It starts immediately upon embarkation when guests arrive inside the Black Panther-themed Great Hall and find Minnie Mouse wearing her new hero outfit, waving from a balcony. It’s this same space that hosts regular stage shows and character interactions, transforming with colors (like Maleficent green) and lights based on the time of day and tone of the encounter.

While Disney magic and storytelling is the through line for dining, entertainment and physical spaces on board the cruise line’s third Wish-class vessel, the goal is to provide enough options for guests to choose their own adventure — including spaces for adults only.

“I think for the guest that ends up taking their first Disney Cruise, you may be compelled by the destinations. You may be compelled by the Disney element that you want to see,” said Joe Schott, president of Disney Signature Experiences. “You may be compelled by just wanting to get away from things and taking your own track. It doesn’t matter what compels you to be here; you’re going to discover something special just for you.”

Transforming Disney stories into a format fit for a ship has first-time Disney Cruise Line passengers curious and loyal fans coming back for more.

“Forty percent of the guests that sail with us tell us that they wouldn’t have sailed unless we were in the market,” Schott said. “We’re actually more than halfway booked for the upcoming year. So there’s incredible demand for our product.”

That means a big opportunity for growth in the coming years. Destiny is Disney’s seventh ship to come online, with five more ships coming by 2031, bringing the total fleet to 13.

“We all say that Disney Cruise Line is like a storybook, and each of these ships is a chapter in this book,” said Yolanda Cade, the vice president of communications and public affairs for Disney Signature Experiences. “We just opened the chapter of heroes and villains. When you step on board, it’s like you’re living that chapter.”

Here’s a glimpse into the magic Disney delivered during a three-night preview sailing aboard the 144,000-gross-ton Destiny, which can accommodate 4,000 passengers.

The ship

Guests who have experience sailing on Disney’s Wish-class ships will find the Destiny is very familiar in layout and overall offerings, but new-to-the-class passengers should also find the vessel easy to navigate.

Deck 3 has several themed lounges for cocktails, shopping options and 1923, one of the main rotational dining venues with classic Hollywood style to celebrate Disney’s early days. The ship’s forward is home to the 1,274-seat Walt Disney Theatre, which has a balcony on Deck 4 and serves as home to the signature “Hercules” show.

Deck 4 has the Worlds of Marvel rotational dining venue, a salon and barber, the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, two cinemas showing Disney films and Saga, a more intimate entertainment venue that serves as home to musical performances, comedy acts and game shows with additional seating on Deck 5.

On Deck 5, passengers can find Pride Lands: Feast of the Lion King, Mickey’s Mainsail shop, the Cask & Cannon pub, the Senses Spa and Senses Fitness gym.

Decks 6-10 are reserved for cabins, but Deck 11 opens up with the Marceline Market food hall and the open-air Mickey & Friends Festival of Foods, just beside several small pools and the Funnel Vision Deck Stage. Deck 11 also has Edna Á La Mode Sweets and Dory’s Forget-Me-Knots shop.

Deck 12 has a mix of open-air spaces for swimming, including the Toy Story Splash Zone, and indoor spaces for dining and recreation. This includes the Vibe space for teenagers only and the Hero Zone family recreation space and sports court. Upscale refreshments are found at adults-only venues Palo Steakhouse, Enchanté by Chef Arnaud Lallement and The Rose, a lounge with “Beauty and the Beast” theming.

Deck 13 has the Quiet Cove area and the Cove Café, both for adults only, plus the AquaMouse water ride for passengers of all ages.

The entertainment

High-caliber shows, character interactions and immersive spaces are central to the experience on the Disney Destiny, something to be expected from one of the world’s largest entertainment companies.

This can show up in intimate ways, like Dr. Facilier’s Parlor, a small-scale card trick experience, or in pop-up shows with storytellers Zayah and Gamble, two original characters created just for the Destiny. The duo helped introduce encounters in the Grand Hall with Loki, Cruella de Vil, Hercules and other classic Disney heroes and villains. This space is also the forum for the “Sounds of Wakanda” show, a percussion-heavy experience with audience participation and appearances from King T’Challa, the Black Panther himself.

The Funnel Vision Deck Stage is where guests can see movies on a large screen poolside during the day and see shows by night. This includes the “Let’s Set Sail” party featuring Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy and even a Spider-Man cameo. The centerpiece of the themed Pirate Night is Pirate’s Rockin’ Parlay Party, featuring a mix of classic rock covers, Disney tunes, a canon firing and plenty of choreography. The experience is topped off by an appearance from Captain Jack Sparrow, pyrotechnics on stage and a fireworks show at sea, exclusive to Disney Cruise Line.

The pinnacle of Destiny’s entertainment lineup is the exclusive “Hercules” show, which takes the classic film and turns it into an hour-long Broadway-style production. The music takes a soulful spin, and the journey feels just as epic as the film, if not more so, with the inclusion of giant puppets and mesmerizing effects. There are humorous twists and emotional moments as the audience watches Hercules follow his heart and “go the distance.”

While “Hercules” is the highlight of the mainstage show lineup, the Walt Disney Theatre also serves as home to “Frozen: A Musical Spectacular,” which takes guests on a journey across Arendelle complete with snow and plenty of song, and the nautically-themed “Disney Seas the Adventure.”

Live entertainment is the main course when dining at Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King, which every guest will have an opportunity to experience as a part of the Destiny’s rotational dining. A “pride” of singers and percussionists perform songs from the classic animated movie and share stories celebrating Simba’s journey to fulfill his destiny as king.

All-ages fun

As a family-oriented cruise, the Destiny has plenty of experiences geared toward younger cruisers.

Disney’s Oceaneer Club on Deck 2 is dedicated to children ages 3-10 with a Fairytale Hall, the Marvel Super Hero Academy, Star Wars: Cargo Bay and the Walt Disney Imagineering Lab. “It’s a small world” nursery is a daycare center that caters to infants and toddlers from 6 months to 3 years old.

Edge on Deck 5 is open to tweens ages 11-14 with an urban loft-inspired setting for playing games, watching movies and capturing selfies. Vibe on Deck 12 has space for teens to socialize and hang out together.

Many of the experiences on board cater to the whole family, from 3 to 83, with many entertainment options and experiences suitable for visitors of any age.

Adults only

Why should the kids get to have all the fun? In crafting its latest ship, Disney was certain to plot out a separate space for adults to drink and enjoy their vacation.

This appears in several themed lounges and bars. De Vil’s takes inspiration from Cruella’s larger-than-life personality and sense of fashion, with lipstick on the glasses and one drink that includes champagne in a perfume sprayer. The intimate venue features a black-and-white spotted piano in the center and stylish decor.

The Haunted Mansion Parlor is sure to be a hit among Disney fans who like the spookier, macabre side of the company’s storytelling. Indulge in themed “spirits” in a setting based on the iconic attraction with appearances from familiar ghosts and a menu that is “to die for.”

The Sanctum rounds out a trio of adults-only spaces on Deck 3 with “spellbinding” cocktails, spirits and coffee drinks taking inspiration from “Doctor Strange.” Some drinks seem to levitate on their own, while others react to touch. It’s clear that Disney’s food and beverage team had a lot of fun developing the magical menu for this space.

Cask & Cannon brings a lively pirate-themed pub filled with treasure, live sports, light bites, vintage rums and “bootlegged” brews. The venue features a better beer selection than most other areas of the ship, and it promises plenty of swashbuckling fun.

Some of the nighttime entertainment options are geared toward audiences ages 18 and older, including “With Great Power: A Marvel Comedy Show,” which takes place inside the Saga lounge. Zayah and Gamble riff on superhero stories with props, costumes and tomfoolery that have more mature themes than any other show on the ship.

The experience

While Disney magic can be found in any of the many individual experiences that can be found on board, another constant is the level of service that the company hopes to be defined by. It’s also to be expected given the price tag and the company’s unique offering as a family-centric premium cruise line.

“This is the highest-rated experience that we have across our entire experiences portfolio,” Schott said, noting the cruise line’s ranking when compared to Disney’s parks and other experiences. “There’s an intimate nature to what you’re experiencing along with the high-quality crew members that we have on board … The quality service is something that we’re known for.”

This comes through in Disney Cruise Line’s rotational dining concept, which allows guests to experience all of the main dining venues on the ship and allows crew members to stay with the same guests at each venue. That, combined with all of the signature entertainment and destinations, helps customers discover Disney’s cruises for the first time and keep coming back.

“We think about value in the components of the comfort of cruising, the magic of Disney and the incredible destinations that you have that you’re visiting,” Schott said. “We always have to focus on where we’re strongest, which is telling our stories and delivering high-quality service.”

The Destiny is now sailing regular four- and five-night itineraries to the Bahamas and Western Caribbean. Starting prices range from $1,964 to $7,330 for two guests.

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Reservations are now open for Carnival Festivale, a 180,000-gross-ton vessel with capacity for up to 6,400 guests. The company’s fourth Excel-class ship will sail alongside its sister ship, Mardi Gras, which arrived in Port Canaveral in 2021.

The new ship will be divided into six zones, including two new immersive ones inspired by music.

“Music is the universal language that brings families and friends together, and Carnival Festivale will amplify that unique connection. The experiences we’ll deliver will appeal to every generation,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, in a news release. “Everyone, no matter their age or interest, will find their rhythm on this ship.”

The ship’s Grand Central atrium is the main hub of decks 6-8 with floor-to-ceiling windows, color-changing lights and a rotating selection of live entertainment.

Studio 724 celebrates the creative music-making process with lights and animations synchronized to sound. This zone will serve as home to The Spark on Deck 6 with cocktails inspired by songs and live music performances, as well as Carnival’s signature Alchemy Bar with its own dedicated stage for entertainment. The Piano Bar 88 can be found on Deck 6 as well.

At Mix Bar on Deck 7, guests can sip cocktails at a turntable-themed bar or visit the Limelight Lounge, designed to match the music theme.

The Festival on Deck 8 aims to bring the energy of outdoor music festivals to a cruise ship setting. A bright promenade connects guests to food and beverage, including the Festival Grounds Coffee & Bar, Pizza Palooza and Rhythm & Rolls Deli.

Sunsation Point spans decks 16-18 and serves as the “Ultimate Family Adventure Zone.” The anchor of this zone is Carnival WaterWorks Ultra, which is Carnival’s biggest and “most family-friendly” water park at sea. The area includes six water slides, splash pads and shaded play areas. The Festivale will be the first to offer extended nighttime hours for WaterWorks on select evenings.

Deck 16 offers relaxation in the Vista Pool, plus refreshments from Sunsation Sips, Shaq’s Big Chicken and Swirls ice cream. Deck 17 includes the Vault Retrocade arcade, the Scenic Overlook bar and the Treehouse, a new concept with netted bridges, obstacles and a dry slide.

The ship also features familiar Excel-class offerings, including Summer Landing — with a pool, a poolside bar, ice cream and barbecue at the aft of the ship on Deck 8 — and Lido, a poolside zone with the RedFrog Tiki Bar and several food options.

Construction is now underway on Carnival’s newest ship, which celebrated its keel laying ceremony earlier this month at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany. The Festivale will begin its seafaring journey with a 15-night transatlantic voyage in early May 2027, with a scheduled arrival at Port Canaveral on May 16, 2027.

On May 19, 2027, the ship will have its first sailing to the Bahamas on a four-night cruise that includes stops at Carnival’s Celebration Key and RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay. It will then begin a schedule of sailing primarily six- and eight-night Eastern and Southern Caribbean cruises with regular ports such as San Juan, St. Thomas and St. Maarten. All sailings will include a visit to Carnival’s Celebration Key on Grand Bahama Island.

Carnival’s Celebration Key opens on Grand Bahama with Shaq sightings, colorful fanfare

Upon the arrival of Carnival Festivale, Mardi Gras, which currently sails itineraries of a week or longer, will switch to short sailings of four and five nights.

The Festivale adds to Carnival’s growing fleet, which currently includes 29 ships and five more slated to arrive through 2033. This includes Carnival Tropicale, the fifth Excel-class ship that sets sail in 2028 and three ships in a new class currently under development.

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At 102,500 gross tons — with room to accommodate 2,680 passengers at double occupancy and a maximum of 3,450 guests — the Beachcomber will eclipse the cruise line’s other two ships, the Islander and Paradise. The ship that will become the Beachcomber is currently operating as Costa Cruise Lines’ Costa Fortuna, which debuted in 2003 and sails in the Mediterranean Sea.

The vessel, which will continue to sail with Costa until late next year, features 13 passenger decks, expansive outdoor spaces and an eight-story center atrium.

“With the acquisition of our third ship in three years, we are proud to once again invite guests to step into the Margaritaville state of mind on the open ocean,” said Christopher Ivy, CEO of Margaritaville at Sea, in a news release. “The launch of the Margaritaville at Sea Islander was a significant moment for our company, and the acquisition of the Costa Fortuna, our largest ship to date, gives us another exciting opportunity to bring even more fun and escapism to guests from a new homeport.”

Onboard Beachcomber, travelers can explore fan favorite venues for dining and drinking, including 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill, Hemisphere Dancer craft spirits bar and the Cheeseburger in Paradise burger venue. The ship will also feature “more than 15 brand-new experiences created exclusively for Beachcomber,” according to a news release.

“With Beachcomber, we wanted to create a design that captures the spirit of fun, warmth, and relaxed adventure,” said Martha Brabham, Margaritaville at Sea’s head of design, in a news release. “We drew inspiration from nostalgic beach scenes, vintage surf art, and the carefree escapism that defines the brand. The result is a design that feels joyful and instantly familiar – one that builds on the award-winning aesthetic we introduced with Islander in 2024.”

Margaritaville at Sea launched in May 2022 from Port of Palm Beach with the Paradise, a 52,926-gross-ton vessel that features 10 decks and a 1,680-passenger capacity. The Islander debuted in June 2024, sailing from Port of Tampa Bay, weighing in at 85,700 gross tons with 12 passenger decks and capacity for 2,650 guests. Both of the cruise line’s ships that are currently sailing previously belonged to Costa Cruises. Beachcomber’s homeport, itineraries and debut timeline will be announced at a later date.

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Guests sailing from one of Carnival’s 13 U.S. homeports can soon enjoy Coca-Cola brands, which include the classic soda of the same name, Sprite, Fanta, Powerade, Topo Chico and Fairlife, among others.

“Carnival Cruise Line and Coca-Cola are two iconic brands that celebrate fun, family, friendship, food and fabulous memories,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, in a news release. “We are excited to welcome back Coca-Cola’s diverse lineup of beverages, which our guests love and which will enhance the food and beverage experience that is always part of a great cruise vacation on Carnival. Both our brands are built on bringing people together, making The Coca-Cola Company and Carnival Cruise Line a perfect partnership.”

The cruise line anticipates the new offerings will be fully integrated across its North American fleet by the end of September. Carnival’s Australian-based ships already serve Coca-Cola beverages.

Regent Cruises’ new massive luxury suite starts at $25,000 a night

“We’re thrilled to be back on board with Carnival, literally! From an ice-cold Coca-Cola with lunch, a Topo Chico by the pool, or a Powerade after exploring a destination, we’ll have the perfect drink for every moment of the journey,” said Dagmar Boggs, president of foodservice and on-premise for The Coca-Cola Company’s North American operating unit, in a news release. “This partnership is all about enhancing the guest experience, and we’re thrilled to offer a beverage lineup as diverse and exciting as the adventures Carnival guests embark on.”

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The company’s third Oasis-class ship, which entered service in 2016 and is set to arrive in Florida in August 2026, will feature a new Caribbean-inspired pool deck, a refreshed adults-only solarium, laser tag, arcade upgrades and fresh dining options: The Lime & Coconut, El Loco Fresh and Samba Grill Brazilian Steakhouse. Upgrade plans also include new ways to stay like the Ultimate Family Suite and an expansion at the largest Casino Royale in the company’s fleet.

Harmony was the first Oasis-class ship to incorporate the 10-story twisting dry slide The Ultimate Abyss. In addition, the ship boasts three high-speed waterslides, a zip line, FlowRider surf simulators and the Bionic Bar with robotic bartenders.

Ovation of the Seas, a Quantum-class ship which entered service in 2016, will receive a refreshed pool deck with private casitas, a new whirlpool, the Pesky Parrot bar and accommodation upgrades such as the Ultimate Family Suite and Panoramic Suite. Liberty of the Seas, a Freedom-class ship that debuted in 2007, will return to service with the Royal Escape Room experience, a reimagined pool deck with more casitas, The Lime & Coconut, a new-to-ship Starbucks and new dining options at El Loco Fresh and Izumi Teppanyaki.

Ovation is set to offer Alaskan cruise itineraries beginning in summer 2026. Liberty sails from Southampton, England, in summer 2026 with cruises to European destinations including Norway, Belgium and Denmark.

The ships are all receiving upgrades as a part of the Royal Amplified program, which takes old favorites and enhances them with modern attractions and dining. Harmony, Ovation and Liberty join seven previously amplified ships: Allure of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas and Independence of the Seas.

Harmony of the Seas debuted in 2016 sailing out of Port Everglades as the world’s largest cruise ship at the time. In 2019, the ship arrived in Port Canaveral for two years before Wonder of the Seas took over for it in fall 2021. The port has hosted all of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class ships except for Symphony of the Seas.

Royal has doubled down on parking their largest ships at Port Canaveral since late 2023 with two Oasis-class ships serving short three- and four-night Bahamas cruises as well as the normal seven-night Caribbean sailings.

For now those are done by Utopia of the Seas, which debuted in 2024, and Wonder of the Seas. The latter is set to give way to Royal’s newest ship Star of the Seas, the second of the Icon class, in August.

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While the summer slows down compared with the busy fall and winter cruising season, Port Canaveral still hosts 12 homeported ships with itineraries from three to eight days plus two ships that call on Port Canaveral for day visits.

Carnival leads the way with four ships sailing from Port Canaveral this summer, followed by Royal Caribbean and Disney with three ships each while MSC and Norwegian sail one each. The Norwegian Aqua, Port Canaveral’s newest ship, debuted in late April and has sailings through mid-August.

Princess and Celebrity, which both celebrated their Port Canaveral debut last fall, are gone for the summer but will return for the winter sailing season.

This summer, Carnival Cruise Line celebrates its 35th year of sailing from Port Canaveral while sailing nearly 322,000 guests from the port between Memorial Day and Labor Day. This results in an estimated $124 million economic impact on the area, according to a news release from the company.

Starting on July 19, Carnival will welcome passengers to its new 65-acre Celebration Key on Grand Bahama. Five “portals” offer splash pads, pools, cabanas, bars, shopping, food and drinks for guests to enjoy. Through Labor Day, the new private enclave will welcome 15 Carnival ships from eight home ports on more than 80 visits.

World’s largest cruise ship performs sea trials before Port Canaveral arrival

This August, the newest vessel to earn the title of world’s largest cruise ship will begin sailing from Port Canaveral. Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas, its second Icon-class ship, is now booking “Star Showcase” cruises for guests interested in being among the first onboard. Four-night cruises to Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas sail Aug. 16-20, Aug. 23-27 and Aug. 31 while a three-night itinerary sails Aug. 20-23.

Here’s a guide for summertime cruising in Central Florida.

Carnival

Carnival Glory hosts guests for three- and four-day itineraries to the Bahamas with ports including Nassau, Bimini, Celebration Key and Princess Cays. The average cost ranges from $415-$633 per person for a two-person room.

Carnival Freedom sails with four- and five-day cruises to the Caribbean and the Bahamas with ports including Nassau, Half Moon Cay, Celebration Key, Grand Turk and Bimini. The average cost ranges from $446-$829 per person for a two-person room.

Carnival Mardi Gras hosts itineraries for six, seven or eight-day cruises to an array of Caribbean destinations including Aruba, Curaçao, Grand Turk, Nassau, Amber Cove, Celebration Key, St. Thomas and San Juan. The average cost ranges from $914-$2,069 per person for a two-person room.

Carnival Vista sails with six- or eight-day cruises to the eastern and southern Caribbean including ports such as Half Moon Cay, Amber Cove, Grand Turk, St. Thomas, Celebration Key, Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire. The average cost ranges from $622-$1,224 per person for a two-person room.

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean Wonder of the Seas hosts guests for seven-night cruises to St. Thomas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, Cozumel, San Juan and other destinations in the Caribbean. The average cost per person ranges from $1,300-$1,880. In September, the Wonder will begin sailing from Miami following the arrival of Star of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean Utopia of the Seas offers itineraries of three and four nights with stops in Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay. The average cost per person ranges from $663-$997.

Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas sails with six- and eight-night cruises that include ports in Jamaica, Haiti, Grand Cayman, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Aruba, the Dominican Republic, St. Thomas and Perfect Day at CocoCay. The average cost per person ranges from $975-$1,922.

Disney

Disney Magic offers itineraries for four- and five-night cruises with one option for a 10-night Caribbean cruise to the British Virgin Islands, St. Kitts, Antigua, Puerto Rico and Disney Castaway Cay. Typical Bahamian destinations include Nassau, Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point and Disney Castaway Cay. Starting prices range from $2,067-$5,906 for two guests.

Disney Treasure invites guests for seven-night Caribbean cruises that stop in Mexico, Grand Cayman, Jamaica and Disney Castaway Cay or the British Virgin Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands and Disney Castaway Cay. Starting prices range from $5,103-$5,305 for two guests.

Disney Wish sails with three- and four-night Bahamian cruise itineraries stopping in Nassau and Disney Castaway Cay. Starting prices range from $1,646-$2,094 for two guests.

MSC

MSC Seashore sails with itineraries from three nights to 11 nights. Shorter cruises stop in the Bahamas at Nassau and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. Longer trips sail to Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico, and Honduras. The starting price per person ranges from $325-$1,774.

Norwegian

Norwegian Aqua hosts guests for seven-day cruises to the Dominican Republic, U.S. Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands and Bahamas. Cruises start at $1,398 per person.

Find me @PConnPie on Instagram or send me an email: pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com. Stay up to date with our latest travel, arts and events coverage by subscribing to our newsletters at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters.

Aboard NCL’s Aqua

There’s much to do aboard Aqua, NCL’s new 3,571-passenger Prima Plus-class ship. A combination roller coaster and water slide, called – what else? – the Aqua Slidecoaster. A 10-story dry slide called “The Drop’’ you can hear people giggling down all over the ship. A lively, borderline frenetic, Prince tribute show called “Revolution.” A spot-on Fleetwood Mac tribute show called “Rumours.’’ A stunning acrobatic account of all four elements – earth, wind, fire and water – in “Elements: The World Expanded.” And comedy shows at The Improv you can also hear people giggling about all over the ship, and an Ocean Music Festival with multiple musicians and … And Aqua puts a show in the showboat.

Aqua also puts on a culinary show, with at least 30 complimentary or specialty dining and bar options – 31, if you count room service – for food and drink, ranging from French cuisine at Le Bistro on Deck 6 that would hold its own in Paris, hot Thai on Deck 17 at Sukhothai where you can make – and even name – your own hot sauce, a complimentary fine dining room with a 270-degree view – arguably the best on board – in Hudson’s on Deck 7 aft and, in this humble cruiser’s opinion, the best Indian food at sea at Tamara – complete with an onboard tandoor oven turning out toasty naan, roti and other breads – at the complimentary Indulge Food Hall on Deck 8. It’s just one of 10 eateries indoors and outdoors there, from plant-based bowls at Planterie to meat-based platters at Texas Smokehouse, overlooking the wake.

And, really, I’m just getting started. You’ll need a five- to eight-day cruise just to get the hang of all that’s going on on one or two of Aqua’s 20 decks over its 1,056-foot length. There’s a Mandara Spa with a thermal suite and a fitness center and an arcade the kids are never going to want to leave and Glow Court basketball for when they do and pools and teen clubs and hot tubs and, oh yes, a day, on most of NCL’s Caribbean cruises, at Great Stirrup Cay, the company’s private island in the Bahamas, where you can get off the ship and stretch your legs walking (or ziplining over) or just sprawl on the white-sand beach with a piña colada or cold Kalik. We heard there’s also a great lineup of first-run movies – “The Brutalist,” yes! – in the cabins, but we were too busy doing all the other stuff.

I could quibble that, unlike MSC’s astonishing new cruise terminal at PortMiami (see below), it takes awhile to go aboard Aqua through NCL’s terminal. There were lines at NCL where there were beelines straight onto the ship at MSC.

Mostly what I was doing with time away from all the other activities aboard Aqua, though, was spending some of the best time at sea walking Ocean Boulevard on Deck 8, which is on my personal list of the world’s great promenades (a list that includes the Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris and Las Ramblas in Barcelona). The 360-degree outdoor walkway has oceanfront cafes and bars and infinity-edged pools and outdoor art and music and two (2) glass-bottom bridges to watch the ocean pass as you walk – and Instagram – the eight minutes and 24 seconds it takes to walk at a steady pace completely around the .37 mile outdoor deck (as measured on my Apple Watch). Unless you stop for a vanilla, chocolate or swirl cone at Just Ice Cream along the way, which could add time – and possibly weight – to your progress around the circuit.

Ocean Boulevard may be the best place to watch a sunset aboard Aqua – maybe even the best at sea. Stick around and watch the stars come out from the darkened bow. Heaven – I mean heavens. Aqua’s got it all.

IF YOU GO

NCL Aqua

Five to eight-day Bahamian, Caribbean and Bermuda cruises departing from Port Canaveral, New York, Miami. Information, ncl.com.

Aboard MSC’s World America

Before going aboard MSC’s new 6,764-passenger World Class ship, a word here about the boarding process through MSC’s new terminal at PortMiami: Wowza! I was out of the Lyft, through the door and onto the ship in 12 minutes. 12! It would have been even quicker if I hadn’t stopped to rate my Lyft driver (five stars!) and wonder, how could I possibly be moving so fast onto a cruise ship? I don’t mean to brag, but I have been on other cruise ships boarding at PortMiami and I may, technically, still be in line to board some of them. MSC’s new terminal is an amazing accomplishment worthy of recognition around the world.

And the World at the end of its homeport gangway here manages to top the boarding experience, with seven “districts’’ of things to do across its 1,094 foot length and 22 decks. A family-friendly outdoor amusement park, with bumper cars and a roller rink; and wet and dry slides and six pools and 14 hot tubs and “The Cliffhanger’’ that lifts guests 160 feet over the ocean and lets them swing. (You can’t take your phone, to answer the most pressing question, so no Instagraming; but they take photos as you do it you can post – along with every other passenger who’s ever been on the swing – on Instagram later).

Not that I’m keeping score, but MSC’s World America edges NCL Aqua’s dry slide by a deck, dropping guests 11 decks – from Deck 19 to the World Promenade on Deck 8, where you can listen to people giggling all the way down the spiraling, stainless steel Jaw Drop slide. Sit and listen with a cold beer at the All-Stars Sports Bar or a Turkish coffee at The Coffee Emporium or hot pita and mezes at Paxos, World America’s Greek restaurant. The outdoor World Promenade district, with its LED light shows and towering, terraced walls overlooking the sea and the massive wake of the ship, is a great place to take it all in. No one’s going to stop you from Instagram here.

When you get hungry after all the social media posting, there are 19 dining restaurants, including the Butcher’s Cut steakhouse, Kaito Sushi and Teppanyaki, Hola! Tacos and Cantina and not-to-be-missed Eataly, “a celebration of Italian culture and tradition.” When you get thirsty – or want to listen to some music or jokes – there are 18 bars and lounges, including the Masters of the Sea Pub, where you can draw an IPA, Pilsner or lite beer made from desalinated sea water from MSC’s micro-brewery at sea. Cool! And reassuring that beer will always be a renewable resource.

This is not a criticism, but there’s almost too much to see and do aboard World America. You may feel the need to book an appointment at MSC Aurea Spa on Deck 8 just to address the effects of walking around the ship in a constant state of jaw drop.

I could quibble that, unlike NCL’s Aqua, it’s not possible to walk 360 uninterrupted degrees around the ship, stem to stern. The best I could manage aboard World America was a 3-minute, 34-second steady walk the .13 miles of boardwalks on either side of Deck 7, where they keep the lifeboats.

But, if you like to walk, all is forgiven on Ocean Cay, MSC’s Marine Reserve and private island in the Bahamas. You can walk a solid 20 uninterrupted minutes from the dock to the far side of the 95-acre island, where you can see Cat Cay on the far blue horizon. The helicopter pad there is a great place to stargaze, if you’re lucky to get to stay past sunset. All you’ll see is sand and sea and stars. Heaven – I mean heavens – again. World America’s got it all, too.

IF YOU GO

MSC World America

Seven-night eastern and western Caribbean cruises from homeport Miami. Information, msccruisesusa.com, 877-665-4655.

The 22-deck, 6,764-passenger, 216,638-gross-ton ship arrived in April in PortMiami and has settled into year-round, seven-night Caribbean itineraries.

Just like Royal’s Icon and Oasis-class ships, World America is so big, that the line carves its space up into neighborhoods, although MSC calls them districts. They’re filled with nearly 40 restaurants, bars and lounges, so it feels like a little city at sea.

In fact, from behind, people would be hard-pressed to tell the difference between an Oasis-class ship from World America with both featuring a multi-deck, twisting dry slide as a centerpiece of an open-air deck.

One thing the brand does successfully, though, is lean into its European identity, especially the Italian flair of its founders.

“We’re not trying to be an American cruise line only for Americans,” said new MSC Cruises USA president Lynn Torrent. “We do have this European DNA and that’s real, and we need to own it and lean into it. But we need to have our American guests feel comfortable. So it really is a balance.”

So in the hallways, for instance, are historical black-and-white photos of space shuttle launches, but they were labeled as “Kennedy Space Centre.” Pool depths are in both meters and feet. Elevators are called lifts. A family area on the top decks is called “The Harbour.” But at least restrooms are no longer labeled “WC” for “water closet,” something one would find on earlier MSC ships.

Perhaps the most European thing is the bumper cars with the steering wheel on the right.

And while the ship may have many similarities, the interior leans into a modern design that has been a hallmark of the MSC ships before it. Mirrors are everywhere. And a lot of the ships sparkle. At the same time, a digital ceiling that stretches down the entire World Galleria entertainment district occasionally quite often displays a massive American flag.

Taking a closer look, travelers will find World America isn’t a clone. It has its own identity.

Here are some of the best features on board:

The Cliffhanger: Who knew a simple little swing could be such a thrill? A pair of two-seater swings juts out over the edge of the ship 160 feet above the water with just a simple T-bar keeping riders safe from sliding out.

“That’s it?” exclaimed Lindsay Bonfanti before holding on for the less-than-minute-long ride that drew a few more exclamations questioning her decision-making.

For those who love heights and a hit of adrenaline without putting in any work, this ride fits the bill.

More thrills to be found: The Family Aventura district has other fast-paced options including a ropes course with two small zip lines built in. One swings riders out over the chasm of the open-air aft section of the ship more than 11 decks below.

The small water park has five slides including a speedy drop slide that shoots riders down as if being dropped out bomb-bay doors. There’s also a pair of timed, side-by-side slides that allow for healthy competition and a tube ride with an option virtual reality headset that makes for a trippy, wet trip through the jungle. Just remember to not be laughing out loud with your mouth open when you hit the bottom.

Over in the sports court, the line breaks out bumper cars for some healthy head-on collisions.

But for those who don’t mind climbing into an open shark mouth, the Jaw Drop twisting slide is a welcome, free offering, the tube of which is transparent for much of the ride offering great views on the way down.

Dirty Dancing: It’s music and dancing that most people know. Baby gets put in a corner momentarily. The choreography is spot on. The dancers nail the lift. They had the time of their lives, and fans of the film will likely walk away from the short production in the main theater with a hit of nostalgia. The line also doubles down on the partnership by airing the film and putting on its own dance party themed to the 1980s hit film that itself used music from the summer of 1963.

Dialing into other nostalgic, but popular music, the line has a show playing the hits of Queen, marrying a live rock band with orchestral and aerialist accompaniment in the Panorama Lounge. Another main stage show “Hall of Fame” pulls from a variety of pop legends such as Beyonce and Justin Timberlake.

So many flavors: MSC goes beyond simple vanilla, chocolate and swirl. Think gelato. Think multiple venues around the ship. Think massive selection. One of the best tempts travelers walking down the main World Galleria section of the ship within the Jean-Philippe Chocolat & Café venue, which also features hand-crafted chocolates, 14 flavors of macarons and a tidy little coffee bar tucked in the back. But 16 gelato and sorbet flavors from pistachio to hazelnut to mango to stracciatella. There’s some pretty rich vanilla and chocolate too.

When in doubt: Pizza. The ship has plenty of dining options including the first Eataly-branded Italian specialty restaurant and a Greek venue with fresh seafood called Paxos.

But perhaps the most satisfying dish on board is free. Freshly made pizza made in authentic stone ovens is a must-have from Luna Park Pizza & Burger, plus it’s open beyond normal dining hours, so a great place to wander into after a few drinks.

Or before dinner. Or between lunch and dinner.

Pour another one: Champagne bar: Check. Mixed drinks: Check: Hand-crafted beer. Check.

The line has 18 bars and lounges, but one of the most interesting is The Gin Project venue, taking up the upper level of a space shared with the Masters of the Sea pub, both of which share a view of a live music stage. The level of detail on the history of gin with old photos and antiques filling the walls amid the nooks and alcoves of the bar is similar to the feeling you get the first time you walk into a TGI Fridays and marvel at all the crazy stuff on the wall.

Plus coming up with your own libation from among 70 types of gins is a fun game of choose your own adventure. Start with an “earthy” or “fruity” or “grassy” gin for instance. Then choose a tonic style from among several options, and then finally the décor and flavor enhancements.

And it’s worth mentioning that coffee fans won’t find a Starbucks, but can get that caffeine high in a new, one would dare say, more adventurous way at the Coffee Emporium, pulling from Mediterranean beans and styles including French, Italian, Turkish and Moroccan.

Cheers to that.

Perfect Day Mexico is now under construction at the port of Costa Maya, which the cruise line bought in 2024. It has a planned opening for fall 2027, and it will be more than twice as large as Royal Caribbean’s existing “Perfect Day” concept found on its private Bahamas island Coca Cay.

The Costa Maya version will be more than 200 acres and feature a bigger water park, more beach access, bigger pools and even the world’s largest sombrero.

“This thing is going to be at the end of the day an engineering marvel, which is super fun to say,” said Royal Caribbean’s chief product innovation officer, Jay Schneider, during an interview last month at the company’s Miami headquarters.

The design of the sombrero in question remains in flux, but it will act as the topper to the Fiesta Sombrero bar that will be a centerpiece of the Fiesta Plaza welcome area. Schneider said he wanted to ensure the company didn’t approach the design insensitively, and he said it did extensive surveys in both the U.S. and Mexico to gauge its acceptance.

“We love the idea, but we had a lot of heartburn on it. One of the things we obsess about is that the people who show up every day are happy, and the people who service those people are happy,” he said. “We didn’t want a Mexican citizen who’s working on the property to walk up and be offended that we built the world’s largest sombrero.”

He said they didn’t move forward with the concept until after hearing feedback. “In fact, the Mexican audience loved this more than the American audience, but it won in both camps,” he said.

Schneider is high on the design choices for the rest of the park as well, touting a mix of authenticity and the offerings its customers expect.

“One of the things we’ve heard around the world is don’t go recreate culture, amplify it,” Schneider said. “So you will see us amplifying culture. You will never see us create a Mayan ruin.”

Royal Caribbean bought up properties around the port, which include an existing waterpark with a waterslide with a Mayan ruin theme. Royal Caribbean is demolishing it.

“You will never see us leverage that fake created culture,” he said.

Instead, Perfect Day Mexico is leaning into the colorful and whimsical features from Mexican culture, such as folk-art animal sculptures throughout the park known as “alebrijes” often seen during Day of the Dead celebrations. That includes the colorful Jaguar head on the tallest tower of the resort’s water park.

The resort will be home to other superlatives include the world’s longest lazy river, which could take visitors on an hour-long float around the resort, with the option to flow into the park’s new waterpark.

Since everything has to be bigger, the Loco Waterpark will feature more than 30 slides including 10 on Jaguar’s Peak, which will rise to 170 feet tall, and is touted by the line to be the tallest water slide tower in North or South America. Its tallest slide would best the height of a 164-foot-tall ride named “Kilimanjaro” in Brazil.

It will also feature a roller coaster-style water ride the company says will be the longest in the world and will give visitors a ride that lasts 2 minutes and 15 seconds.

The waterpark is one of seven neighborhoods at the site, and just like the Bahamas version of Perfect Day will come with an extra cost, as will an adults-only section called El Hideaway and a premium space called Costa Beach Club.

El Hideaway will feature a zero-entry pool with swim-up bar and DJ plus private cabanas. Costa Beach Club also has private cabanas alongside its own beachfront, heated infinity pool and premium dining.

The rest of Perfect Day, including welcome area Fiesta Plaza and two areas called Chill Beach covering 2 miles of beach, is free to those sailing on Royal ships that dock at Costa Maya. The biggest neighborhood is Splash Cove that will be home to a 100,000-square-foot freshwater pool, one of 10 pools at the resort. Splash Cove is also where you can climb into the lazy river or visit a large, kid-friendly water play space.

The resort also will feature 12 dining options and 24 bars, including six swim-up bars.

While Royal Caribbean expects most of the visitors to arrive on its ships as well as those from sister cruise line Celebrity, the port will be available to other cruise lines, too. Their passengers, however, won’t be allowed to come into the resort, but can still explore the region of the southern portion of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo.

The port has a four-ship capacity and Schneider said he expects Perfect Day Mexico to take in up to 21,000 guests on day one.

“We’re going to open with the full product,” he said. “We’re not opening with a smaller chunk and with a mission to grow over time.”

So the first three weeks of Jim and Chris Guld’s new life traveling the world aboard the Villa Vie Odyssey has been smooth sailing, the couple said during a recent video call with the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

In the mornings, they wake up aboard the 30-year-old, 480-cabin cruise ship that was converted by Pembroke Pines-based Odyssey Vie Residences and marvel that they can spend their days any way they want.

“You know, it’s like a fantasy,” Jim says.

Chris adds, “Anytime you want to go for a little walk, you have the promenade deck, and you’re out at the ocean and seeing the sunsets, and sometimes you’re rewarded by some dolphins jumping around out in the water.”

Jim dismisses the few inconveniences they have endured as “first-world problems.”

The ship’s Starlink internet connection sometimes freezes during video calls. The magnetic strip on their room key stops working after their cellphone gets too close and demagnetizes it. Dinner is served later than the couple was used to eating.

They say they’ll adjust.

The Gulds — Jim is 71 and Chris is 72 — said they decided to sell their home and move aboard the ship to rid themselves of the chores, decisions and hassles that were squeezing the juice out of their semi-retirement in Oakland Park.

After a tryout voyage in December, they forked over $170,000 for their 15-year option and began emptying their home. They’re also paying $5,000 a month for living expenses that includes water and electricity, internet service, laundry and twice-weekly housekeeping, all of their meals and beverages, education and entertainment programs, and use of fitness facilities.

The ship is scheduled to make 425 stops in more than 140 countries over its first 3½-year “Continual World Cruise.” If they make it through two trips, or seven years, the couple says they’ll decide whether to keep going or sell their cabin to someone else.

During the video call, the ship was anchored at Acapulco, Mexico — the ship’s 10th port after the Gulds climbed aboard at Cartagena, Colombia, on April 20.

After leaving Cartagena, the ship stopped at two Panama ports before maneuvering through the Panama Canal, then anchored in Costa Rica, El Salvador and Guatemala.

Six more Mexico stops follow Acapulco before the ship comes “home” to the United States with five stops in Hawaii in June. Then it’s off to San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco before heading to Canada and Alaska in July.

Keep on geeking

The couple, who have been posting tech-tip videos since 2003 as “Geeks on Tour,” continue to create their videos on board, working from desks positioned back to back in the narrow cabin’s living space between the bed and bathroom.

They keep fans apprised of their new adventures by posting blog entries, videos and photos. One video shows the two checked bags and two carry-ons that they carried out of their Oakland Park home last month.

“Now we have already shipped a few things to the ship prior,” Chris explained, “but these are all of our personal belongings. Untethered, we will be living on the cruise ship wherever in the world.”

Other photos show the taxi ride from the airport to the cruise port, the arrival to the ship — “Here we are, we’re home!” Chris says — followed by a shot of her fast asleep inside a cabin they were given while their own cabin underwent last-minute repairs.

Once in their permanent space, they wasted little time dressing it with a few pieces of home, including a tapestry and watercolor by Chris’ friends, and a wooden display cabinet that an Amish builder in Indiana made for their RV. It sits above a desk with a keyboard tray that Chris purchased from Amazon.

But the room’s main attraction is the large picture window that, depending on the time of day, shows either a giant ocean vista or the port where the ship is docked. “That’s our travel channel,” Chris says.

The Gulds say they’ve had no problem getting along together in the small cabin.

“We were RVers for so long that we’re comfortable in a small space,” Jim says.

Chris adds, “And we are comfortable being quiet, you know. I think that’s important. I know some people who have to talk all the time when they’re with each other. And that could be a problem.”

There’s no hurry

Despite their enthusiasm for sightseeing, Chris says they’ve remained on the ship during several of the port calls.

“And I’ve been feeling kind of guilty about that, you know, saying, ‘Oh, here we are, in Costa Rica with the forest, and I still haven’t seen a sloth and we’re in Guatemala and we’re in El Salvador,’ where I know there’s just so much interesting stuff.”

Plenty of time awaits for what Chris calls “tourist” things, including a planned excursion later in the day to see Acapulco’s famed cliff divers.

And the Asia leg of the voyage begins in August, with multiple stops this fall in Japan, Philippines, China, Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, India, and more.

An August stop will bring the couple to Osaka, Japan, in time to visit Expo 2025 — the first World Expo hosted by the country since 1970.

Even without the port calls, there’s so much to do on the boat, it can be difficult to make time for a nap, Chris says.

“For example, yesterday was a day at sea, which you’d think, ‘I can get some of my work done,’ you know, record videos or write some blog posts. But no. First, we tried to make arrangements to meet another couple for dinner. But then a woman wanted some Google Photos advice from me.

“So I tried to make an arrangement to see her and we said, ‘OK, how about how about 2 p.m. (for dinner)? Oh, no, there’s a dance class that I want to go to at 2 p.m. OK, how about 3 p.m.? No, there’s a port talk about what’s coming up at 3 p.m. OK, how about 4? There’s no time for a nap.”

Jim says some residents hardly ever leave the ship. “It’s a lifestyle,” he says. “It’s not just a vacation cruise where you have to go, go, go.”

Finding old and new friends

The best part of the journey so far, the couple says, has been found right on the ship, meeting new friends and getting reacquainted with old ones.

Before leaving Cartagena, a couple who had followed the Gulds online since their RV days texted them from a Celebrity ship that had just docked next to the Villa Vie Odyssey.

Their first dinner onboard was spent with a couple whose website, residentialcruising.com, inspired the Gulds to pursue the idea of moving onto a cruise ship.

And while docked in Costa Rica, they attended the wedding of Angela Harsanyi and Gian Perroni, who met and fell in love on the ship while it underwent repairs last summer that delayed its departure from Belfast, Northern Ireland.

“They invited everybody who lives on the ship to participate,” Chris says. “We had a wonderful time. It was just a blast. The captain officiated, and he took the plunge with them into the pool. That was way cool.”

Ron Hurtibise covers business and consumer issues for the South Florida Sun Sentinel. He can be reached by phone at 954-356-4071 or by email at rhurtibise@sunsentinel.com.