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Stuck Anchor Leaves the Carnival Dream Cruise Ship Stranded Off Belize City

Catie Kovelman
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Stuck Anchor Leaves the Carnival Dream Cruise Ship Stranded Off Belize City

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Dream is stuck off the coast of Belize City due to an issue with its anchor.
  • Crew members are working hard to resolve the situation, but have not been able to free the cruise ship as of the time of publication.
  • While itinerary changes aren’t yet confirmed, the call to Cozumel on May 14 will almost definitely be impacted.

Carnival Dream was supposed to depart from Belize at 5:00 p.m. on May 13, but as of 10:30 p.m. local time, the Dream-class flagship is still stuck off the coast of Belize City due to an unusual issue.

According to current guests, the 130,000-gross ton ship has gotten its anchor stuck and has not been able to free it yet. It appears to be trapped in the Belize Barrier Reef, which is a series of coral reefs that straddle the coast of the Central American country.

For context, Belize City is a tender port because the water is too shallow for cruise ships to dock at a standard pier, meaning vessels must use their anchors to stay put while calling at the destination.

“We’re currently on the Carnival Dream stuck in Belize and since it is a tender port the anchor is stuck and won’t come up! Someone said we may be here till tomorrow since divers may have to go down and see what we’re stuck on,” one current passenger posted on Facebook.

“The Dream is currently stuck on a reef just outside of Belize. Hopefully this doesn’t ruin our vacation,” another cruiser shared.

Cruise Hive reached out to Carnival Cruise Line for a statement about the situation, but didn’t receive a response in time for publication.

Carnival Dream Cruise Ship
Carnival Dream Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: venuswix)

Crew Members Work on Finding a Solution

According to current passengers, the approximately 1,367 crew members working onboard Carnival Dream are trying to find a solution to free the cruise ship as quickly and as safely as possible.

However, it appears that the crew haven’t had much luck. As one guest theorized, the 3,646-guest ship might need to wait for specially trained divers to manually inspect and free the anchor.

In a TikTok video posted at approximately 9 p.m. local time by TheTraveler (@thetravelerzzz), the captain can be heard explaining that the issue is still ongoing.

“We are still experiencing an issue with retrieving the ship’s anchor and our engineers are working on the matter. Until the situation is resolved, we won’t be able to depart,” the captain said over the ship’s PA system.

@thetravelerzzz

It’s 9 pm & we are still stuck on the Carnival Dream near Belize. I’ll keep everyone posted. #carnival #cruise #cruisetok #cruising

♬ original sound – TheTraveler

Itinerary Changes May Be Inevitable

Given the extended delay, it’s very likely that Carnival Dream’s current 6-night Western Caribbean itinerary will be impacted, though this has not been officially confirmed.

The 2008-launched ship already visited Costa Maya, Mexico, on May 12 and is supposed to visit Cozumel, Mexico, on May 14 with an arrival time of 9 a.m. As of the time of this writing, that’s just over eight hours away.

Depending on the route the ship takes, Cozumel is anywhere from 122 to 195 nautical miles away. At top speeds, the ship could cover this distance in anywhere from six to nine hours. However, it still doesn’t seem like the ship would be able to leave with enough time to arrive as scheduled, if the visit happens at all.

And while guests have stated that they believe there is only damage to the anchor and not the ship itself, this has not been officially confirmed. Potential damage that is yet to be identified could also lead to additional delays once the anchor is finally retrieved.

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If the delay is particularly extensive, there is a chance that the scheduled turnaround day in Galveston, Texas, on May 16 could also be impacted. After disembarking current passengers, the Carnival ship is supposed to begin an 8-night cruise to the Bahamas.

Guests booked on this upcoming sailing should look out for any related communication from the cruise line and may want to sign up for Carnival Text Alerts to ensure they receive any updates right away.

Carnival Liberty Passenger Dies After Jumping Overboard From Balcony

Catie Kovelman
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Carnival Liberty Passenger Dies After Jumping Overboard From Balcony

Key Aspects:

  • Sadly, a guest onboard Carnival Liberty made the tragic decision to jump overboard from his stateroom’s balcony.
  • Carnival crew members were able to recover the guest’s body, but could not revive him.
  • The ship was en route to Nassau, Bahamas, from Celebration Key on Grand Bahama when the overboard occurred.

Guests and crew members onboard Carnival Liberty are reeling after a fun day in Celebration Key morphed into a tragedy soon after leaving the private destination.

Sadly, a male passenger has died after climbing over his stateroom balcony and jumping into the water on the night of Wednesday, May 13, 2026.

It’s unclear why the guest chose to make this decision, and it sadly cost him his life. Carnival crew members are providing support for several family members who were traveling with the deceased man.

“Carnival confirmed on Wednesday that a male guest on Carnival Liberty apparently climbed over his stateroom balcony and jumped overboard as the ship was sailing from Celebration Key to Nassau,” Carnival confirmed in an email to Cruise Hive.

At the time of the incident, the 110,00-gross ton vessel was making its way from Celebration Key to Nassau, Bahamas, which is about 110 nautical miles away from the exclusive destination.

Search and Rescue Operations Were Unsuccessful

Crew members and medical personnel onboard did everything they possibly could to save the passenger, but sadly, their efforts were unsuccessful.

“The Carnival Liberty crew responded quickly with a search effort and successfully retrieved him from the water, but he did not survive. We are providing support to the guest’s family who were traveling with him, and our thoughts and prayers are with them and their loved ones,” the cruise line continued.

Per some reports, the man was immediately thrown a life ring to help him stay afloat, but he soon sank below the water’s surface. The extent of the man’s injuries, how far he fell, and whether he was even conscious at that point remains unknown.

Other guests onboard, who did not know the man, aided in efforts in their own way by praying for his swift and safe rescue and celebrating when he was initially found.

“Please pray for this man and his family that is still on the boat. It’s been a good 20 minutes and the rescue boat is still out there,” one current passenger posted on Facebook.

“UPDATE, they have found him and are working on him,” she soon updated.

Of course, it’s now known that any attempts to resuscitate the guest were not successful.

Carnival Liberty Cruise Ship
Carnival Liberty Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Philip Bird LRPS CPAGB)

The fact that Carnival crew members found the guest at all speaks to the quality of their emergency training, even though the end result wasn’t what anybody wanted.

According to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), only about 28% of people who go overboard each year are successfully rescued.

Though cruise tracking data confirms the 2,974-guest ship stopped to launch search and rescue operations, there is no reported impact to the 7-night Bahamas itinerary, which is due back in New Orleans on May 17.

And though the itinerary didn’t change, the mood onboard has surely taken a turn to the sad and somber.

Recent Deaths During Carnival Sailings

This overboard situation marks the third death that involved a Carnival guest jumping or falling from their stateroom balcony in less than a month, and the superstitious love to say that bad things often come in threes.

On April 18, another guest jumped from their stateroom balcony while cruising onboard Carnival Splendor in Australia. Despite immediate search and rescue efforts, the man was not able to be rescued.

Just days later, on the morning of April 27, Cruise Hive reported that a woman fell to her death from her private balcony onboard Carnival Firenze. The woman crashed onto a lower deck and, unfortunately, succumbed to her injuries.

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Stateroom balconies, and other outdoor areas onboard Carnival’s ships, have safety railings and/or glass barriers to prevent guests from going overboard. Guests should avoid climbing or trying to otherwise manipulate these barriers for their own safety.

And if guests feel like they have no other choice but to intentionally make that leap, Cruise Hive encourages them to confide in a loved one for help, report to the onboard medical center, and/or to call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline before they make a life-ending mistake.

French Authorities Finally Release Illness-Plagued Cruise Ship

Catie Kovelman
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French Authorities Finally Release Illness-Plagued Cruise Ship

Key Aspects:

  • French authorities have cleared Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambition after detaining the vessel due to norovirus.
  • Passengers are now permitted to go ashore in Bordeaux, France, where the ship is currently docked for an overnight call.
  • Increased sanitation and health safety protocols remain in place onboard, and no serious cases have been reported.

After a tense day of waiting in Bordeaux, France, Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambition has finally been cleared by health authorities and the up to 1,727 passengers onboard can finally go ashore.

Earlier on May 13, Cruise Hive reported that the ship was held in port by local health authorities for testing in response to gastrointestinal illness onboard, which has been confirmed as norovirus. The number of cases has not been publicly disclosed.

By the night of May 13, the ship was formally cleared and passengers were given permission to disembark.

“Ambassador Cruise Line can confirm that the ship has been cleared, following laboratory analysis undertaken in Bordeaux, French health authorities have completed their review of the health situation onboard Ambition and confirmed that the gastrointestinal illness affecting a number of guests and crew is viral gastroenteritis (norovirus),” the cruise line shared in an update on social media.

“Ambition has now been released by the relevant French health authorities to continue normal operations. Guests are now able to disembark and all scheduled shore excursions will be operating as planned tomorrow,” the cruise line continued.

Understandably, all shore excursions were cancelled for May 13. But as this is an overnight visit, guests will get another change to partake in tours and/or explore on their own on Thursday, May 14. The ship won’t depart until 6 p.m. local time.

Given the fact that this is an overnight visit and the hold was released in less than a day, there will be no itinerary changes to the remainder of the 14-night itinerary.

The 48,200-gross ton vessel is still scheduled to visit Ferrol, Gijon, and Bilbao in Spain and La Rochelle and Lorient in France before disembarking on May 22, 2026, in Belfast, Ireland.

An additional 14-night itinerary, which embarked one day later, will disembark in Liverpool, England, the following day, May 23.

No Serious Cases Reported

The niche cruise brand also used this update as an opportunity to put a stop to panic within the cruise community and the rumors that have been fueling the fire.

First, the cruise line confirmed that a 92-year-old guest did pass away during the current sailing, but their death is not believed to be related to norovirus. The man reported no gastrointestinal symptoms.

“At this stage, no serious cases have been reported. We can confirm that a 92-year-old male guest on the sailing sadly passed away on 10 May 2026. The guest did not report GII illness symptoms,” Ambassador Cruise Line confirmed.

Most of the time, norovirus isn’t life threatening, though it can be for vulnerable populations such as the elderly or very young children. According to the Mayo Clinic, most people recover in one to three days.

Ambition Cruise Ship
Ambition Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Dmitry Rukhlenko)

Additionally, the illness plaguing Ambition is not connected to any other current or recent cruise ship outbreaks, including the norovirus outbreak onboard Caribbean Princess and the hantavirus crisis unfolding onboard MV Hondius.

These cruise ships were never even in the same place. Prior to arriving in Bordeaux, Ambition was in Belfast, Liverpool, and Brest, France.

Meanwhile, Caribbean Princess is operating in the Caribbean and MV Hondius was stranded off the coast of Cape Verde, Africa.

Increased Sanitation in Place Onboard

In order to mitigate further spread, Ambassador Cruise Line has implemented enhanced sanitation and cleaning measures onboard.

This includes isolating symptomatic guests, encouraging hand washing, increased sanitizing of public spaces and high-touch surfaces, and monitoring the well being of all guests and the approximately 670 crew members.

Guests are encouraged to report any symptoms they may be experiencing, and GI consultations in the onboard medical center are being offered free of charge.

“Throughout this period, the health, safety and wellbeing of our guests and crew have remained our highest priority. Enhanced sanitation measures, medical monitoring and isolation procedures remain in place across the ship in accordance with EU SHIPSHAN public health protocols. Medical consultations relating to GII continue to be provided free of charge,” the cruise line stated.

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Guests booked on Ambition’s upcoming sailings, which depart from Belfast and Liverpool on May 22 and 23, should look out for possible communication from the cruise line regarding possible changes to embarkation.

Sometimes, cruise lines will delay the arrival of new guests to allow for a more thorough cleaning of the ship and the cruise terminal when outbreaks occur.

Celebrity Cruises’ Passenger Takes Chair Hogging to a New Extreme

Catie Kovelman
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Celebrity Cruises’ Passenger Takes Chair Hogging to a New Extreme

Key Aspects:

  • One of Celebrity Beyond’s passengers has the internet cracking up over their creative chair hogging stunt.
  • The cruiser used a disguised mannequin or doll to try to reserve a prime lounge chair.
  • Celebrity Cruises does not allow guests to reserve pool chairs, no matter how creatively they choose to do so.

One guest cruising onboard Celebrity Beyond is going viral for taking his pool-side chair hogging to the next level, albeit in a rather creative way.

A picture circulating on social media shows that a guest put a mannequin or doll onto a prime lounger, disguised it with sunglasses and an FBI baseball hat, and covered it with a pool towel.

“To the person on the Beyond who leveled-up ‘chair hogging,’ nice,” a caption that was posted with the picture read.

The unidentified passenger was likely hoping that their scheme would fly under the radar, and likely got away with it for at least some of the passersby onboard the 3,260-guest ship. Even some people looking at the picture online didn’t realize what they were seeing at first.

“I thought at first it was a kid lol. I guess mannequins need vacations too,” one cruiser reacted.

However, any guest or crew member who was paying attention would immediately notice that something was amiss.

It’s not clear which voyage the guest was onboard for or if they are a current passenger, but the 141,420-gross ton ship is currently operating 7-night itineraries to the Bahamas and the Caribbean from PortMiami in Florida.

Is This Chair Hogging Stunt Allowed?

There are two components to this creative scheme: Bringing the required materials onboard the Edge-class ship and the actual chair hogging.

Technically, the guest did not violate the cruise line’s policies by bringing the doll or mannequin onboard. There is nothing on Celebrity Cruises’ Prohibited Items List forbidding items like these.

That said, many were shocked that the guest had room in their luggage to bring their “friend” onboard, and wondered how surprised the security team may have been during the screening process on embarkation day.

“Ok but can you imagine the reaction of the people running the xray scanners on the luggage that was in,” one cruiser asked.

And of course, the hat and sunglasses used to disguise the object are just standard cruise fashion, and the beach towel would have been complimentary onboard.

The bigger offense would be the chair hogging, which is considered one of the biggest violations in cruise ship etiquette.

Celebrity Cruises officially prohibits reserving pool deck chairs, and the policy states that crew members can remove items from loungers that are left unattended for more than 30 minutes.

Celebrity Cruise Chair Hogging
Celebrity Cruise Chair Hogging

This is more strict than Carnival’s “chairing is caring” crackdown, which Cruise Hive reported allows chairs to go unattended for 40 minutes before crew members will remove any items.

However, the verdict is still out on if Celebrity actually enforces its policy, with some still finding it difficult to find seating, particularly on sea days. If guests notice that chair hogging is going overlooked, they can politely ask the crew for help.

Cruise Community Reacts

While chair hogging is usually a source of outrage in the cruise community, many couldn’t help but see the humor in the creative set-up.

“I wouldn’t even get mad at that one. They earned their saved chair with creativity,” one person posted, along with several laughing face emojis.

“I say let ’em keep their lounge – this is creative and funny,” another agreed.

It’s likely in the top three most outrageous chair hogging stunts Cruise Hive has ever seen, on par with when Carnival guests tried to bring a lounger from the Lido Deck to their stateroom and when a Royal Caribbean passenger urinated in her seat to avoid giving up a prime spot.

Despite the humor, future guests should probably avoid trying the same stunt to avoid potential trouble with the cruise line. Plus, this is likely a joke that the cruise community will only find funny once.

French Health Authorities Hold Cruise Ship in Port as Illness Spreads Onboard

Melissa Mayntz
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French Health Authorities Hold Cruise Ship in Port as Illness Spreads Onboard

Key Aspects:

  • An undisclosed number of gastrointestinal illness cases have been reported aboard Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambition.
  • While testing by French authorities is underway, all tours for Bordeaux on Wednesday, May 13 are cancelled and will be refunded.
  • Enhanced cleaning and other protocols are in place onboard, including guest isolation where applicable.

Shore excursions can be a fantastic and convenient way to enjoy a port of call, whether guests prefer a highlights tour, deeper immersion into historical sites, adventure outings, or foodie explorations.

Unfortunately for guests onboard Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambition, there will be no tours to explore Bordeaux, France, on Wednesday, May 13, due to a gastrointestinal outbreak on the ship.

The cancellation of all shore tours for the day is a precaution taken in accordance with local protocols as testing is conducted prior to debarkation clearance. Because the testing can take several hours, shore tours cannot be accommodated at this time.

“Ambassador Cruise Line can confirm that a number of guests and crew onboard Ambition have displayed or are displaying symptoms consistent with gastrointestinal illness,” the cruise line stated on Facebook. “As part of the vessel’s scheduled call into Bordeaux, we followed due protocol and advised the French health authorities of the situation.”

Ambition departed Belfast for the 14-night sailing on Friday, May 8, with additional guests boarding the ship the next day in Liverpool. Following a call to Brest, France on Monday, May 11, the call to Bordeaux was planned for Wednesday, May 13.

Once the 48,200-gross-ton ship arrived in Bordeaux in the early morning hours, a French specialist medical team boarded the vessel to review records and collect samples for testing. That testing, which is being conducted at the infectious diseases department of Bordeaux University Hospital approximately 12 miles from the cruise terminal, will take at least six hours to complete.

French health authorities, however, are clear that there is no connection between this outbreak and the recent hantavirus outbreak onboard MV Hondius.

“There is no reason to link this outbreak on board a cruise ship from Belfast and Liverpool with the hantavirus cases detected on the MV Hondius,” Agence Regionale de Sante Nouvelle-Aqutaine stated in a release.

Ambition is scheduled to remain in Bordeaux from just after 5 a.m. on Wednesday until 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 14.

All guests and crew members will remain onboard the ship until the investigation and testing are complete. Because of the timing, all shore excursions scheduled for Bordeaux on Wednesday are cancelled and guests will receive full refunds for those tours.

Ambition
Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambition (Photo Credit: Peter Titmuss)

Any tours that may be planned for Thursday should go ahead as scheduled, pending the outcome of the testing. Guests will also be permitted to debark the ship to explore Bordeaux on their own once medical authorities have cleared the vessel.

“We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the medical team for their exceptional care, professionalism, and unwavering support during this time. Their swift response and continued commitment have been invaluable,” the cruise line noted.

How Many Cases Are Reported?

No details on the number of guests and crew members exhibiting symptoms of gastrointestinal illness have been confirmed, but Agence Regionale de Sante Nouvelle-Aquitaine notes that “up to fifty” passengers have reported symptoms.

Ambition can welcome 1,248 guests at double occupancy or up to 1,727 travelers when fully booked with all berths filled. The ship is also home to approximately 670 international crew members.

Enhanced sanitation protocols are already in effect to minimize any further spread of the illness. Measures such as more frequent cleaning, crew-served dining rather than self-serve, and guidance for proper handwashing and hand sanitizer use are all being implemented.

Guests reporting symptoms are being checked by the medical team and isolated as appropriate. Those currently onboard the ship are full of praise for the professional and compassionate way the situation is being handled and there is no panic about possible contagion.

“We’ve been looked after really well, staff doing their very best, room service and plenty [of] water provided, non-stop cleaning. Just one of those things,” one guest said.

The exact type of illness has not yet been identified. According to FoodSafety.gov, norovirus, salmonella, and e. coli are just a few easily spread gastrointestinal bugs that can cause very similar symptoms, including vomiting and diarrhea.

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Cruise Hive frequently reports on such outbreaks, which can happen on any cruise line and ships of any size. Most recently, more than 100 guests and crew have been ill with norovirus on Princess Cruises’ Caribbean Princess.

“The health, safety and wellbeing of our guests and crew remains our highest priority, and we are sincerely grateful for the patience, understanding and cooperation shown while these precautionary measures remain in place,” Ambassador Cruise Line commented.

The remainder of Ambition‘s itinerary includes several port visits in Spain and France before returning to Belfast on Friday, May 22. At this time, there is no confirmed change to the ship’s schedule.

Royal Caribbean Lays Down the Law on Symphony of the Seas Cabin Door Decorations

Catie Kovelman
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Royal Caribbean Lays Down the Law on Symphony of the Seas Cabin Door Decorations

Key Aspects:

  • Guests onboard Symphony of the Seas were reminded of Royal Caribbean’s policies regarding cabin door decorations.
  • Royal Caribbean stated that it is not liable if door decorations are lost or stolen.
  • The cruise line also suggests that guests with the itch to decorate use magnets to avoid potential damage and safety concerns.

Likely due to bad behavior, Royal Caribbean has been forced to remind current guests onboard Symphony of the Seas about its policies for cabin door decor.

A letter about the ins and outs of door decor, which was obtained by Cruise Hive, was issued during the Oasis-class ship’s current 7-night Western Caribbean sailing. The voyage was only recently embarked on in Galveston, Texas, on May 10, 2026.

One key element of the letter suggests that decor thievery might be a problem onboard the 228,081-gross ton vessel, as Royal Caribbean is making it clear that the cruise line will not be held liable for missing decor.

“Please Note: We expect guests to be mindful of your door display, but any decoration displayed outside of your stateroom door is done at your own risk,” Royal Caribbean wrote.

“Royal Caribbean International is not responsible for any items on display that go missing outside of your room,” the letter continued.

However, this does not mean Royal Caribbean won’t assist guests if their items do disappear. It simply means the cruise line will not be liable or on the hook to pay for stolen decor.

Guests are encouraged to bring any concerns to their cabin steward. Passengers may also want to check surrounding doors before panicking over missing decor, as Cruise Hive has heard of kids or other guests moving magnets as a prank.

Cruise Guests Report Stolen Door Decor

As the letter began making waves on social media, recent passengers of Symphony of the Seas were quick to note instances of thievery during their voyages, mostly from unsupervised children.

Considering many guests dedicate a lot of time and money to choosing decor and/or making custom magnets, it can be disappointing to see their stuff go missing.

“We got off on Sunday and there were so many people saying that kids were stealing their magnets. Sad that people can’t respect others,” one recent guest said on Facebook.

“We were on deck 6 and kids were moving decorations around! Our happy birthday banner got moved,” another recent passenger recalled.

Of course, not every guest had the same experience. Others had cruised with Royal Caribbean many times and their displays were never touched.

“Been on lots of cruises and always put something on my door. So far I’ve never had anything stolen,” one avid cruiser remarked.

Others took matters into their own hands by writing messages to potential magnet thieves to deter their bad behavior. For example, one woman wrote “remember, there are cameras in the hallways” on the back of one of her decorative magnets.

Cruise Cabin Door Decorations
Cruise Cabin Door Decorations (Photo Credits: Catie Kovelman & KellyGman)

The other scenario in which door decor might go missing is if crew members notice that the decorations are inappropriate, offensive, or potentially dangerous.

In some cases, guests have reported receiving a warning from the cruise line and/or returning to their staterooms to find the removed decor waiting on their beds, though it could also be confiscated and discarded.

Royal Caribbean’s Door Decor Policies 

Speaking of permitted and forbidden decor, Royal Caribbean also took this opportunity to remind guests on what is and isn’t allowed to adorn their cabin doors.

The cruise line recommended magnetic decorations, as they won’t damage the door or door frame like tape, glue, nails, or other adhesives would.

“Pro-Tip: Magnetic decorations are an easy and fun way to adorn your stateroom,” Royal Caribbean advised.

Conversely, decorations that cover the peephole, use lithium-powered lights, pose a fire hazard, or touch the door frame are not allowed due to potential safety risks.

Lithium-powered lights and batteries are particularly dangerous because they run a risk of overheating and causing fires.

Royal Caribbean does allow lithium batteries onboard, including those in personal electronics and power banks, but they must be brought onboard via carry-on luggage and not checked bags due to the potential fire risks. 

Covering the peephole means that crew members cannot guarantee that cruise cabins are secure and people inside cannot verify the identity of employees or visitors before opening their door.

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Finally, allowing decor to touch the door frame can interfere with the door’s opening and closing mechanisms, damage the fire-rated coating on the door frame, and hurt the aesthetic.

If guests didn’t know this information prior to embarking on their current sailing, they’ll at least be prepared for their next cruise vacation.

Carnival Cancels Cruise Bookings After Glitch Created Ultra-Low Fares

Lissa Poirot
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Carnival Cancels Cruise Bookings After Glitch Created Ultra-Low Fares

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Cruise Line cancelled some reservations booked during its extended May 2026 system outage.
  • Originally scheduled to last 18 hours, the outage extended for days and disrupted bookings, with guests reporting unusually low fares.
  • The cruise line is refunding the bookings and offering an onboard credit. 

A days-long Carnival Cruise Line system outage that disrupted bookings, payments, and customer service has now left some guests without cruises they thought they had scored at unbelievably low prices.

During the extended outage tied to the company’s IT maintenance project, travelers began spotting cruise fares that appeared far lower than normal rates. Reports quickly spread across social media as guests rushed to lock in the deals.

One passenger claimed on Reddit that he booked a solo balcony cabin on a 6-day cruise for just $300 total. 

“Hoping Carnival will honor the price because it was quite literally a steal,” he said.

Turns out, the cruise line will not honor the prices that some say went as low as $130 for balcony fares.

On May 12, 2026, the cruise line began sending cancellation notices to guests whose bookings were made during the outage period tied to the extended IT maintenance project.

Carnival said some fares displayed during the disruption were “far below any reasonable promotional fare” and confirmed those reservations would not be honored. Any money paid is being refunded to guests’ original form of payments.

“Following a planned IT maintenance project this past weekend, some guests saw a random display of prices that were far below any reasonable promotion fare. The reservation you made was one of them,” explained Colleen Oliverio, vice president of guest services – contract centers.

She continued, “We regret to inform you that we will not be able to honor your reservation request.”

Carnival Cruise Line Site
Carnival Cruise Line Site (Photo Credit: agustin.photo)

However, Carnival Cruise Line isn’t leaving would-be guests completely in the lurch. It is offering an onboard credit of $100 per stateroom applied to future bookings made by August 31, 2026, as a gesture of appreciation.

“Since your travel plans were just made with us, we hope you will find another itinerary that suits your vacation needs,” Oliverio said.

Outage Stretched for Days

What Carnival Cruise Line initially described as a planned 18-hour maintenance window turned into a multi-day disruption to its website.

The company warned that systems would go offline beginning May 8, 2026, at 9:00 p.m. ET and were expected to return by May 9, at 3:00 p.m.

The outage impacted both Carnival.com and GoCCL.com, preventing guests and advisors from making new bookings, managing reservations, processing payments, checking in online, purchasing Fun Shop items, or accessing booking dashboards. Carnival’s contact centers were also unable to support reservations during the downtime.

By the afternoon of May 9, the cruise line acknowledged the outage was lasting longer than expected, adding that it would be restored by 5:00 p.m. 

It also warned, “there remains a possibility that the downtime could extend beyond this time.” It did.

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On May 10, Carnival sent another update confirming maintenance was still in progress, but also said, “Please be assured that no bookings will be cancelled as a result of this downtime.”

With incorrect pricing exposed during the system glitch, Carnival Cruise Line has reversed course and automatically cancelled bookings tied to the mistaken fares while thanking guests for their understanding.

Norwegian Dawn Tackles All Sanitation Concerns After Failing CDC Inspection

Melissa Mayntz
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Norwegian Dawn Tackles All Sanitation Concerns After Failing CDC Inspection

Key Aspects:

  • Norwegian Dawn has submitted a corrective report following the failed health and sanitation inspection.
  • Every one of the 48 items of concern has been addressed in some way, many with multiple steps.
  • The ship’s overall score will not be adjusted until her next inspection in a few months, as is standard practice.

Just six weeks after failing a health and sanitation inspection by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the crew aboard Norwegian Dawn has taken extensive steps to correct issues and submitted a corrective report to the CDC.

The 34-page report notes all the actions that help fix problematic concerns that caused the ship to receive a score of 84 during the March 29, 2026 Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) inspection.

For reference, a score of 86 on the 100-point scale is required to be considered passing. Ships can receive lower scores for many different violations of varying degrees.

Cruise Hive previously reported on the failed inspection, including the fact that crew members were actively addressing issues even as inspectors noted concerns during their visit.

Specific concerns included high food storage temperatures, cleanliness issues for food storage and preparation equipment, and flies in food serving areas.

According to the corrective report, crew members took steps such as adjusting daily cleaning schedules to pay better attention to previously neglected areas, deep cleaning floors, sanitizing drains and equipment, discarding rusted utensils, rewashing dishes, replacing tiles, and more.

Supervisor monitoring schedules have also been adjusted to ensure the concerning issues are not repeated. Similarly, additional training has been implemented for select crew members to keep everyone updated on all cleaning, sanitation, and maintenance requirements.

Some items cannot be immediately corrected, but steps are being taken as necessary. For example, light intensity in some food preparation areas was determined to be too dim. New, brighter lights have been ordered, and the order has been followed up on to expedite delivery so the lighting can be corrected as soon as possible.

In total, 48 items of concern were noted in the inspection, and every single one has been addressed in some way. Most of the issues were addressed with multiple steps, including immediate corrective action, re-training, or schedule adjustment as appropriate.

Cruise Ship Score Not Changed Even After Corrections

It should be noted that Norwegian Dawn‘s score for the latest inspection will not be adjusted.

“VSP requires all ships to submit corrective action statements for deficiencies found during inspections,” the CDC explains with the report. “VSP does not verify that the deficiencies have been corrected until the next vessel inspection or reinspection.”

This is standard procedure for these inspections and is not a reflection on Norwegian Dawn‘s current condition. Guests set to embark on the ship during her Mediterranean season this summer should not be concerned. She will return to the US to homeport from Jacksonville beginning in November, offering 4- and 5-night Bahamas itineraries.

Norwegian Dawn Cruise Ship
Norwegian Dawn Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Vytautas Kielaitis)

Most ships are inspected 1-2 times per year. Before the most recent inspection, Norwegian Dawn had been inspected in November 2025 with a score of 96.

Since the 92,250-gross-ton ship entered service in 2002, she has been inspected dozens of times. Never before has Norwegian Dawn failed an inspection, and in fact, the ship has received eight perfect scores in her inspection history.

Do Cruise Ship Inspection Scores Matter?

With growing concern about cruise ship sanitation following the hantavirus outbreak aboard the expedition ship Hondius, travelers are naturally wary about reports of a ship failing a sanitation inspection.

Many of the issues that can cause a ship to get a lower score are often very minor and easily correctable. For example, item #40 on Norwegian Dawn‘s failing inspection was found at the Garden Cafe on Deck 12.

“No serving utensil was provided for the container of pork sausage on the self-service buffet,” the report noted.

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The lack of a serving utensil could lead to cross-contamination if nearby utensils were moved for serving. Tongs were immediately positioned for use with the sausage, which fully corrects the issue. Nevertheless, the oversight is still part of the initial report.

These inspections do, however, give cruisers insights into individual ships and how they are maintained. While a failing score can be a concern, recognizing that crew members take immediate corrective action can give guests peace of mind as they make plans for their next cruise vacation.

FBI Charges Two Carnival Spirit Passengers Over Guest Services Line Dispute

Melissa Mayntz
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FBI Charges Two Carnival Spirit Passengers Over Guest Services Line Dispute

Key Aspects:

  • Two women now face federal charges after a fight onboard Carnival Spirit in March 2026.
  • The fight escalated over whether both women belonged in the Diamond and Platinum priority line at Guest Services.
  • Priority Guest Services access is a great perk, but not always available or exclusive to VIFP members.

Cruise line loyalty is always a hot topic, with dedicated cruisers fiercely protective of their benefits. But are the benefits worth fighting over?

For two women who sailed aboard Carnival Spirit recently, the answer is apparently yes, but they now face federal charges for fighting over who was in the correct line at Guest Services.

According to Fox 10 News, the two women were aboard the 85,920-gross-ton ship in March 2026, enjoying a Bahamas sailing from Mobile, when, toward the end of the sailing, the altercation occurred.

Tonya Nelson and Lisa Horace were apparently in line at Guest Services on Deck 2 when Nelson pointed out to Horace that the line was reserved for Diamond and Platinum members of the cruise line’s VIFP loyalty program.

FBI interview summaries indicate that Horace at first ignored Nelson’s helpful advice, but when Nelson continued to tap Horace’s husband’s shoulder, the argument began to get heated.

Horace first threatened to slap Nelson and while it is unclear who dealt the first blow, both women ended up slapping each other and escalating to kicks and other physical abuse. Prior to the encounter, the women did not know one another.

No mention has been made of any significant injuries or other problems associated with the incident.

Because the incident occurred in international waters, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has jurisdiction over the matter. Both women are facing simple assault charges and have been served to appear in federal court in Mobile on Wednesday, May 13.

Carnival Cruise Line has not commented on the incident, though surveillance footage was made available to investigators, who confirmed the incident.

Carnival Guest Services Desk

It is not uncommon for cruise lines not to comment on pending cases, but Carnival Cruise Line is undoubtedly cooperating fully with federal authorities.

Cruise Hive has previously reported on numerous fights and physical altercations aboard Carnival cruise ships. The cruise line has attempted to crack down on such incidents with a greater security presence, emailed reminders about the guest code of conduct, and harsher consequences for anyone involved in physical fights.

Is Loyalty Worth a Fight?

While few details have been revealed about this incident, including whether any foul language, slurs, or threats may have been involved, it does cause cruisers to wonder if loyalty is worth fighting over.

Long lines on a cruise ship can stress any traveler, and the dedicated Diamond and Platinum line at the Guest Services desk is a coveted benefit, so guests don’t spend as much time waiting and can more quickly enjoy their cruise.

Read Also: Sail More, Wait Less – How to Deal With Long Lines on a Cruise Ship

It is unclear how Nelson determined that Horace did not seem to belong in the line. Guests who have purchased Carnival Cruise Line’s Faster to the Fun access can also use the dedicated line, even if they do not have Diamond or Platinum loyalty status.

Therefore, if Horace had Faster to the Fun for the cruise, she wasn’t in the wrong line after all regardless of her loyalty level.

When lines are very long, as they often are toward the end of a sailing when guests are trying to settle their Sail and Sign accounts or have questions about different charges, debarkation details, or other issues, it can be easy to accidentally get in the wrong line.

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Carnival Spirit can welcome 2,124 guests at double occupancy. Even if only one percent of guests had questions about their accounts or needed Guest Services assistance, the line could be more than 20 people deep while waiting for help.

Ultimately, however, the question about whether the Diamond and Platinum line is worth fighting over may be moot. The benefit is discontinued from many sailings when there are high numbers of Diamond and Platinum guests aboard, so guests are not guaranteed to have the dedicated line available anyway.

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