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Here’s How Two Carnival Cruise Brands Are Kicking Off the Alaska Season in Seattle

Lissa Poirot
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Here’s How Two Carnival Cruise Brands Are Kicking Off the Alaska Season in Seattle

Key Aspects:

  • Holland America Line begins its 2026 Alaska season on April 25 with Eurodam arriving in Seattle.
  • Princess Cruises will stage a public drone show in Seattle ahead of Star Princess starting its inaugural season.
  • The two Carnival Corporation brands will sail more than 180 voyages in Alaska in 2026.

Carnival Corporation’s Alaska cruise season is ramping up in Seattle as two of its cruise brands bring ships and new programming to the region ahead of the busy summer sailing schedule.

First, Holland America Line will launch its 2026 Alaska season on April 25, 2026, when Eurodam arrives at the Port of Seattle. Her arrival begins a schedule of more than 100 voyages across six ships sailing the region.

The company will operate itineraries from April through September departing roundtrip from Seattle and Vancouver, along with sailings between Vancouver and Whittier, Alaska.

Ships deployed in Alaska this year include Koningsdam, Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Westerdam, and Zaandam, offering voyages ranging from 7-day cruises to a 28-day Arctic Circle Solstice itinerary.

A key part of the 2026 program is the addition of 25 new shore excursions designed to provide closer access to Alaska’s landscapes and wildlife.

New options include a floatplane, paddle and hiking excursions to Norris Glacier near Juneau, a moose-focused wildlife outing near Anchorage, and a rainforest hike with a seafood picnic and brewery stop in Kodiak.

Holland America Line will also continue its “Glacier Day” programming once on each voyage. Activities include ranger presentations from Glacier Bay National Park, scenic commentary from experts, photography sessions, and themed food and beverages served on deck while ships sail past glacier fields.

Wildlife viewing is another major focus. Ships carry wildlife experts onboard, and nearly 180 shore excursions allow passengers to see species such as moose, bears, and marine wildlife in their natural habitats.

Holland America Ship in Juneau, Alaska
Holland America Ship in Juneau, Alaska (Photo Credit: Artha sant)

“As the leader in Alaska, we are committed to delivering experiences that are as enriching as they are unforgettable, bringing guests closer to the region in meaningful ways,” said Robert Morgenstern, senior vice president of Alaska operations at Holland America Line.

The cruise line will also offer cruisetours ranging from 9 to 17 days that combine a cruise with inland travel to destinations such as Denali National Park and Canada’s Yukon.

Star Princess Debuts

Meanwhile, Princess Cruises will mark the beginning of its 2026 Alaska season with a public drone show in downtown Seattle on May 1, 2026, just days before its newest ship begins sailing from the city.

The free event is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. and will take place above Seattle Center. Organizers says the best viewing location will be the International Fountain Mall at 305 Harrison Street, where spectators can watch a choreographed aerial display featuring Alaska-themed imagery.

The drone show is designed to celebrate the arrival of the 177,800-gross-ton Star Princess, which begins its inaugural Alaska season from Seattle on May 3, carrying up to 4,300 passengers.

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“Seattle has always played a vital role in our Alaska program, and we’re excited to celebrate with the local community and visitors in such a memorable way,” said Marie Lee, Princess Cruises’ chief marketing officer.

Following the May 1 event, Star Princess will depart on its first Alaska sailing from Pier 91. The ship is scheduled to operate 20 roundtrip voyages through September 13, 2026.

During the season, the ship is expected to carry approximately 90,000 passengers through Alaska’s Inside Passage. Ports of call include Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway, along with glacier viewing at Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier.

The vessel will join Royal Princess, which is also scheduled to operate 7-night Inside Passage sailings from Seattle during the 2026 season.

Princess Cruises is operating its largest Alaska program yet in 2026, deploying eight ships for 180 departures visiting 19 destinations across the region. These include Discovery Princess, Ruby Princess, Emerald Princess, Grand Princess, Coral Princess, and Island Princess.

Sapphire Princess Diverts at Sea After Five Bodies Spotted Off Spanish Coast

Melissa Mayntz
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Sapphire Princess Diverts at Sea After Five Bodies Spotted Off Spanish Coast

Key Aspects:

  • Sapphire Princess recovered five bodies near Cartagena, Spain on Tuesday, April 21.
  • The individuals were not guests or crew members from the cruise ship, but may have been migrants.
  • No cause of death or origin point for the deceased individuals has been confirmed.

Every cruise ship will respond immediately to any overboard reports, taking all necessary steps to search and rescue individuals in the water. Sadly, such an alert on Sapphire Princess on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 did not have the preferred outcome and rather than a rescue, the ship was only able to facilitate a recovery of five deceased bodies.

Sapphire Princess had departed Rome (Civitavecchia) on Sunday, April 19 for a 14-night, one-way sailing to Copenhagen. At the time of the alert, the 115,875-gross ton ship had already visited Sardinia and was en route to Cartagena, Spain as the next port of call.

According to Murcia Today, a crew member onboard spotted an orange life jacket in the water at roughly 6 p.m. and raised the alarm. Sapphire Princess immediately slowed and turned to render aid, deploying a rescue boat to get to the individual as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, the individual was already deceased.

At the time, the ship was roughly 140 miles off the coast of Cabo de Palos in southeastern Spain, about 155 miles from Cartagena.

An hour later, after the ship had resumed sailing, a second orange life jacket was spotted, and the overboard alert was repeated. A second body was recovered, and search efforts continued in the area for approximately three hours. Ultimately, five deceased individuals were located and the bodies were carefully brought aboard Sapphire Princess.

Bodies Not Connected to Cruise Ship

The cruise line confirmed the incident and noted that the individuals recovered were not guests or crew from Sapphire Princess.

“On April 21, Sapphire Princess, while at sea en route to Cartagena, Spain, observed an orange inflatable lifejacket in the water. The vessel immediately altered course to investigate and, upon arrival on scene, deployed its Fast Rescue Boat,” the cruise line said in a statement.

“Five deceased individuals were recovered by the Sapphire Princess crew members and coordinated efforts with the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC). The individuals involved are not guests or crew of Sapphire Princess. We extend our sincere condolences for this loss and are grateful to our crew for their swift response and efforts to render assistance.”

At this time, the identities of the deceased individuals are unknown. It is possible they were from a migrant vessel, which would not be uncommon in the region.

Sapphire Princess Cruise Ship
Sapphire Princess Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Wojciech Wrzesien)

No other small boats or watercraft were found in the immediate vicinity, though it is possible such a craft sank or drifted outside the search area. No information about how long the bodies may have been in the water has been released, nor have any causes of death been confirmed.

Read Also: What Happens When Someone Goes Overboard on a Cruise Ship?

Local police did note that a small boat was found empty and adrift earlier in the week roughly 25 miles off Cartagena, which may be related to the recovered bodies.

Guests Offered Support at Troubling Time

Guests onboard Sapphire Princess who observed the search and recovery operations were impressed with the efficiency of the crew members and the dignity with which they treated the recovered bodies.

While the overboard individuals were not affiliated with the cruise ship, counseling services were still offered to guests if they needed help with the difficult situation.

Many guests also expressed concern for the crew members who had to participate in such a sad operation.

“Praying for the families of the deceased, as well as the crew who had the hard task of recovering those poor souls,” one guest commented.

Following the rescue operation, Sapphire Princess continued on to Cartagena with no delay to her planned arrival. The bodies were removed at the port, and autopsies will be performed at the Institute of Legal Medicine.

Child Taken to Hospital Following Cruise Ship Fall in Madeira

Lissa Poirot
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Child Taken to Hospital Following Cruise Ship Fall in Madeira

Key Aspects:

  • A toddler was hospitalized for observation after falling about 10 feet aboard Mein Schiff 7.
  • The incident took place while the ship was docked in Funchal, Madeira.
  • Authorities say the circumstances of the fall are still under investigation.

A 2-year-old child was taken to the hospital after suffering a fall aboard the TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 7 while the vessel was docked in Funchal, the capital of Portugal’s Madeira region.

According to local reports from a Portuguese media outlet, the incident took place on April 22, 2026, while the ship was alongside the port, prompting an emergency response from regional medical teams. Authorities told the media outlet the child fell from a height estimated to be about 6 to 10 feet. 

When emergency responders arrived on board the ship, the child was reportedly conscious and receiving attention from the ship’s medical staff. He was accompanied by his mother.

Madeira’s Integrated Medical Emergency System activated the Rapid Intervention Medical Team (EMIR), which responded directly to the vessel along with an ambulance. After being assessed onboard, the child was transported ashore to Dr. Nélio Mendonça Hospital in Funchal.

TUI Cruises later confirmed the incident with Cruise Hive and said the child is doing okay.

“We can confirm an incident on Mein Schiff 7 in Madeira involving a child. However, the child was never in a critical condition, nor did it have life-threatening injuries. It was in hospital for routine observation, though the child is in good condition and with family members,” the cruise line stated.

Mein Schiff 7
Mein Schiff 7 (Photo Credit: Janet Worg)

In a statement cited by another Portuguese news agency, the Administration of the Ports of the Autonomous Region of Madeira (APRAM) confirmed the incident occurred while the ship was docked but noted that the event took place within the vessel itself.

Investigators are still working to determine how the fall occurred, although there is unverified speculation that the child may have fallen from a balcony.

Previous Incidents

Mein Schiff 7, one of TUI Cruises’ newest members of the fleet that debuted in June 2024, was sailing a 7-night cruise from Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands, which departed on April 20, 2026.

After a day at sea, the 3,984-passenger vessel arrived at 7 a.m. on April 22 for an overnight call. The incident took place sometime during its port call, but as the ship is not departing Funchal until April 23, the child’s injury did not hinder the ship’s schedule.

It is not the first time TUI Cruises has experienced a medical emergency. On October 14, 2022, a passenger died after falling from a balcony cabin aboard Mein Schiff 6. 

The person reportedly fell several decks from Deck 10 and landed on a lifeboat deck below during a voyage in the Aegean Sea.

In November 2025, a 76-year-old passenger was reported missing after falling overboard from the TUI-operated Marella Explorer 2 near the Canary Islands. A search was launched by the Spanish coast guard, but the passenger was never recovered.

Cruise Hive extends its best wishes to the family and is hopeful the child fully recovers.

Mein Schiff 7 will sail to St. Cruz de la Palma and Tenerife in the Canary Islands, as well as Puerto del Rosario, Fuerteventura, before returning to Gran Canaria on April 27, 2026.

Worried About Your Guarantee Cabin? Royal Caribbean Has a New $30 Fix

Melissa Mayntz
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Worried About Your Guarantee Cabin? Royal Caribbean Has a New $30 Fix

Key Aspects:

  • Royal Caribbean has introduced an extra fee for guarantee stateroom guests to learn their room assignments early.
  • The optional $30 fee per stateroom will release guarantee cabin assignments within 24 hours.
  • There are no additional perks with the extra fee and it is non-refundable, even if the booking is cancelled.

Selecting a guaranteed cruise ship stateroom can often be the most budget-friendly choice for savvy cruisers, but when will you really learn what stateroom you will be sleeping in? Assignments might be made anytime, but often aren’t confirmed until just a day or two before embarkation or even on the day of sailing.

Royal Caribbean has now introduced a new option for travelers who have booked guaranteed staterooms but want to learn their cabin assignments ahead of time instead of potentially waiting until the last minute.

The “Early Assign” upgrade is a $30 (USD) fee that will reveal guests’ stateroom assignments sooner. Even more important to guests who might have preferences for where their room is located, the upgrade also permits cruisers to fine-tune their assignment before sailing.

Only one fee is required per stateroom, regardless of how many guests are booked in the room. Should guests want to change their assignment once it is revealed, there is no additional cost to shift within the same stateroom category.

Changes will be subject to availability and may not apply to all requests.

Early Assign is currently only available on select sailings and for select stateroom categories, including at least a few options in all the main category types: interior, oceanview, balcony, and suites. If popular and successful, the option is likely to be expanded fleetwide in the coming months.

The option is not available on casino fares and may be limited on specialty sailings or in conjunction with other promotional fares.

Royal Caribbean Stateroom
Royal Caribbean Stateroom (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz / Cruise Hive)

Guests may select Early Assign within certain windows based on the individual sailing length. For sailings of 6+ nights, the offer window is open 50-80 days before embarkation, while for sailings of 5 nights or less, the offer window is 30-60 days before sailing.

Within those windows, when guests choose Early Assign, their stateroom assignment will be shown within 24 hours.

Read Also: Royal Caribbean Suite Perks – Is It Worth Upgrading?

If travelers do select Early Assign, they should be aware that the $30 fee is non-refundable if a booking is cancelled, regardless of when the reservation may be cancelled.

To be clear, no additional perks related to boarding time, accessing their staterooms on embarkation day, tendering, or other onboard operations are included with Early Assign.

Guests who choose the option can, however, change their room location within the same category if there are alternatives available, with no additional charge.

Why Is Royal Caribbean Offering This Option?

Many cruise guests enjoy a good bargain with their cruise fare, but the anxiety of waiting for a cabin assignment can be maddening, especially if there is fear of overbooking situations.

Cruise Hive has frequently reported on oversold cruises, often from Royal Caribbean, with guests receiving what seem to be spectacular offers to entice them to be flexible with their travel plans just days before embarkation.

While the offers are generally outstanding enough to convince adequate numbers of travelers to adjust their plans, it is conceivable that some guests might be denied embarkation if there simply isn’t room for them onboard.

This would be most likely to happen to guarantee stateroom bookings, as they are not connected to any specific stateroom. Furthermore, because guarantee staterooms are the least expensive, the cruise line will lose the least amount of revenue if left-behind guests must be refunded.

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It is possible that if guarantee stateroom guests have selected Early Assign, they would be much less likely to be in that unfortunate position, yet they will still be able to take advantage of the lower guarantee fares.

But is the fee worthwhile? For guests who truly don’t care where their stateroom is, the extra $30 for an earlier assignment may not be helpful.

Guests who are more nervous about their assignment and prefer to learn the details right away, however, the fee may be well spent.

As a matter of interest, guarantee stateroom rates can be several hundred dollars less than selecting a specific stateroom assignment. The extra $30 to get an assignment early and have the time to shift within the same category can be very well spent for guests eager for that early confirmation.

Cruise Line Makes Major Bar Change That Shrinks Every Spirit Order

Lissa Poirot
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Cruise Line Makes Major Bar Change That Shrinks Every Spirit Order

Key Aspects:

  • Ambassador Cruise Line reduced its standard spirit measure from 40ml to 25ml.
  • The 15-drink daily cap was removed, and double measures are now allowed.
  • Passengers complain the smaller pours reduce the value of their drink packages.

Passengers sailing with Ambassador Cruise Line may notice a change at the bar. The cruise line confirmed it has reduced the size of a standard spirit serving on its ships.

The changes apply to the company’s two vessels, Ambience and Ambition, which operate the brand’s “no-fly” itineraries primarily from the United Kingdom.

The update surfaced after passengers discussed the change online, with some saying they expected larger drinks based on information they were shown when they purchased beverage packages.

In response to questions on social media, the cruise line confirmed that the measure for a single spirit has been reduced from 40 milliliters to 25 milliliters, a 37.5% reduction.

“We can confirm that Ambassador has recently implemented revised spirit measures across our no-fly ships. Effective immediately, the standard single spirit measure served on board Ambience and Ambition is 25ml, replacing the previous 40ml serving,” said the cruise line.

Some passengers argued that the smaller drink sizes reduce the value of their drink packages, with one saying, “People are not happy because they paid for what was shown at the time of booking.”

However, Ambassador Cruise Line also revealed that it has removed its 15-beverage cap and is also allowing passengers to request double spirit measures, which had previously been prohibited. 

“This [change] has been accompanied by a change in process that sees the 15 drinks per day individual limit on alcohol consumption removed and a new service standard introduced whereby guests can request double spirit measures of 50ml total,” it shared.

Pour sizes apply to all guests ordering spirits, whether individually or as part of a drinks package, which actually means guests most affected by the change are those who do not purchase the cruise line’s drink packages.

Ambassador’s Drinks Packages

Ambassador Cruise Line offers several drink packages that bundle beverages into a daily price, with different tiers depending on whether guests want alcohol, premium drinks, or non-alcoholic options. The packages do not mention any pour sizes.

The Ambassador Experience Package, which covers non-alcoholic beverages, is the lowest-priced option. For voyages lasting between 5 and 29 nights, the package costs £20.95 per person per night if purchased before the cruise, or £22.95 per person per night onboard.

Pouring Drinks
Pouring Drinks (Photo Credit: Maor Attias)

It includes unlimited soft drinks, juices, bottled water, mocktails, and other alcohol-free beverages served throughout the ship.

For guests who want alcoholic drinks, the Ambassador Explorer Package is a standard offering. On most sailings of 5 to 29 nights, it costs £42.95 per person per night when purchased in advance and £47.95 per person per night if purchased onboard.

The Explorer package includes house wines by the glass, draft beers, spirits, cocktails, and the same non-alcoholic drinks included in the Experience package.

The most inclusive option is the Ambassador Expedition Package, which adds premium spirits, higher-tier wines, and cocktails to the selection. For typical sailings of 5 to 29 nights, it costs £49.95 per person per night in advance or £55.95 per person per night onboard.

This package also includes premium teas and specialty coffees, which are not included in the lower-tier packages.

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Ambassador also sells Adventurers drinks packages for younger passengers, priced at £14 per night for children ages 3 to 11 and £17 per night for teenagers ages 12 to 17 when purchased in advance.

The onboard price rises to £16 and £19 per night, respectively. These packages cover soft drinks, juices, and other alcohol-free beverages for younger guests.

Passengers must purchase drinks packages for the entire duration of the cruise, and all adults sharing the same cabin typically must buy the same package if one person chooses to add it.

For shorter sailings of 2 to 4 nights, the cruise line charges a per-cruise price rather than a nightly rate, with packages starting around £65 for the non-alcoholic option and reaching £129 for the premium package if purchased before sailing.

Alleged War Criminal Caught Working as Cruise Ship Security Guard

Melissa Mayntz
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Alleged War Criminal Caught Working as Cruise Ship Security Guard

Key Aspects:

  • A cruise ship crew member was arrested in Civitavecchia following a routine check on background documents.
  • The crew member is accused of war crimes from the early 1990s, including violence, deportations, and killings.
  • Routine background checks of guests and crew members are standard procedure as part of border protection.

When guests set sail, they expect the crew members on a cruise ship to be highly qualified experts in their respective fields, able to offer exceptional service and fulfill their duties responsibly.

Guests would be shocked, then, to learn that an onboard security guard has been accused as an international war criminal who may have participated in ethnic cleansing operations decades earlier.

The 58-year-old man was arrested by the Civitavecchia border police following investigations of paramilitary organizations that performed ethnic cleansing during the Serbo-Croatian War in the early 1990s. The international arrest warrant that was issued earlier in 2026 identified this individual as having committed violent acts, deportations, and killings during the conflict.

According to a statement from the Rome police, at the time of his arrest, the man was “carrying out security duties” onboard a cruise ship, and “trying to evade searches by Croatian authorities.”

The man does hold dual Serbian-Croatian citizenship and was a member of the Sao Kraijina militias that operated in Serbia during the conflict, at which time the region was part of Yugoslavia. No further details of his identity have been released.

Civitavecchia Police
Civitavecchia Police

While the arrest took place at the port of Civitavecchia near Rome, the exact date of the arrest was not disclosed. Similarly, the cruise line or individual ship was also not identified.

Read Also: Do Cruise Ships Have Jails? Here’s the Truth

Different cruise ships from TUI Cruises, Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises, MSC Cruises, P&O Cruises, AIDA Cruises, and several smaller lines have all been in Civitavecchia just this week.

Following his arrest, the man was incarcerated in Aurelia prison, near the cruise port. He was later transferred to another undisclosed prison facility and is currently awaiting judicial authorization for his extradition to Croatia to face formal charges.

Background Checks Catch Both Crew Members and Guest Criminals

This unusual arrest is not the first time background checks of crew members and even of guests have resulted in arrests onboard cruise ships or at cruise ports.

Every nation’s customs and border patrol organization has the authority to review the records of anyone who may enter or leave the country, even on such a temporary occasion as a cruise ship visit.

Cruise Hive has previously reported on various arrests resulting from such background checks. For example, in January 2026, a crew member onboard Disney Adventure was arrested for robbery in Bremerhaven, Germany, before the new ship departed to head for her homeport in Singapore.

Crew members have also been arrested from different ships and different cruise lines for crimes committed onboard, including placing hidden cameras in restrooms or staterooms, theft, and violent assaults.

Guests are not protected against such arrests, either. Regular reviews of guests coming and going on cruise ships has led to arrests related to robberies, missing child support, identity theft, credit card fraud, embezzlement, and other charges.

Reckless behavior onboard can also get guests arrested, such as jumping off the ship, throwing furniture overboard, or engaging in other prohibited and unsafe behaviors.

While border patrol agents are not actively seeking individuals from cruise ships, the background screenings for both guests and crew members is a routine procedure. When discrepancies or active warrants are found, the agents will act appropriately to detain the individual and follow the due process of law.

All Four Cunard Queens to Unite in Liverpool for First Time Ever

Lissa Poirot
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All Four Cunard Queens to Unite in Liverpool for First Time Ever

Key Aspects:

  • Cunard will bring all four of its ships together for the first time in Liverpool on May 16, 2028.
  • Queen Mary 2 will sail from New York to Liverpool for the event, marking Cunard’s first eastbound transatlantic arrival to the city in more than 60 years.
  • The gathering takes place during Liverpool’s 2028 celebrations, marking 20 years since the city was named European Capital of Culture.

Cunard is planning a rare moment in its modern history by assembling all four ships in its fleet in Liverpool, England.

On May 16, 2028, Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria, and Queen Anne are scheduled to gather on the River Mersey, marking the first time the cruise line’s four-ship fleet has come together in one place.

The event will take place in Liverpool, where Cunard was founded in 1840, and which the company considers its spiritual home.

“Bringing our four Queens together on the Mersey for the first time will be a rare and incredibly special moment for Cunard,” said Katie McAlister, president of Cunard. “Liverpool is where our story began, and returning with the full fleet is a powerful celebration of that bond.”

The occasion follows a similar gathering in 2015 when Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth, and Queen Victoria met on the Mersey to mark Cunard’s 175th anniversary. This new assembly will be the first since the addition of Queen Anne in May 2024.

The gathering will coincide with celebrations marking 20 years since Liverpool was named European Capital of Culture.

Cunard Queens
Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria came together in 2015 to celebrate Cunard’s 175th anniversary. (Photo Credit: Chris Ison)

“Welcoming the four Cunard Queens at the same time will be an extraordinary occasion for our city, our residents, and our visitors,” said Liam Robinson, leader of Liverpool City Council. “We are incredibly proud of our rich maritime heritage, and this promises to be a really special moment here in Liverpool.”

City officials are planning a year-long calendar of cultural and sporting events in 2028, and the arrival of the Cunard fleet is expected to be one of the centerpiece maritime moments.

In addition to the cultural anniversary celebrations, Liverpool is also scheduled to host matches during the UEFA Euro 2028 football tournament.

Voyages to the Mersey Gathering

Cunard plans to structure several sailings in 2028 so that each ship in the fleet arrives in Liverpool as part of the Four Queens event.

Queen Mary 2, which is currently enjoying its first-ever season in the Caribbean, will make a transatlantic crossing from New York to Liverpool with up to 2,691 guests, arriving in the city on May 16.

The voyage will be the ship’s first transatlantic sailing directly from New York to Liverpool.

The arrival will also mark Cunard’s first eastbound transatlantic arrival from New York to Liverpool in more than six decades. The last such arrival occurred on November 18, 1966, when RMS Sylvania berthed at Princes Landing Stage.

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After the Liverpool event, Queen Mary 2 is expected to continue with its scheduled transatlantic crossings along with voyages to Canada and New England and longer Caribbean sailings.

Queen Anne, the newest vessel in Cunard’s fleet that carries 2,996 passengers, will begin its 2028 season sailing itineraries in Scandinavia and Northern Europe. The ship will include an overnight call in Liverpool timed with the Four Queens gathering.

Meanwhile, Queen Elizabeth, which is soon launching its Alaska season from Seattle, will sail from Southampton, England, to Le Havre, France, with its 2,081 guests before heading toward Liverpool for the gathering. 

Queen Victoria will arrive following a cruise around the British Isles with up to 2,061 passengers that includes calls in Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Wales.

Cunard says additional details about the 2028 voyages connected to the event will be announced later.

Carnival Warns Australian Cruisers of Surprise Terminal Switch for Six Sailings

Emrys Thakkar
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Carnival Warns Australian Cruisers of Surprise Terminal Switch for Six Sailings

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Cruise Line sends an advisory out to guests regarding Carnival Adventure cruises from Sydney.
  • A total of six departures will have homeport cruise terminal changes due to facility upgrades.
  • Cruisers will be using the Overseas Passenger Terminal and the White Bay Cruise Terminal.

Carnival Cruise Line has sent an advisory to guests booked down under on the 2,636-passenger Carnival Adventure, which could have an impact on how passengers embark and disembark the vessel.

The notice sent out on April 21 details a total of six sailings from Sydney, Australia, that are impacted, including four departures in July 2026 and two in August 2026 due to upgrade works taking place at the terminal.

The Carnival ship will be changing between the usual Overseas Passenger Terminal (OPT) and the slightly further away White Bay Cruise Terminal (WBCT).

“Due to upgrade works taking place at Sydney’s Overseas Passenger Terminal, we have had to move to Sydney’s White Bay Cruise Terminal for selected sailings in July and August 2026,” Carnival’s advisory says.

Getting to White Bay Cruise Terminal

So this means the Carnival Adventure will shift to the White Bay Cruise terminal on those sailings. The terminal is approximately four miles west (roughly 6 km) of the cruise line’s usual terminal location in the downtown area of Sydney, known as Circular Quay.

Carnival’s notice did not specify the scope of the upgrade works at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, referring only to them in general terms. However, the Port Authority of NSW has an ongoing berthing project that was detailed in a Management Plan that could be a possibility for the changes.

White Bay Cruise Terminal
White Bay Cruise Terminal (Photo Credit: Kevin Hellon)

Carnival has confirmed that the terminal changes will not affect departure or arrival times, but guests will still need to travel between the two terminals. The cruise line has also made it clear that there are no public transport options in or near the White Bay Cruise Terminal.

Drop-off and pick-up options are available as the terminal offers short-term parking. Guests will also be able to use taxis, rideshares, and private transport at that location, as also confirmed by the Port Authority of NSW. The port also makes it clear that access to the terminal is only available via the James Craig Road from The Crescent.

Travel times between the terminal and Sydney’s city center can vary significantly depending on traffic, with taxi and rideshare journeys typically taking 15 to 25 minutes. Guests staying near Circular Quay may find the detour adds meaningful transfer time on embarkation and disembarkation days compared to the usual downtown terminal.

Which Carnival Adventure Cruises Are Impacted?

There are four sailings in July impacted by the terminal change. Starting with the 9-night July 6 sailing that will be heading to Vanuatu and New Caledonia. The ship will depart from its usual Overseas Passenger Terminal, but the return to Sydney on July 15 will be at the White Bay Cruise Terminal.

As a result, the July 15 departure will also leave from WBCT rather than the OPT. That sailing will also end back at White Bay on July 19.

The 10-night July 19 sailing will also be departing from White Bay, and when Carnival Adventure arrives back in Sydney on July 29, it will still be WBCT.

More From Cruise Hive

The final sailing impacted in July will be the July 29 departure, which will be from the White Bay terminal rather than the Overseas Passenger Terminal downtown. That 9-night voyage will also return to WBCT on August 7.

When it comes to the two sailings in August, the August 10 departure will be departing from the OPT, but will return to the White Bay facility on August 19. And that results in the following August 19 cruise departing from WBCT, with the vessel finally returning to its main Overseas Passenger Terminal on August 29 as normal.

The 108,865-gross-ton Carnival Adventure, which was previously part of the now-defunct P&O Australia fleet, is based in Australia year-round. The vessel is sailing a range of itineraries to Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Moreton Island out of Sydney through to the end of February 2027.

Carnival Cruise Line Clarifies Wagon Policy and Updates List of Prohibited Items

Lissa Poirot
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0
Carnival Cruise Line Clarifies Wagon Policy and Updates List of Prohibited Items

Key Aspects:

  • While wagons are allowed on Carnival Cruise Line ships, there are stipulations.
  • They must be folded and carried onboard and only used when off the ship.
  • The company also updated its Prohibited Item list with more clarity around electronics and illegal drugs.

Wagons are a frequent topic among cruise passengers who want to use them to transport luggage, beach gear, or supplies for families traveling with children.

But Carnival Cruise Line’s longtime brand ambassador John Heald says passengers should reconsider packing them for their next cruise.

In his regular three-minute update to guests on April 21, 2026, Heald addressed several questions from passengers, including whether wagons can be brought onboard ships.

Heald explained that while wagons may still be brought on a cruise, they cannot be used onboard and must remain folded during embarkation and debarkation.

“A lot of people were asking me about wagons,” Heald said during the video. “If you are going to bring them onboard, they must be folded. You have to carry them. The only time you can use a wagon is when you are off the ship in ports of call.”

He also noted that even when guests take wagons ashore, they cannot be used when leaving the vessel.

“If you want to use a wagon to carry things onto the ship, you can’t. If you want to take it off the ship, you can’t use it – you have to carry it,” Heald said. “It’s not really worth the hassle of bringing them.”

Foldable Travel Wagon
Foldable Travel Wagon (Photo Credit: sockagphoto)

Carnival Cruise Line’s policy states, “Wagons must be collapsed during embarkation and debarkation and may not be used on board (where allowed, wagons may be used in ports other than Carnival’s private destinations).”

Heald says the restriction is tied to safety and maintenance concerns onboard the ships, explaining that they damage the deck and are a safety hazard to other guests.

The wagon clarification comes as part of Carnival Cruise Line’s updated items policy, which outlines items that are banned or restricted onboard its fleet.

Carnival Prohibited Item Changes

The updated prohibited items policy includes several clarifications covering substances, electronics, and certain personal items.

One of the most notable additions is clearer language banning cannabis products and derivatives. The policy now specifically states that marijuana, cannabis, and cannabidiol (CBD) products are prohibited.

This includes CBD gummies, oils, creams, and vapes.

Another update addresses portable speakers. The revised policy now specifically lists boom boxes, radios, and portable speakers, including Bluetooth speakers, as prohibited items. 

Restrictions on communications and network equipment has also been expanded. Items such as satellite phones, routers, communication scanners, wideband receivers, and satellite dishes are now clearly identified as prohibited.

Read Also: What Can You Not Bring on a Cruise?

The company also restricts appliances that contain heating elements, such as clothes irons, steamers, coffee makers, and hot plates. The new rules include electric heating pads.

Carnival Cruise Line’s revised policy also adds more detailed guidance about items that guests may bring on board but can only use while the ship is in port.

These items must remain stored in a passenger’s stateroom while the ship is sailing and includes equipment such as drones, fishing rods, golf clubs, skateboards, metal detectors, snorkel gear, and portable folding bicycles.

Drones are subject to additional restrictions. Guests must declare the device during embarkation, after which it will be held by the ships’ chief security officer. Passengers may check the drone in and out for use only when the ship is docked in approved ports.

The updated policy also introduces a new section outlining items that cannot be used at the cruise line’s private destinations, including Celebration Key in the Bahamas. These include beach chairs, kites, golf clubs, pool floats, metal detectors, and wagons.

Any prohibited item brought on board may be confiscated during security screening.

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