Holland America Line has announced its 2027–2028 South America and Antarctica cruise season, featuring immersive itineraries that take guests to some of the continent’s most iconic and remote destinations. Travelers will sail past the towering Pío XI Glacier, explore the Chilean Fjords, visit legendary landmarks like Machu Picchu, and encounter wildlife from penguin colonies to pink river dolphins — all while enjoying Holland America Line’s signature service and comfort. Guests can unpack once and visit up to six countries on a single itinerary.
From November 2027 through March 2028, Zuiderdam and Oosterdam will transport guests to the heart of South America and the icy expanse of Antarctica. The season’s itineraries range from 14 to 31 days, with embarkation options in Buenos Aires, Argentina; San Antonio (Santiago), Chile; and Fort Lauderdale and Miami, Florida. Each voyage is crafted to deliver immersive experiences, spectacular scenic cruising, and access to legendary landmarks.
“Our South America and Antarctica itineraries are designed for travelers who want to go beyond the ordinary,” said Paul Grigsby, vice president of itinerary planning and deployment at Holland America Line. “Whether you’re standing on deck as the ship glides past the Pío XI Glacier, riding the Train to the End of the World in Ushuaia, or walking among the wildlife of the Galápagos, every moment is crafted to deliver a sense of wonder and connection. We’re proud to offer access to places that few cruise lines reach, with the comfort and personalized service that Holland America Line is known for.”
Spectacular Scenic Cruising
Scenic Glacier Alley, Chile (Credit: Holland America Line)
Holland America Line’s South America and Antarctica cruises feature nine scenic cruising opportunities, including a four-day Antarctic Experience, breathtaking views of the Pío XI Glacier, Glacier Alley, the Beagle Channel, and the Chilean Fjords. Perfectly sized ships bring guests closer to nature’s ultimate theater, offering panoramic views of towering icebergs, pristine glacier,s and dramatic coastlines.
Overland Adventures
Machu Picchu, Peru (Credit: Holland America Line)
Overland adventures bring guests up close to South America’s most iconic sites. The journey to the legendary “Lost City of the Incas” reveals Machu Picchu’s extraordinary stone terraces, intricate temples, and perfectly fitted granite walls — each a testament to the ancient engineering skills of the Incas. Travelers walk the same paths once traversed by royalty, discovering a civilization that raised an entire city atop a remote mountain ridge.
For those drawn to one of the world’s richest natural wonders, the Galápagos Islands Overland Adventure offers encounters with a truly unique ecosystem. Giant tortoises roam volcanic landscapes, blue-footed boobies display their vibrant feet, Sally Lightfoot crabs scuttle across black lava rocks, and marine iguanas bask in the equatorial sun. Each moment in the Galápagos reveals unmatched biodiversity and evolutionary marvels, making this adventure a highlight for nature enthusiasts.
Explore Natural Wonders & Unique Wildlife
Galapagos Tortoises (Credit: Holland America Line)
South America and Antarctica offer a dazzling array of biodiversity, home to remarkable wildlife and vibrant ecosystems. From the ship, guests try their luck at spotting penguin colonies along Antarctic shores, pink river dolphins in the Amazon, and capybaras grazing beside winding rivers.
On shore, excursion sites like Machalilla National Park, Torres del Paine, and the Soberania National Park canopy reveal rare wildlife and unforgettable landscapes.
Itinerary Highlights
28-Day Legendary Amazon Explorer (Zuiderdam, roundtrip Miami, Feb. 5, 2028): Sail deep into the heart of the Amazon rainforest, with overnight stays in Manaus and visits to Parintins, Alter do Chão, Santarém, Boca da Valeria and Caribbean gems like Martinique, Barbados and St. Lucia.
16-Day Inca & Panama Canal Discovery: Lima Overnight (Oosterdam, multiple departures): Cruise between Fort Lauderdale and San Antonio (Santiago), taking in the modern wonders of the Panama Canal and diving deeply into Fuerte Amador (Panama City) and Callao (Lima)’s unique cultures and distinctive local charm during overnight stays.
22-Day South America & Antarctica (Oosterdam, Buenos Aires to San Antonio (Santiago), multiple departures): Spend four days exploring Antarctica’s White Continent, with scenic cruising through the Drake Passage, the Chilean Fjords and stops in Montevideo, Puerto Madryn, Ushuaia and Port Stanley.
31-Day Collectors’ Voyages: Combine back-to-back sailings for the ultimate South America adventure, with few or no repeating ports and maximum value.
Have It All Early Booking Bonus
For a limited time, when guests book 2027-2028 South America and Antarctica cruises with the Have It All premium package, the standard package amenities of shore excursions, specialty dining, a Signature Beverage Package, and Surf Wi-Fi are included — plus the added perk of free prepaid crew appreciation, along with free upgrades to the Elite Beverage Package and Premium Wi-Fi.
Guests can also take advantage of Holland America Line’s Exclusive Mariner Society Early Booking Bonus. Mariner Society loyalty members can enjoy up to $400 onboard credit per stateroom. For the latest details, fares, and booking information, visit hollandamerica.com or contact a travel advisor.
Royal Caribbean announced new cruises to the Caribbean today for 2027-28 that will depart from Florida and range from two- to eight-nights in length. This includes the cruise line’s grand return to the Caribbean cruise port of Samaná, Dominican Republic.
These new sailings open for bookings today for Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor members and to the general public on November 5, 2025.
The year-round cruises announced today by Royal Caribbean will sail from three homeports in Florida, PortMiami, Port Canaveral and Tampa.
Here is a look at the five Royal Caribbean ships that will sail year-round from Florida to the Caribbean in 2027-28.
Port Canaveral
Star of the Seas at Port Canaveral. Photo: Cruise Fever
Star of the Seas will continue to sail seven-night cruises to the Caribbean from Port Canaveral.
Utopia of the Seas will offer three- and four-night cruises to The Bahamas that will visit Perfect Day at CocoCay and the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island.
Harmony of the Seas will receive a major renovation while in dry dock in 2026 and sail seven-night cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean.
Miami
Wonder of the Seas will homeport at the Cruise Capital of the World, PortMiami. The Oasis class ship will sail three- and four-night cruises to The Bahamas.
Tampa
Radiance of the Seas will sail a variety of four-, five-, six, and eight-night cruises to the Western Caribbean from Tampa.
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Carnival Cruise Line has announced its next wave of 2027/28 deployments, with Carnival Sunrise offering a variety of four- to six-day itineraries from PortMiami. Starting on May 6, 2027, the ship will continue to provide a popular short-cruise program to The Bahamas. Many sailings will visit Carnival’s exclusive destinations, Celebration Key and RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay. At the same time, several itineraries also call on Nassau in The Bahamas, giving guests convenient getaways that combine beloved ports with new Carnival experiences.
Carnival Sunrise Miami Sailings 2027/2028
Carnival Sunrise will also offer two six-day holiday itineraries in 2027. On Nov. 22, the ship will visit Celebration Key, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, and Montego Bay, Jamaica for a festive Thanksgiving cruise. On December 20, guests can enjoy a Christmas sailing featuring stops at Celebration Key, Amber Cove, Dominican Republic, and Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Islands.
“Miami has long been a premier departure point for Carnival guests,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “With Celebration Key and RelaxAway now part of our 2027/28 sailings, guests can create two of the premier beach destinations in the Caribbean while enjoying some of The Bahamas’ most beautiful destinations.”
Cruising through spring 2028, Carnival Sunrise will complete more than 70 sailings, giving guests endless opportunities to explore these signature escapes to some of Carnival’s exclusive destinations. Celebration Key offers five distinct areas of fun, from beachside relaxation to family adventures, while RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, provides a more tranquil experience with pristine beaches and scenic surroundings. You can view all sailings here.
For additional information on Carnival Cruise Line and to book a cruise vacation, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, visit carnival.com, or contact your favorite travel advisor or online travel site.
This week’s special offers from Disney Cruise Line include sail dates from this week into JUNE 2026. WOW, there are 118 different sail dates, available with special offers available across the fleet for sailings from Auckland, Fort Lauderdale, Galveston, Melbourne, Port Canaveral, San Diego, and San Juan.
The Disney Dream leads the fleet with 66 sailings, followed by the Disney Wish that skyrocketed to 36 sailings, Disney Magic with 28, Disney Treasure with 17, the Disney Fantasy with 21, and the Disney Wonder with 10 sailings this week.
Last week’s drastic increases in the number of available sail dates mostly held this week with some modest changes. The Florida Resident rate is up 3 to 46 sail dates, the US Military Personnel offer rose 7 to 59 cruises, and the Canadian Resident offer jumped 18 to 73 sail dates.
The special offers listed below are available to book today while inventory lasts.
Special Offers for U.S. Military Personnel
Special Rates for U.S. Military Personnel (MTO) are limited to 50 staterooms per category and sailing. Pricing varies, the lowest priced category per person per night listed below. New sailings added this week are in bold. To take advantage of military cruise rates, at least one adult in each stateroom must provide Proof of Military Service. Please note: This offer cannot be combined with any other special offers or discounts. Valid for new bookings only.
Disney Dream
3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Lookout Cay • Nassau, Bahamas
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • At Sea
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • At Sea • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • At Sea • Lookout Cay • Castaway Cay
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • At Sea • Castaway Cay
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • At Sea • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • At Sea
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Castaway Cay • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • At Sea
Disney Fantasy
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • At Sea
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Castaway Cay • Lookout Cay • At Sea
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay • Lookout Cay • At Sea
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Lookout Cay • At Sea • Castaway Cay
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • At Sea • Castaway Cay
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • Castaway Cay • At Sea
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • Castaway Cay
Disney Magic
4-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Galveston Galveston, Texas • At Sea • Progreso, Mexico • At Sea
5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Galveston Galveston, Texas • At Sea • Cozumel, Mexico • Progreso, Mexico • At Sea
6-Night Bahamian Cruise from San Juan ending in Galveston San Juan (Pan American Pier) • At Sea • Lookout Cay • Castaway Cay • At Sea • At Sea
7-Night Southern Caribbean Cruise from San Juan San Juan (Pan American Pier) • At Sea • Oranjestad, Aruba • Willemstad, Curaçao • At Sea • St. John’s, Antigua • Basseterre, St. Kitts
Disney Treasure
7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • At Sea • Tortola, British Virgin Islands • St. Thomas, USVI • At Sea • Castaway Cay
7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • At Sea • St. Thomas, USVI • Tortola, British Virgin Islands • At Sea • Castaway Cay
7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Cozumel, Mexico • Grand Cayman • Falmouth, Jamaica • At Sea • Castaway Cay
Disney Wish
3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay • At Sea
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Castaway Cay • Lookout Cay • At Sea
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • At Sea
Disney Wonder
10-Night Disney Magic at Sea Cruise from Auckland ending in Sydney Auckland, New Zealand • Tauranga, New Zealand • At Sea • Napier, New Zealand • Wellington, New Zealand • Christchurch (Lyttelton), New Zealand • At Sea • Fiordland National Park, New Zealand • At Sea • At Sea
5-Night Disney Magic at Sea Cruise from Auckland Auckland, New Zealand • At Sea • Wellington, New Zealand • Christchurch (Lyttelton), New Zealand • At Sea
5-Night Disney Magic at Sea Cruise from Melbourne ending in Auckland Melbourne, Australia • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea
Special Military rates are available to all retired and active U.S. Military personnel (or spouse), including U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Marines, U.S Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. National Guard, U.S. Army Reserve and U.S. Department of Defense personnel. Active and retired members (or spouse) of the U.S. military must provide valid identification at time of check-in. This offer is limited to a maximum of one stateroom per military member (or spouse), per sailing. A U.S. Military service member (or spouse) is required to sail to take advantage of this offer. Activated members (or spouse) of the U.S. National Guard or the U.S. Army Reserve must also show active duty orders (active duty papers must be dated as of January 1st of the previous year to qualify).
Government taxes will vary by itinerary and are in addition to the below rates. Third and fourth Guest prices valid with 2 full-fare Guests in the same stateroom. Rates may vary by sail date and category. Other restrictions may apply. Other categories and sail dates may be available. Valid for new bookings only.
Special Offers for Florida Residents
Special Rates for Florida Residents (FLR) are limited to 50 staterooms per category and sailing. Pricing varies, the lowest priced category per person per night listed below. New sailings added this week are in bold. Please note: This offer cannot be combined with any other special offers or discounts. Valid on new and existing reservations.
Disney Dream
3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Lookout Cay • Nassau, Bahamas
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • At Sea • Castaway Cay
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • At Sea
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • At Sea • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • At Sea • Lookout Cay • Castaway Cay
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • At Sea • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • At Sea
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Castaway Cay • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • At Sea
Disney Fantasy
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • At Sea
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Castaway Cay • Lookout Cay • At Sea
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay • Lookout Cay • At Sea
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Lookout Cay • At Sea • Castaway Cay
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • At Sea • Castaway Cay
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • Castaway Cay • At Sea
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • Castaway Cay
Disney Magic
7-Night Southern Caribbean Cruise from San Juan San Juan (Pan American Pier) • At Sea • Oranjestad, Aruba • Willemstad, Curaçao • At Sea • St. John’s, Antigua • Basseterre, St. Kitts
Disney Treasure
7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Cozumel, Mexico • Grand Cayman • Falmouth, Jamaica • At Sea • Castaway Cay
Disney Wish
3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay • At Sea
To take advantage of Florida residency cruise rates, proof of Florida Residency for at least one adult in each stateroom must be presented at time of check-in. Guests unable to show proper proof of Florida residency at check-in will have their cruise re-priced and the balance must be paid before being allowed to sail.
Proof of residency must be valid at the time of sailing, and includes the following:
Florida Driver’s License
Florida Identification Card
If you do not have one of the IDs indicated above, then you must provide one of the following—dated within the past 2 months—verifying a Florida residential address and your name, along with a corresponding, valid government-issued photo ID (such as passport, driver’s license, state identification card):
Monthly mortgage statement
Renter’s lease agreement
Current automobile registration, insurance policy or bill
Current homeowner’s insurance policy or bill
Current utility bill (power/phone/cable/water)
Mail from a financial institution, including checking, savings or investment account statements
Mail from a federal, state, county or city government agency
Note: property deeds and P.O. boxes are not considered acceptable proofs of residency.
Children’s rates are also available to Guests ages 3 through 12 that are traveling with 2 adults in the same stateroom.
Canadian Resident Rates
Special Rates for Canadian Residents with savings on prevailing rates as quoted on Disneycruise.com for non-concierge Verandah, Oceanview, and Inside Staterooms on select cruises. Pricing varies, the lowest priced category per person per night listed below. New sailings added this week are in bold. Proof of residency is required an you must mention the special offer code CAN when booking. NOTE: Offers may be applied to existing bookings if requested when calling in. This offer cannot be combined with any other special offer or discounts, or onboard credits.
Disney Dream
3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Lookout Cay • Nassau, Bahamas
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • At Sea
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • At Sea • Castaway Cay
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • At Sea • Lookout Cay • Castaway Cay
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Lookout Cay • Castaway Cay • At Sea
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • At Sea • Castaway Cay • At Sea
Disney Fantasy
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • At Sea
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Lookout Cay • Nassau, Bahamas • At Sea
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Lookout Cay • Castaway Cay • At Sea
5-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Castaway Cay • Lookout Cay • Nassau, Bahamas • At Sea
Disney Magic
4-Night Baja Cruise from San Diego San Diego, California • Catalina Island, California • Ensenada, Mexico • At Sea
4-Night Baja Cruise from San Diego San Diego, California • Ensenada, Mexico • At Sea • At Sea
4-Night Pacific Coast Cruise from San Diego to Vancouver San Diego, California • At Sea • At Sea • At Sea
4-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Galveston Galveston, Texas • At Sea • Progreso, Mexico • At Sea
5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Galveston Galveston, Texas • At Sea • Cozumel, Mexico • Progreso, Mexico • At Sea
Disney Treasure
7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Cozumel, Mexico • Grand Cayman • Falmouth, Jamaica • At Sea • Castaway Cay
Disney Wish
3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • At Sea • Lookout Cay • Castaway Cay
4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Castaway Cay • At Sea
Disney Wonder
3-Night Baja Cruise from San Diego San Diego, California • Catalina Island, California • Ensenada, Mexico
3-Night Baja Cruise from San Diego San Diego, California • Ensenada, Mexico • At Sea
4-Night Baja Cruise from San Diego San Diego, California • At Sea • Catalina Island, California • Ensenada, Mexico
The Canadian Resident rate excludes suites and categories with restrictions (VGT, OGT, and IGT). Proof of Canada residency will be required at time of check-in. Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses are not included. If booking through Disney Cruise Line’s Contact Center, you must mention code CAN. Offers may be applied to existing bookings if requested by caller. This offer cannot be combined with any other special offer or discounts, or onboard credits. Offer valid for new and existing reservations.
Please note, the offers listed are not to be taken as official quotes. Prices and availability can change at any time without notice. More importantly, the deals listed above are a snapshot in time based on DCL’s online cruise search tool.
Last but certainly not least, I wanted to invite you to consider joining us on an upcoming DCL Blog Group Cruise! Next August 2026, we are heading to Fort Lauderdale to sail to the Western Caribbean on the all new Disney Destiny. Click here to learn more out this group opportunity and check out our daily trip reports from our most recent group sailing to Alaskan on the Disney Wonder. We look forward to seeing you aboard.
Carnival Cruise Line has confirmed a major itinerary change for Carnival Horizon after the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa on the island of Jamaica.
While the scheduled port of call has been cancelled due to catastrophic damage, the ship will still make an important stop to deliver aid to the island.
Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald addressed the situation this morning on his Facebook page, sharing the news and also stating the company’s commitment to recovery efforts.
The Captain’s Update: Itinerary Changed
Heald began by reading the message given directly to passengers onboard Carnival Horizon by Captain Rocco Lebrano. The original port call to Ocho Rios was cancelled because local infrastructure and shore excursion operators are not ready for visitors.
“As hard as everyone will have tried, local infrastructure and shore excursion partners are not ready for us,” the captain’s message read.
Passengers were informed that a refund will be issued for pre-purchased Carnival excursions, as well as for the taxes and fees associated with the Ocho Rios port call. Heald quoted the Captain: “Refund will be issued for purchases for carnival excursions as well as your taxes and fees for Ocho Rios...”
Other parts of the itinerary are expected to be completed as planned with stops scheduled at Grand Cayman and Cozumel before heading back to PortMiami.
A Stop to Deliver Supplies
Despite the cancelled port visit, Carnival Horizon will still sail near the island for a special mission. Heald shared the news that the ship will make the brief stop to offload aid:
“Captain Rocco is going to take the ship for a brief stop in Ocho Rios on Tuesday and on board the ship right now are much needed supplies, and those supplies will be offloaded and taken onto the island of Jamaica. Now, these are supplies provided by Carnival Cruise Line.”
Heald acknowledged the challenges though, saying, “We don’t know yet whether the pier is going to be something the ship can dock against or whether we’ll have to take these ashore or perhaps Tender.”
Images below in a following Facebook post shows aid being delivered to the storm-torn island.
Carnival Will Match Every Guest Donation
Heald stated that Carnival Corporation, the Miami Heat, and the Arison Family Foundation have already donated $1 million worth of support for ongoing recovery efforts.
Now, passengers onboard are being given an opportunity to contribute directly to the disaster fund if they would like, with the cruise line doubling down on their commitment.
The captain informed guests that donations can be made in two ways: by visiting Guest Services or by contributing during the Grooves in Jude event held on the last sea day.
“Carnival will match donations made during this cruise. So, everybody on Carnival Horizon, you have a chance to donate,” Heald stated.
He then encouraged guests to contribute, stating, “I’m sure there’s going to be a bit of an emotion that perhaps you weren’t expecting. And that is when those guests come close to Jamaica and they will see for themselves the damage that Melissa did. Hopefully people will be encouraged to perhaps give a few dollars to help the people get back on their feet again.”
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Over the next two and a half weeks, new cruise ships from Princess Cruises, Disney Cruise Line and Celebrity Cruises will arrive at Port Everglades in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and be officially named and christened.
All three ships will homeport at Port Everglades for at least the winter 2025-2026 season.
Star Princess
Star Princess, the newest cruise ship from Princess Cruises
Star Princess is currently sailing a Transatlantic cruise that departed from Barcelona, Spain on October 22. The ship is scheduled to arrive in Florida on November 5.
The following day, Star Princess will be named and christened by godparents Camila and Matthew McConaughey.
The ship will sail its maiden voyage from Port Everglades on November 7, a three-day cruise to The Bahamas. After another short cruise to The Bahamas, Star Princess will spend the winter months sailing week-long cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean.
Star Princess is the second Sphere class ship from Princess Cruises.
Disney Destiny
Disney Destiny is currently crossing the Atlantic and will make a quick stop at Port Canaveral before heading down to Port Everglades.
Disney Destiny will be named and christened in Ft. Lauderdale on November 10, the godmother/parents has yet to be announced.
Disney Destiny is the third Wish class ship from Disney Cruise Line. The ship will offer three- and four-night cruises to The Bahamas from Port Everglades through May 2027.
The first revenue sailing will take place on November 20, a four-night cruise that will visit the cruise line’s two private ports, Castaway Cay and Lighthouse Point.
Celebrity Xcel
Celebrity Xcel, the newest Edge class ship from Celebrity Cruises, will sail its maiden voyage on November 9, a short four-night preview cruise to Cozumel, Mexico.
The ship will then host two short preview cruises for media and travel agents. Between the two sailings, Celebrity Xcel will be christened on November 16 by Janaína Torres, named the Best Female Chef in the World 2024 by World’s 50 Best.
Celebrity Xcel will spend the winter offering seven-night cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean before heading to Europe in the spring of 2026.
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Celebrity Apex arrived at Port Canaveral for the first time today where the ship will homeport for the winter 2025-26 season.
Celebrity Apex at Port Canaveral. Photo Credit: Port Canaveral
Celebrity Apex is taking the place of Celebrity Equinox, the first Celebrity ship to ever sail from the port.
When the cruise ship arrived at Port Canaveral, a traditional plaque exchange was led by Canaveral Port Authority Commissioner Kevin Markey and Celebrity Apex Captain Panagiotis Skylogiannis on board.
Canaveral Port Authority Commissioner Kevin Markey and Celebrity Apex Captain Panagiotis Skylogiannis. Photo Credit: Port Canaveral
Celebrity Apex will sail seven-night cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean from Port Canaveral before heading back to Europe in the spring of 2026.
The cruises will visit some of the most popular ports in the Caribbean including Cozumel, San Juan, St Kitts and Bimini.
Capt. John Murray, Port Canaveral CEO, gave the following statement:
“Celebrity Cruises’ inaugural season from Port Canaveral was hugely successful and we’re thrilled to welcome home the stunning Celebrity Apex to our Port. We have a great partnership with Celebrity Cruises and very proud of their success here that continues to contribute economic value to our Port community and beyond.”
Port Canaveral is the second busiest cruise port in the world and remains one of the most popular drive-to markets. The port estimates that 75% of cruisers who sail from there drive to their cruise.
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Holland America Line has announced a new roundtrip cruise from Miami that will depart on October 30, 2027 and visit 18 ports in the Caribbean.
This 28-day cruise on Zuiderdam will trace the original flying Clipper routes across the Caribbean, Mexico and Latin America. The voyage is inspired by Pan Am’s legendary ‘flying boat’ Clipper routes.
The cruise will visit nine ports that are original Pan Am destinations and 18 ports in total in the Caribbean. They are:
The collaboration between Holland America Line and Pan Am is part of the cruise line’s commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary.
Kacy Cole, chief marketing officer for Holland America Line, said the following:
“Pan Am is an iconic American brand and one of several we will be collaborating with as we celebrate American heritage as part of America’s 250th.
“As a cruise line with more than 150 years of history sailing, we have a deep appreciation for brands that helped shape the American story. By partnering with these legendary names, we’re honoring the spirit of innovation, adventure and pride that defines the nation—and bringing that legacy to life for our guests.”
Paul Grigsby, vice president of itinerary planning and deployment for Holland America Line, added:
“Pan Am and Holland America Line both helped pioneer modern travel—Pan Am in the skies and Holland America Line at sea. With roots that reach back more than a century, both brands share a legacy of connecting people to the world with impeccable service and a spirit of discovery.”
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Guests booked on Norwegian Star’s 27th September 2026 sailing from Southampton have been told they are getting an unexpected bonus: three extra days at sea, free of charge.
The extension follows a revision to the ship’s dry-dock schedule, with the vessel now spending longer at sea before heading to the yard for planned technical upgrades.
“Following a change in Norwegian Star’s scheduled dry dock for technical enhancements, your sailing has been extended from seven days to ten days,
“As part of this change, the itinerary has been adjusted.”
NCL communication to guests
Updated Ten-Day Itinerary
The original week-long voyage was due to visit Amsterdam, Zeebrugge, Le Havre, La Coruña and Oporto before finishing in Lisbon on 4th October.
Instead, the new ten-day route will add extra French and Spanish ports and finish three days later, on 7th October 2026:
27 Sep (Sun): Depart Southampton
28 Sep (Mon): Amsterdam (1 pm–9 pm)
29 Sep (Tue): Zeebrugge (8 am–6 pm)
30 Sep (Wed): Le Havre (8 am–9 pm)
1 Oct (Thu): Day at sea
2 Oct (Fri): La Rochelle (8 am–5 pm)
3 Oct (Sat): Le Verdon (7 am–6 pm)
4 Oct (Sun): Bilbao (8 am–5 pm)
5 Oct (Mon): La Coruña (9 am–6 pm)
6 Oct (Tue): Vigo (7 am–3 pm)
7 Oct (Wed): Arrive Lisbon
No Extra Cost for Passengers
Norwegian Cruise Line said that all existing fares, promotions and packages will remain fully protected, meaning guests will not pay more for the longer holiday.
Pre-paid service charges, beverage or dining packages will also stay at their original prices, while the number of specialty-dining meals and WiFi minutes will increase to match the extra sailing days.
Adjusting Travel Plans
Those who have already booked return flights or onward arrangements after the original 4th October arrival will need to adjust their plans.
With nearly a year’s notice, however, there is ample time for passengers to rearrange travel if needed.
Why the Schedule Changed
Norwegian Cruise Line has not disclosed the precise reason for the shipyard adjustment, though such changes are common.
Yard timetables can shift because of other vessels’ refits, labour or supply-chain constraints, or changes in dry-dock capacity.
The Norwegian Star, a 91,740-gross-ton ship carrying around 2,300 guests, will enter dry dock after completing this voyage before resuming service with a 14-night transatlantic crossing from Southampton to Miami on 20th November 2026.
Passengers on that subsequent sailing are advised to stay alert for any further schedule tweaks.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
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P&O Cruises, part of the Carnival Corporation & plc family, has quietly increased the cost of its onboard drinks packages – with prices now up by as much as 12% on some options.
The updated pricing came into effect in late October 2025 and was first spotted by guests browsing the cruise line’s website.
The company has not issued any formal announcement to booked passengers about the change.
New Prices and Package Options
P&O Cruises offers four drinks packages covering everything from soft drinks to premium spirits. The new daily rates per person are:
Refresh – £16 (was £14.45): on-tap fountain soft drinks and juice only
Classic – £50 or £55 (was £48.85): most alcoholic and soft drinks, excluding premium brands
Deluxe – £60 or £65 (was £60.50): all-inclusive, covering the full range of beverages
You’ll see that there are now two prices for the packages that include alcohol – Classic and Deluxe.
In a change for the cruise line, the price of these packages will vary depending on your sailing length. Guests sailing 15 nights or more will pay the lower prices (£50 per night for Classic, £60 per night for Deluxe) but on cruises of 14 nights or fewer, the higher prices will apply.
This means the Refresh package has risen by 10%, Alcohol-Free by nearly 8%, and Classic by either 2% or 12% depending on your sailing length.
The Deluxe package has slightly decreased by less than 1% if you’re on longer cruises. Otherwise it has risen by around 7%.
The small drop in the top-tier package price on longer itineraries suggests that P&O may be trying to encourage more passengers to opt for the all-inclusive option, which continues to represent the best value for those who regularly purchase premium drinks.
However, the vast majority of guests will be on sailings of 14 nights or fewer, and so will still be paying a higher price.
Factors Behind the Increase
Pricing for drinks packages can fluctuate depending on ship, sailing length, and itinerary demand. Typically, shorter or high-season sailings carry higher daily rates.
Guests who pre-book drinks packages before sailing can save up to 20% compared with onboard pricing.
Those who have already purchased packages for upcoming cruises will not be charged extra, as pre-paid rates remain locked in.
However, if you’re booked on a longer cruise and you have the Deluxe package, you may wish to consider cancelling it and rebooking it at the new lower rate.
A Wider Trend Across Carnival Brands
The quiet price adjustment follows similar moves elsewhere in the Carnival family.
Carnival Cruise Line recently increased the cost of its internet plans, prompting speculation that more price updates could be on the way across the group’s brands – including Princess Cruises, AIDA Cruises, and Holland America Line.
While each brand operates independently, pricing changes often occur across multiple lines in the same period as part of wider corporate reviews or cost adjustments linked to supply prices and onboard demand.
P&O’s updated drinks package rates now bring it closer in line with comparable offerings across other major cruise lines.
Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
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