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Celebrity Priority Booking Access for New River Cruises to Open

Celebrity Cruises News

Donna Tunney

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Aug 19, 2025

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Celebrity Priority Booking Access for New River Cruises to Open

Key Aspects:

Celebrity River Cruises’ guests can receive Priority Booking Access by placing a deposit on a future river cruise starting on September 3, 3025.
The $500 deposits, which are refundable, will be converted into actual bookings once reservations are opened for sale.
River cruise bookings are expected to open in 2026, with the first itineraries operating on the Danube and Rhine rivers in 2027.

The excitement that comes with the launch of a new cruise line is building for Celebrity River Cruises, a division of Celebrity Cruises set to begin operations in 2027.

While itineraries have not been disclosed and bookings have yet to open, the river cruise brand is inviting prospective guests to plop down a deposit and in return, receive Priority Booking Access.

Worth Reading: With Ships Poised For Sale, Celebrity Cruises Details Rebooking Options

A $500 refundable deposit can be made starting at 9 a.m. on September 3, 2025, providing early access for the voyages. Those who reserve their priority access will be able to view and book cruises before sales open to the general public.

Also, they will get first glimpses into the ships’ staterooms and see details of itineraries that will feature the Danube and Rhine rivers.

“We are excited to offer guests the chance to experience the first-ever Celebrity River Cruises vacations in 2027 with Priority Booking Access,” said Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises.

“Guests will enjoy the warm hospitality Celebrity is known for, on innovative ships, with land experiences unlike any other, as we set sail on Europe’s iconic Danube and Rhine rivers,” added Hodges Bethge.

The cruise line’s August 19, 2025 announcement of the priority booking offer noted that bookings are expected to open in 2026.

Like many other river cruise operators, Celebrity’s cruise fares will include all meals and drinks, WiFi access, and a shore excursion in each port call. Pre- and post-cruise land stays will be offered in Prague and Budapest once cruise bookings open for sale.

Celebrity River Cruises promises guests will enjoy cuisine inspired by the destinations visited and choose from multiple shore excursions.

Future guests who take advantage of the priority offer will be notified by the cruise line when they can convert their deposit into a booking. And the cruise line is making the offer risk-free, since the $500 deposit is fully refundable.

Celebrity Cruises Ship (Photo Credit: EWY Media)

Celebrity Cruises announced it would enter the river cruise space in January 2025 when it revealed it was ordering 10 river ships that will sail in Europe.

The ships will be designed with a nod to Celebrity Cruises’ Edge-class ocean ships, which are known for maximizing ocean views with concepts such as floor-to-ceiling veranda windows, and popular, open-air venues, including the Rooftop Garden.

Guest Feedback Prompted Expansion Into River Cruising

Celebrity Cruises is a premium line owned by Royal Caribbean Group, which also operates Royal Caribbean and the ultra-luxury line Silversea Cruises. Company executives have attributed the decision to expand into river cruising to guest feedback.

They indicated that roughly half of the celebrity guests have taken or plan to take a river cruise. The upmarket river cruise niche attracts cruisers who prefer smaller ships, as river vessels typically top out at about 220 passengers, and those who wish to avoid rough sea conditions.

With its expansion into river cruising, Celebrity Cruises became the first of the major cruise lines to embrace the cruise segment, which is already well established across Europe. Once operating on Europe’s rivers, the new line will face competition from several popular river cruise lines.

While priority booking access will provide guests with itinerary options before the general public, it does not guarantee any specific cabin category, river ship, or departure date until the deposit is converted into an actual booking.

Cruise Line Unveils Unlimited Lifetime Cruises With Age-Based Fares

Cruise News

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Aug 19, 2025

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Cruise Line Unveils Unlimited Lifetime Cruises With Age-Based Fares

Key Aspects:

Older guests pay less to buy a stateroom on the Villa Vie Odyssey residential cruise ship.
The lowest of the new Golden Passport rates are for guests aged 90 and older.
The ship operates continuous around-the-world voyages.

Villa Vie Residences, the residential cruise brand that operates one ship on continual world voyages, unveiled yet another level of cruise fare, this one based on the ages of guests.

The older you are, the lower your lifetime around-the-world cruise fare will be under a new program called Golden Passport, which became available on August 19, 2025.

Villa Vie Residences’ Villa Vie Odyssey, now sailing her first world voyage, is scheduled to sail back-to-back cruises every 3.5 years. The brand was created in 2023 and has continually expanded its roster of available cabin purchase and rental options.

The latest, Golden Passport, offers eight tiers of age-based pricing, with the lowest cost of $99,999 per person offered to guests who are age 90 or older and who book the lowest stateroom category — a Deck 2 porthole cabin.

For the same accommodation, the youngest age group offering for those between 55 and 59 will pay $299,999. Golden Passport covers all meals, beer and wine with meals, housekeeping, medical check-ups, internet access, laundry, and entertainment.

“As people retire, one of their biggest fears is outliving their money. With the Golden Passport, that uncertainty disappears—one payment secures a lifetime of adventure,” said Mike Petterson, founder of Villa Vie Residences.

“Our age-tiered pricing ensures that Endless Horizons is no longer just a dream for the few, but an attainable reality for many,” added Petterson.

Worth Checking: Prices and Itinerary Options on World Cruises

The pricing of the sample Deck 2 porthole cabin decreases with age. For instance, those aged 65 to 69 pay $249,999 per person, guests 75 to 79 pay $189,999, and those 85 to 89 pay $129,999.

Costs rise as the accommodation category changes. A Deck 6 ocean view cabin starts at $199,999 per person for guests aged 90 and older, rising to $319,999 for those 70 to 74 years old, and to $399,999 for the youngest 55- to 59-year-old level.

Each world voyage is slated to visit more than 140 countries on all seven continents. Port calls number roughly 400, and itineraries promise visits to 12 of the 14 Wonders of the World.

Are There Plans For a Second Ship in the Fleet?

In addition to the amenities and services included in Villa Vie Odyssey’s fares, the company announcement noted that the new Golden Passport fares are “transferable access across the Villa Vie Residences fleet.”

However, the cruise line operates just one ship, so this reference could indicate that it plans to acquire another vessel at some point.

Villa Vie Odyssey is an old ship by industry standards. Launched 32 years ago, she most recently operated as the Braemar for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. Before that, she sailed under various names for multiple cruise lines, including Commodore Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Cunard.

The 24,344-gross-ton ship accommodates 929 passengers. Its maiden world cruise as Villa Vie Odyssey got under way in October 2024 following a months-long delay due to various mechanical issues.

The exact number of guests currently aboard the ship is unconfirmed, but is thought to be under 200. Since its launch, the company has continuously introduced new offers for cabin sales and rentals, and short-term try-out cruises for skeptical buyers.

Under a seasonal ownership plan, for instance, guests pay $24,999 per person to receive 120 credits, which can be redeemed when they wish to board the ship. The Endless Horizons plan was the first geared specifically to retirees.

Another recently added option, Tour La Vie, invites passengers to buy memberships of one to four years, with rates starting at $49,999 per person. The program includes ocean-view villa accommodations.

No Carnival Refunds for Hurricane Cancellations – Except One Way

Carnival Cruise News

Melissa Mayntz

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Aug 19, 2025

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No Carnival Refunds for Hurricane Cancellations – Except One Way

Key Aspects:

Carnival Cruise Line will not provide refunds to guests who choose not to sail if a hurricane disrupts their cruise.
Refunds will only be provided if the cruise line cancels a sailing, not if itineraries are changed.
Rude behavior is not tolerated from any guest, and in fact is a violation of Carnival’s Guest Ticket Contract.

With at least nine cruise ships sailing across six different cruise lines making itinerary changes due to Hurricane Erin, what if guests no longer feel confident to go on their cruises?

While such feelings can be understandable, Carnival Cruise Line will not be providing refunds upon request if guests choose not to set sail.

The issue comes from a rather colorfully-phrased and less-than-polite inquiry to John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador.

“Trying to get an answer from you or the —-s at your call center is like finding a needle in a haystack,” the obviously upset guest claimed. “Does Carnival give full refunds if we decide we ain’t cruising while there is a hurricane out there. Hello, McFly? Hello? Anybody home?”

It always fascinates me that people expect polite and professional answers when they don’t exhibit those qualities themselves. Still, Heald responds with far more courtesy than such a guest deserves.

“Thank you and the answer is that we will not give a full refund unless your cruise is canceled. However, this is a great question,” he notes.

“The simple advice here is that we will always keep you safe, always. Trust the Captain, trust the crew, and have all the fun you deserve.”

Carnival Cruise Line does reserve the right to change ports of call, itinerary routes, and otherwise adjust any sailing at any time, as outlined in the Cruise Ticket Contract, section 8(d).

There is a long list of possible reasons for such changes, including “adverse weather, hurricanes, [and] tornadoes.” All of these may be possible with Hurricane Erin.

This type of clause is standard in the cruise industry and is not just exclusive to Carnival Cruise Line.

Heald does note that if Carnival cancels a voyage, guests will receive a full refund. This does not apply, however, if guests voluntarily choose not to set sail.

Worth Reading: Carnival Provides Updates on Ships Impacted by Hurricane Rafael

This can be difficult for guests who may live in storm-impacted areas. It can certainly put a damper on even the best cruise if you are worried about damage to your home or the safety of your family and friends while you’re at sea.

Still, this is not the cruise line’s responsibility. Just like missing the ship due to traffic on the drive to the homeport, no refunds will be available for such cancellations or no-shows.

Poor Treatment of Crew Members Is Never Acceptable

The guest goes on with a Back to the Future reference to the character Marty McFly, which doesn’t make sense for Carnival Cruise Line. On Royal Caribbean’s new Star of the Seas, however, “Back to the Future: The Musical” is a headlining show.

At any rate, Heald also addresses the guest’s reference to the cruise line’s call center employees as “—-s” (fill in the four-letter word of your choice).

Carnival Crew-Only Area (Photo Credit: Ihor Koptilin)

“My colleagues though at the Mother Ship do a fabulous job and will always do their best for you so calling them —-s was uncalled for sir,” he said.

Heald will not tolerate abuse of any crew members, whether onboard a Carnival ship or over the phone. Instead, he asks that if someone feels it necessary to curse or call names, they do that to him instead.

In fact, such abuse is also prohibited by the Guest Ticket Contract, as outlined in Section 9(h), which prohibits “obscene, offensive, or outrageous behavior.”

Should guests violate that policy, they may be debarked at the next port of call, again without any refund.

New Virgin Voyages App Now Available for All Smartphone Users

Virgin Voyages News

Catie Kovelman

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Aug 19, 2025

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New Virgin Voyages App Now Available for All Smartphone Users

Key Aspects:

The new and improved Virgin Voyages App, which has been rolling out in waves, is now available for both iPhones and Androids.
The redesigned app is meant to fix concerns related to performance and usability that plagued the original Sailor App.
Even though it can be used now, the new Virgin Voyages App is still being tested and some key features haven’t been added just yet.

Virgin Voyages has quickly become a fan favorite in the cruise world because it listens to guest feedback and tries to weed out potential annoyances, even when it comes to how we use our personal smartphones.

With that customer feedback in mind, the adults-only cruise line has completely replaced its Virgin Voyages Sailor App. The new and improved app is now officially available for both Apple iPhones and Android devices.

Over the past four years or so, the old app received complaints related to login issues, poor user experience, unreliability, and buggy navigation.

The new app, which is simply titled Virgin Voyages, has been thoughtfully designed to fix all the issues of the original Sailor App.

To ensure its functionality, the app underwent extensive beta testing to work out the kinks with select iPhone users beginning in February of 2025.

Worth Reading: Canadian Firm to Handle Payments on Virgin Voyages’ Sailor App

The cruise line chose to perfect the app with the IOS system (used by iPhones) first – no offense to the Android users out there.

In June of 2025, after about three months of testing and tweaking, the app was made widely available to all iPhone users.

But as of August 18, 2025, android users have begun to notice that the rebuilt app has now become available for download in their Google Play accounts as well.

“Our shiny new Virgin Voyages app has arrived – your passport to an unforgettable voyage,” reads the app description on androids.

Future cruisers can now download the new app from the App Store or the Google Play store.

For clarity, this is not an update to the Sailor App, but rather an entirely new app that needs to be downloaded separately.

A Better Experience With More to Come

While the Virgin Voyages app will be somewhat similar to its predecessor, cruisers will notice improved features like a redesigned homescreen that features a cruise countdown and updated event schedules that are easier to navigate.

The changes that were made were designed to streamline the pre-voyage process, making online check-in, required health declarations, and pre-reserving dining and shore excursions simpler.

The new app was also rebuilt using smartphone native technologies (Swift and Swift UI for iOS and Kotlin for Android devices), which will improve reliability and connectivity for guests onboard.

Virgin Voyages Cruise (Photo Credit: Toni-Ann McKenzie)

That said, some key features won’t be added until future updates roll out, and it’s unknown exactly when that will happen.

“We’re still hoisting the sails on our latest Virgin Voyages app – this version is a sneak peak of what’s to come. Stay tuned for the full launch very soon,” reads the description in my personal iPhone’s App store.

One of those features that is noticeably absent is the Ship Eats feature, which can be used to order snacks and drinks to cruise cabins or other specific locations onboard.

Additionally, the Shake for Champagne ability has not yet made an appearance on the new platform.

This interactive feature, which is unique to Virgin Voyages, works by revealing a secret button in the app when cruisers shake their phone. When this button is hit, a bottle of champagne is brought to the guest’s location.

For now, guests can use the new app in tandem with the original Sailor app to have access to everything. The original will not be phased out until its replacement is fully up and running with all the bells and whistles.

Liberty of the Seas Shifts to Canada Instead of Bermuda to Avoid Erin

Royal Caribbean News

Melissa Mayntz

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Aug 19, 2025

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Liberty of the Seas Shifts to Canada Instead of Bermuda to Avoid Erin

Key Aspects:

Liberty of the Seas cancelled her August 18-19 visit to Bermuda to avoid Hurricane Erin and is overnighting in Halifax instead.
Guests have received $150-400 of onboard credit as compensation for the change, depending on stateroom type.
While Hurricane Erin is not expected to make landfall, her broad wind field and track between the US and Bermuda makes sailing conditions hazardous.

Bermuda is very much on the radar this week, the hurricane radar, that is. While the island is not forecast to get a direct landfall hit from Hurricane Erin, multiple cruise ships have opted to forgo their visits to the British territory to steer clear of rough waters.

This includes Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas, which was to have enjoyed an overnight visit to Bermuda from Monday, August 18 into Tuesday, August 19.

Before guests boarded the ship in Cape Liberty, New Jersey on Saturday, August 16, however, they received word that their itinerary had been changed even while Erin was still a tropical storm.

“Along with our Chief Meteorologist, Craig Setzer, our Captain has been monitoring Tropical Storm Erin which is expected to become a major hurricane in the coming days,” the notification began.

Indeed, Erin strengthened from a Category 1 to a Category 5 hurricane in less than 24 hours, an explosive intensification on the morning Liberty of the Seas set sail.

At that time, the storm was still far from Bermuda, but her track was certainly going to bring her right into the cruise ship’s route, necessitating a drastic itinerary change.

Worth Reading: Canadian Port Replaced for Multiple Liberty of the Seas Sailings

“While we will miss our overnight visit to Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda, we will now have an overnight stay in Halifax, Nova Scotia, instead,” the cruise line confirmed.

Liberty of the Seas will now visit Halifax from 8 a.m. on Monday, August 18 through 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 19. A day at sea will follow as the ship heads back to Cape Liberty for debarkation on Thursday, August 21 as planned.

Royal Caribbean did urge guests to pack some “light sweaters” for cooler temperatures in Canada. Average August temperatures in Bermuda are in the mid-80s, while in Halifax temperatures are in the mid-70s.

The cruise line is also compensating guests (quite generously!) with onboard credit for the dramatic itinerary change.

Guests booked in inside staterooms have received $150 (USD), while oceanview staterooms have received $200. Guests in balcony staterooms have received $250, and suites are being compensated with $400 of onboard credit.

If there are third and fourth guests in the stateroom, there will be an additional $50 per guest credited to the stateroom SeaPass account.

Any pre-paid Royal Caribbean shore tours booked for Bermuda have been automatically cancelled and refunded back to guests’ onboard accounts as well.

Why So Much Fuss for a Storm Not Hitting Land?

While Hurricane Erin is an extremely strong and dangerous storm with maximum sustained winds of 130 miles per hour, she is not expected to make landfall.

Of course, cruise ships can and do move out of the way of storms at sea. It is the overall wind field size, however, that is making this hurricane especially worrisome.

Hurricane Erin’s hurricane-strength winds extend 80 miles from the center of the storm for a total of 160 miles wide of winds at hurricane speeds. This is wider than most of the Florida peninsula!

Furthermore, the storm’s tropical wind speeds (from 39-73 mph) extend 230 miles from the center, or 430 miles overall. If the eye of the storm was centered on Port Canaveral, hurricane winds would be felt from Key Largo to the central Georgia coast!

For comparison, Bermuda is just 650 miles from the closest point of the US coast, the outer banks of North Carolina. With Hurricane Erin predicted to move between the US and Bermuda, most of that region will be impacted by rough waters in the next few days.

Worth Reading: More Port Cancellations for Liberty of the Seas Anger Guests

Fortunately, multiple ships have made adjustments to avoid Bermuda or shorten their planned visits so they are well away from the storm’s strongest impact.

Cruise lines’ top priority is always safety, and it is far better to adjust an itinerary than be too close to a dangerous situation with a hurricane.

Carnival Conquest’s Dry Dock Postponed for Second Time, Guests Compensated

Carnival Cruise News

Catie Kovelman

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Aug 19, 2025

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Carnival Conquest’s Dry Dock Postponed for Second Time, Guests Compensated

Key Aspects:

After having already been rescheduled, Carnival Conquest’s dry dock in January 2026 is being pushed back by one month.
Four sailings to the Bahamas that would have embarked during the new dry dock window have now been cancelled.
Impacted guests are being compensated with a comparable cruise at the same price or a full refund.

If you’re feeling a sense of Deja vu, it’s because we were in the same situation not long ago with the very same cruise ship.

Earlier this summer, Carnival announced that Carnival Conquest’s dry dock had to be rescheduled to January 2026, which led to cruise cancellations.

But once again, the upcoming dry dock stint for the Conquest-class flagship has had to be rescheduled.

Per a letter sent by the cruise line on August 18, 2025, the 2002-launched vessel will now return to dry dock one month later in February of 2026.

The cruise line did not provide a reason for changing plans again, but it could be as simple as logistical challenges within the shipyard.

Unfortunately, this means that cruises booked within this period, which lasts from February 6 through and including February 16, 2026, have all been cancelled.

“We have had to reschedule Carnival Conquest’s dry dock from January 2026 to February 2026, and we are sorry to inform you that the above cruises, including yours, have been cancelled,” Carnival wrote to booked guests.

“We sincerely apologize for this change and thank you for your understanding. We look forward to having you sail with us.”

During this window, there would have been two 3-night Bahamas cruises embarking from Miami on February 6 and February 13, 2025, which are now cancelled.

These sailings would have alternated with two 4-night cruises to the Bahamas that were due to set sail on February 9 and February 16, which have also been scrapped.

But on the bright side, it’s possible that new sailings will be added back in for January 2026 when the 2,980-guest ship was supposed to be temporarily out of service.

Carnival Conquest last underwent a dry dock in September 2022, which took place at the Navantia shipyard in Cadiz, Spain. The vessel received its new red, white, and blue livery, along with various enhancements.

Compensation Provided to Impacted Guests

While no one is happy to hear that their sailing has been cancelled, it at least softens the blow when the cruise lines do their best to make things right.

“We have a variety of alternatives and are confident you will find another Carnival cruise that is filled with an equal amount of fun,” the cruise line said.

“Our team is ready to discuss options and rebook you on another voyage right away.”

The first option that guests have is to rebook themselves on a comparable sailing in a similar cruise cabin.

Their original cruise fare will be protected, which means no additional expenditures will be required unless guests want to upgrade their sailing in some way.

Guests who choose this option will also be given up to $100 in onboard credits ($50 for up to two people in a stateroom) for the inconvenience.

Passengers who want to take advantage of this time sensitive option must contact Carnival’s guest services team, their Carnival Personal Vacation Planner, or their travel agent by September 1, 2025.

If guests would rather not or can’t reschedule, they can also simply do nothing and wait for a full refund of their cruise fare and any pre-purchased packages to refund to their original payment method after September 1, 2025.

Regardless of which option guests choose, cruisers who already booked their own flights also have the ability to submit non-refundable airfare or change fees incurred because of the cancellation.

Carnival will reimburse up to $200 per person upon verifying supporting documentation, such as airline receipts.

Norwegian Jewel Shortens Bermuda Visit Ahead of Hurricane Erin

Norwegian Cruise Line News

Melissa Mayntz

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Aug 19, 2025

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Norwegian Jewel Shortens Bermuda Visit Ahead of Hurricane Erin

Key Aspects:

Norwegian Jewel left Bermuda a day ahead of schedule in order to head back to Boston before the worst of Hurricane Erin’s impact arrives.
This is the fifth ship to have cancelled or adjusted a Bermuda visit due to the massive Category 4 hurricane.
Erin is not expected to make landfall, but her wind fields are large and impacts are being felt hundreds of miles from the storm’s center.

Yet another ship has adjusted its itinerary regarding Bermuda as Hurricane Erin stays on track to pass between the island and US homeports.

Norwegian Jewel has left King’s Wharf early, cutting short her planned visit in order to put more distance between the ship and the worst of the storm’s impact.

Homeported from Boston, Massachusetts, Norwegian Jewel departed on her 7-night Bermuda cruise on Friday, August 15. The ship arrived in Bermuda as planned on August 17.

Unfortunately, the 93,500-gross-ton vessel was unable to stay in Bermuda as long as originally planned. The full visit was to have extended until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, August 19.

Instead, Norwegian Jewel departed on Monday evening, August 18, to make her leisurely way back to Boston for debarkation as planned on Friday, August 22.

This will give the ship enough time to steer well away from the storm’s worst impact. Hurricane Erin is forecast to move between Bermuda and the US, making it challenging for any ship returning from the British territory to a US homeport.

Full Coverage: Complete List of Cruise Ship Changes Due to Hurricane Erin

By leaving a day early, Norwegian Jewel has much more time to make the journey home as safe and smooth as possible for her 2,300 guests and 1,100 crew members.

Due to the storm’s track and expected impact close to Bermuda, multiple cruise ships have opted to adjust their Bermuda itineraries this week.

Vision of the Seas from Baltimore skipped the port in favor of heading south to the Bahamas, while Carnival Sunshine from Norfolk also skipped Bermuda to head to Nassau and Celebration Key in the Bahamas.

Norwegian Aqua, which just left Florida and is now on her first sailing from New York, is heading to Saint John, New Brunswick, rather than Bermuda for the 4-night sailing.

Similarly, Liberty of the Seas from Bayonne is visiting Canada instead of Bermuda on her current 5-night sailing.

No other ships are scheduled for Bermuda over the next few days, until Liberty of the Seas on her next voyage. That visit is planned for Saturday, August 23, and the storm may be well out of the region by then.

Hurricane Erin Update

The National Hurricane Center’s 8 p.m. update on Monday, August 18, reports Hurricane Erin with sustained winds of 130 miles per hour, making the storm still a dangerous Category 4.

Located 695 miles southwest of Bermuda, Hurricane Erin is moving northwest at 10 mph and is expected to turn more directly north on Tuesday. By the middle of the week, she will be between Bermuda and the US.

Hurricane winds extend out from the storm’s center for roughly 80 miles, while tropical storm force winds extend for 230 miles.

This means that while Erin is unlikely to make landfall, her impact is still being felt more than 200 miles from the center.

Worth Reading: Upcoming Themed Sailing for NCL Ship Delayed by Hurricane Erin

For reference, Bermuda is just 650 miles from the closest point of the US coast. This means there is just a 90-mile margin of smoother waters outside the storm’s influence. This is too narrow of a margin for confident predictions, as the storm could easily shift along her track.

Tropical storm warnings are now in effect for the Turks and Caicos as well as the southeastern Bahamas. Tropical storm watches are in effect for the central Bahamas and along the North Carolina coast, where Erin is expected to make her closest approach to the US.

Cruise lines will continue to monitor the storm closely and coordinate with local weather services and port authorities on any necessary itinerary updates. Guests should stay alert for emails and other notifications from their cruise line in case of changes.

Falling Forklift Damages Cruise Ship at Greek Port

Port News

Catie Kovelman

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Aug 18, 2025

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Falling Forklift Damages Cruise Ship at Greek Port

Key Aspects:

In an unusual incident, a forklift rolled off the pier and into a cruise ship that was docked in Corfu, Greece.
It’s not clear which cruise ship was hit, but Viking Sea, AIDAblu, and MSC Fantasia were all present at the time.
Thankfully, the damage was only superficial and there was no significant impact to cruising operations for the ship or for the busy port.

Collisions rarely occur at cruise ports. When they do, the story is usually that a cruise ship accidentally impacted the pier while docking or one vessel managed to float into another, typically with extenuating circumstances in the mix.

But a rogue forklift falling into the water and hitting a cruise ship is certainly unique, to say the least.

However, that is exactly what happened in the popular port of Corfu, Greece, on Saturday, August 16, 2025.

In the early morning hours, likely during or just before disembarkation, a forklift fell into the Neo Limani, or New Port. This is the main port where cruise ships dock.

According to local news outlet Enimerosi, the unidentified 59-year-old driver said that he had parked the vehicle on the pier, when the forklift allegedly developed a mind of its own and decided to start moving again anyway.

Unable to be stopped, the forklift rolled into the sea and hit the right stern of a cruise ship on its way down. Thankfully, the impact only caused two superficial scratches.

The specific cruise ship was not specified, but Viking Ocean Cruises’ Viking Sea, AIDA Cruises’ AIDAblu, and MSC Cruises’ MSC Fantasia were all docked in Corfu on Saturday.

Officials from the Greek Coast Guard and the Corfu Port authority responded to the scene, with an investigation by the Corfu Central Port Authority now underway.

It’s possible that the driver hadn’t fully engaged the parking brake but thought that he had, or that something was wrong with its transmission or parking mechanism.

It’s also not clear what the driver was using the forklift for, but they are commonly used to help efficiently transport checked luggage between the ship and the cruise terminal.

Alternatively, they are also used to transport supplies to and from the ship and even to dispose of onboard waste.

No Delays to Cruising

While this event was unusual and had the potential to be quite serious, the damage wasn’t too severe and no injuries have been reported.

Cruise ship tracking data shows that all three cruise ships left the port at their scheduled times and are cruising at normal speeds.

As the scratches were superficial, it wouldn’t have been a safety concern to continue operating the planned itinerary.

It’s likely something that can be addressed during an upcoming port call or turnaround day or can wait for a routine dry dock visit.

Cruise Ships Docked in Corfu (Photo Credit: Sergiy Palamarchuk)

Minor cosmetic damage can cost anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars to fix, depending on the extent of the damage, which both the cruise lines and the cruise ports typically have insurance for.

The forklift likely took the brunt of the damage, as it was completely submerged in the salty sea water. It was quickly fished out of the harbor with the assistance of a private crane and a private diver.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Breakaway was then able to call on the port as part of an 11-night sailing from Barcelona to Trieste, Italy, on August 18, 2025, with no issue.

The cruise port, which is considered the second busiest in Greece in terms of revenue and passenger visits, is expecting eight more ship calls before the week is through.

Holland America Ship is Next to Pivot to Avoid Hurricane Erin

Holland America Line News

Catie Kovelman

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Aug 18, 2025

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Holland America Ship is Next to Pivot to Avoid Hurricane Erin

Key Aspects:

Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam will no longer visit St. Johns in Canada due to unsafe weather conditions related to Hurricane Erin.
The skipped port call will be replaced with an overnight visit to Halifax, Canada.
Hurricane Erin won’t directly hit the US, but will bring inclement weather and rough seas to the US East Coast and Canada’s Atlantic Coast by the middle of this week.

Hurricane Erin is not done wreaking havoc on cruise itineraries. This time, the Category 4 storm has thrown Zuiderdam’s planned visit to Canada out of whack.

Indeed, the Holland America ship is now the latest vessel to alter course in an effort to steer clear of the Category 4 storm.

The 1,964-guest ship embarked from Rotterdam, in the Netherlands, on a one-way sailing to Boston, Massachusetts, on August 5, 2025 – well before Erin first formed as a tropical storm on August 11.

The cruise ship has already successfully visited multiple destinations across Ireland, Scotland, Iceland, and Greenland, but the final leg of the 18-night voyage will be disrupted by the bad weather.

Current guests have reported that a decision was made to cancel the overnight call in St. Johns (Newfoundland-Labrador), Canada, on August 19 and 20, out of an abundance of caution.

Instead, the ship will sail to Halifax (Nova Scotia), Canada, for an extended call that lasts from August 20 to 21.

“The Captain just told us that he has cancelled the Tues/Wed port call at St John’s NF. Instead, we are going to Halifax NS on Wednesday afternoon and staying until late afternoon Thursday,” a current passenger shared.

“He feels there is too much risk in St. John’s port because of sea conditions from Erin,” he continued.

While Hurricane Erin is not expected to directly hit the US, the National Hurricane Center (NOAA) shows that it will be passing by Boston and moving in the direction of Halifax on Thursday, August 22.

This timing does coincide with when the 82,318-gross ton ship should be on her way to Boston to disembark on the morning of August 23, but the expert bridge team will surely do their best to avoid the worst of the rough seas.

At this time, there is no known impact on disembarkation or embarkation for the next sailing, which is a 7-day cruise to New England and Canada.

Where is Hurricane Erin Now?

Over the weekend, Hurricane Erin temporarily became a Category 5 level storm while North of Puerto Rico, with winds of 160 miles per hour.

Notably, this is the most intense classification on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

Erin has since been downgraded to a (still dangerous) Category 4 storm system with sustained winds of 140 miles per hour and even stronger gusts.

As of NOAA’s most recent update at 5 p.m. EST on August 18, Erin is approximately 110 miles northeast of Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos, and is moving northwest at speeds of 10 miles per hour. Maximum sustained winds are 140 MPH.

Erin will make her way past the Bahamas on August 18, and will reposition to between Bermuda and the US East Coast by the middle of this week – and has the potential to strengthen into an even stronger storm once again.

“Erin is expected to produce life-threatening surf and rip currents along the beaches of the Bahamas, much of the east coast of the US, Bermuda, and Atlantic Canada during the next several days,” NOAA advised.

“Tropical storm conditions and coastal flooding are possible in the North Carolina Outer Banks beginning late Wednesday and a Tropical Storm and Storm Surge Watch may be required later today.”

NOAA’s forecasts are currently predicting that Erin will be off of Florida’s southeastern coast on August 19; Florida’s northern coast, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina on August 20; and the Mid-Atlantic Coast by August 21.