A weekend cruise from England to Belgium took a tragic turn after a 60-year-old man died aboard MSC Cruises’ MSC Virtuosa.
Just two and a half hours after departing from Southampton on England’s southern coast for Bruges on May 3, 2025, via the English Channel, a fight occurred aboard the 4,842-passenger ship, leaving one guest dead.
“The ship left Southampton at 6 p.m. on Saturday 3 May. It was reported that at around 8:30 pm, a 60-year-old man died following an altercation,”said Hampshire and Isle of Wight police. “His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.”
Details on what happened are vague and remain under investigation, but the ship remained on course and visited Bruges on May 4 before returning to Southampton on May 5, where police met the ship at the docks.
MSC Cruises confirmed an incident took place without providing further details.
“Following an incident onboard our ship, the relevant authorities were contacted, and we are cooperating fully with their investigations,”a spokesperson for MSC Cruises told Cruise Hive.
“We are providing full support to those impacted,” the spokesperson added.
As the vessel was still in British waters, police from Hampshire and Isle of Wight, England, were called to the scene and arrested another MSC Cruises passenger on suspicion of murder.
The 57-year-old guest from Exeter remains in police custody and a full investigation of the incident is underway.
“This appears to be an isolated incident on board, and we want to thank the crew for their cooperation and assistance with our inquiries,”said Detective Chief Inspector Matt Gillooly, the senior investigating officer.
Passengers who may have witnessed the incident or who may have any information that can assist the police in the case have been asked to contact Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary.
Party Ship Gone Awry
The Daily Mail has reported that passenger who died following the altercation was from Sussex and that his family members met MSC Virtuosa in Southampton, demanding the release of his body.
Social media posts from aboard the ship indicate the incident was not made public, with many sharing happy photos and calling the weekend sailing a fantastic voyage.
Still, others noted that the weekend journey was filled with stag and hen parties, drinks, and arrests.
MSC Virtuosa (Photo Credit: P.Cartwright)
Said one passenger aboard the ship, “It’s a booze cruise. I’m on one now with my daughter and it’s full of stag, hens, and birthdays. There are children there and they are well catered for, it’s just busy, loud, and long queues.”
“And lots arrested apparently,” added another.
One more guest reported there was a “very drunk, violent man screaming and shouting at staff who were trying to calm him down.”
Ironically, the 181,541-gross-ton MSC Virtuosa was used as a setting for the British crime drama series, “The Good Ship Murder,” which starred Shane Ward and Catherine Tyldesley and was filmed onboard in 2024.
The luxury cruise ship debuted in Southamptonin May 2021 and was the first large passenger ship to offer post-pandemic voyages.
MSC Virtuosa departs on a 5-night roundtrip cruise on May 5, 2025, that includes another call to Bruges, as well Rotterdam (Amsterdam) and Cherbourg, France.
Throughout the summer, MSC Virtuosa will sail several 7-night roundtrip Northern Europe itineraries that will vary from visiting ports in four ports in Norway and the Shetland Isles to those in France, Spain and Portugal, including Lisbon.
Longer voyages later in the summer will travel to the Canary Islands and into the Mediterranean.
Carnival Cruise Line homeports from coastal cities around the world, but the entire fleet relies on one global corporate headquarters.
For more than 50 years, that location has been in Miami, Florida, and in the current office space in Doral, Florida, west of Miami International Airport and about 12 miles from PortMiami, since 1983.
Now, the cruise line has announced the purchase of a property in the nearby Waterford Business District, south of the airport, for a brand new state-of-the-art headquarters for Carnival Corporation & plc.
While the two locations are just three miles apart, the new facility will be a dramatic improvement in efficiency and convenience for all Carnival-owned cruise brands.
The building will be built from the ground up especially for the entire corporation’s needs, including more than 2,000 shoreside team members for different cruise lines working from the same location for the first time.
Carnival Corporation owns not only Carnival Cruise Line, but also Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, and several other lines. When the building is complete, the teams will be working side-by-side.
“Co-locating our North America shoreside team members on a shared campus – designed from the ground up to support how we work and what we do – will foster even greater knowledge sharing, innovation, efficiency and career growth,”said Josh Weinstein, CEO of Carnival Corporation.
At the moment, Princess Cruises is headquartered in Santa Clarita, California, while Holland America Line’s headquarters are in Seattle, Washington.
Together, the cruise lines offer vacations to more than 13 million guests each year. By working more closely together, collaboration will be easier and transitions smoother.
The new campus is slated for completion in 2028 and will include 600,000-700,000 square feet of workspace. Not only will office staff be part of the campus, but it will also include entertainment training and rehearsal space, meeting rooms, and technical infrastructure to meet evolving needs.
Furthermore, Carnival Corporation is emphasizing its commitment to environmental friendliness by ensuring the new campus will have generous green space and will coordinate with the adjacent lagoon.
This relocation is not a surprise, as Carnival Cruise Line listed its current 470,000-square foot office space for sale in April 2024 as real estate prices have skyrocketed. The company has not disclosed whether the current space has been sold, and no details of the purchase of the new property have been released.
Committed to Miami
Carnival Cruise Line – before there was even a Carnival Corporation – got its start in Miami in 1972, and ever since, that commitment to the region has not wavered.
Now, that commitment has been reinforced and is sure to continue for further decades.
“As the world’s largest cruise company, there is no better place for us to be based than Miami—the cruise capital of the world,”said Weinstein.“Plus, with decades of history here, this move enables us to seamlessly build on our success here to continue growing our global operations and deepening our community ties.”
Carnival Headquarters in Miami, Florida (Photo Credit: Felix Mizioznikov / Shutterstock)
Favorable pro-business leadership in Florida, not to mention the Sunshine State’s booming tourism industry and multiple Florida cruise homeports, make it a natural choice for the cruise corporation’s global headquarters.
“I’m proud to celebrate Carnival Corporation’s decision to expand their headquarters right here in Miami-Dade County. This significant investment deepens their decades-long commitment to our community and reinforces their role as one of our largest private sector employers,”said Daniella Levine Cava, Miami-Dade County Mayor.
“We’re honored to be Carnival Corporation’s home port and proud to stand behind their continued success.”
Not only will the new headquarters bring together Carnival Corporation’s multiple cruise lines, but will also support local small businesses and provide expanded employment opportunities for Miami-Dade residents.
The diversity of the region, as well as the existing and expanding infrastructure, ensure that the new business campus will be a resounding success.
This will be exciting news for cruise travelers. While they may not visit the shoreside office themselves (though it’s a fun pilgrimage to make!), increased collaboration and communication between the cruise lines ensures new plans and policies all guests will love, no matter which line they prefer.
As a dog lover and service dog user myself, I know how hard it is to sometimes leave our canine companions at home when we cruise.
Recently, one Carnival guest encountered a service dog who did not behave appropriately onboard – leading to debate on if the dog was really a working animal after all and if animals should be allowed on cruise ships in general.
“Personal opinion…. if a service dog isn’t potty trained and craps in front of my daughter’s room and the owner think it’s funny, the owner is classless. The owner only picked up the actual hard turd, but squashed the rest down in the carpet,” the Carnival cruise guest shared in a forum.
I could maybe understand if the dog was feeling seasick and behaved out of character because of it, but I would have been mortified if my dog had an accident like that. Instead of making the mess worse, I would have done my best to clean it up immediately.
“I called housekeeping because my daughter’s entire floor smelled so bad we almost puked. The owner of the dog didn’t clean it, they sent our room steward to clean crap that was soaked in the hall carpet like diarrhea from a so called service dog,” she continued.
“Come at me if you want, but that’s not his job. He works hard enough and cleaning dogs crap shouldn’t be on his list to do,”the guest affirmed.
While there is no standardized service dog training in America, working dogs are supposed to undergo public access training to ensure they behave appropriately in public and know when and where they can relieve themselves.
On cruise ships, this is typically a small patch of grass or sod that is usually just inside of a crew only area to avoid disturbing other guests. Many dogs, including mine, are actually taught to use the bathroom on command for situations like this.
But unfortunately, there is a growing problem of people falsely claiming their dogs are service dogs so they don’t have to stay home – on land as well as at sea.
This has led California (where I live) to implement stricter laws– where handlers who fake having a service dog can be punished with a $1,000 fine and/or up to six months in jail – in addition to other federal laws already in place.
Should Dogs be Allowed on Cruise Ships?
As a service dog user, I understand how important it is for legitimate service dog handlers to keep their dog with them. These dogs aren’t just pets, but rather complete tasks that are medically necessary.
It’s true that legitimate service dogs must be permitted by law, while emotional support dogs that don’t perform specific tasks are seen as pets and do not get the same public access.
“Carnival only permits service dogs on board. A service dog is legally defined and individually trained to meet the specific needs of a person with a disability,”reads Carnival’s website.
Dog Cruise Relief Station (Photo Credit: denbaim)
“Pets, or service dogs in training, are not allowed aboard. Emotional support dogs, which are not recognized by the US Department of Justice, are also not permitted on Carnival ships,” the policy continues.
In order to sail with a service dog, handlers must submit vaccination records, proof of microchipping, and a CDC Dog Import Form to Carnival in advance. Depending on the ports of call, other documentation or fees may also be required.
On the other hand, fraudulent service dogs can be disruptive to other guests and legitimate service dog teams – and the actions of the duo on this Carnival ship suggest that it may not be a real working animal.
“That’s not a service dog. Service dogs are trained better than that. It’s sad that people can fake a service dog so easy because there’s no governing body to regulate them,” one cruise fan wrote in response to the post.
“They should have never been allowed to bring that dog onboard,” said another, taking a harsher stance.
Cruising to the Aloha State will soon become more expensive for travelers, whether they are just visiting the islands for a single night or may be island hopping on a longer sailing.
On Friday, May 2, 2025, lawmakers in the Hawaii State Legislature increased the transient accommodations tax (TAT), and for the first time, included cruise ship guests with new fees.
According to khon2, the new law will take effect beginning January 1, 2026 and includes an 11% tax on cruise fares, prorated for the days ships are docked in the state.
This means that for cruisers on a ship simply visiting the islands, say for three nights out of a 14-night sailing, the tax would be 11% of the fare just for those three nights, not on the entire two-week cruise.
Previously, there has been no such tax on any cruise visitors to Hawaii. In 2024, the state welcomed nearly one million cruise guests, many of whom would have enjoyed the state’s natural beauty and stunning landmarks.
The impetus behind taxing cruise guests is to ensure all visitors help with the state’s hefty conservation costs to protect that natural beauty. From the unique wildlife and the phenomenal coastal views to the tropical landscapes and the stunning beaches, Hawaii is an amazing cruise destination.
Having enjoyed the native banyan trees, climbed Diamond Head to admire the vistas around Honolulu, and spotted my first ever albatross at Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge when we visited Hawaii aboard Carnival Miracle, I’d happily pay the tax for all the beauty Hawaii offers.
Many other cruise destinations are passing taxes on cruise visitors. Those fees are often earmarked for infrastructure, such as port improvements, dredging work, and emergency services.
The new tax in Hawaii, however, is tied directly to conservation of the native ecosystems and native Hawaiian culture – exactly why visitors want to visit the 50th state.
“The more you cultivate good environmental policy … the more likely it is we’re going to have actually lifelong, committed travelers to Hawaii,”commented Josh Green, Governor of Hawaii.
In fact, many cruise shore excursions focus on nature, such as visiting the Kilauea Lava Fields or Volcanoes National Park in Hilo, the famous Fern Grotto on Kauai, or sea turtle snorkeling in Maui. Waterfall hikes, botanical gardens, whale watching, and more are also popular tour options.
Cruise guests can also easily explore Hawaiian culture with luaus, the Polynesian Cultural Center, or visiting Iolani Palace.
It is estimated that the new tax will generate nearly $100 million annually, which will be used for such projects as beach replenishment, hurricane preparation, and removing invasive grasses, like those that contributed to the 2023 wildfires that destroyed Lahaina.
While the new tax has passed both houses of the Hawaiian legislature, it must still be signed into law by the governor.
Cruising to Hawaii
At this time, no cruise lines have confirmed any plans to adjust Hawaiian itineraries or ports of call.
Hawaii is difficult for cruises to reach – the islands are 2,600 miles from the nearest US homeports in California. Even more distant are Australian homeports, roughly 4,800 miles away.
Nevertheless, the tropical destination is a focus of some closed-loop cruises that depart either from California, Seattle, or Vancouver, depending on the cruise line.
Cruise Port Area in Hawaii (Photo Credit: Theodore Trimmer)
Hawaii is also a frequent part of world cruises or transpacific sailings, such as ships repositioning from Australia or Asia to Alaska or the Caribbean.
Many cruise lines, including Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Holland America Line, Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, AIDA Cruises, Seabourn, and more offer Hawaiian itineraries.
Only Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America sails the Aloha State exclusively, offering 7-night roundtrip inter-island cruises from Honolulu year-round. This can be a very popular way to enjoy and immersive Hawaiian cruise, but these are also the cruises most likely to be impacted by the new tax.
Entertainment is a fantastic part of any cruise, from production shows to live music to comedians and more. Royal Caribbean has some of the industry’s most phenomenal entertainment, but guests will occasionally be disappointed when shows aren’t available.
One guest for an upcoming sailing on Utopia of the Seas was shocked when they were first told one of the most popular shows onboard wasn’t going to be performed on their cruise.
“I’m so disappointed and a tad angry. Our sailing on Utopia (June 9-13) isn’t going to have Aqua 80s show!!! They aren’t performing that week. It hadn’t popped up to book in the app but the others had,”the guest explained on a Facebook page dedicated to the ship.
“Customer service said the show is dark that week! I’m so sad, we booked the ship for the venues and shows. My daughter will be so disappointed. I’m mad they didn’t disclose that. They said no credits or comps will be given.”
Royal Caribbean is the only cruise line offering aqua shows, which often include synchronized dance, high-energy music, high dives, special effects, fountains, acrobatics, and much more.
Aboard Utopia of the Seas, the Aqua80too show features 80s music hits sure to get the crowd excited and make incomparable memories. This is one of the ship’s most popular shows and a fantastic experience for all ages.
Other guests quickly chimed in with the original poster. Some were skeptical that the news of the show being dark for that 4-night Bahamas sailing was correct, while others agreed that they would be disappointed as well.
Several guests noted that expecting any compensation for one cancelled show, particularly on a ship with multiple entertainment and activity options, came across as entitled.
Some experienced Royal Caribbean cruisers also shared their own experiences with calls to customer service not always being accurate or having the same information for the exact same issues.
Similarly, the website and app are well known to have occasional glitches, which could be the reason why the show wasn’t showing up for reservations.
Celebration Aqua80too Cake (Photo Credit: Cruise Director Marc Walker)
Fortunately, the cruise director for Utopia of the Seas, Marc Walker, offered in-the-know reassurances.
“Hi everyone. Rest assured – nothing is cancelled! Aqua is every cruise,”he confirmed.
On his popular Facebook page – Walker has 50,000 followers – he recently noted that Aqua80too just recently celebrated its 100th performance.
“Time for cake. This Aqua show is the most insane I’ve ever seen,”he said.“Utopia of the Seas has the best shows at sea. Proud to be part of it.”
Why Might Shows Be Cancelled?
While the original poster will be relieved that Aqua80too will still be performed on their sailing, shows can and do get cancelled for a variety of reasons.
For Royal Caribbean’s phenomenal Aquatheater shows on its Oasis class ships, poor weather is one of the most common reasons the performances might be cancelled.
The Aquatheater is located on the extreme aft of the ship on Deck 6. Because the venue is open to the weather, high winds or rain can make it too dangerous for the performers and their precision acrobatic moves.
Technical problems, necessary maintenance on the pool or other equipment, cast illness, or rotations in crew contracts could also cause performances not to go ahead.
The cruise line does plan carefully to minimize these potential disruptions, however, because the shows are so incredibly popular.
So what should guests do when a show as phenomenal as Aqua80too is cancelled? Book another cruise aboard Utopia of the Seas, of course, with more chances to see all the amazing entertainment!
The voters of the Cayman Islands have spoken – and cruise fans may not like their verdict.
Following an intense effort from the Association for Advancement of Cruise Tourism (ACT) in Grand Cayman to get a cruise infrastructure expansion project on the ballot in 2025, the proposal has ultimately been rejected.
The election was held on April 30, 2025 – with 11,973, or around 64% of the vote, answering “no” when asked “Should the Cayman Islands develop cruise berthing infrastructure.” Only 5,417 voted “yes.”
If approved, two new piers would have been built. The new berths would have been able to accommodate up to four ships at once – including larger cruise ships, such as Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class vessels, that are not currently able to call on the tender-only port.
Additionally, the investment would have added a new cruise terminal, new retail spaces, and a transportation area in hopes of attracting more attention from the major cruise lines.
The project was set at a proposed cost of $150 to $200 million, with some of the funds coming from Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean.
But throughout the campaign, the activist group Cruise Port Referendum (CPR) Cayman strongly opposed the port proposal – and are now celebrating their victory.
While ACT has worked tirelessly to improve and expand infrastructure to keep up with the growing popularity of cruising the Caribbean, CPR Cayman has consistently argued that existing infrastructure needs to be improved first.
They also argued that increasing cruise ship calls could hinder the quality of life for the 73,038 residents who live on the Cayman Islands.
“It’s official: Cayman has VOTED NO. In the 30 April 2025 referendum, 64% of voters said NO to cruise berthing infrastructure — a clear message that Caymanians support a smarter, more sustainable path forward. This is a win for our economy, our environment and our way of life,” CPR Cayman posted on Facebook.
What Happens Next for Cayman?
Now that the people have spoken, any plans to move ahead with new cruise tourism facilities will have to be put on hold for the foreseeable future. Either way, both activist groups have different ideas on how the local government should proceed.
ACT, who lost in the election, was disappointed – but vowed to keep fighting for improved cruising facilities.
George Town Cruise Port Area (Photo Credit: Simon R B)
“While we are deeply disappointed by the result, and concerned about the likely negative impact this will have on our sector, we remain committed to advocating for a sustainable and competitive cruise tourism industry,”ACT wrote on Facebook.
“The livelihoods of many Caymanians are tied to this vital pillar of our economy, and ACT will continue to work toward securing long-term opportunity for our people and our country,” the post continued.
CPR Cayman, meanwhile, said that the voice of the people was “loud and clear” – and has encouraged local leaders to listen to their people and focus on improving existing infrastructure.
“Now, CPR Cayman urges the new Government to: Invest in affordable, environmentally responsible upgrades to existing tender facilities; prioritize visitor satisfaction without compromising our natural beauty; enact modern, fair referendum laws to protect democratic process in the future,” the organization shared on social media.
“The future of tourism in Cayman is sustainable, high-value, and community-focused.Let’s keep working together — for a Cayman that thrives without sacrificing what makes us unique,” they continued.
It will be interesting to see how potential improvements impact the Caribbean port’s appeal for the major cruise lines, as the number of visitors to Grand Cayman has dropped significantly – going from over one million cruise guests in 2023 to less than 750,000 in 2024.
It’s time to check in with Cruise Hive’s weekly news update, your best bet to stay on top of the big developments across the cruise industry. This week we have coverage of the Port of Vancouver, Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival Cruise Line.
Make sure you stay well informed by signing up for Cruise Hive’s Daily Update, so the big cruise stories are delivered right to your inbox.
Canadian Port to Welcome 300-Plus Cruise Ships in 2025
Cruise Ships Docked in Vancouver (Photo Credit: Elena_Alex_Ferns)
The Port of Vancouver, in British Columbia, a major embarkation and port call destination for Alaska cruises, is on the cusp of a robust season that will see an estimated 1.2 million passenger transits.
The season began in early March and runs into early October, but the peak months are yet to come and the volume of ships visiting — some 300-plus, bodes well for the region’s cruise-tourism industry.
Seventy-four cruises will operate from the port in 2025, and up to 50,000 cruise passengers are expected to transit the port during weekends in the high season. From an economic perspective, the season looks to be a big year, since each ship visit accounts for about $3 million in direct local spending.
Cruise guests use the Canada Place cruise terminal, which, in 2024 welcomed 1.32 million passengers from 327 cruise ship calls. That’s slightly higher than what’s expected this year. However, port officials are thrilled that several ships will make their maiden calls to Vancouver this year, which could translate into future visits.
Ships set to call for the first time include Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Jade, Silversea Cruises’ Silver Moon, Oceania Cruises’ Ocean Riviera, Seabourn’s Seabourn Quest, Viking Cruises’ Viking Venus, Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas, and Villa Vie Residence’s Villa Vie Odyssey.
Two Norwegian Ships Get Spruced Up For Summer Season
Norwegian Encore and Pride of America Upgrades
Just in time for the summer season, Norwegian Cruise Line is enhancing public spaces and adding staterooms on two popular ships, Norwegian Epic and Pride of America.
Norwegian Epic is in the middle of a three-week dry dock that will add eight cabins, replace the Posh Beach Club with Vibe Beach Club, and upgrade the AquaPark.
The 4,100-guest mega-ship will emerge from the shipyard in time to operate her first cruise of the season, a 6-night “Mediterranean: Italy, France & Spain” voyage roundtrip from Rome on May 8, 2025, calling at Naples and Livorno, Italy; Barcelona; and Cannes, France.
The ship will sail the Eastern and Western Mediterranean through summer 2025, offering 9- to 11-night cruises featuring destinations in Italy, Greece, and France.
The 2,500-guest Pride of America’s monthlong dry dock, from May 3 to 31, 2025, will add 12 staterooms, a Starbucks, and a pickleball court. The upgrades also will include moving the youth clubs — Splash Academy and Entourage — to a new location.
The ship sails inter-island Hawaii cruises year-round from Honolulu.
Stomach Bugs Impact Two Holland America Line Ships
Two Holland America Cruise Outbreaks (Photo Credits: Darryl Brooks & Tada Images)
Two outbreaks of gastrointestinal illnesses have hit Holland America Line ships Zuiderdam and Eurodam. It is the second such case for Eurodam, which had a viral episode earlier this year.
Zuiderdam is experiencing her first outbreak of 2025 and it is impacting the ship’s 125-night Grand World Voyage that departed Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 4, 2025.
Fifty-five guests of the 1,149 onboard reported diarrhea, as did 14 of the ship’s 751 crew members. The totals represent 4.8% of guests and 1.9% of crew members.
Cruise ships are required to report to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) when 3% or more of the ship’s population experiences an illness. The cause of the outbreak on Zuiderdam is not yet known.
On Eurodam, the cause was found to be norovirus. The outbreak happened on the ship’s repositioning cruise between Fort Lauderdale and Vancouver, British Columbia. The ship departed on April 12, 2025, and arrived in Canada on May 2, 2025.
Sixty-four guests out of 2,038 (3.1%) and 12 crew members out of a total of 830 (1.5%) reported diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps.
In addition to these cases and the earlier Eurodam incident, other outbreaks disrupted Holland America Line cruises earlier this year onboard Rotterdam and Volendam.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Posts Revenue Loss in First Quarter
Norwegian Aqua (Photo Credit: Just dance)
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, owner of the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands, reported mixed results for the first quarter of 2025.
It posted revenue of $2.1 billion, a 3% decline versus the year-ago quarter, and a net loss of $40 million. Occupancy also experienced a small decline, year over year.
However, the line’s executives remain upbeat on future bookings and long-term success.
The revenue drop, they said, could be attributed to mega-ship dry docks and a decrease in guest air fare bookings. On the upside, the company pointed to strong cost control, continued record guest satisfaction scores, and guest repeat rates as signs that its financial outlook is solid.
Advanced ticket sales were $3.9 billion, a 2.6% increase year-over-year, and while growth is predicted to fall below earlier projections for 2025, the company plans to offset the dip with various cost-saving initiatives.
The first quarter, which ended March 31, 2025, saw the delivery of Norwegian Cruise Line’s first Prima Plus-class ship, Norwegian Aqua. The company also announced plans to enhance its private destination, Great Stirrup Cay, with, among other things, a new multi-ship pier.
Cancellation of Labadee Port Call Annoys Guests
Icon of the Seas Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Just dance)
Labadee, Royal Caribbean’s popular private destination on Haiti’s north coast, is once again closed to port calls due to the persistent civil unrest that has impacted the island on and off for a year, and some guests are mighty peeved.
The decision in mid-April to suspend visits to the island was based on safety concerns, even though the unrest is limited to Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital city located 120 miles from the private resort area.
Some guests sailing aboard Icon of the Seas, departing May 3, 2025 from PortMiami, took to Facebook to complain that Labadee was removed from their itinerary and replaced with a sea day.
The ship was to call at Labadee on May 8, 2025, and the change to the 7-night itinerary means that the cruise now has just two port calls — Philipsburg, St. Maarten on May 6, 2025, and Ponce, Puerto Rico, on May 7, 2025.
Why didn’t the cruise line add another destination, rather than have five sea days on a 7-night voyage, the guests wanted to know?
The cruise line has not disclosed the reason, but it could be simply a matter of size, since the 5,600-guest Icon of the Seas is the largest cruise ship sailing and many Caribbean ports cannot accommodate such a big vessel.
Some of Carnival Cruise Line’s cruise directors are celebrities in their own right, and that can lead to attempts by unscrupulous people to take advantage of cruise guests. It happened recently to Kyndall “Fire” Magyar, a cruise director on Carnival Jubilee.
Like other cruise directors, Magyar has a huge following on social media, and some scammers have apparently tried to impersonate her with guests — asking for personal information and money.
So Magyar is warning her supporters to beware of any solicitations that appear to be coming from her. She specifically is cautioning guests to look out for any messages from “Kyndall Fire’s Team” or “Kyndall’s Handler.”
In some cases, the scammers request a guest’s full name and photo for a bogus “donor ID card.” This kind of information can lead to identification theft.
Carnival Cruise Line brand ambassador John Heald, also a popular cruise line figure, confirmed that he, too, has been targeted by scammers using his photo and creating fake accounts in his name. Then, they apparently contact guests pretending to be Heald.
Carnival Guests Banned From Line Following Brawl
Galveston Cruise Terminal Brawl
What began as a typical cruise ship disembarkation process at the Port of Galveston turned ugly on the morning of April 26, 2025, as guests from Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Jubilee converged at the luggage pick-up area.
Something went awry and a fight broke out, all captured on video and posted on social media. It started when several people began throwing punches at two men and ultimately involved around two dozen people — all of whom are now banned from ever sailing with Carnival Cruise Line again.
The debarkation area at the cruise terminal falls under the jurisdiction of US Customs and Border Patrol, and an investigation is under way by the Port of Galveston Police Department.
Following the viral video some passengers disclosed that there had been two physical altercations during the cruise, one on Deck 4 and another on Deck 10. It is not known whether the terminal brawl had anything to do with the earlier, onboard fights.
The passengers involved with the luggage area fight could be subject to arrest by local authorities, but one thing is for sure: They’ll never embark on a Carnival Cruise Line voyage again.
More Cruise Headlines
Now you’re up to date on the leading stories from the past week but there are even more stories you won’t want to miss on Cruise Hive. We have news about Carnival Cruise Line’s party celebrating 15 years sailing from Seattle; a fire breaking out near the cruise pier in Nassau, Bahamas; two Royal Caribbean ships deploying to Australia in 2026; Port Canaveral making strides on its expansion plans; and MSC Cruises rolling out a slew of new family fun activities for summer 2025.
Alaska is more than just Juneau and Nome. The state has more than a dozen cruise ports that you could potentially visit during an Alaskan cruise (beyond stops outside of Alaska, like Vancouver and Seattle), and each port has its own distinct character.
Learn which cruise lines visit each port, and what to expect at these ports and in the surrounding area.
Cruise Ship Docked in Ketchikan, Alaska (Photo Credit: Robin O’Shaughnessy)
Ketchikan is considered the “1st city” of Alaska because it is the first port of call for northbound cruise itineraries. It’s also the salmon capital of the world.
The Port of Ketchikan has four Panamax-sized cruise ship berths, right in downtown. Then, there’s also a fifth berth that sits seven miles or so outside of downtown, called Ward Cove, that some cruise lines (primarily Norwegian Cruise Line) use instead.
Ward Cove is a relatively new option, opening in 2021. Due to its more removed location, it offers greater and easier access to outdoor activities.
Don’t worry, though; if your cruise ship is docking in downtown Ketchikan, you can still go on a hike, kayak or enjoy a similar activity, with excursions meeting at the Ketchikan visitor center, which is just nearby the main port.
You can get to downtown Ketchikan from Ward Cove by taking a bus that will transport you from Ward Cove and into town.
Downtown is pretty walkable and a shuttle that takes you through downtown and to the cruise terminals operates in the summer months, May through September.
The major cruise lines that visit Ketchikan include Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America, Viking, Princess Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Royal Caribbean, and Disney Cruises.
As mentioned and as you can see, Ketchikan, being so far south in Alaska, is a popular stop for cruises!
Sitka
Downtown Sitka, Alaska (Photo Credit: Charles HHuang)
The Sitka cruise port is Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal, which is located about six miles north of downtown Sitka. There is, luckily, a free shuttle service that will take you into downtown, with departures every 10 to 15 minutes.
Do note that you will need to reserve a time for the shuttle, even though it is free.
The cruise terminal offers local dining and shopping on site, as well as a unique attraction, the Alaska Odyssey Dome. This is an 8k sphere theater that will introduce you to Alaskan nature and cultural heritage. You can also book and take shore excursions straight from the cruise port.
If you decide to make your way into Sitka, you’ll find a wealth of attractions, from a raptor center to an aquarium, Sitka National Historical Park and other cultural hubs. The city also often holds festivals and similar events that you can partake in.
The Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal can accommodate two ships at a time, and major cruise lines that stop in regularly include Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean.
However, some ships will actually not go to the cruise terminal and, instead, will stay offshore, right near downtown Sitka, and will tender cruise guests to shore. Cruise lines that have done this in the past include Viking, Holland America and National Geographic.
Icy Strait Point (Hoonah)
Cruise Ship Docked in Icy Strait Point, Alaska (Photo Credit: Ritu Manoj Jethani)
Icy Strait Point is a unique stop among the various Alaska ports of call, as it’s a destination in and of itself.
Owned by the Huna Tlingit people, the point has two docking areas (one is right next to all the attractions, while the other is a 15-minute walk away, with gondola service available to those that don’t want to walk).
Icy Strait Point is only open when there’s a cruise ship in port. When a cruise ship is visiting, there’s an abundance of things to do, see and experience.
Owned by Native communities and directly supporting the Native village of Hoonah, Icy Strait Point operates more than 20 excursions, and features an Alaskan salmon cannery museum, shops, restaurants, nature trails and a beach. There’s also an adventure park with ziplining.
Cruise lines that visit include Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Holland America, Seabourn, Regent Seven Seas, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Disney, Carnival, Oceania, Cunard, Viking, Windstar and Hurtigruten.
Juneau
Cruise Ships Visiting Juneau, Alaska (Photo Credit: Steve Heap)
Juneau might be what most people think about when they think of a cruise ship stop in Alaska.
The capital of Alaska, Juneau, is also the third-largest city in the state. As such, many, many cruises visit Juneau and there are three cruise docks right near downtown: the Ferry Terminal, South Franklin Dock and Marine Park.
There’s also the AJ Dock, which is a mile away from downtown, but you can walk into downtown from there, or buy a shuttle pass.
Each of these docks can accommodate one ship at a time, so if there are five ships visiting Juneau at once, which can happen regularly during the summer, then the fifth ship will require passengers to tender.
However, a new cruise ship dock is being considered. The proposed Áak’w Landing would be located in downtown as well, and include a parking area and park, as well as restaurants and shopping.
If this project goes through, then it could eliminate the need to tender, as well as spread out the cruise guests more evenly along the shore.
Currently, Princess Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line get priority docking at the actual docks, so you have less chances of having to tender if you’re cruising on one of these lines.
Other lines that visit Juneau frequently include Royal Caribbean, Holland American Line, UnCruise Adventures, Seabourn Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Lindblad Expeditions and Carnival Cruise Line.
Popular activities here include exploring the Juneau Totem Poles Trail, as well as taking the Mount Roberts Tram or booking an excursion to visit the Mendenhall Glacier.
Skagway
Cruise Ships Docked in Skagway, Alaska (Photo Credit: The Hungarian Sailor)
Skagway, a popular cruise stop and known for its rich Klondike Gold Rush history, offers four spots for ships to dock: Railroad Dock Forward, Railroad Dock Aft, Broadway Dock and Ore Terminal Dock.
All of these docks are within walking distance of downtown, though the dock furthest from downtown, the Railroad Dock, does offer a shuttle bus service and a water ferry service that you’ll be required to take if your ship docks here. This is because areas nearby can be prone to rockfall, so it’s safest to not make the trip on foot.
The other two docks are serviced by a downtown shuttle, but it’s not free. If you want to use it, you’ll need to pay a small fee.
Since Skagway itself is pretty tiny, most visitors do end up taking excursions outside of the city, with meeting points usually being just outside of the cruise security area.
Major cruise lines that frequently visit Skagway include Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruises, Celebrity Cruises and Disney Cruise Line.
Glacier Bay National Park & Hubbard Glacier
Holland America Cruise Ship at Glacier Bay (Photo Credit: Ken Schulze / Shutterstock)
This is not really a traditional stop, per se. Instead of docking, your cruise ship may just stop in the water near Glacier Bay National Park and Hubbard Glacier, so that you can take in the amazing sights.
Literally, cruisers will park out on the ship deck to just look out at the glaciers and wait to see the calving glaciers, where ice breaks off and falls into the sea (it’s more exciting than it sounds — promise).
There’s also a great opportunity for wildlife watching from the ship, and you can see brown bears, otters, bald eagles and marine life like whales.
Many cruise ships will spend up to 10 hours in the bay. During the stop, National Park Service park rangers will actually come aboard the ship to provide information and lead activities.
If your cruise ship itinerary includes this unique stop, you’ll just want to make sure that you bring warm and waterproof layers of clothing for standing out on the deck and taking in the sights, as well as a pair of binoculars so you can view the shore from afar.
Cruise lines that visit Glacier Bay National Park and the Hubbard Glacier include Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, UnCruise Adventures, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises.
Valdez is a pretty small destination, with just 15 restaurants and five coffee “huts,” but it also boasts eight major glaciers as well as the world’s tallest coastal mountains. The town is extremely walkable.
Cruise ships dock at either John Thomas Kelsey Municipal Dock or Valdez Container Terminal. Shuttle service is provided from the Valdez Container Terminal. The dock area is a popular spot for community events, as well as fishermen.
Since it’s not as big as many other Alaskan cruise port cities, Valdez doesn’t get quite the same number of cruise passengers. Cruise lines that visit Valdez include Holland America Line, Silversea Cruises, Viking Ocean Cruises, Princess Cruises, Windstar Cruises, Scenic Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line.
Whittier
Whittier Cruise Port Terminal (Photo Credit: Paul Brady Photography)
Whittier Cruise Ship Terminal is often used for cruise lines that allow cruise passengers to visit Anchorage and Denali National Park. However, don’t let that make you think that this cruise terminal is anywhere near Alaska’s largest city. Instead, it’s about a 90-minute drive away from Anchorage.
You can take either a bus or a train to get to Anchorage from Whittier. In fact, some cruise lines will even allow you to book your train journey as part of your cruise. The train is often the preferred option or many cruisers, as it provides a nice scenic experience.
Whittier is also often a starting point or ending point for cruises, rather than a stop along a larger itinerary. If that’s the case for you, you’ll likely fly into or out of Anchorage. The airport is likewise about an hour’s drive from the port.
You can rent a car and drive it to/from the port (note that doing so will require you to take a one-way tunnel that’s the only road in and out of Whittier and access to the tunnel is provided on a schedule).
You can also take a rideshare service or taxi, as well as a shuttle. Do note that the aforementioned bus service that will take you between Whittier and Anchorage does not serve the airport.
The terminal itself is relatively basic, with no porters, no seating and no WiFi.
Cruise lines that visit Whittier Cruise Ship Terminal include Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, UnCruise Adventures and Seabourn Cruises.
Seward
Seward Cruise Port (Photo Credit: Steve Heap / Shutterstock)
Seward is very similar to Whittier. Your gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park, Seward is also relatively near Anchorage and so it might likewise be included on your cruise itinerary just as “Anchorage.” It’s also often a cruise ending or starting point, rather than a stop on a broader, round trip itinerary.
Seward is an even further trek away from Anchorage, though, about a two-and-a-half-hour drive. If you’re coming from the Anchorage airport, you’ll drive for about the same length of time.
As is the case with cruises departing from Whittier, for those departing from Seward, your cruise line may provide you with shuttle or train service from the airport to the cruise port.
If you need to get around on your own, though, you can take a bus between Seward and Anchorage, as well as a taxi or rideshare service.
There’s only one dock for cruise ships in Seward and the terminal is relatively basic, with no porters and no WiFi.
Cruise lines that may stop in Seward include Norwegian Cruise Line, Viking Ocean Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Celebrity Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Windstar Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Hurtigruten and Oceania Cruises.
Homer
Homer, Alaska (Photo Credit: FloridaStock)
Homer has one cruise ship deep water dock that’s located about three miles away from the downtown. Shuttle service is available to get you to downtown, though, as is taxi service (though the shuttle is free).
Not all that many cruise lines or cruise ships visit Homer, but cruise lines that do include Oceania Cruises, Holland America Line, Viking Ocean Cruises, Regent Seven Seas and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.
Since the one dock cannot accommodate larger ships, some ships, like those operated by Holland America Line, will require cruisers to tender to land.
Once on land, you can explore Homer’s arts and culture, and natural attractions such as the Homer Spit, a thin strip of land that goes out into the water for nearly five miles, with beaches and plenty of wildlife viewing.
Kodiak
Kodiak, Alaska (Photo Credit: Real Window Creative / Shutterstock)
Compared to some of these port destinations, Kodiak is much less visited, but you’ll still find a few major cruise lines visiting, including Norwegian Cruise Line, Cunard, Silversea and Holland America Line.
Cruise ships dock at Fishermens Terminal, a short walk from downtown (sometimes, ships do have to tender). Shuttles are available to take you into town, as well as on excursions.
Some of the most popular are wildlife-watching excursions, as the island is known for its brown bear population, and whale-watching tours.
The port doesn’t offer much in way of amenities, but there is free WiFi and you can rent a car, ATV or boat at the port.
Dutch Harbor (Aleutian Islands)
Holland America Ship Docked at Dutch Harbor (Photo Credit: Dkojich)
In Unalaska, in the Aleutian Islands, the Port of Dutch Harbor has three docks but cruise ships mostly dock at City Dock, which is at the port’s Unalaska Marine Center.
There’s very little in the way of amenities and, actually, the dock is technically not even on Unalaska Island. It’s on Amaknak Island and you’ll have to take a causeway to get to the town of Unalaska.
While you can walk there, it’s about 2.5 miles between the port and downtown, so you may want to take a taxi or cruise ship shuttle.
Cruise lines that travel to Dutch Harbor include Seabourn, Regent Seven Seas, Viking, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises and Holland America Line.
Nome
Nome, Alaska (Photo Credit: Andrew F. Kazmierski)
Nome’s port is small, so most cruise ships do require passengers to tender to shore. However, a large port expansion project is underway, which will enable the port to accommodate cruise ships that hold as many as 4,000 passengers.
It’ll also allow for up to 10 ships to dock at once (currently, three ships can dock, but, again, they have to be on the smaller side).
The new port will be the first deep-water Arctic port in the United States. It’s estimated the expansion project will be complete by 2030 and will cost more than $600 million.
The current port, though limited in size, still has some nice amenities, including on-site food. The port is about a half a mile from the city’s center and taxi and shuttle service are both available.
Cruise lines that visit Nome include Silversea, Seabourn, Ponant, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, Holland America Line and Hurtigruten. In addition to being a stop along greater cruise ship schedules, Nome is also an embarkation point for some.
Haines
Haines, Alaska – Photo Credit: Shutterstock
The Port of Haines in the Inside Passage is noted for its natural beauty. Cruise ships dock at the Port Chilkoot Cruise Ship Dock, which is located right next to Fort William H. Seward, and about a half-mile from downtown.
The port offers a small information kiosk and shuttle service, and tour providers will meet you directly at the port.
Cruise lines that stop in Haines include Royal Caribbean, American Cruise Lines, Holland America, Lindblad, Hurtigruten, Princess Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Seabourn, Viking Cruises and UnCruise Adventures.
Since Haines is close to Skagway, some cruisers stopping in Skagway who want to visit the less-crowded Haines will take a 45-minute ferry ride from Skagway to Haines.
While food is plentiful on cruise ships, sometimes guests crave a little bit of a crunchy snack between mealtimes – especially young children. Pizza and ice cream aren’t exactly right, but a few bites of cereal can be perfect.
One Carnival Cruise Line guest, however, is very upset that an easy grab-and-go cereal snack isn’t available. They’re certainly not shy about letting the cruise line’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald, know about the missing option.
“Why are the small individual boxes of cereals not available in the buffet at breakfast? My kids like to snack in these during the day, so thought it might be handy to grab a couple each morning before going ashore,”the guest explained.
“But the Carnival Paradise had none! The cereal is in a [hotel]-style dispenser. You are forcing us to buy zip lock bags to put some cereal in and smuggle it off the ship.”
Heald noted that Carnival Cruise Line used to offer the small cereal boxes – I remember these myself from voyages many years ago. My husband would enjoy a box or two of raisin bran with his breakfast, and I occasionally snacked on Lucky Charms or Fruit Loops.
“We do have cereal from dispensers. And yes, when we used to have them in those small boxes, people would take many of them,”Heald said.“Not to eat at breakfast, but to take back to their cabins or to take home and it was just not practical.”
I will admit, a couple of times I did take the cereal boxes anticipating a snack, but they went uneaten. Still, the guest was adamant about their desire for cereal in small take-away boxes.
“Give your passengers what they want. Everyone eats cereal so bring us those boxes and more choices of cereal. My Kroger has a variety pack for under $10!”
Okay, not “everyone” eats cereal – despite my past experiences, I much prefer French toast, scrambled eggs, maybe an omelette, and of course, pastries for breakfast instead of cereal I can easily get at home.
It is also irrelevant how much such boxes might cost on land at the guest’s favorite grocery store. While Carnival Paradise is the smallest ship in the Carnival fleet based on passenger occupancy – she can welcome just 2,124 guests – that could still be hundreds of such cereal boxes every week.
Never mind that many could go uneaten, and each individual box has extra trash that would need to be recycled or otherwise processed. Dispensers that hold much more cereal are a far more economical and practical option, and every guest can enjoy as much or as little cereal as they would like.
Can Snacks Be Taken Off the Ship?
One of the most troubling statements in the guest’s cereal conundrum is “You are forcing us to buy zip lock bags to put some cereal in and smuggle it off the ship.”
To be clear, no one is “forced” to do anything. If guests choose to use cereal as a snack, that is their option.
The idea to “smuggle if off the ship” is disturbing, however. Such action is not permitted, as per the local laws of the ports Carnival Cruise Line visits.
Carnival Cruise Line Snacks (Photo Credit: Emrys Thakkar)
“I would also remind anybody thinking ‘oh that’s a good idea, I’ll take a Ziploc bag and take cereal off the ship’ remember most of the places we go to do not allow this,”Heald said.“If you are caught by the local authorities is bringing food off the ship they may treat you in a frosty manner. And that will not be, greeeeeeeat!”
Corny (or corn flakey?) cereal jokes aside, all guests must abide by local restrictions when visiting ports of call, many of which are in foreign countries. No unsealed food may be taken off the ship, whether it is a small bag of cereal, a piece of fruit, or a handful of cookies.
Finally, Heald unequivocally notes that the small, individual boxes will not be returning.
“Anyway, I certainly don’t want to be a cereal killer but we are not planning to go back to the boxes,”he said.
Well, cheerio to that request! Guests will have to get their kix somewhere else, or else bring their own small individual boxes of cereal onboard when they begin their cruise.
