Blog Page 102

Royal Caribbean Steps Up for Jamaica After Hurricane Melissa Devastation

Melissa Mayntz
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Royal Caribbean Steps Up for Jamaica After Hurricane Melissa Devastation

Key Aspects:

  • Royal Caribbean Group has pledged $1 million in relief to support Jamaica’s recovery after Hurricane Melissa.
  • Global Empowerment Mission and its Caribbean recovery team based in Kingston are coordinating donations.
  • Royal Caribbean Group is also supporting crew members and employees from Jamaica so they can reach out to family members and friends.

With the first reports from Jamaica showing how Hurricane Melissa devastated the island nation, Royal Caribbean Group has announced it is supporting the recovery of the beautiful country and its crew members who call Jamaica home.

The combined cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea, have pledged more than $1 million to support relief and recovery efforts. The donations are through Global Empowerment Mission (GEM), which has a Caribbean team based in Kingston, the capital of Jamaica.

“In times of need, Royal Caribbean Group remains steadfast in supporting the local communities where our ships and employees call home,” the donation website explains.

“Our Hurricane Melissa disaster relief efforts are currently focused on delivering care packages and essential supplies to those affected. Together with the GEM, we can make a significant impact and support sustainable, long-term recovery.”

In addition to financial donations, items such as bottled water, canned goods, and non-perishable foods will all be delivered to Jamaica in the coming weeks. Recovery efforts will likely take several months.

Royal Caribbean Group is going beyond just material and monetary donations, however. The company is also offering support for crew members and shoreside employees from Jamaica who are worried about their family members and friends back home.

“Our thoughts and actions are with the people of Jamaica impacted by the Hurricane. We have been in touch with the Government and many of our 1,200 employees and crew from the island,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean.

Various Royal Caribbean ships visit Jamaica regularly on different itineraries. Falmouth is the typical port that Royal Caribbean ships visit.

In November, six different Royal Caribbean ships are scheduled to visit Falmouth: Rhapsody of the Seas on Wednesday, November 5, followed by Oasis of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, and Freedom of the Seas throughout the month.

Every ship visit is an opportunity for more supplies and relief to be delivered, as well as for onboard crew members to hopefully connect with family members and friends.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship in Falmouth
Photo Credit: David Magorian / Shutterstock

The Port Authority of Jamaica is currently assessing each of the country’s cruise ports to ensure they can reopen safely. At this time, the ports have not yet reopened.

“Our teams are working diligently to restore safe, secure and efficient operations, inspecting critical infrastructure, access points, and navigational channels,” the Port Authority stated. “These efforts are helping to ensure that cargo operations and cruise shipping can resume securely, while prioritizing the safety of port personnel and surrounding communities.”

Helping Communities Recover After Hurricanes

Royal Caribbean Group is not the only cruise company committed to helping Jamaica recover. Carnival Corporation & plc, along with various corporate partners, has also pledged $1 million to hurricane relief and medical supplies.

Cruise guests can donate through either company’s donation campaigns, and all monies raised will go to help support storm recovery efforts.

Jamaica’s Office of the Prime Minister has also launched a disaster relief website with updates on different communities and recovery needs.

Jamaica Flag and Cruise Ship
Jamaica Flag and Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks)

Other non-profit organizations are also organizing various fundraising campaigns to support Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, and other regions impacted by Hurricane Melissa. Cruise travelers who want to contribute should take care to ensure they are donating through legitimate organizations.

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Even as the storm struck Jamaica, false AI-generated images of damaged communities began circulating online, and scam fundraisers are sure to be problematic.

These types of issues arise after any such disaster and it is important that generous contributors be sure they are actually supporting the region’s recovery.

Norwegian Star Cruise Extended Three Days – For Free!

Melissa Mayntz
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0
Norwegian Star Cruise Extended Three Days – For Free!

Key Aspects:

  • Norwegian Star‘s September 27, 2026 sailing is being extended from a 7-night to a 10-night sailing.
  • The change is due to scheduling needs at the shipyard where Norwegian Star will be dry docked after the cruise.
  • There is no charge to guests for the extra cruise days and prepaid packages are also being extended for free.

Guests looking forward to their September 27, 2026 sailing aboard Norwegian Star have been notified about an extra bonus – three days more to enjoy their cruise! Norwegian Cruise Line has reached out to alert booked guests to a change in the ship’s dry dock schedule, which will extend that sailing.

The cruise will be departing Southampton, UK on September 27 as planned, but the voyage will now be longer than expected. This is the ship’s last sailing before dry dock, and the change is due to the shipyard’s schedules.

“Following a change in Norwegian Star’s scheduled dry dock for technical enhancements, your sailing has been extended from seven days to ten days,” the cruise line announced. “As part of this change, the itinerary has been adjusted.”

The original itinerary included calls to Amsterdam, Zeebrugge, Le Havre, La Coruna, and Oporto before arriving in Lisbon on October 4, 2026.

Because of the extension, the call to Oporto has been cancelled and La Coruna has been moved later in the sailing. New ports have also been added, and Norwegian Star‘s new itinerary is as follows:

  • Sunday, September 27, 2026 – Depart Southampton
  • Monday, September 28 – Amsterdam from 1-9 p.m.
  • Tuesday, September 29 – Zeebrugge from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Wednesday, September 30 – Le Havre from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Thursday, October 1 – Day at sea
  • Friday, October 2 – La Rochelle from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (previously La Coruna)
  • Saturday, October 3 – Le Verdon from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (previously Oporto)
  • Sunday, October 4 – Bilbao from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (previously arriving in Lisbon)
  • Monday, October 5 – La Coruna from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Tuesday, October 6 – Vigo from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Wednesday, October 7 – Arrive in Lisbon

Who doesn’t want a longer cruise vacation? And even better for booked guests is that this extension will not cost anything further with respect to the cruise fare, even if the reservation is not yet paid in full.

“This new ten-day itinerary provides three extra days to enjoy these exciting destinations at no additional cost,” the notification confirmed. “All existing pricing, promotions, and packages tied to your reservation will remain fully protected.”

Furthermore, if guests have prepaid for any add-on packages, those will likewise be price-protected and extended without additional cost.

“If you’ve added prepaid daily service charges, a promotional beverage package, or promotional dining package, those will be price protected based on your original sailing length,” the email explained.

“Even better, the number of specialty dining package meals and Wi-Fi minutes associated with any promotional packages will be increased to match the new sailing length.”

Norwegian Star Cruise Ship
Norwegian Star Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: P.Cartwright)

This represents a great bonus for booked guests and the opportunity for an even longer cruise vacation than originally anticipated.

Read Also: The Different Norwegian Cruise Line Ship Classes

If guests have already arranged airfare or other plans after the original debarkation date, those plans may need adjusting. Fortunately, because this sailing is 11 months away, there is plenty of time for travelers to make those changes if necessary.

Why the Dry Dock Change?

Norwegian Cruise Line has not given any reason for the dry dock change, nor has there been any indication that Norwegian Star has any unexpected mechanical or operational concerns.

Rather, this is likely a shipyard issue that could be related to other ships getting upgrades or refreshment, labor availability, or supply issues that are impacting the overall schedule at the shipyard.

It is not uncommon for dry dock schedules to be shifted as necessary. That is a risk guests take if they book sailings right before or right after a planned dry dock, as those itineraries can be impacted if the schedule changes.

More From Cruise Hive

At this time, there is no change to Norwegian Star‘s first sailing after completing her dry dock. That cruise is a 14-night transatlantic sailing from Southampton to Miami that will depart the UK on November 20, 2026.

Guests booked on that cruise will want to stay in close contact with Norwegian Cruise Line in case further scheduling adjustments may be needed.

Oil Spill at Galveston Forces Major Change to Princess Cruise

Donna Tunney
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Oil Spill at Galveston Forces Major Change to Princess Cruise

Key Aspects:

  • The departure of Princess Cruises’ Regal Princess was delayed by one day at the Port of Galveston after a cargo ship accident caused an oil spill.
  • Regal Princess was forced to cancel her one port call, to Cozumel, Mexico, as a result of the overnight delay.
  • Guests were offered an onboard credit and a future cruise credit as compensation for their disappointment.

An oil spill at the Port of Galveston is causing some major disappointments for guests booked to sail on Princess Cruises’ Regal Princess, which is based at the port and sails Western Caribbean voyages.

The 3,560-guest ship was due to sail a 4-night getaway cruise on October 29, 2025, visiting just one port, Cozumel, Mexico. However, an oil spill that occurred when a cargo ship accidentally rammed the port’s Pier 32 the night of October 28, 2025 caused the port to temporarily close during clean-up efforts.

It meant that Regal Princess was essentially stuck at the Port of Galveston and unable to refuel. Since port officials determined that the clean-up process must be done in daylight, the ship had to remain in port overnight on October 29, 2025 rather than begin her scheduled itinerary.

“This final cleaning will take place in the morning, and we plan to depart late morning tomorrow, Thursday, October 30, after we receive final clearance to do so,” stated a notice from Captain Aldo Traverso, master of Regal Princess. 

“As a result of our late departure, and after evaluating the long passage to our scheduled port, we do not have enough time to preserve our visit to Cozumel, Mexico and must cancel our call,” the notice to guests explained.

The captain also said that those who had booked the cruise line’s shore excursions in Cozumel would be automatically refunded.

There will be one brief port stop during the cruise, however. In order to comply with US law, Regal Princess must make one port call at a foreign port before returning to Galveston. As a result, the ship will visit Progreso, Mexico, but as a service call only — no passengers will be allowed to depart the ship.

The notice to guests did not indicate when the Progreso call would be made.

The captain reminded guests that, while in port, the ship was unable to open the casino or the retail stores. Also, the alcoholic beverage component of Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages was not valid while the ship was delayed.

Galveston Oil Spill
Galveston Oil Spill (Photo Credit: Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Texas City)

The cargo ship accident at Galveston impacted other cruise ships, too. Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Breeze announced an embarkation change due to the port mishap.

The 3,690-guest ship will depart the port as scheduled on October 30, 2025, on a 4-night Western Caribbean cruise, but will do so from a different cruise terminal.

Normally, the ship docks at Cruise Terminal 28, however, the ship was moved to Terminal 10, and booked guests will board the vessel there. No itinerary changes are anticipated.

Cruise Line Offers Limited Compensation For Delay

Princess Cruises took steps to assuage passengers’ frustrations with the departure delay and the itinerary change by offering compensation.

Read Also: 10 Worst Cruise Fails You Can Prepare For

First, a $25 onboard credit is being provided to each cruiser, as well as a future cruise credit (FCC) reflecting half of the cruise fare paid. Moreover, guests will receive a cruise fare refund of one day of the base fare — making up for the lost day stuck in port.

For guests who had purchased the line’s Princess Plus or Princess Premier inclusive packages, the refund will reflect one day’s cost of the package.

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Princess Cruises also acknowledged that some guests might wish to debark the ship and cancel their booking as a result of the itinerary change. They were permitted to do so between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. on October 30, 2025.

While no refunds or airfare change fees were offered, the line will provide an FCC of 25% of the cruise fare paid. Guests who disembarked the ship were required to carry off their luggage, as no portage staff was available.

Three-Deck-High Castle Installed Aboard New-Build Disney Adventure

Donna Tunney
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0
Three-Deck-High Castle Installed Aboard New-Build Disney Adventure

Key Aspects:

  • Disney Cruise Line’s new Disney Adventure is now home to a three-deck high storybook castle, following installation of the structure at a Meyer Werft shipyard.
  • The castle anchors one end of the ship’s Disney Imagination Garden, one of seven themed spaces on the ship.
  • Disney Adventure will enter service in March 2026 and serve the Asia market from her homeport of Singapore.

The magic continues at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany, where a long-awaited storybook castle has been installed on Disney Adventure, Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship that will launch in March 2026.

Officially the first Disney-castle-at-sea, the 186-foot-tall structure spans the height of three decks — enough to wow little princes and princesses, and adults, too!

Disney Adventure is the first of the line’s cruise ships to host the spectacle of a giant castle, which was designed to look like the castles depicted in Disney movies and at its theme parks.

The castle looks like a paper cutout, similar to a pop-up book, with several intricate turrets and three stained-glass panels at its center. Each panel is dedicated to a famous Disney heroine and princess, and features aspects of nature inspired by the films “Moana,” “Tangled,” and “Frozen.”

The Disney family crest sits at the center of the castle, just like all of the castles that grace the Disney parks across the world.

The castle anchors one end of the Disney Imagination Garden, a sprawling themed area that will have two dining venues, a bar, and a new category of garden-view cabins. The garden is one of seven themed spaces on the ship.

When she debuts, Disney Adventure will be the largest ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, accommodating up to 6,700 guests. The 208,000-gross-ton ship will be based in Singapore and sail 3- and 4-night cruises to nowhere.

Originally scheduled to launch in December 2025, the line postponed the debut to March. Disney Adventure’s first scheduled cruise is a 4-night voyage roundtrip from Singapore on March 5, 2026.

Disney Adventure Storybook Castle
Disney Adventure Storybook Castle

Disney Adventure is the former Global Dream, which was owned by Genting Hong Kong for its Dream Cruises subsidiary. The ship was about 70% constructed when Genting filed for bankruptcy, enabling Disney Cruise Line to buy it in 2022.

A massive renovation to bring the ship up to Disney Cruise Line standards soon began. The ship will be the first in the Disney fleet to homeport year-round in Asia.

Disney Adventure will be based at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre in Singapore, and will remain there for at least five years, according to its agreement with the Singapore Tourism Board.

Ship to Feature Seven Themed Areas

Guests who sail aboard Disney Adventure will enjoy the ship’s seven themed areas, including the Disney Imagination Garden. 

Other areas are Disney Discovery Reef, home to dining and retail options; San Fransokyo Street, a family entertainment space; Wayfinder Bay, an open-air space inspired by the South Pacific; and Town Square, which will have multiple bars, cafes, and restaurants.

Disney Cruise Line’s First Castle at Sea
Disney Cruise Line’s First Castle at Sea

Read Also: Disney Cruise Ships by Size: Largest to Smallest

Also, the Marvel Landing themed area will be a celebration of Disney’s iconic superheroes and supervillains, while Toy Story Place will feature Pixar characters.

Disney Cruise Line had earlier detailed some of the entertainment the ship will offer guests.

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In the Imagination Garden, for instance, the Garden Stage will be the site of several lively productions, including “Avengers Assemble!” where daredevil stunts and special effects will bring to life famous characters such as Spider-Man, Iron Man, and Captain America.

The ship’s launch is just over four months away. Still to come will be more outfitting of the ship’s public areas and staterooms, followed by sea trials in early 2026.

Carnival Alerts Guests to Embarkation Terminal Change

Melissa Mayntz
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0
Carnival Alerts Guests to Embarkation Terminal Change

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Breeze will use Terminal 10 instead of Terminal 28 in Galveston for her October 30 debarkation and embarkation.
  • Complimentary shuttles will be available for guests to park at Terminal 28 as planned, but embark at Terminal 10.
  • The temporary terminal change is due to the oil spill at Port of Galveston on October 2,8 but the ship’s itinerary is not affected.

Guests embarking Carnival Breeze on Thursday, October 30, 2025 have a last-minute change that will impact their arrival to the cruise terminal in Galveston. While the ship’s schedule is not adjusted, the terminal the ship is docked at has changed.

Due to a late-night oil spill at the Port of Galveston on Tuesday, October 28, Carnival Breeze is unable to dock at Cruise Terminal 28 as previously planned.

Instead, the ship has been moved to Terminal 10, and guests must be prepared not only for the change but also aware of where to park in anticipation of the ship’s return to Galveston after the 4-night sailing.

“The U.S. Coast Guard and the Texas General Land Office are responding to an oil discharge in the channel at the Port of Galveston which occurred on Tuesday, October 28. This is preventing Carnival Breeze from operating from our terminal, tomorrow, Thursday, October 30,” the notification from the cruise line explained.

“Consequently, embarkation will now take place at Cruise Terminal 10.”

The two terminals are just over a mile apart, with Terminal 28 on the port’s west end while Terminal 10 is on the east end, at 1028 Harborside Drive.

Because Carnival Breeze will be returning to her assigned terminal (28) at the end of the Western Caribbean cruise, guests need to park appropriately to be prepared for debarkation on Monday, November 3.

Worth Reading: Embarkation Delay for Carnival Ship After Original Time Change

“Kindly keep your original parking reservation since the ship will be returning to its assigned location (Terminal 28) at the conclusion of the voyage. Please note that parking will not be available at Terminal 10,” Carnival confirmed.

There will be complimentary shuttles available to transport guests from Terminal 28 to Terminal 10 for embarkation. When the cruise ship returns, no shuttles will be needed as Carnival Breeze will dock at Terminal 28.

Oil Spill in Galveston, Texas
Oil Spill in Galveston, Texas (Photo Credit: Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Texas City)

Read Also: What You Need to Know on Galveston Cruise Parking

Guests who are arriving via rideshare, taxis, or being dropped off at the cruise port rather than parking their own vehicles should be sure to advise their drivers of the change for embarkation to ensure they arrive at the correct terminal.

Port of Galveston’s Cruise Terminal 10 is Royal Caribbean’s 161,334-square foot terminal that opened in November 2022. On October 30, there are no Royal Caribbean ships using the terminal. The next Royal Caribbean visit is when Mariner of the Seas returns on Saturday, November 1.

Embarkation Times Also Delayed

In addition to the change of terminal for embarkation only, Carnival Breeze guests are also being notified that their arrival times for check-in at the terminal must be delayed by an hour.

If guests had selected a 12-12:30 p.m. arrival appointment, for example, they should now plan to arrive from 1-1:30 p.m. instead. Arriving earlier can create unnecessary delays and guests may be asked to leave and return at the new time.

This slight change is necessary because it will take slightly longer to debark guests from the ship’s previous sailing and shuttle them back to Terminal 28, where their cars await.

More From Cruise Hive

All guests still need to be checked in and onboard by the final boarding time listed on their boarding pass. At this time, there are no changes to Carnival Breeze‘s itinerary, and the ship should still be visiting Cozumel as expected on Saturday, November 1.

Any further updates will be provided to guests as soon as changes are confirmed. Guests should consider opting in to Carnival’s text updates to be notified of any additional changes.

Mardi Gras Guests Notified of Last-Minute Embarkation Delay

Catie Kovelman
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0
Mardi Gras Guests Notified of Last-Minute Embarkation Delay

Key Aspects:

  • Mardi Gras will be arriving in Port Canaveral on October 30 to disembark her current transatlantic sailing and embark on a new Caribbean voyage.
  • The current cruise will take a bit longer to disembark than planned, so embarkation for the next cruise has been slightly delayed in a domino effect.
  • Carnival instructed guests to arrive at the port one hour later than their original Terminal Arrival Appointments.

Future guests of Carnival Cruise Line’s Mardi Gras will need to wait just a little bit longer to get the party started.

The Excel-class cruise ship will conclude a 14-night transatlantic voyage that embarked in Barcelona, Spain, in Port Canaveral, Florida, on Thursday, October 30, 2025.

However, the cruise line will need some extra time to disembark the up to 5,270 guests currently onboard before welcoming a new wave of passengers.

The subsequent sailing is a 9-night voyage to the Eastern Caribbean.

“Thursday, October 30, the ship will be returning from a transatlantic voyage, and we will need some extra time to disembark guests before accommodating your arrival,” Carnival wrote to impacted guests.

This means that guests will need to delay their Terminal Arrival Appointments, which were selected during the online check-in process, by one hour.

“Consequently, embarkation for your cruise has been revised. Please delay your Terminal Arrival Appointment by one hour,” the update continued.

This means that those with a 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. appointment slot should now arrive at Port Canaveral at 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and so forth.

Guests who try to arrive during their former timeslot may be asked to leave and return later.

No Impact to the Itinerary

As of the time of publication, there are no other reported delays for this cruise.

Cruise tracking data shows that the 180,800-gross ton ship is still expected to set sail at 4:30 p.m. EST.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, she will then proceed to visit St. Thomas, Philipsburg, San Juan, Amber Cove, and Celebration Key (Carnival’s brand new private island) before returning to the Orlando-based port on November 8, 2025.

Port Canaveral will be her homeport through 2028. The 2021-launched vessel will continue operating Caribbean itineraries through mid-2027 before setting her sights on the Bahamas.

Carnival Mardi Gras in Tenerife
Carnival Mardi Gras in Tenerife

Carnival did not go into great detail about why disembarkation would take longer than planned, but this can happen from time to time.

Especially because Port Canaveral will be the first US port Mardi Gras visits after returning from Europe, it’s possible that the US customs and immigration clearance process may be more involved.

Embarkation can also be delayed due to things like technical repairs or because of increased sanitation needs following illness onboard – although no recent outbreaks have been reported for this ship.

Some cruise fans also theorized that parking could be a factor, but as the cruise embarked in another country, the majority of guests shouldn’t have cars waiting for them in Florida.

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Additionally, the Terminal 3 parking structure – which is where Mardi Gras docks – is quite large. It’s a six-level garage with 1,800 parking spaces.

But no matter what the ultimate reason may be, guests will just need to be patient for a little while before the fun can commence. An hour is nothing in the grand scheme of things!

Oil Spill in Galveston Impacts Multiple Cruise Ships

Catie Kovelman
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0
Oil Spill in Galveston Impacts Multiple Cruise Ships

Key Aspects:

  • An oil spill occurred in the Galveston Cruise Port after an unnamed vessel collided with Pier 32.
  • The spill is secured, but the clean up process and investigation is still in progress.
  • The Galveston Ship Channel has been closed to mitigate the impacts of the spill, which is creating challenges for cruise operations.

Things have been hectic in the Galveston Cruise Port, where an oil spill has sent cruise operations into disarray.

The spill occurred on the night of October 28, 2025, after an unspecified vessel belonging to Forestwave Navigation BV accidentally struck Pier 32 and began to discharge oil.

The US Coast Guard (Sector Houston-Galveston) received a call at approximately 9:50 p.m. local time.

Coast Guard personnel have been working side-by-side with the Texas General Land Office and the responsible company to contain and clean the spill through the night and into the following day.

“The Coast Guard, Texas General Land Office and the responsible party, Forestwave Navigation BV, are working together to respond to the spill and have personnel and assets on scene,” the US Coast Guard said in a press release.

The Galveston Ship Channel, which was initially closed to reduce the impact of the spill, has not yet reopened as of the time of publication.

Oil Spill in Galveston, Texas
Oil Spill in Galveston, Texas (Photo Credit: Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Texas City)

“The Galveston Ship Channel is closed from Gulf Copper to Pelican Island Bridge to reduce the impact of the spill,” the US Coast Guard confirmed.

As of the evening of Wednesday, October 29, the source of the spill has been secured, but the amount of oil that was released has not yet been confirmed.

The channel will likely remain closed until officials are further along in their clean-up and investigation.

Cleaning operations and assessments of air and safety conditions are also still underway.

Thankfully, there have been no reports of negative impacts to local wildlife thus far.

Which Cruise Ships are Impacted?

As the Galveston Ship Channel is the main deep-water entrance to the busy port, the closure has unsurprisingly already had a significant impact on cruise operations.

Regal Princess

Princess Cruises’ Regal Princess, which was the only ship to visit the Texas-based port on October 29, has been the most impacted vessel thus far.

It was supposed to be embarkation day for a 4-night sailing to Cozumel, Mexico, where the 142,229-gross ton vessel is expected to call on Halloween.

“Cruise out of Galveston keeps getting postponed to [embark]. This is my first cruise, is there any effort to be made to try and get some kind of compensation out of this,” a current passenger shared.

“I have no idea how we will make up the time because we were already delayed on getting onto the ship since it’s the first time back in the US,” they continued.

Regal Princess at Port of Galveston
Regal Princess at Port of Galveston (Photo Courtesy: Princess Cruises)

The guest is referring to the fact that Regal Princess had just completed a transatlantic crossing from Southampton, UK.

Cruise tracking data confirms that the 3,560-guest ship remains docked in Galveston as of 8:45 p.m. local time, when she was supposed to depart at 3 p.m.

It’s unclear when she will finally set sail and if the visit to Cozumel will be impacted.

Carnival Breeze

Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Breeze, which is due in Galveston on October 30 to begin her own 4-night sailing to Cozumel, has also changed her disembarkation and embarkation plans to account for the spill.

Carnival Breeze usually docks at Cruise Terminal 25 or Cruise Terminal 28, but the Dream-class ship will head to Pier 10 instead.

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“Due to an oil spill in the Galveston Harbor, Carnival Breeze embarkation and debarkation have been moved to Pier 10,” reads an update from Discount Cruise Parking, a local parking company.

“Shuttles and staff will be on-site to ensure a smooth and stress-free transition to and from Pier 10.”

More Carnival ships like Carnival Dream and Carnival Jubilee and Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas are also due in Galveston in the coming days, and could potentially be impacted.

New Drink Package Prices Revealed for P&O Cruises Starting October 2025

Melissa Mayntz
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0
New Drink Package Prices Revealed for P&O Cruises Starting October 2025

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival-owned P&O Cruises is increasing the prices of its pre-paid drink package options.
  • The most expensive, all-inclusive Deluxe package is actually decreasing in price by a small amount.
  • This change comes just after sister company Carnival Cruise Line increased internet package prices.

P&O Cruises, part of the Carnival Corporation & plc family, is quietly raising drink package prices. The new prices are effective from late October 2025, after pricing was significantly lower earlier in the year.

No direct notification of the price increase has been sent to booked guests, but travelers have discovered the change on the cruise line’s website. Cruise Hive has reached out to P&O Cruises for a statement on the change, but has not yet heard back as of this writing.

P&O Cruises offers four package options as follows:

  • Refresh – On-tap fountain soft drinks and juice only
  • Alcohol-Free – On-tap fountain soft drinks plus select coffee and tea options, bottled water, bottled juices, and non-alcoholic cocktails
  • Classic – All soft drinks and alcoholic beverages but excluding the full range of coffees as well as certain high-end cocktails, wines, and craft beers
  • Deluxe – All soft drinks and alcoholic beverages with no exclusions

The new per person, per day pricing for the packages is £16 ($21 USD) for the Refresh option, £29 ($38) for the Alcohol-Free package, £50 ($66) for the Classic package, and £60 ($79) for the Deluxe option.

Previously, the packages were £14.45 ($19), £26.95 ($36), £48.85 ($64), and £60.50 ($80), respectively.

To be clear, the three lower package options have all increased in price. The Refresh package is up 10%, the Alcohol-Free package is up almost 8%, and the Classic package is up by just over 2%.

The most all-inclusive Deluxe option, however, has actually decreased slightly, by almost 1%. While this does not seem significant (and to the budget, it probably isn’t), it does signal that the “extra” inclusions for the Deluxe package are either stable in price or else there may not be as much guest interest in that package.

Furthermore, the Deluxe package price decrease firmly cements the idea that the all-inclusive package is the best value for guests who will take advantage of its extensive options.

Package pricing can change at any time and can vary based on the ship, length of sailing, or sailing date. Shorter sailings typically have slightly higher per-day prices, while holiday sailings or more popular itineraries may have slightly higher prices.

P&O Drinks
P&O Drinks (Photo Courtesy: P&O Cruises)

Pre-booking the packages can be up to 20% cheaper than booking onboard and is a great way for interested cruisers to save if they are sure the package is a good deal for their beverage preferences.

If guests have already purchased and paid for a drink package that has not yet set sail, no worries! There will be no extra charge or increase in the package pricing, as it is already fully paid no matter when the sailing date may be.

Are More Price Increases on the Way?

This is the second quiet price increase noticed for Carnival-owned cruise brands in just days. In addition to the drink package pricing increase on P&O Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line has quietly increased its internet plan pricing.

It is possible that additional price changes may be coming soon not only on P&O Cruises or Carnival Cruise Line, but for other brands in the family as well. This includes Princess Cruises, AIDA Cruises, Holland America Line, and more.

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While each cruise line operates independently, it is not uncommon for such price changes to come in waves as overall corporate revenue is reviewed. Cruise lines also consider guest feedback, package popularity, supply prices, and profitability when determining any price changes.

To secure the best deals, guests on any cruise line should book package options early if they know they want to take advantage of better savings. This will generally lock in current rates before any possible price changes take effect.

Royal Caribbean Goes Big With 6 Ships in Europe For Summer 2027

Donna Tunney
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0
Royal Caribbean Goes Big With 6 Ships in Europe For Summer 2027

Key Aspects:

  • Mariner of the Seas will make her debut in Southampton, UK, offering getaway cruises and longer itineraries.

Royal Caribbean has unveiled its summer 2027 cruise schedule in Europe, featuring six ships, including an Icon-class vessel, deployed to ports across the continent.

Guests can look forward to several firsts, such as Mariner of the Seas sailing her inaugural season from Southampton, UK, and Brilliance of the Seas offering new ports of call, including exotic Tangier, Morocco.

Also, three ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet — Rhapsody of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, and Odyssey of the Seas, will offer passengers the opportunity to visit the line’s new Royal Beach Club Santorini, an exclusive experience on the sun-drenched Greek island.

Sales on all voyages are open to Crown & Anchor Society members and will open to the general public on October 30, 2025.

The announcement detailing the line’s 2027 season in Europe followed close on the heels of its disclosure that parent company Royal Caribbean Group will offer Royal Beach Club Santorini to guests sailing on ships operated by two of its brands — Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises.

The Santorini club will be offered in conjunction with another shoreside adventure, Ultimate Santorini Day, which will feature sightseeing of the island’s key attractions along with the beach club retreat.

The precise location of Royal Beach Club Santorini has not yet been announced, nor has any cost to enter the club or book the sightseeing component. However, like other Royal Beach Clubs that Royal Caribbean has planned, it will feature luxury areas like cabana rentals.

Royal Caribbean’s first such club, the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, in the Bahamas, is due to open in December 2025.

Here’s Where Each Ship Will Be Based For Summer 2027

The 5,610-guest Legend of the Seas, the Icon-class ship that is due to enter service in July 2026, will sail Western Mediterranean itineraries from Barcelona and Rome.

It will be the ship’s second summer season in the Med, as she is scheduled to offer similar cruises from both ports starting on July 11, 2026.

Read Also: Royal Caribbean Amenities You Should Pre-Book

Rhapsody of the Seas, a Vision-class ship that accommodates 2,040 guests, will be focused on the Eastern Mediterranean with cruises from Athens.

Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas

Returning to the Mediterranean following four summers deployed elsewhere, the ship will sail 7-night cruises to Greece, Turkey, and Egypt, including calls to Royal Beach Club Santorini.

Sailing for the first time from Southampton, the 4,252-guest Voyager class Mariner of the Seas will offer short getaways of two nights to longer, 9-night itineraries. Destinations on her itineraries include Porto, Portugal, and Seville, Spain, as well as the Norwegian fjords and Denmark.

The 4,290-guest Explorer of the Seas, also a Voyager-class ship, will sail both the Western and Eastern Mediterranean from Barcelona, Rome, Ravenna, and Athens to ports across Italy, France, and Spain, as well as the Adriatic gems of Croatia, Montenegro, and Greece.

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Sailing from Rome, the 4,284-guest Quantum-class Odyssey of the Seas will offer 7-night Greek Island adventures to Mykonos and Santorini, offering guests the Royal Beach Club Santorini experience.

Finally, the Radiance-class Brilliance of the Seas, which accommodates 2,145 guests, will sail itineraries similar to Odyssey of the Seas — 7-night voyages to the Greek Islands and Croatia from Ravenna, with a highlight of the cruises being the Santorini experience.

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