Carnival Cruise Line is adding fresh, warm donuts as a breakfast specialty treat but with extra charges.
Four donuts plus beignets and churros are on the menu, ranging from $2-7 depending on the order.
The new menu is planned to be rolled out to all Carnival ships but with no timeline for its debut fleetwide.
Specialty dining is wildly popular aboard cruise ships, with restaurants offering elevated dinners from classic steakhouse venues to energetic hibachi experiences. But what about breakfast?
For most cruisers, a trip to the breakfast buffet (that’s where you’ll find me!) or a more relaxed breakfast or brunch in the dining room starts the typical morning. Carnival Cruise Line, however, has just announced a new option: donuts and beignets.
John Heald, the cruise line’s brand ambassador, teased about the tempting treat with a Facebook post.
“Coming to your cruise very soon,”he said, sharing the menu for the breakfast delights.
The menu includes four types of donuts, “Made to order & served warm!” Cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar, Boston cream, and glazed are the options.
The “Light, fluffy, and featuring New Orleans flavor” beignets come with three dipping sauces: powdered sugar, strawberry sauce, and chocolate sauce.
The menu is rounded out by “Freshly fried golden churros rolled in cinnamon sugar.”
Guests can also opt for a “Breakfast Combo” of two donuts and four beignets. For the combo, guests choose which flavors and sauces they prefer.
There is a twist with these sweet treats, however. Unlike the included breakfast danishes, muffins, and croissants at the buffet or on the dining room menu, the donuts, beignets, and churros have an extra cost.
The donuts are two for $4 or five for $8, while the beignets are a very reasonable four for $3.50. Guests can enjoy five churros for $3 or double up with 10 churros for just $5. The breakfast combo of donuts and beignets is $7.
It is unknown whether or not a gratuity or service fee will be added to the menu prices as well. Typically, and 18-20% fee is added to these types of premium selections.
Carnival Cruise Line Breakfast Treats
While these prices are indeed very reasonable, the fact that there is an extra charge is not sitting well with all Carnival guests.
“Adding a simple food like doughnuts but charging for them is not a good look,”one guest commented.
“I understand specialty restaurants and even charging for some of the better steaks at dinner. But don’t start nickel and diming us at breakfast.”
“[You’re] telling me that I paid almost $3,000.00 for a cruise, and I have to pay extra for donuts?!”another guest exclaimed.“I don’t mind paying extra for steakhouse and drinks, but freakin donuts?!”
To be fair, beignets have always been a staple at the Emeril’s restaurants onboard Carnival’s Excel-class ships, Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee. In those locations, they have always been an extra charge.
Guests have also been able to order beignets at the Main Dining Room for breakfast, also with an extra cost.
I’ve enjoyed Emeril’s beignets several times, and the light, fluffy fried dough (warm but not greasy) is well worthwhile. I’m not as thrilled with the dipping sauces, but to each their own.
Heald did not indicate when the fresh donuts would be available fleetwide, but he did confirm they will be coming to all Carnival ships.
He is also going to follow up and see whether or not sugar-free options may be available in the coming weeks.
Not All Snacks Are Free
The coming-soon donuts are not the only small bites that come with an extra fee during Carnival cruises. If guests want popcorn to enjoy during the Seaside Theater movies, for example, they have to pay $4 for each small box.
Candy from the Cherry on Top store, chocolate-covered strawberries from room service, and deluxe pastries from the coffee bar also have extra charges.
Other cruise lines also charge for certain snacks, regardless of the time of day. Premium treats, such as exclusive gelato offerings or gourmet chocolates, often have a nominal charge.
Not all snacks have fees, however. On Carnival ships, guests can enjoy soft serve ice cream and frozen yogurt from Swirls, slices of pizza, and all sorts of desserts from the Lido Marketplace buffet without any cost when the venues are open.
Perhaps if the donuts were more elaborate, the cost wouldn’t seem outrageous. I’d happily pay for a maple-glazed donut topped with crumbled bacon and brown sugar drizzle, but probably not for just a standard glazed or powdered sugar donut. How about you?
Carnival Cruise Line will reposition Carnival Firenze from Long Beach, California, to Miami in early 2027 via a circumnavigation of South America.
The Italian-style ship will sail three Carnival Journeys voyages as she sails around Cape Horn and north to PortMiami for a seasonal deployment.
In summer 2027, Carnival Firenze will reposition to New York for a series of summer cruises that have not yet been detailed by the line.
Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Firenze circumnavigated South America when she first joined the fleet in 2024, as the former Costa Cruises’ ship sailed from Europe to her North American homeport, Long Beach, California.
In 2027, she will do a reverse set of South America voyages, this time rounding Cape Horn and heading north, all the way to Miami, where she will homeport on a seasonal basis starting in early 2027.
It will be the first time that Carnival Firenze will be based on the US East Coast, offering her Carnival Fun Italian Style cruise experience on a series of Caribbean voyages. The East Coast trend will continue into summer 2027, when the ship deploys to New York for summer 2027.
Cruise watchers will recall that Costa Firenze became Carnival Firenze a year after Costa Venezia became Carnival Venezia, as both ships were transferred from Costa to sister brand Carnival, allowing Carnival to expand its fleet with Italian flair.
The decor aboard Carnival Firenze was inspired by the Italian city of Florence, while Carnival Venezia sported designs evocative of Venice. Both ships underwent renovations to create Carnival’s signature venues, but with an Italian twist — even Guy’s Burger Joint introduced an Italian-style burger.
Both ships accommodate 4,100 guests in double occupancy.
Carnival Firenze’s three upcoming South America voyages are all Carnival Journeys cruises, which are typically longer itineraries featuring less-visited destinations and offering special onboard activities.
“The South America journeys we’ve opened today truly stand out even among our already impressive lineup of Carnival Journeys cruises that combine our signature fun with spectacular longer itineraries,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.
Let’s dive into these Carnival Journeys. The first is a 15-day segment that features the ship’s final departure from Long Beach. Set to depart on January 4, 2027, Carnival Firenze will call at ports in Mexico, Ecuador, and Peru before ending in Santiago, Chile.
Carnival Firenze Cruise Ship
Continuing south and rounding Cape Horn, the ship will then begin a 14-day cruise on January 19, 2027, sailing from Santiago to Buenos Aires, Argentina. The ship will cruise the Darwin Channel and through the Chilean Fjords before calling at Ushuaia and Puerto Madryn, Argentina, and Montevideo, Uruguay.
The final leg is a 16-day sailing that departs Buenos Aires on February 2, 2027 and calls at several ports in Brazil, including Rio de Janeiro during Brazilian Carnival. The ship will visit Grenada, Martinique, and St. Maarten before concluding in her new homeport of Miami.
Winter Series From Miami Includes Carnival Journeys Voyages
A series of Caribbean cruises from 4 to 13 days aboard Carnival Firenze will follow her South America voyages, including 10- to 13-day Carnival Journeys voyages to the Southern Caribbean.
A 4-day Bahamas cruise, for instance, will visit the line’s two private destinations, RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay and Celebration Key, while 7-day itineraries will call at ports in Mexico, Honduras, Belize, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and the USVI.
The ship will remain in PortMiami through early May 2027, when she repositions to New York for summer cruises. Itineraries have not yet been revealed.
Carnival Venezia has been spending her summers in New York since she joined the fleet in 2023. Will Carnival Cruise Line have two ships sailing from the Big Apple in summer 2027? Stay tuned to Cruise Hive to find out.
Carnival Cruise Line is one of the largest cruise lines in the world, so to keep track of its growing fleet, I’ve decided to organize all the Carnival ships by size. And trust me, they are getting bigger!
I’ve listed all the current 29 Carnival ships in size order by gross tonnage, starting with the largest at over 180,000 gross tons and ending with the smallest in the fleet at 70,367 gross tons. There are also some enticing future cruise ships to look forward to, including Carnival Festivale, Carnival Tropicale, and the much-anticipated Project Ace class.
So, without any further delay, let’s take all of the largest to the smallest cruise ships in the Carnival fleet!
Project Ace is going to be just huge! For the first time, Carnival will rival Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises in ship size, with three ships that will be at 230,000 gross tons each. They will be the largest and most advanced Carnival ships ever constructed and will no doubt bring new features to the fleet.
They will arrive in 2020, 20231 and 2033, respectively. All will be constructed by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri. The Project Avce ships will also have a maximum guest capacity of 8,000 each and over 3,000 staterooms.
In April 2025, Carnival Cruise Line announced two new Excel-class cruise ships that would evolve the class even further by having slightly different features, such as the Sunsation Point water park rather than a BOLT roller coaster.
Carnival Festivale will arrive in Spring 2027 and will likely have a slightly larger tonnage than previous ships in the class, which is usually the case with new vessels. The new ship will have 1,000 interconnecting rooms, which is almost 70% more than the older ships in the class.
Carnival Tropical will be very similar to the Carnival Festivale and will be completed a year later in Spring 2028. Both ships are being constructed at the popular Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany.
If you’re an avid follower of the cruise industry, you’ll no doubt know that Carnival Jubilee joined the fleet in December 2023 and was even voted the best new cruise ship of that year. The ship celebrated its naming ceremony with godmother Gwen Stefani in February 2024.
The third Excel class vessel follows the same design and features as her sister ships and the biggest Carnival cruise ship, with a few adjustments. There are two new themed zones, including The Currents, which spans Deck 6 and Deck 7, and The Shores zone, which also features venues Coastal Slice, Marina Bar, Rudi’s Seagrill, and Cucina del Capitano.At the moment, C
The ship is the second in the Excel class and is currently the second-largest Carnival ship in the fleet. Just like Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration was also constructed at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland and LNG-powered, which debuted in November 2022.
This vessel is one of the biggest in the fleet and features a total of six themed zones, including Celebration Central, Summer Landing, 820 Biscayne, The Gateway, Lido, and The Ultimate Playground. The ship also features a roller coaster and the same dining venues found on Mardi Gras.
Carnival Mardi Gras (180,000 Gross Tons)
Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz
Gross Tonnage: 180,800
Guest Capacity: 5,282
Crew Capacity: 1,735
Length: 1,130 Feet
This is the first Excel class cruise ship in the fleet and the first in the fleet powered by Liquified Natural Gas (LNG). The large new vessel introduced several new features and venues, including the first-ever BOLT Roller Coaster, Emeril’s Bistro, Rudi’s Seagrill, Street Eats, Fortune Teller Bar, and more.
Mardi Gras has six different zones for passengers to enjoy, including Grand Central, French Quarter, Summer Landing, La Piazza, Lido, and The Ultimate Playground.
Mardi Gras was the first to be constructed in Finland since the Spirit class ships. The ship has started a new era of design for the cruise line and sets the standard for the following sister ships in the same class.
Carnival Venezia (135,225 Gross Tons)
Carnival Venezia Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Mariusz Lopusiewicz / Shutterstock)
Gross Tonnage: 135,225
Guest Capacity: 4,090
Crew Capacity: 1,424
Length: 1,061 Feet
The Carnival cruise ship is just slightly larger than the Vista-class vessels and is the first in the fleet that offers Italian-style cruising.
Carnival Venezia was transferred from sister brand Costa Cruises in March 2023 and debuted in New York City in June 2023, after a dry dock transformation in Cadiz, Spain. The ship has stunning decor that’s all Italian-inspired and very different from your typical Carnival fun ship interior.
Carnival Firenze (135,156 Gross Tons)
Carnival Firenze Cruise Ship Docked in Long Beach
Gross Tonnage: 135,156
Guest Capacity: 4,126
Crew Capacity: 1,425
Length: 1,061 Feet
Carnival Firenze is almost identical to sister ship Carnival Venezia, both offering an Italian-inspired cruising experience for the US market. Carnival Firenze comes in at 135,156 gross tons following its huge transformation during a dry dock in Cadiz, Spain, in Spring 2024.
The final Vista-class ship joined the fleet in December 2019 and is the first new Carnival cruise ship in 20 years to be based on the U.S. West Coast. She features the first Sky Zone Trampoline Park at Sea, which replaced the IMAX Theater found on sister ships Carnival Vista and Carnival Horizon.
Carnival Panorama is based on the U.S. West Coast, sailing week-long Mexican Riviera cruises, including calls to Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta.
Carnival Horizon (133,500 Gross Tons)
Photo Copyright: Tony Davis
Gross Tonnage: 133,500
Guest Capacity: 3,960
Length: 1,055 Feet
The vessel is the second Vista-class ship and the largest in the fleet until Carnival Panorama arrived. Although she offers many of the same features, Carnival Horizon has a slightly larger guest capacity than its sister ship, Carnival Vista.
The first in her class, Carnival Vista, brought brand new features to the Carnival fleet and entered service in Spring 2016. The ship was the first to introduce SkyRide, a big ride-like experience located on the open deck at the very top of the ship. The ship also has its own onboard brewery with exclusive tastes just for those cruising on the ship.
Carnival Breeze (130,000 Gross Tons)
Photo Copyright: Melissa Mayntz / Cruise Hive
Gross Tonnage: 130,000
Guest Capacity: 3,690
Length: 1,004 Feet
The last ship in the Dream class started sailing for Carnival Cruise Line in 2012. Carnival Breeze was the flagship for a while as there wasn’t a new ship until Carnival Vista arrived in 2016.
The ship has some really good features, and during dry docks, a new Alchemy Bar and Guy’s Pig & Anchor BBQ have been added. Carnival Breeze was built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy and debuted on March 6, 2012.
The vessel is the second Dream-class vessel built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy. She debuted on May 1, 2011, the same year all the new FUN 2.0 upgrades were introduced.
This is where the Dream class all started, which is an evolution of the popular Conquest-class ships. Carnival Dream changed the layout compared to ships before her and had a distinct red theme throughout. However, she no longer holds the top spot among Carnival ships by size.
All the latest FUN features were added during a 217 dry dock. Carnival Dream debuted on September 21, 2009, and was built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy.
It’s kind of an odd ship and the only one of her class in the fleet. However, sister cruise line Costa Cruises does have an identical Splendor class ship. Splendor was built at the Fincantieri Genoa shipyard and sailed her maiden cruise on July 2, 2008.
The ship spent a season sailing the Baltic, which is very rare for Carnival. Since the end of 2019, the ship has been based in Australia.
Carnival Freedom (110,000 Gross Tons)
Carnival Freedom In Port Canaveral (Credit: Port Canaveral)
Gross Tonnage: 110,000
Guest Capacity: 2,980
Length: 952 Feet
The ship is the final Conquest class cruise ship, which has proved extremely popular for the cruise line. Like many ships in the fleet, Carnival Freedom was built by Fincantieri and cost $500 Million.
She departed on her maiden voyage on March 14, 2007. Even though she’s not among the largest Carnival ships by size, she ends a final class and still offers a great cruising experience for all.
Carnival Liberty (110,000 Gross Tons)
Carnival Liberty Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Ron Cogswell / Creative Commons)
Gross Tonnage: 110,000
Guest Capacity: 2,974
Length: 952 Feet
The ship was the first in the fleet to receive all the FUN 2.0 upgrades during a huge refurbishment in 2011. Updates included the hugely popular Guy’s Burger Joint, which has since become an important food venue across the fleet. Carnival Liberty’s inaugural cruise departed on July 20, 2005.
Carnival Valor (110,000 Gross Tons)
Photo Credit: James Andrews1 / Shutterstock
Gross Tonnage: 110,000
Guest Capacity: 2,980
Length: 952 Feet
Carnival Valor is the third in the Conquest class. When it comes to Carnival ships by size, she may not be at the top of the list, but she continues to offer a large ship experience and expand the cruise line even further. The ship received all the latest FUN 2.0 onboard features during a huge dry dock in 2016.
Carnival Glory (110,000 Gross Tons)
Carnival Glory
Gross Tonnage: 110,000
Guest Capacity: 2,980
Length: 952 Feet
Glory was another large ship for Carnival Cruise Line at the time, but now, this tonnage would not be considered the biggest. Like her sister ships, Carnival Glory was built in Italy and set off on her inaugural sailing on July 14, 2003. The ship had a fairly recent refurbishment in 2022, so it is up to date.
The very first Conquest-class ship, Carnival Conquest, was built by Fincantieri in Italy and departed on her inaugural cruise on November 15, 2002. It started a new era for the cruise line and a new shipbuilding boom.
The Carnival ship was one of the early ships to receive all the FUN 2.0 upgrades in 2012. The most recent updates were in 2017, so the ship is all updated with the latest that the cruise line has on offer.
Carnival Encounter (108,856 Gross Tons)
Carnival Encounter
Gross Tonnage: 108,856
Passenger Capacity: 2,600
Crew Capacity: 1,100
Length: 290 Meters
Carnival Encounter adds some handy capacity to the Carnival fleet after being transferee from the now disbanded P&O Australia in March 2025. The vessel offers slightly different features than regular Carnival ships and still operates in Australia.
Carnival Adventure also joined the fleet from P&O Australia, just like its sister ship, Carnival Encounter. The vessel is not among the largest ships in the fleet, but it offers a unique design that originally comes from Princess Cruises’ Grand class.
Carnival Sunshine (102,853 Gross Tons)
Carnival Sunshine in Charleston
Gross Tonnage: 102,853
Guest Capacity: 3,002
Length: 892 Feet
Formerly known as the Carnival Destiny, the ship was completely overhauled in a huge dry dock in 2013 and renamed Carnival Sunshine to become a Sunshine class cruise ship.
Under the new name, the inaugural sailing departed on May 5, 2013. The transformation cost $155 million and added a ton of new features and upgrades.
Carnival Sunrise (101,509 Gross Tons)
Carnival Sunrise Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Andres Felipe Perez / Shutterstock)
Gross Tonnage: 101,509
Guest Capacity: 2,984
Length: 893 Feet
The vessel became a reality in 2019 when the ship was completely transformed from the Carnival Triumph into the new Carnival Sunrise. The $200 million dry dock took place in Cadiz, Spain and the inaugural sailing departed on April 29, 2019.
Carnival Radiance (101,509 Gross Tons)
Radiance Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Felipe Sanchez / Shutterstock)
Gross Tonnage: 101,509
Guest Capacity: 2,764
Length: 893 feet
Carnival Victory is in the same class as Carnival Triumph and just smaller than the popular Conquest class ships. The ship was built by Fincantieri in Italy and cost $430 million.
A major refurbishment was completed in Spring 2018, where all the latest FUN 2.0 upgrades were added along with newly added cabins, and she was renamed Carnival Radiance.
Carnival Luminosa (92,720 Gross Tons)
Carnival Luminosa (Photo Credit: Ian Dewar Photography / Shutterstock)
Gross Tonnage: 92,720
Guest Capacity: 2,260
Crew Capacity: 926
Passenger Decks: 12
Length: 964 feet
Beam: 106 feet
Max Draft: 26 feet
The Carnival vessel is also a Spirit-class cruise ship, but slightly larger. In September 2022, Carnival Luminosa was transferred to the Carnival Cruise Line fleet from sister brand Costa Cruises.
Even though she is now part of the fleet, there are still Italian-inspired venues onboard, and you won’t find popular venues like Guy’s Burger Joint.
The final Spirit-class vessel entered service in 2004. Unlike many other ships in the fleet, the Carnival Miracle was built at the Kvaerner-Masa Yards in Helsinki, Finland. The Fantasy-class ships were also built here. The ship has 12 passenger decks and can fit through the Panama Canal.
Another Spirit-class Carnival ship, the Carnival Legend, has sailed everywhere, including Australia and Alaska. Like her sister ships, It was built in Finland and departed on its inaugural cruise on August 24, 2002.
Carnival Pride (88,500 Gross Tons)
Carnival Pride in Dover (Photo Credit: Port of Dover)
Gross Tonnage: 88,500
Guest Capacity: 2,124
Length: 963 feet
A fully updated Carnival cruise ship that has all the latest FUN 2.0 features. It also is scheduled for a dry dock in 2019. Carnival Pride was built in Finland and began cruising on January 12, 2002.
The first in her class, Carnival Spirit, was built in Finland to sail through the Panama Canal and offer a cruising experience not only in the Caribbean but also on other continents. The ship has 12 passenger decks and joined the fleet in 2001.
As a Fantasy class ship, she might be an older type of ship, but it can often offer the best experience. With fewer passengers, guests usually have a great vacation. Carnival Elation entered service in March 1998 and has 11 passenger decks. The ship underwent a major dry dock upgrade in February 2023.
Carnival Paradise (70,367 Gross Tons)
Paradise Cruise Ship
Gross Tonnage: 70,367
Guest Capacity: 2,124
Length: 855 feet
The ship is slightly newer than Carnival Elation but has slightly lower gross tonnage. It is part of the Fantasy class and sailed its inaugural cruise on December 6, 1998. Carnival Paradise underwent a dry dock in October 2023 and is fully updated with all the latest Carnival features.
What is the Biggest Carnival Ship?
The largest Carnival ship by size is the Carnival Jubilee, which joined the fleet in December 2023. She is large at 183,521 gross tons, a guest capacity of 5,374 at double occupancy, but that goes even higher with a maximum passenger capacity of 6,631. The third Excel class ship also has a crew capacity of 1,735.
What is the Smallest Carnival Ship?
The smallest Carnival ship is the 70,367 gross ton Carnival Paradise, which entered service in 1998. The vessel is part of the Fantasy class and has a much older design compared to newer vessels in the fleet. Carnival Paradise has a length of 855 feet and 11 passenger decks.
What Was the Size of Former Carnival Ships?
Carnival Cruise Line has a total of 13 former ships, and sadly, they have all been scrapped at various scrapyards, including in Turkey and India. Here’s a list of all the former Carnival cruise ships from the largest to the smallest:
Ship
Gross Tonnage
Length
Carnival Ecstasy
70,367
855 feet
Carnival Sensation
70,367
855 feet
Carnival Inspiration
70,367
855 feet
Carnival Imagination
70,367
855 feet
Carnival Fascination
70,367
855 feet
Carnival Fantasy
70,367
855 feet
Celebration
47,262
733 feet
Jubilee
47,262
732 feet
Holiday
46,051
728 feet
Tropicale
36,674
671 feet
Festivale
32,697
760 feet
Carnivale
31,500
640 feet
Mardi Gras
27,284
650 feet
We’ll See You Onboard!
The Carnival Cruise Line fleet has changed a lot through the years. Time will tell if the cruise line will rival the size of Royal Caribbean cruise ships in the future.
The good thing is that travelers have a wide choice of different-sized vessels to choose from, from the funky early 90s style Fantasy-class ships to the more modern roller coaster-featured Excel-class ships! And no matter what, they are all the fun ships!
Earlier this week, Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas experienced a period of time where many of the toilets onboard were not working correctly.
Other guests have reported similar plumbing issues during their sailings, as well as bad sewer-like smells onboard.
Royal Caribbean works hard to maintain its cruise ships, but cannot control when guests decide to flush products down the toilet that don’t belong there.
2025 has been a bit of a rough year for Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas.
During her most recent health inspection on February 9, 2025, the Oasis-class ship was only one point away from failing.
Now, guests have noticed another major issue. For at least a portion of the current sailing, which is a 7-night cruise to the Bahamas that embarked on August 24, 2025, much of the ship was without working toilets.
According to updates from current passengers, this plumbing event would have occurred on embarkation day in Cape Liberty, New Jersey, or very soon after setting sail that afternoon.
“Right now we are on the Symphony of the Seas and yesterday almost the entire ship was without toilets. We found out after our kids had used our stateroom toilet and it wouldn’t flush,” one current passenger posted on Redditon August 25.
Presumably, one of the up to 5,518 passengers onboard flushed something they shouldn’t have, which caused a blockage.
The cruise lines are constantly reminding guests to only flush the provided toilet paper, as the powerful vacuum system on cruise ships may not be quite powerful enough to handle things like wet wipes, feminine products, or other non-dissolvable items.
“It was a disgusting period of time. I guess someone flushed something they weren’t supposed to and it clogged up the ship,” they continued.
The cruiser titled their post “Almost Pool Cruise 2.0,” which was a reference to the infamous Carnival Triumph sailing in 2013 in which passengers were stranded at sea for days without working bathrooms following an engine fire.
The Netflix “Trainwreck” documentary on this topic dropped on June 24, 2025, bringing this ill-fated cruise back into the spotlight and making it very top of mind in situations like this.
Is Plumbing an Ongoing Issue?
In my research, I found reports going back as far as July 2025 of cruisers who experienced plumbing problems during their time onboard Symphony of the Seas.
“That happened to us on Symphony in July. Decks 5-7 had no working toilets for about 3 days. They said the same thing – clogged with items that should not be flushed,”one recent guest recounted.
“On our July 13-20 cruise someone apparently flushed things other than toilet paper. Some people on our deck were complaining of toilet issues but thankfully ours was fine. There was a HORRIBLE septic smell for days on the higher decks,” someone else said.
“The ship smells terrible. I don’t know if it’s because of the [air] in port or if it’s from the poo issue,” they wrote in an update to their original post.
“We were on Symphony recently and every time we used the stairs and were passing by deck six it stunk. We dubbed it the poop deck,” another passenger added.
All that said, let’s give credit where credit is due. The approximately 2,200 crew members onboard work hard to maintain the Royal Caribbean ship.
In addition to the care she receives while in service, Symphony of the Seas visits dry dock as required for more significant inspections and maintenance.
Her most recent dry dock stint was in April 2023, which really wasn’t that long ago.
When things do go wrong mid-voyage, there are dedicated teamsof maintenance workers, engineers, and plumbers onboard who are ready to spring into action.
However, the cruise lines can’t control their guests, and this includes the items that they decide to flush down the toilet. As long as guests misbehave in this regard, there is a risk of plumbing issues.
The newly-introduced fresh (but for a fee) donuts are already available on 11 Carnival cruise ships.
The treats will be rolled out fleetwide in the next couple of weeks, though exact dates are not confirmed.
Donuts, beignets, and churros will be available at different venues depending on the exact Carnival ship.
Carnival Cruise Line’s new breakfast treats have been sweet news for cruisers, but where exactly can they be found? While the donuts, beignets, and churros are being rolled out fleetwide, they are not yet available on every ship.
John Heald, the cruise line’s brand ambassador, has confirmed the list of ships where the new for-a-fee snacks are available. Guests can already enjoy them aboard:
Carnival Breeze
Carnival Celebration
Carnival Dream
Carnival Firenze
Carnival Horizon
Carnival Jubilee
Carnival Magic
Carnival Panorama
Carnival Venezia
Carnival Vista
Mardi Gras
The treats will still be rolled out to the remaining ships in the Carnival fleet, though exact dates for their availability have not been confirmed.
“They will be on the rest of the North American fleet in the next couple of weeks,”Heald explained.
The exact timing will undoubtedly depend on when appropriate supplies are available onboard to fry and serve the donuts as the delicious, made fresh, warm treat they are advertised to be.
Guests have their choice of cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar, Boston cream, and glazed donuts, or beignets with powdered sugar, strawberry sauce, and chocolate sauce. Fresh churros rolled in cinnamon sugar are also on the menu.
But where onboard will guests find the treats? Heald has also clarified that.
“They are served from Street Eats, or Sweet Spot, or Seafood Shack and other locations depending on the ship,”he said.
Street Eats is a quick-service venue located on all three Excel-class ships, Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee. The venue is located midship, starboard side on Deck 16, just forward of the pool.
Because Street Eats typically only serves grab-and-go daily selections during the afternoon hours, this is a natural choice for where to offer the new breakfast selection.
Sweet Spot is another great choice for where to find donuts and beignets. Part of the Lido Marketplace buffet on most Carnival ships, it will be easy for guests to grab these bites.
It may be confusing, however, that they are offered for a fee when other items in the buffet space are free.
Carnival Cruise Line Breakfast Treats
Seafood Shack is similar to Street Eats in that it is typically only open during the afternoon hours. This makes the space underutilized in the morning when donuts would be most popular.
Already a for-a-fee venue with grab-and-go items, Seafood Shack is a good choice for where to offer the pastries. Most Carnival ships already have a Seafood Shack onboard.
It is possible that the new donuts, beignets, and churros may be available in different locations on the same ship. This would be helpful to ensure short lines and extra-fresh treats for everyone to enjoy.
Whether or not multiple locations will prepare the pastries will depend on overall ship operations as well as demand for the donuts.
“The Funtimes and the Hub App will have all the information,”Heald noted.
Will Guests Enjoy the Donuts?
The donut announcement was met with mixed reactions. Some guests dislike the idea that they are an extra-charge treat, particularly when danishes, croissants, muffins, and cinnamon rolls are free every day.
This can feel like a nickel and diming situation, with new things added to the cruise line not being included with the cruise fare.
Others note that a made fresh treat is certainly worth the small fee. There’s no denying that the two for $4 donuts or the four for $3.50 beignets do seem to be a good value.
Time will tell whether or not Carnival keeps the donuts onboard, changes or even eliminates the fee, or perhaps expands the donut menu to include additional flavors, such as holiday or seasonal options.
Australia’s prime cruising season will begin in October 2025 and continue to April 2026, drawing 60-plus cruise ships operated by two-dozen cruise lines.
A major annual conference, Cruise360 Australasia, is underway in Sydney, where delegates are discussing cruise trends across Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific.
Data shows that the average age of cruise guests has fallen to 46.5 years, with fully a third of passengers now under age 40.
The summer cruising season in the Northern Hemisphere is starting to fade, as the final voyages to destinations such as Alaska, Iceland, and Scandinavia are closing in, but Down Under in Australia, the summer season is just gearing up and it looks to be another winner.
Australia’s prime cruise season runs from October to April, and during the 2025-26 season, 63 cruise ships operated by 24 cruise lines will sail the region.
The look-ahead numbers were revealed as Cruise Lines International Association’s (CLIA) Cruise360 Australasia conference is held in Sydney on August 27 to 28, 2025.
Attracting some 850 delegates, the gathering addresses industry trends evolving in the region, such as growth in the luxury cruise market and an increase in first-time cruise guests.
“The popularity of cruising continues to grow worldwide, and Australia is undoubtedly one of the world’s most spectacular cruise destinations,” said Joel Katz, managing director of CLIA Australasia.
“The summer ahead will offer an incredible diversity of experiences aboard some of the world’s most spectacular ships,” added Katz.
The Australia region is seeing a spike in new cruisers, as roughly 31% of cruise guests during the past two years were first-time passengers. The number shows an increase from pre-pandemic years, when just 24% of cruisers were new to the industry in 2019.
Advances in niche cruise markets such as luxury and expedition have led to increases in popularity in these sectors, and overall, cruise guests are getting younger.
Globally, a cruise guest’s average age is 46.5 years, and one-third of all cruisers are under 40, data from the conference shows. On a regional basis, the Australia/New Zealand/Pacific area comes in seventh in the top 10 worldwide cruising destinations, according to CLIA’s 2025 State of the Industry report.
The Sapphire Coast region of New South Wales includes the Port of Sydney, Port of Eden, Port Botany, Port Jackson, Port Kembla, and the Port of Newcastle, all of which were predicted to receive a total of about 1.2 million cruise guests during the 2024-25 season.
The cruise industry in those regions is responsible for bringing nearly $8.5 billion a year to the Australian economy. Sydney attracts the greatest share of cruise ships in New South Wales, as it is a homeport for many vessels and a routine port call on virtually every world cruise.
Major Cruise Lines Will Sail Australia in 2025-26
Australia attracts the contemporary cruise lines such as Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise Line, along with several ultra-luxury brands and expedition lines, plus premium brands like Holland America Line, Azamara Cruises, and Celebrity Cruises, among others.
Carnival Cruise Line will have four ships based in Australia during the upcoming season, as Carnival Luminosa and Carnival Encounter sail from Brisbane, and Carnival Adventure and Carnival Splendor homeport in Sydney.
Carnival Luminosa in Sydney, Australia (Photo Credit: Artha sant)
Royal Caribbean will deploy Anthem of the Seas to Sydney and Voyager of the Seas to Brisbane, while Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Spirit will sail between Sydney and Auckland.
In 2025, premium line Princess Cruises will mark 50 years of sailing from Australia. The line’s Crown Princess will deploy to Sydney in September 2025 and operate year-round voyages through early November 2026.
Disney Cruise Line will base Disney Wonder Down Under for a third season, sailing from three ports — Sydney, Melbourne, and Auckland, but in a surprise announcement, it recently disclosed it will not return to Australia after the 2025-26 season.
Expedition cruise lines set to return to Australian waters include Aurora Expeditions, Coral Expeditions, and Heritage Expeditions, while top luxury lines that will bring guests to Australia are Crystal, Ponant, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
A large, inflatable duck has been spotted sailing aboard Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas.
Many cruise guests eagerly hunt for bigger and more unique ducks on different cruise lines.
Inflatable objects are not permitted to be stored on stateroom balconies. It is unknown if the guests faced any consequences for their feathered cabin-mate.
The cruise duck phenomenon continues to get bigger and better than ever as guests spread their wings with gleeful fun. Now, one of the largest ducks ever to set sail has been spotted on Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas.
Photos being shared online are proof positive of the duck’s oceangoing voyages. A large, inflatable yellow duck is just enjoying his cruise on one of the ship’s balconies.
The duck appears to be 3-4 feet tall, with classic yellow coloring and a red-orange bill. While he doesn’t have a cruise duck tag attached, it’s quite clear he’s enjoying a fun sailing.
“At least we can safely say that everyone has found a duck on this cruise,”one commenter quipped.
Similar photos shared on Facebook identify the ship as Quantum of the Seas, as the ship’s name can be seen on a lifeboat two decks below the duck’s balcony.
It is important to note that personal items are not permitted to be stored on stateroom balconies on any Royal Caribbean ship. While the photos do show the ship in port, if the ship were at sea the wind could easily send even the largest duck on a lengthy flight rather than a relaxing cruise.
It is not known if the guests who brought the oversized duck onboard faced any consequences for the balcony antics, or if the duck was simply removed and brought indoors to continue his fun.
Quantum of the Seas is currently homeported from Seattle, offering 7-night Alaskan itineraries through the end of September. On the ducky day in question, the ship was visiting Icy Strait Point as the first port of call on her August 25 departure.
Giant Cruise Duck on Quantum of the Seas (Credit: Trish Keller)
The 169,000-gross-ton ship will also visit Skagway, Juneau, and Victoria during the cruise, along with a scenic day at sea in Tracy Arm Fjord. Quantum of the Seas will return to Seattle on Monday, August 1.
Following her season in Alaska, the ship will reposition to Los Angeles for 3-7-night Mexican Riviera itineraries for the next year. In late September 2026, she will head down under to be homeported from Brisbane, Australia.
Will the large duck be along for so many exciting itineraries? Duck-hunting cruisers will have to keep watch!
More Unique Ducks Found Onboard
This super-sized, balcony-loving duck isn’t the only unique duck guests are finding on cruises.
With the fun, guest-led game sailing all over the high seas, it can be exciting to find new and different ducks.
The best I’ve found was actually on Carnival Celebration. An extra-large (a bit bigger than a softball) glittery pink duck was a special find behind the “big blue chair” near the ship’s casino. I did re-hide the duck and hope it was found by someone else who smiled just as much at the discovery as I did.
For guests who love finding or hiding ducks or both, it can be a point of pride to seek out unusual feathered friends. Some of the more unique birds found onboard include:
Blinged-out ducks coated in glittery gems
Casino-themed mini-ducks mounted on poker chips
Crocheted or knitted ducks of any size
3-D printed ducks with unique features, like a Carnival whale tail
Holiday ducks with Santa hats or reindeer antlers
Well-traveled ducks from other cruises (with tags to prove it!)
Exclusively on Carnival ships, another fun duck to find is the life-size character Ducky, who was first spotted as an unofficial crew member in late 2024. His photo-ready appearances are rare, but he might fly along with any Carnival sailing.
On Oasis- and Icon-class Royal Caribbean ships, just don’t be looking for or hiding ducks in Central Park. The cruise line has recently banned ducks in those natural spaces to keep plants from getting damaged or trampled.
Norfolk Cruise Port, officially called Half Moone Cruise & Celebration Center, is an 80,000 square-foot cruise facility that’s located in the heart of downtown Norfolk, Virginia.
Welcoming over 250,000 cruise passengers per year, it’s convenient to get to, and the recent upgrades make it a pleasure to visit. I’m going to explain everything you need to know about visiting this famous naval town’s cruise port.
Norfolk Cruise Port is located right on the waterfront of downtown Norfolk, just west of the scenic Town Point Park along the Elizabeth River. Cruise ships docking at the port make their way out to open water by traveling along the Elizabeth River.
Directly beside the Norfolk Cruise Port, you will find the Nauticus National Maritime Center and Museum. This interactive maritime museum is also home to the Battleship USS Wisconsin, an Iowa-class battleship that saw action during World War II, but now acts as a floating extension of the museum.
This is actually one of my favorite features of the cruise port, as you can spot this storied battleship right from the cruise port terminals. Since it’s just a short walk from the terminal, it also means there’s plenty to do before you board.
Plus, it’s just a 15-minute drive from Norfolk International Airport (ORF), making it easily accessible for those flying to the port from outside of Virginia.
The port is also accessible via the I-64 East and the US-13 North, making it very straightforward to reach for those driving from outside of the city.
Norfolk Cruise Port Address
Half Moon Cruise and Celebration Center, 1 Waterside Drive,Norfolk, VA 23510
All cruise ships visiting Norfolk Cruise Port dock at the Half Moone Cruise Terminal on Waterside Drive.
This single modern terminal was completed in 2007 and later upgraded with $12 million in improvements. These renovations were completed in 2025.
While the port’s pier only features a single cruise ship berth, part of the renovation efforts involved expanding the dock and improving the facilities specifically so it could start accommodating Carnival Sunshine.
Since the completion of the expansion project, the 3,758-passenger capacity Destiny-class cruise ship has been using Norfolk as a homeport, offering year-round voyages from Norfolk.
Terminal Facilities
Half Moon Cruise Center (Photo Credit: Kyle J Little)
Half Moon Cruise Terminal is an 80,000 square-foot facility with huge curved glass windows and lofted ceilings. It has a really clean and modern look, both inside and outside the building.
Once you venture inside, you’ll see a spacious embarkation hall, which is outfitted with comfortable seating areas for passengers. Part of the 2025 renovation project involved introducing an inclined walkway and adding extra security desks and luggage inspection areas.
I only sailed from Norfolk once prior to the renovations, but they definitely did a great job. It looks much better, and even navigating the building is way easier. It’s also now fully wheelchair accessible, which wasn’t the case before the update.
As for practical amenities, there are plenty of accessible restrooms and a small gift shop. While there aren’t any restaurants, you can pick up a few snacks to tide you over at the gift shop or vending machines you’ll find in the building.
Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal, and it even reaches the outdoor waiting areas. In fact, while I was waiting to board, I spent some time catching up on emails and sitting by the mermaid statue they installed outside of the terminal.
This port may be somewhat limited compared to some of the larger cruise ports you see down in Florida and throughout the Caribbean, but it’s really well-maintained and has a very passenger-friendly layout.
Cruise Lines That Use Norfolk Cruise Port
Carnival Magic, Norfolk, Virginia (Photo Credit: Nauticus)
The vast majority of cruises that depart from Norfolk Cruise Port are operated by Carnival Cruise Line.
Carnival Sunshine now uses it as a homeport year-round, with regular 6-to-8-day itineraries to Freeport, Bahamas, Bermuda, and a few select Caribbean destinations.
Other cruise lines that set sail from Norfolk Cruise Port include:
Norwegian Cruise Line
Princess Cruises
Holland America Line
Oceania Cruises
Azamara Cruises
There are also plans for some of the smaller cruise lines, like Viking Cruise Line, AIDA Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, and TUI Cruises, to start offering visits to Norfolk Cruise Port in the future.
TUI Cruises even plans to run a regular route from Norfolk Cruise Port to the Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean aboard Mein Schiff 1 in 2026. The hope is that this will attract European travelers, as the ship caters specifically to German-speaking passengers.
Parking at Norfolk Cruise Port
Photo Credit: Kyle J Little / Shutterstock
While there isn’t a long-term parking lot attached to the terminal itself, parking is available through the nearby Cedar Grove Parking Lot at 1000 Monticello Avenue.
The lot is only 1.5 miles northwest of the port, but you don’t have to worry about walking. They offer a complimentary shuttle service for all cruise passengers. The parking lot is operated by the City of Norfolk, so cruise parking fees are only $15.00 per day.
The parking lot is completely fenced in and monitored overnight, but it’s worth noting that there are only 1,200 spots available, so you’ll want to reserve your spot ahead of time online. For those with mobility needs, there are wheelchair accessible spots near the front of the lot.
If you are planning to park at Cedar Grove, I highly recommend taking the shuttle bus. It operates on a loop throughout the day and takes you directly from the lot to the curbside drop-off area outside of the terminal building. Plus, the bus has racks for luggage.
Another option is Asphalt Lots. It’s located 11 miles from the port, but this covered garage also provides a complimentary shuttle bus to the cruise port. The lot is also fully wheelchair accessible and monitored 24/7.
If spaces at Cedar Grove and Asphalt Lots are not available, or you plan on spending time exploring Norfolk itself before embarkation day, most of the downtown hotels also have their own parking lots.
Traveling from Nearby Airports
With several airports serving the area, Norfolk Cruise Port is easy to fly to. If you’re planning on flying, here’s a quick breakdown of how to get to the port:
Norfolk International Airport (ORF)
Norfolk International Airport (Photo Credit: Kate Scott)
Your closest option is Norfolk International Airport, which is less than 10 miles north of the terminal. If you’re driving yourself or taking a taxi, it should only take you about 20 to 25 minutes to reach the terminal.
Taxi and rideshare vehicles are widely available at the airport, but if you want to save a few bucks, the HRT Bus 961 runs from the airport to downtown Norfolk. From there, you can take a public bus to the Nauticus Museum.
I’d say take a taxi instead, especially if you’re carrying luggage. It will be simpler, and taxis only charge about $25 to get from the airport to the port.
If you’re grabbing a rental car and want to drive yourself, follow these directions:
Take Airport Road and follow signs for I-64 E.
Take I-64 E for about 1.5 miles, then merge onto the I-264 W towards downtown Norfolk.
Take Exit 9 for Waterside Drive and continue to your destination.
Located 36 miles away on the other side of the Elizabeth River, PHF is another option for those planning to fly into Norfolk before their cruise.
Since it’s located in Newport News, you’ll have to take the Monitor Merrimac Bridge Tunnel, which can get pretty congested. I’d suggest giving yourself at least an hour, even though it only takes about 35 minutes to complete the drive without traffic.
Like Norfolk International, there are plenty of taxis available at Williamsburg International. Both Uber and Lyft are also available, so you can call your own ride if you prefer.
If you plan on driving yourself, here’s how to get to the port:
Get on the I-64 E for about 8.3 miles.
Take exit 264 for I-664 S toward Downtown Newport News/Chesapeake/Suffolk, and continue on I-664 S for about 19.7 miles.
Take exit 15A for I-264 E toward Norfolk and continue onto I-264 E for about 7 miles.
Take exit 9 on the left to merge onto Waterside Dr, then follow Waterside Dr to Elizabeth River Trail.
Richmond International Airport (RIC)
Richmond International Airport (Photo Credit: OJUP)
It’s nearly 90 miles away in Richmond, Virginia, but Richmond International is another option. You should anticipate a 1.5-to 2-hour drive, but if you do fly into Richmond, you can take the I-64 E and 1-264 S to the port.
It’s more of a hassle and definitely requires giving yourself a lot more travel time on embarkation day, but sometimes you can get cheaper flights into Richmond.
How to Get to Norfolk Cruise Port
Once you arrive in the Norfolk area, there are several ways to reach the port itself. Here are some of the easiest:
Arriving By Car
Nauticus (Photo Credit: Kyle J Little)
If you’re planning to drive your own vehicle, make sure you enter the address 1 Waterside Drive, Norfolk when you are trying to get directions.
Keep in mind that Norfolk is a major port city with multiple harbors and private marinas. To avoid confusion, make sure you type in the correct address so you don’t end up at the wrong spot.
If, like a lot of the port’s visitors, you are planning on coming east from Richmond, you’ll end up crossing at the Monitor Merrimac Bridge Tunnel. Keep in mind that there is a toll, but once you cross, you can follow the signs to I‑264 West.
From there, take Exit 10 towards City Hall, then follow St. Paul’s Boulevard, which becomes Monticello Ave. The port entrance is on Waterside Drive, a few blocks down.
No matter where you’re arriving from, you’ll be able to drop off passengers right outside the terminal. If you want to park and then make your way to the port, I’d suggest the Cedar Grove lot.
Arriving by Taxi or Rideshare (Uber/Lyft)
View of Norfolk Cruise Terminal and Transport Access (Photo Credit: John Couture)
There are plenty of taxis and rideshare vehicles operating in Norfolk. Whether you’re taking a taxi or prefer to call a ride through Uber or Lyft, most fares to the port are going to be between $25 and $35 if you’re already within Norfolk.
Taking a taxi or rideshare vehicle is really straightforward, as most drivers will drop you off right at the terminal building itself. Again, just make it clear that you want to go to Half Moone Cruise Terminal so you don’t end up in the wrong place.
Taking a Shuttle Service
Norfolk Cruise Terminal (Photo Credit: Carnival)
There aren’t any dedicated shuttle services from any of the airports that serve Norfolk, but most long-term parking lots cater to the cruise port, so they provide a complimentary shuttle service.
Some of the hotels near the port also allow long-term parking for guests planning to take a cruise vacation. Those that do also offer a shuttle for cruise passengers who leave their car at the hotel during their trip.
Norfolk Waterside Marriott offers a shuttle, but you’ll need to book ahead of time. The Visit Norfolk Website has a guide to hotels that offer overnight parking and shuttle services for cruise passengers that is well worth checking out.
Using Public Transportation
Hampton Roads Transit Bus (Photo Credit: Kyle J Little)
Unfortunately, Norfolk’s public transit service, Hampton Roads Transit (HRT), is pretty limited for those wanting to get to the cruise port.
The Tide Light Rail doesn’t actually reach the port or anywhere along the waterfront, but you can take it to MacArthur Square and then either walk or take a short taxi ride.
To be completely honest, I would highly recommend taking a taxi instead. You’ll save so much time, and taxi fares in Norfolk are very reasonable. If you’re already in downtown Norfolk, you could also just walk to the port. It’s only about half a mile, and it’s a safe city.
Taking the Water Ferry
Elizabeth River Ferry (Photo Credit: Kyle J Little)
Norfolk also has a water ferry service called the Elizabeth River Ferry that has a terminal just outside the cruise port. If you booked a hotel in Portsmouth, it’s a fun way to get across the river.
You’ll have to walk about 5 minutes to get to the cruise port from the ferry terminal, but it runs every 30 minutes and only costs $2.00 for one-way rides.
No matter how you get to the port, just make sure you’re there well ahead of your check-in time. Trust me, you don’t want to be rushing to your cruise ship on embarkation day!
Attractions Near Norfolk Cruise Port
Norfolk is a fairly small city, but there’s plenty to do. And since the Half Moone Terminal is located right downtown, you don’t have to go far to see some of the best things the city has to offer. Here are just a few of my favorite things to do whenever I’m there.
Visit the Nauticus Museum and USS Wisconsin
USS Wisconsin (Photo Credit: Felix Mizioznikov)
Right next to the terminal, you’ll find the Nauticus Museum. This is Norfolk’s famous maritime science center, and one of the top attractions in the entire city.
You can explore the many interactive exhibits and even step aboard the Battleship USS Wisconsin, which sits practically parallel with the cruise ships when they’re docked at the port.
As if the fact that you can walk there in minutes wasn’t enough of a reason to visit, entry to the museum and battleship is less than $20 for adults, so it’s also a budget-friendly way to kill some time before your cruise.
Explore Downtown Norfolk
Downtown Norfolk, Virginia (Photo Credit: Motion Ninety)
If you’re already on the north side of the river, you can just explore the Waterside District and its many shops and restaurants. Granby Street is a little further, but it’s another area worth exploring if you’re hoping to do some shopping.
The Chrysler Museum of Art is also less than a mile from the port, and you can easily walk there in about 20 minutes.
Visit the Norfolk Botanical Garden and the Virginia Zoo
They’re both a bit further from the port, but the Norfolk Botanical Garden and the Virginia Zoo are both spots worth visiting, if you have the time before or after your cruise.
The zoo is less than 2 miles north of the port, while the Norfolk Botanical Garden is 8 miles away. Both are easily accessible by taxi and make for excellent day trips from the port.
Best Time to Visit Norfolk
Overview of Norfolk Cruise Port and Surrounding Area (Photo Credit: Felix Mizioznikov)
Norfolk has a relatively moderate climate throughout the year, but summers can be quite hot and humid. Peak summer highs tend to sit around 85 to 90°F, with occasional rain or storms.
While the summer months are generally seen as the best time to visit, and Virginia Beach gets super crowded during that time of year, peak cruise season tends to be in the winter and spring months.
Personally, my favorite time to visit is the fall, especially around October, as this is when the temperature is most comfortable and the crowds die down a bit. It’s also a great time to score cruise deals if you’re willing to travel during the shoulder months.
If you’re hoping to time your visit with some of the city’s biggest festivals, Norfolk Harborfest runs from June 6-8 every year.
Waterfront Jazz Fest is another two-day summer festival that’s worth experiencing. It usually runs the last weekend in August.
Just keep in mind that if you visit during the summer, traffic can be pretty intense, especially on weekends. Take my advice and give yourself some extra travel time. Aside from that, just enjoy your time in Norfolk and your cruise vacation!
The Cruise Lines International Association is challenging Hawaii’s new tax on cruise ships with a federal lawsuit.
The lawsuit claims the new tax violates the US Constitution as well as the First Amendment.
CLIA is not against any and all taxes on cruise ships, but only on how this one is levied and how unfairly it targets cruise ships compared to hotels.
Hawaii’s plans to raise nearly $100 million annually through a new 11% tax on cruise ships may not be as lucrative as the Aloha State had hoped.
The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), along with several local plaintiffs, including two tour companies that serve cruise ships, has filed suit against the state’s new tax, claiming it is federally unconstitutional.
The lawsuit was filed on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, in the US District Court for the District of Hawai’i. The new tax was passed in early May, but is not scheduled to take effect until January 1, 2026.
As a “green” tax, the new fees would not go to support cruise operations through port development, dredging, or similar projects, but instead would be earmarked for conservation projects.
“In attempting to leverage Hawai‘i’s ports to raise general revenue from out-of-state businesses and visitors, Act 96 violates federal law three times over,”the lawsuit alleges.
“Conflicting with the Tonnage Clause of the U.S. Constitution, the First Amendment’s restriction on government-compelled speech, and a provision of the federal Rivers and Harbors Appropriation Act of 1884 that exists to prohibit fees exactly like the ones imposed.”
The Tonnage Clause (Article 1, Section 10, Clause 3) prohibits states from taxing ships for simply entering the harbor. Taxes can be levied for services, such as pilots or loading and unloading, and cruise ships regularly pay those types of taxes.
Similarly, the violation of the Rivers and Harbors Appropriation Act of 1884 is related to the overall amount of the fees. The Rivers and Harbors Act sets statutory limits on fees states may impose for using navigable waters.
Finally, the First Amendment violation is because the new Hawaii cruise ship tax requires cruise lines to disclose the tax in commercials and other advertisements, as well as onboard every ship visiting Hawaii.
Because the tax itself is being challenged, this extra requirement is now in conflict with the First Amendment.
Another aspect of the new tax is that individual counties in Hawai’i have the authority to levy their own additional taxes on cruise ships. These fees can be up to 3%, in addition to the 11% fee from the state.
Cruise Port Area in Hawaii (Photo Credit: Theodore Trimmer)
Those fees are on cruise fares paid by passengers.
“Between the 11% surcharge levied by the State and the 3% state-authorized surcharges levied by the counties, cruise-ship operators will be required to pay an effective 14% prorated portion of each passenger’s gross fare for the privilege of visiting ports in Hawai‘i,”the lawsuit explains.
That fee is likely to be passed along to cruise guests, raising fares substantially for sailings to Hawaii.
Despite the fact that the tax is intended to generate revenue for Hawaii, this could backfire with a loss of income if passengers choose more affordable cruise destinations.
Is the Tax Fair to Cruise Ships?
To be clear, cruise lines are not trying to disband all taxes and port fees, but this large increase and the way it is worded is particularly troublesome.
The lawsuit explains that because the 11-14% surcharge is on the entire cruise fare, “rather than just that portion of the fare attributable to on-board accommodations,” it is not comparable to tourist fees levied on hotels and resorts.
After all, a cruise fare includes far more than a hotel room. It also includes multiple dining options, daily activities and entertainment, pools and other onboard amenities, as well as transportation between ports.
A similar tax on hotels specifically excludes charges for amenities such as meals, drinks. Likewise, flights between islands are not taxes, but a cruise fare includes port to port transportation.
“As a result, cruise-ship operators and (by extension) their passengers will be forced to make payments significantly higher than those required in connection with other types of tourism-related businesses,”the lawsuit clarifies.
It will likely be at least several months before the lawsuit is decided. In the meantime, it is unclear whether or not guests booked on Hawaii cruises in early 2026 should be prepared for additional taxes or fees. It is possible the fees may be suspended until the lawsuit is settled.
