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Carnival Firenze to New York as Splendor Adds Asia Voyages

Donna Tunney
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Carnival Firenze to New York as Splendor Adds Asia Voyages

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Cruise Line unveiled new 2027-28 itineraries for Carnival Splendor and Carnival Firenze.
  • Carnival Splendor will add cruises to Southeast Asia while Carnival Firenze deploys to New York.
  • The ships will together sail three Carnival Journeys voyages in 2027.

Carnival Cruise Line announced some major deployment plans for 2027-28, as Carnival Splendor sails four new itineraries in Australia and Southeast Asia, and Carnival Firenze replaces Carnival Venezia in New York.

The 3,000-guest Carnival Splendor, a Concordia-class ship that launched in 2007, is based year-round in Sydney, Australia, sailing 3- to 10-night voyages that typically include Australia destinations plus Vanuatu and New Caledonia.

In 2027-28, two getaway cruises, a 3-day cruise to nowhere and a 4-day sailing that calls at Moreton Island, will be offered from Sydney, along with two Carnival Journeys voyages in Southeast Asia.

The 4,126-guest Carnival Firenze, currently sailing year-round from Long Beach, California, will reposition to New York and replace sister ship Carnival Venezia as that vessel deploys to PortMiami. It will be Carnival Firenze’s Big Apple debut.

“Carnival Firenze, arriving in New York for the first time to replace Carnival Venezia, brings our Fun Italian Style to the market in a fresh way,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. 

Read Also: Carnival Cruise Line Cabins and Suites – What Are the Options?

“Combined with Carnival Splendor’s exciting sailings that include visits to Singapore, these additions showcase how we continue to grow our lineup in meaningful ways,” added Duffy.

Carnival Journeys Cruises Visit Southeast Asia

Carnival Splendor will sail two Carnival Journeys voyages in summer 2027. Journeys cruises typically visit destinations along less-traveled routes and have enhanced onboard enrichment programs. 

The first is a 15-day cruise from Sydney to Singapore, departing on July 31, 2027. The sailing will call at Moreton Island, Airlie Beach, and Cairns, Australia; Lembar, Indonesia; and Benoa, Bali, before concluding in Singapore.

Carnival Splendor Cruise Ship
Carnival Splendor Cruise Ship

On September 1, 2027, Carnival Splendor reverses the route and sails from Singapore to Sydney, on a 16-day voyage that calls at the same ports plus one additional destination, Darwin, Australia.

Both cruises follow Carnival Splendor’s scheduled dry dock at a Southeast Asia shipyard.

Carnival Firenze to Make New York Debut

Carnival Firenze is set to reposition from the US West Coast to PortMiami in February 2027, when she will sail a short series of Caribbean cruises through late May 2027. From there, she will head to New York.

An 11-day Carnival Journeys cruise to the Southern Caribbean will depart on May 16, 2027 and call at Celebration Key, Aruba, Curaçao, and St. Thomas.

After arriving in New York on May 27, 2027, the ship will sail 4- and 5-day cruises to Bermuda and Canada. A 5-day Canada/New England voyage on August 19, 2027 features port calls to Portland, Maine, and Saint John, Canada.

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Also from New York, Carnival Firenze will sail a 7-day Bermuda cruise with two overnights in the destination, plus several 8-day Eastern Caribbean sailings. Port calls on those voyages include Celebration Key, Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos, and RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay.

Carnival Firenze was most recently in the news thanks to a technology issue that delayed her departure from Long Beach by one full day, on December 15, 2025. The ship, formerly Costa Firenze, joined the Carnival fleet in 2024 when she was transferred from sister brand Costa Cruises.

Former Carnival Cruise Director Returning But Not How Guests Might Want

Melissa Mayntz
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Former Carnival Cruise Director Returning But Not How Guests Might Want

Key Aspects:

  • Chris “The Flying Scotsman” has announced he is bringing his show to Carnival Cruise Line.
  • Williams will be onboard two of Carnival Legend‘s European sailings in 2026.
  • The Flying Scotsman performs with other cruise lines as well and may have future Carnival bookings.

One of Carnival Cruise Line’s most popular former cruise directors, Chris “The Flying Scotsman” Williams, has announced a return to the Fun Ship Fleet, but not in the way some guests may wish.

Williams has been teasing about his big announcement in the past few days on his YouTube channel and Facebook page, finally letting fans know how he’s reconnecting with Carnival.

“Some big news, BIG news, but I have to break some hearts first of all,” he said. “I’m not coming back as a cruise director. I retired for a reason, I wanted to be home more with my family, I love being home now with my daughter and my wife.”

Over the past year, Williams has transitioned to be a fly-on entertainer on different cruise ships, bringing his distinctive act to audiences on different cruise lines.

“After nearly a year of waiting, it looks like I’m coming home,” Williams announced. “I’m going to be on the Legend.”

Williams has confirmed he will be performing on two sailings during Carnival Legend‘s European cruises this summer. While he won’t be onboard for the full cruise lengths, he will be joining the ship from June 7-10 and again from August 9-13.

“It’s been well over a year and a half that I’ve done my show on a Carnival ship. I’m so excited to be coming home, I’m so excited to be back on a Carnival ship. It’s gonna be wonderful,” Williams said. “Carnival Legend, I’m coming for you baby!”

He also hints that more Carnival Cruise Line bookings may be coming in the future, though no further dates or ships are yet confirmed.

Read Also: Carnival’s Fleet Cruise Director Role Explained

The Carnival family is eager to welcome Williams home and he got a shout-out from John Heald, the cruise line’s brand ambassador, on his upcoming shows.

“We’re so proud to welcome him back,” Heald said. “We’ve missed you and we are very exited that you will be on stage on our ships again.”

More Opportunities to See The Flying Scotsman

In addition to his upcoming sailings on Carnival ships, Williams also has shows in 2026 with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and Ambassador Cruise Lines.

Williams will be onboard a 10-night sailing of Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral from January 10-20, 2026 during a Norwegian fjords itinerary roundtrip from Southampton.

Chris "The Flying Scotsman" Williams, Carnival Cruise Director
Chris “The Flying Scotsman” Williams, Carnival Cruise Director

With Ambassador, Williams will be on a longer sailing, the February 19, 2026 departure of Ambition for a 31-night Mediterranean cruise. Williams will only be onboard for part of the voyage, however, from February 25 to March 3 as the ship sails from Malaga to Civitavecchia.

Chris Williams and Carnival Cruise Line

Williams served with Carnival Cruise Line for 13 years. His first position was as an entertainment singer, then he became a Playlist Productions Performer and eventually a cruise director. His vibrant style, irreverent humor, and amiable personality made him a favorite among Carnival cruise guests.

In November 2023, Williams was promoted to Fleet Cruise Director, working to train and support onboard cruise directors on different Carnival ships.

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He only served in that position before retiring from Carnival Cruise Line in August 2024, shortly after his 40th birthday. That occasion gave him time to reflect on the choice between job and family, and while he loves both, it was important to shift his priority to his family.

“I really want to be there for my family,” he said about his retirement. “I really want to see my little girl growing up, I want to be at all the competitions that she does, I want to be at all her school days, I want to be at all her school evening reports. I want to do everything that a dad does.”

Of course, Williams is still a top-notch entertainer and is bringing smiles to guests from all over the world. With his return to Carnival Cruise Line in a new role, more guests will get to enjoy his energy and panache, which is so distinctive and fun.

Carnival Guest Upset About Loss of Holiday Drink Tradition

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Guest Upset About Loss of Holiday Drink Tradition

Key Aspects:

  • One Carnival guest is upset that there is no eggnog available onboard their holiday cruise.
  • John Heald asked if other guests enjoy the seasonal beverage, with mixed results.
  • Guests can bring their own eggnog onboard if they abide by the cruise line’s beverage policy.

No matter what they may celebrate at this time of year, everyone has their own traditions for various festivities. This may include special foods, holiday pajamas, events, decorations, and of course, drinks to toast the season.

One Carnival cruise guest is frustrated that their family tradition is not available aboard Carnival Venezia, where a popular holiday beverage, eggnog, is absent. This is so disruptive to their Christmas plans that they reached out to John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador.

“Here on Venezia and no egg nog. It’s the xmas and Carnival has no egg nog. Egg nog is a xmas tradition in our family to be mixed with our dark rum,” the guest explained. “Thanks for taking one of our family xmas traditions away.”

Carnival Venezia is currently sailing a 7-night Western Caribbean itinerary that departed Port Canaveral on Sunday, December 14, with visits to Celebration Key, Roatan, and Cozumel on the schedule.

But are the up to 5,260 guests onboard the ship really missing eggnog that much?

Heald responded to the guest’s frustration, but also opened up the discussion to other cruisers about this sometimes controversial holiday beverage.

“I hope that despite no noggs of egg that you are having a brilliant time,” he said. “Egg Nog – do you drink it?”

Eggnog Opinions Vary

More than 1,400 guests responded to Heald’s question in just a few hours, with varied opinions on whether or not the festive beverage ought to be served onboard.

While many guests enjoy the typically frothy drink, either with or without spirits, they don’t expect Carnival Cruise Line to uphold their personal holiday traditions.

Read Also: Christmas on a Cruise Ship – What to Expect

“Yes I love it, but do not expect Carnival to meet all my, or anyone else’s favorite drinks, or tradition. If it means that much, they should not cruise at that time,” one guest noted.

“Egg nog-gate: where people forget that not everyone likes the same holiday drinks! Carnival is not obligated to cater to everyone’s family traditions,” another guest quipped.

Carnival Venezia in New York
Carnival Venezia in New York (Photo Credit: Maksim Toome)

A very valid point one guest brought up is that there are several brands of eggnog and those who like the drink can be very loyal to their favorite, just as guests are very loyal in the Coke vs. Pepsi wars.

“It would be impossible for Carnival to provide one to make everyone happy,” they noted.

A number of guests do think it would be nice for Carnival to offer the seasonal beverage, with or without rum or bourbon, and it could be a fun addition to holiday menus.

While Carnival has some amazing treats on its Christmas holiday menu, no eggnog options are available, at least not this year. With enough feedback, maybe there could be an eggnog cheesecake or other decadent dessert added in future years!

Bring Your Own Eggnog Onboard

Another popular suggestion was that anyone who really wants eggnog could bring it aboard with them at embarkation.

Carnival’s liquor and beverage policy permits guests to bring along “a maximum of 12 sealed, unopened cans/cartons of 12-ounces/354-ml each or less” of non-alcoholic beverages.

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Heald has also previously noted that guests can replenish their non-alcoholic drink supply at ports of call, so guests could also pick up a small carton of eggnog while visiting a port during their cruise.

Provided the guests’ eggnog was not already fortified with rum or other spirits, they could certainly bring along the festive drink. There is plenty of rum onboard for anyone who wants that enhancement as well!

NCL Unveils Hundreds of Winter Voyages and Brings Back Free at Sea Plus

Calvin Musquez
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NCL Unveils Hundreds of Winter Voyages and Brings Back Free at Sea Plus

Key Aspects:

    Bing Crosby dreamed of a white Christmas, but for those cruisers looking for a winter of sunshine, beaches, and open ocean, Norwegian Cruise Line has you covered.

    The popular cruise line has unveiled deployments for the 2027/2028 winter season that are sure to bring holly jolly vibes on the high seas. Spanning from September 2027 to April 2028, this season brings exciting itineraries to cruisers all over the world.

    For the winter season, Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet will sail from 15 homeports:

      And, for the first time, two of Norwegian’s newest ships, the 143,535 gross ton Norwegian Prima, and her sister ship, the 142,500 gross ton Norwegian Viva, will homeport from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

      These voyages will sail to 144 destinations across 47 different countries.  They range from quick two-day weekend getaways to massive 22-day journeys for the most dedicated cruisers.

      The cruise line is putting particular emphasis on Bahamas and Caribbean voyages, with a plethora of sailings going to popular destinations such as Freeport, Nassau, Philipsburg, St. Maarten, and Antigua.

      Of course, what would a cruise be without a private island getaway?  

      Norwegian Cruise Line’s private destinations, Harvest Caye and Great Stirrup Cay, will also feature in many of these Caribbean and Bahamas sailings.

      By then, Great Stirrup Cay will have completed several massive upgrades, including a new pier and a brand new massive waterpark, announced earlier this year.

      For cruisers sailing out of Los Angeles, Galveston, and New Orleans, you can look forward to journeys to Mexico, featuring popular ports like Cozumel, Cabo San Lucas, and Puerto Vallarta.

      Ships sailing from these ports include Norwegian Encore out of Los Angeles, Norwegian Escape out of Galveston, and Norwegian Getaway out of New Orleans.

      Norwegian Escape Cruise Ship
      Norwegian Escape Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Just dance)

      Additionally, sailings to destinations across Australia, New Zealand, and Asia will be available for our friends to the east.  These sailings include destinations like Fremantle, Adelaide, Okinawa, Kobe, Ko Samui, and Coron.

      Australia and New Zealand voyages sail on the 1,972 passenger Norwegian Spirit, while Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore offer sailings aboard the 2,352 passenger Norwegian Jade.

      If you’re worried about feeling rushed, rest easy. To give guests ample time to explore each destination, the average port time is a leisurely 9.5 hours.

      This exciting deployment will also include 71 late departures at 31 ports and 70 overnight stays.

      NCL Remains Committed to Flexibility with Free at Sea Plus

      A lot of cruisers prefer not to have their vacations prescribed too rigidly. Like ordering a sandwich at a deli, they like to carefully curate their trip, piece by piece.

      With the diverse variety of offerings coming, running the gamut of length, destinations, and activities, Norwegian seems to understand this desire.

      “We’re thrilled to unveil our new immersive winter season, giving travelers the ultimate freedom to create their own adventure,” said Harry Sommer, President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. 

      “Whether it’s an exotic Asia voyage, a quick Bahamas escape or a sun-soaked Caribbean getaway, our itineraries are designed for flexibility and choice.”

      Further demonstrating this commitment to freedom, Norwegian Cruise Line also unveiled a new upgrade to its Free at Sea program, Free at Sea Plus.  

      This new upgrade gives cruisers exciting additional perks during their voyage, including unlimited streaming WiFi, wine, bottled water, and (for the caffeine lovers) unlimited Starbucks drinks.

      Additionally, Free at Sea Plus provides guests with a massive 50% discount on additional specialty dining cover charges, as well as an unlimited open bar at Great Stirrup Cay.

      More From Cruise Hive

      The new program upgrade costs $49.99 per person, per day.  Not a bad deal for those who will take full advantage of the free drinks and discounts.

      So, if you’re looking to ditch the frosty weather in favor of a tropical paradise in 2027, be sure to keep an eye on Norwegian Cruise Line’s offerings for a new kind of winter wonderland.

      Cruise Dreams Shattered After Guests Turned Away for Documentation Slip

      Catie Kovelman
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      Cruise Dreams Shattered After Guests Turned Away for Documentation Slip

      Key Aspects:

      • A family is demanding compensation after being denied boarding for their Norwegian Cruise Line sailing.
      • Two members of the travel party, who are US permanent citizens, did not bring their green cards to the cruise port.
      • Green cards were required to sail and to re-enter the country at the end of their planned Bahamas cruise.

      If there is one thing every cruiser must remember to do, it is to double-check what documentation is needed in order to embark on their sailing and triple-check that they bring it all with them.

      Guests who fail to do so could be denied boarding, which is what happened to one family who recently attempted to embark on a Norwegian Cruise Line ship in Jacksonville, Florida.

      It’s unclear which specific sailing that family had booked, but the ship that ended up being just out of reach for them was likely Norwegian Gem, as she is homeporting in Jacksonville through spring of 2026.

      Per an angry Reddit post, the poster’s wife and parents were denied boarding at the cruise port because the parents – who are permanent US citizens – did not have their physical green cards with them.

      “I bought my wife and in-laws tickets to the Bahamas leaving from Jacksonville and they drove down there yesterday (7 hour drive) but were refused entry on to the ship because my in-laws, who are permanent residents with passports and state IDs, did not have their physical green cards with them,” the frustrated spouse posted.

      “The reason given by the person refusing entry was that, quote: ‘when we come back through US Customs from the Bahamas, how are they going to get back into the country without their cards?’”, the Redditor continued.

      Read Also: Do I Need a Passport to Go on a Cruise? – Full Guide

      The family is now seeking a refund or future cruise credit from Norwegian Cruise Line due to the inconvenience and embarrassment, which has thus far been denied.

      Who is Really at Fault?

      The family has tried to claim that they did not see anything stating that physical green cards were required, and that this information was not ever conveyed to them.

      “When I purchased the tickets NCL did not ask to upload them, nor did they ever mention them when I registered her parents as non-US citizens during check out,” the Redditor complained.

      But just because the family may not have immediately seen these instructions, it doesn’t mean the information wasn’t readily available.

      Cruise Check In
      NCL Cruise Check In (Photo Credit: Joni Hanebutt / Shutterstock)

      A quick search of Norwegian Cruise Line’s website makes it clear that physical green cards would have been required to sail, making it hard for the family to prove that they simply didn’t know better.

      “US Alien Residents holding an Alien Resident Card (ARC), also known as a ‘Green Card’ must be in possession of the ARC in order to sail,” reads NCL’s publicly accessible travel documentation policy.

      “US Alien Residents who do not have their ARC, as well as a valid passport from their country of citizenship, with them at check-in will be denied boarding,” the policy states.

      Federal law also requires permanent residents (green card holders) to carry their green card with them at all times as proof of their status, and it must be presented to immigration officers upon leaving and entering the country.

      Cruising to the Bahamas, of course, counts as leaving the country.

      No Sympathy From the Cruise Community

      Instead of advice on securing a refund, the Redditor received quite a bit of tough love in response to their post.

      “It’s your responsibility to have the appropriate documents. Even a small amount of research ahead of time could have prevented this situation. It sucks and I’m sorry, this is definitely a ‘you’ problem,” one person said.

      “OP could have read the NCL website or asked his travel agent. He needs to mark this up as a very expensive lesson learned,” another agreed.

      More From Cruise Hive

      At the end of the day, it is ultimately every cruise guest’s responsibility to verify what documentation is needed ahead of their sailing.

      When in doubt, it is always okay to call the cruise line’s customer service department, where agents will be happy to walk you through the required documentation.

      Carnival Adjusting Itineraries After Islands Sold to New Owner

      Melissa Mayntz
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      Carnival Adjusting Itineraries After Islands Sold to New Owner

      Key Aspects:

      • Six future Carnival Encounter sailings must be changed because one port has now been sold.
      • Papua New Guinea’s Conflict Islands will no longer welcome cruise guests under new ownership.
      • Carnival Cruise Line is seeking alternative destinations and will update the impacted cruises.

      South Pacific itineraries sailing from Australia offer amazing opportunities to visit remote destinations that embody the untouched beauty of the tropics. The Conflict Islands in Papua New Guinea are one such destination.

      Unfortunately, an unexpected change in ownership means those islands will be unavailable to cruise guests and multiple sailings of Carnival Encounter will now have itinerary changes.

      “Carnival has been advised that Conflict Islands, Papua New Guinea, has been sold to a new owner and will no longer be available for cruise ship visits,” a notification sent to travel agents and booked guests explained.

      A total of six Carnival Encounter voyages are impacted and will no longer be able to visit the Conflict Islands as planned. This includes the following departure dates over more than two years:

      • June 9, 2026
      • August 19, 2026
      • April 19, 2027
      • August 18, 2027
      • April 18, 2028
      • June 14, 2028

      These sailings are all 10-night roundtrip cruises from Brisbane. In addition to the Conflict Islands, other ports on the itineraries include Alotau, Kiriwina Island, and Rabaul. The Conflict Islands are the final port visit for each voyage.

      While the other Papua New Guinea [PNG] ports are not affected by the ownership change, it is possible they may be rescheduled or cancelled as Carnival Cruise Line adjusts to new routes or offers other alternative ports.

      “We are now actively evaluating the alternatives for PNG itineraries and will be in touch with guests in January 2026, once we have finalised plans,” the notification said.

      Another option might be a longer stay in ports already planned, but Carnival Cruise Line will investigate all possible options before confirming changes.

      In addition to the 108,865-gross-ton Carnival Adventure, Holland America Line’s Noordam and Zaandam have visits planned to the Conflict Islands in 2026 – on January 13 and February 7, respectively. Seabourn Pursuit is scheduled to call on May 12, 2026.

      Several other ships are also scheduled for the destination in 2026, 2027, and 2028, including Westerdam, Coral Princess, Seabourn Quest, Hapag-Lloyd’s Europa 2, and Grand Princess.

      Other than Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, all the other lines scheduled to visit the Conflict Islands are part of Carnival Corporation & plc.

      Whether or not other cruise lines must likewise cancel the port or adjust itineraries will depend on their own arrangements with the new owner.

      Who Owns the Conflict Islands?

      The Conflict Islands are an atoll with more than 15 small islands east of the main body of Papua New Guinea. While their name might indicate ownership disputes, the islands were actually named after the Royal Navy schooner HMS Conflict in 1880.

      Nevertheless, there have been conflicts with the Conflict Islands in recent years. Previously owned by Australian businessman Ian Gowrie-Smith, the islands were up for sale in 2022.

      Pacific Encounter Cruise Ship
      Pacific Encounter Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: ribeiroantonio)

      According to the Sydney Morning Herald at that time, there were security concerns that islands might be sold to Chinese interests. This could have caused significant political and economic instability in the region.

      That sale apparently fell through, but now the islands have transferred to new but as yet undisclosed ownership.

      “The Conflict Islands, which are part of Papua New Guinea, have been sold to a new owner,” John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador, said. “I didn’t know islands moved around like that.”

      While the islands may remain under private ownership and unavailable to guests, there are other options as well. It is possible a resort may have purchased the location and could be planning a new destination for visitors, or even private entities such as television studios or research facilities could make such purchases.

      Cruise lines may even make such purchases to develop private destinations, such as Royal Caribbean’s purchase of Costa Maya to construct Perfect Day Mexico.

      In some cases, such agreements are not actual purchase contracts, but instead are long-term leases with the governments who retain ownership of the islands or destinations.

      Itinerary Updates Planned

      Regardless of who the new owner of the islands may be, cruises will be unable to visit for the foreseeable future.

      “The new owners do not want the cruise ships there,” Heald confirmed in a daily video. “That’s very sad because I know it was a very popular area, but we are looking extremely hard now to provide you with an exciting itinerary and you’ll have that news in the early part of 2026.”

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      There is no precise timeline for when the itinerary updates will be announced. Because the first impacted cruise is not for six months, however, there is plenty of time for Carnival Cruise Line to make alternative arrangements to offer outstanding destinations for guests to visit.

      Guests booked on the impacted sailings should stay in close contact with Carnival to be sure they are updated as soon as changes are confirmed.

      Princess Cruise Ship Returns to Singapore For Seasonal Voyages

      Donna Tunney
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      Princess Cruise Ship Returns to Singapore For Seasonal Voyages

      Key Aspects:

      • Princess Cruises’ Diamond Princess is sailing her inaugural fall 2025 seasonal cruise from Singapore.
      • The sailing is one of seven voyages the ship will operate across Southeast Asia.
      • In late February 2026, Diamond Princess will reposition to Japan.

      Princess Cruises’ Diamond Princess has once again deployed to her seasonal homeport of Singapore and is about halfway through her first voyage, a 16-night cruise visiting destinations in Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

      The Gem-class ship, which accommodates 2,700 guests in double occupancy, is an annual visitor to Singapore, offering a series of Southeast Asia sailings before traditionally launching a Japan series in February.

      In 2026, her repositioning to Yokohama (Tokyo) will begin on February 10, but first she will sail another six voyages roundtrip from Singapore.

      Diamond Princess’s current itinerary features eight port calls, with just two remaining — Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on December 19 and 21, respectively, before returning to Singapore on December 23, 2025.

      Worth Reading: Princess Cruises to Boost Seasonal Capacity in Singapore

      Her holiday cruise, a 14-night “Malaysia, Thailand & Vietnam” sailing that departs December 23, 2025, offers guests the chance to spend Christmas and New Year’s onboard the ship as she calls at popular destinations in each country, plus Sihanoukville, Cambodia.

      Cruises roundtrip from Singapore are of varying lengths and are offered into mid-February 2026, including the 10-night “Vietnam With Halong Bay,” departing on January 20, 2026. It will visit four destinations in Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, Halong Bay, and Da Nang.

      Diamond Princess Cruise Ship
      Diamond Princess Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Franchesko Mirroni)

      Diamond Princess will reposition to Yokohama at the conclusion of her February 10, 2026 voyage, a 14-night sailing that calls at Ho Chi Minh City and Nha Trang, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Keelung, Taipei, and Osaka and Shimizu, Japan.

      The ship will launch her Japan series with the 10-night “Japan Explorer” cruise departing on February 24, 2026. The voyage will enable cruisers to immerse themselves in Japanese culture while calling at seven of the country’s ports — Beppu, Hiroshima, Shimonoseki, Nagasaki, Aburatsu, Kochi, and Toba, plus Busan, South Korea.

      Diamond Princess will offer a wide variety of Japan itineraries in 2026, ranging from 9 to 20 nights.

      Other Princess Cruises’ ships will make calls in Singapore in 2026-27.  Crown Princess, for example, will call in May 2026 during her 114-night world cruise, and Royal Princess will make her maiden call to the destination on October 16, 2026 during a 9-night cruise roundtrip from Singapore.

      Royal Princess will also operate a 13-night cruise roundtrip from Singapore on November 10, 2026.

      New Eatery Offers Japanese Specialties

      Diamond Princess was constructed in Japan and designed for the Japanese market; however, the cruise line continues to enhance the ship’s cultural offerings. 

      In fall 2025, a new restaurant, Makoto Ocean, was added to Diamond Princess. The eatery debuted onboard the line’s newest ships, Sun Princess and Star Princess, and was created in partnership with celebrity Chef Makoto Okuwa, who is noted for his Edomae-style sushi.

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      Onboard Diamond Princess, Makoto Ocean replaced the Kai Sushi venue. The new restaurant was also added to Sapphire Princess, a ship that will join Diamond Princess in the Japan market in 2027.

      In August 2025, Princess Cruises announced it would double its capacity in Japan by adding Sapphire Princess to the region, joining Diamond Princess from March to December 2027. Also Japanese-built, Sapphire Princess is a sister ship to Diamond Princess.

      The two ships together will sail 78 itineraries in 2027. Sapphire Princess will sail from Tokyo.

      Crown Bay Cruise Port Set for Major Redevelopment With Royal Caribbean

      Donna Tunney
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      Crown Bay Cruise Port Set for Major Redevelopment With Royal Caribbean

      Key Aspects:

      • Royal Caribbean Group will help redevelop the Crown Bay cruise port on St. Thomas.
      • The project is a partnership with the local port authority and a cruise terminal developer.
      • The timeline for completion and cost of the plan were not revealed.

      Royal Caribbean Group, parent company to Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises, apparently sees a big future at Crown Bay, one of two cruise ports on St. Thomas.

      The company has signed a pact with the Virgin Islands Port Authority and Cruise Terminals International to redevelop Crown Bay, turning it from a small retail mall and welcome center into a tourist hub with cultural venues, commercial outlets, and recreational sites.

      An announcement on December 18, 2025 detailed the signing of the agreement the day before, with plenty of VIPs on hand, including USVI Gov. Albert B. Bryan, Jr., Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach, and several cruise line and port officials.

      The accord was signed at the Austin “Babe” Monsanto Marine Terminal in Crown Bay. However, details about the actual redevelopment are scarce. There was no timeline for the project, for instance, and no price tag.

      Royal Caribbean Group has experience redeveloping ports. One of its most ambitious projects, where it worked in partnership with local authorities, was at Falmouth, Jamaica, which was developed into a spacious marketplace with local vendors, high-end luxury shops, eateries, and other commercial outlets in 2011.

      Virgin Islands Port Authority & Royal Caribbean Group
      Virgin Islands Port Authority & Royal Caribbean Group

      Royal Caribbean Group also has invested in several private destinations, most notably Perfect Day at CocoCay, in the Bahamas, the soon-to-open Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, and planned destinations at Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico, and Santorini, Greece.

      Crown Bay on St. Thomas is particularly important to Royal Caribbean because the docks can accommodate the line’s Oasis-class vessels. The class includes Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, and Utopia of the Seas. Another is expected to debut in 2028.

      The Oasis-class ships are just shy of 1,200 feet long, a length not many Caribbean ports can accommodate.

      Project Promises to Buoy Local Economy

      Aside from its own needs, Royal Caribbean seems eager to upgrade the guest experience and help the local island economy.

      “By providing elevated experiences for our guests while also paying respect to the local culture and delivering significant economic benefits to the community, we can collectively usher in a new future for US Virgin Islands,” said Melissa Morales, senior director of destination development for the Americas, Caribbean, and Europe at Royal Caribbean Group.

      Port authority officials touted the project’s investment in the island, saying the redevelopment reflects the future of tourism in the USVI.

      Read Also: IDEAL Eastern Caribbean Cruise Ports You Should Visit

      The third partner in the deal, Cruise Terminals International (CTI), is an independent cruise terminal developer, 10% owned by Royal Caribbean Group. It is 90% owned by the London-based investment firm ICONInfrastructure.

      Cost of the Project Is Not Yet Revealed

      No investment figure was floated in the announcement, but a major undertaking to transform a port is an expensive proposition. In the case of the Falmouth Cruise Port in Jamaica, for example, Royal Caribbean invested about $170 million — nearly 15 years ago. 

      However, that development included the construction of a two-ship berth, something that Crown Bay likely will not need. Also, presumably the local port authority and CTI will be investors, too.

      More From Cruise Hive

      St. Thomas has two cruise ports. In addition to Crown Bay, the authority operates Havensight. It is already a vibrant, modern facility with commercial spaces and is closer to downtown Charlotte Amalie than Crown Bay.

      Ships from scores of cruise lines call at St. Thomas, including the Royal Caribbean Group brands. In December 2025, for instance, Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, and Independence of the Seas will call, as will Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Xcel.

      Norwegian Cruise Ships Drop Curacao From Itineraries Amid Rising Tensions

      Melissa Mayntz
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      Norwegian Cruise Ships Drop Curacao From Itineraries Amid Rising Tensions

      Key Aspects:

      • Norwegian Epic has skipped Curacao and Norwegian Sky has removed the port from a January sailing.
      • No reason has been offered other than “naval exercises” and “updated port availability.”
      • Local news sources note that rising tensions between Venezuela and the US may be causing the changes.

      Both Norwegian Epic and Norwegian Sky are skipping port visits to the popular southern Caribbean destination of Curacao. While Norwegian Epic has already skipped the tropical destination, at least one of Norwegian Sky‘s upcoming voyages is also impacted.

      Norwegian Epic skipped her visit to Willemstad that had been planned for Wednesday, December 17, 2025. The ship is currently sailing a 7-night Caribbean voyage roundtrip from San Juan, Puerto Rico that departed on Sunday, December 14.

      Guests aboard that weeklong cruise reported on Reddit that the ship’s captain announced the reason for the change was “naval exercises,” and it was important for the ship to depart the area near Curacao. Instead, the ship would head for Barbados as an alternative port visit.

      The captain’s announcement also indicated that all Norwegian Cruise Line ships would be skipping Curacao, but that has not yet been confirmed. Cruise Hive has reached out to Norwegian Cruise Line for clarification but has not yet heard back.

      Satellite tracking does show the 155,873-gross-ton Norwegian Epic docked in Bridgetown, Barbados on Thursday, December 18. According to the current itinerary, that day was originally planned as a day at sea.

      Norwegian Sky to Skip Curacao in January

      Another Norwegian Cruise Line ship, Norwegian Sky, has also updated future itinerary plans and removed Curacao from the ship’s January 5, 2026 departure.

      “Due to updated port availability, we will no longer be visiting Willemstad, Curacao,” the notification letter sent to booked guests and travel agents stated.

      There were no further details provided about why the ship would be skipping the popular port and no alternative destination has been added to the 9-night itinerary.

      Mega Pier Cruise Terminal
      Mega Pier Cruise Terminal (Photo Credit: Studio Barcelona)

      Norwegian Sky will still be visiting Cabo Rojo, Aruba, Bonaire, Grenada, Barbados, St. Lucia, and Tortola during the cruise.

      Two other minor itinerary changes have also been confirmed. Norwegian Sky will set sail from her La Romana homeport at 4 p.m. rather than 5:30 as originally scheduled. She will also depart Tortola slightly later than planned, at 2:30 p.m. instead of 2:15 p.m.

      The 77,104-gross-ton Norwegian Sky is one of the oldest and smallest ships in the NCL fleet, and her days are numbered.

      Norwegian Cruise Line announced in April 2025 that Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Sun would be leaving the fleet in 2026 and 2027, respectively. Both ships have been sold to Cordelia Cruises and will continue to sail with that cruise line after updates and rebranding.

      Why Is Curacao Cancelled?

      While Norwegian Cruise Line has not yet given any further explanation about the port cancellations other than “naval exercises” and “updated port availability,” the reasons may be more complex.

      The NL Times notes that rising tensions between the US and Venezuela, in light of drug trafficking operations and the presence of military aircraft in commercial airspace, could be behind the cancellations.

      Willemstad is on the southern coast of Curacao and just 45 miles from mainland Venezuela. The island is not under Venezuelan control, however, but is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands along with Aruba and Bonaire.

      While there is no immediate threat to any of the ABC islands, cruise lines may feel obligated to take extra precautions to ensure the safety of their ships, guests, and crew members.

      With the busy tourist season just beginning for the southern Caribbean, multiple cancellations and itinerary changes could have a significant economic impact on the region.

      More From Cruise Hive

      At the moment, no other cruise lines appear to be canceling sailings to the region or adjusting itineraries to avoid Curacao.

      In the next few weeks, ships from Royal Caribbean, AIDA Cruises, Holland America Line, P&O Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Marella Cruises, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Virgin Voyages, and more all have visits planned for Curacao.

      Any guests booked on a southern Caribbean sailing with any line will want to keep in close contact with their cruise line in the coming months in case their voyages may be impacted by further changes.

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