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Federal Judge Backs Hawaii’s New Tax on Cruise Passengers

Pride of America at the coast of Honolulu, Hawaii

A federal judge ruled a new climate change levy can go ahead as planned despite strong opposition and a legal challenge by the cruise industry. The ruling allows for the increase of the transient accommodation tax on hotel stays and vacation rentals. Importantly, it includes a new 11% tax on cruise ship guests for the […]

Holland America Adds Pickleball Courts to Private Island Half Moon Cay

Holland America paddles and courts 1

Holland America Line opened four pickleball courts at its private island Relax Away, Half Moon Cay, bringing the cruise line’s signature sport to its Bahamas destination. The new courts debuted December 6 with a tournament between passengers from Rotterdam and Eurodam. Cruise Line’s Pickleball Partnership Expands As the official cruise line partner of the Professional […]

Diamond Princess Launches Singapore Cruise Season as Princess Expands in Asia

Front view of Diamond Princess

Princess Cruises is expanding its Southeast Asia presence, with Diamond Princess now homeporting in Singapore and multiple sister ships scheduled to visit the region through 2027. Diamond Princess Begins Singapore Season Diamond Princess started her Singapore homeporting season on December 7, kicking off with a 16-day voyage to Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, Penang, Phuket, Nha Trang, […]

MSC Cruises Adds Wellness Programs and AR Treasure Hunt to Ocean Cay

Several people dressed in large LEGO character costumes stand and interact in the lobby of a modern indoor venue with multiple floors and decorative lighting overhead.

MSC Cruises will introduce new entertainment activities at its private island Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve starting January 2026, expanding programming for families visiting the Bahamas destination. Wellness Coaching and Sports Programs Two professional coaches from MSC ships will lead daily wellness and sports programming at Ocean Cay. Activities include yoga, functional training sessions, popular […]

Carnival’s Celebration Key Hits 1 Million Guests Just Five Months After Opening

A family of five sits on a blue couch. The adults and two children wear matching white shirts with colorful "I Am One in a Million" text. A baby sits in the center wearing a patterned onesie. Blue shutters are in the background.

Just five months in from its summer launch, Carnival’s Bahamas private destination Celebration Key has celebrated its first major milestone. This week it welcomed its one millionth guest.  Guest Andrew Sexton and his family from Tennessee were surprised as they stepped off Carnival Vista. Carnival Vista was the first ship to dock at Celebration Key […]

Celebration Key Debuts Christmas Decorations for First Holiday Season

Three people pose in front of a sand sculpture with a “Celebration Key” sign. One person is dressed as Santa Claus, and the other two wear festive outfits. Palm trees and tropical plants are in the background.

Carnival Cruise Line’s new exclusive destination Celebration Key is celebrating its first holiday season with festive decorations throughout the Grand Bahama island. The destination, which opened in July 2025, features holiday-themed displays across its five distinct portals. Holiday Decorations Across Five Portals Each of Celebration Key’s portals features holiday trees, wreaths, and garlands matching its […]

Holland America Turns Old Ship Drapes Into Tote Bags for Grand Voyage Passengers

A person uses a sewing machine to stitch a fabric bag. Two completed tote bags and one unfinished piece, all labeled "GRAND WORLD VOYAGE 2024," lie on the table.

Holland America Line transformed old ship drapes and bed runners into tote bags for passengers on its 2026 Grand Voyages, completing what the cruise line calls the industry’s first fabric circularity project. 30,000 Yards of Ship Textiles Upcycled The two-year project collected fabrics during ship renovations that would have been discarded. Holland America shipped approximately […]

Carnival Builds $26M Cruise Port in Ensenada

A large Carnival cruise ship is docked at the Ensenada Cruise Port, with numerous sailboats and palm trees lining the marina. The marina extends into the blue ocean, surrounded by breakwaters and landscaped pathways.

Carnival Corp has joined hands with with ITM Group and Hutchison Ports ECV to unveil a new shoreside leisure destination beside Ensenada Cruise Terminal. Named Ensenada Bay Village, this new destination represents an investment of over $26 million, and is expected to be operational in about two years. Cruise line executives were joined by community […]

100+ Cruise Passengers Fall Ill During Norovirus Outbreak on World Cruise

Norovirus outbreak in the dining room of a restaurant.

More than 100 people have fallen ill aboard AIDA Cruises ship AIDAdiva. The U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed a norovirus outbreak on the ship, with six crew members and 95 guests reported sick. Enhanced Cleaning with Ill Guests in Isolation The outbreak was reported a week ago during the ship’s 133-day world […]