12 January 2026
Industry & Regional Cruise Updates
Caribbean Travel Disrupted (But Cruises Still Sailing)
Airspace closures and flight chaos from recent events in Venezuela caused widespread flight disruptions and some cruise delays — including late departures from hubs like San Juan — though most Caribbean sailings continued as scheduled.
Cruise Lines Warn Passengers of Delays
Several cruise companies issued advisories about the impacts of regional flight delays on embarkation and disembarkation plans, urging travellers to check travel arrangements closely.
PortMiami Breaks Ground on New Mega Cruise Terminal
PortMiami and Royal Caribbean Group have officially begun construction on a brand-new terminal complex designed to handle future cruise industry growth — slated to be operational by 2027.
New Beachside Experience in Nassau
Royal Caribbean opened the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island — a dedicated all-inclusive beach destination for cruise guests featuring beaches, pools, and relaxation zones.
Royal Caribbean Round-Up
Royal Caribbean’s latest fan-focussed news roundup is out, sharing industry and line-specific highlights for the region.
Itineraries & Season Moves
Princess Cruises’ Biggest Caribbean Season Ever
Princess Cruises is offering its largest Caribbean programme to date in 2026, with over 90 voyages visiting all regions of the Caribbean — Eastern, Western, Southern and more — sailing from Ft. Lauderdale and Port Canaveral.
Highlights include:
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7-night Eastern & Western Caribbean sailings
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8-day Southern Caribbean cruises including the ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao)
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Multi-month itinerary combinations for extended Caribbean adventures.
Carnival Dream’s Extended Journeys
Carnival Dream is underway on a 14-night “Carnival Journeys” cruise from Galveston that stops in Southern Caribbean highlights like Aruba, Curaçao, Cozumel, Montego Bay, Panama and more — then returns for a second 14-night Caribbean & Bahamas itinerary.
Star Clippers Expands with New Homeport in Grenada
Tall-ship sailings get a boost: Star Clippers will base select voyages from St. George’s, Grenada, offering longer 10–11-night itineraries calling new ports like Tobago, Carriacou, Canouan and Mayreau.
Celebrity & MSC Cruise Moves
Celebrity Cruises continues deep Caribbean deployment with an expanded fleet and itineraries from multiple Florida ports, while MSC Cruises maintains a robust schedule of Caribbean and Bahamas sailings across several ships.
What This Means for Travellers
Travel Logistics Matter More Than Ever
With ongoing regional flight disruptions, cruisers should monitor air travel plans, check insurer policies, and allow extra time for airport-to-ship connections.
Strong Seasonal Demand
The expanded 2026 cruise offerings — from Princess’s all-regions Caribbean push to Carnival’s extended voyages and luxury beach experiences — reflect robust demand for Caribbean sailings this year.
New Experiences at Port
Cruise lines are building more immersive shore experiences, like dedicated beach clubs and new homeports, making the Caribbean cruise season more attractive than ever.
