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Carnival Opens 2026 Reservations for Popular Cooking Classes

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Opens 2026 Reservations for Popular Cooking Classes

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Kitchen classes are now open for reservations for sailings in 2026.
  • These classes are only offered on Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee.
  • Classes range from special cuisines and desserts to full meal experiences.

Guests onboard Carnival Cruise Line’s trio of Excel-class ships can now make reservations for the exclusive Carnival Kitchen classes for sailings in 2026.

These fun and educational activities cover all sorts of culinary creations and are massively popular for both port and sea days.

The opening of the reservations was confirmed by John Heald, Carnival’s brand ambassador. Heald answers hundreds of guests’ questions every week, and has often had to note that the classes aren’t sold out yet on future cruises, but simply weren’t yet available for booking.

“I am glad to say that the Carnival Kitchen cooking classes are now available to pre-book online for those ships that have them in 2026,” he confirmed. “And they are of course Mardi Gras Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee.”

These small-group classes are offered for a range of tasty treats, including:

  • Pasta Master
  • Sushi Making 101
  • Cake Workshop
  • It’s an Ice Cream Kinda Day
  • Pit Grill and Smoke
  • Pizza Master
  • Cupcake Academy
  • Bake Shop & Pie Town
  • Tailgate Party

Even more immersive options are available such as “El Fuego – A Latin Incident” and “Mission Masala Tiger Class” that include full dinners.

For example, the “Orient Unknown” class offers guests the chance to “unravel the mysteries of southeast Asian cuisine” and create Thai, Indonesian, and Filipino dishes, from soups to satays to desserts.

The shorter classes generally last from one hour to ninety minutes and cost $47 per person. The longer classes vary in time as needed for different meals and cost $67 per person.

How to Take Carnival Kitchen Classes

The Carnival Kitchen classes are available to book before sailing through the cruise line’s website, or guests can sign up onboard via the Carnival Hub app.

These small-group activities do sell out quickly, however, and so pre-booking is highly recommended to be sure guests can enjoy their preferred classes.

Some classes are only offered once per sailing, while others may be offered multiple times throughout a cruise. Exact scheduling can vary depending on any itinerary changes or adjustments for individual sailings.

Carnival Kitchen is only available on the fleet’s Excel-class ships, Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee.

In 2026, Mardi Gras is offering 7-night Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral, with every cruise visiting Celebration Key in the Bahamas.

Carnival Kitchen
Carnival Kitchen

Carnival Celebration is homeported year-round from PortMiami, also offering both weeklong Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings with visits to Celebration Key.

Carnival Jubilee sails from Galveston and offers 7-night Western Caribbean itineraries to Roatan, Costa Maya, and Cozumel through mid-September 2026, at which time she will switch to alternating 6- and 8-night cruises.

The 6-night Western Caribbean sailings will visit Cozumel and Roatan, while the 8-night cruises are to the Bahamas to visit Nassau, Half Moon Cay, and Celebration Key.

Read Also: Carnival Ships by Size – Ranked Largest to Smallest

With up to 6,500 guests onboard each ship, thousands of travelers will have the opportunity to enjoy Carnival Kitchen classes in the coming year. But with that many guests, it’s sure these limited opportunities will also fill up quickly.

Interested guests should consider booking their classes right away to ensure the best selection and availability.

Will Carnival Festivale Offer the Classes?

Carnival Cruise Line’s website confirms that the upcoming Carnival Festivale, the fourth Excel-class ship for the Fun Ship fleet, will also host Carnival Kitchen classes.

While Carnival Festivale is now under construction and in fact bookings for the ship opened in August 2025, she will not be sailing until 2027 and no Carnival Kitchen reservations are yet available for her cruises.

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The new ship will be homeported from Port Canaveral, offering 6- and 8-night sailings. At that time, Mardi Gras will transition to shorter 4- and 5-night cruises.

Undoubtedly, classes will continue to be offered onboard both ships in 2027, but those reservations are not likely to open for at least several months.

Royal Caribbean Makes Port Change Some Guests Aren’t Happy About

Melissa Mayntz
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Royal Caribbean Makes Port Change Some Guests Aren’t Happy About

Key Aspects:

  • Royal Caribbean is changing Cozumel to Nassau for multiple upcoming cruises.
  • Notification emails seem to be pointing guests toward the new beach club destination.
  • This reasoning is angering guests who see it as a money grab rather than a true upgrade.

With the upcoming opening of the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in the Bahamas, Royal Caribbean is adjusting a number of ship itineraries to ensure guests get a chance to visit the new destination.

Many guests aren’t pleased with the change, particularly with the reasoning given and what it means for their itinerary.

“As we plan our upcoming adventure together, we have an update to our itinerary,” the email sent to booked guests explains. “To allow our guests the opportunity to check out our newest addition to the Bahamas, we’ve decided to skip our visit to Cozumel, Mexico, and make our way to Nassau, Bahamas, instead.”

The impacted sailings are confirmed for Independence of the Seas and Freedom of the Seas in February and March 2026, though individual changes may vary.

Both ships are homeported from Miami. Independence of the Seas offers alternating 7-night Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean sailings, while Freedom of the Seas offers 4- and 5-night itineraries.

Independence of the Seas‘ Eastern Caribbean cruises already have visits to Nassau scheduled, but it is the Western Caribbean voyages that are being changed. Other ports on the itinerary, including Jamaica and Grand Cayman, remain unchanged.

Freedom of the Seas
Freedom of the Seas (Photo Credit: Wangkun Jia)

Similar changes are being made for select Freedom of the Seas sailings, with Cozumel swapped out for Nassau.

Read Also: Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay – Full Guide

For these shorter Western Caribbean itineraries, the ship isn’t actually going anywhere near the Western Caribbean at all, but instead is remaining in the Bahamas.

It is possible that other Royal Caribbean ships will have similar changes in the coming months as Royal Beach Club Paradise Island opens.

Not Everyone Happy With the Swap

Some guests on the now-changed itineraries are unhappy with the swap, for various reasons.

“Cozumel is amazing. We planned our last cruise entirely around diving there,” one guest commented on Reddit.

It’s true that Cozumel has some of the most amazing diving and snorkeling in the Caribbean, and it can certainly be disappointing to miss those opportunities.

Other guests are upset that these changes are (so far) for winter itineraries, and the weather will not be as warm in the Bahamas as it might be in Cozumel.

For example, typical temperatures in Nassau in February are in the low 70s (Fahrenheit), but in Cozumel, typical February temperatures are closer to 80 degrees.

This might not seem like a significant difference, but it can certainly impact the comfort of a beach day, especially for travelers from winter climates.

Focus on the Royal Beach Club

This is not the first time Royal Caribbean has swapped Cozumel for Nassau on various itineraries. These changes were first spotted in November, but the explanation has changed.

On previous changes, the cruise line explained that the change was just part of the “ongoing itinerary planning process” and that “modifications can occur at any time.”

Construction of Royal Caribbean's Nassau Beach Club
Construction of Royal Caribbean’s Nassau Beach Club (Photo Credit: Catie Kovelmam / Cruise Hive)

Now, however, the language of the notification email explains the reasoning behind the changes is “to allow our guests the opportunity to check out our newest addition to the Bahamas” which is angering many guests.

Unlike Perfect Day at CocoCay that nearly every impacted Royal Caribbean sailing already visits, general access to Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is not free.

Guests can enjoy CocoCay without spending any more money if they wish, with plenty of beach access, hammocks, beach games, lunch buffets, and other fun.

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Just to enter the new beach club in Nassau, however, will cost $100-150 and higher per person, depending on whether they want an all-inclusive alcohol drink package or just soft drinks. Renting cabanas or other exclusive experiences will cost even more.

To be fair, no guests are forced to visit the club, as other shore excursions remain available in Nassau for those interested.

Guests can also choose to explore the capital of the Bahamas on their own, or just enjoy extra time onboard their ship when it may be less crowded.

Bookings Open For MSC World Atlantic, Line’s Fourth World-Class Ship

Donna Tunney
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Bookings Open For MSC World Atlantic, Line’s Fourth World-Class Ship

Key Aspects:

  • MSC Cruises has opened sales for its fourth World-class Ship, MSC World Atlantic.
  • Entering service in November 2027, the ship will homeport at Port Canaveral.
  • Several early booking incentives are being offered in December 2025.

Cruisers looking to experience MSC Cruises’ fourth World-class ship, MSC World Atlantic, when she begins sailing from Port Canaveral in 2027 can put down their deposits starting December 10, 2025.

The cruise line announced it has officially opened sales for the new-build, which is under construction at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France. 

MSC Cruises had revealed in early 2025 that the massive ship, which will accommodate 6,774 guests at full capacity, would homeport at the growing Central Florida port. 

In fact, in 2025, Port Canaveral became the busiest cruise port in North America by passenger transits, outshining PortMiami, a facility that had long held the title of Cruise Capital of the World.

“The deployment of MSC World Atlantic from Port Canaveral, Orlando, underscores our dedication to offering US and international guests our most cutting-edge ships, with Port Canaveral being a central hub with easy connections for guests from all around the world,” said Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises. 

Special Incentives Aim For Early Booking Spree

Eager to get as many reservations as possible on the books this month, MSC Cruises has rolled out several loyalty program incentives that are valid from December 10 to December 24, 2025.

Read Also: MSC’s Newest Ships and What’s On Order

First, MSC Voyager Club members will get 1,000 extra points for booking during this timeframe, while Classic members will receive an onboard credit of $50 per person. 

This is in addition to the typical Voyagers’ Exclusive perks given to those who book a cruise one year ahead of departure. The benefits include a fare discount and double membership points. Finally, guests who are Club Silver members will get a $50 onboard credit.

Viva La Musica
Viva La Musica

MSC Atlantic follows the launches of MSC World Europa and MSC World America, which debuted in 2022 and 2025, respectively, and the upcoming MSC World Asia, due to enter service in December 2026.

Starting in November 2027, MSC World Atlantic will offer 7- and 14-night Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings and will feature a similar onboard atmosphere as the earlier ships — a European style with American comforts, as the cruise line puts it.

However, MSC World Atlantic will also unveil several new venues and attractions. Among them are Viva La Musica, a lounge venue that will feature Latin-style music and dancing, and The Clubhouse, a family space that will make its US debut onboard the new ship.

The Clubhouse will offer the line’s popular LEGO Family Zone, along with bumper cars, sports courts, and roller skating. MSC World Atlantic will have a 144-suite MSC Yacht Club, the exclusive luxury accommodations area, plus 40 dining venues and bars, and the line’s signature MSC Aurea Spa.

Port Calls Feature Line’s Private Island Destination

The ship’s Caribbean itineraries will include port calls to the cruise line’s private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, which will soon offer new family entertainment spaces and a series of wellness experiences.

The new activities will start to roll out in January 2026 and include a high-tech treasure hunt for children and a LEGO pop-up. For adults, the island will feature sunrise yoga sessions and sound-healing meditations, and a fire-and-ice challenge that combines hot yoga with ice baths.

More From Cruise Hive

In addition to the private island port call, MSC World Atlantic will visit a variety of popular Caribbean ports. A 7-night “Caribbean & Bahamas” cruise departing on December 4, 2027, for instance, also calls at Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos, Amber Cove, Dominican Republic, and Nassau, Bahamas.

Besides the existing World-class ships and the two still under construction, the cruise line has plans to add four more. As yet unnamed, the ordered vessels are referred to as World Class 5 and 6, due to enter service in 2029 and 2030, respectively, and World Class 7 and 8, which are to begin construction in 2029.

Anthem of the Seas Tweaks South Pacific Schedule to Ease Tendering

Melissa Mayntz
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Anthem of the Seas Tweaks South Pacific Schedule to Ease Tendering

Key Aspects:

  • Anthem of the Seas is adjusting port visits for the December 11 cruise.
  • This is intended to help ensure enough time for full tendering operations.
  • The ship will still be visiting all ports of call during the 8-night sailing.

Tendering can always be a tricky situation on cruises, as the small water shuttles need smooth water in order to safely ferry guests to and from the larger cruise ship.

To smooth out the tendering process on Anthem of the Seas‘ next sailing, Royal Caribbean has adjusted its port times for two South Pacific destinations. This will provide more time for the tendering operations and ensure everyone can have a fun and lengthy visit.

The impacted cruise is Anthem of the Seas‘ December 11, 2025 departure, a 9-night roundtrip voyage from Sydney.

Fortunately, the 168,666-gross-ton, Quantum-class ship will still be visiting all of her planned ports of call, just with slightly adjusted times.

“To provide you with the smoothest tendering experience in Port Vila and Mystery Island, Vanuatu, we’ve adjusted our arrival times to give you more time to enjoy everything these beautiful destinations have to offer!” the notification email sent to guests explained.

Anthem of the Seas will now visit Port Vila on Monday, December 15, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Previously, the schedule had the ship arriving one hour later, at 9 a.m.

Read Also: Beyond the Dock – Unveiling the Charm of Tender Ports

Similarly, the ship’s call to Mystery Island the next day, on Tuesday, December 16, will be from 6 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This is also one hour earlier than originally scheduled.

The call to Noumea on Sunday, December 14, has also been adjusted, with Anthem of the Seas departing New Caledonia at 2 p.m. instead of 3 p.m. This is a docked port, so guests do not need to worry about catching tenders to return to the ship earlier, but they will still need to be sure not to miss the ship.

Shore Tour Changes

Any shore excursions that have been pre-booked through Royal Caribbean will be automatically rescheduled if necessary.

Guests who may have arranged independent tours, however, should consider reaching out to their tour operator for any adjustments and to be sure their tour can still be accommodated.

Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas (Photo Credit: Go My Media / Shutterstock)

If guests haven’t yet booked any tours for their South Pacific port visits, they can check the cruise line’s website or visit the Shore Excursions desk portside on Deck 5 near the Bionic Bar once they board Anthem of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean is also reminding guests that because Port Vila and Mystery Island are tender ports, guests who require mobility assistance must be able to take a few steps to get on and off the tenders.

Collapsible wheelchairs can typically be accommodated on tenders, but larger scooters or wheelchairs may not be able to use the smaller boats. Guests who require those aids may not be able to go ashore at tender ports.

Can One Hour Make a Difference?

Guests might wonder if one hour can make a significant difference for tendering operations, but yes, it can.

Because tender boats can ferry 100-200 guests at a time or more, even what seems like just a little more time can bring everyone ashore sooner than expected. This will ensure that every guest has the maximum time to explore their destinations.

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Anthem of the Seas can welcome 4,180 guests at double occupancy or up to 4,905 guests when fully booked. This can mean a lot of tender trips to bring everyone to and from the ship.

Local conditions, including tidal schedules and potential rough weather, can also impact tendering. Having more time to bring guests ashore can help give everyone plenty of time to enjoy the port of call, even if some pauses in tendering might be necessary.

Virgin Voyages Launches Bold Loyalty Match Program

Melissa Mayntz
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Virgin Voyages Launches Bold Loyalty Match Program

Key Aspects:

  • Virgin Voyages is offering a status match to other cruise lines, airlines, and hotel programs.
  • Guests will receive exclusive “Blue Extras” when applying for a match and booking a voyage soon.
  • Eligible sailings can be found all over the world and offer great explorations for eager guests.

Cruise travelers are always seeking the best value for their travel dollars, but that value extends beyond just a single sailing. Loyalty is a hot-button topic amongst cruisers these days, but Virgin Voyages is tapping into guests’ frustration and offering a solution with an expansive loyalty match program.

The status match can be applied from high-level loyalty from more than 35 similar programs for cruise lines, hotels, and airlines, giving even new Virgin Voyages guests exclusive benefits to enjoy.

Worth Reading: Virgin Voyages Makes Group Cruises Simpler and More Rewarding

“Loyalty programs have gotten it backward,” said Nirmal Saverimuttu, CEO of Virgin Voyages. “They ask for more, give less and call it a reward. We’re flipping that. From the moment Sailors step aboard, we want them to feel recognized, relaxed and reminded of why they fell in love with travel in the first place.”

For frequent cruisers, the following programs are eligible for the status match:

  • Azamara Circle – Discoverer and higher
  • Carnival VIFP Club – Gold and higher
  • Celebrity Captain’s Club – Select and higher
  • Disney Castaway Club – Platinum and higher
  • Holland America Mariner Society – Three-Star and higher
  • Norwegian Latitudes Rewards – Gold and higher
  • Oceania Club – Silver and higher
  • P&O Peninsular Club – Atlantic and higher
  • Princess Captain’s Circle – Platinum and higher
  • Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor – Platinum and higher
  • Windstar Yacht Club – Three Star and higher
  • MSC Cruises – Blue Diamond

This offers guests who love cruising but may have become dissatisfied with loyalty programs in recent years an opportunity to set sail on one of Virgin Voyages’ four “ladyships” and still enjoy the perks their travel has earned them.

Other programs across both airlines and hotels are also eligible for the status match, including the Delta Skymiles Medallion program, United’s Mileage Plus program, Best Western Rewards, Hilton Honors, Wyndham Rewards, and more.

Eligible Programs
Eligible Programs

“You earned your status,” said Saverimuttu. “You put in the flights, the nights, the spend. Other programs responded by taking more and giving less. We’re responding by opening our doors and saying: we see you, we appreciate you, come sail with us.”

Read Also: Which Cruise Lines Match Loyalty Programs?

Included are instant “Blue Extras” that offer even more value and recognition to guests. This includes free premium coffees, complimentary laundry service, exclusive cocktail parties, and more.

A Limited Time Offer

The window to apply for this new status match program is a relatively short one, just through January 16, 2026. Then, prospective Virgin Voyages guests must book a sailing no later than March 31, 2026 to enjoy the Blue Extras.

Eligible voyages are being offered through Summer 2027, with a wide range of homeports and itinerary options. Guests can depart from Miami, San Juan, New York, Barcelona, Athens, Los Angeles, or Seattle with outstanding explorations in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Alaska to try out Virgin Voyages.

Other terms and conditions may apply and interested travelers should reach out to Virgin Voyages to see how the program can benefit them and improve their loyalty recognition.

Booming Growth for Virgin Voyages

This latest promotion is sure to bring even more eager guests to Virgin Voyages in the midst of already explosive growth.

“Kid-free travel is no longer a niche, it’s a movement,” said Stephen Hopkins, Vice President of Growth. “Virgin Voyages has become the go-to brand for adults traveling without children, and the numbers prove it.”

Worth Reading: Seabourn Follows Carnival in Overhauling Its Loyalty Program

“Demand for adults-only luxury travel has climbed 47% since 2022, and market experts project the segment will double over the next decade.”

Virgin Voyages is a leading favorite in adults-only travel, with some cruises embarking as many as 50% of the guests as returning sailors. The cruise line continues to attract more travelers, and 2026 revenue is already up approximately 60% over 2025 numbers.

The luxury experiences onboard are geared toward adults in every way, from elevated flavors in all the specialty dining restaurants (all of which are included in every voyage) to the sassy and spicy fun of Scarlet Night to tattoo parlors onboard to fabulous performances that don’t pull any punches.

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The ships are designed with adults in mind, with spacious public areas and plentiful seating (even in pools!), offering cozy options for gathering and enjoying every day at sea.

With more adult cruisers eager to have their loyalty recognized, now is the perfect time to enjoy a first sailing with Virgin Voyages – you may never go back to less loyal cruise lines again.

Royal Caribbean Reveals 2027–28 Caribbean Cruises Across 13 Ships

Lissa Poirot
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Royal Caribbean Reveals 2027–28 Caribbean Cruises Across 13 Ships

Key Aspects:

If you thought the Caribbean was already packed with cruises, Royal Caribbean is ready to prove there’s more on the way. The cruise line has unveiled its 2027-28 schedule and hints that even more island-hopping options are coming.

The new deployment covers 13 ships sailing from a wide stretch of homeports, including Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Port Canaveral, Tampa, New Orleans, San Juan, Cartagena, and Colon, Panama.

It also confirms how Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, Legend of the Seas, will transition into the Caribbean after its European debut.

In announcing the schedule, Royal Caribbean highlighted a range of choices built around its growing portfolio of private destinations, including Perfect Day at CocoCay, the new Royal Beach Clubs in Nassau and Cozumel, and Perfect Day Mexico, scheduled to open in late 2027, with a specific opening date to be announced in 2026.

That destination joins the newly added Port Samaná in the Dominican Republic, which appears throughout the lineup as a gateway to beaches, waterfalls, and inland excursions.

Royal Caribbean Ships Docked in CocoCay
Royal Caribbean Ships Docked in CocoCay (Photo Credit: Aleksandr Dyskin)

Legend of the Seas, which debuted in July 2026 in the Mediterranean, will make its Caribbean debut from Fort Lauderdale in November 2026, and the new deployment reveals the vessel will continue to provide Caribbean voyages in November 2027 into 2028.

The Icon Class ship will sail 6- and 8-night itineraries to Southern and Western Caribbean ports, including Perfect Day at CocoCay; Royal Beach Club Cozumel; Willemstad, Curacao; and Cabo Rojo, Dominican Republic.

Crown & Anchor Society loyalty members are now able to book before reservations open to everyone on Wednesday, December 10, 2025.

The 2027-28 Season

Royal Caribbean’s 2027-28 deployment stretches across nearly every major Caribbean gateway, with ships visiting the region’s highest-traffic cruise gateways.

Port Canaveral

Port Canaveral, now the world’s busiest cruise port, serves as a major starting point.

Adventure of the Seas will begin sailing there in April 2027 and will remain throughout both summer and winter with itineraries ranging from short 4- and 5-night trips to longer 9-night routes.

Calls will include Ocho Rios, Jamaica; St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands; Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; and Cartagena, Colombia.

PortMiami

PortMiami, the second-busiest cruise port, will welcome Freedom of the Seas in April 2027, offering 4-, 5-, 7-, and 9-night itineraries to Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, St. Kitts, St. Thomas, Cozumel, and Costa Maya, Mexico.

Independence of the Seas joins Miami’s lineup in November 2027, running 4- to 8-night Eastern and Western Caribbean routes that reach George Town, Cayman Islands; Tortola in the British Virgin Islands; Falmouth, Jamaica; and Puerto Plata.

Port Everglades

Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, which smashed its own passenger records, will be home to several Royal Caribbean ships, beginning with Jewel of the Seas in April 2027.

It will sail 3- and 4-night itineraries to Key West and Nassau, Bahamas, through November.

Allure of the Seas will begin its 2027-28 season in Fort Lauderdale in May 2027, offering 6- and 8-night trips to Curacao, Jamaica, and Bonaire, before relocating to PortMiami in November 2027, at which point it will sail 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean routes through ports like Samaná, St, Maarten, and Labadee, Haiti.

Replacing Allure of the Seas in November will be Explorer of the Seas with its own 6- to 8-night sailings to Jamaica, St. Johns, St. Kitts, and Puerto Plata, while Oasis of the Seas joins the same month to provide short itineraries to Key West and Nassau.

Ports Outside of Florida

Outside South Florida, additional homeports support the fleet with both Enchantment of the Seas and Brilliance of the Seas scheduled to operate from Tampa in April and November, respectively. Both will enjoy 7-night routes to Belize and Cozumel.

Grandeur of the Seas, meanwhile, will set sail from San Juan in May 2027 to Bridgetown, Barbados; Roseau, Dominica; and St. Maarten before repositioning in December 2027 to Colón and Cartagena for 7-night ABC island itineraries.

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The Puerto Rican port will then welcome Rhapsody of the Seas in November 2027 for 6- and 8-night routes that include St. Vincent, Antigua, Castries, St. Lucia; and St. Kitts.

New Orleans will also play a role in the schedule beginning in November 2027 when Mariner of the Seas returns from Europe to operate 6- to 9-night Western Caribbean itineraries.

New Pickleball Courts Debut at Holland America’s Private Island

Donna Tunney
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New Pickleball Courts Debut at Holland America’s Private Island

Key Aspects:

  • Holland America Line announced that four planned pickleball courts have opened on RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay.
  • The event was celebrated with a ceremony and a pickleball tournament.
  • The sports courts are part of a major set of enhancements to the private island.

When Holland America Line revealed it would make a series of improvements to its private island in the Bahamas, the plans included four pickleball courts, where guests can play for fun and compete in the growing sport.

Fast forward to December 2025, and the line has announced that the sports courts have officially opened. In fact, a Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) tournament was held on December 6, 2025.

Located about 100 miles southeast of Nassau, Bahamas, the island paradise, RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, celebrated the opening of the courts with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by the captains of two Holland America ships — Jeroen Van Donselaar and Eric Barhorst, the masters of Eurodam and Rotterdam, respectively.

RelaxAway is owned by Carnival Corporation and is a popular port of call for ships operated by Holland America and its sister brand, Carnival Cruise Line.

Along with the new sports courts, many other upgrades are happening on the private island, including the construction of a new pier that will accommodate Carnival Cruise Line’s Excel-class ships, Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee starting in summer 2026.

Holland America Ship at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay
Holland America Ship at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay (Photo Credit: Holland America Line)

Holland America Line has embraced the sport of pickleball in a big way. Since 2022, it has been the Official Cruise Line of the PPA, and each of its 11 ships has at least one onboard pickleball court.

The fast-growing sport appeals to all ages with its low-impact movements — perfect for a cruise brand like Holland America, which is widely known as catering to the over-50 demographic. 

Pickleball lessons will be available to island visitors who are new to the activity. Besides the new pickleball courts, the island’s sports options include basketball, volleyball, soccer, and tai chi.

Cruise Line Also Marks Island’s 28th Anniversary

As the pickleball courts were being touted on opening day, the cruise line also noted that early December marked the private island’s 28th year of operation. The island was formerly known as Half Moon Cay, but in December 2024, the name was changed to RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay.

Read Also: Holland America Ships By Age: Newest to Oldest

The name change coincided with the announcement that major upgrades to the destination were on the horizon.

Enhancements already completed include refreshed cabanas that guests can rent, free beach chairs, floating mats, snacks, and snorkel equipment, plus new food truck options that serve island fare.

Work still underway includes renovations to the island’s two-story villas, a tram service, and the building of a food pavilion to augment the line’s popular Island Barbecue event.

Beverage services will be upgraded, too, with Aperol Spritz tricycles and Bacardi Beach Buggies delivering drinks to guests relaxing across the island, which features a 700-acre lagoon along with multiple sun-and-shade oceanfront spaces.

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Carnival Cruise Line ships will be the first to call at the upgraded island when all enhancements are complete. For instance, an 8-night Bahamas cruise aboard Carnival Dream will visit on July 29, 2026. 

The voyage, sailing roundtrip from Galveston on July 25, 2026, also calls at Key West, Florida, Nassau, Bahamas, and Celebration Key, another of the cruise line’s private destinations.

Carnival Unveils Festive Christmas Menus for Its Entire Fleet

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Unveils Festive Christmas Menus for Its Entire Fleet

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival will serve classic holiday favorites for the Christmas Gala Dinner.
  • A special Christmas Lunch menu has been prepared for ships in Australia.
  • Other dining options will remain available fleetwide to satisfy all guests’ holiday cravings.

With Christmas just two weeks away, many families are planning their special meals and sweet treats. But what if you will be celebrating on a Carnival cruise?

Special holiday menus will be featured for Christmas dinner across the fleet, and for guests in Australia, both a festive Christmas Day lunch and a Christmas Eve dinner will be offered.

The North American fleet’s menu has all the classic holiday favorites. Guests will whet their appetites with outstanding starters such as warm baked brie with a spiced pear, cranberry, fig, and pecan crumble, wild mushroom soup in a buttery puff pastry crust, smoked ham and split pea soup, and beef tenderloin tartare.

Classic appetizers are also still offered, such as the ever-popular shrimp cocktail and Caesar salad.

For entrees, the holiday features are roasted tom turkey with sweet potato casserole, giblet gravy, and cranberry relish or maple-glazed pork tenderloin served with apple compote and a sweet potato gratin.

Guests who prefer vegetarian options can enjoy the spinach and ricotta ravioli, vegetable quiche with tomato beurre blanc, or a delicious Indian vegetarian dish with bhindi masala.

Christmas Gala Dinner Menu
Christmas Gala Dinner Menu

Other entrees for the Christmas Gala Dinner include salmon wellington with a tarragon cream sauce, grilled filet mignon with black truffle jus and fingerling potatoes, or a lamb duo of roasted loin and grilled chops with a rosemary reduction.

It wouldn’t be a holiday meal without phenomenal desserts, and Carnival’s Christmas dinner menu does not disappoint. The featured selection is a warm toffee pudding with mascarpone cream and butterscotch sauce, or guests can enjoy a gingerbread financier or deconstructed cheesecake with mixed berry compote.

Of course, the classic Carnival melting chocolate cake is always on the menu – it’s Christmas, why not enjoy two (or three!) desserts!

Australian Holiday Menus

It’s no surprise that holiday traditions and festive favorites vary in different parts of the world. Carnival has tweaked the Christmas menu for its ships in Australia, including Carnival Encounter and Carnival Luminosa from Brisbane and Carnival Splendor and Carnival Adventure from Sydney.

Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador, John Heald, noted that the new menus were especially created for the Australian ships.

“Christmas Lunch is a long-standing tradition in Australia, offered on Christmas Day,” he explained. “This year, we will also introduce a special dinner on Christmas Eve, adding more variety and enhancing the festive experience for our guests down under.”

Read Also: Free Carnival Cruise Dining Options You’ll Want to Know – With Menus!

The Christmas Eve dinner is similar to the Christmas Gala Dinner menu for the North American fleet, but includes some notable changes.

Christmas Eve Menu
Christmas Eve Menu

A featured entree will be Korean gochujang pork ribs with a macadamia kimchi, while there are some substitutions in the menu to appeal to Aussie tastes. The grilled filet mignon, for example, will be a grilled sirloin steak in Australia.

The Christmas Day Lunch is a very enticing menu for Australian guests, beginning with miso-glazed yellowfin tun, beetroot tartare, a winter citrus salad with pomegranate vinaigrette, and other appetizers.

For mains, guests can enjoy a crispy skin barramundi with a red curry beurre blanc, apricot and maple-glazed ham with oven-roasted sweet potatoes, tender lamb shank with hasselback potatoes and grilled mushrooms, or a pumpkin and feta tart with caramelized onion.

Christmas Lunch Menu
Christmas Lunch Menu

Dessert truly shines with both classic and modern treats. The traditional Christmas pudding is topped with vanilla custard and icing sugar, while a peach pavlova is accompanied with mascarpone whipped cream and passion fruit curd. The wild berry trifle looks especially enticing with golden pound cake, raspberry jam, and vanilla pudding.

Other Options Available

Of course, if nothing on the special menus appeals to guests or they prefer more casual fare, the Lido Marketplace buffet will also be available with some of the same dishes and other favorites.

More From Cruise Hive

Casual dining options – pizza, deli sandwiches, burgers – will also remain available, giving travelers plenty of choices to indulge in all their favorites as they celebrate the season.

What classic treats are your favorites for the holidays? Would Carnival’s special Christmas menus satisfy your seasonal cravings? Share your favorite holiday treats on the Cruise Hive boards!

Passenger’s Outburst on Royal Caribbean Ship Sparks Major Concern

Melissa Mayntz
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Passenger’s Outburst on Royal Caribbean Ship Sparks Major Concern

Key Aspects:

  • A viral video shows a guest throwing a punch at a Royal Caribbean crew member.
  • The incident allegedly took place onboard Icon of the Seas on a recent sailing.
  • Royal Caribbean’s guest conduct policy prohibits such behavior and the guest may be debarked or banned.

Every guest knows that fighting onboard a cruise ship is a tremendous no-no, but even more of a concern is when an incident involves a guest and a crew member.

Onboard a recent Icon of the Seas sailing, one belligerent guest did exactly that – fought a crew member. The crew member, who has not been identified but appears to be one of the ship’s lifeguards based on their uniform, did not return the blow but was knocked to the deck.

A video of the incident has been posted to Facebook and is quickly going viral with more than 456,000 views.

The male guest, clad only in swim trunks, appears to be arguing with another crew member first, possibly an officer or security guard, with the lifeguard nearby. Some foul language (on the guest’s part) ensues, along with minor pushing, finger-pointing, and other agitation.

Suddenly, the guest swings out at the lifeguard, then immediately directs another punch at the other crew member. The second crew member reacts defensively and wrestles the guest to the ground, but the two quickly separate.

Icon of the Seas Crew and Passenger
Icon of the Seas Crew and Passenger (Credit: Pat Brumley)

The guest walks off, raising a particular finger (you know the one) along the way. Crew members followed at a discreet distance, undoubtedly to track the guest’s whereabouts until the individual could be dealt with by security officers.

The video is just under a minute long but shows that the incident took place on the open decks, based on the colorful tropical decor and signage for the ship’s waterslides.

Read Also: Do Cruise Ships Have Jails? – Here’s the Truth

Cruise Hive has reached out to Royal Caribbean for a statement about the incident but has not yet heard back from the cruise line.

The 248,663-gross-ton Icon of the Seas is currently sailing a 7-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary that departed Miami, Florida on Saturday, December 6. The ship alternates Eastern and Western sailings from her South Florida homeport.

Guest Reactions Not Supportive

There is never an excuse to have a physical (or even a verbal) altercation with a cruise ship crew member, no matter what the situation may be.

Comments about the incident are not at all supportive of the guest, with many experienced cruisers calling for his removal from the ship and a lifetime ban on cruising with Royal Caribbean.

“This behavior is absolutely disgusting,” one guest commented.

“Trash behavior,” another guest notes, calling for the guest’s ban from Royal Caribbean. That comment has more than 180 upvotes on Reddit, indicating support from other readers.

Icon of the Seas Docked at PortMiami
Icon of the Seas Docked at PortMiami (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)

Other guests comment that this incident could easily lead to assault charges, and a ban from the entire Royal Caribbean Group would be more than appropriate.

Guests with more cruise-oriented reactions suggest he be keelhauled, forced to walk the plank, or simply tossed into the sea.

Royal Caribbean’s Policy Prohibits Poor Behavior

Part of Royal Caribbean’s cruise contract, which every guest agrees to abide by when booking a sailing, is the Guest Health, Safety, and Conduct Policy.

This policy clearly states that any violent behavior will not be tolerated. This includes verbally abusive or offensive language as well as abusive behavior and any “uninvited physical contact.”

If guests violate the policy, which throwing punches at crew members most certainly does, they are subject to a variety of reactions, including:

  • Intervention by the ship’s security
  • Notification of local law enforcement, which may include formal charges
  • Removal of onboard privileges
  • Confinement to one’s stateroom or an onboard brig
  • Suspension of any loyalty benefits or demoting loyalty tiers
  • Being removed from the vessel
  • Denial of any future boarding on any Royal Caribbean vessel

Just one month ago, two internet streamers were kicked off Harmony of the Seas in Roatan, Honduras, after fighting, and that did not involve blows toward a crew member.

Hopefully, the guest involved in this most recent incident will be promptly dealt with and curtailed from future sailings, as there is never an excuse for such behavior, regardless of circumstances.

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