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Royal Caribbean Chooses Name for Next Chief Dog Officer

Melissa Mayntz
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Royal Caribbean Chooses Name for Next Chief Dog Officer

Key Aspects:

  • Royal Caribbean CEO Michael Bayley has chosen Dolly as the name for the Chief Dog Officer on the upcoming Hero of the Seas.
  • Dolly was not originally one of the finalist names but was added to the selection following the singer’s passing.
  • Hero of the Seas is scheduled to debut in August 2027 and will homeport from Miami with 7-night Caribbean itineraries.

Dolly Parton may be gone, but the country music superstar will never be forgotten aboard one Royal Caribbean ship: Hero of the Seas. Following intense voting on finalist names, the cruise line has confirmed that the next Chief Dog Officer will be named Dolly.

Though Royal Caribbean has not formally confirmed the name is a tribute, Dolly was suggested by many guests following the singer’s death.

Decisions for the dog’s name first began on August 6, 2026 when Royal Caribbean’s President and CEO, Michael Bayley, requested name suggestions, noting that the dog would be female.

“All names will be considered and our professional panel of Dog lovers (me) will evaluate all suggestions,” he said.

On August 28, Cruise Hive reported that the name suggestions had been narrowed to seven finalists: Hero, Scout, Marina, Pearl, Coco, Coral, and Sandy, and guests were invited to vote for their favorite.

Shortly thereafter, Bayley edited his name finalist post to add one more contender to the list.

“News Flash #2 so many have proposed Dolly that we have added Dolly to the finalists,” he said, noting the new addition was certainly a “hot favorite” among guests.

Dolly Parton passed away on August 25, 2026 after a brief battle with cancer. The singer’s work spanned seven decades and she was undoubtedly one of the most famous country singers in history.

This makes the name “Dolly” a clear favorite for the fourth Icon-class ship, as Dolly Parton was certainly iconic, an indisputable star, a legend for many reasons, and absolutely a hero to many through her vibrant personality, popular music, and well known charitable programs.

On Wednesday, September 2, 2026, Bayley announced the results and officially confirmed the dog’s name.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, the final results are in ! The esteemed panel ratified the popular vote for the name most voted for!” he confirmed. “The Hero of the Seas new Chief Dog Officer’s name will be ‘Dolly.'”

Bayley did not reveal the final vote totals, but Dolly was an overwhelming favorite for guests commenting on the names and the choice has been enthusiastically received.

“It makes too much sense!!! A fluffy blonde who wants nothing more than to bring happiness and love to people,” one commenter noted, comparing a golden retriever’s friendly, giving personality to the singer. All the cruise line’s Chief Dog Officers have been purebred golden retrievers.

Dolly Chief Dog Officer
Dolly Chief Dog Officer

Others note that the new dog deserves rhinestone bling, a characteristic feature of Parton’s performance attire and her sparkling personality.

Royal Caribbean has not yet stated if the new puppy has already been born or when she will arrive for training.

Dolly will join the growing pack of Chief Dog Officers that Royal Caribbean introduced with Rover aboard Icon of the Seas and continued with Sailor (Star of the Seas) and Skipper (Legend of the Seas).

Should Hero of the Seas Have More Dolly Parton Connections?

Many guests are also suggesting that Dolly Parton be named godmother of Hero of the Seas as a posthumous honor, or else the singer’s goddaughter, Miley Cyrus, would be right for the ceremonial position that would still connect to Parton.

Other suggestions include adding a small children’s library to the ship since Dolly Parton founded the Imagination Library, or perhaps planning for the signature onboard show to be “9 to 5” in her honor.

The Icon-class ships do not have a specific country music bar or lounge, but that could also make an interesting and appropriate addition to the lineup of entertainment options on the new vessel.

Hero of the Seas is currently under construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland. Her keel was first laid nearly one year ago, on September 8, 2025, and the hull was completed on July 17, 2026.

The ship is scheduled to debut on August 11, 2027 from Miami, Florida. Before that time, the ship will be floated out and her interior finishing completed, and she will have to pass rigorous sea trials to ensure operational standards and safety.

Once sailing, Hero of the Seas will be offering both Eastern and Western Caribbean 7-night sailings from the Sunshine State, with each cruise visiting Perfect Day CocoCay along with other destinations.

Stay tuned to Cruise Hive for further updates on Hero of the Seas and Dolly the Chief Dog Officer as both make their way to stardom!

Longtime Princess Captain Announces Departure After 28 Years

Calvin Musquez
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Longtime Princess Captain Announces Departure After 28 Years

Key Aspects:

  • Captain Gennaro Arma has announced he is leaving Princess Cruises after 28 years with the cruise line.
  • He has not announced a final departure date or what comes next, though he did not characterize his departure as a full retirement.
  • Arma became widely known as captain of Diamond Princess during its COVID-19 quarantine in Japan in 2020, and later helped bring Star Princess into service in 2025.

After nearly three decades of service, Captain Gennaro Arma is leaving Princess Cruises. The longtime captain announced his departure from the cruise line in an emotional LinkedIn post shared on August 31, 2026.

“After 28 years with Princess Cruises, I have decided that it is time to close one of the most important chapters of my professional life,” Captain Arma said. 

The Italian captain first joined Princess Cruises in 1998 as a cadet. He rose through the ranks before receiving his first command as captain in 2015 aboard Sea Princess, which left the Princess fleet in 2020.

He later took command of Diamond Princess in 2018, followed by Discovery Princess in 2022. Most recently, he has served as captain aboard Princess Cruises’ newest ship, Star Princess, rotating the role with Commodore Nick Nash.

In his post, the captain reflected on his time with the cruise line. He highlighted his achievements, the challenges he faced, and the people he met throughout his career.

“Life is made of chapters, and sometimes you know when it is time to turn the page,” said Arma. “I leave with gratitude for the past, affection for the many people I have met along the way, and an open heart for whatever comes next.”

Gennaro Arma
Gennaro Arma

While he didn’t provide details of what may be coming next for him, nor his final departure date, Captain Arma did not describe this move as a full retirement. He has also served as President of Istruttori Associati Marittimi (IAM) since 2021 and has not announced his intention to leave that role.

It is unclear whether he will serve as captain aboard any additional cruises before his departure. Princess Cruises has also not announced whether another captain will be appointed to serve aboard Star Princess.

Arma’s Historic Quarantine Leadership

Gennaro Arma became widely known in 2020 as he commanded the 2,710-passenger Diamond Princess during a February COVID-19 outbreak in Yokohama. The ship became one of the earliest major outbreaks of the virus outside of China.

The outbreak resulted in a 14-day quarantine and more than 700 infections onboard, with the last people not leaving the ship until March 1. Arma’s calm and professional conduct during the crisis drew widespread praise.

Diamond Princess Cruise Ship
Diamond Princess Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Anton Balashov)

In recognition of his handling of the quarantine, he was named a Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic by President Sergio Mattarella. The Italian presidency cited Arma’s “exemplary conduct” (esemplare comportamento) during the emergency.

Captain Arma Helped Bring Star Princess to Life

Captain Arma’s role on Princess Cruises’ newest ship went far beyond serving as captain after her launch. In fact, he was directly involved in the construction of both Star Princess and her sister, Sun Princess.

Princess Cruises appointed the captain as the newbuild site lead for both Sphere-class ships during their construction. He was then aboard when Star Princess completed her sea trials from Fincantieri’s Monfalcone shipyard in August 2025.

That work culminated in September 2025 when Princess took delivery of Star Princess. Just over a week later, the vessel embarked on her maiden voyage on October 4 with Arma serving as captain.

Cruise Hive was present along with Captain Arma and Princess Cruises President Gus Antorcha in November 2025 as Camila and Matthew McConaughey officially named the ship at Port Everglades. Arma remained at the helm as Star Princess continued her inaugural seasons.

This included the ship’s first arrival in Seattle in May 2026. The visit marked the beginning of the vessel’s first Alaska season, with Arma joining local officials for a plaque exchange commemorating the occasion.

Royal Caribbean Cancels Alaska Cruise After Days of Repairs

Melissa Mayntz
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Royal Caribbean Cancels Alaska Cruise After Days of Repairs

Key Aspects:

  • Serenade of the Seas‘ August 30, 2026 departure is now completely cancelled and guests must debark the ship in Vancouver.
  • While guests did board the ship on August 30, the vessel remained in Vancouver for repairs with the hope of a shortened itinerary.
  • All guests will now receive a full refund and a 100% future cruise credit, plus reimbursement for flight change fees.

Guests already onboard Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas will no longer be setting sail on an abbreviated Alaskan cruise as they had hoped. Instead, the ship requires ongoing repairs and what was to have been the August 30, 2026 departure is now fully cancelled.

Cruise Hive previously reported on the ship’s delay and adjustment to a 5-night itinerary visiting Ketchikan and Prince Rupert instead of the originally planned 7-night sailing. Guests were informed of that change on August 22.

“Due to necessary maintenance requiring additional time in Vancouver, British Columbia, we will now depart on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 9:00 PM,” a letter explaining the initial delay stated.

Now, however, the entire sailing is cancelled and guests will need to debark the ship on Wednesday, September 2, 2026 by 11:59 p.m.

“As you may know, Serenade of the Seas has been experiencing a technical issue. Despite our teams’ around-the-clock efforts to complete the necessary repairs, we were unable to resolve the issue in time for the ship to safely depart. As a result, we must cancel this sailing,” the latest letter given to guests reads.

Guests onboard the ship are understandably frustrated by the abrupt cancellation, while those with upcoming sailings are concerned if the cancellation may extend to additional cruises.

“Frustrating to be on this cruise! Disappointed as they likely knew this would be the outcome, more time to figure out options would have been nice!” one guest commented on Facebook.

Royal Caribbean is providing full refunds for the now cancelled sailing, as well as a 100% future cruise credit equal to the original fare price. The cruise line has offered similar compensation in the past when cruises must be abruptly cancelled or are overbooked and guests lose their vacation at the last minute.

That credit may be used on any future Royal Caribbean sailing, on any ship and in any region, that departs within one year.

The cruise line is also offering reimbursement for flight change fees, up to $200 (USD) per guest for domestic flights and $400 for international flights. To help guests make flight changes or other arrangements as they prepare to leave the ship, complimentary WiFi access is available.

The 2,143-guest ship is homeported from Vancouver for the Alaska season, offering 7-night roundtrip sailings with visits to Sitka, Juneau, Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Skagway, and Prince Rupert, as well as scenic glacier cruising. Exact ports vary depending on the ship’s departure date.

Serenade of the Seas Repairs
Serenade of the Seas Repairs (Photo Credit: youhead)

Only the September 6, 13, and 20 departures remain of the ship’s Alaska season. It is unknown if those cruises may move forward as planned, which will depend on whether repairs can be completed in time for the next departure.

At this time there is no change to the ship’s September 6 departure, but booked guests should stay in close contact with Royal Caribbean for official updates as repairs progress.

What Is the Problem With Serenade of the Seas?

Royal Caribbean has not disclosed the exact issue now impacting Serenade of the Seas, only that it is a “technical” matter. Because the ship has been unable to leave Vancouver, it is likely the propulsion system that needs repairs.

This is not the first time Serenade of the Seas has been affected by technical problems while sailing in Alaska. During her 2025 season in the Last Frontier, multiple sailings adjusted or cancelled port visits in June and July due to the need for reduced speed and propulsion repairs.

Similar problems also impacted Radiance of the Seas during the end of her Alaska season in late August and early September 2023. Radiance of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas are both sister ships in the cruise line’s elderly Radiance class, having joined the fleet in 2001 and 2003, respectively.

Carnival Ship Can’t Reach Australian Port Due to Shallow Waters

Calvin Musquez
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Carnival Ship Can’t Reach Australian Port Due to Shallow Waters

Key Aspects:

  • A September 5 sailing on Carnival Encounter will no longer visit Cairns due to shallow channel depths.
  • Airlie Beach will move forward a day to September 8 in place of Cairns, with a newly added Townsville call on September 9.
  • The ship will return to Brisbane one hour later than scheduled and Cairns shore excursions will be automatically refunded.

Just four days before departure, Carnival Cruise Line has informed guests of a change to their upcoming itinerary aboard Carnival Encounter. The recently enhanced 2,600-passenger vessel is set to depart from Brisbane, Australia on September 5, 2026 for a 6-night Great Barrier Reef cruise.

The sailing was originally set to visit Willis Island on September 7, Cairns on September 8, and Airlie Beach on September 9 before returning to Brisbane on September 11. However, in a notice sent to guests on September 1, 2026, the cruise line adjusted those plans due to shallow channel depths heading into Cairns.

“Current channel depths have reduced and are now too shallow to allow for the safe passage of our ship to Cairns Cruise Terminal, and the issue will not be fixed before our planned visit,” the notice reads. “The safety of our guests is our top priority, so our scheduled visit to Cairns can no longer proceed.”

The cancellation of the cruise’s visit to Cairns led to a reshuffling of the itinerary and a last-minute replacement port. Instead of calling at Cairns on September 8, Carnival Encounter will move its previously scheduled Airlie Beach visit forward by one day.

The 108,865 gross-ton ship will then make a newly added stop at Townsville on September 9. Additionally, guests will face a one-hour delay returning to Brisbane, with the ship now scheduled to arrive at 8:00 a.m. on September 11 instead of 7:00 a.m.

The scheduled visit to Willis Island on September 7 remains unchanged. Guests will be able to book new excursions for Townsville once onboard via the Carnival HUB app or in-person at the Carnival Adventures Desk.

Carnival Encounter in Dry Dock
Carnival Encounter in Dry Dock

Carnival assured guests that all prepaid shore excursions in Cairns will be automatically refunded. Further, the cruise line provided no indication of compensation for any post-cruise travel arrangements that may need to be adjusted in light of the one-hour delay.

Carnival did not provide an explanation for the reduced channel depths, nor a timeframe for when the issue is expected to be resolved. However, if conditions remain unsafe, future visits to the port could be impacted.

Carnival Encounter Scheduled to Return to Cairns

Carnival Encounter is based year-round in Brisbane, offering a variety of itineraries, including 6- and 7-night Great Barrier Reef cruises. Cruise Hive previously reported that these sailings will continue into 2027 and 2028 as part of Carnival’s expanded Australia and New Zealand lineup. 

Some of these sailings are scheduled to call at Cairns. The cancelled call on September 8 will be followed by another scheduled visit for Carnival Encounter on a similar 7-night itinerary sailing from Brisbane on September 26.

More From Cruise Hive

The ship is scheduled to visit Airlie Beach on September 28 followed by an overnight call in Cairns beginning September 29. She will then visit Willis Island on October 1 before returning to Brisbane on October 3. The cruise line has not announced any changes to this upcoming itinerary.

MSC Cruises Warns Guests of Earlier Sailaway on Popular Ship

Melissa Mayntz
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MSC Cruises Warns Guests of Earlier Sailaway on Popular Ship

Key Aspects:

  • MSC Seashore will be leaving Port Canaveral 30 minutes earlier than scheduled on Sunday, September 6, 2026.
  • The cruise line has alerted guests to the change and everyone must arrive at the terminal for check-in no later than 2:30 p.m.
  • No other changes to the ship’s 7-night Western Caribbean and Bahamas itinerary have been announced at this time.

Guests setting sail on MSC Cruises’ MSC Seashore will get the party started a little earlier than expected for the ship’s Sunday, September 6, 2026 departure. The cruise line has sent notifications to booked guests to alert them to a change in embarkation time and when the ship’s doors will close as the vessel prepares to set sail from Port Canaveral.

“Due to operational reasons, the scheduled departure from Port Canaveral, Florida has been updated to 4:30 PM EST,” the email stated. “To ensure a smooth embarkation, we kindly ask you to arrive at your assigned check-in time shown on your latest e-ticket, and no later than 2:30 PM EST.”

The 5,632-guest MSC Seashore is setting sail on a 7-night Western Caribbean and Bahamas sailing on September 6. Port visits are planned to Nassau, Cozumel, Costa Maya, and MSC Cruises’ private island in the Bahamas, Ocean Cay Marine Reserve.

Originally, the ship was scheduled to depart Port Canaveral at 5 p.m. Moving the departure 30 minutes earlier may impact travelers who were planning to board later in the afternoon and could be especially challenging for anyone arriving on later flights.

The email notes that “doors will close promptly at 3:30 PM EST.” It is standard procedure that once a cruise ship’s doors close, no late guests are permitted to board, even if the ship may still be loading supplies, cargo, or luggage at that time.

Read Also: What Happens If You Miss Your Cruise Ship?

Only the ship’s departure time from Port Canaveral has been changed and no changes to any other parts of the 7-night itinerary have been announced.

Why the Change?

MSC Cruises has not given any further information about why MSC Seashore will now be leaving Port Canaveral earlier than originally scheduled.

Five homeported ships are in Port Canaveral on Sunday, September 6. According to the port’s schedule, in addition to MSC Seashore, Disney Fantasy, Norwegian Prima, Caribbean Princess, and Star of the Seas are all scheduled that day, with departure times ranging from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Both MSC Seashore and Star of the Seas will be departing at 4:30 p.m. MSC Seashore is planned for Cruise Terminal 10 on the port’s west end, while Star of the Seas will be using Cruise Terminal 1, in the center of the port.

Port Canaveral is a very active commercial port as well as servicing other operations, including fishing vessels, the recovery of rocket boosters from SpaceX launches, and local boating traffic.

It is possible that other operations have now required the cruise ship departure schedule to shift slightly. Pilot availability and refueling operations could also be factors in the change.

Cruise Hive has reported when other cruise lines have also shifted embarkation schedules and ship departure times. For example, in November 2024, Carnival Cruise Line adjusted nearly 200 cruises with earlier departure times on two different ships.

On August 17, 2025, Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas moved up her embarkation at Cape Liberty by one hour due to military exercises.

Guests should always plan for plenty of time to reach their cruise terminal on time on embarkation day. It would be incredibly disappointing to arrive at the terminal only to see the gangway pulled back and the ship departing on its next cruise without you.

Fortunately, such a situation can be avoided by being aware of departure time changes and adjusting one’s travel schedule accordingly.

Carnival Breeze Scrapes Pier While Docking in Cozumel

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Breeze Scrapes Pier While Docking in Cozumel

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Breeze hit and scraped along the corner of the pier in Cozumel while docking on Monday morning, August 31, 2026.
  • Video and photos posted online show scraped paint damage on the ship’s starboard hull, but no injuries have been reported.
  • The ship departed Cozumel as planned and appears to be continuing her 5-night sailing without changes.

It’s never a good day when a cruise ship hits something, and Carnival Breeze had a bad day in Cozumel, Mexico on Monday, August 31, 2026.

While docking at the popular Mexican port, the 3,690-guest ship impacted the corner of the pier. Carnival Breeze was working to dock at the same pier as Carnival Jubilee. It’s common for two ships to use the same dock in adjacent berths, and there was no contact between the vessels.

Video and photos of the incident have been posted on social media and show what appears to be significant scrapes and paint chipped away on Carnival Breeze‘s starboard hull, well above the waterline and between two sets of access doors.

On the video, Carnival Breeze appeared to be coming in to the berth at quite a significant angle, which could have made it challenging for a pilot or other officers to note the exact distance from the pier. No cause for the impact has yet been confirmed.

On one video posted on Facebook, a significant “bong” sound can be heard at the 25-second mark just as the ship contacts the dock.

Cruise Hive has reached out to Carnival Cruise Line about the incident but did not hear back as of publication.

Guests who are currently onboard the Dream-class vessel reported on Reddit that they did not feel any impact or other issues when it happened. No injuries have been reported in relation to the incident.

Carnival Breeze was docking in Cozumel at approximately 9 a.m., with plans to stay in port until 5 p.m. AIS tracking shows the ship departed Cozumel on schedule.

Carnival Breeze Scraping Pier in Cozumel
Carnival Breeze Scraping Pier in Cozumel (Photo Credit: KJ-890)

Cozumel was the first port visit on Carnival Breeze‘s current sailing, a 5-night Western Caribbean itinerary that set sail from Galveston, Texas on Saturday, August 29.

The ship spent Sunday at sea on the way to Mexico, and following Monday’s visit to Cozumel, is scheduled to visit Progreso on Tuesday, September 1, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. After another day at sea, the vessel will arrive back in the Lone Star State on Thursday, September 3.

No pier damage has yet been reported or confirmed, and it is unknown whether or not other ships’ schedules in Cozumel may be affected.

Not the First Dock vs. Ship Incident

While such incidents are rare, it is not unheard of for a ship to “contact” a pier. Depending on the sea and weather conditions, local currents, wave swells, and wind gusts can play a factor in just how close a ship may come to a dock, pier, or mooring dolphin. These impacts can happen at any port.

On September 5, 2025, Miray Cruises’ MV Gemini was docking in Piraeus, Greece when the ship contacted the pier and suffered significant damage.

The Dream-class Carnival Magic faced bad weather in Ocho Rios, Jamaica and hit the pier on February 6, 2024.

Similarly, Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas crashed into the dock in Falmouth, Jamaica on May 26, 2022, an incident that was determined to be pilot error.

Norwegian Escape collided with a pier in Civitavecchia, Italy in December 2020, and Carnival Horizon hit Pier 90 in Manhattan, New York in August 2018 while Disney Dream impacted the pier in Nassau, Bahamas in September 2017.

In such incidents, the ship’s engineers would carefully inspect the vessel to ensure the hull is not compromised and the ship is safe to operate.

Carnival Unveils First Look at New Carnival Rewards Loyalty Pins

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Unveils First Look at New Carnival Rewards Loyalty Pins

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Cruise Line has revealed the dated, ship-specific designs for the Carnival Rewards Diamond and Platinum pins.
  • Guests at those status levels can pick up the appropriate pin from the onboard photo gallery for sailings beginning September 1, 2026 and later.
  • Pins for Gold status guests have been discontinued with the Carnival Rewards program.

Loyal cruise guests love to collect items that document their cruise history, whether those are onboard identification cards, photos for a gallery wall, holiday ornaments, or in the case of Carnival Cruise Line, loyalty pins.

The dated, ship-specific pins have been popular Carnival souvenirs throughout the now-ending Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) program, with each pin showcasing the ship name, year of the sailing, and a unique annual design. Subtle differences in coloration and style differentiated the loyalty level of the pins, whether Gold, Platinum, or Diamond.

Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador, John Heald, has now revealed the design for the loyalty pins under the Carnival Rewards program that begins on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.

“Here are the images of the Carnival Rewards Platinum and Diamond ship specific pins which can be collected from the photo gallery on cruises that start from September 1 onward,” Heald confirmed in a Facebook post on Monday, August 31.

The designs for both circular pins are very similar. An image of the applicable Carnival cruise ship is centered in the circle, with “Carnival Rewards” and the iconic Carnival cruise ship whale tail funnel logo at the top.

The pin’s year is at the bottom of the design, a key feature many guests want to note their cruise history rather than a generic, undated design that would not highlight when guests enjoyed different ships.

For Platinum guests, the framing of the pin is silver and has red, gold, and platinum dots in graduated sizes in the upper left quadrant to denote the status level. “Platinum” is also written along the upper border of the pin.

Carnival Commemorative Pin
Carnival Commemorative Pin

Diamond pins are slightly different with red, gold, platinum, and diamond dots in the upper left quadrant. The diamond dot is largest and has a faceted look but it is unclear whether it may actually be a gemstone or just a brighter white metal. “Diamond” is written along the pin’s upper border, the same as with the Platinum design.

Carnival Cruise Line has typically released new pin designs every year with different stylized elements and a unique overall look. It is unknown whether the new Carnival Rewards pins will also have different designs from year-to-year.

Who Gets the Pins?

The commemorative pins are available to Platinum and Diamond level guests, though pins for the Gold loyalty level have been discontinued.

To collect their pins, guests will need to visit the Pixels Photo Gallery onboard during their sailing. A list of Diamond and Platinum guests is available there and guests’ names are checked off as they claim the appropriate pins.

The need to visit Pixels to claim the commemorative pins has been the practice since 2021 when cruises restarted after the industry-wide pandemic suspension. Previously, pins were left in guests’ staterooms, but the change was implemented to minimize how many individuals come-and-go into staterooms.

Read Also: The Biggest Shakeup in Carnival’s Loyalty History Starts Tomorrow

By having guests collect their pins, the gifts are not discarded or lost if guests prefer not to keep them, which can also be better inventory management.

Cruise Hive has reported when the pins do run out and guests are not able to collect them, however. This may happen toward the end of the year when supplies become more limited.

In January 2026, shipping delays with new pins for the year caused many guests to miss out on the collectible. John Heald confirmed during those delays that guests could contact customer service after their sailings to request pins to be mailed to them if they were unable to get them onboard.

The Biggest Shakeup in Carnival’s Loyalty History Starts Tomorrow

Melissa Mayntz
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The Biggest Shakeup in Carnival’s Loyalty History Starts Tomorrow

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Cruise Line’s new Carnival Rewards program begins Tuesday, September 1, 2026.
  • Guests need to be aware of stars, points, and milestone rewards as they move forward with the new spend-based program.
  • Glitches have been reported in the days before the new program launches following a planned website outage.

Carnival Cruise Line’s new Carnival Rewards program is scheduled to begin Tuesday, September 1, 2026. This major loyalty revamp has been controversial since it was first announced in June 2025, and new details and updates have continued to be introduced. Originally, the program was to begin on June 1, 2026, but was delayed to September 1 as details were ironed out.

Guests have through Monday, August 31, 2026 to opt-in to the new program. If they choose not to do so, their loyalty and days sailed will not carry over from the VIFP program to the Carnival Rewards program.

Now that the program is about to begin, what should Carnival Cruise Line fans expect? Cruise Hive has followed the program and its details from the beginning.

Status Under Carnival Rewards

The biggest change in the new Carnival Rewards program compared to the Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) program is that guests will no longer earn lifetime loyalty based on number of days sailed with Carnival Cruise Line. Instead, guests will earn status through spend-based “stars” when making eligible Carnival purchases.

Those stars will expire every two years, and guests will need to re-earn their status. The exception is for guests who have Diamond-level VIFP status, which the cruise line announced in September 2025 would remain as a lifetime status in Carnival Rewards.

Whatever VIFP status guests have earned by August 31, 2026 will be their Carnival Rewards status through December 2028, the first “earning period” in the new program. In January 2029, their status will be updated to whatever they have earned by that time.

Guests who are Platinum in Carnival Rewards will receive an automatic 10,000 stars boost so they begin the next earning period as Gold rather than Red (the lowest level).

Carnival Cruise Line has clarified to Cruise Hive that the 10,000-star boost will apply in perpetuity for legacy Platinum guests at the start of each new two-year earning cycle after December 2028.

Benefits With Carnival Rewards Status

Guests at every Carnival Rewards level receive benefits. All guests receive one complimentary 1.5L bottle of water, while Gold-level guests will receive one complimentary beverage on cruises of 5 days and longer.

Platinum-level guests will receive two complimentary beverages, limited complimentary wash-and-fold laundry services, and select priority and preferred access to online check-in, embarkation, debarkation, and onboard services, including dining times.

Carnival Rewards Tiers and Perks
Carnival Rewards Tiers and Perks

Diamond remains the program’s highest level and those guests receive additional (though no longer unlimited) wash-and-fold laundry and guaranteed main dining time selections, as well as retail concierge services and a special event invitation from the Captain.

Platinum and Diamond guests will also receive an exclusive, ship-specific and dated collectible pin for every sailing. These pins have been a popular feature of the VIFP program and many long-time guests wear them on vests, hats, or bags to showcase their cruise history.

What will not be continuing with the Carnival Rewards program are the Platinum and Diamond VIFP parties onboard select sailings, VIFP-branded loyalty gifts, welcome treats, free stateroom upgrades, and several other benefits.

Earning and Redeeming Points

Guests will also earn points for all Carnival-based purchases and when using the Carnival Rewards Mastercard, if they have qualified for one. Those points can then be redeemed for onboard perks or even used during booking, such as applying them toward a deposit or a cruise fare payment.

Shore excursions, spa treatments, drink packages, specialty dining, and onboard shopping can all use redeemed points. This lets guests choose exactly what benefits they want to enjoy from the points they have earned.

There is no minimum number of points necessary to begin redemption, which makes the program even more flexible regardless of how often a guest sails with Carnival Cruise Line.

Milestone Rewards Continue

On July 1, 2026, just two months before the program’s launch, Carnival Cruise Line confirmed that milestones will now be tied to the number of days guests have sailed.

Previously, milestones were based on the overall number of cruises a guest sailed, regardless of cruise length.

From September 1, guests will receive milestone recognition when they reach 50, 100, and every 100 days thereafter sailed with Carnival Cruise Line.

That recognition includes a points bonus, special commemorative coin, onboard credit, and other benefits depending on the milestone level achieved.

The cruise discount, onboard credit, and free cruise associated with milestones under the VIFP program have been discontinued.

Glitches Reported Ahead of Launch

As the last few days to opt-in to the Carnival Rewards program have passed, multiple guests have reported problems with the system and inconsistent details when comparing their previous VIFP status and their new stars and points under Carnival Rewards.

Carnival Cruise Line’s website, including the Carnival Rewards website, had a planned 18-hour outage from 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 29 through 12 p.m. on Sunday, August 30.

Updates and maintenance to the system may have contributed to the glitches guests are now seeing, though hopefully those issues will quickly be resolved as the new program launches.

Norwegian Prima Guests Notified of Hot Tub Closures and Onboard Testing

Melissa Mayntz
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Norwegian Prima Guests Notified of Hot Tub Closures and Onboard Testing

Key Aspects:

  • Norwegian Cruise Line is alerting guests to three recent cases of Legionnaires’ disease involving guests who sailed aboard Norwegian Prima in May and July 2026.
  • All testing for the Legionella bacteria onboard has been negative thus far and the cruise line is working with the CDC.
  • It is not known whether the guests contracted the disease onboard the ship or from a different source unrelated to their cruises.

Guests setting sail on Norwegian Prima have been receiving notifications of a possible connection to Legionnaires’ disease. While the notification letter is clear that there is no confirmed connection to any contamination onboard, testing is ongoing and guests should be aware of the potential risk.

“We are reaching out to you to inform you that Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding three reported cases of Legionnaires’ disease involving passengers who sailed on the Norwegian Prima in May and July 2026,” the notification, which has been shared on Reddit, explained.

The exact dates of the sailings with guests infected with Legionnaires’ disease have not been identified. The 3,099-guest ship is currently homeported from Port Canaveral, offering 7-night Caribbean sailings with both eastern and western itineraries.

The notification letter received by multiple guests goes on to explain Legionnaires’ disease as “a serious type of pneumonia” and later notes that those most vulnerable to the disease are 50 years of age or older, anyone with chronic lung disease or weakened immune systems, and those who are current or former smokers.

What will matter most to guests is that the illness is not spread through direct contact from person-to-person. The Legionella bacteria, however, can live in complicated water systems and be spread through mist from fixtures like hot tubs and showers.

Norwegian Cruise Line is working with the CDC to test possible contaminated areas onboard:

“As a precaution, all public hot tubs and private balcony heated whirlpools will remain closed and will reopen only after sampling has been completed and any necessary remediation measures have been carried out in accordance with CDC guidelines,” the notification said.

Norwegian Cruise Line Hot Tub
Norwegian Cruise Line Hot Tub (Photo Credit: Joni Hanebutt)

The cruise line has already tested devices and fixtures that use water, including faucets, hot tubs, and showers. All test results onboard Norwegian Prima have been negative.

It is not known whether the three guests who did test positive for Legionnaires’ disease contracted the illness while onboard the ship or from another source.

According to the CDC, symptoms of the illness typically develop 2-14 days after initial exposure, but it could be longer before an individual has noticeable signs of the disease. Because the incubation window can be so long, guests diagnosed after a cruise may have been exposed on board or even long before their cruise began.

Norwegian Cruise Line Legionnaires' Letter
Norwegian Cruise Line Legionnaires’ Letter (Credit: famemonsta)

Treatment of the disease involves antibiotics and often hospital care. Anyone showing possible symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, fever, muscle aches, or headaches should seek medical attention for a proper diagnosis.

Other than the closures of whirlpools, hot tubs, and similar facilities until testing is complete, there are no illness-related operational changes onboard Norwegian Prima at this time.

Legionnaires’ Not Unheard of on Cruise Ships

This is not the first time possible connections to Legionnaires’ disease have been reported on cruise ships.

Cruise Hive has covered similar instances onboard other Norwegian Cruise Line ships. In February 2026, guests were notified about two cases reported onboard Norwegian Encore from sailings in December 2025, and in November 2025, guests on Norwegian Epic were warned about possible exposure as well.

Royal Caribbean has also shared similar warnings to guests when necessary, including cases connected to Symphony of the Seas in January 2025 from sailings in October and December 2024. Celebrity Cruises warned guests after two cases were connected to Celebrity Ascent in January 2024.

Such notices are sent out of an abundance of caution to alert guests to the possibility of increased risk so travelers can take whatever precautions they feel are best, including avoiding hot tub use or staying alert to potential symptoms during and after their cruises.

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