Americas & Caribbean

Two major cruise destinations are changing COVID-19 policies, with the Bahamas to end its vaccination mandate, while the Cayman Islands are doing away with any extra steps for travelers.

When Ensenada recently popped up in a US Department of State travel advisory, it was cause for particular concern since the port is key for cruise ships based in Southern California.

Port Canaveral officials raised concerns about a federal proposal to expand the current mandatory seasonal 10-knot speed cap to protect the endangered North Atlantic right whale.

Port Canaveral's cruise business is performing extremely well, with one week in July hitting an all-time record passenger count, and ship occupancy currently at more than 100%.

Global Ports Holding inked a 30-year concession with the Puerto Rico Ports Authority to operate San Juan Cruise Port and announced a $425m redevelopment there.

Princess Cruises made port substitutions for 10 more calls at Skagway and confirmed 21 calls will be retained for the remainder of the 2022 Alaska season.

The new Royal Caribbean International terminal is advancing, upgrades are planned for Carnival Jubilee and record cruise calls are expected this year, Galveston Wharves Port Director and CEO Rodger Rees said.

Windstar Cruises crafted a new 2023 Caribbean itinerary that it says is 'just the thing to shake off the winter blahs.'

Tauck will offer small ship cruises between New York and Québec City aboard Silversea's Silver Shadow in fall 2023.

Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of America, its US-flag, Hawaii-based ship, is capped at 40% occupancy due to challenges sourcing US crew.