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Celebrity Cruises Warns Guests of Palma Cathedral Closure on Transatlantic Sailing

Celebrity Cruises News

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Apr 20, 2026

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Celebrity Cruises Warns Guests of Palma Cathedral Closure on Transatlantic Sailing

Key Aspects:

A key feature of a City of Palma tour will not be available when Celebrity Xcel visits Palma de Mallorca on May 10.
Because the visit is on a Sunday, the city’s iconic cathedral and its museum will be closed to visitors.
The overall tour is not cancelled but Celebrity Cruises is alerting guests to what could be a disappointing change.

Shore tours can be a phenomenal way for cruise guests to learn about the history and culture of a region, but what if that history and culture isn’t available on the one day a ship will be visiting?

Unfortunately, guests booked on Celebrity Xcel‘s April 26, 2026 sailing will miss their chance to see the interior of the spectacular Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma (also known as La Seu Cathedral), one of the most famous Gothic architecture cathedrals in the world.

The ship will be visiting Palma de Mallorca on Sunday, May 10, as the last port of call on the 15-night transatlantic cruise. This amounts to poor timing for that outstanding site.

Celebrity Cruises reached out to guests booked on impacted tours to alert them to the change.

“We’ve been advised by the tour operator of an update to the ‘Small Group: City of Palma’ excursion. As our call to Palma de Mallorca will take place on Sunday, May 10, 2026, the Cathedral and its museum will be closed,” the cruise line explained.

“As a result, planned visits to these landmarks will take place from the exterior only.”

Because the visit to Palma de Mallorca is still several weeks away, however, guests who no longer wish to take the planned excursion have ample time to cancel the tour and select a different option they may enjoy more.

Tours are available once the up to 3,260 booked guests log in to the Celebrity Cruises app, or tours can also be booked on the cruise line’s website.

Other stops on the adjusted tour are not impacted, and visitors are sure to still enjoy the amazing sites of the Spanish city in the small group tour that provides a better individualized experience than larger group bookings.

Celebrity Xcel‘s itinerary is not changed. After departing Fort Lauderdale, the ship will also be visiting Bermuda, the Azores, Lisbon, and Cartagena before arriving in Palma de Mallorca. Debarkation will be the next day (May 11) once the ship arrives in Barcelona.

The Edge-class ship will be offering Mediterranean sailings from Barcelona and Athens through the summer and will return to the Sunshine State in early November, at which time she will homeport from Miami.

Is Visiting the Cathedral Necessary?

To be clear, the intimate, immersive tour will still be visiting the cathedral, but guests will not go inside the building. Instead, the tour guide will likely offer what historical context they can from the outside.

Guests will still see the impressive flying buttresses and pinnacles of the iconic structure, as well as other distinctive architectural elements.

Because they will not be going inside, however, they will not be able to view the stunning artwork, the glorious light from the rose window, the tombs of Mallorcan Kings James the II and III, or the white marble Episcopal Throne of 1346.

The cathedral is the most popular tourist site in Palma de Mallorca, but it is important to remember that it is still an active cathedral.

On Sundays and on holy days, visitors may not be permitted, as space would be reserved for parishioners. Tour groups would disrupt the sanctity of services and other cathedral activities.

Cruise lines always follow local laws and make every effort to respect local history, traditions, and customs.

While it can be an amazing experience and a special bonus for cruise guests to visit a city on the day of a local festival, art fair, or other event, it is important to respect closures and restrictions as well.

Carnival Sunshine Flips Itinerary and Swaps Ports to Dodge Bad Weather

Carnival Cruise News

Melissa Mayntz

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Apr 20, 2026

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Carnival Sunshine Flips Itinerary and Swaps Ports to Dodge Bad Weather

Key Aspects:

Carnival Sunshine is reversing the order of port visits because of unfavorable weather for her April 18 sailing.
No ports are cancelled, but the times in each port are also adjusted on the new itinerary.
Weather conditions are continuously evaluated and the ship’s safety is always the top priority.

While guests had some challenges boarding Carnival Sunshine in Norfolk, Virginia on Saturday, April 18 due to a local event, even more challenges are in store for the 8-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary.

On Sunday, the first full day of the cruise, guests received letters updating them on the sailing schedule. All three ports of call are impacted, though none are cancelled.

“With help from our Fleet Operations Center, we’re monitoring weather forecasts for our itinerary,” the letter, signed by Captain Antonio Gargiulo, explained. “Unfavorable conditions are expected, therefore, weather permitting, we will follow a revised voyage plan.”

Following two full days at sea, the 103,900-gross-ton Carnival Sunshine was originally scheduled to visit RelaxAway Half Moon Cay on Tuesday, April 21, followed by Grand Turk on Wednesday and Amber Cove on Thursday. Two more days at sea would bring the ship back to Virginia for debarkation on Sunday, April 26.

Now, however, the ship is reversing the itinerary and will visit Amber Cove on Tuesday, Grand Turk on Wednesday, and Half Moon Cay on Thursday. The days at sea are unchanged.

In addition to the change in visit days (except for Grand Turk), the time in all three ports has also been adjusted on the revised schedule.

Amber Cove’s visit will now be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., when it was originally planned for 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., cutting one hour off the in-port time. Grand Turk’s visit is now also from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., but was originally 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. This adds an hour to the port visit.

Carnival Sunshine Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Artha sant)

When Carnival Sunshine reaches Half Moon Cay, the ship will be at the port from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Originally, the schedule for that day was 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is the same amount of time for the port visit, just shifted one hour earlier.

Any shore tours purchased through Carnival Cruise Line for any of the ports of call will be automatically adjusted for the revised schedule. Guests do not need to visit the Carnival Adventures Desk on Deck 3 unless they want to cancel their tours or purchase new ones.

Reversing Itineraries Not Uncommon

Cruise Hive has regularly reported on itinerary reversals when cruise ships must avoid widespread weather systems. By reversing the order of ports, it is possible for the ship to still visit all the planned destinations, albeit on different days than the original schedule.

Because the first and last ports on Carnival Sunshine‘s sailing; Half Moon Cay and Amber Cove, are roughly 470 miles apart, the ship can easily avoid rough weather that may be affecting one port at the time the ship was scheduled to visit.

Even if strong storms may not seem to be in the forecast for each port of call, if tendering is necessary, the port may be impacted.

While a pier is currently under construction for RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, it is not yet complete and ships must still use water shuttle service to ferry guests to shore. Because Carnival Sunshine can welcome up to 3,758 guests, this can take some time even in the best conditions.

If strong swells are expected in the area, tendering is not possible and the port must be skipped.

Forecast expectations for Half Moon Cay on Tuesday, when Carnival Sunshine was originally scheduled, include a 65% chance of rain and winds up to 22 miles per hour. During the rescheduled visit for Thursday, however, there is only a 10% chance of rain and winds should only reach 15 miles per hour.

Safety is always the first priority for cruise ships visiting any port of call. Even on days that may seem mild, winds or swells from the wrong direction can still impact docking or tendering operations.

The ship’s captain will always take all current information into account and make the most responsible decision about whether or not to visit a port. Forecasts can and do change, and it’s not unusual for a port to be cancelled at the last minute if conditions aren’t suitable.

Norwegian Cruise Line Issues New Parking Procedures for Philadelphia Sailings

Norwegian Cruise Line News

Lissa Poirot

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Apr 19, 2026

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Norwegian Cruise Line Issues New Parking Procedures for Philadelphia Sailings

Key Aspects:

Cruise passengers sailing from Philadelphia must arrive at the Clarion Hotel Philadelphia International Airport.
The off-site check-in process will remain in place until Philadelphia’s new PhilaPort cruise terminal is completed.
Guests will park and check-in from the Clarion Hotel, where shuttles will transfer them to Norwegian Jewel.

As excitement continues over Philadelphia’s reopening as a cruise port for the first time in 15 years, passengers sailing in coming weeks have received new instructions on where to arrive and park before their cruise begins.

In a notice sent to guests and travel partners, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) outlined revised parking procedures tied to the temporary embarkation setup near Philadelphia International Airport.

Instead of heading directly to the cruise pier, guests arriving by car must first go to the Clarion Hotel Philadelphia International Airport, which is serving as a central arrival spot for the cruise line as it awaits the completion of PhilaPort’s new passenger terminal.

The hotel is where all passengers must park, as well as drop off luggage and check into voyages on the 93,502-gross-ton Norwegian Jewel. Once checked-in, guests will be transported to the port by shuttle bus.

The system is designed to keep traffic organized during embarkation while cruise operations begin in the city, following the nearly 3-hour delay that took place on Norwegian Jewel’s first Philadelphia departure on April 16, 2026.

“To help set the tone for a smooth and well-orchestrated arrival, we kindly ask guests to follow posted signage and the guidance provided by arrival staff on embarkation day,” said the notice from NCL.

Guests driving to the cruise have two parking choices. The cruise line recommends prepaying for parking before arrival by contacting the hotel directly. Those who prepay will be guided into a designated traffic flow reserved for NCL passengers and directed to a dedicated parking area.

Upcoming PhilaPort Cruise Terminal (Credit: PhilaPort)

After arriving, guests notify the arrival team that they prepaid. Staff will confirm names on the prepayment list and provide a parking decal for the vehicle. Passengers can then unload luggage and proceed to the designated drop-off area outside the hotel entrance before heading inside to complete check-in.

Passengers who choose to pay for parking upon arrival will follow a similar process but will have to complete payment inside the hotel before receiving their parking decal, which can slow the arrival process.

For those arriving by taxi, private drop-off, or ride share, the drop-off point will be the Clarion Hotel entrance. From there, guests will check-in inside the ballroom before boarding a shuttle to the cruise port.

Drop-offs are not permitted at the cruise terminal itself.

Unfortunately, wheelchair assistance will not be available at the hotel location, though the cruise line says assistance will be provided at the port for guests who requested it prior to sailing.

Temporary Setup Until Cruise Terminal Is Finished

The unusual embarkation process is tied to construction delays affecting Philadelphia’s new cruise terminal at PhilaPort along the Delaware River.

The new terminal is being developed on a 16-acre site next to the Philadelphia International Airport.

Port authorities had expected the terminal to be ready in time for the return of cruise departures this spring. However, winter weather slowed construction, leaving the facility unfinished when Norwegian Jewel arrived for its first sailing.

The temporary system debuted April 16, when the ship launched its inaugural Philadelphia voyage, but the rollout did not go smoothly.

Guests reported long lines, heavy traffic, and crowded conditions inside the hotel ballroom during the embarkation process.

One passenger described the experience as 2.5 hours of standing in a small ballroom with almost no air movement.

“It was physically hard,” the guest shared, adding that once onboard, the ship and crew were amazing. “It’s just the process of getting here is exhausting.”

Norwegian Jewel was scheduled to depart at 4 p.m. but did not set sail until after 7 p.m. due to the embarkation delays, prompting NCL to send new arrival instructions ahead of the vessel’s next departure to Bermuda on April 23.

The first Philadelphia voyage arrived in Kings Wharf, Bermuda, for an overnight call on April 18. It will stop in Charleston, South Carolina, on April 21 before returning on April 23.

MSC Euribia Clears Strait of Hormuz, Upcoming Cruises Reinstated

MSC Cruises News

Melissa Mayntz

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Apr 18, 2026

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MSC Euribia Clears Strait of Hormuz, Upcoming Cruises Reinstated

Key Aspects:

MSC Cruises has confirmed that MSC Euribia will set sail for her May 16 and 17 departures in northern Europe.
The two sailing dates were previously cancelled while the ship remained in Dubai with the Strait of Hormuz closed.
MSC Euribia was able to safely transit the strait and guests will be contacted about reinstating their vacation plans.

Just days after cancelling MSC Euribia‘s May 16 and 17 departures in Europe, MSC Cruises has now reinstated those sailings as the ship has successfully passed out of the Arabian Gulf and is en route to northern Europe to begin her season in the Baltic Sea and North Sea.

In a surprise move, the cruise line has opted to move ahead with the sailings that were already cancelled. At the time of the cancellation, just two days before MSC Euribia had the opportunity to depart the Arabian Gulf, there was no indication about when passage might be possible.

As it turns out, the Meraviglia-Plus class ship was able to set sail from Dubai and move through the Strait safely. She will now be able to reach Europe in time for those cruises to move forward.

“MSC Euribia has departed Dubai, has safely transited the Strait of Hormuz, and is now en route to Northern Europe. The passage was completed in close coordination with the relevant authorities,” the cruise line confirmed to Cruise Hive.

“MSC Euribia is on course to resume her Northern Europe season, and as the ship will now be able to return sooner than previously anticipated, MSC Cruises confirms that the cruise departing on May 16 from Kiel (and May 17 from Copenhagen) will now operate as originally scheduled, with all subsequent sailings operating as planned.”

The May 16 departure from Kiel, Germany is a 7-night sailing with visits to Copenhagen, Denmark (another departure point) as well as Hellesylt, Alesund, and Flam in Norway. The May 17 departure is the same cruise, but with embarkation and debarkation in Copenhagen.

Satellite tracking shows that MSC Euribia cleared the northern tip of Oman on Saturday, April 18, and is continuing on her way to reach Kiel.

Worth Reading: MSC Cruise Ship Makes History at Arabian Gulf Port

While no exact day or time is yet announced for her arrival in Europe, the fact that the ship has finally departed the Arabian Gulf is great news indeed for guests booked on upcoming voyages.

First, however, MSC Euribia must travel roughly 8,300 miles to reach Germany. Along the way, refueling and resupply stops will be necessary.

Guests Can Shift Their Bookings Back to the Original Cruises

Of course, guests were naturally disappointed about the initial cancellation of the May 16 and 17 departures, but MSC Cruises is permitting them to shift back to those sailings.

“Guests whose cruises were cancelled will have the option to transfer their booking to this sailing should they wish, and will be contacted directly with further details,” the cruise line confirmed.

When the sailings were cancelled, guests were offered three options. They could shift to another sailing, accept a future cruise credit, or choose a full refund.

More From Cruise Hive

MSC Cruises has not yet clarified which guests will receive priority to return to their original sailing date, or in what order travelers may be contacted. Given that the departure dates are a month away, there is some time for those arrangements to be made.

Undoubtedly, not all travelers will be prepared to shift back to the previously cancelled sailings due to the logistics of pre- and post-cruise travel plans that may already have been adjusted.

Future departures for the 184,000-gross-ton ship should move forward as planned and there are no updates to any other itineraries at this time.

MSC Euribia will remain sailing in northern Europe through mid-October, at which time she will move to the Mediterranean with departures from Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa, Naples, and Palermo for the winter season. The ship will return to Kiel and Copenhagen in April 2027.

Carnival Splendor Sydney Departure Delayed After Hours Long Search Operation

Carnival Cruise News

Lissa Poirot

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Apr 18, 2026

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Carnival Splendor Sydney Departure Delayed After Hours Long Search Operation

Key Aspects:

Carnival Splendor’s April 19 departure from Sydney is delayed after the ship participated in an overnight search and rescue.
Guests have been reassigned new arrival windows starting at 8:30 p.m.
All passengers are required to arrive at the terminal by 10:30 p.m.

Guests eager to board Carnival Splendor in Sydney for a quick getaway to Moreton Island, Australia, will have to wait a little longer.

Carnival Cruise Line has announced it is delaying embarkation for the 4-night voyage after the 3,012-passenger ship spent hours participating in a search for a missing passenger at sea.

In a notice sent to passengers on April 18, the cruise line explained the vessel was delayed returning from its previous 4-night sailing, scheduled to return on April 19 at 6:30 a.m. local time.

The delay is forcing the 113,573-gross-ton ship to push back check-in and boarding times to 8:30 p.m.

“As mentioned in our earlier update, Carnival Splendor has been involved in a search operation, which will delay the ship’s arrival in Sydney tomorrow,” the letter said, while apologizing for the unexpected delay.

“Please know that our teams will be working hard to get you onboard as soon as possible,” it continued.

Passengers are being asked to arrive at the terminal later in the evening based on revised embarkation windows tied to their original check-in times.

Guests originally scheduled to arrive between 11 and 11:30 a.m. will now check in between 8:30 and 9 p.m., while those with an 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. appointment are also reassigned to 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Passengers who were set to arrive between 12 to 12:30 p.m. will now check in between 9 and 9:30 p.m., and those schedule for 12:30 to 1 p.m. will now arrive between 9:30 and 10 p.m.

Guests originally assigned to the 1 to 1:30 p.m. as well as the 1:30 to 2 p.m. arrival window have moved to 10 to 10:30 p.m.

All passengers must arrive at the cruise terminal no later than 10:30 p.m. to board the ship.

Carnival Splendor in Australia (Photo Credit: james wk)

Carnival Splendor was originally scheduled to depart at 3:30 p.m. but the delayed arrival and late embarkation process mean the ship will now likely depart closer to midnight.

Guests who arrive earlier than their new allotted time will be asked to leave and return at the adjusted time.

The cruise line has not offered any compensation to make up for the lost time on board and has thanked passengers for their patience and understanding.

Carnival Splendor Delay Following Search

The delay in Carnival Splendor’s arrival follows a large search operation after a male passenger in his 70s went overboard while the ship was sailing along Australia’s east coast.

The incident occurred late at night as the ship traveled back to Sydney from Moreton Island. Family members noticed the guest was missing and alerted the crew around 2 a.m., prompting an immediate investigation onboard.

Crew members reviewed surveillance footage, which confirmed the passenger had climbed over a safety railing and gone into the water.

The ship initiated emergency procedures and contacted authorities, beginning a zig-zag search pattern to look for the missing guest.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority also joined in the search, deploying aircraft and helicopters along with a vessel in the area. Queensland Police also assisted, scanning the waters off the coast near Moreton Island.

Despite the extensive effort, the passenger was not located during the search.

Elderly Passenger Overboard From Carnival Splendor Triggers Major Operation, Next Sailing Delayed

Carnival Cruise News

Emrys Thakkar

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Apr 18, 2026

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Elderly Passenger Overboard From Carnival Splendor Triggers Major Operation, Next Sailing Delayed

Key Aspects:

Search underway for an elderly male passenger from the Carnival Splendor.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority launches a huge number of assets off the coast of Brisbane, Australia.
Embarkation for the following cruise has been delayed.

An urgent search is underway from the 3,012-passenger Carnival Splendor cruise ship after an elderly man, believed to be in his 70s, went overboard. The incident unfolded on the ship’s four-night sailing out of Sydney, Australia.

According to passengers onboard the ship, an announcement was made on the ship-wide public system with a man overboard emergency code for the starboard side. Guests have also reported that the captain confirmed the situation within the hour and that the vessel has turned around to launch search operations.

A Carnival spokesperson stated to Cruise Hive:

“Carnival confirmed on Saturday that Carnival Splendor assisted authorities search for a guest who apparently climbed over the safety railing and jumped overboard as the ship was sailing from Moreton Island towards Sydney overnight.“

The cruise line added: “The male guest was traveling with family who alerted the ship’s crew of a possible missing person, and a review of the CCTV footage confirmed the guest’s action. All appropriate authorities have been alerted and Carnival will assist authorities in their investigation upon the ship’s return to Sydney on Sunday. Carnival’s Care Team is supporting the guest’s family and our thoughts and prayers are with them and their loved one.“

The overboard occurred just off the coast of Brisbane on Australia’s east coast, approximately 30 miles southeast of Moreton Island. Cruise ship tracking data confirms the Carnival Splendor heading off course into a search pattern in the early hours of the morning on April 18 near the entry to the Port of Brisbane.

Carnival Splendor Search (Cruise Hive Ship Tracker)

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) confirmed with local outlets that it is involved in a major search and rescue operation, including six boats from the Queensland Police, five rescue helicopters, and Challenger search jets.

Carnival Splendor is coming to the end of its four-night sailing and was heading back towards its homeport of Sydney following the final port of call at Moreton Island on April 17.

Next Carnival Splendor Sailing Delayed

The 113,500 gross ton Carnival Splendor‘s delayed return to Sydney has pushed back the following April 19 sailing out of the Australian homeport.

In an updated text message to booked guests, Carnival said:

“Carnival Splendor is currently involved in a search and rescue operation and will be delayed arriving in Sydney tomorrow. As a result, check-in and embarkation for your cruise will also be delayed.“

“We are currently working on revised timing and will be back in touch later this afternoon with further details. Please do not proceed to the cruise terminal until you receive our final update on new embarkation times. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding“, the message continued.

The April 19 cruise is an identical four-night voyage that also visits Moreton Island and is set to return home on April 23.

More Stranded Cruise Ships Head Through the Strait of Hormuz

Cruise News

Melissa Mayntz

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Apr 18, 2026

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More Stranded Cruise Ships Head Through the Strait of Hormuz

Key Aspects:

MSC Euribia, Celestyal Journey, and Mein Schiff 5 are all in motion to transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
Each ship is heading for a port in Oman before moving on to their new homeports in Europe.
Mein Schiff 4 remains docked in Abu Dhabi at this time but may be on the move soon.

With the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and the UAE now open, more cruise ships are using the opportunity to depart the Arabian Gulf and head for their next homeports.

Cruise Hive has already reported on the successful departure of Celestyal Discovery, which departed Dubai at 11:36 a.m. on Friday, April 17. The ship is heading for Muscat, Oman.

Three more ships have since set sail from the various ports where they have waited out the nearly two-month closure. While no cruise line has issued any official statement on the strait’s reopening, Cruise Hive’s Cruise Ship Tracker confirms their various movements.

MSC Euribia

The 184,000-gross-ton MSC Euribia is the largest of the cruise ships to have extended their stay in the Arabian Gulf while the Strait of Hormuz has been closed. The ship was docked in Dubai but is now en route to Muscat, Oman at just 8 knots (9 miles per hour) with an arrival time estimated at roughly 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 18.

While MSC Euribia‘s first departures in northern Europe have already been cancelled, she may yet make her May 23 departure from Kiel, Germany. Exactly which departure will now be her first for the European season will depend on how quickly she is able to transit the nearly 8,300 miles to Germany.

Celestyal Journey

From Doha, Qatar Celestyal Journey is now making her way across the Arabian Gulf on course to pass through the Strait of Hormuz to Khasab, right at the northern tip of Oman and technically still within the strait.

Currently moving at 18 knots (21 mph), the ship should arrive at roughly 11:30 a.m. on Saturday.

Celestyal Journey Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Michelangelo DeSantis / Shutterstock)

This is described as an anchorage port and may be a destination for the 42,300-gross-ton ship to refuel or take on further supplies before continuing to her next homeport.

Like her sistership, Celestyal Discovery, Celestyal Journey is scheduled to homeport in Greece. The ship will be offering 7-night Greek Isles and Mediterranean sailings through mid-November, at which time she is scheduled to return to the Middle East.

Mein Schiff 5

TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 5 has also been waiting in Doha but is now on the move to Khasab as well, scheduled to arrive at approximately 2 p.m. on Saturday. At a speed of 17 knots (20 mph), the 99,800-gross-ton ship is keeping a good pace.

Mein Schiff 5 is also headed to Greece to offer a season of 7-night itineraries from Heraklion before moving to the Caribbean and homeporting from La Romana in the Dominican Republic in mid-November.

What Is Next for All Three Ships?

Because each of the cruise ships now on the move out of the Arabian Gulf are repositioning without guests aboard, they will likely take time to refuel and resupply before arriving at their new homeports.

Crew members may also have been evacuated as a precautionary measure when the strait’s closure grew more extensive, and those crew members will now need to rejoin their respective vessels.

Just one more major cruise ship remains docked and has not yet begun to move out of the Arabian Gulf: Mein Schiff 4 is overdue to begin her Mediterranean season. She was scheduled to move around Africa with a departure from Cape Town on April 11, but her route may now be adjusted to arrive in Palma de Mallorca more quickly.

Despite some tense moments in the past two months, including when two Iranian missile-armed drones crashed in Abu Dhabi on March 1, close to Mein Schiff 4, no cruise ship has reported damage during the conflict.

As of publication, Mein Schiff 4 remains docked in Abu Dhabi but may well be making departure plans very soon.

Carnival Sunshine Guests Warned of Traffic Difficulties for Embarkation

Carnival Cruise News

Melissa Mayntz

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Apr 17, 2026

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Carnival Sunshine Guests Warned of Traffic Difficulties for Embarkation

Key Aspects:

Carnival Cruise Line has alerted guests to traffic congestion for Carnival Sunshine‘s April 18 embarkation.
The City of Norfolk is hosting the 73rd Annual Parade of Nations, which will lead to road closures and detours.
There is no change to Carnival Sunshine‘s departure time or her 8-night Southern Caribbean itinerary.

Arriving at an embarkation port can be a hectic day even for the most experienced cruiser, and Carnival Sunshine guests have now been warned that their Saturday, April 18, 2026 embarkation may be even more hectic than typical.

The ship is homeported in Norfolk, Virginia, and Carnival Cruise Line has notified incoming guests about a special event that will impact traffic near the cruise port.

“The City of Norfolk will be hosting the 73rd Annual Parade of Nations on the day of your embarkation,” the email explained. “As a result, there will be numerous street closures and heavier-than-normal traffic in and around the city.”

The Parade of Nations is the only parade in the US to honor NATO and features more than 100 bands, floats, military units, and community groups. The parade route runs between Water Street and East Freemason St., including parts of Waterside Drive and Granby Street. The event officially starts at noon, but road closures will likely begin well ahead of time to allow for setup.

While guests should still plan to arrive during the appointment window they selected when they checked in for the cruise, they are advised to check traffic conditions as they get near the port and to be aware of potential congestion.

Carnival recommends that guests parking at the port use the Cedar Grove Lot on Monticello Avenue, just over a mile’s walk from the Half Moon Cruise Center. Complimentary shuttles will be available at the Cedar Grove Lot to transport guests to the cruise terminal.

If guests are being dropped off at the terminal by family, friends, or rideshare services, detour signs will be posted and local authorities will be on hand to direct traffic around street closures.

The drop-off zone will be across from the cruise terminal at Todd Jurich’s Bistro on Boush Street, less than a 5-minute walk to the terminal building.

There is no change to Carnival Sunshine‘s schedule, and the ship will still be setting sail at roughly 4:30 p.m. for her 8-night Southern Caribbean sailing. The visits to RelaxAway Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk, and Amber Cove are not affected, and the ship will return to Norfolk on Sunday, April 26, as planned.

The cruise line is adamant that all guests must be on board no later than the final boarding time printed on their boarding passes. Late arrivals cannot be accommodated and may be denied boarding.

Carnival Sunshine can welcome 3,002 guests at double occupancy or as many as 3,758 travelers when fully booked with all berths filled. The ship is also home to just over 900 international crew members.

Local Events Often Impact Cruise Embarkations

Travelers often have to plan around different local events that can create traffic difficulties near cruise terminals, particularly for weekend sailings at metropolitan homeports.

Cruise Hive has often reported on such events as cruise lines work to alert guests about potential traffic congestion, road closures, and detours.

In Miami, for example, annual marathons, 5K races, and music festivals can disrupt cruise port traffic, not to mention ongoing road construction and projects at the port itself.

Road construction has also been a concern lately at the Port of Galveston, where resurfacing work at the cruise port has diverted some traffic patterns temporarily.

Port Tampa Bay has a unique annual event when the Gasparilla Pirate Fest takes over not only several downtown streets, but also waterways that impact the cruise port.

Most cruise lines will reach out to booked guests in the days before embarkation if any large events might cause problems, but guests should always do their own local research as well, so they don’t have trouble reaching their cruise terminal.

First Cruise Ship Clears Strait of Hormuz After 2-Month Closure

Cruise News

Lissa Poirot

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Apr 17, 2026

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First Cruise Ship Clears Strait of Hormuz After 2-Month Closure

Key Aspects:

Iran reopened the Strait of Hormuz on April 17, 2026.
Celestyal Discovery became the first cruise ship to pass through the strait, departing Dubai at 11:36 a.m. local time.
Other vessels still in the region may soon be able to reposition out of the Gulf.

The first cruise ship has now cleared the Strait of Hormuz after the strategic waterway spent weeks effectively closed amid military conflict in the Middle East.

Celestyal Discovery, a 1,360-guest vessel operated by Greece-based Celestyal Cruises, departed Port Rashid in Dubai, U.A.E., on April 17 at 11:36 a.m. local time, becoming the first cruise ship known to exit the strait since the crisis began earlier this year.

Per Cruise Hive’s Cruise Ship Tracker, the vessel is sailing toward Muscat, Oman, where it is scheduled to arrive April 18 at 4 p.m. local time.

Its passage marks a major development for the cruise industry after the Strait of Hormuz had remained inaccessible to commercial vessels since late February, when escalating military conflict between Iran, the United States, and Israel destabilized the region.

On February 28, Iran’s forces warned ships were not allowed to sail through the strait. The threat effectively halted most maritime traffic through the narrow channel that links the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman.

The disruption stranded multiple cruise ships in Gulf ports, forcing cruise lines to cancel sailings and postpone repositioning voyages.

Celestyal Cruises was among the most affected, remaining docked in Dubai for weeks while sister ship Celestyal Journey waited in Doha, Qatar, both unable to leave the region.

Cruise Ship Tracking for Celestyal Discovery

Celestyal Discovery had been operating an “Iconic Arabia” program that was calling at ports in the Persian Gulf, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas, Doha, Ras al Khaimah, and Khasab, when the conflict began.

Sister ship, Celestyal Journey, was operating similar itineraries on its “Desert Days” program. The vessel remains in the Port of Doha at press time. The line cancelled all April departures while awaiting safe passage back toward the Mediterranean.

Other cruise operators faced similar challenges, with ships from MSC Cruises and TUI Cruises also stuck in ports across the Gulf, cancelling sailings as vessels were unable to pass through the strait.

Other Stranded Ships Could Soon Follow

The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz could quickly unlock the rest of the cruise ships that have been trapped inside the Persian Gulf for weeks.

Several vessels have been waiting in regional ports since late February. Among the largest vessels stuck in the region is MSC Cruises’ MSC Euribia, a 181-541-gross-ton liquified natural gas (LNG)-powered ship currently docked in Dubai.

The vessel was scheduled to begin its European summer season in Kiel, Germany, but the cruise line has cancelled multiple sailings through mid-May after the ship was unable to reposition.

Two ships from TUI Cruises have also been waiting for the route to reopen. Mein Schiff 4 remains in Dubai while sister ship Mein Schiff 5 has been holding position in Doha. Both vessels cancelled several planned itineraries during the crisis because they could not leave the Gulf.

If the transit remains open and proves safe, other cruise lines are expected to begin repositioning toward Europe for the summer cruise season.

For ships like MSC Euribia, the journey involves sailing through the Strait of Hormuz into the Gulf of Oman, crossing the Arabian Sea, passing through the Suez Canal, and continuing to Europe.

Whether that process begins immediately will depend on security conditions and procedures required by Iranian authorities.