Blog Page 44

Carnival Makes History With Two Ships Homeported in Baltimore for 2027-28

Lissa Poirot
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Carnival Makes History With Two Ships Homeported in Baltimore for 2027-28

Key Aspects:

  • Two Carnival Cruise Line ships will be homeported in Baltimore for the first time.
  • Carnival Miracle and Carnival Pride will both be based in Baltimore beginning fall 2027.
  • In addition, Carnival Firenze will operate out of various US East Coast ports during the 2027-28 season.

For the first time in its history, Carnival Cruise Line will homeport two ships in Baltimore beginning in fall 2027, expanding cruise options for Mid-Atlantic guests.

Starting with the 2027-28 season, the 88,500-gross-ton Carnival Miracle will join her sister ship, Carnival Pride, in Baltimore, where the cruise line has operated for more than 20 years.

The 2,134-passenger Carnival Miracle is scheduled to arrive in the Maryland harbor city on November 20, 2027, after completing a 15-day transatlantic crossing from Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy. 

Once in place, the Spirit-class ship will operate a mix of 7-, 8-, and 9-day cruises to the Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean, as well as longer 12- and 14-day Carnival Journeys itineraries, which often target off-the-beaten-path calls.

Those extended sailings will include ports such as Dominica, Guadeloupe, and St. Maarten without the need to fly to Florida to reach the Caribbean ports.

“Baltimore has been an important homeport for Carnival for more than two decades, and we’re excited to continue building on our year-round operations with the addition of Carnival Miracle,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.

The announcement follows confirmation that the 2,124-guest Carnival Pride will continue to operate year-round from Baltimore, and provides guests with two ship options a year after Royal Caribbean removes its ships from the port.

Carnival Cruise Line Baltimore Return
Carnival Cruise Line Baltimore Return (Photo Courtesy: Carnival)

Carnival Pride currently provides 7-day cruises to the Bahamas and Bermuda, along with longer 9-, 12-, and 14-day Carnival Journeys sailings. Destinations on those longer voyages include Aruba, Curaçao, Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, Antigua, Tortola, and Martinique.

Carnival Cruise Line is committed to operating from Baltimore through 2030, per a renewal agreement that began on January 1, 2025.

“By giving our guests more variety in itineraries and ships, we’re giving them more reasons to take a Carnival Cruise vacation,” said Duffy.

Carnival Firenze Switches Homeports

Beyond Baltimore, Carnival Cruise Line also outlined expanded plans for Carnival Firenze in 2027-28. The 4,126-passenger ship will shift between multiple US homeports.

Beginning in fall 2027, the 135,156-gross-ton vessel will be based in Port Canaveral near Orlando, operating Caribbean itineraries ranging from 4 to 14 days. These will include short Bahamas cruises as well as longer Eastern and Southern Caribbean sailings and select Carnival Journeys voyages.

The sailings will often include a stop at Carnival Cruise Line’s private destinations, RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay or the brand-new Celebration Key, which debuted in summer 2025.

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Before relocating to Port Canaveral, Carnival Firenze will operate a one-time 11-day Carnival Journeys cruise departing PortMiami on May 16, 2027. That sailing will visit Celebration Key on Grand Bahama, Aruba, Curaçao, and St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands.

Following its Florida season, Carnival Firenze will reposition to New York City, where it will offer seasonal summer 2028 sailings to Bermuda.

With two ships in Baltimore and expanded East Coast deployments, Carnival is positioning itself for one of its most ambitious 2027–28 seasons yet.

Cruise Line in Alaska Unexpectedly Shuts Down, All Cruises Cancelled

Donna Tunney
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Cruise Line in Alaska Unexpectedly Shuts Down, All Cruises Cancelled

Key Aspects:

  • Alaskan Dream Cruises has shut down operations and cancelled all future cruises.
  • Booked guests are receiving information about refunds and other next steps.
  • The cruise line operated four small ships in Southeast Alaska.

Alaskan Dream Cruises, a well-respected, small-ship cruise line operating in Alaska since 2011, has unexpectedly shut down.

A notice posted on the line’s website advises booked guests that the business ceased operations and will not operate any future sailings.

Based in Sitka, the cruise line’s co-founder, Betty Allen, is a descendant of the Tlingit people who originally inhabited Southeast Alaska. Her heritage made Alaskan Dream Cruises the only indigenous-owned cruise line in the US.

The brand operated through the 2025 season and has four ships, Alaskan Dream, Admiralty Dream, Baranof Dream, and Chichagof Dream.

Booked guests and their travel agents have been notified of the closure, and details about refunds are being issued by email. The notice does not confirm that full refunds are being processed, but that is likely the case.

“Since 2011, Alaskan Dream Cruises has had the privilege of sharing the wonders of Alaska and the richness of our Alaska Native heritage with incredible guests from across the globe,” the company states in its notice.

Betty Allen and her husband, Bob Allen, also owned Alaskan Dream Cruises’ parent company, Allen Marine, based in Sitka, Alaska, a popular port call that is included on most Alaska itineraries.

The current owner of Allen Marine indicated in a local media report that the decision to close down was necessary.

“After careful evaluation of our long-term objectives, we determined that concluding cruise operations allows us to responsibly focus our resources where they will have the greatest impact,” said Jamey Cagle, owner of parent company Allen Marine.

The brand’s ships are small, with the largest, Chichagof Dream, accommodating 80 guests. Admiralty Dream and Baranof Dream each have a capacity for 49 guests, while Alaskan Dream carries just 40 passengers.

Cruise Ship Sailing in Alaska
Cruise Ship Sailing in Alaska (Photo Credit: Ellie618)

The expedition-style brand chose vessels that could navigate through narrow and shallow waterways, enabling close-up views of glaciers and wildlife across Southeast Alaska. It typically operated voyages from May through September.

One of the ships, Admiralty Dream, ranked No. 4 on Cruise Hive’s listing of the industry’s smallest ships. 

In addition to exploring remote areas that large cruise ships cannot access, Alaskan Dream Cruises’ ships offered Native American experiences such as dance performances, carving demonstrations, and interactions with indigenous residents of the area.

Cruise Line’s Fares Were Geared to Upmarket Travelers

The Alaskan Dream Cruises brand attracted upscale guests who seek high-end, small-ship, and small-group explorations.

The cruise line had scheduled itineraries for summer 2026, indicating that its shutdown was unplanned. One itinerary, an 8-night Inside Passage voyage, for instance, was shown on its website priced at $7,600 per person, double.

It promised guests views of calving glaciers, including the Margerie, Grand Pacific, Sawyer, South Sawyer, and Dawes glaciers. Kayaking opportunities and a visit to an Alaska native village were part of the experiences offered.

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In 2025, the brand had been offering a 70% cruise fare discount to residents of Alaska — a sign, perhaps, of financial troubles impacting its viability in a competitive small ship environment.

Other small ship brands operating in Alaska include Un-Cruise Adventures, Discovery Voyages, and National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions, among others.

Royal Caribbean Confirms Legend of the Seas Chief Dog Officer

Melissa Mayntz
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Royal Caribbean Confirms Legend of the Seas Chief Dog Officer

Key Aspects:

  • Legend of the Seas will have Royal Caribbean’s third “Chief Dog Officer” onboard.
  • The news of the newborn puppy was shared with a boop-able photo on social media.
  • The puppy is a female golden retriever, but her name has not yet been announced.

The pack is growing just as the fleet is growing, as Royal Caribbean has confirmed that the upcoming Legend of the Seas will be home to the cruise line’s third “Chief Dog Officer.”

The announcement comes from Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean, with a celebratory Facebook post.

“A Legend has been born and she is as cute as cute can be!” he said. “Now if only we had a name for this little cutey and future Chief Dog Officer of the new ICON class Legend of the Seas.”

Bayley shared a close up photo of the young pup, presumably snuggled into her mother’s fur. What a boopable snoot! The puppy appears to be a golden retriever, the same breed as Rover and Sailor, the Chief Dog Officers of Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas, respectively.

All that is known about the pup is that she is a female, and she’s definitely going to be serving aboard Legend of the Seas.

“We’re expecting… a new Chief Dog Officer,” the cruise line confirmed shortly after Bayley’s announcement. “Meet our newest and smallest member of the Royal Caribbean family. Can you guess what her name will be?”

It’s likely the puppy is from Eagleridge Goldens, a champion line golden retriever breeder based in Polk City, Florida. Sailor and Rover are from the same breeder, which received a 2025 Best of Florida Award for pet breeders.

Eagleridge Goldens shared Bayley’s post on their own Facebook page, but did not precisely confirm the pup is from their program.

Coincidentally, the new pup has been announced just two days after National Golden Retriever Day – an auspicious time indeed for a legendary new pup to be born!

Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas

The Chief Dog Officers are only found on the Icon Class ships, where they comfort not only crew members but also live their best lives, meeting guests and providing just the cutest selfie opportunities.

Legend of the Seas is currently under construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Turku, Finland. Like her sister ships, the new vessel – which was floated out in August 2025 – will measure 250,800 gross tons and be able to welcome up to 7,600 guests at full occupancy. Service dogs will be welcome too!

What Is the Puppy’s Name?

The puppy’s name has not been announced, but both Bayley and Royal Caribbean have asked guests either for name suggestions or for guesses about the name.

Creative choices for the new puppy’s name include:

  • Siren – For the seagoing myth that attracts sailors (and cruisers!)
  • Noci – Icon spelled backwards
  • Athena – As a fierce female legend in her own right
  • Coco – Named in honor of Perfect Day at CocoCay
  • Helen – For Helen of Troy, the face that launched a thousand ships
  • Skipper – As captain of the upcoming ship
  • Schooner – Keeping with the nautical name theme

Guests are excitedly suggesting a wide range of other names, either with nautical themes to match Sailor or “wandering” themes to match Rover. Of course, “legendary” names are also top choices.

Royal Caribbean Dogs
Royal Caribbean Dogs (Photos Credit: Michael Bayley)

It is possible that Royal Caribbean has already selected a name, or perhaps there may be voting or other means for guests to join in naming the new puppy in the next few weeks.

The New Puppy’s Debut

The puppy will undoubtedly be ready to make her oceangoing debut just as Legend of the Seas welcomes her first guests. The third Icon-class ship’s first voyage will be a 7-night Mediterranean sailing departing Rome on July 4, 2026.

At that time, the puppy will be five months old, well able to leave her mother and littermates. Most dogs head to their new homes when they are just 2-3 months old.

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It’s possible, however, that the Chief Dog Officer may not be aboard the ship’s first Mediterranean sailings. There are restrictions about internationally transporting young animals, and the cruise line may prefer to keep the young dog in training programs until she can join the ship when it comes to Fort Lauderdale in November.

Further details on the puppy, including her name announcement and her crew work schedule, will undoubtedly be announced closer to the new ship’s maiden voyage.

Carnival Cruise Line to Air Super Bowl But Not Olympic Games

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Cruise Line to Air Super Bowl But Not Olympic Games

Key Aspects:

  • John Heald has confirmed that the Super Bowl will be shown on all Carnival cruise ships on February 8.
  • Formal night will be moved to accommodate the big game and dining venues will change hours for game snacks.
  • The 2026 Winter Olympics will not be able to be shown onboard due to network contracts.

Sports fans can be frustrated on cruises when their favorite teams, games, and events might not be available. NFL fans don’t have to worry this weekend on Carnival cruise ships, however, as the cruise line will not only be airing the Super Bowl, but will have unique events and rearranged schedules to accommodate the big game.

Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador, John Heald, confirmed the Super Bowl plans during a recent video, reassuring football fans that the game will be shown on every ship.

“We will be covering it on all the ships,” he said. “The ships that have the big screens on the Lido Deck will be showing the game, [and] there will be a tailgate party. The ships that don’t have that, they’ll show it on the big screen in the main theater.”

Because of the popularity of the Super Bowl, which draws more than 100 million viewers annually, some onboard entertainment and dining scheduling will be rearranged for the game.

Heald noted that on ships that are scheduled to have an Elegant Evening on game day – Sunday, February 8 – the formal night will be swapped to a different night during the sailing so it doesn’t conflict.

After all, tuxedos, sports coats, and cocktail dresses aren’t exactly football attire, nor are jerseys and fan gear the most appropriate wardrobe for formal night!

The full game and halftime show will be shown, but interested guests should note that because of how it will be broadcast, the famed Super Bowl commercials will not be aired on Carnival ships.

Carnival Cruise Super Bowl
Carnival Cruise Super Bowl (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks & Andrew Angelov)

“Unfortunately, you won’t get to see the commercials because we get the direct satellite feed, which doesn’t include the United States commercials,” Heald explained.

The 2026 Super Bowl will be a fight between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots, hosted at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Kickoff is at 6:30 p.m. Eastern US time.

If guests aren’t interested in the Super Bowl, the full schedule of other events will still be planned on every ship, including games, trivia contests, comedy shows, and more.

Onboard Dining to Have Special Game Hours

Because the Super Bowl will begin at dinnertime for many Carnival guests, what dining can football fans expect if they don’t want to miss the game? Sports fans can be very loyal to their favorite game day snacks.

There will be an onboard tailgate party before the game begins, though whether or not that will include game-ready snacks is not clear. What Heald has noted, however, is that various dining options will have special hours because of the game.

“Guy’s Burgers and all the food outlets will remain open throughout the game for you,” he said.

Assigned dining times are unlikely to be changed, but guests can enjoy food from the Lido Marketplace buffet, room service, pizzeria, deli, and other venues to satisfy their game day munchies.

Of course, guests who have Your Time Dining rather than an assigned time, or those who prefer specialty dining, can arrange their reservations for Sunday’s dinner around the game if they wish.

Olympics Will Not Be Shown Onboard

While football fans will be cheering the news about the Super Bowl, sports fans who want to tune in to the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Italy will, unfortunately, be disappointed.

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Heald noted that Carnival Cruise Line does not carry the network that will be broadcasting the Olympics and so the games will not be available onboard.

Guests interested in the Olympics, which are from February 6-22, could still purchase wi-fi packages to stream their favorite skiing, figure skating, speed skating, bobsled, and other events on their own devices.

Famous Musician Passes Away During Jazz Cruise Sailing

Melissa Mayntz
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Famous Musician Passes Away During Jazz Cruise Sailing

Key Aspects:

  • Jazz musician Ken Peplowski passed away on the final night of the Jazz Cruise 2026 aboard Celebrity Summit.
  • The cause of death was not revealed, but the 66-year-old had previously been diagnosed with a type of cancer.
  • Celebrity Summit was not delayed on her itinerary and has continued with her next cruise as planned.

What ought to have been a fun and festive sailing jazz lovers unfortunately turned into a sad occasion when one of the musicians onboard for a jazz-themed cruise died unexpectedly during the sailing.

Ken Peplowski passed away on Monday, February 2, 2026 during The Jazz Cruise, a charter music event aboard Celebrity Summit. The annual music sailing is described as “straight-ahead jazz heaven” for music aficionados and features more than 200 hours of performances during the 7-night sailing.

“We are sad to report that our dear friend Ken Peplowski died yesterday. Ken was a beloved member not only of The Jazz Cruise family, but of the larger international jazz community as well,” the Jazz Cruise confirmed on Facebook.

It was the final day of the Jazz Cruise and 66-year-old Peplowski was discovered in his stateroom after missing a planned performance. As a consummate performer and dedicated professional, his absence was immediately noted as unusual.

The cause of death has not been determined. Peplowski was in remission for multiple myeloma, a cancer of the blood’s plasma cells, after being diagnosed with the condition in 2021.

The Jazz Cruise had departed from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, January 27. Celebrity Summit visited both Perfect Day at CocoCay and San Juan during the weeklong cruise, though the performances from more than 100 musicians onboard were even more popular than the ports of call.

Peplowski was one of the featured reed performers for the Jazz Cruise with his clarinet and saxophone. The entire range of jazz instrumentation was showcased onboard, including trumpet, trombone, piano, guitar, bass, and more, with both instrumental compositions and vocal performances.

Ken Peplowski
Ken Peplowski

Read Also: Do Cruise Ships Have Morgues? Find Out What Happens

Peplowski’s unfortunate passing did not delay the ship, and Celebrity Summit returned to Florida as scheduled on Tuesday, February 3. The 91,000-gross-ton, Millennium Class ship can welcome 2,158 guests onboard.

The ship has already departed on her next sailing. She is homeported from Fort Lauderdale, offering Caribbean and Bahamas sailings through mid-April, at which time Celebrity Summit will move to the West Coast for the Alaska sailing season with departures from both Vancouver and Seward.

Jazz Lovers React

With more than 50 albums released over a career that spanned four decades, Peplowski’s death is being felt by jazz lovers and muscisians around the world.

“My husband and I were on the jazz cruise with Ken. Our hearts are broken,” one Celebrity Summit guest shared on Reddit.

“He brought joy and kindness to a world that is desperately in need of both. That, along with his unparalleled talent as a musician and leader, are such a wonderful legacy!”

Peplowski was known for his personal generosity as well as his musical breadth and creativity. While he was best known for swing music, his style included a wide range of jazz variations, from traditional to avant-garde in venues from small clubs to Las Vegas headlining to festivals and concerts on land and, of course, at sea.

“He was a great musician, but he was also one of the very best entertainers ever,” said Michael Lazaroff, executive director of Signature Cruise Experiences. “I do not know any musician who respected the bandstand more than Ken. He was always prepared, love performing with his fellow musicians, and, man, could he play!”

Peplowski will be difficult to replace on the Jazz Cruise in the coming years. The annual sailing has been a hit for jazz lovers since debuting in 2001, featuring both lectures and daytime events in conjunction with elite performances in the evening hours and late into the night.

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Musician interviews, panel discussions, tutorials, and more are all part of the lineup, along with all the other fun and activities onboard whichever cruise ship is chartered in any particular year.

Cruise Hive’s thoughts are with Peplowski’s family and friends, fellow musicians, and jazz lovers around the world at this sad time.

Winter Storms Force Closures at Norwegian Cruise Line’s Great Stirrup Cay

Lissa Poirot
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Winter Storms Force Closures at Norwegian Cruise Line’s Great Stirrup Cay

Key Aspects:

  • Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island destination has been damaged by the recent bomb cyclone that hit the Bahamas.
  • Great Stirrup Cay’s pier and main pool are reported to be damaged and closed until repairs can be made.
  • Passengers arriving at the destination must tender between the ship and the shore.

The winter storms blasting North America and the Bahamas in 2026 continue to bring disappointment to cruise passengers trying to escape the chill.

Passengers scheduled to visit Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island in the Bahamas have been warned they will encounter changes to their day ashore after a bomb cyclone and rough weather damaged key infrastructure at its private destination.

In a notice dated February 2, 2026, the cruise line informed guests that both the pier and the main pool, which had recently opened at Great Stirrup Cay, are temporarily unavailable due to severe weather in the region.

As a result, Norwegian Cruise Line ships will not be able to dock at the pier, and guests will instead be tendered ashore. 

The company said teams are working to bring the pier and pool back online later in the week, though no specific reopening date was provided.

“We’re reaching out with an update ahead of your visit to Great Stirrup Cay, our private island in The Bahamas,” the notice began. “Following the winter storms that moved through the region this weekend, the island’s pier and pool will be temporarily unavailable as our teams work to bring them back online later this week.”

Guests were told that all other island amenities will continue to operate as scheduled, including beach access, food and beverage service, and shore activities.

Read Also: Great Stirrup Cay: A Full Overview of NCL’s Private Island

“We understand that changes like this can feel disappointing, and we want to assure you that even with these temporary adjustments, Great Stirrup Cay continues to offer a welcoming escape where you can unwind, explore at your own pace, and enjoy the easygoing island atmosphere from the moment you arrive,” Norwegian Cruise Line told guests.

NCL's Great Stirrup Cay Letter
NCL’s Great Stirrup Cay Letter

Norwegian Prima, which called in the private destination on February 2 on its first call of a 7-night cruise from Port Canaveral, was the first to experience the tender operations.

One guest said, “We tendered yesterday, it took awhile but I think around 11 they were steady enough to get to go. We never even made it to the new pool area and still had a great time.”

Other passengers commenting on Cruise Hive’s Norwegian Cruise Line Facebook Group didn’t seem to mind the closures, saying “it happens.”

Norwegian Joy, sailing a 5-night cruise from Miami, arrived today, February 3, to the closures, and Norwegian Dawn is expected to call on February 4.

Norwegian Gem, which is scheduled to arrive February 6, and Norwegian Aqua, scheduled to arrive on February 7 may or may not be affected, depending on how quickly the cruise line can make repairs.

Winter Storm Disrupts the Region

Norwegian Cruise Line’s announcement is the latest example of how winter weather has disrupted cruise operations across the Bahamas and the US East Coast in recent weeks.

Similar storm damage affected Royal Caribbean’s private Bahamas destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay, where high winds and heavy seas damaged pier infrastructure. The impact forced itinerary adjustments for Freedom of the Seas and Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Reflection, preventing them from docking as planned and disrupting scheduled visits to the island.

In that case, Royal Caribbean was forced to modify calls while assessment and repairs were underway.

Beyond private islands, the same weather system caused disruptions at several ports. Heavy seas and gale-force winds prompted temporary closures or delays at key departure and arrival hubs, including PortMiami, Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, and the Port of Charleston in South Carolina.

Itineraries out of Port Canaveral and Jacksonville Port saw delays and changed port calls because tug services and harbor operations were restricted by weather conditions.

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Rough seas also lead to the cancellation of some tender operations at smaller ports in the Bahamas and the Caribbean, with lines like Carnival Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, and Celebrity Cruises all reporting itinerary changes tied to weather-related conditions.

Norwegian Cruise Line anticipates repairs to Great Stirrup Cay’s pier and main pool will be completed in early February.

Star of the Seas Joins Growing List of Ships Missing CocoCay After Storms

Donna Tunney
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Star of the Seas Joins Growing List of Ships Missing CocoCay After Storms

Key Aspects:

  • Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas revised her Bahamas itinerary due to weather.
  • The ship cancelled a call to Perfect Day at CocoCay.
  • The 7-night voyage added an at-sea day instead of the private island call.

It wasn’t a perfect day at CocoCay for passengers sailing aboard Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas on February 2, 2026, and they have bad weather to thank for it.

The 5,610-guest Icon-class ship cancelled her call to the line’s private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay, and will spend the day at sea, a notice sent to guests confirmed.

The ship is operating a 7-night cruise to the Western Caribbean and Perfect Day at CocoCay roundtrip from Port Canaveral. Star of the Seas departed the Central Florida port on February 1, 2026, and CocoCay was to have been the first port of call.

“As previously announced by our Captain, we, along with our chief meteorologist, Craig Setzer, have been closely monitoring a strong cold front which has affected and impacted our own Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas, as well Nassau and the surrounding Bahamian waters, yesterday, today and for tomorrow,” Royal Caribbean’s advisory to guests states.

“As a result of the high winds and large ocean waves in and around Perfect Day at CocoCay, we’ll skip our visit and enjoy a Sea Day instead,” it explains.

The notice apologized for the itinerary revision, adding that being onboard a cruise ship is the safest place to be since the vessel can maneuver away from rough weather.

Star of the Seas Departing Port Canaveral
Star of the Seas Departing Port Canaveral (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz / Cruise Hive)

Guests who posted the notice on social media received plenty of sympathy from others for missing the exciting CocoCay destination. Some had similar weather experiences in recent days, as the bad weather impacted the entire Bahamas area as well as most of Florida.

“I just got off of star of the seas yesterday. I was on the January 25 to February 1 sailing and there was 70 mile an hour winds when we came into port,” wrote one commenter.

“We got off the ship on Sunday it was 20 degrees at the port in Florida! Crazy weather!” posted another commenter.

The stormy weather and frigid temperatures impacted a large area from Florida to the Bahamas. The remainder of the itinerary is, so far, unaffected.

Read Also: Star of the Seas Size and Stats: How It Towers Over Other Cruise Ships

The ship is calling at Cozumel, Mexico, on February 4; Roatan, Honduras, on February 5; and Costa Maya, Mexico, on February 6 before ending in Port Canaveral on February 8, 2026. The last full day of the cruise will be an at-sea day.

Bahamas Weather Caused Earlier Changes, Too

The problems at Perfect Day at CocoCay began a few days ago. Oasis of the Seas cancelled its call to Perfect Day on January 31. It would have been the final call on a Southern Caribbean cruise that left Port Everglades on January 24, 2026.

Utopia of the Seas nixed her call to the private destination on February 1 and shortened a planned call at Nassau, Bahamas, on January 31. Also, Wonder of the Seas cancelled her call to CocoCay on January 31 as well as Nassau on February 1, making the sailing a cruise to nowhere, since those were the only scheduled calls.

Part of the problem at CocoCay stems from damage to the pier, where strong winds caused the collapse of several catwalks, the elevated walkways that enable people and cargo to access the ships.

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The damage, on the eastern side of the pier, means that just one ship, instead of the usual two, can dock. The Star of the Seas’ notice to guests does not specifically point to the damaged catwalks and the reduced pier operation as the reasons why the ship cancelled her call.

Other cruise lines have been dealing with the unusual weather in the Bahamas region, too. Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Sunshine, for example, cancelled her calls to Nassau, Bimini, and Celebration Key on her February 1, 2026 sailing from Norfolk. This voyage also became a cruise to nowhere.

Broadway Show Ending on Another Norwegian Cruise Ship

Melissa Mayntz
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0
Broadway Show Ending on Another Norwegian Cruise Ship

Key Aspects:

  • The run of “Beetlejuice: The Musical” onboard Norwegian Viva is ending in late March 2026.
  • This is the second musical to be discontinued recently, following the announcement of the end of “Jersey Boys.”
  • Other, non-Broadway shows will be offered onboard Norwegian Viva, along with game shows and more.

Less than three years after the ship first joined the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet, Norwegian Viva is losing her production showing of the award-winning “Beetlejuice: The Musical.”

The show featuring the “ghost with the most” has been part of the Prima-class ship since shortly after her August 2023 debut. Initially, the 90-minute musical was not available on the ship’s first sailings due to undisclosed “delays in production.” Now, it is being discontinued completely.

Norwegian Cruise Line has made no formal announcement about the shifts in their entertainment offerings, but the official website describing Norwegian Viva‘s entertainment notes that the final performances for “Beetlejuice: The Musical” will be from March 21-27, 2026.

NCL Show Notes
NCL Show Notes

Norwegian Viva is currently homeported from Galveston, Texas. The March 21 departure is a 7-night Caribbean itinerary with calls planned for Cozumel, Harvest Caye, Roatan, and Costa Maya.

The removal of “Beetlejuice: The Musical” from Norwegian Viva comes just days after guests received notification that “Jersey Boys” was being discontinued from Norwegian Bliss. The final shows for that production are from February 8-14.

What Entertainment Will Replace Beetlejuice?

The entertainment calendar for Norwegian Viva indicates that two new shows will be debuting onboard shortly after “Beetlejuice: The Musical” ends its more than two-year-run.

First is “Motor City Moves,” which is described as “a high-energy tribute to Detroit’s iconic sound” with “reimagined” hits with a modern twist. That performance will debut May 1-2 during the ship’s first Mediterranean sailing of the summer season.

Several weeks later, “Burn the Floor” will also debut onboard Norwegian Viva. This ballroom dance ensemble features a championship dance team showing off moves from Grand Viennese waltzes to tango, rumba, and much more. That performance will first welcome guests on May 24-25.

Original Broadway Company- Beetlejuice
Original Broadway Company- Beetlejuice

It should be noted that “Motor City Moves” is also available on Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Sun. Likewise, “Burn the Floor” is showcased on Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Epic.

Popular favorites such as the nostalgic game shows “Deal or No Deal,” “The Price Is Right,” “Wheel of Fortune,” and “Press Your Luck” remain onboard, as well as the interactive music experiences of Syd Norman’s Pour House and multiple comedy shows. These are popular options across the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet.

Read Also: The Different Norwegian Cruise Line Ship Classes

It is unknown whether or not additional performances of the game shows or comedy acts may be added to the entertainment schedule to fill in any remaining gaps now that the musical is ending.

Shift in Entertainment Offerings

This latest end-of-run for a Broadway musical supports a distinct trend in Norwegian Cruise Line entertainment. Rather than licensing Broadway shows, the cruise line appears to be moving toward more in-house production entertainment.

These new shows may not have the initial popularity of Broadway productions, but they also do not require the same licensing fees and other arrangements that could make them challenging to produce at sea.

In-house entertainment can be just as spectacular and creative, and offers guests an exclusive opportunity found only at sea.

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This can also be a great opportunity for Norwegian Cruise Line to provide adaptive entertainment that can be adjusted for different performers. This can make it easier to substitute entertainers if necessary to cover vacations, illnesses, or other special circumstances that might otherwise disrupt an entire performance.

Furthermore, the trend toward game shows and interactive entertainment continues to grow, and possibly offering extra showings of those entertainment options can give more guests the chance to participate and make even better cruise memories.

Storm Damage at Royal Caribbean’s CocoCay Disrupts Plans for Two Cruise Ships

Melissa Mayntz
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Storm Damage at Royal Caribbean’s CocoCay Disrupts Plans for Two Cruise Ships

Key Aspects:

  • The recent storm in the Bahamas damaged the pier at CocoCay and only one ship can now dock per day.
  • The popular port has two ships scheduled nearly every day, so there could be many disruptions to upcoming sailings.
  • No timeline has been given for how long repairs may take or when both sides of the pier will be available.

The severe weather that disrupted cruise operations across the Bahamas last weekend is having an ongoing impact at one of the most popular destinations in the islands: Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Guests on both Freedom of the Seas‘ and Celebrity Reflection‘s current sailings are now learning their visits to CocoCay must be cancelled because the damage limits berth capacity. It’s important to know that both vessels are owned by Royal Caribbean Group, so vessels from both lines can visit the island.

“Due to this past weekend’s winter storm, which included strong winds and heavy seas at Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas, catwalks fell into the sea on the eastern side of the pier,” the notification letter to guests onboard Freedom of the Seas explained.

“Unfortunately, divers have not been able to locate all of them, which prevents us from safely docking the ship at Perfect Day at CocoCay.”

Freedom of the Seas is currently on a 5-night Bahamas sailing that departed Miami on Monday, February 2. Instead of CocoCay on Tuesday, February 3 as planned, the ship spent the day at sea and a call to Cabo Rojo in the Dominican Republic has been added to the itinerary.

Similarly, Celebrity Reflection‘s plans to visit CocoCay this week are also disrupted. The ship departed Fort Lauderdale on Monday for a 5-night sailing that was to have visited both CocoCay and Nassau. Now, Celebrity Reflection will go to Freeport instead of CocoCay, though the visit to Nassau should remain the same.

Some Ships Can Still Dock

It should be noted that while the east side of the pier is currently unsafe for docking, ships can still dock comfortably on the west side of the pier.

This means that one ship can still visit CocoCay each day, but on days when two ships are scheduled for the private island, one may have to be diverted to a day at sea or an alternative port.

On Tuesday, February 3, Wonder of the Seas was able to enjoy her planned visit to CocoCay while Freedom of the Seas was at sea instead.

Royal Caribbean's CocoCay During Bad Weather
Royal Caribbean’s CocoCay During Bad Weather (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz / Cruise Hive)

With the popularity of CocoCay on Royal Caribbean Bahamas itineraries, most days do have two vessels scheduled for docking. This means many different ships could have the port cancelled in the days to come until the eastern side of the pier can be reopened.

Which ship will be granted access to CocoCay on any given day will likely depend on the ship’s capacity, which ship was already scheduled to be docking first or on the western side of the pier, and where alternative ports could be added to individual ship itineraries.

In some cases, it may be possible to shift ships to a different day to visit CocoCay. For example, on Thursday, February 12, there are no ships currently scheduled for the island, so one vessel could be accommodated that day if itineraries permit.

No doubt, the cruise line will notify guests will be notified onboard or just prior to their sailing if their visits to CocoCay are impacted.

Read Also: Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay – Full Guide

Naturally, any pre-paid shore excursions booked through Royal Caribbean (or Celebrity Cruises) for CocoCay will be automatically cancelled and refunded if a ship is unable to visit, as is standard practice for any port visit.

How Long Will Repairs Take?

There has been no timeline announced for how long the repairs may take to reopen both sides of the CocoCay pier.

It is essential to either locate the missing catwalks or else ensure that the entire docking area, including any turning basin space or approach avenues, is clear and safe for ships to maneuver without risk of hitting submerged debris.

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The catwalks will also need to be replaced and inspected before the pier can be used for docking again. This could take just a few days, or the disruption could be longer and impact many more ships in both fleets.

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