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New Virgin Voyages Cruise Ship Debuts in New York City

Catie Kovelman
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New Virgin Voyages Cruise Ship Debuts in New York City

Key Aspects: 

  • Virgin Voyages’ brand new cruise ship, Brilliant Lady, made her debut in New York on September 2, 2025. 
  • The ship was greeted by Founder Sir Richard Branson and celebrated by a touching performance from a Pub Choir. 
  • Brilliant Lady will embark on her “MerMaiden” voyage from New York on September 5, 2025, with three more “MerMaiden” voyages still to come to celebrate the ship’s future arrivals in Miami, Los Angeles, and Seattle.

The moment that Virgin Voyages fans have been waiting for is finally here. The brand new Brilliant Lady has officially arrived in New York’s Manhattan Cruise Terminal for the very first time on Tuesday, September 2, 2025. 

Though the fourth Lady ship was originally slated for a 2023 debut, she faced significant delays due to unexpected construction, supply chain, and staffing challenges – meaning this momentous occasion has really been a long-time coming. 

Virgin Group Founder Sir Richard Branson was waiting to personally greet the new-build, which carried more than 1,200 crew members and 1,200 Sailors (Virgin’s term for guests). 

The people onboard formed a Pub Choir to sing Queen’s classic hit, “Don’t Stop Me Now” as the young ship sailed into the port. The group was led by Astrid Jorgensen, who founded the Pub Choir musical act.

Their song, paired with the stunning New York horizon and landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, reportedly gave onlookers goosebumps, and even moved some to tears. 

“Today, we completed our fleet and celebrated a moment that will leave a legacy far beyond our ships,” Branson stated. 

“What makes Virgin Voyages so intangibly special is our people. As we entered New York, with our crew and sailors singing as one, it was truly brilliant,” the founder continued. 

This occasion was particularly special, as it marked a full circle moment for the young adults-only cruise line. 

Just about four years ago in fall of 2021, Richard Branson was in New York to welcome Scarlet Lady, the very first ship in the fleet, as her career began. 

An Ongoing Celebration

On September 5, 2025, Brilliant Lady will embark on her “MerMaiden” voyage from New York, which will be a 5-night sailing to Bermuda. 

However, the celebration really started in England before the 2,770-guest ship arrived in New York, and the fun will be continuing with three more “MerMaiden” voyages.

The 110,000-gross ton vessel has already made an appearance in Portsmouth, UK, on August 18, 2025, making this the only port in the world to have been called upon by all four Lady ships. 

She then began her “MerMaiden” Transatlantic crossing to New York on August 21. 

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

As Brilliant Lady will take Virgin Voyages to brand new destinations around the world, more “MerMaiden voyages” will be hosted from her future homeports to celebrate.

Brilliant Lady in NYC
Brilliant Lady in NYC (Photo Credit: Virgin Voyages)

“Brilliant Lady is the embodiment of everything Virgin Voyages stands for,” said Nirmal Saverimuttu, Virgin Voyages’ Chief Executive Officer.

“Like her sister ships, she creates an atmosphere that is joyous, welcoming, and above all, transformative,” he added.

After embracing the Fall colors in New England and Canada, the new-build will head to Miami, from where she will operate an 8-night “MerMaiden” cruise to Philipsburg, Tortola, and Bimini Island on October 17, 2025.

She will enjoy the winter cruising the Caribbean, before becoming the first ship in the fleet to homeport in Los Angeles, California, starting in 2026. 

Her LA-based “MerMaiden” voyage will embark on April 7, 2026, and will be a 5-night cruise to Santa Barbara, San Diego, and Ensenada, Mexico. 

Later in the spring of 2026, Brilliant Lady will bring the Virgin Voyages experience to Alaska for the first time. 

As this is also something to be celebrated, a final “MerMaiden” voyage will be operated from Seattle, Washington, on May 21, 2026. 

The 7-night inaugural Alaska sailing will visit Ketchikan, Sitka, Tracy Arm Fjord, and Prince Rupert in British Columbia.

While the cruise line always aims to create an unforgettable experience onboard, these special “MerMaiden” sailings will take things to the next level with exclusive tastings, surprise performances, big giveaways, and limited-edition souvenirs. 

Royal Caribbean Cracks Down on Specialty Dining No-Shows With Extra Fee

Melissa Mayntz
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Royal Caribbean Cracks Down on Specialty Dining No-Shows With Extra Fee

Key Aspects:

  • Royal Caribbean has announced new fees for no-shows at specialty dining restaurants across the fleet.
  • The exact cost of the fees or the terms and conditions for no-shows have not yet been detailed.
  • The new policy is an effort to ensure more guests have the opportunity to enjoy these unique dining experiences.

Extra charges and fees can be very frustrating for cruise guests, especially since cruise vacations are often touted as all-inclusive or nearly so.

Royal Caribbean is now adding a new fee for specialty dining, however, that guests will actually like and appreciate. This will be a charge for guests who book a reservation at one of the exclusive restaurants, only to not show up for the meal.

“We will be implementing charges for no-shows at specialty dining reservations across the fleet,” the cruise line informed travel agents. “Our goal is to preserve these limited seats for clients eager to experience our exclusive, limited-capacity dining options.”

Experienced “Loyal to Royal” guests are well aware of how quickly reservations for specialty dining can fill up.

This is especially true for holiday sailings or formal nights on different sailings, when many guests enjoy a more elegant dining experience.

The cruise line hopes that the new no-show fee will ensure guests don’t take advantage of reservations only to not bother with actually attending at their reserved time.

“By encouraging guests to honor their reservations, we aim to enhance the overall experience,” the notice read.

As yet, there is no confirmation about how much the fee may be. It is possible such a fee will be on top of the existing specialty dining charge, making a no-show a very expensive non-meal indeed, with no refund plus a no-show fee.

Another option might be that the fee could be a significant percentage of the specialty dining cost. For example, a no-show fee could easily be calculated at 50% of the dining charge.

Before this change, Royal Caribbean’s FAQ notes that cancellations for specialty restaurants must be made at least four days before embarkation for a full refund, or once onboard the ship, again for a full refund.

Only if cancellations are less than 24 hours before the reservation is there any fee, which is a minimum $10 (USD).

Lincoln Park Supper Club on Star of the Seas
Lincoln Park Supper Club on Star of the Seas

There are two exceptions to the new fee, however. Guests who have an “existing Dining Package” are exempt from the fee, as are those booked in Star Class suites.

Worth Reading: Restaurant Shuts to Takes All Employees on Royal Caribbean Cruise

The language of this preliminary notification is unclear whether or not new dining package purchases will be exempt from the no-show fee. It is possible the exemption is temporary and only applies to booked guests who have already made their purchases.

As for guests booked in Star Class suites having the exemption to the fee as well, that could be an understandable perk for that type of elevated accommodation.

Are Dining No-Shows a Problem?

It may seem that no-shows aren’t that big of a deal. After all, with thousands of guests onboard, wouldn’t it be easy to fill in any vacant reservations?

Many guests, however, don’t want to wait until the literal last minute to know what type of dining experience they may have. Doing so might mean no specialty dining options at all if there are no cancellations or no-shows for their preferred restaurant on any given night.

When guests no-show for a reservation, the dining staff’s rhythm may be disrupted and it may not be possible to fill in those vacancies.

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Furthermore, some dining experiences include show-like presentations, such as the live music at the Lincoln Park Supper Club aboard Star of the Seas or the hibachi skills demonstrated at Izumi. These venues have very specific timing and it may be impossible to fill in seats if guests don’t arrive for their reservations.

Finally, it’s simply inconsiderate for a guest to book a reservation but simply not show up for it. While plans can change due, it’s only courteous to be sure and cancel a reservation appropriately rather than just brush it off.

Is Carnival’s Serenity Deck Too Loud for Relaxation?

Melissa Mayntz
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Is Carnival’s Serenity Deck Too Loud for Relaxation?

Key Aspects:

  • Some guests believe Carnival Cruise Line’s adults-only Serenity space might be too loud for its name.
  • One guest has suggested new signage designating Serenity as a “Quiet Zone” for guests to enjoy.
  • An unofficial poll from John Heald shows support for the idea, but there isn’t universal agreement.

Many cruise travelers look forward to some quiet, relaxing time onboard and enjoying peaceful, adults-only spaces. Carnival Cruise Line’s Serenity area, however, might not be appropriately named, as many guests are finding the space anything but serene.

Mirriam-Webster defines the word “serenity” as: “a state of utter calm and unruffled repose or quietude” with synonyms such as restfulness, quiet, and tranquility.

One guest reached out to Carnival’s brand ambassador, John Heald, suggesting signs onboard that would label Serenity as a “Quiet Zone” to preserve the tranquil ambience.

“My suggestion for Serenity is signage stating ‘Quiet Zone,'” the guest commented. “It should not be necessary but many times these adults are almost as loud as kids at the pool. Combination of talking above Jacuzzi noise and too much booze.”

While Heald didn’t comment on the guest’s suggestion directly, he did incorporate the idea into a daily poll for more feedback.

In just the first few hours, more than 4,900 votes were cast agreeing that the space should be more peaceful and signs could be helpful.

In contrast, roughly 4,000 voters believe the space is just fine as is with no signs needed, even if “people want to be a little bit exuberant.”

Clearly, the idea is not universal among Carnival guests. Should Serenity be serene due to the absence of children in the adults-only space, or due to lower noise levels?

Heald doesn’t directly indicate his own thoughts, but the poll wording does show how he feels. For the affirmative answer that agrees with Quiet Zone signage, Heald phrased the response:

“I agree, Serenity Deck should be quiet and not full of people laughing and making noise and fun.”

Of course, cruisers will laugh and have fun on their vacations. Being so loud as to disrupt others is not the only way to enjoy a cruise, however.

Serenity first debuted on the now-defunct Carnival Inspiration in 2007 and is a popular space now found on every Carnival ship.

Is Serenity Too Loud for Its Name?

It is true that large groups using Serenity could get louder than expected, especially if they might be playing card games or enjoying adult beverages in the adults-only space.

Carnival has attempted to cut down on some unnecessary noise with the ban on bluetooth speakers that was implemented in late 2024.

The speaker ban was not specifically targeted toward the Serenity area. Instead, the restriction was explained as a safety measure for public announcements to ensure individual speakers don’t cover up safety or emergency information.

Carnival Cruise Line Serenity Area
Carnival Cruise Line Serenity Area (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)

Still, boisterous guests can be loud without realizing it. This could disrupt the enjoyment other guests might have at Serenity if they had hoped to read a book (that would be me) or catch a sun-drenched nap.

Read Also: What to Expect When You Go on a Carnival Cruise

Many commenters agree with the Quiet Zone suggestion. Such signs might make expectations for the adults-only area more clear.

“The Serenity deck should be a quiet zone. There are tons of places for people to be loud and very few where you can find a quiet place,” one guest noted. “The name says it all, Serenity implies [a] quiet and calm place.”

“The word ‘serenity’ implies quiet. Period,” another agreed.

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Where else can Carnival guests go to enjoy a quiet, peaceful place onboard? For the few Carnival ships that still feature libraries, those venues can be very soothing and restful. The forward “secret garden” interior promenades on the Spirit-class vessels are another great choice (and one of my favorites!).

Of course, guests can always return to their staterooms or their own balconies for some exclusive quiet space as well.

Carnival Sunshine Delays Bermuda Arrival After Early Hour Evacuation

Lissa Poirot
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Carnival Sunshine Delays Bermuda Arrival After Early Hour Evacuation

Key Aspects:

  • A passenger aboard Carnival Sunshine was medically evacuated by a US Coast Guard helicopter around 4:30 a.m. on September 1, 2025.
  • The emergency operation forced the ship to adjust its itinerary, pushing back its scheduled arrival to Bermuda.
  • Passengers report the ship will arrive a day late, shortening its original 30-hour call.

Passengers aboard Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Sunshine faced an unexpected delay after a fellow guest required urgent medical evacuation by the US Coast Guard.

The 102,853-gross-ton ship, which had departed on a 6-night roundtrip voyage to Bermuda from Norfolk, Virginia, on August 31, 2025, was originally slated to arrive at the island’s King’s Wharf on September 2, 2025.

It will now dock on September 3, according to multiple passenger reports.

Shared one guest, “Due to a passenger needing emergency medical treatment – they were evacuated via USCG helo while ship was underway leaving Norfolk – cruise will now dock on Wednesday, 2 September.”

The medevac took place off the coast of Virginia in the early morning hours of September 1, with guests sharing videos of the dramatic rescue conducted by a US Coast Guard helicopter on social media.

Cruise tracking data show Carnival Sunshine sailing southwest off the coast of North Carolina’s Outer Banks when it began to circle back as rescue teams from an unknown location were deployed.

Accounts say the rescue at sea took less than an hour but forced such a delay that the vessel is not scheduled to arrive in Bermuda until September 3, potentially shortening the cruise’s 30-hour call on the island.

But Cruise Hive’s cruise tracker shows the ship may be making an effort to get to Bermuda as quickly as it can. At press time, the ship is 157 miles from the island and could reach the island later today, September 2.

This would provide up to 3,002 passengers on board enjoy more time an overnight call before returning to Norfolk on September 6, 2025.

It is scheduled to depart from King’s Wharf at 4 p.m. local time on September 3.

Not the First Medevac for Sunshine

This is not the first medical emergency experienced on Carnival Sunshine, which first began to sail in 1996 as Carnival Destiny.

In July 2025, a 37-year-old man needed to be airlifted from the cruise after experiencing stroke-like symptoms while off the coast of Norfolk just hours after the ship began a similar 6-night journey to Bermuda.

Just over a year prior, a 35-year-old crew member aboard the vessel in April 2024 was medically evacuated by the US Coast Guard while the ship was sailing approximately 160 miles east of Jacksonville, Florida.

Carnival Sunshine
Carnival Sunshine (Photo Credit: Amonarch / Shutterstock)

That rescue, requiring a Sikorsky MH-60 Seahawk helicopter from Air Station Clearwater, transferred the crew member to an emergency center in Melbourne, Florida, before the ship was able to continue to Port Canaveral.

Read Also: Norfolk Cruise Port: Getting There, Parking, Terminals, and More

Not only has Carnival Sunshine had its share of emergencies, but the vessel was also the scene of a crime when in February 2023, a woman onboard was found unresponsive during a cruise to the Bahamas.

Her suspicious death led to a federal investigation by the FBI.

Carnival Cruise Line has not released information on the passenger rescued on September 1 out of respect for privacy.

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It has also not announced any compensation provided to passengers for the affected port delay.

The subsequent voyage, an 8-night Eastern Caribbean sailing to the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, and Dominican Republic, is scheduled to depart on September 6, 2025.

Port Worker Dies After Loading Cruise Ship Luggage in Greece

Donna Tunney
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Port Worker Dies After Loading Cruise Ship Luggage in Greece

Key Aspects:

  • A 62-year-old dock worker collapsed while loading and unloading luggage at the Port of Piraeus and later died.
  • Two cruise ships were embarking and debarking guests when the tragedy happened on September 1, 2025.
  • The worker, who received CPR and was taken to a nearby hospital, was not an employee of the port but rather of a private company.

A sad incident unfolded at the Port of Piraeus, the cruise port for Athens, on September 1, 2025, when a dock worker passed out while loading and unloading luggage. He later died.

The 62-year-old man, Pantelis Georgiou, received CPR and first aid by local ambulance personnel and was transferred to a nearby hospital, but was unable to be resuscitated.

Dock workers like Georgiou handle thousands of pounds of luggage at ports across the globe every day.

Most cruise passengers are oblivious to such port operations, simply taking for granted that their luggage will be properly handled by dock staff and local porters on embarkation day and again at the conclusion of their vacation.

However, the work can be hard, and in Athens in late summer, temperatures typically hover in the 90 to 95 degree Fahrenheit range. The worker was employed by a private company, and it is not clear which cruise ship’s luggage he was loading or unloading.

Worth Reading: Cruise Passenger Declared Dead While Visiting Greek Port

Just three ships were in the Port of Piraeus on September 1, 2025.

Celestyal Cruises’ Celestyal Discovery was embarking guests for a 4-night Iconic Greek Islands voyage while Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas was welcoming guests on a 7-night Greek Isles cruise from Athens to Rome.

Both ships were likely debarking guests as well.

The third ship, Viking Ocean Cruises’ Viking Vesta, was making a port call during her 28-night Mediterranean’s Iconic Shores cruise from Barcelona to Istanbul. No guests would have been embarking or debarking that ship.

Local union authorities in Piraeus were quick to react to the man’s death with calls for an investigation.

“We express our deep sadness and grief over the death of our colleague Pantelis Georgiou and we ask the competent services to investigate the exact causes of our colleague’s death, so that any responsibilities can be properly attributed,” a statement from the Union of Permanent and Probationary Port Workers (PLO) said.

The PLO criticized what it called poor working conditions in the port sector, specifically citing a proposed labor bill that it called an attack on labor rights, local media reports stated.

“We cannot remain silent about the intensification of work, the widespread entry of third-party contracting companies, providing, often unskilled, personnel to organized workplaces such as the port of Piraeus, thereby spreading employer responsibilities,” the union statement added.

While dock workers are mostly invisible to cruise passengers hurrying to board their ships or pick up luggage at the end of a voyage, they are responsible for many arduous tasks across cruise terminal operations.

Port Worker Injuries Are Uncommon Occurrences

Accidents involving people who work at cruise docks are not common, but they do happen. On December 30, 2024, a worker operating a cruise shuttle bus at the Port of Galveston was injured when another shuttle slammed into the first vehicle as the driver was unloading luggage.

Read Also: When Is the Best Time to Go on a Cruise for Each Region?

The injured man was taken to a nearby hospital’s emergency room and treated.

Athens Cruise Port
Athens Cruise Port (Photo Credit: Aerial-motion)

The Port of Piraeus is a major cruise port for the Eastern Mediterranean region, welcoming an estimated 1.7 million cruise arrivals in 2024. It is a popular embarkation port as well as a port call on world cruises and regional voyages sailing to destinations in Italy, Greece, Turkey, and Croatia.

The Greek islands are a huge draw for cruise ships, especially the islands of Santorini and Mykonos, which have smashed cruise arrival records in recent years.

The growing influx of cruise ships and passengers prompted Greece to implement a set of cruise guest taxes starting in 2025.

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The per-person tax to call at the two islands is 20 euros ($21 USD) and 5 euros ($5.27 USD) at other destinations in Greece, such as Rhodes, Corfu, and Crete. 

The money raised by the cruise taxes will be used to address the country’s climate change and over-tourism issues.

Clipped Carnival Playing Cards – Is This Really a Cutback?

Melissa Mayntz
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Clipped Carnival Playing Cards – Is This Really a Cutback?

Key Aspects:

  • A recent Carnival guest is upset that the free playing cards they requested had clipped corners instead of being a brand new deck.
  • Altering cards is not a cutback as the guest claims, but is a common practice to discourage cheating when casinos discard used decks.
  • Carnival guests can ask for a free pack of used cards from the ship’s casino, but supplies are limited and the giveaway is not guaranteed.

It can be fun to get freebies on a cruise, whether it’s a small souvenir or something more coveted, like Carnival Cruise Line’s famous ship-on-a-stick. But have there been cutbacks on these giveaways?

One recent Carnival guest reached out to John Heald, the cruise line’s brand ambassador, about playing cards that might not be so fun to play with.

“Can I mention the cutback of not giving everyone free playing cards as Carnival used to!” the guest began.

“We were on the Greenland cruise on Pride. We asked at the front desk. They told us to go to the casino. We got a pack from the casino but they cut the corners cut off. We were forced to have to play with these. Carnival needs to do better.”

The guest does not specify which Greenland cruise they were aboard on Carnival Pride, but the ship does make these seasonal sailings from her Baltimore homeport. The most recent Greenland departure was August 17, 2025.

But as for the matter of the playing cards, Heald does confirm that Carnival used to provide cards when asked.

“Many years ago we did have playing cards available from the Guest Services or as they were known back then, The Pursers Office,” he said.

Because ship operations have changed, if guests would like to request free playing cards, they must do so from the onboard casino, not the Guest Services desk.

“Now if they can our friendly casino hosts will provide you with cards,” he noted.

Read Also: 10 Items Just for Those Who Love Carnival Cruise Line

To be clear, Carnival Cruise Line has never “[given] everyone free playing cards” as the guest claims. The cards were not left in staterooms or just available for the taking, but could be requested.

At times, even now, packs of cards might also be given out as prizes for trivia contests or other games. Medallions, pens, or even free drinks might be other prizes, depending on the Fun Squad’s discretion.

Why Are Free Cards Clipped?

As for the corners of free cards being cut off, this is a common precaution taken for used casino cards. By trimming the cards in some way, it is easy to identify which cards are not unofficial casino cards.

In this way, used cards cannot be illegally slipped into active decks.

This tactic is not only used on cruise ships, but is common for land-based casinos as well. Sometimes, casino-used decks are sold as souvenirs or may be given away, just as they could be on Carnival ships.

Carnival Radiance Casino
Carnival Radiance Casino

Casinos replace their decks of cards regularly to ensure smooth and fast dealing. Older cards can become bent, torn, or sticky from frequent handling, and therefore must be replaced.

Different casinos might clip the used cards’ corners, punch a hole in the corner or center of the card, or cut a notch on cards that will no longer be legally used for official gambling.

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That the Carnival guest claimed they were “forced” to play with the clipped cards is an eye-rolling accusation.

New decks of cards are sometimes for sale for just a few dollars in the Fun Shops, though they may have different designs so they are easily distinguishable from casino decks. Guests could also bring their own cards from home, no clipping necessary.

Carnival Issues Third Warning Against Popular Gameplay

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Issues Third Warning Against Popular Gameplay

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Cruise Line does not permit any unauthorized gambling onboard, even small amounts for popular card or dice games.
  • The game Left Center Right is one that often uses such small bets. Guests may play the game during their cruise but not for money.
  • One guest was upset on their recent Carnival cruise when they felt a crew member was rude by reminding them of the rules.

Cruise guests often bring their own games or puzzles to fill any downtime or just to make new friends on a voyage. Not all types of gameplay are permitted, however.

Carnival Cruise Line has issued yet another reminder to guests that any unauthorized gambling is not permitted. This includes even seemingly small bets on popular games such as Left Center Right.

Some guests recently received an onboard reminder of the restriction, and were not happy about it. One guest was so upset at the interaction that they reached out to the cruise line’s brand ambassador, John Heald.

“Yesterday my cruise pals and me were playing cards and Left Center Right. We were told by a very rude Carnival worker that we had to stop,” the guest explained. “He was very rude!!!!”

The guest does not quote the crew member or explain how they may have seemed rude. To some people, being told they can’t do something could be considered “rude” no matter what tone of voice or exact words may be used.

“Sometimes when people tell us not to do something we think they are being rude when perhaps, most of the time they are not,” Heald noted. “While I again may be wrong I am sure this crew member who saw you playing cards for money and asked you to stop did so politely.”

Left Center Right (LCR) is a fast-paced dice game whereby players pass chips back and forth according to each roll. To liven up the game, some players place bets on each round or use coins instead of chips, with the winning player taking home the center pot.

The Carnival guest goes on to clarify how much money was in play during the game, and why they think this should still be acceptable.

“Each game was only $20 max on the table. $4 each. Not going to break Carnival’s bank or anyone else’s,” the guest said. “Some of Carnival’s rules are getting out of hand.”

Carnival’s rules are not based on a total amount of money. It is a clear restriction that no unauthorized gambling, whether for $.01 or $100, is permitted.

“To clarify, we do not allow gambling outside of the casino in anyway, shape or form,” Heald said firmly. “There are very [strict] rules about this and while you may not agree with them they are the rules that we have in place.”

Why Can’t Guests Play for Money?

While LCR and other private card games are not banned, guests may not play for money. Carnival Cruise Line must follow gambling restrictions according to their own licensing as well as gambling restrictions for every port of call they visit.

Read Also: Everything to Know about Carnival’s Adults-Only SEA Casino Cruises

Playing for other, non-monetary prizes is permitted, however, and would cause no problems.

Carnival Mardi Gras Casino
Carnival Mardi Gras Casino (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)

Heald suggests souvenir door magnets as prizes, but other fun choices might be cruising ducks, trinkets from one’s home state, or even VIFP loyalty pins.

Carnival Cruise Line has addressed the no-gambling-outside-the-casino restriction several times in the past. In April 2024, Heald also specifically noted that playing LCR for money was not permitted.

Again in January 2025, the same issue was brought up and Heald himself suggested candy as a betting alternative.

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“You can play for fun or mini Twix bars but not money,” he said. “Thank you for your understanding.”

Other guests suggested using items such as chocolates (deal me in!), buttons, candy, or other small items to play with no money necessary.

Norwegian Encore Replaces Port With Private Island Visit

Catie Kovelman
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Norwegian Encore Replaces Port With Private Island Visit

Key Aspects: 

  • Norwegian Encore’s upcoming 7-night Caribbean voyage, which embarks in Miami on November 8, 2025, has had its final port call of the sailing replaced.
  • Instead of calling on Cozumel, Mexico, on November 13, the NCL ship will visit Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas on November 14. 
  • The itinerary change was made due to updated port availability at the Cozumel Cruise Port. 

Norwegian Cruise Line has issued an important update for some future guests of Norwegian Encore. 

The Breakaway Plus-class ship will be operating a 7-night sailing to the Caribbean based out of Miami, Florida, on November 8, 2025, but the back end of the voyage will look a little different than expected. 

“We want to let you know that, due to updated port availability, we will no longer be visiting Cozumel, Mexico,” reads a letter from the cruise line. 

“The good news? We’ve added a call to Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas, our private island exclusively for Norwegian Cruise Line guests.”

Initially, Cozumel, Mexico, was supposed to be the final stop of the cruise on Thursday, November 13, 2025. 

However, this date will now be spent as a sea day. Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas, which is Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island, will now be the final port call on Friday, November 14, 2025. 

“When we make an itinerary change, it’s never just a line on a map, it’s something we think about carefully, always with your experience at the heart of it,” NCL continued. 

While no additional compensation is being provided for the port swap, any shore excursions that were booked for Cozumel directly through Norwegian Cruise Line will be automatically refunded to the original form of payment. 

New activities and tours specific to Great Stirrup Cay will become available for booking in approximately three weeks.

The remainder of the 7-night itinerary remains unchanged. Before arriving in Great Stirrup Cay, the 3,958-guest ship will first call on Harvest Caye, NCL’s private island in Belize; Roatan, Honduras; and Costa Maya, Mexico. 

Port Availability is Behind the Change 

Although it’s not always clear why the cruise lines alter itineraries, Norwegian Cruise Line has made it known that limited port availability in Cozumel is the culprit in this specific case.

“Every now and then, unexpected changes pop up, like port availability, that can shake up even the best-laid plans,” Norwegian Cruise Line explained.

“While we work closely with port authorities to lock in every detail well in advance, circumstances can still shift, and sometimes we’re informed that space is no longer available. These changes are often beyond our control…”

Norwegian Encore Cruise Ship
Norwegian Encore Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Khairil Azhar Junos)

Updated port availability may refer to congestion within the cruise port, or it could be related to portions of the infrastructure temporarily becoming unavailable due to factors like the need for maintenance or repairs.

It will be a busy day for cruising in Cozumel on November 13, when Norwegian Encore was supposed to be present.

Three Royal Caribbean ships (Mariner of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, and Grandeur of the Seas), two Carnival ships (Carnival Jubilee and Carnival Dream), and one Holland America Line ship (Zuiderdam) are all on the port schedule for the same date.

Cozumel can dock up to eight ships at once at its three separate cruise terminals (and more if tender operations are employed), so capacity would not have been met even if Norwegian Encore didn’t alter course.

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However, busy days like this can make the destination feel very overcrowded, especially in Cozumel’s downtown area.

Guests will likely have a more relaxing experience at Great Stirrup Cay, where the 169,116-gross ton vessel will be the only one to dock that day.

Largest-Ever Disney Cruise Ship Sets Course for Sea Trials

Melissa Mayntz
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Largest-Ever Disney Cruise Ship Sets Course for Sea Trials

Key Aspects:

  • Disney Adventure departed the Meyer Werft shipyard on Monday, September 1, 2025 to head for her sea trials.
  • The ship is the largest ever built in Wismar, Germany. Her deep draft presented technical challenges for safely leaving the harbor.
  • Originally Global Dream, Disney Cruise Line bought the ship in late 2022 and she will finally be welcoming her first guests in December 2025.

More than seven years after construction of the vessel began, Disney Cruise Line’s upcoming Disney Adventure has finally left the shipyard.

The ship is now enroute to begin her sea trials, one of the last steps before she will be handed over to the cruise line ahead of her public debut.

The Global-class ship, which will be the largest ever built for Disney Cruise Line at 208,00 gross tons, left the Meyer Werft shipyard in Wismar, Germany on Monday evening, September 1, 2025.

According to North German Broadcasting, the maneuver began at 6:30 p.m. with three blasts on the ship’s horn to alert those nearby that the ship was underway.

The ship was originally scheduled to depart on Saturday, but brief delays to Sunday and then to Monday were necessary due to poor weather and local water levels.

Tugboats assisted Disney Adventure as she moved away from the docks and into the harbor. To be clear, the vessel is not yet finished, as is customary when setting forth on sea trials.

Even incomplete, however, Disney Adventure is the largest ship to have ever been built in Wismar. Her sheer size, 1,122 feet long and 152 feet wide, makes even simple repositioning or turning in the harbor a technical challenge.

The ship’s deep draft, just over 31 feet, also created some complications. The ship’s finished draft is roughly three feet deeper than the maximum draft typically permitted by the harbor.

Fortunately, because the ship is unfinished with some items – including her funnels – not yet installed, she was not as deep are her maximum draft and was able to sail safely out of the harbor.

Additional finishing work on the outer decks as well as the vessel’s interior will be necessary in the coming weeks ahead of Disney Adventure‘s December debut.

First, the sea trials will put the ship through her paces. These intensive tests deliberately stress various mechanical and technical systems, including navigation, propulsion, and emergency responses, to ensure the ship responds appropriately.

Depending on the ship’s performance, a second set of sea trials may be necessary. Otherwise, final finishing work will begin and within a few weeks, Disney Adventure will be handed over to Disney Cruise Line.

The new ship’s 3-night maiden voyage is scheduled to depart on December 15, 2025. She will remain homeported from Singapore year-round, offering immersive 3-, 4-, and 5-night sailings to as many as 6,000 guests onboard.

A Very Long Construction Timeline

It is unusual for a modern cruise ship to take so very long from her steel cutting to sea trials. What some Disney Cruise Line fans may not realize, however, is that Disney Adventure was not originally Disney Adventure.

The ship was first ordered and meant to be the Global Dream for Dream Cruises, a company of Genting Hong Kong.

Construction began in March 2018 with the ceremonial steel cutting, with expected delivery of the ship in 2021. Three years is not unusual for cruise ship construction.

For example, Star of the Seas‘ steel cutting was held in February 2023. The second Icon-class ship sailed through her sea trials in May 2025, and just welcomed her first guests in mid-August, 30 months after her construction began.

Disney Adventure Cruise Ship Floats Out
Disney Adventure Cruise Ship Floats Out

Disney Adventure is now 90 months past her steel cutting, and still has three months before she will welcome guests.

After construction began on Global Dream, however, the COVID-19 pandemic radically disrupted shipyard operations and construction was temporarily halted in 2020. Many cruise ships were delayed at this time, including Carnival Cruise Line’s Mardi Gras.

Genting Hong Kong filed for bankruptcy in January 2022. The company’s assets, including the unfinished Global Dream, were put up for sale.

Disney Cruise Line purchased the ship in November 2022. Though the ship was roughly 75% complete at that time, the design needed to be tweaked and adjusted to fit Disney’s signature style.

This includes such iconic details as her stern sculpture characters, revealed to be Captain Minnie and Captain Mickey, which will bring the fun of Disney cruises to Asia for the first time.

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The hull was completed and floated out at the shipyard in April 2025, a critical step in bringing a new vessel into service.

Fortunately, it appears that Disney Adventure is now well on her way to smooth sailing as her construction is completed and the one-of-a-kind ship should debut on schedule.

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