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Two Cruise Lines Introduce Fuel Surcharges, Could More Follow?

Catie Kovelman
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Two Cruise Lines Introduce Fuel Surcharges, Could More Follow?

Key Aspects:

  • The war on Iran has caused fuel prices to skyrocket, which is impacting the cruise industry.
  • One Asian cruise brand has already introduced fuel surcharges of up to $25 USD per guest, per day.
  • It would not be surprising if the mainstream cruise lines followed suit with their own surcharges or by increasing cruise fares.

The worsening conflict in the Middle East may have just made your future cruise more expensive.

Since the war with Iran began on February 28, 2026, oil prices have risen by over 35%. As an example, Global Brent crude oil prices have soared by nearly 40% to over $100 per barrel, driven by the ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz (which borders Iran). 

While cruise lines have made great efforts to create and integrate greener fuel alternatives, the industry still relies on heavy fuel oil and marine gas oil to power its ships.

The extra costs that cruise lines have to shell out for fuel aren’t just impacting the brands, but their guests as well.

Asian Cruise Lines Implement Fuel Surcharges

StarCruises and Dream Cruises, which are both owned by Resorts World Cruises, notified booked passengers on March 17, 2026, about new fuel surcharges.

The fees went into effect on March 20, 2026, for new bookings. All guests over the age of two will be required to pay surcharges, which will automatically be added to guests’ onboard accounts during their sailings.

“Due to recent geopolitical developments in the Middle East, oil prices have increased significantly, leading to higher fuel and related costs,” Dream Cruises and StarCruises announced in letters, which were obtained by Cruise Hive.

“As a result, a fuel surcharge will be introduced for new bookings made on or after 20 March 2026,” the letter continued.

Dream Cruises Open Deck
Photo Credit: ARTYOORAN / Shutterstock

Dream Cruises has implemented a change of SGD15 (or about $11.70 USD) per person, per day for all of Genting Dream’s departures. The 3,352-guest ship currently operates out of Singapore and Malaysia (Port Klang or Malacca).

Read Also: Cruise Ship Fuel Consumption – All the Details

StarCruises is imposing even heftier fees. Guests of the 1,944-passenger Star Voyager will have to shell out HKD 200 (about $25 USD) per guest, per night. The 77,441-gross ton ship is currently homeporting in Hong Kong.

Finally, sailing on the 1,854-guest Star Navigator, which currently operates out of Keelung (Taiwan), will come with a fee of NTD 600 (about $19 USD), per guest, per night.

The cruise brand will continue to review the surcharges as oil prices adjust and modify the cost to guests accordingly.

Are More Surcharges Coming?

When guests book their sailings and sign their cruise contract, the fine print almost always states that the cruise lines are allowed to implement fuel charges if necessary.

Although the cruise lines have rarely added surcharges historically, it does means that guests could end up being responsible for potentially hundreds of dollars in extra surcharges even after paying their balance in full.

For instance, Carnival reserves the right to charge up to $9.00 USD per person, per day, when the New York Mercantile Exchange Index (NYMEX) is greater than $70.00 USD per barrel of oil (and it’s currently at around $91.25 per barrel).

If the cruise line decided to implement these surcharges, a family of four could be looking at an added $252 for a week-long vacation.

As another example, Norwegian Cruise Line allows for a maximum daily surcharge of $10 per passenger, per day when fuel increases above $65 per barrel on the NYMEX. To put things in perspective, that’s an additional $280 for a family of four embarking on a week-long cruise.

MSC Cruises has one of the highest daily caps in the industry, with the ability to enact fees of up to $12 per person, per day when the NYMEX is above $65 per barrel. Again, looking at our hypothetical family of four, that is a whopping $336 for a week at sea.

As a final example, Royal Caribbean arguably has the least specific policy in the industry when it comes to fuel surcharges, with no published trigger charge or daily maximum.

More From Cruise Hive

Moving forward, it’s always a good idea for guests to review their specific cruise line’s policies so that they have an idea of what to expect and can be prepared in the event that surcharges are indeed levied.

Alternatively, the major brands may also opt to recoup costs by increasing the fares for new bookings rather than upsetting existing guests with unexpected fees. Cruise Hive will update on which way the industry trends.

Cruise Ship Crew Member Arrested for Shoplifting During Port Canaveral Call

Donna Tunney
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Cruise Ship Crew Member Arrested for Shoplifting During Port Canaveral Call

Key Aspects:

  • A cruise ship crew member was arrested in Florida and then deported.
  • The arrest followed a charge of shoplifting while the worker was on shore leave.
  • Local and federal officials detained the employee at Port Canaveral.

In an unusual incident at Port Canaveral, a cruise ship crew member was arrested, detained, and then deported following a charge of shoplifting.

Deputies with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) confirmed in a Facebook post on March 24, 2026, that a crew member, who was not identified, was found to be shoplifting while on shore during a port call.

Law enforcement did not specify which cruise ship the crew member worked on, but MSC Cruises’ MSC Meraviglia was the only vessel calling at Port Canaveral that day, according to the port’s master cruise schedule. The ship accommodates 4,488 guests and typically has between 1,536 and 1,600 crew members on board.

Based in New York, MSC Meraviglia departed the Big Apple on a 7-night Bahamas cruise on March 22. Port Canaveral was the first port call on the itinerary. MSC Cruises has not issued a statement regarding the incident.

According to the sheriff’s office post, it contacted US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Cape Canaveral while the employee was being detained.

Port Canaveral, Florida
Port Canaveral, Florida (Photo Credit: Felix Mizioznikov)

When the local officials had completed processing the arrest, the suspect was turned over to CBP authorities, who issued an immigration detainer.

A detainer enables federal officials to take custody of a suspect. CBP officials then transported him to Orlando International Airport, where he was placed on a flight bound for his home country.

Read Also: What Are the Best Cruise Lines to Work For?

“U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued a detainer to retrieve custody after BCSO was finished with the subject. He was then processed for removal from the U.S. and escorted to Orlando International Airport for his flight home,” Brevard County Sheriff’s Office posted on social media.

The crew member’s nationality is not known. The Orlando airport is located about an hour from Port Canaveral and serves as a major international hub.

Where Do Cruise Ship Crew Members Come From?

Foreign workers, including cruise ship crew members, typically arrive in US ports on a C1/D Seaman Visa. Across the cruise industry, the lion’s share of crew members hail from so-called low-opportunity labor markets.

The Milken Institute, which focuses on economic growth and job creation, notes that Filipinos account for nearly 30 percent of cruise workers. The rest hail mostly from India, Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, and the former Soviet Republics.

In the Port Canaveral case, neither the sheriff’s office nor the CBP provided any details regarding the alleged shoplifting charge against the crew member. In fact, such charges are rare in the cruise industry.

Arrests of cruise ship employees are not commonplace, but they do happen from time to time. In May 2024, a crew member on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Encore was arrested after he allegedly attacked several people on the ship.

First, the 35-year-old was seen attempting to deploy a lifeboat. Members of the ship’s security team transported the worker to the vessel’s medical center, where he allegedly assaulted a security guard and a nurse.

In a more recent case, in January 2026, a cruise ship crew member was arrested at Germany’s Bremerhaven cruise terminal on charges of robbery and probation violation. The suspect had outstanding arrest warrants, which were discovered during the border check process.

Coast Guard Makes Urgent Same-Day Rescues From Two Carnival Ships

Donna Tunney
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Coast Guard Makes Urgent Same-Day Rescues From Two Carnival Ships

Key Aspects:

  • US Coast Guardsmen facilitated two medical evacuations from Carnival ships in one day.
  • The evacuations were from Carnival Jubilee and Carnival Valor on March 20, 2026.
  • Videos of both medevacs were posted on social media.

It was a busy day on March 20, 2026, for US Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans, thanks to at-sea medical evacuations required from not one, but two, Carnival Cruise Line ships — Carnival Jubilee and Carnival Valor.

Both were captured on video by the Coast Guard and show the dramatic rescues, with one happening at night. The rescues were posted on Facebook.

“#bravozulu to our shipmates over at Air Station New Orleans on a job well done!” states the social media post from US Coast Guard Heartland. 

Carnival Jubilee was the first to call the Coast Guard for assistance during the afternoon, when a 53-year-old man had a medical emergency that called for more than the ship’s onboard medical team could provide.

The 5,374-guest ship, third in the line’s Excel class, was returning to her homeport at Galveston, Texas, when the emergency erupted. The ship was operating a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise, and guests were enjoying a final sea day before arriving back at the Lone Star State.

As reported by Cruise Hive at the time, Carnival Jubilee altered her course in an effort to make the evacuation as smooth as possible for the Coast Guard. In fact, satellite tracking showed that the ship diverted significantly from her planned route.

Sometimes, weather and wave activity can play a role in how far a cruise ship might divert to facilitate a helicopter rescue. It is not known whether the ill man was a guest or crew member; the ship carries 1,735 crew members.

After contacting the New Orleans station, an MH-60 helicopter arrived and evacuated the man, who can be seen in the video being hoisted aboard the aircraft.

A Riveting Nighttime Evacuation From Carnival Valor

The second incident happened after dark that day, when a 27-year-old man needed to be evacuated from Carnival Valor.

Carnival Valor, a 2,980-guest ship, is based at New Orleans and departed the port on March 16 for a 5-night Western Caribbean cruise. Like Carnival Jubilee, the ship was spending a day at sea when the emergency happened.

Carnival Valor had called at Progreso and Cozumel, Mexico, earlier in the cruise. It is also not known whether the evacuated man was a guest or a crew member.

Although the evacuation happened after dark, viewers of the video can see the patient being hoisted onto the helicopter strapped into what appears to be a stretcher.

More From Cruise Hive

In both cases, the evacuated men were taken to University Medical Center in New Orleans. Their medical conditions are unknown.

Medical evacuations are not uncommon, although they don’t happen frequently either. In an earlier case, Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Venezia experienced a medical emergency in September 2025.

The ship had just departed from New York and was about 30 miles off the coast of Atlantic City, New Jersey, when the Coast Guard was called to evacuate a guest. This was also a nighttime event, happening at around 10 p.m.

No details about the nature of the emergency were revealed. As was the case with Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Valor altered her route, turning back toward the coast so that the evacuation could happen as quickly as possible.

Royal Caribbean Guests Face Seven Time Changes on Transatlantic Crossing

Catie Kovelman
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Royal Caribbean Guests Face Seven Time Changes on Transatlantic Crossing

Key Aspects:

  • Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas is currently operating a transatlantic crossing from Galveston to Barcelona.
  • Guests will experience seven different time changes during their sailing.
  • Each adjustment, most of which are in the afternoon, moves the ship time one hour ahead.

Adjusting to daylight saving time is hard enough twice a year, but current guests of Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas will have to survive seven different time changes in just over two weeks. It’s common for time changes on crossings, but it’s something not all guests expect, especially if it’s for the first time!

The Oasis-class ship embarked on a transatlantic crossing in Galveston, Texas, on March 16, 2026, and will arrive in Barcelona, Spain, on April 1, 2026. As the 6,780-guest ship sails closer to Europe, the clock will slowly inch forward.

All seven of the time changes move the ship time forward by one hour, so they hopefully won’t feel too disruptive to guests.

“As we travel eastward, our itinerary will include a total of seven time adjustments,” Royal Caribbean wrote to guests in a welcome letter, which was obtained by Cruise Hive.

“For six of these changes, clocks will move forward by one hour during the afternoon. The final adjustment will take place overnight, in alignment with Spain’s daylight-saving time change,” Royal Caribbean stated.

Many of the first six time changes, which were scheduled for sea days at 2 p.m. in the afternoon, have already occurred. Current guests have already jumped one hour ahead on March 18, March 20, March 21, March 23, and March 24.

The final 2 p.m. time change will take place on March 26. The one and only 2 a.m. change will be on March 29, shortly before the 227,000-gross ton vessel is scheduled to arrive in Malaga, Spain, at 8 a.m. local time.

Cruisers React to the Many Time Changes

Interestingly, the biggest complaint that guests had (and feelings of surprise) came from the fact that the time changes were mostly happening during the day instead of overnight.

“I hated how they did it in the middle of the day going across the Pacific. Overnight would be better,” one cruiser reacted on Facebook.

“Wow, skipping forward mid-day. Never saw that before. Interesting concept,” said another.

Harmony of the Seas Balconies
Harmony of the Seas Balconies (Photo Credit: mridulablog)

Others didn’t mind the timing of the shifts, and liked that it gives the hardworking crew members extra time to rest instead of less. For reference, approximately 2,100 crew members live and work onboard the Royal Caribbean ship.

“They do the time change in the middle of the day on eastbound transoceanic cruises for the crew. If they did it at night like they do for some Caribbean/Bermuda cruises, the crew would keep losing an hour of sleep. They would all be wiped out by the end,” one cruise fan explained.

A final subset was simply glad that they would be eased into Barcelona time instead of transitioning to the new time zone all at once. Spain is six hours ahead of Texas through March 29, when daylight saving ups that number to seven hours.

Staying On Time Matters

It’s important that passengers stay on the correct ship time in order to make the most of their cruise vacation and not miss out on activities and entertainment due to confusion.

If guests are operating an hour (or more) behind the ship, they could miss out on things like exciting activities, tasty dinners, or shows that they really wanted to see.

This is even more important while visiting cruise ports, as the all aboard time will be based on the ship time, which could be different from the port of call. It is ultimately up to guests to stay on schedule, and the ship will not wait for them if they are late.

Read Also: What Happens If You Miss Your Cruise Ship?

Additionally, shore excursions will leave without guests who do not arrive at the designated meeting spot timely. It is unfair to the punctual guests to wait for tardy passengers.

Just recently, Cruise Hive reported on a Carnival guest who missed their privately booked shore excursion because they got confused about the time onboard and the time on shore, and that’s a mistake that these Royal Caribbean guests won’t want to repeat.

Harmony of the Seas has already visited Nassau, Bahamas, and is yet to stop at Cadiz, Malaga, Cartagena, and Alicante in Spain. Guests will certainly want to make the most of their time in these popular destinations.

Luckily, Royal Caribbean has been and will continue to issue plenty of reminders about the time zones, including in the daily Cruise Compass newsletters, the Royal Caribbean App, and via letters left in guest staterooms.

NCL Confirms Major Great Stirrup Cay Upgrades and Drink Package Reversal for 2027

Catie Kovelman
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NCL Confirms Major Great Stirrup Cay Upgrades and Drink Package Reversal for 2027

Key Aspects:

  • The wave of enhancements for Great Stirrup Cay, including a new waterpark and pier, will be completed by the end of 2026.
  • Norwegian Cruise Line is now advising guests visiting the private island in 2027 on what they need to know to make the most of their visit.
  • This included clarifying information about the drink packages and the completion of the two-ship pier.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has invested at least $150 million into Great Stirrup Cay to improve the guest experience on the island, and by the end of 2026, all the new enhancements should officially be up and running.

The cruise line is now looking ahead to its 2027 sailings to make sure guests have all the proper information to make the most of their time at the private Bahamian destination.

“As we continue to refine and expand Great Stirrup Cay, our focus remains on ensuring every guest can fully enjoy all that the island has to offer…Your upcoming visit coincides with an exciting new chapter for our private island,” Norwegian Cruise Line wrote in a letter to future guests.

By the end of this year, NCL will have launched the 19-slide Great Tides Waterpark and finished its new two-ship pier, putting an end to tendering operations for good.

NCL Great Stirrup Cay Letter
NCL Great Stirrup Cay Letter

This is in addition to other recent enhancements, including improved dining and bar facilities and the addition of the Great Life Lagoon (a massive 1.4-acre pool) and the Vibe Shore Club (an adults-only spot with premium day beds and bar service).

Cruise Hive previously reported that 15 NCL ships would begin calling to the island in 2026 to take advantage of the new enhancements, including the newest additions to the fleet, such as Norwegian Luna (2026) and Norwegian Aqua (2025).15 ships are again on the roster for 2027.

Beverage Package Clarification

Last year, Norwegian Cruise Line received significant backlash after deciding to end the use of the “Free at Sea” drink package on the island.

But as of March 2026, travel professionals were notified that the controversial decision was put on an indefinite pause. Based on the letter to guests booked on 2027 sailings, it’s now clear that the “Free at Sea” drink package isn’t going anywhere.

Great Stirrup Cay Pool Area
Great Stirrup Cay Pool Area

“After receiving feedback from our guests and travel partners, guests with the Free at Sea or More at Sea beverage packages will continue to enjoy the same beverage package inclusions as they do on board. This means your beverage experience flows effortlessly from ship-to-shore,” NCL confirmed.

The Florida-based cruise line also clarified that the Free at Sea and Free at Sea Plus packages can be purchased prior to setting sail and can be modified up to 24 hours in advance of embarkation day.

The packages can also be purchased during the first two days of the cruise, but onboard pricing is typically higher than buying in advance.

When Will the New Pier be Completed?

By the time guests arrive at Great Stirrup Cay in 2027, the brand-new two-ship pier will be complete and in its prime.

The pier has been a long time coming, with construction kicking off at the beginning of 2025, and is arguably one of the enhancements that guests are most excited about with the convenience it will bring to their visits.

“Our new two-ship pier, a significant enhancement designed to elevate arrival and improve access, will be in place for your visit, offering a smoother transition from ship-to-shore,” the cruise line stated.

More From Cruise Hive

Currently, the port is using a temporary pier to allow visiting ships to avoid tendering operations, which have a reputation for getting cancelled due to inclement weather.

However, the port will temporarily revert to tendering operations to allow for the completion of the permanent pier. The closure will begin on April 1 and is expected to last through July or August.

Cruise Line Drops Birthday Cake and Cruisers Say the New Perk Is Worth It

Catie Kovelman
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Cruise Line Drops Birthday Cake and Cruisers Say the New Perk Is Worth It

Key Aspects:

  • Norwegian Cruise Line has revised its Happy Birthday Cabin Decoration package.
  • Instead of a six-inch cake, the package will now include a free frame and photograph.
  • If guests would still like to celebrate with a cake in their cabins, there are options available to purchase a half or full sheet cake.

A cruise vacation is a great way to celebrate a birthday, and some guests of Norwegian Cruise Line like to make their celebrations extra special by purchasing a party package.

Norwegian Cruise Line is happy to share that the Happy Birthday package has been revised as of March 26, 2026, to make the onboard celebrations extra special and to reduce food waste.

“We’re writing to share an update to your existing Happy Birthday Cabin Decoration Package, designed to make your special day even more memorable,” Norwegian Cruise Line wrote in a letter to guests who booked the package.

Previously, the package included birthday-themed cabin decorations, a celebration banner, and a six-inch cake. The revamped package has replaced the cake with a free Compass Collection frame and a free photograph to go in it (valued at $29.95).

While the reason behind the change has not been explained, it’s likely that many of the cakes were going to waste because guests didn’t eat all of it and they can be difficult to store in a tiny cabin.

Read Also: How to Make the Most of Your Cruise Without Overspending

“This package has been refreshed as part of our continued effort to elevate the way we celebrate life’s moments at sea. The previous version included birthday decor and a six inch cake,” the letter explained.

“Moving forward, the cake will be replaced with a photo keepsake so you can take home a memory that lasts long after the candles are blown out. It is a small shift designed to make your celebration feel more personal and more connected to your time onboard.”

Guests who are interested in booking the Happy Birthday package can do so by visiting Norwegian Cruise Line’s website. It currently costs $69 USD, and it is recommended to book at least three weeks ahead of embarkation.

Those who are not partaking in the sailing can also send the package to their cruising loved ones using their surnames, ship, and sailing dates.

How Does the Birthday Package Compare? 

When looking at some of the other major cruise lines, Norwegian Cruise Line’s old birthday package feels more in line with the rest of the industry.

Carnival Cruise Line, for example, offers its own birthday package for $73.14, which includes a 20% delivery fee. This comes with decorations, including multiple banners, as well as a cake that serves up to six people.

Small Birthday Cake for Cruise Passenger
Small Birthday Cake for Cruise Passenger (Photo Credit: Joni Hanebutt)

Guests get to choose between vanilla cake with strawberry filling, chocolate cake with chocolate mousse filling, or red velvet cake with cream cheese filling.

As another example, Royal Caribbean offers two separate birthday packages. Guests can have their stateroom decorated for just $39.99, or opt for a more inclusive celebratory package that includes decorations, cake, and strawberries for $69.99.

The keepsake photo makes NCL’s newly revamped package particularly unique.

Guests React to the New Birthday Package

Change is always controversial, and can be disappointing for guests who had their heart set on an experience going a certain way.

However, many cruisers are happy about this decision and look forward to exchanging their voucher for a free photograph, as each individual print typically costs between $20 to $30.

“We never ate the cake. Personally you’re better off getting a slice of cake at Garden Cafe. The picture is an upgrade,” one cruiser reacted on Facebook.

“We barely touched ours whenever we got them for celebrations. You are basically eating all over the cruise ship, and we were always stuffed. That cake was the last thing we wanted to spend our calories on,” said another.

However, disappointed guests aren’t just out of luck. Cruise Hive has confirmed that guests who really want to celebrate with a cake in their cabin can still do so.

The cruise line will deliver a standard chocolate or vanilla half sheet cake to guest staterooms for $124 or a standard full sheet cake for $169 to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, or honeymoons.

Miami Considering Non-Stop Train Between Airport and Cruise Port

Calvin Musquez
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Miami Considering Non-Stop Train Between Airport and Cruise Port

Key Aspects:

  • Miami officials are considering a train service to alleviate traffic between the airport and the cruise port.
  • Two proposed rail lines are being considered.
  • The project is estimated to cost between $600 million and $800 million.

Miami-Dade transportation officials are considering recommendations for a non-stop train service connecting Miami International Airport and PortMiami.

A recent study, the Miami-Dade Transportation Planning Organization (MDTPO) 2050 Master Plan, showed promising results for an expanded rail line connecting the two major Miami destinations.

The study, which was published in September 2025, explored the economic feasibility of public transportation solutions between the airport and cruise port. PortMiami, the Cruise Capital of the World, regularly deals with an extremely high volume of passengers, particularly on busy weekends.

The railway proposals aim to address the dense traffic that follows from the ever-increasing number of tourists passing through the city on the way to the port. PortMiami currently has 10 cruise terminals working with over 20 cruise lines and welcoming millions of passengers a year.

Eight public transportation solutions were originally proposed in the study. Now, according to a report by CBS News, MDTPO has narrowed that down to two proposals.

Details Of The Proposed Solutions

The first option is a 9-mile extension to the existing MetroMover track. The MetroMover is a free people mover system with 21 stations in Downtown Miami. 

This is the simpler solution, as it could incorporate existing structures such as the Miami River Bridge. The major drawback to this proposal is capacity. The MetroMover cars have a maximum capacity of only 50 people each and average only 9 miles per hour.

Cruise Ships Docked at PortMiami, Florida
Cruise Ships Docked at PortMiami, Florida (Photo Credit: Just dance)

The second proposed option would be significantly higher capacity. This plan would add a 10-mile extension to the Metrorail track. Metrorail is a rapid transit railway system currently spanning 25 miles of track.

This proposal would expand that to 35 miles of track. The construction of this solution, however, would be much more involved, requiring a new bridge to be built.

Read Also: Miami Cruise Port Guide – Terminals, Transportation, and More

It’s interesting to note that neither of these solutions was advanced in previous screenings by MDTPO, but it seems that reconsiderations have taken place.

Whichever proposal is accepted, it comes with a substantial price tag for taxpayers. The project is estimated to cost between $600 million and $800 million in capital expenses and $9 million to $15 million in annual operational costs.

How Bad Is Traffic in PortMiami?

PortMiami consistently ranks as the busiest cruise port in the world, and it’s only getting busier by the day.

In 2025, the Cruise Capital of the World welcomed a record 8,564,225 cruise passengers through its terminals. MDTPO estimates that by 2050, that number could rise to as high as 24,100,00.

But it’s not just cruisers that influence traffic. Miami is the second most populous city in the state of Florida, with approximately 2.84 million people living in Miami-Dade County.

High numbers of ships in port, special events, and road work can all turn a leisurely drive to the cruise terminal into an aggravating standstill. It’s become a regular occurrence for cruise lines to send their guests reminders to leave plenty of time to avoid the busy downtown Miami congestion.

Earlier this month, CruiseHive reported on Carnival Cruise Line warning passengers of just such a high traffic weekend. Cruisers were advised to allow extra time to reach their ships due to construction downtown as well as the Bounce Back for Cancer event.

There’s no word yet on how long these proposed projects will take to complete. In the meantime, we all know what construction does to traffic, so if you’re cruising out of PortMiami, be sure to leave plenty of time to get to your ship.

Carnival Ignites 2026 With Explosive Booking Growth and Record Revenue

Donna Tunney
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Carnival Ignites 2026 With Explosive Booking Growth and Record Revenue

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Corporation revealed a double-digit rise in bookings in the first quarter of 2026.
  • The company’s eight brands had record revenues of $6.2 billion.
  • Occupancy rates across the lines held steady at 103%.

Carnival Corporation reported a first-quarter bonanza on March 27, 2026, with results showing bookings for the year up by double digits, along with record revenue.

As parent company to eight major cruise brands across the globe, Carnival Corporation’s strong performance bodes well for the industry as a whole.

The cruise giant owns popular brands that cruisers worldwide embrace: Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, P&O Cruises, Costa Cruises, AIDA Cruises, and the luxury lines Seabourn and Cunard.

Its financial first quarter ran from December 1, 2025 to February 28, 2026, which is prime Wave Season, when cruise lines offer special promotions and perks in a bid to get as many advance reservations on the books as possible.

According to the conglomerate’s results, fully 85% of scheduled cruises across the brands in 2026 are already booked, with guest deposits reaching upward of $8 billion — that’s nearly 10% more than the same timeframe in 2025.

“We delivered an incredibly strong start to the year, achieving our highest level of bookings ever on strong demand that extended well into 2028 sailings,” said Josh Weinstein, CEO of Carnival Corporation.

“Bookings for 2026 were up double digits, which further pulled forward our already record booked position for the remainder of the year at historically high prices (in constant currency),” added Weinstein.

Carnival Cruise Line Miami Office
Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive

The CEO, who did not specify the exact double-digit rise, has plenty to celebrate, since the company posted record-breaking revenues of $6.2 billion and net income of $258 million.

In the corporation’s first-quarter stats, the occupancy rate percentage across the brands held steady at 103%, the same as in first-quarter 2025.

Holland America Line, one of the company’s premium brands, has had a particularly good few months. The line reported in early January 2026 that it was experiencing a major booking spike for Europe cruises.

In fact, demand rose by 30% overall and by 50% on itineraries featuring Northern Europe. The brand’s Wave Season deals, promoted under the tagline Start Your Journey, offered reduced deposits, up to 30% cruise fare discounts, and up to $500 in onboard credits, among other benefits.

What About Those Rising Fuel Prices?

Since Carnival Corporation’s financial results pertain to a time period that ended on February 28, 2026, the effects of higher fuel prices due to the Iran war are not evident. In fact, the military campaign that has rocked the price of oil began on the same day that Carnival Corporation’s first quarter ended.

More From Cruise Hive

That said, the company did refer to the ongoing issue in the Concerning Factors section of its first-quarter report, noting: “Increases in fuel costs, changes in the types of fuel consumed and availability of fuel supply may adversely impact our scheduled itineraries and costs.”

Two cruise lines have already implemented fuel surcharges. Asia-based StarCruises and Dream Cruises, both owned by Resorts World Cruises, notified booked passengers that fuel surcharges of HKD (Hong Kong Dollar) 200 (about $25 USD) and SGD (Singapore Dollar) 15 (about $11.70 USD), respectively, would be added to fares.

The surcharges took effect on March 20. None of the Carnival Corporation brands have so far moved to enact fuel surcharges.

What Is Causing Norwegian Aqua’s Unusually Late Start in New York?

Donna Tunney
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What Is Causing Norwegian Aqua’s Unusually Late Start in New York?

Key Aspects:

  • Norwegian Aqua will arrive in New York on April 18, 2026, for the first sailing in a seasonal deployment.
  • Norwegian Cruise Line notified guests that her afternoon arrival is set for 3 p.m.
  • Passengers were cautioned that the cruise terminal would not open until that time.

Most cruise ships arrive at their homeports during early morning hours, and embarkation for the next voyage gets underway shortly after current passengers debark. 

But that will not be the case with one Norwegian Cruise Line ship’s April 18, 2026, departure from New York, and booked guests are being alerted.

The 3,571-guest Norwegian Aqua, the first ship in Norwegian Cruise Line’s Prima Plus Class, will not arrive at her New York pier until 3 p.m. on departure day.

Since the ship is repositioning from PortMiami to New York on April 16, 2026, the required sailing time between the two ports means a late arrival for Norwegian Aqua.

One guest, a first-time cruiser unaccustomed to the nuances of cruise ship deployments, was among the booked passengers who received an emailed notice from the cruise line detailing how embarkation would be handled on departure day.

Among other instructions, the cruise line alert advises booked guests to adhere strictly to the check-in time they selected when booking the voyage, since the cruise terminal will be closed to all passengers until 3 p.m.

“On embarkation day, Norwegian Aqua is scheduled to arrive at the pier in the afternoon. As a result, the terminal will remain closed during the morning hours and will not open before 3:00 pm,” states Norwegian Cruise Line’s notice to guests.

Anyone arriving early will not be allowed to enter the terminal. Uneasy about the alert, the guest posted it on Reddit, asking for advice from more seasoned cruisers.

Norwegian Aqua in New York
Norwegian Aqua in New York (Photo Credit: Norwegian Cruise Line)

A few experienced cruisers commented, including one who noted the challenges of a ship repositioning a long distance in a short amount of time.

“So that is actually the first cruise out of New York. Aqua is dropping off passengers on the 16th in Miami and then sailing up to New York in about 48 hours. That is about the fastest a big cruise ship can make it,” said one commenter.

Another chimed in about the cruise line’s intention to keep embarkation running smoothly.

“Most cruises start boarding around 10:00 am, and passengers have gotten used to arriving early and being allowed to board even if their assigned time is later,” the commenter posted.

“This sounds like NCL is just making clear that it won’t be possible to do so this time. I wouldn’t worry about it at all,” he added.

In addition to strict adherence to scheduled check-in times, the cruise line’s alert reminds guests to make sure their luggage tags, with name and stateroom number visible, are attached to all baggage, since this enables port staff to move bags directly to cabins in a timely manner.

Ship to Begin Voyages From New York to Bermuda

Norwegian Aqua’s seasonal deployment to New York will follow a 4-night Bahamas cruise to Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay, departing on April 12, 2026. After debarking guests on April 16, the ship will sail directly to New York, arriving in the afternoon of April 18.

Sailing from New York until mid-October 2026, Norwegian Aqua will operate 5- and 7-night cruises to Bermuda. Seven-night sailings will spend two nights at Kings Wharf, Bermuda, while the shorter voyage features one overnight there.

Norwegian Aqua began her seasonal deployment at PortMiami in October 2025, sailing 7-night cruises to Bahamas and Caribbean destinations. The ship is a sister to Prima-class ships Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, and features some unique activities, such as the Aqua Slidecoaster, a hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide.

The ship was christened at PortMiami on April 13, 2025, with Emmy Award-winning actor Eric Stonestreet serving as godfather. Norwegian Aqua will return to PortMiami for the winter 2026-27 season.

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