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Carnival Ship Unable to Depart Homeport Due to Wind

Guests embarking Carnival Sunshine for an 8-night Eastern Caribbean cruise on Sunday, February 16, 2025 will not be setting sail as they’d hoped – though their cruise is still starting on time.

Carnival Cruise Line reached out to guests the day before embarkation to advise them of the change due to incoming poor weather.

“Our Fleet Operations Center is actively monitoring a cold front that is set to impact the Norfolk area Sunday afternoon, into early Monday morning,” the notification explained. “Strong winds and high waves will make it unsafe to depart as previously scheduled.”

This means Carnival Sunshine will instead remained docked in Norfolk until the rough weather subsides enough for the ship to safely set sail. This is anticipated at approximately 6 a.m. on Monday, February 17.

This is only Carnival Sunshine‘s second departure from Norfolk following arriving at her new homeport. Her first cruise from the Old Dominion was a 5-night Bahamas cruise from February 11-16.

Guests will still be embarking Carnival Sunshine as expected on Sunday and able to enjoy most of the ship’s facilities.

“Related to embarkation for tomorrow, Sunday, February 16, there are no changes,” the email confirmed. “All guests should arrive within their pre-selected Terminal Arrival Appointment. Embarkation will close by the final boarding time indicated on the boarding pass.”

To be clear, the embarkation day plans are not impacted by the weather delay (be sure to grab a slice of the famous Funfetti cheesecake!). Only the ship’s departure is now delayed. This does impact some onboard activities, however.

“While we are docked in Norfolk, all activities and events will continue as planned, but the casino and shops must remain closed,” the email said.

It is normal for ships to be required to have the onboard casino and Fun Shops closed while docked in ports of call, due to local restrictions on such retail operations. Once the vessel reaches international waters, however, they will be able to open.

Itinerary Change Due to Delay

The significant delay – more than 12 hours – means Carnival Sunshine will be unable to maintain her original itinerary. The visit to Princess Cays, which had been planned for Friday, February 21, must now be cancelled.

Fortunately, the two other ports of call are being extended to permit guests extra time ashore.

Carnival Sunshine in Norfolk, Virginia
Carnival Sunshine in Norfolk, Virginia (Credit: Carnival)

The call to Amber Cove was originally planned for Wednesday, February 19 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Now, the ship will not be in Amber Cove until Friday, February 21, but will be docked from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – an extra hour of shore time.

The call to Grand Turk had originally been planned for Thursday, February 20 from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Now, the ship will be in port from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., an extra two-and-a-half hours. The date of the visit has not changed.

Any pre-paid tours guests purchased through Carnival Cruise Line for Princess Cays will be refunded to travelers’ Sail and Sign accounts, along with the taxes and fees for that now-cancelled port visit. Similarly, tours for Amber Cove will be adjusted to the new schedule.

“We were looking forward to delivering the itinerary we had planned and share your disappointment for this weather-related change but trust you will understand that your safety is a priority,” the email explained.

It is not unusual for ships to make last-minute itinerary changes due to weather. Ports of call are often modified, changed, or even cancelled altogether if necessary.

Read Also: What to Do Onboard a Cruise Ship in Bad Weather

It is more uncommon, however, for a ship to remain at her homeport while waiting for the weather to improve.

As of noon on embarkation day, winds just outside the Port of Norfolk at the entrance to Chesapeake Bay were reported as high as 36 knots (41 miles per hour).

While cruise ships can sail in high winds, the direction of the winds, any resulting swells and waves, and navigation challenges are all factored into safety decisions. In these cases, it is best for the ship to stay firmly docked for the safety and comfort of everyone aboard.

The 103,881-gross-ton Carnival Sunshine can welcome 2,642 guests aboard. The ship is also home to 1,150 international crew members who strive to ensure every guest has a wonderful cruise vacation, whether the sun is shining or not.

Name Change Leads to Booking Problems for Newlyweds

Even for experienced cruisers, getting the correct travel documentation together ahead of their sailing can be complicated – as different cruise lines and destinations can have different requirements. 

But one universal rule is that the name on each guest’s identification needs to match their booking confirmation due to strict security and immigration regulations.

Neglecting to do so could lead to delays at the cruise port, or worse, cause the guest to be denied boarding and miss their cruise without any refund or compensation. 

So, what happens if you change your name after booking your cruise but before embarkation day? This is exactly what is leading to issues for a travel agent who has booked a Royal Caribbean cruise and airfare package for a recently married couple. 

“Long story short, they were planning on getting married, but didn’t know exact timing. Cruise + Airfare was booked in August, final payment was in December. Cruise is sailing mid-March. Passport just came in this week with her new name,” the unidentified travel advisor explained on Reddit.

Now that she has her new passport, the agent has to update her booking with the newlywed’s new last name – which he says comes with a more than $200 fee. 

“I call Royal Caribbean to request a name change due to marriage. They said my only option is to cancel and rebook her. Oh, btw, that’s a $215 cancellation fee,” he wrote.

“So does my client seriously have to go through all this trouble just to go from ‘Smith’ to ‘Jones’ on her reservation? This is such a horrible situation for all women who get married and change their last name.”

Most likely, the fee is related to changing the airfare portion of the Air2Sea package – as Royal Caribbean does not typically charge a fee for updating names ahead of their cruises.

Per Royal Caribbean’s website, updating a person’s name for the sailing is usually free, but guests who booked airfare through the Miami-based cruise line may also be subject to change fees if their airfare has already been assigned to an airline – which seems to be the case here.

“Changes may be subject to additional charges if you booked airfare through our Air2Sea program and your airfare has been assigned,” says the policy.

Considering the travel agent posting on Reddit did not know these policies, it makes one wonder how experienced and reputable he really is.

How and When to Update Your Name

With cruises often booked months – or even years – in advance, sometimes changes are inevitable. 

In addition to getting married, circumstances could also arise in which an original guest can no longer be part of the voyage and someone else takes their spot. 

Cruise Check-In
Cruise Check-In (Photo Credit: Mystic Stock Photography / Shutterstock)

According to Royal Caribbean’s website, name changes and substitutions can be made by calling the cruise line directly or through the travel agent who made the booking until the final electronic manifest is sent to the ship. 

Typically, the final manifest is submitted one hour before sailing after check-in concludes and all guests are required to be onboard. 

“Name changes (first or last) or substitutions can be made to all but one of the original names on your booking. These changes must be made before the final electronic manifest is sent to the ship,” Royal Caribbean’s website reads.

Groups have slightly different rules, where name charges are only allowed until the final option date when the payment is due in full – which will be at 180 days or 120 days before the cruise depending on the length of the itinerary. 

Read Also: Can You Actually Get Married on a Cruise Ship?

If a guest legally changes their name prior to their sailing and is not able to make it match their documents in time, guests will need to be prepared with another supporting document to verify their identity when they arrive at the cruise port. 

“If your name has changed since your document was issued, you will either need to update the name on that document, or bring an additional, official supporting document to help explain why the name is different,” the website states.

Acceptable supporting documents include a state, county, or province-issued marriage license, a divorce decree, government-issued name change documents, and official adoption papers. 

As a disclaimer, these are Royal Caribbean’s current posted policies and are subject to change.

If a name change or substitution applies to your booking, make sure to confirm documentation requirements with your cruise line as soon as possible to avoid any mishaps or missed cruises.

One More Delay for Aging Ocean Liner After First Small Move

While the SS United States finally made her initial move from Pier 82 to Pier 80 in Philadelphia on Valentine’s Day after multiple delays, the ship will not be making her way down the Delaware River as planned on Monday, February 17, 2025.

A high wind warning has forced yet another delay for the ocean liner’s departure from Philadelphia following a protracted legal battle, eventual pier eviction, and search for a new home.

“After completing additional due diligence involving further testing and safety protocols for the U.S. Coast Guard and safely moving the SS United States from her decades-long berth at Pier 82 to Pier 80, Okaloosa County has announced that a high wind warning issued for Monday, February 17, has delayed the anticipated departure of the SS United States from Philadelphia by a day,” the SS United States Conservancy reported.

While this latest delay is sure to be frustrating for those eager to see the ship once more set sail, it is only a one-day change from the most recent plan for the ship’s departure.

“The SS United States is now expected to begin her tow down the Delaware River at approximately 12:00 PM ET on Tuesday, February 18,” the Conservancy confirmed.

Low tide on Tuesday is at 12:29 p.m., which is when the ship will begin to get underway. This is critical timing to ensure the vessel – which measures 153 feet from keel to funnel – can safely pass beneath various bridges on her way to the Atlantic Ocean.

The SS United States must past beneath the Walt Whitman Bridge (150-foot clearance), the Commodore Barry Bridge (192-foot clearance), and the Delaware Memorial Bridge (174-foot clearance) before reaching the eastern seaboard.

While it may seem that the elderly ocean liner will be unable to pass below the Walt Whitman Bridge, bridge clearance is measured from the surface of the water to the underside of the span. The SS United States has a 31-foot draft – the distance from the waterline to the bottom of the hull beneath the surface.

This means that the height of the ship from the waterline to her tallest point above water is roughly 144 feet. This leaves just a 6-foot clearance to pass below the Walt Whitman Bridge.

Walt Whitman Bridge
Walt Whitman Bridge (Photo Credit: Elliot)

This small space requires very precise timing for the liner to move down the Delaware River and safely pass beneath the bridge. This is most particularly on many people’s minds less than a year after the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, after it was struck by the container ship Dali.

A Very Controversial Move

The ship’s continual delays have stirred both jokes and controversy over the plans for her disposition.

The initial plan was for the SS United States to begin her final voyage in mid-November 2024, but that was not possible due to the development of late-season tropical storms.

She was then scheduled to begin her trip on February 6, 2025, but that was delayed at the last minute for even more due diligence.

Now, this third delay for a high wind warning really demonstrates just how precarious the ship’s repositioning can be.

Some fans of the ship have commented that perhaps she doesn’t want to move after all, and fate might be intervening to provide more time for a plan to surface for her salvation.

Unfortunately, that will not be the case, as the deal with Okaloosa County, Florida to convert the hull into the world’s largest coral reef is moving forward, just not on the initially anticipated schedule.

SS United States Docked in Philadelphia
SS United States Docked in Philadelphia (Photo Credit: Patty Ballay)

The ship did take her first cautious steps on February 14, with tugboats slowly easing the vessel from Pier 82 to Pier 80. The small lateral move was nevertheless significant for a ship that has remained firmly docked since 1996.

Many supporters of the vessel are dismayed at the plans to scuttle the ship, though this will help preserve her legacy – albeit below the waves rather than above them. A land-based museum near her sinking location will also contain artifacts, memorabilia, and other material to share her legacy with future generations.

Read Also: What Does SS Stand for on Ships?

Once she moves down the river, it will take approximately two weeks for the ship to complete her tug-driven voyage to Mobile, Alabama. The ship’s course will be closely monitored en route, with adjustments every six hours as needed for weather, currents, and other factors.

Cruise News Update: Year-Round Cruises, New Homeport, Taxi Travesty

It’s easy to stay on top of important cruise developments by reading Cruise Hive every day, but just in case you’ve missed something, here’s our latest edition of Cruise News Update. This week’s recap has coverage from Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, and PortMiami, the Cruise Capital of the World.

Make sure you stay well informed by signing up for Cruise Hive’s Daily Update, so the big cruise stories are delivered right to your inbox.

Royal Caribbean Adds Homeport in The Golden State

Serenade of the Seas Cruise
Serenade of the Seas Cruise (Photo Credit: Dennis MacDonald)

Royal Caribbean is banking big on California in 2026 and 2027, adding a new homeport — San Diego, and basing four mega-ships in Los Angeles.

The 2,490-guest Serenade of the Seas will sail from San Diego starting in October 2026 and continuing through the winter 2027 season. Three-, 4-, and 7-night itineraries are offered to destinations along the Mexican Riviera.

In Los Angeles, Quantum of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas, both with double occupancy capacity for 5,000 guests; the 4,000-guest Navigator of the Seas; and the 3,600-guest Voyager of the Seas will sail multiple itineraries of up to 8 nights during the summer and winter seasons. 

Destinations visited from both ports include Cabo San Lucas, Ensenada, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, and Catalina Island.

Also, La Paz will be a new port call for Serenade of the Seas, marking the first time Royal Caribbean has included the destination on a voyage. The ship’s maiden call to La Paz will be a celebratory event. All of the California-based cruises have opened for bookings.

Rubber Ducks: Cruisers Either Love ‘Em or Hate ‘Em

Carnival Cruising Ducks
Carnival Cruising Ducks (Photo Credit: Dodo57 & Ceri Breeze)

Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald reached out to his thousands of followers on Facebook asking why so many guests want the rubber duck game banned.

For those readers who may be oblivious to the harmless game, Cruisers hide small rubber ducks around their ship for others to find. Those who discover a duck can hide it somewhere else, for someone else to find, or hold onto it as a keepsake.

Even though some guests have suggested that the line ban the game, Heald has already stated that will not happen. Some guests replied to his post, with varying opinions on the controversy.

One admitted he’s not into the “duck thing,” but has no objection to others enjoying the game. Another posited that guests who complain about the duck game do so only because they haven’t been lucky enough to find one of their own.

Acknowledging the popularity of the game, Carnival Cruise Line recently took it to a new level by adding a “Ducky the Duck” character onboard its ships for the purposes of photo ops for their duck-loving guests.

Taxi Travesty Trips Up Cruisers at Port Canaveral

Vehicles at Port Canaveral, Florida
Vehicles at Port Canaveral, Florida (Photo Credit: JHVEPhoto)

Always settle on the fare — or at least know the mileage charge, before getting into a taxi. That was a lesson learned the hard way for a couple who recently disembarked Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas at Port Canaveral.

Able to get off the ship earlier than anticipated, the couple had an hour to wait for their pre-scheduled Uber ride, they wrote in a Reddit post. So they cancelled that booking and instead accepted a ride from a driver already at the port, however, he would turn out to be a scammer.

Once arrived at their destination — Orlando, about 60 miles from the port, the couple was presented with the scammer’s bill, a whopping $345. The Uber ride would have cost around $120.

In the end, the couple paid the scammer $100 in cash, grabbed their suitcases and quickly left the scene. While they didn’t actually pay the scammer’s price, they described their experience as a warning to others.

Carnival Sunshine Begins Service From Norfolk

Carnival Sunshine in Norfolk
Carnival Sunshine in Norfolk (Photo Credit: Carnival)

Carnival Cruise Line began operating year-round from Norfolk, with the 3,700-guest Carnival Sunshine launching a series of Caribbean and Bahamas cruises from the Virginia port. 

Previously, the 3,690-guest Carnival Magic offered only seasonal voyages. That ship is now sailing from PortMiami.

The decision to base Carnival Sunshine at Norfolk was made back in 2022. The ship recently emerged from a scheduled dry dock and is sailing 5-, 6-, and 8-night voyages to the Eastern Caribbean, Bahamas, and Bermuda. Come September 2025, the ship will feature a port call to Celebration Key, Carnival’s new private destination in the Bahamas set to open in July 2025.

Norfolk expects to welcome about 150,000 cruise arrivals each year thanks to the presence of Carnival Sunshine, which the city believes will be a boon to the local economy. The port has been preparing for the ship’s arrival by investing $12 million in the Half Moone Cruise Center.

Upgrades include the addition of air-conditioned seating areas for up to 600 guests, and a sloped walkway from the cruise center’s second floor to the baggage pick-up area.

‘Get to Know’ Your Favorite Carnival Cruise Director

Fleet Cruise Director, Lee Mason
Fleet Cruise Director, Lee Mason (Photo Credit: Lee Mason)

Carnival Cruise Line guests — past, present, and future, now have a chance to go behind the scenes and learn all about their ships’ cruise directors. Cruise directors, after all, play a crucial role in setting the tone of a Fun Ship vacation and in the process become known to many guests on each sailing.

Fleet Cruise Director Lee Mason has launched a YouTube video series that focuses on the line’s cruise directors. Mason is a former Carnival cruise director and, as fleet cruise director, is involved in training and supervising directors across multiple ships.

His “Get to Know” series consists of 5- to 10-minute interviews with various cruise directors. The first in the series launched on February 10, 2025 and featured Gary Blair, currently serving aboard Carnival Miracle

It turns out that Blair is an accordion player, has a penchant for Scottish dancing, and is a big fan of reality TV. So tune into the Mason’s series and look for your favorite Carnival Cruise Line cruise director.

New Carnival Cruise Line Gift Makes Packing Easier

Carnival Cruise Line New Loyalty Gift
Carnival Cruise Line New Loyalty Gift (Credits: John Heald & Dennis MacDonald)

Cruisers who are Platinum and Diamond level members of Carnival Cruise Line’s Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) loyalty program will soon have a new gift to enjoy when they board their next Carnival cruise: packing cubes.

The cubes are zippered bags designed to hold personal items inside a piece of luggage. They have already rolled out aboard Carnival Jubilee and will be made available across the fleet by early March, Brand Ambassador John Heald revealed on his Facebook page.

Loyalty club members typically are recipients of special gifts from cruise lines. Carnival Cruise Line’s latest gift, in October 2024, was a baseball cap.  

Loyalty club members earn points for each day they sail on a Carnival Cruise Line ship. The Platinum level requires 75 points, while Diamond status is reached at 200 points. 

Cruisers can collect their gift by visiting the Pixels Photo Gallery onboard their cruise ship. Their name and club level status will be checked against a list of eligible passengers.

PortMiami Records Busiest Cruise Day Ever

Record Cruise Day at PortMiami
Record Cruise Day at PortMiami (Photo Credit: PortMiami)

On a typical day at PortMiami, the world’s busiest cruise port, one can expect to find five or six cruise ships embarking and debarking guests, but on February 8, 2025, the port had 10 ships docked, making it the busiest day in the port’s history.

The ships at the port that day were Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Sunrise and Carnival Magic; Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas and Icon of the Seas; Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Gem; MSC Cruises’ MSC Seascape; Oceania Cruises’ Sirena; Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady; and Holland America Line’s Zaandam.

All told, the passengers transiting the port from all of the ships combined came to a dizzying 68,000.

The ships operating at the port that day were bound for various destinations and regions of the Caribbean. Icon of the Seas, for instance, the world’s largest cruise ship, was boarding guests for a 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise to St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and Perfect Day at CocoCay, while Zaandam was departing on a 27-night voyage to the Amazon.

More Cruise Headlines

Those were just a handful of cruise news developments from the past week, and we’ve got plenty more on Cruise Hive. Check out our coverage on Costa Cruises unveiling its 2027 World Cruise; Norwegian Cruise Line and its sister brands adding a popular online payment option; Princess Cruises expanding its Alaska cruisetours; a new residential cruise ship revealing its interior design; and a Royal Caribbean guest suing the line after a jet ski accident.

Influencer Investigates if “World’s Worst Cruise” is Really so Bad

Carnival has a very loyal following and is widely known as America’s Cruise Line – but not everyone is a fan.

Indeed, the Fun Ships can be divisive with some going so far as to describe Carnival sailings as “ghetto,” “cheap,” or as YouTuber Jack Pembrook reports, “the world’s worst cruise” or “the cruise from Hell.”

Curious to find out if Carnival sailings were truly as terrible as some would insist, Pembrook headed to Florida’s PortMiami to embark on a $50 sailing onboard Carnival Conquest.

The ship is currently offering 3 and 4-night getaway sailings to the Bahamas, though it’s unclear which itinerary the influencer selected or when he was actually onboard.

Along the way, he rated Carnival on four key criteria that he saw come up the most in bad reviews: food, rooms, activities, and vibes – and found that the 2002-launched ship performed better than he expected. 

Starting with the cruise cabins, Pembrook was pleasantly surprised by his interior stateroom – noting that his room could still fit a big bed and that the bathroom was “spacious” and smelled “really good.”

“Yes, I did find some hairs and some stains on the bed, as well as plenty of signs of wear around the room. But for the reputation these rooms have online, honestly, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be,” Pembrook said during a stateroom tour.

Moving onto the food, the vlogger sampled many of the selections onboard, including the Lido Marketplace buffet, Guy’s Burger Joint, and specialty dining at the Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse

The Steakhouse meal ultimately sealed the deal for Pembrook, who enjoyed his steak so much he shut his eyes as he savored a bite. 

And even after saying the 110,000-gross ton ship reminded him of a Cheesecake Factory Restaurant and trying the night club as someone who doesn’t normally enjoy them, Pembrook said both the activities and the vibes were up to par.

“Before I got on this ship, I really didn’t even want to step foot on this thing. But by the end of my trip, I’m surprisingly sad to leave,” Pembrook said.

“No, it’s not super luxurious or perfect in any way, but for me, I just come on a cruise to have fun, eat good food, and like my boy Steven said, meet cool people,” he continued, inserting a clip with another guest who is presumably Steven.

Watch Pembrook’s YouTube video, which has been viewed more than 545,000 times since it was posted on February 13, 2025, below:

Does Carnival Deserve a Bad Reputation? 

Over the years, things have gone wrong on Carnival ships that have led to its less than stellar reputation.

Likely not helping matters, Carnival Conquest has already made headlines this year due to malfunctions onboard. 

The 2,980-guest ship experienced engine trouble that limited her speed and delayed her return to Miami, Florida, on January 6, 2025 – with multiple Carnival cruise ships also suffering from propulsion issues in the past year.

Additionally, there’s no denying that mishaps across the fleet have left a bad impression for some. For example, Carnival Freedom losing her funnel to fires on more than one occasion (in 2022 and 2024) still feel top-of-mind. 

That said, things can go wrong on all cruise lines – even the most luxurious brands. Cruise ships operate on a 24/7 basis, and although the cruise lines work hard to maintain their ships, malfunctions are sometimes inevitable. 

Jack Pembrook Carnival Conquest Cruise
Jack Pembrook Carnival Conquest Cruise (Credit: Jack Pembrook)

Read Also: From Mishaps to Maydays – Cruise Ship Accidents

In response to Pembrook’s YouTube video, many of his subscribers were also quick to defend Carnival in the comments. 

“Honestly Carnival gave me one of the best experiences of my life and I will never forget the memories and people I met,” one person shared.

“After 30 cruises, of which Conquest was my 2nd cruise, I really had fun. As long as you know what you are getting with Carnival, you can’t go wrong,” another cruiser chimed in. 

Indeed, a lot of the experience does come down to mindset and what guests are hoping to get from their sailing. 

Someone looking for a luxury experience might not love Carnival, but someone looking for a budget-friendly option can certainly have a blast.

Star of the Seas’ Youngest (and Cutest) Crew Member Has Arrived!

As cruising fans wait eagerly for the debut of Royal Caribbean’s second Icon-class ship, Star of the Seas, the youngest (and cutest, and furriest, with the most legs and the only tail) crew member has just arrived – Sailor has been born!

The news comes from a social media announcement made by Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean, sharing pictures of the adorable pup on Valentine’s Day.

“What a wonderful day! Look who arrived into the world. Sailor the family dog for Star of the Seas,” Bayley announced.

The first puppy photos of Sailor – who doesn’t want to boop that snoot? – confirm several previously unknown details about the dog.

The cruise line did announce Star of the Seas would have a “Chief Dog Officer” that would be a “sibling” to Rover on Icon of the Seas in April 2024, but did not confirm anything further about the dog’s breed, age, or gender.

Now we know that Sailor is indeed a girl and a golden retriever, the same as Rover, the Chief Dog Officer aboard Icon of the Seas. And of course, right now she’s just a very young pup! While Bayley did not confirm that she was indeed born on February 14, the happy day is certainly a great one for the pup’s debut.

This new girl is in for a very busy first few months, as the launch of Star of the Seas draws closer. Bayley offered some insights into how she will be prepared for her sea legs.

“She will spend a few months with her Mom, then to her trainer, then she will stay with me a little so I can get and give lots of hugs and love,” he said. “Then onto ICON to meet her sister Rover for some orientation before joining Star, her home.”

Like Rover, Sailor is from Eagleridge Goldens, a champion line golden retriever breeder located in Polk City, Florida. As an American Kennel Club (AKC) Bred with H.E.A.R.T. breeder, all of their breeding dogs undergo rigorous testing to ensure healthy puppies.

According to AKC, golden retrievers have been one of the top 5 most popular dog breeds since at least 2013, even before Royal Caribbean initially announced Project Icon. They are very friendly dogs, easily trained, and happy working with people – perfect for a cruise ship crew member!

Royal Caribbean's Sailor Mother
Royal Caribbean’s Sailor Mother

Sailing With Sailor

Sailor has to be ready for her official duties slightly earlier than anticipated. Star of the Seas will now be welcoming guests on two pre-inaugural “showcase” sailings in late August ahead of her official August 31 debut.

Just like her sister, it is likely that Sailor will board Star of the Seas several days before guests arrive. This will give the dog some time to acclimate to her new environment before it becomes even more chaotic with as many as 7,600 passengers and 2,350 crew members aboard.

Star of the Seas will be homeported year-round from Port Canaveral, offering 7-night Western Caribbean and Eastern Caribbean itineraries. Each voyage will stop at Royal Caribbean’s private island destination in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Star of the Seas Sailor
Star of the Seas Sailor

Depending on the exact itinerary, the ship will be a regular visitor to top ports of call such as Costa Maya, Cozumel, Roatan, St. Thomas, St. Kitts, St. Maarten, and San Juan.

For the two early showcase cruises, the ship will only be visiting CocoCay, but will also include two full days at sea for guests to enjoy all her spectacular features.

Read Also: Star of the Seas – The Most Anticipated New Cruise Ship for 2025

Star of the Seas is currently under construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in southern Finland. Still ahead for the enormous, 250,800-gross-ton vessel are her sea trials, final outfitting, and delivery to Royal Caribbean.

The next few months are sure to be busy ones for both Sailor and Star of the Seas!

Carnival Cruise Line Offers Special Lunch for Just One Day

Who doesn’t love a Hallmark Holiday? Well, Carnival Cruise Line sure loves Valentine’s Day!

The cruise line has a one-of-a-kind Valentine’s Lunch hosted at its onboard specialty dining restaurant Steakhouse, featuring a special menu.

John Heald, a brand ambassador, shared the menu online, allowing fellow passengers and cruise fanatics to see the options.

It really is a brilliant lunch, served as always by the wonderful Steakhouse crew,” said Heald.

It was also noted that the actual date of the lunch varied between February 13th and Valentine’s Day, as Heald added that the special lunch which is booked and paid for on board and will be served today or on the 14th depending if the ship has a sea day or port day.”

Steakhouse is only open from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM daily, so this lunch is a rare option for mid-day fine dining.

Carnival’s popular Steakhouse is an upscaled dining experience, so it comes with no surprise that the ‘Valentine’s Lunch’ menu is impressive.

Staters include either Crab Cakes in a Cajun lobster butter cream sauce, or Bisque Our Way with garnishes such as crisped brioche and garlic chips.

The only salad options is Beet and Petit Greens, which includes peaches and toasted sunflower, topped with an oregano-caramelized shallot vinaigrette.

There are four stunning entrées, including Chilean Sea Bass, Surf and Turf, Grilled Filet Mignon, and Eggplant Schnitzel.

The Chilean Sea Bass features a sweet potato croissant, white asparagus, and a mushroom beurre blanc (which is a rich butter sauce).

Surf and Turf, a classic, comes with Maine lobster tail and beef sirloin.

The Grilled Filet Mignon is served with a roasted butternut puree and petit carrots, topped with béarnaise and red wine sauce.

Finally, the Eggplant Schnitzel, which is breaded and pan-fried and topped with a cherry tomato sauce, comes with tempura cauliflower, plantain chips, and tzatziki.

But wait, there’s more! The menu also has four sides to choose from, including Glazed Mushrooms, Grilled Asparagus, Potato Wedges, and a Macaroni, Bacon, and Pecorino Bake.

The Glazed Mushrooms are cooked in a pepper jus with herbs, and the Potato Wedges are served with crispy onions and a garlic-chive aioli.

The first dessert option is a Raspberry Velvet made with cream cheese, micro sponge, and a chocolate heart. The second option is Fresh Fruit, which is actually berries and mango sorbet.

Carnival's Valentine's Lunch menu
Carnival’s Valentine’s Lunch menu

Read Also: Free Carnival Cruise Dining Options You’ll Want to Know (With Menus!)

58,507 passengers had the chance to attend this lunch between the two dates available.

This lunch is available on any Carnival Cruise Line ship with a Steakhouse, and lucky for passengers, only 2 of the cruise line’s fleet of 27 ships do not have one.

Carnival Cruise Line’s Steakhouses

While all of Carnival Cruise Line’s fleet have multiple dining options on board, only 25 have the Steakhouse restaurant.

The two ships that do not have Steakhouse include the Carnival Elation and the Carnival Paradise, which are currently the second and third oldest ships in the fleet.

Carnival Paradise does have the option for passengers to order Steakhouse selections in the main dining room, making Carnival Elation the only ship with no Steakhouse dining options.

Carnival Cruise Line's Steakhouse
Carnival Cruise Line’s Steakhouse (Photo Credit: Jonathan C Wear)

The oldest ship in the fleet, the Carnival Sunshine, does have a Steakhouse. So why do Carnival Elation and Carnival Paradise not have a dedicated Steakhouse restaurant?

Both ships are the cruise line’s only Fantasy-class ships that are still operating. These ships are the smallest active ships in the fleet, and neither were built to accommodate an additional dining location.

Most Carnival Cruise Line ship’s Steakhouse is called Fahrenheit 555, however some of the ships have a more generic Steakhouse, all offering the same menu.

The Steakhouse restaurants encourage reservations in advance, but it is possible to book while onboard. Since it is fine dining, there is a set cost of $52 per adult, not including drinks. Walk-ins are accepted based on availability.

Carnival Clarifies Best Way to Offer Gifts to Crew Members

Many cruisers want to show their appreciation to hard-working crew members with small gifts. Unfortunately, however, some crew members may not be receiving those gifts as intended if they aren’t offered in a way that can be accepted.

A common way to give gifts to cabin attendants (also known as stateroom stewards), for example, is to simply leave such items – drinks, candy, a hat, or other small gifts – in the cabin at the end of the cruise.

One guest has reached out to Carnival Cruise Line’s official Brand Ambassador, John Heald, to be sure those gifts can indeed be kept by the crew members. The answer is a surprising one.

“[On] our last cruise we left our extra drinks and told our room steward that we left them for him. After someone told me they are not allowed to keep things left in the room, that we would have had to give it to him not just left in the room. Is this true?” the guest asked. “If we leave snacks or drinks and tell them are they allowed to keep them?”

Heald’s assistant, Jacinta – who helps Heald respond to hundreds of daily questions and special requests – offered some insight into the gift-giving process.

“Indeed the right way to go about this is to hand it to them if you wish them to have it,” she said.

Neither Jacinta nor Heald offer further details about why crew members can’t keep items left behind, even if verbally told they can keep them by the guests.

It is possible, however, that the cruise line’s policy about such gifts overlaps with the lost-and-found policies. It is quite likely that the default is for any items left behind must be assumed to be lost and therefore not able for crew members to keep.

Even a verbal “We left this for you!” confirmation of the gift intention may not be sufficient for a crew member to keep an item, just in case that intent could be misinterpreted.

Furthermore, Heald has noted that crew members are not permitted to accept any opened food items or homemade items. It is possible that individual cans or bottles might be interpreted as “opened” and cannot be accepted if left behind.

If guests want to offer crew members a special treat, it needs to be in the original, factory-sealed packaging. This is a safety measure in case of allergens that might be dangerous to crew members, as well as to ensure items have not been tampered with.

What Happens to Items Left Behind?

Heald has previously described the complex process when items are found left behind on a cruise ship. Those items must be sent to the cruise line’s Miami headquarters, where they are tagged and bagged according to ship and sailing date.

Then, shoreside team members attempt to match up items with lost-and-found reports filed by recent guests. If the items are confirmed, they are mailed back to the original owner.

If guests do want to offer a small gift to crew members – a dedicated cabin attendant, an energetic bartender, an enthusiastic Fun Squad member – handing the gift to them with a sincere “Thank You” is a great way to do it.

Carnival Cruise Line Crew Members
Carnival Cruise Line Crew Members (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)

Read Also: What a Cruise Ship Cabin Steward Really Does

Guests who do prefer to “leave an item behind” will want to attach a note or tag to the item with the crew member’s name to ensure they receive it and can keep it.

But what to give? Chocolate and similar treats are always favorites, and many crew members enjoy small trinkets from guests’ home cities – keychains, magnets, a hat, any sort of souvenir. These can be fun decorations for crew cabins, so long as they don’t take up much space!

Another fun option is to give crew members a special cruising duck. While the game can be controversial, many crew members enjoy looking for ducks and the silly figurines add a touch of joy to their cabins.

Of course, an extra gratuity is always a top choice for thanking any crew member who has made a guest’s cruise vacation more special and memorable. Offering a $2 bill as a thank you is a lucky and unique way to show gratitude and appreciation to team members.

US Homeport Agrees on New Cruise Arrivals Fee for Passengers

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Add Boston to the growing list of ports that are requiring cruise passengers to contribute revenue in the form of arrivals fees. 

Starting in 2026, the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) will charge each cruise arrival a $3 head tax, with the fee rising by $3 every year through 2030. By that time, the total arrivals fee will be $15 per person, according to local media reports.

The fee structure was approved by the authority on February 11, 2025 and will finance the lion’s share of a $105 million port improvement project at the city’s Flynn Cruiseport — a plan outlined in late 2024.

Among the initiatives included in the project is the installation of shore power infrastructure to enable cruise ships to plug into the shoreside power grid rather than keep their engines running while docked.

Massport estimates that close to 80 percent of the cruise ships that typically call at Boston can plug into shore power or use an alternative low-carbon technology. 

With shore power connections installed at the port’s two main cruise ship berths, the port has stated it expects a 93% cut in nitrogen oxide, an 85% reduction in sulfur dioxide, and a 65% cut in carbon dioxide.

The connection infrastructure would make Boston the first port in New England to provide a shore power option. Other upgrades that will be funded using the cruise arrival fee include a new passenger boarding bridge, and an expanded reception and seating area.

Boston is a summer and fall season homeport for several cruise lines, including Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Princess Cruises.

The lines typically sail Bermuda cruises as well as Canada/New England itineraries to Montreal and Quebec City, with port calls in Maine, Nova Scotia, and other destinations.

Among the largest ships slated to homeport in 2026 is Norwegian Cruise Line’s 4,500-guest Norwegian Breakaway. In 2025, two of the line’s smaller ships, Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Gem, will offer sailings from Boston.

Read Also: Boston Cruise Port – Getting There, Piers, Terminals and More

Other notable cruise ships calling at Boston in summer 2025 include Cunard’s Queen Mary 2, and the ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises’ ships Silver Dawn and Silver Shadow.

In addition to homeported vessels, the port welcomes some 160 cruise ship calls from 20 cruise lines. The port’s cruise operations translate to roughly $256 million in economic impact from the 480,000-plus cruise guests who visit each year.

Parking Fee Hikes Also Could Impact Cruise Guests

Along with the approved cruise arrivals fee, MassPort is considering raising parking rates at nearby Logan International Airport, which would likely impact cruise passengers flying to or from the city before and after their sailing.

Under the proposal, which has not been voted on, services such as Uber and Lyft would pay an increased flat fee of $7.50, up from $3.25. Taxi fees would rise to $5.50, from $2.25.

View of Boston Cruise Port
View of Boston Cruise Port (Photo Credit: Wangkun Jia)

Boston has plenty of company in its quest to have cruise passengers help shoulder the cost of port infrastructure improvements and mitigate environmental concerns and lifestyle issues.

In Alaska, both Haines and Juneau charge cruise arrivals fees — $9 per person in Haines and $8 in Juneau. Juneau went even further, setting daily debarkation limits, as did Bar Harbor, Maine, in a bid to lessen the industry’s impact on local populations.

Internationally, the Greek islands of Santorini and Mykonos in 2025 implemented a €20 (approximately $22) fee on all cruise guests. The revenue will be used to mitigate the effects of cruise passengers on island infrastructure.

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