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Multiple Passengers Fall Ill on Two Cruise Ships in Separate Outbreaks

Lissa Poirot
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Multiple Passengers Fall Ill on Two Cruise Ships in Separate Outbreaks

Key Aspects:

  • Costa Toscana reported an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness (GI) on April 15, 2026.
  • Oceania Insignia reported its own outbreak to the CDC on April 13, 2026.
  • Both ships have enhanced cleaning and disinfection procedures.

Two recent voyages, one in the Mediterranean and the other in the Caribbean, have ended with gastrointestinal illness (GI) affecting passengers.

GI typically refers to infections that affect the stomach and intestines, with the most common cause of outbreaks on cruise ships being norovirus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Passengers sailing aboard Costa Cruises’ Costa Toscana were alerted on April 15, 2026, that a GI outbreak had been identified during their cruise via a letter from Captain Giulio Mistrangelo during the ship’s 7-night Western Mediterranean voyage, which departed Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy, on April 9.

After sailing to Genoa, Italy; Marseille, France; Barcelona; and Cagliari, Sardinia; passengers were informed of the outbreak while the ship was in Naples, the vessel’s final port before returning to Civitavecchia on April 16.

In the letter, the captain confirmed that the cruise line had begun implementing additional sanitation procedures and asked passengers to follow stricter hygiene practices.

“It is critical that excellent standards of personal hygiene are maintained by all onboard, as onward transmission may be easily spread by touching surfaces such as handrails, door handles and elevator buttons,” the captain wrote in his letter.

His request included specific measures, including washing hands with soap and water frequently for at least 20 seconds, using hand sanitizer after washing, minimizing direct contact with others, using toilets in private cabins when possible, and remaining in cabins if experiencing any symptoms of GI.

Costa Toscana
Costa Toscana (Photo Credit: SLSK Photography)

Symptoms of GI usually appear quickly, with people infected often feeling sick within 12 to 48 hours after exposure, according to the CDC. The illness commonly causes vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and stomach cramps.

The letter also warned of drinking water from “open and uncontrolled sources” while on shore, as the captain said it could also cause GI.

“Costa applies sophisticated measures to ensure the highest levels of hygiene and safety for all passengers and a complex and detailed set of procedures to ensure the quality and safety of food and drinks served on all its ships,” Captain Mistrangelo said.

Oceania Insignia Reports Similar Outbreak

A separate outbreak has also been reported aboard Oceania Cruises’ Oceania Insignia, according to the CDC. The illness occurred during a 10-day voyage that sailed from Panama City, Panama, on March 4 and ended in Miami on March 14.

Once 3 percent of passengers or crew report symptoms, cruise ships must notify the CDC. In this case, the ship reported the outbreak on April 13 during the voyage’s final sea day before arriving in Miami.

At the time of the report, 19 of 633 passengers and three of 394 crew members fell ill during the voyage, but additional cases may have occurred after passengers disembarked.

It is the second time in six months that the vessel reported an outbreak to the CDC.

Under CDC protocols, Oceania Insignia implemented enhanced cleaning and disinfection procedures before beginning its next cruise, which departed Miami on April 14 for a 10-day sailing to Panama City.

Costa Toscana has multiple embarkation and disembarkation ports during its Mediterranean season, transferring passengers in Civitavecchia, Genoa, Marseille, and Barcelona, which means new passengers boarding on April 16, April 17, April 18, and April 19 may also need to be notified of the illness cases.

Carnival Cruise Ship Saves Stranded Sailor and His Cat in the Middle of the Ocean

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Cruise Ship Saves Stranded Sailor and His Cat in the Middle of the Ocean

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Legend rescued a man and his cat from a disabled sailboat overnight on Tuesday, April 14.
  • The incident happened as the cruise ship was heading for Cozumel, the first port on her April 13 sailing.
  • Both the man and the cat were safely brought aboard the cruise ship and later debarked in Cozumel.

Carnival Legend‘s current sailing has gone to the cats (not the dogs) with an unexpected rescue operation overnight on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

While sailing through the Gulf of America (Gulf of Mexico) toward Cozumel, Carnival Legend spotted a sailboat in distress launching emergency flares. The boat’s sails were down in the choppy water, though the rigging appeared to be intact. The vessel was bobbing without any obvious means of control.

The waves were quite significant for the small sailboat, though the 85,942-gross-ton cruise ship had no difficulty.

The cruise ship quickly intervened to offer assistance, launching a rescue boat to safely approach the smaller craft. Carnival Legend was able to pull up fairly close to the sailboat and kept searchlights on the boat during the operation.

A small, inflatable raft was also alongside the sailboat at the time Carnival Legend arrived, which may indicate that the mariner was preparing to abandon the boat. Exactly why has not been revealed.

One man was aboard the disabled sailboat, but he wasn’t alone. A black cat named Dahlia was also aboard. According to Click2Houston, the sailboat had been drifting for four days before encountering the cruise ship.

@livingmyloylife

Rescue mission on carnival legend! Male and cat were saved!!! #rescue #carnivallegend #carnivallegend #rescuemission #carnivalcruise

♬ original sound – LivingmyLoyLife

Multiple guests currently aboard the Carnival ship have shared video online of the scary situation.

Both passengers, two-legged and four-legged, were safely brought aboard Carnival Legend. Medical evaluation, food, and other care was provided, as it always is to any refugees. Yes, even to cats!

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

The sailboat was left afloat as Carnival Legend resumed course for Mexico. This is standard procedure for any rescue operation, whether of a stranded boat or a refugee craft. The officers would have noted the position of the craft and relayed the incident to local authorities so others are aware that the sailboat is now abandoned.

Carnival Legend departed Galveston, Texas on Monday, April 13 for a 10-night Western Caribbean sailing. Along with Cozumel, the ship will visit Belize, Roatan, Jamaica, and Grand Cayman before returning to the Lone Star State on Thursday, April 23.

The rescue did not impact the ship’s itinerary and the man and his cat were disembarked in Cozumel during the ship’s scheduled port visit.

Not the First Pet Rescue at Sea

While there was naturally concern about the stranded sailboat and rejoicing that the man was successfully rescued, there was even more concern about the fate of the cat.

Pets are not permitted aboard cruise ships, and some guests feared that the cat might have been left behind. Carnival Cruise Line has confirmed that Dahlia was brought aboard safely, however, none the worse for wear.

People and Dogs Rescued by Carnival Splendor
People and Dogs Rescued by Carnival Splendor

This is not the first time pets have been part of at-sea rescues. Cruise Hive reported in January 2024 that Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas rescued six stranded fishermen and their dog. That incident happened north of the Yucatan Peninsula, in the same general location as Carnival Legend‘s rescue.

In October 2023, a “stowaway” cat was discovered aboard Ovation of the Seas as the ship was sailing from Hawaii to Sydney, likely smuggled aboard by a guest. After a quarantine period, the cat was adopted by a Royal Caribbean team member and moved to Miami.

All cruise lines do permit service dogs aboard, though cats aren’t usually suited to the service life (aren’t we supposed to serve them?). One famous cruise ship cat, however, was Bug Naked, the pet of Captain Kate McCue during her tenure on Celebrity Beyond. The female elf-eared sphynx cat passed away in December 2024.

Virgin Voyages Admits Communication Flub Over Itinerary Change

Melissa Mayntz
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Virgin Voyages Admits Communication Flub Over Itinerary Change

Key Aspects:

  • Virgin Voyages has apologized for striking the wrong tone with the recent Valiant Lady itinerary change.
  • The cruise line used humor in its communication about changing from Bermuda to Canada for the April 6 sailing.
  • The jokes fell flat with many guests who felt more compensation was needed for the dramatic switch.

It’s never a nice email to receive just days before you’re heading off on a cruise, a notification that lets you know you’re not just losing a highly-anticipated port visit, but in fact your entire itinerary has been swapped.

Virgin Voyages guests for Valiant Lady‘s April 6, 2026 received exactly that email recently, alerting them just three days before embarkation that they wouldn’t be going to Bermuda, but instead their sailing was rerouted to Canada.

Cruise Hive reported on the unfortunate switch, which Virgin Voyages handled as a lighthearted and interesting change for a great vacation.

“Saint John will feel a little bit different from Bermuda, with crisp coastal air and a completely new backdrop to explore. You may wanna bring a few extra layers,” the original email said.

While the itinerary change was made for safety reasons due to poor weather impacting Bermuda at the time of Valiant Lady‘s planned visit, not all guests were pleased with the switch.

The cruise line only offered $100 in onboard credit as compensation for the very dramatic change in vacation plans. Guests could also opt to cancel their sailing for a future cruise credit, but full refunds were not available.

Email Tone Falls Flat

Virgin Voyages has now responded to numerous complaints and negative feedback about the experience, acknowledging (in the same lighthearted way) that it could have been handled better.

“Welp, that “Bermuda -> Canada” email really wasn’t it,” they posted on Instagram. “We’ve seen your messages, and we get it. That one’s on us.”

It’s quite rare that a cruise line issues any sort of apology for a change, particularly when the decision was made for safety considerations. Nevertheless, customer service is a huge part of the cruise industry, and Virgin Voyages goes the extra mile to ensure all guests feel heard and valued.

Virgin Voyages Post
Virgin Voyages Post

“This wasn’t the trip you were planning for,” they acknowledged. “We should have spoken to that reality. We understand why you’re disappointed. We agree we need to do better, and next time we will. Itineraries can change for safety, but you deserve us to be real about it when they do.”

Guests on Reddit appreciate the acknowledgement and how the cruise line needs to address upsetting topics in a more professional and serious way.

“A perky, upbeat tone that downplays the issue is a terrible choice for this kind of thing,” one commenter said. “People are way more likely to be accepting and understanding if you give them the full picture and acknowledge that the change isn’t ideal, but it’s still going to be a good time.”

Others agree, even noting that they made the best of the cruise experience no matter what the destination, but better communication would have been appreciated.

Virgin Voyages Post
Virgin Voyages Post

Another fun post from the cruise line references their mistake in comparison to the recent Artemis II moon mission. Using the Earthrise photo from the mission, Virgin Voyages added the note “We are here, sending bad emails” with an arrow pointing to Earth.

In the caption, they asked NASA “if you want to fly our team to the moon next, we’ll gladly stay there and hide behind some moon rocks” with an embarrassed emoji.

More From Cruise Hive

The lighthearted vein continues with “We’ll make sure to bring extra layers too” in direct comparison to their suggestion for guests heading to Canada instead of Bermuda.

Some guests appreciate the creativity as the cruise line tries to rectify the public relations snafu, but others don’t see the humor in the situation and feel that making jokes is not helping to correct the discontent.

Norwegian Aura Hits the Water as NCL’s Biggest Ship Ever Floats Out

Lissa Poirot
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Norwegian Aura Hits the Water as NCL’s Biggest Ship Ever Floats Out

Key Aspects:

  • Norwegian Cruise Line’s new Norwegian Aura completed her float-out at Fincantieri’s Italian shipyard.
  • The 170,000-gross-ton vessel will be the cruise line’s biggest ship.
  • It is scheduled to debut on May 21, 2027, in the Mediterranean.

April 16, 2026, is a big day for Norwegian Cruise Line. The company just witnessed the float out of its next Prima-class vessel as Norwegian Aura completed its float-out ceremony at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy.

The moment marks the first time the ship touched water and signals that the vessel’s external hull construction is largely complete.

Float-out ceremonies are a traditional step in shipbuilding, typically held when the dry dock is flooded and the ship is transferred into water for the first time.

During the ceremony, shipyard workers welded two ceremonial coins into the ship’s hull. The maritime tradition is intended to bring good luck and safe voyages for the ship and those who sail aboard her.

“Norwegian Aura’s float out is a proud and meaningful moment for our entire team,” said Marc Kazlauskas, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. “She builds on the legacy of our award-winning Prima Class while taking our commitment to thoughtfully designed guest-first experiences even further.”

After this stage of construction, Norwegian Aura moves into its next phase, which will focus on installing interior spaces, technical systems, and onboard venues.

Norwegian Aura float out
Norwegian Aura float out (Photo Credit: Norwegian Cruise Line)

When completed, the vessel will be one of the largest ships in the cruise line’s fleet. The vessel will measure nearly 1,130 feet in length and approximately 170,000 gross tons. The ship will also accommodate about 3,880 passengers at double occupancy across more than 1,970 staterooms.

This will make her about 10 percent larger than her sister ships, Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna, which just celebrated its christening in Miami on May 27, 2026.

Norwegian Aura Cruise Ship
Norwegian Aura Cruise Ship

Norwegian Aura is scheduled to enter service in spring 2027 with a maiden voyage currently planned for May 21, 2027. That voyage will depart from Trieste, Italy, on a 7-day Mediterranean sailing.

New Activity Spaces on Norwegian Aura

Norwegian Aura will introduce several new onboard features as part of Norwegian Cruise Line’s expanding Prima-class design.

One of the ship’s main activity areas will be Ocean Heights, a new open-air complex designed as a central gathering space for families and groups traveling together. 

The area will include several water attractions, such as Eclipse Racers, the cruise line’s first water dueling waterslides, and Aura Free Fall, a drop-style body slide.

Norwegian Aura Ocean Heights LED Lights
Norwegian Aura Ocean Heights LED Lights

Another attraction called The Wave will be a raft slide designed to carry up to four passengers at a time.

Read Also: I Tried Out the First Prima Plus Class Cruise Ship Aqua

Nearby attractions will include the Aura Ropes Course, which stretches 82 feet, as well as a 25-foot rocking climbing wall and a carnival-style games area known as Aura Midway.

The new ship will also feature a significantly expanded pool deck, 20 percent larger than those on earlier Prima-class ships. The area will include additional seating, another hot tub, and expanded lounges areas.

Families with children will find a Kids’ Aqua Park as well as new youth spaces, including Adventure Alley for children ages 6 to 10; Little Explorer’s Cove for younger kids; and a dedicated hangout area for teens.

Norwegian Aura will also feature an extended version of Ocean Boulevard, the outdoor promenade that wraps around the ship. The area will include seating areas, social spaces, and additional hot tubs.

After completing her Mediterranean maiden voyage, the ship will cross the Atlantic on a 14-day sailing to the US. Beginning June 10, 2027, Norwegian Aura will homeport in Miami and operate 7-day itineraries to the Eastern and Western Caribbean.

These cruises will include calls at Norwegian Cruise Line’s private destinations, Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas and Harvest Caye in Belize.

Royal Caribbean Guests Frustrated With Water Slide Closures on Icon-Class Ships

Melissa Mayntz
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Royal Caribbean Guests Frustrated With Water Slide Closures on Icon-Class Ships

Key Aspects:

  • Multiple waterslides onboard both Star of the Seas and Icon of the Seas have been closed for weeks.
  • Guests are frustrated that there is no explanation for the extended closure of such a key attraction.
  • There is no confirmed timeline for when all the waterslides in the Category 6 waterpark may reopen.

Choosing a cruise vacation is not easy, as different ships offer very different features for guests to enjoy. Those features are what many travelers consider when picking a ship, especially if they have already visited many ports of call or choose an itinerary with multiple days at sea.

But what if some of the ship’s most visible, highly-advertised features are unavailable? Are guests due compensation for what seems to be a known issue?

Guests sailing onboard Royal Caribbean’s newest and largest ship, Star of the Seas, as well as Icon of the Seas, are frustrated at what seems to be a lack of consideration from the cruise line for one broken feature on both vessels.

Both Icon-class ships feature the Thrill Island neighborhood that is home to Category 6, the largest waterpark at sea. The problem is that most of the waterpark is closed.

Reports from different guests on different sailings claim that as many as two, three, or four of the waterslides onboard are consistently closed and have been closed for months.

Those slides, however, continue to be part of the advertising for the ship in emails, photos, and commercials.

Many guests have noted that the Category 6 waterpark is a key feature of the ships and a reason many families book either Star of the Seas or Icon of the Seas. Because there is no notification that the slides aren’t operating, it can be a disappointing shock to guests when they aren’t able to do what they’d hoped onboard.

“Just got off [Star of the Seas]. Two slides still down the entire week and at times only 2 were operational,” one guest who sailed in early April described. “Wasn’t too happy since we paid a premium for the newest ship.”

Another recent guest confirmed the closures. “Started with 4 slides working and down to only 2 slides working by the end of our week,” they said.

What Is Wrong With the Waterslides on the Icon-Class Ships?

There may be different issues impacting multiple waterslides onboard the ships. Because more than one slide often shares the same water system and pumps, if there is a mechanical problem, multiple slides may be affected on the same ship.

The closures are not, however, related to the very sudden rupture of the Frightening Bolt waterslide on Icon of the Seas in August 2025. Cruise Hive reported extensively on the incident, including video footage that shows the breakage just as a guest passes through a clear section of the slide.

Broken Icon of the Seas Waterslide
Broken Icon of the Seas Waterslide (Credits: Sunny Side Soul & GlobalNovel4508)

That slide was repaired, however, and preemptive repairs were also made to the same slide on Star of the Seas.

Other mechanical issues could be related to water sanitizing and filtration, damage to the surface of the slides, or even fasteners providing structural stability to the slides.

Read Also: What Are Royal Caribbean’s Icon-Class Cruise Ships?

Cruise Hive reached out to Royal Caribbean and has confirmed, however, that the slide closures are not related to fuel costs, which is another theory floating through social media.

Reopening Information Is Contradictory

Concerned guests have reached out to Royal Caribbean through social media as well as the website’s virtual assistance options. Answers have varied, causing more confusion about whether the slides will be available on upcoming sailings.

“At this time, there’s no confirmed or published timeframe for when the slides will reopen,” one response noted. “Once the maintenance is completed and operations resume, guests will be notified right away, either through official updates or onboard communications.”

Another response from the cruise line, however, seems to indicate the closures are about to end.

“The slides on Star of the Seas are not scheduled for maintenance during your cruise dates in May,” the cruise line said. “The Category 6 waterpark, including all six slides, should be available for guest use, weather permitting.”

Naturally, safety is always a top priority and it is necessary for the slides to be functioning properly for guests to use them.

There is frustration, however, that Royal Caribbean appears to be less than transparent to upcoming guests, and no compensation is offered for such a key feature of the ship to be unavailable throughout entire sailings.

More From Cruise Hive

No one is arguing that compensation should be made if a waterslide is closed for a few hours or if weather impacts onboard operations. What is causing tension is the long-term closure of multiple slides that seems to be due to a known issue, yet there is no notification given to guests.

“At the very least, there needs to be some form of communication prior to boarding to let people know of any issues onboard,” one guest noted. “Walking on and things broken/not working- for weeks and them knowing and not sharing- it’s not ok.”

Suggestions for arcade credit, a free milkshake, or discounts to the Thrill Waterpark at Perfect Day at CocoCay are different ideas guests have to compensate for the extended closures of multiple slides.

Princess Orders Three New Mega-Ships in New Voyager Class

Lissa Poirot
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Princess Orders Three New Mega-Ships in New Voyager Class

Key Aspects:

  • Princess Cruises has ordered three Voyager-Class ships that will become the largest vessels in the fleet.
  • Each ship will measure ~183,000 gross tons and carry roughly 4,700 guests.
  • The new ships will arrive in 2035, 2038, and 2039.

The next generation of Princess Cruises ships is taking shape, even if passengers won’t step aboard for nearly a decade.

The cruise line just announced it has signed shipbuilding agreements with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri for three new vessels that will launch an all-new Voyager Class. The ships are scheduled to be delivered in late 2035, 2038, and 2039.

Once completed, the ships will become the largest-ever built for the brand. Each vessel will measure about 183,000 gross tons and accommodate approximately 4,700 guests.

The ships will be constructed at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. The agreement extends the long-running relationship between the cruise line and the shipbuilder and secures construction work at the yard through the end of the next decade.

Princess said the Voyager-Class ships will build on the design foundation introduced with its newest vessels while incorporating a redesign platform for the future fleet.

“The Voyager Class will delight both our loyal guests and attract the next generation of Princess guests,” said Princess Cruises President Gus Antorcha. “We have been leveraging extensive customer and agent research to strike the right balance between evolving our proven winners and introducing new concepts and partnerships grounded in what matters to our current and future guests.”

The new ships will feature redesigned outer decks, new stateroom concepts, and a reimagined Piazza, the central atrium that serves as the social hub on Princess Cruises ships.

Star Princess
Star Princess

Antorcha said the ships will include changes across dining venues, entertainment spaces, and pool areas as Princess evolves its onboard experience.

“We are leaving no area untouched as we thoughtfully evolve the Princess experience,” he said.

The vessels will also continue the cruise line’s shift toward liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a primary fuel source. Like the company’s Sun Princess and Star Princess, the Voyager-Class ships will operate as dual-fuel vessels capable of running primarily on LNG.

The three ships will bring Carnival Corporation’s LNG-powered fleet to 21 vessels once complete. Carnival Corporation is the parent company of Princess Cruises, and has seven additional new ships under contract that are scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2033.

Princess Cruises did not release specific details about the ships’ onboard attractions and said additional design and feature information will be shared at a later date.

First New Ship Class Follows Sphere

The Voyager-Class announcement is the first time Princess Cruises has revealed a completely new ship class since the introduction of the Sphere Class earlier this decade. 

The cruise line formally unveiled that platform in September 2022 when it announced the 177,882-gross-ton, 4,300-passenger Sun Princess as the inaugural Sphere-Class ship. It arrived in 2024, followed by Star Princess in 2025. 

These ships introduced a number of changes compared with earlier Princess Cruises vessels, particularly the Royal-Class ships that dominated the fleet for nearly a decade.

Read Also: Princess Cruise Ships By Size: Largest to Smallest

One of the most notable additions was The Dome, a large glass-enclosed venue inspired by Mediterranean terrace architecture. The space functions as a daytime pool and lounge area before transforming into an entertainment venue in the evening.

The ships also introduced a redesigned Piazza layout, along with expanded dining venues, and a greater variety of social spaces throughout the vessel.

The newly announced Voyager-Class ships will move beyond that platform in both size and capacity.

MSC Launches Ambitious Plan to Turn Catalina Island Into a Caribbean Showpiece

Melissa Mayntz
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MSC Launches Ambitious Plan to Turn Catalina Island Into a Caribbean Showpiece

Key Aspects:

  • MSC Cruises is partnering with Casa de Campo Resort & Villas to re-develop Catalina Island in the Dominican Republic.
  • The destination will be updated with new dining, water sports, and infrastructure upgrades.
  • Catalina Island will remain open for all cruise lines to visit as appropriate to their respective itineraries.

Cruise guests are always interested in new and unique destinations, particularly in popular sailing regions like the Caribbean. A partnership between CLT Maritime, part of the MSC Group, and Casa de Campo Resort & Villas is now planning to re-develop Catalina Island in the Dominican Republic for a new, luxury experience.

Catalina Island is located just off the coast of La Romana on the island nation’s southeastern coast, 60 miles east of Santo Domingo. La Romana is a lesser-known port destination, typically offered on longer Caribbean itineraries.

Several ships also homeport from La Romana, including MSC Opera beginning in November 2026. This is the first time MSC Cruises has offered year-round Southern Caribbean itineraries, giving travelers even more diverse itineraries to explore.

The 50/50 collaboration to further develop Catalina Island is planned to create a “premier leisure destination” that cruise guests will enjoy.

Already known for its white sand beaches, crystal clear waters, and stunning natural beauty, Catalina Island could easily become an amazing beach destination for all visitors. The island is already designated as a Natural Monument and all upcoming development work will be done in compliance with environmental regulations and sustainability in mind.

Visitors will include not only guests on MSC Cruises, but also the company’s luxury division, Explora Journeys. Other cruise lines will also be able to visit the destination.

The Dominican Republic is rapidly growing into a top cruise destination, with more than 3.7 million tourists arriving so far in 2026. Of those, 1.1 million were cruise passengers.

What Updates Are Planned?

Exact details of the new development have not been released, but Catalina Island will feature new dining venues, including an open-air beach pavilion for buffet meals, with both international and local dishes on the menu.

Ample seating will be located nearby in a shaded, al-fresco area with panoramic sea views. Another shaded, thatched-roof pavilion will provide tropical libations for the ultimate island vibes.

Deck of MSC Opera
Deck of MSC Opera (Photo Credit: CeltStudio)

Guests who want to enjoy water sports during their visit will be able to rent equipment from a water sports center. The exact types of equipment have not been specified, but are likely to include snorkeling gear and perhaps jet skis, kayaks, paddleboards, or other options.

For the ultimate in luxury, guests will be able to rent daybeds and cabanas with upgraded amenities. These types of features are exceedingly popular in other destinations, including on private islands.

The practical needs of guests visiting Catalina Island are not being overlooked. Infrastructure updates to changing areas, showers, and restrooms are part of the overall development plan.

Read Also: MSC’s Newest Ships and What’s On Order

No date has yet been confirmed for when the updates will be complete and guests will be able to enjoy the new amenities and features of Catalina Island.

In the meantime, along with ships from MSC Cruises, vessels from TUI Cruises, AIDA Cruises, Marella Cruises, Costa Cruises, and more have visits planned for Catalina Island in 2026.

More Luxury Options for MSC Cruises Guests

The news to re-development Catalina Island comes just days after MSC Cruises announced Sandy Cay in the Bahamas. Located near MSC Ocean Cay, the new island destination is focused on serenity and luxury for the ultimate beach experience.

Like Catalina Island, Sandy Cay will also be visited not just by MSC Cruises, but also by Explora Journeys sailings. As a true private island, however, Sandy Cay will not be open to other cruise lines.

Both Sandy Cay and Catalina Island appear not to be individual, standalone destinations, but may instead be options for guests to visit when they go to MSC Ocean Cay and La Romana, respectively.

Opening dates and itinerary options for both destinations will be announced in the months to come.

Woman Wins $300K in Carnival Lawsuit Over Too Many Drinks

Melissa Mayntz
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Woman Wins $300K in Carnival Lawsuit Over Too Many Drinks

Key Aspects:

  • A California woman has won $300,000 in a lawsuit against Carnival Cruise Line alleging overservice of drinks.
  • The woman claims she was served 14 tequila shots in just over 8 hours, and suffered injuries while drunk.
  • Carnival Cruise Line is likely to appeal the verdict but the case may take months to be fully resolved.

Cruise guests might want to take full advantage of their drink packages, but how much is too much? One California woman claims she was overserved and as a result, sustained injuries on her Carnival Radiance cruise in January 2024.

The woman, 45-year-old Diana Sanders, said she was served at least 14 tequila shots in roughly an 8-hour period, or approximately one shot every half hour.

Sanders filed suit against Carnival Cruise Line in November 2024, requesting a jury trial and seeking damages over $75,000.

According to the original complaint, Sanders was served her first drink at roughly 3 p.m. and continued indulging until just after 11:30 p.m. At that time, she was walking around the cruise ship and suffered a severe fall on a stairway.

Her injuries were listed in the lawsuit as “including, but not limited to, a concussion, headaches, a possible traumatic brain injury, back injuries, tailbone injuries, bruising, and other injuries.”

Following a 17-month legal battle, the 6-person jury returned a verdict finding Carnival liable and ordered the company to pay $300,000 in damages.

The case was a challenging one as Sanders was viewed as having some personal responsibility for her own inebriation. Prosecuting attorney Spencer Aronfeld addressed those issues and Carnival’s responsibility with a statement to Cruise Hive.

“I believe a primary culprit is prepaid drink packages that encourage people to ‘get their money’s worth.’ Furthermore, servers on these cruise lines are often minimally paid workers from economically disadvantaged countries who are financially incentivized to continue serving alcohol because they are compensated by tips,” Aronfeld commented.

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

For context, Carnival Cruise Line’s Cheers! drink package limits guests to a maximum of 15 alcoholic drinks per 24-hour period, measured from 6 a.m.

Sanders boarded Carnival Radiance on January 5, 2024 in Long Beach, California for a 3-night cruise to Mexico. According to the timeline in the complaint, she would have begun ordering tequila shots shortly after embarking and may have been attempting to reach her drink limit for the first day of the sailing.

The jury agreed that Carnival did not bear the full responsibility for Sanders’ injuries. When asked, 60% of the blame was attributed to the cruise line, while 40% was attributed to Sanders.

Carnival Cruise Line Likely to Appeal

Despite the verdict, Carnival Cruise Line disagrees with the outcome and is likely to appeal the court’s ruling.

“Carnival Corporation respectfully disagrees with the verdict and believes there are grounds for a new trial and appeal, which it will pursue,” a statement to local media notes.

More From Cruise Hive

There are several grounds for possible appeal, including the fact that Sanders was unable to identify any specific bar or bartender who overserved her, nor is there any evidence that she was strongly showing inebriated behavior that crew members would have noticed.

Because the 101,500-gross-ton Carnival Radiance has eight different bars and lounges onboard, it is possible Sanders may have visited multiple bars and individual bartenders were unaware of how quickly she was drinking shots.

Orders would be recorded as part of each guest’s individual Sail & Sign folio, but it is possible that information was either unavailable to individual bartenders or they did not review her order history with each new shot. With long lines of thirsty guests onboard, service speed is often a concern.

MSC Cancels Additional Cruises as Ship Remains Unable to Reposition

Lissa Poirot
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MSC Cancels Additional Cruises as Ship Remains Unable to Reposition

Key Aspects:

  • MSC Cruises cancelled the May 9 and May 16, 2026, sailings of MSC Euribia from Kiel, Germany.
  • The vessel remains delayed in the Middle East due to the ongoing regional crisis.
  • Affected guests can rebook another cruise, receive onboard credit, or request a full refund.

More cruises have been called off as MSC Cruises continues to deal with disruptions tied to the ongoing Middle East crisis.

The cruise line has announced the cancellation of additional sailings aboard MSC Euribia scheduled to depart from Kiel, Germany, on May 9 and May 16, 2026.

Passengers were notified that the ship remains unable to leave its U.A.E. port to position to Northern Europe in time for the start of its summer season.

“Due to the situation currently underway in the Middle East, MSC Euribia will still be sailing in the region and we do not yet have certainty in the coming weeks about when the ship will be able to begin its repositioning voyage toward Northern Europe,” MSC Cruises told guests in the notice.

The cruise line said the cancellations were made after evaluating alternatives and confirmed the decision was directly related to the ship’s delayed departure from the region.

The affected voyages were part of the 6,327-guest ship’s planned Northern Europe program sailings from Kiel to the Norwegian Fjords.

Passengers booked on the cancelled departures are being offered several options.

Guests may transfer their reservation to another MSC Cruises voyage departing by November 30, 2026, without paying a change fee and with guaranteed low rates. 

For sailings after December 1, 2026, the cruise line said any previous payments will be applied to the new booking, though the fare for the selected cruise will apply without change fees.

The company is also providing onboard credit incentives of up to 100€ per person, capped at 200€ per cabin, depending on the booking type.

MSC Euribia Cruise Ship
MSC Euribia Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: frantic00)

Passengers who do not wish to rebook may instead cancel and receive a full refund. Flights and additional services are excluded from the offer.

MSC Cruises asked guests to notify the company or their travel agent of their preferred option by April 21, 2026. After that deadline, bookings will automatically be cancelled and refunded if no choice is made.

Latest Disruptions as MSC Euribia Remains Stuck

The cancellations mark the latest setback tied to the ongoing disruption of cruise operations in the Middle East.

MSC Euribia has been unable to leave the region since late February, after escalating geopolitical tensions disrupted maritime traffic and left several vessels unable to safely transit key shipping corridors.

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The crisis has left the 183,500-gross-ton ship stuck in Dubai and delaying its scheduled repositioning voyage to Europe. It also forced the cruise line to work with airlines to fly stranded passengers home from the U.A.E. after sailings were cancelled.

The vessel had originally been scheduled to begin its European program on May 2, 2026, with a 7-night Norwegian Fjords cruise departing from Kiel and visiting ports such as Flam, Hellesylt, and Alesund.

That sailing was cancelled earlier when the ship could not depart the Middle East in time, the first clear sign that the regional crisis was starting to affect the European cruise season.

The current cancellations extend that disruption into mid-May. Until the vessel can begin its repositioning voyage, additional adjustments to the ship’s Northern Europe schedule remain possible.

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