While all cruises have excursions, these experiences come at an extra cost and are not every cruiser’s favorite way to explore ports.
One soon-to-be first-time cruiser took to Reddit to seek advice about excursions, wondering if it would be worth it to book any for an upcoming MSC Cruise.
“We booked a 7-day MSC cruise for a nice price to the Caribbean in the fall,” the poster said, adding,“but looking into the MSC app, all ports have some excursions that look fun but are not in our budget. Are the excursions necessary for a good time?
The Redditor also asked if it was possible to simply just walk around the ports, seeking out unique adventures and taking up the opportunity to explore more of the local cultures and cuisines.
At the end of the post, it was shared that the cruise would be calling on ports in Nassau and Ocean Cay in the Bahamas, Cozumel in Mexico, and Roatan in Honduras.
Seasoned cruisers were quick to reply to the post, but the feedback was extremely mixed on how worthwhile excursions were.
“What ports? Some yes, some no,”one person commented, adding,“that being said, the best time to enjoy the ship is when it’s in port. No lines, no crowds.”
The original poster replied with the ports, to which the commenter replied that those particular destinations were mostly bars, shops, and restaurants — but if one were seeking to go on an excursion, it would be cheaper to book one through a local company rather than through the cruise line.
However, the theme of actually staying on the ship while at port became a common one throughout the replies to the post.
“I cruise for the ship and not the ports. I usually don’t get off, if I do, only once,”added one person.
“My family and I did our first cruise in January. We could barely afford the cruise, let alone the excursions, so we didn’t do any. It was fun just exploring the ship, relaxing, trying all the food, and wandering the ports,”replied another.
One of the other commenters shared that when cruising in Alaska, their family booked their own excursions — but in doing so had to make sure they had enough time to get back to the ship, which was stressful but saved them a lot of money.
The general consensus was that excursions could add to the fun at some of the more lackluster ports, such as Nassau, but that they did not need to be through the cruise line and were not necessary to enjoy the cruise.
What it all comes down to is both the cost and the comfort level, as not booking through the cruise line can create more anxiety but also more freedom.
Self-Planned and Independently Booked Excursions Can Lead to the Dreaded Pier Run
When planning excursions separately from the cruise line, the biggest thing to be aware of is giving yourself enough time to get back to the ship before it departs.
Recently, TikToker Ali Smithshared her experience when she almost missed the departure time while cruising on the 4,905-passenger Anthem of the Seas.
In the now viral video, Ali could be seen taking a full-day self-planned excursion around Ho Chi Minh City, but her lack of planning led her to become a pier runner, just narrowly avoiding missing the ship.
Taxis Lined up in Cozumel, Mexico (Photo Credit: Yingna Cai)
However, self-planned excursions are not always to blame, as a family onboard the 4,004-passenger Norwegian Encorelearned the hard wayin 2024.
The Gaults were on a cruise to celebrate a family reunion when, while on an excursion, their local tour operator caused them to miss the ship, leaving all nine of them stranded in Ketchikan, Alaska.
The family was ultimately left with a $9,000 bill that took some time to rectify with the cruise line, as the tour operator was ultimately at fault for the situation.
While situations as severe as the Gaults are not common, ones like Ali’s happen all the time — and are an excellent reminder that planning excursions requires excellent time management.
Take it from someone who has watched the cruise ship sail away from the dock without them, timing is everything.
To book excursions or not to book excursions, that is the question. The answer is simple: do what feels comfortable and will make your cruise the best one possible.
The shoes you pack for a cruise vacation could depend on your fashionable style, the destinations you plan to visit, if you enjoy beach breaks, will you be hiking on shore, are you dressing up for formal night, and more.
But should a pair of slippers be on your cruise packing list? One upcoming Carnival guest was hoping the cruise line would provide that casual footwear.
For clarification, they reached out to Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador, John Heald, with the somewhat unusual question.
“I am fine tuning my packing list for my Miracle cruise from Dover. Normally for travel I would pack a pair of light sliders to wear back and forth to pool deck. These are not for the room,”the guest explained.
“Nobody wants to walk around cruise ship rooms bare-footed. Are slippers provided for us? We are both at the platinum level just so you know, John.”
All cruise guests can certainly understand the wish to “fine tune” one’s packing list. I’m a chronic over-packer myself, and it would be nice to have less luggage to tote for embarkation and debarkation.
This would be especially true for me for any sailing from Dover, which would also involve flying to the homeport, airport transfers, and other hassles. While the original poster does not indicate if they are local to Dover, smart packing is a great idea for any cruise.
Carnival Miracle is spending the summer homeported from Dover, UK with 9- and 12-night itineraries. The shorter cruises include both Northern Europe as well as British Isles itineraries. The longer sailings are either Iceland and British Isles cruises or Scandinavia Baltic routes.
The ship’s last departure from Dover this year will be August 10 for a 15-night one-way trip to Civitavecchia (Rome), where she will homeport through early November before returning to Tampa and Caribbean cruises.
Nevertheless, regardless of the cruise length or itinerary, free slippers will not be available.
“The rooms are fully cleaned [and] vacuumed daily so please do not even give that a second thought,”Heald noted.“As for slippers, well, unless you are in a spa cabin or suite, we do not provide slippers.”
Heald goes on to note that the spa and suite slippers aren’t necessarily the most luxurious.
“I could say to those guests staying in one of these cabins ‘enjoy your slippers’ but that’s hardly the right word for sliding your feet onto two clown sized, wafer-thin strips of cardboard tipped by a flappy foam thingy that make you shuffle walking around the ship like someone who has seven glasses of prune juice (still complimentary) and now urgently needs the bathroom,”he joked.
Granted, there is a lot of imagery there that I didn’t necessarily need. But what no one needs is the allegations and entitlement exhibited by the original poster, either.
The idea that “nobody wants to walk around cruise ship rooms bare-footed” raises the question – have they spoken to the thousands of guests who set sail every week about their in-cabin footwear preferences?
Personally, I’m always barefoot in the stateroom. After a long shore tour or time spent exploring a port area, it’s nice to kick off the shoes – no matter what type they are. Furthermore, removing footwear right as soon as one enters a stateroom ensures you’re not tracking any sand or dirt over the carpet.
Everyone has their own footwear preferences, of course, and some guests do undoubtedly prefer slippers or socks in their staterooms, but Carnival is not obligated to provide any.
That the original poster stuck in “We are both at the platinum level just so you know” is especially grating. While cruise line loyalty programs can be great and offer some highly coveted benefits, guests who tend to expect those benefits spread an attitude of entitlement that creates a bad reputation for all frequent cruisers.
I am a “platinum level” cruiser with Carnival Cruise Line myself, and would never expect (or demand!) slippers. Instead, I pack whatever footwear I might need and don’t expect the cruise line to provide such items.
What Footwear Do Carnival Cruisers Prefer?
Heald followed up on the slipper topic by asking his followers what type of footwear they bring along on their cruise vacations. His options included slippers to wear in the cabin, flip flops for the open decks or Lido, sliders or sandals for around the ship, or just crocs to wear everywhere.
More than 5,000 commenters responded and all types of footwear certainly ended up in the luggage, as well as many other varieties Heald didn’t name.
Sneakers or tennis shoes for shore tours or winter sailings, fancy or dressy shoes for dinner, travel shoes for getting to and from the cruise port, and water shoes for the beach were all popular choices.
Some shore tours or activities, such as the popular Behind the Fun tour, do require guests to wear close-toed shoes, so guests should pack accordingly if they want to participate.
On Carnival’s largest ships, guests might also do more walking than they expect. Whatever type of shoes you pack along, be sure they’re comfortable and broken in so you don’t suffer with blisters or sore feet!
Fans of Costa Cruises, the Carnival Corporation brand that caters mainly to the Italian market, have seen the cruise line’s fleet get smaller in recent years, and that trend will continue in 2026, when yet another ship will depart the line.
In a Strategic Path update issued on May 9, 2025, Costa Cruises confirmed that the 2,700-guest Costa Fortuna, which the line notes is its longest-serving ship, will be transferred to a new, unnamed, owner in September 2026.
Costa Fortuna, a Destiny-class ship that entered service in 2003, will operate her scheduled cruises in the Mediterranean through the summer/fall 2025, with departures from Barcelona, Marseille, and Savona.
In December 2025, the ship will deploy to Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, for a winter series of island voyages. In April 2026, Costa Fortuna will return to the Mediterranean and sail cruises featuring port calls in the Western and Eastern Mediterranean.
Before her transfer out of the fleet, the ship is scheduled to sail Greece and Turkey cruises from Athens and Istanbul in summer 2026.
Costa Cruises provided no reason for the ship’s planned departure from the fleet, which has decreased by three vessels in the last three years.
The cruise line, a sister brand to Carnival Cruise Line, saw the former Costa Luminosa, Costa Venezia, and Costa Firenze all transferred to the sister line.
Each of the three ships are now known as Carnival Luminosa, Carnival Venezia, and Carnival Firenze, with the latter two operating as the line’s Fun Italian Style ships. They joined the Carnival fleet in 2022, 2023, and 2024, respectively.
Since 2001, Costa Cruises has invested some 200 million euros ($225 million USD) in upgrades to its fleet as part of the five-year Strategic Path, which will conclude in November 2025 with the renovation of Costa Serena.
The 3,700-guest Concordia-class ship, launched in 2007, will undergo substantial improvements, including renovated suites, redesigned pools, lounges, and main dining rooms, and a new food court with eateries such as Pizzeria Pummid’Oro, and Sushino@Costa.
Following her dry-dock, Costa Serena will sail a world cruise from Tokyo to Buenos Aires in 2026, positioning the ship for South American cruises in winter 2027. The ship will offer Mediterranean voyages in the spring of that year.
“Our goal is to provide unmatched experiences for our guests while embracing innovation, sustainability, and exceptional value for money,” said Mario Zanetti, president of Costa Cruises.
“We are also investing in our fleet to enhance onboard experience and introducing new itineraries, including Costa Serena new deployment for 2026-2027. The strategy path that we started a few years ago is strengthening our offer in our key markets with a portfolio of unique vacations,” Zanetti added.
Costa Cruises to Operate With Eight Ships Starting 2026
Costa Cruises has no new ship orders pending, making it likely that the brand will operate with eight ships for some time — unless another goes up for sale.
In addition to Costa Serena, those vessels are Costa Toscana, Costa Smeralda, Costa Deliziosa, Costa Diadema, Costa Fascinosa, Costa Favolosa, and Costa Pacifica.
Photo Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line
The ships sail global itineraries and attract mostly Italians and other Western Europeans. However, the three ships that were transferred to the Carnival Cruise Line fleet all sailed from US ports, giving North American cruisers a taste of Italian themes and designs in shipboard decor.
The 4,000-guest Carnival Venezia, whose design is inspired by the city of Venice, will soon reposition from Port Canaveral to New York and sail summer season Bermuda and Caribbean cruises from the Big Apple.
Carnival Firenze, with decor modeled on the city of Florence, is based in Los Angeles, where the 4,100-guest ship sails Mexican Riviera and California coastal cruises.
Carnival Luminosa is not operating as a Fun Italian-style ship. The 2,260-guest vessel is currently deployed to Seattle for a summer series of Alaska voyages.
While nobody is perfect, the captain of Silversea Cruises’ Silver Ray has just made a rather costly mistake.
On May 3, 2025, while the newest addition to the fleet was operating an 11-night sailing from Barcelona, Spain, to Rome, Italy, the small ship sailed into the protected waters surrounding the famous Faraglioni of Capri.
The 801-foot long vessel came within 500 meters (or 1,640 feet) of the iconic rocks, which puts the marine ecosystem, the landmark, and the ship itself in danger.
“Last Saturday, the Silver Ray, a luxury 244-meter cruise ship, sailed through the waters, passing at close range from the coast of Marina Piccola and, above all, from the iconic Faraglioni,” reads a translated statement on the instagram of GreenMe, an Italian news outlet.
“A “bow” that was perhaps suggestive for the tourists on board, but potentially dangerous for one of the most fragile marine ecosystems in the Mediterranean (where a rare monk seal was recently spotted),”continues the statement.
Smartphone video captured the 728-guest ship sailing within the off-limits waters, and was quickly sent to the Italian Coast Guard by an environmental association, called Legambiente.
This led to an investigation, in which the coast guard used Automatic Identification System transmissions and a monitoring platform to check the luxury ship’s path – and ultimately determined that she came too close to the Faraglioni.
According to Italian news outlet “GreenMe”, the cruise line was fined €1,032 (or $1,158.24 USD) for the transgression. The captain also received a formal, written warning from the Campanian Maritime authority.
While this fine might not seem like a lot to a luxury cruise line that brings in millions of dollars in revenue every year, it does send a clear message about respecting Italy’s protected waters.
Why It Matters
Maritime officials aren’t just establishing protected regions for fun. These rules are put in place for the safety of the passengers aboard these ships and to protect the marine ecosystems and wildlife.
Capri’s Faraglioni rocks could easilydamage or sink a ship in the right conditions – as they are quite large at an average height of 328 feet and have no shortage of sharp edges.
Even though nothing went wrong when Silver Ray sailed by and there have been no documented shipwrecks in these rocks, they aren’t far from where the famous Costa Concordia capsized and sanknear the Italian island of Giglio in 2012.
Cruise Ship Tipped Over (Photo Credit: MZeta / Shutterstock)
Activists have already been comparing Silver Ray’s actions to the “salute maneuver” made by former Captain Francesco Schettino onboard the ill-fated ship.
It was that act that caused Costa Concordia to collide with the rocks, and ultimately created one of the worst modern cruise ship tragedies – in which 32 people lost their lives.
While nothing happened this time, this tragedy can help contextualize why sailing too close to the Faraglioni of Capri was a big (and unnecessary) risk to take.
However, the risk of harm isn’t just to the cruise ship and the passengers onboard, but also to the iconic landmark and the wildlife that live there.
In light of this event, Legambiente’s Capri chapter has begun rallying the troops to designate the waters surrounding the island of Capri as a Marine protected area.
Of notable importance, the water around Capri is home to several species of coral that are considered threatened or endangered.
A variety of fish, small mammals, and the blue lizard (a subspecies of the Italian wall lizard) all make this area their home. Additionally, sightings of the rare and highly endangered Mediterranean monk seal have also been reported nearby.
Today’s cruise travelers won’t soon forget the longing for an oceangoing getaway five years ago (already five years?) when the industry was shut down for the COVID-19 pandemic and no one knew how it would change or even if it would restart.
But while we stayed home and wished we were on cruises, there were people – crew members – onboard ships who just wished they could go home.
In a ruling released Tuesday, May 6, 2025, however, the 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the actions of Celebrity Cruises in detaining crew members during the pandemic.
At that time, there was no established way for the individuals to be repatriated to their home country of the Philippines.
According to WFSU News, the lawsuit was filed in 2020 by Ryan Maglana and Francis Bugayong. Both were Filipino crew members aboard Celebrity Millennium at the time while the ship was under warm layup and not in service.
The suit alleged false imprisonment and intentional infliction of emotional distress following the cruise line’s disciplinary actions.
At first, once the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued the initial no-sail order on March 14, 2020, that suspended all cruise operations from US ports, crew members were not permitted to disembark.
While anchored and not in service, Maglana was accused of onboard theft, taking a bottle of liquor from a ship’s bar and sharing it with Bugayong. As per company policy both crew members were summarily fired.
Under normal circumstances, this would mean the former crew members would have been put ashore at the earliest opportunity. Unfortunately, because of pandemic-related travel restrictions, they could not be disembarked and had to remain on the ship.
In May 2020, protocols were developed to repatriate crew members to their home countries as it became apparent that cruises would not be resuming soon.
On May 21, Maglana filed the lawsuit, several days before Celebrity Cruises chartered a flight to return roughly 200 Filipino crew members – Maglana and Bugayong included – to the Philippines.
Celebrity Millennium Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Leonard Zhukovsky)
Portions of the case were dismissed in 2023, which then moved to appeals. This week, the appeals court upheld the dismissal of the false imprisonment and emotional distress issues, noting that the cruise line’s “conduct was not outrageous” given the exceptional circumstances at the time.
“[Maglana and Bugayong] were trapped for months on a cruise ship without guidance about when they might return home,”the opinion, written by Chief Judge William Prior, read.
“But the pandemic also gave Celebrity the unenviable job of repatriating thousands of crewmen to their homes around the globe — all while making sure that none encountered a member of the public. … That Celebrity did not do this difficult job perfectly or as quickly as Maglana and Bugayong would have liked does not mean that its behavior was outrageous.“
Cruise Line Lawsuits Not Uncommon
It is not unusual for cruise lines to be sued by guests and crew members alike. Personal injury lawsuits are particularly common, as are charges related to employee dismissals, vessel accessibility, misinterpreted policies, or altered itineraries.
Environmental contamination, copyright infringement, and violation of local ordinances are other lawsuits cruise lines are regularly cited with.
Cruise lines have extensive and detailed contracts for both cruise guests as well as crew members, as well as dedicated legal teams to handle any such tricky situations.
You’ve been dreaming of your cruise vacation for months and now (finally!) embarkation day is here.
It’s great to bask in anticipation of the fun that awaits, but don’t be surprised if a snag or two mix in with the excitement of boarding your cruise ship.
I can recall at least two embarkations impacted by computer glitches that slowed the check-in process to a crawl and caused more than a few cruisers to become, shall we say, less than courteous to cruise line staff.
But there are plenty of things within our control that we can do to create a seamless and pleasant boarding experience.
First, pack your patience, then follow these 15 tips to make embarkation as smooth as silk.
Carnival Cruise Ship in Miami, Florida (Photo Credit: byvalet)
Traveling to your embarkation port city on departure day is a mistake that can end up costing a lot of money, and adding a whole lot of stress to the start of your vacation.
There are too many variables that can impact and delay travel, particularly air travel, but also other modes of transport, like driving your own car to the port or taking public transportation.
It’s always best to arrive a day early and stay at a hotel near the cruise terminal the night before your cruise departs. If you’re driving to your cruise terminal, you’re better off paying for an extra night’s parking fee along with the hotel bill rather than risk same-day arrival.
For air travelers, many hotels near the major US ports offer free shuttle services to the cruise terminals, but even if you have to pay for a taxi, it’s well worth the peace of mind to know you can get to your departure port in just minutes.
Arrive at the Cruise Terminal at Your Assigned Time
The major cruise lines typically have staggered boarding times so that thousands of guests don’t descend on cruise terminals at the same time, overwhelming the pier side operations.
You can often choose your boarding time window when booking the cruise, or the cruise line will assign you an arrival window.
It’s important that all guests show up at their planned arrival times, because doing so keeps the flow of human traffic moving smoothly through the terminal and along the gangways onto the vessel.
Keep Key Documents Close at Hand
Embarking on a Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Joni Hanebutt)
Even in these digital times there is paperwork involved on embarkation day and it’s vital to have your key documents within easy reach. These include identification such as passports or other acceptable IDs.
Boarding passes with a QR code can be downloaded into your phone, or accessed by email, and scanned by cruise line representatives at the terminal. But, it’s a good idea to keep a printed version of the pass as a back-up.
Virtually all cruise lines require guests to fill out a health declaration form at the terminal, asking cruisers to confirm they are not experiencing certain symptoms of illness. These will be turned in to staff when requested during the check-in process. So, after you fill it out, keep it handy.
Eat Breakfast Before Heading to the Port
Dining at Bayside (Photo Credit: 4kclips)
It might seem like an unimportant thing, but some cruisers are in such a hurry to get going that they skip having a decent breakfast on embarkation day. They will regret that decision later, if the boarding process hits a snag and there are delays getting aboard the ship.
Even if everything goes smoothly, most cruisers will typically board their ship sometime after noon. Cruise terminals might have some vending machines, but decent food will be hard to come by while waiting to board.
So, take time to enjoy a hearty breakfast. It also helps to keep crankiness at bay if there are check-in snafus.
Hold Onto Your Carry-On Bag, But Not Suitcases
Royal Caribbean Cruise Luggage (Photo Credit: Solarisys)
Cruise documents along with medications should be among the items packed in your carry-on bag, which you should keep with you during the check-in process.
I find that the fewer bags I have to deal with, the better, so I even stuff my purse into my carry-on and hold my passport and phone in the other hand as I move through the check-in process.
Big luggage should be turned over to porters outside the terminal. It is unusual for cabins to be ready for guests upon embarkation, and that means if you bring your luggage onboard you’ll be hauling it around the ship for an unknown amount of time.
Don’t be afraid to trust the porters. Luggage delivery to cruise ship cabins is amazingly efficient.
Make Sure Luggage Tags Are Secure
Cruise Luggage Drop Off at PortMiami (Photo Credit: Ceri Breeze)
It’s crucial that luggage tags are bound in a secure way onto your luggage. Cruise lines will provide tags that you can print out at home. They will contain your name, the cruise line and ship name, and your cabin number.
Here’s how I deal with tags: After printing them at home I pack them in my carry-on bag with a small roll of scotch tape. Just before leaving for the port on embarkation day, I wrap the tag around my suitcase handle and secure it with tape.
Waiting until the last minute to add the tag lowers the chance that it will become ripped and fall off. Remember, a lost luggage tag almost always means a lost piece of luggage.
No Matter What, Don’t Be Late
Miami Travel With Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Ceri Breeze)
While there is no point in arriving early at your departure port, since you will have to wait until your scheduled check-in time to board the ship, neither do you want to show up late and risk missing the ship’s departure.
You’ll have to contact the cruise line with the bad news and then make your own way, at your own expense, to the ship’s first port of call. The cost could run into big bucks, so don’t be late.
Adhere to Security Checks and Disclose Certain Items
Be prepared to go through a security system at the cruise terminal. Just like at airports there are metal detectors, and all bags get X-ray screening. This is the time to disclose any wine or bottled water you are bringing onboard.
Each cruise line has its own rules about how much wine, champagne, and water you can carry onto the ship, so check out those rules when booking your trip.
Anything over the limit will be confiscated by ship management. (Remember, there are corkage fees charged for all wine brought onboard. Check the FAQ section on your cruise line’s website to learn the rules.)
All cruise guests have their photos taken either inside the cruise terminal or, in some limited cases, as they first step aboard their ship. There is no getting around it, and due to the sometimes stressful embarkation process, these pictures can look as unattractive as a police mug shot.
However, each time you get off and on the ship throughout your cruise, staff will scan your ID card and see your photo appear on their computer screen, making sure you are who they think you are. So why not offer a big, happy grin? After all, you’re going on vacation!
In all the excitement of embarking on a cruise vacation, it can be easy to forget that the ship’s specialty restaurants will almost certainly require a reservation even on the first night, so if you’re hoping to dine in one of them, get your table booked first thing.
If the cruise line has a guest app, which most of them do, you can download it and create an account on your phone. Now, you’re ready to book a reservation at any of the dining venues — including the main dining room. Reservations can be made even before embarkation on many cruise line apps.
Those looking to totally chill out on the first night can avoid reservations and choose to dine at one of the ship’s casual eateries. Room service typically is available on the first night of a cruise as well.
Absolutely Watch The Ship’s Safety Video
Carnival Cruise Line Cabin and TV (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)
In the post-pandemic era most cruise lines have switched to e-muster drills, meaning that guests no longer have to report to muster stations and stand there with safety vests on while listening to the safety briefing. These days, it’s all done by video in the staterooms.
But the video cannot be avoided; every guest must watch it before the ship can sail, and the cruise line will monitor whether the video has played in each cabin.
Also, on most ships, guests must still present their ID card for scanning by a crew member at their assigned muster station or other official meeting place, as proof that they know where to go should an emergency arise.
Muster stations are indicated on a map located on the inside of each cabin door. Listen for instructions over the public address system.
Switch Your Phone to Airplane Mode
Communication on Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: CLS Digital Arts)
Cruise guests can get hit with expensive data roaming charges on their phones if they don’t switch to airplane mode after boarding their ship. Doing so prevents your phone from trying to connect to cellular networks at sea.
Those who don’t buy an internet package will be able to use the cruise line app, but will only have internet access while in a port. Even then, roaming charges will come into play and they can be hefty.
Steer Clear Of Your Cabin Until It’s Ready
Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive
Cruise guests barging into their staterooms before the cabin steward has finished cleaning and sprucing it up is a growing problem on some cruise lines. Some guests even have the nerve to tell the steward to come back later!
The hard-working cabin stewards have a detailed cleaning plan they must follow and a tight schedule to keep — they must be allowed to do their jobs unbothered by guests.
Listen for the announcement over the public address system alerting guests that they can proceed to their cabins. Until then, settle down in a comfy public space.
Explore the Ship and Grab a Bite
Carnival Cruise Line Lido Marketplace Buffet (Photo Credit: Emrys Thakkar)
Now that you’ve made it onboard your beautiful cruise ship, it’s time to have a look around, get the lay of the land, so to speak, and find a place to eat.
Locate and check out the places that will matter most to you — the pools and thrill rides, sports courts, spa and salon, mini-golf course, casino — anywhere you intend to spend some time.
For lunch, I always skip the buffet; it’s just too loud and crowded. Many guests don’t realize that the main dining rooms are typically open for lunch on embarkation day, and there you can find a more quiet space and order from the ship’s full lunch menu.
Don’t Miss The Sailaway Party
Crowded Carnival Cruise Line Deck (Photo Credit: Ruth Peterkin)
Once the hard part is done, the sailaway party is one of the best experiences of a cruise. Passengers have gotten through the check-in process, dropped their carry-on bags in their cabins and maybe even unpacked a suitcase.
Now, everyone is out on deck, sipping fancy tropical drinks, dancing to live music, and enjoying the view as the ship heads out to sea. Let the vacation begin!
Carnival Cruise Line offers exciting Playlist Production shows featuring singers, dancers, music, special effects, and more. Many guests want to arrive early to the shows to get a good seat, but the main theater doors don’t always open early.
This can lead to late-arriving guests searching for seats and blocking the others’ views, taking away from the enjoyment of the evening’s entertainment. But is there anything the cruise line can do?
One upset traveler reached out to John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador, to explain the situation and ask about a potential solution.
“We just returned from sailing on the Paradise out of Tampa and had a wonderful time. My only complaint was they open the show 30 minutes prior to Showtime so everyone can get in and get a seat and get situated. You would think that was plenty of time for everyone to come in and sit down,”the guest explained.
“We were constantly interrupted with late arrivals coming in and trying to find seats in the dark. … Isn’t there any way that they could post someone at the doors that would turn away late arrivals?”
Carnival Paradise is homeported from Tampa, Florida and offers 4-, 5-, and 6-night itineraries to the Western Caribbean and the Bahamas, depending on the cruise length and departure date.
The ship’s two-story Normandie Main Lounge is located forward on Decks 8 (Atlantic Deck) and 9 (Promenade Deck), with entrances on both levels.
Those entrances, however, are closed off with heavy doors until just before each evening’s entertainment. This is true whether it is a production show or another popular event, such as the ever-hilarious Love and Marriage Show or the fun “Family Feud Live” gameshows.
But why aren’t the doors opened earlier so all guests can find a seat before the curtain rises? Heald offers behind-the-scenes insights that clarify the policy.
“The reason for this is because the stage is still being set,”he explained.“They only have a very limited time with previous activities taking place in the lounge and we can’t have guests in the lounge for safety reasons obviously while lighting is being set and rigging is being done.”
Because the show lounge is also used for bingo games, shore tour and shopping talks, jewelry presentations, and more, it makes sense that each activity would need its own lighting and sound setup.
Before a big show, stage props or music setups might also need positioning.
Furthermore, crew members need sufficient time between activities to clean up the show lounge, removing any glassware, napkins, and other debris from previous activities or earlier showtimes.
During some shows, confetti or streamers may be released during finale numbers. I know from cleaning up after similar finales while working at an amusement park many years ago, this can be a real challenge to clean up quickly!
How Can Guests Get the Best Seats?
The best way to get one’s preferred seats for a show is to arrive early. Even if the doors have not yet opened to admit guests, it’s easy enough to line up and wait for the doors to open and have first pick of the seats.
That will not stop others from arriving late, however. With the house lights down, it can be hard to see where friends or family members may be sitting, or just to find seats together to enjoy the rest of the performance.
Carnival Cruise Ship Theater Lounge (Photo Credit: gary yim)
It would be impossible for Carnival Cruise Line to implement a turn-away policy, however, as many guests would be frustrated at being denied the opportunity to watch a one-night-only show. This would be especially true if they were delayed because of a previous activity or even dinner service running longer than expected.
Adding more performances could help ease the difficulty, as late arrivers could be turned away and reminded of additional available showtimes. On crowded cruise schedules, however, this isn’t always an option.
Another possibility could be to have some seating sections – such as in the back corners where fewer guests may be seated earlier – left available for late arrivals, while more prime seating is closed off. There would need to be crew members to direct guests to the appropriate section, however, which requires more staffing.
A Greek Isles cruise can be an amazing, bucket-list itinerary for many travelers, and there is no more iconic destination in the Grecian archipelago than Santorini.
Unfortunately, port visits to Santorini have been questionable in recent months, following an earthquake swarm that peaked in early February 2025.
Guests aboard Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Equinox were welcomed with the happy news that their visit to Santorini would go ahead on the current sailing, but with some new challenges.
“As you may know, Santorini experienced several earthquakes last winter, which have prompted some necessary repairs. As a result, we have been advised that the Cable Car will not be available until the Port of Thira reopens which is not until after May 15th, based on the latest advisory we have received,”the notification read.
Celebrity Equinox is currently sailing a 10-night itinerary from Barcelona to Rome, with multiple port visits in Greece and Turkey. The ship is due to visit Santorini on Saturday, May 10.
“The good news is that our visit to Santorini is still on!”the letter confirmed.“However, there will be some changes in how we’ll go ashore.”
Because the Cable Car is not available and it is not advisable for hundreds or thousands of cruise guests to attempt the very steep and challenging trail to the clifftop, tender boats will transfer guests to Athinios Port. This is approximately a 20-minute ride on the small boats.
“This tender will give you a unique perspective of the turquoise waters and steep volcanic cliffs that shape Santorini, a perfect backdrop to a fabulous selfie or atmospheric landscape shot,”the letter describes.
From Athinios Port, Celebrity Cruises has arranged for complimentary shuttles to drive guests to Fira for time ashore. A one-way drive is approximately 30 minutes.
Together, this means it will take guests roughly an hour from the time they leave the ship until they can begin enjoying time ashore for shopping or tours. Any shore excursions booked through Celebrity Cruises will be automatically adjusted for the tendering and shuttle operations as needed.
Some guests will experience even more challenges, however. Because of the need for tenders, travelers who must use a wheelchair or mobility scooter and cannot manage a few steps may be unable to go ashore.
Furthermore, tender boats will not be able to run from 2:30-4 p.m. so local ferry services can operate as scheduled. This 90-minute gap can be inconvenient for guests who may wish to return to the ship during that time frame.
Celebrity Equinox is scheduled to be visiting Santorini from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m., so even after 4 p.m. guests will still have ample time to return to the ship.
It is possible – though not yet announced or confirmed – that Celebrity Equinox may extend her stay slightly to ensure guests have as much time ashore as they were hoping according to the original schedule.
Will All Cruises Call to Santorini This Summer?
Because of the risk of rockslides and other potential quakes, many cruise guests with upcoming voyages to Greece have been concerned about whether or not their visits would actually happen.
In fact, Viking Cruises immediately cancelled visits to Santorini in February. Winter is the slow season for the cruise destination, but as summer approaches and dozens of vessels are due to call on the picturesque port, travelers are eager to learn if they will be able to visit.
Other cruise lines have not yet made announcements on individual ports visits for different sailings. Without question, booked guests will be alerted to any adjustments as soon as possible.
Depending on how repairs progress, it is possible that smaller ships may be able to make planned visits while larger ships could choose to divert to alternative destinations due to the challenges of tendering operations.
The Solstice-class Celebrity Equinox, for example, can welcome 2,850 travelers at double occupancy. Much larger ships are scheduled to visit Santorini in the coming months, which could have more difficulty accommodating all guests.
Larger ships with Santorini on their itineraries before May 15, when the Cable Car is expected to reopen, include the 3,502-guest MSC Divina on May 11 and the 4,198-guest Odyssey of the Seas on May 13.
Guests booked on any sailings that include Santorini in the next few weeks should stay in close contact with their cruise line in case of port changes or tendering plans as necessary.
The Texas Port of Galveston will celebrate two big milestones on November 9, 2025: The first departure of an MSC Cruises’ ship homeporting at the Gulf Coast facility and the opening of the port’s fourth cruise terminal.
The 170,400-gross-ton MSC Seascape, with a capacity for 5,800 guests, will begin sailing 7-night Western Caribbean voyages from Galveston Wharves, with calls at Roatan, Honduras, and Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico.
The ship, one of the line’s Seaside EVO class, will embark and debark guests at Galveston’s new Terminal 16, now under construction but expected to be completed well ahead of the first departure date.
A ground-breaking event was held in August 2024 to herald the start of construction of the $150 million terminal.
While 100-plus cruise line and port officials celebrated the event, the port revealed a large-scale rendering of the terminal, which will provide 165,000-square-feet of check-in space, a lounge for MSC Yacht Club guests, a parking garage, outdoor spaces, and other amenities.
Initial planning for the new terminal began a few years ago, and MSC Cruises opened bookings for MSC Seascape’s Galveston voyages in January 2024.
“It seems like just yesterday we were announcing our intention to sail from Galveston, and now here we are six months out. We’ll be there before you know it,” said Lynn Torrent, president of MSC Cruises North America.
“Our ‘Let’s Holiday’ campaign has vacationers and travel advisors across the country buzzing about our trademark mix of European style and American comfort, so it’s a great time to expand into a fantastic market like Galveston,” Torrent added.
The port’s fourth terminal is expected to generate more than 900 jobs in the Galveston area and about $177 million in revenue. Annual spending in the local economy by guests and crew is predicted to add another $21 million.
Construction of Galveston’s Cruise Terminal 16 (Credit: Port of Galveston)
“We’re honored that MSC Cruises chose Galveston as it expands its US presence. Having MSC, the world’s third largest cruise line, homeporting in Galveston says a great deal about their confidence in the Port of Galveston and mid-America cruise market,” said Rodger Rees, port director and CEO of Galveston Wharves.
While the Western Caribbean destinations that MSC Seascape will visit during her deployment to Galveston will offer exciting shore excursions for guests, there is plenty to do onboard the ship as well.
Thrill-seekers will want to experience the glass-floored Bridge of Sighs and try the Robotron rollercoaster while those looking to relax can do so poolside at one of the ship’s six swimming pools, including an infinity pool.
More than 7,000-square-feet are dedicated spaces for children and teens, where age-appropriate supervised activities are offered.
The ship will tempt guests with 11 dining venues and 19 bars and lounges, and features one of the fleet’s largest MSC Yacht Club spaces — the luxury-level, ship-within-a-ship accommodations area.
Galveston Is Fourth-Busiest Cruise Port in the US
Galveston is a popular drive-to port for the population centers in Texas as well as neighboring cities along the Gulf Coast. The port welcomed 1.6 million cruise guests in 2024 and is poised to receive 1.75 million in 2025.
It is the fourth-busiest US port in terms of cruise arrivals, behind PortMiami, Port Canaveral, and Port Everglades.
Earlier this year it announced it is moving ahead with several infrastructure projects detailed in its 20-Year Strategic Master Plan — all designed to make transiting the port smooth sailing for cruise passengers.
Aside from the new terminal currently under construction, which will be used by Norwegian Cruise Line as well as MSC Cruises, the Port of Galveston recently completed $53 million in improvements to Carnival Cruise Line’s Terminal 25.
The Galveston Wharves Board of Trustees also recently approved a new master plan for the port, which is expected to handle some 400 embarkations and debarkations in 2025.
