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Is the Carnival Triumph Still in Service? Where the “Poop Cruise” Ship Is Now

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Mar 22, 2026

Is the Carnival Triumph Still in Service? Where the “Poop Cruise” Ship Is Now

Key Aspects:

In 2013, Carnival Triumph was stranded at sea after an engine fire in an infamous sailing known as the “poop cruise.”
The incident resulted in widespread changes across the cruise industry and Carnival’s fleet, including Triumph, which now sails under its new name, Carnival Sunrise.
The 2025 Netflix documentary Trainwreck: Poop Cruise recounted the experiences of passengers and crew members of the “poop cruise.”

In 2013, Carnival Triumph was stranded at sea for four days after an engine fire left the ship with no power or working toilets. The result: the now-infamous “poop cruise.” The incident brought about major overhauls across the cruise industry and Carnival’s own fleet. The Carnival Triumph is still in service today, sailing under her new name, Carnival Sunrise.

Triumph’s Infamous “Poop Cruise” Incident

When news broke of the February 2013 “poop cruise” experience, the public was horrified.

Triumph passengers, looking forward to a trip to the Caribbean, experienced a cruise unlike any other. It became one of the most widely reported cruise-related disasters and left the entire cruise industry wondering what had gone wrong.

The cruise began as expected, departing from Galveston, Texas, for a four-day trip to Cozumel. The ship, which first entered service in 1999, was 14 years old at the time.

All was going as planned until an engine room fire flared up, damaging Triumph’s power system, including the engines. The ship was approximately 150 miles off the coast of the Yucatán Peninsula in the Gulf of Mexico.

Carnival Triumph Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: William A. Morgan)

As a result, more than 4,200 people, including passengers and crew, were stranded in Gulf waters with no power on board. Onboard conditions deteriorated quickly.

There was no air conditioning. Toilets stopped flushing, and passengers were given biohazard bags for the disposal of waste. Sewage backed up into the bathrooms and hallways. Guests were instructed to urinate in their showers when the ship’s plumbing stopped working.

In a 2025 Netflix documentary Trainwreck: Poop Cruise, passengers described their experience of walking around the ship’s hallways that were filled with waste and hearing “squish, squish, squish,” beneath their feet. One crew member described the bathrooms as “poop lasagna” with layers of water, waste, and toilet paper.

In addition to the heat, smell, and overall unsanitary conditions, there were concerns about the limited food supply that remained available.

With the ship’s power systems compromised, refrigeration became unreliable, raising questions about whether perishable food could be stored safely. At one point, the US Coast Guard dropped emergency food and water supplies to help passengers endure the crisis.

Carnival Triumph During "Poop Cruise" — Carnival Triumph During “Poop Cruise” (Photo Credit: Netflix)

Even then, passengers worried about how the food had been handled and whether basic sanitation standards could be maintained in a ship where so many other systems had already failed.

Passengers compared the devastation to history’s most devastating sailing, exclaiming, “Oh my God, this is it, this is the Titanic – we’re going down.”

Four days after the fire, tugboats arrived to tow Triumph to Mobile, Alabama. They finally reached port on Valentine’s Day, ending the nightmare.

Following the incident, Carnival compensated passengers with a full refund. They also received travel reimbursements and credits toward future cruises, which, understandably, were met with reluctance.

What Happened to Carnival Triumph After the Poop Cruise?

The ship underwent major renovations throughout 2018 and 2019 following the incident. A massive two-month transformation also took place at the popular Navantia shipyard in Cadiz, Spain. It was one of the most extensive rebuilds of a ship in cruise history and cost Carnival approximately $200 million.

The result? Carnival Sunrise.

The revamped ship, while still measuring in at 893 feet in length with a gross tonnage of 101,509 GT, featured both cosmetic and functional upgrades. This included new engines, redundant generator systems, redesigned sewage systems, and upgraded fire-suppression equipment.

In addition to the upgrades that directly addressed the failures, the ship also featured updated public areas, new restaurants, additional cabins, and fresh entertainment spaces.

Carnival wanted to modernize the ship and restore public confidence in the ability to cruise safely and enjoyably.

How the Poop Cruise Incident Changed the Cruise Industry

Sunrise is one of three ships in Carnival’s Sunshine-class of ships, which also includes Carnival Sunshine and Carnival Radiance. All three ships in this class have undergone major upgrades over the years.

Carnival Destiny became Carnival Sunshine in 2013, which was an upgrade that was not directly tied to the poop cruise. Carnival Victory became Carnival Radiance following an upgrade in 2021, a refurbishment that was sped up due to the issues related to the poop cruise.

The goal was to create safer ships that allowed passengers to return to cruising with confidence. Improvements included:

Enhanced Fire Prevention and Suppression Systems

Carnival Fire Protection Systems (Credit: Carnival)

The fleet now features state-of-the-art fire detection and suppression, especially in the engine rooms. This includes improved monitoring systems, more fire barriers, and enhanced auto-suppression equipment. The upgrades ensure that fires are detected and suppressed as quickly as possible.

Redundant Power and Propulsion Safeguards

These redundancy measures prevent a single engine failure from disabling critical onboard systems. Even in the event of engine failure, onboard systems, including propulsion, refrigeration, lighting, and sanitation, continue to operate. If an engine emergency arises, the goal is that passengers can stay safe and comfortable onboard while awaiting rescue.

Improved Emergency Response Procedures

Beyond the ship improvements, Carnival did everything it could to ensure that staff and crew respond to emergencies in the best way possible. Emergency training and crisis management programs were expanded and now focus on better communication with passengers.

Carnival Triumph to Carnival Sunrise Transformation (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)

Additionally, Carnival implemented better contingency plans for extended power outages and created an improved plan for rescue.

Can You Still Sail on Carnival Triumph?

Yes. Following the renovations, Triumph set sail again in 2019 under its new name, Carnival Sunrise. The updates were so extensive that many passengers, after watching the Netflix documentary, were surprised to learn that they had sailed on the infamous poop cruise ship.

The ship’s passenger capacity is now reported at 2,984, compared to the original capacity of 3,470 before the overhaul.

Carnival Sunrise sails four- and five-day cruises from Miami, Florida. Passengers enjoy trips through the Caribbean to destinations including the Bahamas, Grand Turk, and Half Moon Cay.

Worth Reading: What Is a Poop Deck? It’s Not What You Think

Fortunately, stories like the poop cruise are rare. The vast majority of cruises deliver nothing but smooth sailing. And despite the occasional incident, cruising is still one of the most relaxing and enjoyable ways to see the world.

Carnival Scraps Rare 10‑Night Cruise for Full-Ship Charter

Carnival Cruise News

Melissa Mayntz

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Mar 22, 2026

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Carnival Scraps Rare 10‑Night Cruise for Full-Ship Charter

Key Aspects:

One October 2027 sailing of Carnival Splendor is now cancelled due to a full-ship charter.
Already booked guests will receive a full refund or can choose a different sailing with their cruise rate protected.
The 10-night itinerary to New Zealand is a rare one and could be challenging for guests to replace.

Carnival Cruise Line has reached out to guests booked on one upcoming sailing of Carnival Splendor to alert them that their voyage has been cancelled.

The impacted sailing is the ship’s October 12, 2027 departure from Sydney. The 10-night, round-trip voyage was to have sailed completely around the North Island of New Zealand, with stops in Napier, Tauranga, Auckland, and the Bay of Islands before returning to Sydney on October 22.

“We are very sorry to inform you that the ship has been chartered and your cruise has been cancelled,” the email notification read.

To be clear, Carnival Splendor will still be sailing on the voyage, but it is no longer a public sailing and not available to book except through the chartering organization, which has not been revealed. Instead, guests who had already booked the getaway have a couple of options.

If travelers want to reschedule to a different sailing date, their cruise rate will be protected in similar accommodations. Port fees, taxes, and onboard expenses are not generally protected, just the cruise rate. If guests do rebook, they will receive a $100 (AUD) onboard credit per stateroom for the new sailing.

Carnival Splendor offers relatively diverse sailings from Sydney, ranging from 3-night cruises to nowhere to a number of 10- and 12-night voyages.

Carnival Splendor Docked in Sydney, Australia (Photo Credit: Stepan Skorobogadko)

Several similar cruises are departing in fall 2027, close to the date of the now-chartered voyage. On November 6, 2027, for example, the ship has a 10-night sailing to New Zealand, but around South Island instead of North Island.

The only other date in 2027 when the ship is offering a 10-night cruise around North Island departs on January 3. All other 10-night cruises are to South Island. The January 17, 2028 cruise is also to North Island.

The scarcity of this itinerary will make it challenging for guests to replace their sailing with a very close option, though a replacement cruise does not necessarily have to be aboard Carnival Splendor. If guests are flexible with their destination preferences, they may have more options.

Carnival Adventure is also homeported from Sydney in late 2027, but does not offer sailings to New Zealand at all.

If guests prefer not to reschedule, they will receive an automatic full refund of their cruise fare and all pre-purchased items back to the original form of payment. Refunds will begin processing on April 4, 2026, but could take up to three weeks, depending on the policies of individual financial institutions.

Why the Cancellation?

Carnival Cruise Line has not disclosed the nature of the full ship charter, but this is not unusual and protects the privacy of the chartering organization.

Multiple different music cruises have been scheduled aboard Carnival Splendor in 2026, including the Hellbound metal music cruise and Rock the Boat. It is possible that the 2027 cruises for those events may be the longer sailing that is now chartered.

Other music tours, special interest groups, and even corporations may also schedule full-ship charters, causing open bookings to suddenly be cancelled.

Cruise Hive has regularly reported on such charter cancellations, which can happen on all cruise lines for different ships, destinations, and cruise lengths.

While this can be frustrating for guests, especially for such a sought-after itinerary, at least this particular Carnival Splendor cancellation is 19 months away. This permits guests plenty of time for rebooking on a different voyage for their cruise vacation plans.

Cruise Passenger Files Lawsuit After Bench Breaks on Nassau Shore Excursion

Carnival Cruise News

Catie Kovelman

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Mar 21, 2026

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Cruise Passenger Files Lawsuit After Bench Breaks on Nassau Shore Excursion

Key Aspects:

One passenger of Carnival Elation, who was injured when a bench broke during a shore excursion, is suing Carnival for negligence.
Her legal team alleges that Carnival should have been aware of the danger and was not clear that the tour would be operated by a third party.
Carnival states on its website that tours are operated by independent companies and the brand does not control their operations.

A former guest of Carnival Elation was injured during a shore excursion, and now she wants Carnival Cruise Line to answer for their alleged role in her accident in court.

Karolrae Knight filed a lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in federal court in Florida on March 20, 2026, after getting injured on her way to a shore excursion in Nassau, Bahamas, on March 24, 2025.

At the time, Knight was participating in the “Swimming with the Pigs: Express” shore excursion, which she booked through Carnival Cruise Line.

However, she never actually got to swim with the famous Bahamian pigs because the bench she was sitting on broke shortly into the boat ride to Pig Beach.

Per the lawsuit, which was sent to Cruise Hive by Knight’s attorneys, the Alabama resident was thrown onto the floor when the bench collapsed and nearly fell overboard from the small transport boat.

For context, the popular shore excursion is the shorter of the two pig tours that Carnival offers in Nassau. The experience, which lasts for about two hours, includes a 20-minute boat ride to and from the location and about 30 minutes of interaction with the animals.

“KNIGHT was seated on a bench along with two other passengers. Approximately ten (10) minutes after departure, while waters were calm, the bench suddenly and unexpectedly collapsed,” the claim states.

“The collapse caused KNIGHT to be violently thrown downward onto the floor of the vessel. KNIGHT nearly fell overboard into the ocean. The seating was not reasonably fit for its intended purpose and failed under normal and foreseeable passenger use,” it continues.

The cruise guest was too injured to continue with the tour. She was taken back to the 71,909-gross ton ship, where the onboard medical team diagnosed Knight with a fractured tail bone and provided immediate care.

Knight continued to pursue medical treatment on land after her symptoms worsened, and was subsequently diagnosed with significant spinal injuries, including a bulging disc and tear at L4-L5 and an additional tear at S1.

She is looking for compensation for medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and lost vacation costs. A jury trial is requested.

Transparency Around Independent Tours

Even though the shore excursion was operated by a vetted, independent tour company, Knight’s legal team have accused Carnival of five counts of negligence.

Knight’s legal team believes that Carnival was not transparent surrounding the fact that the tour would be operated by an independent company, nor did Knight interact with the tour provider until the day of the excursion.

Since Carnival marketed, sold, and profited off the shore excursion, Knight and her attorneys believe that they should be held at fault for her accident.

However, Carnival’s website clearly states that the cruise line does not operate any of its shore excursions. It simply sells tours as a convenience to its guests.

“All of the shore excursions, including any related transportation, are operated by local independent companies and they are solely responsible for their products, excursions and any related transportation,” Carnival’s website states.

“Carnival is not responsible for any losses, damage, death, injuries or claims whatsoever arising from, connected with, or related to any activities engaged in by guests while off of Carnival’s ships or tenders in any port of call. This includes all shore excursions, whether sold onboard or by third parties ashore,” the brand continues.

Currently, the cruise line sells 39 shore excursions for Nassau, which are usually enjoyed without any hiccups by guests of Carnival Elation and several other ships in the fleet.

Did Carnival Provide Proper Oversight?

The lawsuit also goes on to argue that the cruise line should have been aware of the dangers associated with the shore excursion and did not properly warn guests.

This argument suggests that Carnival did not provide proper oversight of its contracted vendors. However, the cruise line has made no promise to do so, beyond researching companies to select reputable tour providers.

“Carnival neither supervises nor controls tour operators actions, nor makes any representation either expressed or implied as to their suitability,” Carnival’s website added.

The exception to this is that the cruise line does monitor guest feedback on shore excursions seriously, and will consider switching to different providers if a pattern of problems arise.

At this time, the “Swimming with the Pigs: Express” tour is still available for purchase and has mostly been reviewed positively, with a rating of 4.4 stars out of five on Carnival’s website.

The 2,190-guest Carnival Elation is also still sailing to the Bahamas from Jacksonville, with its current 4- to 5-night itineraries frequently featuring Nassau.

Cruise News Roundup: Spring Breakers Are Coming, Itinerary Changes, Glacier Dropped

Cruise News

Donna Tunney

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Mar 21, 2026

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Cruise News Roundup: Spring Breakers Are Coming, Itinerary Changes, Glacier Dropped

If you’ve missed any of the big cruise news headlines in recent days, you are in the right place. Cruise Hive’s weekly recap has all of the top stories and more.

Some of the developments in this week’s edition include Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Jubilee earning a perfect health inspection score; a video showing a trio of pier-runners turning out to be a faked incident; and Holland America Line shifting its vessels away from Alaska’s Tracy Arm Fjord due to unstable ice conditions.

Get your daily cruise news fix by signing up for Cruise Hive’s Daily Update, delivered to your inbox each morning.

Viral Pier-Runner Video Found to Be Fake

Did they really miss their cruise ship or not? That was the question when a video surfaced on social media showing three distraught young women running along a pier as a cruise ship moved away from its berth at the Port of Nassau, Bahamas.

The video, posted on March 2, 2026, went viral, garnering 27 million views and being shared more than 50,000 times. But it turns out that the pier-running spectacle was a fake.

The video shows the three running toward what appears to be Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Freedom as it pulls away from its dock.

Cruise Influencers Caught Faking Missing the Ship (Footage Credit: @weirdgirlgrwms)

But, in fact, the three gals were seen earlier on the pier, practicing for the video. Turns out that a guest watching from aboard Carnival Freedom, which was docked at the time, filmed their rehearsals.

Pier-runner videos often go viral, as passengers onboard docked cruise ships use their phones to film guests who arrive late to the pier and, unfortunately, miss their ship.

In this case, it appears that the three women in the video were not guests on Carnival Freedom but more likely were sailing on MSC Cruises’ MSC Seashore, which was in Nassau on the same day. The Carnival ship was identified thanks to its funnel design, which features whale tale wings.

Cruise Line Issues Conduct Reminder to Spring Breakers

Anticipating a busy spring break season, Norwegian Cruise Line is reminding booked guests about certain rules and regulations designed to promote good conduct and avoid rowdy behavior.

Guests due to sail on Norwegian Joy were among those who received a letter from the cruise line detailing the minimum drinking age, adult supervision requirements, and other items.

Generally, cruisers can expect to see spring breakers onboard sailings in March and April, and while the cruise line welcomes younger passengers, it wants all guests to behave appropriately.

Norwegian Joy to Sail Crime Cruise (Photo Credit: Ute Sonja Medley)

Among the reminders: The minimum drinking age across the cruise line is 21; however, those aged 18 to 20 can be served beer and wine if they have parental consent — forms are available at the Guest Services Desk.

Also, guests are asked to avoid making noise in hallways, and running in public spaces. Diving into pools is prohibited, and saving deck chairs is not allowed.

One of the major concerns is supervision. At least one guest over age 21 is required in every cabin. Groups of college students sharing staterooms must abide by the rule — even two 20-year-olds cannot stay in a cabin without someone over age 21.

Dress codes were included in the letter to guests, asking all passengers to dress appropriately in dining rooms and specialty restaurants.

Holland America Replaces Tracy Arm Scenic Cruising

Tracy Arm Fjord is a prime cruising ground for cruise ships sailing Alaska’s Inside Passage, but due to unstable ice conditions, Holland America Line has revised its itineraries to avoid the area.

The instability came to light in August 2025, when a landslide sent rocks and debris into the fjord, spurring a tsunami warning inside the waterway. According to the US Geological Survey, the slopes of the fjord’s glacier are continuing to shift, risking more landslides.

Alaska Glacier (Photo Credit: Martin Gstoehl)

Rather than take that risk, Holland America is replacing Tracy Arm with Endicott Arm, a nearby fjord with equally spectacular glacier viewing opportunities. In fact, ships scheduled to include Endicott Arm will provide guests with a longer viewing day — a full 8.5 hours.

Among the ships that were slated to visit Tracy Arm and instead will cruise along Endicott Arm is Koningsdam, which was to offer scenic cruising of the fjord on May 4, 2026, as it sails a 7-night cruise from Vancouver, British Columbia.

Noordam was to follow on May 6, sailing from Seattle. Other ships slated to tour the fjord in summer 2026 include Zaandam, departing from Vancouver, and Eurodam, sailing from Seattle.

Both Tracy Arm and Endicott Arm are fjords of Holkham Bay, about 45 miles southeast of Juneau.

Carnival Issues Itinerary Updates on Mexico Sailings

Guests booked to sail Mexican Riviera cruises aboard Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Panorama in August and September 2026 are being informed of multiple itinerary changes.

The 4,008-guest ship, sailing from Long Beach, California, typically visits the popular ports of Cabo San Lucas, La Paz, and Mazatlan, and while no destinations have been dropped from itineraries, the order of port calls and time in port have changed in several instances.

Also, departure and arrival times at Long Beach have been adjusted in some cases, meaning that booked guests may have to alter air travel and other transportation plans.

Carnival Panorama Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Erik Morgan)

Carnival Cruise Line offered no explanation regarding the revisions, but noted that guests who booked shore excursions through the line will have their shore tours automatically adjusted to reflect the new itineraries.

Guests who booked independent excursions must make their own schedule updates.

Itinerary changes vary from sailing to sailing. For example, on the August 15, 2026, departure, the order of port calls was reversed and arrival times were altered. On the ship’s September 6 sailing, departure from Long Beach was pushed back by one hour, to 5 p.m., and the order of port calls was changed.

Carnival Jubilee Earns a Perfect Health Inspection Score

Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Jubilee, a ship that entered service in 2023 and sails year-round from Galveston, has something to celebrate: It earned a perfect health inspection score from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Cruise line ambassador John Heald used his popular Facebook page to congratulate the 1,700-plus crew members on the distinction. The 5,362-guest ship received a score of 100 on the comprehensive, and surprise, inspection by CDC officials.

The CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program requires the inspections of cruise ships at US ports at least twice each year. It’s a major undertaking, typically requiring inspectors to remain onboard a ship for up to eight hours.

Using a 100-point scale, inspectors review a wide range of public health standards. Ships earning scores of 86 or higher are considered satisfactory. Carnival Jubilee’s previous inspection, in October of 2025, earned the ship a score of 97.

The 183,521-gross-ton ship sails Western Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries.

Flushed Towel Causes a Big Problem on Cruise Ship

In virtually every bathroom, in every cabin, in every cruise ship operating today, a sign above the toilet reminds guests that only toilet paper should be flushed. But apparently, that didn’t sink in with one passenger aboard the current sailing of MSC Cruises’ MSC Meraviglia.

The ship, which departed March 15, 2026, on a 7-night Bahamas cruise from New York, suffered a blockage in its toilet and sewage system after someone apparently flushed a cotton towel.

In a notice to guests, the ship’s management informed passengers of the technical issue and said engineers were working to correct the problem.

MSC Meraviglia Cruise Ship — Photo Credit: Andrea Izzotti / Shutterstock.com

The news made its way to social media and, oddly, some former passengers posted comments indicating that they had received similar notices on previous MSC Meraviglia cruises.

Those notices remain a mystery, but other former guests also commented about sewage smells and other plumbing problems on the ship, which entered service in 2017.

Fortunately, MSC Meraviglia is due to enter dry dock for routine maintenance in April 2026, so any ongoing plumbing issues are likely to be addressed. Meanwhile, the ship’s current cruise is proceeding normally, with no changes to its itinerary. MSC Cruises also later confirmed that there are currently no issues onboard.

First Glance at Royal Beach Club Lelepa

Royal Caribbean took the wraps off its new Royal Beach Club Lelepa, a private destination in Vanuatu slated to open in October 2027.

Among its features will be a nature trail, an adult-only area, two beaches, various water sports, and multiple food and drink venues featuring local cuisine.

Visits to the beach club will be included in guests’ cruise fare. Lounge chairs, towels, and umbrellas will be complimentary to guests, while comfy daybeds will be offered for rent. A retail area will offer souvenirs and other locally made goods.

Remote and exotic, Vanuatu is known for its crystal clear blue waters, active volcanoes, and pristine dive sites. The destination is a South Pacific archipelago roughly 1,500 miles east of Australia.

When it opens, Royal Beach Club Lelepa will become the first private cruise destination in the Southern Hemisphere.

Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas will be the first Royal Caribbean ships to call at the destination.

More Cruise Headlines

There are plenty more important news stories that happened in the past week, so let’s keep going. Check out our coverage of Princess Cruises unveiling new experiences in its North to Alaska program in summer 2026; ongoing hostilities in the Persian Gulf region causing TUI Cruises to cancel more sailings; and MSC Cruises’ MSC Poesia refreshing its menus and beverage choices.

Also, one Royal Caribbean holiday cruise in 2026 will feature a rare overnight stay in Cozumel, Mexico; and a proposal to build a larger cruise port in Tampa, Florida, hits a major roadblock.

Virgin Voyages Sets Date for Unprecedented Entire Fleet Gathering at Sea

Virgin Voyages News

Melissa Mayntz

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Mar 21, 2026

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Virgin Voyages Sets Date for Unprecedented Entire Fleet Gathering at Sea

Key Aspects:

Virgin Voyages has announced a “Sisters at Sea” meetup of the entire fleet on February 16, 2027.
The meetup will happen roughly 44 miles north of Cuba, 200 miles south of Nassau.
The four Lady Ships will be sailing voyages from 5-10 nights for the historic occasion.

Many cruise guests get great enjoyment seeing what other ships they may be sailing with, whether docking together in ports of call or passing at sea. For Virgin Voyages guests, a very unique opportunity is on the horizon for February 2027.

For the first time ever, all four Virgin cruise ships will be meeting at sea. The historic meetup, named “Sisters at Sea,” will happen on Tuesday, February 16, 2027.

The meetup location has been determined as 44 miles north of Nuevitas, Cuba and 200 miles south of Nassau, Bahamas. For the geographically-minded, the precise location is 22°12’57″N latitude, 77°16’07″W longitude in the Caribbean.

This will be the first time in recorded history that any cruise line brings together its entire fleet for a meetup. While Cruise Hive has reported on similar meetups for various special occasions, bringing a whole fleet together is definitely significant.

“When we launched Scarlet Lady, we had a vision, and that vision was always four ships but one community,” said Virgin Founder Sir Richard Branson. “This fleetwide meet-up is that dream made real.”

A total of roughly 15,000 guests and crew members will be in attendance onboard the ships, which are sure to have exclusive activities (and likely merchandise!) to commemorate the once-in-history event.

“There are voyages, and then there are moments that are so epic they become lifelong memories. Sisters at Sea is the latter, and we have so much planned to blow your mind and make you laugh and cry with joy,” said Nathan Rosenberg, Chief Marketing Officer.

“When those four ships are on the water together, and we hear the collective cheers from every Crew member and Sailor, it will be proof that nothing is more powerful than the community that loves and supports you and that we are better together.”

Richard Branson on Virgin Voyages (Photo Credit: Bold Man Media)

Few details about the celebrations have been revealed, though the adults-only Virgin Voyages is well known for a carefree vibe and invitation for guests to enjoy their cruise, their way. A “synchronized horn salute” is planned, along with simultaneous deck parties on all four ships.

Further details are sure to be announced in the months to come as the clock counts down to the convergence of Lady Ships.

Four Voyages for the Celebration

Naturally, there are just four cruises that will experience the Sisters at Sea meetup. Applicable voyages range from 5-10 nights, giving travelers unique options to join in the event.

Scarlet Lady will be on the shortest cruise, a 5-night Bahamas sailing departing Miami on February 15. Valiant Lady will depart from San Juan 2 days earlier, on a 7-night sailing that includes visits to the Dominican Republic and Grand Turk.

Resilient Lady will likewise be on a 7-night cruise for the meetup. She will set sail from Miami on Valentine’s Day with visits to Mexico and Bimini on the itinerary.

Brilliant Lady will be on the longest cruise for the Sisters at Sea meetup. The youngest Lady Ship will set sail from Miami on February 8 for a 10-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary, stopping at St. Maarten, Tortola, San Juan, St. Croix, Bimini, and Puerto Plata.

Each of the identical Lady Ships can welcome as many as 2,700 guests onboard, along with roughly 1,160 international crew members.

While each sailing will enjoy its planned ports of call, the meetup will undoubtedly be the highlight of each voyage. Onboard, guests will also get an exclusive preview of upcoming deployments and plans for the cruise line, further building excitement across the fleet even as all the ships greet one another.

Other Cruise Ship Meetups

While Virgin Voyages’ full fleet Sisters at Sea meetup will be extraordinary, different cruise lines have hosted various meetups for different events.

Carnival Cruise Line, for example, hosted several multi-ship meetup celebrations in 2022 for its 50th birthday celebrations and is already planning meetups in 2027 to celebrate sailing for 55 years.

Not all meetups are necessarily for large numbers of ships, however. In fact, one significant recent meetup only had a single active cruise ship.

On February 2, 2026, Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2 met up with her namesake, Queen Mary, during a visit to Long Beach. Though Queen Mary retired from service in 1967, the “royal rendezvous” was a nostalgic moment for fans of both ships.

Royal Caribbean Overboard Alert Turns Out to Be Teen Prank

Royal Caribbean News

Calvin Musquez

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Mar 20, 2026

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Royal Caribbean Overboard Alert Turns Out to Be Teen Prank

Key Aspects:

An overboard situation on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas turned out to be a false alarm.
The fake emergency was a prank by teenagers onboard.
The itinerary was not affected, but many are calling for harsh punishments for the teens.

What was believed to be a life-or-death situation unfolding aboard Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas ended up being a false alarm. According to passengers onboard, it was nothing but a prank in very poor taste.

The 226,838-gross ton ship is on a 6-day Western Caribbean sailing, which left Fort Lauderdale on March 15. The overboard report was made on March 20, 2026, sailing from Amber Cove in Puerto Plata on its way back to Fort Lauderdale.

The ship turned around off the coast of Cuba near Cayo Guajaba, and the crew sprang into action. Safety rings were tossed, and the US Coast Guard was called for assistance. For 90 minutes, they searched for the overboard passenger.

Other passengers were understandably frightened.

“For my praying friends please pray for the rescue of a person that fell overboard on Oasis of the Sea just a few minutes ago.” wrote one passenger in a post on Facebook.

But here comes the twist. In the same post, passengers reported that the Captain’s voice came over the PA system at 1:45 pm announcing that there was never any emergency at all. It was all just an elaborate prank by a group of teenagers onboard.

@mrsshannonford
Friday, March 20, 2026 at 1:10pm, Our captain just came on to tell everyone that someone saw someone fall off the ship. All my years of cruising and this is a first. Praying for the person and their family. I will update if I hear more. #oasisoftheseas #manoverboard
♬ Cycle Syncing Frequency – Still Haven

One Facebook user onboard reported that a girl’s friends told her grandmother that she’d fallen off the ship, resulting in the subsequent panic and search.

The search was called off, the Coast Guard informed, and Oasis of the Seas continued back on her original course towards Fort Lauderdale.

The false alarm may have caused a great deal of stress for those onboard, but in spite of the minor delay, the ship is still on track to dock in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday, March 21 as originally scheduled. There is no known impact to the current itinerary.

Passengers Call for Punishment

A knowingly false report wastes time, money, and resources. It’s anything but a funny prank. Many online and onboard Oasis of the Seas are already calling for the teenagers involved to be harshly punished.

“The only way cruise lines will get parents to actually parent is to become much more aggressive with the lifetime bans on the parents for the children’s behavior,” wrote one Reddit user.

A lifetime ban may seem harsh to some. The adults accompanying these kids didn’t personally do anything wrong, though they are responsible for supervising their children.

Oasis of the Seas Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Mariusz Lopusiewicz)

However, the Royal Caribbean Guest Conduct Policy states clearly,“Parents and guardians are responsible for the behavior and appropriate supervision of their accompanying minor(s) and young adult(s) throughout their vacation.”

This comes as Spring Break gets underway, and cruise lines have already been reminding guests to be on their best behavior.

There has been no official word from Royal Caribbean on what the punishment for these teens and their families may be, but Cruise Hive will update if a public statement is made.

Overboards Are No Laughing Matter

False alarms are not uncommon on cruise ships, but they are typically a result of genuine misunderstanding rather than an intentional prank.

Earlier in March, Cruise Hive reported another overboard false alarm on MSC Seashore. In this case, guests and crew lost several hours to launching a search and rescue mission and completing a count of everyone onboard (which required guests to wait in their cabins) to ensure everyone is accounted for.

A similar protocol was likely followed here, though guests of the 6,780-guest ship say that things did not get far enough for bars and the normal onboard activities to be shut down.

Overboards are very serious situations, and minutes can mean the difference between life and death.

Cruise ships are equipped with a variety of state-of-the-art safety and security systems, as well as high railings on outer decks, making genuine overboard situations fairly rare.

It’s better to be safe than sorry, so if there is ever a suspicion of a genuine man overboard situation, it should be reported to the crew as quickly as possible. Guests who report an overboard in good faith will not be penalized if it turns out to be a false alarm.

Carnival Jubilee Diverts for Evacuation, No Delay Confirmed

Carnival Cruise News

Melissa Mayntz

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Mar 20, 2026

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Carnival Jubilee Diverts for Evacuation, No Delay Confirmed

Key Aspects:

A medical evacuation from Carnival Jubilee caused a diversion in the ship’s route in the Gulf of Mexico on Friday, March 20.
The nature of the emergency and the individual’s identity have not been disclosed at this time.
The ship will still return to Galveston on time and no delay to Saturday’s debarkation is expected.

No cruise guest wants to end their vacation on a helicopter rather than a ship, but when a medical need arises, they are grateful for the expert reactions of the crew and rescue personnel to ensure a safe and efficient evacuation.

Carnival Jubilee‘s cruise director, Kyndall Fire, explained some of the necessary coordination for such an evacuation that took place on Friday, March 30, 2026.

At the time, the Excel Class ship was in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America) heading back to Galveston, Texas, at the end of a 7-night sailing. The ship had originally departed on Saturday, March 14.

The last two days of the cruise are both days at sea as the ship makes her way home, but it was during that extended time at sea that a medical emergency arose and evacuation was necessary.

“Today we had a person who needs urgent medical attention so our team onboard organized and executed a helicopter medical evac. Now this is a very complicated safety procedure that can only be executed under certain set of conditions,” Fire explained.

“Weather, wind, waves, distance from shore, and stability of the patient, there’s a lot of conditions that need to align.”

The identity of the individual requiring evacuation was not disclosed, not even whether it is a guest or a crew member. Furthermore, the nature of the “urgent medical attention” was also not disclosed in order to preserve that individual’s privacy, as well as the privacy of their family members and friends.

Ultimately, it does not matter whether the individual is a guest or a crew member. The procedure to get them urgent medical attention is the same.

Once the determination is made that a medical evacuation is necessary, the ship contacts the US Coast Guard for assistance. If all conditions are suitable, a team is dispatched to the ship. This includes weather conditions, rescue craft available, and other factors.

Carnival Jubilee Airlift (Credit: Kyndall Fire)

In this case, satellite tracking also shows that Carnival Jubilee diverted significantly from her typical course back to Galveston. This would be an effort not only to meet the rescue team more quickly, but also to ensure the aircraft has sufficient fuel for the roundtrip operation.

The airlift took place approximately 200 miles south of New Orleans and 300 miles southeast of Galveston.

“With the help of our Captain, Chief Engineer, Sr Physician, Hotel Director, and USCG, as well as countless other key personnel, we were able to complete this rescue and get the person ashore to get the medical attention needed,” Fire confirmed.

Cruise Hive has frequently reported on similar emergency evacuations that the USCG carries out in all types of challenging situations, most recently from Star of the Seas.

No Delay for Carnival Jubilee

Despite the route diversion and the time necessary for the critical evacuation, Carnival Jubilee will not be delayed in her return to the Lone Star State.

The ship is scheduled to arrive back at her Texas homeport by 8 a.m. on Saturday morning, March 21, and debarkation will begin shortly thereafter.

“As of now we see NO IMPACT on our arrival time in Galveston, Texas. Guests onboard should debark as originally scheduled,” Fire said.

It is not unusual for cruise ships to slow their speed during days at sea. This helps minimize breezes on the open decks, permitting more fun by the pool, on waterslides, and in other outdoor activities.

When a diversion or evacuation might be necessary, the ship can increase speed to compensate for such delays. As of Friday afternoon, Carnival Jubilee is sailing at 16 knots (18 miles per hour), which is still a typical cruising speed. Undoubtedly, the ship will increase speed overnight as she gets closer to Galveston.

Cruise Hive commends the great work of the ship’s crew as well as the USCG team for a smooth and safe evacuation, anytime and anywhere such emergency help is needed.

P&O Cruises Expands Caribbean Footprint With New St. Kitts Homeport

P&O Cruises News

Lissa Poirot

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Mar 20, 2026

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P&O Cruises Expands Caribbean Footprint With New St. Kitts Homeport

Key Aspects:

P&O Cruises will homeport Iona in Basseterre, St. Kitts, starting in November 2027.
The move expands P&O Cruises’ fly/cruise program beyond Barbados.
St. Kitts is fast-tracking new cruise terminal infrastructure at Port Zante to support Iona’s operations.

P&O Cruises is expanding its Caribbean operations with a new homeport in St. Kitts, where passengers will be able to begin and end voyages beginning in November 2027.

The cruise line confirmed that its 184,000-gross-ton Iona will use Basseterre as an additional port as part of its Caribbean fly/cruise program from the UK.

The move adds a second embarkation point in the region beyond Barbados, where the cruise line’s Britannia and Arvia are currently offering roundtrip voyages from Bridgetown.

While P&O Cruises has called on St. Kitts on previous itineraries, select sailings will now homeport on the island known for its rainforest-covered mountains and historic sugar plantations.

Passengers will fly directly to the island and board the ship to set off on 7- and 14-day roundtrip Caribbean voyages.

“We are delighted to be adding St. Kitts as an additional turnaround port for Iona, marking an exciting evolution of our Caribbean fly/cruise program from autumn 2027,” said Paul Ludlow, president of Carnival UK & P&O Cruises.

The deployment of Iona will bring up to 5,200 passengers per sailing, as well as 1,800 crew members, and Ludlow said the move gives P&O Cruises guests more access to “one of the region’s most beautiful and culturally rich destinations.”

Basseterre, St. Kitts (Photo Credit: Alexandre.ROSA)

Government officials in St. Kitts confirmed the agreement and praised the move. Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew said, “The introduction of homeporting in St. Kitts marks a pivotal moment in our nation’s progress. Each ship that docks brings new opportunities for our people, our economy, and our culture to flourish.”

Added Tourism Minister Marsha T. Henderson, “By November 2027, the destination will move beyond a port of call to a transition port. This represents meaningful growth for our nation and it is growth that our people will feel.”

The addition comes as St. Kitts continues to post steady tourism growth. The destination recorded approximately 748,000 cruise passenger arrivals during the 2024-2025 season, and is already experiencing a record-breaking March 2026 as 68 cruise ship calls are expected to bring more than 130,000 guests to the island.

St. Kitts Port Upgrades Underway

The homeporting plan is part of a wider push to expand tourism capacity in St. Kitts ahead of 2027. Officials have linked the P&O Cruises agreement to broader development goals that could significantly increase visitor volumes over the next several years, with projections indicating tourism activity could double by 2027.

Government-backed projects extend beyond cruise homeporting to new cultural attractions, along with fast-tracked infrastructure upgrades at Port Zante in Basseterre.

Authorities are developing a new cruise terminal designed to handle embarkation and disembarkation traffic more efficiently, including improved connections between the port and Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport.

The project is being led by the St. Christopher Air and Sea Ports Authority and the Urban Development Corporation. Officials said the rollout will be phased ahead of the November 2027 launch to ensure the port can support turnaround operations tied to Iona.

The island expects an increase in demand for hotels, transfers, and pre- and post-cruise stays tied to Iona’s presence, though the scale will depend on sailing frequency and deployment plans, which have yet to be revealed.

Carnival Cruise Ship Returns to Service With Major Guest Enhancements

Carnival Cruise News

Melissa Mayntz

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Mar 20, 2026

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Carnival Cruise Ship Returns to Service With Major Guest Enhancements

Key Aspects:

Carnival Encounter is back in Brisbane following a 17-day dry dock in Singapore.
The ship’s hull now has Carnival Cruise Line’s signature livery design.
New dining and entertainment has been added to the ship, with other features refreshed and updated.

Refreshed and with a brand new look, Carnival Encounter has returned to Brisbane, Australia, following her 17-day dry dock in Singapore. Extensive updates were done to the ship from the inside out, and guests can now enjoy new venues and a whole new look.

The dry dock took place from February 16 through March 5, at which time the ship set sail on a one-way journey back to Brisbane, where she arrived with a great welcome on Friday, March 20.

The most obvious change to Carnival Encounter has been the addition of Carnival Cruise Line’s signature red-white-and-blue livery on the ship’s hull. This design was first introduced on Mardi Gras in 2021 and has since been added to all ships in the Carnival fleet.

Cruise Hive reported extensively about Carnival Encounter and Carnival Adventure moving from P&O Cruises Australia to Carnival Cruise Line in early 2025, but no changes to the vessels’ hulls were made at that time other than adding “Carnival” to the name.

This latest dry dock has added some Carnival favorites to the ship, including Cloud 9 Spa thermal suites with saunas, steam baths, and heated loungers. This is always a popular retreat for the most relaxation at sea.

For guests who prefer poolside fun, all five pools onboard Carnival Encounter have been revitalized and all seven whirlpool tubs have been replaced. Thrill seekers will also love that the Twin Racer slides on Deck 16 have been polished for even smoother, faster rides.

More adventures will be found on the resurfaced basketball court with new hoops and netting, perfect for family competitions and fun.

While Carnival Encounter already has plenty of food options, the popular Bonsai Sushi Express has been added starboard on Deck 5, right next to Cherry on Top. Guests will now be able to indulge in not only sushi, but also sashimi, salads, poke bowls, and more.

Cruise Hive previously reported that the ship will be getting a Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse, but that rebranding is not expected to be finished until early May 2026.

New Exclusive Entertainment Added

To light up the evenings, all new entertainment has been added to the ship with “Rock Revolution: Summer of 69” and “Broadway Beats,” both exclusive shows for the cruise line’s Australia-based ships.

Another new show has also been added, “Dear Future Husband,” which was first introduced aboard Carnival Jubilee in 2023. Other onboard entertainment, including comedy acts, game shows, and trivia contests, are still part of the fun lineup for every sailing.

Guests will also find other Carnival Cruise Line favorites across departments, such as the youth clubs, the Fun Shops, a dozen bars, and the Seaside Theater.

Sailing Aboard the Refreshed Carnival Encounter

Now that Carnival Encounter has returned to Brisbane, she will resume offering year-round sailings from Queensland’s capital city. The 109,000-gross-ton, Adventure Class ship offers a diverse schedule with sailings ranging from 3-14 nights, depending on departure date and itinerary.

Shorter sailings typically visit ports such as Airlie Beach, Cairns, or Willis Island. The 3-night getaway sailings are actually cruises to nowhere, giving guests plenty of time to enjoy all the fun Carnival Encounter has to offer.

Longer itineraries go to even more exotic destinations, including Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, and Fiji, with multiple stops in the different island nations.

Carnival Encounter can welcome 2,600 guests aboard at double occupancy. The ship is also home to roughly 1,100 international crew members who strive to ensure every guest has a great cruise vacation.