Sapphire Princess recovered five bodies near Cartagena, Spain on Tuesday, April 21.
The individuals were not guests or crew members from the cruise ship, but may have been migrants.
No cause of death or origin point for the deceased individuals has been confirmed.
Every cruise ship will respond immediately to any overboard reports, taking all necessary steps to search and rescue individuals in the water. Sadly, such an alert on Sapphire Princess on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 did not have the preferred outcome and rather than a rescue, the ship was only able to facilitate a recovery of five deceased bodies.
Sapphire Princess had departed Rome (Civitavecchia) on Sunday, April 19 for a 14-night, one-way sailing to Copenhagen. At the time of the alert, the 115,875-gross ton ship had already visited Sardinia and was en route to Cartagena, Spain as the next port of call.
According to Murcia Today, a crew member onboard spotted an orange life jacket in the water at roughly 6 p.m. and raised the alarm. Sapphire Princess immediately slowed and turned to render aid, deploying a rescue boat to get to the individual as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, the individual was already deceased.
🔴 ÚLTIMA HORA | El crucero Sapphire Princess ha encontrado a cinco personas fallecidas cuando llegaba al Puerto de Cartagena. Se investiga si estas personas iban en la patera que recaló el lunes en Cartagena Jimmy Mendoza, pasajero del crucero, nos ha cedido estas imágenes pic.twitter.com/V5otgooxEf
At the time, the ship was roughly 140 miles off the coast of Cabo de Palos in southeastern Spain, about 155 miles from Cartagena.
An hour later, after the ship had resumed sailing, a second orange life jacket was spotted, and the overboard alert was repeated. A second body was recovered, and search efforts continued in the area for approximately three hours. Ultimately, five deceased individuals were located and the bodies were carefully brought aboard Sapphire Princess.
Bodies Not Connected to Cruise Ship
The cruise line confirmed the incident and noted that the individuals recovered were not guests or crew from Sapphire Princess.
“On April 21, Sapphire Princess, while at sea en route to Cartagena, Spain, observed an orange inflatable lifejacket in the water. The vessel immediately altered course to investigate and, upon arrival on scene, deployed its Fast Rescue Boat,”the cruise line said in a statement.
“Five deceased individuals were recovered by the Sapphire Princess crew members and coordinated efforts with the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC). The individuals involved are not guests or crew of Sapphire Princess. We extend our sincere condolences for this loss and are grateful to our crew for their swift response and efforts to render assistance.”
At this time, the identities of the deceased individuals are unknown. It is possible they were from a migrant vessel, which would not be uncommon in the region.
Sapphire Princess Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Wojciech Wrzesien)
No other small boats or watercraft were found in the immediate vicinity, though it is possible such a craft sank or drifted outside the search area. No information about how long the bodies may have been in the water has been released, nor have any causes of death been confirmed.
Local police did note that a small boat was found empty and adrift earlier in the week roughly 25 miles off Cartagena, which may be related to the recovered bodies.
Guests Offered Support at Troubling Time
Guests onboard Sapphire Princess who observed the search and recovery operations were impressed with the efficiency of the crew members and the dignity with which they treated the recovered bodies.
While the overboard individuals were not affiliated with the cruise ship, counseling services were still offered to guests if they needed help with the difficult situation.
Many guests also expressed concern for the crew members who had to participate in such a sad operation.
“Praying for the families of the deceased, as well as the crew who had the hard task of recovering those poor souls,”one guest commented.
Following the rescue operation, Sapphire Princess continued on to Cartagena with no delay to her planned arrival. The bodies were removed at the port, and autopsies will be performed at the Institute of Legal Medicine.
Holland America Line begins its 2026 Alaska season on April 25 with Eurodam arriving in Seattle.
Princess Cruises will stage a public drone show in Seattle ahead of Star Princess starting its inaugural season.
The two Carnival Corporation brands will sail more than 180 voyages in Alaska in 2026.
Carnival Corporation’s Alaska cruise season is ramping up in Seattle as two of its cruise brands bring ships and new programming to the region ahead of the busy summer sailing schedule.
First, Holland America Line will launch its 2026 Alaska season on April 25, 2026, when Eurodam arrives at the Port of Seattle. Her arrival begins a schedule of more than 100 voyages across six ships sailing the region.
The company will operate itineraries from April through September departing roundtrip from Seattle and Vancouver, along with sailings between Vancouver and Whittier, Alaska.
Ships deployed in Alaska this year include Koningsdam, Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Westerdam, and Zaandam, offering voyages ranging from 7-day cruises to a 28-day Arctic Circle Solstice itinerary.
A key part of the 2026 program is the addition of 25 new shore excursions designed to provide closer access to Alaska’s landscapes and wildlife.
New options include a floatplane, paddle and hiking excursions to Norris Glacier near Juneau, a moose-focused wildlife outing near Anchorage, and a rainforest hike with a seafood picnic and brewery stop in Kodiak.
Holland America Line will also continue its “Glacier Day” programming once on each voyage. Activities include ranger presentations from Glacier Bay National Park, scenic commentary from experts, photography sessions, and themed food and beverages served on deck while ships sail past glacier fields.
Wildlife viewing is another major focus. Ships carry wildlife experts onboard, and nearly 180 shore excursions allow passengers to see species such as moose, bears, and marine wildlife in their natural habitats.
Holland America Ship in Juneau, Alaska (Photo Credit: Artha sant)
“As the leader in Alaska, we are committed to delivering experiences that are as enriching as they are unforgettable, bringing guests closer to the region in meaningful ways,” said Robert Morgenstern, senior vice president of Alaska operations at Holland America Line.
The cruise line will also offer cruisetours ranging from 9 to 17 days that combine a cruise with inland travel to destinations such as Denali National Park and Canada’s Yukon.
Star Princess Debuts
Meanwhile, Princess Cruises will mark the beginning of its 2026 Alaska season with a public drone show in downtown Seattle on May 1, 2026, just days before its newest ship begins sailing from the city.
The free event is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. and will take place above Seattle Center. Organizers says the best viewing location will be the International Fountain Mall at 305 Harrison Street, where spectators can watch a choreographed aerial display featuring Alaska-themed imagery.
The drone show is designed to celebrate the arrival of the 177,800-gross-ton Star Princess, which begins its inaugural Alaska season from Seattle on May 3, carrying up to 4,300 passengers.
“Seattle has always played a vital role in our Alaska program, and we’re excited to celebrate with the local community and visitors in such a memorable way,” said Marie Lee, Princess Cruises’ chief marketing officer.
Following the May 1 event, Star Princess will depart on its first Alaska sailing from Pier 91. The ship is scheduled to operate 20 roundtrip voyages through September 13, 2026.
During the season, the ship is expected to carry approximately 90,000 passengers through Alaska’s Inside Passage. Ports of call include Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway, along with glacier viewing at Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier.
The vessel will join Royal Princess, which is also scheduled to operate 7-night Inside Passage sailings from Seattle during the 2026 season.
Princess Cruises is operating its largest Alaska program yet in 2026, deploying eight ships for 180 departures visiting 19 destinations across the region. These include Discovery Princess, Ruby Princess, Emerald Princess, Grand Princess, Coral Princess, and Island Princess.
Norwegian Cruise Line announced temporary disembarkation instructions for Philadelphia.
Passengers cannot arrange rideshare, taxi, or private pickup directly at the pier.
Guests are transported by shuttle buses to either Philadelphia International Airport or the nearby Clarion Hotel.
Passengers returning to Philadelphia on Norwegian Jewel are discovering that leaving the ship will involve almost as many steps as boarding it did.
After the first cruise to depart Philadelphia in 15 years experienced major embarkation delays on April 16, 2026, Norwegian Cruise Line has issued updated disembarkation instructions for passengers.
With the port’s new terminal still under construction, the cruise line is relying on nearby staging areas and shuttle transportation to manage both embarkation and disembarkation.
In a notice distributed to passengers on April 21, 2026, the cruise line explained that guests were not allowed to arrange their own transportation directly from the pier when the ship arrived back in port on April 23.
“For everyone’s safety and to maintain smooth operations at PhilaPort, guests will not be permitted to arrange independent transportation directly from the pier,” the notice stated.
Instead, passengers were routed through shuttle transfers to either Philadelphia International Airport or the Clarion Hotel near the airport, where many guests parked their vehicles before boarding the cruise.
The revised process is intended to keep traffic moving smoothly while the city completes construction of the new cruise terminal and additional passengers arrive to embark on Norwegian Jewel’s second voyage to Bermuda and Charleston, South Carolina, later the same day.
PhilaPort Cruise Terminal (Credit: PhilaPort)
The letter to guests also acknowledged the unusual process as part of the port’s early return to cruise operations.
“For these initial sailings, disembarkation, like embarkation, will take place via a nearby facility,” the noticed explained.“This approach requires a few additional steps, and we appreciate your patience as we guide you through the process.”
Temporary Disembarkation Process
Norwegian Cruise Line’s notice outlines a multi-step process for passengers leaving the ship once it arrives at the Philadelphia pier.
After clearing the vessel, passengers who opted not to carry off their luggage must collect their bags at the pier before proceeding to the designated transportation area.
From there, guests are directed to one of two shuttle options, depending on how they arrived at the port.
Passengers without vehicles parked at the Clarion Hotel will be transported directly from the cruise pier to Philadelphia International Airport’s Terminal C departures area.
The airport location was chosen because it provides convenient access to rideshare pickup areas, taxis, and nearby rail connections.
The cruise line noted that this transfer will be provided on a complimentary basis, and any previously purchased transportation arranged through the cruise line will automatically be refunded.
Guests who parked vehicles at the Clarion Hotel before boarding will instead be transported back to the hotel so they can retrieve their cars.
Under the temporary system, rideshare vehicles and taxis are not allowed to pick up passengers directly at the cruise pier. Passengers needing those services must arrange pickups from the airport instead.
Privately arranged motorcoaches also cannot collect passengers at the port terminal. Groups using charter buses may meet passengers only after they arrive at the airport following disembarkation.
Of course, passengers took to social media to share the experience after returning from their 7-night voyage, saying the process was “super quick and easy” and “really not bad.”
Two upcoming Rhapsody of the Seas sailings are adding La Romana as an extra port visit.
The April 25 and May 2, 2026 cruises are the impacted sailing dates.
No ports are cancelled on either itinerary, and both are now packed with ports and zero days at sea.
How many sea days is the right balance among port visits for a 7-night itinerary? Cruisers may be divided on the issue, but one thing is certain: guests setting sail on Rhapsody of the Seas on Saturday, April 25 or Saturday, May 2, 2026 had better enjoy port visits.
The Southern Caribbean sailings were already packed with ports when they were originally planned, with just one day at sea.
Now, Royal Caribbean has reached out to booked guests to notify them of an itinerary change that adds another port visit, without removing any of the originally scheduled stops.
For the April 25 sailing, several of the visits are changed to different days to accommodate the addition.
“Your visit to Tortola, British Virgin Islands has been moved to Day 7, with arrival and departure times remaining exactly as originally planned,”the notification explained.“We’re also pleased to add a visit to La Romana, Dominican Republic on Day 2.”
La Romana is on the southeastern coast of the Dominican Republic and is known for stunning snorkeling and pristine beaches that are more exclusive and private than busier port destinations.
Rhapsody of the Seas will enjoy the visit to La Romana from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 26, the very first full day of the sailing.
That day was to have been the visit to Tortola, which is now moved to Friday, May 1, but still remains from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Originally, Friday was to have been the only day at sea on the sailing.
In order to sail between ports, the visit to Philipsburg, St. Maarten, has also been slightly adjusted. Originally, the ship was to have been in port from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, April 27. The 78,900-gross ton, Vision-class ship will still visit Philipsburg that day, but now from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. instead.
Lifeboats on Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas (Photo Credit: marsilioaguiar)
This is the same amount of time to enjoy St. Maarten, just shifted slightly later in the day.
Any shore tours for the impacted ports will be automatically rescheduled if they were booked through the cruise line. If guests have arranged independent tours, they will need to contact their tour operators for adjustments or cancellations as needed.
The changes to the May 2 departure are less extensive. For that cruise, which is already visiting Tortola, St. Maarten, Antigua, St. Kitts, and St. Croix, La Romana was added on Friday, May 8, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. instead of the original day at sea.
No other adjustments have been made to the May 2 sailing at this time.
How Many Ports Are Too Many?
Guests are somewhat divided on the change and whether or not a port visit every single day of the sailing is a good schedule.
“Looks like it’s going to be an amazing cruise,”one commenter said.“I’ve never sailed out of [Puerto Rico] and the itineraries that sail out of there always look great.”
Other guests would prefer at least one sea day to break up a packed itinerary and allow for a slower, more relaxed pace. It’s true that guests could remain onboard the ship while in port when many of their fellow travelers are off the ship, but there are typically fewer options on sea days, such as the casino being closed due to port regulations.
Rhapsody of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean’s older, smaller ships and does not have nearly the features and amenities that the Oasis class or Icon class ships can boast. It makes sense that a port-heavy itinerary would be the perfect option for such a ship.
Carnival has announced that the fifth Excel-class ship will be homeported from Texas when she sets sail in 2028.
Carnival Tropicale will join Carnival Jubilee, bringing two of the line’s newest and largest ships to Galveston year-round.
Itinerary details have not yet been released, but should be announced later this year.
Everything is bigger in Texas, including Carnival cruise ships! And that includes the upcoming Carnival Tropicale, the fifth of the cruise line’s Excel-class vessels, which will be homeported from Galveston when she debuts in 2028.
What is even more exciting for Carnival fans in the Lone Star State is that this will bring a second Excel-class ship to Texas, as Carnival Jubilee is already homeported from Galveston and there are no current plans to change her deployment.
“Carnival Tropicale joining our Galveston lineup is a celebration of both our history and our future in Texas,”said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.
“For more than 25 years, Texas has been at the heart of Carnival’s growth, and this new Excel-class ship ensures we continue to deliver unforgettable experiences for our guests in and around the state.”
Exact itineraries for the new vessel have not yet been announced, but she is likely to offer Western Caribbean and Bahamas voyages, similar to Carnival Jubilee‘s schedule. Bookings will open later in 2026, but no date for reservations has been confirmed.
The cruise line did note that both ships will sail from Galveston year-round.
It is also possible that one of the ships may begin offering shorter getaways, giving cruisers from Texas even more options aboard the largest vessels in the Carnival fleet.
Carnival Tropicale
As part of her connection to her homeport, Carnival Tropicale will also sport the Star of Texas on her bow. Carnival Jubilee was the first to debut that emblem in honor of Carnival Cruise Line’s commitment to Texas.
The new ship will also be the first to have the “Sunsation Point” zone onboard, the home of the multi-level Carnival WaterWorks Ultra. Additional features and amenities onboard are sure to be revealed in the coming months.
Carnival Tropicale is currently under construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany.
Carnival Cruise Line in Texas
Named after the MS Tropicale that was the first-ever new-build ship for the cruise line and served from 1982-2001, Carnival Tropicale is destined to be part of Carnival’s ongoing commitment to Texas.
At the moment, Carnival Cruise Line homeports four ships from Galveston: Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Breeze, Carnival Dream, and Carnival Legend.
When Carnival Tropicale debuts, it is possible that Breeze, Dream, or Legend may relocate to a different homeport, or else the new ship will be the fifth Fun Ship to be sailing from the Lone Star state at once.
“Carnival’s continued investment in the Port of Galveston is a big reason why we’re the cruise port of choice for a growing number of Americans and why we’re setting new growth records year over year,”said Rodger Rees, Galveston Wharves port director and CEO.
The cruise line first began sailing from Galveston in 2000 with the original Celebration. With the addition of the 6,600-guest-capacity Carnival Tropicale to the Texas lineup, the cruise line will undoubtedly reach even higher milestones in the years to come.
Carnival Venezia will not be visiting Grand Turk as planned on her next two Eastern Caribbean sailings.
The port has been dropped from the April 26 and May 3 departures, but Amber Cove has been added instead.
Guests are receiving $50 per stateroom as compensation for the unexpected change.
Guests setting sail on Carnival Venezia on her next two Port Canaveral departures, April 26 and May 3, will not be visiting Grand Turk as originally scheduled.
Carnival Cruise Line has reached out to booked guests with an update on the itinerary, as well as compensation for the last-minute change.
“We have made an adjustment to your itinerary – replaced Grand Turk with a visit to Amber Cove and modified port times for San Juan,”the email explained.
Grand Turk was to have been the first port visit on both 7-night Eastern Caribbean sailings, following a first full day at sea. Amber Cove is roughly 110 miles south-southeast of Grand Turk but offers a variety of great activities, including a pool with a swim-up bar, panoramic views from the Sky Bar, shopping, and a variety of water excursions and other shore tours.
Tours that had already been booked through Carnival Cruise Line for Grand Turk will be automatically cancelled and refunded. Due to the last-minute nature of the change for the April 26 sailing, that refund will be in onboard credit for guests to enjoy during their cruise.
Carnival also explains that tour refunds for the May 3 voyage, however, will be refunded back to the original form of payment. Processing times may vary for different financial institutions.
The cruise line is also giving each stateroom onboard Carnival Venezia a $50 onboard credit as compensation for the unexpected and last-minute change.
Exact port time changes for each sailing’s visit to San Juan, Puerto Rico, have not been clarified, but guests will get updated itinerary schedules in the Carnival Hub app.
The last port call for each cruise, a visit to St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands, has not been changed. Similarly, there are no adjustments for the ship’s departure from Port Canaveral, nor the return to the Sunshine State at the end of the cruise.
Carnival Venezia Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Sumerdita_Dphots)
At this time, there are no announcements for changes to other upcoming Eastern Caribbean itineraries. Carnival Venezia offers both Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings, though her last Eastern Caribbean itinerary from Port Canaveral for the season is May 10, 2026. For the moment, that last sailing still includes a visit to Grand Turk.
On May 17, the Vista-class ship will depart for an 11-night, one-way trip to New York. She will spend the summer offering a mix of Canada, Bermuda, Bahamas, and Eastern Caribbean sailings from 4-9 nights before returning to Port Canaveral in October.
Why Is Grand Turk Cancelled?
No reason is given for dropping Grand Turk from the two consecutive itineraries. The port can be difficult to dock at in poor weather, which could be a factor for the itinerary change.
Cruise lines do adjust port schedules for a variety of reasons, including port operations, dock maintenance and repairs, and berth availability.
When Carnival Venezia was to have been visiting Grand Turk on April 28, Carnival Celebration is also scheduled to be in port. Likewise, on May 5, both Carnival Venezia and her Excel-class sister are also scheduled.
On the ship’s last visit to Grand Turk for the season on May 12, however, Carnival Venezia is sailing solo as the only ship scheduled.
Carnival Venezia can welcome 4,208 guests at double occupancy or up to 5,260 travelers when fully booked with all berths filled. In comparison, Carnival Celebration can host 5,374 guests at double occupancy or as many as 6,500 guests when fully booked.
Together, the two ships could bring more than 11,000 travelers to Grand Turk on a single day. The entire population of Cockburn Town, where the cruise terminal is located, is just under 4,000 residents.
Adjusting so just one ship is visiting at a time ensures a more pleasant and exclusive experience for guests, without sold-out tours and uncomfortable crowds.
Disney Cruise Line has signed a new agreement with the Port of San Diego.
It will extend sailings from the city through at least 2031 and roughly double the number of Disney departures each year.
More than 1 million passengers are expected to pass through the port during the agreement.
Disney got its start in Southern California, so it makes sense that Disney Cruise Line keeps strengthening its presence along the state’s coastline.
The cruise line and the Port of San Diego announced a new agreement that keep Disney sailings operating from the city through at least 2031.
The deal is expected to roughly double the number of Disney cruises departing from San Diego each year, giving guests more chances to sail to destinations such as Catalina Island, Baja California, and ports along Mexico’s Pacific coast.
Disney Cruise Line has operated seasonal cruises from San Diego since 2012, typically offering short 3- to 7-night itineraries. The new agreement ensures those sailings will continue and increase in frequency in the coming years.
“San Diego has been an important part of our West Coast operations for more than a decade, and a place our guests love sailing from,” said Jose Fernandez, vice president of port strategy, development and operations at Disney Cruise Line.
He says the new agreement supports the company’s long-term growth while contributing to the region’s economy.
The agreement also gives Disney priority access to both the North and South berths at the B Street Cruise Terminal, the city’s main cruise facility along the downtown waterfront.
Port officials say the arrangement will help streamline ship scheduling and improve how embarkation days are handled as cruise traffic grows.
“We are grateful to continue our long-standing relationship with Disney Cruise,” said Ann Moore, chair of Port San Diego board of port commissioners. “This agreement supports a thriving cruise industry that injects millions into the region’s economy and welcomes thousands of visitors to our waterfront each year.”
Photo Credit: Steve Minkler
More than 1 million Disney passengers are expected to pass through the Port of San Diego during the length of the agreement.
According to port officials, it marks the first time in more than 20 years that a cruise line has offered a minimum annual passenger guarantee tied to the port.
Two Disney Ships Scheduled
The expansion will begin to take shape during the 2026-2027 cruise season, when two Disney Cruise Line ships are scheduled to operate from San Diego
Disney Magic will arrive in October 2026 and sail a series of short fall itineraries through November.
During its San Diego deployment, the ship will sail 3- to 7-night cruises to ports along Baja California and the Mexican Riviera. Stops will include Ensenada and Cabo San Lucas, along with sailings that visit Cataline Island just off the Southern California coast.
In late November, the ship will depart San Diego on a 14-night Panama Canal repositioning voyage that crosses Central America and ends in Galveston, Texas.
Meanwhile, Disney Wonder will maintain a longer presence in San Diego, homeporting there from October 2026 through April 2027 for the winter cruise season.
The ship will offer a mix of 4- to 5-night Baja itineraries as well as longer 7-night Mexican Riviera sailings.
Shorter cruises typically include ports such as Ensenada and Catalina Island, while the week-long voyages reach farther south to Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas.
The Port of San Diego says the expanded Disney presence comes as cruise activity along the waterfront continues to grow.
The B Street Cruise Terminal, located downtown near the Embarcadero, has two berths capable of handling large cruise ships and regularly hosts seasonal deployments from several major cruise lines, including Holland America Line and Royal Caribbean.
On-site Long Beach Cruise Terminal parking is $23 per day (subject to change).
The Long Beach Cruise Terminal has significant and ongoing capacity issues.
Lots of off-site parking options are available at nearby hotels.
There is parking available on site at the Long Beach Cruise Terminal, in a dedicated parking structure, but parking there does come with some issues.
The Long Beach Cruise Terminal is owned and operated by Carnival Corporation, and only Carnival Cruise Line ships sail from the terminal.
If you’ll be on one of the line’s upcoming cruises from this big, busy port, then you’re probably already wondering about parking, or maybe you’ve even heard some horror stories (of which there are plenty, some of which I can personally attest to) about the parking situation here.
Here’s everything you need to know and how to find the parking you need ahead of your cruise.
The Long Beach Cruise Terminal parking structure can hold 1,450 vehicles and the parking rate is $23 per day, though rates are subject to change. All spaces are priced the same. Payment is due in full when you leave, via cash or credit card.
If you need to park for a shorter length of time (which really wouldn’t make sense if you’re going on a cruise), the fees are $0 for the first 30 minutes, $4.00 for 30 to 60 minutes and $8 for 1 to 2 hours.
The garage’s height limit is 7 feet, so no oversized vehicles are allowed, including those that require more than one parking space, such as RVs.
View of Long Beach Cruise Terminal (Photo Credit: danielfelician)
As the parking structure is under the Carnival Cruise Line terminal’s umbrella, it receives the same security measures as the entire complex. Reviews show that there are very few worries about security among travelers and I myself have never felt it was a risk leaving my vehicle here.
However, do note that the top floor of the parking garage is uncovered, so if you’re worried about leaving your car exposed to the elements, you’ll especially want to try to get there early for a good spot, lower to the ground level.
Future plans exist to expand the parking garage, so that it can hold upwards of 2,000 vehicles at once, but nothing firm has been announced just yet.
How to Get to Long Beach Cruise Terminal Parking
The parking structure is located at the same address as the cruise terminal: 231 Windsor Way, Long Beach, CA 90802. (You actually can’t really even drive up to the terminal without passing the parking garage first.)
Los Angeles International Airport (Photo Credit: kingmondo)
Getting to the terminal from LAX, where many cruisers are flying in from, is relatively easy, too. Depending on your route, the journey is just around 22 to 26 miles.
When you arrive at the terminal, if you’ve checked your luggage in advance, you can immediately pass it on to the porters, who can further direct you to the parking garage, if you still need assistance.
Parking Lot Overview
Long Beach Cruise Terminal Parking
Daily Rate
$23/day
Capacity
1,450 vehicles
Size Restrictions
7 foot height limit and no vehicles that require more than one parking space
Issues with Long Beach Cruise Terminal Parking
While the garage’s size restrictions can be a bit of an issue for some, there are several other problems with parking at the Long Beach Cruise Terminal.
No Reservations
Unlike some cruise ports that will allow you to reserve a parking spot at the terminal ahead of your embarkation date, that’s not the case at Long Beach.
It’s all first-come, first-served, so you’re going to have to get there fast and early if you want a good spot as close to the ground level as possible (but don’t get there too early; adhere to the arrival window listed on your ticket, so you actually have access to the terminal when you arrive).
Carnival Firenze in Long Beach, California
Not only does this “no reservations” issue play into capacity problems (which I’ll discuss below), but it also just makes the embarkation day more stressful. It gives many cruisers (myself included!) peace of mind knowing that you have your parking reservation sorted in advance.
The lack of reservations here is a con, in my opinion.
For example, in December 2025, Carnival Cruise Line literally issued a statement to guests that said, “The parking facility at the cruise terminal has very limited capacity. Please make plans to use alternate transportation that does not require parking.”
Carnival Firenze Cruise Ship Docked in Long Beach
A similar statement was issued in October 2025, and yet another statement was issued in September 2025… and on and on it goes throughout much of last year, stretching back all the way to 2022.
It’s expected that this issue will lessen once Carnival Firenze heads to the East Coast in 2027, but that’s still a long way off.
What Happens if the Parking Garage Fills Up?
If the parking structure fills up, then the terminal will reroute you to off site parking. In the past, cruisers have reported that they’ve been rerouted to parking at the Long Beach Convention Center, and then a shuttle was provided to take them from the convention center to the terminal (it’s only about a mile or so away).
Parking off site may come with other fees as well, though that’s not necessarily a negative. Some cruisers actually end up paying less for the off site parking (which is how it should be).
Long Beach Cruise Terminal (Photo Credit: Robert V Schwemmer)
It makes sense that the garage would fill up on occasion. When you have large ships that can hold thousands upon thousands of people, you’re going to need more than 1,450 parking spots every once in a while. Still, this fact does negatively impact the overall cruising experience.
Other Nearby Parking Options
Luckily, if you don’t want to deal with the hassle of even trying to park at the Carnival Cruise Line terminal, you have other, off site options. While they’re not nearly as close to the terminal as the official structure, they’re not too far away, could be cheaper, and might save you a headache.
Cruise Parking
Cruise Parking is a cruise parking booking platform that serves terminals around the country. When looking for Long Beach parking on the platform, make sure to search specifically for parking near the Carnival terminal not the Port of Long Beach, which is in a totally separate spot.
Cruise Parking offers several different options, as close as 2 miles to the terminal, with prices starting at around $10 per day. All available options are at nearby hotels that offer cruise parking. While none offer port shuttle service, other amenities are available, such as covered parking or valet service.
Park Whiz
Park Whiz isn’t cruise specific, but I’ve had great success using it to find easy, cheap parking while traveling. Pop in your desired address (remember, you want the Carnival Cruise Terminal at Long Beach, not the port) and then you’ll see a range of parking options, at hotels, in other garages, in outdoor lots, etc.
You can sort by options closest to the terminal or the cheapest, with options just a mile away from the terminal, and prices starting at under $10.
Hotel Park and Cruise Packages
Another option that a lot of cruisers prefer is booking a hotel park and cruise package. This way, you can arrive in Long Beach a day or two before your cruise, explore the sights (visiting the Cunard ship Queen Mary is a great pick!) and then leave your car at the hotel after you embark.
Photo Credit: trekandshoot
You get a stress-free embarkation day (I’ve said it many a time: You don’t want to arrive in your port destination on embarkation day. That’s a sure recipe for a rushed, stressful start to your cruise). You get a little time to enjoy a destination. Your know your car is safe and sound while you’re gone.
Here are a few hotels offering cruise packages.
The Cove Hotel
The Cove Hotel provides a park and cruise package that includes one night’s accommodation, free parking for up to seven nights while you’re on a cruise, and then transportation to and from the terminal.
Hotel Current
Hotel Current likewise offers a “Snooze & Cruise” package, which similarly gives you seven days of parking and shuttle service to the Long Beach cruise port.
The Queen Mary
Okay, this may be the coolest option of all (even if it’s not the most budget friendly). The Queen Mary literally has a Stay & Cruise package. You can stay onboard the Queen Mary the night before your cruise and enjoy extended parking while you’re gone. For an avid cruiser with a keen interest in cruising history, this is a truly can’t miss treat.
Hilton Long Beach
Hilton Long Beach provides a Park, Stay & Go package with parking for up to seven nights after your one night stay, and shuttle service to not just nearby cruise ports, but also the airport. Just be sure to call the hotel ahead of booking to confirm current cruise port shuttle service availability.
Hotel Maya
With rates starting at $229, Hotel Maya’s Carnival Bon Voyage package includes complimentary parking for seven nights and shuttle service to the terminal.
As you can see, there are plenty of hotel park and cruise options available throughout Long Beach, to help you get around the hassle of dealing with the terminal’s on-site parking options.
Carnival Corporation & plc is investigating a potential data breach of more than 8.7 million records.
Impacted records could be from any of the corporation’s cruise lines and may include both guest and corporate data.
The significance of the breach has not yet been confirmed and guests should be cautious about emails and personal data.
The extortion group ShinyHunters has listed Carnival Corporation & plc on a damaging portal, claiming to have stolen more than 8.7 million records that include personal data and internal corporate data.
While the leak has not been confirmed as legitimate, the threat is being taken seriously, and the corporation is investigating the potential breach.
According to CyberInsider, Carnival Corporation has not discussed what type of data has potentially been impacted, and it is not known if any customer data could be affected.
Cruise Hive reached out to Carnival for a reaction, and a spokesperson provided the following statement:
“After detecting unauthorized online activity involving a single user account, we acted quickly to shut it down and block any further unauthorized access and have notified law enforcement.
“Data privacy and protection are extremely important to Carnival Corporation and we’re working closely with trusted global security experts to be thoughtful and deliberate in our review of the data involved, recognizing that anonymous reports circulating online are not always accurate.
“If we determine personal information was affected, we will follow all disclosure requirements and communicate directly with any impacted individuals.“
Carnival Corporation has not provided any further information on the mechanism by which a breach may have occurred or whether or not any additional threats have been made by ShinyHunters. The initial “Pay or Leak” threat expired on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
At that time, the extortion group claimed the data would be released publicly if their demands were not met, potentially exposing millions of cruise guests and corporation employees to identity theft, bank account breaches, and other problems.
If customer data has been leaked, it could include details from any of the cruise brands in the Carnival family, including Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises, P&O Cruises, and more.
Types of information that might be included in such a breach could be anything from guest names and booking histories to credit card and banking information, current sailing reservations, addresses, emails, loyalty program accounts, passport data, birthdates, passwords, phone numbers, and more.
Internal data might include details on corporate discussions, payroll activities, employee information, and similar data.
Carnival Cruise Line and other lines are not without a variety of tech difficulties. Cruise Hive reported on widespread disruptions to Carnival’s online operations in February 2026, and earlier this month, an email glitch flooded some guests with dozens of identical cruise offer emails.
Neither of those previous events appears to be in any way related to a data breach of any sort.
Should Cruise Guests Be Concerned?
While any potential data breach is concerning, many experienced cruise guests are not taking this particular threat seriously.
In a Reddit discussion about the breach, commenters noted that data breaches occur frequently from a wide range of sources, and this is likely no different.
“Thanks to breaches like this my credit monitoring will be again extended for free. This should put the expiration out to 4/20/3272,”one person quipped.
“Can they release everything they have on casino deals? I want to see the formula for how they decide who gets which deals,”another asked.
Nevertheless, savvy guests who have sailed with any of the Carnival Corporation brands in the past will want to keep an eye on their sensitive data. This should include noting any suspicious activity on credit cards or digital accounts, as well as taking steps to protect their personal passwords.
This would not be the first time data from Carnival Cruise Line has been breached. In August 2020, a breach exposed a variety of personal data, though suspicious activity had been noted as early as May 2019. Eventually, the cruise line had to settle a $1.25 million dollar fine and take steps to strengthen its electronic security.
Should this most recent breach be found to be genuine, Carnival Corporation would likely reach out to potentially impacted guests with further information and any necessary next steps.
