Norwegian Makes First Overnight Visit to Great Stirrup Cay

Norwegian Makes First Overnight Visit to Great Stirrup Cay

Norwegian Cruise Line recently made its first overnight visit to Great Stirrup Cay as part of a last-minute itinerary change.

According to a statement sent to guests, the Norwegian Encore became the first ship to spend the night docked at the private island destination on Jan. 22, 2026.

The two-day visit replaced a previously scheduled call to Costa Maya, Mexico, which had to be cancelled due to port availability.

“We’re thrilled to introduce an extraordinary, first-of-a-kind experience: an overnight stay at our private island in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay,” Norwegian said in its statement.

“This will mark the first overnight visit offered to Norwegian Cruise Line guests. This moment gives you a rare opportunity to be among the first guests to experience Great Stirrup Cay after dark, truly making cruise history,” the company added.

Initially scheduled to arrive at the island at 4:00 p.m., the Norwegian Encore docked at the destination’s new pier at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, due to a medical emergency.

The 4,200-passenger ship remained at the port through 5:00 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, when it departed for Miami.

Norwegian said that guests were able to enjoy the island until midnight, which served as an all-onboard time.

The company said bars onshore opened shortly after arrival at the island, while light bites and convenient grab-and-go favorites were served at Abaco Taco.

“As the sun sets, the energy shifts to an unforgettable evening celebration, with all nighttime activities focused on the vibrant Great Life Lagoon, the all-new pool area,” Norwegian continued.

While the beach was closed at sundown for guests’ safety, the company also offered a “Glow Party under the Stars” from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

In addition to an overnight visit to Great Stirrup Cay, the seven-night cruise onboard the Norwegian Encore also included visits to Roatán in Honduras and Harvest Caye in Belize.

Port Canaveral Welcomes MSC Seaside for Inaugural Voyage

Port Canaveral Welcomes MSC Seaside for Inaugural Voyage

Port Canaveral welcomed the MSC Seaside as its new homeported ship during a ceremony on Thursday.

The MSC vessel is set to sail three and four-night cruises to The Bahamas, and seven-night cruises to Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico, Belize.

“We are excited to welcome the MSC Seaside to Port Canaveral, yet another beautiful ship in the MSC Cruises lineup to call Port Canaveral home,” said Capt. John Murray, CEO of Port Canaveral.

“We are proud of our relationship with MSC Cruises and delighted to be the homeport for this new vessel class. Our Port is setting the standard for excellence in the industry. We’re committed to delivering a world-class experience for all cruise guests.”

MSC Cruises’ ship arrived at Port Canaveral on April 27 when port officials including Kevin Markey, chairman of Canaveral Port Authority presented the MSC Seaside’s captain Michele Di Mauro with a commemorative plaque to mark the ship’s first visit.

“The arrival of the MSC Seaside is another great milestone for Port Canaveral and the Space Coast region, further solidifying our position as the top cruise port in the world,” said Canaveral Port Authority Chairman Kevin Markey. “We are committed to continuing our efforts to responsibly grow our Port to promote the economic growth and prosperity of our local community and the state of Florida.”

MSC Cruises started sailing year-round from Port Canaveral in 2021 first with the MSC Divina and then with the MSC Meraviglia as well.

We built MSC Seaside specifically for Caribbean cruising, with an incredible amount of outdoor space and a sweeping waterfront promenade that allows guests to truly connect with the sea during their time onboard,” said Rubén A. Rodríguez, president of MSC Cruises USA.

“It’s a privilege for MSC Cruises to play a role in Port Canaveral’s growth with the deployment of yet another large and modern ship in our U.S. fleet. MSC Seaside’s beautiful amenities go hand in hand with our international heritage and the natural beauty and sustainability of Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, our private destination in The Bahamas, to represent our unique vision for Caribbean cruising. We’re thrilled to share that experience with guests sailing from Port Canaveral.”

Carnival Adjusts Itineraries of Multiple Mardi Gras Departures

Carnival Adjusts Itineraries of Multiple Mardi Gras Departures

Carnival Cruise Line is adjusting itineraries of multiple Eastern Caribbean sailings onboard the Mardi Gras.

Affecting a total of 21 cruises with departure dates between December 2022 and April 2024, the change will see a call to San Juan, Puerto Rico, being replaced with a visit to Nassau, The Bahamas. 

According to a statement sent to booked guests, the itinerary alteration is part of a “operations plan refining.”

Any pre-purchased Carnival shore excursions for San Juan will be automatically refunded to their original form of payment, the company said.

New shore tours for the visit to Nassau will be available online shortly, Carnival added.  

After debuting in July 2021, the Mardi Gras continues to offer year-round departures from Port Canaveral.

Sailing from its Central Florida homeport every Saturday, the 5,200-guest vessel offers week-long departures to both the Western and Eastern Caribbean.

Visited destinations include Grand Turk, Amber Cove, Cozumel, Costa Maya, Roatán and more.

In 2023, the LNG-powered ship is also set to offer a one-time cruise to the Southern Caribbean. Sailing in August, the eight-night voyage features visits to Aruba and Bonaire, as well as to Grand Turk.

Along with the Mardi Gras, two additional Carnival ships sail from Port Canaveral on a year-round - the Carnival Freedom and the Carnival Liberty.

Offering three- to five-night cruises to the Bahamas and the Caribbean, the vessels will soon be joined by the Carnival Magic for the upcoming winter season.

Before repositioning to Norfolk in May, the Dream-Class cruise ship offers six- and eight-night cruises to the Eastern and Southern Caribbean.

Itineraries include visits to popular ports such as St. Maarten, St. Thomas, St. Kitts, La Romana, Aruba, Bonaire, Princess Cays, Half Moon Cay and others.

Similar itineraries will be offered by the larger Carnival Vista during the 2023-2024 winter cruise season. 

MSC Meraviglia Returns to Port Canaveral for Winter Season

MSC Meraviglia Returns to Port Canaveral for Winter Season

The MSC Meraviglia recently returned to North America for its 2022-2023 cruise program. Following a trans-Atlantic crossing, the MSC Cruises vessel arrived in Port Canaveral on October 13. 

The 2017-built ship is now offering a series of cruises to the Bahamas and the Caribbean departing from the Central Florida homeport.

Ranging from two to seven nights, the ship’s itineraries feature visits to popular destinations in the region, including Cozumel, Costa Maya and Belize City.

Most of the cruises also include a stop in Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the company’s private island in the Bahamas.

Ahead of MSC’s first complete season in the Northeast, the MSC Meraviglia concludes its winter program with a repositioning cruise to New York City.

The 11-night voyage departs Port Canaveral on April 9, 2023, and includes calls in five ports in the Eastern and Southern Caribbean.

Upon arriving at its new homeport, the 167,600-ton vessel kicks off a year-round operation in the region.  

Sailing from Manhattan Cruise Terminal, the program features itineraries are six- to 11-night voyages visiting the Caribbean and the Bahamas, as well as Bermuda and Canada & New England.

Boasting 19 decks and a capacity for over 4,500 guests in double occupancy, the MSC Meraviglia was built in France by the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyards.

The lead of the five-ship Meraviglia Class, the vessel offers several unique features, including the Galleria Meraviglia, a 96-meter-long central promenade equipped with an 80-meter LED dome and an expansive shopping area.

Other features include a complete waterpark and 12 international dining venues, as well as 20 different bars and lounges. 

After entering service in Europe in 2017, the MSC Meraviglia originally debuted in North America two years later. At the time, the vessel arrived in Miami as MSC’s largest U.S.-based ship.

Royal Caribbean Now Offering Crew Shore Leave in Caribbean Ports

Royal Caribbean Now Offering Crew Shore Leave in Caribbean Ports

Royal Caribbean International is now offering shore leave in select Caribbean ports to the crew, according to a letter sent to crew onboard ships selected to trial the program.

According to the letter, the program will run from April 8 through April 22 on six ships, believed to be the Odyssey, Freedom, Harmony, Navigator, Liberty and Grandeur of the Seas.

The company will allow 150 crew to disembark in the ports, which for the crew aboard the Odyssey, for example, include Curacao, Aruba, Costa Maya and Cozumel.

Advanced sign up is required through a crew member's manager.

Crew members must be up to date with vaccinations and a booster (if eligible), the company said. Masks are required while indoors or inside transportation and masks and crew members are recommended to follow social distancing guidelines.

The company said it will continue its bubble tours for the crew, which it is said to be offering globally.

A review of the crew shore leave trial program will be conducted later this month to "confirm continuity of the program in Caribbean Ports of Call."

Royal Caribbean Ship Welcomes Guests Back in Tampa

The Brilliance of the Seas is resuming service for Royal Caribbean International today.

After a 21-month hiatus, the vessel is welcoming guests back to Tampa, Florida.

Kicking off a program of four- and five-night cruises from the port, the Brilliance has become the 19th of Royal Caribbean’s 25-ship fleet to resume guest operations.

The Radiance-class ship is now offering a series of itineraries to Mexico and the Bahamas, featuring visits to Costa Maya, Cozumel, Nassau, CocoCay and more.

The first sailing, for instance, cruises four nights and includes a call in Costa Maya, in addition to two days at sea.

The Tampa departures are set to take place until late March and will be followed by a summer season in Europe.

Starting in May, the Brilliance of the Seas is poised to offer seven-night cruises to the Greek Islands, Montenegro and Croatia, sailing from Italy’s Ravenna port.

Built in 2002, the vessel has a capacity for 2,100 guests, who can enjoy amenities that include three pools, 12 lounges and bars, a rock-climbing wall, a nine-hole miniature golf course, an interactive golf simulator, and a 9,000-sq. ft. fitness centre and spa.

With the Brilliance now in service, Royal Caribbean has added two ships to the active lineup in December.

The vessels will be followed by the Enchantment of the Seas, which is set to return to guest operations on Dec. 23, in Baltimore.

Previously, on Dec. 5, the Grandeur of the Seas launched a Barbados-based program in the Caribbean.

Carnival Dream Resumes Service in Galveston

Another Carnival Cruise Line vessel is resuming service today as the Carnival Dream welcomes guests back in Texas. The 2009-built Galveston-based ship is kicking off a series of six-and eight-night cruises to the Eastern Caribbean and The Bahamas. 

On its first cruise, the Carnival Dream is sailing on a six-night Western Caribbean itinerary that features visits to three ports in Mexico and Belize. The first stop is Costa Maya, followed by Belize City and Cozumel.

Cozumel – an island in Mexico’s Quintana Roo region surrounded by coral reefs – is one of the highlights of the cruise.

Carnival Dream’s itineraries through December will include other popular ports in the region, such as Half Moon Cay, Roatán and Key West. Two other Carnival ships are currently homeporting in Galveston: the Carnival Breeze and the Carnival Vista.

First, of a series of three ships known as the Dream Class, the Carnival Dream entered service in 2009. At the time, the vessel ushered a new era in “Fun Ship” cruising, offering a unique host of innovations and features.

Among the ship’s highlights is an expanded Carnival WaterWorks aqua park with one of the longest waterslides at sea. The 3,650-guest vessel also introduced entertainment options such as a comedy club and a half-mile wrap-around outdoor promenade, complete with whirlpools that extend over the ship’s sides.

Other features include 19,000 square feet of space dedicated to children and families, in addition to a wide variety of formal and casual dining options – a made-to-order pasta venue, a 24-hour pizzeria, a sushi bar, and a burrito station.

The Carnival Dream was upgraded with Carnival’s new hull colours when it went into drydock in July. According to the company, the livery is inspired by the design that debuted on the new Mardi Gras, while serving as a homage to maritime tradition with patriotic red, white and blue hues – also the colours of Carnival Cruise Line. 

The Carnival Dream is the 10th ship to resume service for Carnival Cruise Line after the COVID-19 operational pause.

It also became one of the three ships to resume service for the company this month. On Sept. 12, the Carnival Pride reentered service in Baltimore, kicking off a series of cruises to The Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean.

Also resuming service today, the Carnival Glory is currently embarking on its first cruise from New Orleans after an 18-month pause.

After All-Nighter, Carnival Glory Patched and Cruising

After All-Nighter, Carnival Glory Patched and Cruising

The Carnival Glory has sailed on her Christmas cruise from New Orleans after an all-night effort to repair damage to the ship following a collision in Cozumel with the Carnival Legend on Friday.

Crews worked through the night to enclose the aft dining room which took the brunt of the damage, removing damage and welding in new steel to cover the opening. 

The 2003-built ship departed a day late on her itinerary, but passengers were able to board on Dec. 22 as scheduled. The itinerary called for a sea day on Dec. 23 followed by calls in Cozumel, Costa Maya, Mahogany Bay before two more sea days and a conclusion in New Orleans on Sunday, Dec. 29.

Carnival honored refunds for guests that opted not to join the sailing. For passengers embarking, they received one day pro-rated refund and a $100 onboard credit per stateroom.

 

Royal Caribbean Commits to Cuba Through 2019

PHOTO: Royal Caribbean International's Empress of the Seas. (photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean International)

After the initial success of Empress of the Seas’ arrival in Cuba, Royal Caribbean International has announced its expansion of the ship’s calls to Havana as far out as 2019.

“Since arriving in Cuba for the first time last month, we’ve seen the excitement of our guests when sailing into Havana and the passion they have for the city at sail away – its people, its architecture, its food, its music. This is the enthusiasm we strive to bring to adventure-seekers who vacation with us,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International, in a press release.

“The positive reaction to our Cuba sailings is very encouraging, and we are thrilled to expand on the number of sailings for our 2018-2019 itineraries.”

The ship will sail a new batch of 58 four- and five-night itineraries from January 2018 through March 2019, 28 of which will feature an overnight in the Cuban capital of Havana.

Empress of the Seas currently cruises from Tampa, Florida through November 4, 2017, and will next return to Miami, Florida to depart for Royal Caribbean’s Coco Cay private island and Nassau, The Bahamas for the winter 2017-2018 season.

By summer 2018, the ship will be back in Tampa heading to Key West, Florida, Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico, plus Havana, Cuba on most voyages. For the winter 2018-2019 season, it will leave from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Cuba is also featured on board the Empress of the Seas thanks to cortaditos and cafe con leche in Cafe Royal, plus salsa music and dancing in Boleros Latin lounge. The 48,563-ton ship accommodates 1,602 guests in 795 staterooms across 11 decks.

Carnival cancels Belize calls, says port is overcrowded

By Jerry Limone

Carnival Cruise Lines is forgoing port calls in Belize through the end of 2013 because the port has become too congested, Carnival said.

“Although we have a confirmed berth in Belize, local officials accepted calls for additional ships. Consequently, their tender capacity is not able to effectively handle the increased volume of guests without creating long delays and limiting your time ashore,” Carnival said in a letter to customers. “Despite our best efforts, we have been unable to come to an acceptable agreement with Belize Port Authority regarding this situation.”

The Carnival Glory and the Carnival Legend, the two ships that had scheduled calls in Belize this year, instead will call in Costa Maya, Mexico.

Thruster malfunction disrupts Carnival Magic itinerary

By Donna Tunney

The Carnival Magic experienced a problem with one of its stern thrusters on Monday, during the ship's first six-day sailing out of Galveston, Texas.

The problem will cause the 3,600-passenger ship to make an unscheduled overnight call in Progreso, Mexico, on Wednesday, where repairs will be made.

The ship will not make a previously planned call at Costa Maya. The Magic is scheduled to call in Cozumel on Nov. 18.

“The technical problem does not compromise the ship’s safety, and all other systems and hotel services are functioning normally,” said Carnival in a statement. “Carnival sincerely apologizes to its guests for this disruption in their vacation plans.”

The statement said that passengers are receiving a credit of $25 per person in their shipboard accounts.