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Miami Breaks 1 Million Cruise Passengers in a Single Month

Melissa Mayntz
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Miami Breaks 1 Million Cruise Passengers in a Single Month

Key Aspects:

  • PortMiami welcomed more than one million cruise guests during November 2025.
  • This is the first time in the port’s history so many guests have passed through in a single month.
  • PortMiami is home to several of the world’s largest cruise ships from different cruise lines.

November 2025 was one-in-a-million for PortMiami, or more accurately, a-million-in-one with more than one million guests passing through the South Florida cruise port.

This is the first time in the history of the Cruise Capital of the World that seven-figures’ worth of cruise guests have moved through the various terminals within a single month.

“Last month was hard to beat!” PortMiami announced on X with celebratory emojis.

“For the first time in the seaport’s history, PortMiami surpassed 1 million passengers in a single month with a total of 1,007,325 passengers in November 2025.”

While an incredible month, the record-breaking, history-making total comes just one month too late to help PortMiami retain the title of “World’s Busiest Cruise Port,” which Port Canaveral took over at the end of the fiscal year, which was the end of October.

Nevertheless, this outstanding number bodes well for PortMiami to perhaps regain that recognition for 2026.

Busiest Port Days in South Florida

With some of the world’s largest cruise ships homeporting in Miami, it’s no surprise that the popular port would reach the one-million milestone.

Homeported ships include these largest ships of their respective lines:

  • Icon of the Seas – Royal Caribbean (248,700 gross tons, 7,600 guests)
  • MSC World America – MSC Cruises (216,700 gross tons, 6,762 guests)
  • Carnival Celebration – Carnival Cruise Line (183,500 gross tons, 6,631 guests)
  • Norwegian Encore – Norwegian Cruise Line (169,120 gross tons, 4,000 guests)

Even if only smaller vessels happen to be visiting PortMiami on any given day, it’s not unusual for the port to host a half-dozen ships or more simultaneously. In November, the port welcomed at least six ships on 12 different days.

Cruise Ships at PortMiami
Cruise Ships at PortMiami (Photo Credit: PortMiami)

November 30 was particularly noteworthy, with 10 different cruise ships from seven different cruise lines in port: Symphony of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Azamara Onward, Scarlet Lady, Norwegian Aqua, MSC Divina, Celebrity Beyond, Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Horizon, and Carnival Celebration.

On that day, PortMiami welcomed 75,201 cruise guests, the most in a single day in the port’s history.

“We’re breaking records at PortMiami!” the port shared on Facebook. “On Sunday, November 30, 2025, PortMiami set a new daily passenger record with 75,201 passengers traveling through the Cruise Capital of the World. Cheers to more milestones.”

Of course, who knew that next milestone would be the total for just that month! Undoubtedly, even more milestones are on the way for the popular homeport.

Not All Cruise Guests Happy

While it’s amazing the PortMiami is able to handle so many cruise guests, not all travelers are feeling the love. Ongoing construction and roadway projects not only at the port but in adjacent downtown Miami can make getting to and from the cruise terminals a strategic nightmare.

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Some recent guests have reported traffic snarls that last 1-2 hours or longer, even when staying in hotels close to the cruise port.

Special events such as parades, concerts, art festivals, and marathons can further clog traffic in the port vicinity.

Guests with cruises booked from PortMiami should investigate if there are any events that might impact their departure or traffic when they return to Florida, and should always plan adequate time to reach their cruise terminal on time.

Carnival Expands Adults-Only Cruises for 2026

Melissa Mayntz
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0
Carnival Expands Adults-Only Cruises for 2026

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Cruise Line is now offering more adults-only sailings in 2026.
  • Two transatlantic cruises, one Mediterranean voyage, and one Caribbean itinerary are available.
  • Sailings are very limited and expected to sell out quickly.

Following on the immense popularity of their first-ever adults-only sailings over the past few months, Carnival Cruise Line has announced more SEA cruises in 2026, much to the delight of guests eager for these “sailings exclusively for adults.”

The new SEA cruises are only on select dates and bookings are limited. Interested guests are urged to sign up for email updates so they can be alerted as soon as new options are made available.

“We are excited to be hosting some additional adults-only cruises next year!” confirmed John Heald, the cruise line’s brand ambassador. “This is definitely on a first come first to get a cabin situation here so my advice would be to register as soon as you can.”

The “instant offer sign up” lets eager cruisers register for free or login in they already have a VIFP number.

Carnival Glory, Carnival Dream, and Carnival Paradise are all offering select SEA cruises. Because these cruises are capacity-limited and only available on certain sailings, bookings are expected to sell out very quickly. Once space is filled, the available sailings are removed from the options.

Which New SEA Cruises Are Available?

Carnival is trying to offer a variety of sailings so more guests have the chance to take advantage of these unique cruises.

Of special interest are Carnival Dream‘s February 16 departure from Galveston as well as Carnival Glory‘s March 10 departure from Port Canaveral.

Worth Reading: Carnival Cruise Guests Question Purpose of Adults-Only Area Onboard

Both of these sailings are 15-night transatlantic cruises that will end in Barcelona. Along the way, Carnival Dream will visit Bermuda, Gibraltar, Malaga, and Alicante, while Carnival Glory will visit Ponta Delgada, Funchal, Cadiz, Malaga, and Alicante.

Undoubtedly, these two sailings were selected to become SEA cruises because the longer, one-way voyages naturally appeal more to adults and would have fewer families onboard anyway. This means it will be easier to shift any existing bookings for guests who cannot qualify for what are now adults-only sailings.

Carnival Glory Cruise Ship int he Bahamas
Carnival Glory Cruise Ship int he Bahamas (Photo Credit: Dennis MacDonald)

Carnival Glory‘s March 25, 2026 departure, her first European sailing following her crossing, is a 15-night Mediterranean sailing roundtrip from Barcelona and is another SEA cruise.

This presents a very unique opportunity for interested guests to plan a back-to-back on adults-only voyages.

Carnival Paradise is offering a 10-night Caribbean SEA cruise departing Tampa on April 13, with visits to Key West, Grand Turk, Amber Cove, Montego Bay, and Grand Cayman.

Read Also: Everything to Know About Carnival’s Adults-Only SEA Cruises

Interested guests must sign up for the exclusive adults-only offer and bookings must be made by Tuesday, January 6.

It is possible that additional itineraries will be offered, though as staterooms sell out quickly, not all voyages may be available for booking. Guests should check back frequently for more stateroom availability.

Not All Guests Happy

While some Carnival guests are thrilled with these additional SEA cruises, not everyone is pleased with the new offerings.

“All during February through April. Works out great for educators,” one guest quipped.

“Why is West Coast always [forgotten] about?” another asked.

Naturally, these unique cruises are still new ventures for Carnival Cruise Line. Heald has previously noted that Carnival will not forsake its special brand of family fun and will always remain a family cruise line.

This means the SEA cruises will always be limited and unique. While more may be planned in the future when they can be arranged, there are no plans for the cruise line to dedicate one (or more) ships solely to adults-only sailings.

What to Expect on a SEA Cruise

These adults-only cruises are still evolving, but they involve much more than just age limits on passengers.

Extra casino offers are popular on SEA cruises, and casino space is even expanded so more guests can enjoy tempting Lady Luck. Casino tournaments and themed parties are also popular activities onboard.

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Unique, elevated menus both in specialty restaurants as well as in the Main Dining Rooms are a key feature of SEA cruises, with tastes curated to more adult palettes. Of course, the popular free food venues such as the Blue Iguana and Guy’s Burgers are still available.

More adult-themed comedy shows and other onboard activities are also available on these sailings, ensuring that all of Carnival’s signature fun is still part of the fun (minus the kids!).

Carnival Cruise Brands Secure Broadcast Rights for FIFA World Cup Matches

Donna Tunney
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Carnival Cruise Brands Secure Broadcast Rights for FIFA World Cup Matches

Key Aspects:

  • Several cruise brands of Carnival Corporation will broadcast 2026 FIFA World Cup matches.
  • The brands secured the rights to show the matches from sports agency IMG.
  • Cruises between June 11 and July 19, 2026 will feature the broadcasts.

Several Carnival Corporation brands have deals in place that will enable them to broadcast the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches — all 104 of them, between June 11 and July 19, 2026.

Princess Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line, Seabourn, and P&O Cruises announced on December 16, 2025 that they had secured the rights to show the matches onboard their ships via the Sport 24 Special Event Channels.

More cruise lines could join them as the matches near and more deals are struck. The wildly popular international soccer tournament happens only every four years and draws a huge global audience.

The matches will be available in guests’ staterooms and also shown in various lounges and, in some cases, at outdoor spaces onboard the ships. On Cunard ships, for instance, the Golden Lion pub will be the spot to gather for the games, while on Holland America Line’s and Princess Cruises’ ships, select matches will be broadcast on the Lido Deck screens.

Holland America Line will also show some matches in its ships’ World Stage theaters, while Princess ships will offer viewing parties, where guests will be invited to wear their favorite team’s jersey and cheer them on.

P&O Cruises will show the matches in its ships’ Brodie’s venue. Also, matches involving England will be featured in the larger SkyDome venue on P&O Cruises and in The Pavilion on Cunard, as both lines cater to the UK market.

English football
English football (Photo Credit: Jacob Lund)

FIFA, the International Federation of Football Associations, will hold the matches in various locations in the US, Canada, and Mexico. The sports agency IMG owns the broadcast rights to FIFA events.

Read Also: What Are the Best Cruise Lines for Fitness?

“From private staterooms to open-air decks, guests will be able to enjoy the atmosphere and excitement of the tournament as we bring the spirit of the stadiums to sea next summer,” said Kate Garden, commercial director of IMG.

Wide Range of Summer Cruises Will Feature the Matches

In announcing that the matches will be offered on their cruise ships, the lines promoted some of the voyages that will feature the FIFA games.

On Holland America Line’s Noordam, for instance, guests booking the 7-day “Alaska Explorer” cruise sailing roundtrip from Seattle will be able to enjoy the broadcasts. The voyage, departing on July 5, 2025, will call at Ketchikan, Juneau, and Sitka.

For a longer cruise, Zuiderdam offers a 14-day Canada/New England cruise roundtrip from Boston on June 20, 2026.

Sample cruises offered on Princess Cruises’ ships that coincide with the FIFA matches include a 7-night Mediterranean sailing on Sun Princess, from Athens to Barcelona on June 20, 2026, and the 9-night “Circle Japan” voyage on Diamond Princess, departing July 2, 2026, roundtrip from Yokohama.

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“The FIFA World Cup is one of the most fan-driven global events, and our guests shouldn’t have to choose between exploring the world and watching the world’s best teams compete,” said Lorna Warren, vice president of hotel operations and guest experience for Princess Cruises.

“By bringing live coverage to all 17 ships, we’re making sure fans can experience incredible destinations and cheer on every match whether they’re soaking up the sun in the Caribbean, taking in the Mediterranean coast, or sailing past glaciers in Alaska,” added Warren.

Disney Takes Delivery of Its Largest-Ever Cruise Ship

Donna Tunney
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0
Disney Takes Delivery of Its Largest-Ever Cruise Ship

Key Aspects:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Disney Adventure Delivery Ceremony
Disney Adventure Delivery Ceremony

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

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

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

Ship Will Feature New Asia-Inspired Venues

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

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

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

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

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

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

Carnival Ship Stuck in Long Beach as Computer Crash Halts Departure

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

Key Aspects:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Departure Delay Will Impact the Ship’s Itinerary

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

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

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

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

Brand Ambassador Thanks Guests For Their Patience

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chihuahua Goes Viral for Melting Hearts on Royal Caribbean Cruise

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

Key Aspects:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

@bruiserandellewoods

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

♬ original sound – Cruiser Woods🛳️ 💖🐕

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

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

Is Cruising With Dogs Allowed?

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

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

@bruiserandellewoods

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

♬ original sound – Cruiser Woods🛳️ 💖🐕

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

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

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

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

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

Special Rules Onboard

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

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

@bruiserandellewoods

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

♬ A Spoonful of Sprinkles – Andrew Bong

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

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

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

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

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

Cruise Ship’s Radiation Warning Sign Sparks Guest Concern

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

Key Aspects:

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

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

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

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

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

What is the Sign Guarding?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Is the Radiation Harmful to Cruisers?

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

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

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

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

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

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

An Additional Protection

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

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

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

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

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

Norwegian Viva Begins Caribbean Voyages From Texas Homeport

Melissa Mayntz
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Norwegian Viva Begins Caribbean Voyages From Texas Homeport

Key Aspects:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Norwegian Viva‘s Sailings From Galveston

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Onboard Norwegian Viva

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

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

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

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

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

Carnival Cruise Line Dispels Myth of Higher Drink Limits

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Cruise Line Dispels Myth of Higher Drink Limits

Key Aspects:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why Not Increase the Drink Limit?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Read Also: What is the Carnival CHEERS! Package?

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

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

Could a Limit Cause Even More Problems?

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

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

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

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

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

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