelled. The ship’s second scheduled voyage, a 10-day cruise roundtrip from Rome, is still slated to depart on February 18, 2024.
Guests booked on the maiden cruise will receive refunds of their cruise fare, port charges and taxes, and any pre-paid purchases such as dining or drink packages, excursions, spa treatments, and other similar services.
The cruise line is providing up to $200 per person toward flight cancellation or change fees, and is offering all booked guests a future cruise credit equal to 50% of their cruise fare. The credit must be put toward a new booking by November 30, 2024, for cruises departing no later than December 31, 2025.
With the shift, the cruise line will have a dozen ships plying Caribbean waters in fall 2024 and into winter 2025.
Citing strong demand for cruises to warm-weather destinations, the cruise line will homeport the 4,000-Norwegian Getaway and the 4,100-guest Norwegian Epic in New Orleans and Port Canaveral, respectively.
Starting on October 20, 2024, Norwegian Getaway will sail 7-night Western Caribbean cruises from the Big Easy with port calls at Harvest Caye, Belize; Roatan, Honduras; and Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico.
Norwegian Epic Cruise Ship in the Caribbean (Photo Credit: Wirestock Creators)
Norwegian Epic, sailing from Port Canaveral, will launch her series of cruises on October 30, 2024, offering multiple 7-day itineraries in the Caribbean and Bahamas. Port calls will vary by departure date, and will include Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas; St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; and George Town, Grand Cayman, among others.
The repositioning of Norwegian Getaway has resulted in the cancellation of seven Europe sailings. Booked guests have been informed and cruise fares are being refunded. The cruise line has not yet announced any cancellations of Norwegian Epic’s Europe sailings, but it appears at least three voyages will likely be impacted.
More Cruise Headlines
Ready for more? Cruise Hive has additional cruise industry new stories you won’t want to miss, such as Viking opening up all of its 2026 ocean voyages due to strong demand, Disney Cruise Line unveiling new outfits for Mickey and Minnie at its new private destination, luxury line Regent Seven Seas Cruises adding overnight stays in every port on six itineraries, and Fred. Olsen Cruise Line’s Bolette gearing up for her first world voyage in 2025. And don’t miss a special insight article about retiring on a cruise ship.
In a heart-wrenching incident, a Navy veteran and local nurse from Norfolk, Virginia, lost their lives in a motorcycle accident during an offshore excursion from their cruise ship, Norwegian Sky.
Vacation Turned Tragedy
A Norfolk, Virginia, couple’s dream vacation aboard the 2,000-passenger Norwegian Sky turned tragic with a fatal motorcycle accident in Cozumel. Robert Baker, 72, a respected Navy veteran, and Diane Baker, 62, a dedicated nurse at Sentara Lehigh Hospital in Norfolk, began their “5 Night Caribbean: Great Stirrup Cay & Cozumel” cruise from Miami on January 21, only to meet unforeseen tragedy.
Arriving on the island famed for its picturesque landscapes off Cancun on January 23, the couple seized the opportunity to explore the island on a rented motorcycle.
However, as reported by Norfolk news affiliate 10Wavy.com, while traveling along Cozumel’s Southern Coastal Highway, the Bakers’ motorcycle veered off the road, plunging both passengers and the vehicle into thick roadside vegetation.
Road in Cozumel, Mexico (Photo Credit: Javier Garcia)
The accident, which occurred during daylight, sadly went unnoticed for hours. It was not until Tuesday night that a passing motorist spotted the crashed motorcycle and the Bakers.
It is believed that the couple was in the process of returning the motorcycle to catch their cruise ship, which was scheduled to depart at 5 p.m., when the accident occurred. The exact time of the crash remains unknown.
The Risks of Vehicle Rentals in Foreign Locales
This incident adds to a growing list of accidents involving American tourists in Cozumel. Regrettably, another American, Terry “B,” described as being 55 to 60 years of age, lost his life in an ATV accident during a cruise ship excursion on the island on the very same day. The group was only about 1 kilometer into their ride when the event happened.
Similarly, in September 2023, a distressing incident occurred involving two American passengers from Carnival Paradise. During an excursion purchased separately from their cruise ship, Natalia and Ashley Ortega were involved in a serious scooter accident. Unfortunately, the ship left port unaware of their situation, leaving the passengers behind.
It was only after the ship’s departure that the sisters’ mother was contacted, informing her that her daughters had not returned to the ship. Subsequently, it was discovered that the women were receiving care for their injuries in a private hospital.
Photo Credit: PQK / Shutterstock
These incidents underscore the dangers associated with renting vehicles in unfamiliar territories, especially during vacation excursions. In fact, cruise lines, such as Carnival Cruise Line, strongly advise against renting motor vehicles from non-approved vendors in ports of call due to less stringent regulations compared to the U.S.
The variable conditions of vehicles and roads, coupled with relaxed enforcement of local traffic laws, significantly increase the risk of accidents.
Passengers are advised to assess their own experience and comfort level with different modes of transport. Moreover, wearing safety gear like helmets and protective clothing is important.
Navigating the Aftermath of Overseas Incidents
These incidents also regrettably highlight the complexities families face when dealing with accidents abroad. Sam Eisenhuth, the Bakers’ son, faced challenges in seeking information about his parents’ accident through the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City.
Similarly, the Ortega family was burdened with staggering medical bills, reportedly as high as $20,000.
The Bakers, remembered as active members of the Real Life Christian Church in Chesapeake, Virginia, will be honored in a Celebration of Life service on February 2 at 6:30 p.m. During this difficult time, our thoughts at Cruise Hive are with their family.
Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Cruise Terminal is celebrating the robust recovery it experienced in 2023, even though it reopened to international cruise ships far later than many other facilities in the post-pandemic era.
The terminal, located in the Kowloon City District, began welcoming cruise vessels on March 13, 2023, after China relaxed its pandemic rules.
Cruise Ship Arrivals in 2023 Reach 138
The Kai Tak Cruise Terminal in Hong Kong has issued a review of its cruise business in 2023, which got off to a late start but still welcomed 138 cruise ships. While many global ports reopened in 2021 and 2022, Kai Tak remained closed for three years, finally reopening in the first quarter of 2023.
Worldwide Cruise Terminals, based in Hong Kong, manages the Kai Tak facility. The Hong Kong Tourism Board in August 2023 had predicted the terminal would welcome 166 cruise ships, which would have been closer to the 218 that called in pre-pandemic 2019.
The ship, which previously operated as Explorer Dream for Dream Cruises and SuperStar Virgo for Star Cruises, sails multiple itineraries to Sanya, a beach resort on China’s Hainan Island.
“The return of international ship calls and a new homeport deployment marked a positive restart for both cruising and Hong Kong,” said Jeff Bent, managing director at Worldwide Cruise Terminals.
Cruise Ships Docked in Hong Kong (Photo Copyright: leungchopan)
“We were delighted to host cruise ships again for the first time in a year, and welcome international ship calls and visitors back for the first time in three years,” added Bent.
Bent said that the total ship calls in 2023 represented 75% of annual pre-pandemic levels, and enabled the terminal to retain 90% of the local market share of cruise passengers.
Terminal Improvements Geared to Boost Arrivals
Looking ahead to 2024, the terminal is expected to exceed its 2023 numbers and attract more cruise lines. Efforts have been made to improve transportation to and from the terminal, with a new Kai Tak metro station, a new road, high-speed rail, and more bus services that will ease access to downtown Hong Kong.
The transportation upgrades are expected to boost choices for pre- and post-cruise excursions in the city’s Greater Bay Area.
Efforts also focused on helping Hong Kong travel agents sell cruises locally. In November 2023, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) held a day-long selling seminar at the terminal, an educational event that attracted some 50 travel sellers.
Photo Credit: LO Kin-hei / Shutterstock
Led by Peter Kollar, CLIA’s head of international training and development, the seminar included a ship tour of Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Solstice, which was docked at the terminal.
Kai Tak Cruise Terminal also resumed holding activities and performances in 2023, such as sporting competitions, musical events, and a variety of commercial productions.
Major Cruise Lines Sending Ships to Kai Tak
With 2024 representing the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal’s first full year of operations since 2019, officials are upbeat about its prospects for attracting more cruise lines.
“The future for cruising is bright again, and we expect more calls by a wider variety of lines in 2024, including eight inaugural calls. Hong Kong has done much to improve the attractiveness and infrastructure for cruising over the last few years, with new attractions in the West Kowloon Cultural District,” said Managing Director Bent.
Resorts World One is slated to continue homeporting at Kai Tak until early May 2024. Other cruise ships scheduled to call at Kai Tak from February to April 2024 are Holland America Line’s Westerdam and Zuiderdam, Costa Cruises’ Costa Serena and Costa Deliziosa, Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Millennium, Cunard’s Queen Mary 2, and Royal Caribbean’s Spectrum of the Seas, among others.
The cruise terminal’s lighter summer schedule shows the planned arrival of MSC Cruises’ MCS Bellissima, and Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Spirit.
Alongside the news that two ships will be redeployed to offer more popular Caribbean itineraries, Norwegian Cruise Line has correspondingly cancelled a number of voyages for Norwegian Getaway to accommodate the ship’s repositioning.
Impacted guests are receiving some courtesy compensation and have the opportunity to rebook to alternate sailings as desired.
“Due to recent guest demand, we have made the decision to begin Norwegian Getaway’s Caribbean season earlier in the year, therefore canceling her originally scheduled sailings from September 29, 2024, through and including November 27, 2024,”the notification explained.
A total of seven sailings are impacted. The now-cancelled cruises were to have departed from four different eastern Mediterranean homeports – Piraeus (Athens), Istanbul, Trieste, and Civitavecchia (Rome), depending on sailing date. The first six cruises were all Mediterranean and Greek Island itineraries.
The last cancelled sailing, the November 27 departure, was to have been the ship’s 15-night transatlantic cruise from Rome to Miami, calling on Livorno, Marseille, Barcelona, and Ponta Delgada along the way.
That cancellation will be particularly disappointing to guests, as transatlantic cruises are often once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for eager travelers.
Photo Credit: lazyllama / Shutterstock
Norwegian Getaway is now scheduled to begin sailing from New Orleans from October 20, 2024, offering 7-night Western Caribbean itineraries.
The ship will still need to move from the eastern Mediterranean to New Orleans, which will include a transatlantic journey. Norwegian Cruise Line has not yet announced plans for the ship from September 29 through October 19, and it is possible there may be a new transatlantic cruise offered.
It is also possible the ship may enter a brief dry dock or other arrangement for refreshment and general maintenance before beginning her Caribbean season, in which case no new cruises may be planned for early October.
Compensation Offered
Norwegian Cruise Line is providing a full monetary refund for the now-cancelled cruises, which will be automatically returned to the original form of payment. Refund processing may take 30 businesses days, but times for individual financial institutions to complete the refunds may vary.
If travelers paid for their cruise with a future cruise credit, the credit will be returned, in full, to their Latitudes loyalty account. This will be done automatically and no further action is required.
Photo Credit: M-Production / Shutterstock
Furthermore, all guests will be receiving a 10% discount in the form of a future cruise credit as compensation for the inconvenience. These credits will be available for use beginning on February 1, 2024, and can be used toward any published sailing through December 31, 2024. It is unclear whether or not the sailing must embark by that date, or simply if the reservation must be made.
What About Norwegian Epic?
In addition to Norwegian Getaway‘s redeployment, Norwegian Epic is also being relocated early from the Mediterranean to Port Canaveral. No cancellations have yet been confirmed for this vessel, however, but such changes are likely to accommodate the scheduling shift.
Because Norwegian Epic is now scheduled to begin sailing from Port Canaveral on October 30, 2024, at least three of the ship’s later Mediterranean cruises will likely need to be cancelled – the October 17-29 voyage from Rome to Athens, the October 29-November 10 sailing from Athens to Rome, and the November 10-23 cruise from Rome to Port Canaveral.
These three cruises are unlikely to go forward as planned, as Norwegian Epic will need time to resupply and relocate to Port Canaveral before beginning her new 7-night Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries. It is also possible that additional sailings might be cancelled if any dry dock refurbishment might be included.
Guests booked on Norwegian Epic at the end of her Mediterranean season should stay in close communication with their travel agent or Norwegian Cruise Line to be updated immediately about any changes or options.
Norwegian Cruise Line is adding two more mega-ships to the roster of vessels it will send to the Caribbean from US ports during fall 2024 and into winter of 2025.
Responding to strong demand for warm-weather vacations at sea, the cruise line will reposition Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Epic following their 2024 summer season deployments in Europe.
New Voyages to Sail From New Orleans, Port Canaveral
Norwegian Cruise Line in February 2024 will open for sale two new series of Caribbean cruises aboard the 4,000-guest Norwegian Getaway, sailing from New Orleans, and the 4,100-guest Norwegian Epic, operating from Port Canaveral, Florida.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island destinations, Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas and Harvest Caye in Belize, are included on the ships’ itineraries.
Norwegian Getaway, a Breakaway-class ship that debuted in 2014, will launch her Western Caribbean series from New Orleans on October 20, 2024, offering 7-day cruises with port calls at Harvest Caye, Belize; Roatan, Honduras; and Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico.
Sailing from Port Canaveral, the world’s busiest port in terms of cruise arrivals, Norwegian Epic will begin sailing on October 30, 2024 and offer multiple 7-day itineraries in the Caribbean and Bahamas.
Depending on the departure date, port calls will include Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas; St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; Cozumel, Mexico; and Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.
Photo Credit: M-Production / Shutterstock
Norwegian Epic will replace Norwegian Jade, a smaller, 2,400-guest ship that will homeport at Port Canaveral for the summer season, from June through August 2024, before repositioning to Miami.
“The Caribbean continues to be a hotspot for our guests all around the world, especially during the fall and winter seasons,” said David J. Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line.
“We are constantly looking to provide our guests with the best vacation possible especially from accessible homeports, and it was a no-brainer to bring two of our largest ships to sail more picturesque, tropical cruises from New Orleans and Port Canaveral, Fla.,” Herrera added.
Ships Offer Adult-Only Areas, Water Thrill Rides And More
The 19-deck Norwegian Epic, an Epic-class ship that entered service in 2010, is one of the cruise line’s largest ships, at 155,873 gross tons, and was the first in the fleet to introduce The Haven, Norwegian Cruise Line’s luxury level stateroom category, and studio staterooms for solo cruisers.
The ship has 15 dining venues, 19 bars, the adult-only Posh Beach Club area, and the Aqua Park with the Epic Plunge thrill ride. Prior to her deployment to Port Canaveral, the ship will sail Italy and Greece cruises from Rome in summer 2024.
Norwegian Getaway is a 145,655-gross ton ship featuring Breakaway class amenities that include a full ropes course, the popular Aqua Park with multi-story waterslides, 40 restaurants and bars, and the Waterfront, a spacious walkway that offers ocean views. Before repositioning to New Orleans, she will sail a series of Greek Island and Turkey cruises from Athens.
The two ships join 10 other Norwegian Cruise Line ships that will sail the Caribbean during at least part of the fall 2024 and winter 2025 seasons. These include Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Pearl, and Norwegian Escape, all sailing from Miami.
Also, Norwegian Prima will sail from Galveston, Texas, Norwegian Viva from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Norwegian Jewel from Tampa, Florida. The cruise line operates 19 ships.
When the new cruises aboard Norwegian Epic and Norwegian Getaway open for sale in February, guests can book the line’s Free at Sea value-added fares, which cover beverages, WiFi access, and credits toward specialty dining venues and shore excursions. The promotion also includes free air for the second guest in a cabin, on certain voyages.
A new private island destination calls for a brand-new look! When the cruise line’s Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point opens later this year in Summer 2024, Mickey and Minnie Mouse will be there to greet guests in their best island fashion.
Disney Cruise Lines Unveils New Outfits For Mickey and Minnie Mouse
No visit to one of Disney’s private destinations would be complete without saying hello to the world’s most beloved mouse couple. When Mickey and Minnie greet guests on Disney’s newest island escape, Lighthouse Point, they’ll be doing so with a whole new look.
Just as Lighthouse Point was created with a relaxed Bahamian vibe in mind, Mickey and Minnie’s outfits were inspired by an important festival celebrated in the country.
Designed by acclaimed Bahamian fashion designer, Theodore Elyett, Minnie and Mickey’s looks pay homage to the festival of Junkanoo, a joyful celebration that takes place each December that consists of bright, vibrant colors, parades, and upbeat music.
Elyett grew up in the popular cruise port of Nassau, about a 4-hour boat ride away from Lighthouse Point, which is located on the island of Eleuthera. The designer first began working professionally in 1998, when he was only 13 years old, and was able to imbue Mickey and Minnie’s outfits with nods to Bahamian culture using his unique perspective as a local.
When Lighthouse Point opens in June of 2024, cruisers will be able to find Mickey and Minnie at Lighthouse Cay, where they will be greeting guests, taking pictures, and signing autographs.
In addition to visiting the mice of the hour, visitors will also be able to take in a special collection of colorful works created by local artists while on that part of the island.
More Details About Lighthouse Point
Lighthouse Point will be Disney Cruise Line’s second private island destination, after Castaway Cay, which is also located in the Bahamas about 73 miles north of Nassau.
Disney’s newest signature destination is intended to capture the magic of Bahamian hospitality, storytelling, and artistry, and designed to provide fun and relaxation for everyone.
The east side will have an expansive family beach, while the south-western side will have a more peaceful family beach, with 20 premium family cabanas that can be rented out on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Rendering Courtesy: Disney Cruise Line
There will also be a colorful, interactive water play area complete with two slides, water drums, fountains, and a toddler play area. For parents who want to spend some time alone as a couple, kids between the ages of 3 to 12 can be dropped off at a “Little Mermaid” themed kid’s club, where they will have fun under the supervision of trained Disney Cruise Line counselors.
Couples traveling solo or parents seeking a peaceful retreat can head to the dedicated adult-only beach, which will feature six private cabanas for rent and its own dining stations.
For travelers who prefer to relax on land, there will be plenty of beautiful nature to take in, a covered gaming pavilion, a volleyball court, and bicycle rentals available.
Carnival Cruise Line has sent notifications to guests booked on the January 27, 2024 departure of Carnival Paradise from Port Tampa Bay that there may be traffic congestion and street closures impacting how guests can reach the cruise terminal.
The potential congestion isn’t caused by a music festival, marathon, or road construction, but by a fleet of pirates invading the streets of Tampa for the Seminole Hard Rock Gasparilla Pirate Fest, a celebration that includes one of the largest parades held in the United States.
Pirate Festival May Cause Delays in Tampa
Carnival Cruise Line has reached out to guests setting sail this Saturday on Carnival Paradise that there may be more traffic than expected in the downtown area, which could impact how easily travelers are able to reach the cruise terminal.
“Port officials in Tampa have informed us that the city will be hosting the Gasparilla Pirate Festival on the day of your embarkation,”the notification explained.“Though the parade will not be held in the direct vicinity of the cruise terminal, there will be some street closures and heavier than normal traffic in some areas.”
Cruise guests are advised to add extra time to their travel plans to adjust for any potential delays as they make their way to the cruise terminal, as well as to check local traffic conditions in order to make route changes as necessary. Transfers purchased through Carnival Cruise Line may be adjusted to account for heavier-than-typical traffic as well.
Guests who plan to drive themselves to the port, who may have booked private transfer or shuttle services, or who will be using ride shares or taxis to reach the cruise terminal, will want to ensure their arrangements are adjusted to account for any delays.
At this time, there is no delay expected for Carnival Paradise to depart Port Tampa Bay, which is scheduled for 4 p.m. All guests must be on board the ship no later than the time printed on their boarding pass, typically 30 minutes prior to the ship’s departure.
Carnival Paradise Cruise Ship
The January 27 sailing of Carnival Paradise is a 5-night Western Caribbean cruise, with visits to Roatan, Honduras and Cozumel, Mexico, with two days at sea for guests to enjoy everything the 71,925-gross-ton, Fantasy-class ship offers. Carnival Paradise can welcome 2,124 passengers aboard at double occupancy, or up to 2,697 travelers when fully booked.
In addition to Carnival Paradise, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Jade as well as Royal Caribbean International’s Enchantment of the Seas will also be at Port Tampa Bay on January 27. Together, the three ships are bringing as many as 15,000 guests or more to downtown Tampa that day, when both debarking and embarking guests are considered.
One key element of the annual festival is the parade, which features roughly 140 floats, marching bands, social organizations, and other participants, making it one of the largest annual parades held in the United States.
Photo Credit: Leonard Zhukovsky / Shutterstock
The full parade route stretches approximately 4.5 miles from Bay to Bay, down Bayshore Boulevard to Brorein Street, turning onto Ashley Drive and ending at Cass Street, just 1.5 miles from Cruise Terminal 3, where Carnival Paradise docks. The parade begins at 2 p.m., but crowds are sure to gather for prime viewing spots hours earlier.
Other festivities for the event include a special brunch before the Gasparilla Invasion as a flotilla of pirates arrives and a full schedule of live music and other entertainment from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Winter events are popular in Florida. In homeport cities, such events can often cause traffic congestion and other logistical concerns that may impact cruises. The day after the pirate festival in Tampa, the Miami Marathon will be impacting three Carnival ships and other vessels at PortMiami on a very busy cruise travel day.
Cruise travel to Norway is skyrocketing as more travelers seek stunning scenery in northern regions, and the Scandinavian country is proving to be a very popular destination indeed.
Both cruise calls and overall passenger numbers have surpassed previous records and are increasing much faster than even the most optimistic projections, with another record-breaking year expected for Norway cruises in 2024.
Steady Increases in Cruise Travel to Norway
Cruise travel has been steadily rising in Norway, with a total of more than 6.1 million cruise guests visiting the Scandinavian nation bordering both the Norwegian Sea and the North Sea in 2023.
According to the Norwegian Coastal Administration, overall cruise traffic in 2023 doubled compared to 2016, and is significantly higher than in 2022. A total of 3,943 cruise port visits were recorded, with Alesund and Bergen the most visited destinations. Both are on the country’s southwestern coast.
Alesund saw 654,625 cruise guests visit during the year, up from 237,000 guests in 2022 – a mind-boggling 176% increase. Bergen welcomed 609,756 passengers, a 67% increase compared to visitors in 2022.
Growth has also been seen at other Norway ports of call. In 2016, only four total ports were visited by more than 200,000 cruise guests, while in 2023, ten ports surpassed that number.
The increase is credited not only to larger ships, but also to ensuring each port of call offers something unique for guests to explore, encouraging more diverse cruise itineraries and more frequent visits.
“The figures for 2023 reflect that cruise ships have become larger and can take more passengers on board compared to before the pandemic,”explained Harald Borgø, senior adviser at the Norwegian Coastal Administration.“In addition, Cruise Norway and the cruise ports have worked on further development of the destinations.”
Surprisingly Popular Winter Destination
One of the most surprising facets of cruise travel to Norway is that winter sailings are on the rise. Traditionally, Norway cruises from May through September – including the “shoulder seasons” in spring and fall – are most popular, but more cruise lines are offering winter itineraries to ensure port availability and unique experiences.
Despite the increased risk of winter sailings due to strong storms and ice, the season is popular for viewings of the famed Northern Lights, and cruise lines are encouraged to take extra precautions to ensure safe sailings.
Cruise Ships in Olden, Norway (Photo Credit: Drew Rawcliffe)
“We are concerned that the cruise industry understands and takes into account the increased risk and the operational challenges this can cause, and emphasizes a close and structured dialogue with the industry,”said Arve Dimmen, director of navigation technology and maritime services at the Norwegian Coastal Administration.
Also contributing to the higher number of visitors is that larger ships are now visiting Norway, particularly from Royal Caribbean International and MSC Cruises. These large vessels can bring 5,000 or more cruise guests to a port in a single day, depending on the ship’s overall capacity and how fully it may be booked for any individual sailing.
Even Higher Numbers Expected for 2024
Building on the momentum already established for more cruises to Norway, as well as continued increased interest in cruise travel to unique destinations, the Norwegian Coastal Administration is estimating further increases for 2024.
An additional 4% increase in overall cruise calls is expected, which would bring an additional 157 cruise ship visits to Norwegian ports of call. Similarly, a 6% increase in total cruise guests is predicted, which would mean a total of more than 6.46 million passengers visiting Norwegian ports of call throughout 2024.
In 2024, mainstream cruise lines, luxury lines, and expedition ships are all scheduled to visit Norway on a variety of itineraries and sailing lengths.
Ships from AIDA Cruises, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, MSC Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Hurtigruten Cruises, Costa Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, Silversea Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Windstar Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, and more lines already have visits planned in the coming months.
