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Berth Shortage Triggers Itinerary Change for Norwegian Prima Sailing

Melissa Mayntz
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Berth Shortage Triggers Itinerary Change for Norwegian Prima Sailing

Key Aspects:

  • Norwegian Prima‘s June 17, 2027 departure from Reykjavik is dropping two ports of call in Norway.
  • The reasoning for the change is cited as berth space no longer being available for the ship.
  • Norwegian Prima will now visit Maloy and Stavanger instead of Flam and Bergen.

Cruise Hive frequently reports on the many reasons why cruise itineraries may need to change. While last-minute changes can be frustrating, when changes are made well ahead of the sailing date, guests have much more time to adjust their plans if necessary.

This is the situation cruisers booked on Norwegian Prima‘s June 17, 2027 sailing are now facing. Norwegian Cruise Line has reached out with an update to the 10-night itinerary, with two ports now cancelled and two new ones added to the schedule.

The impacted cruise is a one-way voyage from Reykjavik, Iceland to Southampton, UK, with an exploration of various ports in Norway along the way. It is those ports in Norway that are now changed.

“Although we work closely with port authorities to confirm every detail far in advance, circumstances can still shift, and on occasion we are notified that space is no longer available,” the cruise line explained.

Both Flam and Bergen in Norway are now removed from the itinerary, but instead, Norwegian Prima will be able to visit two similar destinations.

“In their place, we’re pleased to introduce Maloy and Stavanger, Norway to your itinerary, where you’ll enjoy the same breathtaking fjord landscapes, dramatic mountain backdrops, charming waterfront towns, and rich Norwegian culture that make this region so special,” the notification said.

The changes to the itinerary are as follows:

  • Tuesday, June 22 – Now Maloy from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. (instead of Flam from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
  • Wednesday, June 23 – Now Stavanger from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (instead of Bergen from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.)

While Flam is more inland among Norway’s famous fjords, Maloy is further north and much closer to the coast. Bergen is further north than Stavanger, but both are close to the North Sea coast.

Norwegian Prima Cruise Ship
Norwegian Prima Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: quiggyt4)

The rest of the ship’s itinerary is unchanged at this time. This includes visits to both Isafjordur and Akureyri in Iceland, as well as Alesund, Norway. Following the calls to Maloy and Stavanger, Norwegian Prima will still be visiting Amsterdam and Zeebrugge before arriving in Southampton on Sunday, June 27, 2027.

Read Also: Norwegian Aqua vs. Norwegian Prima – What’s the Difference?

Fortunately, since Norwegian Prima‘s sailing is 16 months away, there is plenty of time for guests to adjust their plans for tours in each port or even to change to a different cruise if they prefer.

The first of Norwegian Cruise Line’s innovative Prima Class ships, the 143,535-gross ton Norwegian Prima can welcome 3,099 guests at double occupancy and is also home to approximately 1,500 international crew members.

Will Other Cruises Be Impacted?

From June 6, 2027, to early September, Norwegian Prima is offering alternating departures from Reykjavik and Southampton. It is unknown whether the berth availability challenges are just for the June 17 departure, or if other itineraries may also be adjusted.

Flam and Bergen are on multiple Norwegian Prima itineraries during that time, but no doubt NCL will contact guests individually if their sailings are impacted with changes.

Other cruise lines with visits to either port during June 2027 include P&O Cruises, MSC Cruises, AIDA Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, TUI Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, and more.

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If the updated availability at either Flam or Bergen is extensive, such as widespread dredging operations or pier construction, it is possible that additional ships may need to adjust their port visits. Cruise Hive will keep readers informed of any further adjustments.

Former Royal Caribbean CEO Joins Investor Calling for Major Changes at Norwegian

Donna Tunney
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Former Royal Caribbean CEO Joins Investor Calling for Major Changes at Norwegian

Key Aspects:

  • Adam Goldstein broke his silence on the possibility of serving on the board of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.
  • The former Royal Caribbean executive stated he is collaborating with one of the firm’s major investors.
  • Elliott Investment Management recently issued a blistering evaluation of the cruise giant.

Cruise industry veteran Adam Goldstein, who held executive positions with Royal Caribbean for more than three decades, appears poised to bring his expertise to Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH).

In a commentary that appeared in Fortune on February 19, 2026, Goldstein says he supports operational changes that a major investor, Elliott Investment Management, demanded in a scathing financial critique of the cruise giant.

Elliott holds at least a 10% stake in the company, which operates the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands.

In a letter to the NCLH board of directors on February 17, 2026, the investor calls for sweeping changes in leadership and strategy in a bid to boost earnings and stock value. 

The company’s board of directors and executives should have solid cruise industry experience, it added, specifically naming Goldstein as an appropriate choice for the board.

Goldstein, in his commentary, shares that he is now working with Elliott to “restore Norwegian to its rightful place as an industry leader.”

“While Elliott has put my name forward as a potential director, make no mistake: If appointed to the board, I would serve as a director for all of Norwegian’s shareholders, cruisers and travel agent partners – not any single investor,” Adam Goldstein wrote in his commentary.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ major competitors include Royal Caribbean Group, where Goldstein served as vice chairman as well as president and CEO of the Royal Caribbean line, and Carnival Corporation.

Adam Goldstein
Adam Goldstein (Credit: Royal Caribbean)

While Goldstein credits Norwegian with industry-leading assets and popular amenities, he adds: “But Norwegian’s financial performance has fallen behind that of its peers. If this mismatch persists, then Norwegian won’t be able to keep pace with the investments that its competitors are making in the delivery of upscale experiences.”

Read Also: Norwegian Cruise Line vs. Royal Caribbean: How Do They Compare?

In its biting appraisal of Norwegian’s business prospects, Elliott had noted that revenues are significantly less than those of its competitors and its stock value should be more than double what it is currently. Moreover, the company on February 12, 2026, appointed John W. Chidsey as CEO of the parent company. 

Chidsey has served on the board, but has no other cruise industry experience; he is a former CEO of Subway and Burger King.

Goldstein Vows to Build on Brands’ Successes

Leaving little doubt that he would accept a position on the NCLH board of directors, Goldstein’s commentary points up the company’s strengths, including its unique ships, its high rate of repeat guests, and its employees.

Even as its largest investor is calling for strategy changes, Norwegian announced on February 16, 2026, that it has placed orders for three new ships — one for each brand. Contracts with Italian shipyard Fincantieri indicate delivery dates in 2036 and 2037.

These orders are in addition to a massive order placed in April 2024, as reported in Cruise Hive, in which four mega-ships were ordered for Norwegian Cruise Line and two each for Oceania and Regent. 

Goldstein is no stranger to major ship launches; he oversaw the introduction of Royal Caribbean’s Freedom- and Oasis-class ships when he served as the top executive at the line.

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His statement in response to Elliott’s suggestion that he should join the Norwegian board indicates he believes he can bring his operational experience to the forefront and deliver stronger financial results.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings is set to release its annual earnings on March 2, 2026. 

Miami Traffic Chaos Looms as Carnival Notifies Guests on Multiple Ships

Melissa Mayntz
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Miami Traffic Chaos Looms as Carnival Notifies Guests on Multiple Ships

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Cruise Line has reached out to guests on four ships sailing from Miami this weekend about traffic concerns.
  • The ships that may be impacted are Magic and Sunrise on Saturday, followed by Celebration and Horizon on Sunday.
  • Both road construction and terminal construction are impacting traffic in the downtown Miami and port areas.

Any cruise guest who has sailed out of Miami in recent years is aware that traffic can be very congested close to the port and it is always wise to plan for significant extra time to reach the cruise terminal.

Carnival Cruise Line is likewise aware of the traffic difficulties surrounding PortMiami, particularly with ongoing construction projects. The weekend of February 21-22, 2026, is expected to be extra challenging, and the cruise line has sent special notices to booked guests to alert them to potential delays.

“While you prepare for your cruise, we’d like to inform you that PortMiami will be operating with a high number of ships the day of your embarkation, amidst construction in the downtown area and within the port premises. Consequently, there will be detours and heavier-than-normal traffic in and around the area,” the email said.

The impacted Carnival ships this weekend are as follows:

  • Carnival Magic – Leaving Saturday for an 8-night Eastern Caribbean voyage
  • Carnival Sunrise – Sailing on Saturday to begin a 5-night Bahamas cruise
  • Carnival Celebration – Departing Sunday on a 7-night Eastern Caribbean sailing
  • Carnival Horizon – Leaving Sunday on a 6-night Western Caribbean itinerary

Carnival Cruise Line is urging all booked guests to sign up for text alerts in case any embarkation delays or other changes may be necessary. No such changes are expected at this time, but last-minute adjustments are always a possibility.

Cruise Ships Docked in PortMiami
Cruise Ships Docked in PortMiami (Photo Credit: Felix Mizioznikov)

Guests who have recently sailed from Miami are sharing their tips on Reddit to help this weekend’s travelers.

“It can take an hour or even more from downtown to port drop off area,” one guest who cruised in January noted. “It is normally less than a 10 minute drive from several downtown hotels but no one was getting in or out easily.”

“We were ’13 minutes’ away and it took 45 minutes of sitting in traffic before we hopped out of the Uber and walked on the sidewalk towards our cruise terminal,” another described.

How Busy Will PortMiami Really Be This Weekend?

Cruise Have has noted multiple traffic difficulties near PortMiami in the past, not only on heavy cruise traffic days but also due to local events, such as music festivals and races, often held in the downtown area near the cruise port.

This weekend’s challenges are a combination of busy ship days along with construction, including local roadwork as well as the construction of the new Cruise Terminal G, which Cruise Hive reported broke ground in early January.

On Saturday, a total of eight different ships will be in PortMiami, including two of the largest cruise ships in the world: Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas and MSC Cruises’ MSC World America.

Sunday is another 8-ship day, with vessels from Royal Caribbean, Virgin Voyages, Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, and Celebrity Cruises also in port with the two Carnival cruise ships.

In total, counting both debarking and embarking passengers, PortMiami may see as many as 135,000 passenger movements (or more!) for Saturday and Sunday combined.

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This does not count crew members transferring on and off the various ships, supplies that must be delivered to each vessel, and normal operations at the very busy port.

This massive amount of traffic is sure to cause unprecedented congestion and potential delays both arriving and departing from the cruise port.

Guests should plan plenty of extra time to reach the cruise port and their exact terminal, and be sure to pack along their patience as they get ready for their cruise.

Opposition Grows Against Proposed Tampa Bay Cruise Port

Catie Kovelman
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Opposition Grows Against Proposed Tampa Bay Cruise Port

Key Aspects:

  • A proposed new port in Tampa Bay continues to face significant opposition.
  • The petition against the development has grown by more than 12,000 signatures.
  • Florida lawmakers have also filed new legislation that would protect the waters surrounding the port’s intended location.

The movement to block a proposed cruise port in Tampa Bay, Florida, continues to grow.

Developers have been considering building a new port on the 328 acres of land known as the Knott-Cowen tract in Manatee County. Preliminary plans also call for the purchase of Rattlesnake Key, which is a 710-acre island adjacent to the proposed site.

This would enable the world’s largest mega-ships, which can’t currently fit under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, to operate out of Tampa for the first time.

But while cruisers may be happy about this possible development, the number of unhappy people is growing.

A Change.org petition launched soon after the idea was announced, and since Cruise Hive last checked the progress on January 21, the number of signatures has risen from 6,075 to a staggering 18,999. This number is only expected to grow, with plenty of signatures still pouring in on a daily basis.

The opposition has concerns that the new port would destroy the unique ecosystem in this area, harming marine habitats, nesting birds, coral reefs, and fish nurseries.

They also worry about how increased ship traffic could endanger local wildlife, such as manatees, and lower the economic value of the bay for tourism, fishing, and boating.

Lawmakers Take Steps to Protect Marine Preserve

In a new development in the saga, Florida State Senator Jim Boyd has filed new legislation that may block plans to build the new cruise port.

The legislative proposal, which was filed on February 18, 2026, would clarify restrictions on dredging in the area surrounding the Manatee County property.

These waters are designated as part of the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve, which is part of a major environmental restoration project that is focused on marine protection and restoring natural tidal circulation.

A View of Tampa Cruise Port
A View of Tampa Cruise Port (Photo Credit: Feng Cheng)

Under Boyd’s proposal, Senate Bill 302 would be amended to only allow dredging in the preserve under very specific conditions, such as improving human health by getting rid of stagnant waters.

It also sets forth policies to ensure that any dredging that is completed is done in a way that will not negatively affect the water quality or harm the preserve.

“If passed, this provides another tool in the toolbox to ensure the heart of our community is protected and maintained for generations to come,” Senator Boyd said in a statement to the Tampa Bay Times.

Constructing a multi-ship berth capable of accommodating the world’s largest ships would likely require at least 50 feet of digging and dredging, so these restrictions would certainly pose a barrier.

For context, cruise ships typically need at least 25 to 50 feet of water beneath them in order to dock safely. At this time, it’s unclear when Boyd’s proposal will go to a vote. Cruise Hive will share updates as they become available.

Continuing to Explore the Idea

At this stage, the new cruise port is still in the conceptual and fact-finding stage. Even as the opposition grows, the developers are continuing to explore this option.

When asked about the possible new legislation, the developers implied that it would be a factor in the decision making process but it has not brought the project to a stop – at least not yet.

Honey Rand, the spokesperson for the landowner, told the Tampa Bay Times that the legislation “will move through the usual process as will consideration of the entitlements associated with Knott-Cowen, the proposed project, the zoning and many, many other factors.”

More From Cruise Hive

If the new port does come to fruition, it is expected to create more than 31,000 jobs tied to the construction and bring more than 13,000 permanent jobs upon completion.

The developers also predict that the new port will bring in roughly $40 million annually in tax revenue, though this has not been confirmed. For now, cruisers on both sides of the debate will need to wait and see what happens next.

Royal Caribbean Ship Hit by Delays After Los Angeles Port Power Failure

Melissa Mayntz
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Royal Caribbean Ship Hit by Delays After Los Angeles Port Power Failure

Key Aspects:

  • Embarkation was delayed for Quantum of the Seas on Wednesday, February 18 due to a port power outage.
  • Heavy winds and rain downed power lines close to the Port of Los Angeles which may have been related to the delay.
  • No itinerary changes are confirmed for the ship on her 6-night cruise to Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada.

Guests boarding their 6-night Baja Mexico cruise aboard Quantum of the Seas on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 got a slower start than planned thanks to a power outage at the Port of Los Angeles.

Royal Caribbean texted guests to alert them to the situation and the slight delay to embarkation.

“The Port of Los Angeles is experiencing a power outage which will cause some boarding delays,” the notification explained. “Our boarding process for Quantum of the Seas will now begin at 1:00 PM. Please be sure to arrive no earlier than this updated time.”

Typically, boarding begins between 11 a.m. and noon, so the delay has been relatively minimal. Nevertheless, because of slower embarkation processing, it was important for guests to be aware of the situation and adjust their arrival to the cruise terminal.

Guests debarking the ship at the time discussed the power outage on Reddit, noting that customs processing was still able to move forward, but much more slowly.

“I was standing in line waiting to do customs when the power went out,” one guest described. “The facial recognition machines all still had power but weren’t working (I’m assuming no network). They had to go back to checking everyone’s passport manually. I’m sure that drastically allows things down.”

Heavy rain and strong winds moved through southern California and the Los Angeles area during the morning hours, causing intermittent power outages throughout the region.

According to local reports, a southbound stretch of the I-110 freeway in San Pedro just west of the Port of Los Angeles was closed for several hours due to downed power lines. It is unknown whether those specific power lines supply electricity to the port or cruise terminals, but the connection is possible.

Read Also: One of These Mexico Cruise Ports Could Be on Your Itinerary

Quantum of the Seas at Cabo San Lucas
Quantum of the Seas at Cabo San Lucas (Photo Credit: A. Viduetsky)

That specific freeway is the busiest connection leading to the Port of Los Angeles and the traffic congestion would have caused additional delays for guests heading for Quantum of the Seas.

No other cruise ships docked at the Port of Los Angeles on Wednesday, so no other vessels have been impacted at this time.

Power outages and network issues can have a significant impact on today’s technology-driven cruise terminal operations, particularly for security checks and passenger verification.

Cruise Hive reported extensively on Carnival Cruise Line’s recent tech glitches that caused embarkation and departure delays for multiple ships, as well as impacted onboard operations across the fleet.

Will the Itinerary Be Changed?

Quantum of the Seas‘ planned itinerary for her February 18 departure includes a full day at sea while the ship makes her way to Cabo San Lucas for an overnight visit from 1 p.m. on Friday, February 20 until 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 21.

Sunday will be another day at sea, and the ship will visit Ensenada on Monday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. before returning to Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 24.

While there have been no itinerary changes confirmed at this time, it is possible the ship may need to shorten her stay in Cabo San Lucas to make up for any departure delay.

It is also possible that Quantum of the Seas can simply make up for any delayed departure with a change in speed during her day at sea on Thursday, the first full day of the sailing.

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Satellite tracking, however, confirms the ship did appear to depart on schedule at 7 p.m. Guests will no doubt be notified onboard if there are any changes to the ship’s overall itinerary or scheduling in ports of call.

Quantum of the Seas, the lead ship in Royal Caribbean’s Quantum class, can welcome 4,180 guests at double occupancy or up to 4,905 when fully booked with all berths filled.

Princess Cruises Crew and Guests Unite to Break Margarita Guinness World Record

Melissa Mayntz
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0
Princess Cruises Crew and Guests Unite to Break Margarita Guinness World Record

Key Aspects:

  • Guests and crew aboard Regal Princess set a new Guinness World Record for most margaritas sold in 8 hours.
  • The record number of 3,410 margaritas was sold while the ship was in Cozumel on February 17, 2026.
  • Princess Cruises uses Pantalones Organic Tequila onboard, which was also used to christen Star Princess.

Tuesday, February 17, 2026, was definitely a day to raise a toast to Princess Cruises and the crew and guests aboard Regal Princess. During the ship’s visit to Cozumel, Mexico, everyone onboard pitched in to set a new Guinness World Record.

“Today, aboard Regal Princess in Cozumel, our guests and crew came together to set a new Guinness World Record for the most margaritas sold in an 8-hour period,” Princess Cruises announced on Facebook.

“The official count is 3,410 surpassing the existing record of 2,728. Raise a glass, we did it!”

The port of call was an appropriate one for the record attempt, as tequila is the key ingredient in all margaritas. Tequila is made from the blue agave plant, native to Mexico. Princess Cruises uses Pantalones Organic Tequila onboard.

Cruise Hive has previously reported that the newest ship in the Princess Cruises fleet, Star Princess, was christened in November 2025 with a bottle of Pantalones Organic Tequila rather than the more traditional champagne.

Regal Princess is currently sailing a 7-night Western Caribbean itinerary that departed from Galveston on Sunday, February 15. Guests are enjoying an overnight call to Cozumel from 9 a.m. on Tuesday, February 17, until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, February 18. The ship will visit Roatan on Thursday before returning to Texas on Sunday, February 22.

Princess Cruises Margaritas Record
Princess Cruises Margaritas Record (Photo Credit: Princess Cruises)

The record attempt was held onboard the ship, and it is unclear whether or not off-duty crew members could also purchase margaritas to contribute to the event.

Nevertheless, the new record surpasses the old record by a total of 682 margaritas and an untold number of salted rims and lime and orange wedges.

“Ritas for the record is officially in the books,” the cruise line confirmed.

The previous record was set on September 15, 2024 in Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia, at the Motel Mexicola restaurant in celebration of Mexican Independence Day.

Check Also: Cruise Drinks Package Calculator

To set a Guinness World Record, an official adjudicator must verify the attempt and its results. If successful, an official certificate of the attempt and outcome is presented once verified. This can happen immediately at the event, depending on the type of record.

The official certificate presentation was held onboard Regal Princess, complete with confetti, photographers, and a lot of smiles to mark the celebration.

More World Records on Cruise Ships

While definitely a record worth raising a glass to, the margarita sales record onboard Regal Princess is not the first world record set onboard a cruise or during a cruise vacation.

Cruise Hive has noted a variety of fun and unique records set onboard ships, such as how MSC Cruises offers different record-setting attempts onboard its ships.

For example, the record for the longest line of Lego ships ever created was set onboard MSC World America in March 2025 as a fun diversion for the crew before the ship welcomed her first guests.

Other fun records set onboard cruise ships and by cruise lines include such wild and wacky events as:

  • Carnival Cruise Lines – Largest Piñata by volume – 8,000 pounds of candy set in Philadelphia on November 2, 2008
  • Royal Caribbean – Fastest marathon run on a ship – 2 hours, 52 minutes, 47 seconds aboard Ovation of the Seas in December 2024
  • Virgin Voyages – Largest gathering of merpeople – 457 participants in Bimini on November 4, 2022

Would you be interested in joining a world record attempt during your cruise vacation? Sign me up for the most cruises booked, most chocolate melting cakes eaten, or fastest to reach the lido deck!

P&O Cruises Locks In Three Major Airlines for 2026–27 Caribbean Fly‑Cruise Season

Donna Tunney
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P&O Cruises Locks In Three Major Airlines for 2026–27 Caribbean Fly‑Cruise Season

Key Aspects:

  • P&O Cruises will continue its UK fly-cruise Caribbean program with three air carriers in 2026-27.
  • The line confirmed it has contracts with Virgin Atlantic, TUI Airways, and Norse Atlantic Airways.
  • The cruise ships Arvia and Britannia will sail Eastern and Southern Caribbean voyages.

The fly-cruise charter arrangements that P&O Cruises launched in the UK two years ago have been so successful that the cruise line has renewed its airline partnerships for the winter 2026-27 Caribbean season.

From October 2026 to March 2027, UK-based cruise guests who book the cruise line’s fly-cruise packages will travel to the Caribbean aboard TUI Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Norse Atlantic Airways.

P&O Cruises will base two ships in Bridgetown, Barbados, for the season, Britannia and Arvia, with air-inclusive 14-night cruise packages offered to guests across Great Britain. Arvia will operate departures from both Barbados and Antigua, and guests can join the ship at either destination.

“For our fly-cruise guests, their holiday begins at the airport, so getting the flight experience right really matters to us. That’s why we’re delighted to be continuing our long‑standing relationships with TUI, Norse Atlantic, and Virgin Atlantic,” said Paul Ludlow, president of Carnival UK and P&O Cruises.

“Together, these partnerships mean our guests can enjoy consistently high‑quality journeys, with the comfort and care they know and love from P&O Cruises, right from take‑off,” added Ludlow.

Norse Atlantic Airways will offer service on Saturdays from London Gatwick and Manchester to Antigua, on certain departure dates, and will operate regional flights to Barbados from Cardiff, Glasgow, and Newcastle, also on select dates.

A whole plane charter will be offered on a Virgin Atlantic Airbus A330 every two weeks for guests booked on Arvia’s 14-night departures from Barbados.

TUI Airways will serve Barbados, too, offering flights from London Gatwick, Birmingham, and Manchester. For select departures, the airline will operate regional service from Belfast, Bournemouth, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, and Newcastle.

P&O Cruises is a Carnival Corporation brand that caters to the UK market. Its 5,200-guest Arvia is an Excellence-class ship that entered service in 2022, while the smaller Britannia accommodates 3,600 and was launched in 2015.

P&O Cruises Arvia
Photo Credit: Daniele Speranza

During the 2026-27 winter season, both ships will operate 14-night voyages to a wide range of Caribbean destinations. Some longer cruises are offered, too, such as a 28-night Christmas/New Year’s sailing.

Read Also: Eastern vs. Western Caribbean Cruise: Which Will I Prefer?

Guests can embark Arvia at either Barbados or Antigua. The ship’s 14-night November 28, 2026 cruise, for instance, departs from Antigua and calls at St. Lucia and Grenada before arriving in Barbados, where she overnights and embarks more guests.

The ship then visits Martinique, St. Kitts, St. Maarten, and Tortola, BVI, before debarking guests in Antigua, and then continuing on to other islands before returning to Barbados.

A Previous Charter Carrier Didn’t Measure Up

P&O Cruises reached agreements with the three airline partners after it suspended a relationship with Maleth Aero, an air charter company that previously transported cruise guests from multiple UK airports to Barbados.

The cruise line parted ways with Maleth Aero in February 2024, as reported on Cruise Hive, after guests complained about Maleth Aero’s lack of premium seating and in-flight entertainment on the long-haul flights.

At the time, the P&O Cruises president took to Twitter (now X), with a video in which he assured guests that he was aware of passengers’ frustrations with the charter carrier and was working toward a solution.

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In addition to Maleth Aero, the cruise line was also partnering with TUI Airways, and that relationship has been steady.

The fly-cruise guests can choose economy, premium economy, or upper class seats on Virgin Atlantic; a full slate of in-flight entertainment on all three carriers; meals and some free drinks; and baggage service.

Carnival Replaces Multiple Venues With New Dining Lineup on Two Ships

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Replaces Multiple Venues With New Dining Lineup on Two Ships

Key Aspects:

  • The Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse is being added to both Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter.
  • The rebranding replaces Luke’s Bar and Grill on the Australian-based cruise ships.
  • Also onboard now is the Bonsai Sushi Express Station, and a new burger venue will be added.

Carnival Cruise Line has announced new dining additions coming soon to its two ships permanently based in Australia, Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter.

Both ships will have the onboard Luke’s Bar and Grill restaurant replaced and rebranded into the Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse, a favorite across the Carnival fleet.

Carnival Encounter is currently undergoing an extensive dry dock in Singapore and will return to service from March 5, 2026. Carnival Adventure has a brief dry dock scheduled in early 2027. The new specialty dining steakhouse, however, will be ready on both ships from their May 4, 2026 departures.

Guests on Carnival Adventure’s 12-night Fiji and South Pacific itinerary departing May 4 from Sydney, as well as Carnival Encounter’s 4-night Airlie Beach sailing from Brisbane that same day, can be the first to enjoy the new venue.

“We are delighted to be bringing Fahrenheit 555 to all of our Australia-based ships, so guests can experience Carnival’s signature premium experience no matter where or when they sail with us,” said Anton Loeb, Carnival Cruise Line Assistant Vice President Sales & Marketing.

The steakhouse is already available onboard Carnival Luminosa and Carnival Splendor. Those two ships both sail in Australia from Brisbane and Sydney, respectively. Carnival Luminosa homeports seasonally Down Under, while Carnival Splendor stays in Australia year-round.

Fahrenheit 555 is an extra charge restaurant with a $77 (AUD – approximately $55 USD) per person surcharge.

The menu includes premium beef cuts such as New York strip loin steak, t-bones, filet mignon, and more, along with seafood, surf & turf, curated sides, an elevated wine list, and decadent desserts.

Carnival Cruise Line Steak
Carnival Cruise Line Steak (Credit: Carnival)

“You’re going to get all your wonderful steaks, all the brilliant stuff that the rest of the fleet [has] enjoyed,” confirmed John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador. “I’m so glad that we’re able to do this for our Australian guests.”

Read Also: Free Carnival Cruise Dining Options You’ll Want to Know (With Menus!)

Reservations are required for the Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse. Guests can make those reservations for their sailings through the cruise line’s website or via the Carnival Hub app once onboard for their cruise vacation.

Guests already booked on Australia sailings who have made reservations for Luke’s Bar and Grill will be emailed details about the change to Fahrenheit 555 and how it may impact their dining plans.

Even More Dining Venue Updates Down Under

The addition of Fahrenheit 555 is not the only change coming to Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter.

Bonsai Sushi Express has also now opened on both ships with its made-to-order variety of sushi, sashimi, and other delicacies. A great grab-and-go snack for those who love sushi, the venue is already popular on many Carnival ships.

The onboard burger joint, Luke’s Burgers, will also be replaced with a new specialty burger venue, Carnival Topside Grill. While this will not be the wildly popular Guy’s Burger Joint, it will offer a new option for dining on both ships.

There have not yet been any further details released about Carnival Topside Grill, including whether or not there will be an extra charge or what items may be on the menu.

The changes to onboard dining, including removing Luke’s Bar and Grill and Luke’s Burgers, follows the successful partnership between the now-retired P&O Cruises Australia brand with celebrated Australian chef and restauranteur Luke Mangan. The new changes bring the two ships more in line with guest-favorite dining offerings across the entire Carnival fleet.

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Cruise Hive previously reported on the rebranding to both ships when they joined the Carnival fleet in March 2025. Further details about the updates for each ship will be announced as they are confirmed.

Carnival Cruise Ship Switches Back to Old Safety Briefing for Upcoming Voyage

Catie Kovelman
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Carnival Cruise Ship Switches Back to Old Safety Briefing for Upcoming Voyage

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Conquest’s February 20, 2026, sailing will begin with an in-person muster drill.
  • While E-Muster drills are preferred, in-person drills must be completed at least twice a year to comply with safety policies.
  • This is only a temporary change, and the E-Muster process is not going away anytime soon.

Future guests of Carnival Conquest will start their cruise with a blast from the past – at least when it comes to safety briefings.

Instead of the now-standard E-Muster process, where guests complete the mandatory safety briefing from the HUB App, the Conquest-class flagship’s next sailing will complete a traditional muster drill on embarkation day.

To be clear, this is the 4-night Bahamas sailing embarking in Miami, Florida, on February 20, 2026.

Read Also: What to Expect During a Cruise Ship Muster Drill

“Shortly before departure, a full safety drill will take place on your upcoming sailing,” Carnival told impacted guests in advance.

“This is a mandatory procedure, and all guests will be required to participate in this brief but essential exercise,” the cruise line continued.

This means that guests will need to assemble at their assigned muster stations, where attendance will be taken. They will then watch life jacket demonstrations and receive any other relevant safety information.

The ship’s emergency signal, which consists of seven or more short blasts followed by one long blast, will also be sounded.

Why Has the Muster Drill Changed?

This isn’t the first time that Carnival Conquest has temporarily reverted back to the old mustering format, and it likely won’t be the last time the 2,980-guest ship does so.

Cruise Hive also reported on a switch to the former mustering process for Carnival Conquest in March of 2025, which took place onboard another Bahamas-bound sailing.

In October 2025, Carnival confirmed that the in-person muster drill must be completed at least twice a year for safety reasons.

However, this change is only temporary, and there are no plans to revert to traditional muster drills full-time.

“The safety of everyone on board is always our priority, and we are dedicated to maintaining responsible and secure operations,” Carnival stated in the letter to guests.

Carnival Conquest Cruise Ship
Carnival Conquest Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks / Shutterstock)

Even though the E-Muster drills are strongly preferred these days, it’s still important to go through this exercise occasionally to make sure that all crew members are properly trained on what to do if an emergency did occur.

This is in addition to other routine drills and training that the approximately 1,150 crew members go through regularly to ensure they are ready to respond in essentially any emergency situation.

This exercise is also necessary to remain in good standing with the regulations established by Carnival Corporation’s Health, Environmental, Safety & Security Committee (HESS).

The purpose of these standards is to supervise and monitor health and safety programs onboard all Carnival ships and to ensure the vessels comply with the regulations set forth by the different regions where the cruise line operates.

Will My Cruise Have a Traditional Muster Drill?

Carnival Cruise Line randomly selects ships and sailings to go through the old muster process to make sure important safety standards are met.

There is no way to tell if your sailing will be selected for this process at the time of booking, but Cruise Hive typically sees Carnival notify guests in advance if their voyage has been selected for this exercise.

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The only other time guests might have to revert to the old ways without advance notice is if there is a technical difficulty that hinders the E-Muster process.

But when all is said and done, traditional muster drills only take around 30 minutes to complete from start to finish. In the grand scheme of things, this isn’t a lot of time to take out of your vacation to ensure everyone stays safe.

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