Blog Page 102

Delays Possible for Upcoming Embarkation Onboard Resilient Lady

Catie Kovelman
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Delays Possible for Upcoming Embarkation Onboard Resilient Lady

Key Aspects:

  • Athens, Greece, is hosting a large-scale cycling event on October 19, which could cause increased traffic for guests traveling to the cruise port.
  • Virgin Voyages has warned guests who will be embarking on Resilient Lady that day to prepare for delays.
  • Passengers of Norwegian Viva, Wind Star, Seabourn Encore, and Marella Explorer 2 could also be impacted.

Virgin Voyages is warning guests who will be making their way to the Piraeus Cruise Port on October 19, 2025, that they will have an extra obstacle in their path that could delay their journey to the port.

Resilient Lady will be arriving in Athens on the morning of October 19 to disembark its current 7-night sailing and embark on a new 7-night cruise to destinations throughout Greece and Spain.

But at the same time, Athens will be hosting the 29th Cycling Tour, which is a large-scale event that celebrates cycling for all ages and abilities.

For the safety of participants and onlookers, traffic restrictions will be in place from around 6 a.m. until 1 p.m. local time.

“Athens will be hosting a major cycling event on embarkation day, Sunday, October 19, 2025, which means phased road closures, parking bans, and traffic restrictions across parts of the city, especially in central avenues and streets near the race route,” Virgin Voyages wrote to future passengers.

“Streets will begin reopening around 1:00 PM, just as embarkation begins to pick up,” the adults-only cruise line noted.

In addition to Resilient Lady, four other cruise ships will also be in Athens that day and their passengers may be similarly delayed.

These include Norwegian Cruises’ Norwegian Viva, Windstar Cruises’ Wind Star, Seabourn Cruises’ Seabourn Encore, and Marella Cruises’ Marella Explorer 2.

Planning for Delays

With increased traffic expected, even after roads start to reopen, the up to 2,770 guests who will be embarking on Resilient Lady should give themselves extra time to make their way to the busy cruise port.

“Because some of the roads that might normally be used to route toward Piraeus (and the port area) could be impacted, we recommend extra planning, avoiding congestion zones, and permitting buffer time in their travel,” Virgin Voyages advised.

Piraeus Port, Greece
Piraeus Port, Greece (Photo Credit: Aerial-motion)

But at the same time, the cruise line asks that guests do not arrive before the designated Terminal Arrival Time that is shown in the Sailor App to avoid overcrowding within the cruise terminal.

For those who arrive extra early, there is plenty to explore within walking distance of the port, including local restaurants, shops, and the famous Hellenic Maritime Museum.

Guests are able to check their luggage at the cruise terminal starting at 9 a.m. so that they can explore the area surrounding the port unencumbered.

On the bright side, the route between the cruise port and the Athens International Airport (ATH) is not supposed to have any road closures. However, traffic could still be heavier than usual because of the event.

“Traveling from the airport? That route is not expected to be part of the closed cycling route, but traffic may still be heavier than usual – Sailors should plan extra cushion time in their schedule,” Virgin Voyages said.

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Usually, we recommend against flying into the port the same day as embarkation, as delays or flight cancellations can cause guests to miss their ship.

But on the flip side of things, guests who are disembarking that morning and flying home the same day might be delayed in their return to the airport.

MSC Celebrates Milestone Back-to-Back Shore Power Connections

Calvin Musquez
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MSC Celebrates Milestone Back-to-Back Shore Power Connections

Key Aspects:

  • For the first time ever, two MSC Group ships connected to shore power in Valletta, Malta, on consecutive days.
  • The milestone was celebrated with an event attended by Valletta government officials.
  •  MSC Group continues to push forward on its journey towards a future of sustainable cruising.

When government officials gather, it’s usually not a good sign.

However, when the Prime Minister of Malta, Dr. Robert Abela arrived in Valletta alongside other senior government officials on October 16, 2025, it was a cause for celebration.

In a first for the port and the company, two of the MSC Group’s vessels connected to shore power at Valletta’s Grand Harbour back-to-back on consecutive days.

This milestone marks a momentous achievement in sustainability for both Malta and MSC Group’s Cruise Division.

First, in what felt like a reunion of two old friends, the 215,863 gross-ton MSC World Europa hooked up to shore power at the port on October 15.

Making this a full circle moment, MSC World Europa has the distinction of being the first vessel to connect to Valletta’s shore power system back in 2024.

The following day, October 16, Explora II became the first Explora Journeys vessel to connect to shore power in Europe when she docked at Valletta. For context, MSC Group owns both MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys.

The Prime Minister of Malta, Dr. Robert Abela, marked the occasion, joined by senior government officials.

“The shore-power system at the Grand Harbour is a national investment in cleaner air, quieter communities, and sustainable tourism,” said Dr. Robert Abela, Prime Minister of Malta. 

“It is encouraging to see international cruise operators like MSC actively using the facility and helping us set an example for the Mediterranean region.”

MSC Group’s Cruise Division also noted the event, with Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago remarking upon their collaborative history with the Maltese Government.

“Malta was the first Mediterranean port to make shore power operational…,” said Vago.

“We have a strong history of collaboration with the Maltese Government – we thank them for their continued support and are proud to mark this important milestone together,” he continued.

At the same time, just across the harbour, the GreenPort Congress 20th Anniversary & Decarbonising the Future (DTF) Conference 2025 was taking place. 

The back-to-back connections provided a backdrop to the conference, highlighting for all in attendance the commitment to sustainability by both Malta and MSC.

Making Strides Toward a Sustainable Future

This milestone in Valletta is just the latest achievement in MSC’s sustainability superstardom.

In fact, Valletta is just one out of fifteen ports MSC identified in 2023 for shore power connectivity as part of their sustainability strategy.

MSC World Europa connects to shore power
MSC World Europa connects to shore power (Photo Credit: MSC Group)

That strategy seems to be bearing fruit, as the following year, 2024, saw the company more than triple its shore power connections with 142 connections in 13 ports.

Of MSC Group’s Cruise Division’s 25 vessels, 18 are currently equipped to connect to shore power, including all MSC Cruises ships built since 2017.

Besides shore power, MSC also remains committed to environmental improvements in other ways throughout their fleet.

Three ships now use LNG fuel, which reduces greenhouse emissions by up to 20%. Two more LNG ships are on the way for MSC, including MSC World Asia, which is set to debut in 2026.

All MSC ships are also equipped with advanced water treatment systems, reducing the amount of air and water pollution contributed by the ships.

Additionally, ships have switched to energy-conserving LED lights onboard and get up to 3 million liters of onboard fresh water from desalinated seawater.

Just last year, MSC partnered with OPTIMeasy, a research company based out of the University of Genoa, to develop OPTICruise, a revolutionary itinerary-planning tool with the potential to cut emission by 15%.

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Measures across MSC’s fleet have improved the company’s carbon intensity by nearly 40% since 2008.

With a goal of 40% carbon reduction by 2030 and 100% net-zero emissions by 2050, we expect to continue seeing MSC making strides towards a future of cruising not just on blue oceans, but green ships.

Virgin Voyages Celebrates Brilliant Lady’s Miami Debut

Catie Kovelman
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Virgin Voyages Celebrates Brilliant Lady’s Miami Debut

Key Aspects:

  • Virgin Voyages celebrated Brilliant Lady’s inaugural call on Miami, Florida, with a star-studded event.
  • As part of the celebration, guests got to explore the new ship’s exclusive offerings and watch the world premier of “Red Hot,” a “rockumentary-style” spectacular.
  • Brilliant Lady is currently on her Miami MerMaiden voyage to the Caribbean, which is where she will be based until spring of next year.

The newly launched Brilliant Lady officially made her debut in the Cruise Capital of the World on October 16, 2025, where she was met with a star-studded celebration.

More than 2,000 guests were in attendance to welcome the fourth Lady ship to Miami, including VIPs like DJ Khaled, rapper Swae Lee, and of course, Virgin Voyages Founder Sir Richard Branson.

Additional big stars in attendance included TV Personality Polly Brindle, actors like Agustina Palma and Lilimar Hernandez, and the cast of “The Real Housewives of Miami.”

Those in attendance were also invited to watch the world premier of “Red Hot” which is a “rockumentary-style” musical review that celebrates Virgin’s 50-year history using five decades of iconic hits from Virgin Records’ extensive catalog.

It features classics from musical legends like the Spice Girls, Janet Jackson, David Bowie, Queen, The Killers, and The Sex Pistols, as well as must-see archival footage of Branson.

“The evening was pure Virgin — bold, musical and unmistakably glamorous,” Virgin Voyages said of the event.

Guests were also given time to explore the 2,770-guest ship and take in her exclusive offerings.

These include Secret Vintage, which is a speakeasy-style wine tasting experience, and The Stitch Up in the Social Club, which is a free craft club.

They also got to sample the cuisine and vibe at Rojo by Razzle Dazzle, which is a new Spanish-inspired dining experience.

The night then concluded with the high-energy Electric party, which is all things neon, glowing, and dancing.

What’s Next for Brilliant Lady?

Currently, Brilliant Lady is on her 8-night MerMaiden voyage from Miami, which set sail after the celebration concluded on October 17, 2025.

The inaugural sailing includes calls to Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Tortola, British Virgin Islands, and Bimini – which is where Virgin Voyages has an exclusive beach club.

DJ Khaled & Richard Branson
DJ Khaled & Richard Branson at celebration (Photo Credit: Virgin Voyages)

The young ship has already completed her MerMaiden sailing from New York in September, and will operate two more when she debuts in Los Angeles, California, and Seattle, Washington in 2026.

When all is said and done, she will have sailed four total MerMaiden voyages.

For now, the 110,000-gross ton ship will continue cruising to the Caribbean until March of 2026, when she makes her way through the Panama Canal to visit Los Angeles.

Read Also: Virgin Voyages Is Booming: CEO Shares the Secrets Behind the Surge

As the first ship in the fleet to be Panama Canal compliant, Brilliant Lady will make history as the first Lady ship to navigate the Panama Canal and to call on Los Angeles.

Her arrival will be celebrated with a 5-night MerMaiden cruise to Santa Barbara, San Diego, and Ensenada, Mexico.

The new-build will then operate a series of 6- to 8-night Mexican itineraries before setting her sights on Seattle at the end of May 2026, where she will once again make history as the first Virgin ship to operate cruises to Alaska.

Her Seattle MerMaiden Voyage will embark on May 21, 2026. It will be a 7-night sailing to Ketchikan, Sitka, Tracy Arm Fjord, and Prince Rupert in British Columbia.

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She will offer a unique, adults-only experience on 7- to 12-night cruises to popular ports throughout Alaska and Canada until early September 2026.

And no matter where she goes, this young and innovative cruise ship is sure to make waves.

Carnival Sunshine Delayed Again on Sailing That Started Late

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Sunshine Delayed Again on Sailing That Started Late

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Sunshine is delayed returning from her Bermuda sailing due to high winds and rough waves.
  • While the ship will still arrive in Norfolk, Virginia on Saturday, October 18, she will most likely dock in the afternoon rather than the early morning.
  • This will delay embarkation for the ship’s next sailing, but no itinerary changes have yet been confirmed and guests will be updated Saturday morning.

Guests aboard Carnival Sunshine‘s October 12, 2025 departure simply can’t catch a break. What was to have been a 6-night sailing to Bermuda became a 5-night sailing after the ship was delayed in returning to her homeport of Norfolk, Virginia, and she departed a day late on October 13, 2025.

Now, continuing bad weather is delaying the ship yet again. Instead of arriving back to the Old Dominion State for debarkation on Saturday morning, October 18, she will not be arriving until sometime Saturday afternoon.

Guests onboard have been alerted to the delay and what adjustments are being made for their debarkation.

“We are experiencing unfavorable weather as we sail back to Norfolk,” a letter from the ship’s master, Captain Antonio Gargiulo, read. “To help with comfort, we have adjusted our course towards calmer waters and reduced our cruising speed.”

On Friday evening, when the ship would normally be sailing at close to her top speed of 21 knots (24 miles per hour), satellite tracking shows Carnival Sunshine moving along at just 14 knots (16 mph).

Windy.com reports winds in the vicinity of the ship of roughly 27-30 knots (31-35 mph). Furthermore, the wind direction means Carnival Sunshine would be sailing directly into the brunt of the oncoming winds, making it even breezier.

By slowing the ship, the relative wind speeds are reduced and the motion of the ship will not be quite as harsh. This doesn’t mean the entire ride will be smooth, however, and Carnival Sunshine will now be delayed.

“Forecasts indicate that unfavorable conditions will continue into the evening, with some improvement expected early Saturday morning,” the letter continued. “Given this situation, our return to Norfolk will be delayed.”

There is not yet any confirmed time for Carnival Sunshine to dock in Norfolk, but Captain Gargiulo and Carnival Cruise Line have been able to confirm some impact from the change.

  • There will be no extra charges for the extra time spent onboard the ship.
  • Any extra parking charges at the Port of Norfolk will be waived.
  • Guests should place their luggage outside their stateroom doors by 10 a.m. Saturday morning unless they will be self-assisting all their bags.

“We understand this weather-related delay will disrupt your plans to return home and apologize for the inconvenience,” the captain continued. “We will continue to monitor the situation and keep you updated.”

Next Sailing Also Delayed

Since Carnival Sunshine will be late returning to Norfolk, the ship’s October 18, 2025 departure will also be delayed for embarkation. Carnival Cruise Line has reached out to booked guests to keep them informed about the situation.

“Currently, arrival is projected to be sometime in the afternoon,” the email explained. “Because forecasts can change, we will not be able to share embarkation plans for your cruise until tomorrow [Saturday] morning when we have a confirmed docking time for the ship.”

The cruise line is urging guests to sign up for text alerts and will provide an update by 10 a.m. Saturday morning.

“We must allow guests from the current voyage to disembark the ship and leave the parking facility before we will be able to accommodate your arrival and embarkation,” the email clarified. “Please do not proceed to the cruise terminal until you have received confirmation from us regarding revised embarkation plans for tomorrow.”

Carnival Sunshine Cruise Ship
Carnival Sunshine Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Daniel Wright98)

Read Also: Can a Rogue Wave Sink a Cruise Ship?

While Carnival Sunshine will be delayed for several hours, it is unlikely the ship will be delayed until Sunday. In these types of unusual situations, it is common for the ship to instead set sail in the late evening.

As soon as customs and immigration are able to clear the ship and guests from the Bermuda sailing can debark, embarkation will begin for the planned 8-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary.

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Hopefully, the delay will be relatively minimal and Carnival Sunshine will still be able to visit Celebration Key, Princess Cays, and Grand Turk as planned. At this time, however, there is no information on whether or not the itinerary may be adjusted.

Guests should stay in close contact with Carnival Cruise Line as the ship’s schedule is confirmed and updated.

Norwegian Cruise Line Quietly Shifts Away From Paper Programs

Catie Kovelman
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Norwegian Cruise Line Quietly Shifts Away From Paper Programs

Key Aspects:

  • Norwegian Cruise Line is no longer delivering the Freestyle Daily newsletter to passenger cabins every evening.
  • Instead, cruise guests are being encouraged to get their information digitally on the NCL app or from their stateroom TVs.
  • Guests who do want a paper copy can pick one up from the guest services desk onboard or request a copy from their cabin steward.

As the latest adjustment in a wave of recent changes, Norwegian Cruise Line has quietly stopped delivering paper copies of the Freestyle Daily programs to staterooms.

Guests, however, have noticed the change in a big way – and many are not happy about it.

“We just got off the NCL Encore and noticed that the Freestyle Daily was no longer being delivered to staterooms,” a recent guest confirmed.

“After asking our room steward and guest services, we were told this is a brand new policy: paper copies aren’t automatically provided anymore,” they continued.

The Freestyle Daily is a newsletter that was traditionally delivered to guest staterooms each evening with information about activities, events, and dining for the following day.

But now, cruisers are encouraged to check this information digitally via their cabin televisions or on the Norwegian Cruise Line App, which can be used without purchasing a Wi-Fi package.

Some cruisers, however, have expressed concerns about the app glitching, being too difficult to use, or not showing the daily schedule until midnight.

“This was disappointing. The app doesn’t update until midnight (and isn’t particularly user-friendly), and we prefer having paper copies so we can disconnect from our phones while on vacation,” the recent cruiser expressed.

“I would like to be able to see tomorrow’s freestyle daily on there, the day before when it is already available in print anyway…. not wait for the next day,” another agreed.

But rest assured that guests who prefer the old school method can still pick up paper copies at select locations onboard, such as the guest services desk.

Some have also reported that they were able to request to have physical programs delivered from their cabin stewards.

Why Make The Change?

NCL has not issued an official statement on the change in policy, but the reason is likely related to sustainability, efficiency, and cost.

Norwegian Encore, for example, is the biggest ship in the fleet and has 2,043 cruise cabins.

That means every single day, 2,043 newsletters would have to be printed and hand delivered, which is bad for the environment and takes quite a bit of time and effort.

Norwegian Encore Docked in Alaska
Norwegian Encore Docked in Alaska (Photo Credit: EWY Media)

On a week-long sailing, that equates to more than 12,000 pieces of paper, a good chunk of which is simply discarded.

It’s much more cost-efficient and environmentally friendly to print a few hundred copies (give or take) for the guests that enjoy using the Freestyle Daily newsletter to pick up.

This is also in line with previous efforts that NCL has taken to be more sustainable, such as switching to more sustainable serveware for room service orders starting in summer 2024.

Through a partnership with a reusable plastics company, the cruise line began rolling out bento-box style serveware for room service breakfast orders to lower the use of porcelain plates and plastic wrap.

Read Also: Who Owns Norwegian Cruise Line?

But especially among guests who don’t approve of this change, the majority think money is the main motivation. 

“That’s really disappointing. NCL keeps cutting costs in silly ways,” one cruise fan lamented.

“Wow, Norwegian is really cutting back with everything…They better be careful, or they will be going out of business. There are several other cruise lines,” another warned.

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Likely adding to this sentiment, the cruise line recently announced a new $5 fee for every extra entrée ordered in the main dining rooms.

Additionally, a fee of $10 per person has been implemented for cruisers who arrive more than 15 minutes late to their specialty dining reservations or don’t show at all.

And most recently, NCL announced that the “More at Sea” drink package will no longer work on Great Stirrup Cay starting in March of 2026. Instead, a drink package specific to the private island will be available for purchase.

How Late Is Too Late for Dinner? Carnival Cracking Down

Melissa Mayntz
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How Late Is Too Late for Dinner? Carnival Cracking Down

Key Aspects:

  • Is 35 minutes late just too late to be seated at an assigned dining time? Carnival Cruise Line is now cracking down on late guests.
  • If guests do not arrive for their assigned dining time within a reasonable margin, they will be directed to the Lido buffet instead.
  • Experienced guests agree and note they have had many frustrating experiences with late dining companions that can be stressful for staff.

Carnival Cruise Line is no stranger to dining room controversies, from proper attire to the temperature of butter to the removal of tablecloths. But for guests with assigned dining times, what type of window is appropriate for being on time or being considered late to the meal and therefore denied entrance?

The situation isn’t uncommon, but the cruise line is now cracking down on tardy diners and directing them toward the Lido Marketplace buffet instead.

Carnival’s brand ambassador, John Heald, noted in a recent daily Facebook video that the timing policy must be more strictly enforced because some guests just take it too far.

“I had somebody who complained to me about the dining room and the fact that he and his partner arrived, they were in early seating, and they arrived 35 minutes late for dinner and were asked to go to the Lido deck,” Heald explained. “I say, personally, bravo to the team on the Carnival Pride for doing that.”

Carnival Pride is homeported from Baltimore, Maryland. The ship’s current sailing departed on Sunday, October 12, 2025, and is a 7-night Bahamas itinerary with visits to Nassau, Princess Cays, and Celebration Key.

The ship features the two-story Normandie Restaurant dining room aft on Decks 2 and 3 (Promenade and Atlantic). The Lido Marketplace is midship on Deck 9.

Early dining times typically start between 5-6 p.m., though times can fluctuate on different sailings depending on dining time preference and operational needs.

Nevertheless, is 35 minutes late just too late to join the scheduled seating? Heald believes so.

“Okay, 5 minutes, 10 minutes max, but it puts ridiculous pressure on the dining room staff to get you served and to get the dining room table cleared and ready for late seating,” he noted. “We are really going to be doing this if you do arrive late for your assigned seating, you will be asked to eat on the Lido.”

Worth Reading: Carnival Explains Why Guests Can’t Pre-Select Seats for Dinner

Heald stresses that maintaining the proper dining times within a reasonable margin is only fair, not only for other diners, but also for staff who have to ensure the meal proceeds smoothly in order to maintain the flow of service.

Time pressure may not be so strict on late seating because those will be the last diners in the restaurant that evening, but particularly for early seating, it is important to be prompt to one’s dining time.

Carnival Cruise Ship Lido Buffet
Carnival Cruise Ship Lido Buffet (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)

Other Guests React

Heald reached out to his more than 645,000 followers and asked whether a margin of 20 minutes would be fair to guests.

“Do you agree that if someone is 20 minutes or more late for dinner that under most circumstances they should be kindly invited to eat on Lido Deck?” he asked.

Responses were overwhelmingly in favor of such a deadline for dining time adherence, and in fact, many guests noted that 10-15 minutes is more then fair.

“Last trip we had 2 out of 10 folks 45 minutes late 4 out of 6 nights. It was very frustrating for us that showed up on time and in the middle of our entrees when they show up,” one guest described. “Then the entire table had to wait on dessert until they caught up.”

“I watched a family come in an hour late on my current trip and they were still sat down. Most of the servers were setting up the tables for the next sitting,” another guest shared. “I am sure it was frustrating for staff.”

Other guests noted that land-based restaurants don’t typically hold reservations for more than 15-20 minutes, so that timing is very fair.

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Fortunately, guests onboard Carnival ships have other options for their evening meals. Not only is the Lido buffet available every evening, but it might be possible to accommodate guests who are late to their assigned dining time at the more flexible Your Time Dining service.

Specialty restaurants might also be an option, though those do have extra fees and reservations often fill up for each sailing so late-minute changes might not be possible.

Mardi Gras Cabin Overhaul Sparks Backlash from Booked Guests

Lissa Poirot
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Mardi Gras Cabin Overhaul Sparks Backlash from Booked Guests

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival’s Mardi Gras returned from a major dry dock in France with 100 new connecting cabins, sparking frustration among guests who say they weren’t notified their staterooms had changed.
  • Passengers are voicing concerns over privacy, noise, and lack of communication from the cruise line.
  • Brand Ambassador John Heald confirmed deck plans are being updated.

Carnival Cruise Line’s flagship Mardi Gras is back at sea after her first major dry dock, but the biggest buzz isn’t about the ship’s fresh upgrades. It’s about cabin doors.

During the ship’s time at Chantier Naval de Marseille in France, the cruise line adjusted 100 staterooms to become connecting cabins. The move was designed to better serve families and groups traveling together, but some longtime cruisers who booked months ago say the change has caught them off guard.

“We book our cabins based on them not being connected,” one guest wrote to Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald on his Facebook page. “If we now have a connecting cabin, we’ll need to rethink our plans for next summer.”

Heald confirmed that the ship’s online deck plans are being updated to reflect the modifications.

“It will be updated. I’m told by the end of the month,” he said, adding that passengers can confirm with him by letting him know their cabin numbers.

Other guests expressed frustration over the lack of notice. One passenger sailing aboard the first dry-dock voyage, a 15-day repositioning sailing to Port Canaveral, Florida, said her family specifically chose non-connecting rooms months in advance.

“We had bad experiences with connecting cabins in the past and wanted to avoid that for a long cruise,” she wrote, calling the lack of communication “disappointing.”

Carnival Mardi Gras in Marseille
Carnival Mardi Gras completed dry dock in Marseille. (Photo Credit: Carnival Cruise Line)

Heald responded that there’s no cause for concern.

“There are no security implications, and if anything was to happen, we will take great care of you,” he said.

Still, the exchange sparked a flood of similar comments from guests eager to confirm whether their cabins had been converted, also citing noise concerns and calling for clearer communication before final payment deadlines.

Why the Uproar?

Carnival Cruise Line’s announcement that Mardi Gras had returned to sea following a multi-week dry dock in France revealed it had added 100 connecting stateroom options to provide families and groups more options.

In the announcement, Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, said the project set a new bar for the line’s future refurbishments. This may mean additional ships entering dry dock in the future will be adding more connecting options.

Read Also: What NOT to Do When Choosing Your Cruise Cabins

“Mardi Gras was a game-changer when she debuted as our first Excel-class ship, and now she’s setting the pace again as the first in her class to complete a dry dock,” she said.

Duffy added that the updates “signal the exciting direction we’re heading in with future fleet enhancements.”

The 180,800-gross-ton Mardi Gras, which can accommodate up to 5,270 passengers at double capacity, is currently returning to its Port Canaveral homeport with calls in Malaga and Cadiz, Spain; Tenerife in the Canary Islands; and Carnival’s private destination, Celebration Key in the Bahamas.

Additional updates focused on accessibility and modernization, with expanded public walkways and guest areas. The ship’s casino and retail spaces were also updated.

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Now, passengers booked to set sail on one of the vessel’s year-round Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises are worried their cabins will adjoin another. Still, others at least took a moment to praise the upgrades, saying Mardi Gras is looking clean and new.

Guests Spot Broken Tile on Key Feature Onboard Icon of the Seas

Catie Kovelman
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Guests Spot Broken Tile on Key Feature Onboard Icon of the Seas

Key Aspects:

  • Eagle-eyed guests have spotted a broken tile in the Pearl onboard Icon of the Seas.
  • This is something that has happened before, and it likely does not pose a safety risk.
  • But after several instances with glass shattering on multiple ships, some are wondering if this latest breakage is a sign that Royal Caribbean is using lower-quality materials.

As all the cruise lines do, Royal Caribbean is constantly striving to maintain its cruise ships and offer the best possible experience onboard. 

But the down side of operating 24/7 every single day of the year is that sometimes things do break.

This time, guests onboard Icon of the Seas for a recent 7-night Caribbean sailing noticed that a tile was broken in the Pearl, which is essentially the heart of the first Icon-class ship.

The Pearl is located in the Royal Promenade, and spans from decks 5 through 8.

It functions as both a structural support for the world’s largest cruise ship, and is also an atmospheric art piece that features nearly 3,000 kinetic panels and integrated lighting.

“There’s a dead tile in the Pearl and it bothers me enough to take a photo,” a cruiser shared with a picture of the tile, which looks like it had shifted out of its normal position.

As a first-of-its-kind structure with so many individual pieces, sometimes things do end up out of whack.

Some cruisers from the 2024-launched vessel’s inaugural sailings even remember occasionally seeing some lights or panels malfunctioning.

“I was on the 6th public sailing of Icon and there was 2 that were out…on night 2 during my 2am Sorrento’s run, I saw them with the scissor lift fixing them,” one past guest shared.

“Funny enough, the last day, I saw another one not working. I imagine these break a lot and it’s a quick fix,” they continued.

Indeed, several members of the 2,350-person crew are highly trained engineers and maintenance workers who are equipped to make this repair.

Is the Broken Tile Dangerous?

Thankfully, the broken tile does not appear to pose a safety risk. While the tile could presumably fall and hit someone or shatter, it does seem to still be well secured to the Pearl structure by at least one end.

The Pearl Panel Damage on Icon of the Seas
The Pearl Panel Damage on Icon of the Seas (Credit: itsmrssmith)

The biggest risk it likely poses at the moment is annoying cruisers who notice the eyesore.

“I got off Icon yesterday and never noticed! It would have driven me crazy,” one person commented after seeing the picture.

Read Also: Icon of the Seas Amenities and Everything You’ll Love Onboard

However, some are wondering if this is a sign of more issues to come, with a smattering of cruise fans theorizing that Royal Caribbean may have begun using lower quality materials.

“It’s sad that making things cheaper these days reflects onto something so expensive like a cruise ship. Same thing as the slide that broke,” another cruiser wrote.

The commenter is referring to a recent incident in which a panel on the Frightening Bolt Waterslide within Icon of the Seas’ Category 6 Waterpark shattered while a passenger was riding it.

The guest did not fall through the hole, but did receive significant skin lacerations.

Meanwhile, there have been several other incidents of glass breaking on other Royal Caribbean ships in the past few months.

Most recently, a glass panel shattered in the Windjammer Marketplace onboard Utopia of the Seas in September. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.

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Symphony of the Seas also had three separate panels break between June and August, and the newly launched Star of the Seas had a panel shatter on the pool deck during one of her preview cruises.

But while incidents like these can be concerning, keep in mind that Royal Caribbean is known for taking safety and quality extremely seriously and the cruise line actually exceeds industry safety standards in several areas.

Princess Cruises Unveils Packed 2027-2028 West Coast Season

Catie Kovelman
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Princess Cruises Unveils Packed 2027-2028 West Coast Season

Key Aspects: 

  • Princess Cruises has just released its 2027-2028 West Coast Season, which is jam-packed with 69 different sailings.
  • The itineraries sail to popular destinations in Mexico, Hawaii, and California from Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Vancouver.
  • Eight ships will be deployed to the region, including the newly debuted Star Princess.

Princess Cruises just released its 2027-2028 West Coast Season, and as a California girl, I couldn’t be more thrilled.

During this exciting season, eight Princess cruise ships will operate a grand total of 69 sailings between September 2027 and April 2028 – offering guests a great opportunity to soak in some warm weather during the cooler months.

“Princess Cruises has been Los Angeles’ hometown cruise line for nearly 60 years, and no one sails the West Coast quite like we do,” said Jim Berra, Princess Cruises Chief Commercial Officer.

“We connect guests effortlessly to the sun-soaked beauty of the Pacific Coast, Mexico, and Hawaii. Our long-standing presence on the West Coast is a point of pride and a promise that we’ll continue to deliver unforgettable vacations,” Berra added.

Staying true to form, a total of 15 unique itineraries to destinations throughout Mexico, Hawaii, and California’s Coast are being offered.

They will be operated by Coral Princess, Crown Princess, Emerald Princess, Island Princess, Discovery Princess, Royal Princess, and Ruby Princess.

Star Princess will also make an appearance on the West Coast during this season, which is particularly exciting since she is the newest ship to join the fleet and the second Sphere-class vessel.

Her official maiden voyage in the US is quickly approaching on November 7, 2025, but the 4,300-guest ship is already operating her inaugural sailings in Europe.

Itinerary Highlights

With a variety of West Coast itineraries offered, which range in length from 4-night getaway sailings to 16-night voyages, there is truly something for everyone.

Starting with Mexico sailings, 34 different cruises will be offered that range in length from 7- to 11-nights.

Discovery Princess will primarily operate 7-night sailings to the Mexican Riviera out of Los Angeles, California – although she will operate one 10-night holiday sailing to Baja in December 2027.

Crown Princess will join her in Los Angeles to operate 10- and 11-night itineraries to Mexico’s Baja Peninsula.

Read Also: I’ve Sailed on Princess and Carnival Cruise Ships: How Do They Compare?

Meanwhile, Ruby Princess will offer a single 11-night sailing to the Mexican Riviera that embarks from San Francisco, California, on October 27, 2027 – just in time for Halloween.

Ruby Princess in San Francisco
Ruby Princess in San Francisco (Photo Credit: Iv-olga)

Crown Princess and Ruby Princess will also join Emerald Princess in operating 18 sailings to Hawaii.

Like Crown Princess, the 3,080-guest Emerald Princess will be homeporting in Los Angeles. Ruby Princess will continue to operate out of San Francisco.

Two separate 16-night itineraries are available, all of which feature port calls to four Hawaiian islands.

Select sailings also include late evening departures from Honolulu and Kona to allow more time for island exploration and relaxation.

Last but not least, Princess will offer nine different itineraries across 17 different sailings to explore California’s Coast.

These itineraries range in length from 4- to 7-nights, and will sail round-trip out of Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Vancouver, Canada.

More From Cruise Hive

Notably, the new Star Princess will operate just one of these sailings from Vancouver, which will be a 7-night cruise to Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles that embarks on October 3, 2027.

Seven other Princess ships will operate the other 17 sailings, including Coral Princess, Crown Princess, Discovery Princess, Emerald Princess, Island Princess, Royal Princess, and Ruby Princess.

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