Norwegian Cruise Line is taking extra steps to ensure all travelers are aware of paperwork requirements prior to sailing on select voyages. Guests booked on one-way trips have received reminders that valid passports are required, even though the cruise does start and end in a US homeport.
The fact that the beginning and ending homeports differ is the critical fact, and federal law requires travelers to have a valid passport for such sailings.
Guests Need to Bring Passports
Many cruise travelers are accustomed to setting sail with a birth certificate (or other proof of citizenship) and valid driver’s license (or other government-issued photo ID) to prove their identity, but that documentation is not sufficient when a cruise begins and ends in different homeports, even when both ports are within the US.
To ensure that travelers understand the documentation requirements, Norwegian Cruise Line has sent email reminders to guests booked on such sailings, as well as to travel partners and agents with a request to ensure the information is shared with impacted guests.
“As a reminder, a valid passport is required on all sailings that begin in one US port and end in another US port,”the email reads.“Guests who fail to present a passport at embarkation will be denied boarding.”
Furthermore, the website outlines why valid passports are strongly recommended for all guests. If a guest were to miss the ship at an international port of call, for example, a valid passport would be necessary for air travel to return to the US or to catch up with the ship at the next port of call.
Norwegian Cruise Line Ship (Photo Credit: Adam McCullough)
If a guest were to “unexpectedly need to depart the ship from a foreign port prior to the end of sailing,” a valid passport would also be required for any subsequent air travel. This could happen do to an illness or injury to the guest or a member of their traveling party, or an emergency back home that required the guest to leave the cruise early.
Finally, the cruise line notes that “international ports of call can change their travel requirements at their own discretion and may unexpectedly require all guests to have a valid passport to go ashore.”
It must be noted that the documentation requirements for cruises has not changed recently, but cruise lines are being more proactive about reminding guests of the necessary paperwork in light of recent cases of guests left stranded or struggling without passports.
Despite online and social media “tips” about carrying photocopies or photos of passports, only the original, valid passport can be used for travel. Photocopies or pictures of official documents are not acceptable.
Carnival Cruise Line recently issued similar paperwork reminders for their guests. Guests should also note that any traveler who is not an official US citizen is required to have a valid passport that does not expire until at least six months after the end of the cruise vacation.
When Is a Passport NOT Required?
The only sailings from US homeports that do not require all cruise guests to carry a valid passport are closed-loop cruises that depart and return to the exact same homeport.
There are even exceptions to this guideline, however, depending on where a cruise ship visits during the sailing. If the cruise calls on ports in South America or Panama, passports are still required even if the voyage is a closed-loop cruise from a US homeport.
Because travel documentation requirements can change at any time, travelers should be aware of the proper paperwork not only when they book their sailing, but should also double-check those requirements in the weeks leading up to their cruise in case changes are made before they set sail.
Carnival Cruise Line has strengthened its ties with New York City through a multi-year partnership with the New York Jets. The partnership is significant given Carnival Venezia operates out of the Manhattan Cruise Terminal, further intertwining the cruise line with the Big Apple.
The cooperation between Carnival and the New York Jets, a professional American football team, is part of a broader trend of partnerships between cruise lines and sports entities, aiming at mutual brand promotion and enhanced guest experiences.
Fostering Brand Growth
The race is on amongst major cruise lines to set up new partnerships with major sports teams in the United States.
After Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, MSC Cruises, and Holland America Line all revealed associations in the last year or so, Carnival Cruise Line announced a new partnership with NFL giants, the New York Jets, on October 13, making the cruise line a “Proud Partner of the New York Jets.”
The partnership with the New York Jets is perceived as a strategic move for Carnival Cruise Line to expand its brand presence in the New York metropolitan area.
Carnival and New York Jets Partnership
The new partnership is particularly significant since one of Carnival’s newest cruise ships, the 135,225 gross tons Carnival Venezia, is homeported at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal. The new ship offers the cruise line’s “Fun Italian Style” experience, a play on the cruise ship’s history with Italian cruise line Costa Cruises.
Amy Martin Ziegenfuss, chief marketing officer at Carnival Cruise Line: “At Carnival, we create memorable vacation experiences filled with fun for our guests, and we see the excitement from football fans firsthand when their favorite sport is part of that fun – from our ‘sailgate’ parties to our special big game screenings at our Carnival Seaside Theater.”
“This new partnership is a perfect way to create new opportunities to fuel that enthusiasm since nothing is more fun to football fans than the game itself.”
Carnival Venezia Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Mariusz Lopusiewicz / Shutterstock)
Whether guests can take advantage of special deals through the New York Jets or Carnival Cruise Line has yet to be revealed. The cruise line did not specify any specific deals involved with the partnership. However, it will likely extend to various promotional activities, such as Carnival advertisements at the Jets’ games.
Guests will likely also be able to follow New York Jets games and see promotions tied to the NFL team in the SkyBox Sports Bar onboard Carnival’s ships.
Cruise Industry Partnerships with Sports Teams
The partnership between Carnival and the New York Jets is part of a wider trend within the cruise industry to engage with sports teams and events.
Other cruise lines, like Holland America Line, have also explored partnerships with sports entities. Holland America announced a partnership with the Professional Pickleball Association in December 2022, while Norwegian Cruise Line recently revealed an exclusive partnership with the Miami Marlins.
Carnival Cruise Line has one of the longest histories in sports partnerships. The cruise line has a longstanding relationship with the Miami Heat. Micky Arison, the chairman of Carnival Corporation, owns the NBA team. Since 2019, there has also been a partnership between Carnival and the Harlem Globetrotters.
Last but not least, one of the most prominent figures in Carnival Cruise Line is its CFO, or Chief Fun Officer. Former NBA Superstar Shaquille O’Neal even has a chicken restaurant on several Carnival cruise ships, Big Chicken.
Virgin Voyages has reported an apparent gastroenteritis or norovirus outbreak aboard Scarlet Lady, with dozens of passengers affected by the illness. Guests on the following sailing warned about the situation.
Appropriate actions have been taken to mitigate the spread of the illness, and the cruise line has informed the proper authorities about the outbreak.
Stomach Flu Symptoms on Scarlet Lady
The most recent sailing of Virgin Voyage’s flagship, Scarlet Lady, has been impacted by an illness outbreak with stomach flu-like symptoms. These symptoms typically include nausea, diarrhea, aches, cramps, and low-grade fever, and often signify viral gastroenteritis or norovirus.
In a statement provided to Cruise Hive, the cruise line noted the outbreak as well as confirming no impact on the ship’s next sailing, departing on Friday, October 13, 2023.
“During Scarlet Lady’s latest voyage, about 3% of our guests experienced stomach flu symptoms. Our medical team isolated these travelers, and we immediately enacted enhanced sanitization procedures including additional cleaning of cabins and high-contact areas around the ship,”the Virgin Voyages’ spokesperson said.“We are working closely with the CDC and their medical professionals.”
Photo Credit: EQRoy / Shutterstock
The 110,000-gross-ton ship can welcome 2,700 passengers. In total, 3% of that capacity would indicate that more than 80 guests have reported the symptoms, though exact figures have not been announced. It is possible some crew members may also be impacted.
Cruise lines must report outbreaks to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) when 2% or more of passengers or crew have gastrointestinal illness if the ship is in the US or within 15 days of arriving. If more than 3% of passengers or crew report symptoms, the report must be made to the CDC even if the ship will not be arriving at a US port for more than 15 days.
This is the first illness outbreak for any Virgin Voyages ship in 2023 that requires reporting to the CDC. Sailings from Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises, and other lines have had similar reports this year.
To be clear, this outbreak is confirmed as a gastrointestinal illness – different types of which are relatively common on cruise ships – and is not COVID-19 or any type of respiratory illness.
No Impact to Sailing
The sailing impacted by the illness was a 5-night “Riviera Maya” cruise that departed Miami, Florida on Sunday, October 8. The cruise visited Cozumel, Mexico and Bimini, the Bahamas, with no impact on port stays or the ship’s return to Miami on Friday, October 13.
Similarly, the cruise line has confirmed that there will be no change to the next itinerary, a 5-night sailing departing on Friday that will visit Grand Turk on Sunday, October 15 as well as Bimini on Tuesday, October 17. The ship will return to Miami on Wednesday, October 18.
Photo Credit: Virgin Voyages
“There is currently no impact to the upcoming voyage’s departure time or ports of call,”the statement read.
Guests onboard the next sailing have been notified of the outbreak and will undoubtedly be encouraged to follow thorough handwashing recommendations. Additional mitigation measures, such as enhanced cleaning of both staterooms and public areas, more placements of hand sanitizer, and possible changes to activities may also be noticed to minimize any disease transmission.
These types of disease outbreaks, while not frequent, do happen on cruise ships because of the close quarters with hundreds of passengers aboard.
Guests can take plenty of steps to protect themselves, such as avoiding high-contact surfaces as much as possible, including elevator buttons, handrails, and serving utensils. Frequent handwashing and liberal use of hand sanitizer can also be helpful.
Avoiding overindulgence onboard, staying hydrated, and getting enough rest can also help guests fight off any illness.
Holland America Line has announced outstanding offers with their “Explore With More” deal for a limited time, offering travelers multiple credits and onboard bonuses for select sailings from April through October 2024.
This offer can make it amazingly affordable for cruisers, especially families, to find a great value for an unforgettable summer getaway next year.
“Explore With More” Offer Now Available
For a limited time, interested travelers will be able to book Holland America Line’s “Explore With More” offer that includes great savings and extraordinary value for cruise vacations.
The offer includes a $500 (USD) per person air credit for the first two guests on European sailings, a $100 per person shore excursion credit, and kids ages 5-18 cruising free as the third and fourth stateroom guests on select sailings for Alaska, Europe, or Canada and New England itineraries.
Even more significant is that this deal – available for bookings made between Friday, October 13 and Wednesday, November 15, 2023 – can be combined with the cruise line’s “Have It All” premium package for unprecedented savings and value.
Holland America Line’s Koningsdam
This offer is specially timed for guests booking 2024 summer vacations to make the most of their vacation budget as demand for cruising grows and many cruise lines are increasing prices with the rise of interest.
“With travel continuing to gain momentum, we’re seeing more people planning their vacations farther out and looking to take advantage of offers like ‘Explore with More’ that add value,”said Beth Bodensteiner, Holland America Line’s chief commercial officer.“With ‘Kids Sail Free’ and an air credit for Europe, this is a great time to book a multigenerational family cruise.”
Itineraries from 7-14 days as well as more extended voyages, are eligible for these great savings, including the outstanding 35-night “Voyage of the Vikings” aboard Zuiderdam.
This roundtrip sailing from Boston, Massachusetts offers not only a convenient departure port, but also the opportunity to visit ports of call in Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, and Ireland, a truly memorable adventure.
Adding the “Have It All” Package
Guests who opt for the “Have It All” package that is combinable with “Explore With More” will get even greater savings. The “Have It All” package includes free shore tours, up to three per person valued at $100 each, which adds up to $400 of shore excursion savings per traveler.
The cruise line’s Signature Beverage Package, with up to 15 drinks per day, are also part of the package, allowing travelers to indulge in thirst-quenching soda, water, coffee, along with wine, beer, cocktails, and other drinks without extra fees. Up to three nights of specialty dining are also included, though options vary based on the ship and the length of the sailing.
Holland America Westerdam (Photo Courtesy: Holland America Line)
Finally, guests booking the “Have It All” package can be the envy of family and friends back home with the included Wi-Fi Surf Package to stay connected, share photos, check email, stay updated on news and sports scores, and more.
Itineraries Available in Multiple Regions
No matter where a family wants to get away in summer 2024, Holland America Line has amazing options available to highly desirable destinations.
Alaska is always a top choice for summer sailings, and with scenic glacier cruising, popular ports of call, and extended cruisetours visiting the iconic Denali National Park, guests can’t go wrong with Holland America Line. Departures from Seattle, Washington; Whittier, Alaska; and Vancouver, Canada, are all available to meet travelers’ preferences and most convenient homeport options.
European cruises are available with a variety of destinations, from the Norwegian fjords to Iceland to northern Europe to the Canary Islands to the Mediterranean. With the great deals and combinable packages, travelers can explore these bucket-list destinations guilt-free.
For immersion in maritime culture and American history, the Canada & New England itineraries that depart from Boston, Montreal, and Quebec City offer educational getaways as well as outstanding cruising in beautiful regions with amazing seasonal variety.
With so many options to choose from and hundreds of dollars of savings available, Holland America Line is the way to go for top dollar value for 2024 summer sailings.
Spirits, and not just the kind served in a glass, will become an entertainment staple onboard Princess Cruises’ newest ship, Sun Princess, when she debuts in early 2024.
In a collaboration with a popular magic show venue in Hollywood, the cruise line promises to keep guests spellbound in a magical space aboard the ship.
‘Spellbound’ to Entertain Guests With Magic Acts
Princess Cruises announced on October 12, 2023 it is collaborating with The Magic Castle, the iconic Hollywood venue that stages magic and illusions shows, to present “Spellbound by Magic Castle” aboard Sun Princess.
In a designated space aboard the soon-to-launch 4,300-guest ship, an ordinary-looking door will usher guests into a set of themed rooms where magicians and others, including “the spirit of Isabella,” will entertain cruisers with magic acts, special cocktails, special effects, and other presentations.
The Spellbound space will feature ornate, Victorian-era furnishings and decor in the Music Room, Parlor Bar, and in a 30-seat theater where guests will experience “up-close magic.” Princess Cruises has not yet revealed the fee guests will pay to access the space.
Sun Princess Spellbound Foyer
“We are excited to introduce Spellbound by Magic Castle and take the art of magic around the world aboard the spectacular new Sun Princess,” said John Padgett, president of Princess Cruises.
“This collaboration with The Magic Castle™ takes entertainment into new dimensions with an extraordinary experience that combines the allure of magic with the thrill of cruising. Spellbound will become an iconic guest favorite on Sun Princess,” Padgett added.
Guests entering the space through the Music Room will encounter the spirit of Isabella, while the vintage-decor Parlor Bar will feature illusionists who will reveal Artemis the owl. Then it’s on to the full-stage magic show inside the Spellbound theater.
Throughout the entertainment events, mixologists, proficient in sleight-of-hand, will create special, themed cocktails for guests.
“We are bringing some of the most authentic aspects of The Magic Castle in Hollywood to Sun Princess, complete with incredible magicians and illusionists, so that Princess guests can experience a taste of the world class magic that is showcased nightly at the Magic Castle,” said Erika Larsen, president of Magic Castle Enterprises.
“It’s an exciting opportunity for guests to immerse themselves in a magical experience typically reserved exclusively for members and their guests,” said Larsen.
The Magic Castle serves as the clubhouse of the Academy of Magical Arts, in Hollywood, and is reserved for members and their guests, and those who receive invitations. It has for decades attracted Hollywood celebrities and guest performers, including Orson Welles, Johnny Carson, and Steve Martin.
Cirque Éloize Also to Debut on Sun Princess
The 175,500-gross-ton Sun Princess, a Sphere-class vessel that will be the largest ever built for Princess Cruises, will have other new entertainment features onboard. The cruise line earlier this year announced a partnership with Cirque Éloize to bring three unique and exclusive performances to the ship.
Sun Princess Cruise Ship
The Cirque Éloize shows will be presented in The Dome, a spacious entertainment venue that will debut on Sun Princess, which is under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy.
Sun Princess is scheduled to sail her inaugural voyage on February 8, 2024, from Barcelona to Rome with port calls at Mallorca, Spain; Messina, Sicily; Athens and Santorini, Greece; Kusadasi, Turkey; and Naples, Italy. The ship will remain in the Mediterranean for the summer season, sailing 7- to 23-night itineraries from multiple ports.
Sun Princess will reposition to Fort Lauderdale in November 2024, offering a series of winter sailings in the Caribbean. Sun Princess will be the first Princess Cruises’ ship to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG).
The armed conflict between Hamas and Israel has prompted several cruise lines to cancel their scheduled calls to the country. The unfolding tensions have led to a ripple effect in the cruise industry, with many operators amending their itineraries to ensure the safety and security of their guests.
On top of that, the U.S. State Department issued an advisory cautioning against travel to the region due to heightened risks of terrorism and civil unrest. At least eight cruise lines have withdrawn from Israel.
Azamara
The small vessel cruise line has confirmed with Cruise Hive that two of its vessels will not be making scheduled visits to the country, This includes calls by Azamara Journey and Azamara Pursuit in October 2023.
“Due to the current Israel and Gaza Strip conflict, we will not be calling ports in Israel as originally planned. These changes will affect the October 17 Israel Intensive Voyage and October 27 Ancient Trade Routes Voyage onboard Azamara Journey, and the October 23 Ancient Civilizations sailing on Azamara Pursuit, the cruise line said.
Azamara added, “Our top priority is the safety and security of our crew and guests. In an effort to accommodate guests booked on impacted sailings, we will provide alternative ports of call, where applicable.”
“Our global security team is closely watching the evolving situation in Israel. For the safety and security of our guests, we’re adjusting several itineraries in the area. Impacted guests are being notified directly.”
In an additional update on October 12, Royal Caribbean announced it had cancelled cruises for Rhapsody of the Seas for the October 9, 13, 18, 23 and 27 sailings, as well as the November 1 and 6 cruises.
Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas (Photo Credit: ATGImages)
Royal Caribbean is offering affected guests full refunds for the cruise fare, taxes, fees, pre-paid packages, gratuities, and shore excursions. Guests who booked flights through Air2Sea will also receive a full refund, while guests who booked independent flights will need to discuss their options with their providers.
The cruise line has also already cancelled calls to the country with Odyssey of the Seas. The October 15 voyage out of Italy removed the calls to Haifa and Ashdod. Instead, Odyssey of the Seas spent Monday, October 9 in Bodrum, Turkey; Tuesday, October 10, at sea; and Wednesday, October 11, at Limassol, Cyprus.
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises has also taken heed of the evolving situation. The Celebrity Apex has rerouted its calls from Israel and Egypt to Santorini, Mykonos, and Rhodes for the October 6 and October 16 sailings.
Celebrity Apex (Photo Credit: kees torn / Flickr)
Following the altered itineraries due to the situation in Israel, the cruise line also announced further changes due to a developing situation in Alexandria, Egypt. A letter sent to guests stated:
“As our global security team continues to closely monitor the evolving situation in Israel and the surrounding regions, we have been alerted to further situations unfolding in Alexandria, Egypt. Due to these developments, our experts have made the decision not to visit Alexandria, considering the safety and security of our guests and crew as our number one priority,”the letter explains.
Guests affected by this change are offered full refunds, and arrangements are underway to repatriate Israeli travelers. The MSC Musica, initially scheduled for 7-night Mediterranean cruises, disembarked Israeli passengers in Limassol, Cyprus, who were then transported to Israel on a chartered cruise ship.
MSC Cruise Ships (Photo Credit: hbpictures)
Also, MSC Cruises allows guests to cancel select sailings from October 8-15, 2023, due to security concerns, with a potential extension of this goodwill gesture.
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises has also announced a halt to calls in Israel for now. Island Princess will not sail to Jerusalem and Nazareth. Instead, to the Greek islands of Santorini and Crete on its November voyages.
NCL stated: “We are deeply saddened by the tragic situation in Israel. Our thoughts are with all those impacted during this time. As always, the safety and security of our guests, crew and communities we visit is our top priority. As a result, we have made the decision to cancel all calls to Israel for the remainder of 2023.“
PREVIOUSLY:
Amidst the ongoing geopolitical tensions, Norwegian Cruise Line diverted the Norwegian Gem from its scheduled call to Ashdod on Sunday, October 8. The cruise ship spent the day at sea instead.
Norwegian Gem then proceeded to Limassol as originally scheduled on Monday, resuming its itinerary for the remainder of an 11-day cruise from Rome to Istanbul.
Celestyal Cruises
Celestyal Cruises announced the cancellation of all stops in Israel through the end of November. The cruise line said it aims to keep all guests updated regarding any further changes to cruise itineraries.
The cruise line’s CEO, Chris Theophilides, said in a statement to Cruise Hive:“We are in close coordination with the authorities, and the safety, security, and comfort of our guests remains our upmost priority. On the advice of our internal teams and the relevant authorities we have decided to temporarily remove Israel from our Three Continents itinerary until the end of November this year.”
Oceania Cruises
Oceania Cruises made adjustments to its sailing schedules as well. Nautica expedited its departure from Israel, leaving a day ahead of schedule. Oceania Cruises confirmed that all guests and crew were accounted for and are safe and sound following the unscheduled departure.
Photo Credit: StudioPortoSabbia / Shutterstock
In a further amendment to its sailing itineraries, Oceania Cruises’ Sirena, scheduled for a three-day stay in Israel during its October 14 cruise, will now spend a day at sea, followed by calls to Santorini, Heraklion, and Mykonos, Greece.
Oceania Marina’s November 1 sailing, with a two-day stay scheduled in Israel, is also under review. Oceania Cruises states that it is currently in the process of examining alternative itinerary options for this sailing.
Holland America Line
Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam was one of the first ships affected when the situation in Israel started. Following the state of emergency declaration on October 7, guests were urgently called back to the ship, which set sail that evening from Haifa.
TUI Cruises
The Germanu-based TUI Cruises joined the growing list of cruise lines staying away from the country to ensure guests remain safe. The cruise line has cancelled Mein Schiff 5’s scheduled visits to Israel on October 11 at Haifa and October 12 at Ashdod. Instead, the vessel will visit Marmaris in Turkey and Santorini in Greece.
What’s Next for Israel Cruises?
With this many cruise lines and ships affected by the current unrest, the question is how the coming winter and further will look.
The winter season traditionally sees a reduction in cruises to the region due to the seasonal itinerary shift towards warmer climates, which means fewer cruise lines will be affected by the current unrest in the near term. However, come spring and summer, the situation is unclear.
The developments in the upcoming months will play a crucial role in determining the cruise industry’s confidence in resuming calls to Israel. Cruise lines will closely monitor the geopolitical situation and liaise with local authorities to evaluate the safety and feasibility of returning to Israeli ports.
As the tensions in Israel continue, Royal Caribbean International has elected to fully cancel the remainder of the season for Rhapsody of the Seas, which is currently homeported from Haifa, Israel. A total of seven sailings are impacted, and booked guests will be receiving refunds for their now-cancelled cruises.
Sailings Cancelled for Rhapsody of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International has updated its travel alert regarding Israel, now cancelling a total of seven sailings for the Vision-class Rhapsody of the Seas.
“We’ve been closely monitoring the geopolitical situation in Israel. With your safety and well-being in mind, and in conjunction with our Global Security Department, we’ve decided that we must cancel our upcoming Rhapsody of the Seas 2023 sailings,”the notification reads.
The complete list of impacted departure dates are: October 9, 13, 18, 23, and 27, as well as the November 1 and November 6 sailings.
All but the November 6 sailing were to have been 4- or 5-night roundtrip Greek Isles voyages calling on ports such as Limassol, Rhodes, Ayia Napa, and Santorini, depending on the exact departure date.
Rhapsody of the Seas Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: ATGImages / Shutterstock)
The November 6, 2023 cruise is the ship’s one-way departure from Israel to Barcelona, a 6-night sailing visiting Santorini and Palma de Mallorca along the way.
On Sunday, November 12, Rhapsody of the Seas will depart Barcelona on a 14-night, one-way transatlantic cruise to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. From there, the ship will offer one short 3-night Bahamas cruise before moving to offer Southern Caribbean cruises from Colon, Panama and Cartagena, Colombia (with options for departures from both ports).
Refunds to Be Processed
All guests on the now-cancelled cruises from Haifa will receive full, 100% refunds of their cruise fare as well as associated taxes and fees. Any pre-paid, Royal Caribbean add-ons will also be fully refunded, including gratuities, drink or dining packages, shore tours, flights purchased through the cruise line, or Royal Caribbean Travel Protection.
Refunds will be processed back to the payment information on file within 14 business days, but the cruise line does note that some financial institutions may take longer to reinstate funds. This could be especially true for Israel-based banks.
“Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. And again, we apologize for this cancellation and any inconvenience caused by this,”the notification concludes.
Rhapsody of the Seas Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Aerial-motion / Shutterstock)
If guests have made independent arrangements with tour operators, airlines, or other services, they will need to contact those providers separately to arrange for refunds or to investigate other options as available.
If travelers had used any Royal Caribbean future cruise credit (FCC) to pay for a now-cancelled cruise or related amenities, that original FCC will be reinstated and any additional charges will be refunded as described.
Other Royal Caribbean Ships and Brands Also Making Changes
TUI Cruises, another cruise line owned in part by the Royal Caribbean Group, has also cancelled calls to Israel for the next few weeks.
Any guests booked for a cruise visit to Israel in the next few weeks or months will want to stay in close contact with their cruise line – whether or not they are part of the Royal Caribbean Group – for updates on any itinerary changes, port adjustments, or outright cancellations at this troubled time.
In light of the tense geopolitical situation in Israel, MSC Cruises has updated itineraries for two of its cruise ships to remove calls to the nation through early January 2024.
A total of 11 sailings have been revised with new ports of call that will help keep guests safe from the conflict while still enjoying amazing destinations in the eastern Mediterranean.
More Calls to Israel Cancelled
Two MSC Cruises ships, MSC Musica and MSC Sinfonia, have had multiple itineraries adjusted to remove upcoming visits to Israel. This has been decided based on the ongoing regional conflict and to ensure the safety of guests and crew members.
“The safety of our passengers and crew is always our top priority and we have worked rapidly to revise the itineraries of MSC Sinfonia and MSC Musica to offer an extremely attractive alternative for the winter months,” said Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises.
The impacted voyages aboard MSC Musica are 7-night sailings roundtrip from Pireaus (Athens), Greece, with departure dates of October 15, 22, and 29. Each of these cruises was to have sailed to Santorini, Ephesus, Haifa, Limassol, and Mykonos before returning to Athens.
Now, these itineraries will instead visit alternative ports rather than Haifa, Israel. For the October 15 and 22 departures, MSC Musica will visit Rhodes, while the October 29 departure will visit Marmaris.
MSC Musica Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Deman)
No other ports of call on these itineraries appear to be impacted, but it is possible that further adjustments must be made as schedules are refined and finalized.
The 92,409-gross-ton, Musica-class MSC Musica can welcome 2,550 guests aboard, and is also home to more than 950 international crew members.
MSC Sinfonia Itinerary Changes
A total of 8 sailings for MSC Sinfonia have been adjusted to remove visits to Israel. All the impacted voyages are 11-night Mediterranean sailings roundtrip from Genoa, Italy. Originally, the cruises were to have visited Rome, Messina, Rhodes, Limassol, Haifa, and Iraklion.
The following 2023 departure dates have all been adjusted: October 21; November 1, 12, and 23; and December 4, 15, and 26. The January 6, 2024 departure has also been changed.
MSC Sinfonia (Photo Credit: Roger Utting)
The MSC Sinfonia cruises are adjusting more than just one port of call, however. Haifa, Rhodes, and Limassol have all been removed from the itineraries to accommodate different sailing routes and port schedules. Now, the ship will set sail from Genoa and call on Rome, Messina, Athens (Piraeus), Izmir, and Heraklion before returning to Genoa.
The 65,542-gross ton MSC Sinfonia is a Lirica-class ship, able to welcome 2,087 guests aboard at double occupancy, or up to 2,679 passengers when fully booked, with more than 700 crew members aboard.
Multiple Lines Cancelling Cruises
With no way to know how long the dangerous conflict in Israel may last, several cruise lines have taken steps to safeguard their passengers by cancelling sailings or adjusting itineraries to remove port visits to the country.
All cruise lines are carefully monitoring the situation for further developments, and will make itinerary adjustments as needed to keep guests and crew members safe as they enjoy oceangoing getaways.
Disney Cruise Line has announced that the upcoming Disney Treasure will feature an exclusive stage production of the popular animated movie Moana, which will be the first time the story debuts live on land or at sea. Sure to be a hit, the show is perfect to embody the ship’s overall theme of adventure and exploration.
Disney Treasure Main Show Announced
The new Disney Treasure, sister ship to the immensely popular Disney Wish, will feature a brand new stage production, “Disney: The Tale of Moana” – an exclusive live-action adaption of the 2016 animated film Moana.
Like the film, the new onboard show will follow the story of Moana, the daughter of the village chief, as she undertakes an adventurous ocean voyage to return the Heart of Te Fiti and save her Polynesian island home.
Guests onboard Disney Treasure will recognize not only the most popular characters of the award-winning movie, including Gramma Tala, demigod Maui, and the crazy crab Tamatoa, but also some of the iconic songs from the film’s soundtrack.
Disney Treasure Moana (Credit: Disney)
More details about the show have not yet been announced, but the production will be offered in Disney Treasure‘s main show lounge with multiple performances on each cruise to accommodate all guests.
Auditions for the show’s cast, including featured characters as well as dancers and musicians, will begin in the coming weeks.
The show complements the shipwide theme of “adventure” for Disney Treasure, and is especially appropriate as the production showcases an oceangoing journey, just as cruisers set sail on the new ship.
Also onboard will be the Hei Hei Cafe on Deck 4, featuring another beloved character and Moana’s faithful – if clueless – sidekick chicken.
Additional Entertainment for Disney Treasure
“Disney: The Tale of Moana” will not be the only show aboard Disney Treasure. The cruise line has already confirmed that the ship will also feature the beloved tale as old as time, “Beauty and the Beast” along with the quirky and adventurous opening show, “Disney Seas the Adventure.”
Dinnertime shows will also be featured in the ship’s dining rooms, including a brand new signature experience in the Worlds of Marvel dining room as well as a colorful and engaging Coco-themed two-night dining experience at Plaza de Coco, expanding the story from the 2017 Pixar movie.
The sail away deck party that begins every sailing will still showcase energetic dancing and an introduction of beloved Disney characters to welcome all guests aboard, and the wildly popular “Pirate’s Rockin’ Parlay Party” will be showcased one evening, complete with fireworks (weather and port restrictions permitting).
Character encounters, princess meet-and-greets, and other special entertainment will also be regular features of the ship’s entertainment offerings.
Setting Sail on Disney Treasure
As the second Wish-class vessel, the 144,000-gross-ton Disney Treasure is scheduled to debut in December 2024. The ship is now under construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. Her keel was officially laid in March 2023, and progress has been steady in assembling the ship’s key blocks.
The ship’s maiden voyage is scheduled to depart from Port Canaveral on December 21, 2024. That 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise will visit Tortola, St. Thomas, and Castaway Cay, Disney Cruise Line’s private island in the Bahamas.
From Port Canaveral, Disney Treasure will offer both Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean week-long sailings, which are now available for booking through May 2025. Disney Treasure will be able to welcome 5,000 eager guests aboard each sailing. Additional itineraries, as well as more details about the new ship, are expected to be released soon.
