MSC Cruises’ Baby Care service is no longer free for guests across the fleet.
Full pricing and terms have not been disclosed for the previously included service.
Other cruise lines already charge fees for nursery care and after-hours babysitting.
Parents planning the ultimate family getaway aboard MSC Cruises ships have discovered the quiet addition of new fees to the cruise line’s MSC Baby Care service.
While there has been no official announcement of the new fee, the cruise line’s website does note that “charges apply” for Baby Care. The cost is not clarified and may vary depending on itinerary, schedule, the amount of time the service is used, and other factors.
MSC Cruises has confirmed that there is now a charge for the previously free service.
“The Baby Care service has been updated over time. Previously, it included two complimentary 2‑hour slots per day, this has since changed to a revised structure with more availability, which is now chargeable,”the cruise line responded to inquiries on X.
Hi! The Baby Care service has been updated over time. Previously, it included two complimentary 2‑hour slots per day, this has since changed to a revised structure with more availability, which is now chargeable. 😊
Most frustrating to guests is the fact that this is not a new service and there seem to have been no substantive changes other than a “revised structure with more availability.”
Previously, Baby Care was only available for roughly two-hour time slots, twice per day. This would give parents some limited options to enjoy adults-only time, such as a massage in the morning or a cocktail hour in the evening.
The cruise line’s website now shows updated information and further details. Baby Care is available for eight hours per day and still has a limit of no more than 15 babies at one time. The service is only available for babies from six months to three years of age and parents must register their children onboard in order to participate.
MSC Magnifica Open Deck (Photo Credit: venuswix)
MSC Baby Care is available across the entire MSC Cruises fleet of 23 vessels, including the newest ship, MSC World America, and the upcoming MSC World Asia, scheduled to debut in December 2026.
The program is offered in partnership with Osservatorio Chicco (Baby Research Center) to create a holiday “tailormade for babies.” Dedicated staff supervise the babies at play in baby-only spaces.
Other Cruise Lines Also Charge for Nursery Care Services
It is the sudden change to a for-charge service that is most surprising to guests. Without publicly disclosed rates, parents cannot plan ahead for the service and whether or not it will fit their cruise vacation budget.
This follows changes aboard most cruise lines in recent years, with previously free services now being for-fee amenities. Room service was one of the first amenities to be assessed a fee, either through a delivery charge or a-la-carte pricing for menu items.
MSC Cruises charges per item for room service, with options varying based on the booking “experience” package guests select when planning their cruise.
Another dining fee is also assessed in the complimentary main dining rooms, with a $5 surcharge for ordering more than one entree from each night’s menu. Other cruise lines have similar fees.
MSC Cruises is not the only line to charge for some youth care services, either. While general youth programs are typically complimentary, individual babysitting services (where available) or select after-hours care does have a cost.
Royal Caribbean, for example, offers a “Late Night Party Zone” group sitting for young cruisers ages 3-11 from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. for an extra fee, and the Royal Babies & Tots Nursery offers care for infants from 6-36 months for $9-12 per hour.
Carnival Cruise Line also offers an “Under 2” drop-off nursery time on select sailings and at limited times for $9 per hour per child plus a 20% service charge. The Night Owls babysitting fee is the same.
With MSC Cruises now adding a fee, the cruise line is more closely aligned with competitor cruise lines in how services are charged.
The 16-year-old stepbrother of Anna Kepner has been charged with murder and aggravated sexual abuse.
18-year-old Kepner was killed onboard Carnival Horizon in early November 2025.
Kepner’s stepbrother will face a maximum penalty of life in prison if convicted.
Five months after the tragic death of Anna Kepner during a family vacation aboard Carnival Horizon in November 2025, official charges have been filed against the young woman’s 16-year-old stepbrother.
The US Department of Justice has identified the young man simply by the initials T.H., but he has been indicted as an adult. The charges include murder in the first degree and aggravated sexual abuse. Initially, T.H. was to have been charged as a juvenile but the case was transferred for adult prosecution.
“Our hearts go out to the victim’s family during this unimaginable loss,”said US Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida.
“A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging serious offenses that allegedly occurred aboard a vessel in international waters. We will present the evidence in court and pursue this case with professionalism and care. As in every case, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Attorneys and court officials make the determination for juvenile versus adult prosecution based on the crime’s severity and individual circumstances, including the histories of those involved as well as psychological evaluations and other information.
Carnival Horizon and Anna Kepner (Credits: Ceri Breeze & anna.kepner16)
If T.H. is convicted, he will face a maximum penalty of life in prison. Assistant US Attorney Alejandra L. López is prosecuting the case.
Cruise Hive has followed the case closely, from the time Kepner was first discovered deceased onboard Carnival Horizon. Carnival Cruise Line has not commented publicly on the case, as is standard for any ongoing legal proceedings.
To be clear, no crew members were involved in the incident and the cruise line is not part of the lawsuit.
The Death of Anna Kepner
Anna Kepner was found dead in her cruise ship stateroom on November 8, 2025. She had embarked Carnival Horizon in Miami on November 2 for a 6-night Western Caribbean sailing to Grand Cayman and Cozumel with her family.
Kepner was sharing a stateroom on Deck 8 with the 16-year-old T.H. and another 14-year-old stepbrother. She was found wrapped in a sheet beneath the bed and hidden by lifejackets after failing to arrive for breakfast on Saturday, November 8, the last day of the cruise.
First reports of her death did not identify Kepner as the victim, but the news quickly broke about the tragedy. Because of the suspicious nature of the death, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was notified and took charge of the investigation.
The cause of death was determined to be “mechanical asphyxiation” from a bar hold, a type of brutal strangulation by leaning a forearm across the victim’s throat. The cruise ship was in international waters at the time of Kepner’s death.
Anna was a senior at Temple Christian School in Titusville, Florida. She was set to graduate in May 2026 and had ambitions to join the military.
Tremendous drama has surrounded the investigation into her death, particularly when text messages sent between Kepner’s stepmother and her ex-husband, T.H.’s father, seemed to indicate a type of damage control mindset for the parents who already suspected their son might be charged.
Kepner was beloved in her community and had hundreds of tributes from classmates, teachers, friends, co-workers, and other community members.
All authorities involved in this case have continued to stress that T.H. is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. At this time, no trial date has yet been announced.
Costa Smeralda will skip its April 15 call in La Goulette, Tunisia, due to forecast wind conditions that could make it unsafe to dock.
The Tunisia stop has been replaced with a port call in Cagliari, Sardinia.
Shore excursions in La Goulette were automatically cancelled and refunded, with new tours available for booking in Cagliari.
A Mediterranean sailing aboard Costa Smeralda, a Carnival Corporation Costa Cruises vessel, saw a key port removed from its itinerary after forecasts indicated wind conditions could make entry unsafe. Again.
The itinerary change affected the ship’s scheduled call in La Goulette, Tunisia, the port serving the capital city of Tunis along the African country’s northern coastline, during a 7-night Western Mediterranean cruise that departed Barcelona on April 13, 2026.
According to the notice distributed to guests as they boarded the ship for the week, Costa Cruises had been monitoring weather forecasts along the vessel’s route and determined that wind conditions near the port could exceed safe limits for entering the harbor during its first call on Wednesday, April 15.
Weather forecasts noted unsettled conditions along Tunisia’s northern coast, including rain and shifting winds, with daytime temperatures near 76°F and continued storm activity.
Forecasts also warned of strong west winds, suggesting wind speeds reaching 20 to 30 miles per hour. These conditions would make it difficult for large cruise ships like Costa Smeralda to safely maneuver.
La Goulette cruise port and terminal at La Goulette at Tunisia (Photo Credit: Solarisys)
“Due to weather conditions expected in the port of La Goulette, it is anticipated that wind speeds could exceed the operational limits required for safe entry into the harbor,” said Captain Giovanni Cosini in a letter distributed to guests.
He continued, “For this reason, in line with our commitment to safety and in compliance with current maritime regulations, the itinerary will be modified.”
The disruption also follows a similar situation earlier this year, when Costa Smeralda was forced to cancel a scheduled stop in La Goulette after strong winds made docking unsafe on March 4, 2026. Instead, the ship diverted to Naples, Italy, as reported by Cruise Hive.
Passengers on this voyage were informed that the Tunisia call would be replaced with a call at the nearby Italian island of Sardinia’s Cagliari.
Visiting Italy
The 185,010-gross-ton Costa Smeralda began its current roundtrip voyage on April 13.
Under the original schedule, the ship was set to make its first stop in La Goulette on April 15 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time. The port serves as the main cruise gateway for the Tunis region and excursions often take guests to Carthage, the historic Medina of Tunis, and the seaside village of Sidi Bou Said.
Instead, the ship will visit Cagliari, where it is scheduled to dock from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., giving passengers 9 hours ashore.
According to the letter sent to guests, shore excursions booked for La Goulette have automatically been cancelled, with refunds issued to the original payment method used for purchase.
Passengers are now able to book new excursions in Cagliari through the ship’s excursion desk or onboard booking system, with options typically including visits to the city’s historic Castello district, Roman ruins, and nearby beaches along Sardinia’s southern coast.
Aside from the port substitution, the remainder of the itinerary will proceed as scheduled, with Costa Smeralda continuing to Savona, Italy, on April 18, and Marseille, France on April 19, before the ship returns to Barcelona on April 20.
MSC Group has announced Sandy Cay, a luxury beach retreat near MSC Ocean Cay in the Bahamas.
The new island destination will focus on beach experiences and the ultimate in serenity.
Both MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys ships will be visiting Sandy Cay when it opens in 2028.
Private islands can be the perfect beach days and that is exactly what MSC Cruises is planning for its newest destination, Sandy Cay in the Bahamas.
Located adjacent to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, roughly 120 miles east-northeast of Nassau, the new private island is conceived as a more luxurious, intimate escape with perfect sandy beaches.
Aragonite sands give the island and its sheltered coves its name. Aragonite sands are a natural formation of calcium carbonate with a unique crystalline structure and chemical composition that helps preserve marine environments and provides habitats for coral and marine life.
As with Ocean Cay, MSC Cruises seeks to help guests connect to nature at Sandy Cay. The pure, pristine sands and plentiful beach access are part of that mission.
Initial artistic renderings of Sandy Cay show multiple broad beaches and sandy coves, dining pavilions, and relaxing pools. Because the site is focused on serenity, it does not appear to have any water slides, zip lines, or other high-energy features. Instead, peaceful relaxation will be the order of the day with every visit.
It is unclear if Sandy Cay will be a destination all its own, but no cruise ship pier is pictured in the renderings. A docking area for small boats does appear to be located in one sheltered location, which might service tender boats or tour groups.
Sandy Cay may be offered as an optional excursion during visits to the MSC Ocean Cay Marine Reserve. MSC Cruises does describe the new destination as “an intimate complement to Ocean Cay” that will be an “elevated and immersive experience” and “a new dimension of discovery, serenity, and escape.”
This type of private excursion experience would be similar to Royal Caribbean’s exclusive Beach Clubs, such as Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in Nassau. Cruise Hive has also reported on the development of other Beach Club locations, including in Santorini, Greece and Lelepa, Vanuatu.
MSC Seashore in Ocean Cay (Photo Credit: Solarisys)
A few further details about Sandy Cay have been confirmed. At this time, it is not known whether the destination may be adults-only, what type of dining options may be available, or what other features will be present. Sandy Cay is expected to open sometime in 2028.
In the meantime, guests can enjoy upgrades coming to MSC Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, including new dining venues, family-friendly beach activities, expanded relaxation areas, wellness activities, conservation experiences, and more.
“Together, these developments reinforce the Company’s vision of creating private island destinations that continue to evolve in line with guest expectations while respecting the natural environment and beauty of The Bahamas,”said MSC Cruises.
Which Ships Will Visit Sandy Cay?
It isn’t just MSC Cruises ships that will be able to visit Sandy Cay. The destination will also be available to Explora Journeys cruises, which is MSC Group’s luxury division.
While only two ships are currently part of Explora Journeys, two additional vessels are already under construction and two more are ordered.
Explora I first set sail in August 2023, followed by Explora II in September 2024. Explora III is scheduled to debut in July 2026, followed by Explora IV in April 2027 and Explora V in December 2027. Explora VI will debut in 2028.
All the luxury Explora Journeys ships have been, are, or will be constructed by Fincantieri and can welcome approximately 900 guests at double occupancy.
Of course, the MSC Cruises fleet is much more extensive, with 23 ships currently sailing and an astonishing 10 additional vessels either under construction or on order.
The largest MSC Cruises ship is currently MSC World America sailing from Miami with both Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean itineraries. The Global-class ship can welcome more than 6,700 guests.
The Blue Angels buzzed by Port Canaveral over the weekend as part of the Cocoa Beach Air Show.
11 ships were in port on Saturday and Sunday, offering thousands of guests outstanding views of the jets.
No cruise ship operations were impacted by the show, but traffic in the area could be challenging.
Cruise guests setting sail from Port Canaveral on the Space Coast occasionally get unique, up close views of rocket launches. This past weekend, however, guests got a fly-by view of another kind as the US Navy Blue Angels buzzed the port during the Cocoa Beach Air Show.
The annual event is held just five miles south of Port Canaveral and in 2026 featured the Blue Angels demonstrating close flight formations. During several of their maneuvers, the flight aerobatic demonstration team passed near the port while various ships were docked.
With 11 ships from six different cruise lines at Port Canaveral over the weekend during the two-day show, as many as 98,000 cruise guests may have gotten unique views of the flyovers, depending on when the planes passed by the ships and when guests were boarding.
“Cruise guests sailing from Port Canaveral not only enjoyed the convenience of sailing from the world’s busiest cruise port but also a front row seat to the awe-inspiring Blue Angels in town for the Cocoa Beach Air Show,”Port Canaveral posted on Facebook, sharing fly-by videos from Duty Harbormaster Annette Crisafulli.
In particular, the world’s largest cruise ship got a fantastic view as the Blue Angels made a close formation turn near Star of the Seas on Sunday, April 12.
Guests onboard were able to watch the planes in a diamond formation as well as doing other maneuvers nearby. Anyone who stayed on the beach for a night or two before the sailing was also able to catch a preview of the team’s practices before the show.
Star of the Seas was scheduled to depart Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. on a 7-night Western Caribbean itinerary, with visits to Perfect Day at CocoCay, Cozumel, Roatan, and Costa Maya in the coming days.
The Cocoa Beach Air Show, which is an annual event, has various aerial events from roughly 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., including a 40-minute demonstration with 20 different maneuvers by the F/A-18E Super Hornets that are the Blue Angels.
Blue Angels Buzz Star of the Seas (Photo Credit: Port Canaveral)
In celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary, the 2026 show was especially memorable with intricate maneuvers and heart-stopping demonstrations from a B-52 Stratofortress, the US Special Operations Command Parachute Team, the F-16 Viper Demo Team, and more.
While the air show did not directly affect port operations, traffic heading out toward Cocoa Beach was heavier than typical for the weekend. Cruise guests needed to be careful to plan accordingly to arrive at their terminals on time, as none of the ships in port had delays or changes to their planned departures.
Local Events Often Impact Cruise Guests
It is important that cruise guests be aware of any major events that may happen at their homeport during their embarkation.
Cruise Hive has regularly reported when different events may impact traffic in and around homeports, such as music festivals and marathons in downtown Miami and the Gasparilla Pirate Fest in Tampa.
Of course, road construction and building new cruise terminals can have a major impact on traffic at cruise ports. PortMiami, in particular, has been having many traffic snarls in recent months because of such construction.
If guests are aware of potential traffic issues they can plan appropriately to have enough time to board their cruise ship on time. While many travelers strongly recommend getting to the homeport city a day or two prior to setting sail, that isn’t always possible for every guest. By knowing about local events, however, any guest can plan to reach their cruise terminal in good time.
MSC Cruises replaced Tracy Arm with Endicott Arm on MSC Poesia Alaska sailings.
The official change affects the August 17, 2026, Seattle departure, but other reports suggest the change across the season.
Tracy Arm is experiencing evolving geopolitical conditions that raise safety concerns for vessels.
A key scenic highlight on one of MSC Cruises’ Alaska itineraries is officially being rerouted before the season begins.
The cruise lines notified booked guests that MSC Poesia will now sail through Endicott Arm instead of Tracy Arm during its August 17, 2026, departure from Seattle. The change affects the scenic cruising portion scheduled for August 21, part of a 7-night Alaska itinerary that also includes Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Juneau, and Victoria.
Tracy Arm is being excluded due to the evolving geological conditions that have raised safety concerns for ships entering the narrow fjord.
“Due to current geological conditions, MSC Poesia will sail through Endicott Arm instead of Tracy Arm Fjord,” the cruise line wrote in a notice sent to booked guests.
The message added that the alternative location still offers glacier viewing and dramatic scenery. “Endicott Arm is a remarkable destination known for its dramatic landscapes and active glacier activity and provides the chance to admire close-up views of the Dawes Glacier,” it said.
According to the original schedule, MSC Poesia was set to cruise Tracy Arm or Endicott Arm between 7 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. before docking in Juneau from 2 p.m. until 10 p.m.
The voyage, which departs from Seattle on August 17, will return to its homeport on August 24, as one part of the cruise line’s inaugural season in Alaska.
MSC Cruises said the itinerary update will appear in guest reservations through the cruise line’s “Manage Your Booking” system once updates are processed.
Passengers on other sailings have reported to Cruise Hive Boards that they have received similar updates to their Alaskan sailings. MSC Poesia kicks off her Alaska season on May 11, 2026, and continues through September 28, 2026.
Cruise Lines Moving Away from Tracy Arm
MSC Cruises is not the only cruise line modifying Alaska itineraries involving the popular Tracy Arm.
Several cruise companies have recently removed the fjord from schedules after concerns about landslide risks and unstable terrain along the steep glacier-carved valley walls.
The narrow waterway, located south of Juneau within the Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness Area, has long been known for icebergs, tight navigation channels, and rockfall hazards.
Recent geological assessments have suggested that certain slopes surrounding Tracy Arm could be vulnerable to landslides capable of triggering large waves in the confined fjord, creating potential safety risks for vessels operating nearby.
Those concerns have already prompted multiple cruise lines to adjust their Alaska deployments.
While Tracy Arm has long been considered one of the region’s most dramatic glacier fjords, Endicott Arm offers similar scenery and glacier viewing and is not a dramatic departure for any of the cruise lines, nor does it require any changes to pre-booked excursions due to its scenic cruising schedule.
Much of Great Stirrup Cay is still under construction, with the pier, arrival plaza, and waterpark still to come.
Great Life Lagoon, Vibe Shore Club, Silver Cove, and beaches are open.
The 270-acre island is being redeveloped into a larger, more resort-style private destination.
The first thing I noticed when I pulled back the curtains of my balcony stateroom to get my first glimpse at Great Stirrup Cay wasn’t a beach or vibrant welcome center. It was construction equipment and a pier that were in much need of work.
Norwegian Cruise Line is in the middle of a massive redevelopment of its longtime private island in the Bahamas, and during my visit on March 29, 2026, while on the new Norwegian Luna, it was clear the project is still very much in progress.
The new cruise pier that will eventually allow ships to dock directly at the island isn’t finished yet, but unlike recent arrivals that had to tender to the destination, we were able to pull alongside the structure so guests could walk ashore.
Stepping onto the island, the construction vehicles and work crews were visible across several areas as development continues. And, unless you’re relaxing around one of the lagoons and tucked into the more finished corners of the island, Great Stirrup Cay doesn’t quite feel ready yet.
Arrival at Great Stirrup Cay (Photo Credit: Lissa Poirot)
In fact, cruise line officials were very vague about when it will be ready, saying the waterpark, looking like in its initial phases of construction, should be ready by the end of summer. Other rumblings said the entire project should be complete in 18 months, which would be September 2027.
And yet, despite the cranes, equipment, lack of shops, and partially built arrival areas, it’s already possible to see what Norwegian Cruise Line is aiming for.
Great Stirrup Cay has been part of Norwegian’s story since 1977, making it one of the first private islands owned by a cruise line.
For decades, the experience here was simple: tender ashore, grab a BBQ lunch, swim in the bright Bahamian water, and spend the afternoon on the beach before heading back to the ship.
But with rival and literal next-door private island neighbor Royal Caribbean revamping Perfect Day at CocoCay, NCL is building something far more ambitious.
The author lounging at Vibe Shore Club (Photo Credit: Lissa Poirot)
A Private Island with Room to Spread Out
One of the first things that becomes obvious once you start walking the island is its size. Great Stirrup Cay covers roughly 270 acres, making it significantly larger than Perfect Day at CocoCay, which occupies about 125 acres.
The two islands sit only a few miles apart in the Berry Islands of the Bahamas, and from parts of Great Stirrup Cay, you can actually see CocoCay across the water.
NCL’s pitch is that its island will feel bigger, more spread out, and more refined once the redevelopment is finished.
During my visit, that sense of space was already noticeable. Instead of concentrating everything on one central beach area, the island unfolds in sections: arrival plaza, lagoons, beaches, beach clubs, and private coves situated on long stretches of sand and shallow turquoise water.
Many of the swimming areas are naturally protected, creating calm conditions that make it easy to spend hours in the water.
Harborside Market (Photo Credit: Lissa Poirot)
Welcome Plaza and the Great Life Lagoon
The Welcome Plaza will serve as the main arrival hub once the pier is fully completed. Here, guests will find tram stops designed to connect different parts of the island. From the plaza, a walkway leads across the Panoramic Bridge, which provides a view of the ship anchored.
For most passengers, the Great Life Lagoon will be their resting place, as it is the first access point and the most active. Here, a new 1.4-acre pool area has been added, surrounded by a collection of cabanas ranging from standard rentals to larger Grand Cabanas and more intimate Couples Cabanas offering shaded seating and private space.
Food and drink options are clustered nearby, including Waves Bar, Reef Bar, and Abaco Taco, which serves quick Mexican-style beach fare.
The area also includes a kids’ Splash Harbor and Splash Harbor Bar, along with Tweed’s Tenders, a playful nod to NCL’s long history with the island. It’s also where guests are arriving until the piers are officially ready.
A retail and dining concept called Harborside Market is also planned, although the market was not stocked or open during my visit.
Ziplines at Vibe Shore Club (Photo Credit: Lissa Poirot)
Beaches and Snorkeling
Beyond the lagoon complex, the island transitions into its traditional beach area. This section feels more like the classic version of Great Stirrup Cay with wide sandy beaches facing bright turquoise water.
Here, guests will find Cabanas on the Cay, as well as a set of overwater swings that will be one of the island’s most photographed spots. There’s also an underwater snorkel garden, designed to attract marine life and give guests an easy snorkeling experience close to shore.
This section also houses Ocean Water Equipment Rentals, where guests can pick up kayaks and other gear, as well as the Shore Excursions check-in area.
Vibe Shore Club loungers and cabanas (Photo Credit: Lissa Poirot)
Dining is centered around Jumbey Beach Grill, continuing the island’s long-standing BBQ beach lunch tradition. Several beach bars are scattered throughout the area as well, ensuring guests rarely have to walk far to find a drink.
Towering above part of the shoreline is the Lighthouse Zipline, which sends riders gliding above the beach with sweeping views across the water. Guests can choose to do a couple of quick ziplines, or the more extended 10-line option, and both are very reasonably priced under $20.
Vibe Shore Club
I spent the majority of my time at the Vibe Shore Club, which offers an adults-focused beach club inspired by the Vibe Beach Club found on several NCL ships, including the brand-new Norwegian Luna.
The club offers day-pass loungers and private cabanas, and the seating here stands out immediately. The loungers are thickly cushioned and noticeably more comfortable than the standard beach chairs found elsewhere on the island.
Silver Cove villas (Photo Credit: Lissa Poirot)
Plenty of umbrellas provide shade, and the spacing between chairs creates a calmer, more resort-like atmosphere. It’s worth it to pay for the splurge, although there is limited seating, so this sold out for many on my voyage.
A dedicated Vibe restaurant and bar serves food and drinks exclusively for guests enjoying the club.
The Exclusive Silver Cove
The most secluded corner of Great Stirrup Cay is Silver Cove, a private enclave accessible only to guests who purchase Silver Cove access for a pretty penny, or those who book treatments at the Silver Cove Spa.
Interestingly, the spa itself is quite small – just a handful of ocean-view treatment rooms – making a spa appointment a bit of a backdoor way to enjoy access to the otherwise restricted area. But with just those few rooms, bookings will be in high demand.
Silver Cove is built around a peaceful stretch of shoreline and includes the Silver Cove Lagoon, Silver Cove Pool, and Silver Cove Gazebo, along with multiple bars tucked throughout the area, like a Moet & Chandon champagne bar.
Silver Cove Lagoon (Photo Credit: Lissa Poirot)
The island’s most upscale cabanas are located here as well. These are a collection or private villas ranging from studio units to two-bedroom villas, priced from $999 to $1500 for a daily rental. (The two-bedrooms are a bargain if traveling with a group.)
These villas can be booked two years in advance, so make your move now if you want to land these air-conditioned spaces with bedrooms, showers, kitchens, and living areas, along with large deck spaces with loungers.
What the Island Will Become
Even with several finished areas already open, the most significant parts of Great Stirrup Cay’s redevelopment are still to come.
The new cruise pier will eventually allow two ships to call on the port at the same time. It will be closed until the end of summer, according to NCL executives, meaning arrivals until then will be handled by tender.
Perhaps the most anticipated development will be the large Great Tides waterpark complex, which will add slides and family attractions the island has never offered before.
The park will feature both a thrill and a chill space, and the cruise line is still working on what pricing packages will look like for the park that will span six acres.
Early renderings show the massive waterpark will feature 19 waterslides, including a 170-foot-tall Tidal Tower with eight slides that include racers and tube slides.
Rather than a lazy river, the area will home an 800-foot “Dynamic River,” which will be a faster river ride that features an illuminated, bioluminescent grotto tunnel.
Cliffside Cove will be the first cliff jumps offered at a private cruise destination, with 10-foot and 15-foot jump options. This area will also feature a four-person family slide – another first in the Caribbean.
Finally, the main area of the waterpark will be the 9,000-square-foot Kids’ Splash Zone, featuring eight mini slides and a 40-foot tipping bucket.
Of course, there will be cabanas available for rentals, and drinks will be available in the waterpark, particularly at the hidden Grotto Bar that executives say will be part of the fun for adults.
The author’s daughter at the stingray excursion at Great Stirrup Cay (Photo Credit: Lissa Poirot)
Excursions at Great Stirrup Cay
While passengers sailing with NCL will need to pre-book access to much of Great Stirrup Cay’s highlights, there are also a few additional shore excursions provided. Guests can join Wave Runner or kayak tours, or choose a swim with the pigs and snorkel with stingrays option.
My daughter decided to swim with the pigs, which ended up being more of a “pet the pigs” as swimming required guests to hold onto the back of the pigs as they swam, which often meant swimming in the wake of the animals’ poop.
She declined to get in the water with them, although staff were on hand with nets to fish poo out of the water. Instead, she preferred the sting ray encounter, which was an opportunity to somewhat hold and pet a giant stingray, and zip lining.
We were most excited about the upcoming waterpark, as those slides and attractions will certainly offer a full day of fun, but for now Great Stirrup Cays is part beach escape, part construction site.
Norwegian Cruise Line has confirmed that a crew member went overboard from Norwegian Viva on Thursday, April 9.
Unfortunately, the search and rescue operation ended without finding the crew member.
The ship returned to Texas on time and has now set sail for Miami ahead of her transatlantic cruise.
Norwegian Cruise Line has unfortunately confirmed with Cruise Hive that a crew member went overboard from Norwegian Viva and noted that the search and rescue operation has now been suspended without success.
We previously reported on the incident that occurred on the ship’s April 4, 2026 sailing. Guest posts on social media indicated the ship had reversed course to search near Costa Maya, and announcements made onboard noted the possible overboard on Thursday, April 9.
To confirm the incident, Cruise Hive reached out to Norwegian Cruise Line for details, and the cruise line responded with a statement.
“On the afternoon of April 9, 2026, a crewmember went overboard near Costa Maya, Mexico. Upon confirming the incident, the vessel immediately informed the Mexican Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) and a coordinated search and rescue operation was initiated with no success,”a spokesperson for the cruise line explained.
When an overboard incident is suspected, part of the immediate response is to review security footage and overboard monitoring systems to determine if the incident is genuine. This verification is necessary in case such an incident is falsely reported or, for example, if it might be a poorly conceived prank, such as a group of teens recently created onboard Oasis of the Seas.
Sadly, there was no positive resolution to Norwegian Viva‘s overboard.
“The search and rescue operation has since been suspended. The family of the crewmember have been notified of the incident,”Norwegian Cruise Line confirmed Saturday evening.“The safety, security, and well-being of our crew is our highest priority. Our thoughts are with the crewmember’s family during this difficult time.”
Because the cruise ship had been released from search operations when Mexican authorities took over, Norwegian Viva was able to return to Galveston to conclude her 7-night cruise as scheduled.
The 142,500-gross-ton, Prima-class ship has now departed the Lone Star State, but without guests aboard. This is a planned reposition to Miami ahead of Norwegian Viva‘s transatlantic cruise that departs Florida on Tuesday, April 14.
Norwegian Viva will spend the summer in Europe offering a diverse schedule of Mediterranean sailings before returning to Texas at the end of October for another winter in the Western Caribbean.
Crew Stress and Overboard Incidents
No further details about the crew member or the circumstances of the overboard incident have been released. This is standard procedure to protect the privacy of the individual and their friends and family members at such a challenging time.
An investigation is likely to determine whether there may have been any foul play involved or if the incident was unfortunately voluntary.
Working onboard a cruise ship can be an amazing experience, but it can also be a very stressful one. Crew members are away from their families for months at a time, working long hours under what can be fast-paced and challenging conditions.
All cruise lines support their crew members as much as possible. When these types of incidents occur, counseling staff will be available as needed.
It is important for concerned guests to know that thousands of crew members set sail every week and greatly enjoy their careers. Onboard Norwegian Viva, nearly 1,400 crew members work to keep the ship operating smoothly and ensure that all guests enjoy amazing cruise vacations.
Taking steps to lighten crew members’ workloads, always being polite, and having friendly conversations are great ways guests can support crew members while still enjoying their getaways.
Cruise Hive’s thoughts are with Norwegian Viva‘s crew members at this very difficult time.
Norwegian Viva reversed course on April 9 to launch search and rescue operations following a possible man overboard.
Current passengers say that a crew member jumped overboard, but this has not been confirmed by Norwegian Cruise Line.
After a nearly two-hour search proved fruitless, Mexican authorities took over rescue operations.
Norwegian Viva’s current Caribbean sailing is ending with a possible emergency, with current guests reporting a possible man overboard on the evening of April 9, 2026.
The 142,000-gross ton vessel would have only recently departed from Costa Maya, Mexico, the final port call on its 7-night itinerary, at approximately 1 p.m. local time.
At around 7 p.m. that night, while many of the guests were enjoying their dinners, the Prima-class ship made an abrupt turn to search the waters where an unidentified person supposedly went overboard.
The captain later made a subsequent announcement speaking to a possible man overboard situation and pictures showed floodlights on the ocean as crew members searched for nearly two hours.
“Never thought I’d be on a cruise where this happens. It sounds like it was a staff member…prayers that they find them,” one of the up to 3,195 guests posted on Reddit.
“I’m also on this cruise. The ship did a quick 180 while we were in the MDR and we were wondering what was going on. Never heard a code Oscar though,”said another guest.
For reference, “Oscar” or “Oscar, Oscar, Oscar” are commonly used as emergency codes for crew members to understand that an overboard has occurred without alarming guests.
Cruise Hive reached out to Norwegian Cruise Line for a statement, but did not receive a response before publication. NCL has not officially confirmed the incident, which would be the first overboard incident experienced by the 2023-launched ship.
Mexican Authorities Take Over Rescue Efforts
Cruise tracking data confirms that Norwegian Viva did indeed alter course and spent almost two hours circling the waters near Cozumel, which the ship would have passed after departing from Costa Maya.
The search had thus far proved fruitless when Mexican authorities took over rescue efforts and let the NCL ship get back on track to make a timely arrival in Galveston, Texas, for debarkation on April 11.
For context, Cozumel is around 680 nautical miles away from Galveston, which is a length that the ship would need at least 30 hours to cover, even when sailing at top speeds (around 23 knots).
Norwegian Viva Ship (Photo Credit: GEORGE STAMATIS)
But according to international maritime regulations set by Safety of the Life at Sea (SOLAS), cruise ships cannot leave a potential overboard until the person is found or they are released by the coast guard or other relevant authorities.
Even other ships in the area, such as Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas, temporarily joined in on the search.
“I’m on the RC Allure of the Seas, way behind you guys, and we circled around last night to search. Everyone was wondering why,”one cruiser shared.
“We are on Allure of the Seas and our ship stopped and turned a bit and had their flood lights on for awhile,” another confirmed.
The 225,282-gross ton ship also called to Costa Maya on April 9, and is in the middle of its own Galveston-based 7-night Caribbean cruise, which embarked on April 5, 2026.
Who Went Overboard Norwegian Viva?
Not only has the overboard situation not yet been confirmed by Norwegian Cruise Line, but the identity of who actually may have gone overboard is even less clear.
With multiple ships sailing in the area, some wondered if the individual had actually been onboard Norwegian Viva at all. The Royal Caribbean and NCL vessels were also joined in Costa Maya by Celebrity Constellation and Carnival Miracle.
“My understanding is that it was not on our ship…..But maritime law requires every ship in the vicinity to help search for a man overboard. The Mexican coastguard took over the search and we are on our way back to Galveston and should arrive on schedule,” one guest said.
However, the leading theory is that the victim was a crew member who made the unfortunate decision to jump overboard, presumably from outside the Le Bistro French specialty restaurant on Deck 7 (which one guest incorrectly stated was on Deck 8).
“Current passenger here…Spoke to a staff member (galley), according to him at 3:45 pm on 4/9, a galley worker proceeded to the railing on deck 8 outside the Bistro (where he was employed),” a current guest recounted.
“He jumped over the railing approx 2 hours after departure from Costa Maya. He was not noticed as missing until he failed to show up for his 5:00 shift. Ship was searched, including his cabin. Review of Surveillance video indicated a MOB had occurred at 3:45,” they continued.
At this time, no statements verifying the person’s identity and if they were successfully located by Mexican authorities have been made.
This is a developing situation, and Cruise Hive will share updated information if and when additional details come to light.
