One October 2027 sailing of Carnival Splendor is now cancelled due to a full-ship charter.
Already booked guests will receive a full refund or can choose a different sailing with their cruise rate protected.
The 10-night itinerary to New Zealand is a rare one and could be challenging for guests to replace.
Carnival Cruise Line has reached out to guests booked on one upcoming sailing of Carnival Splendor to alert them that their voyage has been cancelled.
The impacted sailing is the ship’s October 12, 2027 departure from Sydney. The 10-night, round-trip voyage was to have sailed completely around the North Island of New Zealand, with stops in Napier, Tauranga, Auckland, and the Bay of Islands before returning to Sydney on October 22.
“We are very sorry to inform you that the ship has been chartered and your cruise has been cancelled,”the email notification read.
To be clear, Carnival Splendor will still be sailing on the voyage, but it is no longer a public sailing and not available to book except through the chartering organization, which has not been revealed. Instead, guests who had already booked the getaway have a couple of options.
If travelers want to reschedule to a different sailing date, their cruise rate will be protected in similar accommodations. Port fees, taxes, and onboard expenses are not generally protected, just the cruise rate. If guests do rebook, they will receive a $100 (AUD) onboard credit per stateroom for the new sailing.
Carnival Splendor offers relatively diverse sailings from Sydney, ranging from 3-night cruises to nowhere to a number of 10- and 12-night voyages.
Carnival Splendor Docked in Sydney, Australia (Photo Credit: Stepan Skorobogadko)
Several similar cruises are departing in fall 2027, close to the date of the now-chartered voyage. On November 6, 2027, for example, the ship has a 10-night sailing to New Zealand, but around South Island instead of North Island.
The only other date in 2027 when the ship is offering a 10-night cruise around North Island departs on January 3. All other 10-night cruises are to South Island. The January 17, 2028 cruise is also to North Island.
The scarcity of this itinerary will make it challenging for guests to replace their sailing with a very close option, though a replacement cruise does not necessarily have to be aboard Carnival Splendor. If guests are flexible with their destination preferences, they may have more options.
Carnival Adventure is also homeported from Sydney in late 2027, but does not offer sailings to New Zealand at all.
If guests prefer not to reschedule, they will receive an automatic full refund of their cruise fare and all pre-purchased items back to the original form of payment. Refunds will begin processing on April 4, 2026, but could take up to three weeks, depending on the policies of individual financial institutions.
Why the Cancellation?
Carnival Cruise Line has not disclosed the nature of the full ship charter, but this is not unusual and protects the privacy of the chartering organization.
Multiple different music cruises have been scheduled aboard Carnival Splendor in 2026, including the Hellbound metal music cruise and Rock the Boat. It is possible that the 2027 cruises for those events may be the longer sailing that is now chartered.
Other music tours, special interest groups, and even corporations may also schedule full-ship charters, causing open bookings to suddenly be cancelled.
Cruise Hive has regularly reported on such charter cancellations, which can happen on all cruise lines for different ships, destinations, and cruise lengths.
While this can be frustrating for guests, especially for such a sought-after itinerary, at least this particular Carnival Splendor cancellation is 19 months away. This permits guests plenty of time for rebooking on a different voyage for their cruise vacation plans.
In 2013, Carnival Triumph was stranded at sea after an engine fire in an infamous sailing known as the “poop cruise.”
The incident resulted in widespread changes across the cruise industry and Carnival’s fleet, including Triumph, which now sails under its new name, Carnival Sunrise.
The 2025 Netflix documentary Trainwreck: Poop Cruise recounted the experiences of passengers and crew members of the “poop cruise.”
In 2013, Carnival Triumph was stranded at sea for four days after an engine fire left the ship with no power or working toilets. The result: the now-infamous “poop cruise.” The incident brought about major overhauls across the cruise industry and Carnival’s own fleet. The Carnival Triumph is still in service today, sailing under her new name, Carnival Sunrise.
Triumph’s Infamous “Poop Cruise” Incident
When news broke of the February 2013 “poop cruise” experience, the public was horrified.
Triumph passengers, looking forward to a trip to the Caribbean, experienced a cruise unlike any other. It became one of the most widely reported cruise-related disasters and left the entire cruise industry wondering what had gone wrong.
The cruise began as expected, departing from Galveston, Texas, for a four-day trip to Cozumel. The ship, which first entered service in 1999, was 14 years old at the time.
All was going as planned until an engine room fire flared up, damaging Triumph’s power system, including the engines. The ship was approximately 150 miles off the coast of the Yucatán Peninsula in the Gulf of Mexico.
Carnival Triumph Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: William A. Morgan)
As a result, more than 4,200 people, including passengers and crew, were stranded in Gulf waters with no power on board. Onboard conditions deteriorated quickly.
There was no air conditioning. Toilets stopped flushing, and passengers were given biohazard bags for the disposal of waste. Sewage backed up into the bathrooms and hallways. Guests were instructed to urinate in their showers when the ship’s plumbing stopped working.
In a 2025 Netflix documentaryTrainwreck: Poop Cruise, passengers described their experience of walking around the ship’s hallways that were filled with waste and hearing “squish, squish, squish,” beneath their feet. One crew member described the bathrooms as “poop lasagna” with layers of water, waste, and toilet paper.
In addition to the heat, smell, and overall unsanitary conditions, there were concerns about the limited food supply that remained available.
With the ship’s power systems compromised, refrigeration became unreliable, raising questions about whether perishable food could be stored safely. At one point, the US Coast Guard dropped emergency food and water supplies to help passengers endure the crisis.
Carnival Triumph During “Poop Cruise” (Photo Credit: Netflix)
Even then, passengers worried about how the food had been handled and whether basic sanitation standards could be maintained in a ship where so many other systems had already failed.
Passengers compared the devastation to history’s most devastating sailing, exclaiming, “Oh my God, this is it, this is the Titanic – we’re going down.”
Four days after the fire, tugboats arrived to tow Triumph to Mobile, Alabama. They finally reached port on Valentine’s Day, ending the nightmare.
Following the incident, Carnival compensated passengers with a full refund. They also received travel reimbursements and credits toward future cruises, which, understandably, were met with reluctance.
What Happened to Carnival Triumph After the Poop Cruise?
The ship underwent major renovations throughout 2018 and 2019 following the incident. A massive two-month transformation also took place at the popular Navantia shipyard in Cadiz, Spain. It was one of the most extensive rebuilds of a ship in cruise history and cost Carnival approximately $200 million.
The result? Carnival Sunrise.
The revamped ship, while still measuring in at 893 feet in length with a gross tonnage of 101,509 GT, featured both cosmetic and functional upgrades. This included new engines, redundant generator systems, redesigned sewage systems, and upgraded fire-suppression equipment.
Carnival Sunrise Cruise Ship
In addition to the upgrades that directly addressed the failures, the ship also featured updated public areas, new restaurants, additional cabins, and fresh entertainment spaces.
Carnival wanted to modernize the ship and restore public confidence in the ability to cruise safely and enjoyably.
How the Poop Cruise Incident Changed the Cruise Industry
Sunrise is one of three ships in Carnival’s Sunshine-class of ships, which also includes Carnival Sunshine and Carnival Radiance. All three ships in this class have undergone major upgrades over the years.
Carnival Destiny became Carnival Sunshine in 2013, which was an upgrade that was not directly tied to the poop cruise. Carnival Victory became Carnival Radiance following an upgrade in 2021, a refurbishment that was sped up due to the issues related to the poop cruise.
The goal was to create safer ships that allowed passengers to return to cruising with confidence. Improvements included:
Enhanced Fire Prevention and Suppression Systems
Carnival Fire Protection Systems (Credit: Carnival)
The fleet now features state-of-the-art fire detection and suppression, especially in the engine rooms. This includes improved monitoring systems, more fire barriers, and enhanced auto-suppression equipment. The upgrades ensure that fires are detected and suppressed as quickly as possible.
Redundant Power and Propulsion Safeguards
These redundancy measures prevent a single engine failure from disabling critical onboard systems. Even in the event of engine failure, onboard systems, including propulsion, refrigeration, lighting, and sanitation, continue to operate. If an engine emergency arises, the goal is that passengers can stay safe and comfortable onboard while awaiting rescue.
Improved Emergency Response Procedures
Beyond the ship improvements, Carnival did everything it could to ensure that staff and crew respond to emergencies in the best way possible. Emergency training and crisis management programs were expanded and now focus on better communication with passengers.
Carnival Triumph to Carnival Sunrise Transformation (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)
Additionally, Carnival implemented better contingency plans for extended power outages and created an improved plan for rescue.
Can You Still Sail on Carnival Triumph?
Yes. Following the renovations, Triumph set sail again in 2019 under its new name, Carnival Sunrise. The updates were so extensive that many passengers, after watching the Netflix documentary, were surprised to learn that they had sailed on the infamous poop cruise ship.
The ship’s passenger capacity is now reported at 2,984, compared to the original capacity of 3,470 before the overhaul.
Carnival Sunrise sails four- and five-day cruises from Miami, Florida. Passengers enjoy trips through the Caribbean to destinations including the Bahamas, Grand Turk, and Half Moon Cay.
Fortunately, stories like the poop cruise are rare. The vast majority of cruises deliver nothing but smooth sailing. And despite the occasional incident, cruising is still one of the most relaxing and enjoyable ways to see the world.
Carnival Splendor is about to embark on one of its rare 10-night New Zealand sailings on March 23.
But because of stormy weather impacting New Zealand’s North Island, itinerary changes may be coming.
Carnival Cruise Line is monitoring the weather and will issue another update ahead of embarkation.
Cruise lines like to give guests as much warning as possible when it comes to itinerary changes, even when that means there is simply a chance of a last-minute switch.
Because of stormy weather, Carnival Splendor’s next sailing may have to adjust. The 10-night New Zealand itinerary will embark in Sydney, Australia, on March 23, 2026. No changes have been announced just yet, but they could be coming.
“Our Fleet Operations Centre is actively monitoring the weather forecasts for our New Zealand itinerary, as unfavourable conditions are expected later in the week,” Carnival wrote in a letter to impacted guests.
Assuming nothing changes, the 3,012-guest ship is supposed to visit Napier, Tauranga (Rotorua), Auckland, and Bay of Islands (Russell) in New Zealand. The cruise would then conclude in Sydney on April 2, 2026.
When Will Carnival Issue Another Update?
As this is still a developing situation, and weather can sometimes be unpredictable, it’s possible that no itinerary changes would be made until the 113,573-gross ton ship has begun the voyage.
However, Carnival has promised to issue another update before embarkation on March 23, 2026, regarding the forecast and potential adjustments. Guests can also sign up for Carnival Text Alerts to receive immediate, real-time updates.
Carnival Splendor Vessel (Photo Credit: denbaim)
“At present, there is no change to our itinerary, but as everyone’s safety is our priority, we will continue to monitor the weather and provide you with another update ahead of embarkation tomorrow, Monday, 23 March 2026,”Carnival wrote.
Though safety has to come first, it would be a shame if significant changes needed to be made, as the Splendor-class flagship only rarely offers these extended New Zealand itineraries.
Cruise Hive also reported that Carnival has cancelled the October 12, 2027, sailing in favor of a ship-wide charter, which was one of the few times that this same New Zealand itinerary was being offered by Carnival Splendor. This could make potential changes hurt just a bit more.
The Sydney-based vessel primarily offers shorter sailings that last for less than a week, with some longer voyages sprinkled in occasionally.
How Bad is the Storm?
The North Island of New Zealand is under multiple severe weather watches due to a deep subtropical low-pressure system, which is expected to bring heavy winds and rain.
“A deep subtropical low moves to the west of the upper North Island, bringing frontal rain and strengthening northeasterly winds to the north of the North Island. There is moderate confidence for warning amounts of rain, and severe gale northeast winds, in Northland,” the Met Service predicts.
The weather is currently expected to be at its worst from March 25 through March 27, with the upper North Island under both a heavy rain watch and a strong wind watch.
Tauranga, Auckland, and Bay of Islands are close to where the storm is expected to hit, though the Carnival Ship will not call at these ports until March 28-30.
If cruisers are lucky, the timing may work out where the storm passes before the ship is due to arrive. Cruise Hive will continue to monitor for itinerary changes and will share updates if and when more information comes to light.
Carnival Dream completed a 16-day dry dock in Marseille, France.
The ship added new venues and refreshed guest spaces and is now on a transatlantic repositioning voyage from Barcelona.
It will resume Caribbean cruises from its Galveston, Texas, homeport on April 5, 2026.
Fresh from a 16-day dry dock in Marseille, France, Carnival Dream is sailing back to Texas with several new and updated onboard spaces.
The ship departed Barcelona on March 21, 2026, on a transatlantic repositioning voyage that includes stops in Alicante and Málaga, Spain, and Gibraltar, UK, before arriving in Galveston, Texas, on April 5, 2026, to resume offering Western Caribbean voyages.
The refurbishment introduces several new venues along with updates to existing guest areas.
“After completing a 16-day dry dock in Marseille, Carnival Dream is returning to Galveston, further anchoring Carnival Cruise Line’s four-ship lineup at the Texas homeport,” said the cruise line.
Among the additions is Dreams Studio, a dedicated photography venue designed for professional onboard photo sessions. The space allows guests to schedule portrait photography experiences during their voyage rather than relying on pop-up photo stations.
Upgraded Carnival Dreams Studio on Carnival Dream
Another addition is the new Carnival Adventures Store. The space functions as a central hub where guests can browse and book shore excursions offered through the cruise line before arriving at each port of call.
Retail spaces were also refreshed during the dry dock, including the Effy Jewelry boutique, which continues to carry a curated selection of fine jewelry sold onboard. Passengers reported a new carpet in the ship’s Lido Marketplace in place of tile.
Changes were also made to the ship’s casino. The gaming space was modernized with a new layout and now includes a dedicated host station intended to provide assistance to players and help manage casino services.
Upgraded Carnival Dream Casino Space
The Marseille shipyard visit marks the vessel’s first major dry dock since 2021, where it received Carnival Cruise Line’s distinctive red, white, and blue hull livery that has since rolled out across the fleet.
Carnival Dream Will Resume Caribbean Cruises
Carnival Dream entered dry dock at Chantier Naval de Marseille for scheduled maintenance and upgrades that included repairs to it propellers and stabilizers beginning in early March 2026.
Once dry dock was complete, the 130,000-gross-ton vessel set off from Barcelona with up to 3,646 passengers for a repositioning cruise that included a stop at Celebration Key, Carnival Cruise Line’s new private destination in the Bahamas that began welcoming guests in July 2025.
Following its April 5 arrival, the vessel will enjoy 6-, 7-, and 8-night voyages, mainly to the Western Caribbean calls of Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; and Belize City, Belize.
Carnival Dream’s first Galveston sailing will visit Montego Bay, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; and Cozumel on a 7-night roundtrip cruise.
The ship will also sail to the Bahamas on its longer journeys, visiting Key West, Florida, and Nassau, as well as Carnival Corporation’s private destination, Half Moon Cay and Celebration Key.
She joins sister ships Carnival Legend, Carnival Breeze, and Carnival Jubilee in Galveston, where the port invested $53 million to expand and refurbish its operations to host more vessels.
With 29 cruise ships in its fleet, Carnival Cruise Line often has ships rotating in dry dock, with Carnival Conquest recently returning in February and Carnival Encounter wrapping up March 5.
The Port of Tampa Bay does not have rental car facilities on the premises, but there are plenty of rental offices nearby, some of which offer pick-up services.
Renting a car at Tampa International Airport (TPA) is also a convenient option.
Book your rental car in advance for peak sailing seasons, January through April, for the best deals and greater car availability.
If you’re sailing from the Tampa Cruise Port, and you don’t live locally, then you may very well want to rent a car before or after your sailing.
While it’s not strictly necessary if you’re going straight from the airport to the cruise port (which I don’t recommend, as that’s a risky move; flight delays can mean a missed ship) or from your hotel to the cruise port, if you want to do any sightseeing or vacationing pre or post cruise, then a car rental is key.
There aren’t, unfortunately, any rental companies that operate at the port itself. However, it’s not difficult to find options close by. Here are some to consider before making a reservation.
Car Rental Companies Near Port Tampa Bay
As mentioned, there are no car rental facilities actually at the cruise port. However, you’ll find that there are plenty of rental car providers within just a mile or two of the port.
Enterprise / Alamo / National at North Nebraska Ave
Pick from three different rental car companies, all located at one address.
Yes, Enterprise, Alamo, and National all operate out of the same location, just about a mile from the cruise port. While their offerings and prices may slightly differ, it’s worth noting that Alamo is the most highly rated of the three on Google, with more positive traveler reviews, so maybe give it a chance even if it’s not your go-to rental brand.
Car Rental Location Near Tampa Port (Photo Credit: KK Stock)
Enterprise does offer pick-up service during normal business hours, but you need to call the rental office in advance to arrange for pickups. After-hours returns are not available. Similarly, Alamo does not offer self-service or skip the counter service at this location.
Enterprise / Alamo at N Nebraska Ave
Address
608 N Nebraska Ave, Tampa
Distance to port
Approx. 1 mile
Port shuttle
Enterprise does offer pick-up service, but there’s currently no dedicated shuttle to and from the port.
Notes
Schedule pick-up service in advance. Do note that service outside the normal hours of operation for the rental agency, and self-service, is not available.
Hertz at the Marriott Waterside Hotel
For the greatest convenience, why not rent your car at the same hotel you plan on staying at? This Hertz location is actually situated on the third floor of the Marriott Waterside Hotel.
Hertz Rental Desk in Tampa (Photo Credit: EQRoy)
The office provides a range of vehicles, with average daily prices being quite affordable. There is no shuttle service, but it’s a popular pick for cruisers anyway, as it’s just a short walk from the port (and even if you don’t want to walk with your luggage, rideshares are always an option).
Hertz at Marriott Waterside Hotel
Address
700 S Florida Ave, Tampa
Distance to port
Approx. 1.4 miles
Port shuttle
No shuttle service available
Notes
The office is located on the third floor of the Marriott hotel.
Avis / Budget at Embassy Suites Hotel
Similarly, you’ll find both an Avis and a Budget office at the Embassy Suites Hotel in downtown Tampa. Avis provides budget, luxury and 4×4 vehicles here. After-hours returns are not available. Budget similarly does not allow for after-hours returns.
Avis and Budget in Florida (Photo Credit: Adam McCullough)
However, you can get shuttle service between this hotel and the port! The shuttle is not directly operated by the car rental companies, but Budget does remind travelers of this option on its website, saying that customers can use the Downtowner App to schedule service between the two locations (service is free and available 11 am to 11 pm on weekends, or 6 am to 11 pm on weekdays), or they can schedule and pay for shuttle service through Blue One Transportation.
Avis / Budget at Embassy Suites, Downtown Tampa
Address
513 S Florida Ave, Tampa
Distance to port
Approx. 1.1 mile
Port shuttle
Shuttle service available via the Downtowner App or Blue One Transportation
Notes
Both Avis and Budget operate from this location. Closed on holidays and does not allow for after-hour returns.
Cindy’s Coastal Rentals
Cindy’s Coastal Rentals is a unique option in that it’s a boutique auto rental company that actually delivers the car to you, versus you picking up the car. Since this is a small, local company, the types and number of vehicles are limited, but they do include luxury vehicles from brands such as Porsche, Audi, BMW, and more.
While you may pay more than you would with a national brand, you may just find that the delivery service and personalized touch are worth it.
Cindy’s Coastal Rentals
Address
West Tampa
Distance to port
N/A, Car is delivered to you
Port shuttle
As the car is delivered to you and picked up from you, there’s no need for a shuttle.
Notes
Bookings are made via Turo.
Star Car Rent a Car
Another local spot, Star Car Rent a Car, offers a fleet of various vehicles, from mid-size to full-size sedans and SUVs. You can pay for your rental with cash here, and there’s no credit check before renting. The provider does require three day min rentals and is closed on Sundays.
Star Car Rent a Car
Address
7006 N Nebraska Ave, Tampa
Distance to port
5.3 miles
Port shuttle
No shuttle service is provided and since the location is a bit further away, you’ll need to take a rideshare between the rental office and port.
Notes
A three-day minimum rental is required, and the office is closed on Sundays.
Uzziel Logistics
Uzziel Logistics specializes in providing a luxury car rental experience, with vehicles delivered when you need it, wherever you are in Tampa. Rental options include Mercedes and Tesla vehicles. Chauffeur service is also available through this company, if that’s of interest to you.
Uzziel Logistics
Address
16040 Sonoma Grove Cir, TampaS
Distance to port
N/A, Car is delivered to you
Port shuttle
As the car is delivered to you and picked up from you, there’s no need for a shuttle.
Notes
Limited vehicles available and $150 deposit required at booking.
Car Rentals from Tampa International Airport
The Tampa International Airport (TPA) is just nine miles from the cruise port and offers its own range of car rental providers right on site. As such, if you’re flying into Tampa for your cruise, it may just be most convenient for you to book a car here.
Car rental brands with airport locations at TPA include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Thrifty, Ace, American, Fox, NextCar, Payless, Sixt and Zipcar. Additionally, there are another 12 car rental companies with offices nearby, who provide pick up and drop off between their offices and the airport.
Tampa International Airport (Photo Credit: EQRoy)
The airport’s rental car center can be accessed by taking the SkyConnect train from the Main Terminal. Then, when you drop off your car before flying home, you can do so right there at the rental car center before heading to your gate.
Just make sure to book your vehicle in advance if you want to get one at the airport, so you can skip the hassle of waiting in long rental counter lines, and get to enjoying your vacation sooner.
Rideshare and Taxi Alternatives
If you don’t plan on doing a whole lot of driving around the Tampa area, and you really just need to get from the airport to your hotel and then to the port, then you may be able to get by just fine with no rental at all.
In this case, you can use rideshares and taxis to get anywhere that you don’t want to walk.
Tampa Cruise Parking (Photo Credit: Feng Cheng)
Uber and Lyft offer service throughout the region, and taking, for example, the nine-mile ride between the airport and cruise port will cost you around $30, give or take, depending on demand. Taxi rides cost similarly.
Pro tip: When you’re ordering a rideshare from the cruise port, walk a little bit away from the port so that your driver can find you more quickly and conveniently.
One Way Car Rentals from Florida Airports
It could be the case that you’re not flying directly into Tampa, but are instead flying into another airport, whether because it’s just more convenient for you, the fares were more affordable, or you were able to get a direct flight versus one with a layover. For example, you might fly into Orlando, Fort Myers, Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale or Miami, which are all under 300 miles from Tampa.
If this is the case, you may want to book a rental car at that airport and then drive it into Tampa for your cruise, where you can drop it off at the rental company’s local Tampa office. Just note that doing this, while pretty easy and convenient, will come with additional fees and surcharges, and you might need to also pay tolls while driving.
Furthermore, if you plan to keep the car for the duration of your cruise and use it afterward, you’ll need to pay for cruise parking near Tampa port, too.
Tips for Getting the Best Deal on Your Tampa Car Rental
The more money you save on your car rental, the more money you have to spend during your cruise. As such, make sure you’re getting the best deal possible.
For example, book as far in advance as you can, particularly if you’re traveling during Tampa’s peak cruising time, January through April. This will give you not only the best deal, but also the greatest number of vehicle options. If you’re worried you might need to cancel, just opt for a rental with a flexible cancellation policy.
Don’t just stick to the direct booking sites, either. Compare your options using travel deal aggregators like Kayak or Expedia to get a feel for all the possibilities.
Photo Credit: Port Tampa Bay
If you can, limit the drivers on the rental to just one, so you’re not paying extra for more drivers.
When it comes to insurance, check whether or not you have a travel credit card with rental car collision coverage before buying coverage from the rental company.
While you’re at it, keep in mind that a higher voluntary excess/deductible will lower your daily rate … but if you do get into an accident, you’re going to pay more out-of-pocket costs. Just something to consider.
Finally, return your rental with a full tank of gas rather than allowing the rental company to cover that chore. Their fees for this typically aren’t a great value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a car rental at the Tampa cruise port?
No, there are no on-site car rental options at the Tampa cruise port, but you can find car rental companies about a mile away, easily reachable via shuttles and rideshares.
Do I need a car in Tampa before my cruise?
If you’re just going from the airport to the hotel to the cruise port, you don’t need a car in Tampa before your cruise and can rely on rideshares and taxis. Some hotels also offer shuttles and there’s a free downtown Tampa streetcar. However, if you plan on sticking around the area before or after your cruise to explore Tampa’s attractions, get a rental.
How do I get to the rental cars at Tampa Airport?
Take the SkyConnect train from the Main Terminal.
What are the requirements to rent a car in Florida?
You’ll need to be at least 21 years old to rent a car in Florida, and be able to show a drivers license. Some rental car companies may require a credit card (not all) and some may charge extra for drivers under the age of 25.
Philadelphia’s new PhilaPort cruise terminal will not be completed in time for its first scheduled sailing on April 16, 2026.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Jewel will still depart as planned.
Embarkation will be handled from a temporary facility while construction continues.
Cruising is set to return to Philadelphia in April, but the city’s new cruise terminal will not be ready in time for its first sailing.
The inaugural voyage from the new PhilaPort cruise terminal near Philadelphia International Airport is still scheduled for April 16, 2026, when Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Jewel departs on its first sailing from the port.
However, the site remains an active construction zone with no completed terminal building in place. Instead of the permanent facility, which broke ground in December 2025, embarkation for the first voyages will take place from a temporary setup.
PhilaPort confirmed that the 2,368-passenger ship will still sail as planned, despite the unfinished terminal.
“There will be no delay for cruise passengers. The first scheduled sailing of the Norwegian Jewel will depart Philadelphia as planned on Thursday, April 16,” the port said in a statement to local media.
The delay comes from Philadelphia’s extreme winter weather conditions that brought back-to-back snowstorms in February and bitter cold temperatures that prevented workers from safely working outdoors and snow that wouldn’t melt.
In response, the port says, “the embarkation process for the initial sailings will operate from a temporary facility.”
Norwegian Cruise Line said it is continuing to work with PhilaPort on the logistics for embarkation and disembarkation for those sailings taking place before construction can be completed.
“We are finalizing those plans and will communicate embarkation and disembarkation details with impacted guests as they become available, which we anticipate will be within the next week,”the cruise line told ABC.
Philadelphia’s Port Expansion
The new cruise terminal in Philadelphia is part of a broader effort to restore the city as a homeport for cruise ships after 15 years without regular departures.
PhilaPort announced plans to develop a new homeport in 2024, offering a dedicated facility capable of handling modern cruise ships and thousands of embarking passengers.
The site sits near Philadelphia International Airport and major highways, making the port accessible to guests across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and the broader Mid-Atlantic region.
The terminal is designed to include passenger processing areas, baggage handling facilities, and transportation staging areas for buses, taxis, and rideshare services.
Norwegian Cruise Line was the first cruise operator to commit to sailing from the port as part of the relaunch.
The Norwegian Jewel, a 93,502-gross-ton ship, will operate sailings from Philadelphia beginning on April 16, 2026, and featuring 7-night roundtrip voyages to Bermuda.
The cruises will spend two days at sea before arriving at Kings Wharf in Bermuda for an overnight call. The itinerary also includes a call in Charleston, South Carolina, and two additional sea days.
The Bermuda season will last until September 5, when Norwegian Jewel will begin offering roundtrip New England and Canada fall voyages between the City of Brotherly Love and Quebec City through October 17, 2026.
In November 2026, the 93,530-gross-ton Norwegian Pearl arrives in Philadelphia to resume the cruise line’s Bermuda sailings.
Thousands of booked passengers have been receiving the same welcome emails from Royal Caribbean for weeks.
This is likely due to a technical glitch, though some are wondering if the daily emails are part of a marketing tactic.
The repeated emails are all the same and do not contain any new information about guests’ bookings.
Thousands of future Royal Caribbean guests are feeling a little too welcomed by the cruise line.
While it’s exciting to get that first confirmation email after booking your sailing, some guests have been getting the same welcome email over and over again for weeks.
The email is Royal Caribbean’s standard template for confirming that guests have booked their sailing and encouraging them to manage their booking, download the Royal Caribbean App, and to pre-book onboard packages.
“Woohoo! You’re officially booked, and we’re thrilled you’ll be joining us on your boldest vacation yet,” every email begins.
Impacted guests have reported that every email is identical and does not contain any new information or changes to their booking, which many have anxiously verified by checking their reservations online or on the app.
“I booked my June 2026 cruise back in December, and finished paying it off in February. When I booked it, and every time I made a payment, I got one of those welcome aboard emails, which I thought was weird but whatever. Now I seem to be getting them almost every day??,” one guest posted on Reddit.
The cruiser quickly learned that they were not alone, as several others said that they had been badgered by non-stop welcome emails going as far back as February.
“I was about to post the same question! So glad it’s not just me. It’s been a couple of weeks of receiving the same email daily,”another impacted guest replied to the post.
“Yeah I have been getting the same email just about every day or at least every other day for the last month or so,” another chimed in.
Cruise Hive has confirmed that guests booked to sail on Harmony of the Seas, Star of the Seas, and Independence of the Seas have been bombarded by the emails, but it’s very likely that more ships in the fleet have been affected.
Are The Emails a Glitch or Marketing Tool?
It’s unclear when the barrage of welcome emails will finally stop, and Royal Caribbean has not confirmed the cause behind them.
While the repetitive messages are most likely related to a glitch, some are wondering if it is a marketing tactic to encourage guests to pre-book onboard packages and shore excursions. These purchases can be made as soon as the cruise is booked.
“I’m getting the sense that their add on bookings aren’t quite what they were anticipating, so they’re pushing out as much marketing as possible to people to book drink packages, dining, and all of the other upcharge stuff that people are foregoing,”one cruiser theorized.
Star of the Seas Welcome Email (Photo Credit: Marie Negron)
Per guests who have called Royal Caribbean, the cruise line is aware of the glitch and is working on a resolution.
“RC has been having issues…I called customer service and they said it’s a known issue being worked on,”one guest said in a Star of the Seas Facebook group.
As Royal Caribbean has been experiencing record-breaking bookings and a sharp rise in revenue throughout 2025 and the first part of this year, it’s also hard to believe that the emails are related to an ulterior motive.
Email Glitches Have Happened Before
This isn’t the first time Royal Caribbean has dealt with a technical glitch, and it likely won’t be the last. These things simply happen from time to time.
For example, Cruise Hive reported on an app glitch in May 2025, in which mobile users were flooded with a series of repeated push notifications about “test segments.”
Some received up to 40 notifications from the app, which came fast and furious, before the glitch was fixed.
Similarly, the Royal Caribbean app accidentally sent a safety briefing reminder to all booked guests on February 2, 2023, whether they were embarking on a cruise that day or their vacation was still months away.
Speaking specifically to email issues, Royal Caribbean’s sister-brand, Celebrity Cruises, also dealt with a major glitch last year. Due to the issue, thousands of guests received incorrect emails about itinerary chances that didn’t exist.
Carnival Cruise Line has removed Tracy Arm Fjord from all of its 2026 Alaska itineraries due to unstable conditions within the waterway.
The scenic cruising day will take place in the safer Endicott Arm Fjord instead.
Three Carnival ships will be deployed to Alaska in 2026, including Carnival Miracle, Carnival Luminosa, and Carnival Spirit.
Carnival Cruise Line has cancelled all of its planned scenic cruising days in Tracy Arm Fjord for the upcoming 2026 Alaska season due to dangerous conditions in the area.
Following a landslide and tsunami on August 10, 2025, the fjord has been left with unstable ice and geological conditions that make scenic cruising unsafe.
The massive landslide unfolded near the South Sawyer Glacier, and the fjord remains under close observation by environmental experts as the surrounding area continues to shift.
As the landscape settles and glaciers retreat (shoutout to global warming), the risk of another landslide also increases. This is a situation no cruise ship wants to be caught in.
“We have been closely monitoring geological conditions in Tracy Arm Fjord. The waterways in the area are currently not suitable for cruise ship navigation,” Carnival wrote in a letter to booked guests.
It’s also worth noting that Carnival is now the second cruise line to scrap its planned visits to Tracy Arm for this year.
Carnival isn’t simply leaving its passengers high and dry. Instead of Tracy Arm Fjord, the scenic cruising will now take place in Endicott Arm Fjord.
Both fjords have the same entrance point at Holkham Bay, located roughly 50 miles south of Juneau, Alaska, branching off the main channel of Stephens Passage.
However, Endicott Arm is a safer and more reliable option for Alaska cruises because it isn’t as narrow as Tracy Arm, and it also does not face the same dangerous ice conditions and landslide risk.
Carnival Luminosa in Alaska (Photo Credit: AS McCloud)
“We have made a minor adjustment to our itinerary and will be cruising to Endicott Arm Fjord instead. Essentially, we will be turning right, instead of left, upon entering the fjords,”Carnival confirmed.
The change will be reflected on Carnival’s website within 24 hours so that new guests will have the correct itinerary when booking their sailings.
Guests will get to enjoy views of the stunning Dawes Glacier as the ships make their way down the approximately 30-mile-long fjord.
The active glacier is famous for its deep blue ice and intense calving, which is the dramatic process in which chunks of ice fall from the edge of the glacier.
Which Itineraries are Impacted?
Carnival will be deploying three ships to Alaska for the 2026 season, including Carnival Spirit, Carnival Luminosa, and Carnival Miracle. All itineraries that included Tracy Arm have been adjusted.
This includes all of Carnival Spirit’s embarkations from April 28 through and including September 15. The 2,134-guest ship will be operating 7-night Inside Passage sailings from Seattle, Washington.
Similarly, Carnival Luminosa’s itineraries from April 27 through September 10 have received the same adjustment. In this case, the 2,260-guest ship will be alternating between 10-night Inside Passage Alaska sailings and 4-night sailings to Mexico from San Francisco, California.
Last but not least is Carnival Miracle, which has seen this switch made for all itineraries from April 27 through and including its September 17 voyage.
The 2,134-guest vessel will primarily operate 7-night Inside Passage sailings from Seattle, with longer voyages at the beginning and end of its season.
Hopefully, conditions will stabilize ahead of the 2027 cruise season and guests will be given the chance to see North Sawyer Glacier and the South Sawyer Glacier in Tracy Arm once again.
The Meyer Werft shipyard has completed the installation of Carnival Festivale’s massive engines.
Due to launch in May 2027, the ship is Carnival Cruise Line’s fourth Excel-class vessel.
Carnival Festival will homeport at Port Canaveral, Florida.
Carnival Festivale, Carnival Cruise Line’s fourth Excel-class ship, reached a major construction milestone at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany — the installation of her massive engine.
Strong enough to power the 182,800-gross-ton ship, the engine was placed during the weekend of March 21, 2026, roughly 14 months before Carnival Festivale is due to enter service.
“Last weekend, the engine was successfully installed. An important step in the construction process and a visible sign of progress on the road to completion,” Meyer Werft posted.
Typically, engines on newer cruise ships are located on lower decks, between aft and mid-ship. On newer cruise ships, engine rooms are found on the aft of the ship and on the lower decks.
They take up a huge amount of space, usually multiple decks, to accommodate not only the engines, but also fuel tanks, generators, and a control room.
Like her sister ships in Excel class, Carnival Festivale will be powered by liquified natural gas (LNG), which has lower emissions of CO2 than oil-based fuel.
Carnival Festivale’s May 2027 launch will surely be one of the most highly anticipated new ships of the year. The ship, accommodating 5,374 guests, follows the line’s first three Excel-class ships: Mardi Gras (2020), Carnival Celebration (2022), and Carnival Jubilee (2023).
A fifth in the class, Carnival Tropicale, is also under construction at Meyer Werft and is slated to debut in 2028. Carnival Festivale’ssteel cutting was held nearly one year ago, on April 8, 2025, signaling the start of construction.
As earlier reported in Cruise Hive, Meyer Werft in February 2026 announced that the ship’s 949 pre-fab crew cabins had been manufactured and were ready to be installed on the vessel. The ship will employ 1,735 crew members.
Carnival Festivale
In total, Carnival Festivale will have 3,585 staterooms for crew and guests. With all berths occupied, the new ship will have capacity for 6,600 guests.
Guest staterooms and suites, along with interior and exterior public spaces, have yet to be built. The next major milestone will be Carnival Festivale’s float-out from her construction bay, when the ship’s hull touches water for the first time.
After final outfitting, sea trials will be held, likely in the early part of 2027, when the ship’s engines, propulsion and navigation systems, and safety protocols will be tested prior to delivery to Carnival Cruise Line.
Newest Excel-Class Ship Is Bound For Florida
Carnival Festivale’s initial homeport in North America will be Port Canaveral, Florida, where she will operate 6- and 8-night Eastern and Southern Caribbean voyages.
The ship’s inaugural transatlantic cruise after leaving the Meyer Werft shipyard is a 15-night sailing departing from Southampton, UK, on May 2, 2027. Arriving in Port Canaveral on May 16, Carnival Festivale will operate a 4-night Bahamas cruise calling at Celebration Key and RelaxAway Half Moon Cay.
While Carnival Festivale will feature many venues and attractions found on other Excel-class ships, she will bring new experiences, too. Among them is a new outdoor zone, called Sunsation Point, which will span the ship’s top three decks.
The focal point will be Carnival Waterworks Ultra, a family-oriented water park with six slides, raft rides, and areas designed for young children.
