3 January 2026
By Caribbean World Magazine
The new year is off to a dramatic start for the cruise industry, with major news spanning passenger incidents, itinerary shifts, Caribbean port highlights, and booming travel demand. Here’s the latest affecting Caribbean sailings and visitor experiences:
Tragedy at Sea: Passenger Goes Overboard
A 77-year-old woman fell overboard from the Holland America Line ship Nieuw Statendam while the vessel was about 40 miles off the coast of Sabana, Cuba, on New Year’s Day. The ship had departed Fort Lauderdale on a seven-day Eastern Caribbean voyage. Though the U.S. Coast Guard launched an extensive search with air and sea assets, the mission was suspended without success. The cruise line canceled the planned Key West port call and is assisting the passenger’s family.
Weekly Industry Roundup & Cruise Trends
The latest Cruise Blog Weekly Roundup highlights key cruise industry developments including guest safety issues, line rankings, and regulatory discussions as the season ramps up globally — a good overview of wider patterns as traffic builds into early-season Caribbean departures.
Illness Outbreak on Caribbean Sailing
In another significant story affecting Caribbean sailings, about 95 passengers and 9 crew members aboard Celebrity Eclipse fell ill during a late-December Caribbean cruise from Fort Lauderdale — with symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea. The CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program is investigating, and Celebrity Cruises has stepped up sanitation protocols aboard its ships.
Travel Packages Tie Cruise to Major Events
A new travel package combining the Miami Open tennis tournament with a Caribbean cruise has emerged as a high-end holiday option for winter travellers. Sailings include routes touching destinations like Grand Cayman, Jamaica, and the Bahamas aboard modern ships, giving cruisers sport-meets-sea vacation choices this season.
Other Caribbean Cruise Highlights
Barbados Leading Cruise Passenger Growth
Barbados is currently the fastest-growing cruise destination in the Caribbean, with a 31.5 % year-over-year increasein cruise passengers through the first three quarters of the latest data cycle. Investments in port infrastructure at Bridgetown and strong ship deployment from major lines are cited as key growth drivers.
Norwegian Viva Sets Sail from Galveston
Although not Caribbean-exclusive, the Norwegian Viva’s winter 2026 Caribbean sailings from Galveston, Texas are now underway — offering seven-day cruises that call in Cozumel, Roatan, Costa Maya, and Harvest Caye, and extended voyages that also include St. Thomas and San Juan. This further confirms strong demand for Caribbean sailings in the new year.
Adjustments & Itinerary Notes for 2026
-
Some cruise lines continue to adjust scheduled Caribbean stops due to external factors (security at certain destinations, pier repairs, etc.), meaning cruisers should double-check departure information before travel. ◆ (Based on ongoing itinerary trends)
-
The season’s itinerary shifts reinforce flexibility in routing as lines optimize port calls for passenger experience and logistical feasibility. ◆ (Industry-wide context)
