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What a Government Shutdown Really Means for Cruises

Catie Kovelman
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What a Government Shutdown Really Means for Cruises

Key Aspects:

  • If an agreement is not reached, the US government will shut down at 12:01 a.m. on October 1, 2025.
  • Essential security and port employees will continue to report to work, which means US cruise ports will remain open and operational.
  • However, there is a possibility for delays within airports and cruise ports, as well as from passport services during this time.

As of the afternoon on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, members of Congress remain at an impasse on how to fund the US government.

If an agreement cannot be reached by midnight, a government shutdown will go into effect on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at 12:01 a.m.

Should this looming shutdown come to pass, most federal agencies would pause non-essential work and thousands of government employees would be placed on furlough or required to work essential roles without pay.

Many in the cruise community are now wondering how a government shutdown may impact their upcoming sailings in the coming days to weeks, as the government employs many of the essential port and security personnel.

But while the US Travel Association estimates that the country’s travel sector could lose $1 billion for every week the government remains shuttered, the cruise industry will likely be among the least affected.

There is no telling how long the government shutdown would last, but the longest closure in US history occurred in 2018 during President Trump’s first term. It lasted for 35 days.

The biggest impact will likely be at the federally operated attractions that many cruise passengers like to visit, such as national parks and some museums, which would close their doors during the shutdown.

Federal employees, including TSA agents, Customs and Border Control agents, and port employees, are considered essential, so they will still be required to report to work as usual.

However, these employees will be working without pay and will have to wait for the government to reopen to receive back pay.

Additionally, hiring and training is expected to be put on pause during this time, which may lead to staffing shortages and/or additional strain on these workers.

“As far as the impact on cruises, essential federal personnel – including the US Coast Guard, TSA, and CBP agents – will continue to report to work, so core port and security functions will remain in place,” Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) told USA TODAY in an email.

The cruise lines are obviously not run by the government, so all will be business as usual at their headquarters and onboard their ships.

Cruise Ports Will Remain Open, But Delays Are Possible

As the employees who are essential to cruising will still be working, cruise ports throughout North America will be up and running.

The Port of Seattle, as one example, issued a statement confirming that they would remain open during the shutdown.

“Our facilities will remain operational during any shutdown, but many of our federal partners will be working without pay,” said Port of Seattle Commission Vice President Ryan Calkins.

“We hope those traveling through our gateways will join us in thanking our federal workers for their ongoing professionalism during this time. The Port will do all we can to support them in the case of a shutdown.”

Vehicles Near Cruise Pier in Seattle
Vehicles Near Cruise Pier in Seattle (Photo Credit: SeaRick1)

For all US cruise ports, guests should continue to follow the instructions provided to them by their respective cruise lines as far as when to arrive at the cruise port on embarkation day.

While delays are possible during this time, showing up early to account for them can actually hurt efficiency instead of help.

Read Also: 11 Cruise Port Pitfalls That You Really Should Avoid

TSA agents, Federal Aviation Administration employees, and Customs and Border Protection agents will also still be working in airports.

The usual guidelines of arriving at the airport two hours early for domestic flights and three hours early for international flights still applies during the shutdown.

However, there is a possibility for delays and/or staffing shortages related to the shutdown.

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If I’m traveling by air, I always plan to arrive at my cruise port’s city at least one day early to account for potential delays or issues with my flight.

Additionally, passport services will also still be available, but it’s important to note that there could be delays here as well – so future cruisers who need a passport should plan accordingly.

Norwegian Cruise Line Swaps Ships, Cancels Dozens of Sailings

Melissa Mayntz
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Norwegian Cruise Line Swaps Ships, Cancels Dozens of Sailings

Key Aspects:

  • Norwegian Cruise Line is swapping the deployment plans for Gem and Dawn in late 2026 and into 2027, with all sailings cancelled as the new plans are confirmed.
  • Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Joy are also cancelling several sailings in late 2026, but new, longer itineraries will be available for booking soon.
  • Port availability is cited as the reason for some of the cancellations, but there can be many reasons for changes in cruise ship deployments.

Just days after a similar move from Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line has reached out to booked guests and travel agents to alert them to ship swaps and cancelled sailings in late 2026 and into 2027.

Four ships are involved in the redeployment shuffling and latest cancellations:

  • Norwegian Gem
  • Norwegian Dawn
  • Norwegian Getaway
  • Norwegian Joy

The first two vessels, Norwegian Gem and Norwegian Dawn, will now be swapping homeports. Norwegian Gem will no longer be sailing from Jacksonville, Florida in November 2026, but instead will homeport from Tampa.

Meanwhile, Norwegian Dawn will move to Jacksonville rather than Tampa.

This will slightly reduce the guest capacity in Jacksonville, as Norwegian Dawn is smaller than Norwegian Gem and can accommodate 54 fewer travelers at double occupancy.

All sailings during the impacted swap period are now cancelled for both ships. This includes all previously planned Norwegian Dawn sailings from November 1, 2026 to and including the March 28, 2027 departure. Likewise, Norwegian Gem‘s cruises from November 1, 2026 and April 4, 2027 are also cancelled.

New itineraries for both ships will be available for booking soon, but exact details have not yet been released.

Fewer cruises are now cancelled for Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Joy, and for a completely different reason. Both ships will remain homeported as planned from Port Canaveral and PortMiami, respectively, but select short cruises can no longer be offered.

The impacted sailings for Norwegian Getaway are the ship’s November 16, 20, and 25 departures, as well as the December 14 and December 18 cruises, all in 2026. These are now cancelled.

For Norwegian Joy, the December 18, 21, 24, and 28 departure dates in 2026 are also cancelled.

The cruise line has cited “port availability” as the primary reason for these few cancellations. On short sailings, ships can be quite limited in which ports they can reach and offer a suitable visit for guests.

Norwegian Getaway Cruise Ship
Norwegian Getaway Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: StudioPortoSabbia)

Instead, Norwegian Cruise Line is planning longer, more immersive sailings for both ships covering those time periods. Those itineraries will be released and available for booking soon, offering eager guests more unique options during the peak holiday sailing season.

Guests on impacted sailings are being offered some future cruise credit as compensation for their disappointment. Fortunately, since the first of the now-cancelled cruises is more than a year away, booked guests have plenty of time to adjust their travel plans and opt for a different cruise.

Why Do Cruise Lines Swap Ships and Cancel Sailings?

New ships entering the fleet, port improvement plans, and sharing ports with other cruise lines are all part of the scheduling challenges when planning itineraries years in advance.

Cruise lines do attempt to make the best plans possible when itineraries are first released. Many different factors can impact future schedules, however.

For example, new plans to redevelop a private destination or begin visiting a brand new port might open up new options for a ship, or could temporarily close a destination.

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Guest feedback on port experiences and booking rates for different itineraries might also impact a cruise line’s plans as they seek to maximize guest experiences along with company profits.

In some cases, changed plans might not even be up to the cruise line. A port might plan new developments that could change berth availability, or dramatically increased taxes (like starting January 1, 2026 in Hawaii) might cause cruise lines to reconsider their planned itineraries.

Regardless of the reason, guests aboard any of the impacted Norwegian ships are sure to have a fantastic time on whichever cruise vacation they choose.

Carnival Alerts Guests for Bermuda Sailing Due to Hurricanes

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Alerts Guests for Bermuda Sailing Due to Hurricanes

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Venezia‘s next sailing is planned as a 5-night Bermuda itinerary, but the double impact of Hurricanes Humberto and Imelda may change that plan.
  • Carnival Cruise Line is proactively alerting guests that their itinerary may be changed to Canadian destinations so they can be properly packed and prepared.
  • The cruise line will provide an additional update before the October 1, 2025 departure on the 5-night Bermuda-but-maybe-Canada itinerary.

Carnival Cruise Line is being very proactive at keeping guests informed about their upcoming cruise aboard Carnival Venezia.

While there have been plenty of changes for ongoing itineraries due to both Hurricane Humberto and Hurricane Imelda, the next sailing of Carnival Venezia should miss those disruptions. Or will it?

The cruise line emailed guests with an update on Tuesday, the day before their Wednesday, October 1, 2025 embarkation date. That cruise is scheduled as a 5-night Bermuda itinerary visiting Kings Wharf for an extended overnight from 9 a.m. on Friday, October 3 until 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 4.

The distance sailing to Bermuda from New York and the lack of alternative port options means the cruise line has to be very alert to any possible weather impacts for the sailing.

“Our Fleet Operations Center is actively monitoring Hurricanes Humberto and Imelda in the mid-Atlantic. Both storms are forecasted to impact Bermuda over the next few days,” the email explained.

“Although our visit is set for the coming weekend and the storms would likely have passed the island by then, they are expected to generate large waves that would be moving toward the east coast of the U.S. – conditions that could, very likely, make our voyage from New York to the island a rough and uncomfortable journey.”

The cruise line also notes that a full post-storm assessment must be completed before any cruise ship would be permitted to dock in Bermuda.

It is possible that damage to the pier, harbor, or other facilities could delay the port from reopening in time for Carnival Venezia‘s visit.

“There is a possibility that we may revise the itinerary and head north to Canada instead,” the email continued. “So, to help you prepare, we encourage you to pack warm clothing and other necessary supplies that would help you to take full advantage of shore time in Canada.”

Those other “necessary supplies” might include rain ponchos or more comfortable sneakers for hiking on rocky terrain, rather than the swim shoes and beach bags that would be more useful in Bermuda.

No decision has yet been made about which direction Carnival Venezia will definitely be heading when she departs the Big Apple on October 1, but Carnival Cruise Line will provide another update on Tuesday evening.

Hurricane Updates

As of Tuesday afternoon, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) has upgraded Imelda to an official Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 85 miles per hour.

While the storm is currently positioned more than 700 miles west-southwest of Bermuda, the forecast track is predicting a direct impact on Wednesday evening.

Hurricane Imelda
Hurricane Imelda

“Imelda is expected bring damaging hurricane-force-winds to Bermuda when it passed near or over that island by Wednesday afternoon or evening. A Hurricane Warning is now in effect for Bermuda,” the latest storm discussion notes.

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This will follow less than 24 hours after the impact of Hurricane Humberto, which now has maximum sustained winds of 80 miles per hour as the storm moves north of Bermuda. While Humberto is not going to make landfall on the island, the winds, rain, and waves will still be felt.

Cruise Hive’s thoughts are with the people of Bermuda as they brace for this double threat.

Celebrity Couple to Serve as Godparents to Star Princess

Donna Tunney
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Celebrity Couple to Serve as Godparents to Star Princess

Key Aspects:

  • Princess Cruises’ newest ship, Star Princess, will be christened in Fort Lauderdale on November 6, 2025 by celebrity couple Matthew and Camila McConaughey.
  • The ship will initially debut in Barcelona in October 2025, and sail two voyages in Europe before making her way across the Atlantic to Florida.
  • Star Princess will be based seasonally at Port Everglades, sailing Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages.

Hollywood actor Matthew McConaughey and his wife, entrepreneur Camila McConaughey, were tapped to serve as godparents to Princess Cruises’ newest ship, Star Princess, when the new-build makes her US debut in November 2025.

The two will oversee the 4,300-guest ship’s christening ceremony in Fort Lauderdale on November 6, 2025, one day before her inaugural cruise from the South Florida port.

Princess Cruises took delivery of Star Princess on September 26, 2025 from Fincantieri’s Monfalcone, Italy, shipyard. The 177,882-gross-ton ship will sail two voyages from Barcelona — the first on October 4, 2025, before crossing the Atlantic to her seasonal homeport at Port Everglades.

“We are delighted to have Camila and Matthew McConaughey serve as the godparents of Star Princess,” said Gus Antorcha, president of Princess Cruises. 

“With their signature warmth and spirit, Camila and Matthew embody the values that define Princess, and we are delighted to welcome them into our family in such a meaningful way,” added Antorcha.

Matthew McConaughey is well known not only for his acting abilities — he won an Academy Award for his role in “Dallas Buyers Club” — but for his philanthropy supporting the education and health of children. 

The celebrity couple also founded Pantalones Organic Tequila, which is included in Princess Cruises’ Love Line Premium Liquors collection and sold throughout the fleet.

“With Princess, it’s not just a vacation — it’s time well spent, families and friends coming together, meeting new folks, and making memories. This ship’s got that spirit built right in, and we’re proud to be part of her story from the beginning,” said Camila and Matthew McConaughey.

Matthew McConaughey and Camila McConaughey
Matthew McConaughey and Camila McConaughey

Princess Cruises has not yet revealed any additional details about the christening ceremony, but it is certain to be a gala event with live music performances, among other festive activities.

The McConaugheys join a long list of celebrities who have served as godmothers and godfathers to cruise ships. In April 2025, actor Drew Barrymore christened MSC Cruises’ MSC World America in a ceremony at Port Miami.

Others who have served as godparents for various cruise ships include Oprah Winfrey, Audrey Hepburn, Helen Mirren, Whoopi Goldberg, and even Queen Elizabeth II.

Maiden Voyage From Florida to Call at Princess Cays

Following the naming ceremony, Star Princess will sail her maiden voyage from North America, a 3-night cruise to Princess Cays, Bahamas. After that she will begin a series of 7- and 14-night Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings.

Read Also: Are Smaller or Bigger Cruise Ships Better?

Eastern Caribbean cruises will call at Princess Cays; Amber Cove, Dominican Republic; and Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos, while Western Caribbean itineraries will feature Roatan, Honduras; Belize City, Belize; and Costa Maya, Mexico.

Star Princess’s seasonal deployment to Fort Lauderdale will continue through mid-April 2026, when she will reposition to Seattle and operate 7-night Inside Passage voyages to Alaska through the summer season, ultimately returning to the Florida port in fall 2026.

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The ship, second in the line’s Sphere class and a sister ship to Sun Princess, which launched in 2024, offers guests 30 dining and bar venues, and 32 cabin categories. 

Notable public spaces in The Dome, a spacious pool area that doubles as an entertainment space, the Princess Arena theater, and the 3-story Piazza atrium that is the centerpiece of the ship.

Carnival Cruise Line Expanding New Lunch Option for Families

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Cruise Line Expanding New Lunch Option for Families

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Cruise Line is expanding its Family Express lunch menu options across the fleet, with four ships already fully offering the new menu at the Lido Marketplace.
  • Despite its name, the menu does include more sophisticated dishes as well as simpler fare to suit an entire family’s taste and everyone is welcome to try it.
  • Guest reaction is very positive to the new menu, but there are requests for gluten-free options as well as expanding the menu into the evening dinner hours.

With so much to do onboard a Carnival cruise, every minute can count. This is especially true for families with younger children who may be so eager to rejoin their friends in the youth programs that they become fussy and impatient, especially at meals with unfamiliar dishes.

Carnival Cruise Line is making it easier for families to refuel with their new Family Express menu for lunches at the Lido Marketplace buffet. The new menu is confirmed aboard the following ships:

  • Carnival Celebration
  • Carnival Horizon
  • Carnival Jubilee
  • Carnival Vista

Guests have also reported the menu onboard other vessels, including Carnival Pride, Carnival Magic, Carnival Sunshine, Carnival Paradise, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Freedom, and Carnival Glory, among others. The full implementation may not yet be available fleet-wide, but it is coming soon.

“We are gradually implementing ship-to-ship,” confirmed John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador.

Full, daily implementation of the menu may take some time as different options are tested and buffet lines are set up with appropriate signage and stations.

In the meantime, more ships may introduce the Family Express menu on a limited bases as part of ongoing menu updates.

A key aspect of the Family Express menu is that it is all in one place, from the pasta and salads to entrees and desserts. This makes it simpler to collect a full meal with no need to move through a longer buffet line or visit multiple serving stations.

Guests are pleased with the new offering, noting that it’s very helpful for lunch but also wishing it could be expanded to dinnertime.

“I loved these on my last three cruises, I just wish they would do them in the evening, too,” one guest commented.

Furthermore, it isn’t just families who appreciate the faster and simpler options on the menu.

“As a picky eater, I loved this. Yes, I’m a grown adult and yes I like ‘kid’ food as I have food issues and stomach issues so this was great for my situation!” one guest explained.

Heald has also noted that any guests can enjoy the Family Express buffet. There is no need to be accompanied by a young cruiser to take advantage of the great choices and convenience.

“Yes, adults can graze here too,” he said.

What Is the Family Express Menu?

The new menu features more kid-friendly favorites but still includes tastes for Mom and Dad. Located in a designated section of the buffet line, this is a fast and easy option for families to dine together and be able to get right back to the day’s fun.

For example, each Family Express menu includes a “Pasta of the Day” selection, such as rigatoni meatball pasta or classic mac and cheese. Guests can also request plain spaghetti with alfredo or pomodorini marinara sauce.

Carnival Family Express Lunch Menu
Carnival Family Express Lunch Menu

Salads such as carrot and raisin, rainbow pasta, and Tex Mex bean salad are often offered, and daily soups include selections like chicken pot pie soup and minestrone.

Entrees range from savory pork ribs, chicken mirabela, and vegetable spring rolls to salmon croquettes and chicken burgers with honey mustard sauce.

If these selections sound too fancy for picky eaters, never fear. The Family Express menu also includes everyday favorites such as hot dogs, chicken nuggets, crinkle fries, corn dogs, buttered broccoli, and chicken tenders, perfect options for guests with simpler tastes, no matter what their age.

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Desserts include quick treats like strawberry Jell-o, sugar sprinkle cookies, and other grab-and-go sweets.

The menu does include both vegetarian and gluten-free options, though some guests have noted that gluten-free entrees are scarce.

Hopefully, Carnival Cruise Line will continue to listen to guest feedback and expand the menu to offer great tastes for all families’ dining preferences and needs.

Norwegian Escape Pivots to Avoid Stormy Weather in the Atlantic

Catie Kovelman
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Norwegian Escape Pivots to Avoid Stormy Weather in the Atlantic

Key Aspects: 

  • Thanks to Hurricane Humberto and Tropical Storm Imelda, Norwegian Escape’s current 12-night sailing is no longer a journey to the Caribbean.
  • Instead, the NCL ship will sail to better weather in New England and Bermuda.
  • Guests have been compensated with a 20% future cruise credit and all shore excursions booked through the cruise line will be automatically refunded.

Norwegian Escape’s 12-night sailing to the Caribbean has abruptly turned into a voyage to New England and Bermuda due to poor weather conditions.

The sailing in question embarked in New York on Monday, September 29, 2025.

The 4,218-guest ship is the latest to join a growing list of cruise ships from brands like Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line that have already altered course to steer clear of Hurricane Humberto and Tropical Storm Imelda.

Both storm systems are currently just a few hundred miles apart from each other in the Atlantic Basin.

In order to avoid the worst of the weather, Norwegian Cruise Line has had to rework the entire itinerary for its Breakaway-Plus class ship. Every single port call has been replaced.

“While we always aim for calm seas and bright skies, Mother Nature sometimes has other plans,” Norwegian Cruise Line wrote to impacted guests.

“Due to weather conditions caused by Hurricane Humberto and Tropical Storm Imelda, we’ve made the difficult but necessary decision to adjust our itinerary.”

Originally, the 2015-launched ship was supposed to visit Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis; Castries, St. Lucia; Phillipsburg, St. Maarten; and St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands.

Instead, she will now begin the voyage by visiting destinations within the New England region, including Boston, Massachusetts, and Maine’s Portland and Eastport.

The 164,998-gross ton ship will then proceed to the Royal Naval Dockyard in Bermuda for an overnight stay that lasts from October 6 to October 8.

It’s kind of an interesting replacement, as usually Bermuda is the port that gets replaced due to inclement weather.

When Hurricane Erin was wreaking havoc toward the end of August, several ships had to skip Bermuda due to the intense storm.

Weather & Compensation 

As much as they would like to, cruise lines cannot control the weather. But what they can control is keeping everyone onboard safe and comfortable.

“We understand that this change may be disappointing, especially for those who were looking forward to experiencing the Caribbean,” NCL’s letter sympathised.

“While the weather is beyond our control, please rest assured that your safety, along with that of our crew and ship, will always remain our top priority.”

According to the National Hurricane Center (NOAA), Hurricane Humberto is currently a category 4 storm system with wind speeds reaching 140 miles per hour.

It’s tracking northwest at speeds of 13 miles per hour, and is expected to pass Bermuda by Wednesday, October 1 – several days before Norwegian Escape will arrive.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Ship in New York
Norwegian Escape Cruise Ship in New York (Photo Credit: quiggyt4)

Tropical Storm Imelda isn’t quite as intense, but is still dangerous with wind speeds reaching 60 miles per hour and has the potential to strengthen into a hurricane.

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

Imelda will also pass near Bermuda toward the middle of the week.

Additionally, Tropical Storm Watches are in effect for portions of the northwestern Bahamas because of Imelda, including for popular cruise destinations like Eleuthera, the Abaco Islands, and Grand Bahama Island.

Understandably, cruise ships do not want to get caught in the heavy rains, winds, and big swells that come with these storms.

Even though NCL is doing its duty by avoiding the worst of the weather, the cruise line is still providing guests with a 20% Future Cruise Credit to show appreciation for passengers’ understanding and flexibility.

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This credit will be available starting on October 1, 2025, and can be applied to any Norwegian Cruise Line sailing that embarks on or before December 31, 2026.

Additionally, all shore excursions that were booked through NCL will be automatically cancelled and refunded without passengers needing to lift a finger.

Cruise Guest Penalized After Failing to Declare $23,000 in Cash

Catie Kovelman
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Cruise Guest Penalized After Failing to Declare $23,000 in Cash

Key Aspects: 

  • A cruise guest from India ran into an issue in Saint John, New Brunswick, after failing to declare that they were sailing with just over $23,000 in cash.
  • While Canada does not limit the amount of cash visitors can travel with, any amount greater than C$10,000 must be declared while going through the customs process.
  • The cruiser had to pay a fine of over $1,000 for their mistake.

One cruise guest made a very costly mistake while visiting Saint John, New Brunswick, in Canada, on September 3, 2025.

The passenger, who has only been identified as a citizen of India, failed to report that they were cruising with $23,260 USD in cash, which is well above Canada’s C$10,000 limit.

The funds were identified when CBSA agents boarded the cruise ship as part of the standard customs process at the cruise port.

Canada does not actually have a maximum set for the amount of money that can be brought into the country, but any amount of $10,000 or higher must be reported to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) while going through customs.

“CBSA officers in #SaintJohn #NB seized US$23K in undeclared cash from a traveller arriving on a cruise ship,” the CBSA posted on social media.

“The traveller paid a penalty in order to have the funds returned. Entering Canada with CAN$10K or more? Remember to declare it,” the post continued.

While the cruise ship the guest was sailing on has not been explicitly confirmed, cruise tracking data shows that Enchanted Princess was the only ship in the port that day.

The Princess cruise ship would have been in the middle of a 7-night sailing to destinations throughout New England in the US and Canada.

Notably, the US has the same rule where cash amounts over $10,000 must be reported upon leaving or entering the country – but there are no reports of this passenger having additional issues stateside.

Passenger Gets Fined 

Because the cruise guest did not declare their big chunk of change, they were subject to a fine that ranges between 5% and 50% of the total cash amount.

As this cruiser’s funds did not appear to be connected to anything illegal (and the lack of reporting may have been a genuine mistake), they were hit with the lowest 5% penalty.

Worth Reading: Cruise Ship Penalized for Sailing Into Protected Waters

This means that they had to shell out C$1,600 to get the remainder of their funds back and continue on with their cruise.

Even if the guest’s actions were made by complete accident, Canadian authorities still have to enforce their policies. Extreme cases can result in much bigger fines, or even jail time.

“Reporting currency is an important part of helping the Government of Canada fight money laundering, organized crime, and terrorist financing,” CBSA spokesperson Luke Reimer said about the matter.

Read Also: 12 Smart Tricks to Stop Wasting Money on Cruises

Saint John, New Brunswick, is one of 12 cruise ports in Canada where first arrival customs checks take place.

This means that customs and border control officers check passengers directly onboard their cruise ships before allowing them to go ashore – and all passengers must clear customs even if they have no plans of disembarking.

This is when the cruise guest should have declared their funds, which they could have done by filling out the Cross-Border Currency or Monetary Instruments Report.

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This form can usually be obtained onboard cruise ships in advance, but can also be completed while going through customs.

When in doubt, never be afraid to respectfully ask questions of the guest services team in advance or the officers during the customs process – you might avoid a hefty fine!

Over 70 Guests Fall Ill in Outbreak on Royal Caribbean Ship

Catie Kovelman
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Over 70 Guests Fall Ill in Outbreak on Royal Caribbean Ship

Key Aspects:

  • Serenade of the Seas has reported a gastrointestinal outbreak to the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program for its current voyage, which set sail in San Diego on September 19, 2025.
  • The causative agent, which is norovirus, has made 71 passengers and one crew member sick.
  • Increased cleaning and sanitation measures have been taken to prevent the spread of illness and there is no reported impact to the itinerary.

Serenade of the Seas’ current voyage through the Panama Canal has unfortunately been plagued by a gastrointestinal outbreak.

The 13-night one-way sailing embarked from San Diego, California, on September 19, 2025, and is due to conclude in Miami, Florida, on October 2, 2025.

As is often the case, the highly contagious norovirus has been confirmed as the culprit. It’s the Royal Caribbean ship’s first norovirus outbreak since 2006.

According to the Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) that is run by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 71 of the guests currently onboard have become sick, which equates to 3.79% of the current capacity.

The Radiance-class ship can accommodate 2,143 guests at double occupancy, but only 1,874 cruisers are onboard for this sailing.

Meanwhile, only one member of the 883-person crew has reported symptoms.

Of course, preventative measures have been taken onboard to prevent further spread of illness, and the VSP continues to monitor the situation.

Actions included isolating the ill passengers and crew members, implementing enhanced cleaning and disinfection procedures, and collecting and testing stool specimens to confirm the causative agent.

Additionally, current guests can also take precautions to protect themselves, such as thorough and frequent handwashing and by making sure they get enough sleep.

There has been no reported impact to the itinerary because of the outbreak, which made its final port call of the trip on Cartagena, Colombia, on September 29.

How Common are Outbreaks? 

While it may feel like there is always news of new outbreaks popping up on cruise ships, this is not necessarily the case.

A record-breaking 37.7 million cruisers are expected to set sail before 2025 is through, and only a very small percentage will fall ill during a mid-voyage outbreak.

Looking at this in a different context, cruise ships must report outbreaks to the CDC when 3% or more of the population onboard becomes sick.

Out of the thousands of cruises that embark each year, only 18 outbreaks were reported in 2024 and 14 outbreaks in 2023.

CDC Sign
CDC Sign

Read Also: There Have Been 18 Outbreaks in 2025: Should Cruisers Worry?

With the latest outbreak onboard Serenade of the Seas, this brings the total number of reported outbreaks from 18 to 19 for 2025.

Two other Royal Caribbean ships have experienced their own norovirus outbreaks this year, which unfolded onboard Radiance of the Seas in February and Navigator of the Seas in July.

Royal Caribbean also owns Silversea Cruises. This smaller, luxury brand also experienced a gastrointestinal outbreak onboard Silver Ray in January, which was linked to E.coli.

More recently, Silver Muse and Silver Dawn notified guests of gastrointestinal illness onboard in September out of an abundance of caution and consideration for their passengers.

However, these situations were not reported as outbreaks to the CDC, indicating that less than 3% of the onboard population became sick.

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But while outbreaks are sometimes inevitable, future cruise guests shouldn’t be too worried.

While there is always a risk when sailing with large groups of people, the actual number of reported outbreaks are few and far between.

Royal Caribbean Ship Rescues Unstable Overcrowded Raft

Melissa Mayntz
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Royal Caribbean Ship Rescues Unstable Overcrowded Raft

Key Aspects:

  • Enchantment of the Seas rescued a raft overcrowded with refugees on the evening of Sunday, September 28, 2025.
  • The rescue happened near the coast of Mexico as the cruise ship was sailing an alternative itinerary due to rough weather in the Bahamas.
  • Refugee rescues near Mexico and Cuba are not uncommon and saving life always takes precedence over schedule considerations.

There are some extra guests onboard Enchantment of the Seas‘ current sailing, thanks to an evening rescue of an overcrowded and unstable raft as the cruise ship made her way to Mexico.

Enchantment of the Seas departed Tampa, Florida on Saturday, September 27, 2025 for what was to have been a 5-night Bahamas and Perfect Day sailing.

The developing tropical systems in the eastern Caribbean and Bahamas (now Hurricane Humberto and Tropical Storm Imelda) had other ideas, however. To avoid the rough weather, Enchantment of the Seas was re-routed to Mexico for visits to Costa Maya and Cozumel.

That dramatic itinerary change was a fortuitous stroke of luck for a raft full of refugees who were struggling to stay afloat.

On Sunday, September 28, Enchantment of the Seas came across the makeshift craft just after sunset. The raft included a short mast and oars but no significant sides or other structures. At least 8-9 refugees appeared to be aboard according to photos shared online.

A Royal Caribbean Group spokesperson said, “Our crew identified individuals in distress in international waters, provided medical care to those who were rescued and worked closely with the Mexican Coast Guard.”

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The individuals aboard the raft used lights to signal to the cruise ship, which immediately responded with humanitarian rescue efforts.

A lifeboat was launched to reach the raft. Guests currently aboard Enchantment of the Seas have noted that the refugees were brought aboard the cruise ship.

Enchantment of the Seas Rescue
Enchantment of the Seas Rescue (Photo Credit: Jeffrey Walker)

This is a standard humanitarian measure to safeguard life when a refugee craft is not safe or properly equipped.

At the time, Enchantment of the Seas was in the waters between Cuba and Mexico. Refugee rescues are not uncommon in this area, but it is unclear which nation the stranded refugees may have originated from.

The cruise ship continued on its way and is spending Monday in Costa Maya as scheduled on the revised itinerary. There should be no further disruption to the ship’s schedule, including returning to Tampa on Thursday, October 2.

What Happens Next?

To be clear, while refugees are always welcomed onboard cruise ships as a lifesaving measure, they do not have the same vacation experience as guests.

Regardless of where refugees came from or their reasons for setting sail in unsafe craft, they will be provided with food, water, and medical care as needed. In most cases, they are not permitted in guest areas of a ship and are under security guard at all times.

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Their home country will be notified of their recovery, along with the authorities in the area where they were found. Depending on the country and the individual circumstances, they will be released to authorities as soon as possible, and processed according to that country’s laws.

This may include being returned to their home country or other legal measures as necessary.

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