Diplomacy

Azamara, a premium small ship cruise line, has announced a return to Alaska in 2026 with port visits lasting 10 hours or more.

When Azamara Pursuit visits Alaska in May 2026, it be the first time in seven years that the cruise line has visited the 49th state.

Beginning in May 2026, Azamara Pursuit will embark on a series of 10- to 13-day cruises with curated itineraries offering visits to remote Alaskan destinations, cultural encounters with indigenous communities, and wildlife excursions like whale-watching, bear spotting and glacier hiking.

Extended stays will take place at the following ports:

• Juneau
• Wrangell
• Skagway
• Ketchikan
• Nanaimo
• Victoria, BC

There will be a total of 27 late-night departures giving guests extra time in port.

Of course, every cruise will have on AzAmazing Evening that immerses guests in the culture and people of Alaska.

Michael Pawlus, Head of Itinerary Planning at Azamara Cruises, gave the following statement:

“We are excited to reintroduce Alaska as one of our key destinations for the summer of 2026. Our guests have long requested a return to this extraordinary region, and we are pleased to meet that demand by offering enhanced itineraries and land experiences that truly capture the essence of Alaska.

“From cruising the Hubbard Glacier to offering extended time in smaller ports, our specially tailored cruises provide an unforgettable, immersive journey and deeper connection with the destination.”

Dondra Ritzenthaler, the CEO of Azamara Cruises, added:

“We’ve listened to the feedback from our guests and now we’re delivering on what we’ve promised,” said. “Our commitment to Destination Immersion means that we don’t just take our guests to Alaska; we immerse them in its rich culture and take them to the heart of the destination that large ships can’t even access.

“With our extended stays and thoughtfully curated land experiences, we are thrilled to deliver the Azamara experience in a destination that has captivated the hearts of travelers.”

Carnival Panorama made a stop in Manila, Philippines this morning, marking the first time the cruise line has ever visited the country.

The Carnival Cruise Line vessel is fresh out of dry dock and currently on a 25-day sailing that started in Singapore and will end in Long Beach, California on November 5.

The Vista-class ship is on a Carnival Journey sailing, which is a longer duration cruise that allows for visits to unique ports of call.

Cruise ship Carnival Panorama docks in Manila with 3,600 passengers. There are 1,400 crew, 400 of which are Filipinos.

This is the first Carnival Cruise vessel to make a stopover in the Philippines. pic.twitter.com/ZnLLbadFUJ

— Jekki Pascual (@jekkipascual) October 18, 2024

This is the seventh day of Carnival Panorama’s cruise after the ship has taken passengers to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and Borneo, Malaysia.  Other ports of call that will be visited include Guam and Honolulu before the ship will make its transpacific journey back to the U.S.

During its visit to Manila, a commemoration event was held on the ship that was attended by the captain and the ship’s officers.

With the Philippines representing about 30% to 40% of the crew on a cruise ship, this visit allowed many of the ship’s hard working crew to reconnect with their home country that is rich in heritage and culture. 

Carnival Cruise Line celebrates its first-ever visit to the Philippines with Carnival Panorama arriving at the South Harbor’s Eva Macapagal Super Terminal earlier today.

📸 Jan Milo Severo pic.twitter.com/wnmZ3nPZ1i

— Philstar.com (@PhilstarNews) October 18, 2024

There are over 100,000 Filipino workers across the cruise industry, and out of Carnival Panorama’s crew of 1,400, 400 are from the Philippines.

Although the ship was only in port for a few hours, many of the crew were able to meet with their families, some even being welcomed onto the ship for a short time.

After the sudden death of her husband, Patty Layman found a surprise charge on their credit card. 

The charge for $13,310 was for a cruise with American Cruise Lines that included airfare and even “Cancel for Any Reason” trip insurance.

But this seemingly bullet-proof insurance coverage had some fine print that gave Patty the runaround. 

In February of this year, Colorado couple Patty and Dick Layman went out to eat to celebrate three different occasions at once.

According to Patty, she told her husband, “Happy birthday. Happy Valentine’s Day. Happy anniversary.”  Shortly after, her husband started to choke.

Not being able to breathe, Dick passed out.  After a day in the hospital Patty was told that her husband showed no signs of brain activity.  After being taken off of life support, Dick passed away on February 23.

Still grieving the loss of her husband, Patty was making funeral arrangements when she came across a charge she did not recognize on the couple’s credit card.

Apparently, Dick had been planning a surprise.  The $13,000 charge was for a 10-day Columbia & Snake Rivers cruise from Washington to Portland, Oregon.

The details of the trip were found in Dick’s desk, and Patty assumed Dick was going to tell her about it during their celebratory meal.

Cancellation Headaches

But she couldn’t imagine taking the trip without her husband.  She decided to cancel the trip, and saw on the paper work that Dick had paid for “Cancel for Any Reason” trip insurance coverage.

Dick had planned ahead, and he purchased the extra cruise insurance for $1,140.

This is the most comprehensive kind of trip insurance and does not require a specific set of circumstances to be used.

However, there was a problem.  After Patty called the cruise line, she was told of some of the fine print.  If a trip is cancelled within 90 days of the sailing, only 80% of the money would be refunded.

On top of this, each cruise passenger is charged $250 as an administrative fee.

While Patty thought this kind of situation would be an exception to the 90-day rule, she was informed that an exception could not be made in her case.

After writing the CEO of the company she said, “I never even got a reply back. Not even a, you know, ‘I’m so sorry for your loss, but this is the way it is.’”

She reached out to 9NEWS, and the news company tried to speak on her behalf, but they were told that they don’t make comments about guests.

Despite months of attempting to get a full refund for the cruise, Patty ended up getting all but $3,000 of the money back. 

While trip insurance is a must for any kind of travel with this kind of price tag, it’s important to remember that even comprehensive coverage has its limitations.

Coverage limits, cancellation fees, waiting periods, and exclusions should all be reviewed so you know what you’re actually paying for.

Read more about Cruise Travel Insurance and why most people should pay for it.

Cruise demand for Galveston continues to grow as yet another ship calls the Texas port home.

Carnival Miracle was welcomed into the port yesterday and is now offering a variety of itineraries from 4 to 12 days in duration.

From October through March of 2025, the vessel will sail out of Galveston, with Western Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean, and Panama Canal sailings scheduled during the season.

The arrival of Carnival Miracle makes Carnival Cruise Line the first cruise line to sail four ships out of Galveston at the same time. 

The other three Carnival ships include Carnival Dream, Carnival Breeze, and Carnival Jubilee.

• Carnival Dream: Dream-class vessel, built in 2009, sailing out of Galveston through 2027.
• Carnival Breeze: 2012-built Dream-class ship, 4- and 5- day sailings through 2027.
• Carnival Jubilee: Excel-class ship, recently built in 2023, and flagship of the cruise line.

Fred Stein, vice president of itinerary planning for the company, remarked on Carnival Miracle’s longer itineraries for those looking for longer durations from the port.

“Galveston continues to grow in popularity with our guests. Adding a fourth Carnival ship to homeport in this great city gives our guests expanded choices, especially with the upcoming longer cruises Carnival Miracle will sail, which are ideal for those who want to experience a wider variety of beautiful ports of call and enjoy more time at sea,” he said.

While Carnival Miracle is the latest Carnival ship to join the fleet in Texas, it will be a relatively short stint before moving to a new location.

After her season in Galveston, Miracle will transition to Europe in May of 2025, offering round-trip sailings from the UK through August. 

From August through November of next year, Carnival Miracle will offer 8- to 14-day sailings out of Civitavecchia (Rome) before moving back to the U.S. in Tampa at the end of 2025.

Carnival Miracle is an 88,500 gross ton ship that is currently sailing on a 9-day trip to the Western Caribbean.  The Spirit-class vessel will visit Montego Bay, Grand Cayman Island, Roatan, Belize City, and Cozumel before sailing back to Galveston.

Royal Caribbean Group and Alaska Native Corporation Goldbelt Inc. have signed an agreement to build a new cruise port in Juneau, Alaska called, The Port of Tomorrow. The port is scheduled to open in 2027.

The new port will remove nearly one-third of bus traffic from Juneau’s most congested roadways and will enhance the guest experience when taking a cruise to Juneau on Royal Caribbean Group’s three cruise lines.

The port will be located on Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act land on Douglas Island and will have two floating berths for ships. The port will overlook the Chikat Range.

A recreated 1800s Alaska Native Tlingit village will be built so cruisers can experience Goldbelt shareholders’ ancestral history through stories, art, songs, dance, and traditional foods.

The port’s designs will utilize the existing whale-watching tour operations so guest can depart directly from West Douglas Island. Cruisers will be able to board whale-watching tours here or take shuttle boats to Mendenhall Glacier to counter downtown traffic.

Conveniently located directly in major shipping routes alongside Steven’s Passage, the project blueprint would offer an environmental advantage, reducing time, speed, and fuel requirements for ships sailing north to Skagway or west to the Gulf of Alaska, making it the most ideal stop-over for routing to Sitka or Seward.

McHugh Pierre, President & CEO of Goldbelt, Inc, gave the following statement:

“Goldbelt has long sought to establish a cruise terminal and destination centered around Tlingit history on the backside of Douglas Island.

“We look forward to the prospect of bringing this sustainable, culture-rich cruise ship terminal to life in partnership with Royal Caribbean Group, providing community solutions to local transportation and economic development issues.”

Goldbelt Incorporated is an urban Alaska Native, for-profit corporation in Juneau. 

The Port of Tomorrow will open in 2027 and will be used by Royal Caribbean Group’s three cruise lines: Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises.

This news is on top of the recent news where Royal Caribbean purchased Costa Maya and plans to build Perfect Day Mexico.

The cruise line is also building Royal Beach Clubs in Nassau and Cozumel.

A new ultra-luxury cruise line will set sail in 2025 for the first time and it’s promising to be the ultimate experience as you cruise in the Caribbean and Mediterranean.

VidantaWorld bought a ship in 2017 has spent the last few years completely remodeling the vessel that is now named VidantaWorld’s ELEGANT. It will be an adults only cruise ship (18+) that launches in February 2025.

The ship has 149 cabins that carry up to 298 guests. It will offer an almost 1:1 crew to guest ratio with the ship offering almost 2x space per guest than the average cruise ship.

VidantaWorld’s ELEGANT will have 13 restaurants and bars but there’s going to be one thing about dining that really makes the ship stand out.  While most luxury cruise lines and many premium ones (Virgin, Viking etc.) include all dining options, that will not be the case with this new cruise line.

Complimentary buffet breakfast and lunch will be included in cruise fares, but that is it. À la carte lunch and dinner will cost extra including room service.

Complimentary WiFi will also be included but guests can pay extra for premium WiFi. Streaming services and video chatting are only available with the premium WiFi.

Business Insider said that week long cruises start at $25,000 for two, that comes out to just under $1,800 per person, per day. That’s a pretty steep price to pay to get nickel and dimed once you are on the ship.

The ship will offer different itineraries that range from a six night Caribbean cruises from St. Maarten to a seven-night cruises to the Adriatic from Catania.

Cabins on the ship range from 139 sq. ft. inside staterooms to the 542 sq. ft. Grand Tidal Balcony Suite.

Iván Chávez, executive vice president of Grupo Vidanta, gave the following statement about this new cruise line:

“At Grupo Vidanta, we continually strive to redefine luxury travel, and VidantaWorld’s ELEGANT is the perfect embodiment of that vision.

“This one-of-a-kind luxury vessel offers the exclusivity of a private yacht combined with the world-class amenities of a premier cruise line, granting access to the globe’s most desired destinations.

“Every moment on board captures the essence of timeless elegance, blending classic luxury with modern indulgence like never before.”

The cruise line’s inaugural cruise will set sail on February 22, 2025 from the Dominican Republic.

Disney Cruise Line has announced new details on their largest ship yet, Disney Adventure. They include the longest roller coaster ever on a cruise ship at 820 feet long that is themed after Ironman.

Disney Adventure will debut in late 2025 and will be Disney Cruise Line’s largest ship at more than 200,000 gross tons. The ship will bring to life the heart of Disney, Pixar and Marvel.

The top dock will have the longest roller coaster at sea, Ironcycle Test Run. Guests will “test-drive” Tony Stark’s latest Ironcycle prototype on a high-speed circuit 30 feet above the top deck.

Other rides in the Adventure Zone include Pym Quantum Racers and Groot Galaxy Spin.

Toy Story Place will be the ship’s waterpark that will have several pools, hot tubs, water slides, and interactive splash pads.

At the heart of the ship, Disney Imagination Garden will have a state-of-the-art Garden Stage with three-deck-high LED screens, setting a wondrous scene for guests with its open-air, amphitheater-style seating.

It will be home to several shows starring favorite Disney and Marvel characters including:

• Let’s Set Sail, a high-energy dance party
• Avengers Assemble!, an epic battle of Marvel Super Heroes and Villains
• Captain Jack Sparrow & the Siren Queen
• Mickey’s Color Spin Dance Party
• Baymax Super Exercise Expo

Sarah Fox, vice president and regional general manager, Southeast Asia, Disney Cruise Line, said the following:

“Today we unveil the spectacular new Disney Adventure to the world. Sailing on primarily three- and four-night voyages designed with only dedicated days at sea, the ship will include something for everyone.

“From fun and interactive spaces for kids, to relaxing venues for adults to unwind, to entertaining and engaging places for families to enjoy together, guests will find endless adventures from bow to stern.”

The accommodations on the Disney Adventure will blend modern comfort with the enchanting spirit of beloved Disney Animation, Pixar and Marvel stories.

Each stateroom will feature thoughtful amenities, family-friendly conveniences and special Disney touches.

Most staterooms on Disney Adventure will have the split bathroom that Disney ships are known for.

The cruise ship will have dedicated spaces for adults and kids, something for everyone.

Bookings on Disney Adventure open on December 10, 2024 with the ship’s maiden cruise taking place a year later. The ship will homeport in Singapore offering cruises with all sea days.

Sharon Siskie, senior vice president and general manager, Disney Cruise Line, gave the following statement:

“As part of our unprecedented expansion for Disney Cruise Line, we are committed to delivering exceptional experiences that bring our special brand of cruising and the best of Disney storytelling to new guests on new shores.

“When the Disney Adventure sets sail in December 2025, guests throughout Southeast Asia will have the opportunity to experience the magic of their favorite Disney, Pixar and Marvel stories, in their very own backyard.”

When Royal Caribbean announced last week that they were buying a commonly visited cruise port and 200 acres of land around it, the entire cruise community was abuzz.

In case you missed it, the cruise line spent $600 million in order to transform Costa Maya into Perfect Day Mexico, scheduled for 2027. 

Apparently, the success of Perfect Day at CocoCay and the need to move that same experience to other cruise ports was a priority for the expanding cruise line. 

After visiting Costa Maya several times in the last few years, I’m aware that the Mexican cruise port is in need of some upgrades.

The port area itself does not offer access to the beach, the main pool gets very crowded when three ships are in port, and some of the amenities are well past their prime.

From the dolphin enclosure to the bird aviary with rope walkways over the port below, I’ve experienced about all there is to do in the central area.

But for those used to going outside the port to enjoy the Lost Mayan Kingdom waterpark and zip line course, those days are also coming to an end – at least that’s the assumption. 

Royal Caribbean is buying up the land on which the Lost Mayan Kingdom currently resides.

And if you’ve seen the waterpark on Perfect Day or Icon of the Seas, you know the executives probably have some big plans for this area as well.

What About Other Cruise Lines?

Royal Caribbean has stated that other cruise lines, even competing companies, will still be allowed to visit the port.

In fact, it’s likely that the main port area will receive some much-needed upgrades and face-lifts after the company is done with the project.

Anne Kalosh with Seatrade recently stated that “ships from other cruise lines will continue to be welcomed at Costa Maya, and Royal Caribbean indicated the experience for all passengers will improve with its redevelopment.”

So, what will this look like? 

Until we hear more from Royal Caribbean this is mostly speculation.  But the cruise line’s own passengers will likely have exclusive access to Perfect Day Mexico, while a central port area will be accessible to other cruise lines.

The key advantage for Royal Caribbean is that every passenger on those other ships will be well aware of this “other area” of the port that they can’t access.

Perhaps it will be similar to the feeling Norwegian Cruise Line guests have when they see Perfect Day at Cococay from Great Stirrup Cay.  After all, it’s less than 2 miles away.

By the way, Great Stirrup Cay was the OG of private islands, after opening in 1977.  So, props to Norwegian for envisioning this whole concept.

While the area surrounding the pier of Costa Maya will get updates and probably be completely revamped, as a benefit to other cruise passengers, that allure of an exclusive resort just feet away will certainly draw some attention.

Read more: “Don’t swim here!”: Cruise Passenger Warns After Port Official Demands Ship Card in Costa Maya

Could Other Cruise Lines Find Alternatives?

While buying Costa Maya and the surrounding land was a genius move by Royal Caribbean, some speculate that this could motivate other cruise lines to find other ports to visit.

After all, who wants the competition tempting away their passengers?

Cozumel is already a very popular cruise port that is 100 miles north of Costa Maya, but it’s doubtful the multiple ports on this island can handle every other ship from its neighbor.

Cruise lines like Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, and MSC Cruises will have some decisions to make.   Carnival is already creating their own private destination at Celebration Key, due to open next year on Grand Bahama.

This will be Carnival’s most ambitious private destination to date and an obvious sign that private islands –like them or not—are a clear part of the cruise industry’s future.

It remains to be seen how “in your face” the marketing for Perfect Day Mexico’s marketing will be at the port.   But I would not be surprised to see some cruise lines find alternative destinations.

Other cruise lines could also begin to offer more unique shore excursions and experiences away from the port, partnering with local businesses and creating their own exclusive activities.

Bottom Line

How will cruise passengers feel about the “two-ports-in-one” experience?  As we wait for details on Perfect Day Mexico, it’s important to remember that not every cruise passenger wants the “Perfect Day” experience. 

While many restaurants and activities are included in the cruise fare, the extra costs and fees can add up.  Crowds can be an issue as well, especially with more than one ship in port.

Private islands are designed for the vacationers at heart, and don’t offer the cultural experience of cruises with destination-focused itineraries.

That being said, Royal Caribbean fans who love the Perfect Day experience could not be more excited by this move by the cruise line.  And for Galveston residents, a port in Mexico will mean that shorter sailings can visit the private destination as well. 

The first Black Friday cruise deal for 2024 has been announced when a cruise line released an early access sale that includes a new cruise and resort experience.

Margaritaville at Sea has added a new partnership with the Margaritaville Beach Resort in Nassau. This will allow guests who are sailing to Nassau on Margaritaville at Sea Paradise to enjoy the day at the resort and all of the amenities that they offer.

The resort offers multiple pools, a water park, lazy river, FlowRider, and multiple restaurant and bar options.

The cruise line will sail two-, three- and four-night cruises to Nassau from the Port of Palm Beach. The Margaritaville resort is only a 10 minute walk from the ship and for $99, guests can purchase the Sail and Splash excursion to the resort when booking their cruise.

To go along with this announcement of the Sail and Splash excursion, Margaritaville at Sea is offering early access to their Black Friday Sale for 2024. It includes the following:

• Cruises to Nassau starting at $99 for two
• 60% off cruises on both of their cruise ships
• Up to $300 in onboard credit
• Third and fourth guests sail free

Christopher Ivy, CEO of Margaritaville at Sea, gave the following statement:

“As we sail into 2025, we’re excited to add the vibrant city of Nassau to our growing list of island destinations. In addition to this great new port of call, we’re offering guests a unique ship-to-resort experience, making it the ultimate quick getaway to paradise.

“Margaritaville Beach Resort Nassau has exceptional amenities, including private access to a spectacular beach on turquoise waters, the thrilling Fins Up! Water Park, FlowRider®, lazy river, multiple pools, and a variety of restaurant and bar options. We are excited to expand our offerings and provide new and loyal guests a reason to return to Paradise.”

Zachary Frangos, General Manager of Margaritaville Beach Resort Nassau, added:

“Through this one-of-a-kind partnership with Margaritaville at Sea, we’re thrilled to welcome cruise passengers to explore, relax, and enjoy our world-class amenities, taking their Margaritaville vacation to the next level.

“Whether lounging by the pool, splashing in the ocean, or enjoying the high-energy fun of our water park, guests won’t miss a beat as they bring their Margaritaville state of mind from the ship to our tropical resort paradise.”