Disney Destiny Joins Celebrity Xcel, Star Princess, Oceania Allura, Norwegian Aqua, Celebrity Apex, and Others to Surge Cruise Travel Across the Caribbean This Year

In an unprecedented move, Disney Destiny, along with Celebrity Xcel, Star Princess, Oceania Allura, Norwegian Aqua, and Celebrity Apex, is set to revolutionize Caribbean cruising by offering a perfect blend of luxury, sustainability, and unforgettable itineraries. Each of these ships brings unique features to the table, elevating the cruising experience in the region to new heights. From family-friendly voyages on Disney Destiny to the eco-conscious innovations seen on Celebrity Xcel and Norwegian Aqua, this group of ships will cater to diverse traveler preferences. The ships will sail to iconic Caribbean destinations, including the Bahamas, Grand Cayman, Aruba, and Cozumel, providing luxury, adventure, and relaxation for every type of cruiser.

Disney Destiny: The Ultimate Family Adventure Awaits in the Caribbean

Disney Destiny, the latest addition to Disney Cruise Line’s fleet, launched in November 2025, designed for families and Disney fans seeking fun and adventure in the Caribbean and Bahamas. As part of Disney’s ongoing expansion in the region, this ship marks a significant step forward in offering larger family‑friendly voyages.

• Opening Itinerary & Details: Disney Destiny began its maiden Caribbean and Bahamas sailings from Port Canaveral on November 20, 2025. The ship will primarily operate four and five night voyages with stops in Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island, and various Caribbean islands like Nassau and Grand Cayman.
• Homeport Data: The ship will homeport in Port Canaveral for the 2025/26 winter season.
• Why Beneficial for Travelers: Families can enjoy a multitude of themed activities, world‑class dining, and immersive entertainment options designed specifically for children and adults alike. Disney’s focus on family‑oriented experiences ensures that children and adults both have an engaging time.

Celebrity Xcel: Elevating Luxury with Eco-Conscious Caribbean Voyages

Launched in mid-November 2025, Celebrity Xcel, a new premium cruise ship, aims to bring elevated cruising experiences to the Caribbean. Celebrity Xcel has a strong focus on luxury, sustainability, and sophisticated itineraries, it has quickly become a standout for discerning travelers.

• Purpose: Grow Celebrity’s premium cruise capacity with Caribbean/Bahamas sailings.
• Details: Edge‑class ship with ~3,260 passenger capacity; equipped with new features and flex‑fuel engine readiness, immediately deploying on Bahamas and Caribbean itineraries from Fort Lauderdale.
• Itinerary & Homeport:Celebrity Xcel begins its journeys from Fort Lauderdale with 10‑day cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean, including Grand Cayman, Cozumel, and Puerto Rico. Its inaugural cruise, held on November 19, kicked off the 2025/26 season of Caribbean cruises.
• Why It’s Beneficial for Travelers: Celebrity Xcel offers a luxurious experience with enhanced dining, wellness offerings, and spacious suites, making it perfect for those seeking a higher-end cruise. The ship also boasts environmentally‑friendly initiatives, which attract sustainability‑minded travelers looking to make eco-conscious travel choices.

Star Princess: A New Era of Sustainable Luxury Cruises in the Caribbean

The Star Princess officially launched in early November 2025, bringing the LNG-powered sphere-class ships to the Caribbean. Aimed at both adventure seekers and relaxation lovers, it’s a versatile ship that blends luxury and convenience.

• Details: Sphere‑class vessel designed for Caribbean, Mediterranean, Alaska, and Panama Canal itineraries; LNG fuel reduces emissions relative to older ships — delivering modern cruising with lower environmental impact.
• Itinerary & Homeport: Princess Cruises’ Star Princess sails from Fort Lauderdale, offering Caribbean itineraries. Key ports include St. Maarten, Aruba, and Barbados, with its first voyage departing in early November. It’s designed for long-term Caribbean deployment during the winter.
• Why It’s Beneficial for Travelers:Star Princess offers new environmental technologies, like LNG fuel, lowering the ship’s carbon footprint. Travelers benefit from eco‑friendly cruising options, and the ship’s enhanced facilities cater to diverse needs, including spa treatments, gourmet dining, and family excursions.

Oceania Allura: Exclusive Luxury and Cultural Exploration in the Caribbean

The Oceania Allura, which joined the fleet in mid-November 2025, is a boutique luxury cruise ship designed to bring an intimate yet highly indulgent cruising experience to the Caribbean. This small, upscale ship caters to those looking for exclusive destinations and personalized services.

• Purpose: Enhance upper‑premium cruising in Caribbean markets.
• Details: Smaller vessel (~1,200 passengers) focused on elevated culinary and destination‑centric experiences, deployed in the Caribbean as part of the cruise line’s seasonal homeport strategy.
• Itinerary & Homeport: Allura departs from Miami on Caribbean voyages, focusing on the luxury cruise market. Its maiden voyage, on November 13, 2025, featured stops in Cuba, Cayman Islands, and St. Kitts, with longer, more exclusive itineraries focused on cultural exploration.
• Why It’s Beneficial for Travelers: Oceania Allura’s smaller size enables access to more secluded ports, often overlooked by larger ships. With premium dining and exclusive excursions, travelers seeking luxury and immersion in culture will find it the ideal vessel for a once-in-a-lifetime cruise.

Norwegian Aqua: Sustainable Cruising Meets Luxury in the Caribbean

The Norwegian Aqua, launched earlier in 2025 but still relevant for this winter season, represents Norwegian Cruise Line’s commitment to expanding Caribbean operations with eco-friendly cruising in mind. Aqua’s modern design, LNG fuel, and luxury touches make it a top choice for Caribbean travelers.

• Purpose: The ship focuses on sustainable travel while providing premium dining and spacious accommodations for discerning travelers.
• Details: Norwegian Aqua (Norwegian Cruise Line) is designed to expand Caribbean cruising with eco-friendly features, including LNG-powered engines. Launched in 2025, it offers luxury itineraries to destinations like Cozumel and Grand Turk.
• Itinerary & Homeport: Norwegian Aqua departs from PortMiami, with voyages lasting seven to ten days. The ship’s maiden voyage, July 2025, began its seasonal deployment, focusing on the Caribbean, including Cozumel, Grand Turk, and San Juan.
• Why It’s Beneficial for Travelers: Norwegian Aqua features eco-friendly, LNG-powered engines, offering an environmentally conscious vacation choice. Guests also benefit from its high-end amenities, gourmet dining, and luxury suites, making it perfect for those wanting a modern, sustainable cruise experience.

Celebrity Apex: Premium Luxury Cruises to Iconic Caribbean Destinations

Celebrity Apex, part of Celebrity Cruises’ Edge class, began service in October 2025 with its Caribbean voyages, adding a premium luxury option for travelers heading to top destinations. Its unique, modern design and innovative spaces make it a standout ship for sophisticated cruisers.

• Itinerary & Homeport: The ship operates primarily from Fort Lauderdale and Miami, offering seven‑night Caribbean cruises. Maiden sailings began November 2025, featuring stops in Cuba, the Bahamas, and Puerto Rico.
• Why It’s Beneficial for Travelers: Celebrity Apex is well known for its stylish décor, luxurious accommodations, and premium itineraries, making it a top choice for travelers looking for affordable luxury. With its innovative Solarium and Edge‑class design, passengers enjoy sophisticated relaxation and top-tier dining.

The six new ships launched in November 2025 significantly enhance Caribbean offerings by expanding capacity, introducing environmentally friendly vessels, and catering to premium markets. For travelers, this means more choices in luxury, sustainability, and family‑friendly cruising, alongside exciting itineraries to well-loved Caribbean destinations like the Bahamas, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. The variety of new ships helps ensure that the Caribbean continues to be one of the world’s most sought‑after cruising regions in the coming years.

Why These Cruises Are Important for the Caribbean and Travelers

The recent launch of ships like Disney Destiny, Celebrity Xcel, Star Princess, Oceania Allura, Norwegian Aqua, and Celebrity Apex is pivotal for both the Caribbean and global travelers. These ships play a crucial role in boosting Caribbean tourism by offering luxury, sustainability, and diverse itineraries, making the region even more appealing to premium and eco-conscious travelers.

For the Caribbean, these new ships inject significant economic benefits by increasing passenger traffic, boosting port revenues, and supporting local businesses. They also drive sustainable tourism practices with eco-friendly vessels that reduce carbon emissions, which is critical for preserving the region’s natural beauty.

For travelers, these ships deliver unmatched experiences with world-class amenities, innovative onboard technologies, and access to hidden gems in the Caribbean. Whether travelers are seeking luxury relaxation or adventurous excursions, these cruises offer something for everyone, ensuring memorable voyages while promoting sustainability and responsible tourism.

Disney Destiny joins Celebrity Xcel, Star Princess, Oceania Allura, Norwegian Aqua, and Celebrity Apex to revolutionize Caribbean cruising by offering a perfect blend of luxury, sustainability, and unforgettable itineraries. Each ship brings unique features, from eco-friendly technologies to premium onboard experiences, ensuring travelers enjoy a diverse, high-quality cruising experience across the region. This collaboration of ships redefines cruising standards, making the Caribbean a prime destination for those seeking both indulgence and environmental responsibility.

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Marriott Expands City Express Brand Across the US and Canada with Almost Hundreds New Signings, Offering Affordable Accommodation Options to Travelers and Boosting Local Economies

Marriott International has recently announced that it has reached an incredible milestone, with 100 signings of the City Express brand across the US and Canada. This expansion is part of Marriott’s broader strategy to meet the growing demand for mid-tier accommodations and enhance its presence in North America. The strategic growth aims to cater to both business and leisure travelers, offering a more affordable and comfortable hotel experience. The growth of City Express will benefit numerous regions, drive economic development, and elevate the travel experience for guests, although it may also bring some challenges to local markets.

What is Happening?

Marriott International is expanding its City Express brand with 100 new signings in the US and Canada. This marks a key phase in Marriott’s growth strategy, particularly in urban and regional centers across North America. The City Express brand is known for providing modern, affordable accommodations, meeting the demands of price-conscious travelers who seek a balance between cost and comfort. The new hotels will include both newly built properties and existing hotels rebranded under Marriott’s City Express umbrella.

Where is this Happening?

The expansion is taking place across various regions in the United States and Canada. Marriott is focusing on both major metropolitan areas and smaller cities that show promise for tourism and business travel. This includes regions in California, Texas, Ontario, and Quebec, among others. The United States will see the bulk of the expansion, as the demand for affordable mid-range hotels remains high in key destinations like New York, San Francisco, and Miami.

Canada, meanwhile, will see City Express properties introduced in cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal, responding to growing travel demand in these urban centers. In total, the City Express brand will stretch across both countries, offering new options for travelers seeking affordable and reliable accommodations.

When is this Happening?

The expansion is underway and will continue over the next few years. Marriott aims to have the 100 signings fully operational by early 2027, with several properties expected to open in phases throughout 2026. This timeline ensures Marriott can adequately prepare each property, offering the modern amenities and customer service expected from the City Express brand.

Why is this Important?

The City Express brand’s expansion in the US and Canada is crucial for several reasons. First, it fills a gap in the market for mid-tier accommodations, providing travelers with affordable options without compromising on quality. As both countries continue to see increased tourism and business activity, particularly in emerging markets, the need for budget-friendly hotels has never been more evident.

For Marriott, the expansion into new territories represents a significant opportunity to capture a wider market segment, particularly among younger travelers and those on longer stays. City Express’s modern design, coupled with its convenient locations in key cities, will likely attract a wide range of travelers, from solo adventurers to families and business groups.

Additionally, the growth of the City Express brand is likely to stimulate local economies. The opening of new hotels creates jobs in construction, hospitality, and tourism, contributing to the economic vibrancy of these cities. Moreover, travelers who choose to stay in City Express properties are expected to spend money in local businesses, boosting tourism revenue.

How Does this Benefit Travelers?

Travelers stand to benefit significantly from Marriott’s expansion of the City Express brand. The primary advantage is the availability of budget-friendly yet high-quality hotel accommodations. For travelers, especially those on business trips or seeking short stays, City Express offers the perfect combination of comfort and convenience without breaking the bank.

The new properties will be located in both popular tourist spots and emerging destinations, making it easier for travelers to access a range of locations. Whether visiting for business, leisure, or events, travelers will now have more accommodation options in cities across the US and Canada.

The focus on modern amenities such as free Wi-Fi, flexible room configurations, and central locations also enhances the overall guest experience. Additionally, the affordability of City Express hotels means that travelers can extend their stays, visit more attractions, or allocate funds to other travel experiences, making it an appealing option for budget-conscious tourists.

Possible Disadvantages for Travelers and Local Communities

While the expansion of City Express will undoubtedly benefit travelers, there are a few potential downsides to consider. First, the increase in hotel inventory in some areas may lead to heightened competition within the local market, which could pressure existing hotels to lower their prices or improve their offerings. For some smaller, independent hotels, this may be challenging.

Moreover, as more budget hotels enter certain regions, local communities may experience changes in tourism dynamics. The influx of budget travelers might shift the focus away from more traditional luxury tourism, potentially affecting the type of businesses that thrive in a given area.

Lastly, while City Express provides affordable accommodation options, the rapid growth of the brand in highly competitive markets could create overcapacity. If the demand for budget hotels doesn’t meet expectations in certain areas, it could lead to underperformance, which may ultimately affect travelers’ access to rooms during peak times.

Final Words

The expansion of Marriott’s City Express brand across the US and Canada marks a major milestone for both the company and travelers alike. With 100 signings planned, this expansion brings much-needed affordable accommodations to key cities, benefiting tourists and business travelers who seek comfort without the high price tag. While the growth is expected to stimulate local economies and create new travel opportunities, it may also bring challenges in terms of competition and market saturation. Regardless, Marriott’s strategic move to meet the rising demand for budget-friendly hotels in North America is poised to reshape the region’s hospitality landscape for years to come.

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