Carnival Horizon has developed a propulsion problem and will be delayed returning to Miami on Sunday, November 16.
This will impact embarkation for the next cruise and Carnival Cruise Line will provide an additional update Saturday evening.
This is at least the third time Carnival Horizon has developed propulsion problems since the ship entered service in 2018.
Guests onboard Carnival Horizon are getting a bit longer of a cruise than expected, and not necessarily in a good way. The ship has developed mechanical issues and is sailing slower than anticipated, which will mean a delay in her return to Miami.
The Vista-class ship is currently on an 8-night Southern Caribbean “ABC” itinerary that departed Miami on Saturday, November 8, 2025.
Carnival Cruise Line has reached out to guests booked on the next departure, scheduled to leave on Sunday for a 6-night Western Caribbean itinerary to Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Ocho Rios. That cruise will be impacted by the ship’s delay.
“Regrettably, Carnival Horizon has developed a mechanical issue that is affecting the ship’s cruising speed,”the email explained.“Consequently, the return to Miami will be later than scheduled for Sunday, November 16.”
Both shipboard and shoreside engineers are planning repairs to get Carnival Horizon back up to speed, which seems to indicate that the problem has already been identified and can be repaired. Exactly what repairs may be necessary have not been disclosed.
“Although the ship is sailing a bit slower, all features and venues are fully operating,”the email confirmed.
This means the ship’s safety and navigational systems are not compromised in any way, and all onboard dining, hotel, and entertainment is moving along as planned.
Guests are urged to sign up for text alerts to stay updated as further information becomes available and any embarkation revisions are confirmed.
How Slow Is Carnival Horizon Moving?
Satellite tracking data shows Carnival Horizon moving at just 16 knots (18 miles per hour) on Saturday afternoon as she heads back toward Miami.
At that speed, it would take Carnival Horizon at least 28 hours to cover the 500 miles she has to reach Miami, not counting extra time for slower harbor speeds or docking. The ship is currently sailing along the northern coast of Cuba, 40 miles east-northeast of Antilla.
Carnival Horizon Docked in Miami (Photo Credit: Just dance)
On a day at sea, cruise ships do typically reduce speed to offer a more comfortable sailing experience. For example, on Saturday afternoon, the following Carnival ships are also enjoying days at sea but still sailing at higher speeds than Carnival Horizon:
Carnival Paradise – 18 knots
Carnival Liberty – 20 knots
Carnival Celebration – 17 knots
Carnival Pride – 17 knots
Carnival Panorama – 20 knots
While Carnival Horizon is not moving significantly slower than some other at-sea ships in the fleet, if the vessel cannot increase speed overnight, her return to Miami will be very much impacted.
At the moment, her estimated time of arrival to Miami is 10:30 a.m. on Sunday. This is a satellite tracking estimate only and not an official confirmation of her planned arrival.
Other Vista-class ships have likewise had propulsion difficulties, but mechanical problems are not confined to just one class of ships or one cruise line.
Hopefully, Carnival Horizon‘s current issue will be a minor one with quick repairs that can get the ship sailing smoothly forward for her next cruise.
A cruise ship’s naming ceremony, or christening, is one of the most important milestones for a new build because it officially launches its career at sea.
And in November of 2025, four brand new cruise ships have (or will be) christened in a ten-day time span.
These include Princess Cruises’ Star Princess on November 6, Disney Cruises’ Disney Destiny on November 10, and Oceania Cruises’ Oceania Allura on November 13, 2025.
Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Xcel will be christened on November 16, bringing the total to four naming ceremonies in ten days.
This spells good news for the cruise industry, which has absolutely been booming – and the upward trajectory is expected to continue into the new year.
A record 21.7 million Americans are expected to cruise in 2026, which is a 4.5% increase upon the 20.7 million projected to set sail in 2025.
Thankfully, these ships will be able to accommodate a combined 12,760 guests on every sailing (when looking at capacity numbers based on double occupancy).
Godparents Camila and Matthew McConaughey broke from tradition to bless the ship using a bottle of their brand of tequila, which is Pantalones Tequila.
I was then lucky enough to stay onboard for the second Sphere-class ship’s maiden voyage, which was a 3-night sailing to the Bahamas that officially embarked on November 7.
But while this was her official inaugural sailing in the US, the 4,300-guest ship operated a series of European sailings before crossing the Atlantic. She only arrived in Fort Lauderdale on November 5.
The young ship will remain homeported in Fort Lauderdale through April of next year, when she relocates to Seattle to begin her inaugural Alaska season.
The 177,800-gross ton vessel was constructed by Fincantieri at its shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy – where Sun Princess was also built.
Disney Destiny
Disney Destiny, DCL’s “heroes and villains” themed ship, received a hero’s welcome during her naming ceremony in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on November 10, 2025.
The event was commemorated with the fanfare that Disney is known for, including drone effects, scenic projections on the Wish-class ship itself, and elaborate musical performances.
This is fitting as Susan Egan, the prolific Broadway performer and famous Disney voice actress, is her godmother.
Since the naming ceremony, the 4,000-guest ship has been operating preview sailings for VIPs, travel experts, and members of the media.
Disney Destiny Naming Ceremony
She will officially kick off revenue sailings on November 20, 2025, with a 5-night maiden voyage to both of Disney’s private islands in the Bahamas: Castaway Cay and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.
But she is now home to stay, and will continue operating Caribbean and Bahamas-bound sailings through at least mid-2027.
She’s really come a long way since construction first began at the Meyer Werft Shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, in March of 2024.
Oceania Allura
Up next is Oceania Allura, which was formally named in Miami, Florida, on November 13, 2025. She had first arrived in the US at the end of October.
The pier-side ceremony culminated in a first-of-its kind godparent christening, in which several acclaimed chefs representing the Food & Wine Best New Chefs franchise came together to bless the ship.
Oceania Allura Cruise Ship
Following the festivities, the 1,200-guest vessel launched her inaugural season in the Caribbean.
Her inaugural voyage actually already set sail months ago on July 18, 2025. It was a 6-night sailing from Trieste, Italy, to Athens, Greece.
The 68,000-gross ton ship will continue to homeport in Miami through spring of next year, when she crosses back to Europe.
She will even return to Italy, not far from where she was constructed in the Fincantieri shipyard in Sestri Ponente, Genoa, Italy.
Celebrity Xcel
Celebrity’s newest Edge-class ship arrived in the US in early November to prepare for her naming ceremony and official launch. While she waits, she has been operating preview sailings.
The 3,260-guest ship will officially be christened on November 16, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale.
Once christened, the 140,600-gross ton ship will embark on a 5-night maiden voyage to Bimini Island in the Bahamas and Cozumel, Mexico, on November 18.
She will continue to homeport in Fort Lauderdale, operating Bahamas and Caribbean sailings, until the spring of 2026.
Starting in May, she will primarily homeport in Barcelona, with the occasional embarkation from Athens, Greece.
She’ll even return to her “birth country” of France. For context, the innovative ship was constructed in the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France.
We’re back with the top news stories of the week from Cruise Hive, keeping you up to date on developments from the major cruise lines and ports of call.
In this week’s news recap, some of our coverage highlights include the sinking of an excursion boat in the Caribbean, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas deploying to Texas in 2027, and MSC Cruises ordering two more mega-ships.
Get your daily cruise news fix by and sign up for Cruise Hive’s Daily Update, delivered to your inbox each morning.
Cruise Guests Saved After Excursion Boat Sinks
A catamaran sail on the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea sounds like the perfect cruise excursion, but for a group of cruisers in the Dominican Republic, it turned into a scary experience they are unlikely to soon forget.
It happened on November 9, 2025 when guests sailing on TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 1 were enjoying their catamaran excursion in Samana Bay. The boat apparently had an internal failure or may have collided with an underwater object and taken on water.
Sinking Catamaran Boat (Credit: Dominican Navy)
The 40-foot vessel quickly sank, leaving some 50 guests in the sea. Thankfully, all of them were reported to be wearing life vests and were rescued by the Navy of the Dominican Republic.
The incident is under investigation. There were no major injuries reported, and all of the cruise guests were returned to their ship. Videos and pictures posted on social media show one section of the catamaran sticking out of the water.
Mein Schiff 1 is sailing a 14-night voyage that did not originally have the Dominican Republic on its itinerary. The ship was operating a revised route due to cancelled calls at two Jamaican ports, and the Dominican Republic call had been added in place of Ocho Rios and Montego Bay.
Massive Wave Sweeps Cruise Guests Off Pier
In a tragic turn of events in Tenerife, Canary Islands, three people died and 15 were injured when a giant wave swamped a pier where tourists, including a group of cruise passengers, were enjoying ocean views in Puerto de la Cruz.
The event happened on November 8, 2025, and at least one of the dead was a cruise passenger and a Dutch national. The unidentified woman was reported to have died from a heart attack after being swept into the sea. About 10 other people from a cruise ship were also swept off the pier and into the water.
Wave Hitting and After
Rescue teams successfully pulled all of the people from the water. The cruise passengers were on a shore tour from a ship calling at Tenerife, but it is unknown which cruise ship they were sailing on.
Silversea Cruises’ Silver Dawn and TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 3 were docked in Tenerife that day. Other tourists, including a French group, were swept into the water by the same rogue wave.
The pier apparently had a warning beacon, and it is not clear why the tourists disregarded it. Tenerife is known for its heavy surf and large swells that can unexpectedly create huge waves.
Celebrity Cruises Unwraps 2027-28 Itineraries
From Asia to South America and the Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises unveiled its 2027-28 roster of cruises that sail to 131 destinations in 42 countries, many with longer stays in port.
With its largest deployment to date from Florida ports, the line will base eight ships in the Sunshine State, offering cruises to 65 destinations in the Caribbean.
Among them are Celebrity Beyond sailing from Miami, and Celebrity Xcel, Celebrity Ascent, Celebrity Silhouette, and Celebrity Eclipse from Fort Lauderdale. Other ships will sail from Port Canaveral and Tampa.
Celebrity Ascent Cruise Ship
Itinerary highlights will feature Panama Canal transits and visits to Perfect Day at CocoCay, in the Bahamas.
Celebrity Equinox will explore South America with 14-night cruises that visit popular sights such as the Chilean Fjords, Tierra del Fuego National Park, and Cape Horn. Itineraries will call at ports in seven countries.
Two ships, Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Millennium, will operate Asia voyages to destinations including Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Longer port calls are planned, as are overnight stays in key destinations like Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Phuket.
Royal Caribbean Offers Deals on Oversold Cruise
Passengers booked on an oversold Royal Caribbean voyage during the Thanksgiving holiday were offered some pretty tempting deals to help alleviate the crush of bookings.
The overtures are being made to guests booked on Allure of the Seas’ 8-night Eastern Caribbean cruise set to depart Port Everglades on November 22, 2025.
Allure of the Seas in the Bahamas (Photo Credit: Adam McCullough)
Under the first option, guests who did not book an interior cabin are being asked to move their reservation to an inside stateroom, and those who agree will receive a full refund of their cruise fare. They would sail free, basically, not counting any packages or shore excursions, if they downgrade their accommodations.
Under a second option, guests can cancel the cruise, receive a full refund, and also enjoy a future cruise credit that totals 50% of the cruise fare they paid. The credit can be used on any Royal Caribbean cruise sailing on or before November 22, 2026.
In this instance, the cruise line will reimburse guests for non-refundable expenses, like airfares and hotels. Guests interested in opting for either offer must notify the line by November 18, 2025.
Icon of the Seas Deploys to Galveston in 2027
As the saying goes, everything is bigger in Texas, and that will soon apply to the Port of Galveston, where the mega-ship Icon of the Seas will be based starting in August 2027.
Icon of the Seas is one of the world’s two biggest cruise ships (the other is her sister ship Star of the Seas), at 1,198 feet long and weighing 250,800 gross tons. These ships can accommodate up to 7,600 passengers plus 2,300 crew members.
Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas (Photo Credit: Just dance)
Icon of the Seaswill reposition from her current homeport, Miami, and begin sailing 6- to 8-night cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. The ship will officially leave Miami for the Lone Star State on August 7, 2027 and sail her repositioning cruise.
The ship’s first cruise from the Texas port will be a 7-night Western Caribbean voyage. The weeklong cruises call at Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico, and Roatan, Honduras. Six-night sailings will visit those same ports, but offer one less day at sea. The 8-night voyages add Perfect Day at CocoCay, in the Bahamas.
Guests who love to sail Icon-class ships from Florida will still be able to do so, since Star of the Seas is based at Port Canaveral, and Legend of the Seas, due to enter service in summer 2026, will homeport at Port Everglades.
Royal Caribbean Details 2027-28 Voyages From US Ports
Royal Caribbean ships will sail from four US ports in 2027-28, offering voyages from 4 to 12 nights to destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico, Bermuda, and Canada.
Nine ships will sail from homeports in Los Angeles, Galveston, Baltimore, and Cape Liberty. Caribbean and Mexico cruises will offer guests the chance to visit Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in the Bahamas, set to open in December 2025, and Royal Beach Club Cozumel in Mexico, slated to debut in 2026.
Icon of the Seas Departing Miami (Photo Credit: Florida Chuck)
Perhaps the biggest piece of news is that Icon of the Seas will deploy to Galveston, starting in August 2027 (see related brief above).
Here’s the rundown of the planned deployments:
Liberty of the Seas, Icon of the Seas, and Symphony of the Seas from Galveston to Western Caribbean ports.
Ovation of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas from Los Angeles to Mexico and Catalina Island.
Oasis of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, and Independence of the Seas from Cape Liberty to the Bahamas, Caribbean, Canada/New England.
Vision of the Seas from Baltimore to the Caribbean, Bermuda, and Canada.
MSC Cruises’ World Class Expanding to 8 Ships
MSC Cruises’ World class just keeps on growing. The line announced another ship order, this time for two vessels, that will expand the class to eight ships by 2031.
The order, worth about $4 billion, was confirmed by the line and the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France, where the World-class ships are all being built.
The latest two, temporarily referred to as World Class 7 and World Class 8, will debut in 2030 and 2031, respectively. The class is the industry’s biggest in terms of gross tonnage and passenger capacity, behind Royal Caribbean’s massive Icon class.
New MSC World Class Orders Agreement
Two MSC World-class ships are already sailing — MSC World Europa, which was introduced in 2022, and MSC World America, which launched in 2025.
Two are under construction: MSC World Asia, due to enter service in 2026, and MSC World Atlantic, set to debut in 2027. And two more, World Class 5 and World Class 6, are ordered but not yet under construction. They will launch in 2029 and 2030, respectively.
The announcement of the latest order coincided with construction milestones for MSC World Asia, which was floated out of her bay, and MSC Atlantica, which held its keel laying ceremony.
More Cruise Headlines
Stick around for even more news from Cruise Hive, such as a new gameshow launching on Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas, a third new ship being ordered for luxe line Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and Carnival Cruise Line updating its onboard party schedules.
Also, Royal Caribbean’s Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is nearing completion, and Princess Cruises’ ships will add Celebration Key as a port call in 2026.
Take it from an old pro with plenty of cruises under my belt: There are some key mistakes you can make on a cruise that clearly call you out as a rookie.
Not only can these mistakes lead to a less-than-ideal cruise experience, but in some cases, they can even cost you money. Here are 20 mistakes newbies always make on a cruise, so you can avoid them and cruise like a pro, too.
Don’t be the cruisers who’re lugging multiple, giant bags to the cruise terminal. Not only will you not have much space to store your luggage in your stateroom (and unless you book an extra-large suite, you won’t have the floorspace for it, either), but there’s a lot you just don’t need on a cruise.
Sure, you want the essentials, like toiletries and OTC meds, so you don’t end up paying a premium on the ship. However, there are many items a cabin steward can fetch for you on request (like a small fan if you’re prone to overheating at night, as one example).
And, if you’re really worried about clothes, you can always do your laundry on the ship. That said, many cruisers find they really just need pool-going and excursion clothes, and then one or two nicer outfits.
Overpacking will just leave you frustrated as you try to navigate your stateroom.
2. Wearing a Lanyard Everywhere
Yes, a lanyard can be useful for holding your room key, cash, or whatever else you want to have on hand, but it’s a clear indicator that you’re a cruise newbie.
Leave the lanyard in your stateroom unless you’re just going to the pool or the buffet. Otherwise, don’t let it mess up your formal look in the main dining room and definitely don’t wear it in port. It’ll be like a neon sign attracting grifters looking for tourists to scam.
3. Showing Up to the Main Dining Room Whenever
You may just assume that, because your cruise fare includes dining in the main dining room, that you can show up at any time during dinner service to eat — but it’s not that simple. If you just show up expecting to get in, immediately, you could be disappointed.
Many cruise lines’ main dining rooms have set dining times. There’s an early seating and a late seating. This is the case on both Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line.
Arendelle Dining Room, Disney Wish (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)
However, both of these cruise lines also offer basically an “anytime dining” option, which allows you to show up whenever you want — but you have to actually choose that option when you’re booking your cruise. Even then, reservations are still recommended, as seating is based on availability and there could be a wait.
Norwegian Cruise Line, in contrast, is a bit more flexible, with no fixed dining times.
So, before you just show up at the main dining room and expect to be immediately seated, know what dining plan you have and what the cruise line’s policy is.
4. Not Booking Activities Ahead of Time
There are a lot of activities that book up quickly on a cruise, so if you have your heart set on a certain experience, book it ahead of time.
Open Deck of Disney Wish (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)
For example, parents taking Disney Cruise Line cruises say that the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique’s makeover spots fill up quickly, which can leave a kid rather crestfallen if they don’t get to enjoy that experience during their vacation.
So, if there’s something you absolutely must do — even if it’s just eating at a certain restaurant or going on a certain excursion — make that reservation as soon as you can.
5. Not Taking Advantage of the Main Dining Room Menu
Many cruise lines will allow you to order multiple apps, entrees and desserts off the main dining room menu, so don’t make the mistake of thinking you’re just stuck with one selection out of what’s offered.
Utopia of the Seas Dining Room (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz / Cruise Hive)
Really taking advantage of the main dining room is a great way to have a top-tier culinary experience without spending an extra dime.
6. Eating at the Buffet for Embarkation Day Lunch
If there’s one place to eat that’s going to be absolutely packed on embarkation day, it’s the buffet. This is in part because, on embarkation day, not all of the restaurants are going to be open for lunch. So, everyone just heads to the easiest option.
Utopia of the Seas Windjammer Buffet (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz / Cruise Hive)
However, if you don’t want to battle the crowds (and who does?), avoid the buffet at lunch and book a specialty restaurant for that meal. You may even find that some cruise ships will offer discounts on specialty dining on embarkation day!
7. Not Bringing Your Own Sunscreen
You’d think that buying sunscreen on a cruise ship would be easy, but that’s not always the case!
Pack your own sunscreen and, better yet, keep it in the bag that you’ll be carrying with you on embarkation day.
That way, if you go to the pool while you’re waiting for your larger luggage to be delivered to your stateroom by the porters, you can slather it on and avoid a bad sunburn — which is not exactly how you want to start off a vacation!
Oh, and did I mention that sunscreen on the ship isn’t cheap!
8. Not Remembering to Hydrate
For many cruisers, a cruise ship is a land of indulgence, but that indulgence can come at a price. While you’re soaking up all that sun on the pool deck, while you’re taking full advantage of your beverage package, while you’re going back for seconds (or thirds) at the buffet, remember to hydrate.
(Photo Credit: Angela Bragato)
Don’t get so overly excited about all that fun that you don’t take care of yourself, and end up taking yourself out of the game.
9. Trying to Do Too Much
Yes, when you’re on one of the big cruise ships, like Icon of the Seas, where there are multiple pools, a big waterpark, tons of indoor entertainment and more restaurants and bars than you could possibly visit in just a short, weeklong cruise, you might try to cram as much into your itinerary as possible.
Slides and Fun on Icon of the Seas (Photo Credit: Felix Mizioznikov)
However, slow down. Stop racing around, trying to fit it all in. There will be a next cruise. Rushing from one thing to the next will leave you with a lackluster experience. Enjoy yourself!
If there’s something you just didn’t get to do during your cruise, that’s all the more reason to start planning the next one as soon as you get home!
10. Overlooking Onboard Credits
You can get a ton of onboard credit, if you play your cards right. So, if that wasn’t part of the package deal you may have booked for your cruise, don’t despair.
Cruise Ship’s Guest Services Desk (Photo Credit: steve estvanik)
You can get onboard credits if the cruise fare drops and you paid more for your stateroom than it’s going for now. You can get onboard credits if you’re a member of a certain group, like an educator or similar public servant. You can get onboard credit by working with a travel agent.
Make sure you’re taking advantage of any onboard credit you can get, as it can really add up and make onboard costs, like drinks and specialty dining, far more affordable.
11. Attending the Specialty Demos or Shows
Throughout the cruise, you’ll probably see specialty demos or shows advertised, like art auctions, spa demos, etc. While some cruisers swear by attending these because you can occasionally get a free spa treatment or a free glass of Champagne, unless you’re really desperate for that freebie, just avoid them.
Cruise Event Show on MSC Cruises (Photo Credit: Ana del Castillo)
Long-time cruisers know that they’re just money sucks and you usually do end up spending money rather than getting something at a discount.
12. Arriving at Your Port on Embarkation Day
If you’ve read your fair share of Cruise Hive articles, then you know this is a piece of advice I repeat regularly: Don’t wait to get to your port city until embarkation day.
Cruise Ships at PortMiami (Photo Credit: byvalet)
Embarkation happens in the morning. If you have even the slightest delay whatsoever, whether you’re driving from another city, or flying, you risk missing the boat at worst, or just making things a lot more stressful for yourself, at best.
If you don’t actually live in the port city, book a hotel room for the night before your cruise leaves and enjoy a more leisurely embarkation day. It’ll get your cruise off on the right foot.
13. Getting to the Pool Mid-Morning or Later
Yes, while some ships have half a dozen pools scattered throughout, the pools can still get crowded — very, very crowded. Plus, that army of deck chairs that looks like it could fit everyone on the ship? They’re going to get snatched up fast.
Marella Cruises pool deck (Photo Credit: Go My Media)
If you really want to make sure you can snag a prime spot near the pool, prioritize getting to the pool in the early morning, before or right after breakfast. Otherwise, you’ll be competing for a seat and may just end up shuffling around looking for an open spot in the crowd without any luck.
14. Only Getting Breakfast at the Buffet
While many cruisers opt to go to the buffet for breakfast, those in the know recommend heading to the main dining room instead. While you won’t get the wealth of options that you might at the buffet, you will enjoy a quieter, nicer setting, as well as better service.
15. Trying to Wing it With Food Sensitivities
If you have any food sensitivities or dietary restrictions at all, from allergies to specialty diets like veganism, make a point to inform the cruise line in writing ahead of time, as well as to talk to the restaurant manager(s) once you’re on the ship.
Lido Buffet on Carnival Splendor (Photo Credit: Carnival)
Many cruise lines can accommodate such needs, but you’re actually going to need to speak up. Don’t go to the buffet thinking you’ll be able to automatically spot what’s vegan and what’s not, or that you’ll see a bunch of gluten-free options on the main dining room menu like you might on a typical restaurant’s menu.
16. Forgetting Motion Sickness Essentials
You may have never suffered from motion sickness in your entire life. You’ll still want to pick up some motion sickness medication for use during your cruise.
Cruise Passenger With Motion Sickness (Photo Credit: GBALLGIGGSPHOTO)
You never know when you’ll end up seasick for the very first time, and you don’t want to be at sea without a solution when the time comes.
Luckily, most cruisers find that, if they start taking their medication before boarding, they have no issues whatsoever.
17. Lingering in Port Right Until It’s Time to Leave
Getting back onto the cruise ship after a day in port takes a long time. Sometimes, you could end up standing in line, waiting to get back onboard, for hours.
That said, if you try to wait until the line’s gone, and you head back to the ship too late, you could miss it completely (the cruise ship isn’t going to wait around for you unless you’re on a cruise line-arranged excursion that’s running behind).
Make a note of the ship’s departure time and then make sure you’re back to the ship with plenty of time to spare. If you don’t want to wait in line, you may want to head back as much as an hour or more before the departure time.
18. Hogging the Deck Chairs
Remember how I said that you’re going to need to arrive early to get one of those oh-so-coveted deck chairs by the pool? Well, if you do get to the pool around breakfast time and get a great seat, the one thing you don’t want to do is hog it, just like what cruise passengers did here!
Royal Caribbean Chair Hogging (Credit: @jesstravel7)
That doesn’t mean that you can’t sit in that chair all day long. What it does mean is that you can’t put your towel, pool bag, shoes or a book on the chair and then leave it for hours at a time while you do other things, “reserving” it for your later use.
If you’re going to leave your claimed chair, only do so for about half an hour, max.
19. Being Too Shy to Ask Questions
The crew members are a font of great info. Don’t be afraid to ask any of the crew members, especially your cabin steward, for their advice and tips, both about the ship itself and what to do while onboard, as well as about what to do in port.
Carnival Crew Members Give Tips
20. Just Showing Up Without Doing Your Research
Last, but certainly not least, don’t just show up at port for embarkation day without doing a little research. Read up on your cruise line and its policies, the individual ship you’re sailing on and the various ports you’ll be stopping at.
MSC Foundation will transport a dozen containers of relief supplies to storm-ravaged Jamaica at no cost.
The foundation, a unit of MSC Group, has also donated 14 containers loaded with supplies.
MSC Divina delivered thousands of gallons of bottled water and other goods on November 11, 2025.
As Jamaica continues to recover from the massive damage caused by Hurricane Melissa in late October 2025, MSC Group has vowed to provide ongoing aid by transporting containers of relief supplies at no cost.
The relief operation has already started, in fact, with MSC Divina delivering 3,360 gallons of bottled water and 264 tarpaulins to the island nation on November 11, 2025.
The aid program is being run by MSC Foundation, the philanthropic division of MSC Group, which owns MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys. In addition to emergency relief efforts, the foundation assists with environmental conservation, education, and other humanitarian causes.
It has committed to providing the free transport of 12 containers of relief supplies that will be shipped from the US, and is itself donating 14 containers to two local nonprofits — Food For the Poor and RG Cares Foundation.
MSC Divina’s delivery of the bottled water and tarps was made to local officials in Ocho Rios, one of the island’s busiest cruise ports.
While the 3,500-guest cruise ship has already delivered some supplies and may do so again, it is unclear which MSC Group ships will handle the massive container transports, since the company also owns a global cargo shipping operation.
“We are deeply committed to supporting the people of Jamaica as they respond to the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises and Chair of the MSC Foundation Executive Committee.
“Through the coordinated delivery of essential resources with our local partners, we are working to bring relief to affected communities and provide critical supplies to those in need,” added Vago.
Photo Credit: Debbie Ann Powell / Shutterstock
Hurricane Melissa, which made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 storm, caused massive damage in the northern and western regions of the island, particularly in the area of Montego Bay, another major cruise port.
Tourism temporarily came to a standstill, as resorts were shuttered for repairs and cruise ports closed.
Cruise Lines Step Up With Relief Efforts
Jamaica is beginning to slowly reopen, and the first cruise guests disembarked in Ocho Rios from Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam on November 11, 2025.
The ship, which is sailing a 14-night voyage from PortMiami, delivered 1,700 boxes of relief supplies containing food items, water, clothing, and other goods. Guests were allowed to disembark the ship at the port’s Turtle Bay Pier.
Other cruise lines are also stepping up to help Jamaica recover. The first cruise ship to visit the island was Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas, on November 4, 2025, however, passengers were not allowed to leave the ship.
Rhapsody of the Seasdropped off 120 pallets of bottled water, medical supplies, food, and other items, which were distributed to residents by local entities.
Other cruise lines, including Carnival Cruise Line, have pledged monetary donations to aid in Jamaica’s recovery. Meanwhile, government officials have set a goal to reopen virtually all tourism operations, including cruise tourism, by December 15, 2025.
Cruising is a big part of the island’s travel industry-related revenue, accounting for roughly $198 million during the 2023-24 season, according to a survey by the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association and Jamaica Vacations Limited.
During that season, 1.4 million cruise passengers visited Jamaica.
A 44-year-old Australian man has been debarked from Anthem of the Seas in New Zealand following a fight.
Authorities have confirmed he will have to make his own return travel arrangements to Australia.
Anthem of the Seas only began her Australian season two weeks ago and will remain Down Under until April.
When you have thousands of guests from all over the world sailing together on a floating city for several days, it’s inevitable that not everyone will get along with everyone else. Cruise lines are cracking down on poor behavior, as there is never an excuse for physical disagreements.
Royal Caribbean has abruptly disembarked a 44-year-old male guest from Anthem of the Seas while the ship was visiting Port Chalmers in Dunedin, New Zealand on Friday, November 14, 2025.
The man’s identity has not been revealed, perhaps due to an ongoing investigation or simply to preserve the privacy of his traveling companions.
According to the Otago Daily Times, the Australian man was involved in an altercation onboard and assaulted another male guest at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 13.
That passenger needed medical attention for a cut to his nose, but no other injuries were reported.
Authorities in Dunedin were notified and were there to meet the ship when it docked at Port Chalmers. Police reportedly spoke to everyone involved, and the guest was issued a warning for his poor conduct.
While it does not appear that any formal charges have been filed, Senior Sargent Anthony Bond confirmed the incident. The guest was disembarked from the Quantum-class cruise ship and will now need to make his way home without assistance.
The man’s family remained onboard the cruise ship to continue the sailing without him. No details have been confirmed about how many family members may have been part of his traveling party.
This is consistent with Royal Caribbean’s Guest Conduct Policy, which explicitly prohibits any abusive language or behavior, including “uninvited physical contact.” Discourteous or disruptive behavior is also prohibited.
If guests violate the policy, security will intervene and the guest may be confined to their stateroom or removed from the vessel.
The cruise line may also permanently ban a guest, though it is not certain if the guest in this specific incident has been banned from future Royal Caribbean sailings or other ships in the Royal Caribbean Group.
Anthem of the Seas departed Sydney, Australia on the 10-night New Zealand cruise on Monday, November 10. Dunedin was the second port of call following Fiordland National Park, and the vessel has already continued on to Lyttelton. The ship will return to Sydney on Thursday, November 20.
Anthem of the Seas Open Deck (Photo Credit: Go My Media / Shutterstock)
The 168,700-gross-ton cruise ship can welcome 4,180 guests at double occupancy or up to 4,905 travelers when fully booked. Also onboard are roughly 1,500 international crew members.
Anthem of the Seasonly arrived Down Under on October 31 for her Australian debut. She will remain homeported from Sydney until mid-April, until she leaves to spend the northern summer (Australian winter) in Alaska.
Incidents Are Not Tolerated Onboard
This is certainly not the first time a cruise passenger has been debarked from a ship for a fight, nor are these types of incidents confined to one cruise line or sailing region.
In September, Wonder of the Seas returned to PortMiami shortly after setting sail on a 4-night cruise because of a brawl with injuries, at least one of which required medical debarkation.
Multiple altercations have been noted on Carnival cruise ships, including a large-group fight in the Long Beach cruise terminal in August 2025 as well as what seem to be silly fights over chicken tenders, burgers, or personal relationships on different sailings.
In each case, the associated cruise line will take whatever actions are necessary and will not tolerate this type of disruptive and dangerous behavior.
A former member of Carnival Cruise Line’s Fun Squad was kicked off Carnival Valor after resigning from the company.
The employee gave two weeks of notice in an effort to leave on good terms and ease the transition.
The crew member was removed from the ship with only an hour’s notice in Cozumel, Mexico, leading to outrage on social media.
Leaving a job is almost always awkward, but most employees try to make their exits as graceful as possible.
But for one former member of the Fun Squad working onboard Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Valor, it’s likely safe to say that some bridges have been burned.
Crew Member Trevor Johnson submitted his resignation to the cruise line on November 4, 2025. Rather than immediately leaving, Johnson gave his two-week notice to allow for a smooth transition.
“I submitted my resignation on November 4th with the intention of leaving on November 20th — giving a full two-week notice,”Johnson wrote in a Facebook post that has gone viral.
“I wanted to allow time for a smooth transition, to help find a replacement, and to say goodbye properly to everyone who had become like family aboard the Valor,”he continued.
His final day on the job was supposed to be November 20, 2025, when the Conquest-class shipwould be visiting her homeport in New Orleans, Louisiana, to disembark one Western Caribbean sailing and embark on another.
However, an abrupt goodbye is ultimately what Trevor got – and in a foreign country to boot.
On November 12, 2025, Johnson says he received an early “5:00 a.m. knock” on his door telling him that he would have to disembark for good during the ship’s visit to Cozumel, Mexico, that day.
Trevor Johnson
He was told that he only had an hour to pack his things and say goodbye to his life at sea.
“How embarrassing and devastating it was to pack up my entire life in just one hour — with no chance to say proper goodbyes to my onboard family, and no time to think,”he recounted.
Johnson thanked HR, the hotel director, and the entertainment director for giving him a little extra time to fit in a few goodbyes, but the whole experience left him feeling “humiliated, disrespected, and deeply embarrassed.”
Two Sides to Every Story
While there is a lot of speculation online about what may have led to Johnson’s abrupt dismissal, it’s important to acknowledge that we have only heard one side of the story.
It’s always possible that more is going on behind the scenes than what Johnson has publicly shared, or that the cruise line may recall certain events differently.
Based on Johnson’s post and his released resignation letter, it appears that he was at odds with the company over not being promoted to cruise director.
Trevor Johnson With John Heald
“Yes, it’s true — my dream was to become a future Cruise Director with Carnival. That goal fueled me every single day,”Johnson wrote.
“But the reality is, there are people in the office (shoreside) who simply don’t like me or my brand — and today, they showed exactly why I made the decision to leave. It’s unfortunate that one person’s dislike or hate can dictate someone else’s growth,” he continued.
While his feelings were written respectfully, they suggest that more tension or resentment could have potentially been brewing under the surface.
But aside from conflict between the parties, it’s also possible that the reason behind the removal was as simple as they found Johnson’s replacement and needed the cabin space to bring them onboard and kick start their training.
Why Cozumel?
It’s not uncommon for cruise lines to disembark former crew members at the next acceptable port of call that has the necessary customs and airport facilities.
Even though Johnson had set a date to depart during a turnaround day in New Orleans, which would have been very convenient for the Louisiana resident, he still got a rude awakening in Mexico.
That said, cruise ship jobs do not operate like jobs on land.
Every time crew members come onboard, they agree to work and live on their assigned ships for a certain time period set forth in a contract. Leaving early or resigning would technically be in breach of that contract.
Carnival Valor Cruise Ship in Cozumel (Photo Credit: Solarisys)
In many cases, this means that the resignee would be disembarked at the next port of call that has appropriate customs and transportation access for them to make their way home.
What doesn’t make sense here is that Carnival Valor has already visited several ports, including New Orleans, where Johnson could have been told to leave early.
It’s unclear why Carnival chose this port and date, but many online thought the decision may have malicious roots.
“This man is a Louisiana native and lives in Louisiana, so it was especially cruel to make him get off in Cozumel and take a flight home when they could have just dropped him back off in his home state – where they were headed afterwards anyway,”one person said on Reddit.
“Not happy with the way they treated you!! Just remember…one door closes for another to open. A bright future is ahead for you,” another commented on Johnson’s Facebook page.
If leaving early, the employee is typically ineligible for rehire and also has to pay their own travel expenses unless specific circumstances like a death in the family or medical reasons are at play.
Johnson did not comment publicly on that element, but did confirm that he had made it home safely in a subsequent Facebook post.
Princess Cruises has opened bookings for its Caribbean season in 2027-2028 with 187 departure options.
Panama Canal sailings are especially interesting with different ships and cruise lengths to choose from.
Six Princess Cruises ships will also be visiting Celebration Key for another unique destination.
Princess Cruises is planning its most diverse and expansive Caribbean season in history for the winter of 2027-2028, as well as introducing new port visits to none other than Celebration Key.
From October 2027 through April 2028, the line is offering impressive sailing statistics on the now-open bookings:
187 departures from 5 homeports – Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral, New York, and San Juan
Nine ships offering Caribbean itineraries, including Star Princess and Sun Princess
43 unique itinerary options that range from 4-15 nights long (or longer with back-to-back cruises!)
31 different port destinations that include 22 unique Caribbean islands
“We’re incredibly excited to bring our guests an expanded Caribbean season filled with more of what they love – sun-soaked destinations, immersive experiences, and the elegance of our two newest Sphere-class ships,”said Jim Berra, Princess Cruises Chief Commercial Officer.
Of special interest is Princess Cruises’ Panama Canal offerings from 2026 through 2028.
As the cruise line offering the most canal visits and transits of anyone in the industry, Princess Cruises ensures guests have outstanding experiences with experts onboard every ship who narrate the transit and share history and trivia about the engineering marvel.
Five ships will offer Panama Canal itineraries, including the new Star Princess as well as Caribbean Princess, Island Princess, Coral Princess, and Emerald Princess.
Star Princess‘ first Panama Canal visit is the ship’s April 13, 2026 departure, a 20-night repositioning sailing from Fort Lauderdale to Seattle with a full transit of the canal to cross from the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean. Along the way, Star Princess will visit Aruba, Mazatlan, Cabo San Lucas, and Los Angeles.
This amazing voyage will lead to Star Princess‘ first season in Alaska, offering guests unparalleled opportunities for a once-in-a-lifetime cruise vacation.
Other Panama Canal sailings will depart from Port Canaveral, Los Angeles, and Vancouver, ensuring that eager guests have various options to suit their travel preferences.
Princess Ships to Visit Celebration Key
Guests on select sailings will have one more unique port visit to celebrate as Princess Cruises ships begin calling on Celebration Key in the Bahamas.
While the private destination was initially designed and debuted for the exclusive use of Carnival Cruise Line, its wild popularity has inspired even more visits within the Carnival Corporation & plc family.
“Celebration Key is an extraordinary destination oasis and adding it to our itineraries gives guests even more ways to savor the Caribbean,”said Berra.
From the welcoming vibes of Paradise Plaza to the family-friendly Starfish Lagoon to the exclusive adults-only Pearl Cove Beach Club, Celebration Key offers something for everyone to enjoy.
The Bahamian-infused destination features live music, multiple ways to enjoy beach lounging, vibrant shopping and much more, adding a new way for guests to get their Caribbean groove on while sampling more than 30 dining and beverage options, admiring Bahamian artwork, and feeling at peace with the islands.
Princess Cruises ships with itineraries that feature Celebration Key include Sky Princess, Sun Princess, Regal Princess, Caribbean Princess, Enchanted Princess, and Star Princess in the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons.
Sailings range from 4-16 nights and also visit other top ports such as Grand Turk, Belize, Cozumel, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, and more, depending on ship, sailing date, and cruise length.
With so much to offer on sun-soaked Caribbean sailings, every Princess Cruises guest can find an itinerary, sailing date, and exciting destination for their upcoming cruise plans.
Roadwork on Harborside Drive at Port of Galveston may cause traffic congestion until the end of the year.
Guests should plan alternative routes to reach their cruise terminals and allot extra time in case of delays.
As many as 70 upcoming sailings may be impacted by the traffic issues through December 2025.
The holidays are a popular time for cruise vacations, bringing family members and friends together for fantastic memories while they sail away from seasonal frustrations. But guests sailing out of Galveston will need to be aware of some potential traffic snarls on their way to the cruise port.
Port of Galveston has posted a travel advisory regarding ongoing road construction on Harborside Drive (State Highway 275), the primary road that connects the different cruise terminals on the port’s south side.
Lane closures on Harborside Drive will begin on Monday, November 17, 2025 and are expected to continue through the end of December. This includes through the busy holiday cruise season and will impact as many as 70 ship visits through the end of the year.
“Drivers — including cruise passengers, supply trucks and other port-related traffic — should expect delays, especially on cruise days,”the advisory reads.“To help minimize travel time, please use your navigation app to plan your route in advance and allow extra time to reach your destination safely.”
The bulk of the construction will be between 14th Street and I-45. The corner of Harborside Drive and 14th Street is the intersection on the west side of the Royal Caribbean cruise terminal, while I-45 is at the far west end of the port at the base of Galveston Causeway.
This key traffic route passes multiple cruise parking lots, which can further complicate traffic on the busiest cruise days.
Resurfacing the road is the bulk of the $3.5 million project, but adding lanes, sidewalks, and bike lanes, creating turning lanes and U-turn lanes, and other improvements are part of the project in different areas in Galveston.
“We appreciate the public’s patience as TxDOT completes these important roadway improvements supporting access and safety on Harborside Drive,”the advisory read.
While lane closures are going to be restricted to weekdays as much as possible, occasional weekend closures are still likely and will impact even greater numbers of travelers.
Galveston Cruise Terminals Aerial View (Photo Credit: Felix Mizioznikov)
Cruise guests should be mindful of the construction and plan their travel to Port of Galveston accordingly. In addition to checking for alternative routes, guests should plan for extra time to possible congestion and delays.
These precautions will apply not only to guests driving their own vehicles, but also when arranging ride share services, shuttles, or just being dropped off or picked up by family members or friends.
Cruise Traffic Growing in Galveston
These potential traffic concerns come just one week after the port officially opened Cruise Terminal 16, the fourth terminal at the rapidly growing cruise homeport.
This is the dedicated terminal for MSC Cruises and MSC Seascape has already begun sailing from Galveston with 7-night Western Caribbean itineraries.
Beginning December 13, Norwegian Viva will also homeport from Galveston’s newest cruise terminal, which will be used seasonally by Norwegian Cruise Line.
In 2026, Port of Galveston expects to welcome 445 sailings hosting nearly two million cruise passengers. Hopefully, this road construction will not be delayed and cruise guests in the new year will enjoy new and smoother roads.
In the meantime, guests setting sail from the Lone Star State in the next few weeks should remain in close contact with their cruise lines for any specific updates and be prepared for possible congestion and delays as they move in and out of the cruise port.
