CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2026 1 HONG KONG – cruise to the lap of luxury Magazine REVIEWING CRUISE BUSINESS GLOBALLY SPRING 2026 DISNEY ADVENTURE FOUR SEASONS I
CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2026 3 6 Editor’s Commentary 10 Advertorial: Cruise to the lap of luxury – Hong Kong 12 Upfront 16 New cruise lines and port facilities enter North America’s West Coast 20 Disney Cruise Line expands to Asia with region’s largest mega ship 26 Four Seasons I maiden voyage marks the expansion of ultra-luxury segment 29 One day in Busan spent two ways 29 Sponsored Content: IPW 2026 to convene in Greater Fort Lauderdale ON THE COVER: Viking’s ocean vessel docked at Hong Kong’s Ocean Terminal Photo credit: HKTB ON THE CONTENTS PAGE: Mitsui Ocean Fuji departing Tokyo International Cruise Terminal Photo credit: Teijo Niemelä CONTENTS SPRING 2026 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2026 3
What if the airport was minutes away from the cruise port? What if it wasn’t just another port, but an extra destination? What if waiting time could become wading time? What if the lead up and come down, was just as relaxing as the cruise itself? What if the trip was just easier? Less transportation time. More cruise time. What if quality service always came first?
Ph oto cre dit : Te ijo Ni em elä What if the airport was minutes away from the cruise port? What if it wasn’t just another port, but an extra destination? What if waiting time could become wading time? What if the lead up and come down, was just as relaxing as the cruise itself? What if the trip was just easier? Less transportation time. More cruise time. What if quality service always came first?
6 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2026 C ruise business is one of the tourism segments that can avoid geopolitical woes by re-deploying cruise ships to other regions when challenges arise. In February, the Mexican Riviera’s Puerto Vallarta suffered some civil unrest, which prompted cruise operators to cancel port calls for an initial period. The damage to the business was minimal, and Mexican Riviera cruises returned quickly back to normal. However, February 28 marked the start of the current conflict in Iran and its neighboring nations, bringing a completely new challenge to some cruise operators. Persian Gulf nations such as Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and most importantly United Arab Emirates, have developed the region as a prosperous cruise destination during the winter months. The risk of a Strait of Hormuz closure was a scenario that many never believed would actually happen. As a matter of fact, the Yemen conflict and piracy have been bigger obstacles during the last few seasons, prompting cruise lines to avoid the Red Sea and circumnavigate Africa when repositioning the ships between Europe and the Persian Gulf. The Persian Gulf had many positive factors as a cruise destination. Cities such as Doha in Qatar and Abu Dhabi and Dubai in United Arab Emirates are only a six-to-seven-hour flight from major European source markets. The tourism infrastructure, especially in Dubai, is impressive with world-class hotels, resorts, shopping malls and sights. The Gulf also provides great weather and short sailing distances between its destinations. And the region’s major airlines — namely Etihad, Emirates and Qatar Airways — provide an impressive airlift suitable for megaship operations in the region. These are among the reasons that some of the largest cruise ships from European lines have been deployed there, including the 215,863-gross-ton MSC World Europa, which was christened in Doha. Some operators, however, were wary about the 2025-2026 season. AIDA Cruises and its sister brand Costa Cruises — both early operators in the region — decided to cancel their deployment and operate their allocated ships in Europe instead. At press time, both lines and some more have decided not to return for the next season. As of February 28, 2026, there were a total of six cruise vessels in the Persian Gulf. Aroya Cruises had its single vessel, Aroya, docked in Dubai alongside Celestyal’s Discovery and MSC’s Euribia. Abu Dhabi hosted one vessel, TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 4, while Qatar had Celestyal’s Journey and Mein Schiff 5. At press time (three weeks after the beginning of the conflict), the ships are still docked. All guests and many crew members have been repatriated as more scheduled flights have become available. Before the start of the Iran conflict, Dubai International Airport (DXB) was described as one of the “world’s main super-connector hubs.” It was also the world’s busiest airport for international passengers. Its location is almost perfectly in the middle of the Eastern Hemisphere, which allowed airlines (especially Emirates) to run a “one-stop anywhere” model. Emirates and its success has been a model for the growth of Etihad in Abu Dhabi and Qatar Airways in Doha. These airlines and hubs are critical for travel globally — including passenger and crew movements. Therefore, it’s vital that service returns to normal as soon as possible. According to the statistics of Flightradar24. com, Emirates operated 531 flights on February 27, dropping to just to 382 flights on March 22. Teijo Niemelä EDITOR’S COMMENTARY Geopolitical woes HOW TO FOLLOW US X/@cruisebusiness || Facebook/CruiseBusinessUSA || Instagram/niemelateijo || E-mail christer.gorschelnik(a)kolumbus.fi CruiseBusiness.com Magazine Editor Teijo Niemelä Publisher Cruise Media LLC Chief Content Officer Carolyn Spencer Brown Sales Christer Gorschelnik COMPANY ADDRESS Cruise Media LLC 409 Riverview Road Chestertown, MD 21620 USA Telephone +1-609-751-2344 E-mail cruisemediallc(a)gmail.com SALES OFFICE USA Teijo Niemelä 409 Riverview Road Chestertown, MD 21620 USA Telephone +1-609-751-2344 E-mail cruisemediallc(a)gmail.com SALES OFFICE FINLAND ChrisGo Consulting Pahtankatu 10 as 10 FI-21200 Raisio, Finland Telephone +358-440-159 554 E-mail christer.gorschelnik(a)kolumbus.fi FEATURED CONTRIBUTOR Carolyn Spencer Brown, the longtime, award-winning Editor-in-Chief of Cruise Critic, is Chief Content Officer of Cruise Media LLC. In that role, she oversees the company’s branded content projects for cruise lines, business-to-business clients and ports and destinations: carolynspencerbrown.com
CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2026 7 01 04 Sept 2026 Driving the maritime transition The world's leading maritime industry event smm-hamburg.com SM26_AZ_210x297+3mm_CruiseBusiness.indd 1 SM26_AZ_210x297+3mm_CruiseBusiness.indd 1 09.03.26 09:43 09.03.26 09:43
8 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2026 #1 for Rivers #1 for Oceans Five years in a row Visit viking.com, call 1-800-2-VIKING or see your Travel Advisor CST#2052644-40 Seven Continents Twenty-One Rivers Five Oceans
CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2026 9 #1 for Rivers #1 for Oceans Five years in a row Visit viking.com, call 1-800-2-VIKING or see your Travel Advisor CST#2052644-40 Seven Continents Twenty-One Rivers Five Oceans
10 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2026 Premier Port for the Sophisticated From ship to shore, vibrant and cosmopolitan Hong Kong offers a lavish array of unparallelled experiences that will make even the most sophisticated travellers wanting more. World-leading cruise brands are riding the tide, featuring Hong Kong as a marquee destination, a key turnaround destination or a premier homeport, to capture the city’s strategic location in Asia, unrivalled connectivity to Chinese Mainland, enormous market potential, sustained lineup of fresh attractions and events, and its unique blend of East and West culture. Chinese-owned cruise brand, Astro Ocean Cruise, picked Hong Kong as the home port for Piano Land, sailing an exotic new programme extended to Southeast Asia. StarCruises’ Star Voyager has also returned to homeport in Hong Kong, providing more vacation options for weekend escapes and multi-day coastal explorations. While world-class vessels including Royal Caribbean International’s Spectrum of the Seas, Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Solstice and Costa Cruises’ Costa Serena deploy to Hong Kong seasonally to spice up their itineraries, the deployment of Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s deluxe Luminara in Hong Kong as a turnaround port to operate Asia-Pacific itineraries since January this year further testifies that Victoria Harbour is the essential anchor for an elite cruise experience. Elaborate Experiences Galore With bespoke offerings showcasing the allure of Hong Kong’s stunning skyline, art, culture, and leisure and culinary experiences, Asia’s premier cruise hub is living up to its status as one of the world’s most iconic ports that enrich every voyage. At glamorous rooftop bars that are rated among the world’s best, the smart set can drink in Hong Kong’s iconic skyline sculpted with soaring skyscrapers and architectural marvels. Highflyers can take to the sky on a VIP helicopter ride, or go sky-high onto observation decks or the Peak to feel on top of the world, with some of the tallest buildings in Asia under their feet. Back on the ground, the city’s dynamic art and culture scene immerses visitors in a distinctive blend of East and West. The city’s flagship art and culture landmark, West Kowloon Cultural District, offers a rich collection of contemporary visual culture at M+, invaluable ancient treasures such as those from the Beijing Palace Museum at the Hong Kong Palace Museum, and bespoke experiences of Cantonese operas at Xiqu Centre. Authentic neighbourhoods the likes of Old Town Central and Sham Shui Po envelop nostalgic visitors in Hong Kong’s historic charm. World-class theme parks – Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park Hong Kong – deepen bonding through close encounters with Disney magic in storybook settings, and privileged interaction with Hong ADVERTORIAL Cruise to the Lap of Luxury – Hong Kong Transport to dream experiences at Asia’s premier cruise hub Hong Kong welcomes cruise guests with a vibrant blend of tradition, color, and energy. Beyond the city, scenic islands and coastal vistas reveal Hong Kong’s natural beauty.
CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2026 11 Kong’s adorable resident pandas, especially the locally born cubs. Dotted with charming outlying islands surrounded by pristine waters, Hong Kong is ideal for island hopping fun. Quaint Tai O fishing village and the Big Buddha await on Lantau, while fresh seafood beckons on laidback Lamma, and colourful celebrations such as the Bun Festival liven up Cheung Chau. Water-sport lovers can get their fill of thrills through a diverse range of water activities, from kayaking and windsurfing to paddleboarding. Those who prefer to stay dry can cruise on traditional junk boats and enjoy front-row views of the glittering skyline, or experience the timeless charm of the century-old Star Ferry connecting Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Each and every one-of-a-kind asset offers immense possibilities for taking a shore experience to the next level. From an exclusive after-hour docent tour at the museums to a hands-on dim sum masterclass, a guided heritage walk through nostalgic streets, a sip at the world no. 1 bar on the World’s 50 Best Bars list and a glamourous horseracing party in a private box, discerning visitors can enjoy the luxury of exploring the best of the best in Hong Kong in style. Hong Kong Signatures Make Every Cruise Programme Unique With a year-round calendar of signature mega events such as the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival, international sporting spectacles such as Hong Kong Sevens, and global celebrations such as the New Year Countdown, Hong Kong offers a dream canvas for cruise lines to craft unique shore excursions that go beyond expectations. Masterfully curated ship-to-shore journeys will transform the time in port into lifelong memories, adding unbeatable value to a sought-after cruise experience. A Cruise to Remember for a Lifetime From its dynamic role as Asia’s premier cruise destination to its wealth of experiences, Hong Kong promises a journey that excites endlessly. For visitors seeking authenticity and luxury, Hong Kong is more than just a port of call – it’s a dream come true. As Hong Kong redoubles efforts in diversifying tourism offerings to attract more cruise lines, the momentum for cruises this year will continue, buoyed by more than 20% growth in both ships calls and cruise passenger throughput in 2025. Hong Kong will keep rolling out the red carpet for world cruise lines and their valued passengers, staying true to its reputation as Asia’s premier cruise hub. discoverhongkong.com Cruise to the Lap of Luxury – Hong Kong Transport to dream experiences at Asia’s premier cruise hub The West Kowloon waterfront pairs striking architecture of Hong Kong Palace Museum with sweeping harbor views. Hong Kong’s skyline delivers a dazzling finale to any visit.
12 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2026 UPFRONT Disney Cruise Line officially named its largest-ever ship in Singapore in early March. The 208,000-gross-ton Disney Adventure marks the cruise brand’s entry into the Southeast Asian cruise market, where it operates 3and 4-night sailings to nowhere from Singapore’s Marina Bay Cruise Centre. The godparent of the ship is actor Robert Downey Jr., who was joined on stage by Chairman of Disney Experiences and incoming CEO of The Walt Disney Company, Josh D’Amaro, and President of Disney Signature Experiences, Joe Schott, as well as Captain Mickey Mouse and Captain Minnie Mouse. Explora Journeys, the luxury cruise brand of MSC Group, celebrated a triple milestone of newbuild construction at Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard in Genoa, Italy. From the left, Anna Nash, President of Explora Journeys; Mimmo Lubrano; Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of the Cruise Division of MSC Group; Luigi Matarazzo, General Manager of Fincantieri’s Merchant Ships Division; and Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and Managing Director of Fincantieri marked three pivotal stages in the construction of the brand’s next-generation fleet: the float out of Explora IV, the coin ceremony for Explora V, and the steel-cutting of Explora VI. 12 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2026 MysticInvest Holding announced at an event in New York in January that it is building an eco-friendly exploration yacht with hybrid propulsion and solid sails. The 26,000-gross-ton and 400-guest ship was commissioned earlier in 2025 from a Chinese shipyard and represents a natural evolution of Atlas Ocean Voyages’ expedition fleet. The Atlas Adventurer will be equipped with zero-speed fin stabilizers, two vertical fin stabilizers, a reinforced hull, and Ice Class 1B (Polar Category C) capability. Pictured from the left: Mario Ferreira, Chairman, Founder and Owner of MysticInvest Holding (parent company of Atlas Ocean Voyages) and James A. Rodriguez, President and CEO of Atlas Ocean Voyages.
CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2026 13 UPFRONT Norwegian Cruise Line, the largest brand of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., took delivery of its fourth Prima-class newbuild, the 156,000-gross-ton and 3,565-guest Norwegian Luna, from the Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard in early March. From the left to right: Patrik Dahlgren, Executive Vice President, Chief Vessel Operations and Newbuild Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.; Daniel S. Farkas, Executive Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.; Robert Lundberg, Norwegian Luna’s Captain; Marc Kazlauskas, President of Norwegian Cruise Line; and Deepak Punia, Norwegian Luna’s General Manager. Oceania Cruises and Fincantieri laid the keel of Oceania Sonata at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Marghera, Italy. At 86,000 gross tons and a capacity of 1,390 guests, Oceania Sonata will be the brand’s ninth ship and will begin service in August 2027. From left to right: Marco Lunardi, Senior Vice President, Fincantieri Marghera Shipyard; Franco Semeraro, Chief Experience Officer, Oceania Cruises; Luigi Matarazzo, General Manager, Fincantieri Merchant Ships Division; Jason Montague, Chief Luxury Officer, Oceania Cruises; Harry Sommer, then-President and CEO, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd; Patrik Dahlgren, Executive Vice President, Chief Vessel Operations & New Build Officer, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. The Hong Kong Tourism Board welcomed the inaugural arrival of 46,735-gross-ton Luminara of Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection on January 13, marking the yacht’s deployment from Hong Kong as a turnaround port. From left: Deputy Commissioner for Tourism, Joanne Chu; Commissioner for Tourism, Angelina Cheung; Vice President and General Manager, Asia Pacific of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Seb Seward; Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Rosanna Law; General Manager of Luminara, Mr Gaudéric Harang; Executive Director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Anthony Lau.
14 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2026 14 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2026 UPFRONT Meyer Turku shipyard and Royal Caribbean Group have officially started the production of the fifth Icon-class ship on January 19. Meyer Turku also holds options for the sixth and seventh sister ships. Pictured from left: Meyer Turku Project Manager Noora Maunula and Royal Caribbean Project Manager Janne Auvinen. In January 2026, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners, PortMiami Director and CEO Hydi Webb, and Royal Caribbean Group Chairman and CEO Jason Liberty led a groundbreaking ceremony for the future new Cruise Terminal G at PortMiami. Delivered by Lemartec-NV2A Joint Venture, in partnership with Perez & Perez Architects & Planners, the project involves the design-build delivery of a state-of-the-art cruise terminal for Royal Caribbean Group designed to meet LEED certification and the capacity to accommodate up to 7,000 passengers. The new terminal will include a multi-level parking garage, an intermodal facility, and other critical infrastructure to support large cruise ships such as the Icon-class vessels. With a total investment of $345 million, this complex will be dedicated to Royal Caribbean Group while maintaining multi-vessel functionality. Designed as a single-berth terminal, it will enable efficient embarkation and disembarkation through the integration of the latest advancements in cruise terminal construction, energy efficiency, and a unique user experience.
CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2026 15 CRUISE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD ® SEATRADE IS AROUND THE CORNER Visit Our Booth #351 #WeLoveCruising PortMiami.biz
16 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2026 Cruise developments along the West Coast are continually evolving and now is a particularly exciting time, from Alaska all the way down to the Mexican Riviera. Highlights include highly anticipated brand debuts in the Last Frontier, Port of Los Angeles’ upcoming Outer Harbor cruise terminal and the all-new Ensenada Bay Village – Treasures of Baja. Geographically, from north to south, these are all the latest details. Alaskan Dream Cruises (subsidiary of Allen Marine Tours, which remains an active regional player) may have recently ceased operations, but it’s full steam ahead for other legacy lines and newcomers alike in Alaska. The 2026 season (running from April to October) will mark the first time MSC Cruises, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and Virgin Voyages will navigate these waters. Azamara Cruises, Crystal and Windstar Cruises are making their return this year, as well. MSC will deploy MSC Poesia on weeklong voyages following a refurbishment that includes the addition of a new MSC Yacht Club, sports bar, more restaurants and an enhanced spa and gym. (Sister brand Explora Journeys will make its maiden Alaska run in 2027.) Both Ritz-Carlton and Virgin will embark their latest vessels in the region with Luminara (7to 11-night itineraries) and Brilliant Lady (7to 12-night routes), respectively. Azamara will return to the region with Azamara Pursuit on sailings nearing two weeks, including calls to Dutch Harbor; Crystal Symphony will cruise Alaska with weeklong-plus voyages; and Windstar’s Star Seeker will make its regional debut on 7to 12-night circuits. Mainstay Princess Cruises will send its brand-new Star Princess to Alaska in 2026, while Celebrity Cruises plans to showcase its freshly refurbished Celebrity Solstice. Meanwhile, Disney Cruise Line will double its capacity, sending both Disney Magic and Disney Wonder to “The Great Land.” DESTINATION REPORT By Jason Leppert New cruise lines and port facilities enter North America’s West Coast
CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2026 17 “[Deploying Star Princess] also reflects growing capacity in the region, anchoring Princess Cruises’ largest Alaska season to date, with eight ships, 180 departures and sailings to 19 destinations,” according to a statement from parent company Carnival Corporation. “Another notable development in Alaska is Holland America Line’s expanded Denali Lodge offering for the 2027 Cruisetour season, which adds capacity and enhances the land-based portion of Alaska itineraries.” Per additional updates, Holland America Line’s scheduled 2026 capacity in Alaska will be 85,804 passengers (based on double capacity) from Seattle and nearly 147,000 passengers (double) from Vancouver. Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) returns to Alaska offering unique “Fire and Ice” cruises combined with Hawaii. In October 2025, Royal Caribbean Group launched its Port Partners program in Seward to support aspiring entrepreneurs with $20,000 kickstart grants and other academic opportunities. The Alaska Railroad is also on track to complete its new dock in Seward for the 2026 cruise season. The facilities will encompass a new double-berth floating dock (748 feet long and 100 feet wide) plus a permanent, 41,000-square-foot passenger terminal. In Ketchikan, the Ward Cove cruise terminal has transformed into a more comprehensive destination, featuring a new arena for the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show alongside a distillery, local artisan boutiques and dining options. Food trucks and hands-on cooking experiences will also be found at Berth 4. In Juneau, the Huna Totem Corporation (HTC) is currently constructing a new cruise ship dock downtown. Permits have been obtained, and the resulting Aak’w Landing, which is said to eliminate the need for more than 2,400 tender boat trips annually, is on the calendar for 2027 completion. The Goldbelt Native Corporation is set to build a private cruise ship dock, Goldbelt Aani, on the southwest side of Douglas Island, but permits have not yet been issued. Ph oto cre dit : Po rt of Se att le Port of Seattle continues to grow. Pictured is Norwegian Bliss, which has sailed from the port since 2018
18 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2026 The port of Skagway is maintaining its docks and coordinating with stakeholders for the coming season, focusing on safe and efficient cruise passenger movements. Utilities at the Ore Dock are adding water and electrical service to support cruise and terminal users. Sitka is making similar improvements as well: “In preparation for the upcoming season, we’ve continued investing in infrastructure and guest experience,” explained Chris McGraw, owner of the Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal. “We’ve expanded our shuttle fleet and implemented a new reservation-based system to improve passenger flow on busy days. We’ve also added new vessels to grow our wildlife tour capacity, and Shee Atiká, Inc., the local Alaska Native corporation, has expanded its culturally focused tour offerings on its 18-acre site adjacent to the cruise terminal. Collectively, these investments are aimed at delivering a seamless and authentic Sitka experience.” Broadening its portfolio of Indigenous-led travel experiences is HTC. Its flagship port of Icy Strait Point is projected to surpass its 5 millionth guest in July, and emerging properties include the Chugach Glacier Gateway in Whittier (featuring a double-berth pier) and a new development on Klawock Island. “In 2025, Chugach Glacier Gateway welcomed more than 76,500 guests on 27 cruise ships,” according to HTC. “[We] expect those numbers to stay about the same in 2026, though HTC is actively recruiting boutique cruise lines sailing in Alaska.” Native-owned Klawock first opened in May 2024 as a single-ship port with a floating tender dock on Prince of Wales Island. “Klawock Island will welcome more than double the number of cruise ship calls compared to 2025,” added HTC. “Five new cruise lines will make calls in 2026: Azamara Cruises, Crystal, HX Expeditions, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and The World Residences at Sea.” San Francisco, California “I am happy to report that in 2025, the Port of San Francisco again had a strong year in cruise,” said Eric Young, Director of Communications for the port. “In 2025, the port handled approximately 373,000 passengers.” A total of 91 vessels across three port facilities (80 at Pier 27; four at Pier 35S; and seven at Pier 80) were hosted last year, including maiden calls from AIDAdiva, Carnival Legend, Norwegian Jade and residential cruise ship Villa Vie Odyssey. Altogether, the port saw 34 unique cruise ships last year, setting a new record for the destination and beating its previous high of 28 ships in 2024. “Looking into 2026, the Port of San Francisco is booked for 90 cruise calls, including maiden calls by the Carnival Luminosa on April 23 and Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady on May 6,” added Young. “Luminosa’s maiden call also marks another milestone, the 5th anniversary of Carnival Cruise [Line] homeporting a vessel here in San Francisco.” Carnival Luminosa will make 22 full-turn calls throughout the year, amounting to a new single-year record with the line. Princess Cruises’ Ruby Princess will be the port’s primary homeported vessel, with 33 full-turn calls scheduled for 2026. The forecast for this year is a total of 368,625 passengers, with that number expected to grow annually to 405,912 passengers by fiscal year 2030. San Pedro, California (Port of Los Angeles) Following a long period of little development for its permanent cruise facility, the Port of Los Angeles at San Pedro is finally working towards an exciting new project. The port has selected Pacific Cruise Terminals, LLC (PCT) – a joint venture between Carrix, Inc. and JLC Infrastructure – to develop and operate a new Outer Harbor cruise terminal in the years to come. PCT will also redevelop and operate the existing World Cruise Center along the port’s main channel. “This new Outer Harbor cruise terminal and World Cruise Center redevelopment will allow us to capture more cruise business, while also establishing Los Angeles as the primary West Coast gateway for cruise operations,” explained the port’s Executive Director, Gene Seroka. Most specifications have yet to be revealed, but the Outer Harbor cruise terminal promises to be a state-of-the-art facility capable of accommodating the newest and most environmentally sustainable cruise ships to dock in Los Angeles. It will also serve as a significant community asset that will present open-air spaces, recreational facilities and improved LA waterfront access for visitors as well as locals. “Carrix is proud to have been selected by the Port of Los Angeles as the lead partner for the development of the Outer Harbor cruise terminal and the redevelopment of the World Cruise Center,” said Uffe Ostergaard, CEO of Carrix, one of the world’s largest independent marine and intermodal terminal operators and North America’s leading cruise terminal operator. “We believe our deep experience with large maritime infrastructure projects such as this will contribute to a significant economic return for both the port and the greater harbor community.” Proposed new cruise terminal in the Port of Los Angeles Carnival Cruise Line continues to operate from the Port of Long Beach Ph oto cre dit : Te ijo Ni em elä
CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2026 19 Along with its collaborators, Carrix has a proven track record of developing expansive infrastructure projects, particularly its long history of containerized cargo and cruise terminal operations across Southern California. “Pacific Cruise Terminals is honored to have the opportunity to develop and operate these transformative cruise facilities at the Port of Los Angeles,” said Stefano Borzone, President of Carrix’s cruise division. “In response to the growing demand for cruise vacations, cruise ship operators have committed to an unprecedented new-build program, introducing larger and more technologically advanced ships to the market. This exceptional new cruise center will be instrumental in positioning Los Angeles as a premier homeport and one of the leading cruise gateways on the West Coast.” Marlon Smith, Managing Director at JLC, further considers Los Angeles to be a strategic location to support the increasing demand for West Coast cruising. The executive expects that incremental tourism generated from reimagined cruise operations and facilities will measurably benefit the port, regional business and the overall community. “2025 was a record year here in Los Angeles, with 241 calls and 1.6 million passengers,” said Seroka. “We welcomed Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas, the largest vessel ever homeported here. And 2026 looks even better.” This year, Princess Cruises will add four calls from Star Princess, while the arrival of Brilliant Lady marks Virgin Voyages as a new partner line. “Our cruise industry is growing fast,” added Seroka. “And we’re building bigger to meet that demand.” Long Beach, California Just outside Los Angeles and its San Pedro port is another pier in Long Beach that is independently owned and operated by exclusive user Carnival Cruise Line. (Corporate cousin Cunard does make a rare appearance from time to time; Queen Mary 2 recently visited the original Queen Mary during its West Coast journey on February 2, 2026.) Reinforcing Long Beach as a crucial homeport for short and convenient getaways are a series of newly announced West Coast sailings onboard Carnival Radiance for the 20272028 season. From May 2027 through April 2028, Radiance will offer 3and 4-night voyages to Ensenada, Mexico and Catalina Island, California; while additional special sailings will include a holiday cruise with a 5-night itinerary to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. “The expanded schedule gives guests more options for quick West Coast vacations while building on Carnival Corporation’s long-standing partnerships with both ports of call,” according to the company. San Diego, California The 2025-2026 cruise season for the Port of San Diego began in September 2025 and will continue through May 2026. “The current cruise season features 107 cruise calls with an estimated 390,000 passengers,” according to the Port of San Diego. “[We’re] seeing an upward trajectory in cruise calls and passengers coming through San Diego.” In 2026 and 2027 alone, Holland America has five ships calling on San Diego, with 31 departures for a capacity of nearly 66,000 guests (based on double capacity). These include 16 departures from Koningsdam; eight from Zaandam; three from Zuiderdam; and two departures each for Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam. For the same 2026-2027 season, the port anticipates up to 180 calls and 700,000 passengers. Contributing to these projected counts is expanded service from Disney; the homeporting of NCL this season; plus, newly reprised homeporting from Royal Caribbean beginning next season. Mexican Riviera Heading south along the West Coast, the Mexican Riviera is a destination that’s also picking up steam. Not only is Carnival scheduled to return to Acapulco for the first time in over 15 years (on a Carnival Legend repositioning between Tampa, Florida and Seattle, Washington in 2027), but sleepy Ensenada has an impressive lineup, too. “For Carnival Cruise Line, Ensenada Bay Village – Treasures of Baja, is a meaningful development,” according to a comment from the brand. “Ensenada has been a long-standing port of call for the cruise line, particularly on short cruises from Southern California. The project is designed to give guests an authentic taste of Baja California, from food and culture to adventure and relaxation – without changing the ease or accessibility of the stop.” Only 64 nautical miles away from San Diego, the Ensenada Cruise Terminal in Baja California will host this newest tourist destination developed by parent company Carnival Corp., ITM Group and Hutchison Ports ECV. Representing an investment exceeding $26 million will be a collection of zip lines, river rides, wine and cheese tastings, artisan markets, an adult pool area and spa facilities extending to thermal springs. “This presentation reflects our shared vision to create destinations that inspire pride and prosperity,” said Christine Duffy, President of Carnival Cruise Line. “Together with our partners, we are proud to highlight a project that celebrates Baja’s culture, supports the local community and offers guests family-friendly, authentic and memorable experiences.” Although Carnival is spearheading the project, the destination will be open to passengers from any cruise line. When it opens in late 2027 or early 2028, it is anticipated to welcome up to 9,000 daily visitors. “We expect guests to find so many things to see and do that they will extend their time ashore or will want to return to Baja for an extended stay,” added Carnival. “Overall, the new destination reflects Carnival Corporation’s continued investment in Ensenada as a key West Coast destination and in creating experiences that are closely tied to the local character of Baja California.” Ph oto cre dit : Te ijo Ni em elä Renderings of the new Ensenada Bay Village Renderings of the new Ensenada Bay Village
20 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2026 SHIP REVIEW Disney Cruise Line expands to Asia with region’s largest mega ship 20 CRUISEBUSINESS.COM MAGAZINE SPRING 2026 When Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship Disney Adventure set sail from Singapore on March 10, 2026, it arguably represented the company’s most unique vessel to date. As the first and only ship not fully designed and purpose-built by Disney, the result is the brand’s largest vessel at 208,000 gross tons, carrying approximately 6,700 guests and 2,500 crew. By Jason Leppert Disney Cruise Line (DCL) revealed the acquisition of Global Dream in November 2022. This massive, partially completed ship was originally scheduled for Dream Cruises service by 2020. However, construction completely stalled during the pandemic under original owner Genting Hong Kong. Early assembly occurred at the MV Werften shipyards (once owned by Genting) at Rostock and Wismar, Germany. The ship was then fully fitted at the newly formed Meyer Wismar facility under temporary yard lease and the supervision of longtime DCL partner Meyer Werft. Papenburg-based Meyer Werft has built the line’s Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, Disney Wish, Disney Treasure and Disney Destiny. Across the vessel’s timeline, its superstructure was nearly completed, with colorful Global Dream-specific hull art displayed as it sat idly in the covered shipyard. But following Genting’s financial struggles, the dormant craft was put up for sale, and Disney swept in to purchase the