(Press Release) Port Canaveral has been selected to receive a $20.21 million Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to upgrade its North Cargo Berths 1 and 2, which almost exclusively serve tanker vessels carrying refined petroleum products that play a vital role in supplying Central Florida region’s transportation system.

The project is part of a $37.43 million Port Canaveral initiative to modernize the aging bulkheads to extend their useful life by 20 to 30 years and expanding the Port’s capacity to handle bulk cargo, particularly transportation fuels, which account for more than 50 percent of the Port’s annual total cargo tonnage.

I dropped by the DOF Robotics booth at Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami Beach and took a VR ride in their Flying Theater. All I can say is "hold tight." DOF Robotics "specializes in developing high-tech attractions that encompass virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), motion simulation, and interactive gaming. From edutainment projects to fully customized major rides powered with our cutting-edge motion platforms, we deliver design solutions that captivate, educate, and inspire." -- Gerry Barker

(Press Release) Seattle, Wash., April 27, 2026 — In honor of Koningsdag today in the Netherlands, Holland America Line is announcing a new partnership with Bols, the world’s first cocktail brand and a company rooted in Dutch heritage and craftsmanship. As a sponsor of Holland America Line’s popular Orange Party, the collaboration will introduce exclusive Bols cocktails that will be served at the event, which is held once a cruise across the fleet. ​

(Press Release) Guilford, CT—April 27, 2026--May will be a monumental month for American Cruise Lines, ushering in many exciting “firsts” for U.S. river cruising around the country. Next month, American Encore launches on the Columbia and Snake Rivers and becomes the first ship ever to be christened in the state of Idaho. May will also mark the first 2026 departures for two of the longest domestic cruises ever, the 52-Day Great United States Cruise and the 36-Day Civil War Battlefields Cruise. Each was specifically designed to celebrate the country’s 250th birthday while exploring up to 18 states in a single journey. Finally, the month of May will introduce American’s first season on the Great Lakes, featuring the only domestic cruises on the Great Lakes, all operated by American Patriot, the newest small ship in the region.

By GERRY BARKER
North Palm Beach Life

After taking a pause in 2025, Explora Journeys -- MSC's "ultra elegant" brand -- is going full speed ahead in 2026, riding the wave of a new branding campaign and a new ship, Explora III, launching this summer.
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Explora Journeys President, Anna Nash, and Chris Austin, President-North America, held a press conference at the recently-concluded Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami Beach to talk about what's new and what's ahead for the luxury lifestyle brand launched in 2021.

Actually, Ms. Nash doesn't think the word "luxury" fits. "I don't like the word luxury," she said. "It doesn't have a feeling, and we are all about emotion," adding, "Explora Journeys is the ultra-elegant ocean brand of travel from the MSC group."

As a family-owned brand, "with a European mindset," she emphasized how Explora Journeys sees themselves "as a category of one -- a floating hotel whose address is the ocean."

​"Explora III is more than a ship," said Austin. "She's a destination in her own right." While a sister ship to Exploras I and II, he said Explora III will be a little longer and offers more space than the first two. There will be more ocean residences, along with a second owner's suite. He also pointed out it will be the first ship in the fleet to have LNG (Liquid Natural Gas) capabilities.

Also new on Explora III is The Cellar, "a dedicated space for wine discovery, where guests can explore rare vintages in a setting that feels relaxed, personal and deeply curated," said Austin. The Shore Club, on deck 11, "is a sun-drenched, beach club-inspired dining concept -- blending relaxed, poolside living with refined, all-day dining," while The Chef's Table "will introduce a highly intimate and immersive dining journey. These new concepts are designed to further expand choice, which is a key pillar of our brand," said Austin.

Another major focus is wellness, which has been re-imagined on Explora III by joining the spa and fitness facilities into one space, featuring the latest generation of Technogym equipment. Another new feature is the SAVA Sound Pod, "designed to support deep relaxation and mental clarity through immersive sound and vibration therapy," said Austin.

As a brand, Explora maintains a focus on "longer stays, deeper immersion in the ports and more flexibility with the times we arrive -- allowing guests to experience the destinations at their own pace."

​Looking ahead, Ms. Nash said they will have two ships launching in 2027, and Explora VI launching in 2028. They also made note of the World Journey, "Endless Worlds," announced earlier this year. Set for 2029, designed as a "deeply immersive, once in a lifetime experience," it will span 128 days, 29 countries and 63 destinations.

The other big announcement was a new partnership with Swiss SailGP team, described in a press release as "a nation-versus-nation, close-to-shore, high-speed, high-tech racing series like no other. This global sports championship combines cutting-edge technology, iconic global venues, elite athletes and record-breaking speeds to create the most exciting racing on water."

In summary, Ms. Nash cited the support of MSC has allowed the cruise line "to focus on the guest experience, the innovation and the service delivery," adding "we have a bright future."

By GERRY BARKER
North Palm Beach Life
Photos Courtesy of Port Canaveral

For well over a decade, Port Miami held the distinction of "world's busiest cruise port." That changed in 2025, when Port Canaveral, on Florida's Space Coast, hosted over 8.6 million passengers and took over the number one spot.

And despite being the busiest cruise port in the world, it's also one of the easiest to get in and out of, as we discovered on a recent sailing from there on MSC Grandiosa. Like many, we drove from the Palm Beaches, booked an overnight stay in one of the adjacent hotels and took a shuttle to the port the next morning.
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It was not only a breeze to get to our ship, but also took the stress out of the boarding process, which can be challenging when, in  our case, 6,000 fellow guests would be joining us.

"Actually, we call ourselves the easy port," said Capt. John Murray, Port Canaveral CEO, in an interview at the just-concluded Seatrade Cruise Global conference in Miami Beach. "Easy in, easy out. But we couldn't do what we do today with the size ships we have and the number of passengers and guests without technology." Port Canaveral is currently homeport for 18 ships, representing seven cruise brands, with over 1,000 sailings annually.

A prime example of that technology is facial recognition. As cruise passengers re-enter the country, their photo is taken at a kiosk and compared to a photo on file from a passport or previous entry, using biometrics. It only takes a few seconds, eliminating the need to show a physical passport. Without it, you can only imagine how a port would handle today's megaships, carrying 6-7,000 guests.

​Murray also talked about the popularity of Port Canaveral as a drive-in market. "Probably 80-85 percent of our people drive in," he said. While it's only an hour from near-by Orlando, Murray said they get visitors from "anywhere south of Washington, DC," including Atlanta, Charlotte and Charleston. Considering the cost of airfare and navigating airport security, driving makes sense.

Another draw are the "snowbirds" -- people who have winter residences in Florida. "You see cars from the Midwest, the Dakotas and Utah -- cars from all over the United States. It's amazing," Murray said.

South Florida cruisers also have the option of taking Brightline, the privately-owned train service connecting Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach and Orlando. You can take the high speed-ride to Orlando's International Airport, and from there hop on a shuttle or Uber to the port.

Technology comes into play at the parking garages as well. When parking, guests pay upfront on arrival. On the way out, the system recognizes your license plate and you aren't spending time trying to use a credit card.

So how did they take the busiest port title from Port Miami? "Ship size is part of it," he said, noting that Royal Caribbean has two of their newest ships there. "The other part is we don't have as many dedicated terminals to a specific cruise line, which allows us to use our terminals with greater efficiency."

With the popularity of cruise travel growing, the port has embarked on a $912 million, five-year capital improvement initiative, which will expand two existing terminals, develop a seventh new cruise terminal campus, add parking facilities and deploy new technology. But there is one aspect of growth that will require the State of Florida's help.

Murray said the road systems serving the Port need updating, including lane expansion. Until those projects are approved by the state, "it's going to limit our ability to grow," said Murray. 

But right now, with new ships like MSC World Atlantic scheduled to arrive at Port Canaveral in 2027, it's clear sailing for the busiest port in the world.

​By GERRY BARKER
North Palm Beach Life

If you were to name the most beautiful spots on the planet, one place that should make everyone's list is French Polynesia. The home of the Society Islands, including Tahiti and Bora Bora, its volcanic peaks, surrounded by crystalline waters in every shade of blue, create indelible memories for any visitor.

One person who knows that first hand is Sebastien Desfresnes, Air Tahiti Nui's Head of Sales - The Americas, who talked about the latest news from both the airline and the islands at the recently-concluded Seatrade Cruise Global conference in Miami Beach.

"We are seeing a lot of traction with smaller ships," said Desfresnes, "which is good for Tahiti," pointing out that the smaller cruise ships take guests to five or six islands, delivering a lot of value for the money. Both Windstar and Paul Gauguin offer year-round cruises there. In 2027, Windstar will deploy the newly-refurbished sailing ship, Wind Star, to join Star Breeze in French Polynesia with its "Dreams of Tahiti" itinerary.

Another key development Desfresnes pointed out is the opening of a new cruise terminal in Tahiti's capital, Papeete. Named Te Anuanua, it debuted in 2025, and can handle up to three cruise ships at a time, along with 2,000 passengers. "It's a modern building with all the amenities," he said.

Known for their award-winning, onboard service, Air Tahiti Nui operates a fleet of Boeing Dreamliner jets from their main hubs in Tahiti, Paris, Los Angeles, Auckland, Sydney and Tokyo, and maintain partnerships with a number of major carriers, including American and Alaska Airways. "With the interline agreement you can check your bags all the way through to Tahiti on a single ticket," he said.

Their jets offer three classes of service, and no matter which you choose, "we want the journey to be as enriching as the destination itself," said Desfresnes. "As soon as you step on one of our aircraft, you will feel the atmosphere of the islands," adding that every guest "is greeted with the iconic tiare flower -- it's really what sets us apart from the other airlines."

Having spent a week cruising the islands, and extra days on Moorea, the hard part isn't getting there -- it's having to leave. 

Find out more at Air Tahiti Nui's website.