Princess Cruises is set to double its summer presence in the Caribbean in 2026, marking a significant expansion for the cruise line. This expansion will see Princess Cruises homeporting one ship in Port Canaveral and another in Fort Lauderdale, offering a variety of cruise options for travelers. This move is a departure from Princess’ usual summer itineraries and signals a new direction for the cruise line.
Increased Number of Cruises
With this expansion, Princess Cruises will be offering a total of 90-plus cruises out of the two ports, making it the cruise line’s largest summer Caribbean cruise season to date. This increase in the number of cruises demonstrates Princess’ commitment to providing more options for travelers looking to explore the Caribbean during the summer months.
The Caribbean Princess will operate seven-day sailings to both the Eastern and Western Caribbean from Port Canaveral, while the Regal Princess will sail seven-day cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean, as well as eight-day cruises to the Southern Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale. Additionally, each ship will sail one open-jaw Southern Caribbean itinerary, offering passengers a unique and diverse cruising experience.
The Caribbean Princess will embark on a 13-day cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Port Canaveral, visiting destinations such as Princess Cays, Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire, San Juan, Amber Cove, Grand Turk, and Nassau. On the other hand, the Regal Princess will embark on a 14-day journey from Fort Lauderdale to New York, with stops at Curacao, Aruba, Grenada, Barbados, Dominica, St. Maarten, and San Juan. These unique and varied itineraries showcase the beauty and diversity of the Caribbean region.
Impact of Changes
While the expansion of Princess Cruises’ summer presence in the Caribbean is an exciting development for travelers, it has also led to the cancellation of several cruises out of Australia. This change in schedule is due to the required drydock maintenance for the Crown Princess, which has affected cruises departing from Australia between September 26, 2025, and January 12, 2026. Despite these cancellations, Princess Cruises remains dedicated to providing exceptional cruise experiences for its passengers.
Princess Cruises’ decision to expand its summer presence in the Caribbean marks a significant milestone for the cruise line. With new itineraries, increased cruise options, and unique routes, Princess Cruises is poised to offer travelers an unforgettable Caribbean cruising experience in 2026.