{"id":2380,"date":"2025-10-14T13:08:12","date_gmt":"2025-10-14T13:08:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/2380\/"},"modified":"2025-10-14T13:08:12","modified_gmt":"2025-10-14T13:08:12","slug":"new-ships-about-to-descend-on-floridas-big-3-ports","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/2380\/","title":{"rendered":"New ships about to descend on Florida\u2019s big 3 ports"},"content":{"rendered":"

Florida\u2019s red-hot cruise market, which has witnessed a remarkable post-pandemic rebound, is heating up just in time for the Sunshine State\u2019s mild-weather winter season.<\/p>\n

Accordingly, the big names in the cruising industry are bringing some of their largest and newest ships to Florida\u2019s largest ports, which happen to be the three busiest in the world: PortMiami, Port Canaveral and Port Everglades, in that order.<\/p>\n

Port Everglades leads the way with the arrival of three brand new ships: Celebrity Xcel, Disney Destiny and Star Princess. PortMiami is rolling out the red carpet for Virgin Voyages\u2019 Brilliant Lady, the Oceania Allura and the refurbished Queen Elizabeth, one of four Cunard Line ships operated by Carnival UK.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Port Canaveral saw the arrival of Royal Caribbean\u2019s Star of the Seas this summer and will welcome ships from MSC, Celebrity and Princess for their first season homeported on Florida\u2019s Space Coast.<\/p>\n

Port Everglades is gearing up for an exciting winter cruising season as it prepares to welcome a trio of brand-new vessels from three different brands.<\/p>\n

Who can sue in cruise ship video voyeur case? A judge could soon decide<\/a><\/p>\n

The 3,260-passenger Celebrity Xcel features some new-to-ship spaces, including The Bazaar, but keeps the Edge-class favorite Magic Carpet, an exterior platform that can serve as a platform for disembarking or as a dining and entertainment venue. The ship sets sail from Fort Lauderdale for the first time on Nov. 9 for a four-night preview cruise before sailing weeklong itineraries to the Bahamas, Caribbean and Mexico with average prices from $749-$1,994 per person.<\/p>\n

Disney Cruise Line\u2019s Disney Destiny is the company\u2019s seventh ship and the third in its Wish class. At 144,000 gross tons, the ship has capacity for 4,000 passengers with a heroes-and-villains theme that plays into venues and entertainment throughout the cruise experience. The ship has its maiden voyage from the port on Nov. 20 before sailing regular four- and five-night itineraries to the Bahamas and Western Caribbean. Starting prices range from $1,964 to $7,330 for two guests.<\/p>\n

Princess Cruises\u2019 newest vessel, the 177,800-gross-ton Star Princess, arrives in Florida in early November as the cruise line\u2019s second Sphere-class vessel and the sister ship to Sun Princess, which will continue to sail out of Fort Lauderdale as well. The Star features similar architectural details to Sun Princess: a spherical atrium called The Piazza, a transforming theater space called The Arena and a top-deck, glass entertainment venue called The Dome. Star celebrates its maiden voyage on Nov. 7 and then begins sailing weeklong itineraries to the Bahamas and Caribbean. Starting prices range from $3,211-$9,805 per person.<\/p>\n

Princess also welcomes three other ships to its winter sailing lineup: Caribbean Princess, Enchanted Princess and Majestic Princess.<\/p>\n

Celebrity has five ships sailing from Fort Lauderdale this winter season: Ascent, Eclipse, Reflection, Silhouette and Summit.<\/p>\n

Fort Lauderdale hosts four Royal Caribbean ships in the coming months: Allure of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas.<\/p>\n

Holland America will have a regular presence in Fort Lauderdale with four ships: the Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam.<\/p>\n

Disney Dream will continue to sail Bahamian cruises of three, four and five nights this winter season alongside the new Disney Destiny.<\/p>\n

The headliners of PortMiami\u2019s winter sailing season are Virgin Voyages\u2019 Brilliant Lady and the Oceania Allura, both of which are in their inaugural season.<\/p>\n

The 110,000-gross-ton Brilliant Lady has room for 2,770 passengers and offers adults-only cruises to the Caribbean and Bahamas, ranging from six to 12 nights. Average starting prices range from $1,225-$2,280 per person. The ship begins sailing from Miami on Oct. 17.<\/p>\n

The 1,200-passenger Oceania Allura brings luxury and fine dining to South Florida with itineraries from seven to 26 nights and destinations in the Caribbean, Bahamas and Mexico. The ship begins sailing from Miami on Nov. 16 with prices starting at $2,599-$9,699 per person.<\/p>\n

Cunard\u2019s 2,000-passenger Queen Elizabeth launched in 2010 as an Art Deco-inspired luxury cruise ship and is returning to service following a three-week refurbishment in Singapore earlier this year. The ship begins sailing from Miami on Oct. 16 with nine- and 12-night Caribbean itineraries starting at $529-$1,399 per person.<\/p>\n

In a first, Queen Elizabeth cruise ship is coming to Florida to sail<\/a><\/p>\n

Royal Caribbean will continue sailing guests to the Caribbean and Bahamas from Miami onboard Icon of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas and Freedom of the Seas. The company welcomes the Independence of the Seas to Miami from England and the Symphony of the Seas to Miami from New Jersey, both arriving in late October.<\/p>\n

Norwegian Cruise Line offers its newest ship, the Aqua, for weeklong Caribbean cruises from Miami this winter season, along with five other homeported ships: Encore, Getaway, Jewel, Joy and Pearl. Norwegian Joy will alternate itineraries leaving from PortMiami and Port Canaveral in the coming months.<\/p>\n

Carnival has five ships \u2014 Celebration, Conquest, Horizon, Magic and Sunrise \u2014 homeported in Miami that sail to destinations in the Bahamas and Caribbean.<\/p>\n

Throughout the winter season, MSC will continue to sail the World America while welcoming the Seaside and Divina \u2014 both of which are currently wrapping up stints in the Mediterranean \u2014 in November.<\/p>\n

The Celebrity Beyond continues sailing weeklong itineraries to the Bahamas, Mexico and the Caribbean.<\/p>\n

Regent Seven Seas Cruises offers luxury cruises on three of its ships \u2014 Grandeur, Splendor and Mariner \u2014 from Miami in the coming months.<\/p>\n

While the biggest of Port Canaveral\u2019s cruise news happened this summer with the arrival of Royal Caribbean\u2019s Star of the Seas<\/a>, there are a number of developments worth highlighting for the cruise port\u2019s winter season.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

MSC Grandiosa, a 181,541-gross-ton megaship with capacity for 6,300 passengers, is making its Port Canaveral debut in December to sail alongside the MSC Seashore. The Grandiosa will sail itineraries to the Bahamas and Caribbean, ranging from three to 14 nights with prices starting at $229-$1,251 per person.<\/p>\n

The Celebrity Apex, the cruise line\u2019s second Edge-class ship, arrives in early November for its first homeported season in Port Canaveral. The vessel will sail weeklong itineraries to destinations in the Caribbean and Bahamas with average prices ranging from $776-$1,734 per person.<\/p>\n

Princess Cruises is expanding its reach this winter season by bringing the Sky Princess to Port Canaveral for the first time. As the new Star Princess arrives in Fort Lauderdale, the cruise line will move its Royal-class Sky Princess to the Space Coast to sail Caribbean itineraries of six, eight and 14 nights. Starting prices range from $2,975-$15,104 per person.<\/p>\n

The Norwegian Joy alternates its homeport between Port Canaveral and PortMiami throughout the winter season, while the Norwegian Prima, which also features a go-kart track on the top decks, continues to sail weeklong itineraries to the Caribbean.<\/p>\n

Royal Caribbean continues sailing short itineraries from Port Canaveral on Utopia of the Seas and weeklong Caribbean trips on the new Icon-class Star of the Seas. The cruise line also continues sailing Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral on Explorer of the Seas and Adventure of the Seas.<\/p>\n

Carnival will have five ships homeported at Port Canaveral this winter season: Freedom, Glory, Mardi Gras, Vista and Venezia.<\/p>\n

This winter, Disney Cruise Line sails short Bahamian itineraries on the Fantasy and Wish while sailing weeklong Caribbean cruises on the Treasure.<\/p>\n

As multiple cruise lines grow their fleets, Royal Caribbean is unveiling a new private destination in the Bahamas and Norwegian is upgrading its Great Stirrup Cay.<\/p>\n

The first of Royal Caribbean\u2019s beach clubs, which was unveiled in 2023, is slated to open in Nassau this fall. Vacationers can now book day passes to the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, which will welcome its first revenue guests on Dec. 27.<\/p>\n

After a short tender boat ride from the port, guests can enjoy three neighborhoods: one geared toward families, another for partying and a chill area. Visitors can find two beaches and three pools, including what will be the world\u2019s largest swim-up bar. Food and drink offerings can be found at three beach grills and 10 bars.<\/p>\n

By the end of this year, Norwegian Cruise Line will welcome guests to see upgrades to the Bahamian destination Great Stirrup Cay, including a brand-new pier, a 28,000-square-foot heated pool with swim-up bars, and a kids\u2019 splash area. Not opening until summer 2026, the destination will boast a massive waterpark with 19 water slides, an 800-foot \u201cdynamic river,\u201d a cliff-jumping experience and a family slide that can accommodate four sliders simultaneously.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Florida\u2019s red-hot cruise market, which has witnessed a remarkable post-pandemic rebound, is heating up just in time for…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2381,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[1539,1542,28,30,29,249,2977,2973,2974,2978,2975,2976,2731],"class_list":{"0":"post-2380","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-florida","8":"tag-bahamas","9":"tag-disney-cruise-line","10":"tag-florida","11":"tag-florida-headlines","12":"tag-florida-news","13":"tag-fort-lauderdale","14":"tag-norwegian-cruise-line","15":"tag-port-canaveral","16":"tag-port-everglades","17":"tag-princess-cruises","18":"tag-royal-caribbean","19":"tag-star-princess","20":"tag-winter-season"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2380","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2380"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2380\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2381"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2380"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2380"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2380"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}