Caribbean Cruise Capacity Up Over 10% for 2026

Posted on 5 February, 2026 by Spacejunkie2

Caribbean Cruise Capacity Up Over 10% for 2026

The Caribbean will have over 40 percent of cruise market share worldwide in 2026, according to the upcoming 2026 Cruise Industry News Annual Report.

CIN data shows that more than 200 ships will sail in the region, with capacity up over 10 percent on a year-over-year basis.

Larger brands, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC and Norwegian, will account for 75 percent of the capacity in the Caribbean this year.

Pushing up the numbers are large new ships, which are set to enter service for some of these brands over the course of 2026.

Norwegian will add a new ship to its Caribbean lineup in the second quarter, with the debut of the new Norwegian Luna.

Currently under construction in Italy, the 3,571-passenger vessel is set to offer weeklong cruises departing from PortMiami.

In November, Royal Caribbean is also introducing the next largest ship in the world, the Legend of the Seas.

As the third vessel in the company’s Icon-class series, the 5,610-guest ship will offer a seasonal deployment out of Fort Lauderdale.

The Caribbean is also welcoming new ships from a series of upscale and niche brands, such as Explora Journeys.

After an inaugural season in Northern Europe, the 922-guest ship will spend the 2026-27 season offering a series of cruises between San Juan and Miami.

Other luxury ships arriving in the region this year include the Seven Seas Prestige, the Four Seasons I, and Orient Express’ Corinthian.

2026 will also mark the first full year of service for megaships that entered service in 2025.

The lineup includes MSC’s World America, which debuted last April, Norwegian’s Aqua, which also debuted in April, and Royal Caribbean’s Star, which entered service in August.

After kicking off its maiden season in November 2025, the Disney Destiny will also offer its first year-round schedule in Port Everglades

Norwegian Cruise Line: 16-Year-Old Fleet Average Age by 2030

Posted on 27 September, 2025 by Spacejunkie2

Norwegian Cruise Line: 16-Year-Old Fleet Average Age by 2030

Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet is undergoing significant changes over the next few years with the debut of a series of newbuilds and the withdrawal of some of its older vessels.

According to Cruise Industry News’ 2026 Global Cruise Ship Index, the changes will translate into a rejuvenation of the fleet.

Data from the exclusive report shows that the company’s current vessels have an average age of 15 years.

By 2030, Norwegian is expected to operate a 22-ship fleet, which will have an average age of roughly 16 years.

After announcing a record-breaking order in April 2024, Norwegian is set to welcome seven new ships to its fleet by 2036.

Four are scheduled to enter service between 2026 and 2030, including the new Norwegian Luna, which debuts next March.

The company is then set to welcome two additional Prima Class vessels in 2027 and 2028 before introducing a new ship class.

Significantly larger than the company’s current ships, the first vessel in the series is set to debut in 2030, boasting 225,000 tons and capacity for 5,100 guests.

Norwegian also announced plans to retire two ships from its fleet over the next couple of years: the Norwegian Sky and the Norwegian Sun.

Among the oldest vessels currently in service for the brand, the sister ships were built between 1999 and 2001.

Set for a future serving the Indian source market, the vessels will be delivered to Cordelia Cruises in 2026 and 2027, respectively.

The 2026 Global Cruise Ship Index by Cruise Industry News puts the world’s entire cruise fleet at the fingertips of readers with a comprehensive Excel file.

The database was just released and covers all key metrics, such as capacity, tonnage, age, width, draft and much more.

Saint John Welcomes Unscheduled Visit from Norwegian Aqua

Posted on 24 August, 2025 by Spacejunkie2

Saint John Welcomes Unscheduled Visit from Norwegian Aqua

Saint John in Canada welcomed the new Norwegian Aqua for an unscheduled visit earlier this week.

Initially set to visit Bermuda, the Norwegian Cruise Line ship was diverted to the port due to the impact of Hurricane Erin.

“It was a beautiful sunny day, and guests were in good spirits despite not being at the port they signed up for,” Natalie Allaby, Port Saint John’s director of cruise, marketing and engagement, told Cruise Industry News.

“Days like yesterday remind us of how our cruise sector was born back in September of 1989: a hurricane diversion from an NYC cruise destined for Bermuda that came our way instead,” she continued.

The first cruise ship to visit Saint John was the Cunard Princess, which arrived at the port in Canada’s Bay of Fundy due to a diversion caused by Hurricane Gabrielle.

“We hope we can be of assistance should any additional diversions need to occur during the 2025 hurricane season,” Allaby added.

The call also marked the first visit of a Prima-class ship to Saint John, she added, noting that the port is happy to accommodate unscheduled calls.

After departing from New York City, the Norwegian Aqua made its inaugural visit to Saint John on Aug. 20, 2025.

The visit was part of a four-night cruise that also marked the ship’s debut in NYC and the Canada and New England region.

Initially set to include an overnight call at the Royal Naval Dockyard in Bermuda, the itinerary was adjusted due to Hurricane Erin.

In a statement sent to guests onboard, Norwegian said that the change was necessary to allow the ship to “steer clear” of the storm and forecasted rough weather.

While the Norwegian Aqua is not scheduled to make additional visits to Saint John, the port is set to welcome other vessels from the company, including the Norwegian Getaway and the Norwegian Gem.