Cruise lines are enhancing the guest experience on multiple fronts heading into 2025 and beyond—from Holland America Line’s immersive Caribbean culinary program, to Ship&Play’s new door-to-stateroom luggage service debuting with three luxury brands and Cunard’s flagship Queen Mary 2 preparing to take center stage during America’s 250th anniversary celebration in New York Harbor.
Holland America Line Infuses Caribbean Season with Local Flavors
Holland America Line is unveiling an array of new dishes, beverages and culinary experiences across its fleet just in time for its Caribbean cruise season. From October 2025 through April 2026, guests sailing on any of the line’s six ships will enjoy an expanded lineup of locally inspired menus, cocktails and shore excursions.
The cruise line’s latest offerings include port-to-plate selections, Caribbean-themed dinners and signature dishes curated by its team of celebrity chefs.
Toasting to Island Spirits & Culinary Immersion
Holland America Line’s Rum Ambassador program will expand this season with more than 35 rums exclusive to its Caribbean sailings, including a special single barrel from the Foursquare Exceptional Cask Selections. In addition, two new cooking demonstrations debut this season in the World Stage, offering guests the chance to learn Caribbean recipes like ginger mango chicken with reggae potatoes and grilled pork chop with red mojo black bean rice. On land, culinary-themed shore excursions offer immersive experiences across the region.
For the upcoming season, Holland America Line will operate nearly 30 Caribbean itineraries across six ships, including all three Pinnacle-class vessels. Miami joins the roster as a new homeport, and cruisers can choose from Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean routes. Sailings range from weeklong escapes to extended nine- to 14-day voyages that visit multiple islands.
For more information, visit hollandamerica.com.
Ship&Play Partners with Cruise Lines
Ship&Play is expanding into the cruise sector with its first-ever partnerships with Azamara Cruises, Emerald Cruises & Tours and Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours. The new collaboration will debut in fall 2025, offering a convenient, door-to-stateroom shipping service designed to make travel easier and more seamless for cruise guests.
Starting Nov. 1, 2025, with Azamara Cruises and Nov. 15, 2025, with Emerald Cruises & Tours and Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, passengers will be able to ship their luggage directly from home to their shipboard suite, and back home again after the voyage.
The fully trackable, insured delivery service allows travelers to bypass airport check-in lines, baggage claim delays and customs bottlenecks, creating a smooth transition from home to embarkation. The service caters to both round-trip and one-way journeys. Travelers can also book return shipments while onboard, eliminating post-cruise hassles and ensuring a stress-free journey home.
Advisors can earn commissions starting at 10 percent on every Ship&Play booking.
For more information, visit shipplay.com.
Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 Celebrates Sail4th 250 in New York Harbor
Cunard Line’s flagship, Queen Mary 2, will participate in Sail4th 250, the official celebration marking 250 years of American Independence, in New York Harbor on July 4, 2026.
The ocean liner will serve as the host vessel for NBC’s national broadcast coverage, offering guests a front-row vantage point for the International Parade of Sail—the largest maritime gathering in New York in decades. The event will feature more than 100 vessels, including over 50 Class A and B tall ships representing 30 nations, along with U.S. and allied naval ships.
The parade route will stretch from the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, past the Statue of Liberty, and up the Hudson River.
Guests will enjoy performances, notable speakers, including maritime historian Bill Miller, known as “Mr. Ocean Liner”, and art historian Dr. Seth Gopin, whose lectures explore the intersections of art, architecture and history.
Following the July 4 festivities, Queen Mary 2 will continue her 7-night Independence Day Celebration Voyage with calls in Newport, Rhode Island, and Halifax, Nova Scotia, before returning to New York.
For more information, visit cunard.com.
