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Carnival Conquest Returns From Dry Dock With Major New Bar and Upgraded Spaces

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Conquest Returns From Dry Dock With Major New Bar and Upgraded Spaces

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Conquest has now returned to service following a 12-day dry dock update in the Bahamas.
  • The ship now has a new Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounge onboard, plus an expanded casino and other refreshed spaces.
  • Carnival Conquest offers 3- and 4-night Bahamas itineraries from Miami, with several longer cruises in 2027.

Following a brief, 12-day dry dock at the Grand Bahama Shipyard, Carnival Conquest is back in service and looking better than ever with new spaces and popular favorites now showcased onboard.

The dry dock was from February 6-19, 2026, but quite a bit was accomplished in just that short period of time.

The largest change has been the addition of the Heroes Bar & Lounge, a space dedicated to welcoming and honoring veterans and active service personnel from all military branches, thanking them for their service.

The Heroes Bar & Lounge was first introduced on Carnival Panorama in 2019 and has been a part of every Carnival cruise ship launched since. Cruise Hive has previously reported on the venue being added to other Carnival ships during dry dock updates, usually replacing the onboard sports bar or library spaces.

Guests who visit the Heroes Bar & Lounge can purchase a special souvenir glass or the exclusive Heroes American Pale Ale, and Carnival Cruise Line donates a portion of those proceeds to Operation Homefront in support of military families.

Heroes Bar on Carnival Conquest
Heroes Bar on Carnival Conquest

Guests who enjoy pulling the slots or tossing the dice on their Carnival cruise vacations will appreciate the updates to the Tahiti Casino on Deck 5 (Promenade Deck), with updated games, a redesigned layout, and a new, dedicated non-smoking area. On the starboard side of the casino, extra slot machines have been added at the end of the casino bar.

For those who prefer shopping for their cruise vacation budget, the retail spaces onboard have been refreshed, with the Effy, Pandora, and Swarovski shops all offering a new, elegant look.

Carnival Conquest Casino
Carnival Conquest Casino

It isn’t just spaces for the adults that have been updated. Carnival Conquest now features a Club O2 space exclusively for teens as well as a renovated video arcade with newer, more interactive games for kids of all ages to enjoy.

For other entertainment options, guests can now enjoy a new stage next to the Alchemy Bar on Deck 5, offering a better traffic flow and crowd control. The Casino Stage was removed and relocated to the new space, with extra seating for the Alchemy Bar.

Of course, as with any dry dock refreshment, other aesthetic details were also updated onboard, ensuring the ship looks her very best as she welcomes guests once again.

It is typical for cruise ships to receive dry dock updates every 3-5 years. Carnival Conquest‘s previous update was in September 2022 in Cadiz, Spain.

At that time, other public spaces were updated and the ship was repainted in the new red, white, and blue hull livery that was first introduced with Mardi Gras in 2021.

Sailing Aboard the Refreshed Ship

Carnival Conquest is back in service from Friday, February 20, welcoming guests onboard for a 3-night Bahamas sailing from Miami to Celebration Key.

The 110,000-gross-ton ship, lead vessel in the bold Conquest class, is homeported year-round from PortMiami, offering 3- and 4-night Bahamas itineraries.

Read Also: When Is the Best Time to Cruise to the Bahamas?

While the weekend getaways only visit Celebration Key, the 4-night cruises also go to Nassau, Princess Cays, or Half Moon Cay, depending on departure date. Carnival Conquest will remain in Miami at least through mid-April 2028.

Notable among her future sailings are three longer Carnival Journeys itineraries. On January 11, 2027, Carnival Conquest will set sail on an 11-night Southern Caribbean itinerary to St. Thomas, Grenada, Barbados, Antigua, and more, with similar longer itineraries offered on November 1, 2027, and November 29, 2027.

More From Cruise Hive:

Carnival Conquest can welcome 2,980 guests at double occupancy and is also home to approximately 1,150 international crew members.

The ship first debuted in 2002, making her one of the older ships in the Carnival fleet, but now she’s fresh and new and ready to offer outstanding vacations to every guest for years to come.

Carnival Guest Sounds Off About Surprising Stateroom Safe Limits

Catie Kovelman
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Carnival Guest Sounds Off About Surprising Stateroom Safe Limits

Key Aspects:

  • A current Carnival guest complained about the size of the stateroom safes onboard Carnival Panorama.
  • The guest was upset that the safe was not big enough to store their personal documents and several electronic devices.
  • When the conversation was broadened, most felt the stateroom safes are a perfectly fine size for their intended purpose.

In order to board a cruise ship, guests need to bring some pretty important documentation to the cruise port, such as their passports or birth certificates.

This is in addition to items guests may elect to bring, such as extra cash for tips or expensive electronic devices, such as laptops, iPads, or Kindles.

One kindle-toting guest, who is currently onboard Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Panorama for its 8-night sailing to the Mexican Riviera, is raising concerns about not being able to protect their devices when not in use.

Specifically, this guest was upset that the stateroom safes were not big enough to store their Kindle along with their other important objects.

“I am on the Panorama. The safe is not big enough for a Kindle. We put our car keys, phones, cash, emergency credit card(s), passports, and excursion documents in the safe,” the unidentified guest wrote to Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald on Facebook.

“Once that is done there is no room for my Kindle or [Dear Husband’s] iPad and my son’s Switch. Carnival please make bigger safes to cater for today’s modern cruise family,” the guest implored.

While the sizes of the stateroom safes can vary across the different cabins in the fleet, the approximate size is 10″ W x 9″H x 8″ D on average.

Heald Kicks Off the Conversation

Heald initially replied with one of his classic jokes, putting the good humor he is famous for on display.

“Thank you and I am not sure we allow cruise directors to be put into the safe, I don’t think Kyndall would like that very much………….oh, sorry, you mean Kindle not Kyndall,” Heald quipped.

This was a reference to Kyndall “Fire” Magyar, one of the most popular Carnival cruise directors and the current fun leader onboard Carnival Jubilee.

Carnival Cruise Line Cabin Safe
Carnival Cruise Line Cabin Safe (Photo Credits: Cruise Hive & FOTOGRIN)

Heald then turned serious and opened the conversation to his followers to see what they think about the standard safe sizes.

He inquired: “OK, seriously thank you for letting me know and I would like to see everyone else’s thoughts on this please. Are our safes big enough for you?”

While replacing the safes across the fleet would be a massive undertaking, this is an improvement that the cruise line can keep in mind in the future.

This is definitely the type of upgrade that could be implemented slowly during routine visits to the dry dock for planned maintenance and enhancements if the demand was high enough.

What Do Cruisers Think?

Heald’s post received over 4,000 comments, which Cruise Hive read through in depth. Ultimately, the majority didn’t see a need to change the safe sizes.

Most only used their safes to store smaller valuables like cash, jewelry, and important documents, and many said they didn’t even bother locking up.

There was also no shortage of trust for the crew members who enter passenger cabins daily and some even had positive experiences where their room stewards picked up fallen valuables and placed them where guests would find them later.

“I leave my iPad out on the room and after 26 cruises it has never came up missing. Carnival room stewards are honest,” one avid cruiser said.

“My kindle fell under the bed and they put it on the end table while cleaning the room. I’ve never had issues with any electronics going missing. Safe is used for documents and car keys,” another chimed in.

Some suggested that if the cruiser was this worried about their electronics, they should also invest in a suitcase that locks.

Even more questioned why the family felt the need to bring so many electronic devices and a Nintendo Switch (gaming console) on a cruise ship that is already packed full of entertainment that they can’t experience at home.

More From Cruise Hive

Plus, items that aren’t brought onboard can’t go missing on the ship. Of course, in the rare case something does go missing, it’s important to tell guest services immediately.

The onboard security team would then launch an investigation, including checking onboard security cameras – which do exist in the corridors outside of cruise cabins – and consult the log of crew members who would have entered the room.

Carnival Celebration Makes Late-Night Rescue as Makeshift Boat Takes On Water

Emrys Thakkar
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Carnival Celebration Makes Late-Night Rescue as Makeshift Boat Takes On Water

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Celebration rescued five people from a makeshift boat on February 16.
  • They were brought onboard after the Carnival came alongside and pulled them to safety.
  • The Carnival ship has continued with its 7-night Western Caribbean cruise with no impact.

Even though cruise ships are very focused on offering a memorable cruise vacation, there are times when more serious situations arise, and a ship must shift its focus to maritime safety. This was the case with the 5,362-passenger Carnival Celebration.

During the ship’s February 15 Caribbean sailing, the Carnival Celebration came to the rescue of five people aboard a makeshift boat. According to a passenger who contacted Cruise Hive, the rescue took place at approximately 10:00 PM on Tuesday. However, Carnival confirmed it took place on the night of February 16.

One passenger told Cruise Hive, whose cabin was right above and watching it all unfold, said, “Well, the Carnival Celebration rescued 5 Cuban immigrants on Tuesday night. It was around 10ish at night. It was almost directly under our balcony.“

The small makeshift boat was apparently taking on water, and the five people onboard were trying to paddle as fast as they could. The Carnival Celebration managed to get alongside the boat to pull them to safety.

“They were bailing water as fast as possible with what looked like a 5 gallon ice cream container. They were paddling faster than I’ve ever seen anyone paddle. We watched them have to take their shirts off, I’m guessing they checked for guns, and hauled them in one by one. We went inside their boat was still attached with 2 ropes but we don’t know what happened to their boat,” the Carnival Celebration passenger said to Cruise Hive.

The rescue took place as the Excel-class ship was en route to its scheduled port of call at Cozumel, Mexico, with an arrival on the morning of February 17, 2026.

Carnival Celebration Rescue
Carnival Celebration Rescue (Photo Credit: Mary Lee Grimes)

At this time, the Carnival ship is still on course for its next scheduled visit to the cruise line’s private destination of Celebration Key in the Bahamas, with an arrival on Saturday, February 21. The 7-night Western Caribbean cruise is set to come to an end back in Miami, Florida, on February 22.

Cruise Hive has reached out to Carnival Cruise Line for further details. The cruise line stated:

“While en route to Cozumel on February 16, Carnival Celebration responded to a small vessel in distress and successfully completed a rescue at sea. Five individuals were brought safely onboard, and the U.S. Coast Guard was notified and provided guidance throughout the operation.“

Not the First Rescue by Carnival Celebration

It’s not the first rescue in the Caribbean by the large 182,800 gross ton ship, and will likely not be the last!

Also in February, but in 2024, the vessel spotted a small craft that was overloaded with 20 Cuban refugees located just north of Cuba. At the time, the Carnival ship was on the final sea day, heading back to Miami, Florida.

In this case, Carnival Celebration just assisted and did not bring them aboard, but instead informed the US Coast Guard after providing food and water.

Carnival Celebration Rescue
Carnival Celebration Rescue (Credits: Danilo Garcia & Grindstone Media Group)

All cruise ships, in addition to other types of ships, follow the rules of the sea to provide assistance to any person in danger. According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), “Every State shall require the master of a ship flying its flag, in so far as he can do so without serious danger to the ship, the crew or the passengers, to render assistance to any person found at sea in danger of being lost.“

Carnival Celebration is one of the newest in the fleet and entered service in November 2022. Less than two months after entering service, the ship was involved in its first refugee operation. A small makeshift raft was spotted with five people onboard, and they were using the raft’s oars to navigate.

Thankfully, the Carnival cruise ship brought them aboard to provide food and water, then continued on its way back home, arriving in Miami on January 3, 2023.

Editorial Note: This article has been updated to reflect date inconsistencies between passenger reports and official statements.

Berth Shortage Triggers Itinerary Change for Norwegian Prima Sailing

Melissa Mayntz
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Berth Shortage Triggers Itinerary Change for Norwegian Prima Sailing

Key Aspects:

  • Norwegian Prima‘s June 17, 2027 departure from Reykjavik is dropping two ports of call in Norway.
  • The reasoning for the change is cited as berth space no longer being available for the ship.
  • Norwegian Prima will now visit Maloy and Stavanger instead of Flam and Bergen.

Cruise Hive frequently reports on the many reasons why cruise itineraries may need to change. While last-minute changes can be frustrating, when changes are made well ahead of the sailing date, guests have much more time to adjust their plans if necessary.

This is the situation cruisers booked on Norwegian Prima‘s June 17, 2027 sailing are now facing. Norwegian Cruise Line has reached out with an update to the 10-night itinerary, with two ports now cancelled and two new ones added to the schedule.

The impacted cruise is a one-way voyage from Reykjavik, Iceland to Southampton, UK, with an exploration of various ports in Norway along the way. It is those ports in Norway that are now changed.

“Although we work closely with port authorities to confirm every detail far in advance, circumstances can still shift, and on occasion we are notified that space is no longer available,” the cruise line explained.

Both Flam and Bergen in Norway are now removed from the itinerary, but instead, Norwegian Prima will be able to visit two similar destinations.

“In their place, we’re pleased to introduce Maloy and Stavanger, Norway to your itinerary, where you’ll enjoy the same breathtaking fjord landscapes, dramatic mountain backdrops, charming waterfront towns, and rich Norwegian culture that make this region so special,” the notification said.

The changes to the itinerary are as follows:

  • Tuesday, June 22 – Now Maloy from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. (instead of Flam from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
  • Wednesday, June 23 – Now Stavanger from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (instead of Bergen from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.)

While Flam is more inland among Norway’s famous fjords, Maloy is further north and much closer to the coast. Bergen is further north than Stavanger, but both are close to the North Sea coast.

Norwegian Prima Cruise Ship
Norwegian Prima Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: quiggyt4)

The rest of the ship’s itinerary is unchanged at this time. This includes visits to both Isafjordur and Akureyri in Iceland, as well as Alesund, Norway. Following the calls to Maloy and Stavanger, Norwegian Prima will still be visiting Amsterdam and Zeebrugge before arriving in Southampton on Sunday, June 27, 2027.

Read Also: Norwegian Aqua vs. Norwegian Prima – What’s the Difference?

Fortunately, since Norwegian Prima‘s sailing is 16 months away, there is plenty of time for guests to adjust their plans for tours in each port or even to change to a different cruise if they prefer.

The first of Norwegian Cruise Line’s innovative Prima Class ships, the 143,535-gross ton Norwegian Prima can welcome 3,099 guests at double occupancy and is also home to approximately 1,500 international crew members.

Will Other Cruises Be Impacted?

From June 6, 2027, to early September, Norwegian Prima is offering alternating departures from Reykjavik and Southampton. It is unknown whether the berth availability challenges are just for the June 17 departure, or if other itineraries may also be adjusted.

Flam and Bergen are on multiple Norwegian Prima itineraries during that time, but no doubt NCL will contact guests individually if their sailings are impacted with changes.

Other cruise lines with visits to either port during June 2027 include P&O Cruises, MSC Cruises, AIDA Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, TUI Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, and more.

More From Cruise Hive

If the updated availability at either Flam or Bergen is extensive, such as widespread dredging operations or pier construction, it is possible that additional ships may need to adjust their port visits. Cruise Hive will keep readers informed of any further adjustments.

Former Royal Caribbean CEO Joins Investor Calling for Major Changes at Norwegian

Donna Tunney
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Former Royal Caribbean CEO Joins Investor Calling for Major Changes at Norwegian

Key Aspects:

  • Adam Goldstein broke his silence on the possibility of serving on the board of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.
  • The former Royal Caribbean executive stated he is collaborating with one of the firm’s major investors.
  • Elliott Investment Management recently issued a blistering evaluation of the cruise giant.

Cruise industry veteran Adam Goldstein, who held executive positions with Royal Caribbean for more than three decades, appears poised to bring his expertise to Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH).

In a commentary that appeared in Fortune on February 19, 2026, Goldstein says he supports operational changes that a major investor, Elliott Investment Management, demanded in a scathing financial critique of the cruise giant.

Elliott holds at least a 10% stake in the company, which operates the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands.

In a letter to the NCLH board of directors on February 17, 2026, the investor calls for sweeping changes in leadership and strategy in a bid to boost earnings and stock value. 

The company’s board of directors and executives should have solid cruise industry experience, it added, specifically naming Goldstein as an appropriate choice for the board.

Goldstein, in his commentary, shares that he is now working with Elliott to “restore Norwegian to its rightful place as an industry leader.”

“While Elliott has put my name forward as a potential director, make no mistake: If appointed to the board, I would serve as a director for all of Norwegian’s shareholders, cruisers and travel agent partners – not any single investor,” Adam Goldstein wrote in his commentary.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ major competitors include Royal Caribbean Group, where Goldstein served as vice chairman as well as president and CEO of the Royal Caribbean line, and Carnival Corporation.

Adam Goldstein
Adam Goldstein (Credit: Royal Caribbean)

While Goldstein credits Norwegian with industry-leading assets and popular amenities, he adds: “But Norwegian’s financial performance has fallen behind that of its peers. If this mismatch persists, then Norwegian won’t be able to keep pace with the investments that its competitors are making in the delivery of upscale experiences.”

Read Also: Norwegian Cruise Line vs. Royal Caribbean: How Do They Compare?

In its biting appraisal of Norwegian’s business prospects, Elliott had noted that revenues are significantly less than those of its competitors and its stock value should be more than double what it is currently. Moreover, the company on February 12, 2026, appointed John W. Chidsey as CEO of the parent company. 

Chidsey has served on the board, but has no other cruise industry experience; he is a former CEO of Subway and Burger King.

Goldstein Vows to Build on Brands’ Successes

Leaving little doubt that he would accept a position on the NCLH board of directors, Goldstein’s commentary points up the company’s strengths, including its unique ships, its high rate of repeat guests, and its employees.

Even as its largest investor is calling for strategy changes, Norwegian announced on February 16, 2026, that it has placed orders for three new ships — one for each brand. Contracts with Italian shipyard Fincantieri indicate delivery dates in 2036 and 2037.

These orders are in addition to a massive order placed in April 2024, as reported in Cruise Hive, in which four mega-ships were ordered for Norwegian Cruise Line and two each for Oceania and Regent. 

Goldstein is no stranger to major ship launches; he oversaw the introduction of Royal Caribbean’s Freedom- and Oasis-class ships when he served as the top executive at the line.

More From Cruise Hive

His statement in response to Elliott’s suggestion that he should join the Norwegian board indicates he believes he can bring his operational experience to the forefront and deliver stronger financial results.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings is set to release its annual earnings on March 2, 2026. 

Miami Traffic Chaos Looms as Carnival Notifies Guests on Multiple Ships

Melissa Mayntz
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Miami Traffic Chaos Looms as Carnival Notifies Guests on Multiple Ships

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Cruise Line has reached out to guests on four ships sailing from Miami this weekend about traffic concerns.
  • The ships that may be impacted are Magic and Sunrise on Saturday, followed by Celebration and Horizon on Sunday.
  • Both road construction and terminal construction are impacting traffic in the downtown Miami and port areas.

Any cruise guest who has sailed out of Miami in recent years is aware that traffic can be very congested close to the port and it is always wise to plan for significant extra time to reach the cruise terminal.

Carnival Cruise Line is likewise aware of the traffic difficulties surrounding PortMiami, particularly with ongoing construction projects. The weekend of February 21-22, 2026, is expected to be extra challenging, and the cruise line has sent special notices to booked guests to alert them to potential delays.

“While you prepare for your cruise, we’d like to inform you that PortMiami will be operating with a high number of ships the day of your embarkation, amidst construction in the downtown area and within the port premises. Consequently, there will be detours and heavier-than-normal traffic in and around the area,” the email said.

The impacted Carnival ships this weekend are as follows:

  • Carnival Magic – Leaving Saturday for an 8-night Eastern Caribbean voyage
  • Carnival Sunrise – Sailing on Saturday to begin a 5-night Bahamas cruise
  • Carnival Celebration – Departing Sunday on a 7-night Eastern Caribbean sailing
  • Carnival Horizon – Leaving Sunday on a 6-night Western Caribbean itinerary

Carnival Cruise Line is urging all booked guests to sign up for text alerts in case any embarkation delays or other changes may be necessary. No such changes are expected at this time, but last-minute adjustments are always a possibility.

Cruise Ships Docked in PortMiami
Cruise Ships Docked in PortMiami (Photo Credit: Felix Mizioznikov)

Guests who have recently sailed from Miami are sharing their tips on Reddit to help this weekend’s travelers.

“It can take an hour or even more from downtown to port drop off area,” one guest who cruised in January noted. “It is normally less than a 10 minute drive from several downtown hotels but no one was getting in or out easily.”

“We were ’13 minutes’ away and it took 45 minutes of sitting in traffic before we hopped out of the Uber and walked on the sidewalk towards our cruise terminal,” another described.

How Busy Will PortMiami Really Be This Weekend?

Cruise Have has noted multiple traffic difficulties near PortMiami in the past, not only on heavy cruise traffic days but also due to local events, such as music festivals and races, often held in the downtown area near the cruise port.

This weekend’s challenges are a combination of busy ship days along with construction, including local roadwork as well as the construction of the new Cruise Terminal G, which Cruise Hive reported broke ground in early January.

On Saturday, a total of eight different ships will be in PortMiami, including two of the largest cruise ships in the world: Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas and MSC Cruises’ MSC World America.

Sunday is another 8-ship day, with vessels from Royal Caribbean, Virgin Voyages, Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, and Celebrity Cruises also in port with the two Carnival cruise ships.

In total, counting both debarking and embarking passengers, PortMiami may see as many as 135,000 passenger movements (or more!) for Saturday and Sunday combined.

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This does not count crew members transferring on and off the various ships, supplies that must be delivered to each vessel, and normal operations at the very busy port.

This massive amount of traffic is sure to cause unprecedented congestion and potential delays both arriving and departing from the cruise port.

Guests should plan plenty of extra time to reach the cruise port and their exact terminal, and be sure to pack along their patience as they get ready for their cruise.

Opposition Grows Against Proposed Tampa Bay Cruise Port

Catie Kovelman
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Opposition Grows Against Proposed Tampa Bay Cruise Port

Key Aspects:

  • A proposed new port in Tampa Bay continues to face significant opposition.
  • The petition against the development has grown by more than 12,000 signatures.
  • Florida lawmakers have also filed new legislation that would protect the waters surrounding the port’s intended location.

The movement to block a proposed cruise port in Tampa Bay, Florida, continues to grow.

Developers have been considering building a new port on the 328 acres of land known as the Knott-Cowen tract in Manatee County. Preliminary plans also call for the purchase of Rattlesnake Key, which is a 710-acre island adjacent to the proposed site.

This would enable the world’s largest mega-ships, which can’t currently fit under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, to operate out of Tampa for the first time.

But while cruisers may be happy about this possible development, the number of unhappy people is growing.

A Change.org petition launched soon after the idea was announced, and since Cruise Hive last checked the progress on January 21, the number of signatures has risen from 6,075 to a staggering 18,999. This number is only expected to grow, with plenty of signatures still pouring in on a daily basis.

The opposition has concerns that the new port would destroy the unique ecosystem in this area, harming marine habitats, nesting birds, coral reefs, and fish nurseries.

They also worry about how increased ship traffic could endanger local wildlife, such as manatees, and lower the economic value of the bay for tourism, fishing, and boating.

Lawmakers Take Steps to Protect Marine Preserve

In a new development in the saga, Florida State Senator Jim Boyd has filed new legislation that may block plans to build the new cruise port.

The legislative proposal, which was filed on February 18, 2026, would clarify restrictions on dredging in the area surrounding the Manatee County property.

These waters are designated as part of the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve, which is part of a major environmental restoration project that is focused on marine protection and restoring natural tidal circulation.

A View of Tampa Cruise Port
A View of Tampa Cruise Port (Photo Credit: Feng Cheng)

Under Boyd’s proposal, Senate Bill 302 would be amended to only allow dredging in the preserve under very specific conditions, such as improving human health by getting rid of stagnant waters.

It also sets forth policies to ensure that any dredging that is completed is done in a way that will not negatively affect the water quality or harm the preserve.

“If passed, this provides another tool in the toolbox to ensure the heart of our community is protected and maintained for generations to come,” Senator Boyd said in a statement to the Tampa Bay Times.

Constructing a multi-ship berth capable of accommodating the world’s largest ships would likely require at least 50 feet of digging and dredging, so these restrictions would certainly pose a barrier.

For context, cruise ships typically need at least 25 to 50 feet of water beneath them in order to dock safely. At this time, it’s unclear when Boyd’s proposal will go to a vote. Cruise Hive will share updates as they become available.

Continuing to Explore the Idea

At this stage, the new cruise port is still in the conceptual and fact-finding stage. Even as the opposition grows, the developers are continuing to explore this option.

When asked about the possible new legislation, the developers implied that it would be a factor in the decision making process but it has not brought the project to a stop – at least not yet.

Honey Rand, the spokesperson for the landowner, told the Tampa Bay Times that the legislation “will move through the usual process as will consideration of the entitlements associated with Knott-Cowen, the proposed project, the zoning and many, many other factors.”

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If the new port does come to fruition, it is expected to create more than 31,000 jobs tied to the construction and bring more than 13,000 permanent jobs upon completion.

The developers also predict that the new port will bring in roughly $40 million annually in tax revenue, though this has not been confirmed. For now, cruisers on both sides of the debate will need to wait and see what happens next.

Royal Caribbean Ship Hit by Delays After Los Angeles Port Power Failure

Melissa Mayntz
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Royal Caribbean Ship Hit by Delays After Los Angeles Port Power Failure

Key Aspects:

  • Embarkation was delayed for Quantum of the Seas on Wednesday, February 18 due to a port power outage.
  • Heavy winds and rain downed power lines close to the Port of Los Angeles which may have been related to the delay.
  • No itinerary changes are confirmed for the ship on her 6-night cruise to Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada.

Guests boarding their 6-night Baja Mexico cruise aboard Quantum of the Seas on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 got a slower start than planned thanks to a power outage at the Port of Los Angeles.

Royal Caribbean texted guests to alert them to the situation and the slight delay to embarkation.

“The Port of Los Angeles is experiencing a power outage which will cause some boarding delays,” the notification explained. “Our boarding process for Quantum of the Seas will now begin at 1:00 PM. Please be sure to arrive no earlier than this updated time.”

Typically, boarding begins between 11 a.m. and noon, so the delay has been relatively minimal. Nevertheless, because of slower embarkation processing, it was important for guests to be aware of the situation and adjust their arrival to the cruise terminal.

Guests debarking the ship at the time discussed the power outage on Reddit, noting that customs processing was still able to move forward, but much more slowly.

“I was standing in line waiting to do customs when the power went out,” one guest described. “The facial recognition machines all still had power but weren’t working (I’m assuming no network). They had to go back to checking everyone’s passport manually. I’m sure that drastically allows things down.”

Heavy rain and strong winds moved through southern California and the Los Angeles area during the morning hours, causing intermittent power outages throughout the region.

According to local reports, a southbound stretch of the I-110 freeway in San Pedro just west of the Port of Los Angeles was closed for several hours due to downed power lines. It is unknown whether those specific power lines supply electricity to the port or cruise terminals, but the connection is possible.

Read Also: One of These Mexico Cruise Ports Could Be on Your Itinerary

Quantum of the Seas at Cabo San Lucas
Quantum of the Seas at Cabo San Lucas (Photo Credit: A. Viduetsky)

That specific freeway is the busiest connection leading to the Port of Los Angeles and the traffic congestion would have caused additional delays for guests heading for Quantum of the Seas.

No other cruise ships docked at the Port of Los Angeles on Wednesday, so no other vessels have been impacted at this time.

Power outages and network issues can have a significant impact on today’s technology-driven cruise terminal operations, particularly for security checks and passenger verification.

Cruise Hive reported extensively on Carnival Cruise Line’s recent tech glitches that caused embarkation and departure delays for multiple ships, as well as impacted onboard operations across the fleet.

Will the Itinerary Be Changed?

Quantum of the Seas‘ planned itinerary for her February 18 departure includes a full day at sea while the ship makes her way to Cabo San Lucas for an overnight visit from 1 p.m. on Friday, February 20 until 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 21.

Sunday will be another day at sea, and the ship will visit Ensenada on Monday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. before returning to Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 24.

While there have been no itinerary changes confirmed at this time, it is possible the ship may need to shorten her stay in Cabo San Lucas to make up for any departure delay.

It is also possible that Quantum of the Seas can simply make up for any delayed departure with a change in speed during her day at sea on Thursday, the first full day of the sailing.

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Satellite tracking, however, confirms the ship did appear to depart on schedule at 7 p.m. Guests will no doubt be notified onboard if there are any changes to the ship’s overall itinerary or scheduling in ports of call.

Quantum of the Seas, the lead ship in Royal Caribbean’s Quantum class, can welcome 4,180 guests at double occupancy or up to 4,905 when fully booked with all berths filled.

Princess Cruises Crew and Guests Unite to Break Margarita Guinness World Record

Melissa Mayntz
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Princess Cruises Crew and Guests Unite to Break Margarita Guinness World Record

Key Aspects:

  • Guests and crew aboard Regal Princess set a new Guinness World Record for most margaritas sold in 8 hours.
  • The record number of 3,410 margaritas was sold while the ship was in Cozumel on February 17, 2026.
  • Princess Cruises uses Pantalones Organic Tequila onboard, which was also used to christen Star Princess.

Tuesday, February 17, 2026, was definitely a day to raise a toast to Princess Cruises and the crew and guests aboard Regal Princess. During the ship’s visit to Cozumel, Mexico, everyone onboard pitched in to set a new Guinness World Record.

“Today, aboard Regal Princess in Cozumel, our guests and crew came together to set a new Guinness World Record for the most margaritas sold in an 8-hour period,” Princess Cruises announced on Facebook.

“The official count is 3,410 surpassing the existing record of 2,728. Raise a glass, we did it!”

The port of call was an appropriate one for the record attempt, as tequila is the key ingredient in all margaritas. Tequila is made from the blue agave plant, native to Mexico. Princess Cruises uses Pantalones Organic Tequila onboard.

Cruise Hive has previously reported that the newest ship in the Princess Cruises fleet, Star Princess, was christened in November 2025 with a bottle of Pantalones Organic Tequila rather than the more traditional champagne.

Regal Princess is currently sailing a 7-night Western Caribbean itinerary that departed from Galveston on Sunday, February 15. Guests are enjoying an overnight call to Cozumel from 9 a.m. on Tuesday, February 17, until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, February 18. The ship will visit Roatan on Thursday before returning to Texas on Sunday, February 22.

Princess Cruises Margaritas Record
Princess Cruises Margaritas Record (Photo Credit: Princess Cruises)

The record attempt was held onboard the ship, and it is unclear whether or not off-duty crew members could also purchase margaritas to contribute to the event.

Nevertheless, the new record surpasses the old record by a total of 682 margaritas and an untold number of salted rims and lime and orange wedges.

“Ritas for the record is officially in the books,” the cruise line confirmed.

The previous record was set on September 15, 2024 in Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia, at the Motel Mexicola restaurant in celebration of Mexican Independence Day.

Check Also: Cruise Drinks Package Calculator

To set a Guinness World Record, an official adjudicator must verify the attempt and its results. If successful, an official certificate of the attempt and outcome is presented once verified. This can happen immediately at the event, depending on the type of record.

The official certificate presentation was held onboard Regal Princess, complete with confetti, photographers, and a lot of smiles to mark the celebration.

More World Records on Cruise Ships

While definitely a record worth raising a glass to, the margarita sales record onboard Regal Princess is not the first world record set onboard a cruise or during a cruise vacation.

Cruise Hive has noted a variety of fun and unique records set onboard ships, such as how MSC Cruises offers different record-setting attempts onboard its ships.

For example, the record for the longest line of Lego ships ever created was set onboard MSC World America in March 2025 as a fun diversion for the crew before the ship welcomed her first guests.

Other fun records set onboard cruise ships and by cruise lines include such wild and wacky events as:

  • Carnival Cruise Lines – Largest Piñata by volume – 8,000 pounds of candy set in Philadelphia on November 2, 2008
  • Royal Caribbean – Fastest marathon run on a ship – 2 hours, 52 minutes, 47 seconds aboard Ovation of the Seas in December 2024
  • Virgin Voyages – Largest gathering of merpeople – 457 participants in Bimini on November 4, 2022

Would you be interested in joining a world record attempt during your cruise vacation? Sign me up for the most cruises booked, most chocolate melting cakes eaten, or fastest to reach the lido deck!

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