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

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 […]

Celebration Key Gets Holiday Makeover for Its First Festive Season

A performer in a bright green costume with feathered wings and gold-wrapped presents poses and smiles near a large, decorated Christmas tree outdoors under a sunny blue sky.

Carnival Cruise Line is bringing full holiday cheer to Celebration Key this season, marking the first time the cruise line’s exclusive Grand Bahama destination is celebrating the holidays since opening earlier this year. Holiday Décor Transforms the Island The island has been transformed into a festive tropical wonderland with holiday installations throughout the property. Paradise […]

Virgin Voyages Takes Direct Aim at Cruisers Loyal to Other Lines: ‘We Appreciate You!’

A large cruise ship from Virgin Voyages sails through the ocean under a colorful sunset sky. The ship's exterior, boasting significant upgrades, features multiple decks and rows of balconies, with lifeboats visible along the side. The water is calm, and the sun is setting on the horizon.

Recent changes made by several cruise lines to their loyalty program have left many passengers threatening to take their business elsewhere. In direct response to this opportunity, Virgin Voyages is introducing a status-match program specifically aimed at those dissatisfied passengers. Plenty of Perks, No Kids Declaring the existing programs used by many hotel chains, airlines […]

Carnival Delays New Loyalty Program So Summer Cruises Count Toward Status

A graphic highlights Carnival Cruise Line loyalty tiers: red (upon sign up), gold (from 10,000 stars), platinum (from 50,000 stars), and diamond (from 100,000 stars)—with colorful stars marking each level and changes as you earn more.

Carnival Cruise Line is giving passengers more time to maximize their loyalty status before transitioning to its new Carnival Rewards program, pushing the launch date from early 2026 to September 1, 2026. Extra Time to Earn Status The cruise line announced the delay in a letter to VIFP Club members, explaining that all cruise activity […]

Cruise Delayed After Containers of Fruit Fall Into the Water

A large white P&O Cruises ship, possibly Iona, with multiple decks and orange lifeboats sails on calm blue water. The vessel features a glass-covered upper deck area and the “P&O Cruises” logo is visible on its side.

A P&O Cruises ship was forced to delay its departure at the UK’s largest cruise port due to thousands of bananas plunging into the sea. The 5,200-guest P&O Iona was scheduled to depart the Port of Southampton Saturday evening but had to stay overnight due to a nearby cargo ship mishap. Sixteen containers aboard cargo […]

10 Hits and Misses From Celebrity Cruises’ Brand-New Celebrity Xcel

A large blue and white cruise ship labeled "Celebrity Xcel" is sailing on calm water near a bridge. Undergoing sea trials ahead of its November launch, the ship has multiple decks, orange lifeboats, and a distinctive orange structure on the side.

“We are a company that’s never satisfied,” said Jason Liberty, chairman and CEO of Celebrity Cruises, during a question-and-answer panel on Celebrity Xcel.  Nowhere is that sentiment clearer than on the new 3,276-passenger vessel. As the fifth in the line’s Edge Class, it offers several new additions – concepts that line president Laura Hodges Bethge […]

Port Canaveral Claims Title as World’s Busiest Cruise Port Following Record 2025

Aerial view of Port Canaveral, one of the busiest cruise ports, with multiple large cruise ships docked beside a terminal building, surrounded by parked vehicles and water under a partly cloudy sky.

Port Canaveral has officially earned recognition as the world’s busiest cruise port, processing 8.6 million passenger movements during fiscal year 2025. The achievement marks a 13 percent increase over the previous year and represents the highest passenger volume in the port’s history. Record-Breaking Passenger Volume Reflects Port Growth The milestone underscores Port Canaveral’s dominance in […]

Princess Cruises’ Sky Princess Launches Winter Caribbean Season From Port Canaveral

The Sky Princess, a large white cruise ship with blue wave designs, is docked at Port Canaveral beside a terminal building. Lifeboats line its side, with water and distant land visible under the clear sky—ready for its Winter Caribbean adventure.

Princess Cruises’ Sky Princess arrived at Port Canaveral over the weekend to launch a winter season of Caribbean and Bahamas sailings, marking the newest and largest Princess ship to homeport in Central Florida. New Ship Brings Expanded Capacity to Port Canaveral The 3,660-passenger Sky Princess builds on the success of Princess’s inaugural Port Canaveral schedule, […]

Norwegian Cruise Line Breaks Ground on New Philadelphia Homeport, Sailing April 2026

A large white cruise ship with colorful designs is docked at the PhilaPort Cruise Terminal. The terminal has a white roof and a blue sign. Several people and cars are visible near the terminal and along the road.

Philadelphia is getting its first cruise terminal. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings announced the groundbreaking of the PhilaPort Cruise Terminal, a new 16-acre facility in Tinicum Township that will begin welcoming cruise passengers in April 2026, timed to coincide with America’s 250th anniversary celebration. What Passengers Need to Know The new terminal will be Norwegian Cruise […]