Several suites in Norwegian Luna’s The Haven were mistakenly listed as having three bedrooms when they only have two.
The cruise line is offering a $500 onboard credit as compensation for the description error.
There is no change to the amenities and overall size of the staterooms, just the number of bedrooms.
With Norwegian Luna‘s inaugural sailings coming up in just two months, booked guests are eagerly anticipating being the first to try out the ship’s features and amenities, including sleeping in her ultra-luxe staterooms.
Some of those staterooms, however, will not be quite what guests may be expecting. Norwegian Cruise Line has reached out to travelers booked in Norwegian Luna‘s The Haven suites to clarify an incorrect description and what the staterooms actually include.
“It has come to our attention that The Haven H8 suite description was incorrect on our website and reservation system,”the cruise line explains.“It is not a three-bedroom suite, and the correct designation is H8: The Haven 2-Bedroom Duplex Suite with Large Balcony.”
The notification goes on to confirm that while the suite only features two bedrooms, it can easily accommodate up to six guests with one king bed, one queen bed, and a double sofa bed.
These staterooms are all located on Deck 15 inside the exclusive The Haven complex, where guests have 24-hour access to concierge and butler services as well as a private lounge, courtyard, sundeck, and The Haven Restaurant with its exclusive menus.
The size of the H8 staterooms varies slightly from 900-904 square feet, and each suite features floor-to-ceiling windows for outstanding ocean views along with the balcony space.
Norwegian Luna will officially set sail on her transatlantic maiden voyage on March 10, 2026, sailing from Rome to Miami. The new ship will remain homeported in Miami through March 2027, welcoming roughly 3,600 guests aboard for each voyage.
Compensation Offered for Mix-Up
Despite the fact that the H8 suites can still accommodate the number of guests initially advertised, Norwegian Cruise Line understands that the mix-up may be disappointing to some guests who were planning on a third bedroom.
To compensate for the misleading description (which has now been corrected on the cruise line’s website), guests booked in the impacted staterooms will receive a $500 non-refundable onboard credit to use during their stateroom.
Norwegian Luna Haven Duplex
The credit will be split as $250 for both the first and second guests booked in the H8 two-bedroom suites.
This is a generous offer indeed, particularly since the only mix-up is in how the suites were described with respect to the overall number of designated bedrooms. The square footage, amenities, and guest capacity of the staterooms is unchanged.
Other Cruise Lines Have Made Similar Errors Without Compensation
Similar mistakes have happened for several other cruise ships, either at construction or following renovations when online descriptions or deck plans may no longer match what a particular vessel offers.
While the update was a move to better accommodate larger groups and families, many guests had already booked specific cabins based on the staterooms not being connected to one another.
Carnival Cruise Line did acknowledge that the online deck plans needed to be updated, but offered no compensation to travelers in the impacted rooms.
Other types of changes that might impact cruise staterooms could be conversion to accessible staterooms, changes in balcony size, adjustments that obstruct views, or updates that might remove some berths.
Cyclone Harry is stirring up trouble in the Mediterranean, bringing heavy winds, intense rains, and high swells.
This dangerous weather has forced MSC World Europa to skip its calls to Messina, Italy, and Valletta, Malta.
Not only does this impact current passengers, but also ruins the embarkation and disembarkation planned for Messina.
Due to bad weather in the Mediterranean caused by Cyclone Harry, MSC World Europa has had to cancel not one, but two, port calls.
The planned stops to Messina (Sicily), Italy, on January 20, 2026, and to Valletta, Malta, on January 21 were cancelled to ensure the safety and comfort of all onboard.
This has not only impacted the current 7-night sailings, which are being operated simultaneously, but also thrown a wrench into the scheduled embarkation and debarkation in Messina on January 20.
The up to 6,762 guests onboard were warned that a change was likely coming on January 16, so the itinerary change didn’t come as a surprise.
“Current forecasts indicate the development of a strong weather system bringing very rough seas, heavy swells, and strong to gale-force winds.”the cruise line wrote in a letter to current guests.
“These conditions may be encountered during our approach to the Messina Strait and are expected to intensify further during the subsequent navigation toward La Valletta,” the update explained.
The itinerary change was officially confirmed the following day, January 17, 2026, with the scrapped destinations replaced with other Italian destinations.
The 215,863-gross ton vessel called at Naples, Italy, on January 20, which is approximately 305 miles away from the intended destination.
On January 21, the MSC ship will proceed to Palermo, Italy, which is another gateway into Sicily (like Messina).
Impact to MSC World Europa Embarkation and Debarkation
Embarkations and debarkations for MSC World Europa routinely take place in Barcelona, Marseille, Rome, Genoa, and Messina, which was also supposed to take place on January 20 during the scrapped call to Messina.
“We truly appreciate your understanding and cooperation. Please rest assured that we will continue to keep you updated as the situation evolves,”MSC Cruises Emphasized.
MSC World Europa in Italy (Photo Credit: Artem Stepanov)
Guests who were meant to embark on their sailing in Messina on the 20th were offered a free shuttle transfer service to Naples to join the ship there, as well as a €25 euro (around $29 USD) per-person credit to cover lunch on land.
Alternatively, guests were given the option to join the MSC ship in Palermo on January 21. In return, they would receive a pro-rated refund for the missed night onboard.
Assistance would have also been provided to guests who would have had to adjust their travel plans after disembarking in Naples instead of Messina, although it’s not clear what form that aid came in at this time.
How Bad is the Storm?
Cyclone Harry formed and began causing intense rain and flooding in the Central Mediterranean on January 19, 2026.
Wind speeds have exceeded 74 miles per hour, with stronger gales reaching hurricane-level strengths. Swells of up to nine meters (around 29 feet) have also been reported.
The weather was so extreme that Italy’s Civil Protection Department issued a red alert for severe weather across Sardinia, Sicily, and Calabria and evacuated hundreds due to the deluge of rain and coastal flooding.
For context, red alerts are the most severe weather advisory, which means the expected weather is very dangerous and meteorological phenomena have been forecast.
As of the early morning on January 21, Italy has downgraded these alerts to orange advisories, which are the second most severe. Though MSC World Europa was built to withstand rough seas, this is definitely a storm that nobody needs or wants to be caught in.
A Change.com petition has been started against the new cruise port proposal on Florida’s west coast.
In just four days, more than 6,000 signatures have been added to the rapidly growing petition.
The new port is just a proposed idea at this point and no development has yet been confirmed.
While cruise travelers may be thrilled with the prospect of a new cruise port near Rattlesnake Key in Tampa Bay that would permit larger ships to sail from Florida’s west coast, not everyone is in favor of the idea.
Just days after the new cruise port was proposed, a Change.org petition has rapidly gathered more than 6,075 signatures against the development, hoping to stop the idea before it gains traction.
The petition has been started by a local resident of Manatee County, Corey McKeever, who has many fond memories of the region without industrial development.
“This beautiful natural sanctuary is more than just a place to swim, fish, and camp — it’s home,”McKeever said when describing the petition’s issue.“Building a cruise ship port here threatens not only our cherished personal experiences but also the fragile ecosystems supporting countless wildlife species.”
That fragile, unique ecosystem may be at great risk if the new port is developed. Issues related to water quality, marine habitats, coral reefs, nesting birds, and shoreline ecosystems are all of concern.
Furthermore, many local businesses rely on those ecosystems, including fisheries, fishermen, boating, campgrounds, and wildlife tours. McKeever is not against development overall, but advocates for more sustainable options.
Local infrastructure is also cited as a strong concern should a new port be developed, including what traffic that may bring to the region on already congested roads.
“As a Manatee County resident, I ask that you do not build this mega cruise port. It’s going to destroy our fragile ecosystems and stress our infrastructure beyond what it can handle,”one commenter described.
The Knott Cowen tract of land is the site of a proposed cruise port near Tampa.
It isn’t just the development of the port itself that is of concern, but also other supportive infrastructure such as parking, access roads, hotels, and retail establishments that would be drawn to the region with increased cruise traffic.
“This proposal conflicts with the character and vision of our community. Residents consistently express a desire to protect natural resources, support sustainable growth, and preserve the unique identity of our coastal region,” another commenter explained.
“A cruise port would introduce heavy industrial traffic, congestion, noise, and infrastructure strain that undermine those goals.”
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Florida Agricultural Commissioner Wilton Simpson have both been tagged in the petition but have not yet responded.
Port Proposal Still Conceptual
It should be noted that the new cruise port is just still a conceptual idea and no formal plans have yet been filed. The development would be on 328 acres of land known as the Knott-Cowen tract adjacent to the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
The bridge is what limits many cruise ships from utilizing Port Tampa Bay due to the height limit it imposes on ships entering the waterway to head to the cruise terminal.
A new cruise port would be able to welcome larger, more modern ships that have lower emissions and more sustainable operation. This could include Royal Caribbean’s Icon-class, Carnival Cruise Line’s Excel-class, and MSC Cruises’ World-class ships.
According to the informational website for the Knott-Cowen Cruise Port, the actual land of Rattlesnake Key would not be developed and no construction would be on the island itself to help protect the wetlands and wildlife.
“Environmental protection is a core component of the project,”the website clarifies.“The combination of the conservation of Rattlesnake Key and implementing modern infrastructure standards represents a model that balances economic growth with long-term environmental stewardship.”
Many different studies and comment periods will be necessary before the project might move forward. Once construction would begin, it would take at least 3-5 years before the port could welcome its first cruise ship.
All ships in the Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) fleet will offer live broadcasts of the FIFA matches.
Two channels will enable guests to watch more than one match at a time.
The games will be held between June 11 and July 19, 2026.
Add another cruise line to the growing list of brands that will broadcast the highly anticipated FIFA World Cup 26, which gets underway at the height of the 2026 summer season.
Norwegian Cruise Line has confirmed that guests sailing on any of the ships in its fleet will enjoy live broadcasts of the games, which will be played between June 11 and July 19, 2026.
“This is a unique moment that unites nations like no other event,” said Gary Anslow, Vice President and Head of UK & Ireland at Norwegian Cruise Line.
“Whether guests are cheering for their home team or simply soaking up the exciting spirit of the tournament, we want to make sure no one misses out on these historic moments while exploring the world with us,” Anslow added.
NCL passengers will be able to watch the matches during their at-sea vacation in their staterooms as well as in certain public areas.
In fact, the cruise line is taking a three-pronged approach to the big event. First, since some of the matches will be held simultaneously, each ship will offer two channels that will broadcast all of the live games, giving guests access to more than one match.
And for those who might be otherwise engaged during a scheduled match — on a shore excursion, for instance, or enjoying a wellness treatment in the spa — each game can be recorded and then replayed at the guest’s convenience during the 24 hours immediately following a match.
Cruise Ships to Show World Cup
Finally, since it’s likely that not every passenger will be interested in watching the FIFA matches, each ship will provide what the line calls “peaceful places to unwind” without the exuberant presence of sports-minded fellow guests.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s January 20, 2026, announcement of its FIFA plans does not indicate which specific venues or public spaces will be designated as gathering places to watch the matches.
Guests Can Choose From Many Norwegian Itineraries
Norwegian Cruise Line ships offer a slew of itineraries that will operate during the FIFA matches. The 4,000-guest Norwegian Bliss, for example, will sail a 7-night Alaska cruise roundtrip from Seattle from June 13 to 20, 2026, calling at Juneau, Ketchikan, and Sitka, Alaska, and Victoria, British Columbia.
Norwegian Bliss in the UK (Photo Credit: Wayleebird)
Guests looking for a tropical vibe can choose the 2,180-guest Pride of America as she sails a 7-night Inter-Island Hawaii cruise roundtrip from Honolulu. Passengers can watch the matches as the ship sails to Maui, the Big Island of Hawaii, and Kauai from June 20 to 27, 2026.
In Europe, the 4,070-guest Norwegian Epic will broadcast the games as the ship cruises from Rome to Barcelona from July 5 to 12, 2026 on a 7-night itinerary calling at Salerno, Catania, and Livorno, Italy, and Nice and Marseille, France.
Other Cruise Lines Offer Similar FIFA Opportunities
While the tournament is still months away, other cruise lines across the globe are preparing for the popular matches, too.
In December 2025, several Carnival Corporation brands revealed that their ships would broadcast all of the live games in staterooms and in designated public spaces.
Princess Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line, Seabourn, and P&O Cruises will offer live programming via the Sport 24 Special Event Channels.
On Cunard ships, for instance, the Golden Lion pub and The Pavilion will be the gathering places to watch the live matches, P&O Cruises will show the matches in its ships’ Brodie’s and SkyDome venues, and Holland America Line ships will broadcast some games in the World Stage theater and on the Lido Deck screens.
Meyer Turku shipbuilders officially began construction on Royal Caribbean’s fifth Icon Class ship.
The steel-cutting ceremony took place on January 19, 2026, with representatives from Royal Caribbean Group on hand.
The initial steel cutting signals the first production phase of the vessel, scheduled for delivery in summer 2028.
Royal Caribbean’s fifth Icon ship is officially underway! On January 19, 2026, workers at Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland, began construction on the cruise line’s vessel, cutting the first pieces of steel that will be used as the building blocks of the ship’s hull and framework.
The traditional steel-cutting ceremony was held in the shipyard’s steel hall and was attended by representatives from Royal Caribbean Group, the Meyer Turku organization, and the classification society responsible for certifying the vessel’s construction standards.
The event marks the formal start of more than two years of construction and outfitting work that will involve thousands of professions that culminate in a beautiful new ship.
“The initial cut of steel kicks off the official start of production and the multiyear journey ahead, where thousands of experts across design, naval engineering, architecture, and more will come together to make the world’s best family vacation a reality,”said Royal Caribbean in its announcement.
Added Casimir Lindholm, CEO of Meyer Turku,“Icon 5 is further proof of Meyer Turku’s unique ability to design and build ships of the future.”
Workers at Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland at the steel cutting for Royal Caribbean’s fifth Icon Class ship. (Photo Credit: Royal Caribbean)
Once completed, the vessel will become the fifth ship in Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class. While the cruise line has not yet released the ship’s name, passenger capacity, or onboard features, it will share more details as Meyer Turku continues construction phases.
The next major milestone will be Icon 5’s keel laying, which typically follows 6 to 12 months from steel cutting. The ship, which will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), is scheduled to be delivered to Royal Caribbean in summer 2028.
Icon Class Momentum Continues
Construction on Icon 5 comes as Royal Caribbean continues to move forward with multiple ships in the Icon Class pipeline. The class debuted with Icon of the Seas in 2024 and has since become the cruise line’s flagship platform, with new ships entering service on an almost annual schedule.
Icon Class vessels are built exclusively at Meyer Turku and rank among the largest cruise ships ever constructed. So far, each completed ship comes in at 248,663 gross tons and have the capacity to hold 5,610 guests at double capacity.
Three Icon-Class Cruise Ships
While Royal Caribbean has not confirmed whether Icon 5 will introduce new design changes, the company has previously indicated that each ship in the class may incorporate refinements based on experience from earlier vessels.
The fourth Icon Class ship also recently entered a significant new phase of its build at the Finnish shipyard. On January 9, interior work launched, with the installation of modular cabins that will create 2,800 staterooms.
Icon 4 is expected to enter service in 2027, one year ahead of Icon 5. When delivered, the new ships will join Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas, and Legend of the Seas.
Although no official order is in place, Royal Caribbean has an option with Meyer Turku to reserve build space for a sixth and seventh Icon Class ship in a deal that extends the partnership into 2036, indicating big things are on the horizon for the fleet.
Mexico has officially banned the marketing, importation, and sale of vapes and electronic cigarettes.
Cruisers who bring these devices ashore may be seen as illegally importing these products.
Penalties for violations could include confiscation, detainment, hefty fines, and even jail time.
If you’re cruising to Mexico, you may want to leave your vaping device at home. As of January 17, 2026, a new law banning the importation, sale, and distribution of vapes and e-cigarettes has gone into effect.
This comes after legal reforms regarding this matter were passed by Mexico’s Senate in December 2025.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo published a constitutional reform to the General Health law in the Official Gazette of the Federation on January 16, 2026, noting that the decree would be effective the following day.
“The law will penalize all activities related to electronic cigarettes, vaping devices, and other analogous electronic systems or devices specified by law, as well as the production, distribution, and sale of toxic substances, chemical precursors, the illicit use of fentanyl, and other unauthorized synthetic drugs,”the amendment states.
This builds upon a smoking banthat was implemented in 2023, which prohibits smoking and vaping in all enclosed public places, as well as beaches, parks, and public transportation.
What This Means for Cruisers
If a cruise guest were to bring a vape or e-cigarette ashore during a port call, even for personal use, they could still be in violation of Mexico’s new law.
The issue is that when cruisers go through the Mexican customs process to enter the country with their vapes, they have technically just illegally imported the product.
Cruise Pier in Cozumel, Mexico (Photo Credit: EWY Media)
“As of January 16, 2026, Mexico is enforcing a nationwide ban on the importation and sale of vapes and e-cigarettes,” Margaritaville at Sea has advised guests booked on Mexico-bound sailings.
“While private possession within the country may still be legal, the key issue for travelers is entering Mexico through customs—including airports and cruise ports,”the cruise line continued.
The ban also applies to all types of vapes, including disposables, refillable models, pods, and even non-nicotine devices.
Possible Penalties For Lawbreakers
If guests are caught, they could see their devices confiscated, face hefty fines of up to $12,500, and/or detainment. The crime is also punishable by up to eight years in prison.
Some cruise fans have already reported that their vapes were confiscated when they attempted to bring them into the country.
“I was stopped at the airport and lost my vape. Was worth a try but did not work out for me. Not gonna try it on my December Panorama cruise with 4 Mexican ports,” one Carnival cruiser shared on social media.
Others did say that they have managed to sneak their vapes into Mexican ports, but doing so is a big risk.
Can Guests Still Vape on Cruise Ships?
For the most part, passengers should still be able to have their vapes onboard cruises to Mexico as long as they don’t bring the devices ashore.
While every cruise line has slightly different policies, guests generally are allowed to smoke and vape in designated areas during their sailings.
Usually, only regular tobacco-based vapes are permitted and guests must still be of legal age (21 in the US) in order to use them onboard. However, it’s always important to confirm the policies for your specific sailing with the cruise line directly.
Mariner of the Seas‘ Galveston embarkation is delayed on Monday, January 19 due to a cruise terminal power outage.
The cause of the outage has not been announced, but undoubtedly, work is progressing to restore power.
The ship will likely be delayed leaving for her next 5-night cruise and guests will be notified if the itinerary is adjusted.
Guests boarding Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas were surprised to find an embarkation delay for their voyage setting sail from Galveston, Texas on Monday, January 19, 2026.
While this is the season for fog that can cause significant cruise ship delays in the Lone Star State, the weather in Galveston on Monday was fair and balmy.
Furthermore, there are no technical or operational problems with Mariner of the Seas that contributed to the delay.
Instead, the problems have been with the cruise terminal itself, where a significant power outage hampered operations and caused hefty delays both for guests debarking the Voyager-class vessel as well as incoming guests.
While Royal Caribbean has not released an official statement for the delay, guests on the ship, as well as those arriving to board today, have been alerted to the difficulty and given rough guidance for the change.
“The terminal is out of power, boarding times rescheduled by 2 hours,”one incoming guest shared on Reddit.“If your scheduled arrival is 1p, arrive at 3p. Happy sailing!”
At this time, no definitive cause for the power outage has been confirmed. Guests have noted that equipment inside the cruise terminal is not functioning, including escalators, and it is taking longer than typical to process guests through customs and security.
Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)
“It’s in darkness. We had to bump our luggage down 4 flights of stairs,”one guest noted on Facebook.
While the situation is undoubtedly frustrating for everyone involved, cruise terminal staff are undoubtedly working to resolve the outage as quickly as possible. Depending on the cause, this may require service and maintenance professionals or other assistance before power can be restored.
Will the Next Sailing Be Delayed?
Mariner of the Seas is just finishing a 4-night sailing that departed on Thursday, January 15 and visited Cozumel, Mexico. Though the ship returned on schedule, the power outage delays are certainly having a knock-on effect for guests with post-cruise travel plans such as flights to catch.
The ship is due to begin a 5-night sailing with calls to both Costa Maya and Cozumel. The original schedule calls for Mariner of the Seas to depart Galveston at roughly 3 p.m., though with the delay, it is likely the ship will be leaving later then initially planned.
Because the itinerary includes a full day at sea before arriving in Costa Maya on Wednesday, January 21, there is certainly time to make up for the delay if it is not too extensive.
Royal Caribbean’s Galveston Cruise Terminal
Many cruise ships sail at slower speeds during sea days to provide a less windy and more comfortable experience for guests on the open decks. Overnight, the ship will then increase speed on the way to the next port of call.
This gives Mariner of the Seas a margin for delay, though how much of a margin will depend on exactly when the ship is able to leave Galveston.
If necessary, the port visits may be shortened or one port might even be cancelled if the ship would be unable to reach Mexico in time for a suitable visit. This does not seem likely, but it is something embarking guests should keep in mind.
Guests will be updated about any itinerary changes as soon as plans are confirmed.
Mariner of the Seas can welcome 3,114 guests onboard for each sailing. The ship is homeported from Galveston through October 2026, at which time she will move to New Orleans for the winter before deploying to Southampton in May 2027.
Are Any Other Ships Impacted?
Mariner of the Seas is the only Royal Caribbean ship docked in Galveston on Monday, but Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Legend is also back at her Texas homeport for the day.
There have been no reports that Carnival Legend is impacted in any way, as the power outage may be just at the Royal Caribbean cruise terminal.
The next Royal Caribbean ship due to dock in Galveston is when Mariner of the Seas returns on Saturday, January 24. Hopefully, full power will be restored long before the ship is ready for her next debarkation.
Here is Royal Caribbean’s cruise director schedule for 2026-2027.
Many fan favorite cruise directors remain on the schedule, but everyone on the list is talented and well-respected.
These cruise directors are responsible for being the face of the fun and for organizing entertainment behind the scenes.
Cruise directors are not only the leaders of the fun onboard, but many have become cruise-world celebrities.
The 2026-2027 cruise director schedule for Royal Caribbean is available, and guests can use this as a tool to book sailings that coincide with their favorite cruise directors’ contracts.
Keep in mind that this schedule can shift and dates could be adjusted as new information comes to light, so remember to be flexible if the cruise director assignment changes for your sailing.
Adventure of the Seas
Dates
Cruise Director
Jan 31 – TBA
John Blair
Allure of the Seas
Dates
Cruise Director
TBA
Mario Isla
Anthem of the Seas
Dates
Cruise Director
TBA
Kat Falcon
10 May, 2026 – TBA
Steve Kinsley
Brilliance of the Seas
Dates
Cruise Director
Unknown – 01 Feb, 2026
Eric Rodas
1 Feb – 12 Apr, 2026
Adam Donaldson
3 Aug – 05 Oct, 2026
Adam Donaldson
Enchantment of the Seas
Dates
Cruise Director
TBA
Kim Scott
Explorer of the Seas
Dates
Cruise Director
Unknown – Mar 2026
Jerry Salgado
Mar – Jul 2026
Chris Gruby
Freedom of the Seas
Dates
Cruise Director
16 Feb, 2026 – TBA
Dennis Charles
Grandeur of the Seas
Dates
Cruise Director
TBA
Talita Leoni
Harmony of the Seas
Dates
Cruise Director
09 Nov, 2025 – TBA
Katie Knowles
Icon of the Seas
Dates
Cruise Director
10 Jan – 21 Mar, 2026
Cory Rogers
08 May – 19 Sep, 2026
Cory Rogers
21 Nov, 2026 – 13 Mar, 2027
Cory Rogers
30 Sep – 10 Oct, 2026
Mar Walker
Independence of the Seas
Dates
Cruise Director
10 Sep, 2025 – TBA
Susan Adams
26 May – Oct 1, 2026
Tornado Tanya
26 Sep, 2026 – 29 Nov, 2026
Brian Leavitt
29 Nov, 2026 – 28 Mar, 2027
Tornado Tanya
Jewel of the Seas
Dates
Cruise Director
24 Jan, 2026 – Ended
Michele Scarpato
TBA – May 2026
Bern Fernandes
Legend of the Seas
Dates
Cruise Director
Summer 2026 – TBA
Mercedes Lafuente
Fall 2026 – TBA
Gemma Hugo
Liberty of the Seas
Dates
Cruise Director
9 Feb, 2026 – TBA
Mark Rous
TBA
Clo O’Conner
Mariner of the Seas
Dates
Cruise Director
15 Jan – 30 May, 2026
Daniel Gilham
May 2026 – 3 Aug, 2026
Lauren Armstrong
03 Aug – 27 Nov, 2026
Daniel Gilham
Navigator of the Seas
Dates
Cruise Director
12 Dec, 2025 – Ended
Mark Rous
6 Feb – 9 Mar, 2026
Kelly Leuch
17 April, 206 – TBA
Mey Lau
Oasis of the Seas
Dates
Cruise Director
TBA
John Grantham
Odyssey of the Seas
Dates
Cruise Director
16 Nov, 2025 – 15 Mar, 2026
Steve Knisley
15 Mar, 2026 – TBA
Eric Rodas
31 May – 6 Sep, 2026
Elvis Pinto
Ovation of the Seas
Dates
Cruise Director
24 Nov, 2025 – 02 Feb, 2026
Mike Hunnerup
02 Feb, 2026 – 29 May, 2026
Ricky Matthews
22 May, 2026 – 07 Aug, 2026
Brian Leavitt
07 Aug, 2026 – 11 Dec, 2026
Ricky Matthews
30 Nov, 2026 – 16 Feb, 2027
Brian Leavitt
Quantum of the Seas
Dates
Cruise Director
Unknown – 16 Jan, 2026
Bal Gabor
16 Jan, 2026 – TBA
Tami Salto
Radiance of the Seas
Dates
Cruise Director
Unknown – TBA
Adam Donaldson
20 Jan – 6 Mar, 2026
Brian Leavitt
9 Mar, 2026 – TBA
Joff Eaton
27 Mar – 20 April, 2026
Elvis Pinto
Rhapsody of the Seas
Dates
Cruise Director
Until Early May, 2026
Sheenagh Walker
Serenade of the Seas
Dates
Cruise Director
24 Jan, 2026 – TBA
Arturo Encalada
Oct 2026 – Jan 2027
Chris Gruby
Spectrum of the Seas
Dates
Cruise Director
28 Jan, 2026 – TBA
Bonnie Bai
Star of the Seas
Dates
Cruise Director
12 Oct, 2025 – TBA
Chris Brown
25 Jan, 2026 – TBA
Dan Whitney
Symphony of the Seas
Dates
Cruise Director
9 Nov, 2025 – Mar 2026
Jamie Fentiman
Mid-May – Mid Sep, 2026
Jamie Fentiman
10 Sep, 2026 – TBA
Elvis Pinto
26 Nov, 2026 – Mar 2027
Jamie Fentiman
Utopia of the Seas
Dates
Cruise Director
3 Oct, 2025 – 30 Jan, 2026
Marc Walker
Jan 2026 – Feb 2026
James Robinson
1 May, 2026 – 17 Aug, 2026
Marc Walker
19 Oct, 2026 – 08 Feb, 2027
Marc Walker
Vision of the Seas
Dates
Cruise Director
9 Oct, 2025 – 24 Jan, 2026
Dominic Richard
24 Jan, 2026 – TBA
Bill Brunkhorst
Voyager of the Seas
Dates
Cruise Director
27 Oct, 2025 – 13 Mar, 2026
Tornado Tanya
13 Mar, 2026 – TBA
Mike Hunnerup
Wonder of the Seas
Dates
Cruise Director
28 Nov, 2025 – Ended
Katy McCullagh
27 Mar, 2026 – TBA
Michelle Oliveira
What Do Royal Caribbean Cruise Directors Do?
As is the case with all the major cruise lines, Royal Caribbean cruise directors are the chief social officers. This means they are responsible for being the face of the onboard entertainment while also organizing the fun from behind the scenes.
They are typically onboard for four to six months at a time, after which they usually get around two months off to recover from going non-stop in these high-energy roles.
Sharing Information
Royal Caribbean cruise directors are a key part of the guest experience from the moment they step onboard. Cruise directors are responsible for making announcements to keep guests onboard informed about what is happening.
Evening Event on Royal Caribbean (Photo Credit: Solarisys)
They also often appear on ship TV channels in filmed updates to give general announcements for the day and port information.
On embarkation day, they welcome guests onboard and shift into a safety role by making sure passengers know when and how to complete mandatory muster drills. During debarkation day, they provide instructions on where to go and offer the final farewell.
Hosting Entertainment
In addition to conveying information, cruise directors welcome guests to production shows and host their own entertainment and game shows, such as “Love & Marriage,” “Battle of the Sexes,” “Majority Rules,” and “Family Feud.”
During milestone moments for the cruise line, such as the unveiling of a new ship, top cruise directors will often be tapped to host events like naming ceremonies.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Directors (Photo Credit: BingBong Entertainment)
For example, Cruise Director Mike Szwajkowski played an integral role in the christening of Star of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s second Icon-class ship.
They also host important social gatherings, including themed parties and meet & greets with the captain.
Offstage, cruise directors mingle with guests and make sure they are enjoying their vacations. As they go, they collect guest feedback and make adjustments to the entertainment offerings accordingly.
Behind-the-Scenes Leadership
When cruise directors step out of the spotlight to crew-only areas or to their cabin, they don’t just get to relax. They are either using this time to plan or to get ready for the next event.
They are responsible for scheduling and organizing the fun, which means assigning other members of their team to lead events and scheduling activities.
Additionally, it is their job to help train newer members of the guest entertainment team and facilitate their growth.
They may also assist the shoreside teams in sourcing new entertainment, such as comedy acts or live musicians, and may liaise with talent or watch auditions.
The cruise director also helps make the performance schedule for entertainment around the ship, such as musicians who perform in bars and lounges.
Taking the Fun Online
Many cruise directors have become celebrities within the cruise world, and have developed quite a following on social media.
As an example, Marc Walker currently has just over 62,000 followers on his Facebook page, BingBong Entertainment. He is the current cruise director for Utopia of the Seas.
This means that in addition to everything they are doing to manage the entertainment onboard, these cruise directors are also making time to create content and engage with cruise lovers on social media.
Putting energy into building up their public image is important because it helps get guests excited about sailing with Royal Caribbean and with these cruise directors.
A 27-year-old man was found deceased onboard Ovation of the Seas in Singapore on Monday, January 19.
Foul play is not suspected in the incident, but no official cause of death has yet been released.
Debarkation was delayed for several hours while authorities assessed the situation, but the ship has set sail again.
The end of a cruise vacation can be a sad occasion, but nothing is sadder than when an individual passes away during a sailing.
A 27-year-old man passed away onboard Ovation of the Seas as the ship was reaching the end of its 3-night itinerary to Penang Island in Malaysia. The cruise had initially departed on January 16, and Penang Island was the only port of call.
According to The Straits Times, the man was found unresponsive onboard the ship after arrival at the Marina Bay Cruise Terminal in Singapore. He was pronounced deceased by the ship’s doctor on the morning of Monday, January 19, 2026. The emergency call to the Singaporean police was made at approximately 6:35 a.m.
While Ovation of the Seas was not confirmed as the vessel on which the death occurred, no other cruise ships were docked in Singapore that day.
Preliminary results of the investigation do not indicate foul play, but no cause of death has yet been announced. Further investigation will likely include interviews, review of security footage, and other steps to determine what caused the man’s death.
It has not been released whether or not the man was one of the more than 4,180 cruise guests onboard the Quantum-class ship or if he may have been one of the crew members. Furthermore, his identity has not been released, as is customary to protect the privacy of family members and friends.
Photo Credit: Justin Tiang
Guests onboard the ship did report to the news site Mothership that an emergency announcement was made before 6 a.m., calling a response team to a guest cabin. The cabin was later seen to be blocked off and padlocked.
While the code used in the emergency was not revealed, “Alpha” would generally indicate a medical emergency, while “Sierra” would signify the need for a stretcher for a medical emergency. “Operation Rising Star” could confirm a death.
Cruise Hive has reached out to Royal Caribbean for a statement about the incident, but has not yet heard back.
Debarkation Delayed
Due to the incident, debarkation in Singapore was delayed for roughly three hours. This would be the time necessary for the emergency response team to resolve the situation, authorities to board the ship to begin their investigation, and any precautions to be taken to mitigate rumors or confusion surrounding the incident.
Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas (Photo Credit: Felipe Sanchez)
There is no word whether or not Ovation of the Seas may be delayed on her next itinerary, another 3-night sailing to Penang Island that will return to Singapore on Thursday, January 22.
The 168,666-gross-ton ship has already departed Singapore for that sailing and appears to be on schedule for her port visit on Tuesday, January 20.
Disturbing Similarities
If this incident did occur in a guest stateroom, it may be disturbingly similar to the shocking death of Anna Kepner, the 18-year-old woman who was found deceased onboard Carnival Horizon on November 8, 2025.
Kepner’s death was confirmed to be manual strangulation and there is no doubt that foul play was involved in that case, though the FBI investigation is still ongoing.
Deaths do occur on cruise ships for a variety of reasons, including medical incidents, accidents, and violent altercations. The ship does have an onboard medical team as well as a medical center equipped to handle most issues and injuries, as well as a morgue if need be.
Cruise Hive’s thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased man as well as the crew members onboard Ovation of the Seas who will still strive to provide an exceptional vacation experience to everyone onboard despite such challenging circumstances.
