Blog Page 79

Carnival Issues New PortMiami Traffic Alert for Weekend Cruise Departures

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Issues New PortMiami Traffic Alert for Weekend Cruise Departures

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Cruise Line has sent traffic alerts to guests sailing out of PortMiami this weekend, March 21-22.
  • With 8 ships on Saturday and 9 on Sunday, tens of thousands of guests will be moving through the port each day.
  • Guests should plan accordingly for potential delays, as each Carnival ship will be departing on schedule.

It’s becoming a regular concern that traffic is expected to be very congested and challenging in PortMiami, especially on weekends. To that end, Carnival Cruise Line has sent out an alert for four ships this weekend, ensuring that embarking guests are aware of the possibility of delays.

Emails, text alerts, and phone messages have been sent to guests embarking on Carnival Magic and Carnival Sunrise on Saturday, March 22, as well as guests embarking on Carnival Celebration and Carnival Horizon on Sunday, March 22.

“While you prepare for your cruise, we’d like to inform you that PortMiami will be operating with a high number of ships the day of your embarkation, amidst construction in the downtown area and within the port premises,” the email explained.

“Consequently, there will be detours and heavier-than-normal traffic in and around the area.”

The cruise line is reminding guests they still need to arrive within the terminal arrival appointment they selected when checking in for their sailing.

One twist guests should be particularly mindful of, however, is that every cruise ship should still be setting sail on time. For all four Carnival ships this weekend, their departure times are planned for 3 p.m.

Cruise Ships Docked in PortMiami
Cruise Ships Docked in PortMiami (Photo Credit: Felix Mizioznikov)

Cruise Hive has previously reported on incidents when traffic delays cruise passengers and they miss their ship’s departure. Even if the ship is still docked, if the all-aboard time (printed on every boarding pass) has passed, guests will not be permitted to embark on their ship, and they will miss their cruise.

When this happens, the cruise line is not responsible and no refunds or other compensation will be offered. If guests have travel insurance and miss their ship, any reimbursement will depend on the exact terms and conditions of their policy.

How Busy Will PortMiami Be?

In total, there will be 17 cruise ships moving through PortMiami this weekend. Eight ships are scheduled for Saturday, and nine on Sunday.

In addition to Carnival Sunrise and Carnival Magic, Miami will be hosting Icon of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Brilliant Lady, Oceania Allura, Norwegian Encore, and MSC World America on Saturday.

Considering both Icon of the Seas and MSC World America are among the top 10 largest cruise ships in the world, traffic may be extreme as more than 65,000 guests will be either debarking or embarking ships in Miami on Saturday.

Sunday is even busier. Along with Carnival Horizon and Carnival Celebration, ships from six other cruise lines will also be in port: P&O Ventura, Symphony of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Scarlet Lady, Norwegian Aqua, MSC Divina, and Celebrity Beyond.

More From Cruise Hive

Together, Sunday’s nine ships add up to more than 75,000 cruise guests coming or going at the port. On both days, additional traffic from other port operations, crew members, port employees, vendors, and more will further add to the traffic congestion.

Recent guests sailing out of PortMiami have shared what can only be described as horror stories with respect to traffic.

“Talked to someone on our recent cruise out of Miami who took an Uber at 11:30 a.m. to the terminal thinking that would be plenty of time to be onboard long before the 2:30 p.m. deadline,” one guest described. “They arrived at 2:25 p.m. The distance from their hotel to the terminal was less than 10 miles.”

Some guests have even chosen to get out of vehicles such as Uber, Lyft, or taxis and simply walk to reach the cruise terminal because the traffic has been so congested.

Norwegian Cruise Line Faces Lawsuit After ATV Flips During Shore Excursion

Catie Kovelman
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Norwegian Cruise Line Faces Lawsuit After ATV Flips During Shore Excursion

Key Aspects:

  • A former NCL guest has filed a lawsuit against the cruise line after being seriously injured during a shore excursion.
  • The guest was partaking in an ATV tour when her ATV turned over and fell on her during an accident.
  • She alleges that the cruise line is negligent in its advertising of the tour and for not properly warning of the danger associated with it.

A former passenger of Norwegian Joy, Kelly Damron, is bringing the hammer down on Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) after suffering serious injuries during a shore excursion that was booked through the cruise line.

Damron filed a federal lawsuit against the cruise line in the Southern District of Florida on March 18, 2026, seeking no less than $250,000 to compensate for her injuries and ongoing suffering.

Almost exactly one year prior to filing, on March 19, 2025, Damron participated in the “Buggy Eco-Adventure & Mayan Eden Park” while the 167,725-gross ton cruise ship was making a call in Roatan, Honduras. The tour involved riding off-road ATV/buggy vehicles on steep terrain.

Read Also: From Mishaps to Maydays – Cruise Ship Accidents

During the tour, the Arizona resident was following another buggy that repeatedly stalled while navigating the hilly conditions. During one of these instances, Damron attempted to maneuver around the stalled vehicle.

Unfortunately, Damron lost control of her assigned ATV in the process, causing the vehicle to overturn and fall on top of the cruise guest.

“As DAMRON attempted to safely maneuver around the stalled buggy, she began descending the steep hill and attempted to brake,” the claim states, which was sent to Cruise Hive by Damron’s attorneys.

“Due to the steepness and dangerous condition of the trail, and the lack of adequate supervision or guidance from excursion staff positioned along the trail, DAMRON lost control of the ATV, causing it to overturn and land on top of her,” the claim continues.

The cruiser suffered significant injuries in the accident, including a shattered right collarbone that required surgery, multiple fractured ribs, lower back injuries, neuropathy in her legs, memory loss, and potential cervical spine damage.

NCL Sued For Negligence

Specifically, Damron and her legal team are pursuing five counts against Norwegian Cruise Line and the unnamed third-party tour operator that NCL partners with to operate the tour.

The accusations are connected to negligence, negligent retention of an unsafe tour operator, failure to warn of unsafe conditions, and arguments that the cruise line is responsible because the excursion operator was effectively acting as NCL’s agent.

“The subject excursion was purchased by DAMRON through NCL’s excursion website. There was no sufficient mention in the advertisement or the purchase confirmation for the excursion from NCL that the excursion was being operated by independent contractors,” the claim argues.

Buggy ATV Tour
Buggy ATV Tour (Photo Credit: InFocus)

Damron’s legal team is arguing that the cruise line failed to clarify that the excursion was operated by an independent third party and had prior notice of safety problems related to similar ATV/buggy tours through past lawsuits and consumer reviews.

“Prior passengers complained of and/or commented about safety-related dangers involving ATV and buggy excursions, including rollover risks, unsafe terrain, equipment problems, breakdowns, and unsafe operations, through publicly available reviews, complaints, and prior lawsuits involving substantially similar excursions,” the suit alleges.

Additionally, the lawsuit goes on to claim that Damron was not given proper instruction on how to safely operate the ATV on hazardous terrain, nor were enough guides present on the trail to supervise guests and ensure proper spacing between vehicles.

As of the time of publication, Norwegian Joy is operating normally and is based in Port Canaveral, Florida. She will continue offering itineraries to the Caribbean and the Bahamas until repositioning to Seattle to begin her Alaska season in May.

Is There an Assumption of Risk?

Currently, Norwegian Cruise Line offers two ATV excursions for Roatan, Honduras, on its website. These include the 4.5-hour “Jungle ATV Adventure & Beach Escape” and the 4.5-hour “ATV & Mangrove Cruise.”

NCL categorizes its excursions with activity levels, with a level 1 tour being easy and a level 3 tour requiring the most physical exertion. The listings for these ATV tours make it clear that they are both intense, level 3 activities.

The website also makes it clear that only healthy guests should book these tours and warns of potentially dangerous conditions.

“Tours with this activity level involve physical exertion for extended periods of time; can involve uneven or steep terrain or swimming in a light current. Recommended only for physically fit and adventurous travelers,” both tours warn.

Guests are also required to sign a waiver prior to participating in these shore excursions, in which they indicate that they understand the risk associated with the activity.

In a somewhat similar situation, NCL was sued by a family after a father drowned during a shore excursion in Bermuda. The family alleged that Norwegian Cruise Line did not properly inform guests about the hazards associated with the swimming tour. The results of that lawsuit are still pending, but Cruise Hive will be sure to cover it if and when updates become available.

NCL Reverses Course and Honors Drink Packages Indefinitely at Great Stirrup Cay

Catie Kovelman
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NCL Reverses Course and Honors Drink Packages Indefinitely at Great Stirrup Cay

Key Aspects:

  • NCL has announced two operational updates for Great Stirrup Cay impacting drink packages and the destination’s new pier.
  • First, Norwegian Cruise Line will now allow guests to use their “Free at Sea” drink package on the island indefinitely.
  • Next, the private destination will temporarily resume tendering operations as work on the new pier is completed.

Norwegian Cruise Line has dropped two big pieces of news for Great Stirrup Cay, one of which guests will be very happy about and the other some may find mildly annoying.

Starting with the good news, Norwegian Cruise Line has now fully walked back controversial plans to render the “Free at Sea” drink package unusable at the private Bahamian destination.

Potentially in response to the mass outrage, the current “Free at Sea” beverage program has been extended indefinitely at the private island.

Travel professionals have been notified of the switch, and as further confirmation, Great Stirrup Cay has also been removed as a package exclusion on NCL’s website.

“The Free at Sea beverage package has been extended indefinitely for Great Stirrup Cay. So if you have the FAS drink package it will still work on GSC after March 31; you don’t need to upgrade to FAS+,” a travel agent shared on social media.

If guests already upgraded their drink package in order to use it on the island, they are able to cancel or downgrade as long as they are at least three days out from embarkation day.

Why Was the Drink Package Change Controversial?

Initially, the onboard drink packages were going to be cancelled in exchange for the creation of a new, island-specific drink package. Details of this were never released, but it’s possible that they will still come in the future.

What ultimately ended up happening was guests who wanted drink package perks at Great Stirrup Cay were being told to upgrade to the “Free at Sea Plus” (FAS+) package, which is more expensive at a cost of $49.99 per person, per day.

Great Stirrup Cay and Drinks
Great Stirrup Cay and Drinks (Photo Credits: Paul Bartlett & Dennis MacDonald)

For context, the “Free at Sea” package has a lower price point of $28.50 per person, per day, and that extra $21.49 per person can add up quickly. On a week-long cruise, that would be an extra $150.43 per person.

In light of the negative feedback, NCL had already delayed the implementation of the new policy. Before the indefinite pause, the launch was pushed back from March 1, 2026, until March 31, 2026.

Of course, drink packages are not mandatory to cruise with NCL. Beverages like water, lemonade, and basic teas and coffees are included in the cruise fare, and guests who would like something extra can purchase à la carte.

A Temporary Return to Tendering

Here comes the news that cruise guests may be less excited about. When Great Stirrup Cay first opened in the Berry Islands, it did so as a tender port.

This was problematic, as port calls were more likely to be cancelled due to inclement weather and shuttling guests between the ship and the shore could be a time suck.

The cruise line opened its own pier at the private destination at the end of 2025, but the pier in use is temporary and construction still needs to be completed. The island will temporarily return to tendering while the work on the permanent pier is finished, beginning in April.

“Many of you have used the pier built at GSC and noticed it was temporary. NCL will be working on the permanent pier, so tendering will return beginning in April,” the travel advisor’s update continued.

The goal is to complete the work by July, which should align well with the planned opening of the 19-slide Great Tides Waterpark this summer.

Florida Police Sergeant Drowns at Grand Turk During Cruise Visit

Melissa Mayntz
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Florida Police Sergeant Drowns at Grand Turk During Cruise Visit

Key Aspects:

  • A cruise guest drowned near the Grand Turk Cruise Centre on Monday, March 9, 2026.
  • The guest was identified as 39-year-old Richard Parrish of the Wildwood Police Department.
  • The incident is likely to be investigated and the cause of Parrish’s drowning has not been released.

A cruise vacation should be a joyful time to make memories, but unfortunately, tragic incidents can occur at any time and at any cruise port. One such incident happened at Grand Turk on Monday, March 9, 2026 when a cruise passenger drowned in what is being described as an accident.

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force confirmed the incident, stating that there was a drowning near the Cruise Centre.

The statement confirmed the death of a 39-year-old male identified as Richard Parrish, who was a passenger aboard one of the cruise ships visiting Grand Turk that day.

Parrish was snorkeling near the Cruise Centre at roughly 11:40 a.m. when he apparently had difficulty and lifeguards responded to his distress, pulling him from the water and beginning CPR.

As lifesaving efforts continued, Parrish was transported to the Cockburn Town Medical Centre. The hospital is just over four miles north of the cruise port. Unfortunately, further efforts were unsuccessful and Parrish was pronounced deceased at the hospital.

No further details about what caused Parrish’s difficulties while snorkeling have been released, and it is not known whether he was traveling solo or with family members or friends. The incident is likely to be further investigated to determine the exact cause of death, including whether any medical condition or extenuating circumstances may have contributed to Parrish’s death.

The exact cruise ship has also not been identified, but only two vessels were in Grand Turk on March 9.

Carnival Vista was visiting on an 8-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary that departed Port Canaveral on Saturday, March 7, and Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam was on a 7-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary from Fort Lauderdale, also having departed on Saturday.

Wildwood Police Department Release
Wildwood Police Department Release

Local news reports further identified Richard Parrish as a Sergeant with the Wildwood Police Department in Florida. The department released condolences about Parrish’s death on social media and local media reports have stated that he died while on vacation in the Caicos Islands.

“Sgt. Parrish was an excellent police sergeant, but more improtantly, he was an amazing person and a good friend to all,” Chief Randy Parmer stated. “He was well-respected, valued, and loved by those he worked with and everyone who knew him. He will be greatly missed by our Wildwood Police Department family and the entire community.”

Drownings Are Not Common, But Do Happen on Cruise Vacations

It can be troubling to think of a drowning death on a cruise vacation, particularly when water sports such as snorkeling, kayaking, swimming, paddleboarding, and more are such popular activities.

Unknown waters can always be dangerous, however, even if they may appear beautiful and calm.

Cruise Hive has often reported on drowning deaths at different destinations. In August 2025, for example, two Carnival cruise guests drowned in separate incidents at Celebration Key, one in a pool and another on the beach.

Just days earlier, two Celestyal Cruises guests drowned after being swept off rocks on Milos in Greece during strong winds and rough waves.

In March 2024, a Norwegian Cruise Line guest drowned during a visit to Bermuda, while in December 2025, an AIDA Cruises guest was swept out to sea and drowned while taking photos from dangerous rocks in Vigo, Spain.

More From Cruise Hive

Despite what may seem to be frequent incidents, many cruise guests do safely enjoy all manner of water sports on their vacations.

Cruise guests should always be cautious whether they are actively swimming or just near the water, regardless of the water’s conditions or overall depth. Even strong swimmers could easily underestimate their abilities or succumb to unexpected waves, currents, or invisible obstacles.

Cruise Hive’s thoughts are with Sgt. Parrish’s friends, family, and department at this very sad time.

Disney Cruise Line Confirms Disney Believe as New Wish Class Ship for 2027

Melissa Mayntz
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Disney Cruise Line Confirms Disney Believe as New Wish Class Ship for 2027

Key Aspects:

  • Disney Cruise Line has announced the name of the fourth Wish Class ship as Disney Believe.
  • The new ship will debut in late 2027 with a “promise and possibilities” theme.
  • The ship’s homeport and itinerary options have not yet been announced.

Disney Cruise Line is growing rapidly and guests who believe in the magic of a cruise vacation as the perfect getaway will love the name of the fourth Wish Class ship: Disney Believe.

The vessel’s name was announced by the cruise line’s new CEO, Josh D’Amaro, on his very first day leading the cruise line. The announcement was made at the 2026 Walt Disney Company Annual Shareholders Meeting on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.

The ship follows the lead ship in the class, Disney Wish, as well as her two active sister ships, Disney Treasure and Disney Destiny.

Disney Believe is scheduled to set sail in late 2027, though exact dates and details about her voyages and homeport have not yet been announced.

What is known is the theme of the new ship, which will be “promise and possibilities.” This is an excellent choice for this period of growth for the cruise line, as well as to embody the hope of every cruise traveler eager for all the opportunities a cruise vacation may present.

In comparison, Disney Wish has an “enchantment” theme while Disney Treasure embraces an “adventure” theme and Disney Destiny highlights a “heroes and villains” theme. Onboard each ship, these themes guide not only decor but also the highly detailed rotational dining restaurant themes as well as activities and entertainment.

Disney Believe will bring to life the promise and possibilities of hit films such as “Encanto,” “Frozen,” “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Moana,” and “The Little Mermaid.”

Details of which films might become themed dining experiences, production shows, or unique character interactions have not been revealed. Individual stateroom decor will also likely be guided by these key films.

It is possible that the ship’s iconic stern characters may also be from these films. Disney Wish, for example, features Rapunzel and her playful chameleon companion Pascal, perfect for the ship’s “enchanted” motif.

Disney Treasure features Captain Hook and Peter Pan for the ultimate adventure, while Disney Destiny has one of the Marvel universe’s most popular heroes, Spider-Man, hanging on by a thread.

Truly Magical Cruise Line Growth

Disney Cruise Line is growing at a magical pace to fulfill the promises and possibilities of great cruise vacations for all its guests.

While the line featured just four ships in its first 15 years – Disney Magic (1998); Disney Wonder (1999); Disney Dream (2011), and Disney Fantasy (2012) – it would be a full decade before Disney Wish joined the fleet in 2022.

Read Also: Disney Cruise Ships by Size – Largest to Smallest

Now, in just four years, three other ships have set sail for Disney Cruise Line. Disney Treasure and Disney Destiny debuted in 2024 and 2025, while the new Global Class Disney Adventure just debuted a week ago in Singapore.

Cruise Hive has reported on that ship’s initial successes and surprises, as well as her official christening on March 4, 2026.

A fifth Wish Class ship is already planned to debut in 2029 and will be based in Japan, and Disney Cruise Line is planning a future class of slightly smaller ships with vessels debuting in 2029, 2030, and 2031.

The Wish Class ships are 144,000 gross tons, while the new, as-yet-unnamed class will be just 105,000 gross tons. This will be slightly smaller than the Dream Class but larger than the Magic Class.

Speculation is high that the new, smaller class might eventually replace the aging Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, which will be more than 30 years old by the time the new class sets sail. This has not been confirmed, however.

Stay tuned to Cruise Hive for more updates on Disney Believe as well as future Disney Cruise Line ships as the fleet continues to grow, bringing ever-more cruise magic to guests worldwide.

Norwegian Cruise Brands Make Changes That Hit Top Tier Cruisers Hardest

Lissa Poirot
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Norwegian Cruise Brands Make Changes That Hit Top Tier Cruisers Hardest

Key Aspects:

  • Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has updated its cross-brand loyalty status matching across Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
  • The biggest changes affect top-tier members, whose status will now be recognized at lower levels.
  • The updated structure applies to requests submitted on or after March 16, 2026.

Cruise loyalty perks are getting a reset across Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ (NCLH) three cruise lines: Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

The company has updated its Status Honoring Tier Recognition Structure for its Latitudes Rewards program, which allows guests to have their loyalty status recognized across brands.

But the changes won’t impact all loyalty members equally. The biggest shifts are expected at the top tiers, where guests crossing between brands, particularly into Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, may see their status recognized at a lower level than before.

“As you know, Latitudes Rewards members enjoy their loyalty status when cruising with Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises,” said NCLH in its announcement. “As part of our ongoing commitment to deliver a consistent and rewarding experience across all NCLH brands, we’ve refined our Status Honoring Tier Recognition Structure.”

Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises see the biggest changes under the revised recognition chart, with the top end of both programs compressed under the new structure.

At Oceania Cruises, the President’s Circle is no longer matched at the top level and now maps to Diamond.

At Regent Seven Seas, the upper tiers have also been narrowed, with Commodore and Diamond both mapping to Titanium, while the former Titanium tier now maps to Platinum.

The shift carries over to Norwegian Cruise Line passengers crossing into those sister brands. Ambassador, NCL’s highest Latitudes Rewards tier, is now capped at Diamond when matched to Oceania Cruises rather than President’s Circle.

Latitudes Rewards Status Honoring Tier Recognition Structure
Latitudes Rewards Status Honoring Tier Recognition Structure

When matched to Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Ambassador is capped at Titanium instead of Commodore. Sapphire members are also affected, now matching at the Platinum level on both Oceania and Regent Seven Seas.

The changes do not alter NCL’s own tier ladder, which still runs from Bronze through Ambassador within the Latitudes Rewards program.

Read Also: Which Cruise Lines Match Loyalty Programs?

NCLH said the revised structure is intended to better align those differences across its portfolio. The company did not announce any changes to onboard benefits, earning rates, or qualification requirements within each individual loyalty program.

What Passengers Need to Know

The cross-brand loyalty program at NCLH is relatively new. Introduced on September 29, 2025, the first sailings eligible for matched benefits across cruise lines began on October 15, 2025.

The updated Status Honoring Tier Recognition Structure now applies to all requests submitted on or after March 16, 2026.

Guests who submitted a status match request before that date – but who are sailing after March 16 – will continue to be honored under the 2025 structure.

Under both the original and updated versions of the program, guests must actively submit a request to have their status recognized across brands at least 10 days before departure and cannot be added once a cruise has begun. Once approved, the matched tier applies to upcoming sailings with the sister cruise lines.

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NCLH notes that status matching is not a permanent offering and recognition is granted on a per-cruise basis and applies only for the duration of that sailing. Guests revert back to their original tier with each brand after the voyage is completed.

While guests will receive standard tier benefits from the brand they are sailing with, milestone perks such as complimentary cruises, upgrades, and personalized gifts, are not included.

Points are earned only with the cruise line being sailed, and if a passenger holds status across multiple brands, the highest tier will be honored for that voyage.

TUI Cruises Scraps More Sailings Aboard Two Ships Stuck in the Middle East

Donna Tunney
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TUI Cruises Scraps More Sailings Aboard Two Ships Stuck in the Middle East

Key Aspects:

  • TUI Cruises has cancelled more cruises aboard two ships stranded in Middle Eastern ports.
  • Scheduled sailings of Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 5 are nixed at least through late March.
  • The ships are unable to leave the area via the Strait of Hormuz due to the ongoing conflict.

Still unable to move two of its ships through the closed Strait of Hormuz, TUI Cruises has cancelled more itineraries that were to be operated aboard Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 5 in the coming weeks.

The strategically crucial strait, which separates key Persian Gulf ports from the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, remains off limits as the US-Israeli war against Iran continues.

Mein Schiff 4 is currently docked in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, while sister ship Mein Schiff 5 is in Doha, Qatar.

A new statement from TUI Cruises on March 17, 2026, confirms that Mein Schiff 4’s scheduled cruises up to and including its March 23 departure are cancelled, and Mein Schiff 5’s itineraries through its March 29 departure are cancelled. The ships accommodate 2,506 and 2,534 guests, respectively.

TUI Cruises is based in Hamburg, Germany, and caters to the German market. The eight-ship line is a joint venture between the Germany-based TUI AG and Royal Caribbean Group, each of which owns a 50% stake.

In addition to regional hostilities caused by the widening conflict, the cruise line cited the German Foreign Office’s travel warnings, which were recently updated to include 11 Middle East destinations.

Where the Cruise Ships Were Scheduled to Sail

Mein Schiff 4 was due to sail from Dubai, UAE, on March 22, operating a 20-day voyage to Cape Town, South Africa. Port calls were scheduled for Muscat, Oman; Mahe Island, Seychelles; Mauritius Island; Reunion Island; and Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

The next scheduled cruise onboard the ship, if it is able to reposition via a Strait of Hormuz transit, departs April 11, 2026, and sails a 20-day cruise from Cape Town to Palma de Mallorca, Spain.

According to its statement, TUI Cruises advised guests booked on future voyages that they would receive details about next steps if additional changes are required.

As for Mein Schiff 5, the ship’s next cruise was to depart on March 29, 2026, from Cape Town and sail a 19-day voyage to Palma de Mallorca. Guests were to visit Walvis Bay, Namibia; Santiago Island, Cape Verde; Tenerife, Canary Islands; and Gibraltar.

Her next scheduled cruise, a 7-night sailing from Palma de Mallorca to Crete, Greece, is to depart on April 17, 2026.

TUI Cruises also confirmed that all guests and many crew members have disembarked Mein Schiff 5 and are en route to their home destinations.

“The primary objective now remains the safety and well-being of the remaining crew on board Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 5,” a statement from TUI Cruises said. 

Line’s Crisis Management Team Working on Solutions

Meanwhile, TUI Cruises’ crisis management team is working with authorities such as the German Foreign Office, various embassies, and security officials of its parent companies to continually assess the precarious situation in the region.

More From Cruise Hive

The company is also preparing possible scenarios to resume its ships’ scheduled itineraries. Its message to booked guests specifically requested that individuals with reservations to sail on future cruises avoid trying to contact the line about upcoming itineraries, saying it will keep them updated.

TUI Cruises had previously cancelled the March 1, 2, 3, 8, and 9 sailings of Mein Schiff 4, and the February 28 and March 5 voyages of Mein Schiff 5.

The cruise line joined several other brands that cancelled voyages because their ships were stranded in Middle Eastern ports, with no way to transit the Strait of Hormuz. These included MSC Cruises’ MSC Euribia, and Celestyal Cruises’  Celestyal Discovery and Celestyal Journey.

Coast Guard Carries Out Urgent Airlift of British Passenger From Star of the Seas

Melissa Mayntz
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Coast Guard Carries Out Urgent Airlift of British Passenger From Star of the Seas

Key Aspects:

  • The US Coast Guard performed a nighttime airlift from Star of the Seas 200 nautical miles northwest of Puerto Rico.
  • A 64-year-old male British passenger was evacuated from the ship due to a medical emergency.
  • The incident occurred during the ship’s March 8, 2026 sailing, an Eastern Caribbean itinerary.

An emergency medical situation arose on Star of the Seas on March 9, 2026 while the ship was 230 miles (200 nautical miles) northwest of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.

The ship had departed Port Canaveral the day before on Sunday, March 8 and had enjoyed the next day visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay. After leaving the private island at approximately 4 p.m., Star of the Seas was heading for St. Thomas as the next stop on the 7-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary.

Unfortunately, a 64-year-old male British passenger experienced a medical emergency along the way, requiring a precision airlift from the ship. The ship sent out the request for emergency medical assistance on Monday, March 9.

A US Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter and its expertly trained crew from Air Station Borinquen on the northeast coast of Puerto Rico was able to respond. The crew airlifted not only the guest, but also his next-of-kin and a Star of the Seas nurse from the ship’s flight deck for transportation to the Centro Medico Hospital for further treatment.

“This was a great example of the professionalism of all of the Coast Guard units, medical professionals, and the crew of Star of the Seas to execute an early morning hoist of the patient,” said Lt. Nicholas Forsythe, Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen copilot for the rescue.

“The coordinated efforts ensured the individual was able to safely reach the higher level of care he required.”

A video shows the harrowing rescue with the litter being hoisted to the helicopter as the ship was underway.

Read Also: Star of the Seas Size and Stats – How It Towers Over Other Cruise Ships

Because the airlift was described as happening in the early morning hours, it is unclear whether the guest was airlifted on Monday or later in the week, perhaps on Tuesday morning as the ship got closer to Puerto Rico. To safeguard the guest’s privacy, no further information about his condition or treatment has been released.

There is no indication that the remainder Star of the Seas‘ itinerary was impacted. The 248,663-gross-ton vessel returned to Port Canaveral as planned on Sunday, March 15, ready to welcome another 5,600+ guests aboard.

The Challenges of At-Sea Airlifts

Cruise ships are well-equipped to handle many different situations, but even the most modern and largest vessels cannot manage every medical emergency. When the need arises, it may be necessary to evacuate a guest or crew member from the ship to a hospital facility on land.

No at-sea medical evacuation is simple or easy, but these operations can be even more complicated when a ship is far from shore.

When a ship is at sea, the medical staff onboard will coordinate the necessary care and will make an evacuation decision after consultation with on-shore experts and rescue evacuation teams.

Distance from shore, severe weather, the patient’s immediate condition, the ship’s itinerary, and other factors can all influence the timing of at-sea rescues.

More From Cruise Hive

Ultimately, the health and safety of all guests, crew members, and rescue personnel is the top priority in such situations. Rescues will be attempted whenever possible, even if a ship’s route or itinerary must be adjusted to compensate.

Cruise Hive has previously reported on all types of adjustments to such rescues. At times, a ship may return to its homeport or a recent port of call to evacuate a guest if the vessel is close enough to shore.

In some cases, a ship might make an unscheduled stop at a different port for a medical evacuation. Star of the Seas did exactly that in November 2025. At other times, speeding up to get closer to shore in order for an airlift team to reach the ship safely is the best option.

Regardless of the situation, all cruise guests should be grateful that the US Coast Guard teams and other rescue personnel stand ready whenever their emergency services may be needed.

Royal Caribbean Shows Off New Beach Club That Will Open in 2027

Melissa Mayntz
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Royal Caribbean Shows Off New Beach Club That Will Open in 2027

Key Aspects:

  • Royal Caribbean has provided a first look at Royal Beach Club Lelepa in Vanuatu.
  • The new beach-and-nature destination will open for guests in October 2027.
  • Royal Beach Club Vanuatu will be included in guests’ cruise fare and will be a tender port.

Royal Caribbean guests are very familiar with the cruise line’s popular private destinations in the Bahamas: Perfect Day at CocoCay as well as the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island that opened in late December 2025. Cruise Hive has also reported on a lot of interest in the new plans for Perfect Day Mexico in Costa Maya and Royal Beach Club Santorini in Greece.

Now the cruise line has offered a first look at Royal Beach Club Lelepa, the first-ever private cruise destination that will open in the Southern Hemisphere.

Royal Beach Club Lelepa is expected to be available for sailings beginning in October 2027. Those cruises are now available for booking, and include options aboard Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas.

Different cruise options include voyages from Australia, longer South Pacific itineraries, and epic transpacific cruises. Additional deployments and ships may also be announced in the months leading up to the new destination’s grand opening.

Royal Beach Club Lelepa (pronounced leh-leh-PAH) will be in the nation of Vanuatu, an archipelago roughly 1,200 miles northeast of Brisbane, Australia. The beach club will be on the northern side of the island.

In comparison to other popular local ports, Royal Beach Club Lelepa will be just about 25 miles’ sailing distance from Port Vila and about 350 miles north of Noumea in New Caledonia.

How Royal Beach Club Lelepa Will Be Different

The new beach club is designed to offer guests an exclusive experience unlike any other.

“We are developing a beach club experience that is completely connected to the Australian guests who’ve told us exactly how they want to experience that, and that’s we’re creating,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean. “It’s really going to be a special place.”

The new beach club will feature two outstanding beaches, an adults-only retreat, a nature trail, water sports, unlimited island foods, and more for guests to enjoy.

Royal Beach Club Lelepa
Royal Beach Club Lelepa

Initial artistic renderings show bright tropical colors and shaded pavilions, plenty of beach loungers, beach volleyball courts, beach cricket, cornhole tosses, and more.

While Royal Beach Club Lelepa will be a tender port that requires the use of water shuttles rather than a pier, that will enhance the exclusive vibe of the destination.

The key to the new destination is its authentic connection to the Australian guest experience and what travelers Down Under want from their cruise vacations.

Unlike more developed locations, the idea behind Royal Beach Club Lelepa is to give guests an unparalleled opportunity to enjoy the region’s natural beauty and pristine marine habitats.

“We have spent a lot of time really understanding the topography of the island,” said Keri-Ann Chin-Sang, Senior Director, Product Development for Royal Caribbean.

“The plan is to really showcase the natural beauty of the destination. The waters are crystal clear, blue for miles. The backdrop is just a vision of mountains. It really is a stunning destination.”

Royal Beach Club Lelepa
Royal Beach Club Lelepa

In addition to the beaches, guests will be able to enjoy snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding, and other water sports. Glass bottom options will offer unique ocean views and a stunning connection to the water.

A total of 10 bars will provide a mix of popular favorite cocktails and drinks as well as more unique beverages and local brews.

Further details on menus, exact tour options, and more are sure to be released in the coming months.

What Will the New Beach Club Cost?

Unlike Royal Beach Club Paradise Island that is an excursion opportunity for an extra cost for Royal Caribbean ships visiting Nassau, Royal Beach Club Lelepa is included in guests’ cruise fare, similar to Perfect Day at CocoCay.

For refreshment, guests will be able to sample a blended menu of Royal Caribbean classic dishes as well as local dishes from two eateries, with dining included at no extra charge.

Read Also: What Are All the Cruise Line Private Islands and Destinations?

Beach strollers and beach wheelchairs will be free for visitors, ensuring everyone can access all the beauty and relaxation the destination has to offer. Towels, loungers, and umbrellas are also free, though guests can rent more exclusive daybeds and water sports equipment if desired.

A “Mama’s Market” shopping area will undoubtedly feature exclusive souvenirs and likely local artisan items and other unique retail shops.

Of course, guests do not have to get off their ship if they prefer to stay onboard and enjoy each vessel’s amenities.

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