Blog Page 19

Cruise Ship Crew Member Arrested for Shoplifting During Port Canaveral Call

Donna Tunney
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Cruise Ship Crew Member Arrested for Shoplifting During Port Canaveral Call

Key Aspects:

  • A cruise ship crew member was arrested in Florida and then deported.
  • The arrest followed a charge of shoplifting while the worker was on shore leave.
  • Local and federal officials detained the employee at Port Canaveral.

In an unusual incident at Port Canaveral, a cruise ship crew member was arrested, detained, and then deported following a charge of shoplifting.

Deputies with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) confirmed in a Facebook post on March 24, 2026, that a crew member, who was not identified, was found to be shoplifting while on shore during a port call.

Law enforcement did not specify which cruise ship the crew member worked on, but MSC Cruises’ MSC Meraviglia was the only vessel calling at Port Canaveral that day, according to the port’s master cruise schedule. The ship accommodates 4,488 guests and typically has between 1,536 and 1,600 crew members on board.

Based in New York, MSC Meraviglia departed the Big Apple on a 7-night Bahamas cruise on March 22. Port Canaveral was the first port call on the itinerary. MSC Cruises has not issued a statement regarding the incident.

According to the sheriff’s office post, it contacted US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Cape Canaveral while the employee was being detained.

Port Canaveral, Florida
Port Canaveral, Florida (Photo Credit: Felix Mizioznikov)

When the local officials had completed processing the arrest, the suspect was turned over to CBP authorities, who issued an immigration detainer.

A detainer enables federal officials to take custody of a suspect. CBP officials then transported him to Orlando International Airport, where he was placed on a flight bound for his home country.

Read Also: What Are the Best Cruise Lines to Work For?

“U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued a detainer to retrieve custody after BCSO was finished with the subject. He was then processed for removal from the U.S. and escorted to Orlando International Airport for his flight home,” Brevard County Sheriff’s Office posted on social media.

The crew member’s nationality is not known. The Orlando airport is located about an hour from Port Canaveral and serves as a major international hub.

Where Do Cruise Ship Crew Members Come From?

Foreign workers, including cruise ship crew members, typically arrive in US ports on a C1/D Seaman Visa. Across the cruise industry, the lion’s share of crew members hail from so-called low-opportunity labor markets.

The Milken Institute, which focuses on economic growth and job creation, notes that Filipinos account for nearly 30 percent of cruise workers. The rest hail mostly from India, Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, and the former Soviet Republics.

In the Port Canaveral case, neither the sheriff’s office nor the CBP provided any details regarding the alleged shoplifting charge against the crew member. In fact, such charges are rare in the cruise industry.

Arrests of cruise ship employees are not commonplace, but they do happen from time to time. In May 2024, a crew member on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Encore was arrested after he allegedly attacked several people on the ship.

First, the 35-year-old was seen attempting to deploy a lifeboat. Members of the ship’s security team transported the worker to the vessel’s medical center, where he allegedly assaulted a security guard and a nurse.

In a more recent case, in January 2026, a cruise ship crew member was arrested at Germany’s Bremerhaven cruise terminal on charges of robbery and probation violation. The suspect had outstanding arrest warrants, which were discovered during the border check process.

Two Cruise Lines Introduce Fuel Surcharges, Could More Follow?

Catie Kovelman
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Two Cruise Lines Introduce Fuel Surcharges, Could More Follow?

Key Aspects:

  • The war on Iran has caused fuel prices to skyrocket, which is impacting the cruise industry.
  • One Asian cruise brand has already introduced fuel surcharges of up to $25 USD per guest, per day.
  • It would not be surprising if the mainstream cruise lines followed suit with their own surcharges or by increasing cruise fares.

The worsening conflict in the Middle East may have just made your future cruise more expensive.

Since the war with Iran began on February 28, 2026, oil prices have risen by over 35%. As an example, Global Brent crude oil prices have soared by nearly 40% to over $100 per barrel, driven by the ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz (which borders Iran). 

While cruise lines have made great efforts to create and integrate greener fuel alternatives, the industry still relies on heavy fuel oil and marine gas oil to power its ships.

The extra costs that cruise lines have to shell out for fuel aren’t just impacting the brands, but their guests as well.

Asian Cruise Lines Implement Fuel Surcharges

StarCruises and Dream Cruises, which are both owned by Resorts World Cruises, notified booked passengers on March 17, 2026, about new fuel surcharges.

The fees went into effect on March 20, 2026, for new bookings. All guests over the age of two will be required to pay surcharges, which will automatically be added to guests’ onboard accounts during their sailings.

“Due to recent geopolitical developments in the Middle East, oil prices have increased significantly, leading to higher fuel and related costs,” Dream Cruises and StarCruises announced in letters, which were obtained by Cruise Hive.

“As a result, a fuel surcharge will be introduced for new bookings made on or after 20 March 2026,” the letter continued.

Dream Cruises Open Deck
Photo Credit: ARTYOORAN / Shutterstock

Dream Cruises has implemented a change of SGD15 (or about $11.70 USD) per person, per day for all of Genting Dream’s departures. The 3,352-guest ship currently operates out of Singapore and Malaysia (Port Klang or Malacca).

Read Also: Cruise Ship Fuel Consumption – All the Details

StarCruises is imposing even heftier fees. Guests of the 1,944-passenger Star Voyager will have to shell out HKD 200 (about $25 USD) per guest, per night. The 77,441-gross ton ship is currently homeporting in Hong Kong.

Finally, sailing on the 1,854-guest Star Navigator, which currently operates out of Keelung (Taiwan), will come with a fee of NTD 600 (about $19 USD), per guest, per night.

The cruise brand will continue to review the surcharges as oil prices adjust and modify the cost to guests accordingly.

Are More Surcharges Coming?

When guests book their sailings and sign their cruise contract, the fine print almost always states that the cruise lines are allowed to implement fuel charges if necessary.

Although the cruise lines have rarely added surcharges historically, it does means that guests could end up being responsible for potentially hundreds of dollars in extra surcharges even after paying their balance in full.

For instance, Carnival reserves the right to charge up to $9.00 USD per person, per day, when the New York Mercantile Exchange Index (NYMEX) is greater than $70.00 USD per barrel of oil (and it’s currently at around $91.25 per barrel).

If the cruise line decided to implement these surcharges, a family of four could be looking at an added $252 for a week-long vacation.

As another example, Norwegian Cruise Line allows for a maximum daily surcharge of $10 per passenger, per day when fuel increases above $65 per barrel on the NYMEX. To put things in perspective, that’s an additional $280 for a family of four embarking on a week-long cruise.

MSC Cruises has one of the highest daily caps in the industry, with the ability to enact fees of up to $12 per person, per day when the NYMEX is above $65 per barrel. Again, looking at our hypothetical family of four, that is a whopping $336 for a week at sea.

As a final example, Royal Caribbean arguably has the least specific policy in the industry when it comes to fuel surcharges, with no published trigger charge or daily maximum.

More From Cruise Hive

Moving forward, it’s always a good idea for guests to review their specific cruise line’s policies so that they have an idea of what to expect and can be prepared in the event that surcharges are indeed levied.

Alternatively, the major brands may also opt to recoup costs by increasing the fares for new bookings rather than upsetting existing guests with unexpected fees. Cruise Hive will update on which way the industry trends.

Tragic Passenger Death on Royal Caribbean Cruise Prompts Investigation

Catie Kovelman
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Tragic Passenger Death on Royal Caribbean Cruise Prompts Investigation

Key Aspects:

  • A passenger unexpectedly died during Anthem of the Seas’ current New Zealand cruise.
  • New Zealand Police were immediately notified and began an investigation into the sudden death.
  • Unrelated, the ship also suffered a last-minute itinerary change due to poor weather.

Anthem’s of the Seas’ current sailing to New Zealand, which only just embarked in Sydney, Australia, on March 22, 2026, has had no shortage of bad luck.

Sadly, an unidentified passenger died suddenly while the Royal Caribbean ship was en route to Bay of Islands (Russell), which was the first port call on the 12-night itinerary and where the 4,180-guest ship arrived on the morning of March 25.

This was then followed by an unrelated itinerary change due to dangerous weather conditions (but we’ll get to that later).

New Zealand Police were alerted to the “sudden death” at approximately 1:45 a.m. on March 25, and officers were waiting for the 4,180-guest ship when she arrived at around 8 a.m. that morning. A death investigation was quickly launched.

“At around 1:45 a.m., Police were notified of a death on board the Anthem of the Seas cruise ship which was arriving from Sydney, Australia,” the New Zealand Police told PEOPLE.

The spokesperson for the police force also confirmed that the officers were “making enquiries into the person’s death on behalf of the coroner.”

Royal Caribbean also confirmed the death in a statement to Cruise Hive, and is cooperating with the investigation.

“We are saddened by the passing of one of our guests. We are supporting authorities in their investigation,” Royal Caribbean wrote in an email.

This is, of course, still a developing situation and Cruise Hive will share additional information about the circumstances if and when it becomes available.

Is Foul Play Suspected?

Especially in the wake of Anna Kepner’s homicide on Carnival Horizon last November, some may be suspicious about the circumstances behind this passenger’s death.

However, it’s important not to let rumors or speculation go too far, as no details about the untimely passing (beyond the fact that it happened) have been publicly released at this time.

Anthem of the Seas Cruise Ship
Photo Credit: LD Media UK / Shutterstock

While foul play is possible, cruise guests do die from time to time due to natural causes. Ships even have onboard morgues to prepare for these unfortunate situations.

It’s also very common for the ship’s security team and local authorities to conduct an investigation and complete incident reports, even when the death is not considered suspicious.

An Unrelated Itinerary Change

Adding insult to injury, the 12-night voyage has also been slapped with a last-minute itinerary change. This was not related to the death, but rather due to inclement weather conditions.

Unfortunately, a deep subtropical low-pressure system is bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds to much of New Zealand’s North Island.

The 168,666-gross ton ship was forced to skip its planned call to Tauranga, (Rotorua), which was scheduled for March 26. She instead went straight to Napier, where cruise tracking data confirms she arrived at around 10:30 a.m.

More From Cruise Hive

She originally wasn’t supposed to arrive in the coastal city, which is located on the eastern coast of the North Island within the Hawke’s Bay region, until noon on March 27.

“Anthem of the Seas has missed Mount Maunganui, Tauranga today. She is currently on her way in to Napier and is due to dock at around 10:30am…This is due to bad weather,” one cruiser updated earlier in the morning.

It’s unclear how the rest of the itinerary, which features Wellington, Lyttelton (Christchurch), Dunedin (Port Chalmers), and Fiordland National Park, may also be impacted. The Quantum-class ship is due back in Sydney on April 3.

More Cruises Cancelled as Ships Remain Stranded at Persian Gulf Ports

Donna Tunney
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More Cruises Cancelled as Ships Remain Stranded at Persian Gulf Ports

Key Aspects:

  • Two cruise lines with ships stuck in Middle Eastern ports have cancelled additional sailings.
  • TUI Cruises will not operate voyages planned for March 29 and April 11.
  • Celestyal Cruises has also announced further cancellations for two ships.

Two cruise lines grappling with their inability to reposition ships away from the war-torn Middle East have been forced to cancel additional voyages.

Both TUI Cruises, which is half-owned by Royal Caribbean Group and TUI AG, and Celestyal Cruises, a boutique line based in Greece, are in the unenviable position of having ships stranded at Persian Gulf ports and unable to transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

With no way to reposition their vessels into the Mediterranean, the cruise lines are notifying more booked guests that their planned vacations at sea will not happen. 

As reported in Cruise Hive, both cruise lines have been cancelling sailings piecemeal since early March, hoping that a solution will emerge that allows the ships to leave the area.

TUI Cruises’ Latest Changes

TUI Cruises confirmed on March 24, 2026, that Mein Schiff 4, stuck in Abu Dhabi, and Mein Schiff 5, in Doha, Qatar, remain unable to depart the area.

Mein Schiff 4’s planned departure on April 11, 2026, a 20-day cruise from Cape Town to Palma de Mallorca, Spain, has been cancelled. Guests booked to sail were to enjoy visits to Namibia, the Canary Islands, Morocco, and Barcelona, among other destinations.

This follows the cancellation of a March 22 voyage from Dubai, UAE, to Cape Town, South Africa. Port calls were scheduled for Muscat, Oman; Mahe Island, Seychelles; Mauritius Island; Reunion Island; and Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

Mein Schiff 5’s March 29 cruise is also cancelled. It was to sail from Cape Town on a 19-day cruise to Palma de Mallorca. Port calls included Namibia, Cape Verde, the Canary Islands, and Gibraltar. Other, earlier departures of both ships had been scrapped shortly after the war began.

TUI Cruise Ship in the Middle East
TUI Cruise Ship in the Middle East (Photo Credit: Ole Dor)

In its notice to guests, TUI Cruises requested that booked passengers avoid contacting the line directly, saying it will keep them updated.

“We kindly ask you to refrain from making individual enquiries about upcoming departures, as we are continuously assessing the situation and always make decisions based on current official recommendations,” said TUI Cruises in a statement to guests.

TUI Cruises, which caters to the German market, indicated that the decision follows travel and safety advice from the German Foreign Office. With some crew members remaining onboard the ships, the line noted that their safety is the top priority.

Celestyal Cruises Cancels More Sailings

Like TUI, Celestyal Cruises has two ships stranded: Celestyal Discovery in Dubai, and Celestyal Journey in Qatar.

The latest departure to be cancelled is Celestyal Discovery’s April 3, 2026, sailing, a 3-night Greek Islands getaway roundtrip from Athens. The latest announcement was issued on March 24.

Celestyal Discovery’s April 6 cruise has also been cancelled. That cruise was originally scheduled to depart on a 4-night sailing to the Greek islands, departing from Lavrion, Greece.

The cruise line has now also cancelled the April 4 departure out of Athens in Greece. This was scheduled to be a 14-night Mediterranean sailing, but also included a shorter 7-night segment ending on April 11.

“Guests booked on these departures will be offered the choice of a full refund or a future cruise credit to use against a future sailing. Affected guests are kindly asked to contact their original travel provider to discuss the available options and next steps,” a statement from Celestyal Cruises explained.

As with TUI Cruises, Celestyal had earlier nixed scheduled departures. Celestyal Discovery’s March 27 and March 30 cruises were cancelled, along with Celestyal Journey’s March 20 and March 23 voyages.

The situation in the Middle East remains unclear, with multiple cruise lines impacted. Cruise Hive will continue to ensure readers are kept updated.

Family Renews Call for Amy Alert as Amy Lynn Bradley Reaches 28 Years Missing

Donna Tunney
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Family Renews Call for Amy Alert as Amy Lynn Bradley Reaches 28 Years Missing

Key Aspects:

  • The family of missing cruise guest Amy Lynn Bradley is proposing an Amy Alert for cruise ships.
  • Amy Bradley went missing from Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas in 1998.
  • An online petition to create the alert system is garnering thousands of signatures.

It was 28 years ago this week, on March 24, 1998, when cruise passenger Amy Lynn Bradley disappeared from Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas as the ship made its way to Curacao.

The 23-year-old was never found, and now her bereaved family is using the tragic anniversary to call attention to the case, which has been well-documented over the years.

Issuing a challenge to the cruise industry in the form of a change.org petition, the family is asking that all cruise ships implement an immediate “Amy Alert” when someone is reported missing.

Similar to an Amber Alert, which galvanizes community and law enforcement efforts in certain child-abduction cases, an Amy Alert would function as an onboard emergency system. To date, the petition has garnered over 33,000 signatures.

Amy Bradley’s brother, Brad Bradley, noted the somber anniversary in a post on X.

“Amy disappeared 28 years ago today, yet it still feels like it was just yesterday somehow. We will continue to work hard and hold onto hope no matter how much time passes,” wrote Brad Bradley.  

“They say time heals all wounds, but they are wrong. We ask that you please come forward if you know something about what happened,” added Bradley.

Her disappearance in the early hours of March 24, 1998, followed an evening at the ship’s nightclub. Amy was traveling with her brother and her parents. The siblings returned to their cabin around 3:30 a.m., but when the family awoke at 6 a.m., she was not there.

A search ensued, involving the Netherlands Antilles Coast Guard, and the ship’s crew members. However, passengers were allowed to debark the 1,996-guest ship while searches were ongoing.

The 7-night sailing had departed from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Curacao was the second port call on the itinerary.

The nature of her vanishing prompted the procedures detailed in the Amy Alert. For example, guests were allowed to disembark the ship in Curacao while the search for the missing Amy was underway.

Some believe the young woman could have been spirited off the ship against her will when the ship docked at the Southern Caribbean island.

What the Amy Alert Petition Would Require

Currently, the petition notes, cruise ships do not require a ship-wide lockdown when someone is reported missing, nor do they have mandatory alert systems in place. Moreover, other passengers may not be immediately notified when a guest goes missing.

According to the petition, the Amy Alert is a six-pronged strategy geared to enable a full and complete search of a ship. It would require an alert to be issued via the cruise line’s app; the broadcasting of the missing guest’s photo on apps and televisions; and an immediate lockdown so that no one can debark the vessel.

Missing Amy Bradley
Missing Amy Bradley (Photo Credits: FBI & Dennis MacDonald)

Also, it requires a stem-to-stern search protocol, water searches if appropriate, and notification of the emergency to maritime officials and the Coast Guard.

In addition to the petition, Brad Bradley’s posts on X also direct interested viewers to a podcast about his sister’s disappearance on The Midnight Mystery Archive.

“If you’ve been waiting for a serious, evidence-first treatment of this case — this is it. Twelve episodes. It starts here,” posted Bradley.

Amy Bradley’s family has consistently worked to keep her case in the news, always seeking potential new leads in the case. In 2024, for instance, Cruise Hive reported that they highlighted what would be her 50th birthday, on May 12 of that year.

Her mysterious disappearance was the subject of a Netflix documentary, “Amy Bradley is Missing,” in July 2025 and quickly became the second-most-watched show on the network.

MSC Drops New Details on MSC World Asia’s Harbour Park and Aqua Deck

Lissa Poirot
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MSC Drops New Details on MSC World Asia’s Harbour Park and Aqua Deck

Key Aspects:

  • MSC Cruises revealed new details about the Harbour outdoor family park and the Aqua Deck pool district on MSC World Asia.
  • The ship will include thrill attractions such as the Cliffhanger swing ride, a large ropes course, and an 11-deck spiral slide.
  • MSC World Asia will begin sailing 7-night Mediterranean itineraries on December 4, 2026.

A new outdoor park for families and a redesigned pool district are among the latest features announced for MSC World Asia, the next ship in MSC Cruises’ World Class series scheduled to debut late this year.

The cruise line just revealed new details about The Harbour and the Aqua Deck areas on board the vessel, highlighting outdoor attractions, dining spaces, and new pools that will be part of the ship’s family-focused entertainment offerings.

Building on the concept first introduced on MSC World America when that ship debuted on April 9, 2025, The Harbor will serve as a large outdoor activity area designed for families and children.

The attraction will make its European debut on the 215,863-gross-ton MSC World Asia and will be located within the ship’s Family Aventura district.

According to MSC Cruises, the space is designed as an outdoor park where guests can take part in activities throughout the day while also accessing casual food options.

“Reflecting the theme of the ship, the newly revamped Harbour on MSC World Asia will feature an Asian-inspired design where parents, children, and thrill seekers can come together, eat, and play and soak up in the sun in a revolutionary outdoor park within the Family Aventura district,” said the cruise line.

The Harbour on MSC World Asia
The Harbour on MSC World Asia

Among the attractions is Cliffhanger, an over-water swing ride positioned roughly 164 feet above sea level. The ride will move back and forth over the side of the ship while offering views of the ocean.

Another feature is a two-level ropes course covering about 6,210 square feet. The course includes two Sky Rails that function similarly to a zip line and are designed to allow guests to navigate elevated obstacles above the deck.

The Harbour will also include a small water park with multiple slides. These range from a vertical drop slide to raft rides and side-by-side racing slides, along with a splash area designed for younger children.

Nearby food service will be provided at The Harbour Bar & Bites, which will offer quick snacks and drinks intended for guests using the activity area. The outdoor district will also include a new Play Deck space intended as a quieter area where families can gather between activities.

Another feature connected to the area is the Tree of Life at The Spiral, an 11-deck dry slide that links The Harbour with the World Promenade below.

Aqua Deck and Pools

Across the ship, MSC World Asia will feature a total of seven pools and 13 hot tubs, with the Aqua Deck district the largest outdoor zone offering several pools.

Two of the pools are part of the redesigned Aqua Deck concept, including the Manila Bay pool. This outdoor pool will be ship’s primary pool area and will host daytime activities and entertainment.

MSC World Asia Indoor Pool
MSC World Asia’s Coral Cove indoor pool (Photo Credit: MSC Cruises)

Nearby, the Pearl Lagoon Bar will serve drinks in the main pool area. The second redesigned pool, Coral Cove, will be located indoors beneath a retractable glass roof. The space will also feature a bar.

MSC World Asia, currently wrapping up construction at Chantiers de l’Atlantique in France, is being designed to incorporate Asian culture, art, and landscapes throughout public areas and venues.

More From Cruise Hive

It will be the third vessel in MSC Cruises’ World Class series and will accommodate 6,758 passengers. She is scheduled to begin service on December 4, 2026, operating 7-night cruises in the Mediterranean.

Itineraries will include calls at major ports like Barcelona and Valletta, Spain; Marseille, France; and Civitavecchia (Rome), Messina, and Naples, Italy.

Viral Harmony of the Seas “Mini Tsunami” Video Surges Back Into the Spotlight

Catie Kovelman
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Viral Harmony of the Seas “Mini Tsunami” Video Surges Back Into the Spotlight

Key Aspects:

  • Fascinating footage of Harmony of the Seas departing from Port Everglades has popped back up.
  • The viral video shows how the ship pulls water away from the shore, which rushes back as soon as the vessel passes.
  • Because of the Royal Caribbean ship’s massive size, the effect is particularly impressive.

An old video of Harmony of the Seas leaving Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale is making waves once again in 2026.

The viral clip, which was first shared seven years ago, captures the massive Royal Caribbean ship creating a phenomenon in which the water from the shoreline recedes as the mega-ship passes a stretch of beach.

Once the mega-ship has passed, the water comes rushing back in what looks like a mini tsunami, or what would be more accurately described as a “wake-induced surge.” 

In the video, beachgoers who were seeing the Oasis-class ship off can be seen playfully running and screaming as the sea quickly returns to its normal depth.

What Caused the Phenomenon?

Part of why this video has resurfaced is because it is fascinating and cruise fans want to understand the science behind the clip.

“Could someone explain because the ship appears to be displacing a bunch of water (which makes it float) so wouldn’t the water be pushed out while it is nearby, and then recede when it departs?” one person inquired in a recent Reddit post.

Cruisers have Bernoulli’s Principle to thank for the sight, which in layman’s terms, states that faster fluid results in lower pressure and vice versa.

When a cruise ship moves quickly, reduced pressure along the hull (or bottom of the ship) creates “squat,” which causes the ship to sink lower. This, in turn, creates a suction effect that is responsible for the temporary receding shoreline.

“This is Bernoulli’s principle in action. As the ship moves through the narrow gap between its hull and the shallow bottom/shore, water is forced to squeeze through a restricted space and speeds up. Faster-moving water has lower pressure — and lower pressure pulls the surface down, creating a depression rather than a wave,” one cruise fan helpfully explained in the comments.

“It’s a well-documented phenomenon in maritime navigation — it contributes to what’s called squat, where the ship itself sinks slightly lower due to the same pressure drop under its hull,” they continued.

Notably, the entrance channel is one of the deepest in the US Atlantic with a depth of 42 to 45 feet, so the Royal Caribbean ship is likely in much deeper water than it may appear to be on camera.

An Impressive Ship Size

The effect of the receding waves and water rushing back to the shore is particularly impressive for Harmony of the Seas because the ship is so massive.

“We saw five of the six that passed through the jetty that day. They all create a mini tsunami but Royal Caribbean’s Harmony Of the Seas makes the biggest impact because it’s so massive,” the original video poster wrote.

Many of the hundreds of commenters on the new Reddit thread also spoke to how impressive the ship looks up close and how it was their first time seeing a vessel of this size so close to the beach.

Harmony of the Seas barely surpasses its Oasis-class sisters to be the current sixth-largest cruise ship in the world. She has a maximum capacity of 6,780 guests and 18 total decks, 16 of which are available to passengers.

She comes in at an impressive 226,963 gross tons and measures 1,188 feet long and 215.5 feet wide when looking at the maximum beam.

Where Was the Video Filmed?

For context, the video appears to have been filmed from the Fort Lauderdale Jetties Public Beach, which is located in Broward County, Florida. It’s just under five miles away from Port Everglades.

All cruise ships must pass through the narrow Port Everglades Harbor entrance channel, which passes by the Jetties, making it a popular spot for well wishers and maritime fans to watch the vessels come and go.

More From Cruise Hive

These days, the Royal Caribbean ship won’t be spotted from the shoreside haunt. Harmony of the Seas stopped calling to Fort Lauderdale after the 2022-2023 winter season and has just wrapped up its Caribbean season in Galveston.

As of the time of publication, the 2016-launched ship is in the middle of a 16-night transatlantic voyage to Barcelona, Spain, to begin its Mediterranean season.

However, Cruise Hive confirmed that 15 Royal Caribbean ships still sail from Fort Lauderdale, including some of Harmony’s Oasis-class sisters: Allure of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, and Symphony of the Seas.

Intense Weather Leads to New Itinerary for Northern Lights Sailing

Catie Kovelman
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Intense Weather Leads to New Itinerary for Northern Lights Sailing

Key Aspects:

  • Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambition embarked on a 13-night sailing to Norway on March 22, 2026.
  • But due to worsening weather in Northern Norway, the entire Northern Lights-themed itinerary has been replaced.
  • Instead of Norway, guests will now visit destinations in Sweden, Germany, and Denmark.

Inclement weather has snuffed out the lights on the current itinerary for Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambition.

On March 22, 2026, the 1,200-guest ship embarked on a 13-night sailing to Norway on a Northern Lights-themed voyage. But due to worsening weather conditions in Northern Norway, the entire itinerary has had to change.

“Due to a significant deterioration in weather conditions in Northern Norway, Ambassador Cruise Line can confirm that guests on board Ambition’s Norway’s Land of the Northern Lights sailing have today been advised that the current itinerary has been amended,” Ambassador Cruise Line posted on Facebook on March 23, 2026.

Originally, the UK-based cruise line planned for the smaller ship to still make its first port call at Bodo on March 25, which is located in Northern Norway, about 50 miles north of the Arctic Circle.

But since embarking from London (Tilbury), England, on March 22, conditions deteriorated to the point that the planned call is no longer safe.

Read Also: What to Do Onboard a Cruise Ship in Bad Weather

“At the time of departure from London Tilbury yesterday, Sunday 22 March, it was considered feasible for Ambition to reach its first scheduled port of call, Bodø, on Wednesday 25 March,” the cruise line explained.

“However, the forecast has worsened considerably over the past 12 hours, and conditions are expected to deteriorate further over the coming days.”

In light of the weather, the rest of the itinerary after Bodo has also been entirely replaced. This will be a disappointing blow for guests who have long dreamed of seeing the Aurora Borealis.

The New Itinerary

Originally, the 48,123-gross ton ship was supposed to visit Leknes-Gravdal (Lofoten Islands), Tromso, Alta, and Alesund in Norway.

Tromso, Alta, and the Lofoten Islands are especially famous for viewing the Northern Lights, offering optimal viewing from late September through early April.

Cruise Hive discovered that there was even an overnight call scheduled for Alta from March 29 until March 30, to allow guests to be in the “City of the Northern Lights” during prime viewing hours (usually between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.).

Ambassador Ambition Cruise Ship
Ambassador Ambition Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Skyshark Media)

Of course, all of these plans have been scrapped due to the dangerous weather conditions and an alternate last-minute itinerary has been created.

“Ambassador has curated an alternative itinerary that will offer guests the opportunity to explore some of Northern Europe’s most iconic and charming destinations that feature a blend of historic landmarks, waterfront settings and easy-to-explore city centres,” the cruise line stated.

Current guests will now first sail to Oslo for an overnight call. This will be followed by Gothenburg, Sweden; Copenhagen, Denmark; Warnemünde (Berlin), Germany; Stockholm, Sweden; and Aarhus, Denmark.

The Northern Lights are rarely visible from Denmark and Germany, but the Aurora Borealis is usually visible from northern Sweden.

Unfortunately, Gothenburg is on Sweden’s west coast and Stockholm is on the east coast, which lessens the chances of seeing the impressive spectacle.

Guests Appreciate the Safety-First Mindset

While a specific storm system has not been named, it’s the season for polar lows (intense but short-lived winter storms) in Norway.

Leknes, which was the scheduled port for March 26, is under a moderate wind warning through at least March 26. Winds are expected to reach Gale Force 7, or between 28 to 33 knots. This is much too strong to safely visit the tender port.

“Tuesday evening southeasterly occasionally near gale force 7, from early Wednesday morning southerly,” reads the alert from the Norwegian Meteorological Institute.

Snow and rain is in the forecast through the weekend for the remaining ports of call on the original itinerary.

While some guests are understandably disappointed, most are happy to safely avoid the rough seas. Some passengers have been told that swells in stormy areas may surpass 12 meters (around 40 feet).

“I’m onboard at the moment and, while I’m disappointed, the safety of the passengers, crew and ship has to take priority – no way would I willingly go into the weather that is threatening 12m+ swells!,” one current guest reacted.

Of course, itinerary changes are only made with safety as the top priority and when no other options are available.

Princess Cruises Reveals Ambitious South America Season With Antarctica Voyages

Lissa Poirot
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Princess Cruises Reveals Ambitious South America Season With Antarctica Voyages

Key Aspects:

  • Princess Cruises has released a new 2027-28 South America schedule for Majestic Princess.
  • The program includes six sailings ranging from 15 to 37 days.
  • Itineraries will visit 19 destinations across eight countries with extended scenic cruising in Antarctica.

Princess Cruises has opened bookings for its 2027-28 South America cruise season, revealing a series of longer voyages aboard the 3,560-guest Majestic Princess.

The season includes stops across the continent and extended time in Antarctica and will be the second season in South America for the recently renovated vessel.

Running from October 2027 through January 2028, the program includes six departures across four itineraries ranging from 15 to 37 days.

Sailings will visit 19 destinations in eight countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay, with port calls in cities like Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo, and Ushuaia.

The longest voyage in the lineup is a 37-day repositioning Grand Adventure departing from Southampton, England. 

The itinerary crosses the Atlantic with stops in Lisbon, the Canary Islands, Rio de Janeiro, and Montevideo before concluding in San Antonio, Chile, the port serving Santiago. After that crossing, Majestic Princess will operate shorter regional itineraries.

These include a 15-day “Cape Horn & Glaciers of Patagonia” sailing between Buenos Aires and San Antonio, and a 17-day “Antarctica & South America” voyage that departs from Buenos Aires and includes extended time cruising in Antarctic waters.

Princess Cruises returns to Antarctica
Princess Cruises returns to Antarctica (Photo Credit: Princess Cruises)

“Our 207-28 South America season is designed to bring guests closer to the world’s most breathtaking landscapes and vibrant cultures,” said Jim Berra, Princess Cruises chief commercial officer.

He said the South America cruises will provide “unforgettable experiences that combine adventure, enrichment, and our friendliest service at sea.”

Voyages Include Antarctica

The 2027-28 South America season for the 143,700-gross-ton Majestic Princess will provide traditional port calls with extended scenic cruising and longer itineraries.

One of the highlights is scenic cruising through the Beagle Channel Fjords and Glacier Alley, a stretch of waterways near the southern tip of South America known for glaciers from the Darwin Mountain Range.

The experience was first added to Princess Cruises’ itineraries for the 2026-27 season and will return for the new sailings.

The Antarctica & South America itinerary will also include multiple days sailing through Antarctic waters such as the Gerlache Strait and the South Shetland Islands, where guests may see glaciers, icebergs, and wildlife.

Across the full season, itineraries will feature visits to 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Among them are the Peninsula Valdes Patagonian Nature Reserve near Puerto Madryn, known for whale watching.

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

Additionally, passengers can visit the Carioca Landscapes between the mountain and the sea in Rio de Janeiro, which includes landmarks such as Christ the Redeemer and Copacabana Beach.

The cruise line is also offering optional land extensions tied to the sailings. These cruisetours include a 6-night Machu Picchu Explorer that visits Lima, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and Cusco. Another is a 5-night Iguazu Falls Adventure visiting Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls, and Rio de Janeiro.

Onboard programming during the Antarctica segments will feature naturalists and destination specialists providing commentary on wildlife and the history of the region. The new itineraries are now on sale through the cruise line and travel advisors.

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