Key Aspects: MSC Cruises appears poised to develop a new cruise terminal in Freeport, Bahamas. The Bahamas’ prime minister puts the investment at $450 million. The new terminal is to be built on an existing man-made island in Freeport Harbor. Envisioning a lucrative future on Grand Bahama Island, MSC Cruises is making a major investment
Key Aspects: MSC Cruises is adding new family-friendly and adults-only features to Ocean Cay. The current pier is being extended to accommodate two ships at once. A second private island is also in development nearby, but few details are known at this time. MSC Cruises’ private island destination in the Bahamas, MSC Ocean Cay Marine
Key Aspects: The Cheers! Zero Proof Drink Package is now available for all Carnival sailings in 2026 in North America and Australia. Guests have been questioning Brand Ambassador John Heald for weeks about when the package would become available. The news has also reinvigorated frustrations about Australia not getting all the same perks as US
Key Aspects: Legend of the Seas will now debut on July 11, 2026, a week earlier than previously planned. This is the second time the ship’s inaugural sailing has been moved earlier. Guests booked on the July 18 cruise have the option to move their sailing to July 11 if preferred. Construction and outfitting is
Key Aspects: Crystal Cruises announced the upcoming retirement of Captain Birger J. Vorland. Capt. Vorland serves as the master of Crystal Serenity. He was captain of the ship when it sailed its pioneering Northwest Passage cruises. When Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Serenity became the first luxury cruise ship to traverse the Northwest Passage in 2016 and
Key Aspects: Specialty dining venues Makoto Ocean and Crown Grill were added to Princess Cruises’ Diamond Princess. Diamond Princess is based year-round in East Asia, with most guests hailing from the region. Makoto Grill was formed in partnership with celebrity chef Makoto Okuwa. The number of specialty dining venues aboard Princess Cruises’ Diamond Princess has
Key Aspects: A medical emergency unfolded onboard Freedom of the Seas. The Royal Caribbean ship made an early return to PortMiami to disembark the ailing guest on January 26, 2026. Because of the diversion, the planned call to Grand Turk is no longer possible and has been replaced. A medical emergency onboard Freedom of the
Key Aspects: MSC Cruises has opened its 130,000-square-foot North American headquarters in Miami. The new office will be home to more than 400 team members. The cruise line remains committed to expanding North American operations with more ships. The largest cruise line in Europe and third-largest in the world, MSC Cruises, has officially opened its
Key Aspects: Norwegian Cruise Line’s NCL Air program now requires guests to fly to their homeport at least one day ahead of sailing. The change takes effect from January 26, 2026 and applies to all new bookings or existing reservations that are repriced. Guests will be responsible for their own hotel reservations unless using the
Key Aspects: The Pearl has been lifted into place on the fourth Icon-class ship, a key construction milestone. The spherical structure is an architectural marvel and a guest favorite selfie spot onboard the Icon-class ships. Construction progress continues on the vessel, and she should debut in 2027. At the same time that the Meyer Turku
Key Aspects: Carnival Pride will be arriving in Baltimore one day late because of Winter Storm Fern. Embarkation will not be able to take place until the late afternoon on January 26 due to snowy conditions. Aside from skipping Bimini on January 28, no additional itinerary changes are expected. Thanks to the historic Winter Storm
Key Aspects: Odyssey of the Seas will be a day late returning to Cape Liberty, New Jersey, due to the winter storm. This automatically shortens the next sailing by a day and two port visits are now cancelled. The remainder of the itinerary remains unchanged and Odyssey of the Seas is in no danger. Winter
