A former guest of Ruby Princess has filed a lawsuit against Princess Cruises due to alleged negligence.
The passenger tripped on ribbons in one of the main dining rooms, which resulted in a nasty fall.
The guest feels that Princess Cruises is to blame because the ribbons should have been cleaned up.
What should have been a lovely dinner onboard Ruby Princess turned into a life-changing injury, and the impacted guest thinks that Princess Cruises is to blame.
Lucy Gero filed a lawsuit against the Carnival-owned brand in federal court on February 19, 2026, in which her legal team accuses the brand of three counts of negligence.
Per the claim, Gero was walking in the Michelangelo Dining Room on Deck 5 of the Grand-class ship on March 4, 2025.
This is where she tripped and fell due to ribbons that were left on the floor by crew members. For context, Cruise Hive has previously seen the crew break out ribbons for holiday sailings or to commemorate special occasions.
“On or about March 4, 2025, GERO was carefully walking in the dining room on Deck 5, when [she] tripped and fell on ribbons left on the floor by PRINCESS’s crew members,”the lawsuit alleges.
The Pennsylvania resident says that she sustained significant injuries in the fall, including a torn meniscus in her right knee. Her injury required surgery and has resulted in chronic pain and mobility loss.
Is Princess Cruises to Blame?
According to Gero, the cruise line should be held responsible for her injuries because the ribbons should not have been left on the floor.
Gero also alleges that the ribbons were not easily visible because of inadequate lighting and because they got lost in the busy pattern on the carpet.
“The ribbons were not adequately visible to passengers, including GERO, walking in the area, and it lacked adequate warning and/or color contrast to bring the tripping hazard to the attention of passengers,”the claim states.
Additionally, crew members in the near vicinity allegedly failed to warn Gero of the hazard.
“There were PRINCESS crew members in the subject area within 10-15 feet…the crew members failed to warn GERO of the ribbons and failed to repair the same or block off the area prior to GERO tripping on it,”the claim continued.
The exact location of the crew members, who most likely had their attention occupied by running a busy dinner service, has not been confirmed by the cruise line.
Finally, the plaintiff claims that Princess has its own internal policy requiring staff to inspect areas for cleanliness and safety hazards at regular intervals (such as every 15 minutes), and did not follow proper protocol in this case.
The existence of this policy and what it specifically entails has not been confirmed by the cruise line.
Princess Stays Silent…At Least So Far
At this time, Princess Cruises has not commented publicly on the lawsuit. However, it’s important to remember that there are always two sides to every story.
Additionally, security footage of the Michelangelo Dining Room, which should have had cameras rolling during the incident, has not been publicly released. This footage could very well confirm or debunk Gero’s claim.
It’s also worth noting that the 3,080-guest ship has continued to operate normally since the incident, and no similar issues have been reported.
Ruby Princess is currently operating sailings to Hawaii, the Mexican Riviera, and up the West Coast from San Francisco, California.
This also isn’t Princess Cruises’ first rodeo with lawsuits. As recently as December 2025, Cruise Hive reported on a lawsuit that was filed after a passenger was injured when a chair broke in one of the main theaters.
In November 2025, another injury lawsuit was filed after a guest slipped on a greasy substance while using the stairs onboard Enchanted Princess.
Unfortunately, lawsuits are simply an inevitable part of operating a customer-facing business. Princess is prepared for this and has access to its own team of legal resources, as well as Carnival Corporation’s legal team.
Cruise Hive’s weekly news roundup is the best way to stay informed about the major developments across the cruise industry. Top stories in this edition include coverage of new ship orders for all three Norwegian brands; the rescue of six people in a makeshift boat off Cuba; and the growing opposition to a new cruise port in Tampa, Florida.
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Technical Failure Prompts Cruise Cancellation
With just one day’s notice before departure, guests booked to sail aboard Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Infinity learned their vacation at sea was cancelled.
The February 16, 2026, voyage, an 11-night Greek Islands cruise, was nixed due to a technical problem that emerged as the ship’s previous sailing ended. The cruise line has not revealed the nature of the technical failure, but guests on the earlier sailing posted on social media about a major power outage.
Celebrity Infinity is a Millennium-class ship that launched in 2001. The cruise line told booked guests that the cruise was cancelled because more time is needed to complete repairs.
The Greek Islands voyage was to operate roundtrip from Athens and call at Mycenae, Crete, and Rhodes, plus destinations in Cyprus and Turkey.
All guests are receiving a full refund of their cruise fare and all pre-paid packages or amenities. Also, they will enjoy a 100% Future Cruise Credit of the cruise fare. The credit is valid for any Celebrity Cruises’ voyage on any ship within the next year.
Cruise Ship Rescues Six in Boat Off Cuba
Six people seen bailing water out of their makeshift boat off Cuba were rescued by Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas on February 15, 2026.
It was around 4:45 p.m. when the emergency unfolded. Seeing what appeared to be the inhabitants of the boat struggling, Radiance of the Seasdispatched its pilot boat and brought the sailors back to the cruise ship.
Radiance of the Seas Rescue (Photo Credits: Junior-Front-5544 & Eric Glenn)
Radiance of the Seas was operating a 6-night Western Caribbean cruise roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, and was enjoying a day at sea when the boat was spotted. The six individuals were scheduled to be disembarked at the next port of call, Grand Cayman, on February 16.
In cases of rescues, those brought onboard cruise ships are typically provided with food and water, and any needed medical care before they are released to proper authorities on land.
Radiance of the Seas’ itinerary was not affected by the rescue. It is unknown whether the sailors were Cuban refugees, but it is likely that they were.
New Ships Ordered For All Norwegian Brands
Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises each will receive a new ship thanks to an order their parent company placed with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings ordered the vessels for delivery in 2036 and 2037. The ship for Norwegian Cruise Line will be the fourth in a planned new class, still unnamed. For Oceania, the new order will be a sister ship to Oceania Sonata, the line’s first in the Sonata class, debuting in 2027.
Norwegian Cruise Line Logo on Ship (Photo Credit: Adam McCullough)
At ultra-luxury line Regent, the new order will be a sister ship to Seven Seas Prestige, set to launch in late 2026.
The latest orders add to a massive ship order previously made by the parent company. All told, there are currently 17 ships ordered across the three brands through 2037.
The continuing growth of the brands means that cruisers will have more choices in three distinct levels — the mass market Norwegian Cruise Line, the upmarket Oceania Cruises, and the ultra-luxe Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
Investor Issues Rebuke of Cruise Giant Norwegian
One of the biggest investors in Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings told the cruise giant’s board of directors that the company has fallen behind competitors and needs substantial leadership and strategy changes.
Elliott Investment Management, which holds about a 10% stake in the company, also suggested it would take its appeal directly to other shareholders at their annual meeting in March. The holding company owns Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
Norwegian Cruise Line (Photo Credit: Adam McCullough)
In a letter to the board, Elliott was highly critical of the company’s financial performance, saying that its share value should be at least $56 — it is hovering this week at around $24.
As for leadership, Elliott took issue with the board’s appointment of one of its members, John W. Chidsey, as chief executive officer. Leadership, said Elliott, should reflect direct cruise industry experience; Chidsey is a former CEO of Subway and Burger King.
In its rebuke of current management, the investor also pointed to an inconsistent strategy as one of the key issues the board must address.
New Findings in Elevator Death Aboard Arvia
The investigation continues into the grisly death of a crew member, an electrical technician, aboard P&O Cruises’ Arvia in 2025, but new findings have emerged.
The technician was conducting a maintenance check on an elevator when he was crushed between the elevator and the shaft. The crew member was inspecting the top of the elevator when, apparently, the elevator suddenly began moving upward.
With 5,000 guests onboard, Arvia was sailing from Southampton, England, to the Canary Islands when the accident happened at about 6 a.m. on October 26, 2025.
P&O Arvia Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Wayleebird)
The ship’s medical officials pronounced the technician dead, and the ship detoured to La Coruna, Spain, where the crew member was removed from the ship.
The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch is leading the investigation; the ship is registered in Bermuda.
While the cause of death is still pending and the investigation continues, officials say they believe that the tragedy was caused by a combination of equipment defects and safety procedures.
A Heartbreaking Experience on Norwegian Jewel
A sad event unfolded on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Jewel, when a pregnant guest went into labor early and, unfortunately, her premature twins both died.
The guest, Paris Singleton-Ajaero, sailed from Tampa with her mother on February 1, 2026, on what was meant to be a fun 4-night getaway. The woman was 21 weeks pregnant; cruise line policy allows guests to sail if they are up to 24 weeks along.
Her husband, John Ajaero, was not onboard. Shortly after embarking, Singleton-Ajaero went into labor. Her son, John Jr., was born on the ship but did not survive.
Norwegian Jewel and Paris Ajaero (Photo Credit: indie_enchantress & GoFundMe)
The guest was quickly evacuated with her mother to a hospital in Cancun, where the second twin, Journey Rose, was born. She also died.
The couple, who live in Maryland, soon encountered a series of regulations surrounding the return of human remains, and learned the twins could not accompany their mother home.
The family is attempting to deal with international rules regarding repatriation, and hopes to have the twins transported to Maryland as soon as possible. A GoFundMe campaign has been activated.
Opposition to New Cruise Port in Tampa Grows
The local population in Tampa Bay, Florida, is putting up quite a fight in a bid to stop construction of a new cruise port.
The proposed cruise port would be located on the oceanside of Tampa’s Sunshine Skyway Bridge, enabling mega-ships to call or be based at the port. Currently, only smaller ships can fit under the bridge, keeping the destination’s cruise-tourism business limited.
Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Tampa (Photo Credit: Mbowe)
Residents opposed to the project say it would impact the marine ecosystem, including fish nurseries, nesting birds, coral reefs, and marine habitats. One state senator agrees, and has filed legislation to block the plan.
But proponents say the new port would result in 31,000 construction jobs and 13,000 permanent jobs once the facility is open. Also, it would bring an estimated $40 million in tax revenue each year. The project is still in preliminary stages, and no decisions have been made.
More Cruise Headlines
Let’s not stop now! Cruise Hive has many more stories you will want to read, such as P&O Cruises revealing the air carriers for its 2026-27 fly-cruise program; a storm near Hawaii forcing a Disney Cruise Line ship to revise her itinerary; and Princess Cruises announcing special sailings to mark the 250th birthday of the US.
Also, a former Royal Caribbean executive eyes a position with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, and Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Conquest emerges from dry dock with several enhancements.
Royal Caribbean has announced plans to improve the roads in Nuevo Mahahual on Costa Maya.
Rehabilitation road work will begin soon and continue for around a month.
This speaks to Royal Caribbean’s commitment to the local community as it builds Perfect Day Mexico.
Royal Caribbean is reaffirming its commitment to the environment and the local community surrounding Perfect Day Mexico, its upcoming private destination on Costa Maya.
Royal Caribbean announced that it would be making a significant investment to upgrade the roads in Nuevo Mahahual, which will surround the massive 200+ acre resort. The road rehabilitation will begin in the next few days and will take around one month to complete.
“Royal Caribbean is proud to support the well-being and development of Nuevo Mahahual,” said Ari Adler, President, Royal Caribbean Mexico.
“We consider ourselves a neighbor in this community, independent of any tourism project. Our commitment remains rooted in listening, engaging and building long-term solutions together,” Adler continued.
Of course, Royal Caribbean is also making an investment in its own business. Improved infrastructure will make the destination more desirable, as better roads make it easier to navigate the future resort and the surrounding area.
The cruise line shelled out $292 million USD to purchase the Port of Mahahual and 34 surrounding properties, and it’s an investment the brand will want to make the most of.
Environmental Concerns
Despite making efforts to protect the environment and enhance local infrastructure, Cruise Hive learned that a local judge halted the development of Perfect Day Mexico due to environmental concerns at the end of January.
The injunction request came from an organization called Right to a Healthy Environment (DMAS), which is concerned that there are land-use irregularities that need to be resolved before the development moves forward.
The group wasn’t outright opposed to the project, but wanted to ensure that plans are made to protect the environment and public health before construction goes too far.
As of the time of publication, construction remains halted by the provisional suspension. Depending on how long the delay lasts, it could jeopardize the planned opening in Fall of 2027.
Royal Caribbean Cares About the Environment
From the very beginning, the environment and sustainability has been at the forefront of Royal Caribbean’s planning.
The family-friendly cruise line has set goals that speak to this, including conserving 45 hectares (around 111 acres) of mangroves, restoring degraded coastal areas, and powering operations with 100% renewable energy by 2040.
View of Perfect Day Mexico
Mangroves, which are salt-tolerant trees and shrubs, are vital to preserving Costa Maya’s biodiversity-rich habitats and for coastal protection.
There are also plans to demolish and replace an existing waterpark, which is polluted and damaged, with a modern, environmentally conscious waterpark.
The new waterpark will feature more than 30 waterslides, including the tallest waterslides anywhere in North and South America, and the longest lazy river in the world.
More Pushback Against Perfect Day Mexico
Beyond environmental concerns, some cruise fans and locals alike have concerns that the new private destination will hurt local businesses, as passengers may be more likely to stay within the cruise line-owned resort.
However, only Royal Caribbean guests will be permitted within Perfect Day Mexico, and several other cruise lines do call at Costa Maya, which should help prevent significant losses for local business owners.
And especially among guests who don’t cruise with Royal Caribbean, there are concerns about limiting access to public beaches, which could make their beach day experience more crowded than pleasant.
More immediately, there has also been upset as several cruise lines, such as Carnival Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line, have skipped Costa Maya due to construction concerns and related port availability changes.
Hopefully, everyone will start to feel more excited about Perfect Day Mexico as it gets closer to completion.
Savannah Ward is suing Carnival Cruise Line after being injured on a waterslide aboard Carnival Sunshine.
The incident occurred in March 2025 and Ward broke her foot and sprained her ankle.
Lawsuits regarding onboard waterslide incidents are not uncommon and can happen against any cruise line.
No one wants to get injured on their cruise vacation, but just how much fault do cruise lines have for injuries sustained onboard their ships, on equipment they’ve installed, when monitored by cruise line employees?
One woman is alleging the Carnival Cruise Line bears responsibility for injuries she received while riding a waterslide on Carnival Sunshine due to the slide not operating properly and the crew members continuing to send guests down the slide.
The woman, Savannah Ward of Virginia, has filed suit against Carnival, according to documents filed on Thursday, February 19, 2026 in the US District Court, Southern District of Florida.
The incident happened on March 20, 2025, while Ward was enjoying a Carnival Sunshine cruise. The 104,000-gross-ton ship was (and still is) homeported from Norfolk, Virginia, and at the time was on the next-to-last full day of a 6-night Bahamas itinerary that had originally set sail on March 16.
According to the lawsuit, Ward“rode on a water slide aboard the vessel that was open to passengers for their enjoyment, and she was injured when she reached the bottom and her feet collided with a wall at the bottom of the slide.”
Ward’s injury happened in the final runout area of the slide. That section of the slide generally has a few inches of water to provide enough friction and water pressure to cushion guests’ plunge and bring them to a safe stop.
Carnival Sunshine in the Caribbean
The lawsuit alleges that the minimum amount of water was not maintained at the bottom of the slide, yet two Carnival crew members continued to operate the slide and permit guests to ride.
As a result of her collision with the wall at the end of the slide, Ward broke her right foot and sprained her left ankle. This has led to permanent loss of mobility, range of motion, and strength, along with chronic pain.
Was the Cruise Line at Fault?
Any cruise guest who has enjoyed waterslides knows that the finale splashes easily drain water from these runout areas, and water is pulled out of the runouts as guests exit the slide after their splashdown.
Just how much water is removed from the runout area depends on how quickly guests are dispatched down the slide, how big a splash individual guests may make, and how much water is flowing down the slide to keep the area refilled.
It is not known which slide Ward was injured on. Carnival Sunshine has three slides in its WaterWorks park, located aft on Deck 10. The yellow “Twister” slide is an individual ride, while the green and blue “Speedway Splash” slides are designed for guests to race one another on separate but similar slides.
All three are curved style slides rather than vertical drops, but nevertheless, guests can get significant speed while enjoying the slides. All three also have similar runout brake sections at the end.
Carnival Cruise Line’s website notes that height and weight restrictions do apply to WaterWorks, but exact specifications are not listed and may vary on different ships or with different slide styles.
Signage on individual ships would further clarify those restrictions if necessary. It is possible that certain restrictions for the slides may not have been properly enforced, or that conditions in the runout brake were not maintained properly.
Ward’s lawsuit does note that there have been several previous lawsuits against Carnival Cruise Line for similar waterslide injuries. These types of lawsuits are not uncommon and Cruise Hive has previously reported on several, including the incident aboard Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas when waterslide broke dramatically in midair, injuring a guest.
Ward is demanding a jury trial for the incident and is seeking both costs and damages already incurred, as well as future losses and suffering.
The Meyer Werft shipyard has shared a unique video of the bridge block being installed on Carnival Festivale.
The precision lift required great engineering skill to ensure the bridge was mated to the hull safely.
Carnival Festivale will debut in May 2027 from Port Canaveral with 6- and 8-night itineraries.
A cruise ship’s bridge is the operational center of the vessel, where the captain and other crew members navigate the ship, monitor safety, observe weather, prepare for docking, chart courses, and much more.
Now, in a rare insider look, the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, has taken guests into the construction bay to witness the bridge of Carnival Festivale being lifted into place on the ship’s hull.
The delicate operation took place last week, and the shipyard has released a dramatic video of the precise maneuver.
“With the 800-tonne crane, our Kaiseradler, it was lifted into place with millimetre precision. An impressive moment and milestone in the construction progress,”the shipyard noted.“Many thanks to the entire team!”
Every connection, every strut, every brace must match up perfectly for the bridge to be secure. The maneuver took several hours, but the bridge is now in place above the forward decks, adding more distinctive shape to the hull.
As a matter of interest, Carnival Festivale will be 345.39 meters long when she is complete. The millimeter precision necessary to successfully install the bridge required the block to be lifted and aligned within three ten-thousandths of a percent of that overall length (.0003%). Quite the feat of engineering!
Construction first began on the fourth Excel Class ship less than a year ago, in April 2025, with the initial steel cutting. That was the first step in building the individual blocks for the ship.
In August 2025, the second major milestone was the keel laying for the ship, which marks the beginning of block assembly as the hull begins to come together.
The ship is scheduled to debut in May 2027. She will be homeported from Port Canaveral and will be offering 6- and 8-night itineraries with both Eastern and Southern Caribbean options and the occasional Bahamas cruise on her future bookings.
What’s Next for Carnival Festivale
Many more steps are necessary to complete Carnival Festivale, with milestones such as her first float out, installation of the iconic whale tail, and adding details to the outer decks still to come.
Then the ship’s interior must be completed, which will include all the unique details that will give the music-themed ship her own distinct personality.
“Music is the universal language that brings families and friends together, and Carnival Festivale will amplify that unique connection.”said Christine Duffy, Carnival Cruise Line President, when the ship’s details were announced.“Everyone – no matter their age or interest – will find their rhythm on this ship.”
Immersive music spaces will be found throughout the ship, with expanded lounge spaces and opportunities for guests to bring their own music to life.
While Carnival Festivale will be a sister ship to the first three Excel-class ships, Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee, she will be different than her fleetmates.
Most notably, the new ship will not have the Bolt Rollercoaster at Sea, but instead will feature the largest Carnival Waterworks water park in its place.
Undoubtedly, there will be more surprises on the way over the next year before Carnival Festivale welcomes her first guests. The 183,521-gross-ton vessel will be able to host more than 6,600 passengers per sailing when fully booked.
Stay tuned to Cruise Hive to keep updated on everything new and upcoming for Carnival Cruise Line and Carnival Festivale.
One crew member has died aboard World Legacy after a fire broke out in a lounge area.
The tragedy happened on February 20, 2026, as the ship was approaching Singapore.
Four passengers required medical attention following the blaze.
A crew member died, and at least four passengers required medical attention after a fire broke out onboard World Legacy as the ship made her way to Singapore.
The tragedy unfolded in the early hours of February 20, 2026, when a blaze erupted in a lounge on the ship’s Deck 9. The ship was sailing with 271 confirmed guests (initial reports indicated there were 224 guests) and 388 crew members.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore reported that a first group of 190 passengers was evacuated by ferry and taken to Singapore’s HarbourFront Ferry Terminal. Later on February 20, officials confirmed that all remaining passengers have been evacuated.
The crew member’s identity has not been revealed, but the port authority confirmed he was an Indonesian national. The conditions of guests who were taken to local hospitals have not been detailed.
The fire began at about 4 a.m. and was brought under control by the Singapore Civil Defence Force’s marine firefighters. The extent of the damage to the ship is unclear.
World Legacy Incident (Photo Credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore)
Several local agencies are investigating the incident, including the Singaporean Police Coast Guard and the port authority’s marine division.
In a posting on Facebook, the port authority disclosed that a small group of crew members will remain on the vessel to support the investigation and tend to required operations, while most of the crew is being evacuated.
The port authority provided limited information about the crew member who died.
“The deceased crew member, an Indonesian national, has been transferred ashore. The relevant authorities are handling the necessary follow up, and the Indonesian embassy in Singapore has been informed,” stated the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.
World Legacy is currently anchored at Raffles Reserved Anchorage, located in the Port of Singapore. The anchorage is an area designated for ships in need of repairs. The port authority is enforcing a safety zone around the ship and is advising other vessels to steer clear.
World Cruises has not commented on the incident nor has it announced cancellations of future cruises, although it appears the ship will be out of service for an unknown length of time.
Catering to the local Singapore and Malaysia markets, World Legacy operates a cruise program that is unlike most Western cruise brands. Guests can book single-day cruises as well as overnight and 2-night getaways. The ship operates between Singapore and Malaysia.
In Singapore, guests board at the HarbourFront Centre, and in Malaysia, passengers embark at the Puteri Harbour Ferry Terminal, in Iskandar Puteri, Johor.
The brand is new to the industry; it was introduced in November 2025 and sailed its first cruises in December 2025.
Fire is a Rare Occurrence on Cruise Ships
Fires aboard cruise ships are rare, but happen from time to time. Most recently, two high-profile cases occurred in the summer of 2025.
On July 14, 2025, Princess Cruises’ Island Princess experienced a small fire in the galley area that serves the Lido buffet. The ship had departed the previous day from New York, sailing an 18-night voyage to Canada and Greenland.
An alert was sounded, and guests were instructed to gather at their muster stations with their life jackets at about 6 a.m. The emergency was short-lived, however, and the captain announced that the fire was contained and under control. No injuries were reported.
Five weeks later, on August 29, 2025, a fire erupted in a kitchen area on Deck 5 of P&O Cruises’ Iona as the ship was making her way to Southampton, England. The fire caused two restaurants to be temporarily closed. The fire was quickly doused, and no one was injured.
Carnival Conquest has now returned to service following a 12-day dry dock update in the Bahamas.
The ship now has a new Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounge onboard, plus an expanded casino and other refreshed spaces.
Carnival Conquest offers 3- and 4-night Bahamas itineraries from Miami, with several longer cruises in 2027.
Following a brief, 12-day dry dock at the Grand Bahama Shipyard, Carnival Conquest is back in service and looking better than ever with new spaces and popular favorites now showcased onboard.
The dry dock was from February 6-19, 2026, but quite a bit was accomplished in just that short period of time.
The largest change has been the addition of the Heroes Bar & Lounge, a space dedicated to welcoming and honoring veterans and active service personnel from all military branches, thanking them for their service.
The Heroes Bar & Lounge was first introduced on Carnival Panorama in 2019 and has been a part of every Carnival cruise ship launched since. Cruise Hive has previously reported on the venue being added to other Carnival ships during dry dock updates, usually replacing the onboard sports bar or library spaces.
Guests who visit the Heroes Bar & Lounge can purchase a special souvenir glass or the exclusive Heroes American Pale Ale, and Carnival Cruise Line donates a portion of those proceeds to Operation Homefront in support of military families.
Heroes Bar on Carnival Conquest
Guests who enjoy pulling the slots or tossing the dice on their Carnival cruise vacations will appreciate the updates to the Tahiti Casino on Deck 5 (Promenade Deck), with updated games, a redesigned layout, and a new, dedicated non-smoking area. On the starboard side of the casino, extra slot machines have been added at the end of the casino bar.
For those who prefer shopping for their cruise vacation budget, the retail spaces onboard have been refreshed, with the Effy, Pandora, and Swarovski shops all offering a new, elegant look.
Carnival Conquest Casino
It isn’t just spaces for the adults that have been updated. Carnival Conquest now features a Club O2 space exclusively for teens as well as a renovated video arcade with newer, more interactive games for kids of all ages to enjoy.
For other entertainment options, guests can now enjoy a new stage next to the Alchemy Bar on Deck 5, offering a better traffic flow and crowd control. The Casino Stage was removed and relocated to the new space, with extra seating for the Alchemy Bar.
Of course, as with any dry dock refreshment, other aesthetic details were also updated onboard, ensuring the ship looks her very best as she welcomes guests once again.
It is typical for cruise ships to receive dry dock updates every 3-5 years. Carnival Conquest‘s previous update was in September 2022 in Cadiz, Spain.
At that time, other public spaces were updated and the ship was repainted in the new red, white, and blue hull livery that was first introduced with Mardi Gras in 2021.
Sailing Aboard the Refreshed Ship
Carnival Conquest is back in service from Friday, February 20, welcoming guests onboard for a 3-night Bahamas sailing from Miami to Celebration Key.
The 110,000-gross-ton ship, lead vessel in the bold Conquest class, is homeported year-round from PortMiami, offering 3- and 4-night Bahamas itineraries.
While the weekend getaways only visit Celebration Key, the 4-night cruises also go to Nassau, Princess Cays, or Half Moon Cay, depending on departure date. Carnival Conquest will remain in Miami at least through mid-April 2028.
Notable among her future sailings are three longer Carnival Journeys itineraries. On January 11, 2027, Carnival Conquest will set sail on an 11-night Southern Caribbean itinerary to St. Thomas, Grenada, Barbados, Antigua, and more, with similar longer itineraries offered on November 1, 2027, and November 29, 2027.
Carnival Conquest can welcome 2,980 guests at double occupancy and is also home to approximately 1,150 international crew members.
The ship first debuted in 2002, making her one of the older ships in the Carnival fleet, but now she’s fresh and new and ready to offer outstanding vacations to every guest for years to come.
A current Carnival guest complained about the size of the stateroom safes onboard Carnival Panorama.
The guest was upset that the safe was not big enough to store their personal documents and several electronic devices.
When the conversation was broadened, most felt the stateroom safes are a perfectly fine size for their intended purpose.
In order to board a cruise ship, guests need to bring some pretty important documentation to the cruise port, such as their passports or birth certificates.
This is in addition to items guests may elect to bring, such as extra cash for tips or expensive electronic devices, such as laptops, iPads, or Kindles.
One kindle-toting guest, who is currently onboard Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Panorama for its 8-night sailing to the Mexican Riviera, is raising concerns about not being able to protect their devices when not in use.
Specifically, this guest was upset that the stateroom safes were not big enough to store their Kindle along with their other important objects.
“I am on the Panorama. The safe is not big enough for a Kindle. We put our car keys, phones, cash, emergency credit card(s), passports, and excursion documents in the safe,” the unidentified guest wrote to Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald on Facebook.
“Once that is done there is no room for my Kindle or [Dear Husband’s] iPad and my son’s Switch. Carnival please make bigger safes to cater for today’s modern cruise family,” the guest implored.
While the sizes of the stateroom safes can vary across the different cabins in the fleet, the approximate size is 10″ W x 9″H x 8″ D on average.
Heald Kicks Off the Conversation
Heald initially replied with one of his classic jokes, putting the good humor he is famous for on display.
“Thank you and I am not sure we allow cruise directors to be put into the safe, I don’t think Kyndall would like that very much………….oh, sorry, you mean Kindle not Kyndall,” Heald quipped.
This was a reference to Kyndall “Fire” Magyar, one of the most popular Carnival cruise directors and the current fun leader onboard Carnival Jubilee.
Heald then turned serious and opened the conversation to his followers to see what they think about the standard safe sizes.
He inquired:“OK, seriously thank you for letting me know and I would like to see everyone else’s thoughts on this please. Are our safes big enough for you?”
While replacing the safes across the fleet would be a massive undertaking, this is an improvement that the cruise line can keep in mind in the future.
This is definitely the type of upgrade that could be implemented slowly during routine visits to the dry dock for planned maintenance and enhancements if the demand was high enough.
What Do Cruisers Think?
Heald’s post received over 4,000 comments, which Cruise Hive read through in depth. Ultimately, the majority didn’t see a need to change the safe sizes.
Most only used their safes to store smaller valuables like cash, jewelry, and important documents, and many said they didn’t even bother locking up.
There was also no shortage of trust for the crew members who enter passenger cabins daily and some even had positive experiences where their room stewards picked up fallen valuables and placed them where guests would find them later.
“I leave my iPad out on the room and after 26 cruises it has never came up missing. Carnival room stewards are honest,”one avid cruiser said.
“My kindle fell under the bed and they put it on the end table while cleaning the room. I’ve never had issues with any electronics going missing. Safe is used for documents and car keys,” another chimed in.
Some suggested that if the cruiser was this worried about their electronics, they should also invest in a suitcase that locks.
Even more questioned why the family felt the need to bring so many electronic devices and a Nintendo Switch (gaming console) on a cruise ship that is already packed full of entertainment that they can’t experience at home.
Plus, items that aren’t brought onboard can’t go missing on the ship. Of course, in the rare case something does go missing, it’s important to tell guest services immediately.
The onboard security team would then launch an investigation, including checking onboard security cameras – which do exist in the corridors outside of cruise cabins – and consult the log of crew members who would have entered the room.
Carnival Celebration rescued five people from a makeshift boat on February 16.
They were brought onboard after the Carnival came alongside and pulled them to safety.
The Carnival ship has continued with its 7-night Western Caribbean cruise with no impact.
Even though cruise ships are very focused on offering a memorable cruise vacation, there are times when more serious situations arise, and a ship must shift its focus to maritime safety. This was the case with the 5,362-passenger Carnival Celebration.
During the ship’s February 15 Caribbean sailing, the Carnival Celebration came to the rescue of five people aboard a makeshift boat. According to a passenger who contacted Cruise Hive, the rescue took place at approximately 10:00 PM on Tuesday. However, Carnival confirmed it took place on the night of February 16.
One passenger told Cruise Hive, whose cabin was right above and watching it all unfold, said, “Well, the Carnival Celebration rescued 5 Cuban immigrants on Tuesday night. It was around 10ish at night. It was almost directly under our balcony.“
The small makeshift boat was apparently taking on water, and the five people onboard were trying to paddle as fast as they could. The Carnival Celebration managed to get alongside the boat to pull them to safety.
“They were bailing water as fast as possible with what looked like a 5 gallon ice cream container. They were paddling faster than I’ve ever seen anyone paddle. We watched them have to take their shirts off, I’m guessing they checked for guns, and hauled them in one by one. We went inside their boat was still attached with 2 ropes but we don’t know what happened to their boat,” the Carnival Celebration passenger said to Cruise Hive.
The rescue took place as the Excel-class ship was en route to its scheduled port of call at Cozumel, Mexico, with an arrival on the morning of February 17, 2026.
Carnival Celebration Rescue (Photo Credit: Mary Lee Grimes)
At this time, the Carnival ship is still on course for its next scheduled visit to the cruise line’s private destination of Celebration Key in the Bahamas, with an arrival on Saturday, February 21. The 7-night Western Caribbean cruise is set to come to an end back in Miami, Florida, on February 22.
Cruise Hive has reached out to Carnival Cruise Line for further details. The cruise line stated:
“While en route to Cozumel on February 16, Carnival Celebration responded to a small vessel in distress and successfully completed a rescue at sea. Five individuals were brought safely onboard, and the U.S. Coast Guard was notified and provided guidance throughout the operation.“
Not the First Rescue by Carnival Celebration
It’s not the first rescue in the Caribbean by the large 182,800 gross ton ship, and will likely not be the last!
Also in February, but in 2024, the vessel spotted a small craft that was overloaded with 20 Cuban refugees located just north of Cuba. At the time, the Carnival ship was on the final sea day, heading back to Miami, Florida.
In this case, Carnival Celebration just assisted and did not bring them aboard, but instead informed the US Coast Guard after providing food and water.
Carnival Celebration Rescue (Credits: Danilo Garcia & Grindstone Media Group)
All cruise ships, in addition to other types of ships, follow the rules of the sea to provide assistance to any person in danger. According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), “Every State shall require the master of a ship flying its flag, in so far as he can do so without serious danger to the ship, the crew or the passengers, to render assistance to any person found at sea in danger of being lost.“
Carnival Celebration is one of the newest in the fleet and entered service in November 2022. Less than two months after entering service, the ship was involved in its first refugee operation. A small makeshift raft was spotted with five people onboard, and they were using the raft’s oars to navigate.
Thankfully, the Carnival cruise ship brought them aboard to provide food and water, then continued on its way back home, arriving in Miami on January 3, 2023.
Editorial Note: This article has been updated to reflect date inconsistencies between passenger reports and official statements.
