According to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)’s 2024 State of the Cruise Industry report, over 44% of those travelers were to the Caribbean. This number is more than double the 18.5% who sailed to the next-highest region, the Mediterranean.

The 12.9 million cruise travelers to the Caribbean, Bahamas and Bermuda in 2023 grew by one million visitors when comparing 2023 to 2019.  

The Bahamas saw almost 40% higher than 2019 levels, while in Barbados, 2024 visitors are expected to exceed its 2023 numbers by almost 200,000. Curacao is also expected to deliver a 13% uptick in cruise travelers compared to 2023 totals. 

Following a near 30% increase in 2023 compared with 2022, Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s tourism minister reaffirmed visitors at the Seatrade Cruise Global conference in Miami Beach, that the country is setting a target of over 400,000 annual cruise visitors. 

While there has been significant increases in multiple destinations in the region, there is room for growth in other island countries hoping to attract tourists. 

One such city which has seen an increase of 22 percent over the January and February months compared to 2023 has been Cozumel. Cozumel recorded the arrival of 900,000 cruise passengers in this time frame with 75 ships docking in the initial 14 days of 2024. 

The Port of Cozumel is the fourth most visited port in the world welcoming more than two million cruise passengers each year. The island in the Caribbean Sea welcomes cruise ships and passengers from around the world with all the major cruise lines stopping at the Punta Maya, Punta Langosta and SSA México shipping terminals on the island of Cozumel.

The once-secluded hideaway is one of Mexico’s most-visited locations in the Caribbean region. Home to clear turquoise waters, this relatively small island off the coast of Playa del Carmen is known for its pristine beaches and being a premier diving destination. 

With countless activities on land and in the water, it is an island paradise in every sense of the term. The glistening tropical paradise is home to luxury resorts, Mayan history and modern amenities. 

Compared to other regions in Mexico, Cozumel has a very low crime rate and is considered a very safe area to travel to.

The post Cruising In The Caribbean Is Hitting Record Highs Ahead Of Summer 2024 appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

The popular cruise line Virgen Vogages has launched the Scarlet Summer Season Pass, a travel pass that allows holders to book a month-long cruise trip across the Mediterranean Sea.

“If you’ve been wondering if your work-life balance could use a little more life, we have the voyage offer for you,” Virgin Voyages wrote in a statement. 

On board the Scarlet Lady ship, digital nomads and remote workers will have access not only to a pool of international like-minded people but also to perks such as free Wi-Fi, drip and espresso coffee, laundry services, and other WFH essentials.

Other benefits include straightforward dining and on-shore excursion reservations, a dedicated concierge, food service, non-alcoholic drinks and fitness classes, as well as access to luxury amenities reserved for exclusive guests.

If ready to engage in this adventure, purchase the pass for as little as $9,990 for two people. This represents a reduction of 30 percent when compared to regular cruise fares, according to the company.

Keep in mind that if you don’t have a travel partner you’ll need to pay the whole fee by yourself. In such a case, we recommend you consider more affordable alternatives.

Book your tickets to depart in June, July, August, or September on a vessel capable of hosting up to 2,700 guests.

Not The First Cruise For Digital Nomads

Location-independent workers will be glad to hear that this is not the only cruise company offering trips tailored to digital nomads and remote workers.

With the idea of “connecting with a global community and making friends for life,” Johannes Voelkner created the Nomad Cruise, the first and largest “Digital Nomad Conference,” over the Atlantic Sea, back in 2015.

Since then, this out-of-the-box business idea has become a collection of unforgettable trips, an ever-growing community, and unique entrepreneurial experiences.

Sailing on the Nomad Cruise means that you’ll be surrounded by more than 200 like-minded people who are also eager to teach, learn, connect, create and share outstanding experiences that’ll enrich your life both personally and professionally.

The post Virgin Voyages Launches A Month-Long Cruise Tailored For Digital Nomads appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

The designation as “Magical Town” is restricted to destinations filled with unique history, cultural symbolism, carnivals, special cuisine, and great shopping. That’s the case of Cozumel Island in the Mexican Caribbean.

In only January and February, 155,651 tourists passed through customs at the Cozumel International Airport, an increase of 33 percent compared to the same period in 2023.

In another tourism industry, the first three months of 2024 saw a staggering hotel occupancy rate of 85 percent.

Governor Mara Lezama said that Cozumel is one of the preferred hotspots among foreign and local tourists. “We have figures, very good figures throughout the state and in Cozumel, of course, the confidence of our visitors is confirmed, overnight tourism is growing, hotel occupancy is increasing and this is reflected in people’s pockets,” she said.

As of today, this island is served by non-stop flights from nine US and two Canadian cities, as well as CDMX, Monterrey and Guadalajara.

Air travel is not the only means of transport used by travelers. Also, from January through March, 452 cruise vessels brought in 1,456,724 visitors, an increase of 18 when compared to the same months in 2023, according to the Comprehensive Port Authority of Quintana Roo (Apiqroo) APIQROO.

The Secretary of Tourism forecasts that Mexico will receive over 9.3 million cruise ship passengers this year, an increase of 2.4 percent over 2023.

Secretary of Tourism, Miguel Torruco Marques, reported that Cozumel port is set to receive the highest number of cruise ships in Mexico in 2024, accounting for 34.8 percent of the vessels.

So far, things are looking good. In only January and February, the destination welcomed 958,527 cruise passengers, making it the 4th busiest cruise destination on the planet, with almost 3 million arrivals per year. 

Most international visitors come from European countries like the United Kingdom, Norway, Switzerland, Germany and Portugal, as well as the United States, Bahamas, and Panama, with an average spending of $80 per day.

The business is also expanding. Royal Caribbean, the largest cruise company in the world, has officially announced the opening of a new world-class beach club on the western coast of the island in 2026.

The post This Small Caribbean Island Received Over 1.6M Tourists In The First 3 Months Of 2024 appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

Dali, the 985-foot Singapore-flagged vessel, accidentally hit the bridge that links Baltimore and Anne Arundel counties, an accident according to reports. As cleanup and rescue efforts are taking place, cruise lines have had to adjust their plans to avoid the Port of Baltimore. 

Three major cruise lines sail from Baltimore including Royal Caribbean International, Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Line. According to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), 12 ships are scheduled to make a total of 115 calls at the Port of Baltimore this year. 

What is troublesome for the industry is that the schedule to restart upcoming cruise ships is not yet known, causing these companies to monitor the situation and adjust their schedules.

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean International’s Vision of the Seas is set to return to the port April 4 and since the situation is unknown at the moment, they are working on alternatives for docking.

“Due to the impact of the tragic collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, on Thursday, April 4, Vision of the Seas will now complete its current cruise in Norfolk, Virginia. Our guests on board will be provided compensation and complimentary shuttle transportation as well as Wi-Fi and phone calls to adjust their travel arrangements. 

For Vision’s upcoming April 4 and April 12 cruises, the ship will sail from Norfolk. Our guests booked to sail with us will receive compensation due to the necessary adjustments made to their vacations. After returning from the April 12 cruise, Vision will head to The Bahamas for its previously scheduled maintenance.

Our guests and travel partners are being directly notified of these updates.” shared Roayal Caribbean with wtkr.com.

Carnival

Carnival Legend was set to return from a Bahamas cruise on March 31, but instead will end its trip in Norfolk. The company will be offering free buses to bring passengers back to Baltimore.

The ship’s next journey will also set sail and return to Norfolk versus Baltimore. There is still unknown in regards to Carnival Pride which is set to leave from Baltimore next month to the Caribbean.

“Our thoughts remain with the impacted families and first responders in Baltimore,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “We appreciate the pledge made by President Biden today to dedicate all available resources to reopen Baltimore Harbor to marine traffic as soon as possible. As those plans are finalized, we will update our future cruise guests on when we will return home to Baltimore, but in the meantime, we appreciate the quick response and support from officials in Norfolk.” said Carnival in the statement.

Norwegian Cruise Line & American Cruise Lines

Norwegian Cruise Line doesn’t have any scheduled cruises until later this year and river cruise operator American Cruise Lines will be monitoring the developments to adjust their schedule.

The Impact on the cruise industry

The impact will be felt on the economic region as well, as the industry supports local businesses. Cruises generate nearly 400 jobs and $63 million in revenue every year and last year more than 444,000 individuals cruised out of the Port of Baltimore last year, the most since 2012.

The post Baltimore Bridge Collapse Impacting Cruise Industry – What To Know appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

Data provided by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) last week, show that Caribbean destinations combined welcomed more than 31.1 million cruise passengers in 2023 only.

This figure represents a staggering 56.8 percent rise compared to arrival numbers in 2019 and breaks the record set the same year.

These successful results haven’t happened overnight. During this “recovery period,” leading cruise lines have made sure to increase their fleets, renew their docking facilities and provide customers with a wider and more attractive tourist portfolio.

Things are looking good and stakeholders are keeping their eyes on the prize. CTO representatives have expressed that they aim to receive up to 35.8 million cruise tourists this year. This represents an ambitious increase of up to 15% over 2023.

A number of Caribbean hotspots have disclosed their optimistic forecasts for 2024.

The Bahamas, for instance, are confident to receive 5.6 million cruise visitors at Nassau Cruise Port this year, surpassing the figures reported in 2019, Chester Cooper, minister of tourism told TravelPulse.

For its part, the Barbados cruise industry has already secured 715,527 passengers for the winter season alone, a positive increase of 18 percent over 2023.

In 2024, more than 300 vessels will dock at Curaçao ports bringing in up to 800,000 new visitors. This is an increase of 13 percent compared to 2023.

Other destinations such British Virgin Islands and Turks and Caicos saw an increase in visitors of an astonishing 110 percent and 30.5 percent respectively over 2022. 

In January and February alone, Cozumel, Mexico, hosted  958,527 cruise tourists.

As of today, Cozumel is the 4th busiest cruise destination in the world, with an average of 2,943,760 arrivals per year. 

5 Top Cruise Trends for 2024

Tourism experiences evolve and cruise passengers increasingly demand to be provided with innovative offerings when choosing to cross the ocean aboard a vessel.

To meet their needs and never-ending thirst for adventure, cruise companies have quickly adapted to new market trends. This is a comprehensive list of the 5 most popular cruise travel trends for 2024.

Environmental Commitment: Looking to provide 100 percent green trips by 2050, cruise companies are allocating funds to renewable energy and biofuel options.

Expanded Destination Portfolio: After cruising the Caribbean and other traditional destinations, cruise passengers are ready to try emerging destinations such as West Africa, Madagascar, the Seychelles, and Raja Ampat in Indonesia.

Innovative Culinary Experiences: Cruise companies are expanding their cuisine portfolio to include environmentally responsibly caught seafood and exotic local delicatessens prepared by renowned chefs. Food tours are also becoming quite popular.

Extended International Cruises: Royal Caribbean is offering a popular “274-night Ultimate World Cruise” which has had great acceptance across popular social media platforms. 

New Passenger Targeting: Cruise travel has increasingly picked up the interest of Millennials and Gen-X travelers who, pushed forward by social media influencers, are willing to try new adventures.

The post Cruising In The Caribbean Continues To See Record Numbers Throughout 2024 appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

Just a few days ago, the company informed customers it would continue traveling to the island with limited excursion options despite the travel alert the American government released regarding the worrisome increase in crime.

But now the company has backed down. According to a recent post on Facebook, Royal Caribbean has “suspended calls into Labadee, Haiti for the next 7 days and will continue suspension on a rolling basis with 3 days advance notification to our guests sailing on itineraries impacted and changed as we monitor and evaluate the situation in Haiti,” said Michael Bayley, a senior company executive.

Labadee is a 260-acre private resort owned by Royal Caribbean Cruises since 1986. It is situated in Cap-Haïtien, which is on the north of the island.

The decision will apply to the whole fleet, said spokesperson Aurora Yera-Rodriguez. 

Together with its “Global Security & Intelligence Team,” Royal Caribbean will execute a daily thoughtful evaluation to determine when it will be feasible to restart operations to Labadee.

For the time being, the company will keep cruise passengers posted regarding the latest news.

The U.S. Embassy Issues Security Alert for Haiti 

Given the current state of affairs, the U.S. Embassy in Haiti had no choice but to issue a “Security Alert” on March 10. As of today, the country remains ranked at level 4. 

Travel advisory of level 4 means the U.S. government is physically and politically unable to provide proper assistance to American citizens in need, in a given territory.

In this alert, the Embassy urges Americans to keep updated about current political events, exercise extra caution when surrounded by many people, try to blend in, look for proper shelter and have travel documents handy, among other safety tips.

For its part, the State Department is particularly concerned about multiple shootings happening across Port-au-Prince, the international airport and the U.S. Embassy itself.

The agency is also urging Americans to leave the country as soon as they possibly can. The Embassy is fully aware there are very limited commercial outbound flights, so it has recommended travelers take advantage of any means of transportation to depart the country on the spot.

What If I already Bought Tickets to the Island?

Well, you have two options. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to choose which one is better for you.

According to Rodriguez, some vessels will take a detour to Turks and Caicos and will also make a call in Jamaica to make up for the days they won’t be in Haiti.

Regarding the second option, travelers will spend an entire day at sea whether they want it or not.

Those who paid for shore tours will be fully reimbursed. 

When Will the Security Situation Improve?

Unfortunately, it is unknown. As of today, criminal groups are controlling more than 80 percent of the country’s capital, as per a report revealed by the United Nations over the past week.

At the end of February, gang forces set free thousands of criminals from local prisons. So far, authorities have been unable to take back control.

To make matters worse, local airports have been experiencing recurrent closures with little to no notice whatsoever.

The post Royal Caribbean Suspends Cruising To This Caribbean Country Over Crime And U.S. Alert appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

This announcement comes after the official alert of the U.S. Embassy in Haiti issued on March 10, 2024, reminding U.S. citizens about the situation in the country.

“The U.S. State Department’s Travel Advisory for Haiti remains at Level Four: Do not travel to Haiti. The current security situation in Haiti is unpredictable and dangerous. We are aware that there are few or no commercial options to depart Haiti safely at this time. As they become available, we urge U.S. citizens to take advantage of them.” says the embassy alert.

Royal Caribbean has canceled jet ski tours, kayaking, snorkeling, fishing, and various other activities in this port until further notice to keep visitors on land and close to the ship.

Spending time on the beach will still be permitted but cruisers should avoid straying outside the boundaries of Royal Caribbean’s private property of the dock. 

Although Royal Caribbean cruisers dock at a private port that is owned by the cruise line in Labadee, the company hesitates to promote venturing far from shore at this time. While Royal Caribbean ships will continue to stop in Labadee for the time being, the cruise line prefers that passengers stay near the ship and also discourages planning independent excursions.

Royal Caribbean is providing full refunds for canceled excursions, which passengers should expect to receive within approximately fourteen business days. 

These adjustments were put in place both to protect cruisers and to respect the challenging situation that locals are experiencing. While leisure travel to Haiti is not yet prohibited, Royal Caribbean prioritizes making tourism possible in a way that provides as little additional disruption to the lives of residents of the Labadee area as possible. 

With Haiti currently under a Level Four travel advisory from the U.S. Department of State, visiting the country on your own is also not currently advised. A short and limited entrance through a cruise line remains the safest option at this time, but cruisers should anticipate potential last-minute itinerary or activity changes even after boarding the ship as circumstances evolve.

As always, take extra precautions to ensure that you are back on your ship with plenty of time to spare before its scheduled departure time. This is particularly important when visiting an isolated location that is both potentially unsafe and offers few other options for leaving.

The post Royal Caribbean Remains Cruising To Haiti Despite The U.S. Embassy Alert But Limits Excursions appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

According to the Comprehensive Port Authority of Quintana Roo (Apiqroo), 958,527 national and international tourists were welcomed at the Port of Cozumel in the first two months of 2024.

To date, the Punta Maya, Punta Langosta, and SSA México shipping terminals on the island have registered the arrival of 284 cruise ships, with visitors coming from countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Bahamas, Panama, Norway, Switzerland, Germany and Portugal.

M/S Sky Princess, M/S Disney Fantasy, M/V Celebrity Reflection, M/S Scarlet Lady, M/S Adventure of the Seas, the Carnival Conquest, M/S Oasis of the Seas and M/S Ruby Princess were some of the cruise lines that have arrived this year.

With an estimated average spending of US $80 per tourist, the island has taken in around US $76 million in just 60 days, according to the local tourism secretariat.

As per Puerto Maya website, Cozumel ranks as the 4th busiest port in the world, accommodating 2,943,760 passengers annually. The remaining three positions are held by Port Everglades, Port of Miami, and Port Canaveral.

In addition to Cozumel, Mahahual is another popular port in Quintana Roo. During the first two weeks of 2024, they welcomed over 100 cruise ships.

During the initial 14 days of 2024, a total of 106 ships docked, with 31 arriving in Mahahual and 75 in Cozumel. Notably, the Icon of the Seas, recognized as the largest cruise ship globally, made its debut in Cozumel on February 8, marking its inaugural stop in the western Caribbean.

This immense vessel, measuring 1,197 feet (365 meters) in length, was officially inaugurated by renowned soccer player Lionel Messi in Miami at the end of January. 

Owned by Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, the ship boasts 20 decks, 2,805 staterooms, accommodates 2,350 crew members, and can accommodate a maximum of 5,610 passengers.

Related: TOP Trends In Cruise Tourism In The Caribbean In 2024

The post Nearly 1 Million Cruise Passengers Arrived In Cozumel In Just 60 Days In 2024 appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

Mexican Caribbean Remains a Top Choice for Cruises

In 2024, Mexico anticipates the arrival of 3,122 cruise ships across all its ports, marking an 8% increase from 2023 and a 5.8% rise from the 2019 figures.

The port of Cozumel is expected to maintain its leading position for cruise arrivals both nationally and within the Gulf-Caribbean region, holding 38.4 percent of the total market share, as reported by the country’s Ministry of Tourism.

Cozumel stands out as the top destination for roundtrip cruises from the USA to the Western Caribbean and is recognized globally as the fourth-largest cruise port in terms of berthing capacity and yearly cruise ship traffic.

Norwegian Cruise Line Unveils New Caribbean Itineraries

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), a 57-year innovator in cruise travel known for pushing boundaries, has announced new itineraries for the Eastern and Western Caribbean.

Responding to the autumn demand for warm-weather destinations, NCL will offer new seven-day circular cruises to the Western Caribbean from New Orleans starting October 20, 2024, on the Norwegian Getaway.

Additionally, Eastern Caribbean trips from Port Canaveral, Florida, will begin on October 30, 2024, aboard the Norwegian Epic.

Costa Cruises Launches Emotion-Driven Campaign

Costa Cruises has introduced a new international advertising campaign aimed at forging an emotional connection with passengers and showcasing the unique onboard experiences.

Titled “Live Your Wonder,” the campaign is designed to evoke the ineffable emotions and marvelous moments experienced by travelers.

Developed by Herezie, the creative strategy focuses on conveying these experiences through the emotions they stir in passengers. Costa Cruises has tailored this new approach to meet the evolving needs and desires of its clientele.

Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas Returns to Latin America

Rhapsody of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean International vessel beloved by global travelers, made its return to Latin America last December and will remain in the region until April. Guests have the opportunity to explore destinations like Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao, as well as Columbus, Panama, and Cartagena, Colombia.

From December 2023 to April 2024, Royal Caribbean offers shore excursions and Private Journeys to experience each destination fully. Additionally, this itinerary includes special themed departures, such as one focused on connecting singles and friends under the concept of “Singles and Friends.”

5 TOP World’s Cruising Trends for 2024

Longer World Cruises: There’s growing interest in months-long world cruises, with Royal Caribbean’s 274-night Ultimate World Cruise gaining popularity on social media platforms like TikTok.

Younger Cruisers: An increasing number of Millennials and Gen-X travelers are choosing cruising, driven by social media influence and the desire for new experiences.

Expedition Cruising Expands: The expedition cruise market is booming, with new adventurous destinations like West Africa, Madagascar, the Seychelles, and Indonesia’s Raja Ampat growing in popularity.

Food-Driven Experiences: Cruise lines are incorporating sustainable seafood and local dishes, with celebrity chefs hosting pop-up restaurants and unique food tours on shore.

Environmental Focus: The cruise industry is moving towards net-zero emissions by 2050, with trials of biofuels and investments in renewable energy sources and more efficient operations.

The post TOP Trends In Cruise Tourism In The Caribbean In 2024 appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

The passengers, two women from Kentucky, claimed that while on the island of Grand Bahama, they were drugged and sexually assaulted. Two men were detained by Bahamas police last week on suspicion of the crime.

Since 2018, the U.S. State Department has issued a Level 2 advisory for the Bahamas, urging travelers to “exercise increased caution” due to criminal activity. Additionally, the U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas recently issued a security alert highlighting recent murders in Nassau.

Amber Shearer and Dongayla Dobson’s attorney, Nicholas Gerson, stated to USA TODAY last week that his clients were unaware of any warnings provided by Carnival regarding the Bahamas.

A Carnival representative, Matt Lupoli, mentioned in an email that the shipboard team regularly provides safety guidance to guests while onshore. However, he did not address Gerson’s statements.

The Bahamas government pushes back stating the country is “safe”

On January 30, the Bahamian Tourism Board’s website issued an official statement from the prime minister’s office assuring visitors that the country is “alert, attentive, and proactive” and that the archipelago “remains a safe and welcoming destination.”

The office added that these incidents “do not reflect general safety in the Bahamas, a country of 16 tourism destinations, and many more islands,” referring to the 18 murders in Nassau since the year’s beginning that were detailed in the most recent crime alert for the Bahamas.

“Our law enforcement agencies are taking rigorous steps to maintain our well-earned reputation, including an enhanced police presence and additional police resources (including facial recognition CCTV surveillance technology) and training,” the statement reads.

How to stay safe in port on cruises

Before making a reservation, Carrie Pasquarello, CEO and co-founder of Global Secure Resources Inc., advises learning about the location. “Our goal is to ensure that our travelers are proactive, well-prepared, and aware of both level advisories and risk indicators,” she stated.

To obtain more context, reviewing warnings from nations like the United States, Canada, or Australia is also advised. “Since every country has a unique risk assessment and perspective, I would like to have a comprehensive overview of the place I intend to visit,” she continued.

In the case of American travelers, they can also sign up for the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, which will provide them with security data on where they are heading, and assistance if the U.S. Embassy needs to get in contact with them in case of emergency.

Owner of the company Jafeldma Travel, Jared Feldman, urges arranging a scheduled shore excursion when venturing ashore. “Try to travel with other people, and not necessarily be on your own,” he advised, adding that it’s helpful to observe other standard safety precautions like being aware of your surroundings and exploring during day hours. 

The post Caribbean Travel Warnings Raise Safety Concerns Among Cruise Travelers – What To Know appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.