Carnival Cruise Line sent a warning letter to guests who are on this weekend’s departure on Carnival Pride that is scheduled to sail all the way up to Greenland.
Tomorrow’s cruise on Carnival Pride is a 14-day roundtrip cruise from Baltimore that will visit both Greenland and Canada.
However, there is significant sea ice on the intended route that may impact this unique itinerary.
The letter sent out by Carnival Cruise Line warned them about the possibility of changes and to reassure guests that they will do everything possible to keep them safe and to ensure their comfort.
Experienced pilots from Greenland will be on the ship helping Captain Giacalone as they navigate through possible sea ice as they head to Greenland.
Carnival Cruise Line only offers a handful of cruises to Greenland and Canada.
What is sea ice?
Sea ice is ice formed at sea and not on land like icebergs. It is simply frozen ocean water. The frozen water floats on the surface of the ocean and forms in the winter and melts in the summer and it normally peaks in March.
You can see a current map of sea ice around Greenland here.
Letter to guests
The entire letter that was sent to guests can be read below.
“Dear Carnival Pride Guests,
Captain Vito Giacalone and the entire Carnival Pride team are looking forward to welcoming you aboard for a voyage that will take you to the majestic landscapes of Greenland and Canada.
“Ahead of embarkation Sunday, May 25, we are sharing the steps that are being taken to ensure your comfort and safety throughout the voyage. At present, in areas along our intended route, there is a significant presence of sea ice which could impact the itinerary.
“With support and guidance from our Fleet Operations center, Captain Giacalone has been closely monitoring real time sea conditions and weather forecasts for the region.
“He has much practice sailing the waters in the area, but he will also have experienced local pilots from Greenland on board.
Should any changes be necessary, Captain Giacalone will communicate them promptly. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility as we navigate this remarkable part of the world.”
The cruise will start off with five sea days before visits to Nanortalik and Qaqortoq, Greenland. The ship will then visit three ports in Canada (St. Anthony, Corner Brook, and Sydney) and have an additional three sea days.
Carnival Pride is scheduled to arrive back in Baltimore on June 5, 2025.
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Carnival Splendor became a floating lifeline this week after diverting course to rescue four sailors and three dogs from a disabled catamaran adrift south of New Caledonia.
The Sydney-based cruise ship was midway through an 8-night sailing to Vanuatu and New Caledonia when it received a distress call on 23rd May 2025.
The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Noumea relayed the message, and the ship quickly changed course to assist the stranded vessel.
After a five-hour journey, the 113,600-gross-ton cruise ship reached the catamaran and welcomed the four human passengers – including two Australian bloggers and two friends who had recently joined their voyage – along with their canine companions: two French bulldogs and a miniature husky.
Despite the dogs not fitting the cruise line’s usual pet policy, Carnival made no hesitation in bringing all lives aboard.
“All four people and the three dogs were safely welcomed onto Carnival Splendor and are receiving food, water and medical assistance,” said Carnival Cruise Line Australia in a statement.
The catamaran reportedly suffered engine failure and a broken mast due to bad weather while en route to Fiji, forcing the group to call for emergency help.
Cruise Itinerary Unaffected
Carnival Splendor’s good deed has not disrupted its itinerary. The ship is still expected to call at Mystery Island on Friday, 23 May, and Noumea on Saturday, 24th May, as originally scheduled.
The rescued group will disembark in Noumea, and the ship will return to Sydney on Tuesday, 27th May.
Based year-round in Sydney, Carnival Splendor offers itineraries ranging from short getaways to extended adventures across Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and the South Pacific.
While maritime rescues are part of standard emergency protocol for cruise ships, rescues involving pets are much rarer – but not unprecedented.
In January 2024, Harmony of the Seas rescued six fishermen and their dog off the coast of Mexico.
Later that year, in November 2024, Voyager of the Seas picked up a stranded family and their dog near Marrakesh, Morocco.
And in January 2025, harbour pilots in Tampa Bay rescued two sailors and their dog whose boat capsized in a cruise ship’s wake.
It’s important to note that pets are not allowed on standard Carnival sailings. The only exception is for fully trained service dogs, which are permitted with prior approval and documentation.
When service animals do travel onboard, special potty areas and access to public spaces are provided to ensure the dog’s safety and comfort.
However, rescues at sea are a different matter. Cruise ships will always prioritise the protection of life – human or animal – during emergencies.
And for those who dream of cruising with their four-legged friends, there’s good news on the horizon: Margaritaville at Sea is planning a dog-friendly cruise in partnership with Cruise Tails, offering regulated and pet-focused experiences at sea.
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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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A guest sailing with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has fallen victim to a costly scam that saw nearly $20,000 stolen, after being duped by a caller posing as an NCL air department representative.
Now, an actual NCL employee who heard the guest’s story is sounding the alarm to prevent others from making the same mistake.
The fraudulent call came from a 301 area code, which the guest mistakenly assumed was associated with NCL’s Miami-based operations.
The scammer claimed to be helping arrange flights for a large group travelling together – a service that seemed perfectly in line with cruise line offerings.
According to the NCL guest services representative, who shared the incident on Reddit, the victim split the airfare charge across two credit cards.
Days later, both cards were compromised.
How the Scam Unfolded – Twice
After the guest initially lost money to the scam, the fraudster struck again.
About a month later, the same individual contacted the guest with seemingly good news: the airfare price had dropped, and the difference would be refunded – if the guest could provide new card information.
Tragically, the victim complied, unknowingly handing over her new card details to the same scammer.
“This poor guest is now out close to twenty grand,” the NCL staffer said. “There’s nothing I can do except give her advice and help her contact her bank.”
Because the scam occurred entirely outside official NCL channels, the cruise line is unable to directly reimburse the guest – who must now rely on her bank’s fraud protections.
Warning Signs and Red Flags
NCL’s actual employees never call from a 301 area code (which covers parts of Maryland). Instead, they use the 305 area code (Miami) or occasionally 954 (Broward County, Florida), according to the employee who posted the warning.
UK calls will typically come from a number beginning 0333, which is non-regional, and could still be used by scammers, meaning UK customers should be extra vigilant.
These small but crucial details could help guests quickly identify a scam.
Whether you’re booked on a luxury cruise or a quick island getaway, the rise in sophisticated fraud schemes means you need to stay vigilant.
Here are tips shared by the NCL employee to help keep your identity and finances safe:
Question unexpected calls: If someone claiming to work for the cruise line calls you out of the blue, don’t hesitate to challenge them with basic questions they should know – such as your current balance due or final payment date.
Verify through official channels: If something feels off, hang up and call the cruise line directly using the number listed on their official website or your booking confirmation.
Never give out card details over the phone unless you initiated the call to a verified number.
Monitor your accounts: Regularly check your credit card and bank statements for unfamiliar charges, especially after speaking to anyone about your travel plans.
Use the official app: Many cruise lines, including NCL, provide notifications through their official app once onboard – and never by outside or unverified phone numbers.
As this unfortunate guest discovered, scammers are becoming more savvy and believable, especially when dealing with high-value bookings like group flights or shore excursions.
While this story ended in financial loss, the silver lining is that the warning may help others steer clear of the same trap.
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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.
Carnival Splendor became a floating lifeline this week after diverting course to rescue four sailors and three dogs from a disabled catamaran adrift south of New Caledonia. The Sydney-based cruise…
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Today’s cruise ships aren’t just vessels – they’re floating cities, packed with waterparks, restaurants, theatres and more. But behind the glamour is a mind-blowing construction process that takes years, millions of man-hours, and billions of dollars.
In this post, we’ll take you behind the scenes to reveal exactly how long it takes to build a modern cruise ship, where they’re made, and just how much these mega-ships really cost.
How Long It Really Takes
From the keel-laying – considered to be the first real step in building a cruise ship – it generally takes between 12 and 18 months for a cruise ship to be built, depending on the size of the ship and the complexity.
Usually, cruise ships are announced much earlier, though, and the earlier ceremonies for either first revealing a ship or for the first steel cutting can happen years before the ship fully enters its build stage.
The Icon of the Seas is a great example – the largest ship in the world. She was first announced in 2016, but the keel-laying ceremony only took place in April 2022.
As one of Royal Caribbean’s newest ships, Icon of the Seas was due to be completed by the end of 2023, with sailings commencing in January 2024 and she remained on schedule. So, how long did it take to build Icon of the Seas, the largest ship in the world? Just 18 months, and she was ready to accept passengers within 20 months.
The Stages Of Building A Cruise Ship
It’s generally accepted that there are ten main stages in building a cruise ship. Here’s a look at each one in detail…
1. Order Placed
The very first step in a ship being built is the order being placed, which stands to reason. Cruise lines will normally make an announcement to the media about their new ship order, but there’ll be very few details revealed at this stage.
We’ll typically find out the class of the ship and the planned date of her launch, often three to six years away from the first announcement.
If the class is announced and it’s an existing class, we have some understanding of the size of the ship, but they are rarely identical twins, so it doesn’t guarantee anything.
Sometimes, cruise lines will announce the intended passenger capacity at this stage, too, but often, we don’t know much at all. Icon of the Seas was announced in 2016, but it was only in 2022 that we found out that the Icon Class would be larger than the Oasis Class, for example.
2. Steel-Cutting Ceremony
The second step in the process is the steel-cutting ceremony, and this is where the actual build technically starts. It’s when the first pieces of steel are cut for the ship, normally in a ceremony held with representatives of the cruise line at the senior management level.
By this point, we’ll normally have the announcement of the name of the ship, but not always. And the first bits of steel being cut don’t look like much at all – it’s very much a ceremony for show, to help build up the awareness of the impending ship launch.
The steel that’s cut will eventually be used in the ship, but only once the manufacturing process really gets underway.
3. Keel-Laying Ceremony
By the time we get to the keel-laying ceremony, we can say that the actual manufacturing process of the ship has truly begun.
The keel is the lowest part of the ship, and during this ceremony, it is laid into place in the dry dock where the ship is going to be put together using massive cranes.
Essentially, it’s putting the base layer down for the ship so that the rest of the ship can be built on top of it. There’s a lot of ceremony involved here, including the coin laying ceremony, where gold coins are either laid into the keel block to be collected later for welding somewhere around the ship, or they are welded in place now to the keel.
This ceremony will be carried out by the first Godmother of the ship, but they likely won’t be the same Godmother who christens the ship later. Often it’s someone from the shipyard, or from the cruise line, or one person from each.
With the keel laid, the ship will now be assembled in large blocks. All of the extra bits, like propellers and even the waterslides, will be added.
4. Float Out
By the time we get to the float out, the ship has literally started to take shape – it resembles a cruise ship from the outside, and many of the internal structures have been added, including the cabins, which are built elsewhere.
The float out is the point where the ship enters the water. The Godmother (likely the same one from the coin-laying ceremony) will smash a bottle of Champagne against the bow, and the dry dock will be flooded.
The ship will then be floated out of the yard to a new location where building work continues, freeing up the dry dock for the next ship. It’s at this stage that the rest of the ship is fitted out with the various furnishings and features.
5. Sea Trials
Once the framework of the ship is in place and it is ready, it will undergo sea trials. Various crew will join shipyard officials, insurance company reps and other safety inspectors while the ship makes its first trips out onto the ocean.
The ship won’t be finished yet – there’s still a fair amount of work to be done – but this is the chance for the safety of the ship to be checked, and for the crew to get used to how this brand new ship handles.
No two ships are the same, so this is important – and various manoeuvres will be carried out so that the crew understands how quick she is and how easy she is to turn.
With the sea trials complete, the ship returns to the shipyard for the last parts of the build and furnishing.
6. Handover Ceremony
The handover ceremony is where the ship is presented to the cruise line and signed over from the shipyard. Again, there’ll normally be a fair amount of pomp around this, but the ship is still far from finished, despite how she may look.
From the outside, she will look complete, but things like soft furnishings and, more importantly, supplies won’t be on board. So at this stage, the crew will likely join the ship for the first time, and the ship will brace itself for its first actual sailing.
7. Shakedown Voyage
The very first sailing of a ship is the shakedown voyage. This is basically taking the ship for a run-out to see how she works and to get the crew acclimated to her. A lot of the training will take place on this sailing.
The cruise line might use this as the first opportunity to get travel agents and members of the media on board to promote the ship, as well as offer places to key people who were involved in the build, such as architects, engineers, and interior designers.
8. Inaugural Voyage
The inaugural voyage is not an ever-present step, and it’s sometimes combined with the shakedown voyage. This is considered to be the first sailing with passengers, but not paying guests. This will be the main one to host travel agents, media and sometimes even celebrity guests too. I was lucky enough to be invited to the Inaugural sailing of Disney Wish.
The point of this sailing is to generate a bit of publicity and to help sell the ship. Travel agents often get invited so that they can do a better job of talking about the ship to potential passengers in future.
Between the shakedown voyage and the inaugural voyage, the ship will be sailed to the port where her christening ceremony will take place.
9. Christening Ceremony
This is probably the most famous of the various ceremonies involved in the building of a ship. The christening ceremony will take place either at the home port of the ship, or at a convenient port elsewhere – it’s not uncommon for the christening of US-based ships to happen in Southampton.
Here, the Godmother (this time the ‘well-known’ one) will formally christen the ship by smashing a bottle of Champagne against the bow – though it’s all done using wires and buttons these days. You want to make sure the bottle breaks; otherwise, it’s bad luck!
There may be other special guests too, and the whole ceremony will be one big welcoming party for the ship. There’ll be a lot of media present, especially for bigger ships.
10. Maiden Voyage
The last stage is the maiden voyage – either the first sailing of a regular itinerary or often a transatlantic cruise where the ship will travel from Southampton or another European port to its home base in the US.
The key difference with this sailing is that it will be the first to accept paying customers, so everything has to be perfect in theory, although there will no doubt be a couple of minor teething problems, which hopefully won’t even be noticed by guests.
How Many Man-Hours It Takes To Build A Cruise Ship
It takes many man-hours to build a cruise ship, but there is no typical average because it depends on the size and complexity of the ship involved. Expect it to take somewhere between 500,000 and 2.5 million man-hours, depending on the ship.
The actual number of man-hours involved is never revealed, neither by the cruise lines nor the shipyards. But it would be reasonable to expect that typically 1,000 to 2,000 crew would be working on building a ship at any one time, although sometimes that may be much fewer once parts have been assembled.
So, take an average of 750 workers across an 18-month period – if they worked 8-hour shifts for 300 days in total, that would be 1.8 million man-hours.
These figures are a little speculative, but they’ll be in the right ballpark.
Where Cruise Ships Are Built
Cruise ships are built at dedicated shipyards – massive factories equipped with all the necessary tools and space for a ship to be built, including dry docks, cranes for lifting sections of the ships into place, and welding equipment. There are four main cruise shipyards in the world.
Not all parts of a cruise ship are built at a shipyard, though. Some elements, such as the cabins, may be built on a production line elsewhere and transported to the shipyard to be put into place. The shipyard is where the main sections of the ship are put together, rather than where each individual element is manufactured.
The four shipyards in the world capable of building cruise ships are:
Meyer Werft – based in Germany and builders of ships such as P&O Cruises’ Iona, Disney Wish, and Odyssey of the Seas
Meyer Turku – owned by Meyer Werft and based in Turkey, building the Icon of the Seas
Chantiers de l’Antique – a French shipyard and builders of Wonder of the Seas, Celebrity Beyond and MSC Virtuosa
Fincantieri – based in Italy and the builders of MSC Seaview, Carnival Horizon and Seven Seas Explorer among others
The Cost Of Building A Cruise Ship
The cost to build a cruise ship varies depending on the size and complexity, but the average for modern ships is around $500 million or £380 million. The most expensive ships in the world were the first Oasis-class ships for Royal Caribbean, which cost around $1.3 billion.
Later Oasis-class ships cost slightly less than this, due to the changing costs involved in the manufacturing process and the fact that some of the design stages were no longer needed – many features had already been tried and tested on other ships by that point.
Shipbuilding is a massive industry both in terms of the number of hours involved and the finances, but the fact that ships are constantly being ordered shows that the demand for these ships definitely exists.
As you’d expect, building a cruise ship is not something that happens even close to overnight. Before the first steps are really taken with the actual building process, there are months and sometimes years of planning involved.
Most of us don’t need to worry about it, though – we just get all the benefits of the finished ship at the end. And you can generally book a new cruise ship around 12 to 18 months before it sets sail, so you aren’t left desperate in anticipation for too long.
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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.
When the Titanic set sail in 1912, she was hailed as the largest and most luxurious ship in the world. Over a century later, she’s still one of the most iconic vessels ever built.
But in the age of floating theme parks and sky-high cruise decks, Titanic’s size tells a very different story. You might be surprised just how small she looks next to the mega-ships sailing today.
In this article, we discover the staggering differences that highlight just how far cruise ships have evolved.
The Titanic’s Cruise Ship Status
The Titanic was not considered a cruise ship. She was a passenger liner and also a Royal Mail ship. Rather than being designed for a pleasure cruise, she was carrying passengers and mail on a one-way trip to New York from the UK.
A cruise liner is a ship that is designed for one-way travel. We don’t tend to have them in modern times as people prefer to use planes since they’re so much faster. But in 1912, when commercial flights weren’t a thing (the first aircraft was only successfully trialled 9 years earlier), passenger ships were the default option for long-distance travel.
That doesn’t mean they weren’t comfortable. The Titanic had multiple restaurants, in the same way that a cruise ship today does, and served high-quality food. There were a number of leisure activities available to guests, too, including tennis, shuffleboard, quoits, and a card room. There was also a gym and even a swimming pool.
So, while the Titanic was not a cruise ship, it did have many of the features that have since become standard on modern cruise ships.
Compare The Titanic To Today’s Cruise Ships
Modern cruise ships tend to be much larger than the Titanic on average, not so much in length, but in width and height. The Titanic was considered more luxurious than many (but not all) modern cruise ships, but of course, it was a lot less safe too.
There are so many ways you can compare the Titanic with modern ships – there’s no single Titanic size comparison measurement.
You can look at how many dining venues they have, with modern ships having a lot more choice (although the Titanic wasn’t just a single-restaurant ship).
Or the style of cruising – the Titanic was very much a formal ship, particularly in first class, while many of today’s modern ships have abandoned a lot of the formality in favour of a more family-friendly approach.
For the purpose of this guide, with Titanic compared to modern ships, let’s focus more on the difference in size, since that really tells you the most about the ships of today and the space they offer passengers.
Titanic Vs Modern Cruise Ship Size
The Titanic was about as long as the average modern cruise ship – she was 882 feet long. There are a wide variety of small and super-sized ships sailing the ocean now, averaging at 830 feet. But in terms of height and width, the Titanic was smaller than average modern ships.
While in 1912, the race was often to build bigger and bigger ships, that approach is slightly different today. While we are seeing new ships launching every few years that break the record in terms of size, we’re also seeing many cruise lines launching smaller ships.
These smaller ships are sometimes aimed at offering a more luxurious experience to guests, ensuring a higher staff-to-guest ratio. Or they’re built to explore areas of the world few passengers have been able to, including the polar regions.
I’ve taken a look at around 300 of the world’s most popular cruise ships to get some average figures in terms of the modern ship size, so we can compare them against the Titanic. I’ll pick out a couple of key ships in the stats too, so you can see just how the Titanic ranks when put against modern ships.
Gross tonnage is one of the best ways to compare ships. The Titanic’s gross tonnage was 46,328, while the average ship in today’s world would have a gross tonnage of around 77,000. So the Titanic was around 40% smaller than your average cruise ship today.
Gross tonnage has nothing to do with the weight of the ship, despite the word “ton” being in the term. That can confuse a lot of people. It’s instead got to do with the internal volume of the ship.
One gross ton is the same as 100 cubic feet. The higher the gross tonnage, the bigger the ship is overall, as it has more internal space.
So this is the best way to compare the Titanic to modern ships since it takes into consideration all of the measurements and explains just how much more spacious today’s ships would be.
While the Titanic may be slightly longer than the average cruise ship today, she has a much smaller gross tonnage, because she wasn’t as wide nor was she as tall. She may have had a similar number of decks, but each deck would have felt more spacious.
It’s worth pointing out that when you look at one of the smallest cruise ships you can book right now – Celebrity Xploration – she has a gross tonnage of just 319.5 – less than 10% that of the Titanic. So really, the Titanic size comparison depends on the type of modern ship you compare her to.
And if you look at one of the smaller luxury ships that aren’t a specialist exploration ship, such as Silversea’s Silver Shadow – she has a gross tonnage of just 28,258, only around 60% of the size of the Titanic.
We’ll compare Titanic to the largest ships just below, but the key point to make is that Titanic wouldn’t be completely dwarfed in today’s cruising world, although from a gross tonnage perspective, she would be well below average.
Length
One of the easiest ways to visually compare a cruise ship is by looking at its length. The Titanic was 882 feet long, and when you take all modern cruise ships into account, including dedicated exploration ships, the average is around 830 feet. So, the Titanic was actually longer.
Some context is important here, though – that average, as I’ve stated, includes the many small exploration ships that are purpose-built to be smaller so that they can either get around the polar ice caps or into ports that aren’t designed for larger ships.
If you were to take only the top 150 cruise ships in the world in terms of length, every single one of them would be longer than the Titanic. But we’ll get to the comparisons against the larger ships shortly.
The Titanic is significantly longer than the smallest ships currently sailing. Going back to the Celebrity Xploration, which is only 98.3 feet long, the Titanic is almost 10 times the length.
But the Silver Shadow, one of the smaller luxury ships, isn’t quite as dramatic a difference. She’s 610 feet long, which puts her at around two-thirds of the length of the Titanic. That might still sound significant, but we’re talking about one of the very smallest ships of 300 that currently sail.
The average of modern cruise ships is definitely weighted lower by these speciality exploration and luxury ships, but remember that there are many ships that are longer than the Titanic was, too.
Width (Beam)
The Titanic may have been slightly longer than the average cruise ship, but in terms of width, she was slightly narrower. She measured 92.5 feet across, while the average cruise ship in the modern world is 110 feet across.
But again, there is context to consider, as this also includes the smallest ships in the world, of which there are many. And these smaller ships are often designed for very small passenger numbers, meaning they aren’t particularly wide at all.
If you once again restrict the stats to only the top 150 cruise ships in the world, the average width is even larger at 128 feet. That’s over 35 feet wider than the Titanic was, around 33%.
But let’s again see how she compares to the narrowest cruise ship, which again is Celebrity Xploration (although Le Ponant, a luxury yacht-style cruise ship, is the same width). These two ships are just 36 feet wide, so around 40% of the width of the Titanic, which was built around a century earlier.
And if we look at the Silver Shadow, she is 79 feet wide, around 85% of the width of the Titanic.
As I’ve covered, a lot of modern cruise ships aren’t built to be the biggest but instead target a particular market. And sometimes, they’re built to certain dimensions to be able to sail to a specific destination.
And one of those is the canals of the world, including the Panama Canal – one of the most popular since it allows cruise ships to easily travel between the American coastlines.
The newest locks in the Panama Canal have a set of restrictions that ships cannot exceed if they want to be able to sail through. These ships are classified as New Panamax.
And it’s interesting to note that, with the dimension restrictions set at 168 feet wide and 1,201 feet long, the Titanic would have been able to sail these locks quite easily. She could also navigate the Suez Canal.
Decks
The Titanic had 9 decks that passengers could access. While modern cruise ships can have between 3 and 18 decks, the average cruise ship will have a similar number to the Titanic, usually between 9 and 11.
The largest ships in the world often have more – of the 20 decks on the Icon of the Seas, 18 are passenger decks. And some MSC Cruises and P&O Cruises ships have decks numbered as high as 20, although not all of these are open to guests.
Of course, it’s worth remembering that the Titanic had a class system in place, and some of the areas of the ship would be out of bounds to third- and second-class passengers. And conversely, first-class passengers would have avoided the areas where third-class passengers tended to mingle.
Modern cruise ships don’t have anything like those restrictions. There will be some facilities that are exclusive to certain suite guests – things like the Haven on NCL, MSC Cruises’ Yacht Club or the Family Lounge on Carnival – but the majority of the ship’s decks are open to all guests at almost all times.
Passenger Capacity
The Titanic, at maximum capacity, would have been able to hold 2,435 passengers and 892 crew, for a total combined capacity of 3,327 people. If you take the average cruise ship today, including all the small ships that often have fewer than 100 passengers, then the average is almost identical – around 2,450 guests and 750 crew.
Again, if we take that average to just being of the top 150 cruise ships in the world, it jumps up significantly to around 3,500 passengers and a crew of around 1,400, for a total capacity closer to 5,000.
Of course, there are some ships much larger than this, again, but there are a lot of ships that have a passenger capacity between 3,000 and 3,500, so the super-ships don’t skew these averages too much.
Here’s a quick comparison of the Titanic against the average cruise ship:
Titanic
Average Cruise Ship
Gross Tonnage
46,328 GT
77,000 GT
Length
882 feet
830 feet
Width
92.5 feet
128 feet
Guest Decks
9
10
Guests
2,435
2,450
Crew
892
750
And here’s the same table comparing the Titanic to an average of just the largest 150 cruise ships in the world:
Titanic
Average Large Cruise Ship
Gross Tonnage
46,328 GT
119,000 GT
Length
882 feet
1,000 feet
Width
92.5 feet
110 feet
Guest Decks
9
11-13
Guests
2,435
3,500
Crew
892
1,400
Cruise Ships That Are A Similar Size To Titanic
Here’s a list of just some of the cruise ships that are very similar to the Titanic.
In Gross Tonnage:
Seven Seas Mariner, a luxury ship for Regent Seven Seas with a GT of 48,075
Empress, an ex-Royal Caribbean ship sailing for Indian line Cordelia Cruises, with a GT of 48,563
Majesty of the Seas, a former Royal Caribbean ship now sailing for Seajets and measuring 880 feet
And in terms of passenger capacity:
Norwegian Pearl, an NCL ship with a capacity of 2,394 passengers
Queen Elizabeth, a ship sailing for Cunard with a maximum capacity of 2,547 passengers
Most of the ships to have launched more recently are a little bigger than the Titanic, so there aren’t a lot still sailing that closely match her for size. Ships are either being built for more capacity and features or specifically for a luxury cruise market, where they tend to be smaller and have fewer than 1,500 passengers.
Largest Cruise Ship Vs Titanic
The current largest ship in the world is the Icon of the Seas, which Royal Caribbean took ownership of in December 2023 ahead of her first passenger cruises in early 2024.
And while it is interesting to compare the Titanic to average cruise ship sizes, it’s worth remembering that when she was launched in 1911, she was the largest ship in the world at that time.
And so it definitely makes for an interesting comparison when you look at the Titanic against the current largest cruise ship in the world.
The Biggest Cruise Ship Compared To The Titanic
The biggest cruise ship in the world, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, is approximately five times the size of the Titanic. While the Titanic is similar in size to some of the smaller cruise ships still being built, she is significantly smaller than today’s largest ships.
Titanic
Icon of the Seas
Gross Tonnage
46,328 GT
250,800 GT
Length
882 feet
1,198 feet
Width
92.5 feet
210 feet+
Guest Decks
9
18
Guests
2,435
7,600
Crew
892
2,350
The best way to compare the two ships is in gross tonnage, as this tells you the overall volume of the ships. And with the Titanic’s 46,328 GT against Icon of the Seas’ 250,800, that’s where we can see just how stark the difference is.
In terms of length, Icon of the Seas is not that much bigger – around 300 feet longer, so around 33% bigger compared to the Titanic. If you were to put the Titanic next to a cruise ship like the Icon of the Seas, though, she would still look tiny despite not being drastically shorter, so how does Icon of the Seas end up being 500% of the Titanic’s total size?
The answer comes when you look at the width and the number of decks.
Icon of the Seas is over twice the width of the Titanic, and while we don’t have the exact width yet, we know it’ll be over 210 feet compared to just 92.5 feet. That’s a mammoth difference. It’s also where the Icon of the Seas exceeds many of the other ships being built today, which will often average as little as half that again.
And with 18 passenger decks, she is 100% times bigger again. This gives guests a lot more space to roam and explore and allows for a wealth of extra features. Icon of the Seas has seven swimming pools to Titanic’s one, for example.
In terms of passenger capacity, Icon of the Seas can carry over three times the number, and it has almost 2.5 times the number of crew working the ship.
Interestingly, the Titanic had a better crew-to-passenger ratio. On the Titanic, there was 1 crew member for every 2.7 passengers, while on Icon of the Seas, that ratio becomes 1 crew to every 3.2 passengers.
But also worth noting is the extra space guests can enjoy. The Titanic had 19 gross tons for every passenger, while Icon of the Seas has 34 gross tons per passenger, so almost twice as much space per passenger.
Want to learn more about how the Icon of the Seas compares to the Titanic, including the available activities, the dining options, and how much it cost to buy a ticket? Read more on the Icon of the Seas vs the Titanic.
To Conclude
It would be natural to assume that modern cruise ships would all be larger than the Titanic, since they’re all around a century newer.
But the Titanic isn’t completely dwarfed by all modern ships, with the concept of small ship cruising becoming extremely popular.
But place the Titanic next to the very largest ships in the world that are sailing today and you will absolutely see just how different they are. Modern cruise ships feel like vast cities compared to the passenger liner that was intended to ferry people, in relative comfort, across the Atlantic.
Have you enjoyed this comparison, and want to learn more about the Titanic? Read more about Titanic ticket prices here.
Plus, if you want to learn more about the cost of cruising on a modern ship, so you can compare those Titanic prices with the latest itineraries, I have a guide on cruise costs here.
And while the Titanic famously sank on her maiden voyage, do cruise ships sink with any regularity these days? Read my article on how many cruise ships have sunk.
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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.
A celebratory cruise turned into a devastating ordeal for 22-year-old Hannah Smith, who is now fighting for her life after a horrific ferry accident near Nassau, Bahamas.
Image credit: Rachel Smith/GoFundMe
Smith, a recent graduate from Miles College in Alabama, had set sail aboard Carnival Sunrise in May 2025 to mark her academic success – but the trip ended in tragedy.
Smith and her long-time friend Brooklyn Pitre had spent the day enjoying Pearl Island, a popular private destination just off the coast of Nassau.
As they were returning to the cruise port aboard a ferry with other passengers, Hannah somehow fell overboard – and into the vessel’s propellers.
“She just made the face like somebody fell… like, I’m in the water. But she didn’t look distraught. And then she disappeared,” Pitre recalled in an interview with WREG.
What followed was a desperate effort by Pitre and another woman onboard to pull her friend from the water – only to find it filled with blood from severe lower body injuries.
Tragic Circumstances and Swift Response
According to the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the young woman sustained critical injuries after coming into contact with the ferry’s propellers while it was docking.
The captain reportedly placed the engines into neutral immediately, but the damage had already been done.
“The victim is alleged to have entered the water from a vessel she was a passenger on while it was attempting to dock,” police said in a statement. “She sustained serious injuries to her lower body, caused by the vessel’s propeller.”
Smith was rushed to hospital in Nassau, where she underwent two emergency surgeries. On 14th May, she was airlifted back to the United States for further treatment.
According to her family, she has now undergone at least six surgeries and remains in critical condition, facing what will likely be a long and difficult recovery.
While early police reports raised questions about whether Smith may have jumped and whether alcohol played a role, her family insists otherwise.
“Hannah was not intoxicated. She fell from the boat. It’s hurtful to say she jumped because she did not,” her mother, Tracy Smith, said in a public statement. “Were they drunk? No. Did she jump? No. Are we completely aware of what happened? No.”
Her father, Marvin Smith, also said medical staff in Nassau found Hannah to be “coherent” and “not inebriated” when she arrived at the hospital, further casting doubt on speculation surrounding the incident.
A GoFundMe page has been launched to support Hannah’s medical care, with a fundraising goal of $250,000. The family has expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support as they remain focused on her recovery.
As for the accident itself, the Royal Bahamas Police Force is continuing its investigation to determine how the fall occurred and whether any safety protocols were breached. It remains unclear whether any legal action will follow.
Carnival Sunrise, a Sunshine-class ship with capacity for over 2,900 guests, has not issued a public statement about the incident at this time.
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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.
A simple miscommunication turned into a frustrating – and expensive – surprise for one couple on a Holland America Line cruise, after they were charged $800 for a whale watching…
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A simple miscommunication turned into a frustrating – and expensive – surprise for one couple on a Holland America Line cruise, after they were charged $800 for a whale watching shore excursion they never agreed to pay for.
The incident occurred during a January 2025 sailing to Baja California, Mexico.
Gabriele, one of the affected guests, told The New York Times that she and her partner were initially placed on the waitlist for the popular $400-per-person activity, with the understanding they’d be notified by email and given 72 hours to confirm their spot if space became available.
But with no communication received before the cruise, the couple assumed they hadn’t made the cut – and instead booked a similar tour through a private vendor.
That assumption came to a screeching halt shortly after the cruise began, when the couple discovered a note on their cabin door informing them that they had been added to the excursion.
The problem? Their card had already been charged – and it was too late to cancel their private booking.
To make matters worse, the shore excursion desk was closed at the time, and by the next morning, staff told them they had missed a 48-hour cancellation window – despite never confirming their participation in the first place.
“We had never agreed to the purchase,” Gabriele explained. “Appealing to the manager did not help, nor did a 53-minute call to guest relations after the cruise.”
Refund Denied – Until The Media Stepped In
Initially, Holland America Line declined to reverse the charge. But after The New York Times reached out to the cruise line on the couple’s behalf, the situation was reviewed again – and resolved in the guests’ favour.
“This was our error, and we apologise for the mistake,” said spokesperson Jeanine Takala, confirming the couple had been issued a full refund.
Takala explained that once onboard, communication regarding waitlisted excursions is handled through the Navigator App and paper letters in cabins – not via email.
However, only Gabriele’s partner had downloaded the app, and it appears they either missed the notification or misunderstood it.
In response to the confusion, Holland America Line announced an important update to its excursion waitlist policy as of 17th May 2025.
Guests who are waitlisted for shore excursions will now receive onboard notifications when space becomes available and will have only 24 hours (or less, depending on the timing of the tour) to accept or decline the offer.
If they don’t respond, the spot will go to the next person on the waitlist – and no charge will be applied unless the guest explicitly accepts.
This ensures that guests are not unknowingly charged and also gives others on the waitlist a fair chance to participate.
Although the couple’s experience ended with a refund, their story serves as a reminder for all cruise guests: download and use the ship’s app, check cabin notices daily, and always double-check the terms of waitlist policies once onboard.
While Holland America Line corrected the situation in this case and improved its process, it’s a good idea for passengers across all cruise lines to stay alert to avoid similar costly surprises.
NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!
Don’t miss the latest Holland America Line offers…
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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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Planning a cruise from Fort Lauderdale? Whether you’re flying in early or need a relaxing stop before heading home, these hotels are perfectly located near the airport and cruise terminal – so you can skip the stress and start your holiday in style.
I’ve handpicked the best options within 2 miles of Port Everglades, so you won’t waste time (or money) on long transfers or expensive taxis.
Map Of Hotels Near Fort Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Terminal
First, let’s take a look at the map to see where Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is compared with Port Everglades Cruise Terminal.
As you can see, the distance is just three miles and so the journey from Fort Lauderdale airport to the cruise port will take just 5 to 10 minutes in a taxi or shuttle bus.
So, if you’re staying overnight between your flight and cruise, it makes sense to choose a hotel that’s in the immediate vicinity. Many of the local hotels have pools, restaurants and free WiFi so that you can relax on the evening before and the morning of your cruise. Plus, it gives you a handy place to store your luggage while you go sightseeing.
The Best Hotels Near Fort Lauderdale Airport For Cruise Passengers
Now, let’s take a look at which is the best option for a hotel near Fort Lauderdale cruise port. I obviously haven’t stayed in all of these hotels myself, so instead, I’ve studied the online reviews, prices and what’s included in your stay.
Price: $$$
Perks:
Free WiFi
Multiple restaurants
Luggage storage
The Lago Mar Beach Resort is an impressive beach-front hotel situated just on the other side of the Stranahan River, which leads into Port Everglades, so you’re only a very short distance from the port – around a 9-minute drive in a taxi.
The major downside to the hotel is the lack of a shuttle service to the airport or cruise terminal, but it’s easy enough to make your own way.
It’s a stunning 4* resort that has some fantastic family facilities, so whether you’re staying for just one night or you’re looking to extend your holiday, you’ll love your time here. There are multiple restaurants to choose from, and some excellent sports facilities. You can even book a pre-cruise massage if you’re feeling fancy.
And you’ll get a great view of the cruise ships coming into port, which is a fantastic way to get excited about your voyage.
Price: $$$
Perks:
Free WiFi
Airport shuttle service
Within walking distance of some terminals
The Hyatt Place hotel is one of the best-situated hotels for the cruise port – you’re less than a mile from the Royal Caribbean and Princess terminals, so you can walk straight there from the hotel on the morning of your cruise.
It’s only two miles from the airport as well, with a free shuttle service running in both directions.
The hotel itself is pleasant and modern, with free WiFi access in guest rooms along with a large flat-screen TV. There’s a cafe on site serving snacks and Starbucks coffee, as well as 24-hour meals, while there’s an outdoor pool if you’ve got some time to kill with the kids.
Price: $$$
Perks:
Free WiFi
Airport shuttle service
Within walking distance of some terminals
Luggage storage
The Crowne Plaza is a chain hotel brand that you can trust for quality, and this particular hotel also benefits from a fantastic location, right in the middle of the airport and cruise terminal. There’s a free airport shuttle service, and you could either walk the mile to the cruise terminal or just hop in a cab since the cost will be low.
Rooms are clean and modern, with free WiFi. The hotel has a restaurant serving TexMex and international dishes, and there’s a cocktail bar, too if you want to get into the cruise mood a little early.
Price: $$$
Perks:
Luggage storage
Within walking distance of some terminals
The Renaissance is a really attractive and stylish hotel that’s very close to the cruise terminals, offering a relaxing place to unwind the day before or after your sailing.
It does have some downsides – there are no shuttle services to or from the airport, and WiFi isn’t available at the hotel either. Wired internet is available in the reception area, but it costs $10 per day to use it.
But if that’s not important, then you’ll enjoy a beautiful and quiet hotel with a swimming pool, and there’s luggage storage, too, if you have a bit of time after you check out to explore the area.
Price: $$
This boutique hotel is a smaller, family-run location with a beautiful sun terrace where you can unwind. It’s a little further out from the cruise terminal – you’re going to need a taxi to get there and back – but the journey is still fast; you can have a lazier morning while you get ready to board.
Being smaller, there aren’t a lot of facilities at the hotel, but you can at least enjoy free WiFi throughout, and there are family rooms available. There’s also an ATM, which could be useful for stocking up on some currency that you can dish out as tips on your cruise.
Price: $$$
Perks:
Free WiFi
Airport shuttle service
Luggage storage
The Four Points is a mid- to premium-range hotel with good facilities, including a large fitness centre and the 1800 Bistro & Bar, which offers American dishes for breakfast and dinner. There’s free WiFi and a heated swimming pool and sun terrace if you have time to relax a little.
In terms of location, it’s really close to the airport – just 8 minutes away – with a free shuttle running back and forth. It’s just outside a comfortable walking distance to the cruise terminal if you have a lot of luggage – about 1.5 miles – but you won’t need an expensive cab to get you there either.
Price: $$$
Perks:
Within walking distance of some terminals
Luggage storage
The Embassy Suites by Hilton is a luxurious hotel situated in an incredible location, with some cruise terminals just a 10-minute walk away. It’s the ideal place if you want the quickest journey to the port in the morning, without sacrificing hotel quality.
However, while the rooms are spacious and immaculate, and the swimming pool is idyllic, there are some downsides. WiFi access is charged at this hotel, as is the service for the airport shuttle. For a pricey hotel, it’s a shame you also have to pay for these extras, while other cheaper hotels include them free.
Price: $$$
Perks:
Free WiFi
Airport shuttle service
Within walking distance of some terminals
Luggage storage
Holiday Inn Express is traditionally a budget hotel chain – a step up from motels, but offering simple, clean accommodation with few frills or extra benefits. This one breaks the mould a little, because it has some nice perks, including free airport shuttles and free WiFi, and it has a great location within a few minutes walk of the cruise terminal.
But it’s also not cheap – in fact, it’s more expensive than some of the traditionally premium chain hotels situated close by. But if you’re travelling from the UK or Ireland, you’ll really appreciate the traditional breakfasts served – a great way to start embarkation day.
Price: $$$$
Perks:
Free WiFi
Concierge service
Multiple restaurants
If you want a magnificent hotel as a way of starting your cruise in style, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better choice than the Marriott. Expect excellent service and quality from the moment you step into reception until the second you check out. And also expect to pay for that service – prices at the Marriott are significantly higher than other hotels in the area.
You’re also a little further away from the cruise port, without any shuttle services running to the terminal or to the airport, which at this price level is a little disappointing. But if you’re determined to splash out on the best vacation possible, then the Marriott is the ideal luxury choice for your pre-cruise stay.
Price: $$$$
Perks:
Within walking distance of some terminals
Luggage storage
The Hilton at the Fort Lauderdale Marina has everything you would expect from a classic Hilton hotel – premium guest rooms furnished with high-quality linens, a modern and upmarket restaurant serving continental breakfasts and a varied dinner menu, and excellent service from every member of staff.
Unfortunately, it shares the same problems as it does with its Embassy Suites – WiFi is not free (and costs quite a bit, at $10 per day), and there are no complimentary shuttles. You are only a short walk from the cruise terminals, at least.
Price: $
While this list is looking at the best hotels, it’s important to remember that you may not want the very best hotel if you’re just looking for a place to rest your head the night before you cruise, instead of flying in on embarkation day in a rush. The Budget Inn, as the name suggests, is a no-frills choice that’s a short taxi ride from the airport and cruise terminal.
Rooms are clean and perfectly comfortable, with a modern style. And there’s free WiFi, which not even some of the most luxury hotel chains nearby can offer to guests. For a cheap stay, this is a great choice.
Price: $
Perks:
Free WiFi
Within walking distance of some terminals
Don’t let the name fool you – this hotel doesn’t just offer extended stays, and you can book it for a single night before your cruise sails, or once you’ve disembarked from the ship.
It’s another budget option that is very similar in style to the Budget Inn, but in a much better location – you’re just a few minutes’ walk from some of the cruise terminals, including Princess and Royal Caribbean. It’s slightly more expensive per night, but still cheap enough to be considered a budget option.
Price: $$
The Haven Hotel is another budget-friendly hotel option that’s closer to the airport than the cruise terminal, but still just within a short distance of the port if you’re getting a cab ride. The rooms are light and modern, if a little basic, but you do get free WiFi access.
While the hotel facilities are basic, there are plenty of restaurants in close walking distance, so it’s a good base for a pre-cruise stay if you can’t get booked into the cheaper Extended Stay America Suites hotel.
Price: $
The Vacation Inn Motel is very close to the Haven Hotel, meaning it’s another good choice if you want to be close to the airport and only a short Uber or cab ride from the port terminal.
This is cheaper than the Haven Hotel, but that’s reflected in the quality. Rooms are definitely comfortable, but the decor is a little retro – it’s very much the motel vibe.
Still, free WiFi access is convenient, especially at these prices, and you’re close to restaurants. If you’re just looking for a basic room to take away the rush of embarkation day, then there’s nothing wrong with a cheap night in this friendly motel.
Recommendation
While there are some excellent hotels on this list to suit a range of budgets, my recommendation would be the Lago Mar Beach Resort, especially if you’re cruising with the family. It’s not the most expensive, but as a resort, it’s packed with things to see and do, which is great if you have a few hours to kill and don’t want to wander too far.
The service is great, the food gets really good reviews too, and you have a view of the ships coming into port, which is fun for the whole family – nothing’s more exciting than seeing your ship arrive, if you’re awake early enough anyway!
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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.
Docking in Cozumel? Don’t settle for tourist traps when some of Mexico’s best fajitas and margaritas are just a short stroll away.
From sizzling beachfront grills to hidden gems in town, I’ve rounded up the top spots near all three cruise ports – so you can eat like a local without straying far from the ship.
Punta Langosta
If you’re sailing with NCL, MSC, or Holland America, you’ll likely dock at Punta Langosta, the cruise pier that is actually much closer to the downtown area. But the other two Cozumel cruise terminal options are around 3 miles south.
International Cruise Terminal
The International Cruise Terminal or International Pier Cozumel hosts Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and some MSC ships.
Punta Maya
The Punta Maya pier is just a couple of hundred yards further south from the International Cruise Terminal and is used by ships owned by the Carnival Corporation.
Here are 19 of the best restaurants that you can easily reach within a short walk of all three piers.
Best Restaurants Near The International Cruise Terminal
1. IX Kool
Photo Courtesy of IX Kool Facebook
Distancefrom International Cruise Terminal/Punta Maya: 2 min walk
Distance from the Punta Langosta pier: 50 min walk
Cuisine: Mayan
Price: $$$
IX Kool is without a doubt the most popular restaurant within walking distance of the Cozumel cruise port, with a fantastic reputation for both its cuisine and its service.
Offering a mix of dishes from across Central America, you’ll enjoy some incredible dishes with a wide selection of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. And throughout, you’ll learn everything you need to know about the dishes served thanks to the large video screens.
The wait staff are personable and hard-working, making you feel like a special guest and ensuring you have an amazing experience every time. Definitely try to get a table here if you have the chance.
Tip – some Carnival cruises offer a cooking course excursion here – book it if you can!
Distancefrom International Cruise Terminal/Punta Maya: 5 min walk
Distance from the Punta Langosta pier: 55 min walk
Cuisine: Mexican & Caribbean
Price: $$
A friendly and lively restaurant with tables overlooking the ocean, this is a fun place to visit and sample some classic Mexican dishes as well as other options inspired by the Caribbean.
But just as much as the food, the wait staff at Three Amigos have an amazing reputation for making your meal an experience. They’re engaging, light-hearted and extremely welcoming, with most reviews mentioning the servers by name and how good they were.
Tip – everybody raves about the nachos here, so if you’re a nacho fan then make sure to sample them.
Distancefrom International Cruise Terminal/Punta Maya: 2 min walk
Distance from the Punta Langosta pier: 55 min walk
Cuisine: Mexican and International
Price: $$$
Senor Frog’s is a chain that offers a fun and lively time. If you want fine dining, then avoid – this is all about great food and great company, ideal for the whole family.
Alongside Mexican dishes, there are plenty of international options for the fussy eaters in your group, including a popular but messy Mac & Cheese burger. Don’t be surprised if your waiter brings you various tequila shots to try as well…
Tip – if you’re planning a trip to Senor Frog’s, there’s a larger and more popular venue in the town centre but that’s an hour away – make sure you put the Costa Sur one into your phone for directions.
Photo Courtesy of Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Facebook
Distancefrom International Cruise Terminal/Punta Maya: 4 min walk
Distance from the Punta Langosta pier: 53 min walk
Cuisine: Caribbean
Price: $$
Another chain that you may have heard of or visited elsewhere, there really isn’t a party like a Jimmy Buffett’s party. With a range of meals and light snacks available along with plenty of tasty margaritas, tequila shots and other drinks, there’s a lot to love here.
The menu has a wider Caribbean influence, so expect spicy fajitas, seafood dishes and lighter sandwiches, as well as various nachos and chips (crisps) options as sides.
Tip – while this is a fun-packed venue, it’s not always the best for families. People enjoy a drink here, and it can get a little rowdy.
Photo Courtesy of Paprika Mexican & Caribbean Cuisine Facebook
Distancefrom International Cruise Terminal/Punta Maya: 8 min walk
Distance from the Punta Langosta pier: 44 min walk
Cuisine: Caribbean
Price: $$
Not every venue in Cozumel is super lively, and if you want a more relaxed and traditional dining experience, then Paprika is a solid choice. It offers a menu that has some Mexican dishes but is very much Caribbean-inspired, including some excellent seafood options.
It tends to attract more locals than tourists, despite its proximity to the cruise port and beach, which can be a good thing if you want to try to beat the crowds and enjoy a little more downtime with your food. Service is also excellent.
Tip – the outdoor tables have a wonderfully relaxing view across the beach, so try to grab one of those.
Photo Courtesy of Alberto’s Beach Bar & Restaurant Facebook
Distancefrom International Cruise Terminal/Punta Maya: 5 min walk
Distance from the Punta Langosta pier: 55 min walk
Cuisine: Seafood
Price: $$
In a little more secluded spot, Alberto’s offers stunning views across the ocean as well as some of the freshest fish and shellfish that you’ll find in all of Cozumel. It does have a good selection of vegan options, too.
The atmosphere is pretty chilled and welcoming – it’s not a posh restaurant, but it’s not gaudy either. Expect some live music to be playing, which can get a little lively at times.
Tip – listen to the servers, as they’ll know the best seafood dish of the day to sample.
Distancefrom International Cruise Terminal/Punta Maya: 6 min walk
Distance from the Punta Langosta pier: 46 min walk
Cuisine: Mexican
Price: $
If you just want to try some simple but seriously tasty Mexican dishes, then Ernesto’s is a solid bet, especially as they have some fantastic dishes for vegetarians and vegans too. It’s in a busy area, so don’t expect a really relaxed meal, but the food is served quickly, it’s full of flavour, and the service is also friendly and efficient.
It does get a little bit crowded at times as both tourists and locals love Ernesto’s, but it’s worth it if you have the chance – the fajitas are just excellent, and really affordable too.
Tip – Ernesto’s also serves a fantastic breakfast, and going here early will help you beat the crowds.
Photo Courtesy of Sereno Roof Bar & Restaurant Facebook
Distancefrom International Cruise Terminal/Punta Maya: 15 min walk
Distance from the Punta Langosta pier: 37 min walk
Cuisine: International
Price: $$$
Sereno is a little further afield if you’re arriving at Punta Maya or the International Cruise Terminal, away from the port but still within comfortable walking distance, and your reward for the journey is an incredible rooftop view out across the ocean. But the food is also outstanding, with a fantastic menu that includes Mediterranean, Caribbean and Latin American influences.
The service is stunning, with an attitude of doing everything possible to please you and the atmosphere feels a world away from the bustling port despite being so close.
Tip – there’s no lunch menu, only brunch until 2pm and then dinner, so if you’re visiting earlier then expect a range of lighter bites.
Distancefrom International Cruise Terminal/Punta Maya: 7 min walk
Distance from the Punta Langosta pier: 44 min walk
Cuisine: Mexican
Price: $
The Tikila Beach Bar is a friendly spot that’s popular with divers, so it’s fun to sit here and grab a bite as you watch people heading off on their exciting excursions.
The menu is pretty small but includes some cheap and cheerful dishes, including Mexican favourites and fantastic spicy shrimp. Definitely more of a “bar with food” than a restaurant, but it’s still a good place to enjoy a light lunch.
Tip – because it’s a diving spot, it does get busy. If you want a calmer atmosphere then head somewhere else.
Distancefrom International Cruise Terminal/Punta Maya: 3 min walk
Distance from the Punta Langosta pier: 52 min walk
Cuisine: Mexican Fast Food
Price: $
You won’t find a McDonald’s or similar fast food restaurant within walking distance of the Cozumel cruise port, but Carl’s Jr is your next-best bet.
It’s a clean and modern fast-food joint with plenty of indoor seating where you can enjoy burgers, potato wedges and more with a Mexican twist. If you just want a cheap bite to tide you over for the day, this is the place to go.
Tip – try the monkfish if you want to sample something a little more unusual for a fast food joint, it’s very popular.
Distancefrom International Cruise Terminal/Punta Maya: 3 min walk
Distance from the Punta Langosta pier: 50 min walk
Cuisine: American
Price: $$$
The Hard Rock Cafe in Cozumel is a good choice if you’re not particularly adventurous and you just want a chain restaurant that you know you can rely on. Serving a wide-ranging American menu with a few Mexican dishes, there’s something for everyone.
Nothing is particularly exciting, but the good is generally good. It’s expensive, though, even for a tourist restaurant, and while most reviews are positive, there are some that criticise the value for money of the venue.
Tip – head here if you want simple burgers or sandwiches, but for Mexican dishes there are much better choices nearby.
Photo Courtesy of Bajau Seafood & Steakhouse Facebook
Distance from the Punta Langosta pier: 5 min walk
Distancefrom International Cruise Terminal/Punta Maya: 64 min walk
Cuisine: Steakhouse and Seafood
Price: $$$
This upmarket restaurant is only a short walk from the Punta Lagosta Pier and it is definitely worth the trip. The service is stunning, and the food is even more so.
Expect beautifully fresh fish dishes and steak that melts in your mouth. This is definitely a fine dining experience, so don’t turn up in your t-shirt and shorts, ideally. Reservations are recommended and the ocean views are incredible.
Tip – the most popular options here tend to be the seafood tacos, especially the salmon and the shrimp, so give those a go.
Distancefrom International Cruise Terminal/Punta Maya: 63 min walk
Cuisine: Mexican
Price: $
The reviews for Crazy King Burrito rave about the quality of the food here, with many naming it as the best place in all of Cozumel to get a burrito. High praise indeed.
The burritos are absolutely loaded with quality fresh ingredients, with a range of menu choices to suit those who prefer subtle flavours and the brave folks who like something with a serious kick to it. Service is highly rated, too.
Tip – as well as the burritos, be sure to try the homemade drinks here – reviewers comment on just how refreshing they are.
Distance from the Punta Langosta pier: 16 min walk
Distancefrom International Cruise Terminal/Punta Maya: 59 min walk
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Price: $$
While most people want to try traditional Mexican cuisine in Cozumel, there are some great Mediterranean restaurants too, and K’ooben Laab is ideal if you want a refreshing salad or a beautiful homemade pasta dish.
It’s not fine dining – it’s simple, good-quality food in a relaxed atmosphere with friendly, attentive service. Dishes are packed with flavour and extremely fresh, and the desserts are just as tasty too.
Tip – K’ooben Laab has a really good reputation – which means it is often busy. If you’re able to reserve a table in advance, you won’t feel rushed.
Distancefrom International Cruise Terminal/Punta Maya: 54 min walk
Cuisine: Mexican and Seafood
Price: $$
Translating as “colours and flavours”, this restaurant absolutely lives up to its name with beautiful, fresh dishes combining authentic Mexican cuisine with a selection of fresh seafood options.
You’ll enjoy music from surrounding locations and a wonderful, personable service team, including the friendly owner. But the main attraction is the food, which is packed with sumptuous flavours. Oh, and the margaritas are popular too.
Distancefrom International Cruise Terminal/Punta Maya: 61 min walk
Cuisine: Mexican and Seafood
Price: $$
La Mission is another restaurant that excels with its range of Mexican dishes that includes a lot of fresh seafood fare – the fish tacos, in particular, are extremely popular.
The restaurant certainly offers a slice of authentic Mexican cooking and atmosphere, with a lot of live music and the chance to try tasting platters of different foods. With soups, seafood, meat, burritos, steaks and more, there’s something for everyone.
Tip – as part of the experience, expect to be serenaded by Mariachi singers, and offered tasters of tequila – but they’ll also be expecting tips.
Distancefrom International Cruise Terminal/Punta Maya: 63 min walk
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Price: $$
Guido’s is an Italian-style restaurant with wonderfully fresh food on offer, including homemade pasta and beautiful salads. It has a picturesque outdoor seating terrace too, surrounded by vines and offering a haven of calm in this busy port town.
As with so many of the restaurants near the coast in Cozumel, the seafood here is often a favourite of guests. In particular, the scallops and the calamari often get a specific mention in reviews, so give those a try if you’re a fan.
Tip – a super popular restaurant, Guido’s doesn’t accept reservations, so get there early if you want to experience their great food.
If you’re only going to try one restaurant close to the Cozumel cruise port, then definitely aim for IX Kool. The food and service are amazing, and if your cruise offers a cookery course here, then you’ll have a ton of fun and you’ll enjoy incredible flavours while you do it.
There’s plenty you can see and do around Cozumel too, so make sure you leave enough time in your busy day to grab yourself a meal at one of the Cozumel cruise port restaurants.
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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.
Two of the world’s best-known river cruise brands – Scenic and Emerald – are now making serious waves at sea. But while their ocean ships may look equally sleek and stylish, the onboard experience couldn’t be more different.
In this guest post, cruise expert Jenny from Travel Counsellors breaks down what really sets these two luxury cruise lines apart – and which one might be your perfect match.
Choosing Between Scenic And Emerald
Scenic Luxury Ocean Cruises and Emerald Cruises are sister brands owned by the Scenic Group. In my first Scenic and Emerald blog, I compared their river cruise brands.
In this article, we’ll look at the similarities and differences between their cruise brands to help you make an informed choice for your next adventure. See the comparison table below.
Scenic Vs Emerald: Comparison Table
This table shows some of the similarities and differences between the brands:
Features
Scenic (Ultra-Luxury)
Emerald (Luxury)
Ships
Scenic Eclipse and Scenic Eclipse II
Emerald Azzurra, Emerald Sakara and Emerald Kaia
Years built
2018 / 2023
2022 / 2023 / Launching in April 2026
Guests
228 / 232
100 / 100 / 128
Itineraries
Antarctica, Arctic & Northern Europe, Americas & the Caribbean, Europe & the Mediterranean, Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific
Mediterranean & Adriatic Sea, Caribbean & Central America, Red Sea & Indian Ocean
Butler service
Yes, for every guest
No, but 76 crew to 100 guests means service is highly personal
Meals
All onboard meals included. Up to 10 culinary experiences from casual to fine dining
All on-board meals are included in 3 dining areas: La Cucina Dining, La Cucina Terrace and Aqua Pool Café
Drinks
Complimentary beverages all day (select rare and vintage options not included)
Complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner. Additional drinks package available.
Excursions
All included
Many included – optional in-depth guides available at extra cost
Equipment
Onboard Swarovski telescopes and in-suite binoculars. Watersports equipment including kayaks, paddleboards, Tiwal sailing boat and water skiing
Marina Platform and water toys including stand-up paddleboards, kayaks and SEABOBs
Fitness and wellness
Scandinavian-inspired outdoor Vitality Pools and cabanas. Large, oval-shaped Vitality Pool with swim jets allowing guests to swim ‘laps’ (Eclipse II) Indulgent Senses Spa (extra cost). Gym, yoga and pilates studio
Infinity pool, Elements Spa and Wellness Centre (extra cost). State-of-the-art infrared sauna. Well-equipped gym. Yoga and pilates on the Observation Deck
Bicycles onboard
Complimentary e-bikes
10 award-winning Gocycle electric bicycles
Gratuities
All gratuities included
All gratuities included
Wi-Fi
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Complimentary Wi-Fi
All the information is correct to the best of my knowledge. Please get in touch if you would like me to check any specific details.
Scenic Vs Emerald According To The Owner
Scenic and Emerald offer quite different cruise options to travellers, though they are both owned by the same company – Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours.
I asked the owner of the company, Glen, to explain his thoughts about the two brands. He said:
“Scenic redefines all-inclusive luxury, while Scenic Eclipse marries 6-star ultra-luxury with unparalleled global navigation and discovery, with two onboard helicopters and a 6-seater submersible for unrivalled exploration. With all Scenic voyages, guests can leave their wallet at home as the luxuries you’d expect to pay extra for are included. Enjoy exceptional service, the finest dining experiences, and travel in style to all five continents of the globe in truly all-inclusive luxury. “
“The Emerald Cruises brand offers guests contemporary luxury and independence with the freedom to explore off the beaten path. Our brand new yachts – Azzurra and Sakkara allow our guests to enjoy a small ship experience, where they can embrace the yacht lifestyle, enjoying incredible onboard dining and wellness, with no more than 100 guests to destinations including the Caribbean, the Red Sea and the Seychelles.”
Discovery Luxury Yachts Vs Ultra-Luxury Yachts
Both Scenic and Emerald yachts are stunning, five-star ships. Scenic offers an ultra-luxury, all-inclusive option, while Emerald offers a luxury experience with slightly less included.
Scenic Eclipse and Eclipse II have a Polar Class 6 rating with a strengthened hull and customised stabilisers, ensuring they can sail into polar regions with ease. Their ships have been designed with discovery in mind.
Guests have the opportunity to see above and below the horizon, with two onboard helicopters, and a custom-built submarine, available on both vessels (at extra cost).
The small size of Emerald’s yachts means that they can explore coastal areas and ports that larger yachts and ocean ships are too big to reach. Their focus is on providing an incredible, luxury, small yacht experience. They don’t sail to the Polar regions.
Emerald’s yachts offer some incredible experiences, but Scenic is a step up, with even more impressive service and almost everything onboard included in your fare.
Conclusion
Both Scenic and Emerald Yachts have all the amenities of a world-class hotel and provide a haven of relaxation and innovation.
With both brands, you’ll experience fantastic service and attention to detail. In the words of owner, Glen Moroney:
“The guest experience is at the heart of everything we do, and our inspiration is always to offer our guests unforgettable experiences, incredible service and lead the way in delivering innovative and sustainable cruising programmes and building ships that set the benchmark in luxury ocean cruising”.
Find Your Perfect Cruise:
Jenny can help you find the perfect cruise including the Scenic and Emerald Yachts.
