New Pier and Expanded Amenities Ready for Carnival at Half Moon Cay

New Pier and Expanded Amenities Ready for Carnival at Half Moon Cay

Carnival Cruise Line’s new pier as well as new amenities and upgrades to the existing ones at its exclusive destination, RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas, are now open.

“RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay’s natural beauty has always made it a favorite for our guests, and with the new pier, more ships can now easily access this incredible destination,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.

“We’re excited that more guests than ever will be able to experience the stunning beachfront and turquoise waters.”

Thanks to the expansion, guests can enjoy new complimentary loungers and umbrellas, plus reservable cabanas and daybeds.

Furthermore, food and drink venues offering island-style meals, full buffets and beverages in shaded, beachfront settings have been added and upgraded.

These include Orchid Beach Grill, Hibiscus Beach Grill, Luna Tide Beach Bar, Stay Awhile Beach Shack and Lil’ Tiki Bar.

A scenic Papaya Pathway has been added as a walking route for those wishing to explore the destination on foot, while others can take advantage of a new tram service connecting all areas of the island.

The company added that the existing south side of the island is also being refreshed with new design elements and food and beverage venue upgrades.

The destination is part of the Paradise Collection by Carnival, a portfolio of exclusive cruise destinations across the Caribbean and The Bahamas, including the recently reimagined Isla Tropicale in Roatán, Honduras.

Refreshed Carnival Magic Resumes Miami Sailings

Refreshed Carnival Magic Resumes Miami Sailings

The Carnival Magic has returned from a 35-day drydock at the Grand Bahama Shipyard, Carnival Cruise Line said in a statement. 

The ship is now resuming sailing from Miami, offering cruises to destinations across the Caribbean and The Bahamas. 

As previously reported by Cruise Industry News, the ship entered drydock on April 19, 2026

Several spaces onboard have been updated, including the casino and arcade, paired with the addition of a new mini golf course. 

Additionally, retail areas across the gift shops and the Effy Jewelry boutique have been refreshed. 

The Cloud 9 Spa and fitness center have been renovated, as were the WaterWorks aqua park and pool decks. 

Finally, the Lido restaurant layout has been redesigned. 

This is also the second ship in Carnival’s fleet to showcase the cruise line’s new “From Sea to Shining Sea” bow crest. 

The first one to sport the new look was the Carnival Legend, which resumed service on May 20 following a 16-day drydock at the same shipyard.

Cruise Industry 10-Year Timeline: 50+ Million Guests, 20% Growth

Cruise Industry 10-Year Timeline: 50+ Million Guests, 20% Growth

The global cruise business is on course to grow at least 20 per cent between 2026 and 2036, with big new ships driving growth to an estimated 50 million guests, according to the 2026 Cruise Industry News Annual Report.

That is compared to just over 23 million guests 10 years ago, and an estimated 39 million this year.

The bulk of the growth is coming from the industry’s major players that have numerous new big ships on order, including Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, MSC Cruise, Norwegian Cruise Line and Disney Cruise Line.

Together, these five brands have a combined 34 ships on order, amounting to just over 150,000 new berths.

The most growth is coming from MSC, with 10 newbuilds set to debut. The new ships from the industry’s fastest-growing will include more World-class vessels built in France, and an entirely new class of vessel set to be constructed in Germany at Meyer Werft.

Norwegian Cruise Line is close behind with eight ships on order, adding more than 36,000 berths through 2037 as the brand continues to scale its large-ship fleet at Fincantieri in Italy.

Royal Caribbean International has six newbuilds scheduled, building on the success of its Icon-class platform with additional vessels from both Meyer Turku in Finland and Chantiers de l’Atlantique in France.

Carnival Cruise Line has five ships on order totalling nearly 30,000 berths, with new tonnage coming from both Meyer Werft and Fincantieri.

Disney Cruise Line, meanwhile, is accelerating its own expansion with five ships set to debut through 2031, more than doubling its current fleet size and extending its reach into new global markets.

The combined orderbook across all cruise lines stands at 78 ocean ships valued at approximately $80 billion, reflecting the industry’s confidence in sustained long-term demand.