Some of our top read cruise stories of 2024: Travel Weekly

Andrea Zelinski

This year in cruising may be remembered for its game-changing cruise ships or outsized performance from the Big Three publicly traded companies.

But many of the stories that drew Travel Weekly readers in 2024 were often about how global events impacted sailings; how cruise lines were adjusting itineraries around natural and man-made disasters; and details of new products coming to market.

Here’s a breakdown (in no particular order) of Travel Weekly cruise themes that sparked interest from readers in 2024:

Cruise itineraries affected by global concerns 

Ecuador’s unrest prompts cancellations and boosted security

Ecuador, home to the Galapagos Islands, was rocked with instability on the mainland early this year. President Daniel Noboa declared a state of emergency in January, leading several cruise lines to cancel immediate sailings, including Lindblad Expedition and Silversea. But cruise travel in the Galapagos quickly resumed and, within weeks, a Travel Weekly contributor reported what it was like in Quito, saying she found it calm as armed officials walked the streets.

Jamaica and Bahamas respond to U.S. travel advisories

The U.S. State Department updated its travel advisory to Jamaica and the Bahamas early this year, pointing to increased crime in both countries. These updates caught the ire of local tourism officials, who argued that the advisories didn’t change either country’s threat level (Level 3 and Level 2, respectively) and resulted in negative press about their countries. This was important in the cruise industry, especially as it pertained to the Bahamas, which continues to enjoy its role as a popular destination on Caribbean itineraries, particularly short cruises from South Florida — the capital city of Nassau attracted 4.4 million cruisers in 2023. 

Royal Caribbean suspended visits to Labadee, and then returns

Haiti has also experienced instability this year, namely after gangs carried out a series of attacks that included freeing prisoners, leading the U.S. and the United Nations to withdraw staff from the country in March. Royal Caribbean International suspended visits to Labadee, its private destination on the country’s northwest corner, but resumed them in October.    

Reshaping the cruise product

Royal Caribbean hints at new Discovery class

News that Royal Caribbean International was dreaming up a new ship class was big this year, especially on the heels of the Icon of the Seas in January. Royal Caribbean’s leadership hasn’t talked much more about what it has in mind for the so-called Discovery Class, though CEO Michael Bayley suggested the ships may be smaller than Royal’s go-big-or-go-home ships, and they may be able to serve ports like Baltimore and Tampa that have height restrictions due to bridges.

The modernization of the Allure of the Seas

How Royal Caribbean envisioned modernizing the 14-year-old Allure of the Seas was a well-read story; perhaps that’s because Royal teased that this Oasis-class ship could come out of its early 2025 drydock with features inspired by the Icon of the Seas. But based on details provided by Royal later in the year, it sounded more like the Allure will have a glow-up more inspired by the Utopia of the Seas, the latest Oasis-class ship. The Allure will undergo a $100 million refurb is set for early 2025 and will include the Pesky Parrot tiki bar, among other additions. 

Norwegian Cruise Line introducing More at Sea

NCL’s decision to replace its Free at Sea program with a More at Sea inclusive package drew a lot of interest this year. The line described the More at Sea program as one with additional elevated and diverse options — such as more included high-quality spirits; more specialty dining; and more minutes to use the ship’s WiFi. It will be available to cruisers beginning Jan. 1.

How lines responded to disasters with itinerary changes

Cruise lines evaluate after Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse

There was a load of logistical concerns after a container ship struck a column in the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore in March. The downed bridge blocked access to the Patapsco River and the Maryland Cruise Terminal, where both Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International operate. The lines shifted their operations to Norfolk, Va., for about two months until the river had been cleared and lines returned to Maryland in May.

Cruise ships await Florida ports to reopen

Hurricane Milton not only wrecked massive swaths of Florida, North Carolina and Tennessee as it barreled inland, but it also temporarily closed Port Tampa Bay and left cruise ships out at sea as they waited for the storm to pass. The arrival and departure of 16 cruise ships were affected by the storm, spurring a domino effect of reorganizing guests’ flight details returning home.

Canceled cruises

While unwelcome, news of canceled cruises do draw interest from readers. For instance, this year a cruise on the Icon of the Seas was canceled for unexpected repairs in September; a pair of Royal cruises on Brilliance of the Seas were canceled in March due to technical issues; and Norwegian Cruise Line nixed 38 cruises from its roster that were set to sail between November 2025 and April 2026, including month’s worth of Caribbean itineraries and a South American and Antarctica season.