Carnival Cruise Line is well known for its tremendous support of veterans, active service personnel, and military families. But what about when a veteran isn’t a veteran at all?
The concern about “stolen valor” has been raised and the cruise line has quickly responded about their procedures and documentation requirements.
The issue has been raised by a frequent Carnival guest who is a US Army veteran concerned about individuals receiving prizes, accolades, and honors they do not deserve. The guest reached out to Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald, about these problems.
“I am curious Heald if you are aware of something that is everywhere in these United States. Stolen Valor. This is when someone is a military imposter. He will wear a uniform to get attention because they are sick in mind and soul,”the guest explained.
“My relevancy here is about your raffle for veterans to win a cruise. How is Carnival checking to see if people entering and winning the free cruise have served at all? You are not.”
Carnival Cruise Line awards a free cruise to a military member who enters the free raffle during the Military Appreciation Gathering held during every sailing. All entries across the fleet are pooled for the prize drawing, and one cruise is awarded per month.
Heald responded quickly to the concern, noting that in order for the prize to be awarded, the winning military member must absolutely provide proper documentation of their service.
“Let me say straight away and with total respect that you are incorrect,”Heald said.“We do ask for proof of service before we award the free cruise. Documents of service have to be sent to the wonderful lady who coordinates this and checks are made before the cruise is awarded.”
The guest’s concern stems from the fact that the Military Appreciation Gathering onboard is open to everyone, and there are no documentation checks at the door to ensure only valid service personnel attend.
“This is why the veterans meeting should only be for veterans who should prove they are so by showing evidence of this at the door to a Carnival staff person,” the guest continued. “Stolen Valor is punishing all of us who put our lives at the tip of the spear. Now it is happening on the ships of Carnival. These parasites should be stopped from sailing with Carnival again. They should be prosecuted.”
Heald does empathize with the guest’s concerns, but unfortunately, it would not be practical for Carnival crew members to check for military service documentation at the gatherings.
“‘Stolen Valor’ is not something I know too much about. However, from what I do know I feel very sad that anyone would want to pretend to have had the courage to serve. I think they need treatment more than prosecution,”Heald said.
It is important to note, however, that the Military Appreciation Gathering is open not just for veterans and active service personnel, but for anyone who wants to honor those who have served. This could be a family member who died while serving, who is currently deployed, or even just showing support for a veteran they know.
“Those who have not served are there because they want to pay their respects to those whose courage has allowed all of us the freedom to cruise,”Heald said.
Should the Veterans Gathering Be Only for Veterans?
To follow up on the guest’s concerns, Heald used his daily poll on his popular Facebook page to get feedback from other Carnival cruisers.
In rougly an hour, more than 7,000 votes agreed with the idea that “the veterans gathering should be for all guests to attend” while just over 2,100 votes preferred “the veterans gathering should only be for veterans and not open for everyone else.”
Many guests also chimed in with their own thoughts.
“Many of the Americans on board might also like to celebrate the veterans on board, let them attend.”
“I love the Veterans gathering, it so special to me to have this way of honoring those that serve and have served. My son is a Veteran and it give me great pride to be there and show my thanks to others.”
“I am not a veteran but my husband is and the whole family always attends because it is a show of support.”
One strong thought, however, is that if the event is intended for the fellowship of veterans so they can meet others who have served and share stories, the event should only be open to veterans.
At this time, that is not the sole intention for the Military Appreciation Gathering, and in addition to veterans, it remains open to everyone who wants to show support and appreciation for all service personnel.
The gatherings are typically held in the ship’s Heroes Tribute Bar and Lounge, a dedicated space with military memorabilia and messages of support, thanks, and appreciation. Each lounge is unique on each ship, and offers unique drink options, such as the Heroes American Pale Ale on select ships, which helps raise funds that are donated to Operation Homefront.
One cruise line is celebrating an increase in bookings as it shares its third quarter results with stakeholders – but the reason for the heightened demand is somewhat surprising.
Indeed, Royal Caribbean’s current high book rate seem to be driven more by the innovation happening on land than by the experiences at sea.
The cruise line, which prides itself on offering some of the best family-friendly experiences at sea, has been expanding and improving its private island destinations – completing an extensive remodel of the existing Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas and announcing two new private island destinations that are currently in progress.
The focus on these shore-side experiences has proved to be beneficial, and has helped the cruise line accelerate its growth and profits, surpassing the strength seen during the same time period in 2023.
Looking ahead, the current financial status also spells good news for continued growth in 2025.
“The performance of our business continues to be robust, driven by strong demand and excellent operational execution,”said Naftali Holtz, chief financial officer, Royal Caribbean Group.
“Our strong booked position is exactly where we want to be to further optimize our yield profile and deliver on our formula of success – moderate capacity growth, moderate yield growth and strong cost discipline – positioning us to continue to deliver margin expansion and strong financial returns,” continued Holtz.
The previous quarterly report released in July of 2024 showed that the cruise line welcomed many more guests onboard its ships in the first half of the year than in the first half of 2023 and nearly doubled net profits – and the growth has continued to increase over the last quarter.
The outstanding showing at the time prompted Royal Caribbean to raise its full-year 2024 earnings plan, projecting an amazing 68% year-over-year increase, which still seems very possible considering the current quarterly update.
Royal Caribbean Expands Shoreside Presence
Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas, which is located about 55 miles northwest of Nassau on the Berry Islands, is already renowned as one of the best private island destinations out there.
In 2019, the cruise line completed a massive $250 million remodel of the private island destination to enhance the experience.
Since then, Royal Caribbean has continued to improve the island with new additions – such as the with the opening of the Coco Beach Club in 2021, which features a clubhouse restaurant, luxury lounging, a bar, and infinity pool.
Royal Caribbean’s Royal Beach Club Paradise Island
More recently in January of 2024, the island welcomed its first guests to the adults-only Hideaway Beach. Guests 18+ can visit this spot for music, an adults-only pool, and cocktails from a swim-up bar.
Looking ahead, Royal Caribbean will be bringing the “Perfect Day” experience to two new destinations.
The 17-acre destination is designed to combine the best of the island’s stunning beaches with the cruise line’s signature family-friendly experiences to create the best beach day ever for all visitors.
Moving even further out, Royal Caribbean will also be opening its biggest private island destination ever in Mexico in 2027.
“Perfect Day Mexico” will be located on the sunny shores of Costa Maya and is being built in addition to Royal Caribbean’s new exclusive beach club, which is expected to open in Cozumel in 2026.
Every cruise traveler wants to be properly prepared for their oceangoing getaway, and that includes having the correct paperwork for checking in and boarding the ship.
But what is required? Carnival Cruise Line continues to struggle with rumors about what documentation guests will need to present in 2025.
Social media posts, sailing groups, and YouTube videos continue to support the idea that Carnival Cruise Line will begin requiring all travelers to present passports – and only passports – in 2025, but this is not the case.
The rumor has come to the attention of John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador, several times and in so many ways that he has addressed it yet again.
“It seems lots of people are saying that we are going to be demanding everybody has a passport to cruise on every single voyage starting in 2025,”Heald said.“Please know that this is not true and of course, we would make sure that we announce anything this monumental.”
As it can take several weeks or even months for travelers to obtain official passports, depending on their location, what paperwork they must submit for processing, and the type of processing – regular or expedited – they select.
“Our Chief Communications Officer Chris [Chiames] and his team would advise everybody if a passport is needed for a specific voyage,”Heald explained.“And unless you hear from them, you can use your government issued photo identification and birth certificate.”
From US homeports, any sailings that visit Colombia or Greenland also require all travelers to require a full-sized passport book (a passport card is acceptable for visits to Colombia). This applies even if individual guests do not plan to leave the ship in those ports of call.
Travelers should also note that passport books must be valid for at least six months beyond the end of the cruise to be usable. If the passport is expiring earlier, it will not be acceptable.
Of course, passports remain highly recommended, and can make both embarkation and debarkation smoother for travelers, but they are not required by Carnival Cruise Line.
“I obviously do recommend that if possible you get a passport, but that is very much a personal decision,”Heald confirmed.
Passports Continue to Be a Divisive Topic Among Cruise Travelers
The issue of whether or not to get a passport can be a controversial one among cruise travelers.
While this documentation is not absolutely required by the cruise line, it can make travel far smoother in the unlikely event of an emergency, such as a medical evacuation in a foreign country or being delayed at a port of call and missing the ship.
But if travelers are careful, there may never be a need for a passport at all. I personally took a number of cruises from different US homeports to the Caribbean and Mexico before I ever got a passport, and never had any trouble.
The expense of a passport may also be prohibitive or simply unnecessary, especially if a traveler doesn’t cruise frequently and may only use a passport a few times before it would expire and need replacing.
Carnival Cruise Ship in Port (Photo Credit: Mulevich)
A new US passport for an adult (age 16 and older) currently costs $165 per person – $130 for the application itself and an additional $35 for the execution fee. Renewing an existing adult passport costs $130. For children under the age of 16, the fee is $135 for a new passport.
Special services and rush fees can also add to the cost, such as an extra $60 per application for expedited service plus $21.36 for 1-2 day delivery for even speedier service.
For a family of four, without expedited service, with new passports for two adults and two children, the fees add up quickly to $600 – a significant expense if they do not cruise often or travel outside the US.
Of course, the counter-argument is that at roughly $200 per adult, that’s only $20 per year for a passport – a small fee for the convenience, ease, and security it provides for travel.
The problem with that argument, however, is that there is no payment plan for US passports and all fees must be paid up front at once, which may not always be possible for travelers on a budget.
Choosing whether or not to get a passport is a decision each traveler must make for themselves based on their personal preferences, including how frequently they sail, where they want to visit on a cruise, their budget, and other factors.
Do you have a passport? Why or why not? Share your thoughts on the Cruise Hive boards!
Anyone who has sailed with Princess Cruises is very familiar with the “Love Boat” theme. After all, it plays as the ship horns when the vessels arrive or depart from ports and to commemorate special events during the voyages.
However, the voice behind the famous theme song, Jack Jones, died on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, in a hospital in Rancho Mirage, California. The Grammy-winning singer was 86 years old.
Jones performed the “Love Boat Theme” that was paired with the famed “The Love Boat” TV show – with both the song and series going down in history as classics. In fact, the series ran for nine successful seasons as one of the highest-rated prime-time television shows in the US.
As Princess Cruises has themed its fleet after “The Love Boat,” this is naturally a heavy loss for the cruise line and its guests.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Jack Jones, the iconic voice behind The Love Boat theme song,”the Carnival-Owned cruise line shared in a statement on X.
“Jack’s voice will always be part of our journey and the memories of our guests. We celebrate his life and the joy he brought to our Princess family. Forever in our hearts,”continued the post.
Unfortunately, Jones is not the only “Love Boat” star to pass away in recent years – which is sad but not surprising considering the series aired between 1977 and 1986.
On May 29, 2021, Gavin MacLeod, who played Captain Merrill Stubing on the hit TV show, died at the old age of 90.
In addition to being an established actor in Hollywood, MacLeod was also a well-known figure in the cruise industry and even served as an ambassador for Princess Cruises beginning in 1986.
In total, the celebrity had a more than 35-year relationship with the cruise brand – and the cruise line hosted a themed sailing in his honor onboard Majestic Princess in 2022.
“Love Boat” Legacy Lives on Through Princess Cruises
Not only is the Princess brand a big fan of “The Love Boat,” but several Princess ships actually appeared on the show – with the series largely credited for making the cruise line a household name.
The pilot episode, which aired in September of 1977, was actually filmed onboard the original Sun Princess.
The ship launched in 1972 and sailed under this name from 1974 until 1988, but is no longer in service. However, Princess welcomed its newest Sun Princess earlier this yearwhen she embarked on her maiden voyage on February 28, 2024, as the first of a new category of Sphere-class vessels.
Love Boat Singer Jack Jones (Photo Credit: Rob Comeau)
Later episodes were filmed on the original Pacific Princess and Island Princess – neither of which are still owned and operated by the cruise line. The Island Princess that is part of the fleet today has the same name, but is an entirely different (and newer) vessel that launched in 2003.
Today, Princess Cruises continues to keep “The Love Boat” legacy alive through theming and decor onboard, using the show’s beloved theme song as the ship horn fleet-wide, and through special events.
In 1997, the cast had its first big reunion since the series ended to commemorate the naming and christening ceremony for Dawn Princess.
More than a decade later in 2014, the original cast came back together for another special reunion to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the cruise line and to take part in the christening of Regal Princess. 25 of the biggest names and guest stars from the show attended the event.
More recently, Enchanted Princess hosted a “Love Boat” cast cruise earlier this year from August 31 to September 7, 2024.
The special sailing featured special VIP experiences with Jill Whelan (Vicki Stubing), Bernie Kopell (Doc), Fred Grandy (Gopher), and Ted Lange (Isaac). Ezra Freeman, known from the reality series “The Real Love Boat,” also made an appearance.
With trouble continuing to brew in the Red Sea, Holland America Line has decided to skip the region during its 2026 World Voyage. As a result, the cruise line is also removing Europe and Africa from its 133-night voyage.
Instead, the cruise line’s 61,396-gross-ton Volendam will now focus on five continents and visit Asia, the US, and Central America.
Citing the need for caution and security as part of the change, the cruise line has adjusted the voyage’s last 54 days, visiting 51 ports in 23 countries. The ship will no longer travel from the Maldives to Egypt via the Suez Canal, as originally scheduled for early April 2026, and will also eliminate its European calls that follow.
Gone are 19 ports in the Maldives, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, Belgium, Holland, Denmark, Norway, and England. Phuket, Thailand, and Colombo, Sri Lanka, have also been removed in order to create a better route back to North America via the Pacific.
New ports in Vietnam, Taiwan, and Japan have been added during its season in Asia, which now takes place from March 24 to April 12, 2026.
Key additions include a trio of Vietnamese ports: Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My), Nha Trang, and Halong Bay near Hanoi, as well as overnight calls in Hong Kong, and Nagasaki and Tokyo, Japan. In Taiwan, the ship will call at Kaohsiung and Keelung (Taipei).
“The dozen ports we’ve added in Asia will bring that part of the world to life for our guests,” said Holland America Line’s Chief Commercial Officer Beth Bodensteiner.
As the ship will now cross the International Date Line, the World Cruise also receives an extra day, making it one of the longest around-the-world voyages.
Departing from Fort Lauderdale on January 4, 2026, Volendam initially avoided North American ports. Now, from April 20 to May 7, it will sail to Alaska, Mexico, and Central America.
In Alaska, stops include Kodiak, Sitka, and Ketchikan, while calls in Seattle and San Diego now appear along the Pacific Coast.
South of the border, new destinations include Manzanillo and Puerto Chiapas, Mexico, followed by Acajutla, El Salvador. An overnight in Fuerte Amador (Panama City) has also been added on May 6 before continuing to the new addition in Cartagena, Colombia, on May 14.
It will skip what had been schedule to be a final call in Puerto Rico due to the adjustments.
The new roundtrip cruise’s journey will head south from Fort Lauderdale to South America, make its way to Antarctica, and then cross the Pacific to Australia with stops in the South Pacific.
It will then explore Asia before a second transpacific crossing to Alaska, working its way down the coast of North and Central America before returning on May 17, 2026, following a Panama Canal transit.
Cancellation Details Missing While New Booking Perks Added
The decision to forgo the Red Sea comes amid ongoing regional instability that has affected the area since January 2024. With militants continuing to target cargo and cruise ships, Holland America had to redraw its world map to safely provide passengers more opportunities at desirable ports.
Holland America Volendam Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: dvlcom)
No details have been revealed as to what the cruise line is offering to passengers already booked on the full Grand World Voyage, as well as its cancelled segments.
Instead, Holland America says guests “will receive direct communication from their travel advisor or Holland America Line with further details and options.”
Meanwhile, anyone interested in sailing a segment of this new Grand Voyage will find 21- to 55-day options. Those who book the full itinerary by June 16, 2025, will receive $2,000 onboard credit per guest, $500 air credit per person for those booking through Flight Ease, complimentary Wi-Fi, and airport transfers to and from Fort Lauderdale airport.
Depending on the stateroom category booked, passengers may also receive free luggage delivery service to and from Fort Lauderdale airport, prepaid tips, and laundry service.
Another cruise season is in the books for the Port of Montreal, and like so many international cruise ports worldwide, the Canadian port is celebrating a banner year.
As Oceania Cruises’ Insignia and Nautica each set off from their former homeport for the last time in 2024 on October 28, Montreal waved goodbye to another successful year.
Between May 4 and October 28, 2024, more than 50,000 passengers on 20 vessels across 14 cruise lines descended upon the port on the St. Lawrence River in Quebec.
Among the season’s highlights were the arrival of nine new cruise ships, including the largest ship of the season, Holland America Line’s 1,440-passenger Volendam and Azamara Cruises’ Azamara Journey, which returned to Montreal after an eight-year hiatus with 718 passengers.
“The arrival of the nine new cruise ships shows that cruise lines have taken greater interest in the Port of Montreal, and reflects the results of the solid, long-lasting collaborations we maintain with our marine and local partners,” said the Montreal Port Authority’s President and CEO Julie Gascon.
She continued,“This collective effort lets us continually improve our operations and infrastructure and implement innovative initiatives, which attract thousands of cruise passengers every year.”
Celebrating at the Port of Montreal Tower, the season’s end event was attended by key players in Montreal’s cruise and tourism industry, including Marc-Yves Bertin, CEO of the Laurentian Pilotage Authority; Yves Lalumière, president and CEO of Tourisme Montreal; and the officers of the Insignia and Nautica, the latter of which also debuted this season.
Montreal anticipates that 2025 will see further growth with the return of cruise lines such as Silversea and Crystal Cruises and enhanced visitor experiences.
“We are totally focused on the future,”said Gascon.“The Port of Montreal is not simply a port of call. We want every cruise passenger to have the best possible experience and contribute even more to the city’s economic vitality and tourism industry.”
Added Lalumière,“Every cruise passenger had the opportunity to experience our city’s rich history, delicious food, and vibrant culture while enjoying the diversity of its landmarks, such as Old Montreal. We look forward to welcoming passengers back in 2025.”
Season Generates $25 Million and Advances Sustainability Efforts
Although Montreal didn’t quite reach its record-breaking passenger count – 51,000 guests in 2023 – the season was a close second. It generated approximately $25 million in economic benefits, including bringing 273 tons of Quebec-sourced products to cruise ships.
Montreal’s port also continued its environmental initiatives, marking its 17th consecutive year of recognition by Green Marine for sustainable practices.
Installing additional shore power capabilities in 2024, 12 cruise ships connected to the port’s system, reducing greenhouse gas output by 639 tons.
Montreal Cruise Port (Photo Credit: EB Adventure Photography / Shutterstock)
In total, the port featured 40 ship operations, including eight calls and 32 boardings and disembarkations.
In addition to Volendam, Nautica, and Azamara Journey, Montreal received the 1,320-passenger Borealis from Fred Olsen Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas’ 750-guest Seven Seas Grandeur, the residential Villa Vie Residences’ Villa Vie Odyssey’s 924 passengers, and three smaller cruise ships averaging 214 guests each.
During the season, several cruise lines marked milestones with their Montreal-bound passengers. Oceania Cruises welcomed its 40,000th guest aboard Nautica on October 6, Viking Cruises reached its 30,000th passenger with Viking Neptune on September 7, and Regent celebrated its 25,000th sailor with the arrival of Seven Seas Grandeur on September 19.
The Port of Montreal’s 2025 season will launch with Viking Neptune embarking on a 12-night voyage to New York City on May 6, 2025.
Virgin Voyages has revealed a few more details about its entry into the Alaska market in the summer of 2026, when the new-build Brilliant Lady will be deployed to Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia, for a series of seasonal cruises to the popular destination.
The cruise line, a creation of British powerhouse entrepreneur Richard Branson, announced in May 2024 that it would base the ship in the Pacific Northwest for sailings to The Great Land.
Brilliant Lady, the fourth ship in the Virgin fleet, is under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Genoa, Italy, and due to enter service in September 2025.
From May to September 2026, the 110,000-gross ton ship that accommodates 2,762 guests will offer departures from Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia. Seven- to 12-night Itineraries are expected to be available for sale on the line’s web site this week for loyalty club members who previously signed up for “Front(ier) of the Line” passes.
The passes, which quickly sold out, enabled cruisers to pre-purchase a voyage. Bookings will open to the general public on November 13, 2024.
Meanwhile, the cruise line on October 29, 2024 unveiled Brilliant Lady’s 7-night “MerMaiden” voyage, roundtrip from Seattle on May 21, 2026. Port calls are scheduled at Ketchikan and Sitka, Alaska, and Prince Rupert, British Columbia. The voyage also will feature scenic cruising in Tracy Arm Fjord.
While detailed itineraries of the Alaska series are still unknown, other ports of call are likely to include Juneau, home to the pristine Glacier Bay National Park.
“We have incredibly high repeat rates, so our Sailors are always challenging us to seek new horizons; they always want to know ‘where else can we sail with Virgin?’” said Nirmal Saverimuttu, CEO of Virgin Voyages.
“This brand is charting new paths, and the sold-out response to our Front(ier) of the Line passes earlier this year showed us just how sought after our Alaskan itineraries are,” added Saverimuttu.
Shore excursions will offer guests chances to search for wildlife such as humpback whales and bald eagles, plus enjoy adventure activities like glacier treks, salmon fishing trips, dog sledding, and lumberjack shows.
Eastern US, Caribbean Cruises Will Precede Alaska Season
Following her debut in September 2025 in New York, Brilliant Lady will sail several cruises to Bermuda and Charleston, South Carolina, along with a few Canada/New England voyages calling at Boston, Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Quebec City, among other ports.
On October 3, 2025, the ship will sail from Quebec City to Miami, where she will be based until mid-March 2026. While at PortMiami Brilliant Lady will offer 7- to 12-day itineraries calling at a wide range of Caribbean destinations.
Brilliant Lady Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: UrAvgPhoto)
A 9-day cruise roundtrip from Miami visits Grand Turk Island, Turks and Caicos; St. Johns, Antigua; Basseterre, St. Kitts; and San Juan, Puerto Rico, for example.
On March 21, 2026, the ship sails a 16-day cruise to Los Angeles, where she will operate four California coastal cruises before heading north for her Alaska deployment.
Brilliant Lady is set to make a headline-grabbing debut. The cruise line recently announced that her introduction in New York will include a series of “Mystery Voyage” sailings where the ship will be the site of a murder mystery reality TV show.
The fictional murder plot, a creation of the SuperBloom and Purveyors of Pop production companies, will feature suspects, jewelry heists, kidnappings, and other events, with cruise guests helping to solve the mystery.
Virgin Voyages is a mostly inclusive line, with cruise fares covering all meals at all venues, WiFi, crew gratuities, and group fitness classes. Alcoholic beverages and shore excursions are not included.
As a seasoned vessel that first set sail in 2006, it’s become rarer for Crown Princess to accomplish new milestones. But her debut in Australia’s Sydney Harbour was certainly one for the books.
The 3,080-guest ship sailed into Sydney, Australia, for the first time on the morning of October 26, 2024, and was met with a very warm welcome.
Not only was this an inaugural visit, but it marked the beginning of a lasting partnership as Crown Princess will now homeport in the Emerald City year round.
“We couldn’t feel more at home in our new and beautiful homeport of Sydney. It’s a place that is very special to me and many of the ship’s guests and crew. We’re excited to be here and introduce Aussie guests to our magnificent Love Boat,”said Crown Princess’ Captain Christopher Lye.
The arrival of the Princess Cruise Ship was met with much celebration and fanfare, starting with “Love Boat” themed waterskiers – which pays homage to the fleet’s theming after the classic TV show of the same name (and the fact that many of the episodes were filmed on Princess cruise ships).
The guests onboard also got to witness a special water show put on by the iconic Sydney Opera House to celebrate the arrival of the 113,561-gross ton ship.
Indeed, the locals do have a lot to celebrate with the arrival of Sydney Harbour’s newest visitor.
In the next year alone, the ship is expected to generate more than $120 million for the national economy as she makes 78 visits to more than 20 ports around the country.
Not only is this a record for the Princess Cruises brand, but it’s a big contribution to the unprecedented growth in cruise tourism that has been seen in the land down under as of late.
Sailing Around Australia
Using Sydney as her base, Crown Princess will take guests all over Australia. She will be operating a variety of sailings with a vast array of itineraries – ranging from two-day getaways to extended voyages between 50 and 80 nights.
Guests who embarked on her first Sydney-based sailing on October 26 had the option of staying onboard for four nights, six nights, 11 nights, 26 nights, or 28 nights.
Crown Princess in Sydney, Australia
The shortest version of the itinerary calls for a single stop at Hobart, Tasmania, with the longer voyages expanding to more bucket-list destinations throughout Australia like Fremantle, Darwin, Cairns, Willis Island, Adelaide, Albany, and Margaret River.
The Sydney Cruise Port Terminal, which can accommodate two vessels at a time, will also be the starting point for Crown Princess’s historic world cruise in 2025.
“In addition to taking Princess guests to some of the most desired locales throughout Australia, Crown Princess also will set sail on the biggest world cruise ever undertaken by any cruise line in either the Southern or Northern Hemisphere,”said Terry Thornton, chief commercial officer for Princess Cruises.
“Her deployment is a major milestone which reflects Australians’ enduring love of cruising and loyalty to Princess in Australia,”continued Thornton.
Throughout the voyage, the ship will cover around 35,000 nautical miles while visiting 48 ports of call in 31 different countries – with the first ports of call in Australia.
A cruise can be a great option for a family vacation. Cruise ships are packed with tons of fun for everyone in the family, with kids clubs, water parks, arcades and rides for the kiddos, and fine dining, the spa, bars and more for the adults.
However, there’s one thing that can make your family vacay go sideways, and quickly — realizing you didn’t pack the right stuff. Sure, you packed all the diapers, prescription medications and the toddler’s favorite stuffie. But there’s so much more you’ll need.
Now you’re at sea and it’s not like there’s a 24-hour grocery store to head to. Here are the items you need to pack for your family cruise (that you might forget otherwise).
If you’re traveling with a child that still needs to be carried either all of the time or some of the time, you’ll want to bring a few key items. Namely, your stroller, a car seat and/or a booster seat.
While you may think you don’t need a stroller because you’ll just be on the ship for most of the time or the entire time, take a moment to realize just how big cruise ships are.
Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas is the length of three football fields, and yes, you’ll be walking a lot, as you go from dining room to pool to stateroom, etc. You want the stroller.
If you bring a stroller, don’t bring the biggest, bulkiest stroller known to man. Opt for a smaller, lightweight version that can be easily maneuvered around the ship, among crowds. Note that you have to store the stroller in your stateroom when not in use (some choose to store their strollers in their showers, to save floor space).
Likewise, a car seat and/or booster seat can be handy in cruise ship restaurants. While a large number of restaurants on-land offer booster seats to guests, that’s not always the case on every cruise ship.
Extra Toiletries
Cruise Cabin Bathroom
You probably know to pack plenty of toiletries for your trip, but go a little step further and pack extra toiletries for your trip. From kids’ toothpaste to tear-free shampoo, if you lose or damage a toiletry, you want to have an extra on hand.
This is because, while most cruise ships do have a shop that sells basic toiletry items, they (1) may not have exactly what your very picky child wants and (2) they’re going to charge you an outrageous price for it, because they know you have no other option.
First Aid Gear
You might not normally travel with a first aid kit in hand, but this is another smart thing to pack when you’re on a cruise with the family. Again, you can find some basic first aid items on the ship, but getting them can be a hassle or expensive. Having your own stash of Band-Aids, disinfectant ointment and similar can save you a headache or two.
Among your first aid gear, be sure to pack some kid-friendly motion sickness products. While you may know that you personally don’t get motion sick, if your child has never cruised before, you want to be prepared.
No one will enjoy a family vacation that’s highlighted by one member being constantly sick (especially if that family member isn’t old enough to understand where they should or shouldn’t vomit).
Tote Bags and Other Carriers
Items to Pack for a Family Cruise (Photo Credit: SIN1980)
Don’t just throw everything you think you’ll need in your suitcase and not worry about how you’ll actually move your items around, once you’re on the ship.
A tote bag or two can come in extremely handy as you move about the ship. Headed to the pool? Take a tote filled with sunblock, drinks, toys and anything else you might need.
A larger bag with a zipper or other closure, such as a basic backpack, can also be handy for going into port, when you need to carry more, but you want to keep your items secure as you explore.
A cooler can also come in handy, to cart cold bottles of water and soda to the pool or even to the beach while you’re in port. However, be sure to check the cruise line’s regulations regarding bringing a cooler onboard, before you pack. Some, like Carnival Cruise Line, have size limitations for coolers (12 inches by 12 inches by 12 inches), while others don’t allow coolers at all.
Another carrying item that you might not think to bring but that will come in super-handy? Plastic, zip-top baggies. Bottle of shampoo started leaking in your suitcase? Throw it in a baggy. Need a quick ice pack? Put some ice in a baggy. Worried about your phone getting wet at the pool? Put it in a baggy. (Or upgrade from a zip-top baggy to a wet bag.)
A Cruise-Friendly Power Strip
If you’re traveling with older kids that have their own devices, and you’re all staying in the same stateroom — especially on an older ship — you’re going to notice something pretty quickly. There just aren’t enough outlets in the cabin to charge all of your devices.
For this reason, many cruising families or groups pack a power strip. Do note, though, that cruise lines have specific rules for power strips.
For example, Carnival Cruise Line allows you to bring a power strip without surge protection (though the cruise line does retain the right to confiscate your power strip if it’s deemed a potential fire hazard).
Along these lines, consider bringing portable chargers as well. They can come in handy whether you’re out and about on the cruise ship, exploring, or doing so in port, or if the family has already claimed all the other outlets in the cabin, and you’re desperate for some juice.
Organizers
If you’ve ever traveled in an interior stateroom, you know how cramped they can be when you pack in more than two people, and you know how they can sometimes come with limited storage space. Even larger staterooms can feel cramped if you have the whole family sleeping in one.
As such, consider bringing along a few organizing tools to help you keep your stateroom a little tidier and organized, and a little less like a hurricane just moved through.
You can use over-the-door organizers to keep small items off the floor or off the limited counter space, but still within easy reach.
Clotheslines and clothes pins can allow a space to dry wet swimsuits and other clothes, without resorting to draping them over chairs. Bungee cords can act as a clothesline in a snap, but you may find other ways to use these cords, such as securing items in your cabin.
Magnetic hooks and a collapsible laundry basket also help keep the mess down, as do hanging toiletry bags or toiletry baskets for the bathroom (many cruise ship cabins offer little in the way of vanity space). Even just some extra clothes hangers can come in handy!
Reusable Drink Bottles and Straws
Travel Water Bottle (Photo Credit: Darya Lavinskaya / Shutterstock)
Bottles of water are not free on a cruise ship, and you may find that the cups of water provided for free on your cruise aren’t exactly large or that conducive to running around the ship with kids in tow.
So, bring your own reusable water bottles and straws for the family. You can bring large bottles that will keep your drinks cold throughout your entire day at the pool, no problem.
While you’re at, consider bringing a reusable coffee thermos as well (better yet, go for a thermos that can pull doubled duty and keep your coffee hot in the morning and your ice water cold in the afternoon).
One Slightly Dressier Outfit for the Kids
Kids on a Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Tomsickova Tatyana)
Your child may prefer to live out their days in flip flops, cotton shorts and tank tops. While that’s okay if you’re exploring the top deck or hanging out by the pool, you will need to bring something slightly dressier for the kids, if you plan on dining with them at a nicer restaurant on the ship, or attending one of the main dining room’s formal nights.
Most cruise ships do host formal nights, at least once during most cruises, wherein diners are asked to dress up a bit for a more upscale dining experience.
You might think your family won’t want to attend one of these, but then you get onboard, see how much fun everyone else is having, and want to join in. So, play safe rather than sorry and pack a slightly dressier outfit for the kids to wear to dinner, if they need it.
You don’t have to break out the suit and tie or anything. Just bring a pair of khakis and a button up, or a casual sundress. That will typically be enough to suffice.
A Nightlight or Flashlight
Wonder of the Seas Boardwalk Cabin (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)
Once you turn off all the lights in your stateroom, you may be surprised at just how dark it is. Even if you’re not in an interior stateroom, the ocean is a dark place. Depending on your individual balcony or ocean-view room, you may find the cabin still quite dark.
As such, think about bringing along a nightlight that you can plug in, maybe in the bathroom, or equipping your kiddo with a flashlight that they can use if they need to get up during the night.
Extra of Everything for Teens
If you’re traveling with a teenager, you may find that they spend the majority of the cruise not exactly glued to your side. This is okay, though — there’s plenty of safe, teen-friendly fun to be had on most cruise ships, and the major family brands like Carnival and Royal Caribbean offer teen-friendly, supervised hangout spots.
However, it may mean you need to pack a few extras for your teens. Because they won’t be sticking with you, they’ll need some of their own, personal gear. For example, they should have their own reusable water bottle, own sunscreen, own tote bag, etc.
Air Fresheners
Carnival Cruise Line Cabin (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)
If you’ve been on a cruise before, you know that, with cruise ship bathrooms… well, let’s just say certain smells can linger. With how small some cabins are, that smell can quickly overtake your cabin. When you’re traveling with the entire family and everyone is using the bathroom on a regular basis, that smell can multiply.
Save yourself some stink by bringing along a portable, small bottle of air freshener, specifically one designed for bathroom use.
A White Noise Machine or Small Fan
While it is possible to find quiet spots on just about every cruise ship, regardless of size, you could end up with a cabin that’s not exactly one of them.
Cabins near stairwells and elevators are particularly known to get a lot of noise — and when you’re trying to get the kids to sleep, whether at night or for a nap, that fact can be a real pain.
Pack a portable white noise machine or small fan to help drown out some of that outside, background noise. You may just find that you even sleep a little deeper, thanks to the relaxing noise!
(And if you’re thinking that you’ll just leave your balcony door open so you can catch the sounds of the waves, think again. That’s one thing you should never do, as there have been cases of other cruisers breaking into adjoining cabins via open balcony doors!)
Disinfectant Wipes or Gels
Hand Sanitizer on Carnival Cruise (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)
Lastly, we’ve all heard the stories of cruise ships coming back with dozens or hundreds of ill cruisers, and kids of a certain age are notorious for sticking their hands on every surface in sight…and then sticking those hands right into their mouths.
Do your best to keep your family safe from the germs that naturally collect on a ship filled with thousands upon thousands of people. Pack some portable disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizing gel, and use them.
Keep in Mind the Items You Can’t Bring
Beyond the items you should bring, though, as you pack, also keep in mind the items you cannot bring. Depending on your particular cruise line, there are some kids’ items that are a no-go, and that might be confiscated upon boarding.
For example, baby monitors are not allowed on some cruise lines, and inflatable kiddy pools or pool toys may be prohibited, too. Similarly to baby monitors, walkie-talkies — a favorite with large vacationing families — are also not permitted on some cruise ships.
