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Disney Takes Delivery of Its Largest-Ever Cruise Ship

Donna Tunney
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Disney Takes Delivery of Its Largest-Ever Cruise Ship

Key Aspects:

  • Disney Cruise Line took delivery of Disney Adventure, the largest in its fleet.
  • The ship will sail her maiden voyage in March 2026.
  • Based in Singapore, Disney Adventure will sail short cruises to nowhere.

The Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany has officially handed over Disney Adventure to Disney Cruise Line, bringing the ship one step closer to her maiden voyage.

The December 16, 2025 delivery of the ship makes her the largest in the Disney fleet, at 208,000 gross tons and with capacity for 6,700 guests.

“The Maiden Voyage sets sail March 2026, welcoming guests on board for magical moments at sea,” the cruise line posted on Facebook.

In addition to being the biggest ship in the fleet, Disney Adventure also represents the cruise line’s foray into the Asia market. Catering to Asian guests, the ship will sail 3- and 4-night cruises to nowhere roundtrip from Singapore.

Under an agreement with the Singapore Tourism Board, Disney Adventure will sail from the country’s Marina Bay Cruise Centre for at least the next five years. 

However, while the handover is complete, the maiden voyage is still months away. The ship will operate two preview cruises, on March 5 and 9, 2026, followed by the maiden cruise departing on March 10, 2026.

These dates are a far cry from the cruise line’s original timetable. Disney Adventure was initially due to enter service in December 2025, but in September 2025, the line revealed a major delay in construction that would postpone her debut until March 2026.

Disney Adventure Delivery Ceremony
Disney Adventure Delivery Ceremony

It meant that some 22 cruises had to be canceled, and all bookings were automatically transferred to the new date in March 2026. Booked guests also received a 50% refund on the fare they paid. (Cruisers also could cancel their booking if they wished.)

The launch of Disney Adventure has been a long time coming. The ship’s construction began in 2018, when Dream Cruises ordered the vessel, which at the time was called Global Dream. The hull was roughly 70% built when parent company Genting Hong Kong went bankrupt in 2022.

Disney Cruise Line purchased the partially completed ship from Genting’s liquidators that year, renamed her Disney Adventure, and contracted with Meyer Werft to finish construction.

Ship Will Feature New Asia-Inspired Venues

While Disney Adventure will feature many of the cruise line’s most popular venues, it will also cater to the Asia market with special eateries, such as Mike & Sulley’s – Flavors of Asia.

It is described as offering four experiences — a full-service Japanese steakhouse, a teppanyaki room, an outdoor venue serving sushi and sashimi, and a restaurant with Omakase-style dining.

In Omakase style, there is no fixed menu; instead, guests allow the chef to create a multi-course meal of their choosing.

Other dining experiences will include Taverna Portorosso, serving Italian dishes, the upscale Palo Trattoria, and Cosmic Kebabs, to name a few.

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The ship will have seven themed areas: Disney Imagination Garden, Disney Discovery Reef, San Fransokyo Street, Wayfinder Bay, Town Square, Marvel Landing, and Toy Story Place.

Disney Imagination Garden is designed to be the ship’s entertainment hub. The spacious area will be anchored at one end by a three-deck-high castle artwork and at the other by a performance stage. A new category of garden-view staterooms also will flank the themed space.

Carnival Ship Stuck in Long Beach as Computer Crash Halts Departure

Donna Tunney
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0
Carnival Ship Stuck in Long Beach as Computer Crash Halts Departure

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Firenze suffered a major computer system failure on December 15, 2025.
  • The technology problem delayed the ship’s departure by at least one day.
  • The ship is due to operate a 6-night Mexican Riviera voyage.

A technology glitch appears to have caused a major, overnight departure delay of a Carnival Cruise Line ship’s Mexican Riviera voyage. 

Carnival Firenze, sailing roundtrip from Long Beach, California, was due to leave port on December 15, 2025, but was forced to remain in port due to a connectivity problem, the full details of which are not known.

Guests booked on the 6-night voyage posted about the delay on social media, saying the ship was scheduled to depart at 3 p.m. The technology issue, however, forced the ship to stay in port overnight, and as of the morning of December 16, 2025, it was still there.

“I’m currently on ship in LA, and we were supposed to leave the port at 3PM but it’s 6PM and we still haven’t left. Is this normal?” one guest posted on Reddit on departure day. 

“They said their whole system crashed when we were entering on the boat. Also, my app isn’t working at all and isn’t recognizing that I have a booking, and also the wifi isn’t connecting for any guests,” the cruiser added.

Carnival Firenze
Carnival Firenze (Photo Credit: Felipe Sanchez / Shutterstock)

The glitch could cause enormous problems for the staff and guests, if bookings, package purchases, shore excursions, and other key elements are not available in the ship’s computers.

The system apparently was working fine when passengers disembarked from Carnival Firenze’s previous cruise.

“Well, everything was working this morning when we got off at 7 AM. And I am pretty sure I unplugged the iron. Good luck!” posted one guest who had debarked the ship early on December 15, 2025.

Another passenger onboard the delayed ship noted that the Carnival Hub app wasn’t working.

“I’m on the ship too, the network is down so the hub app doesn’t work – they are trying to repair,” the guest wrote on Reddit.

Departure Delay Will Impact the Ship’s Itinerary

An announcement made onboard the ship the afternoon of December 15, 2025 acknowledged there was a problem that could delay departure. Carnival Firenze was scheduled to arrive in Cabo San Lucas on December 17, 2025, spend an overnight there, then continue on to Ensenada, calling there on December 20, 2025 before returning to Long Beach on December 21, 2025.

In the shipboard announcement, guests were told that if the ship was ready to depart later than expected on December 15, 2025, she would swap port calls, visiting Ensenada on December 16, 2025, followed by Cabo San Lucas on December 18 and 19, 2025.

If the ship was forced to remain in port overnight, which turned out to be the case, the ship would eventually proceed directly to Cabo for the overnight stay. In that case, details about the remainder of the cruise would be forthcoming.

No mention was made about the Ensenada visit if the ship was delayed at Long Beach overnight; it’s possible that the port call could be cancelled.

Brand Ambassador Thanks Guests For Their Patience

At least one guest had reached out to John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador, who interacts with guests on his popular Facebook page.

Read Also: One of These Mexico Cruise Ports Could Be on Your Itinerary

On December 16, 2025, one cruiser asked if Heald had any news on the ship’s departure plans.

“I don’t have any news yet. Thank you so much, the Captain will be in touch with everybody on board and I’m sure everybody will continue to have a wonderful time. Thank you for your patience,” Heald posted on his page.

Carnival Firenze deployed to Long Beach in April 2024, shortly after the ship’s transfer from the Costa Cruises line, a sister brand to Carnival Cruise Line. The 4,126-guest ship was one of two vessels that were transferred from Costa and became Carnival’s Italian-style Fun Ships.

The other ship was Carnival Venezia, currently sailing from Port Canaveral. Both ships were renovated upon joining Carnival Cruise Line, maintaining their Italy-inspired designs but with the popular restaurants, bars, and other venues found across the fleet.

Chihuahua Goes Viral for Melting Hearts on Royal Caribbean Cruise

Catie Kovelman
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Chihuahua Goes Viral for Melting Hearts on Royal Caribbean Cruise

Key Aspects:

  • An adorable dog named Blondie has been stealing hearts onboard Freedom of the Seas.
  • Guests and crew members have loved interacting with the tiny chihuahua.
  • Blondie is a service dog and received special permission to be onboard.

Cruise guests can meet all kinds of passengers onboard during their sailings, but one extra special guest was stealing hearts left and right during a recent voyage onboard Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas.

The cruising journey of a 3-pound teacup chihuahua, named Blondie, is going viral on social media. The little dog and her pet parent are found under the handle @bruiserandellewoods, which is in reference to the famous “Legally Blonde” movie.

It’s not clear which specific sailing (or sailings) the duo was onboard for, but TikTok videos show them arriving at PortMiami on December 4, 2025, when the Freedom-class vessel was embarking on a 4-night Caribbean getaway cruise.

Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas (Photo Credit: A. Emson / Shutterstock)

But of all the entertainment onboard and in port, guests couldn’t get enough of the tiny dog. She essentially became an onboard celebrity, where some guests even sought the pup out to demand their own snuggles.

Worth Reading: Why Pay $100K? Cruiser 3D-Prints the Royal Bling Cup Instead

In one TikTok, which has been viewed more than 300,000 times, Blondie can be seen snuggling up to other passengers, who are very grateful for a cuddle session.

“She’s become the emotional support animal for the entire cruise ship,” the dog mom, whose name has not been publicly released, captioned the clip.

@bruiserandellewoods

She’s become the emotional support animal for the entire cruise ship 🥹❤️🤣 #chihuahua #teacupchihuahua #cruise

♬ original sound – Cruiser Woods🛳️ 💖🐕

In other clips, crew members are captured stopping to say hello to the loveable pup with big smiles on their faces.

Considering these crew members are away from their families and working long hours for months at a time, the interaction was surely a much needed pick-me-up.

Is Cruising With Dogs Allowed?

Most of the time, dogs cannot simply board a cruise ship. Blondie’s case is unique because she is a trained service dog.

Blondie’s handler had to have her canine companion approved, and had previously left her at home because the approval process wasn’t successfully completed in the past.

@bruiserandellewoods

you guys said “don’t leave her again” 😭 so I didn’t 🐶💖 #chihuahua #cruise #dogsoftiktok

♬ original sound – Cruiser Woods🛳️ 💖🐕

“Royal Caribbean International welcomes service dogs on all ships. Please note we do not accept pets,” Royal Caribbean’s policy states.

“A service dog is defined as ‘any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability.’ Service dogs are not considered pets,” the policy continues.

Read Also: 10 Reasons Why I Would Never Take a Dog-Friendly Cruise

Guests with service dogs are required to submit documentation in advance (at least 60 days prior to sailing) and upon boarding the ship, such as doctors’ notes, pet immunization records, and pet passports.

If the dog exhibits poor behavior at the cruise port, such as barking, growling, or biting, the animal could still be denied boarding even if they were previously approved.

Special Rules Onboard

In addition to always being on her best behavior – as Blondie so clearly is – her owner must make sure they follow specific rules onboard to avoid bothering other guests.

For example, Blondie most likely has a designated bathroom area just inside one of the crew-only areas for sanitary reasons and to avoid offending other guests with bad smells.

@bruiserandellewoods

She’s ready for cruise dinner… and yes, the towel duck is her date.!😂🦆 #chihuahua #teacupchihuahua #cruise #royalcarribean

♬ A Spoonful of Sprinkles – Andrew Bong

Failure to use the appropriate pet relief area could result in removal from the ship.

Another way that Blondie and her dog mom keep things respectful is that Blondie happily rides in her owner’s purse when moving about the cruise ship, so she isn’t on the floor or on tables in areas like dining venues.

She also puts a blanket on the bed in her cruise cabin, presumably for Blondie to sleep on instead of the cruise ship’s pillows and comforter.

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In addition, Blondie’s owner is always watching her dog. All interactions with other guests are supervised.

When other guests or crew members cuddle with Blondie, it’s because they want to and not because the dog was forced upon them.

Cruise Ship’s Radiation Warning Sign Sparks Guest Concern

Catie Kovelman
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0
Cruise Ship’s Radiation Warning Sign Sparks Guest Concern

Key Aspects:

  • A cruiser onboard Carnival Adventure noticed a radiation warning sign onboard.
  • The sign was most likely blocking an area at the stern of the ship that contains a docking radar.
  • Cruise guests are safe and do not need to worry about radiation exposure as long as they obey the sign.

Radiation is a scary word, especially as people are largely conditioned to avoid exposure to radiation. For example, precautions are taken to avoid too much exposure during medical tests like X-rays or MRIs.

So, when one cruise guest stumbled upon a radiation warning while sailing onboard Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Adventure, they were a bit alarmed.

“What is this? I found a radiation warning on the back of the Carnival Adventure and I want to know what causes this,” the passenger posted on Reddit.

The post also included a picture of a yellow warning sign at the front of a blocked off area toward the aft (back) of the vessel that reads “Caution: Risk of Radiation.”

What is the Sign Guarding?

Though Carnival Cruise Line has not explicitly confirmed this, the area is most likely home to a docking radar.

Docking radars are typically positioned on the stern and bow, and are used to provide precise distance, speed, and angle measurements to the bridge to help vessels dock safely while visiting ports of call.

Read Also: Docking a Cruise Ship – How Is It Done?

“Should be the stern docking radar, as that’s the one generally likely to be accessible from the promenade deck (and OP says it’s at the back). The Fo’c’sle is generally restricted and the main radars will be up the masts,” one cruiser said in the comments.

“Likely a radio antenna or radar. Beyond that point would be beyond maximum permitted exposure. It would be non-ionizing radiation, but could be harmful by heating,” another concurred.

Radiation Warning Sign on Carnival Adventure
Radiation Warning Sign on Carnival Adventure (Photo Credit: Far_Reflection_7590)

It’s also possible that the area is blocked off because repairs were being done that required radiography to make sure the work was done correctly, which can also emit radiation.

However, this seems less likely, as the 2,600-guest ship only just relaunched as Carnival Adventure earlier this year with the purpose of sailing around Australia and New Zealand.

Is the Radiation Harmful to Cruisers?

Unless cruisers ignore the warning signs and stand directly in front of the device, they do not need to worry about exposure to radiation.

Getting a bit technical here, cruise ships primarily use a form of non-ionizing radiation that emits electromagnetic fields (EMF), which comes with a very low risk to people.

Some actually noted that the picture on the warning sign was inaccurate, because the symbol Carnival is using suggests a greater danger than there is.

“It’s interesting, there’s supposed to be a separate “antenna” warning sign for non-ionizing radiation,” one person observed.

“Definitely the wrong logo. But I guess, everyone recognizes this one, and won’t stick around. The correct one is is probably more obvious to people familiar with technology warning signs,” another agreed.

Ship radars are also supposed to be pulsed and directional, with energy dropping off so quickly that exposure is extremely unlikely unless a passenger breaks the rules and enters a restricted area.

An Additional Protection

As seen in the Redditor’s photo, the curved piece of metal is likely also present to function as a barrier to block the reach of the radiation as an additional precaution.

“The curved piece at the top of the image should block the main beam path at least until you get right up close to it,” a cruise fan noted.

“A radar antenna is behind that gate, you can see it in the image. The metal round bracket is there to help shield the area (likely facing towards the vessel) as you said it was at the back,” someone else echoed.

More From Cruise Hive

More so than radiation exposure, the bigger risk is that the radio frequency emitted by cruise ship radars functions similar to a microwave.

The devices and the surrounding area can get quite hot and cause tissue damage, which is another reason why the area is blocked off to a point that keeps everyone at a safe distance.

Norwegian Viva Begins Caribbean Voyages From Texas Homeport

Melissa Mayntz
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Norwegian Viva Begins Caribbean Voyages From Texas Homeport

Key Aspects:

  • Norwegian Viva has debuted from Galveston for her winter Caribbean season.
  • The Prima-class ship set sail on her first 7-night itinerary on Saturday, December 13.
  • Norwegian Viva is offering 15 Texas departures this season, including a pair of 14-night sailings.

One of Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ships, Norwegian Viva, had made her Lone Star State debut with her first sailing from Galveston, Texas, welcoming guests on Saturday, December 13.

This is the ship’s inaugural season from Texas and she will be offering 7- and 14-night Caribbean itineraries through mid-April, 2026.

“We’re excited to officially welcome Norwegian Viva to Galveston this season,” said Harry Sommer, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

“Expanding our offerings from popular, easily accessible ports allows us to bring unforgettable experiences closer to home for more travelers. Norwegian Viva was thoughtfully designed for guests to live life to the fullest, and we’re proud to introduce this world-class cruising option to Texas.”

The 142,500-gross-ton ship is sailing from the new Cruise Terminal 16 that opened on November 7. The state-of-the-art terminal is designed to service MSC Cruises year-round as well as the winter deployments by Norwegian Cruise Line.

“Opening this terminal has allowed Norwegian Cruise Line to expand its presence in Galveston. The beautiful Norwegian Viva allows our cruisers the opportunity to experience a world-class cruise ship,” said Rodger Rees, Galveston Wharves port director and CEO.

“The U.S. cruise market continues to select the Port of Galveston as a preferred debarkation point because of ships like Norwegian Viva.”

In addition to Norwegian Viva, ships from Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, and MSC Cruises are all currently homeporting from Galveston, offering guests an outstanding variety for their cruise experiences from Texas.

Norwegian Viva‘s Sailings From Galveston

Norwegian Viva is offering a total of 15 departures from the Lone Star State for the 2025-2026 winter season with both one- and two-week cruises available.

The majority of the Prima-class ship’s sailings are 7-night Western Caribbean itineraries. Depending on the departure date, Norwegian Viva will be visiting top ports such as Cozumel, Harvest Caye, Roatan, and Costa Maya.

On January 10, the ship will depart Texas on a 14-night comprehensive Caribbean voyage that will go to both Eastern and Western destinations, including Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas, plus San Juan, Antigua, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, Puerto Plata, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel.

Norwegian Viva Ship
Norwegian Viva Ship (Photo Credit: GEORGE STAMATIS)

A second two-week trip leaving Galveston on January 24 is similarly comprehensive but will skip Great Stirrup Cay and St. Thomas to visit Tortola and Ocho Rios instead. The other ports remain the same.

Norwegian Viva will conclude her first season from Texas with her April 4, 2026 departure, another weeklong cruise with an Easter theme.

After returning to Galveston on April 11, the ship will move over to Miami without guests in order to prepare for her 15-night spring transatlantic cruise from Florida to Barcelona.

Read Also: The Haven on Norwegian Cruise Line – Worth It or Not?

Following summer and early fall in the Mediterranean, Norwegian Viva will return to Galveston at the end of October for another Caribbean winter season.

Onboard Norwegian Viva

Guests setting sail onboard Norwegian Viva are in for spectacular experiences, from the modern, airy public spaces to the relaxing Vibe Beach Club to the excitement of the Viva Speedway, the largest three-level racetrack at sea.

Indulge in one of the 11 eateries in the Indulge Food Hall, including the very appropriate and very popular Texas-style barbecue (the brisket is the best!) and the relaxed pub atmosphere of The Local or any of the other included dining options or specialty restaurants.

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The ship offers a variety of outstanding entertainment, live music, and more fun, plus the exhilaration of The Drop and The Rush, dueling dry slides that drop a heart-pounding 10 decks.

Pools, waterslides, miniature golf, the Mandara Spa and thermal suite, and plenty of other cruise favorites are also onboard.

Norwegian Viva can welcome 3,215 guests onboard, offering everyone a spectacular opportunity to truly live it up on their cruise vacation.

Carnival Cruise Line Dispels Myth of Higher Drink Limits

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Cruise Line Dispels Myth of Higher Drink Limits

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Cruise Line has debunked a rumor about increases to the drink package limit.
  • The Cheers! package limit remains at 15 drinks in a 24-hour period and no changes are planned.
  • The rumor stems from Facebook pages and spreads quickly when guests don’t verify information.

Carnival Cruise Line is no stranger to rumors and false information, from menu changes to phone bans to muster drill adjustments.

The latest rumor involves the cruise line’s wildly popular Cheers! Drink package and its 15-drinks-per-day limit. Fortunately, Carnival’s brand ambassador, John Heald, has been quick to respond to the viral rumor and offer the correct information.

“It seems today that I am getting multiple posts from people quoting a certain Facebook page with many VIPS that we have as of December 1st increased the number of alcoholic drinks guests can purchase in a 24 hour period from 15 to 24,” Heald explained.

“This is not true. Please ignore what is being stated there and treat it as total Bollo… Treat it as nonsense.”

In order to help curb the spread of the rumor, Heald did not name exactly where those multiple posts are coming from, but some Facebook pages and groups have thousands of active members.

It only takes a little false information for too-good-to-be-true rumors to spread. Unfortunately, many people believe everything seen online must be true, without verifying the source or accuracy of enticing details.

This rumor follows the recent lawsuit filed against Royal Caribbean for a guest’s death in 2024, allegedly after the guest was served 33 alcoholic drinks in just a few hours.

Why Not Increase the Drink Limit?

While some travelers could easily consume more than the allotted 15 drinks per day on Carnival’s all-inclusive Cheers! beverage package, many others find the limit more than sufficient.

It should be noted that the limit only applies to alcoholic drinks. The Cheers! package also includes sodas, juices, bottled water, and other non-alcoholic drinks, which are not applied to the 15-per-day limit.

Carnival Cruise Line Atrium Bar
Carnival Cruise Line Atrium Bar (Photo Credit: Ritu Manoj Jethani)

Heald does note that Carnival Cruise Line is in no way considering a daily drink increase.

“I don’t think I need to explain the obvious reasons why we would not do this,” he said. “Please drink responsibly.”

Alcohol is often cited as a factor in onboard altercations and incidents, whether fights between guests, aggression toward crew members, or even unfortunate overboard incidents.

Read Also: What is the Carnival CHEERS! Package?

By imposing a drink limit on the all-inclusive package, Carnival Cruise Line is hoping to mitigate the worst of such behavior as much as possible.

The cruise line’s other drink packages, Bottomless Bubbles and the new Cheers! Zero Proof non-alcoholic package, have no daily drink limits.

Could a Limit Cause Even More Problems?

While many guests happily abide by the drink limit and enjoy the convenience of having pre-paid for drinks, some Carnival guests believe the limit might actually cause more problems.

“Some people that take that number 15 as a challenge. It’s like game on to get to 15 and get cut off,” one guest commented.

It is true that some travelers will try to maximize the “value” of their drink package by ensuring they get as many as possible. This could lead to impairment and lowered inhibitions that cause conflicts.

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Of course, every individual’s tolerance varies. Different drinks affect different guests in different ways based on individual chemistry, how quickly drinks are consumed, whether food is involved, and the type and amount of alcohol in different beverages.

All cruise guests should be aware of their personal limits and how they react to alcohol, and moderate their imbibing behavior to have a great vacation without any problems.

MSC Signs Giant Order of 180,000 Gross Ton Ships With Meyer Werft

Melissa Mayntz
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MSC Signs Giant Order of 180,000 Gross Ton Ships With Meyer Werft

Key Aspects:

  • MSC Cruises has partnered with Meyer Werft to order four new ships.
  • The brand new “New Frontier” class will be roughly 180,000 gross tons.
  • The first MSC ships ordered from Meyer Werft will debut beginning in 2030.

MSC Cruises is fast becoming a global player in the cruise market with astronomical expansions beyond its European origins.

Now, the cruise line has ordered a completely new class of ships from Meyer Werft, its first collaboration with the German shipbuilder. The announcement was made in Berlin on Monday, December 15, 2025.

Four “New Frontier” ships have now been ordered, with future options on two more ships for a total of six potential new builds in the next decade on a very ambitious construction schedule.

This is the first time Meyer Werft will have built ships for MSC Cruises, which has historically partnered with Chantiers de l’Atlantique or other French shipyards, as well as Fincantieri in Italy.

“Meyer Werft’s track record, expertise and proud history make it a true beacon of European shipbuilding. Together, we will create vessels that redefine the cruise experience while preserving the craftsmanship that keeps Germany at the forefront of maritime engineering,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises.

“The New Frontier class will enable us to design new and exclusive itineraries, offer exceptional guest experience and will feature next-generation environmental technologies that will advance our net-zero 2050 commitment.”

Read Also: Who Owns MSC Cruises – Behind the Global Cruise Line

Meyer Werft is equally optimistic about the new partnership, as it will provide significant economic security for years to come with thousands of jobs necessary to support the new project.

“This new order marks a significant milestone in the 230-year history of MEYER WERFT,” said Dr. Bernd Eikens, CEO of Meyer Werft. “We are delighted to welcome MSC Cruises as a new customer and strategic partner, and we are truly honored by the trust they have placed in us.”

What Do We Know About the New Ships?

Very little is known about the new class, but they are expected to be approximately 180,000 gross tons. This is just slightly larger than Royal Caribbean’s Quantum-class ships and very similar to Carnival Cruise Line’s Excel-class vessels.

Guest capacity would max out at about 5,400 passengers, though double occupancy has not been announced.

MSC New Ship Orders
MSC New Ship Orders

MSC Cruises’ recent newbuild trend has been for bigger ships. The World class is roughly 216,000 gross tons, comparable to Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class. All of those vessels top the list of the largest cruise ships currently in operation (along with the phenomenal Icon class, of course).

These somewhat smaller ships would still accommodate great numbers of passengers, but may have somewhat more flexibility for berthing requirements and therefore more diverse itineraries.

A Fast-Growing Fleet – Are Some Ships Ready for Retirement?

The first of the new and as-yet-unnamed ships would be delivered in 2030 with one new ship introduced every year afterward.

This would overlap with the most recent orders of the much larger World class ships. MSC World Europa first set sail in 2022 and MSC World America just debuted in March 2025. The upcoming MSC World Asia is due in 2026 followed by MSC World Atlantic in 2027.

Additional World-class ships are also scheduled for 2028, 2029, 2030, and 2031. If the New Frontier class does indeed debut in 2030 and a second ship joins the fleet in 2031, MSC Cruises would have 31 ships sailing in 2031, assuming no ship retirements in the meantime.

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Of course, the line’s oldest vessels are the Mistral class: Armonia, Sinfonia, Lirica, and Opera, which first set sail for MSC Cruises in 2004, 2005, 2003, and 2004, respectively. In terms of construction, MSC Armonia was built in 2001 and is the oldest MSC Cruises’ ship currently sailing.

It is possible the New Frontier vessels may replace older ships as they are retired or scrapped, but no such announcements have yet been made.

MSC Cruises fans will want to stay tuned to learn more about the new ships as well as to discover the fate of older ships as new vessels debut.

Royal Caribbean Ship Boarding Pushed Back, Guests Unhappy

Melissa Mayntz
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Royal Caribbean Ship Boarding Pushed Back, Guests Unhappy

Key Aspects:

  • Utopia of the Seas boarding times for Monday, December 15 have been delayed 6.5 hours.
  • Some onboard benefits will be refunded due to the long delay because they cannot be honored.
  • Booked guests are wondering why other ships appear to have on-time arrivals to Port Canaveral.

It’s been a tense weekend for guests eager to board Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas on Monday, December 15, 2025. On Friday, the cruise line announced that the ship would be delayed returning to Port Canaveral due to expected high winds, but it wasn’t until Sunday evening that the length of that delay was confirmed.

“As a reminder, our previous sailing is returning to Port Canaveral later than originally planned due to high winds in the area,” the notification reminder explained.

“Please stick to your updated window as arriving earlier may have you turned away until your adjusted time. Parking, and the terminal, will only open once our previous guests have finished debarking.”

The updated cruise terminal arrival times are 6.5 hours later than originally planned with guests not beginning check-in until 5 p.m. for the first arrival window that was to have been at 10:30 a.m.

The latest cruise terminal arrival, originally 2 p.m., is now 8:30 p.m. The cruise line is alerting guests not to arrive later than 8:30 p.m. as everyone must be checked in and onboard Utopia of the Seas by 9 p.m.

Some Benefits Refunded

Because of the delay and how it impacts the exclusive benefits of The Key, Royal Caribbean is also refunding 30% of the purchase price to guests who pre-paid for that elite package.

The Key offers priority ship boarding during embarkation, stateroom carry-on luggage delivery, and an exclusive welcome lunch with a signature menu from 12-1:30 p.m. Because of the delay, none of those coveted embarkation day benefits will be available.

Utopia of the Seas Sets Sail from Port Canaveral
Utopia of the Seas Sets Sail from Port Canaveral (Credit: Port Canaveral)

The rest of The Key benefits remain intact, including discounts on select onboard activities and spa services, dedicated show seating, and debarkation benefits.

No other refunds, including for specialty dining packages or beverage packages, appear to be offered, though it is possible this may be updated once guests are able to board the ship.

Why Aren’t Other Ships Impacted?

While the early notification of Utopia of the Seas‘ delay has given guests time to plan for their late departure, it has also generated significant suspicion and questions.

Multiple guests on a Facebook group dedicated to the sailing have wondered why three other cruise ships have no apparent delays returning to Port Canaveral Monday morning, yet Utopia of the Seas will be so far behind schedule.

“Strange that all the other ships are still coming in on time,” one guest noted.

“Why can CARNIVAL and DISNEY arrive on time and Royal can’t. Scratching my head,” another guest wondered.

Three other cruise ships will be at Port Canaveral on Monday, December 15: Disney Wish, Carnival Glory, and Carnival Freedom.

It is critical to note, however, that Utopia of the Seas is by far the largest ship in port that day, at 236,500 gross tons and 16 decks tall.

Read Also: Gross Tonnage of a Cruise Ship – What Does It Mean?

Disney Wish is second in size but only 15 decks tall and 144,000 gross tons, making her more maneuverable.

Carnival Glory and Carnival Freedom are both sister ships in the Conquest class with 13 decks and just 110,000 gross tons.

The larger a cruise ship is, both in terms of height with number of decks as well as its gross tonnage, the more inertia it has and the more challenging it can be to maneuver and control in high winds. This means Utopia of the Seas is by far at the greatest risk on Monday morning.

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According to Windy.com, winds at the time Utopia of the Seas was originally planned to be docking on Monday morning are expected to be roughly 30 miles per hour with gusts as high as 40-42 mph.

In comparison, winds at 3 p.m. will be only about 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. This will be much safer for the cruise ship to manage, particularly in the narrow channel at Port Canaveral.

Both Disney Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line are undoubtedly monitoring the weather for their respective arrivals and will make any changes they deem necessary for the safety of their guests, ships, and crew members.

Five Tons of Aid Are Sailing Toward Jamaica — Here’s Why It Matters

Melissa Mayntz
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Five Tons of Aid Are Sailing Toward Jamaica — Here’s Why It Matters

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Horizon will deliver more than 5 tons of relief supplies to Jamaica this week.
  • The delivery includes hygiene kits as well as critical medical supplies.
  • Carnival Cruise Line and various partners continue to pledge support for the island’s recovery.

Just seven weeks after the catastrophic landfall of Hurricane Melissa in New Hope, Jamaica, there is new hope on the way to the island with continued relief supplies aboard Carnival Horizon.

Carnival Cruise Line, in partnership with Direct Relief, the Miami HEAT, and the Micky & Madeleine Arison Family Foundation, is sending 24 pallets of supplies to the island to help support ongoing emergency efforts as the Caribbean nation recovers from the Category 5 storm.

The supplies left Miami on Sunday, December 14, 2025 with the ship’s current sailing, a 6-night Western Caribbean itinerary that will first visit Cozumel and Grand Cayman before arriving in Ocho Rios, Jamaica on Thursday, December 18.

The supplies aboard Carnival Horizon include critical medical supplies, hygiene kits, and other essentials. Together, the pallets weigh in at more than five tons.

“Carnival is proud to work alongside Direct Relief, the Miami HEAT and the Micky & Madeleine Arison Family Foundation to deliver these essential supplies to Jamaica,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.

Direct Relief is coordinating the humanitarian response to Jamaica with deliveries to different parts of the island just where supplies are needed most.

Carnival Horizon Jamaica Relief
Carnival Horizon Jamaica Relief (Photo Courtesy: Carnival)

This latest shipment aboard Carnival Horizon is not the first time the 133,600-gross-ton, Vista-class ship has delivered relief to the island.

On November 4, just one week after the hurricane’s landfall, Carnival Horizon was the first cruise ship to visit the island. While guests were not permitted to debark, the first pallets of supplies were able to be offloaded.

These supply deliveries follow the $1 million donation Carnival Cruise Line and its partners pledged to support Jamaica’s recovery the day after Hurricane Melissa moved across the island.

More Supplies on the Way

The supplies aboard Carnival Horizon are just a fraction of the relief supplies being shipped to Jamaica. The day before the cruise ship set sail with those five critical palettes, an airlift from Miami International Airport headed for Jamaica with dozens of additional pallets of supplies.

“After a disaster of this magnitude, people need to know that care will be there when they need it,” said Amy Weaver, CEO of Direct Relief.

Fortunately, generous corporations such as Carnival Cruise Line and the Miami HEAT are pitching in to ensure the island can recover.

“The devastation of Hurricane Melissa was incredible and will be felt in Jamaica for years to come,” said Eric Woolworth, president of business operations for the Miami HEAT. “Along with Direct Relief and Carnival, it’s our hope that the supplies we send will help start the road to recovery.”

Read Also: The Best Way to Help Cruise Ports After a Hurricane

While tourism operations have restarted on Jamaica and cruise ships are once again stopping for port visits, it will be a long time before the island is fully recovered. Continued supply donations are a great measure to help with that recovery.

“Because of the longstanding partnership and commitment of Carnival Corporation, the Miami HEAT, and the Micky & Madeleine Arison Family Foundation, we’re able to get essential medical support to communities across Jamaica as they continue to recover,” said Weaver.

Other cruise lines are also donating and shipping supplies to the island as their humanitarian efforts and itineraries permit.

How Can Cruise Guests Help?

As Jamaica reopens and welcomes cruises once again, the very best thing guests can do to aid in recovery is to visit the island and enjoy their time as tourists.

More From Cruise Hive:

Taking a shore tour, buying a few extra souvenirs, tipping guides generously, and dining in a local restaurant are amazing steps any visitor can take to help boost the Jamaican economy and ensure a smooth recovery.

As Jamaica remains a top-visited cruise port and a favorite destination among guests, that popularity will help the island recover and be able to offer the outstanding hospitality and welcome cruisers always enjoy on the island.

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