Royal Caribbean Group has reported impressive third-quarter results that have surpassed expectations, showcasing the cruise giant’s remarkable performance amid ongoing challenges in the industry.
With bookings that significantly exceed the numbers seen pre-pandemic, Royal Caribbean is not just on course for a strong year but setting the stage for a year that will be the start of the cruise company’s recovery.
Strong Quarter, Promising Outlook for Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean Group revealed its third-quarter earnings today, October 26, showing results that far exceeded the guidance from earlier this year.
Both onboard revenue and bookings made earlier to the sailing date showed a marked increase, resulting in an earnings release that sets the company up for a promising future.
Jason Liberty, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group: “The strength of our brands and the acceleration of consumer spending on experiences have propelled us towards another outstanding quarter and a robust 2023.”
Photo Credit: JHVEPhoto / Shutterstock
Liberty also mentioned the unprecedented demand for 2024, with bookings showcasing higher load factors than ever before, significantly higher than in 2019, the busiest year to date.
Liberty:“The combination of our leading brands, the best people, and the most innovative fleet and destinations positions us exceptionally well to deliver on a lifetime of vacation experiences while creating long-term shareholder value.”
In the third quarter, the company made $1 billion in profit, which translates to about $3.65 per share. This is a significant improvement compared to the same period last year when Royal Caribbean Group only made $33 million, which was about $0.13 per share.
Emphasis on Growth
Royal Caribbean Group has set its sights on growing rather than maintaining a status quo. While the competition has made it clear they do not intend to build more ships in the coming years, Royal Caribbean is launching some of the biggest ships in the world in the next 12 months.
Revenues for North American and European itineraries outperformed expectations due to better close-in demand, increased occupancy rates, higher pricing, and higher onboard revenue. The company achieved a remarkable 110% occupancy rate for the quarter across the board. While some analysts might view this with some skepticism, the tide is with Royal Caribbean.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: marleyPug)
“Looking ahead, we see accelerating demand as we build the business for 2024. Our booked load factors are higher than all prior years and at higher rates, further supporting our trajectory towards the Trifecta goals,”added Liberty.
The accelerated demand comes from the fact that Silver Nova, Icon of the Seas, and Celebrity Ascent are all due to debut, with the latter two ships slated for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2023. Furthermore, Icon of the Seas is set to commence its revenue sailings by the end of January 2024.
On top of that, Royal Caribbean’s sixth Oasis-class cruise ship, Utopia of the Seas, will set sail in 2024. With the 236,860 gross tons cruise ship sailing on shorter 3- and 4-night cruises to Nassau and Royal Caribbean’s private island Perfect Day at CocoCay, the company has another revenue booster coming up.
Removing Debt
Not only is RCL experiencing a surge in demand and bookings, but they are also taking significant steps to reinforce their financial position. In the third quarter alone, the company repaid $775 million of its debt, its credit ratings were upgraded, and it aims to pay off $3.5 billion in debt this year alone.
Naftali Holtz, chief financial officer at Royal Caribbean Group:“Our strong performance and commitment to strengthening the balance sheet will allow us to pay off over $3.5 billion of debt by the end of this year.”
Reacting to the promising results, stock prices for Royal Caribbean Group went up more than $3 today before settling down at the 3% increase mark, trading around $84 per share.
Royal Caribbean’s promising trajectory suggests a brighter future for the company and the cruise industry. However, the company is not out of the woods yet. With the situation in Israel and Gaza escalating and fuel pricing seemingly going up again, there are still factors that could hold the cruise giant back.
Disney Cruise Line revealed a slew of itineraries its six ships will sail in early 2025, with five vessels, including the upcoming new-build, Disney Treasure, offering Caribbean and Bahamas voyages from Florida ports. The fifth will be based on the US West Coast, sailing Mexican Riviera and Baja Peninsula itineraries.
Itineraries Will Feature Two Private Destinations
A series of Disney Cruise Line sailings in 2025, to the Caribbean and Bahamas, plus voyages to Mexico, will open for sale on November 6, 2023, offering guests the opportunity to experience the line’s newest ship, Disney Treasure, and its second private destination, Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.
The cruise line’s Lighthouse Point development, set to open in summer 2024, will be located on Eleuthera, Bahamas, and be a featured call on many sailings. The 700-acre beach retreat will highlight authentic Bahamian culture. The private destination will join Disney Cruise Line’s existing private island experience, Castaway Cay, also in the Bahamas.
Rendering Courtesy: Disney Cruise Line
Disney Treasure, Disney Fantasy, and Disney Wish will homeport at Port Canaveral, Florida, while Disney Dream and Disney Magic will be based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Disney Wonder will sail from San Diego.
Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Treasure, scheduled to sail her maiden voyage on December 21, 2024, will offer 7-night cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. The 4,000-guest ship, now under construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, will call at Tortola, BVI, Disney Castaway Cay, and either San Juan, Puerto Rico, or St. Thomas on her Eastern Caribbean cruises.
Disney Treasure Cruise Ship
Western Caribbean itineraries aboard Disney Treasure will visit Falmouth, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel, Mexico. Onboard the new-build, guests will find several new experiences and venues, all designed with an adventure theme.
Disney Fantasy, Disney Wish, and Disney Dream, all with capacity for 4,000 guests, and the 2,500-guest Disney Magic will operate 3- to 5-night cruises from their Florida homeports, with calls at either Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point or Castaway Cay. Each of the ships will sail at least one special voyage that calls at both of the private destinations.
Disney Magic to Sail Short Series From Texas
Prior to her deployment to Fort Lauderdale, Disney Magic will spend January to March sailing from Galveston, Texas. Port calls will feature Progreso and Cozumel, Mexico, and Grand Cayman.
The ship also will operate one 7-night cruise in April, from Galveston to San Juan, Puerto Rico, calling at both of Disney Cruise Line’s private destinations.
Disney Cruise Line Ship (Photo Credit: Felix Mizioznikov / Shutterstock)
After that series, Disney Magic will sail 3- and 4-night cruises from Fort Lauderdale, then shift to Port Canaveral, operating 4- and 5-night cruises to Nassau, Bahamas, and visiting at least one of the cruise line’s private destinations.
Disney Wonder to Homeport on US West Coast
Disney Wonder’s seasonal deployment in Australia and New Zealand will end in early 2025, with the ship sailing a 15-night voyage from Sydney to Honolulu, Hawaii, on February 10, 2025. The sailing will call at ports in New Caledonia, Fiji, American Samoa, and the Hawaiian Islands.
Two more special voyages will follow, including a 9-night sailing from Honolulu to Vancouver, British Columbia, on February 24, 2025, featuring two days at Kahului, on Maui, plus a stop in Hilo, on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Disney Wonder will then sail a 5-night cruise from Vancouver to sunny Southern California, where she will homeport at San Diego. A series of 3- to 7-night Mexican Riviera and Baja Peninsula cruises will be offered starting in March 2025.
Celebrity Cruises is introducing a new perk for its top-tier returning guests, offering them an exclusive space to enjoy each other’s company and be part of the elite community of most experienced cruise travelers.
Lounge space for a new cocktail hour will be available on all cruises five nights and longer, with multiple gatherings on longer cruises, beginning in January 2024.
New Cocktail Hour for Loyal Guests
The new Elite Cocktail Hour will be made available to all Celebrity Cruises’ guests who have reached the cruise line’s Elite, Elite Plus, and Zenith levels of the Captain’s Club.
This will offer returning guests “the opportunity to be a part of a community of like-minded travelers with whom you can share your experiences onboard,” according to an introductory letter announcing the new benefit.
The new event will begin on sailings in January 2024, though the exact date for starting the gathering on each ship in the Celebrity Cruises’ fleet has not been confirmed and it is possible that different ships may begin the event with different sailings.
The Elite Cocktail Hour will be offered in an existing lounge onboard with venues varying on each vessel depending on scheduling and the number of guests meeting the status requirements to attend. It is possible that different venues may be used on the same sailing, as the event will be offered more than once on each cruise.
Sailings from 5-7 nights long will have two Elite Cocktail Hours, while sailings longer than 8 nights will have three cocktail hours for guests to enjoy. Shorter cruises (3-4 nights long) will not offer the new event at this time.
The Elite Cocktail Hour is not replacing any existing Captain’s Club events, but is in addition to the Captain’s Club Welcome Party, Senior Officer Party, and other exclusive onboard events that give members the opportunity to gather.
Exact locations and days of each event will be detailed in a welcome letter from each ship’s concierge team when guests arrive for their cruise, and will be scheduled from 5-7 p.m. on the selected nights. Drinks are also still available at onboard bars and lounges if passengers prefer not to attend the designated event.
Attending the Elite Cocktail Hour
At this time, there are no further details about whether the Elite Cocktail Hour will have any attendance requirements other than having reached the appropriate status for an onboard invitation, such as a preferred dress code, but this is unlikely.
Guests must have reached either the Elite, Elite Plus, or Zenith status with Celebrity Cruises to attend the Elite Cocktail Hour.
Travelers earn “club points” with the cruise line for each sailing they take, with more points earned for higher-class staterooms. Basic interior and ocean view staterooms earn 2 club points per night, while veranda and infinite veranda staterooms are 3 points per night. The number of points earned goes all the way up to 24 per night when guests book the ultra-luxurious, all-inclusive Iconic Suite.
The Magic Carpet
Club members can also earn points by exclusive credit offers and occasional bonus offers. To be rated as Elite status, guests must have earned 300 points, while Elite Plus and Zenith levels require 750 and 3,000 points, respectively.
As is common with all cruise line loyalty programs, each level also has a range of other benefits passengers can enjoy. Priority tender service where available; discounts on drink, Wi-Fi, and photo packages; and complimentary laundry services are just a few of the advantages of reaching higher levels of the Captain’s Club.
Status Match Available
Of special note for any cruise travelers interested in these new Elite Cocktail Hours and the other benefits offered by Celebrity Cruises’ Captain’s Club is that the cruise line offers a status match to Royal Caribbean International’s Crown & Anchor Society.
This means that if a cruiser has accumulated significant loyalty with Royal Caribbean but wishes to try out their sister line Celebrity Cruises, they will be granted matching status and will not lose out on the loyalty they’ve already accrued.
This can be a great option for passengers to expand their cruise experience to a new line and still enjoy the luxurious loyalty that comes with frequent cruising.
The UK’s truth-in-advertising watchdog agency has directed Royal Caribbean to alter the language in an itinerary description it says is misleading to prospective cruisers.
The case involved a complaint filed against the cruise line for indicating a cruise would depart from or call at Venice, when the destination was actually Ravenna, some two hours drive away.
Royal Caribbean Told to Differentiate Venice, Ravenna
Royal Caribbean got a slap on the wrist for its practice of using the phrase “Venice (Ravenna)” when describing the location of a departure port in Italy, and misleading cruisers into thinking Ravenna is a port in Venice.
The cruise line has already removed the Venice reference from itineraries that depart from or call at Ravenna. Although it is not clear when the change was made, it appears likely that the ASA’s investigation prompted the rewording.
“The ad must not appear in the form complained of. We told Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd to ensure ads made clear where cruises departed from, and not to misleadingly imply a cruise departed from or visited a particular place if that was not the case,” the Advertising Standards Authority wrote in its ruling.
Royal Caribbean in Venice, Italy (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks)
The itinerary that spurred the complaint was a 7-night Italy, Greece & Croatia cruise, described as “Leaving from: Venice (Ravenna), Italy” and “Visiting: Venice (Ravenna), Italy,” along with other port calls.
Royal Caribbean’s current description of a 2024 Greece & Croatia cruise aboard Explorer of the Seas, for instance, now reads: “Roundtrip from Ravenna, Italy,” with no mention of Venice, which is roughly 90 miles north.
In its assessment, the ASA noted that Royal Caribbean used similar location qualifiers in other parts of the advertisement, such as the description of a port call in Sicily on the same itinerary. The ad indicated the port was “Sicily (Messina),” and since Messina is in Sicily, the ASA believes that consumers would apply the same logic to Venice (Ravenna), and assume that Ravenna is a port in Venice.
Cruise Line Points to Venice Ban on Large Ships
In its response to the ASA, Royal Caribbean noted that large cruise ships no longer are allowed to dock in the historic city center of Venice, and must use alternate ports.
Due to environmental and other concerns, Venice in 2021 banned ships over 25,000-gross tons from accessing the city center, sending them instead to nearby Porto Marghera or other ports farther afield, like Ravenna or Trieste. The presence of cruise ships in Venice has been controversial for years. An earlier ban, in 2017, was proposed for ships over 100,000 gross tons, but was on hold while a new cruise terminal was built.
Royal Caribbean told the ASA that using Ravenna as a qualifier in the description of Venice was sufficient to clarify that a ship would actually depart from or visit Ravenna, and not Venice. The line added that such qualifiers are commonly used across the travel industry.
Photo Credit: Rolf_52 / Shutterstock.com
In its ruling, the ASA pointed out that Royal Caribbean’s explanation for using the misleading phrase included the fact that most of its guests hailed from the US and were familiar with Venice but not Ravenna. Without Venice prominently mentioned, travelers would be less likely to book the cruise.
Royal Caribbean also had proposed reversing the qualifier, to read “Ravenna (Venice),” but the ASA determined it would still be misleading.
The cruise line agreed “there was a potential for consumer confusion,” but pointed out that it offers “sufficient information” about the departure port and itinerary before prospective guests reach the booking stage. The ASA did not agree.
Currently, Royal Caribbean’s Italy itineraries that are advertised on its website and include Ravenna point to the city’s eight UNESCO World Heritage sites and other attractions. It also states that Venice “is just over two hours away by car, putting one of Italy’s star destinations well within reach.”
PortMiami will be welcoming inaugural visits for eight ships during the 2023-2024 cruise season, from an astonishing eight different cruise lines.
So many amazing vessels are helping break records at the “Cruise Capital of the World” including the two busiest passenger days ever in the port’s operational history.
Eight New Ships to Visit PortMiami
A total of eight cruise ships will make inaugural visits or new homeport operations from PortMiami this winter, bringing ever more cruise passengers to the South Florida port.
Three of the ships – Oceania Cruises’ Oceania Vista, Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Venezia, and Scenic Cruises’ Scenic Yacht II – will visit in October.
November will be equally exciting with an additional three new ships – Crystal Cruises’ revitalized Crystal Serenity, MSC Cruises’ expedition ship Explora I, and Norwegian Cruise Line’s brand new Norwegian Viva, which will celebrate her naming and maiden voyage from PortMiami on November 28, 2023.
Norwegian Viva Cruise Ship
In December, one more new cruise ship will add PortMiami to its list of ports visited when Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Grandeur begins a series of longer sailings roundtrip from the port, offering destinations such as the Cayman Islands, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and more on diverse itineraries.
Finally, the biggest debut of all will be with the largest cruise ship in the world when Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas debuts from PortMiami on January 27, 2024 – a maiden voyage eager cruise travelers have been counting down to for months.
Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas
Each of these vessels adds something new to the offerings from PortMiami, whether cruisers are interested in the ultimate luxury, exciting adventures, stylish appointments, exotic ports of call, or just plain fun.
“We are grateful for the longstanding partnerships with all of our cruise partners and their commitment to providing a world-class experience to our passengers,”said Daniela Levine Cava, Miami-Dade County Mayor.“These new ships, and their improved amenities and customer experience, are helping to keep Miami-Dade and PortMiami on the cutting edge of the cruise industry.”
Record-Breaking Numbers
PortMiami is seeing unprecedented surges in cruise passengers as the two busiest days in the port’s passenger history have already occurred in 2023. On Sunday, February 12, 2023, an astonishing 58,984 guests passed through the port, a record that was broken just weeks later on Sunday, April 9, when 67,549 passengers visited PortMiami.
With newer and bigger ships adding PortMiami to their deployments and day visit schedules, it is very likely that those numbers will continue to grow through the end of 2023 and into 2024.
PortMiami Cruise Ships (Photo Credit: Felix Mizioznikov / Shutterstock)
With so much cruise travel through the port, PortMiami contributes more than $43 billion annually to Miami-Dade County with taxes and port fees (on cruise travel as well as cargo shipping) and monies spent by travelers to reach the port, including hotel stays, dining, retail, tours, and much more. In total, the port supports more than 334,000 direct or indirect jobs in the area.
More Improvements Coming to PortMiami
It isn’t just in numbers that PortMiami is growing, the port is committed to sustainability and responsible cruising as well. In partnership with Carnival Corporation, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean Group, and Virgin Voyages – collectively representing 20 different cruise lines – along with Florida Power and Light Company, the port is finalizing its shore power program.
When complete, five terminals at PortMiami will be offering shore power, capable of plugging in three vessels simultaneously at each terminal, subject to berth assignments. This will permit multiple vessels to turn off their engines while docked, dramatically reducing air emissions and lowering pollution levels.
The expansion of shore power to more ports, particularly cruise ship homeports, is a key element of the cruise industry’s commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050 and will help protect not only marine environments, but the port communities that ships visit.
A Carnival cruise guest has filed suit against the cruise line for an incident that happened in September 2022, alleging that his finger was severed when a balcony door slammed shut on it unexpectedly.
The lawsuit considers the cruise line negligent for failing to provide safety mechanisms on balcony doors to prevent such sudden slams.
Carnival Corporation Sued for Finger Injury
A passenger identified as William J. Tuttle has sued Carnival Corporation in US federal court for damages and requested a trial by jury after being injured aboard Carnival Horizon. The complaint was filed on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida and will be heard by presiding judge K. Michael Moore.
Tuttle’s right index finger was amputated when his balcony door slammed on the digit. There is no information available about whether the finger was able to be reattached and if so, what range of motion or functionality it has today.
The incident apparently happened in September 2022, though there is no explanation for why it took more than a year to file the lawsuit. It is not uncommon, however, for such lawsuits to be brought to light long after the initial injury. This may depend on evidentiary findings, recovery periods, and other factors before a full lawsuit can be initiated.
Photo Credit: Mariusz Lopusiewicz / Shutterstock
The suit alleges that Carnival did not exercise “reasonable care” to ensure protection from such injuries, as it is commonly known that balcony doors can slam with strong force. The lawsuit lists 11 similar incidents as support for the claim that the cruise line ought to have known and taken measures to prevent such injuries.
Tuttle claims that the ship’s balcony doors should have been designed with mechanisms to prevent slamming, as such incidents are well known and liable to cause injuries.
The complaint seeks damages higher than $75,000 (USD) and demands a trial by jury, which would ensure greater publicity for the litigation.
Carnival’s policy is not to offer comments on active lawsuits, which is common in legal matters for all industries. Similar lawsuits have been filed against Carnival Corporation in the past, and the outcomes vary based on individual circumstances for each case.
Are Door Slams a Real Problem?
Many cruise ship passengers have experienced sudden slams of either balcony or stateroom doors, particularly when both doors may be open simultaneously. The change in air pressure can create a strong wind across the cabin, forcing a door to suddenly shut with great force.
Is that force enough to sever a finger? Most likely, yes, depending on how the finger might be positioned as the door is closing and whether the door swings or slides closed.
Photo: Copyright Cruise Hive
Many cruise travelers are aware of the noise of slamming doors and how it can be problematic, though injuries are far less common.
Cruise lines often post signage in balcony cabins urging guests not to have both doors open at the same time, and to be cautious when opening and closing the balcony door. It is unknown whether or not Carnival Horizon had such signage in place at the time of the incident involving Tuttle.
The 133,500-gross-ton, Vista-class Carnival Horizon joined the Carnival Cruise Line fleet in 2018, making it one of the line’s newer vessels. The ship can welcome 3,960 guests at double occupancy, or as many as 4,977 travelers when fully booked with all berths filled.
Of the ship’s 1,967 guest staterooms, 951 include balconies, verandahs, or lanais of some sort. The exact stateroom or type of balcony cabin that Tuttle stayed in for his September 2022 cruise is not specified.
It should be noted that more than 20 lawsuits have been filed against Carnival Corporation in October 2023 alone, many involving various injuries. Such lawsuits are not uncommon and are all given due process as required by law.
Guests boarding Royal Caribbean International’s Allure of the Seas in Port Canaveral on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 will not be visiting the destinations they’d originally expected on the 5-night sailing.
Poor weather expected along the cruise route has required an itinerary change, which includes one port of call cancelled, a different port substituted, and the remaining port rescheduled.
Allure of the Seas Itinerary Change
Allure of the Seas‘ October 25, 2023 departure was to have been a 5-night “Labadee & Perfect Day” cruise visiting two private destinations – Labadee, Haiti and Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas. Poor weather, however, means the ship will not be able to visit either port of call as originally planned.
The cruise line communicated the change to guests the day before embarkation at Port Canaveral.
“Along with our Chief Meteorologist, Craig Setzer, we’ve been monitoring some adverse weather along our intended path,”the email read.“To ensure a safe and comfortable sailing, we’ll now visit Cozumel, Mexico instead of Labadee, Haiti. Additionally, we’ll now enjoy Perfect Day at CocoCay on Day 5. We’re sorry for the last-minute change.”
The original cruise itinerary was to have been CocoCay on the very first day, followed by a day at sea before visiting Labadee on Saturday, October 28. Another day at sea would follow before the ship returned to Port Canaveral on Monday, October 30.
Bad Weather at CocoCay (Photo Credit: dnaveh)
Now, the itinerary features a day at sea with a visit to Cozumel, Mexico from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, October 27. Another day at sea is planned on Saturday, and the ship will be at CocoCay on Sunday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. – the same in-port times as previously scheduled, albeit for a different day. The ship’s return to Port Canaveral on Monday has not changed.
Cruise lines always keep guests’ safety as the top priority and while itinerary changes are never ideal, they can be necessary to ensure smooth sailing, safe docking, and precise navigation.
Pre-booked shore tours arranged through Royal Caribbean for the stop in Labadee will be automatically cancelled and refunded, and tours booked for CocoCay should be rescheduled to the new visit date.
Company in Port
When the Oasis-class Allure of the Seas visits Cozumel on Friday, it will be a busy day with four other cruise ships in port: Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Glory, MSC Cruises’ MSC Seascape, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Sky, and Viking Cruises’ Viking Mars. Allure of the Seas is the largest ship of the visiting vessels, however, and the port facilities in Cozumel are well-equipped to handle so many ships.
The ship’s visit to CocoCay, however, should be slightly less crowded than initially scheduled. If Allure of the Seas had kept her original itinerary to visit the private island on October 26, she would be sharing the destination with the Freedom-class Independence of the Seas.
Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas (Photo Credit: Sterling Images / Shutterstock)
Now, with Allure of the Seas visiting on October 29, she will be in port with the slightly smaller Voyager-class Adventure of the Seas instead.
While the difference between the Freedom and Voyager classes is slight – Adventure of the Seas can welcome 3,807 guests at maximum occupancy, compared to 4,375 aboard Independence of the Seas – the difference of a few hundred guests can make the island seem less crowded and more exclusive for everyone.
Poor Weather Predicted
The poor weather impacting Allure of the Seas is not a tropical storm or hurricane – Hurricane Tammy is far from the area and no other systems are currently developing in that region.
Typical rough weather, however, can still create strong winds and intense waves that make it challenging to dock or navigate a ship, and it is always wiser to err on the side of caution.
“Please know your safety is our top priority and being onboard is one of the safest places because we are faster and can move out of the way of any inclement weather,”the email to guests explained.
Weather in the Bahamas on Wednesday is expected to be windy with wind speeds of 20-30 miles per hour (32-48 kilometers per hour). Gusts could be significantly stronger.
Depending on the wind’s direction, it could make docking in CocoCay unsafe, as the ship would struggle to stay safely against the pier. Waves over the pier could also make it unsafe for guests to move between the ship and the island.
Furthermore, high winds can also cancel a number of activities and give guests fewer options to enjoy their day ashore. Rescheduling, however, ensures a better day for everyone and a more enjoyable cruise vacation experience.
With the cruise industry always seeking new ways to reduce emissions and offer more sustainable, environmentally responsible travel, the focus has often been on ships – connecting to shore power, reducing food waste, choosing cleaner marine fuels like liquefied natural gas, and so forth.
Carnival Corporation, however, has also offered a unique solution for the buses used as part of the company’s land-based tours in Alaska, a unique environment that attracts guests by its beauty and distinction.
Biofuel in Alaska
Prior to the industry-wide cruise shutdown in 2020, Carnival Corporation – including operations for heavily-Alaska focused cruise lines Princess Cruises and Holland America Line – had begun exploring biodiesel fuel made from restaurant cooking oil from restaurants in Juneau. The used oil was mixed with diesel fuel to reduce emissions, and helped reuse the otherwise discarded oil from local restaurants.
But when the tourism industry shut down, so did restaurant activity, which meant no fuel for buses. But, cruise ships also use cooking oil, and Discovery Princess – the flagship of the Princess Cruises fleet and one of the largest of the line’s cruise ships – became an ideal source.
Juneau native and a division manager with the land operations for Holland America Princess, the land-based operations for Carnival Corporation in Alaska, Bill Hagevig began working on a solution to bring land and sea together.
Cruise Ships in Alaska (Photo Credit: Jeff Whyte / Shutterstock)
Together with a local supplier and with creative solutions to safe, efficient offloading, Discovery Princess now isolates used cooking oil from other onboard waste and sets it aside for manufacturing biofuel to power the tour buses.
The cyclical program has been piloted with great success, and Hagevig plans to expand the operation to continue reducing emissions and waste.
“Our goal is to expand this for next summer,”said Hagevig.“This is more about doing the right thing for Alaska than anything else. We have tour buses and vehicles that can accept biodiesel, and I am hopeful we can expand that program into each one.”
Will the Program Expand Further?
At this time, there is no word on whether the collection of used oil will be expanded to additional vessels, or whether the program may also be piloted in other regions.
Alaska is uniquely suited to such a program because of the large number of pre- and post-cruise tours offered to cruise guests, who often pair a land-based extension with a cruise vacation in order to experience more the state’s amazing interior, especially Denali National Park.
Princess Buses in Alaska
As those tours are offered through and arranged by Carnival Corporation, the use of cooking oil from Carnival Corporation ships – Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Carnival Cruise Line, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, P&O Cruises, and Seabourn – could easily be expanded to multiple lines.
While reusing the oil from cruise ships is a great process, it does have challenges in how the oil is treated and stored onboard before a ship reaches a port where it can be safely and efficiently offloaded. If local restaurants can be brought back into the cycle at different ports of call, that would be another option for expansion and further support of the local Alaskan economy.
Cruise lines have committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2050, and combining with local resources to reach that goal is a great way to move forward with more sustainable cruising so pristine environments like Alaska can be enjoyed by generations of cruisers yet to come.
Even to the present day, the Titanic continues to make headlines and fascinate individuals from all over the world. Not only was the ship an engineering marvel in its day, but the Titanic’s tragic sinking remains one of the most iconic events in maritime history.
Despite being labeled an “unsinkable ship” by its builders and the press, the R.M.S. Titanic sank on April 15, 1912, just four days into its doomed maiden voyage. While the tragic sinking is an event most people are familiar with, where exactly it sank remains somewhat shrouded in mystery to the casual observer.
Today, we will look at the Titanic’s final resting place. We will also explore the discovery of this location and what the water conditions would have been like for those unfortunate passengers and crew members who were forced to evacuate the ship.
If you are ready to expand your understanding of the Titanic and its sinking, let’s get started!
As you may know, the Titanic sank during its maiden voyage, which was scheduled to be a transatlantic trip from Southampton, England, to New York City, United States. Four days into its first voyage, the Titanic made fatal contact with an iceberg in the North Atlantic Ocean.
The ship sank roughly 370 miles, or 600 kilometers, southeast of Newfoundland, Canada. Given how remote this location is, it only added to the tragedy, as the distance from land hampered rescue attempts.
Titanic Wreck Location and Itinerary (Image Credit: Ziko van Dijk)
While modern historians and maritime experts believe these coordinates are accurate, it is somewhat tricky to pinpoint an exact location, as the ship would not have dropped directly downwards during its sinking. Ocean currents would have influenced the location of the wreckage during its descent and following its sinking.
What Would Water Conditions Be Like Where the Titanic Sank?
Given that the Titanic sank in April, it was a time when the water in the North Atlantic Ocean would have been particularly cold. Water temperatures at the surface would have been just above freezing, meaning roughly 28 to 32 degrees Fahrenheit. These frigid conditions would have contributed to the risks faced by those forced to jump into the water.
Titanic Lifeboat
On top of dangerously cold water temperatures, passengers and crew members had to contend with foggy conditions that would have severely limited visibility. This is because the warmer air and ice-cold water in the North Atlantic form a particularly dense fog at this time of year. It is also believed that the water would have been rough at this time of year, which may have contributed to the sinking in the first place.
What Is the Underwater Geography Where the Titanic Sank?
The ocean surface where the Titanic sank is known as the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Experts describe it as a sort of underwater mountain range. As you will learn, locating the wreckage was much more difficult.
Titanic Wreck
On top of the rocky conditions at the surface, where the Titanic sank, the wreckage would have dropped at least 12,500 feet before first contacting the seabed. Add sediment, corrosion, and over a century of decay into the mix, and it only makes sense that locating the Titanic was a challenging task.
When Did the Titanic Sink?
As mentioned, the Titanic sank after colliding with an iceberg on April 15, 1912. According to records that survived the sinking, the collision occurred at 11:40 p.m. local time on April 14, but the actual sinking occurred in the early hours of the following day.
From the initial collision to the final submerging of the vessel, a total time of roughly two hours and forty minutes had elapsed. Given where it sank and the time of its sinking, the Titanic had covered approximately 1,450 nautical miles of the total 2,224 nautical mile journey.
When Was the Titanic Wreckage Found?
Part of the reason there is so much mystery surrounding the location of the Titanic is the immense amount of time that its wreckage remained a complete mystery. Not untilSeptember of 1985 did researchers find the Titanic, which completely baffled salvage crews and research experts for many decades.
Attempts to locate the sunken Titanic began just days after the Titanic sank, but these efforts proved unsuccessful. Anything that could be found was floating, so it would have drifted in ocean currents significantly from the initial sinking location.
The 1985 discovery was part of a joint French and American effort to find the famous ocean liner. The expedition’s success was largely due to using an uncrewed submersible vehicle named Jason Junior. Using this new technology, the researchers could locate the Titanic 12,500 feet below the water’s surface. This discovery captured global attention and was considered one of the century’s significant discoveries.
Following the discovery of the Titanic’s location, debate was reignited about how the Titanic sank, who owned the rights to the wreckage and valuables items remaining inside, and what should be done in terms of salvage efforts.
The discovery also led to the U.S. Congress passing the R.M.S. Titanic Maritime Memorial Act of 1986. This act was designed to encourage American and international explorers to study and explore the shipwreck with respect. It was intended to prevent the wreckage site from turning into a treasure hunt where privately backed explorers would visit the Titanic to salvage valuables and other artifacts that could be sold to private collectors.
What About Expeditions Following the Discovery of the Titanic’s Location?
Following the groundbreaking discovery of the Titanic’s location in 1985, a follow-up expedition was launched in 1986. The expedition was carried out on behalf of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. The expedition’s purpose was to examine the Titanic’s current condition and gain valuable insight into the events that caused its tragic sinking.
The main takeaway and success from the 1986 expedition were the first close-up images of the Titanic’s wreckage. These images proved incredibly valuable for those researching how and why the sinking occurred.
Following these first two monumental expeditions, many other crews have traveled down to the wreckage location to obtain high-resolution images and even retrieve priceless artifacts from the interior of the Titanic. Many of these objects are now displayed in museums worldwide, allowing those fascinated with the Titanic and its story to view items first-hand.
Present-Day Expeditions to the Titanic Wreckage Site
Numerous scientific expeditions continue to explore the site today. These efforts have resulted in detailed 3D maps of the wreckage and the surrounding terrain. Scientific exploration also continues with the purpose of plotting long-term preservation initiatives.
Sophisticated technology and uncrewed remote control submarines give researchers ways of studying the wreckage without having to disturb it. This is important as it helps preserve the Titanic’s resting place as an important historical and archaeological site.
Titan Submarine for Titanic Tour (Photo Credit: OceanGate)
As fans of the 1997 blockbuster hit Titanic will have seen at the movie’s beginning, these expedition efforts are complex and incredibly stressful. While this particular scene relied upon a mixture of real footage and CGI effects, it accurately portrayed the complex operation of visiting the site.
While many of the expeditions to the wreckage site today are scientific in nature and carried out by experts, a market has even opened up for hobbyists and adventure seekers to visit the site. With that said, these submersible exploration vacations are costly, and, as the recent OceanGate Titan expedition showed us, they can also be incredibly dangerous.
What Has Been Recovered from the Titanic Wreckage Site?
Salvage expeditions in 1993, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, and 2004 have collected thousands of artifacts and remnants of the ship. These items have included everything from personal items from passengers, like jewelry and top hats, to fine china plates and silverware from the dining rooms. Even one of the decorative cherubs from the Titanic’s grand staircase has been recovered from the site.
In 2018, these items were appraised to have a value of roughly $200 million. This gives insight into why so many are willing to visit the site despite the cost and dangers associated with the expeditions.
Shoe From Titanic Wreckage (Photo Credit: EML)
Since then, the United States and the United Kingdom have signed a treaty specifically designed to protect the wreckage site and the artifacts within the ship. The joint legislation was signed in 2020 and granted the American and British governments the power to grant or deny entry into the wreck and remove items from the location. While the wreckage site resides outside American and British waters, the wreckage is believed to belong to both nations due to the ship’s history and ownership.
What Lessons Have Been Learned from the Sinking?
In the immediate aftermath of the sinking, new standards for safety were established. In 1914, just two years after the Titanic’s sinking, the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) was established. It revised a wide range of regulations relating to passenger safety, including the number of lifeboats required and how safety drills should be carried out.
This maritime treaty has undergone many revisions and continues to influence safety standards for all passenger ships. The mandatory passenger muster drills you will have experienced on board a cruise ship have their historical roots in the aftermath of the Titanic’s tragic sinking.
Titanic (Photo Credit: Everett Collection)
The sinking of the Titanic also resulted in numerous changes to ship design for ocean liners and other passenger vessels. Reinforced hulls and stronger build materials have now become standard.
Where the Titanic sank due to colliding with an iceberg, modern ships can withstand these types of impacts. Ships also feature better compartmentalization in the lower decks, so if a breach does occur, it can be contained without sinking the entire vessel.
Ships also undergo safety inspections and maintenance fares more frequently than ships of the past. This is required according to laws designed to protect the safety of all passengers and crew aboard the ship. Since 1,517 individuals lost their lives due to the sinking of the Titanic, many of these laws and regulations are designed to prevent the scale of this tragedy from ever occurring again.
Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.s)
Are there any plans to recover the entire Titanic?
No, there are no plans to bring the wreckage to the surface. Not only would this be incredibly difficult, but there is a good chance that the remains of the Titanic would not survive a large-scale salvage attempt without collapsing. This is mainly due to the effects of corrosion and the impact of marine life buildup on the ship’s surface.
Many also consider the site a functioning grave for those lost during the ship’s sinking. Salvaging the vessel would result in ethical debates. With that said, there are ongoing efforts to recover valuable historical and cultural artifacts from the ship, especially items that are deemed educational.
What condition is the Titanic wreck in?
While the Titanic is relatively well-preserved, given the time it has been submerged, it has deteriorated quite a bit since it was discovered in 1985. Corrosion is taking its toll, and parts of the hull are beginning to collapse. While the metallic portions of the ship are beginning to deteriorate, some areas of the Titanic’s interior are surprisingly well preserved.
Final Words
Where the Titanic sank only contributed to the tragedy of the event. The ice-cold water and foggy conditions would have hampered rescue attempts and made survival less likely for those unable to board a lifeboat.
The exact location of the wreckage continues to be a lasting memorial to the victims, as well as a site of interest and exploration. Fortunately, modern-day cruise ships and ocean liners have taken lessons from the tragic event, and they are now built stronger.
