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Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas to Homeport in Texas Starting 2027

Melissa Mayntz
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Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas to Homeport in Texas Starting 2027

Key Aspects:

  • Bookings have opened for Icon of the Seas from Galveston beginning in August 2027 with 6-8-night itineraries.
  • This will be the first time an Icon-class ship homeports from the Lone Star State.
  • For eight months, all three Icon-class ships will homeport from Florida before Icon of the Seas heads to Texas.

Cruise options and guest capacities in Texas are growing by leaps and bounds as more and more ships homeport from the Lone Star State. Now, Royal Caribbean has confirmed that the most iconic ship of all will soon sail from Galveston, as Icon of the Seas will change homeports.

Since her debut in January 2024, Icon of the Seas has called the Sunshine State home, but the sun is setting on her time sailing from PortMiami.

On Saturday, August 7, 2027, Icon of the Seas will bid a fond farewell to Florida as she departs on a 9-night repositioning sailing that will take her to Texas. Along the way, the ship will visit Perfect Day at CocoCay, Curacao, and Aruba before arriving at her new homeport on August 16.

Undoubtedly, that arrival will be treated with appropriate fanfare as befits a ship sailing into a new homeport. This will also be Icon of the Seas‘ first-ever visit to Texas, so a plaque exchange ceremony and other special events are sure to be on that day’s schedule.

Later that day, Icon of the Seas will welcome her first Galveston guests aboard for a 7-night Western Caribbean itinerary with calls to Costa Maya, Roatan, and Cozumel. That maiden voyage from Texas is sure to be equally packed with special events, swag, and treats.

From Texas, the 248,700-gross-ton cruise ship will be offering 6-, 7-, and 8-night itineraries. While the 7-night options are very familiar itineraries for ships based from Texas, the 6-night sailings also visit the same three ports of call (Costa Maya, Roatan, and Cozumel), but with one less day at sea.

Read Also: How Back-to-Back Cruises Work (And Save You Money!)

Icon of the Seas‘ 8-night cruises will sail a bit further, also visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas with four total days at sea.

At the moment, there are just six of those 8-night sailings scheduled, departing Texas on August 28, September 11, September 25, October 9, October 23, and November 6, all in 2027.

These longer cruises are sure to be wildly popular with eager guests, as they offer a more unique port than what many travelers are familiar with for Texas sailings. Prices for the longer cruises start at just $1,202 per person for an interior stateroom, making them a spectacular value.

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas (Photo Credit: Just dance)

With Icon of the Seas moving to Texas, Galveston is securing its place as a top homeport with many outstanding options for cruisers.

Just days ago, Cruise Terminal 16 opened in Galveston, welcoming MSC Seascape as the first MSC Cruises’ ship to homeport from the Lone Star State.

In 2026, Galveston expects 445 ship calls that will bring nearly two million cruise guests to the port. This will have a fantastic economic impact on the community and will highlight Texas as a truly amazing homeport.

What Will Replace Icon of the Seas in Florida?

That Icon of the Seas will be leaving Miami isn’t a surprise. Ever since it was announced that the third Icon-class ship, Legend of the Seas, would be homeporting from Fort Lauderdale after her premier in the Mediterranean, it was inevitable that one of the Icon-class ships would leave the Sunshine State.

The second Icon-class ship, Star of the Seas, is currently homeported from Port Canaveral with no plans to leave the central Florida homeport at least through April 2028.

With Port Everglades and PortMiami only 30 miles apart, it makes sense that two Icon-class ships might not be homeported so close together.

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Legend of the Seas will first sail from Fort Lauderdale on November 11, 2026. This means that through the busy winter Caribbean season and into the summer of 2027, all three Icon-class ships will call Florida home, until Icon of the Seas departs in August 2027.

What an opportunity for Royal Caribbean to arrange the most iconic ship meetup of all time with all three sister ships! Or even better, for an eager cruiser to arrange side-to-side-to-side sailings on all three ships. Let’s get planning!

MSC Cruises Places Order For Two More World-Class Mega Ships

Donna Tunney
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MSC Cruises Places Order For Two More World-Class Mega Ships

Key Aspects:

  • MSC Cruises placed a €3.5 billion order to build two more World-class ships.
  • The vessels will debut in 2030 and 2031 and are currently referred to as World Class 7 and 8.
  • Two other World-class ships marked construction milestones at their French shipyard. 

MSC Cruises is making another major investment in its future, to the tune of €3.5 billion ($4 billion USD), with the order of two more World-class ships.

The cruise line and the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France confirmed the order of the ships, temporarily called World Class 7 and 8, on November 12, 2025. The two vessels are slated to launch in 2030 and 2031, respectively, bringing the MSC Cruises’ fleet to 29 ships.

Construction of the World Class 7 and 8 ships is scheduled to begin in 2029.

MSC Cruises has two World-class ships already operating — MSC World Europa (2022) and MSC World America (2025). Two more are under construction at the French shipyard, MSC World Asia, due to launch in 2026, and MSC World Atlantic, set to debut in 2027.

Two additional vessels, World Class 5 and 6, were ordered in May 2025 and will enter service in 2029 and 2030, respectively.

The cruise line’s World-class ships are the largest in the industry, next to Royal Caribbean’s Icon class. MSC Cruises’ World-class vessels are nearly 216,000-gross tons, while Icon class ships are just under 249,000-gross tons.

The World-class ships each accommodate 6,700 guests with all berths occupied, plus around 2,100 crew members. The expansion of the class means that when all eight ships are operating simultaneously, they will together host more than 53,000 passengers. 

World-class ships also share a key environmental component: They are all powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), which emits significantly less CO2 than traditional maritime fuels.

Read Also: MSC World America vs Icon of the Seas – A Giant Comparison!

The announcement of the new two-ship order was made while MSC Cruises celebrated major construction milestones for MSC World Asia and MSC World Atlantic.

MSC World Asia was floated out from her construction bay, as her hull touched water for the first time, while a traditional maritime coin ceremony, or keel laying, was held for MSC World Atlantic, with a good luck coin being welded to the interior of her hull.

MSC World America Float Out
MSC World America Float Out

“Today is a very proud day for MSC Cruises and Chantiers de l’Atlantique, as we celebrate important milestones for our future – the float out of MSC World Asia, the coin ceremony for MSC World Atlantic, and the order of two new ships,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Group’s Cruise Division. 

“The World Class platform is symbolic of our aim to set new standards for the future of cruising. These are some of the most energy-efficient ships in the world, demonstrating our commitment to the use of LNG and ensuring we are always ready for future renewable fuels,” added Vago.

With the new ship orders, MSC Cruises has so far invested €10.5 billion ($12 billion USD) in the World-class series of ships.

Next World-Class Ship to Debut in Late 2026

The next MSC World-class ship to launch will be MSC World Asia, which is scheduled to sail her inaugural voyage on December 4, 2026. Although she is named for Asia, the ship will debut in the Western Mediterranean and sail multiple 7-night itineraries through October 2027.

Bookings for MSC World Asia are open for sale, and guests have a choice of embarkation ports, including Barcelona, Spain; Marseille, France; Valletta, Malta; and Genoa and Rome, Italy.

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Her maiden voyage will sail roundtrip from Barcelona and call at Marseille, France, Genoa and Rome, Italy, Messina, Sicily, and Valletta, Malta.

When MSC World Atlantic enters service in 2027, she will be based in the US, at Port Canaveral, and sail Caribbean voyages during the 2027-28 winter season.

Royal Caribbean Announces Cruises From Four US Ports With Nine Ships

Lissa Poirot
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Royal Caribbean Announces Cruises From Four US Ports With Nine Ships

Key Aspects:

  • Royal Caribbean’s 2027-28 deployment will feature nine ships sailing from Galveston, Los Angeles, Cape Liberty, and Baltimore.
  • The season introduces expanded access to the Caribbean, Mexico, Bermuda, and Canada with new and returning ships.
  • The deployment also highlights the growing collection of exclusive destinations.

Royal Caribbean is charting a new course for 2027 and 2028, announcing a wide range of sailings that will connect US ports with destinations throughout the Caribbean, Mexico, and Canada.

The itineraries, now open for early booking to Crown & Anchor Society members ahead of the November 13, 2025, public release, include voyages from Galveston, Los Angeles, Cape Liberty in New Jersey, and Baltimore.

The cruise line’s 2027-28 schedule will feature nine ships offering itineraries lasting from 4 to 12 nights, with departures beginning in April 2027. 

These voyages include stops at Royal Caribbean’s private and exclusive destinations, including Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in the Bahamas, which opens in December 2025, and Royal Beach Club Cozumel in Mexico, which opens in 2026.

The deployment includes nine ships sailing from three US regions. Texas departures will highlight Eastern and Western Caribbean routes, while California itineraries will feature the Mexican Riviera and the Baja Peninsula.

From the Northeast, passengers can choose sailings to Bermuda, the Bahamas, and ports throughout New England and Atlantic Canada.

Expanded Royal Caribbean Sailings

Royal Caribbean’s 2027-28 schedule expands operations from Galveston, Texas; Los Angeles; Bayonne, New Jersey; and Baltimore.

From Texas, the cruise line will strengthen its presence in Galveston starting in April 2027. Liberty of the Seas will return following a major 2026 upgrade, operating 4- to 8-night Western Caribbean sailings that call on Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico, and Roatan, Honduras.

Joining her will be Symphony of the Seas, homeporting in Texas for the first time with 4- to 8-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau, Bahamas, as well as Costa Maya and Cozumel.

Symphony of the Seas in the Bahamas
Symphony of the Seas in the Bahamas (Photo Credit: EWY Media)

In August 2027, Icon of the Seas will reposition from Miami to Galveston to launch alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries, including stops at CocoCay, Roatan, and Cozumel, where the new Royal Beach Club Cozumel is set to open in 2026. 

On the West Coast, Ovation of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas will sail from Los Angeles. Ovation of the Seas will run short 3- and 4-night getaways to Ensenada, Mexico, and Catalina Island, beginning in spring 2027.

Navigator of the Seas will continue her 7-night Mexican Riviera schedule, cruising to Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, and Ensenada for week-long Pacific itineraries roundtrip from L.A.

In the Northeast, three ships will operate from Cape Liberty. Beginning May 2027, Oasis of the Seas will sail 7-night roundtrip voyages to Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau, while Odyssey of the Seas will offer 7- to 12-night itineraries to Southern Caribbean destinations starting November 2027.

Those journeys will visit Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis; Bridgetown, Barbados; and Castries, St. Lucia.

More From Cruise Hive

Independence of the Seas will also operate 4- to 9-night cruises from Cape Liberty to Bermuda, Canada, New England, and the Eastern Caribbean, calling at Halifax, Portland, Grand Turk, and Willemstad.

From Baltimore, Vision of the Seas will offer 5- and 9-night summer sailings to Bimini and Bermuda, followed by fall cruises to Halifax and St. John, New Brunswick.

Disney Cruise Ship Continues to Skip Jamaica Following Hurricane

Catie Kovelman
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Disney Cruise Ship Continues to Skip Jamaica Following Hurricane

Key Aspects:

  • Disney Treasure will once again skip its call to Falmouth, Jamaica, during its November 29 sailing.
  • Falmouth experienced significant damage from Hurricane Melissa and is not yet ready to receive cruise guests.
  • Ocho Rios, however, resumed cruise operations earlier this week.

Disney Cruise Line is giving Jamaica the time and space it needs to recover after Hurricane Melissa wreaked havoc on the Caribbean country at the end of October.

Guests embarking on Disney Treasure on November 29, 2025, have been informed that the planned call to Falmouth, Jamaica, on December 3, 2025, will no longer be possible due to the damage left behind by the intense category 5 storm.

The sailing in question is a 7-night “Very Merrytime” cruise to the Western Caribbean that also calls to Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Disney’s Castaway Cay in the Bahamas.

“Due to the impacts of Hurricane Melissa on the island of Jamaica and the ongoing recovery efforts, we will be replacing our stop in Falmouth on Wednesday with a day at Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point on Thursday,” Disney cruise line notified guests.

This means that Wednesday, December 3, will now be a sea day. Thursday, December 4, will be spent at Disney’s newest private destination on the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas.

No other port calls on the itinerary have been impacted as of the time of publication.

Read Also: Falmouth, Jamaica Cruise Port: Piers, Getting Around and More

Interestingly, this also would have been Disney Treasure’s third call to Falmouth since Hurricane Melissa struck.

Disney already cancelled the Wish-class ship’s visit for November 5, 2025, which would have been just about a week after the destructive storm’s arrival.

Presumably, this means that the visit scheduled for November 19, 2025, has also been cancelled, although this has not yet been publicly confirmed by the cruise line.

Cruise Operations Restarting for Jamaica

Jamaica officially restarted cruise operations on November 11, 2025, with the arrival of Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam and MSC Cruises’ MSC Divina in Ocho Rios.

This is not only an important step in meeting the island nation’s goal of resuming all tourism operations on or before December 15, 2025, but also in kickstarting the local economy.

Disney Treasure Cruise Ship
Disney Treasure Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: MartinLueke)

However, this will be a slow and steady process, as not all of Jamaica’s five cruise ports are ready to receive guests at this point.

Ocho Rios is currently further along in its recovery efforts and is better equipped to welcome cruisers.

After receiving two cruise ships on November 11, Ocho Rios also welcomed Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Sunrise on November 12.

“This morning, the Carnival Sunrise called at the Port of Ocho Rios. It marks the second day of the restart of cruise shipping operations at the facility, after a 20-months closure due to damage to the berth,” the Port Authority of Jamaica shared on social media.

“The restart of cruise shipping activities is a critical step towards the general economic renewal of the town and recovery efforts post Hurricane Melissa,” the Port Authority added.

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More ships from Carnival, Virgin Voyages, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, MSC Cruises, TUI Cruises, Holland America Line, and AIDA Cruises are all supposed to call on Ocho Rios before the end of the month.

In the coming weeks, hopefully recovery efforts and repairs will progress to the point that ports like Falmouth will also be able to resume cruise operations.

New Gameshow Launching on Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas

Melissa Mayntz
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New Gameshow Launching on Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas

Key Aspects:

  • The Price is Right Gameshow is now debuting onboard Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas.
  • A small entry fee is required to play and participating audience members can win prizes as well.
  • On every sailing, guests will have the chance to win a new car as the biggest prize onboard.

Guests onboard Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas will have an amazing opportunity for prizewinning fame as the Price is Right Gameshow will now be played onboard every sailing.

The new entertainment option has been in rehearsals for some time, but is actually ready to debut one sailing sooner than expected.

The announcement comes from the ship’s cruise director, Marc Walker, who will be hosting the wildly popular game show. He shared the news on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 while the ship is enjoying a visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay.

“We’ve been in secret rehearsals this week and I’m pumped to let you know that one cruise early we are bringing you the Price is Right Gameshow where you have a chance to win a new car!” Walker confirmed. “It starts tomorrow on [Utopia of the Seas] and will be every cruise from now on.”

Walker has been dropping hints about the new gameshow in the past few days, including a “COME ON DOWN!” post at the ship’s Rock Climbing Wall aft on Deck 7, which he labeled “Hmmmm. Misleading photo.”

The announcement is exciting, as the gameshow is a popular one that offers audience guests the chance to join in the fun.

While there is no cost to watch the show as part of the audience, guests who want a chance to win must scan a QR code to play along on their phones. Different fees offer different levels of play during the show.

Read Also: Is 3 Nights Enough Time Onboard Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas?

Just like the television game show, which (fun fact!) has run for nearly 1,000 episodes, different prizes are highlighted and guests must guess the retail value.

Contestants are then selected by how close they are (without going over!) to the actual price, as well as how quickly they submit their guesses.

The Price is Right on Star of the Seas
The Price is Right on Star of the Seas (Cruise Director Mitch)

Different familiar games are played on stage, including spinning a virtual Big Wheel. Guests can win prizes such as onboard credit, casino credit, and yes, even a new car!

The car is not awarded on every sailing, but just the excitement of the opportunity has guests packing the theater.

Reservations are not required for The Price is Right, but eager guests should arrive early to be sure and find seats, as the show fills up quickly.

Worth Reading: Cruise Passenger Wins Huge Upgrade in Onboard Bingo Game, Goes Viral

Utopia of the Seas is not the only Royal Caribbean ship to feature the popular game show, as The Price is Right is also a crowd-pleaser onboard Star of the Seas.

If the success continues, the game show may be rolled out to more ships, but at the moment, the cruise line has not announced or confirmed any such plans.

More Game Shows on Cruise Ships

The Price is Right is one of the most popular television game shows of all time, but it is not the only familiar game show offered onboard cruise ships.

Family Feud is another wildly popular option, with cruise guests teaming up to create “families” to compete in guessing top answers to silly questions before striking out.

Many different cruise lines also offer Deal or No Deal game show events, with individual guests seeking to beat the banker and win monetary prizes, while audience members can play along for their own prizes.

Wheel of Fortune and Press Your Luck are other game shows that have occasionally been onboard cruise ships as well.

More From Cruise Hive

Of course, cruise ships also have their own classic game options, with everything from simple trivia contests to the iconic “Love and Marriage” shows. Aboard Royal Caribbean ships, the “Crazy Quest” is a wildly popular if-you-know-you-know adults-only game show.

Have you joined in game shows onboard cruise ships? Share your gameplay on the Cruise Hive boards!

FBI Continues Cruise Death Investigation as Family Awaits Answers

Melissa Mayntz
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FBI Continues Cruise Death Investigation as Family Awaits Answers

Key Aspects:

  • The day and time of death for Anna Kepner, the teen who died aboard Carnival Horizon, has been released.
  • There are no further details about the cause of death or the ongoing investigation that have been confirmed.
  • Interest in Kepner’s death may be related to concerns about cruise ship safety and other mysterious disappearances and deaths.

Nearly a week after her tragic passing onboard Carnival Horizon, Anna Kepner’s death continues to make headlines, but not because of new information. In fact, it is the lack of information that is driving interest as family members, friends, community members, and concerned cruisers seek answers.

Anna Kepner died under what appears to be suspicious circumstances. The only new information confirmed in recent days is the day and time of death.

According to the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner, 11:17 a.m. on Friday, November 7, 2025 is listed as Kepner’s official time of death. At that time, Carnival Horizon was making its way back to Miami during a day at sea following a visit to Cozumel, Mexico.

No cause of death or other details have been released or confirmed, even to close family members.

According to the New York Post, Kepner’s immediate family has not yet received any answers, but they remain in communication with the FBI and other authorities as the investigation continues.

“The FBI hasn’t shared anything with me yet. I would imagine they’re going to be in contact with me about it – but I know as little as everybody else,” Christopher Kepner, Anna’s father, said. “I have no idea what is going on right now. We are just trying to sit still and wait for answers.”

The family members sailing with Kepner were questioned before departing the ship, but have since tried to remain off social media in order to avoid the sometimes outrageous speculation about their loved one’s death.

“We are very private people. Our lives have been turned upside down,” he said.

Kepner was a senior at Temple Christian School in Titusville, Florida and the 18-year-old had plans to join the US Navy following her graduation in May, with hopes to become a K9 police officer in the future.

“She was also incredibly determined and hardworking; reliable, responsible, and always willing to help,” her official obituary read.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Anna on Thursday, November 20, 2025 in Titusville, Florida. Students and faculty members have been leaving tributes at her car at Temple Christian School this week as a way to express their condolences and feel closer to Anna.

Why Such Interest in One Cruise Guest’s Death?

It is not uncommon for guests to pass away on a cruise. Few deaths have generated as much interest as Kepner’s passing, however, and it is startling to see the number of rumors and outright speculation swirling online about the young girl’s death.

Read Also: Do Cruise Ships Have Morgues?

Again, no cause of death, persons of interest, or pending litigation has been confirmed from any authorities or from Kepner’s family.

Anna Kepner
Anna Kepner (Instagram: @anna.kepner16)

It is not unusual for a suspicious death investigation to take several weeks or months, particularly when there may be no apparent cause of death, such as a known medical condition. That Kepner’s death took place in international waters further complicates jurisdictional matters and investigation procedures.

It may therefore be some time before Kepner’s family will have the answers they seek. In the meantime, the family has asked for privacy and respect at this very difficult time.

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Public interest in the case is undoubtedly connected to the recent resurgence of interest in the Amy Bradley case following the Netflix docuseries that drew attention to her disappearance from Rhapsody of the Seas in 1998. That case remains unsolved.

Cruise Hive’s thoughts are with all of Anna’s family members, friends, classmates, and everyone who knew her and will miss her dearly.

NYC Unveils Major Overhaul of Manhattan Cruise Terminal

Lissa Poirot
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NYC Unveils Major Overhaul of Manhattan Cruise Terminal

Key Aspects:

  • New York City has unveiled a Master Plan for the nearly 90-year-old Manhattan Cruise Terminal.
  • The plan includes introducing shore power at all berths.
  • The plan will also accommodate three vessels simultaneously, including two 8,000-passenger ships.

More than a million cruise passengers pass through Manhattan every year, but the terminal they use is nearly a century old. 

But New York City says it has a long-term fix: a full rebuild designed to handle larger ships, provide electrifying operations, and give the public more access to the waterfront.

The New York City Economic Development Corporation has released a detailed Master Plan to overhaul the Manhattan Cruise Terminal, laying out a multi-year redevelopment of the aging piers located on Manhattan’s west side.

The plan follows a year of community engagement and outlines what officials describe as the most significant update ever proposed for the site, which has served as a major cruise gateway since the 1930s.

City leaders say the project will address long-standing infrastructure challenges while preparing the terminal for the next generation of cruise vessels.

The redesign includes new piers built to modern standards, a consolidated terminal structure, and full-scale shore power that will allow ships to plug into the electrical grid instead of running their engines while docked.

Worth Reading: Channel Island Cruise Port to Begin £150-Million Revitalization Project

New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) President and CEO Andrew Kimball said the project is intended to improve operations, reduce emissions, and deliver long-requested changes for nearby neighborhoods.

“The Manhattan Cruise Terminal Master Plan is a bold, forward-looking vision that will redefine the future of cruising in New York City,” he said. “By modernizing and electrifying the terminal, this plan will meet urgent industry demands.”

He also said the project will “grow economic impact and tax revenue for the City.”

Officials estimate that the cruise industry brings in roughly $500 million in annual economic impact across Manhattan and Brooklyn and supports nearly 3,000 local jobs.

Redevelopment will be phased to keep ships operating during construction, with the long-term goal of accommodating two 8,000-passenger vessels and one 6,000-guest ship at the same time.

What the Master Plan Includes

The Manhattan Cruise Terminal Master Plan outlines a complete reconstruction of the terminal, with the most significant change being the replacement of the 90-year-old piers that currently serve ships.

These piers will be rebuilt, expanded, and elevated to meet FEMA flood standards.

A new consolidated terminal building will replace the current configuration, which is spread across multiple structures that have been modified repeatedly over the decades.

Possible New Manhattan Cruise Terminal
Possible New Manhattan Cruise Terminal (Credit: NYCEDC)

The redesign will also allow the facility, currently utilizing Piers 88 and 90 as berths, to handle larger vessels that require larger berths and deeper drafts.

Adding shore power is also one of the most detailed components of the redevelopment. The project includes an initial $20 million commitment to provide shore power with compatibility at all berths. Additionally, solar panels and other energy measures will be added.

Public access features include widened sidewalks, new plaza, improved bicycle and pedestrian routes, and direct connections to Hudson River Park. A pedestrian bridge linking the terminal to DeWitt Clinton Park will eliminate the need to cross the West Side Highway at street level.

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The plan also calls for terraces, promenades, and other public-facing spaces designed for year-round use.

Before the plan goes into effect, however, New York City will have to conduct studies, get community involvement, and determine city, state, and federal agency involvement and funding.

Port of Galveston Issues Traffic Advisory Through Holiday Season

Melissa Mayntz
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Port of Galveston Issues Traffic Advisory Through Holiday Season

Key Aspects:

  • Roadwork on Harborside Drive at Port of Galveston may cause traffic congestion until the end of the year.
  • Guests should plan alternative routes to reach their cruise terminals and allot extra time in case of delays.
  • As many as 70 upcoming sailings may be impacted by the traffic issues through December 2025.

The holidays are a popular time for cruise vacations, bringing family members and friends together for fantastic memories while they sail away from seasonal frustrations. But guests sailing out of Galveston will need to be aware of some potential traffic snarls on their way to the cruise port.

Port of Galveston has posted a travel advisory regarding ongoing road construction on Harborside Drive (State Highway 275), the primary road that connects the different cruise terminals on the port’s south side.

Lane closures on Harborside Drive will begin on Monday, November 17, 2025 and are expected to continue through the end of December. This includes through the busy holiday cruise season and will impact as many as 70 ship visits through the end of the year.

“Drivers — including cruise passengers, supply trucks and other port-related traffic — should expect delays, especially on cruise days,” the advisory reads. “To help minimize travel time, please use your navigation app to plan your route in advance and allow extra time to reach your destination safely.”

The bulk of the construction will be between 14th Street and I-45. The corner of Harborside Drive and 14th Street is the intersection on the west side of the Royal Caribbean cruise terminal, while I-45 is at the far west end of the port at the base of Galveston Causeway.

This key traffic route passes multiple cruise parking lots, which can further complicate traffic on the busiest cruise days.

The road construction is being done the by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) as part of improvements to I-45 in Galveston.

Resurfacing the road is the bulk of the $3.5 million project, but adding lanes, sidewalks, and bike lanes, creating turning lanes and U-turn lanes, and other improvements are part of the project in different areas in Galveston.

“We appreciate the public’s patience as TxDOT completes these important roadway improvements supporting access and safety on Harborside Drive,” the advisory read.

While lane closures are going to be restricted to weekdays as much as possible, occasional weekend closures are still likely and will impact even greater numbers of travelers.

Galveston Cruise Terminals Aerial View
Galveston Cruise Terminals Aerial View (Photo Credit: Felix Mizioznikov)

Cruise guests should be mindful of the construction and plan their travel to Port of Galveston accordingly. In addition to checking for alternative routes, guests should plan for extra time to possible congestion and delays.

Worth Reading: New Traffic Alert as Texas Port Enters Busy Holiday Season

These precautions will apply not only to guests driving their own vehicles, but also when arranging ride share services, shuttles, or just being dropped off or picked up by family members or friends.

Cruise Traffic Growing in Galveston

These potential traffic concerns come just one week after the port officially opened Cruise Terminal 16, the fourth terminal at the rapidly growing cruise homeport.

This is the dedicated terminal for MSC Cruises and MSC Seascape has already begun sailing from Galveston with 7-night Western Caribbean itineraries.

Beginning December 13, Norwegian Viva will also homeport from Galveston’s newest cruise terminal, which will be used seasonally by Norwegian Cruise Line.

More From Cruise Hive

In 2026, Port of Galveston expects to welcome 445 sailings hosting nearly two million cruise passengers. Hopefully, this road construction will not be delayed and cruise guests in the new year will enjoy new and smoother roads.

In the meantime, guests setting sail from the Lone Star State in the next few weeks should remain in close contact with their cruise lines for any specific updates and be prepared for possible congestion and delays as they move in and out of the cruise port.

Princess Cruises Adds Celebration Key to Caribbean Itineraries

Melissa Mayntz
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Princess Cruises Adds Celebration Key to Caribbean Itineraries

Key Aspects:

  • Princess Cruises has opened bookings for its Caribbean season in 2027-2028 with 187 departure options.
  • Panama Canal sailings are especially interesting with different ships and cruise lengths to choose from.
  • Six Princess Cruises ships will also be visiting Celebration Key for another unique destination.

Princess Cruises is planning its most diverse and expansive Caribbean season in history for the winter of 2027-2028, as well as introducing new port visits to none other than Celebration Key.

From October 2027 through April 2028, the line is offering impressive sailing statistics on the now-open bookings:

  • 187 departures from 5 homeports – Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral, New York, and San Juan
  • Nine ships offering Caribbean itineraries, including Star Princess and Sun Princess
  • 43 unique itinerary options that range from 4-15 nights long (or longer with back-to-back cruises!)
  • 31 different port destinations that include 22 unique Caribbean islands

“We’re incredibly excited to bring our guests an expanded Caribbean season filled with more of what they love – sun-soaked destinations, immersive experiences, and the elegance of our two newest Sphere-class ships,” said Jim Berra, Princess Cruises Chief Commercial Officer.

Of special interest is Princess Cruises’ Panama Canal offerings from 2026 through 2028.

As the cruise line offering the most canal visits and transits of anyone in the industry, Princess Cruises ensures guests have outstanding experiences with experts onboard every ship who narrate the transit and share history and trivia about the engineering marvel.

Five ships will offer Panama Canal itineraries, including the new Star Princess as well as Caribbean Princess, Island Princess, Coral Princess, and Emerald Princess.

Star Princess‘ first Panama Canal visit is the ship’s April 13, 2026 departure, a 20-night repositioning sailing from Fort Lauderdale to Seattle with a full transit of the canal to cross from the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean. Along the way, Star Princess will visit Aruba, Mazatlan, Cabo San Lucas, and Los Angeles.

This amazing voyage will lead to Star Princess‘ first season in Alaska, offering guests unparalleled opportunities for a once-in-a-lifetime cruise vacation.

Other Panama Canal sailings will depart from Port Canaveral, Los Angeles, and Vancouver, ensuring that eager guests have various options to suit their travel preferences.

Princess Ships to Visit Celebration Key

Guests on select sailings will have one more unique port visit to celebrate as Princess Cruises ships begin calling on Celebration Key in the Bahamas.

While the private destination was initially designed and debuted for the exclusive use of Carnival Cruise Line, its wild popularity has inspired even more visits within the Carnival Corporation & plc family.

Celebration Key, Bahamas
Celebration Key, Bahamas (Credit: Carnival Cruise Line)

“Celebration Key is an extraordinary destination oasis and adding it to our itineraries gives guests even more ways to savor the Caribbean,” said Berra.

From the welcoming vibes of Paradise Plaza to the family-friendly Starfish Lagoon to the exclusive adults-only Pearl Cove Beach Club, Celebration Key offers something for everyone to enjoy.

The Bahamian-infused destination features live music, multiple ways to enjoy beach lounging, vibrant shopping and much more, adding a new way for guests to get their Caribbean groove on while sampling more than 30 dining and beverage options, admiring Bahamian artwork, and feeling at peace with the islands.

Princess Cruises ships with itineraries that feature Celebration Key include Sky Princess, Sun Princess, Regal Princess, Caribbean Princess, Enchanted Princess, and Star Princess in the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons.

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Sailings range from 4-16 nights and also visit other top ports such as Grand Turk, Belize, Cozumel, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, and more, depending on ship, sailing date, and cruise length.

With so much to offer on sun-soaked Caribbean sailings, every Princess Cruises guest can find an itinerary, sailing date, and exciting destination for their upcoming cruise plans.

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