In the past few years, it has become commonplace for the most loyal of Carnival cruise guests to lose some of their most coveted loyalty benefits on unique cruises and longer sailings.
Such is now the case with the recently refreshed Carnival Miracle on her first departure from Dover, UK. Booked guests have now received a benefits update notification alerting them to the loss of multiple benefits for the 12-night cruise.
The sailing, a Carnival Journeys cruise, is the ship’s first departure during her summer homeporting from Dover. The Iceland and British Isles itinerary includes calls to outstanding ports such as Belfast, Seydisfjordur, Reykjavik, Kirkwall, and more.
Unfortunately, some of the most desirable Platinum and Diamond Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) benefits will not be available.
“Due to the high number of Diamond and Platinum guests joining us on this voyage, we will not be able to provide priority embarkation or debarkation (including at any of the ports of call),”the email stated.
These priority guests are still welcome to drop off their carry-on bags as soon as they board (but not to remain in their staterooms!), but the priority embarkation and debarkation are not the only benefits they are losing.
“Related to Diamond guests, due to capacity limitations, we cannot guarantee main dining room seating requests for dinner,”the email continued.
It is common for hundreds of high-tier priority guests to be aboard Carnival Journeys itineraries, especially such unique options. For example, while Carnival Miracle will be homeporting from Dover through early August, the ship is only offering two of these Iceland cruises over the next three months.
“These operational changes are consistent with other cruises where we have a very large number of Diamond and Platinum guests,”the email noted.“We apologize for any disappointment and thank you for your understanding.”
Different sailings that have lost high-level VIFP benefits include seasonal sailings to Greenland, the occasional cruise from Long Beach to Hawaii, Panama Canal transits, and transatlantic cruises, among others.
Other benefits, such as complimentary wash-and-fold laundry, welcome treats, logo gifts, reunion parties, and the collectible VIFP pins remain intact.
Will the Benefits Be Removed Entirely?
It is almost comically frustrating that the very benefits many loyal cruisers enjoy the most are those to be removed for the sailings most attractive to those loyal guests.
That frustration may be nearly at an end, however. John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador, recently announced that changes to the VIFP program are underway.
2025 Carnival Cruise Line Loyalty Pins
While no details have yet been announced, the changes are planned to be confirmed this summer. Full implementation of the new program is likely in January 2026.
Speculation has been high that new tiers may be introduced to the program, but it is anyone’s guess as to how they could be structured or what benefits may apply to which new tiers.
It is possible that some of these oft-removed benefits might become more restricted in the new program. For example, priority embarkation and debarkation might apply only to shorter cruises and be removed entirely from longer sailings.
It is also possible that the benefits might be moved to higher tiers, so fewer guests would qualify for each perk and the benefits could be kept intact even on the most popular cruises.
Of course, as cruise vacations continue to be phenomenally popular even more guests will reach higher loyalty levels, and these same problems might resurface again in a few years.
Not every cruise is perfect, but first impressions are everything.
For one pair of seasoned cruisers, their first experience on Carnival Cruise Line was less than ideal when they entered an unexpectedly filthy cabin. That being said, the way the cruise line handled the situation left the passengers impressed.
In the initial Facebook post, the guests shared multiple photos of the dirty conditions, accompanied by a short novel of grievances after boarding the 88,500 gross ton Carnival Miracle.
“We always said Carnival probably wasn’t for us — and sadly, our first ever Carnival cruise is proving us absolutely right,”the post begins, outlining the horrible experience.
The pair then went on to explain how they were aware of the ‘ghastly’ decor on the ship and even expected it to be busy, but were shocked by how dirty it was.
This was not the first thing to go wrong, as the embarkation process in Lisbon took three hours, and there was no communication or apology from Carnival about the delay.
The current itinerary Carnival Miracle is on is a 7-night one-way cruise that departed on May 11 from Lisbon, making stops in La Coruna and Bilbao in Spain, as well as Medoc and Paris, France, before arriving in Dover, England, on May 18.
When the passengers arrived at cabin 5165, they opened the door only to find that the clean room they were expecting was anything but that.
“Pubic hairs on the bedside table, what looks like semen stains on the luggage mat, mould and bacteria in the soap dish, food smudged into the plug socket, sticky and stained surfaces, and what appears to be urine and faeces under the toilet seat,” the guests shared in their post.
They did point out that Carnival Miracle did just come off of an extensive drydock in Cádiz, and they simply could not understand where the cruise line actually made improvements.
In their 100 cruises, these guests had never experienced a ship that was so run down and were just hoping to make it through their cruise without any issues.
The Facebook post sharing the story has hundreds of comments, and the overall feedback was mixed.
Most people said that rather than post online, the passengers should speak to the appropriate crew members to resolve the situation.
In a lengthy update from these guests, they said that they were grateful for the support but were appalled by how many people thought the story was fake. However, they took the advice of fellow cruisers and reached out to the crew for help.
“Yesterday, the Housekeeping Manager, Guest Services Manager, and Hotel Director all came to inspect the cabin themselves,”they shared in the update, adding, “they took full ownership and acknowledged that what we experienced was a severe failing on their part, and must never happen again.”
Upgraded Carnival Miracle Cruise Ship
After assessing the room, the crew promised to improve their internal protocols to ensure nothing like this happened again.
This follow-up post also mentioned the professionalism of the hotel director Duncan, who, in his 40 years of working on cruises, said he had never seen a cabin so dirty.
The passengers have since been moved to a nicer (aka cleaner) stateroom and have received a full refund for the cruise.
Rather than being upset, these first time Carnival cruisers were thrilled with the way the cruise line handeded the situation, saying,“We appreciate Carnival’s honesty and accountability in this situation.”
With multiple crew members agreeing that the state of the cabin was unacceptable, it is clear that there will be a plan in place to prevent this in the future.
While these passengers’ experience with Carnival Cruise Line got off to a rocky start, they are looking forward to enjoying the rest of their cruise and are grateful the situation was solved so quickly.
Good things come in threes and on Margaritaville at Sea cruise line’s third anniversary, May 14, 2025, it has announced it is introducing a third ship to its roster in 2026.
Parrothead cruisers first got to eat cheeseburgers in paradise aboardthe aptly named Margaritaville at Sea Paradise when the Jimmy Buffett-branded, island-themed ship launched the cruise line in 2022.
Just two years later, passengers were able to waste away again on Margaritaville at Sea Islander when it debuted in June 2024 to provide one more way to sail to the islands.
Now there’s another reason to find that shaker of salt as the cruise line will bring its biggest vessel to date to the Caribbean seas in 2026.
“Over the last three years, we have been incredibly focused on building Margaritaville at Sea by delivering more of what our guests love – a uniquely laid-back island attitude with award-winning hospitality,”said Christopher Ivy, CEO of Margaritaville at Sea.
“With the acquisition of our third ship in three years, we are proud to once again invite guests to step into the Margaritaville state of mind on the open ocean,” he continued.
Although the cruise line has not yet confirmed an exact debut date or name for the new ship, it has revealed the new addition is actually the 102,500-gross-ton Costa Fortuna, currently sailing under Costa Cruises.
Costa Fortuna, which was constructed in the early 2000s, accommodates 3,450 passengers at double capacity in more than 1,340 staterooms. The 13-passenger deck vessel features a large multi-deck atrium and expansive outdoor decks.
While the ship will remain under Costa Cruises flag until late 2025, Margaritaville at Sea plans to reimagine the ship with its own branding and décor, updating public spaces to reflect the cruise line’s casual, tropical theme.
“We’re thrilled to once again expand the experience of our brand on the water and share the cruise line’s signature experiences and amenities with even more guests,”said John Cohlan, CEO of Margaritaville.
The unnamed vessel is expected to enter dry dock at an undisclosed shipyard by the end of the 2026. Costa Cruises had recently disclosed Costa Fortuna was scheduled to be transferred to a new owner in September 2026.
Fleet Built from Costa Ships
The new Margaritaville at Sea ship follows in the wake of its sister ships as former vessels of Costa Cruises, owned by Carnival Corporation.
The 52,926-gross-ton Margaritaville at Sea Paradise was originally Costa Cruises’ Costa Classica, which was built in 1991 and sold to Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line in 2018 before Margaritaville entered the cruise space and took over operations.
The larger 85,619-gross-ton Margaritaville at Sea Islander was also a Costa Cruises’ vessel. Built in 2000, the former Costa Atlantica sailed in Asia as a Carnival Corporation and China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) passenger ship.
Costa Fortuna Cruise Ship
That vessel drydocked for four months at Harland & Wolff Shipyard in Belfast, Ireland, where updates to staterooms and public areas were completed, along with the addition of new features like the LandShark Bar at Sea.
Margaritaville at Sea currently homeports its Islander in Tampa, sailing to destinations along the Gulf of Mexico, including Key West, Florida, and Cozumel and Progresso, Mexico, on 4- and 5-night adventures.
Paradise sails out of Palm Beach, Florida, on 2- and 3-night journeys to Nassau, Bahamas, and longer cruises to Key West and Freeport, Bahamas.
It is likely the third ship will offer similar sailings from a Florida port, with the cruise line hinting a new homeport will be revealed ahead of her 2026 launch.
The Haven is Norwegian Cruise Line’s version of the ever-popular, luxury, VIP ship-within-a-ship concept: a place where cruisers can pay extra and enjoy more amenities and less-crowded spaces away from the hubbub of the greater ship.
Over recent years, more and more cruise lines have been introducing such spaces. However, as mentioned, sailing in a Haven stateroom or suite is going to cost you more — a lot more.
The Haven on Norwegian Cruise Line is a small area at the top of the ship that usually consists of a variety of staterooms and suites that have access to certain spaces that the general cruising population does not.
These spaces may differ according to ship, but can include a sun deck, small pool, restaurant, lounge, etc. Guests staying in The Haven also enjoy a wealth of amenities that other cruisers elsewhere on the ship do not enjoy.
Special Haven Spaces
The Haven Sun Deck
There are three main “extra” spaces that Haven guests have exclusive access to: The Haven Lounge, The Haven Restaurant and The Haven Courtyard and Sundeck.
The Haven Lounge is a quieter, indoors spot that serves drinks.
The Haven Restaurant offers exclusive menus that you won’t find elsewhere throughout the ship. It’s considered a complimentary restaurant, included in your cruise fare, in addition to the other complimentary dining options found elsewhere on the ship, such as the main dining room.
The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner (note that dinner service is not available on Jewel-class ships).
The Haven Courtyard and Sundeck offer both a private pool and hot tub, and only cruisers ages 16 and up can access part of the sundeck, making it a nice, adults-only area for quieter sunbathing.
Attendants man the sundeck throughout the afternoon on sea days, to bring you drinks, snacks and cold towels. Depending on the ship, there may also be an outdoor Haven bar.
Haven Staterooms
The Haven Owner’s Suite
There are a range of Haven staterooms and suites to choose from, from the very extravagant to the more modest but still spacious accommodations.
The three-bedroom Garden Villa is possibly the most posh of them all. In addition to the three bedrooms, villas also offers four bathrooms, multiple outdoor terraces, a private hot tub and up to 6,694 square feet.
A deluxe Haven’s Owners Suite will be slightly smaller, but still very luxurious, with one or two bedrooms, separate living and dining rooms and extra-large bathrooms and a private balcony. Owner’s Suites are similar, but overall just a tad smaller.
A 2-bedroom family villa provides spaces to come together and socialize, but also a master bedroom set apart from a separate bedroom for the kids. The kids have their own television and bathroom, and the adults do as well, with a king-sized bed, and large bathroom with a soaking tub and double vanity.
A forward-facing, aft-facing or courtyard penthouse will offer just enough space for two, but the experience is still high-end. These penthouses provide a private and large balcony, and extra touches such as walk-in closets, wet bar areas, a double sofa bed, sitting area or dining areas, depending on the specific stateroom.
Deluxe suites focus on in-stateroom relaxation, with king-sized beds, oversized waterfall showers, and in-suite hot tubs.
The Haven spa suite is very similar to spa suites elsewhere across the ship, in that you get access to spa amenities included in your cruise fare, and you’ll have wellness-focused amenities in your suite, too, such as those found in the deluxe suites.
Extra Perks for Guests of The Haven
The Haven Access Area on Norwegian Aqua (Photo Credit: Emrys Thakkar / Cruise Hive)
The benefits of staying in The Haven begin before you even board the ship. When you arrive at port, you’ll be expedited through security and taken to a special area to wait to board.
These cruise terminal areas for Haven guests often offer some light snacks so you can wait in comfort. When it’s time to board, you’re personally escorted onto the ship. You’ll likewise receive a personal escort at every port you stop at during your cruise.
Haven guests enjoy access to exclusive concierge services to help book dining, entertainment and shore excursions. You do receive priority reservations. 24-hour butler service is available every day.
In-suite Haven amenities range from nightly treats delivered to your door to in-room fresh fruit bowls that are regularly replenished to free in-room movies and plush bathrobes and slippers.
Depending on the room you stay in, you may get additional extras, such as a bottle of welcome Champagne and stocked bars.
Which Norwegian Cruise Line Ships Have The Haven?
The Haven on Norwegian Aqua (Photo Credit: Emrys Thakkar / Cruise Hive)
There’s no need to stay on Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ships in order to enjoy a stay in The Haven. This space is featured on a good number of ships, included a few older ships that have been remodeled in recent years.
Norwegian Cruise Line ships with The Haven include:
Norwegian Breakaway
Norwegian Getaway
Norwegian Bliss
Norwegian Encore
Norwegian Escape
Norwegian Gem
Norwegian Jade
Norwegian Pearl
Norwegian Prima
Norwegian Epic
Norwegian Dawn
Norwegian Star
Norwegian Jewel
Norwegian Viva
Norwegian Aqua
Norwegian Luna
Keep in mind, though, that while all of these ships have a Haven, not all Havens across all ships are the same.
For example, of the above staterooms described, not every single one is available on every single ship. Not every Haven features a restaurant, lounge and deck and pool, either. Some may have just a deck and lounge, for instance.
The Haven is best on Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ships, those in the Prima Class. Prima-class ships include Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Aqua.
All of these ships have debuted within the last several years and, in fact, Norwegian Aqua debuted just earlier in 2025 and I, as mentioned, had the pleasure of checking out this space for myself when joining the ship for one of its first sailings.
Norwegian Aqua (Photo Credit: Just dance)
So what makes The Haven ultimately better on the Prima Class?
For one, The Haven’s location on the ship makes a big difference. On Prima-class ships, The Haven is situated at the back of the ship. This means that the sundeck receives less wind, and that it offers an infinity pool that overlooks the water, breathtaking views and two decks of space.
Additionally, Prima-class ships feature their own elevators for Haven guests, meaning that the Haven suites and staterooms feel a little more like their own, set-apart area than they might on other ships in the fleet.
These elevators come with their own key cards, so The Haven is 100%, totally and entirely set apart from all other cruisers. The other spaces are also larger on the ships, such as the restaurant.
Of course, there’s also just the fact that The Haven on these ships is newer, with the Prima Class’s more upscale and modern feel.
Is Booking The Haven on Norwegian Cruise Line Worth It or Not? What to Consider
To decide whether or not booking The Haven on Norwegian Cruise Line is worth it, you’ll want to consider a few key factors.
How Much Will It Cost You?
Image Courtesy: Norwegian Cruise Line
So how much can you expect to pay for all of this Haven goodness? In general, you can expect to pay at least twice what you’d pay, for a similar stateroom or suite category outside of The Haven.
In some cases, depending on the ship and the suite chosen, you could pay up to 10 times what it would cost to sail elsewhere in the ship.
Let’s take a look at some examples:
For a 7-day, May 2025 Caribbean cruise on Norwegian Aqua, the per-person price before any discounts for an inside stateroom is $3,737. The per-person price before any discounts for a Haven stateroom on the same cruise is $16,177.
For a 7-day, May 2025 Alaskan cruise on Norwegian Bliss, the per-person price before any discounts for an inside stateroom is $1,744. The per-person price before any discounts for a Haven stateroom on the same cruise is $8,424.
For a 7-day, November 2025 Caribbean cruise on Norwegian Gem, the per-person price before any discounts for an inside stateroom is $1,508. The per-person price before any discounts for a Haven stateroom on the same cruise is $7,848.
In short, you’re going to reliably pay multiple thousands of dollars per person to cruise in The Haven.
For some, this is perfectly fine and they’re willing to splash out on a splurge-worthy vacation. For others, they look to cruising for their vacations because of its cost-saving opportunities. Budget travelers will, as such, probably want to avoid The Haven.
What Ship are You Sailing on?
The Haven Sundeck and Infinity Pool
As mentioned, The Haven can really differ from ship to ship. Do you really want to spend thousands of dollars per person for a cruise, just to get on your ship and find that the older Haven space doesn’t have as many bells and whistles as The Haven on a Prima-class ship?
As such, unless you really, really value the basic amenities that come with staying in The Haven, you might want to hold off on booking a Haven stateroom or suite until you can sail on one of the cruise line’s newer ships.
How Much Time Do You Plan on Spending in The Haven?
Cruise Passenger With NCL Haven Slippers (Photo Credit: Joni Hanebutt)
Of course, you also need to think about how much you’ll actually use The Haven’s VIP amenities and spaces. This requires thinking about your cruise habits overall.
If you’re the type of cruiser who likes to, first and foremost, kick back and relax during your cruise, and if you spend a lot of time on the sun deck or by the pool, and little time in port or exploring ship features like the casino, waterparks or theaters, by all means, you may prefer The Haven.
Likewise, if you don’t like all the noise and crowds that can come with larger, family-friendly ships like those in Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet, then you may value the relative tranquility and privacy that The Haven provides.
If, though, you’re the type of cruiser to spend very little time on the ship on port days, and if you can’t wait to explore all the various restaurants, bars and more that a mega ship like Norwegian Aqua offers, then you may be wasting your money on The Haven. If you’re never going to be there, what are you really paying for?
Is Booking The Haven on Norwegian Cruise Line Worth It or Not? The Verdict
So should you book The Haven for your next cruise? I can’t make that decision for you. I know that there’s a lot to love about The Haven, especially on newer ships like Norwegian Aqua, and I greatly enjoy all the little luxuries that staying in The Haven can offer.
However, I also know that it’s not a good fit for everyone, including sometimes myself when I’m on a cruise where I’m really excited to experience the entirety of the ship and the various ports of call, rather than just one small part of a ship.
Only you can decide if The Haven is right for your next cruise. Considering the various factors presented above, though, you should be able to make a smart decision that will leave you satisfied with your future cruise.
It’s not unusual for a cruise ship’s debarkation day to be confusing and even frustrating, especially for guests who have flights to catch or who are just eager to be on their way home.
When there are delays, separated parties, a lack of communication, and other issues, however, even typical frustrations can boil over and leave a lasting negative impression on guests.
Virgin Voyages had such a confusing situation at the end of Resilient Lady‘s most recent sailing on Sunday, May 11, owing in part to an illness outbreak that complicated debarkation. While the problems were not entirely the cruise line’s fault, they have issued a detailed and heartfelt apology to guests.
“We want to begin by saying we’re truly sorry,”the email began.“As you know, a number of Sailors onboard experienced symptoms of gastroenteritis during your voyage.”
“While our Crew and Medical Team acted quickly to manage the situation and implement enhanced health protocols, the process around debarkation, particularly as requirements shifted with the local Port Health Authorities, was not what you deserved.”
Guests aboard the ship for the 7-night “Dubrovnik Day Mykonos” cruise roundtrip from Athens shared their experiences on Reddit, noting that it was the lack of communication during debarkation that was most frustrating.
Local port authorities required that all travelers exhibiting symptoms of the illness were to be debarked first and separately from other guests. This created confusion and stress among guests who were already not at their best.
Furthermore, all guests were required to wear masks for debarkation as an additional precaution.
Because Virgin Voyages minimizes public address (PA) announcements during sailings, very few announcements were made to clarify instructions during debarkation.
Guests noted that the process was slightly delayed, but pre-recorded announcements continued to play as if there had been no changes. Similarly, notifications in the cruise line’s app were not adjusted for the unusual situation.
Many impacted guests wrote to the cruise line after the debacle, sharing their frustrations and making sure the proper executives at Virgin Voyages were aware of the situation.
“We’ve heard your feedback: that communication felt slow and inconsistent, that the process seemed disorganized, and that it wasn’t always clear who to turn to for answers,”the cruise line acknowledged.
“We recognize that some of you were left feeling frustrated, uncertain, or unheard, and for that, we are deeply sorry.”
The email apology goes on to note that the cruise line should have communicated better to reassure guests that the situation was under control. Protocols are now being reviewed in order to minimize similar problems in the future.
“We appreciate you sailing with us, and we’re grateful for your honesty—even when it’s hard to hear. Thank you for helping us grow and hold ourselves to a higher standard,”the email concludes.
Should There Be Compensation?
One thing the email does not mention is any compensation being offered to guests. While some travelers picked up on this, most do not mind, given that the circumstances were out of the cruise line’s control.
After all, the majority of the cruise went off as planned, including ports of call, dining, and most entertainment – though some performances were cancelled due to illness, which can happen on any sailing for any cruise line.
What matters much more than any onboard credit or refund to guests is the fact that the cruise line readily admitted its shortcomings and took responsibility for not making the experience as smooth as possible.
Resilient Lady (Photo Credit: JTTucker / Shutterstock)
“I’ve seen a lot of awful corporate non-apologies in my time, and this isn’t one of them,”one guest noted.“They have clearly referenced specifically what they got wrong, didn’t try to dodge responsibility for it and didn’t try to weasel-word anything.”
“This is one of the things I appreciate about Virgin, They are not afraid to say when they are wrong,”another guest said.
Undoubtedly, the cruise line will be not only reviewing its own protocols but also communicating with port authorities about how to more smoothly handle any similar situations in the future.
Resilient Lady will remain homeported from Athens through mid-October, offering a variety of sailings to top destinations in the Greek Isles, Croatia, Turkey, and Montenegro.
Passengers sailing to Carnival Cruise Line’s new Celebration Key won’t have to carry a wallet.
The destination will be the first private resort of the cruise line to use its cashless payment system, Sail & Sign, beginning July 19, 2025.
Guests sailing to the brand-new destination will be able to use their Sail & Sign cards at kiosks found at the resort’s food and beverage providers.
This means no cash or credit cards will be needed as purchases will be linked directly to onboard accounts.
The self-service kiosks and point-of-sale (POS) technology is being provided in collaboration with Cantaloupe Inc. and, according to Carnival Cruise Line, is “critical to making Celebration Key a destination that is full of fun and take the worry out of carrying cash for our guests.”
Richard Morse, senior vice president of Food and Beverage at Carnival Cruise Line said,“Through this partnership, we’re able to offer an experience that extends the ease and familiarity of onboard dining to our exclusive destination.”
Morse added that guests at Celebration Key will be able to use the system at any of the resort’s wide range of over 30 dining and beverage options.
The private destination, which will also be available to Carnival Cruise Line’s sister brands under the Carnival Corporation umbrella – including Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, and Cunard – will feature four-service restaurants, a food hall, nine food trucks, five snack shacks, two counter-service kiosks, and 12 bars.
Dining and Payment on Celebration Key
Celebration Key will open on July 19 after undergoing several years of construction at a cost of over $500 million and an additional $100 million for a pier extension project. The destination will also offer Carnival Cruise Line guests one complimentary meal at any of its fast-casual dining venues.
Passengers can also select a full-service restaurant, where they can receive 25 percent off any entry under the Island Eats program.
Full-service dining will be available at several locations across Celebration Key, each with a distinct atmosphere and menu.
At Calypso Lagoon, guests can head to Mingo’s Tropical Bar & Kitchen for Bahamian favorites like fried fish and conch fritters. A nearby food truck, Mingo’s Express, will feature quick bites.
Nearby, Surf N’Sauce BBQ & Brews will offer slow-smoked meats and Bahamian craft beers served in an open-air setting.
At Starfish Lagoon, the family-friendly Gill’s Grill will dish out Caribbean seafood baskets, burgers, and kids’ meals.
Celebration Key, Grand Bahama Island
Meanwhile, adults seeking a more elevated beachside experience will find it at the Pearl Cove Beach Club Restaurant, featuring upscale fare and cocktails served poolside or right on the sand.
For fast-casual and grab-and-go options, Celebration Key’s food hall, Captain’s Galley, will feature five outlets and serve a variety of options, including burgers, hot dogs, fried chicken, pizza, Mediterranean bowls, tacos, and burritos.
While the majority of food and beverage choices will be found at Calypso and Starfish Lagoons, the cashless payment option will also be available in Lokono Cove’s coffee shop and food carts, and Paradise Plaza’s Yumshine Scoops ice cream shop.
The first ship scheduled to arrive at Celebration Key on July 19 is the 3,934-passenger Carnival Vista, visiting during an 8-night Southern Caribbean sailing from Port Canaveral, Florida.
Up to 2,980 passengers aboard the Carnival Conquest will be next to experience the new destination on July 20, followed closely by Carnival Freedom, Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Pride, Carnival Conquest, and Carnival Elation.
Cashless payments using Sail & Sign cards will be limited to Celebration Key’s food and beverage locations. Shops and boutiques are not yet included in the rollout.
While Carnival Corporation also operates Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays in the Bahamas and Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic, the company has not indicated whether or when the new payment system will expand to these locations.
Princess Cruises is expanding its 2026 roster of solar eclipse-focused voyages with the addition of a third sailing that will celebrate the celestial event off the coast of Spain.
The 3,660-guest Enchanted Princess will join the line’s Sky Princess and Sun Princess in offering a bucket-list experience — watching a total solar eclipse from the sea — in early August 2026.
The ship’s 14-day “Mediterranean & Adriatic with Total Solar Eclipse” cruise departs on August 4, 2026 from Rome, calling at destinations along the Adriatic and the Western Mediterranean before concluding in Barcelona.
Enchanted Princess will be positioned off southeastern Spain for the two-minute and 18-second total eclipse on August 12, 2026.
As with the other two Princess ships, Enchanted Princess will invite guests to gather topside and provide eclipse viewing glasses so that all passengers can enjoy the cosmic experience.
The voyage will feature lectures by astronomy professionals, eclipse-themed foods and beverages, night programs focused on stargazing, and even trivia games based on the solar system.
Stargazing enthusiasts also can set up their own telescopes on the ship’s decks, and delight in the night skies at sea, with little or no light pollution interference.
“Adding Enchanted Princess to our 2026 solar eclipse lineup allows more guests to be part of this extraordinary moment at sea while exploring breathtaking Mediterranean and Adriatic destinations,” said Terry Thornton, Chief Commercial Officer at Princess Cruises.
“With limited availability on Sky Princess and Sun Princess, we’re excited to give our guests a new opportunity to be part of this rare astronomical event aboard another of our spectacular ships,” Thornton added.
Enchanted Princess’s itinerary includes port calls at Naples, Italy; Kotor, Montenegro; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Corfu, Greece; Messina and Palermo, Sicily; Gibraltar; and Alicante, Spain. From the waters off Alicante, on Spain’s southeastern coast, cruisers will be ideally positioned to witness the total solar eclipse.
Two More Princess Cruises Ships Plan Eclipse Voyages
Princess Cruises began planning for its 2026 eclipse voyages in 2024, when it announced that Sky Princess would sail a themed voyage roundtrip from Southampton on August 8, 2026.
Her 14-day “Spain, France & Portugal with Total Solar Eclipse” sailing will call at Cherbourg, France, before visiting four ports in Spain — Bilbao, Malaga, Cartagena, and La Coruna; Gibraltar; and Lisbon.
Princess Cruises Solar Eclipse (Photo Courtesy: Princess Cruises)
Sky Princess, with a capacity for 3,660 guests, will call at Bilbao on August 11, 2026, one day before the eclipse, and remain in the waters off Spain for the big event.
The 4,300-guest Sun Princess, the cruise line’s newest ship, offers the 14-night Mediterranean with Total Solar Eclipse cruise from Athens to Rome, departing on August 1, 2026.
The ship calls at destinations in Greece, Montenegro, and Sicily before visiting Barcelona and Gibraltar. As Eclipse Day approaches, the ship will call at Cartagena, Spain, on August 11, 2026, and offer viewing of the event the next day. A 7-night segment of this voyage is also available.
Princess Cruises is one of several lines planning 2026 solar eclipse voyages. Anticipating keen interest from travelers, Carnival Cruise Line will deploy its 2,100-guest Carnival Legend to the Western Mediterranean on a sailing that departs from Dover, England, on August 9, 2026.
Virgin Voyages will send two ships, Valiant Lady and Scarlet Lady, into the path of totality in August 2026. However, since the eclipse will also be seen in northern areas, Valiant Lady, for instance, is taking a northerly route on her 15-night “Eclipse in the Land of Fire and Ice.”
The ship will be positioned off Akureyri, Iceland, when the eclipse happens on August 12, 2026.
Pier runners are a controversial topic. Some cruise guests have zero sympathy for anyone late returning to the ship, while others – maybe those who have been in that unenviable position themselves – are a bit more understanding.
There is always speculation about exactly why someone might be late back to the ship, and there can be a variety of reasons that delay a traveler. Overindulging, getting lost, or just losing track of time are all common reasons for pier runners.
But what about if an honest mistake is why you miss your ship? Should the cruise line help out with expenses and arrangements to get you back onboard? Should they show sympathy toward your plight?
One recent guest has sent a very firm and frustrated letter to John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador, about such a situation they were faced with on a recent cruise.
“We missed the ship, it was our fault, but the lack of sympathy from [John Heald] and Carnival has been really bad,”the guest explained.
Heald did note that the guest didn’t say “really bad” but rather used what he euphemistically refers to as “naughty words” – so you can guess it wasn’t the most polite letter.
The guest does go on to describe that she and her traveling companion have stressful jobs and had been looking forward to the cruise as a way to relax and reset. Unfortunately, it didn’t turn out the way they’d hoped.
“We got to Costa Maya and we rented a Jeep and the clock was set to the local time zone, something we didn’t realize until way too late. We ended up on the pier 15 minutes after the gangway had been hauled up, watched for another 17 minutes before they hauled the lines and departed,”the guest described.
“So when you say that it is okay to have people sneer and jeer at you, John, think of people like us who had to stand there and watch the ship sail and be ridiculed by hundreds of people.”
Heald has addressed the issue of pier runners and the impromptu, unofficial watchers who may cheer, boo, or otherwise react to the situation while they’re safely onboard the ship.
Carnival Cruise Line does not endorse the behavior, but also will not make any official policy prohibiting it. That would be impossible to enforce at any rate, and the simple solution is for guests to take every possible precaution to make sure they return to their ship on time.
Should Carnival Pay for Pier Runner Arrangements?
It isn’t just the cheering and jeering that upset these particular guests, however. They feel that – despite acknowledging that it was their fault for missing the ship – Carnival Cruise Line should have helped them out.
“Then the biggest slap in the face. We had to pay for our own hotel and then a taxi and ferry charges to join the ship the next day in Cozumel,”the guest said.“There was no help financially from Carnival. Why?”
Heald reflects that he does have sympathy for their situation, and notes that he’s never said it’s okay or nice for other guests to cheer at a pier runner’s predicament.
He explains that the ship would have been unable to return to pick up the late guests if some lines had already been removed from the ship’s docking tie ups, even if it seems the vessel hasn’t yet moved or isn’t very far from the pier. Undoubtedly doing so would have been a violation of safety and port regulations.
Puerto Maya Cruise Piers (Photo Credit: Jui-Yu Ricky Chien)
As for the cruise line paying for guests’ mistakes by providing accommodations and transportation to the next port of call? That will not be happening.
“It is your responsibility I’m afraid to pay for the charges of your hotel and all the transportation charges,”Heald confirmed.
He goes on to urge guests that if they rent a vehicle in a port of call, they should always be careful, and they should always ignore local clocks and stay firmly on the ship’s time.
Very few commenters have any sympathy for the original poster, noting that it’s very easy to have a wristwatch set to ship’s time or to set an alarm and be sure to return to the ship with plenty of time to spare.
Guests should not always rely on cell phones or smartwatches, however, as those may automatically reset to local time in a port of call – which, as the original poster learned, isn’t always synchronous with the ship’s time.
Other travelers note that taking a shore excursion booked through Carnival Cruise Line would also have avoided this situation, rather than independently renting a vehicle.
Have you ever been late back to the ship on a Carnival cruise? Share your experiences – and your tips to avoid the problem! – on the Cruise Hive boards!
When cruise guests book a sailing, it’s often because they want to experience a specific itinerary – so it’s understandably disappointing when that itinerary changes.
However, a change in port availability has led to a revised itinerary for the upcoming November 10, 2025, sailing for Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Getaway– which has left one first-time cruiser feeling alarmed.
Changes in port availability can refer to an increase in port congestion, as well as news that a port might not be fully operational – such as if a pier will need to be temporarily taken out of commission for maintenance or repairs.
The guest asked in a cruise forum:“First time cruiser…We had three stops. Now only two and one day at sea. I’m upset because I paid for the 3 stops originally. Does this happen a lot?”
In this case, the 4-night Bahamas-bound sailing was supposed to call on Bimini, Nassau, and Great Stirrup Cay – which isNorwegian Cruise Line’s private island.
But due to changes in port availability, the call on Nassau, Bahamas, has been cancelled and the calls on Bimini and Great Stirrup Cay have each shifted back by one day.
The visit to Bimini was originally scheduled for November 11, with Great Stirrup Cay next on November 12.
“We wanted to let you know that, due to updated port availability, your cruise will now visit Bimini, Bahamas, on November 12, 2025, and Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas, on November 13, 2025,” Norwegian Cruise Line wrote to booked guests.
“As a result, our previously scheduled stop in Nassau, Bahamas, has been cancelled,” NCL’s update continued.
The call on Nassau was originally supposed to be on November 13, and as the cruise is due to conclude in Miami, Florida, on November 14, this means that there simply isn’t time to visit the Capital of the Bahamas.
And instead of moving Nassau up to the front of the voyage, the up to 3,963 guests will enjoy an extra sea day.
“But here’s the upside: You’ll now have an extra day to soak up everything Norwegian Getaway has to offer. From bold flavors and poolside lounging to laugh-out-loud shows and late-night fun, there’s no shortage of ways to stay in vacation mode,”the cruise line added.
While NCL sympathized with the potential disappointment, no compensation for the change has been provided at this time.
Are Itinerary Changes Normal?
While itineraries don’t shift for every single sailing, it’s certainly not out of the realm of possibility for cruise lines to alter course for reasons related to weather, maintenance needs, safety at the intended destinations, and as is the case here, port availability.
Along with the other mainstream cruise lines, Norwegian Cruise Line has a clause in its contract– which passengers agree to upon booking – that protects the brand and allows them to make these changes as necessary.
More experienced cruisers were quick to respond to the first-timer to confirm that itinerary changes do happen from time to time – and encouraged her to enjoy the extra sea day.
“It does happen for so many reasons including the port and weather. I know it’s disappointing and I pray it doesn’t happen on our upcoming cruise in 2 weeks,” one cruise guest wrote.
“Given that, a sea day can be fun: the pool, cocktails, a quiet lounge chair somewhere with a book watching the world sail by…trying to be optimistic for you,” he continued.
As port calls can always change – even once you’re onboard – cruisers need to have a go with the flow attitude.
But if this guest has their heart set on a very specific port, it’s also not too late to cancel or try to switch to another sailing – as the 145,655-gross ton Norwegian Getaway will be operating similar 3 to 5-night Bahamian sailings at around the same time.
NCL allows cruises to be cancelled with no penalty 120 days before the departure date – and as of the time of this writing – there are just over 180 days to go before November 10 rolls around.
