A whistleblower turned over hundreds of crew complaints about life aboard Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Encounter.
Officials from Australia’s maritime authority boarded the ship during a port call in Darwin.
Workers had detailed low pay, long hours, cramped housing, and other complaints.
A Carnival Cruise Line ship’s port call at Darwin, Australia, on February 9, 2026, turned out to be anything but routine.
Responding to a whistleblower complaint from an unidentified crew member, officials from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) boarded Carnival Encounter, which is based in Brisbane, to investigate the claims.
Charges include 10-hour workdays, cramped living spaces that contribute to the spread of skin diseases, hourly pay of $2.50 for some employees, and a requirement that workers must purchase their own drinking water, at 70 cents per bottle.
The whistleblower had contacted the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA), which in turn notified the AMSA. Union officials issued a statement in which it detailed that the whistleblower had turned over hundreds of worker complaints about the cruise line since mid-2025.
The workers’ charges and the confirmation that the safety authority had boarded the ship in Darwin caused a public relations spectacle for the cruise line.
Local media reports indicate that Carnival Cruise Line issued a statement, explaining that it has nothing to hide. The statement noted that the authority “routinely conducts robust inspections” and welcomes its oversight.
But the maritime union indicated that the boarding of the cruise ship in Darwin is just one action in a wider attempt to hold the cruise line accountable for the treatment of its workers. It vowed to work with the AMSA to coordinate more such interventions.
“This is exactly what happens when you allow foreign-owned and controlled companies to sail the Australian coast, using Australian ports, carrying Australian passengers paying Australian fares, but who are completely immune from Australian law,” said Andy Burford, branch secretary of the Maritime Union of Australia.
“Carnival is bringing in workers from some of the poorest economies on earth, paying them as little as $2.50 an hour and subjecting them to horrifying conditions that no worker should accept, all while Carnival continues to generate billions of dollars in profit worldwide, and many tens of millions of dollars here in Australia,” added Burford.
Another union official told local media that he had attempted to board the ship in Sydney in December 2025 to investigate allegations but was denied access.
It is so far unclear what, if anything, the safety authority officials discovered onboard Carnival Encounter during the boarding event in Darwin; the ship continued on her scheduled voyage following the surprise inspection.
Carnival Encounter Formerly Sailed for P&O Cruises Australia
The 2,600-guest Carnival Encounter, a Grand-class ship that entered service in 2002, is homeported in Brisbane and was operating a 13-night Southeast Asia voyage. Darwin was the second port call on the itinerary, following Airlie Beach, Australia.
From Darwin, the ship continued to Bali and Lombok, Indonesia, and will conclude in Singapore on February 16, 2026.
The ship, along with Carnival Adventure, was absorbed into the Carnival Cruise Line fleet when parent company Carnival Corporation decided to shutter its P&O Cruises Australia brand. Both ships joined the Carnival Cruise Line fleet in March 2025.
Carnival Adventure, accommodating 2,636 guests, is based in Sydney, alongside the 3,012-guest Carnival Splendor. A fourth ship, the 2,260-guest Carnival Luminosa, homeports in Brisbane.
Before joining the Carnival fleet, Carnival Encounter and Carnival Adventure, which were named Pacific Encounter and Pacific Adventure, respectively, as part of the P&O brand, underwent substantial refits that added Carnival Cruise Line’s signature spaces and amenities.
Disney Cruise Line has released new itineraries for summer 2027, including multiple ship movements.
Disney Wish will reposition to Europe for the summer with a diverse selection of itineraries from 3-10 nights.
Two ships will return to Alaska, options are expanding in the Caribbean, and Disney Adventure will be sailing in Asia.
Magic is on the move with Disney Cruise Line’s new 2027 itineraries as different ships reposition to new homeports for summer sailings. From Europe to Asia to Alaska to the Caribbean, Disney ships will be sailing worldwide, giving eager cruisers more oceangoing vacation options than ever before.
The new summer 2027 itineraries will be available for booking from Monday, February 23, 2026. The early booking window for members of Disney Cruise Line’s loyalty program, the Castaway Club, starts on Monday, February 16.
Wishes Come True in Europe
Disney Cruise Line fans eager to enjoy a newer ship on European adventures will be thrilled that Disney Wish will be repositioning across the pond for summer 2027.
Disney Wish will depart Port Canaveral on April 25, 2027 for an eastbound 13-night transatlantic cruise to Barcelona, visiting Madeira, Gibraltar, and Cartagena along the way.
The ship will offer multiple departure points for summer voyages around the British Isles, Scandinavia, northern Europe, and the Mediterranean, with sailings from 3-10 nights.
Homeports will include Southampton, Barcelona, and Civitavecchia, each one offering different itinerary options.
Open Deck of Disney Wish (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)
Depending on the cruise length, sailing date, and homeport, Disney Wish will be granting vacation wishes to such destinations as Lisbon, Copenhagen, Kristiansand, Liverpool, Belfast, Edinburgh, Rome, Naples, Dubrovnik, Santorini, and many more.
The 144,000-gross-ton Disney Wish can welcome 2,508 guests at double occupancy, or up to 4,000 guests when fully booked. Also onboard are more than 1,500 international crew members who truly do work to make every guest’s wishes come true during their cruise vacation.
A Disney Fleet on the Move
In addition to Disney Wish heading for Europe, summer 2027 will bring about other fleet movements for Disney Cruise Line.
Disney Magic and Disney Wonder will leave Galveston and San Diego, respectively, to sail in the Last Frontier. Both ships will homeport from Vancouver for the Alaska sailing season with 7-night itineraries to all the top Alaskan destinations: Skagway, Sitka, Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, and Juneau, depending on ship and sailing date.
Disney Magic is also offering a 6-night Alaskan cruise departing Vancouver on July 30, as well as an 8-night itinerary on July 22, giving guests even more variety to choose from to immerse themselves in Alaska.
Disney Dream will replace Disney Wish from Port Canaveral in summer 2027, with 3- and 4-night Bahamas cruises perfect for short getaways. These itineraries will visit either Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point along with Nassau.
Disney Fantasy and Disney Treasure will both remain at Port Canaveral with their Bahamian and Caribbean itineraries, classic favorite sailings to destinations like Nassau, Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, and more.
From South Florida, Disney Destiny continues her 3-, 4-, and 5-night cruises from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, as well as several weeklong sailings for even more options.
For guests who want to enjoy Disney Cruise Line’s magic with the ultimate adventure, Disney Adventure will be sailing from Singapore with 3- and 4-night sailings all summer long. These cruise-to-nowhere itineraries offer amazing immersion onboard the largest Disney ship ever, as the 208,100-gross-ton ship can welcome as many as 6,700 guests onboard.
The new ship is still making her way to Asia, having stopped in Port Canaveral in January and now completed her first transit through the Panama Canal. Her Singapore sailings begin from March 5, 2026, and she will remain in Asia for several years.
Carnival has issued another scooter policy reminder, this time for Carnival Venezia’s February 22 sailing.
As a longer Carnival Journeys sailing, it would not be surprising if there were more scooter users onboard.
Scooters must be the correct size in order to be allowed onboard and must be stored safely at all times during the cruise.
Despite repeatedly sending out reminders about its scooter policy across different sailings, Carnival Cruise Line is sending another refresher for future guests of Carnival Venezia.
This time, the guests to receive this notice are booked on the Vista-class ship’s February 22, 2026, sailing, which will embark in Port Canaveral, Florida.
“We have an important reminder regarding our mandatory policy for safe scooter storage on board,” Carnival wrote in a letter.
“The safety of everyone on board is our priority…all guests are expected to adhere to the following,” the letter continued, before outlining the policy.
Similar letters have been issued in the past, including for Carnival Venezia’s November 30, 2025, sailing. It’s important to make the policy clear early so that guests avoid unpleasant surprises at the cruise port.
What is the Scooter Policy?
The scooter policy can be looked at in terms of following proper decorum in public spaces and safely storing scooters in cruise cabins.
Scooters in Public Places
While out and about onboard, scooter-using guests may not leave their rides unattended in public spaces. They also must make sure to park their scooters in locations that do not block exits or fire doors and ensure they do not obstruct access to any fire or safety equipment.
In the unlikely event of an emergency, it is critical that guests can access exit routes and crew members can reach emergency tools quickly. Otherwise, keeping paths clear is an important part of cruise etiquette and being respectful of other guests.
Scooters in Staterooms
In order to stay in a standard cruise cabin, scooters must be 21 inches or less in width. If the scooter is wider than this, guests will need to purchase an accessible stateroom.
Scooter on Cruise Ship and Carnival Venezia (Photo Credits: Catie Kovelman & Dennis MacDonald)
Similarly, travel parties that need more than one scooter in the same cabin will automatically need to opt for the fully accessible stateroom. This is related to making sure that guests can safely navigate their cruise cabins, especially during an emergency when speed is of the essence.
Scooters will be measured during the check-in process at the cruise port, and devices that are found to be too large will not be permitted onboard. If guests cannot come up with alternative arrangements, they could be denied boarding.
And of course, storing scooters in the hallways outside of staterooms is never permitted.
Why Would This Sailing Get a Reminder?
Not all Carnival cruises have or will receive this reminder, which suggests that a larger-than-normal number of passengers have indicated that they will be cruising with mobility devices.
Carnival strongly urges its passengers to let them know at the time of booking, or as far in advance as possible, if they aretraveling with a scooter so that the cruise line may verify that their booked arrangements are accessible and safe.
“We strongly encourage guests to inform us if they are traveling with wheelchairs or scooters at the time of booking, or as soon as the need is known, to ensure they have a stateroom that best accommodates their needs,” Carnival’s website states.
In theory, an above-average number of passengers would have submitted the mobility device form online to warrant this reminder.
Do Journeys Sailing Attract Scooters?
In this case, the February 22, 2026, sailing is a 14-night Carnival Journeys sailing to the Southern Caribbean.
The itinerary features calls to destinations throughout the US Virgin Islands, Antigua, St. Lucia, Grenada, Barbados, St. Maarten, the British Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.
Historically, Carnival Journeys sailings – which last for nine days or longer – have attracted a larger number of older or retired cruise guests.
Older cruisers tend to be less restricted by jobs and childcare needs, making it easier to get away for longer stretches of time. They also tend to attract the most elite members of the current VIFP loyalty program, which is a demographic that can skew a bit older.
While not always the case, an older demographic can correlate with the need for more mobility devices onboard.
A recent Royal Caribbean guest won rare sports memorabilia at an onboard auction, but did not receive the same item.
Park West Gallery operates on multiple cruise lines, but onboard pieces are only for display.
This type of substitution feels like bait-and-switch to many art fans, but it is covered in the gallery’s purchase contract.
Art auctions are a staple activity on most cruise ships, offering not only paintings and sculptures, but also memorabilia from famous athletes, actors, and movies. But how authentic are the items?
One Royal Caribbean cruise guest is warning other travelers not to necessarily trust auctions, as you may not actually be bidding on the exact item you see onboard.
According to A Current Affair, a Brisbane man and his wife attended an onboard auction during their cruise vacation. While they were enjoying the event, they reminisced about how a signed Muhammad Ali glove was available at a cruise auction they’d attended many years ago and how they regretted not bidding on it.
Unbeknownst to the couple, a signed Muhammad Ali glove was part of the auction they were watching, and it hadn’t been listed in the preview.
The couple saw the coincidence as a sign and immediately decided to bid, ultimately winning the glove with a $5,000 (AUD – approximately $3,500 USD) bid. As their son is a great Ali fan, they believed the glove would make an amazing and one-of-a-kind gift.
The couple offered to take the item as-is off the ship at the end of the cruise, but were not permitted to do so. As is standard procedure with cruise ship art auctions, the item would be shipped to them after it was re-framed.
The auction was run by Park West Gallery, the world’s largest art dealer and the most prevalent company for cruise ship art auctions. The gallery operates auctions on more than 90 ships, including Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, and Celebrity Cruises.
The exact ship and sailing the guest was on was not disclosed, but onboard auctions are always much the same, with a variety of pieces available for bidding. Park West Gallery describes its auctions as having “something for everyone” and that the artwork is “specially curated for each and every cruise.”
Memorabilia auctions can be particularly popular, offering seemingly unique items from celebrity figures, blockbuster hits, and more.
Did They Receive the Same Glove?
The problem for this guest began when, 10 weeks after the cruise, the glove arrived at the couple’s home – or did it?
Their son was ecstatic to open the glove, but the family soon noticed it wasn’t exactly the same glove they’d bid on while on the cruise ship. They were quick to compare the glove they’d received with photos of the item on the ship.
An extra ink dot, slight variations in the signature, and even a different serial number confirmed the couple did not receive the exact same glove.
“It was just lucky enough that we took photos of the glove prior to leaving the ship,”the guest noted.
The couple had been assured that they would receive the exact item from the auction, which was apparently an error on the auctioneer’s part.
Park West Gallery did reach out to the couple to clarify that items onboard ships are “display pieces” only, and the purchase contract does stipulate that different, similar items may be substituted if a specific auction item is unavailable.
To cruise guests who bid on memorabilia artwork, this can feel like a bait-and-switch tactic and calls into question the authenticity of the item.
“Who would bid on an auction if they knew that?”the guest commented.
Forgeries are common with celebrity memorabilia, and while Park West Gallery does provide a Certificate of Authenticity with every purchase, it would take a forensic investigation to verify any single item.
The gallery has offered to correct the situation with this particular guest, ensuring they receive the exact item from their cruise ship. The situation has been off-putting, however, and it is unknown whether or not the offer was accepted.
This is not the first time cruise ship art auctions have come under scrutiny. In May 2025 onboard Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas, a family believed they’d won an auction with a $650 bid, only to later learn the actual price was $2,700.
Park West Gallery, while it does operate onboard many cruise ships, is a separate company and not run by the cruise lines. Nevertheless, cruise guests interested in art auctions should be sure to always practice “caveat emptor” – buyer beware – to be sure they are confident in their purchases.
Carnival Cruise Line is experiencing widespread technology issues that have now caused embarkation delays for three ships on Monday morning, February 9, 2026. The three impacted ships are Carnival Breeze, Carnival Glory, and Carnival Freedom. The issues have been widespread across the fleet, affecting various aspects.
The tech issues have also caused difficulties for other onboard systems, as well as prevented some debarking guests from collecting a favorite cruise vacation souvenir.
Embarkation Delays
Ships that are impacted for both debarkation and embarkation are requesting that incoming guests revise when they plan to arrive at their respective cruise terminals. Carnival Cruise Line has sent out communications to impacted guests, advising them of the change with emails, text alerts, and phone calls.
“We are managing a system-related matter that is impacting our debarkation and embarkation operations and your check-in time is being pushed back,”the email notification explains.
“Please arrive two hours later than your pre-selected Terminal Arrival Appointment (for example, 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM appointment will become 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM).”
All guests must be onboard their respective ships no later than 4:30 p.m. so the vessels can prepare for their planned departures.
The impacted ships are as follows:
Carnival Breeze – 5-night Western Caribbean sailing from Galveston to Cozumel and Progreso
Carnival Glory – 4-night Bahamas itinerary from Port Canaveral to Nassau and Celebration Key
Carnival Freedom – 5-night Bahamas cruise from Port Canaveral to Celebration Key, Nassau, and Half Moon Cay
At the moment, only debarkation and embarkation are impacted, and there are no changes to the ports of call for any of the ships. If the delays become more extensive, however, this could change and itinerary updates may be needed. Guests are advised to opt in to Carnival text alerts for further updates if any additional changes are necessary.
Where the system outage is affecting various ships, debarkation of guests onboard is also impacted because manual counts are necessary to ensure all guests have left their ships.
This prolongs debarkation as Sail and Sign cards are being collected rather than quickly scanned and returned to guests.
Some travelers are disappointed at this necessary step, as the cards can be fun and unique souvenirs of one’s individual cruises. Carnival’s Sail and Sign cards include individual details such as the ship name, sailing date, dining time, and muster station.
Upset guests have been reaching out to John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador, in the hopes that he can help them retrieve those coveted souvenirs, but that will not be possible.
“I know many of you keep these as a souvenir,”Heald acknowledged.“I wish there was a way that we could give you those keys back, but we can’t. And we can’t reprint them for security reasons as well, so all I can do is hope that that won’t be the only memory you have of your cruise.”
Other Carnival Tech Systems Impacted
While it can be frustrating for cruise guests to experience embarkation and debarkation delays, the issues impacting various Carnival ships have an even more concerning result.
“It affected the navigation and safety systems,”Heald confirmed.
These are the first issues that Carnival Cruise Line must resolve, and the company’s technology teams have been working furiously to correct the errors from the planned maintenance. These safety and navigation errors are corrected before individual ships depart their homeports.
Guests on various Carnival ships have also noted that the Carnival Hub app has been impacted and much more difficult to use since the problems began, with glitches and disconnects becoming common.
Paper copies of the daily Fun Times newsletter are available onboard all Carnival ships. While this may not be as convenient to some guests, and it does not permit such tech-based actions as checking in for dining or messaging other guests, it can be a helpful alternative.
Heald has confirmed that the internet outages and other tech glitches are fleetwide, but the cruise line’s IT department is hard at work to correct the problems.
In the meantime, other onboard operations such as dining, activities, and entertainment are not largely impacted and all the fun is waiting for everyone onboard.
Carnival Cruise Line has issued an advisory to Carnival Liberty guests regarding a system matter.
The issue impacts disembarking and embarking passengers.
No impact to the February 8 departure is expected at this time.
Carnival Liberty passengers looking forward to their week-long cruise in the warm waters of the Caribbean and away from the cold of the US have been forced to wait a little longer.
Carnival Cruise Line issued an urgent advisory on the morning of the planned embarkation for the February 8 departure out of New Orleans.
The cruise line communicated to guests that embarkation had been pushed back by two hours due to a system matter.
The cruise line said in the advisory, “We are managing a system-related matter that is impacting our debarkation and embarkation operations, and your check-in time is being pushed back.“
Despite the slight delay in turnaround operations, Carnival Liberty is still expected to sail its scheduled seven-night Western Caribbean itinerary. The voyage includes a call to Mahogany Bay in Roatan on February 11, a call to Belize on February 12, and the final port visit will be in Cozumel on February 13.
Carnival added: “Please arrive two hours later than your pre-selected Terminal Arrival Appointment (for example, 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM appointment will become 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM). We are planning for all guests to be on board by 4:30 PM.”
Hopefully, when the 2,974-passenger Conquest-class ship returns to New Orleans for the following February 15 sailing, there will be no problem with the systems. When these types of problems occur, it’s usually resolved by the next cruise.
The disembarkation or embarkation process can include several components, such as the ship’s onboard IT system and terminal systems. Sail & Sign, cabin assignments, online check-in details, reservations, booking details, and more are all part of the process.
Impact on Carnival Liberty Guests
With operations pushed back, it means that those guests disembarking at the end of the February 1 sailing out of New Orleans could be significantly impacted.
Although it’s never advised, some passengers book flights home shortly after the ship returns to the homeport. It increases the chance of guests having to adjust or even miss their flights altogether.
Carnival has been affected by system issues in the past, primarily related to online check-in and reservations via its website or app.
Most recently, Disney faced system issues on embarkation day, including in May 2025, when thousands of guests experienced boarding delays for the Disney Dream departing from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale.
Carnival Liberty is still expected to depart New Orleans on schedule, and the system issue appears to be limited to today’s turnaround. Cruise Hive will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates if any further changes are announced.
Carnival Pride is delayed returning to Baltimore on Sunday, February 8, but should arrive by mid-afternoon.
All arrival times for check-in at the cruise terminal are now pushed back by five hours.
Evening operations are being adjusted accordingly, but there are no confirmed itinerary changes at this time.
Guests excited to board Carnival Pride in Baltimore for their 7-night Bahamas sailing on Sunday, February 8, 2026 will be getting a slower start than originally planned. The ship has been delayed due to rough winter weather, and embarkation has subsequently been pushed back.
“Due to unfavorable weather, Carnival Pride will be arriving mid-afternoon tomorrow and your embarkation is being revised,”guests were notified on Saturday.
A revised schedule of terminal arrival appointments was sent to guests with every arrival time pushed back by five hours.
This means guests who had originally selected to arrive at the Port of Baltimore at noon should now plan to arrive at 5 p.m. Likewise, the latest arrival appointment of 2:30-3 p.m. will now be from 7:30-8 p.m.
If guests have booked airport transfers from Carnival Cruise Line, those transportation plans will be adjusted accordingly. All guests must be checked in no later than 8 p.m. and the ship will depart as soon as possible thereafter.
At this time, there is no confirmation for any changes to the weeklong sailing. Carnival Pride is scheduled visit Half Moon Cay on Wednesday, February 11, followed by Nassau and Celebration Key on Thursday and Friday, respectively.
Because the delay is relatively minimal, it is possible that Carnival Pride will be able to maintain her original itinerary by speeding up somewhat as she heads south from Maryland. Guests will be updated onboard if there do need to be any changes.
The 88,500-gross ton Spirit Class ship can welcome 2,124 guests aboard, and is also home to more than 900 international crew members who will do all they can to make sure everyone has a great vacation, despite the frustrating beginning.
Early Arrivals to Be Turned Away
To keep the delayed embarkation as smooth as possible, Carnival Cruise Line is firmly reminding guests that arriving early to the cruise terminal will cause more problems, not get anyone onboard Carnival Pride sooner.
Carnival Pride Docked in Baltimore (Credit: Carnival Cruise Line)
Debarking guests need time to make their way off the ship, collect their luggage, process through customs, and leave the cruise terminal and parking areas before incoming guests can be welcomed.
“Guests who show up earlier cannot be accommodated,”the email confirmed.
This is standard procedure when a cruise ship is delayed and it is important for incoming guests to heed their updated terminal arrival appointment times to avoid creating congestion and unnecessary disruptions.
Adjustments Onboard for Late Arrival
Because Carnival Pride is arriving later than originally scheduled and guests will now be embarking during the typical dinner periods, there are some operational adjustments for that first evening onboard.
Both of the ship’s main dining rooms will operate with open seating for dinner rather than assigned times and tables, and guests will be accommodated as quickly as possible. The Lido Marketplace buffet will also operate with open seating as normal.
Announcements will be made onboard when guests’ staterooms are ready. When a ship is delayed, the onboard guests are permitted to remain in their staterooms later than typical, but they are urged to vacate their rooms as the ship approaches the port so the housekeeping teams can get to work with the turnover procedures.
Carnival Sunshine will be arriving to Norfolk on Sunday morning instead of Saturday as announced previously.
Guests should keep their original terminal arrival times for embarkation and all guests must be on board by 3 p.m.
The visit to Half Moon Cay is now cancelled but the ship will arrive to Grand Turk three hours early.
Following up on an earlier message alerting guests to the closure of the Port of Norfolk and Carnival Sunshine being delayed in her return to her Virginia homeport, Carnival Cruise Line has now confirmed the changes in embarkation and itinerary.
Furthermore, guests continue to be advised about the cold weather and how it will impact the embarkation experience so they can be prepared for the challenging conditions in Norfolk.
Embarkation Shifted a Full Day
Carnival Sunshine was originally scheduled to return to Virginia on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at the end of her current 6-night Bahamas sailing. Blustery conditions, however, forced the Port of Norfolk to close and the ship will now be returning on Sunday instead.
Carnival Cruise Line has reached out to embarking guests to let them know of the change and how it impacts boarding the ship. Carnival Sunshine can welcome up to 3,002 guests onboard, and it is important that everyone is aware of the adjustments to their sailing.
“Carnival Sunshine is expected to arrive in Norfolk tomorrow morning, Sunday, February 8,”the message confirmed.“For embarkation all guests are being asked to adhere to their original Terminal Arrival Appointment schedule.”
This means the time that guests selected when they checked in for the cruise several weeks is still the time they ought to arrive at the cruise terminal, only on Sunday rather than on Saturday.
All guests must be checked in at the cruise terminal no later than 3 p.m. and Carnival Sunshine should be departing by 4:30 p.m. at the latest.
This is the third consecutive Carnival Sunshine cruise that has faced weather-related challenges. The January 24 departure returned to Norfolk a day early to beat bad weather, while the February 1 departure shifted sailing routes to smoother waters, which meant a port cancellation on the itinerary.
Embarkation to Be Chilly
Carnival has once again reiterated that embarkation on February 8 will be a cold affair, urging guests to dress appropriately.
“Sunday will be cold. So, we encourage you to dress in layers for embarkation, which will come in handy as our team implements additional measures to warm the ship,”the email said.
Carnival Sunshine in the City of Norfolk (Credit: Carnival)
According to the National Weather Service, Norfolk will be under an extreme cold warning from 10 p.m. Saturday night until 10 a.m. Sunday morning. The high temperature is predicted to be near 30 on Sunday, but wind chills may be as low as zero degrees. Gusts may reach 33 miles per hour.
Carnival has not indicated what “additional measures” may be used to try and keep public areas of Carnival Sunshine feeling slightly sunnier, but some outdoor areas may be closed to prevent frequent door openings that would release the inside heat.
Itinerary Changed for Shortened Cruise
Because the ship is now leaving on Sunday rather than Saturday, it is not possible to maintain the original itinerary. The cruise had been planned to visit Half Moon Cay on Tuesday, February 10, followed by Grand Turk and Amber Cove on Wednesday and Thursday.
“Since we had to shorten our voyage, we will not be able to visit Half Moon Cay but have arranged to give you some extra time in Grand Turk, where we now expect to arrive at 8:00 AM,”the email explained.
Originally, Carnival Sunshine was to have arrived in Grand Turk at 11 a.m. Now, guests will have three additional hours to enjoy that beautiful port of call on Wednesday, February 11. The ship should still be departing the island at 6 p.m.
The time in Amber Cove on Thursday, February 12 is unchanged from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Likewise, Carnival Sunshine should arrive back in Norfolk as originally planned by 8 a.m. on Sunday, February 15.
Any shore tours pre-purchased through Carnival Cruise Line for Half Moon Cay will be automatically cancelled and refunded, while tours in Grand Turk may be adjusted if necessary for the new time in port. Guests can visit the Carnival Adventures desk portside, forward on Deck 3 (Lobby Deck) with questions.
Cruise Hive’s weekly news roundup is a great way to stay informed on the major developments across the cruise industry. Highlights in this edition include coverage of a maritime strike that prevented an MSC Cruises’ ship from docking in Marseille, France; strong winds causing a Celebrity Cruises’ ship to miss the only two port calls on her itinerary; and Carnival Cruise Line announcing an increase in its crew gratuity charge.
Get your daily cruise news fix by signing up for Cruise Hive’s Daily Update, delivered to your inbox each morning.
Cruising is Booming in the Bahamas
For the third consecutive year, the Nassau Cruise Port set a new record in cruise arrivals, reaching 6.1 million. That’s nearly half of all visitors to the Bahamas, which totals 12.5 million tourists.
The record-high cruise arrival number makes Nassau the world’s busiest transit cruise port, as it received roughly 1,600 ship calls.
Cruise Passengers in Nassau, Bahamas (Photo Credit: JuliaDorian)
The 2025 number reflects a 9.5% hike over 2024, when the destination received 5.6 million cruise guests from 1,445 ship calls. In 2023, cruise arrivals totaled 4.4 million.
Confident in the port’s growth pattern, port officials have invested $300 million in upgrades over the past few years. These included six additional, and larger, berths that can accommodate the industry’s largest ships — Royal Caribbean’s Icon class.
The port also reached a new milestone in 2025 in terms of daily passengers. On April 8, 2025, 31,011 cruise passengers arrived in Nassau on five ships: Liberty of the Seas, Utopia of the Seas, Carnival Paradise, Carnival Celebration, and Disney Dream.
Weather Front Turns Voyage Into Cruise to Nowhere
A three-night weekend getaway cruise aboard Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Reflection was scheduled to make two port calls — to Key West and Bimini, Bahamas.
But the voyage turned out to be a cruise to nowhere, when high winds from an advancing weather front forced the ship to cancel both calls. The ship departed from Port Everglades on January 30, 2026, and was to call at Key West the next day.
Celebrity Reflection in Fort Lauderdale (Photo Credit: Dennis MacDonald)
Winds of 15-20 miles per hour throughout the day and gusts up to 33 miles per hour were predicted at the time Celebrity Reflection would have been docked. That’s a lot of pressure on mooring lines, and could create unsafe disembarkation via gangways.
Meanwhile, the Port of Bimini shut down due to high winds, so that call was impossible to make, too.
It was a disappointment for guests; however, a ship captain’s first priority is always the safety of guests and crew onboard.
The 3,046-guest Celebrity Reflection, a Solstice-class ship, has plenty of onboard delights, such as the Lawn Club outdoor recreation area, several specialty restaurants, and the AquaSpa, offering more than 100 wellness treatments.
Carnival Cruise Line Hikes Crew Gratuities By $1
For the first time in three years, Carnival Cruise Line is raising its crew gratuity rate, effective on April 2, 2026.
The new rate for guests in standard staterooms will be $17 per person per day, and $19 for those in suites. The increases reflect a $1 rise in each category, and works out to a 6.25% hike for standard stateroom guests and a 5.55% increase for suite guests.
Also, the line is raising the cost of its Bottomless Bubbles soda package, from $9.50 per person per day to $11.99. Guests will still pay a 20% service charge on each soda order.
Carnival Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Adam McCullough)
Guests are invited to pre-pay the gratuities or the soda package on any booked cruise before April 2, effective on the day of departure, locking in the lower rate no matter their departure date.
Cruise lines typically raise gratuity rates every few years. This week also saw an increase in gratuities at Margaritaville at Sea, which raised its rate to $22 per person per day, regardless of accommodation category. It also enacted a policy change that prohibits guests from adjusting or removing crew gratuities from their onboard accounts.
Maritime Strike Disrupts MSC Cruises’ Ship
Unionized maritime workers in Marseille, France, organized a strike at the destination’s port on February 2, 2026, an action that prevented MSC Cruises’ MSC Orchestra from docking there to embark and disembark guests.
The French Riviera port is one of multiple embarkation/disembarkation ports for the 3,223-guest ship, which is sailing a series of 7-night Mediterranean cruises.
The protest had been planned; the Fédération Nationale des Syndicats Maritimes Union had filed a strike notice for February 2 and 3. Local media reported that the demonstrators blocked access to the port.
MSC Orchestra in Marseille (Photo Credit: ODIN Daniel)
The ship waited several hours for the protest to end, but ultimately left the region. The ship departed from Valencia, Spain, on January 31, 2026, and Marseille was the second call, after Barcelona. Genoa, Livorno, and Rome, Italy, were next on the itinerary, before the ship returns to Valencia on February 7, 2026.
Guests left behind in Marseille posted on social media that the cruise line was hosting them that night at a hotel and would bus them to the next port call, Genoa, where they could embark.
It is likely that similar plans were made for the guests who were to debark in Marseille.
Spa Sales Pitch Angers Royal Caribbean Guest
Most cruisers who have experienced a spa treatment on a cruise ship know that, sometimes, a spa representative will try to squeeze more money out of a guest by attempting to upsell a treatment or sell related products.
It recently happened to one Royal Caribbean guest, who posted on social media about what turned out to be a very frustrating experience.
The passenger described a 20- to 30-minute sales pitch they were subjected to when they arrived for their scheduled massage. So intense was the experience that the guest became angry and left the spa before the $200 massage even started.
Utopia of the Seas Spa (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz / Cruise Hive)
They demanded and received a refund, but that wasn’t enough. They also went to the guest services desk and, after complaining about the incident, demanded a refund of all pre-paid amenities and excursions.
Guest services staff complied. The passenger’s tale went viral on social media, with other cruisers relating similar experiences.
Depending on the cruise line, some spa workers are employed by the spa vendor, not the cruise line, and are sometimes, unfortunately, under pressure from the vendor to upsell products.
Cruising? Bring Your Own Umbrella
No one likes to think about a rainy day spoiling part of a cruise vacation, but it does happen from time to time.
One Carnival Cruise Line guest reached out to brand ambassador John Heald, asking whether they should bring their own umbrella or will crew make them available if needed. If not, asked the guest, why not?
Heald, who interacts with guests on his popular Facebook page, replied that no, the cruise line does not provide umbrellas. First, they would need thousands of them on each ship — nearly 95,000 fleetwide, and some would likely not be returned at the end of a sailing.
Carnival Cruise During Rainy Port Visit (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)
The exchange prompted other guests to chime in, and some suggested that plastic ponchos were a better idea than umbrellas, which can break in the wind or blow overboard from open decks.
Guests are welcome to pack their own umbrellas — the item is not listed as a prohibited item. Small, compact umbrellas don’t take up much room in a suitcase.
While cruisers sailing in the Caribbean or other tropical regions expect and hope for warm, dry, sunny days, it’s always possible that a weather pattern will bring showers. Best to be prepared.
‘Beetlejuice’ to Depart From Norwegian Viva
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Viva has presented the Broadway-style show “Beetlejuice: The Musical” for more than two-and-a-half years, but the run is ending.
The 90-minute musical, about a dead couple who haunt their country estate, is shown on the ship’s entertainment notes as having its final performance on the March 21, 2026, cruise. No formal announcement has been made.
The move follows the news that another show, “Jersey Boys,” is ending its run on Norwegian Bliss after that ship’s February 8, 2026, cruise.
Norwegian Viva is based in Galveston, Texas. Her March 21 cruise is a 7-night Western Caribbean sailing calling at Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico; Harvest Caye, Belize; and Roatan, Honduras.
The ship’s entertainment notes also indicate that two new productions will soon be offered.
“Motor City Moves,” featuring “Detroit’s iconic sound,” will be performed during the ship’s first seasonal Mediterranean sailing, departing April 29, 2026, from Barcelona. Later in the season, “Burn the Floor” will be performed. It’s a ballroom dance ensemble.
Other entertainment options aboard Norwegian Viva include the game shows “Deal or No Deal,” “The Price Is Right,” and “Wheel of Fortune,” along with comedy shows and other musical events.
More Cruise Headlines
Now that you’ve read the news recap, Cruise Hive has even more coverage from the past week, including two Cunard ships meeting up for a rendezvous in California, Holland America Line rolling out new Pacific Coast and Hawaii voyages, and Carnival Cruise Line announcing it will base two ships in Baltimore in 2027-28.
Also, Royal Caribbean offers lucrative compensation to lure guests away from an overbooked cruise, and damage from storms causes a temporary closure of the Great Stirrup Cay private destination.
