Due to an email glitch, Virgin Voyages accidentally notified guests of Brilliant Lady’s November 8 sailing that their departure port had changed.
The email incorrectly stated that the cruise would depart from San Juan, Puerto Rico, instead of Miami, Florida.
A correction has since been issued, which confirms there is no change to the 12-night itinerary at this time.
Picture this: Your cruise vacation is booked and paid for, the airfare is set, and you are less than a week away from embarkation day.
All of a sudden, you get an email telling you that your departure port has changed, throwing a wrench into your carefully organized plans.
But this is exactly what happened to the up to 2,770 guests booked on Brilliant Lady’s upcoming 12-night Caribbean sailing, which will embark from Miami, Florida, on Saturday, November 8, 2025.
Instead of Miami, guests were incorrectly told that they would now be departing from San Juan, Puerto Rico – which left many panicking about finding new flights and hotels.
But thankfully, this was only a false alarm caused by a glitch in the email system.
“We wanted to let you know that the departure port for your upcoming voyage has been moved to a different location,”Virgin Voyages accidentally wrote in an email to guests.
“Please update your travel plans accordingly to ensure a smooth embarkation experience,” the mistaken message continued.
Adding to the confusion, guests were getting different answers about the email’s legitimacy when contacting Sailor Services, which then spread like wildfire on social media.
“I just got off the phone with them. It’s accurate,”one person said on a Reddit thread about the matter.
“The CS rep initially told me the email was valid and they were waiting on more information. But then came back and said that the email wasn’t valid and our itinerary is still set to leave from Miami,” another said.
“She said that early in the conversation they said it was an official email but while she was on the phone with the agent, confirmation came that it was a mistake,” a third cruiser shared.
The responses suggest that there may have been some confusion on the customer service team’s side of things as well.
Virgin Voyages Issues Quick Correction
Surely to the relief of booked passengers, Virgin Voyages sent out a new email correcting the error within hours of sending the original message.
“If your inbox got hit with something that looked a little…off? That was us. A good ol’ fashioned human moment,” the second email began.
“We apologize for the confusion, and appreciate your patience while we get things shipshape prior to your voyage!” the cruise line added.
To be clear, the departure port is still Miami– which will be Brilliant Lady’s homeport through March of 2026 – and there is no impact to any scheduled port calls at this time.
The itinerary calls for stops at Oranjestad, Aruba; Willemstad, Curacao; Cartagena, Colombia; George Town, Grand Cayman; and Ocho Rios, Jamaica.
Brilliant Lady in Miami (Photo Credit: Virgin Voyages)
The only port call I could potentially see getting rescheduled is the visit to Jamaica, as the port is still early in its recovery after being devastated by Hurricane Melissa in late October.
The newly launched ship did skip what would have been her inaugural call on Ocho Rios on November 3, 2025, and it has not yet been confirmed if she will pivot away from the port on her upcoming sailing as well.
While email glitches like these can be unsettling, they do happen from time to time.
Virgin Voyages is running a major operation, and sometimes a wrong button gets pushed, something gets miscommunicated, and/or technology briefly develops a mind of its own.
The adults-only cruise line has experienced similar glitches in the past.
For example, just about two months ago cruise guests who weren’t booked on Brilliant Lady’s upcoming New Year’s Ahoy voyage in December were notified that the itinerary had changed.
“I’m not on this cruise. Don’t know why I received this email,”a recipient shared on social media, along with a photo of the letter, at the time.
These glitches are not exclusive to Virgin Voyages either.
But what ultimately matters is that all’s well that ends well. Brilliant Lady’s next round of guests can take a deep breath and enjoy their sailing as planned.
Two cruise guests have filed suit against Carnival Cruise Line over an alleged infestation of bed bugs.
The pair reportedly suffered severe bites during a Carnival Horizon sailing in February 2025.
Bed bug infestations are not related to cleanliness and can be difficult to eradicate.
Itchy bug bites can really put a damper on a cruise vacation, but what if those bugs are coming from the cruise itself?
Two Carnival Cruise Line guests have filed a suit against the cruise line, alleging a bedbug infestation onboard Carnival Horizon caused problems and the cruise line was negligent in their response.
The pair were onboard Carnival Horizon‘s February 15, 2025 sailing, an 8-night Southern Caribbean itinerary from Miami.
Shockley and Maycock claim that just two days into their getaway, they noticed severe itching and what appeared to be insect bites on their arms and legs. After another night, more bites had appeared and seemed to spread to their shoulders, hands, and faces.
Fearing bedbugs, Shockley inspected the bedding in the stateroom and reportedly discovered live bedbugs as well as fecal stains and eggs. This led the pair to believe the infestation was ongoing but improperly treated.
The two guests did alert crew members about the problem, but claim nothing was done and they were not offered to relocate to a different stateroom.
Carnival Cruise Line has an ongoing detection protocol for finding bedbugs that includes inspections of mattresses and bedding as well as carpeting and draperies in staterooms.
“If signs of infestation are present, the room is chemically treated along with all other cabins within that section. Frequent re-inspection continues for the next several months,”the protocol states.
Shockley and Maycock have alleged that they witnessed crew members fumigating nearby staterooms, which could indicate an ongoing problem that Carnival Cruise Line was aware of at the time of their sailing.
The guests did seek medical treatment for relief, but it is unclear whether or not they sought that treatment while still onboard Carnival Horizon or after debarkation.
“Plaintiffs suffered numerous intensely itchy bites resulting in large, painful welts that required medical treatment and medication, multiple dark splotches, loss of sleep, mental distress, loss of personal property and economic loss,”the lawsuit states.
It may take several months before this case is resolved. Shockley and Maycock are seeking damages related to medical costs, scarring, lost property, emotional distress, and other “ongoing” harm related to the incident.
Social media groups often note bed bug reports from guests, but many of these are either not reported to the cruise line or are not substantiated. Some anecdotal reports may actually be sand fleas, mosquitoes, or similar bites from other blood-feeding insects.
Bed Bugs (Photo Credit: ChWeiss)
I was once attacked by bed bugs at a boutique hotel at a particular Caribbean destination (not on a cruise), and while it was excruciatingly itchy – I’ll spare you the photo of my polka-dotted legs! – there was no scarring and no long-term impact. Of course, different people react differently to insect bites.
Bed bugs are tiny parasites, usually about a quarter-inch in size. They thrive in dark, hidden spots such as mattress seams or the cracks where carpeting and walls meet, and they can easily be carried in luggage. Because they can survive six months or longer without feeding, it can be difficult to eliminate bed bugs.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), bed bugs do not spread diseases to people, though the itching can be uncomfortable and some allergic reactions can be more severe. The presence of bed bugs is not related to overall cleanliness.
In more than 40 sailings, I’ve never once encountered bed bugs on any cruise. That doesn’t mean such infestations would be impossible, but they may not be as widespread at sea as social media might indicate.
Disney Destiny arrived in Florida on Sunday, November 2, 2025 following her first transatlantic crossing.
The ship performed a wide selection of horn songs as she pulled into Port Canaveral just after sunset.
Disney Destiny will be christened on November 10 and will welcome her first guests in Fort Lauderdale on November 20.
Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, Disney Destiny, has arrived in Florida. The 144,000-gross ton, Wish-class ship sailed smoothly into Port Canaveral early Sunday evening, November 2, 2025, just after sunset.
Disney Destiny has spent the past two weeks on her first transatlantic crossing. She departed the Netherlands in mid-October following her delivery to Disney Cruise Line. While there have been no guests onboard yet, anticipation has been building as the new ship neared the Sunshine State.
Her arrival at Port Canaveral was marked with a celebratory musical selection from her horn, including her exclusive arrangement of “Go the Distance” inspired by the Broadway-style “Disney Hercules” that will be performed onboard.
Other tunes played by the new heroes-and-villains ship include:
Yo-Ho Yo-Ho (great for the cruise line’s signature Pirate Night!)
Cruella de Vil
Hakuna Matata
When You Wish Upon a Star (wouldn’t be Disney without these iconic notes)
Do You Want to Build a Snowman
Be Our Guest
A Dream Is a Wish
It’s a Small World
These are just a few of the tunes to ship can offer, along with the required emergency signals and fog alerts. In total, the more than 7-minute performance as the ship sailed past Jetty Park and to Cruise Terminal 8 gave cheering bystanders a great show of the ship’s magical voice on Sunday evening.
Eager guests should note, however, that Disney Destiny is not homeported from Port Canaveral. Instead, she will be welcoming guests from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale later this month.
Nevertheless, Port Canaveral officials did welcome the ship with a plaque exchange, a time-honored maritime tradition that commemorates whenever a new ship first visits a port. Port Canaveral is currently home to two of Disney Destiny’s classmate sister ships: Disney Wish and Disney Treasure.
In the meantime, the new ship is visiting Port Canaveral for a few days where supplies will be loaded and crew members will continue to join the ship in preparation for her maiden voyage on November 20.
Before that momentous sailing, the new ship will be officially christened on the evening of Monday, November 10. The event will be livestreamed, allowing Disney Cruise Line fans around the world to be part of the occasion that will officially welcome the seventh ship to the Disney fleet.
Following the christening, Disney Destiny will sail a short series of preview cruises for media, influencers, travel agents, and VIPs before welcoming her first revenue guests aboard.
Disney Destiny‘s Maiden Season
The November 20, 2025 maiden voyage of Disney Destiny is a 4-night itinerary that will visit both of the cruise line’s private islands in the Bahamas: Lookout Cay and Castaway Cay.
The ship will be offering primarily 4- and 5-night cruises year-round from Fort Lauderdale. In addition to one or both of the private islands, select sailings will also visit either Nassau or Cozumel.
In June 2026, Disney Destiny is also offering a pair of 7-night cruises. The ship’s June 20 departure is a Western Caribbean sailing to visit Lookout Cay, Castaway Cay, Cozumel, and Grand Cayman. The following week, the June 27 departure will visit Lookout Cay, San Juan, and St. Maarten.
Starting in September 2026, the new ship will also offer some 3-night Bahamas cruises to the private islands.
Another pair of week-long cruises is scheduled for October 2026. At that time, Disney Destiny will also visit Falmouth, Jamaica on the Western Caribbean route and Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic during the Eastern Caribbean sailing.
A third pair of 7-night sailings is planned for December 2026 with the Very Merrytime theme so popular with both cruise guests and Disney fans. Of particular interest is the ship’s December 5, 2026 departure that will feature two calls to Castaway Cay, a full day at Lookout Cay, and a visit to Nassau.
With so many diverse itineraries available, Disney Destiny has a heroic cruise vacation option for every guest, no matter when they want to set sail.
MSC Meraviglia’s shore power connection at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal marks the first time an MSC Cruises ship has used local electrical power in New York City.
The connection allowed the vessel to shut down its engines while docked, eliminating local emissions.
The milestone follows a successful test on October 26, 2025, and comes on the heels of successful connections with Cunard and Princess Cruises.
For the first time, MSC Cruises has connected one of its ships to shore power in New York City. On November 2, 2025, MSC Meraviglia successfully linked to the local grid at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, allowing the ship to shut down its engines while docked and operate entirely on electricity supplied from shore.
The connection followed an official commissioning and test conducted on October 26, 2025, which verified that the system could reliably power the vessel while in port.
The ship’s successful plug-in supplied electricity for all onboard systems serving guests and crew during the call.
Lynn Torrent, president of MSC Cruises North America, said,“We are proud to see the advancement of shore power at US ports, including New York.”
She went on to praise the collaboration with local communities, elected officials, and port partners in making the progress possible.
For the winter 2025-26 season, MSC Meraviglia will be homeported in New York, offering 7-night cruises to Port Canaveral, Florida, and Nassau and the company’s private island destination, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, in the Bahamas.
MSC Meraviglia’s connection to shore power at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal will continue during her season, and joins a series of recent plug-ins by other lines, including Cunard and Princess Cruises.
The milestone aligns with New York City’s broader commitment to reducing emissions along its waterfront.
Andrew Kimball, president and CEO of the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), noted that the city’s investments in shore power infrastructure at both Brooklyn and Manhattan cruise terminals are helping to ensure that the cruise industry remains sustainable and competitive.
“NYCEDC is making crucial investments – from shore power upgrades at BCT and the recently approved Brooklyn Marine Terminal project to the forthcoming Manhattan Cruise Terminal master plan,” he said.
Sustainability Efforts
MSC Cruises’ commitment to shore power extends across multiple regions and brands. In Malta, for example, MSC World Europa logged more than 300 hours of shore power usage in Valletta over the past 12 months, while Explora Journeys successfully tested shore power connectivity for the first time in Europe with its second ship, Explora II, at the same port the following day, October 17, 2025.
In Italy, MSC Seaview recently tested shore power at La Spezia, and MSC Poesia conducted trails at Le Havre, France.
In the US, MSC Cruises made its first successful shore power connection earlier this year when MSC World America plugged into the new terminal at PortMiami. The MSC Cruises facility opened in April 2025, designed from the ground up with sustainability in place.
“We are committed to connect whenever the shoreside technology is available as part of our ongoing efforts to improve local air quality and reduce carbon emissions,” Torrent said.
Last year alone, MSC Cruises connected to shore power in 13 different ports and achieved 142 successful connections – more than triple its total from the previous year.
MSC Cruises has equipped all new ships built since 2017 with shore power capability and continues to retrofit older vessels.
Currently, 16 of 23 ships can connect to local grids, a figure expected to rise to 17 by the end of 2025 after MSC Magnifica completes its current retrofit at Malta’s Palumbo Malta Shipyard in December.
Carnival Horizon will be delivering supplies to Ocho Rios during what was to have been a port visit on Tuesday.
Guests onboard can also donate to Jamaica’s relief and Carnival Cruise Line will match those donations.
Multiple cruise lines have donated to the island and full tourist operations may resume by December 15.
Just one week after the island was devastated by Hurricane Melissa, Carnival Cruise Line is poised to return to Jamaica, but not for a guest visit.
Carnival Horizon will drop off much-needed supplies in Ocho Rios on Tuesday, November 4, 2025 and guests onboard have a unique opportunity to offer even more assistance to the popular port of call.
Carnival Horizon set sail from Miami on a 6-night Western Caribbean itinerary on Sunday, November 2. The ship’s first scheduled port of call is Jamaica, but guests will be unable to debark due to the devastation the island suffered when Hurricane Melissa tore through on Tuesday, October 28.
“We’ve been in close contact with Jamaican officials about our planned visit to Ocho Rios on Tuesday,”the captain explained to guests.“As hard as everyone will have tried, local infrastructure and our shore excursion partners are not ready for us.”
This means the full port visit is cancelled. Any pre-paid tours booked through Carnival Cruise Line will be fully refunded to guests, along with taxes and fees associated with the port.
Instead, Carnival Horizon will be dropping off several pallets of relief supplies, including bottled water, to help support Jamaicans as they rebuild.
“The local infrastructure isn’t quite ready for visitors but the ship will make a short visit to offload the goods,”confirmed John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador.
It isn’t yet known whether the pier in Ocho Rios is suitable for docking or whether the supplies will need to be unloaded by smaller tender boats. Regardless of the situation, the supplies will be delivered.
Carnival Cruise Line has already pledged to donate more than $1 million to Jamaica in partnership with the Miami Heat and the Micky & Madeleine Arison Family Foundation.
Guests aboard Carnival Horizon also have a unique opportunity to donate even more for Jamaica’s recovery, despite the change in their itinerary.
“You may donate in two ways: by visiting Guest Services or by contributing a few extra dollars when you make your donation during the Groove for St. Jude Event,”the captain explained.“Carnival will match donations made during this cruise.”
The charity fundraiser is held during the last sea day of the sailing, which will be on Friday, November 7 as Carnival Horizon makes her way back to Miami.
This timing gives guests the firsthand opportunity to see how different Jamaica now looks following the storm’s devastation. While guests cannot debark in Jamaica, the debris and damage will be immediately apparent as the ship approaches Ocho Rios.
Carnival Horizon Supplies for Jamaica
The donation match is an outstanding way for guests to ensure their donations can make a significant impact for Jamaica’s disaster relief.
At the moment, the extra donation is only available on Carnival Horizon. It is possible the cruise line may extend this opportunity to other sailings across the fleet, or at least on every ship delivering supplies.
Cruise Lines Pitching in for Jamaica’s Recovery
Carnival Cruise Line and Carnival Corporation & plc are not alone in supporting Jamaica as the country rebuild’s from the storm’s impact.
Royal Caribbean donated more than $1 million along with food, water, and medical relief supplies through Global Empowerment Mission, while Disney Cruise Line has likewise pledged a $1 million donation.
Norwegian Cruise Line, which actually visits the island nation much less than other cruise lines, has also pledged up to $100,000 through the Red Cross, including a match to guests’ donations.
At this time Jamaica remains closed to cruise visits, but repairs and recovery are already underway. The nation’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, has set the goal that full tourism operations will resume by December 15, 2025.
This is an ambitious goal, but with the strong support of cruise lines and compassionate guests, it may be just a few weeks before travelers can once again enjoy the warm hospitality of Jamaica.
Game play for cruising ducks has changed with the use of an app and social media groups giving clues to guests.
This evolution can make the game less enjoyable for some travelers, especially those without internet access.
Cruise lines react to ducks differently, but the game is still led by guests and not officially from any cruise line.
The cruising ducks phenomenon continues to fly high onboard all types of ships, but new ways to play are ruffling feathers with some guests, and for good reason.
Cruising ducks are a guest-led scavenger hunt, a seek-and-find fun time onboard. Small ducks are hidden randomly around a cruise ship, and whoever finds the little quackers gets the thrill of success and can keep the duck as a fun souvenir or choose to rehide it for someone else to find.
New methods of play are turning the game into more of a geocaching adventure, however, and only for those equipped for the challenge. Not everyone may know the new “rules,” and it can be startling to discover just how much the simple game has evolved.
“We’ve been hiding ducks for two years and love it, love seeing the faces when the kids (and adults, lol) find them,” said Linda, a recent guest on Star of the Seas.“We wondered why the last few cruises we’re having a hard time finding them and learned about the app day one of this cruise.”
The app Linda is referring to is called “Sea Ducks” and it connects cruising ducks users with leaderboards, push notifications, special challenges, and more.
Players can enter the deck numbers where they’ve hidden ducks, add messages or clues for each duck, arrange onboard exchanges, and note when they’ve found ducks themselves. There are even diagrams to clarify if a duck is hidden forward or aft, port or starboard, and what type of duck it may be.
For guests like Linda, however, the app is taking the spontaneity out of the duck hunt and making it less worthwhile.
“I guess I’m missing something,”she said.“It’s supposed to be ‘hunt’ for ducks, not watch an app where it’s put and go pick it up.”
Onboard Star of the Seas (which she does say was a great cruise!) Linda and her husband continued to hand out ducks, but she admits they may not hide ducks again. Typically, she brings 10 ducks to hide each day on a cruise, but for this 7-night sailing, more than 40 came home with her without ever being hidden.
Others may enjoy using the app for their duck hunting, but it’s not for everyone.
“Our duck days are done,”she told Cruise Hive.“I’m sure everyone else will love it, we just don’t now.I’ll take what’s left on our next cruises and give them out to kiddos directly like we did this time. But once they’re gone, we probably won’t even get anymore.”
It isn’t just one app that is changing the flight path of cruising ducks, however. It’s become increasingly common to be part of social media groups, pages, or roll calls for specific cruise sailings.
Collection of Cruise Ducks (Photo Credit: Linda)
Within those groups, guests often post where or when they may be hiding ducks, and those clues can mean ducks are quickly found.
Posting photos of hidden ducks is another approach, and eager duck hunters use the clues in the photo to find the wayward waterfowl.
Of course, if guests prefer to digitally unplug for their cruise vacation or choose not to purchase internet packages, they may not be using an app or visiting social media pages while at sea. This could leave them very much out of the loop for the modern cruising ducks mayhem.
Cruise Lines Adapting as Well
Guests aren’t the only ones adapting to how cruising ducks are flying these days. While most cruise lines let the activity proceed naturally, there have been some industry responses.
Royal Caribbean, for example, has installed signage prohibiting ducks in the Central Park areas of its Icon and Oasis class ships. Too many eager duck hunters have damaged the onboard plants, and ducks are no longer permitted in those neighborhoods.
Carnival Cruise Line, on the other hand, has leaned into the duck phenomenon with an onboard “Ducky” character for impromptu photo ops. Ducky has different costumes on different ships and is always happy to pose with guests, though he doesn’t really play hide-and-seek.
Disney Cruise Line, on the other hand, has requested that guests not hide ducks onboard at all. While it’s not an official restriction, the game is frowned upon aboard Disney ships.
Do you hide or hunt cruising ducks, or neither? Has your gameplay changed? Share your ducky experiences on the Cruise Hive boards!
Planninga cruise can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to choosing a cabin. If you’re having a difficult time deciding, it can help to know what to avoid.
The worst cruise ship cabins are those that have obstructed views or too much noise, and those located near high-traffic areas or at the bow or stern. These are the ones you want to steer clear of.
I’ve cruised in dozens of different cabin types, some of which barely felt like a vacation. To help you avoid a headache and get the most out of your cruise, I’ll give you the ultimate guide for which cruise ship cabins to avoid and why.
Several things can obstruct your view from your cabin. For example, a lifeboat can block your window and make your space darker and/or give you a disappointing view. Sometimes, even the most spacious and luxurious cabins have something that interferes with the view.
Many cruisers, including myself, have been tempted by reduced prices for obstructed-view cabins. And in all honesty, there are times when obstructed views are worth it.
When I’m cruising the Caribbean on a Carnival or Royal Caribbean ship, I have no problem booking a budget-friendly obstructed view. For me, these cruises are always more about the onboard entertainment.
However, if I’d prioritized a bargain over a balcony view for my Alaska cruise, I would’ve been disappointed. The upgrade in cost was well worth it.
If your budget is tight and your goal is simply to get away for a few days, a low-priced, obstructed-view cabin can be sufficient. The same is true if you aren’t particularly interested in seeing the ocean and would rather enjoy the ship’s amenities or participate in excursions.
But if you’re hoping to enjoy peaceful sunsets from your room or you love the idea of people-watching in port from your balcony cabin, you’ll want to avoid obstructed-view cabins.
Always check deck plans when booking and be wary of cabin descriptions that mention “partial-view” or “obstructed-view.”
2. Cabins Above and Below Noisy Venues
Most passengers will also want to avoid a cabin near a noisy venue. These are located directly under or above the ship’s nightclubs, casino, theaters, buffets, bars, and lounges.
While the amount of noise that comes from these locations varies from cruise to cruise, in general, you’re taking a risk staying close to these areas.
This may not be as much of a concern if you’re cruising with a premium line known for its more mature (and quieter) cruisers, including Cunard or Princess Cruises. The noisier lines, like family-friendly Disney or party ships like Carnival, are best to avoid if noise is a concern.
Cabins Overlooking the Boardwalk Neighborhood (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)
In addition to the nightlife venues on the ship, you’ll also want to avoid cabins underneath the gym. They tend to be busiest early in the morning, and no one likes to be awakened by the sound of banging weights at 6 A.M. Additionally, avoid cabins near areas that are popular with kids, such as play areas or pools.
Another example is the balcony cabins that overlook the Boardwalk neighbourhood on Oasis-class cruise ships. It’s the same case on the Icon class.
These cabins can work for people who are heavy sleepers or who intend to enjoy the nightlife on board the ship themselves. However, if your goal is to get a good night of sleep or to avoid noisier areas in general, you’ll want to opt out of this type of cabin.
Did you find a rate that’s too good to resist for a cabin near a noisy area?
3. Cabins Near Elevators, Stairwells & High-Traffic Areas
Although you might know to steer clear of cabins near loud bars and nightclubs to avoid overnight noise, you might not think of other high-traffic areas, including stairwells, elevator banks, and busy hallways.
Elevators on Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)
In addition to overhearing conversations and footsteps, you’ll also be hearing elevator sounds and slamming doors day and night.
When should you consider cabins near these high-traffic areas?
When the convenience of getting to the stairs or elevator outweighs your desire for peace and quiet.
4. Interior Cabins
Interior cabins often tempt cruisers, especially first-time travelers, because they’re available for a better price. If you’re looking for value, they aren’t a terrible option. However, they’re not your best option, and they tend to be disappointing unless you intend to use your cabin only for sleeping.
Interior cabins have no windows, which means no natural light, and they tend to be very small. Some ships’ interior cabins are unbelievably small, such asRoyal Caribbean’s Interior State Rooms with cabins less than 200 square feet.
Interior Cabin Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas (Photo Credit: Benson Truong)
It won’t surprise you to know that many cruisers, including me, describe small interior cabins as claustrophobic and disorienting. You can feel the movement of the ship but can’t see the motion of the waves, which can contribute to seasickness.
Most Royal Caribbean ships have a decent number of interior cabins, some more troublesome than others. For example, the Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas features just over 500 interior rooms. These staterooms are typically easier to book, especially for last-minute getaways.
If you do get lured into an interior cabin, make sure you pack light. You won’t have much storage space.
5. Aft (Rear) Cabins
The plus side of a rear cabin is you’ll get one of the best views on the ship from your balcony, but unfortunately, it comes at a price. These cabins tend to have multiple drawbacks, including increased motion, noise from the ship’s engine, and a lot of vibration. Some even smell of exhaust.
If you aren’t sensitive to unpleasant smells or motion, or you intend to spend very little time in your room, aft cabins can work. But for the vast majority of travelers, this is a cabin to avoid.
Also, keep in mind that these cabins can be marketed as luxury options and still be problematic. For example, high-end or premiumaft cabins on certain ships can have heavy vibration and motion, but you’ll likely only hear about the great views from these rooms in promotional materials.
I’ve ended up in a few rear cabins that seemed nice at first, but throughout the trip, tested my patience. Even if you aren’t sensitive to motion or smells, several days in this type of cabin can get to you.
6. Forward (Bow) Cabins
Forward or bow cabins are what I consider a hit-or-miss option. If you’re blessed with a calm sea during your cruise, these cabins can be a great option.
Of course, conditions are unpredictable, and if you happen to hit stormy or rough seas, you’ll experience a greater pitching motion in these cabins. All of the noise associated with pulling into a port and lowering the anchors can also be annoyances you’ll deal with in bow cabins.
Carnival Cruise Line Scooter Policy (Photo Credit: Camera walk)
If you are cruising an area that’s rarely rough or you have just a short voyage, forward cabins can work well. That said, I’d recommend avoiding these cabins unless you’re an experienced cruiser who knows how to evaluate the various issues that affect bow cabins.
The good news is there usually aren’t a lot of extreme bow cabins on a ship. For example, on the Grand Princess, you’d most want to avoid Deck 9 (Dolphin), the D106-D114 cabins.
7. High-Deck Cabins
It might surprise you to see high-deck cabins on this list, but let me explain.
These cabins are on the higher levels of the cruise ship and do offer benefits, like better views and access to upper-level entertainment, but those benefits are quickly erased if you get motion sickness.
And because high-deck cabins tend to come with greater sway, more wind, and exposure to weather conditions, motion sickness is a much higher risk.
Experienced cruisers who know for sure they won’t get motion sickness might still want to give these cabins a go if you find a great rate. There’s still risk, but you know your tendency toward motion sickness, and you can judge whether or not it’ll work for you.
First-time cruisers could be asking for trouble when booking a high-deck cabin. If you’re new to cruising and you aren’t sure whether you’re prone to motion sickness, you’re better off choosing something that exposes you to less motion.
And if you know motion sickness is an issue? Always avoid these cabins.
8. Cabins with Poor Privacy
Privacy might not seem like an important consideration when booking your cabin, but once you’re on board, a lack of privacy can ruin the trip for a lot of cruisers.
Look out for balconies that are overlooked by other decks or promenade levels. Some also have transparent partitions or doors that face public areas.
Wonder of the Seas Boardwalk Cabin (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)
The price might make these less-private options more appealing. However, before you act on that great deal, make sure you’re comfortable with sacrificing some privacy while traveling.
In my experience, I’ve been happy with so-called poor privacy cabins on a few ships. It often depends on your fellow cruisers. You’d be more likely to have a good experience with the higher-end luxury lines, such as Viking or Silversea, than you would with the more family-friendly lines.
9. Adjoining Cabins
If you’re traveling with friends or teens who you want to be close to while still having separate spaces, adjoining cabins can be a great option. However, these are rarely a good idea when traveling alone or as a couple.
Adjoining cabins are common on all cruise ships and are typically marketed as ideal for family or friends traveling together. They’re also available across a variety of different types of rooms, including balcony and interior cabins, and can be located on various decks.
MSC Adjoining Cabins (Photo Credit: Solarisys)
For instance, the official Carnival Vista deck plan lists 26 connecting cabins on Deck 1 (Riviera Deck) and 4 connecting cabins in the Family Harbor area on Deck 2 (Main Deck).
These cabins tend to lack privacy and are noisier because of the thin connecting doors. Consider these cabins more of a family option, and stay away if you don’t know your neighbors.
10. Guarantee Cabins
Last up on the list are Guarantee Cabins. These are a budget-friendly option that means you don’t choose your cabin when booking, and you leave your accommodation to the cruise line’s discretion. You’ll be assigned a cabin based on availability, which means you could end up in one of the worst locations.
Disney Magic Cabin (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)
The trade-off?
You get a great deal on a cabin, but you’re taking a huge gamble.
Experienced cruisers who want to save money may consider this option, understanding that it comes with some sacrifices. And if you can’t afford to book the cruise of your dreams without some trade-offs, Guarantee Cabins can get you a great rate.
But if you’re looking for comfort and privacy, even if it means paying up? Guarantee Cabins are best avoided.
So, What’s the Best Cabin to Book?
Now that you know the cabins to avoid, what’s left? What type of cabin should you book?
If years of cruising have taught me anything, it’s that you need to know your cruising style. Travelers have different priorities, and what’s ideal for one person or couple might not work for everyone.
For instance, if you’re going on a cruise with a large family or group of friends, you might prefer some of the usually less desirable cabins. Adjoining rooms might be fantastic if you need space and closeness.
Or for a large family or friends trip, you might want to book a block of rooms close to one another. Some travelers can pay less, and their reduced privacy or noise risk is less of a factor because they’re near their travel party.
All of that said, in general, there is one type of room that tends to appeal to the majority of cruisers.
Midship cabins
Midship cabins are on a lower to mid-level deck, typically decks 5 to 8 on larger ships. This means you experience less motion and feel more like you’re staying in a hotel room.
In addition to avoiding the sway and pitch of the ship, you’ll also get a quieter room that’s insulated from the pool decks and engine rooms. Midship means there are plenty of rooms above and below you to block out the noise.
Virgin Voyages’ Hammocks (Photo Credit: Felix Mizioznikov)
These staterooms are also convenient. They offer easy access to stairwells and elevators without being right next to them.
Midship cabins tend to give you a great balance of comfort and value. They aren’t as expensive as suites and cabins with specialty balconies, but you still get plenty of comfort by avoiding the problems associated with obstructed cabins or extreme aft or forward cabins.
And my final piece of advice:
Check the cruise ship deck plan before booking. This allows you to spot potential problem areas and avoid them.
You might also realize that one of the less-optimal cabins on a particular ship actually isn’t that bad and is available for a great rate. Big savings means more chances to cruise, and that’s always a good thing!
Celebrity Apex set sail on her first-ever cruise from Port Canaveral on Saturday, November 1, 2025.
The Edge-class ship is offering 7-night Caribbean itineraries from central Florida through April 2026.
The Celebrity Cruises ship brings Port Canaveral’s homeport fleet to 13 different vessels from six cruise lines.
It’s time to celebrate at Port Canaveral as Celebrity Apex has officially begun sailing from the Space Coast. Part of the popular Edge class with the iconic cantilevered Magic Carpet, the 130,800-gross ton vessel will be offering itineraries from Florida through April 2026, with great options for eager guests.
Celebrity Apex is not the first in the Celebrity Cruises fleet to set sail from Port Canaveral. That honor belonged to Celebrity Equinox, which began sailing from the central Florida homeport in December 2024. Celebrity Equinox has now moved on to European sailings, but Celebrity Apex is a welcome replacement.
“Celebrity Cruises’ inaugural season from Port Canaveral was hugely successful and we’re thrilled to welcome home the stunning Celebrity Apex to our Port,”said Capt. John Murray, Port Canaveral CEO.
Celebrity Apex is slightly larger than her predecessor and can welcome 3,405 guests aboard, compared to the 2,850 that can sail on Celebrity Equinox. This gives even more eager travelers the opportunity to enjoy a Celebrity cruise from Port Canaveral in the coming months.
“We have a great partnership with Celebrity Cruises and very proud of their success here that continues to contribute economic value to our Port community and beyond,”added Murray.
The ship arrived at Port Canaveral in the early hours of Saturday, November 1, following a 13-night transatlantic cruise from Southampton.
Her arrival was celebrated with a plaque exchange onboard between her master, Captain Panagiotis Skylogiannis, and Canaveral Port Authority Commissioner Kevin Markey.
Not only was the ship’s arrival the beginning of her season at the new homeport, but it is also the first time Celebrity Apex has ever visited Port Canaveral.
Celebrity Apex in Port Canaveral (Photo Courtesy: Port Canaveral)
The plaque exchange is a maritime tradition whenever a cruise ship first visits a new port. On many vessels, these plaques, photos, and even small sculptures are displayed onboard. This showcase of the ship’s travels can be interesting for any frequent cruisers to see.
On different ships, the plaque collection may be located near Guest Services, in an observation lounge, or in another public place where guests can enjoy the different mementos.
Now that Celebrity Apex is officially part of the Port Canaveral homeport fleet, she joins ships from five other cruise lines:
MSC Cruises – MSC Seashore
Norwegian Cruise Line – Norwegian Prima
Royal Caribbean – Star of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Utopia of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas
Of course, homeport fleets shift frequently as new ships begin different seasons and other ships move on to new regions. On November 11, for example, Norwegian Joy will begin sailing from Port Canaveral, while on November 20, Carnival Venezia will return.
Sailing Celebrity Apex from Port Canaveral
Celebrity Apex is now offering 7-night Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries from the Sunshine State. Depending on the sailing date, ports of call the ship will visit include San Juan, St. Kitts, Puerto Plata, Key West, Bimini, Grand Turk, and more.
Celebrity Apex will remain homeported from Port Canaveral until her next transatlantic cruise, a 13-night itinerary departing on April 25, 2026, and heading for Southampton.
Along the way, she will visit Bermuda, the Azores, and Lisbon. Once in Southampton, she will begin her European season for the summer.
In October 2026, Celebrity Apex will return to Port Canaveral for another winter of Caribbean getaways. While it won’t be her inaugural season from the Florida homeport, she will certainly be welcomed back with great excitement and eager anticipation for another successful season.
Coral Adventurer will not continue its 60-night cruise after a woman was left behind and died on Lizard Island.
The Lizard Island stop was the first of the cruise that had planned to circumnavigate Australia.
Guests will be flown home on chartered flights and provided refunds for the now-cancelled voyage.
Just days after an elderly woman passed away following a hike on a remote Australian island, Coral Expeditions has cancelled the remainder of what was to have been an epic 60-night sailing.
The itinerary was a 60-night cruise completely around the continent of Australia aboard Coral Adventurer, visiting 48 ports of call. The ship departed Cairns to begin the sailing on October 24, 2025, and Lizard Island was the very first stop on the expansive schedule.
It was on Lizard Island that the guest, identified by family as 80-year-old Suzanne Rees, joined an organized hike to Cook’s Look. Rees felt unwell partway through the hike and separated from the group.
Rees did not return to the ship, but her absence was not noted until five hours after the vessel had departed. Coral Adventurer did return to Lizard Island and authorities were alerted as search operations began.
Unfortunately, Rees was found deceased the next day, approximately 165 feet away from the trail. It is unknown whether she fell, experienced a medical episode, or if there were other factors that contributed to her death.
In the wake of the tragedy and other ongoing issues, however, Coral Expeditions has now decided to cancel the remainder of the sailing.
According to The Guardian, the cruise was cancelled, in part, because of a failure to provide the anticipated high-quality experiences guests would expect from the cruise line.
“It was increasingly apparent, given the circumstances of the last week, that we could not deliver on this promise,”said Mark Fifield, CEO of Coral Expeditions.
Rees’ death is still under investigation, including why the cruise ship failed to account for all passengers before departing Lizard Island. Maritime regulations require vessels to be aware of whether or not guests are onboard the ship at all times.
The untimely death is not the only reason Coral Adventurer will now return to Cairns and the rest of the voyage is cancelled. Fifield confirmed there had been previous issues plaguing the ship and it is now necessary to end the sailing rather than continue with greater risk.
Lizard Island, Queensland (Photo Credit: Umomos)
“Following the tragic passing of Suzanne Rees and previous mechanical issues, the decision had been made to cancel the remainder of the voyage,”he said.“Passengers were told they would receive a full refund. Since that time, our team has worked to coordinate the return journeys of the passengers via chartered flights.”
Voyage Cancellations Rare But Not Unprecedented
While it will certainly be disappointing to guests aboard Coral Adventurer that they are unable to complete what would likely have been a once-in-a-lifetime cruise experience, these types of cancellations can happen.
Typically, when a ship may have extreme mechanical problems, it is safer and easier to cancel cruises rather than attempt to move forward with inadequate operational abilities.
Of course, when a ship’s navigation or safety systems are compromised, cancellations are imperative. This was the case after Carnival Freedomcaught fire in Grand Turk in May 2022. At that time, guests were transferred to Carnival Conquest to return to Florida because Carnival Freedom could not operate.
Other operational challenges can also cause cancellations, however. For example, in January 2023, Marella Discovery 2 cancelled a 7-night sailing because of problems with food and beverage operations.
While the ship was seaworthy and safe to operate, the food and beverage failures would have severely compromised the onboard cruise experience. Instead, guests were flown home via chartered flights and offered refunds for the cancellation.
