Carnival Sunshine was delayed several hours due to an early morning power loss.
Embarkation for the next cruise was delayed roughly five hours.
The cause of the power outage has not been disclosed, but Carnival Sunshine appears to be fully restored.
Guests boarding Carnival Sunshine on Sunday, March 1, 2026 in Norfolk, Virginia will have to wait a little longer to start their cruise vacation.
Carnival Cruise Line has reached out to guests to alert them to an embarkation delay following an early morning power outage as the ship was returning to her homeport at the end of an 8-night Eastern Caribbean cruise that left on February 21.
While the outage has been resolved and the ship is fully functional, Carnival Sunshine‘s arrival in Norfolk has been impacted.
“To comply with U.S. Coast Guard requirements to enter Norfolk, the ship must be assisted by tugboats, and this will result in an unplanned delayed arrival, by early afternoon,”the cruise line explained.
Because guests must be able to debark the ship and leave the terminal and parking areas before arriving guests can be welcomed aboard, embarkation is now delayed.
Depending on when guests had chosen to arrive at the cruise terminal, those appointments are now bumped by 3-5 hours.
The earliest appointments will have the greatest delays. If guests had selected a 10-10:30 a.m. arrival appointment, for example, they are now asked to arrive from 3-3:30 p.m. For the latest original appointments, which would have been 2:30-3 p.m., the delay is less and guests should arrive from 6-6:30 p.m.
Carnival is informing all guests that they must arrive at the cruise terminal no later than 6:30 p.m., or they may be denied embarkation altogether. Cruise Hive has previously reported on instances when guests are not able to board the ship even if the vessel has not left yet, as USCG regulations require a final manifest to be delivered well ahead of the ship’s departure.
Carnival Sunshine Power Loss Delay Letter
Carnival Cruise Line is providing every guest arriving to Carnival Sunshine on Sunday with a $25 (USD) onboard credit to cover the cost of lunch as they wait for embarkation. The ship can welcome as many as 3,002 guests.
As for dinner, the late embarkation will disrupt the typical dining times. Instead, both main dining rooms – the midship Sunset Dining Room on Deck 3 and the aft Sunrise Dining Room on Decks 3 and 4 – will offer dinner with open seating. The Lido Marketplace buffet on Deck 9 will also be open.
The cruise line is already preparing guests for a possible itinerary change as well.
“Since [we] will be sailing later than originally scheduled, it is likely that our voyage plan will be impacted,”the email said.“Carnival Sunshine’s Captain, Antonio Gargiulo, and our Fleet Operations Center are reviewing the alternatives and will have an update for you later this evening.”
Carnival Sunshine is scheduled to depart on a 6-night Bahamas sailing with visits to Celebration Key, Nassau, and Bimini. It is possible a port may need to be dropped or port times may need adjusting due to the late departure.
What Happened to Carnival Sunshine?
Carnival Cruise Line has not disclosed the cause of the power outage. Guests onboard the ship have posted updates to Reddit, however, noting how the incident unfolded.
“We lost power, propulsion, and sanitation around 1:55AM today on March 1st,”the original poster described.“We got our first update from the captain and [cruise director] at 2:29AM, power went fully out a few times. Power was restored around 2:45.”
The ship was able to dock under her own power, but tugboats stood ready to assist if necessary.
Should any vessel the size of the 103,000-gross-ton cruise ship lose power when entering a port or docking facility, the risk of damage to port infrastructure or other vessels is too great to take chances. With tugboat assistance, the port is protected in case of any further unexpected power losses.
These extra precautions are especially vital following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge at the Port of Baltimore in March 2024. Cruise Hive reported extensively on the impact to cruise operations after that incident, which happened when a cargo ship lost power and collided with the bridge.
MSC Euribia is docked in Dubai and will remain there until further notice amid the escalating violence in the region.
Guests remain safe on the ship, and all onboard operations appear to be proceeding as planned.
There is no notice yet about when the ship may resume sailing.
With the rapidly unfolding events in Iran and other areas in the Middle East, cruise ships in that region are on high alert for keeping their guests well and safe.
For MSC Euribia, that means remaining in Dubai for the time being rather than continuing on to other regional ports. The ship arrived in Dubai on the morning of Friday, February 27 and was scheduled to depart at 8 p.m. on Saturday, February 28.
Guests onboard have been informed of the situation and advised of how best to enjoy their extended time in city.
“We regret to inform you that we need to change our itinerary due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East,”a letter delivered to guests’ staterooms explained.“In alignment with the national authorities, it has been decided to remain in the port of Dubai until further notice.”
Guests are permitted to go ashore but are nevertheless advised to stay at the cruise terminal area. Shore tours are cancelled, but they will be fully refunded to guests’ onboard accounts. There is no indication that any onboard activities are impacted at this time. All ship operations are proceeding normally.
MSC Euribia is currently docked at Cruise Terminal 3 at Port Rashid in Dubai, the closest dock to the historic city center and traditional souk markets. The port is about 20 minutes from Dubai International Airport.
The 184,000-gross-ton, Meraviglia-Plus Class ship has just finished a 7-night Middle East cruise roundtrip from Dubai, with visits to Doha, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, and a private island in the United Arab Emrites.
Itineraries in the Middle East vary and guests can board and debark the vessel at different points for different sailing lengths. During this 7-night cruise, for example, some travelers may have enjoyed just the 3-night segment from Abu Dhabi to Dubai.
With the recent developments involving the joint US-Israel strikes on Iran, however, and subsequent outbreaks of other violence and retaliatory action, MSC Euribia will remain in Dubai rather than setting sail.
Her next destination was to have been Doha, Qatar on March 1, but that port is currently closed. Local authorities expect other regional ports to likewise be closing and possibly remain closed for some time.
To be clear, there has been no attack or violence noted at the cruise port, though the city has heavy traffic congestion and the situation remains unpredictable. Dubai is less than 90 miles from the southern coast of Iran.
To help guests onboard MSC Euribia remain in contact with family and friends, the ship’s Wi-Fi has been opened without charge to everyone and guests will continue to be updated with any new developments.
“We are very sorry for this inconvenience, which is beyond our control,”the letter concludes.“In everything we do, the safety of our guests and crew remains our highest priority.”
MSC Euribia can host up to 6,327 guests for each sailing. The ship is also home to approximately 1,700 international crew members.
Will Additional Cruises Be Impacted?
At this time, there is no confirmation about additional cruises being impacted, but that outcome seems inevitable given the tenuous nature of the situation.
Guests who are booked on MSC Euribia in the coming days should stay in close contact with MSC Cruises to be updated when adjustments are made.
Also docked at Port Rashid on Saturday, February 28, is Celestyal Discovery and Aroya Manara, the former World Dream cruise ship from now-defunct Genting Hong Kong. The ship now belongs to Aroya Cruises.
TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 4 and Celestyal Journey are also scheduled for Dubai in the coming days, but no official announcements have been made about whether or not their itineraries will be impacted.
Cruise Hive’s thoughts for peace and safety are with all travelers in tumultuous regions, no matter where they may be sailing in the world.
Unlimited beverage packages will continue to be honored at Great Stirrup Cay through March 2026.
Norwegian Cruise Line had previously announced the packages would not be valid after February.
A new drink package for the private island is reportedly in development but has not yet been announced.
Norwegian Cruise Line guests will get to raise a glass (for free!) when they visit Great Stirrup Cay for the next few weeks, as the cruise line has temporarily extended drink packages to include onshore beverages for a little while longer.
At that time, a new drink package was said to be in development that would be “crafted exclusively for Great Stirrup Cay” and would be available for purchase from January 1. No new drink package is yet listed on the cruise line’s website, however.
Now, Norwegian Cruise Line has reached out to booked guests on sailings to the private island to alert them that their beverage packages will still work during their visit to the beach day paradise.
“Guests who purchased one of our unlimited beverage packages, including More at Sea, Free at Sea and Free at Sea Plus will now enjoy their favorite drinks from ship to shore,”the email notification read.“Beverages on Great Stirrup Cay will be included in the abovementioned packages through March.”
View of Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas (Photo Credit: Nancy Pauwels)
Guests were understandably frustrated when it was first announced that drink packages would no longer work on the island. That frustration has not been entirely eased now that the package use has been extended for another month.
In particular, guests who already purchased the upgrade from “More at Sea” or “Free at Sea” to the “Free at Sea Plus” package are wondering whether that cost can be refunded, now that drinks will be included.
At this time, there is no indication whether or not the beverage inclusion will be extended beyond March 31. This may be a decision Norwegian Cruise Line will make one month at a time as guest feedback and package planning continues.
What Would a New Package Involve?
There have been no details released about what a new Great Stirrup Cay drink package might include. It could be a full extension of onboard packages or there might even be something new and exclusive to the island, such as signature drinks, souvenir glasses, or a specialty bar.
In the meantime, Great Stirrup Cay is undergoing significant enhancements with the new 1.4-acre Great Life Lagoon, Vibe Shore Club, and Great Tides Waterpark all being added.
A new children’s play area and island-wide tram service are also being added, ensuring great accessibility and fun for guests of all ages.
It is possible that the new drink package may not be unveiled until the island’s new features are complete, which is expected to be in summer 2026.
The island’s new pier opened in late December 2025, which will eventually permit two ships to dock each day once construction is fully completed, rather than relying on tender boats to get to shore. Great Stirrup Cay has been notorious in the past for cancelled port visits due to wind and swells, even when it may seem like a perfect beach day.
Carnival Elation alerted the US Coast Guard to a man in need of aid in a disabled sailboat near Port Canaveral.
The US Coast Guard then worked with a container ship to rescue the man and tow his sailboat.
As the craft was sinking, the rescue came in the nick of time.
Thanks to an impressive team effort, a distressed sailor has made it safely back to dry land. Carnival Elation sounded the alert, and then the US Coast Guard teamed up with a container ship to complete the rescue.
On Sunday, February 22, the US Coast Guard Sector in Jacksonville received a report that Spiritus, a 34-foot sailing vessel, had broken down 33 miles offshore of Port Canaveral.
One man was onboard, and he was requesting urgent towing assistance. By the time first responders made contact with the mariner, the vessel was taking on water and listing. It’s unclear what had caused the small craft to become disabled.
A Coast Guard Station Port Canaveral boat crew was deployed to search for the vessel, along with a Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew and an Air Station Miami aircraft crew.
Rescue Off Port Canaveral (Credit: US Coast Guard)
Port Canaveral is extremely busy, and recently surpassed PortMiami to be named the busiest cruise port in the world. While this is an exciting achievement, it can also lead to dangerous situations for smaller crafts in distress.
A sinking boat, and the people on it, may not be easily visible to cruise ships sailing in the area until it is too late.
On the date of this incident, cruise tracking data shows that Star of the Seas, Norwegian Prima, Sky Princess, MSC Seashore, and Carnival Venezia were all in the port.
Good Samaritan Vessels Aid in Rescue
While the US Coast Guard frequently completes impressive rescues, they are sharing some of the credit in this case with Good Samaritan vessels.
First, the initial report of the stranded man came from Carnival Elation, which has been operating sailings to the Bahamas out of Jacksonville, Florida.
“Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville command center watchstanders received a report via VHF-FM channel 16 from the cruise ship Carnival Elation,” the Coast Guard confirmed in a statement that was acquired by Cruise Hive.
It’s interesting that Carnival Elation sounded the alarm, given it was Carnival Venezia that was in Port Canaveral that day.
The Fantasy-class cruise ship was on its way to Celebration Key when the disabled vessel would have been found, and in theory, could have passed by the Orlando-based port to spot it or at least pick up on distress signals.
The Coast Guard also thanked the crew of Polar Mexico for aiding in the rescue.
“We sincerely appreciate the crew of the Polar Mexico for their professionalism and their support in bringing this rescue to a successful outcome,” said Lt. Michelle Goebel, the Sector Jacksonville search and rescue mission coordinator.
Polar Mexico is a 230-meter-long container ship, which is capable of assisting in emergency towing operations.
It’s good that the sailboat could be towed, as now the owner can try to repair it, and it won’t pose any lasting hazard to other ships sailing in the area.
Lots of Cruise Ship Rescues
People often say that when it rains, it pours – and apparently, this saying also applies to maritime rescues.
In the past two weeks, Cruise Hive has reported on three other rescues at sea. First up was Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Celebration, which rescued five refugees from a makeshift boat on February 16.
Just a few days later on February 23, Princess Cruises’ Regal Princess diverted from its course to rescue more refugees in a rowboat about 150 miles north of the Yucatan Peninsula.
And on February 26, Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Magic came to the aid of a distressed sailboat in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America). Luckily, all of these stories had happy endings thanks to Good Samaritans at sea and skilled first responders.
Costa Favolosa encountered rough weather caused by an extratropical cyclone.
The ship rocked and tilted, scaring passengers who were onboard at the time.
Thankfully, there were no reports of injuries or damage to the ship, which has continued operating normally.
A recent sailing onboard Costa Favolosa briefly descended into panic and chaos due to surprisingly intense weather conditions on the night of February 18, 2026.
An extratropical cyclone that was battering southern Brazil had the 113,216-gross ton ship rocking and rolling. But by around 10:30 p.m., the ship was notably listing, leading to panic among some of the passengers.
Videos and pictures from the night, which were acquired by Cruise Hive, show passengers bracing themselves as the ship tilted. Additional footage shows smashed plates and glasses on the floor of the main restaurants onboard.
At the time of the weather event, the ship was operating simultaneous 8-night sailings around Brazil and Uruguay out of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
That night, the 3,780-guest ship would have been sailing from Montevideo, Uruguay, to Balneario Camboriu, Brazil, which was its scheduled port call on February 19, 2026.
No Injuries Reported
Aside from a brief scare and some broken cutlery, there have been no reports of guest injuries or damage to the cruise ship as a result of the rocky night.
Costa Cruises has confirmed that all appropriate safety protocols were followed and that the vessel’s structural stability was never compromised.
These safety protocols would include measures like closing off outdoor areas, deploying stabilizers, securing loose items, and possibly even draining the pools to prevent flooding and to promote stability.
The captain and his bridge team, as well as a dedicated shore time, are also always monitoring the weather to chart the smoothest possible course. But given the path of the storm, it’s possible that this was the smoothest possible course.
Alternatively, it also wouldn’t be the first time that weather conditions were more intense than expected, as Mother Nature can be unpredictable. Cruise Hive has certainly reported on scares from rogue waves or surprise winds in the past.
Per cruise tracking data, Costa Favolosa did continue sailing at normal speeds once the storm passed and there was no impact to the affected or subsequent itineraries.
Why Were Conditions So Bad?
On February 18, an extratropical cyclone, which is a large-scale, low-pressure weather system, was creating rocky seas across the South Atlantic.
The epicenter of the storm was in Juiz de Fora, which is in southeastern Brazil. Much of southern Brazil and the Río de la Plata region were impacted by strong winds, which reached over 60 miles per hour.
Per Brazil’s National Institute of Meteorology, the rough weather isn’t over either. As of February 27, the southeastern coast of Brazil is under a red alert, with rainfall exceeding 60 mm/h or above 100 mm/day expected.
The alert spans from Goytacazes, Brazil, (which is about 171 miles from Costa Favolosa’s homeport in Rio) all the way up to Salvador. Costa Cruises will, of course, continue to monitor the situation to keep guests as safe and as comfortable as possible.
It’s been another hectic week for news across the cruise industry, and Cruise Hive has it all covered. In this week’s recap, some of our top stories include Carnival Cruise Line cancelling some Mexico shore excursions due to safety issues; Disney Cruise Line naming Robert Downey Jr. as godfather to Disney Adventure; and Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Infinity sailing as planned following earlier issues with power outages.
Get your daily cruise news fix by signing up for Cruise Hive’s Daily Update, delivered to your inbox each morning.
Regal Princess Rescues Four Off Yucatan Peninsula
It started as a relaxing day at sea aboard Princess Cruises’ Regal Princess on February 23, 2026, but soon turned into a rescue operation in the waters north of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.
The event unfolded when guests and crew noticed a rowboat with four men inside, bailing out water. The boat had a makeshift sail and was clearly in distress.
Regal Princess quickly altered her route to come to the aid of the sailors, who were likely refugees. The northeastern coast of the Yucatan is about 150 miles from Cuba.
The men in the small, rusty boat were able to maneuver their vessel alongside Regal Princess and then board the cruise ship. At the time of the rescue, the cruise ship was roughly 150 miles north of Progresso, Mexico.
Regal Princess was sailing a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise roundtrip from Galveston when she came upon the sinking boat. The ship had departed from the Texas port on February 22, and her itinerary included an overnight at Cozumel, Mexico, on February 24.
That is likely where the four sailors were handed over to local authorities. The identities of the refugees are unknown. It is also unclear whether they were fleeing Mexico after the February 22 death of Mexican cartel leader Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera. (See the next news brief for more on that.)
Safety First: Line Cancels Excursions to Mainland Mexico
Carnival Cruise Line drew a line in the sand this week when it comes to guest safety. The line has cancelled shore excursions to mainland Mexico from ships that are calling at Cozumel.
It’s all tied to the February 22, 2026, death of Mexican cartel leader Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera, and any possible ramifications that might stem from that event.
Among the ships that called at Cozumel this week was Carnival Jubilee, which homeports at Galveston, Texas. Guests onboard the ship posted on social media that the ship was calling at the destination as planned on February 23.
Carnival Jubilee in Cozumel, Mexico (Photo Credit: EWY Media)
But their shoreside experiences were altered, as excursions were cancelled and refunded by the line. Nixed tours included mainland trips to the Mayan ruins at Tulum, for instance, as well as zip lining at Xplor Park.
Excursions happening on the island of Cozumel were continuing as scheduled.
The death of Oseguera has ignited violence in some Mexican Riviera destinations, causing some cruise ships to avoid the Pacific coast region, but the changes to Cozumel excursions is the first cruise line action taken on the Caribbean side of Mexico.
MSC Cruises to Roll Out Pioneering Robot Experiences
Interactions with robotic dogs and humanoids on a cruise ship? Yes, indeed, such experiences are coming soon to MSC Cruises, which is in the process of enhancing its entertainment programming with some very high-tech roll-outs.
The line’s robot program will debut first on two ships. The robot dogs, powered by AI and created by Unitree Robotics, are in testing stages on MSC Bellissima and will be introduced on MSC Magnifica during that ship’s 2026 world cruise.
MSC Cruises AI Robots
There will be robot meet-and-greets, robot-themed parades, and interactive workshops — all industry-first experiences.
Along with the robotics additions, MSC Cruises announced lots of other entertainment upgrades across the fleet. New game shows include Chart Toppers, a music competition, and Quiz O’Clock, a new trivia-style game.
The line’s popular LEGO Parade will expand to 14 ships; MSC Meraviglia will feature the lively flamenco show called “Paz,” and MSC Seascape will add an American country band performance and a dueling piano experience.
A New Disney Role For Robert Downey Jr.
American actor and longtime Disney movie star Robert Downey Jr. was named godfather of Disney Cruise Line’s new Disney Adventure.
Downey is a major Marvel character (Disney owns Marvel), having starred as Iron Man in the three “Iron Man” movies plus the Avengers films, “Captain America: Civil War,” and “Spider-Man: Homecoming.”
He was named a Disney Legend in 2019, and soon he will oversee the christening of Disney Adventure, which is soon to begin cruising in Asia.
Robert Downey Jr., Disney Adventure Godparent
In fact, the 6,700-guest mega-ship, the largest in the cruise line’s fleet, will introduce Marvel Landing, featuring three thrill rides, including Ironcycle Test Run, inspired by “Iron Man.” At 820 feet, Ironcycle will be the longest rollercoaster at sea.
Other Marvel Landing thrill rides include Pym Quantum Racers, a car chase-inspired adventure around a track, and Groot Galaxy Spin, featuring vehicles that spin, lift, and drop.
Disney Adventure is scheduled to begin sailing short getaway cruises roundtrip from Singapore on March 5, 2026.
Celebrity Infinity Back at Sea After Power Issue
Guests booked on Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Infinity’s February 27, 2026, cruise got some great news: The ship’s technical problem was solved, and the voyage is happening as scheduled.
The 90,940-gross-ton vessel has had issues in recent weeks with power outages that affected air conditioning, WiFi, bathroom operations, and more, prompting one cruise to be cut short and the next to be cancelled.
The ship will sail as planned from Athens on her 10-night voyage with calls at Nafplion, Heraklion, Rhodes, Kavala, Thessaloniki, and Kusadasi.
Celebrity Infinity Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: David A Litman)
The technical issues started on February 15, when the ship lost power on her way to Athens. Guests debarked a day early and were put up in hotels. The next cruise, slated to depart the next day, was cancelled.
At the time, the cruise line did not disclose the specific nature of the power problem, but a statement from the Hellenic Coast Guard has since revealed there was a malfunction in the ship’s electrical distribution panels.
However, by all accounts, all is well now, and the ship is sailing as planned to those fabulous Greece and Turkey destinations.
Royal Caribbean Alters Ship’s Solar Eclipse Route
Royal Caribbean has alerted guests booked on Liberty of the Seas’ solar eclipse cruise in August 2026 that certain itinerary revisions are being made.
The changes are designed to provide the best viewing of the total eclipse, which will happen on August 12. The 4,960-guest ship will be at sea on that day, off the coast of Spain, but the port calls the day before and the three days after are being altered.
The changes will enable the ship to take full advantage of the phenomenon as the eclipse passes over the region.
Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas (Photo Credit: 26ShadesOfGreen)
Unfortunately, a call to Lisbon, a very popular cruise destination, is now off the 9-night itinerary. The ship will sail roundtrip from Southampton on August 7, 2026. On August 11, the port call to La Coruna was replaced by Vigo, Spain. The ship will call at La Coruna the day after the eclipse, rather than Lisbon.
On August 14, the ship will be at sea, rather than calling at Vigo, and on August 15, Liberty of the Seas will call at Paris, rather than spend the day at sea.
Guests who had booked Lisbon shore excursions through the cruise line are being refunded, and tours in Vigo and La Coruna are being adjusted based on the new itinerary.
Carnival Legend Alters Sign & Sail Settlement
Guests sailing aboard Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Legend’s Eastern Caribbean cruise that ended on February 26, 2026 experienced an unexpected change in the way their onboard accounts were settled.
Without explaining why, the cruise line told guests on the 10-night voyage, which departed Galveston on February 16, that there would be two account settlements — one on February 23 and a second on debarkation day.
Typically, onboard accounts are settled once, on the night before disembarkation. So, guests on this cruise who used a credit card for their onboard Sign & Sail accounts, as most cruisers do, will see two charges on the card rather than one.
Carnival Legend Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: JMT Photography and Media)
Guests were able to switch the credit card associated with their Sail & Sign accounts mid-voyage, if they wished.
Carnival also informed guests that, once the first payment is processed on February 23, that portion of the account will be considered settled. It meant that no one could be added or removed from the account, and payments could not be changed.
The cruise line did not indicate whether the two-payment settlement process was a one-time thing, a pilot test, or a permanent change.
More Cruise Headlines
Let’s keep going with more cruise news, including the Port of Vancouver prepping for a record year in cruise-tourism; Carnival Luminosa revising her South Pacific itinerary due to bad weather; and new-build Legend of the Seas reaching another construction milestone.
Also, a former guest sues Princess Cruises after a dining room accident, and MSC Cruises’ MSC Poesiaenters dry dock for a series of major enhancements.
Disney Magic stood ready to offer aid to a sailboat that appeared to be in distress on Thursday, February 26.
A USCG plane dropped supplies to the sailboat and the cruise ship’s assistance was not required after all.
The ship’s itinerary for her 4-night sailing was not impacted and Disney Magic visited Progreso as planned.
Whenever a vessel of any size, construction, or intention appears to be in distress, cruise ships will always stand ready to offer aid, even if it turns out not to be necessary.
Disney Magic did not hesitate to offer assistance to a vessel in the Gulf of Mexico [Gulf of America] on Thursday, February 26. The 84,000-gross-ton ship, the oldest in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, had departed from Galveston, Texas on her current 4-night sailing on the day before and was enjoying a day at sea.
A small sailboat was spotted in what first seemed to be in distress, and the cruise ship sounded her horn to signal to the craft. Guests onboard Disney Magicshared the incident on Facebook, noting that the sailboat appeared to signal back to the cruise ship.
While the day was sunny and the skies were relatively clear, it was windy and the seas in the area were very choppy. This could have caused more difficulties for the sailboat than those aboard the small craft might have expected.
Disney Magic Assists Sailboat (Photo Credit: John Frels)
A US Coast Guard (USCG) aircraft was in the vicinity and dropped supplies with an orange parachute to the sailboat, which then tacked toward the drop to retrieve the package.
While the contents of the package are not confirmed, it was likely some emergency supplies to restock the sailboat, or could have been a transmitter or emergency beacon in case a greater need arose. It might also have been a pump or other equipment.
The sailboat was not in any apparent emergency distress, and no one was evacuated from the small craft.
It is unclear where the sailboat might have originated from, considering the incident happened roughly 250 miles from the closest coastline. Likewise, there is no confirmation of how many individuals were aboard the sailboat.
Disney Magic‘s aid was not necessary after all, though another guest noted that crew members were quick to stage a lifeboat in case more direct assistance was required.
Shortly after the encounter, the cruise ship moved on and continued on her way to Progreso, Mexico. Her visit to that port on Friday, February 27, was not delayed, and the ship will return to Galveston on Sunday, March 1.
All Incidents Get Emergency Attention
Cruise Hive regularly reports on incidents when cruise ships assist other vessels. While refugee rescues, such as Regal Princess‘ diversion to rescue four individuals just three days ago, capture headlines, all types of incidents receive the same emergency responses, no matter what the situation or where it occurs.
For example, in March 2023, Grand Princess rescued two individuals who had abandoned their disabled boat hours earlier near Victoria, Australia.
In November 2024, Disney Treasure successfully rescued four individuals from a sinking catamaran more than 200 miles from Bermuda, even before the cruise ship officially entered service.
That same month, Voyager of the Seas rescued four family members and their dog from a disabled sailboat near the coast of Morocco.
Even wildlife gets emergency rescue attention when necessary. An unidentified Disney ship rescued a masked booby – a type of seabird – found on the ship during a transatlantic cruise in November 2023. The bird was delivered to a wildlife rescue organization when the ship arrived in Florida and was nursed back to health before being successfully released.
Norwegian Cruise Line appears to have backtracked on recent dining dress code restrictions.
An emphasis is made on “appropriate” attire, but no definition is offered for what is appropriate.
Guests don’t mind casual vibes but would like clear guidance about what is expected.
Norwegian Cruise Line may be lightening up on recent restrictions to the dress code for onboard restaurants, or maybe not. Guests onboard have noticed new, “laid back” signage at different restaurants that lacks the strict guidelines instituted in recent weeks.
The new sign, which was posted on Cruise Hive’s NCL group page, seems to clarify that the relaxed dress code remains, now with fewer overall restrictions.
“We simply ask that attire feels put-together and suited to the setting – shirts and footwear required, graphics respectful, and styles that offer appropriate coverage for a dining environment,”the signs read.
NCL Dress Code Sign (Photo Credit: Lee Goldman)
Guests are asked to keep swimwear by the pool and “extremely short shorts” for other activities.
Cruise Hive has already reported on previous signs that delineated more strict dress code requirements, specifically that “tank tops, hoodies, robes, jeans with holes or excessively revealing tears, and caps/hats” were not permitted in either the Main Dining Rooms or specialty restaurants for dinner.
Now, it appears that the negative guest feedback to that change has had an impact, and Norwegian Cruise Line may have rolled back to more relaxed options.
The cruise line’s FAQ still notes that “Depending on the restaurant or bar you are attending, certain items such as tank tops, hoodies, robes, shorts, jeans with holes or tears, and caps/hats may not be permitted,” but it does not state exactly which restaurants do not allow that attire.
Furthermore, shorts and flip-flops are still prohibited at select specialty restaurants for dinner, including Palomar, Ocean Blue, Onda, Cagney’s, Le Bistro, and Haven Restaurant.
How Will Dress Code Be Interpreted?
The biggest difficulty with any dress code is that if exact guidelines are not spelled out in detail, interpretations of what is “appropriate” can vary widely.
For example, one guest may feel that the only appropriate dinner attire would be formalwear, including gowns or cocktail dresses, suits, or even tuxedos. Another guest on the same sailing might feel that nice jeans and a bold Hawaiian shirt would be suitable.
Similarly, buffet attire could vary widely. Some people feel that swimwear with the barest of coverups (believe me, you’re not covering anything with a fishnet “dress”) is suitable for lunch at Windjammer Marketplace, while others would prefer more conventional clothing.
Crew members may be reluctant to approach guests with requests to adjust their attire, which could lead to complaints or even more unpleasant incidents if guests feel they have been singled out.
Guests React, Wish for Clarity
While most cruise guests don’t mind relaxed dress codes, what is most desired is clarity and consistency, so everyone knows what to expect. Dress code concerns continue to be a hot topic on Reddit following this latest apparent change.
“I don’t care what the guidelines are – but they need to be clear,”one guest commented.“They changed some requirements at specialty [restaurants] a few weeks ago, yet I received an email that contained the previous guidelines. It now appears it is changed again. I would just like clear, consistent communication.”
“I don’t like how vague they manage to make it, all while still advertising ‘freestyle’ cruising!”another added.
Other guests note that they may prefer casual attire themselves, but don’t mind that certain dining venues have more strict requirements to preserve an elegant atmosphere.
Shortly after Norwegian Cruise Line tweaked the guidelines a bit more strictly, Virgin Voyages responded indirectly with a tongue-in-cheek announcement of their own that, despite internal discussion, they’d failed to ban different clothing items.
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Royal Caribbean will no longer include cups for the Coca-Cola Freestyle machines with select beverage packages.
Guests can add a cup for an extra $4.99 one-time charge, but free cups are still part of the classic soda package.
The change takes effect fleetwide from March 15, 2026.
Royal Caribbean guests who purchase various drink packages will soon have fewer soda options to enjoy. In a quiet change to the package details, the cruise line is removing the Coca-Cola souvenir cups, which means guests with select packages can no longer access the Coca-Cola Freestyle machines.
Guests with booked sailings noticed the change when logging in to check drink package pricing and options and began discussing the adjustment on Reddit.
This change applies to both the Deluxe Beverage Package and the Refreshment Package. If guests add on the Royal Beach Club Open Bar Day Pass to their package, the cup is still excluded.
The cups are still available for purchase as an add-on to both drink packages for an extra $4.99. That cost is a one-time charge, not a per-day add-on.
This change begins on Sunday, March 15, 2026. It is unclear whether the change may impact guests who have already pre-paid for drink packages but who set sail after that date, though it is likely they will not receive free cups.
Royal Caribbean Drinks Exception Change (Photo Credit: Sandra Foyt)
This does mean that guests will not have the same variety of drinks that is available from the touch-screen machines, which permit users to mix and customize their sodas in more than 100 combinations.
Cans and fountain soda is still included in the applicable packages, it is only the Coca-Cola Freestyle Machines that will be excluded. Instead, guests will have to order their sodas at a bar or from a server instead of getting their own.
The cup and therefore the Coca-Cola Freestyle Machines are still available with the classic soda package. Only one cup is included per package, and if lost, a replacement cup can be purchased for the same price as the add-on: $4.99.
Guests React to Change
While Royal Caribbean has not confirmed an explanation for the change, guests familiar with the Freestyle machines and how they’re used onboard think beverage package cheating may have prompted the exclusion.
“Too many people handed the cup to their kid to use. Just another hack people used that ruined it for others,”commented one guest.
Cruise Hive previously reported on Royal Caribbean tightening drink package restrictions in mid-2025 in an effort to combat certain types of package cheating behavior.
Other guests responded to that conclusion, noting that unscrupulous travelers could still simply pay the extra $4.99 for the cup and do the same thing.
Nevertheless, this change might stop some of that unauthorized behavior. It could also be a waste-reduction tactic, as some guests may never use the cups at all even if they were still included.
“I rarely used it. My kid and I had the soda package and 99.9% of the time we just went to the bar to get a soda. My wife and son had an alcohol package. They never used it,”one guest described.
“At the end of the cruise we left them in the room because I don’t need another souvenir cup at home and they couldn’t be used on a future cruise.”
Some guests simply prefer the taste of soda from cans, or don’t want to have to find a Freestyle machine when they want a drink.
Coca-Cola Freestyle machines are available fleetwide except for four vessels: Brilliance of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas, and Vision of the Seas.
In addition to Coca-Cola sodas, the Freestyle machines also dispense other sodas manufactured by Coca-Cola along with iced tea, fruit punch, water, lemonade, and more. Exact selections can vary based on demand.
The location of the machines varies on each ship, but they are typically located in the Windjammer Marketplace buffet, near Sorrento’s Pizza, and occasionally another location on the ship’s Royal Promenade.
