Diplomacy

A number of cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, and NCL have new port projects that are either under construction or planned to open over the next few years.

While cruise lines continue to build more ships with new features, they are also working on improving the port experience.  This includes improvements to ports and building new ports for their ships to visit.

Here is a look at all of the new port projects in the Caribbean and Bahamas that you’ll soon be able to enjoy. They are listed by cruise line (alphabetically). 

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Cruise Line currently has two port projects underway, one on Grand Bahama Island (Celebration Key) and one at Half Moon Cay.

The first one to open will be Celebration Key and it will be the first cruise port built specifically for Carnival cruise ships.

When the port opens, there will be a pier that will be able to accommodate two of Carnival’s largest ships on the same day. A year later, a pier extension will be completed that will allow up to four ships to visit on the same day.

Celebration Key will have a mile long beach, the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean/Bahamas, adults only areas, shopping, and more.

It will be divided up into five different portals, offering a little of something for everyone.

Celebration Key is scheduled to open in the summer of 2025. However, the port will just be getting started then. 

Phase 2 of the port is expected to be completed in 2027 and Carnival Cruise Line has previously mentioned plans to add a waterpark to the port that will be part of this next phase.

By 2028, Carnival Cruise Line is expecting up to four million of their guests to visit Celebration Key every year.

Around four years ago, Carnival announced plans to expand Half Moon Cay and build a pier on the island. Although the island is owned and operated by sister cruise line Holland America Line, many Carnival cruise ships also visit the popular private port.

The expansion plans include a completely new area on the island just for Carnival cruise ships, separate from the area that guests visit now.

Cruise Fever reached out to Carnival Cruise Line this week and asked if there was a date set on when they planned on opening this new area. A representative for Carnival responded, “No updates yet, but we’ll keep in touch on it”.

The global cruise shutdown in 2020/2021 delayed the project but Cruise Fever will have all updates on Half Moon Cay when they are announced.

Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line’s second private destination in The Bahamas is scheduled to open in June 2024. Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point will be located on Eleuthera, not far from where Princess Cays is located.

The port will have a pier and pay a tribute to the beauty of nature. It will have the following amenities:

• Family beach
• Cultural center
• Play area with water slides
• Games and activities
• BBQ lunch
• Shopping
• Kid’s club
• Adults only beach
• 3 adult-exclusive watering holes

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean is building Beach Clubs in two different ports that will be exclusively for their guests.

Construction recently started on the first one in Nassau, Bahamas. It will be located on Paradise Island between the iconic lighthouse and the Atlantis Resort. It will be a 17 acre beach experience that will have everything from pools to private cabanas.

2,000 guests a day will be able to enjoy The Royal Beach Club Paradise Island. The cruise line will run a shuttle from the cruise pier right to the Beach Club.

A second Beach Club will be located in the popular port of Cozumel, Mexico.  Almost all cruises to the Western Caribbean visit Cozumel.

Royal Beach Club Cozumel is scheduled to open in 2026 and feature the following amenities:

• Swim-up bars
• Multiple swimming pools
• Private cabanas
• Snorkeling
• Kayaking
• Street market
• Restaurants
• Cooking classes
• Bars
• And more

Royal Beach Club Cozumel will be located on the Western side of the island.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island in The Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay, will soon have a pier that will eliminate the need for tenders to visit the island.

NCL has been in talks to build a pier on Great Stirrup Cay for close to a year now and they finally announced it last month.

The pier will be able to accommodate two large ships at once and is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2025. 

“But there aren’t any signs saying I couldn’t swim here!”  These were the words a woman said to the security official after he blew his whistle and threatened to detain a group of cruise travelers.

It could have been big trouble for a certain cruise passenger and her family visiting Costa Maya on a Carnival cruise.

A loyal reader of Cruise Fever recently sent us a letter about an experience at the cruise port in Mexico. 

After almost having her cruise card taken away by the local Port Authority, she wanted to tell her story, so others don’t make the same mistake.

This is her cautionary tale. 

Seeking Peaceful Water for a Swim

The woman’s vacation to Costa Maya took an unexpected turn when her search for a refreshing dip turned into a tense standoff with a Port Authority official.

The Carnival passenger and her family, opting to skip the Mayan ruins excursion, arrived at the port to find it bustling with cruise travelers. 

After all, there were three cruise ships docked in Costa Maya that day.

Seeking a break from the scorching heat, the family made their way to the port’s pools.  But the pools were not only very crowded but “cloudy” as well.

“It was so hot, I just wanted to jump in,” the woman said. “But all the pools were packed with people and the water looked…well, not very inviting.”

She then discovered a quieter area by the water’s edge with inviting lounge chairs and a seemingly accessible section to the ocean just a hundred feet from the pier.

“There were no posted signs,” she explained, “and it looked like a perfectly good spot to go in.”

Putting on her snorkel gear, the woman jumped into the crystal-clear water teeming with fish.  Soon after, a few other passengers started to wade in the water along the shore as well.

However, the woman’s peaceful escape was short-lived.

Confrontation with Port Authority

“Suddenly, I hear my husband calling me frantically,” she recounted. “A port authority guy was blowing his whistle and stomping towards us.”

The official accused the woman, and a group of fellow swimmers who had joined her, of trespassing in a restricted area.

“He demanded our ship cards, yelling that it was illegal to swim there,” the cruise traveler said. “But there were no signs, and we all left the water as soon as he told us.”

Despite the commotion, bystanders advised the swimmers not to surrender their ship cards, arguing the lack of signage.   

“We looked all around the area and there was not a single sign in sight that said the area was off limits,” the woman stated.

The situation escalated as the port authority official remained insistent in demanding the group give up their cruise cards.

“I calmly told him that if the area had been posted or if there were some type of sign to not swim in the area then I wouldn’t have.”   

“And I also noted that I got out as soon as he blew his whistle, indicating that I was following what he wanted us to do,” the woman wrote.

“But I told him that he could not have my ship card.”

A Subtle Escape

In a moment of quick thinking, the woman transformed herself into a seemingly inconspicuous tourist.

“‘I grabbed my floppy hat, sunglasses, and wrapped a towel around my shirt,’ she said with a laugh. ‘Then, we briskly walked away towards the crowded pool area.””

The Port Authority official had taken a short cut to the pier behind the checkpoint, where all cruise passengers would have to walk.  Presumably he was attempting to follow any of the group to their ship once he spotted them.

The woman, with her husband and son, weaved through the port marketplace to try to get back to the ship.  

The family saw the official who had demanded their cruise cards on the pier, watching every passenger as they passed.

“I saw him up ahead and began praying that he wouldn’t see us,” she said.

Fortunately, an elderly man driving a mobility scooter suddenly was having steering issues and diverted the security official’s attention.  The family picked up their pace and walked right past, unnoticed.

“Not everyone was as lucky,” the woman revealed. “‘One of my fellow swimmers was not so lucky, and he spotted her and followed her all the way up into her ship–I wonder what came of it?!’”

Shaken but unharmed, the woman and her family opted just to stay on the ship the rest of the day.

“We decided that we were not leaving the ship for Costa Maya again and ended up having the best time on Carnival Celebration,” she concluded.  “And the pools on board were gloriously clear!”

A recent Carnival cruise sparked debate after it was announced that 40 dogs would be on board the ship.

One Carnival guest is asking for a full refund after finding out about these service dogs for the visually impaired.

In a recent “Coffee with me live” video update on Facebook, Carnival Ambassador John Heald addressed an upcoming cruise for the blind.

He announced there would be a special cruise on Carnival Celebration next week, in which a group of blind individuals would be enjoying the ship for the 7-day sailing.

But the statement that was the source of the complaint is that there would also be about 40 service dogs on the ship to help these legally blind guests.  The person was worried that her allergies would be a problem on the sailing.

The complaint, which Heald posted to his Facebook page, stated,

“I watched your reel John Heald. DM me urgently! You said there would be 40 dogs on Celebration. I am on this cruise. I am disgusted. I think this is terribly unfair to the people who like me are allergic to dogs — and 50% of people are. A ship is a confined area, and a person with allergies could easily be assigned to a table near them at dinner. Even if you do not allow them to bring the dogs to dinner the owners will still smell like dog.”

The would-be passenger went on to ask for her money back or a credit toward a cruise on another sailing.

“Personally, I think this service dog thing has gone way too far. Dogs don’t want to on a ship, and most people don’t want dogs to be in those places. I am asking for a full refund or full credit to move to another cruise,” the complaint went on to say.

Heald said he had written the Carnival customer to apologize.  He also defended the decision to allow these blind cruise passengers to have service dogs to aid them on their vacation.

 “We have 40 legally blind guests whose lives are dependent on this incredible animals. They will all eat in the same section of the dinning room and if anyone has any kind of allergies and are close to them at dinner please speak with the Maitre D and they will move you to a table further away. The cabins will of course be totally cleaned and sanatised at the end of the cruise,” Heald stated.

He went on to say that during this special cruise Carnival will be adhering to all ADA rules and that a refund would be most unlikely.

Comments on the post were across the board but were mostly supportive of the cruise line’s move.

Many stated they would have loved to join this sailing on Carnival Celebration and that some were upset not because they were allergic but because they just “hate dogs”.

Still, some with particularly sensitive allergies had concerns about the move.

One supportive comment stated, “If they were if need of a service animal they would be complaining the other way.”

Heald was sure to add a few more remarks to his post in the comments as well.

“Just to make it clear, every single guest cruising in this group is blind. These are guide dogs. We do not at any time now allow emotional support animals. Any dog who is allowed to sell with us under ADA regulations is offering a medical service to its owner,” Heald clarified with a comment of his own.

Cruise lines generally don’t allow pet dogs onboard due to health regulations and limited space. However, there are exceptions for service animals trained to assist people with disabilities.

Carnival states their policy on pets and service dogs here.

These service dogs can accompany their owners on many cruises, but some verification documents like a vet’s letter and vaccination records might be required.

Even with approval, service dogs may have restricted access to certain areas like pools and spas, and must be leashed and under control at all times.

Some cruise ports have more stringent guidelines for service dogs on a cruise ship.

For instance, Grand Turk requires an import license for a service dog even if the canine will be staying on the ship while in port.

On April 28, Carnival Celebration will sail out of PortMiami and begin a 7-day sailing to Amber Cove, San Juan, and St Maarten before returning to the Miami cruise port.

After being on at least 30 cruises, an elderly couple from Utah were experienced in making sure they made it back to their ship on time.

But in a recent incident while visiting Spain on a Mediterranean cruise, the couple was left behind without their medication and prescription glasses, among other necessities.

Ages 84 and 81, Richard and Claudene Gordon were on Norwegian Cruise Line ship, Norwegian Viva, when the vessel made a visit to Motril, Spain.

The couple had booked the cruise with family and friends to celebrate Richard’s 85th birthday.

According to news reports, the couple had booked an independent shore excursion in Granada.  This means the land-based activity was not booked through the cruise line itself.

A bad rainstorm on the way back to the ship delayed the bus by at least an hour.

The ship’s all aboard time was 5:30pm, and the ship ended up sailing away before the couple could get to the dock in time.

Richard Gordon told CNN that he was an experienced cruise traveler and had always been on time on the 30 or more cruises he had taken in his lifetime. 

“Never before have we ever missed catching a ship on time at a port. So we are not someone who abuses the system,” Gordon told the news outlet.

Read more: What happens when you miss your cruise ship?

Attempting to reach the port in time

The pair said that they ended up taking a taxi and arriving at the dock at 6:10pm, but the ship was already pulling away from the pier.

Knowing they would be late because of the bad storm, Gordon said he called a family member who was already back on the ship.  This relative apparently told the crew about the situation and that the couple would be delayed in their arrival.  

However, the cruise ship staff said that the vessel needed to depart the port.

Gordon disputed the captain’s seemingly stringent rules on punctuality, telling CNN:

“Our cruise began in Lisbon and we departed from Lisbon about one and a half hours after the scheduled departure at 4pm.  Then the next night or two, at least a half-hour late from the dock, so it is clear that they do not always leave on the exact moment scheduled.”

In addition to missing their ship, the couple was left without their medication, eyeglasses, hearing aid batteries and phone chargers.

Making other arrangements

After the Gordons were left stranded at the dock in Spain, they decided to book accommodations for the night at a local B&B.  The couple’s daughter then booked a flight for the pair to Palma de Mallorca so they could be reunited with Norwegian Viva and continue with their cruise.

On Tuesday night, the cruise line made contact with the couple and provided a taxi from their hotel in Palma de Mallorca to the cruise port.  A BMW limo was provided for the transportation and the couple said they received the “royal treatment” upon their return. 

“We simply told them that we were abandoned at the dock with no one to meet us or tell us where to go, and they said they have already complained about the harbor master who was supposed to take care of things for them. But of course, the ship had not contacted us directly for two days so that doesn’t speak so well for them,” Mr. Gordon told the news outlet.

Norwegian Cruise Line responds

According to a Norwegian Cruise Line statement to CNN, the couple was about an hour late. The cruise line stated that cruise ships have set departure and arrival times, and that they do allow a small window of time for late comers.  The Gordon’s had apparently arrived later than the window of time provided.

The cruise line also stated that they tried to reach out to the couple several times, including calls to emergency contacts.  But working with port officials arrangements were made to reunite the couple with the vessel.

Today the ship is docked in Barcelona, Spain.

Norwegian Viva is currently on a 10-day sailing from Lisbon to Rome.  The ship is expected to arrive at its final destination on May 6 after stopping at ports in Marseille, Nice, and Livorno.

If missing a cruise ship is a major concern for passengers on excursions, any activities at a cruise port should be booked through the cruise line itself. 

We recently wrote about this being the biggest reason people miss their ship.

Tips to avoid a similar situation

• Double-Check Departure Times: Be aware of “all aboard” times and factor in potential delays like traffic or weather.
• Always stay on ship time: Ship time often differs with the local time of the cruise port.
• Maintain Communication: Inform a fellow passenger or crew member if you anticipate a late return.
• Carry Contact Information: Have the ship’s contact number readily available in case of emergencies.
• Take medications with you: Keep any necessary medications in a bag that you will take off the ship. 

Read more:  What happens when your cruise ship leaves without you

Cruise ships have some of the most advanced technology in the world.  And when it comes to health standards and cleanliness, they provide a level of sanitation that exceeds most land-based establishments.

If you only read the headlines from major news outlets, you would think that outbreaks on cruise ships are as commonplace as bad karaoke.

These headlines get eyeballs and clicks.  They also tend to scare off those more sensitive to germs and illness.

After all, a cruise ship is a confined space.  While these vessels are larger than ever, it’s easy to assume that illness and disease would thrive in a more enclosed environment.  But there’s more to the story.

For some germaphobes, the thought of taking a cruise is laced with anxiety.  And while no ship is 100% germ-free, in this article we will dive into the advanced hygiene protocols that are found on today’s cruise ships.

Here are 10 things every germaphobe should know about today’s cruise ships:

1. Cruise ships are subject to thorough CDC health inspections

The crew on a cruise ship are always busy cleaning different areas of the vessel.  They know that an unannounced inspection could happen any time the ship pulls into a U.S. port, and there’s a lot of pressure to keep everything sanitized properly.

The CDC (Center for Disease Control) utilizes the VSP (Vessel Sanitation Program) to limit the spread of gastrointestinal illnesses on cruise ships operating from U.S. ports.  Up to twice a year, the VSP conducts surprise inspections.

Inspectors closely examine key areas of the ship, including food handling and storage areas (kitchens, buffets, refrigerators), water treatment systems (drinking and pool water), sewage disposal systems, and medical facilities.

Each inspected ship received a sanitation score that is publicly on the CDC website https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp/default.htm.

So far this year, the average score of cruise ships inspected is 94.3, with 7 ships receiving a perfect score of 100.

2. Handwashing protocols are more rigorous than ever

If you’ve been on a cruise ship lately, you understand this point.  Cruise lines have always encouraged handwashing before entering dining venues like the buffet area and main dining room.

Today, it’s not uncommon to have a crew member stationed at the entrance of the buffet to highlight this importance. 

Whether it’s the resounding chorus of “Washy washy!” or the crew member singing about washing your hands as they don a brightly colored costume, it’s almost impossible for a passenger to walk into an eating area without being guilt-tripped into washing up first.

It used to be that a crew member would just pour what seemed like half a gallon of hand sanitizer in your hands, but now washing hands with soap and water has proven more effective at keeping a clean environment.

On a recent cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, there was a very energetic and vocal crew member who sang popular tunes to words like, “Everybody wash your hands”.  People loved it and I never saw one person walk by with hands uncleansed.

I don’t remember ever walking into Golden Corral and being encouraged to wash my hands first.

3. Norovirus is more common on land than on a cruise ship

This stomach illness has impacted cruise travelers from time to time.  Recently there have been reports of a norovirus outbreak on a Royal Caribbean and Princess cruise ship. 

So, are cruise ships rife with this gastrointestinal virus?  Because outbreaks like this are found and reported more quickly on cruise ships than on land it may seem to be the case. 

In reality, the CDC estimates that only 1% of yearly U.S. norovirus cases happen on cruise ships.  You just never see the other 99% show up in your newsfeed. 

4. Ships have advanced air filtration for cabins and public spaces

Cruise lines have take some huge steps forward with air quality improvements.    Most newer ships have HEPA filters for individual cabins and around other parts of the ship.

HEPA filters can trap particles as small as .03 microns, making them capable of capturing airborne particles and viruses.

Here are just a few examples of what cruise lines are using to help keep the air found interior spaces clean.

• Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings announced a partnership with AtmosAir Solutions to install H13 HEPA filters across all the ships within its brand.
• Virgin Voyages uses AtmosAir’s ionization system to electrically charge particles in the air and remove any airborne contaminants.
• Royal Caribbean uses air filtration in public areas, stating that there are up to 15 air changes every hour in public spaces on their ships.

5. The water is purified through several methods

I’ve had the privilege of getting behind-the-scenes tours of cruise ship facilities.  The treatment of water on board is one of the most fascinating things that most passengers have no idea is even happening.

Modern cruise ships use advanced treatment systems for wastewater to lessen any impact on the environment.  But they also use Reverse Osmosis, ultraviolet light, and ozone to disinfect drinking water. 

This is what makes it safe to drink water from your stateroom bathroom sink.  They even add some minerals to help make it taste better.

Cruise ships can generate water from seawater by way of Reverse Osmosis or evaporation, and they can often hold half a million gallons at a time.

From the drinking water to the pool water, it’s safe and free of harmful bacteria.

6. Food safety is a priority

Kitchens on a cruise ship are the cleanest kitchens I’ve seen.  But I’m not a health inspector.  Still, these areas of the ship go through strict regulations that are examined by health inspectors. 

Everything from food handling to storage and sanitation are inspected regularly.  The kitchen crew is trained in food handling to minimize contamination, food is stored at the proper temperature to prevent bacteria growth, and kitchens are cleaned frequently.

7. Sick passengers are quarantined to prevent spread of illness

If a passenger gets especially sick, they’ll likely be isolated in their cabin to prevent further spread. The medical team will also perform contact tracing to identify anyone who may have been in close contact with the sick passenger.

Depending on the illness and risk of transmission, these close contacts may be quarantined in their cabins for a period of time.

Cruise lines take these measures very seriously, and they are required to report outbreaks to the CDC. It might be a huge inconvenience – especially when on vacation–, but it’s a vital step in preventing the spread of illness and ensuring everyone’s safety onboard.

And don’t’ forget, passengers fill out a health questionnaire just to get on board and go through a light screening ahead of time.  This was enforced much more a few years ago but is still part of the boarding process.

8. Most of the ship is disinfected at night

High-touch surfaces in common areas like railings, elevator buttons, and door handles are frequently disinfected throughout the day with hospital-grade disinfectants.

At night, things really get ramped up with the cleaning process and an even more thorough wipe down.

The reason the deck chairs on lido deck get put away at night is so the crew can clean the deck.  Also, this is when the pools and hot tubs get cleaned as well.  On some ships the pools are deep cleaned every 2 to 3 days.

Public areas get a more thorough cleaning at night to minimize interference with passengers.  This is when the floor scrubbing or carpet shampooing would get done.

9. Passengers are constantly reminded of good hygiene

Whether it’s on your stateroom TV or announcements made around the ship, you are constantly reminded to wash your hands, cover your mouth when you cough, and a myriad of other hygiene helps.

And the biggest help to combat the spread of germs is the behavior of passengers.   After all, common sense is not so common to everyone.  Some might need some helpful reminders now and then to keep their germs to themselves.

10. These are the “Germiest” places on a cruise ship

Areas like the buffet, pool deck, elevator, kids club, and onboard fitness center can be the “germiest”.  But these are also some of the most disinfected and sanitized by the crew because of that very fact. 

Disinfectant wipes can be useful before using a lido deck lounge chair (especially the armrests) or when touching any door handles.  But many of today’s ships have automatic doors or doors that slide open when you wave your hand in front of the sensor, eliminating another point of contact.

A true germaphobe might want to just take the stairs as often as possible, though.  I do this most of the time anyway because it’s a good work out, and I don’t want to go to the gym on vacation.  In general, elevators are a bit too tight a space for a germophobe anyway.

Read our Elevator Survival Guide article for tips on avoiding any craziness that can go with them.

Bottom Line

Germs are a part of life, and there’s no 100% way to eliminate the risk of getting them.  I can certainly understand a potential cruiser’s anxiety over this topic. And if it’s too much of a concern, another type of vacation may be more suitable.

But when you break it down, a cruise ship offers more sanitation protocols and technology than most places on land.   The only real issue is that there are a lot of people on board most ships.

A smaller ship cruise line or even all-inclusive cruise line offers more space per passenger to help ease these concerns.

A few smart packing choices will help too.  Pack some travel-size hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes for wiping down high-touch items in the cabin.  I also like to pack some air freshener if I can.  It might not kill any germs, but it can help keep the stateroom smelling fresh at least.

So, the next time you hear someone say that cruise ships are Petri dishes, point them to a few of these facts above.  And then ask them if their favorite restaurant or hotel faces the same kind of scrutiny.

Tortola, in the British Virgin Islands, will experience a decline in cruise traffic over the next two months as at least five cruise ship calls have been cancelled by Norwegian Cruise Line.

Norwegian Breakaway was scheduled to call on the island on May 16, May 23, May 30, June 20, and June 27 of this year.  These were 7-night sailings out of PortMiami.

According to news reports, the cancellation was due to engine overhauls which will result in a reduction of the vessel’s speed.

Norwegian reached out to impacted guests with a statement on the cancellation.

“Given recent feedback, and to accommodate certain circumstances including but not limited to fuel optimization as part of our commitment to the environment and sustainability efforts, as well as global maritime regulations, we have adjusted the original itinerary,” Norwegian Cruise Line mentioned in a statement.

“While we will no longer be calling Tortola, British Virgin Islands, we are pleased to share that we have extended our visit to Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas, affording you additional time to explore all our private island has to offer,” the company confirmed.

Passengers that were booked on these impacted cruises will receive $100 of onboard credit per stateroom.

Norwegian Breakaway has a passenger capacity of almost 4,000 at double-capacity and was built in 2013.

Cruise arrivals in Tortola have been picking up in 2024, and the loss of cruise passengers to the island from this news will mean at least 20,000 fewer visitors over the next two months.

The cruise port in Road Town, Tortola will see visits from other cruise ships like Emerald Princess and Disney Fantasy in May and June.