The Catania Cruise Port has added a third pier for cruise ships as port authorities strive to make the Sicilian destination a top Mediterranean cruise port.
The new pier is large and deep enough to welcome multiple modern mega-ships at once, which will enhance the port’s capacity significantly.
As the Italian port continues to strive for growth, a massive new parking lot has also been designed with tour buses and increased passenger traffic in mind.
Indeed, the Catania Cruise Port, which is one of four major cruise ports in Sicily, is actually expanding its capacity.
As of July 22, 2025, the renovation of a third berth for Catania, known as Pier 25, has officially been completed and significantly increases the port’s capacity.
Global Ports Holding (GPH), which manages the port, had the work completed as part of a larger breakwater project.
A newly upgraded 405-meter (or 1,328 foot) quay was created while a water depth of 9 meters (or 29.5 feet) was also established.
“This was a fundamental intervention to bring the dock in line with today’s operational standards,” said Francesco Di Sarcina, engineer and president of the Eastern Sicilian Sea Port System Authority.
“We’ve restored the quay edge, recertified the bollards, upgraded the fenders, and—most critically—leveled the seabed, which had become uneven due to sediment shifts. Maintaining this depth through routine monitoring will be essential as cruise activity increases,” Di Sarcina elaborated.
The brand new Pier 25 connects to the port’s central pier, which is currently the longest and the scheduled site for a future cruise terminal.
The new pier also joins up with the quay adjacent to the breakwater, where additional work is expected to be completed by early 2026.
Supporting Future Growth
GPH, which is the largest independent cruise port operator in the world, has set a goal to increase cruise tourism and establish Catania as a top Eastern Mediterranean destination.
Not only has the Mediterranean retained its rank as the second most popular cruise market globally, but Catania specifically has been increasing in demand because it serves as a gateway to stunning sights like Mount Etna, Taormina, and Syracuse.
Checking the New Berth
“The addition of a third operational berth represents a major leap in our ability to manage larger passenger volumes and welcome next-generation ships,”stated Raffaella Del Prete, General Manager of GPH Italian Cruise Port.
“This project is a tangible example of successful collaboration between GPH and the Port System Authority and reflects our shared vision of transforming Catania Cruise Port into a leading Mediterranean destination,”he continued.
Currently, the Catania Cruise Terminal welcomes approximately 250,000 guests every year, but that number is expected to grow with the port’s improved capacity.
Cruise tracking datashows that the port is expecting over 102 cruise calls between the peak 2025 cruise season of March to November, which also signals growth. This is up from the 98 ship visits recorded for 2024.
The cruise port has also built new infrastructure on land in order to support the greater numbers that could come from Pier 25.
For example, a new 7,000-square-meter (or 75,347 square feet) parking lot has been designed to accommodate tour buses for shore excursions and increased passenger traffic.
In May of 2025, port authorities also installed a symbolic peace emblem on the windows of the cruise terminal as a symbol of their commitment to promoting hospitality, as well as unity and cultural integration.
The Netflix docuseries “Amy Bradley is Missing” is the second most watched show on the platform globally.
After watching the now-viral series, viewers have been rallying for justice for Amy and debating how safe cruises really are.
Ultimately, the likelihood of going missing during a cruise is extremely low and not something most passengers will ever need to worry about.
I don’t know about you, but the mysterious disappearance of former Royal Caribbean guest Amy Bradley is a case that keeps me up at night as both a cruise lover and a true crime fan.
If you don’t know the story, Amy Bradley mysteriously went missing from Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas on March 24, 1998.
While some leads have occasionally popped up over the years, nobody truly knows what happened and the mystery is still unsolved today.
According to the office of Lipcon, Margulies, and Winkleman, P.A., who are nationally recognized maritime lawyers in the US, the documentary is the second-most watched Netflix show globally, with 12.2 million views in the past week alone.
Not only has this led to a renewed public outcry to find out what happened to Amy and to seek justice on her behalf, but it’s brought up concerns about cruise ship safety.
Since the series premiered, Google searches relating to how often people go missing or disappear from cruise ships have skyrocketed by anywhere from 900% to 3,100% depending on the specific prompt.
Even searches for ‘is Curacao safe,’ which is a popular cruise port in the Caribbean and where Amy was last allegedly seen, has jumped up by 300%.
Meanwhile, social media platforms like TikTok have been flooded with thousands of videos from creators discussing theories, claiming that they will never cruise again, and bashing how Royal Caribbean responded to the crisis.
Most notably, viewers felt that the crew members didn’t make a ship-wide announcement about Amy’s disappearance until it was too late.
In 1999, the Bradley family actually filed a lawsuit against Royal Caribbean, but the case was ultimately dismissed.
The cruise line has always held firm in that it acted appropriately and responsibly at all times.
Going Missing is Unlikely
If you haven’t watched it yet, and you like cruising and true crime like me, I highly recommend “Amy Bradley is Missing.”
The docuseries offers a comprehensive look at the case with direct input from the family, investigators, and Royal Caribbean representatives.
The daughter of Alister “Yellow” Douglas, who is a musician who performed onboard and was seen with Amy shortly before her disappearance, was even interviewed.
It also chronicles how Amy’s family has never given up their quest to find their daughter, who today would be 51 years old.
For example, the family had aged imagescreated to try to generate new leads in 2024, which coincided with Amy’s 50th birthday.
However, it’s important to not let the documentary scare you too much. While Amy’s disappearance is absolutely horrible, going missing on cruise ships is actually quite rare.
Missing Amy Bradley (Photo Credits: Netflix & Dennis MacDonald)
While it does happen from time to time, the likelihood is very low considering a record 37.7 people are expected to cruise in 2025 and the vast majority will return home from their vacations.
“Cruise ship travel is generally considered very safe,” Michael Winkleman, a leading Personal Injury & Maritime Attorney, stated.
“While high-profile cases from the past, such as the disappearance of Amy Bradley, have gone viral on social media, thanks to the popularity of Netflix’s recent documentary, Amy Bradley Is Missing, the reality is that out of 30 million people who sail on cruises every year, only about 15-20 missing person reports are filed annually,” Winkleman continued.
Over the past 20 years, an estimated 200 to 400 passengers and crew members have gone missing from cruise ships, which is still a relatively low number.
“While these incidents are extremely rare compared to the massive number of travelers, each one is extremely alarming and emotionally devastating for the families and loved ones involved,” Winkleman concluded.
While cruise ships also have their own security teams and more surveillance technology today than they did during Amy’s ill-fated voyage, cruisers can help keep themselves and others safe.
This means practicing caution while on decks or on private balconies, especially when near railings, avoiding excessive alcohol consumption, and staying mindful of their surroundings.
When I cruise, I personally always practice the buddy system with my loved ones so we are never alone.
If one of us does have to do something solo, we tell our travel companions exactly where we’re going and when we expect to come back.
Are you ready for Cruise Hive’s comprehensive weekly news recap? Of course you are, so let’s dig in! Top headlines this week include the grand opening of the long-awaited Celebration Key, Carnival Cruise Line’s new private island destination, and the updating of Princess Cruises’ two add-on packages, Premier and Plus.
Also, find out which cruise ship had a temporary water shortage, and why a Celebrity Cruises’ voyage was cancelled.
Make sure you stay well-informed by signing up for Cruise Hive’s Daily Update, so the big cruise stories are delivered right to your inbox.
Cruise Line Officially Opens Celebration Key
Celebration Key Suncastle
The highly-anticipated opening of Carnival Cruise Line’s new private island destination, Celebration Key, went off without a hitch on July 19, 2025, with Carnival Vista becoming the first ship to deliver guests to the exclusive enclave on Grand Bahama Island.
The $600 million development featured live music, fireworks, scores of cruise line and local dignitaries, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Even Shaquille O’Neal showed up, throwing the first ball at the basketball court.
Guests got their first look at the Suncastle, where thrill seekers experienced two racing waterslides, the marketplace called Lonoko Cove, the adult-only Pearl Cove Beach Club, plus multiple pools, swim-up bars, lagoons, and warm turquoise waters.
Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald was there too, touring the destination and making videos to post on his social media. He showed off Celebration Key’s in-pool swings and the private cabanas available for rent, among other fun features of the destination.
Work is already underway to expand the pier so that more than one cruise ship can visit at the same time.
Ship’s Speed Issue Causes Cancellation of Caribbean Cruise
Ongoing propulsion issues caused Celebrity Cruises to cancel Celebrity Beyond’s July 20, 2025 voyage, a 7-night Caribbean cruise from PortMiami.
The sailing had been delayed by one day, but then the cruise line altered course and nixed the voyage outright. Guests had been looking forward to visiting Nassau, Bahamas, St. Thomas, USVI, and Philipsburg, St. Maarten.
The technical problem had surfaced on the ship’s previous cruise, which was late to return to port by one day due to the lowered speed of the vessel. Efforts to fix the problem were under way but work crews needed more time to assess and complete repairs.
Guests booked on the cancelled cruise were refunded and provided with a 100% future cruise credit, valid for any of the line’s voyages departing within one year. It also offered reimbursements for flights (up to $400) and hotel expenses (up to $250).
It is unclear whether any future cruises will be impacted by the needed repairs.
Princess Cruises Updates Its Add-On Packages’ Perks, Prices
Bar on Emerald Princess Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Yingna Cai)
Princess Cruises added some new benefits to its Premier and Plus inclusive packages, and removed a few as well. The updated plans are on sale now and are valid for departures starting in 2026.
The costs of both packages rose. Premier jumped by $10 per person, per day, bringing the full cost to $100 per day, while Plus rose by $5 per day, to $65.
The prices of the add-on value plans are higher on the line’s two newest ships, Sun Princess and Star Princess. Premier packages cost $105 per person per day, while Plus plans cost $70 per person per day.
Specific changes include benefits tied to specialty dining and casual dining, the beverage packages, WiFi access, crew gratuities, and shore excursion credits.
For instance, the Premier plan now features a shore excursion credit up to $300 for cruises 21 days or longer; $200 for cruises of 10 to 20 days; and $100 for sailings of 6 to 9 days.
Gone from both packages are free fitness classes, among other perks the line said were not guest favorites.
Cruise Guests Arrested on Drug Charges in Bermuda
Carnival Pride in Bermuda (Photo Credit: EWY Media)
Four guests sailing aboard a Carnival Cruise Line ship to Bermuda were detained by the ship’s security team and then arrested by Bermuda police authorities upon arrival at Kings Wharf. The charge: possession with intent to sell drugs in the island nation.
According to police, the passengers allegedly had in their possession cannabis, THC vape pens and gummies, and a supply of carfentanyl, a synthetic opioid similar to fentanyl but stronger.
The Bermuda Police Service’s Narcotics Unit is investigating the case and the four suspects are in custody in Bermuda.
They are potentially subject to prosecution in Bermuda and the US. If convicted under the US Controlled Substances Import and Export Act, they could be fined up to $5 million and serve prison terms from up to 20 years to life.
Carnival Cruise Line’s zero-tolerance policy enables it to remove guests found to be in possession of illegal drugs and to ban them from sailing with the line in the future.
A shortage of fresh water onboard Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambition caused the ship to alter port calls so that she can take on a needed supply of H20 during her 11-night Normandy and British Isles cruise, which departed Newcastle on July 19, 2025.
The ship, for reasons unexplained, was unable to secure the full amount of needed water at her departure port.
Port calls to Portland and Fowey were swapped, making Portland an earlier call since the ship can take on a water supply at that destination.
The ship called at Portland on July 25, 2025, rather than the originally planned July 26, 2025. Ambition will call at Fowey on July 26 instead of July 25. Shore tours were adjusted to accommodate the itinerary change.
The 25-year-old ship carries 1,248 guests. The vessel can create fresh water from saltwater by using its Evaporators and Reverse Osmosis equipment, but cannot do so in all ports and sea areas.
Cruise Line Opens Sales on 500-Plus 2027 Voyages
Norwegian Getaway Departing New York (Photo Credit: Just dance)
Norwegian Cruise Line detailed its deployment plans for spring and summer of 2027 and opened for sale some 500 voyages that will visit nearly 60 countries.
Twenty ships will offer cruise vacations from 30 homeports, calling at 150 ports across the globe between April and October 2027.
Guests can choose to explore the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, the Caribbean, Alaska, Bermuda, Canada/New England, and even the South Pacific. Among the most noteworthy deployments are the homeporting of what will be the line’s newest ship, Norwegian Luna, in New York.
The 3,500-guest ship, which will enter service in April 2026, will offer sailings from the Big Apple to Bermuda, spending two overnights at the Royal Naval Dockyard.
Other highlights of the season feature Alaska voyages, with three ships — Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Bliss, and Norwegian Joy sailing roundtrip from Seattle, and another, Norwegian Jade, operating between Vancouver, British Columbia, and Whittier, Alaska.
Norwegian Prima will be among the ships based in Europe, sailing from Southampton to destinations including Croatia, Montenegro, Iceland, and Norway.
Three more ships will sail the Eastern and Western Mediterranean, bringing guests to classic ports such as Barcelona, Istanbul, and Rome.
MSC World Asia Unveils Updated Entertainment
The Harbour, MSC World Asia
When MSC Cruises’ MSC World Asia launches in December 2026, she will introduce new entertainment options for guests of all ages.
The Clubhouse, debuting on the mega-ship, is designed to be a magnet for families, with its retro games such as roller skating and bumper cars.
Several spaces are being refreshed and updated for the new-build, which can accommodate 6,700 guests with all berths filled.
Luna Park, which is already offered on MSC World Europa and MSC World America, will be improved as a multi-purpose destination, at times a space for youth activities, a nightclub, and themed parties.
The Harbour is also being redone for the new ship and will offer an outdoor adventure park with a ropes course and waterslides. The Tree of Life @ The Spiral, the longest dry slide at sea, will give thrill seekers 265 feet of twists and turns.
The ship’s World Theatre will be the setting for stage shows and musical performances, while World Promenade will host parades, street dances, light shows, and plenty more.
More Cruise Headlines
Looking for more cruise news? Cruise Hive has many more developments covered. Learn about protests that prevented a cruise ship from debarking guests at a Greek island; Antigua officials touring the construction site of the island’s new cruise terminal; and a famous shore excursion bar in Grand Turk getting a big expansion.
Also, the residential ship Villa Vie Odyssey adding a floating recreation platform, and erosion causing some problems at Disney Cruise Line’s private island destination.
Celebrity Beyond is fully repaired and ready for her July 27, 2025 departure, a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise.
There have been itinerary adjustments to permit a slower speed, likely as a precaution following the repairs.
At this time, there are no further changes to the ship’s future cruises.
Following emergency repairs to her propulsion system, Celebrity Beyond has left the Bahamas shipyard, tested her systems at sea, and is ready to welcome guests as planned in Miami, Florida on Sunday, July 27.
This will be great news for guests on this weekend’s departure, though there are still itinerary adjustments to the next cruise. Fortunately, all the ports of call will still be visited, but the visit days and times have changed.
“We are truly delighted to welcome you aboard Celebrity Beyond this weekend! As you may have heard, our ship experienced a technical issue last week,”the notification email explained.
“Our experts responded swiftly and thoroughly, upholding the highest standards of safety and care. We’re pleased to share that all necessary work is progressing on schedule and on track to be completed prior to our cruise together.”
The email does say that it is necessary to “accommodate a lowered speed” and therefore the July 27 itinerary has been updated.
Now, Celebrity Beyond will set sail with this modified schedule:
Wednesday, July 30 – Falmouth, Jamaica; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (formerly Cozumel)
Thursday, July 31 – George Town, Grand Cayman; 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (formerly 10 a.m. to 6 p.m)
Friday, August 1 – Cozumel, Mexico; 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (formerly Jamaica)
Saturday, August 2 – Day at Sea
Sunday, August 3 – Arriving Miami
There is no indication that the slower speed is problematic. It is common practice to have a more cautious “breaking in” period following significant repairs to ensure proper operation.
Satellite tracking now shows that Celebrity Beyond has performed several maneuvers after already leaving the shipyard in Freeport, which would have been a critical testing period.
None of the ship’s navigation or safety systems have been compromised, nor are her hotel operations, such as dining or entertainment impacted in any way.
Engine Problems Not Uncommon
While engine problems are not a technical issue that any cruise guest wants to experience, such issues do occasionally happen.
Cruise ships run their engines constantly not only for propulsion, but also to power all the electrical systems onboard. This includes air conditioning, lighting, sound systems, water pumps, cooking equipment, laundry facilities, elevators, and much more.
Though some cruise ships, particularly newer vessels, are equipped to connect to shore power while available, this does not help if the ship develops engine trouble at sea.
Celebrity Beyond Cruise Ship in Aruba (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)
While guests may be disappointed at the changes in their upcoming itinerary, the alternative could have been a full cancellation, which would obviously be far more distressing.
There is no indication that any further changes will be necessary for upcoming sailings beyond the July 27 departure, though booked guests will want to stay in close communication with Celebrity Cruises just in case.
Celebrity Beyond debuted in 2022. The 141,420-gross ton, Edge-class ship can welcome 3,260 guests onboard and is currently homeported from Miami, offering both Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean itineraries year-round.
A male crew member jumped overboard from Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas and did not survive.
New details have revealed that the crew member allegedly stabbed a female crew member multiple times before fleeing the scene and leaping into the ocean.
Passengers were not in danger and the female crew member is expected to recover.
New details have emerged just one day after a crew member working onboard Icon of the Seas plunged to his death on July 24, 2025.
While circulating theories suggested that the Royal Caribbean crew member had intentionally jumped overboard, no one could have anticipated the crime he is accused of committing before making the fatal leap.
According to the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF), the unidentified male crew member allegedly stabbed a female co-worker during a dispute.
“Shortly before 7:30 p.m., a 28-year-old South African female crew member was allegedly stabbed multiple times by another crew member, a 35-year-old South African male,” reads an RBPF press release.
“Following the incident, the male reportedly fled from the scene and jumped into the water. He was retrieved unresponsive and pronounced dead by onboard medical staff,” the statement continued.
Icon of the Seas Overboard (Photo Credits: Melissa Mayntz & Kyler Roe)
His alleged victim will likely fare better. Despite receiving multiple stab wounds to her upper body, she was treated and is reportedly in stable condition.
“One of the crew members was injured, was attended to by the onboard medical team, and she is now in stable condition,”Royal Caribbean confirmed in a statement.
An investigation into the attack is underway, and an autopsy will be conducted to determine the deceased crew member’s exact cause of death.
Cruise Guests Remain Unimpacted
Despite the circumstances, the up to 5,610 passengers onboard the world’s largest cruise ship were not in any danger.
This was not a random attack, but rather the assault appears to be the result of a disagreement between the two specific crew members.
“Our onboard security team responded to an incident involving two crew members in a personal dispute,” Royal Caribbean clarified.
Judging by the rumors that were circulating, many guests did not even know that the altercation had taken place.
Overboard Icon of the Seas Crew Member
And of course, this type of incident is not common. Not only are crew members carefully background checked before they begin their lives at sea, but cruise ships have prevalent surveillance and their own personal security teams to prevent and mitigate issues.
She is expected to return to Miami, Florida, as planned on July 26, from where she will disembark the current 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise and embark on a new 7-night Western Caribbean voyage.
At this time, there is no reason to believe that the pending investigation will delay cruising operations.
Princess Cruises is taking the feedback to heart after introducing revamped Premier and Plus Packages earlier this week.
Guests were upset that the Plus package would now include non-alcoholic drinks in the daily drink limit of 15 beverages, which was not previously the case.
The cruise line has now made specialty teas and coffees unlimited in response to the complaints, but soft drinks still count toward the daily limit.
Princess Cruises just updated its famous Premier and Plus add-on packages to enhance the onboard experience, but one seemingly minor change has led to quite the uproar.
Specifically, guests were upset that the Princess Plus package would include non-alcoholic beverages in the daily drink limit of 15 beverages per person.
In the past, only alcoholic beverages counted toward that daily total.
However, the Carnival-owned cruise line has listened to feedback and emailed Cruise Hive on July 25, 2025, to share that specialty coffees and teas would now be unlimited in the Plus package.
“We wanted to share an update following the Premier and Plus Packages changes announced earlier this week,”a Princess Cruises Spokesperson wrote to Cruise Hive.
“In listening to our Princess community, we have made a change – specialty coffee and teas are now unlimited in our Plus package and will not count towards the 15-drink daily limit,” the statement continued.
However, soft drinks are still included in the daily limit, leaving many unsatisfied.
“Been on 11 Princess Cruises and already booked numbers 12 and 13…very very disappointed with Princess’ decision to have them count towards 15 a day…Princess seems to be pushing everyone towards the Premium package,” an avid cruiser reacted to the news.
Alcoholic drinks and soft drinks are unlimited in the Premier package, with a $20 price cap per beverage in place.
“That’s lovely for coffee and tea drinkers, but you are disadvantaging those of us who drink neither and prefer Diet Coke or water. Wish you could identify as a non-coffee drinker and get cans of soda not counting towards the day’s total,”one cruise fan shared.
The Premier Package has increased by $10 per person per day and will now be a $100 daily charge, while the Plus Package is only increasing $5 per person per day to $65.
Onboard the new Sphere class ships, Sun Princess and the upcoming Star Princess, the rates will be an additional $5 higher per day for each package.
Princess Cruises Cares About Guest Feedback
Unfortunately, there is just no way to please everybody and the cruise line’s choice to make specialty teas and coffees unlimited was an attempt at a compromise.
Even though many were upset that soft drinks hadn’t been made unlimited again with the cheaper package, plenty more felt heard and seen.
One quest exclaimed: “Thank you Princess! It is nice to know and appreciate that you value your customer feedback!”
Another celebrated: “As a coffee drinker, this makes me happy!”
Additionally, the whole purpose of revising the add-on packages was to improve the guest experience onboard by adding more desirable benefits and flexibility for future passengers.
For example, the Plus package has doubled the casual dining meals for each sailing, which means guests can now enjoy four meals at popular venues like Kai Sushi, Plank’s BBQ, the Salty Dog Gastropub, and Alfredo’s Pizzeria.
Meanwhile, the bigger Premier Package now includes shore excursion credits of $100 to $300, depending on the length of the sailing.
The updated packages went on sale on July 22, 2025, for voyages setting sail in 2026 and beyond.
Spider-Man and the Spider-Bots have been successfully mounted to the stern of Disney Destiny.
The heavy emphasis on Marvel throughout the ship is a first for Disney Cruise Line.
Disney Destiny will set sail on her maiden voyage from Fort Lauderdale on November 20, 2025.
This has been an eventful week for Disney Cruise Line’s upcoming third Wish-class ship, Disney Destiny, currently under construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany.
In an artistic and historic milestone for the cruise line, the stern characters have been successfully mounted to the vessel.
Is your Spidey-sense tingling? Spider-Man and three of his Spider-Bots are now hard at work on the ship’s aft, complete with web-slinging, paint touch-ups, and quirky cruise gear such as a life preserver, snorkel mask, and sunglasses.
The tremendous sculpture was lifted into place this week with Spider-Man swooping along the ship’s hull and the Spider-Bots tweaking the ship’s paint job.
Even the gold artwork has sharp angles and a web-like appearance in keeping with the motif, though the classic fonts for the ship’s name and Nassau registry remain in keeping with the rest of the fleet.
It was announced in summer 2024 that the ship would feature a heavy focus on Marvel Universe characters, including Black Panther as the signature Grand Hall atrium sculpture.
The “Heroes and Villains” theme is unique for Disney Cruise Line’s onboard theming, but pays homage to the tremendous popularity of the various branches of the Marvel franchise.
“The heroes and villains theme of the Disney Destiny provides the perfect platform for us to collaborate with Disney Cruise Line on all-new, Marvel-inspired experiences guests won’t find anywhere else on land or at sea across the multiverse,”said Brian Crosby, executive of Marvel Experiences Development.
Disney Destiny Characters
The addition of Spider-Man and the Spider-Bots to the ship’s stern is a first for the cruise line, which has always put classic Disney characters on the aft of its ships as follows:
Disney Magic – 1998 – Goofy
Disney Wonder – 1999 – Donald Duck and Huey
Disney Dream – 2011 – Sorcerer Mickey and Brooms
Disney Fantasy – 2012 – Dumbo and Timothy Q. Mouse
Disney Wish – 2022 – Rapunzel and Pascal
Disney Treasure – 2024 – Peter Pan and Captain Hook
The upcoming Disney Adventure, the Global-class vessel to debut in Singapore just a month after Disney Destiny sets sail from Florida, will return to Disney stern characters with Captain Mickey and Captain Minnie. Those characters were mounted in place just last month.
A Destiny of Great Cruises Awaits
Disney Destiny is scheduled for her maiden voyage from Port Everglades to set sail the week before Thanksgiving, departing on November 20, 2025. That 4-night Bahamian cruise will visit both of Disney Cruise Line’s private destinations, Lookout Cay and Castaway Cay.
The ship will offer 4- and 5-night itineraries year-round. Most will be Bahamian voyages to the cruise line’s private islands as well as Nassau on select departure dates.
Disney Destiny will also offer regular 5-night Western Caribbean sailings visiting Cozumel, Mexico as well as Castaway Cay in the Bahamas.
In June 2026, a pair of 7-night cruises are available. The Western Caribbean itinerary will depart on June 20 to visit Lookout Cay, Castaway Cay, Cozumel, and Grand Cayman.
Disney Destiny Characters
The Eastern Caribbean voyage will be the very next week, departing June 27 for Lookout Cay, San Juan, and St. Maarten.
Onboard, guests will find a whole universe of other Marvel-ous touches, including the Marvel-inspired penthouse Destiny Tower Suite based on Iron Man.
Every stateroom onboard will also feature custom artwork showcasing different Disney legends, including various heroes from “The Incredibles,” “Hercules,” and more.
Classic Disney favorites won’t be missing from the ship, however, despite its focus on the Marvel Universe. One of the signature restaurants will pay homage to “The Lion King” with “The Pride Lands: Feast of the Lion King,” while both “Brave” and “Hercules” will have specially-themed cafes onboard.
On the villain side of the ship’s theme, guests will find Cruella de Vil at a distinctive lounge, a pub dedicated to Pirates of the Caribbean, and special appearances of Maleficent and Captain Hook onboard.
The 5,600-guest Icon of the Seas shares the title of world’s largest cruise ship with soon-to-launch sister ship Star of the Seas.
Icon of the Seas’ inspection by the CDC was held on June 4, 2025.
Adventure of the Seas also garnered a score of 100 during her June inspection.
Since the start of 2025, the cruise industry has seen nearly 20 confirmed viral outbreaks onboard ships operated by multiple cruise lines, so it’s refreshing to learn that the biggest cruise ship sailing the seas today has earned a perfect score during a recent sanitation inspection.
Royal Caribbean’s 5,600-guest Icon of the Seas, which shares the title of world’s largest cruise ship with sister ship Star of the Seas, earned the top score of 100 in its June 4, 2025, inspection by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC).
The inspection results play an important role in boosting and maintaining consumer confidence in the vacation product, since viral outbreaks on cruise ships are closely followed by industry and mainstream media — and cruise guests want to know that their ship excels in sanitation measures.
The ship, first in the line’s Icon class, began sailing in January 2024, and the June inspection was her third since launching. Her first two scores were high but not perfect, reaching 96 in November 2024 and 97 in April 2024.
Cruise ships that call at ports in the US are subject to two unannounced inspections each year. During the process, CDC inspectors assess a ship’s water sources, galleys and dining venues, swimming pools and hot tubs, pest control, housekeeping standards, medical centers and medical sanitation practices, and other elements.
A score of 85 or lower is considered a failing grade, and the result of all cruise ship inspections are published on the CDC website.
Even though Icon of the Seas received the perfect score in June, there were several infractions noted in the inspection report, all minor issues.
For example, food debris was found inside the hand-washing sink in the galley on Deck 2; a fly was observed in the pantry on Deck 14, and another outside the dishwasher area of the Windjammer Buffet on Deck 15.
Other violations involved a case of gastrointestinal illness in a crew member who did not immediately report to the medical center, and in the swimming pools, flotation devices did not have the required attached rope.
Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas (Photo Credit: Just dance)
Icon of the Seas is based year-round at PortMiami and sails alternate 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises.
She was not the only Royal Caribbean ship to recently earn a perfect score of 100: Adventure of the Seas did so when she was inspected on June 3, 2025. Her previous inspection, in February 2025, garnered a score of 94.
The Voyager-class ship entered service in 2001 and accommodates 3,800 guests.
Icon of the Seas and Adventure of the Seas are the line’s only two ships to receive perfect scores in 2025. However, other high scores went to Harmony of the Seas in May 2025, when she earned 99; Oasis of the Seas in January, 98; and Voyager of the Seas in April, 99.
Just one Royal Caribbean ship, Symphony of the Seas, came close to a failing score in 2025, when inspectors gave her a score of 86 in February.
New-Build Star of the Seas Also Will Be Subject to Inspections
The new-build Star of the Seas has yet to undergo a CDC inspection since she has just recently left the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland and is on her way to her first North American homeport of Port Canaveral. But she will be subject to the surprise inspections once she begins regular operations.
The 248,663-gross-ton vessel was delivered to the cruise line on July 10, 2025 during a ceremony in Turku. After arriving in Port Canaveral, the ship will operate four preview cruises for travel partners, media, and VIPs.
The ship’s first regular sailing is set to depart on August 31, 2025. The 7-night Western Caribbean itinerary calls at CocoCay, Roatan, Honduras, and Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico. The ship will sail alternating 7-night Western and Eastern Caribbean cruises.
Cruise ship inspections by the CDC have continued normally even though a restructuring plan that rolled out in April 2025 cut funding and staff at the federal agency.
Its Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP), which oversees the cruise ship inspections along with tracking and investigating outbreaks of diseases, was not impacted by the funding issues.
Carnival cruise ships from North American homeports will begin offering Coke products in early September.
Individual ships may have slightly different dates for the Pepsi-to-Coke soft drink changeover.
Guests can still bring aboard their preferred soft drinks, subject to the cruise line’s standard limitations.
With Coca-Cola fans eagerly awaiting the return of their favorite beverages aboard Carnival cruise ships, when can they expect to see Coke products onboard?
Since Carnival Cruise Line announced the switch to Coca-Cola in late June, cruisers have been wondering when they will no longer need to bring along their own cans of Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Sprite, Fanta Orange, and other drinks onboard.
At the time, the rollout for the beverage switch was only noted as “later this summer” but without any firm dates. Now, the cruise line’s brand ambassador, John Heald, has provided a quick and welcome update.
“Coca-Cola, the changeover. I’ve had over 200 of you write to me in the last three days asking me for specific dates of when we will change over from Pepsi to Coca-Cola,”Heald explained.“Once I have more news on that I will let you know.”
While Heald does not have any exact dates to share, the plan for the transition to be finished by the end of summer has not changed.
He was able to update his comments a short time later with a slightly more specific timeline on his popular Facebook page, however.
“We hope to complete the transition of the entire North American fleet to Coca-Cola products by the week after Labor Day,”he confirmed.
That would mean that by sailings departing from mid-September, Coke products should certainly be in place. To be clear, however, Heald says “we hope” for that timeline, and it is possible some ships may still be featuring Pepsi products in early September.
Furthermore, ships homeported outside of North America, including those in Australia, may not transition to Coke on the same timeline.
The exact dates when each of the individual ships in the Carnival fleet will begin offering Coke products will vary depending on when adequate supplies can be delivered according to each ship’s itinerary schedule.
Furthermore, when the remaining Pepsi beverages onboard have been substantially consumed may also impact the Coke rollout.
Coke or Pepsi – Why Does the Changeover Date Matter?
The Coke rollout date matters to guests who have such strong soda preferences that they feel inclined to bring their own onboard if their preferred products aren’t available.
Now, guests with sailings in late September and beyond who insist on Coke products don’t need to worry about the hassle of picking up 12-packs on their way to the port and toting them onboard.
Instead, it is the Pepsi lovers who may want to consider those arrangements, as their favorite products will no longer be available on Carnival cruise ships.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
Still, the same options apply and guests may bring a limited amount of their own preferred soft drinks onboard. Carnival’s policy is outlined as follows:
“On embarkation day, a small quantity of non-alcoholic beverages (i.e., sparkling water, sodas, energy drinks, juice, and milk), packaged in cans or cartons, may be brought on board and must be in the guest’s carry-on luggage. A small quantity is considered a maximum of 12 sealed, unopened cans/cartons of 12-ounces/354-ml each or less, per person.”
For dedicated soda drinkers, this may not seem like enough for a longer cruise, but the policy does apply to every guest. For example, a family of four could bring four 12-pack cartons onboard.
Heald has also noted that soft drinks can also be brought onboard in ports of call, subject to the same 12-cans-per-person limitation.
This means that guests can replenish their supply of soft drink cans at each stop during their sailing if necessary, ensuring they don’t run out of their favorite bubbly refreshment.
