The initial stage of the project is expected to take four months to complete, and includes an aggressive marketing and communications plan to raise awareness of South Padre Islands potential among cruise industry executives.

With orders for new cruise ships stacking up nearly as far as the eye can see, concerns about whether there might be too many ships for the supply of potential passengers are once again making the rounds among investors.

A new U.S. cruise docked Thursday here in its bid to promote Cuba as one of its most important destinations in the Caribbean despite a serious setback in bilateral ties.

The cruise line announced that the automatic gratuity of $13.50 and $16.50 for suite guests will increase by $1 per guest, per day beginning January 2, 2018.

Cruise lines are laying the groundwork for further expansion into Cuba now that the rules governing U.S. tourism to the island have been revised and clarified by the Trump administration.

Viking celebrated the kickoff of its inaugural World Cruise on its fourth and newest ocean ship, Viking Sun, welcoming guests in Miami for the sold out 141-day itinerary.