It’s that time! Many travelers are beginning to plan a trip to South Florida for a fall or winter vacation. Often, the desire is for a luxurious Caribbean cruise, and then perhaps a pre- or post-cruise getaway in Miami. So, here’s what’s new in Miami including one major cruise highlight and a few cultural and dining tidbits.
(Shown in the photo above is one of the lovely accommodations on Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth. Photo by Cunard Line.)
New in Miami: Arrival of a Queen
First up, let’s look at one major development in luxury cruising. “While Miami reigns as the world’s number one cruise port for passenger volume, it also continues to draw more ships, often providing new or unique options for cruise travelers,” explains Shelby Steudle, president, Pavlus Travel.
She points to this good example: Cunard Line’s, 2,081-passenger Queen Elizabeth will mark its first full season in the Caribbean in winter 2025-2026.
“The Cunard experience is unforgettable,” says Steudle. “Contact one of our personal travel planners to talk about Cunard’s onboard product and accommodations (including the luxurious Grills experience with top-notch suites and private, exclusive dining and other perks.
Plus, much is new on the entertainment front for those sailing Queen Elizabeth this winter. It’s a storied vacation with a unique onboard vibe.”
A Queen’s Winter Season
Starting on October 16, Queen Elizabeth will set sail over the winter season for nine-to-21-night cruises from PortMiami. The cruises will call in ports within the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, Barbados, the British Virgin Island, St. Maarten and elsewhere.
For instance, a “Western Caribbean” sailing departs February 10, 2026. Queen Elizabeth will call at Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; Montego Bay, Jamaica; Roatan, Honduras; Costa Maya, Mexico; and Cozumel, Mexico. Guests will enjoy three days at sea.
New in Miami: Queen Elizabeth Pluses
Cunard will bring “Come from Away,” the Tony Award- and Olivier Award-winning show, to sea for the first time this fall and winter on Queen Elizabeth. In an exclusive collaboration with Music Theatre International, this revival will debut during Queen Elizabeth‘s maiden Caribbean voyage on October 16, 2025.
The globally acclaimed show, written by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, depicts the remarkable true story of the 6,579 air passengers grounded in a small Canadian town in the wake of 9/11. It tells the tales of the Newfoundland community that invited these “come from aways” into their lives.
A reflection on friendship, hope and gratitude, the show has captivated sold-out crowds including those on Broadway and in London’s West End. Now, Cunard is bringing this uplifting display of resilience and understanding to the high seas.
Separately, for one 12-night departure on November 27, 2025, Queen Elizabeth’s guests can get an added bonus — a touch of “Downton Abbey.” That’s because acclaimed British actor Hugh Bonneville will sail as an Insight Speaker.
Bonneville is famed for his roles as Lord Grantham in “Downton Abbey” and the beloved Mr. Brown in the Paddington franchise. If interested, talk right away with a personal travel planner about reserving a spot on that 12-night roundtrip eastern Caribbean voyage.
Fares for the Bonneville Voyage
At press time, fares for that departure started at $1,998 per person, double occupancy, for an inside Britannia cabin, to $16, 758 for the top-of-line Grand Suite, where guests will spread out in 1,375 to 1,493 square feet of space.
In between are a range of accommodations including the Britannia Club Balcony, starting at $3,398 per person, double occupancy, and a Queens Suite, the lead-in accommodation in the Queens Grill category (think LOTS of perks including an exclusive onboard dining room and lounge) at $7,798, per person, double occupancy. Use the contact information at the end of this blog to learn more.
Best Price, No Service Fee
“Let us help you pick what works for you, plus we’ll get you the lowest price guaranteed and with no service fee,” says Pavlus’ Steudle. At press time, fares for the entire fall/winter season started at less than $2,000 per person, double occupancy, for an inside cabin while top Queens Grill accommodations were $20,000+ per person, double occupancy.
New in Miami: Art and Culture
Whether you sail on Cunard or another luxury cruise line, and perhaps opt for a pre- or post-cruise stay, here are a few factoids and tidbits about what’s new, different and enticing in Miami and Miami Beach.
A highly anticipated, new exhibition at the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science in downtown Miami, is “Leonardo da Vinci – 500 Years of Genius.” Opening 4, 2025, this new, interactive exhibit will delve into the highly creative world of the Renaissance thinker and painter.
Travelers will view rare artifacts. They’ll gaze at life-size reproductions of da Vinci’s machines, inventions and art. Plus, they’ll peruse a 360-degree replica of da Vinci’s famous Mona Lisa painting. This fascinating, one-of-a-kind exhibition will run through April 5, 2026.
More Art and Ballet Too
Art-focused travelers will also discover three new exhibits at the Pérez Art Museum Miami. The first is “El Monte” by Miami-born identical twin photographers Elliot and Erick Jimenez. It runs through March 22, 2026.
In the second new exhibit, visitors can experience the late Venezuelan artist Carlos Cruz-Diez’ “Chromosaturation,” with three chambers saturated in color. This exhibition opens October 2, 2025. And the third new exhibit, “coming forth by day,” opens November 13, 2025. Look for new wood sculptures and wall works by Miami artist Woody De Othello.
Miami City Ballet is celebrating its 40th season with eight programs. The seasonal kick-off is “Peck: Miami In Motion,” by Tony Award–winning choreographer Justin Peck, at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County, coming up October 17-19. But many other performances are on tap throughout fall and winter as well.
Artistic Wild Things: New in Miami
Watch out for the “pseudo” wildlife on South Beach’s Lincoln Road outdoor pedestrian shopping mall. There, you’ll spot three striking bronze sculptures by acclaimed artist duo Gillie and Marc. They’re known for their animal-human hybrid characters.
Stop for fun selfies in front of “The Wild Couch Party,” a bronze couch filled with a menagerie of seated creatures, and “Watch Out for Paparazzi Dog” and “Watch Out for Paparazzi Rabbit.” Those are sculptures of a hybrid rabbit and a hybrid dog holding a camera. The artsy, wildlife-focused exhibits will be on-view until July 2026.
Tasty Tidbits: Food and Drink
Pasta lovers have a new go-to spot at Pasta and Juliet in Brickell. Look for al dente pastas made with fine ingredients, everything from spaghetti Bolognese to spicy vodka rigatoni and fettuccini carbonara. They also serve inventive pizzas with such unique toppings as truffle and pear, and pesto and rosemary honey.
Enjoy a Caribbean Celebration at Las’ Lap, inside The Daydrift hotel in South Beach. The big draw is James Beard Award-winning Chef Kwame Onwuachi’s unique twists on Cuban, Jamaican, Haitian and Trinidadian cuisine. Think oxtail, pimento-smoked chicken wings, grilled lamb, griot and more.
Eclectic Tastes
At Japanese grab-and-go newcomer Aiko in Coconut Grove everything is made fresh daily with fish flown in from Japan. What’s truly unique about this hot spot is that its refined omakase is available for takeout. While Aiko takes in-person orders, diners can also pre-order online the night before. Evenings, the space transforms into Mumu, an Asian bistro.
Move over New York City. Joe’s Pizza, the beloved Big Apple counter-serve slice joint, is also now serving its famous pies in South Beach. So, head for Meridian Avenue just off Lincoln Road. The eatery’s authentic New York-style pizza includes classic cheese, pepperoni, meat lovers’, veggie and other specialty pies. There’s a second location in Wynwood too.
Parting Thoughts
Look for upcoming updates about what’s new in other port destinations in North America, Europe and beyond. And feel free to use the contact information below for answers to your questions and more information on the best choices for your fall/winter 2025-2026 vacation.
Perhaps that might include one of the 33 different PortMiami cruise departures for Queen Elizabeth‘s fall-winter season.
Important Information from Pavlus Travel
