Royal Caribbean Group is bringing its Royal Beach Club concept to Europe for the first time with Royal Beach Club Santorini, set to open in summer 2026.

The exclusive beach club marks a major expansion for the company as it grows its land-based vacation portfolio from two to eight destinations by 2028.

First Royal Beach Club in Europe

The Santorini beach club will welcome passengers from both Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises, combining the iconic Greek island’s volcanic beaches with the company’s signature experiences and authentic local culture.

Guests will enjoy an “Ultimate Santorini Day” that includes exploring the famous white-washed buildings and blue-domed churches in Oia, along with strolling through shops, cafes and art galleries in Fira.

“Expanding our Royal Beach Club Collection to include Santorini, one of the world’s most popular and beautiful locations, is a bold step forward in growing our vacation portfolio,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group.

Solution to Greece’s Overtourism?

Royal Caribbean Group stated the beach club will feature an innovative solution to alleviate congestion throughout Santorini by better distributing arriving passengers.

Cruisers will be able to pick from one of three locations, minimizing crowding while maximizing time spent enjoying the destination’s sights and sounds.

“With this new beach club, we are able to bring the best of what the island has to offer with the signature service Royal Caribbean is known for,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International.

Resort Collection is Expanding

Royal Beach Club Santorini joins Royal Caribbean Group’s growing collection of eight land-based destinations spanning The Bahamas, Haiti, Mexico, Chile, Greece and the South Pacific.

The company currently operates Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas and Labadee in Haiti.

The first Royal Beach Club experience is scheduled to launch in The Bahamas this December.

Additional destinations include Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in The Bahamas, the Southernmost Hotel on Earth The Cormorant at 55 South in Chile, Royal Beach Club Cozumel in Mexico, Perfect Day Mexico, and Royal Beach Club South Pacific in Lelepa, all opening between 2025 and 2028.

An American cruise passenger was arrested in Italy after a loaded handgun was discovered in his bag during a routine security check at the cruise terminal.

Police said the Browning semi-automatic pistol was found during pre-cruise security screening at the Porto Corsini Cruise Terminal in Ravenna, Italy.

The 77-year old man and his son were detained at the port. The gun was seized and he was charged with illegal possession of a firearm and issued a deportation order. He told police he forgot the weapon was in his bag and said he has a valid US permit for the pistol.

Gun not detected at US airports

The two guests had traveled from Tennessee, flying to Venice via a transatlantic flight at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport. It is unclear how they got through airport security screening without detecting the firearm.

Police said they were booked on a cruise to Croatia but further details or the name of the cruise line haven’t been disclosed. Incidents like this are rare although a similar one took place just a few months ago.

Other Guests Caught with Guns Trying to Board Ships

A 73-year old American noticed he had inadvertently packed is firearm in his luggage on the day of his cruise from Kobe, Japan. He discarded bullets and then informed security officers at the cruise terminal. He was then arrested.

Just a few weeks earlier, a passenger was arrested in Aruba after attempting to board Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas with a gun.

The mother of a five-year-old girl who went overboard from a Disney Cruise Line ship won’t face criminal charges.

Assistant State Attorney Melissa Kelly said the state has decided not to press charges.

Kelly acknowledged the woman’s actions were “arguably negligent and irresponsible” but didn’t deem it a serious offense worthy of criminal child negligence.

Child Went Overboard While Posing for a Photo

The young girl fell overboard from the fourth deck after her mother ushered her over to a port hole railing to take a photo.

The girl sat there but lost her balance and went overboard, falling about 50 feet into the water. Her father jumped in after her. He was able to grab her and they tread water for about 20 minutes while a small boat was deployed.

The cruise line praised its crew at the time for their “exceptional skills and prompt actions, which ensured the safe return of both guests to the ship within minutes.”

“The father noted difficulty locating his daughter in the water and admitted losing visual contact temporarily. He was eventually able to reach her and tread water with her until they were rescued,” the Broward County Sheriff’s Office police report stated.

The June incident aboard the Disney Dream was captured on video and went viral. It garnered some intense online commentary with divided opinions over the actions of the parents. It happened as the ship was between Florida and the Bahamas.

The father and daughter were initially treated at the ship’s medical center and then transported to Broward Health Medical Center. Both were treated for hypothermia, and the dad also suffered two spinal fractures.

Assistant State Attorney Kelly said the mother mistakenly believed there was a barrier on the deck railing and didn’t knowingly put her daughter in danger.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed a norovirus outbreak aboard Oceania Insignia, marking the 20th reported gastrointestinal illness outbreak on a cruise ship in 2025.

According to the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP), the outbreak occurred during Insignia’s current voyage, which began October 16 and is scheduled to end October 27. The illness was reported to the CDC on October 20.

A total of 74 passengers out of 637 (11.6%) and 1 crew member out of 391 (0.3%) have reported symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea. The illness has been attributed to norovirus, a highly contagious virus that spreads easily in close-contact environments such as cruise ships.

A guest onboard posted in a Facebook group that, “many from our party our confined to staterooms.”

Outbreak Response Measures

Oceania Cruises implemented several response measures onboard in line with CDC protocols, including:

• Enhanced cleaning and sanitation procedures.
• Isolation of symptomatic passengers and crew.
• Collection of stool samples for testing.
• Ongoing consultation with CDC officials to monitor and review sanitation practices.

The CDC is currently monitoring the situation remotely and has not indicated any planned shipboard inspections.

20 Outbreaks in 2025 So Far

This latest incident is the 20th gastrointestinal illness outbreak of the year aboard a cruise ship that meets the CDC’s threshold for public notification. At least 14 of these have been confirmed as norovirus outbreaks.

Other cruise lines affected in 2025 include Royal Caribbean, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, and Viking.

Notably, this is the first publicly reported outbreak for Oceania Cruises this year. It follows recent outbreaks on Serenade of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas, both operated by Royal Caribbean International.

The CDC has previously acknowledged the increase in cruise-related outbreaks, though officials have not confirmed whether the rise signals a lasting trend.

Oceania Insignia is currently on an 11 night one-way repositioning cruise from Montreal to Boston.

Cruise lines need cast iron certainty on the immediate future of fuel supply at the world’s cruise capital.

Speaking for the industry at a recent meeting of the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners, Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty says the recent sale of the Fisher Island fuel depot near PortMiami highlights many concerns for the short term future of cruising.

Fisher Island Fuel Depot Recently Sold

While fuel supply has remained uninterrupted, there has been no guarantees offered, going forward. The new owners have other plans for the Fisher Island facility. Liberty stressed that it is essential that there is no interruption in fuel supply, in the short term at least.

“If there’s another place to put the facility, that’s wonderful, whether it’s on the port or not. The issue for us at hand is the certainty element,” he said.

“Even if we identify land, the amount of time it will take for the permitting, the building, it’s not 24 months,” Liberty said. “In the short to mid-term, without that fuel farm, it’s pretty tough to certify certainty that the fuel is going to be available to us.”

Miami-Dade County has been discussing alternative options for several weeks. All except one of these would require years to come to fruition. PortMiami has a fuel supply agreement with Fisher Island terminal until 2027.

The other more immediate option would be to negotiate a purchase of the fuel depot. If that fails, the Commissioners have already discussed the possibility of an eminent domain compulsory purchase order. 

Liberty said the cruise industry is open to all options but on the understanding that there is no disruption to the fuel supply. He was addressing the commissioners on behalf of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA alongside representatives from Carnival Corp; MSC Cruises, NCL and Virgin Voyages.

Speaking on the issue when the sale of Fisher Island was imminent in September, Liberty said: “No major US home port operates without fuel bunkering. If the Port of Miami were to lose this capability, the consequences would be severe.” 

Last month, the Commissioners agreed a motion to continue discussions for a month with the new owners over acquiring the site, a period which is set to expire this week. 

US cruise lines are reconsidering their itinerary plans in east Asia as hefty new China port fees kick in. The retaliatory port fees, initially targeting cargo operators, have been expanded to cruise ships.

The new fees are directed at US cruise operators and could add several million dollars per visit for a large ship.

First Cruise Ship Skips China Port Call

The fees are China’s response to US tariff related fees, and have started to have an immediate impact. Oceania Cruises’ ship Riviera skipped a planned port call at Shanghai and instead replaced it with a Busan, South Korea visit.

The ship would have been forced to pay around $1.6 million in extra port fees, applicable only for its first port call in the country. The fee calculation is based on a ship’s tonnage and targets cruise lines incorporated or with primary operations in the US, as well as any ships constructed in the US.

“Due to recently enacted retaliatory regulations, ships can no longer effectively visit mainland Chinese ports. We are therefore revising select itineraries to replace port calls. We share in the disappointment of these necessary changes,” an Oceania Cruises spokesperson said.

Homeported Ships Exempt

However, after several days of negotiations, Royal Caribbean’s Spectrum of the Seas has been given an exemption. The ship is currently offering a series of roundtrip cruises from Shanghai to Okinawa, Japan, and is marketed at Chinese customers. China-homeported ships will likely continue to be given a waiver.

Spectrum of the Seas remains in Shanghai through November 2026 and then repositions to Hong Kong. The only other major foreign owned cruise ship homeporting in Shanghai is MSC Cruises’ Bellissima.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises has just confirmed the Seven Seas Explorer’s call to Shanghai next month has been canceled and will instead visit Taiwan.

Other US based lines with upcoming China port calls haven’t indicated yet whether they will also cancel visits. Holland America Line has a planned Shanghai call next month.

AAA projects a record 21.7 million Americans will cruise in 2026, marking the fourth consecutive year of record cruise passenger volume. That’s a 4.5% jump from 2025, which is already exceeding expectations at 20.7 million cruisers.

The steady climb reflects strong consumer demand, expanded itineraries, and increased capacity across major cruise lines. According to Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA, the momentum shows no signs of slowing.

“Cruising is surging, with travelers booking more voyages and exploring new destinations in record numbers,” Haas said. “With more ships, expanded itineraries, and rising demand, cruising continues to be the go-to vacation for unforgettable experiences at sea.”

Who’s Getting on These Ships

Ocean cruising appeals to all ages, but older adults dominate. AAA data shows 65% of adult U.S. cruisers are 55 and older, while 27% are aged 35-54, and 7% fall between 18-34.

Cruising is also a shared experience. Nearly half of U.S. cruise passengers travel as couples, 20% cruise with children, 7% sail solo, and the remainder explore in groups.

Whether it’s a romantic escape or a multigenerational adventure, the variety keeps cabins full.

Mega-Vessels Take Over, Especially in the Caribbean

As demand grows, so do the ships. Mega-vessels are rising in popularity, particularly in the Caribbean, where most of them sail. These larger ships are deployed in three of the four top cruise regions: the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and Northern Europe. Alaska remains the exception—smaller vessels dominate there.

The Caribbean captures 72% of U.S. cruise passengers, which is why Miami, Port Canaveral, and Fort Lauderdale rank among the world’s busiest cruise ports. Next year, 7% of U.S. passengers are expected to take Alaska cruises, while 5% are projected to sail the Mediterranean.

The Caribbean’s popularity is bolstered by increased shorter-length cruises. These appeal to passengers seeking convenience and allow cruise lines to schedule more itineraries and sell more cabins from the same ports.

When and Why People Are Booking

Caribbean cruise season runs November through March, following hurricane season and during colder months when travelers seek warmth.

Alaska’s season is shorter—April through October—driving strong summer demand. Many travelers capitalize on this pattern by cruising Alaska in summer and heading to the Caribbean in winter.

The appeal is straightforward. AAA data shows 90% of U.S. cruise passengers rate their experience as good or very good, and 91% have cruised more than once.

Cruising continues to delivers convenience, variety, and value. Many find it more economical than booking flights and hotels separately, especially when visiting multiple destinations.

For those seeking remote adventures, cruise lines now offer expedition-style itineraries to the Arctic and Antarctica.

Vancouver’s 2025 cruise season just wrapped up, and the numbers tell the story: 301 ships, 1.2 million passengers, and over $1 billion pumped into the local economy.

The Coral Princess sailed out on October 21, marking the end of what port officials are calling a vital boost to the region during a year marked by U.S. tariff uncertainty and rising costs of living.

The Canada Place cruise terminal, which earned the title of North America’s Leading Cruise Port from World Travel Awards, hosted its first ship of the season back on March 5 when Disney Wonder arrived.

Each ship visit averages nearly $3 million in local spending. Passengers alone drop an average of $450 each on hotels, restaurants, shopping, and attractions. Cruise lines spend up to $660 million annually on local goods and services.

“This year’s success underscores the cruise sector’s power as an economic engine,” said Shri Madiwal, Vice President of Operations and Supply Chain at the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority.

Eight New Ships, Sixteen Cruise Lines

Eight vessels made their inaugural call to Vancouver this season, including Norwegian Jade, Anthem of the Seas, and Silver Moon.

Sixteen cruise lines operated from the terminal, ranging from mainstream operators like Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line to luxury lines like Silversea and Regent Seven Seas.

Vancouver has been a homeport for Alaska cruises for over 35 years, offering access to the Inside Passage as a base for both one-way and round-trip sailings.

Technology Drives Operations

On the operational side, the terminal continued leveraging technology that’s working. Facial biometric scanning, introduced last year, cut U.S. border control processing time by up to 94 percent—dropping average transaction times from 2-3 minutes to under 10 seconds.

The cruise industry also showed commitment to sustainability. More than 80 percent of cruise calls were shore-power enabled, allowing ships to plug into B.C.’s hydro-powered electrical grid instead of running diesel engines.

This prevented over 50,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. Cruise lines achieved an 85 percent participation rate in voluntary whale protection slowdowns in the Salish Sea.

Vancouver also hosted the first local cruise ship LNG refueling this year, marking the first time the alternative fuel was available at the port in significant quantities for the international maritime sector.

Preliminary bookings for 2026 are pointing to an even stronger year, with more ship calls and passenger visits expected.