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Celebrity Cruises Celebrates Two Edgy Construction Milestones

Donna Tunney
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Celebrity Cruises Celebrates Two Edgy Construction Milestones

Key Aspects:

  • Celebrity Cruises welcomed Celebrity Xcel, the fifth ship in the line’s popular Edge class, during a handover event at France’s Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard on Thursday, October 23, 2025.
  • The cruise line also announced the name of its sixth ship in the class, Celebrity Xcite, as that vessel’s steel-cutting ceremony was held at the French yard the same day.
  • Celebrity Xcel will be based at Port Everglades for the fall/winter 2025-26 season, offering mostly 7-night voyages to destinations in the Eastern and Western Caribbean, and the Bahamas.

Celebrity Xcel has officially joined the Celebrity Cruises’ fleet following the handover of the 140,600-gross-ton ship at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France.

The ship is the fifth vessel in the line’s innovative Edge class and accommodates 3,260 guests in double occupancy; 3,950 with all berths occupied.

At the same time, the cruise line revealed the name of its sixth Edge-class ship — Celebrity Xcite, which is due to enter service in 2028.

The Edge-class ships are known for their unique designs and venues that include the Magic Carpet, a cantilevered platform that moves between decks and is used mainly as an entertainment space; Infinite Veranda staterooms that feature floor-to-ceiling windows; and the stunning three-deck Grand Plaza, the central hub of the ships.

“Each ship in the Edge Series has reimagined what’s possible at sea through elevated design and experiences that deepen the connection to the destinations being visited,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO of parent company Royal Caribbean Group. 

Celebrity Xcite Rendering
Celebrity Xcite Rendering (Image Credit: Celebrity Cruises)

“With Celebrity Xcel now joining the fleet and Celebrity Xcite on the horizon, we’re continuing to set new standards for excellence and innovation alongside our trusted partners at Chantiers de l’Atlantique.”

All of the Edge-class ships have been built at the French shipyard. The first four ships in the class are Celebrity Edge (2018), Celebrity Apex (2020), Celebrity Beyond (2022), and Celebrity Ascent (2023).

“Celebrity Xcel and the entire Edge series is the result of close collaboration between our teams,” said Laurent Castaing, general manager of Chantiers de l’Atlantique. 

“Our continued partnership with Royal Caribbean Group on Celebrity Xcite reflects a shared commitment to excellence and innovation.”

The festive handover ceremony was attended by cruise line and shipyard officials, including Celebrity Cruises’ president Laura Hodges Bethge, ship’s captain Kyriakos Matragkas, and the 1,600 members of Celebrity Xcel’s crew.

Construction of the ship began in June 2024; the vessel aced her sea trials in mid-September 2025, and shipyard staff completed their finishing touches in the run-up to delivery.

Celebrity Xcite Steel Cutting
Celebrity Xcite Steel Cutting (Photo Credit: Celebrity Cruises)

As for the new-build Celebrity Xcite, her name was disclosed during the ship’s steel cutting ceremony, marking the start of her physical construction at Chantiers de l’Atlantique and continuing the legacy of the Edge-class ships.

Ship’s Itineraries to Feature Bahamas, Caribbean Ports

Thanks to shipyard operations that moved ahead of schedule, Celebrity Xcel is debuting earlier than planned. She was originally set to sail from Fort Lauderdale on November 18, 2025, but the cruise line was able to add a 4-night preview voyage departing on November 9, 2025.

Read Also: Top 10 Largest Cruise Ships in the World

Her preview cruise will make just one port call, to Cozumel, Mexico, while her 5-night maiden voyage, departing on November 18, 2025, will visit Cozumel plus Bimini Island, Bahamas.

Going forward, Celebrity Xcel will offer 7-night seasonal voyages to ports in the Eastern and Western Caribbean. A “Puerto Plata, St. Thomas & St. Maarten” cruise, for instance, will call at Amber Cove, Dominican Republic; St. Thomas, USVI; and Philipsburg, St. Maarten.

In April 2026, the ship will deploy to Barcelona for the summer season, sailing 7-  to 11-night cruises throughout the Western and Eastern Mediterranean.

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In November 2026, Celebrity Xcel will return to the US, but not to Port Everglades. Instead, her second winter season will be operated from PortMiami.

The homeport and itineraries for Celebrity Xcite have not yet been announced.

Norovirus Outbreak Hits Oceania Ship, Dozens Ill

Lissa Poirot
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Norovirus Outbreak Hits Oceania Ship, Dozens Ill

Key Aspects:

  • Oceania Insignia has reported a norovirus outbreak on its current 11-night Canada and New England cruise.
  • This marks the 20th gastrointestinal outbreak of 2025, according to the CDC’s reporting system.

A fall foliage cruise along the Canadian and New England coastline has taken an unpleasant turn after more than 70 passengers reported gastrointestinal illness mid-voyage. 

The outbreak occurred aboard Oceania Cruises’ Oceania Insignia, which departed Montreal on October 16, 2025, for an 11-night itinerary scheduled to end in Boston on October 27.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that norovirus was identified as the cause, with 74 of 637 passengers and one crew member out of 391 reporting symptoms by October 20, 2025.

Oceania Insignia’s route includes port calls throughout Quebec, Newfoundland, and Nova Scotia, with stops such as Quebec City, Saguenay, Sept-Îles, Corner Brook, Sydney, Halifax, and Saint John before calling in Portland, Maine, and finishing in Boston.

The outbreak was reported just as the ship was sailing along the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Once cases were identified, the crew began implementing its outbreak prevention plan, including confining ill passengers to their cabins.

Worth Reading: Nearly 200 Passengers Fall Ill as Outbreak Hits Cruise Ship

Public areas have received increased sanitation, especially high-touch surfaces like railings and elevator buttons, and dining services have shifted to reduce guest contact with shared utensils to try to contain the outbreak.

As required, Oceania Cruises notified US health officials as illness totals crossed reporting thresholds with 11.6 percent of guests affected.

“VSP [Vessel Sanitation Program] is remotely monitoring the situation, including review of the ship’s outbreak response and sanitation procedures,” the CDC stated.

Insignia, Oceania Cruises
Photo By: Oceania Cruises

Reporting requirements also mean counts are cumulative throughout the voyage and numbers may change if passengers and crew members continue reporting symptoms.

While norovirus typically resolves within a couple of days for most people, the virus spreads easily in confined spaces where passengers gather.

A Troubling Year for Cruise Outbreaks

Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes acute gastroenteritis, or inflammation of the stomach and intestines, according to the CDC. It is the leading cause of vomiting, diarrhea, and foodborne illnesses in the US.

Norovirus spreads easily in close-contact environments such as cruise ships, as well as restaurants, public events, and schools. The virus can pass from person to person or through contaminated surfaces with little exposure required.

This outbreak aboard Oceania Insignia adds to a series of norovirus detections that CDC has reported in 2025 across multiple cruise lines. In fact, there have been 15 outbreaks in the US where norovirus was confirmed.

Holland America Line experienced the first outbreak in January 2025 aboard Volendam with cases extending monthly through May. 

Although June was illness-free, Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas reported an outbreak in July, followed by the recent outbreak on Serenade of the Seas in late September that worsened before the voyage ended on October 2, 2025.

The Oceania Insignia incident is the first norovirus outbreak publicly recorded this year for Oceania Cruises.

The CDC has also recorded three additional outbreaks with unconfirmed causes, an E. coli outbreak, and one Ciguatera outbreak, a seafood poisoning, making 2025 one of the busiest years on record in outbreaks at 20 total incidents by press date.

In 2024, there were 18 gastrointestinal illness outbreaks on cruise ships in the VSP system.

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Passengers still sailing with Oceania Insignia and other vessels can take steps to reduce their risk. The CDC recommends washing hands frequently with soap and water, especially before eating and after using the restroom. Alcohol-based sanitizers are less effective against norovirus.

Guests who begin experiencing vomiting or diarrhea are urged to report their symptoms immediately to the ship’s medical team and to remain in their cabins.

US Cruise Guest Deported From Italy for Firearm Possession

Catie Kovelman
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US Cruise Guest Deported From Italy for Firearm Possession

Key Aspects: 

  • A 77-year-old man from Tennessee was detained for attempting to board a cruise ship with a gun in his backpack.
  • The prohibited item, which the man claims to have forgotten about, was found during the security screening process at the Porto Corsini Cruise Terminal in Ravenna, Italy.
  • Authorities seized the weapon and the man was deported without getting to set sail.

One cruise passenger made a very bad decision while traveling in Italy, and it unfortunately cost him his vacation.

The guest, who has only been identified as a 77-year-old American, was detained after personnel at the Porto Corsini Cruise Terminal in Ravenna, Italy, found a gun in his backpack.

Security team members spotted a 6.35mm Browning semi-automatic pistol when the man’s belongings went through the X-ray machine during the standard security screening at the cruise terminal.

The banned weapon had a full magazine and one round already chambered, which means it could have potentially fired.

The man, who originally flew into Italy from Tennessee with his son to embark on the cruise, said that he had a valid US gun licence and that he had “forgotten” the weapon was in his backpack.

Gun ownership in Italy is extremely strict, and firearm permits are typically not issued to tourists, even if they have the proper documents to carry at home.

Traveling to Italy with a firearm can be met with extreme consequences, including hefty fines and jail time.

In this case, Italian authorities seized the prohibited item, charged the man with illegal firearm possession, and had him deported.

The event is reminiscent of when a 73-year-old passenger from the US was arrested at Japan’s Kobe Cruise Terminal earlier this year after a handgun was found in his luggage. 

A Bannable Offense

Not only did the man get kicked off the sailing, but there is also a good chance he would have received a lifetime ban from the cruise line as well.

The cruise lines forbid guests from bringing weapons onboard for obvious safety implications, and it wouldn’t be the first time someone was banned for this reason.

Last October, for example, two Carnival guests were banned for life after smuggling a handgun past security and posting about it on social media.

And earlier this year, another cruiser was arrested in Aruba while trying to board Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas with a firearm.

Cruise Terminal Security
Cruise Terminal Security (Photo Credit: Joni Hanebutt / Shutterstock)

Even toy weapons, such as Nerf Blasters, are not allowed onboard because of the confusion and danger it can cause if someone confuses the replica with the real deal.

Assuming the guest was honest about bringing the item by accident, there is still no real way to confirm that it truly was a genuine mistake and he had no malicious intent.

The cruise lines have to be strict, because this is not an area where it is safe to take chances.

It’s not clear which ship the men were supposed to be boarding, but reports show that the unnamed ship would sail through Croatia before disembarking in Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy.

Many cruise ships sail to Croatia so it’s difficult to narrow down the exact ship, but the most recent vessel to visit Ravenna – where the man was detained – was Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Constellation on October 20, 2025.

From the Italian port, the Millennium-class vessel embarked on an 11-night, one-way sailing to Croatia, Montenegro, and other Italian destinations that would eventually conclude in Rome – which would fit the bill.

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Earlier in the month, Celebrity Eclipse also visited Ravenna on October 10 and TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 6 called at the port on October 11.

But while these vessels did also visit Croatia, cruise tracking data shows that they did not sail to Rome, which rules these ships out.

Ravenna won’t experience another ship call until Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Viva arrives on November 5, 2025, and hopefully this visit will be less eventful.

Margaritaville at Sea Ship Alters Course to Avoid Latest Storm

Catie Kovelman
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Margaritaville at Sea Ship Alters Course to Avoid Latest Storm

Key Aspects: 

  • Margaritaville at Sea Islander is among the first cruise ships to be rerouted to avoid Tropical Storm Melissa.
  • The calls to Ocho Rios, Jamaica, and George Town, Grand Cayman, have been replaced with Belize City, Belize, and Roatan, Honduras.
  • The tropical storm is already reaching sustained winds of up to 50 miles per hour, and is expected to strengthen into a category 3 hurricane by early next week.

Tropical Storm Melissa officially formed in the Caribbean Sea on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, and the cruise lines are starting to solidify plans to make sure their ships will stay out of her way.

Margaritaville at Sea is among the first to take action, with current passengers of Margaritaville at Sea Islander notified on Tuesday that there would be storm-related itinerary changes.

The 2,114-guest ship, which homeports year-round in Tampa, Florida, embarked on a 7-night western Caribbean sailing on October 19, 2025.

The itinerary features stops at Cozumel, Mexico; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; and George Town, Grand Cayman, which conflicts with the forecasted path of the storm.

“Captain Theo and our itinerary planning team have been diligently working on a sailing schedule that safely navigates around Tropical Storm Melissa, which is expected to impact parts of the Western Caribbean over the coming days,” reads a letter from the cruise line.

“Following this afternoon’s assessment of the storm’s path and weather conditions, Captain Theo has made the decision to adjust our current sailing schedule,” the update continued.

The visit to Cozumel was already completed on October 21, 2025, but the remaining stops in Jamaica on October 23 and Grand Cayman on October 24 have been canceled.

Instead, the 85,619-gross ton vessel visited Belize City, Belize, on October 22 and will call on Roatan, Honduras, on October 23.

The final two days of the voyage will be spent at sea.

As is standard, any pre-purchased shore excursions for Ocho Rios and Grand Cayman were automatically canceled and refunded to passengers.

More Itinerary Changes Likely Coming

Tropical Storm Melissa, which is the 13th named storm of the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season, is already a force to be reckoned with.

According to the National Hurricane Center (NOAA), Melissa is slowly churning through the western Caribbean with sustained winds of up to 50 miles per hour.

However, the storm is poised to become a major category 3 hurricane by early next week.  

Tropical Storm Melissa
Tropical Storm Melissa (Credit: NOAA)

The storm will have a particularly big impact on Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic.

“Melissa is forecast to meander over the central Caribbean Sea and could potentially become a major hurricane by early next week. Interests in Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic are urged to continue monitoring the latest forecasts,” reads NOAA’s 5 p.m. EST advisory on October 22.

“Due to Melissa’s slow motion, the risk of prolonged periods of strong winds, possibly lasting a day or more, is increasing for Jamaica and the Tiburon peninsula of Haiti,” the advisory added.

Heavy rainfall is also expected across portions of the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Jamaica through the weekend, bringing the possibility of dangerous flash flooding and landslides.

Read Also: What to Do Onboard a Cruise Ship in Bad Weather

Though no changes have been announced at this point, some are wondering if Margaritaville at Sea Islander’s next voyage will also need to be rerouted.

The subsequent sailing is another 7-night western Caribbean cruise that embarks on Sunday, October 26, 2025, when Melissa will still be very active.

“Has there been any changes with the itinerary for Oct 26-Nov 2?” one future guest asked in a cruise group.

“I’m wondering the same myself. Since our first day out is a sea day on the 27th, maybe we will miss it altogether,” another soon-to-be passenger responded.

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Other major brands, including Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Virgin Voyages, and Cunard Line, are also currently active in the Caribbean.

These brands are likely in the process of exploring potential itinerary changes and notifying impacted passengers, if they haven’t done so already.

Royal Caribbean Amps Up Alaskan Adventures for 2027

Melissa Mayntz
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Royal Caribbean Amps Up Alaskan Adventures for 2027

Key Aspects:

  • Royal Caribbean will once again have four ships in Alaska for 2027: Anthem, Quantum, Serenade, and Voyager of the Seas.
  • While all four ships will offer 7-night sailings, they have unique itineraries and departures are available from Seattle, Vancouver, and Seward.
  • Pre- and post-cruise tours can be added to both Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas sailings for even more immersion into the Alaskan wilderness, wildlife, and culture.

With cruise travelers planning getaways further and further in advance and the popularity of cruises continuing to surge, cruise lines are looking to offer more diversity in some of the most sought-after destinations.

Alaska is one such destination, and Royal Caribbean is planning a spectacular four-ship season in summer 2027 with Anthem of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, and Voyager of the Seas.

Together, the four ships can welcome more than 13,600 guests to the Last Frontier each week, with multiple options for homeports, destinations, and onboard experiences.

The smallest of the ships, the 90,090-gross-ton, Radiance-class Serenade of the Seas, will be offering 7-night roundtrip sailings from Vancouver to Sitka, Icy Strait Point, and Ketchikan. Along the way, spectacular scenic cruising through the Inside Passage will give guests outstanding views of Alaska’s magnificent landscapes and amazing wildlife.

Meanwhile onboard, guests can relax and enjoy the classic vibes of the vessel with live music at the nautically-themed Schooner Bar or enjoy delectable dining at Giovanni’s Table or Chops Grille, both top favorites with Royal Caribbean enthusiasts.

The lead ship of the Voyager class, the 138,194-gross-ton Voyager of the Seas, will offer 7-night roundtrip cruises from Seattle. Visits to Juneau and Skagway will provide wonderful insights into Alaskan culture, while scenic cruising along Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier will be phenomenal backdrops for cruise vacation memories.

If Alaska proves a bit too chilly for passengers, relaxing in the adults-only Solarium is a great way to indulge in the sun’s rays without northern breezes, or guests can go for even more chill with onboard ice skating.

Two 168,700-gross-ton Quantum-class ships, Anthem of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas, will both be sailing in Alaskan waters in 2027. Each will offer unique experiences for guests to enjoy the exact type of northern cruise they’ve always dreamed of.

Quantum of the Seas is also sailing from Seattle, and her roundtrip 7-night cruises will visit Sitka, Juneau, and Skagway, all classic destinations for Alaska cruises but with different onboard options than Voyager of the Seas offers.

Two Cruise Ships Docked in Skagway, Alaska
Two Cruise Ships Docked in Skagway, Alaska (Photo Credit: Felder Casanova)

For example, Quantum of the Seas offers laser tag, the family-style Jamie’s Italian restaurant, and a challenging escape room to really get guests immersed in the fun.

Anthem of the Seas will offer one-way sailings and guests can choose northbound departures from Vancouver or southbound departures from Seward. In either direction, the 7-night cruises will visit top destinations like Skagway, Sitka, and Ketchikan, as well as outstanding viewing of Hubbard Glacier.

Members of Royal Caribbean’s Crown and Anchor Society loyalty program can now book all of these great sailings, with bookings opening to the general public on Thursday, October 23, 2025.

Adventures on Land

Royal Caribbean isn’t stopping at just a diverse lineup of ships, departure points, and ports of call, however. Guests on both Ovation of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas will also be able to enjoy pre- or post-sailing Cruisetour adventures, truly maximizing their vacation vibes.

These curated experiences are multi-night land expeditions that include such bucket-list options as exploring the famed Denali National Park (one of the largest national parks in the US), touring the wilderness in glass-domed railway cars, and so much more.

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This is a great way for travelers to really make the most of their Alaska adventures, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

With both Vancouver and Seattle showing extraordinary gains in cruise passenger traffic and cruising for all destinations on the rise, interested guests will want to book quickly to secure the very best sailings, dates, cabin selections, and other details for their dream Alaska getaway.

Are Jeans Ever Dining-Room-Ready? Carnival Discusses

Melissa Mayntz
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Are Jeans Ever Dining-Room-Ready? Carnival Discusses

Key Aspects:

  • Would seeing someone else wear jeans during a formal night in the Main Dining Room ruin an entire cruise? One Carnival guest thinks so.
  • The guest not only thinks jeans are inappropriate on formal night, but suggests they ought to be completely banned from Carnival Cruise Line.
  • Carnival’s official dress code stresses a casual but family-friendly atmosphere and elegant dress guidelines are considered optional.

Proper attire debates are a frequent controversy among guests, with one side holding firm that dinner in the Main Dining Room is always a dress up occasion while the other side favors a more casual dress code. Carnival Cruise Line does tend toward more casual options, but some attire continues to be contentious.

What’s the most controversial casual item a guest could wear to the Main Dining Room? Debates have raged over military uniforms, hats, sandals, and more, but for some guests, jeans are the ultimate no-no.

What gets guests riled up, however, is when someone is concerned not about what they ought to wear to dinner, but what others are wearing.

“I have a complaint. If you don’t want to dress up, don’t do [Main Dining Room] on formal night. Don’t ruin it for others,” one guest wrote to John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador.

They explained how their fashion choices on what Carnival now calls Cruise Elegant evenings include a dinner jacket or jacket and tie with their wife wearing a ballgown. Both guests enjoy the compliments they receive from dressing up so spiffily.

“The more casual formal night has essentially ruined what used to be a very special part of the cruise for me and my wife and many other people,” the guest continued.

“I counted over 100 people wearing jeans tonight, elegant night, in the dining room. They should be forced to eat on Lido Deck. It ruined the whole meal again for us both, and everyone else who had bothered to dress up.”

The guest is currently aboard Mardi Gras on the ship’s transatlantic cruise that departed Barcelona on October 16 following her recent dry dock refreshment. Typically, longer Carnival Journeys sailings often have a slightly more “traditional” feel to the cruise experience.

This particular guest’s vehemence against jeans goes even further than just dining, apparently, as they continued with a very strict suggestion.

“Jeans! Ban them. They have no place on a Carnival cruise,” he concluded.

Carnival is actually one of the most laid-back cruise lines, and their dress code suggests “Cruise Casual” for evening attire. Jeans are listed as acceptable for both men and women on most nights.

blue jeans
blue jeans (Photo Credit: skywing)

For “Cruise Elegant” evenings, which are just once on sailings 5 nights or shorter and twice on itineraries 6 nights or longer, jeans do happen to be listed as “not permitted.”

It must be noted, however, that Carnival Cruise Line’s dress codes are largely just guidelines and suggestions, and guests are welcome to wear whatever best suits their vacation vibes, provided it remains family-friendly.

Do Jeans Ruin the Cruise Experience?

Heald explains his own personal opinion in response to the frustrated guest.

“I don’t get why what someone else is wearing does, and I quote, ‘it essentially ruined what used to be a very special part of the cruise,'” he said. “You pretty much spent time you should have been enjoying the company of your beautiful wife and others counting the number of people wearing jeans.”

Heald goes on to explain how extreme dress codes are “pretty much unenforceable” because of the number of guests who enjoy the Main Dining Room. Mardi Gras, for example, can welcome as many as 5,282 guests per cruise.

To have someone standing at each entrance turning guests away for dress code would create lengthy lines and bottlenecks, slowing dinner service and making it a less pleasant experience for everyone.

Crew members do send people away if they’re wearing extremely inappropriate attire, such as swimsuits.

“But a nice pair of jeans? How does that hurt somebody?” Heald asked.

To gauge the reactions of other guests, Heald asked his followers whether they have ever worn jeans to the Main Dining Room on either a formal night or a regular casual evening.

The overwhelming answer for casual evenings is that yes, many guests have worn jeans. I certainly have.

Most guests who do not wear jeans on casual evenings also explain that they don’t usually wear jeans at all, even when not on a cruise. For some, they simply don’t pack jeans along, especially for summer sailings or Caribbean itineraries.

Read Also: How to Pack Jewelry for Travel on a Cruise Ship

On formal nights, many guests also wear jeans, though they might consider them “dressy” jeans or choose darker blue or black denim. Overall, however, fewer guests opt for jeans on an elegant evening. Personally, I have worn black jeans on many formal nights.

The fact that jeans can typically be reworn and are less prone to wrinkle when packed in luggage are also factors in what some guests choose to pack along for their cruise vacation.

One guest summed up both sides of the debate with astute observations about everyone cruising.

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“I think elegant nights are great; they give people the chance to be a bit more fancy than many regular lives allow, which is lovely. But equally folks are on vacation and should dress in whichever way is comfortable,” the guest said.

“Both types of people should be allowed to dress as they please without judgment so long as everyone remains smart and decent for MDR.”

This is not the first time Carnival Cruise Line has been a focus of the jeans-or-not debate, and it likely won’t be the last.

Port of Seattle Smashes Record With 1.9M Cruise Arrivals in 2025

Donna Tunney
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Port of Seattle Smashes Record With 1.9M Cruise Arrivals in 2025

Key Aspects:

  • The Port of Seattle closed out its Alaska season with a record 1.9 million revenue passengers transiting the facility in 2025.
  • With 298 ship calls reported, cruise tourism generated $1.2 billion in regional economic benefits.
  • The port also reached an environmental milestone, with 65% of all homeporting ships connecting to shore power.

With its cruise tourism data for 2025 just released, the Port of Seattle is brimming with success stories, starting with a record-setting 1.9 million revenue passengers. 

From cruise guest arrivals to cruise ship calls and shore power usage, it’s all good news that translates to $1.2 billion in economic benefits across the region.

The Port of Seattle’s claim to fame is its proximity to Alaska. During the summer season in 2025, 14 ships were based at the West Coast port, offering voyages of varying lengths to the Last Frontier.

Let’s dig into the numbers.

In 2025, the port surpassed all previous passenger arrival numbers, reaching the 1.9 million total. This represents a respectable hike compared to 2023 and 2024, when 1.7 million revenue passengers transited the port during its May-to-October seasons each of those years.

In 2024, 275 ship calls were recorded versus 298 in 2025. Virtually every major cruise line was represented in Seattle this year, including a Cunard ship that was based at the port for the first time. Queen Elizabeth operated 11 cruises roundtrip from Seattle starting in June 2025 and is expected back in May 2026.

Other lines that based ships in Seattle in 2025 included Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise Line.

The robust activity at the Port of Seattle that accounted for $1.2 billion in economic benefit included more than 5,000 jobs directly and indirectly related to port operations and related tourism components, such as local tour operators, restaurants, and hotels.

Queen Elizabeth Ship in Seattle
Queen Elizabeth Ship in Seattle

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) commended the port for its vibrant season.

“Seattle is a premier home port for unforgettable Alaska cruise experiences, and the cruise industry is proud to bring significant economic impact to the region while showcasing the Pacific Northwest’s beauty, attractions, local businesses, and stunning new Waterfront Park,” said Sally Andrews, Vice President of Communications for CLIA.

The 2025 numbers put Seattle well ahead of its main competitor in the Alaska market, Vancouver, British Columbia, which recorded just 1.2 million cruise passengers.

While Alaska is the port’s main cruise market, 23 voyages were operated from Seattle to other destinations in 2025, including Mexico, Hawaii, New Zealand, and Asia. Some also operated coastal cruises in the Pacific Northwest.

Major Environmental Strides Recorded in 2025

The year 2025 also set an important environmental protection record, as 65% of the ships docking at the Port of Seattle utilized the shore power technology now available at all three of the port’s cruise ship berths.

Read Also: Seattle Cruise Port: Terminals, Transportation and What’s Nearby

The number is up from 42% in 2024. Using shore power rather than continuing to run cruise ship engines while in port drastically reduces carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions.

It was good practice, since the port is set to mandate that 100% of all cruise ships homeporting at Seattle starting in 2027 have technology to hook into its shore power grid.

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“Seattle set new standards this season on environmental sustainability and economic development by focusing on a shared vision across the Port and our cruise partners,” said Steve Metruck, executive director of the Port of Seattle.

“Through our Pacific Northwest to Alaska Green Corridor and partnership work we are advancing market development for alternative maritime fuels such as green methanol and renewable biodiesel.”

In fact, the port worked with Carnival Corporation to test biofuel bunkering on three Holland America Line sailings.

Carnival Valor to Bring More Capacity to Mobile for 2027-28

Lissa Poirot
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Carnival Valor to Bring More Capacity to Mobile for 2027-28

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Valor will become the first Conquest-class ship to homeport in Mobile, Alabama, beginning year-round cruises in May 2027.
  • The ship’s itineraries will range from 6 to 8 days, visiting RelaxAway (formerly Half Moon Cay) and Celebration Key in the Bahamas.
  • Carnival Glory and Carnival Conquest will homeport in Port Canaveral and Miami, respectively.

Cruise passengers along the Gulf Coast will soon have a larger ship to sail from Mobile, Alabama, as Carnival Cruise Line will homeport Carnival Valor there beginning in 2027.

The cruise line announced today the 110,000-gross-ton ship will offer year-round sailings from the port on May 15, 2027, marking the first time a Conquest-class ship has been deployed to Mobile.

The redeployment is part of Carnival’s 2027-28 itinerary rollout, expanding the cruise line’s capacity in the region and restoring Mobile’s year-round service.

“Mobile has been an important part of the Carnival family, and we’re thrilled to mark the return of year-round deployment with our first-ever Conquest-class ship serving the market,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.

Carnival Valor will sail 6- to 8-day itineraries visiting the Bahamas and the redeveloped private island destination currently known as Half Moon Cay as it transitions into the new RelaxAway beach club with new lunch venues and bars, and a two-ship pier in summer of 2026.

The ship’s itineraries will also include calls at the new Celebration Key destination on Grand Bahama Island, which debuted in July 2025.

“This is a big win for our guests who love the convenience of cruising close to home, and for the community that has supported us for many years,” Duffy said. “Carnival Valor will bring even more opportunity for fun, and we can’t wait to welcome our guests aboard.”

Before repositioning to Alabama, the 2,980-passenger vessel will complete her New Orleans season with a 5-day sailing on May 1, 2027, followed by two 4-day Mexico cruises on May 6 and May 10.

Carnival Cruise Line will also maintain a seasonal presence in Mobile with Carnival Spirit operating between October 2026 and April 2027 until Carnival Valor arrives.

Dancing of the Ships

Carnival Valor’s Mobile-based itineraries will include two 14-day Journeys sailings featuring extended calls at Southern Caribbean and Panama Canal ports.

The first Journey departs September 26, 2027, calling at Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Cartagena, Colombia; Colón, Panama; Limón, Costa Rica; Cozumel, Mexico; and in the ABC’s at Aruba and Curaçao.

The second departs January 16, 2028, with stops at San Juan, Puerto Rico; Montego Bay, Jamaica; Amber Cove, Dominican Republic; St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; Aruba and Curaçao, and Celebration Key.

Mobile Alabama Cruise Terminal
Mobile Alabama Cruise Terminal (Photo Credit: Mobile Alabama Cruise Terminal)

Read Also: Things to Know About the Mobile Cruise Terminal in Alabama

A special Thanksgiving cruise is also planned for November 20, 2027, with a 7-day itinerary that includes Key West, Nassau, and Celebration Key.

Meanwhile, sister ship Carnival Glory will continue operating from Port Canaveral in 2027, sailing 3- and 4-day trips to the Bahamas.

The cruise line’s first Conquest-class vessel, Carnival Conquest, will remain based in Miami in 2027, offering 3- to 5-day voyages.

Both ships will feature stops at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay and Celebration Key.

In addition, Carnival Conquest will also operate two longer Journeys sailings. The first departs November 1, 2027, for an 11-day voyage to Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Celebration Key, and St. Thomas.

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The second, visiting St. Lucia, Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and Celebration Key, will depart on November 19, 2027.

Carnival Cruise Line’s 2027-2028 reshuffling aims to meet growing demand and introduce new routes for loyal guests, offering enticing options for both new and frequent cruisers.

British Passenger Dies Suddenly During Mediterranean Sailing

Catie Kovelman
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British Passenger Dies Suddenly During Mediterranean Sailing

Key Aspects:

  • During a celebratory cruise to the Mediterranean, a 61-year-old British woman sadly died in her cruise cabin.
  • She was discovered unresponsive in her stateroom on the night of October 18, when the ship was anchored in Cannes, France.
  • There is no suspicion of foul play, with a heart attack suspected as her cause of death.

One family’s celebratory Mediterranean voyage has sadly ended in tragedy.

A 61-year-old British cruiser was found lifeless in her cruise cabin at approximately 12:30 a.m. during the night of Saturday, October 18, 2025.

At the time, the cruise ship was anchored off Cannes, France, not far from the Lérins Islands.

The onboard doctor tried to resuscitate the unidentified passenger for at least thirty minutes.

Sadly, the medical team’s efforts were unsuccessful and the woman was pronounced dead in her cabin.

Thus, what was supposed to be a birthday celebration for the deceased’s husband turned into what was likely the worst day of the man’s life.

It’s unclear which cruise ship they were sailing on, but French outlet Var-Martin wrote that it was a Mediterranean sailing that featured Livorno, Italy; Cannes, and disembarked in Barcelona, Spain.

With this in mind, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Breakaway seems like the most likely host.

The Breakaway Class-flagship was operating a 10-day one-way sailing from Trieste, Italy, to Barcelona, Spain, that embarked on October 9, 2025, and included calls to Livorno and Cannes.

In fact, the 3,903-guest ship had just visted Cannes on Friday, October 17, and very well could have still been anchored at the tender port that night.

Norwegian Sky also visited Cannes on October 17, with MSC Cruises’ MSC Seaview and Marella Cruises’ Marella Discovery calling two days later on October 19.

While these ships presumably could have been in the area, their itineraries make it less likely that the deceased woman was onboard.

What Happens When a Death Occurs?

As is standard protocol, crew members alerted local authorities once the passenger’s death was confirmed. This included reaching out to the maritime gendarmerie and Cannes police.

As the vessel was still close to the shore, authorities were able to rendezvous with the ship via an inflatable boat to begin the standard investigation process and bring the body to shore.

If a ship is not able to return to a port or meet with authorities quickly, there are morgues onboard to preserve the body until it can be disembarked.

Morgue
Morgue

Sometimes, there are also repatriation issues at play where the body cannot be taken off at the next port or must stay onboard for the remainder of the sailing, which was not the case here.

After French authorities completed their investigation and the body was examined by a coroner, the woman’s death was ruled as not suspicious. The most likely culprit was a heart attack.

Heart attacks are unfortunately quite common, and can be unpredictable. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), someone in the US has a heart attack every 40 seconds.

The woman was temporarily transferred to the Cannes burial ground by fire fighters before being returned to her family for end of life services.

Throughout this trying time, the crew members onboard would have been supporting the woman’s husband and any other travel companions through their shock and decision making.

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There are special crisis teams onboard that are trained for this exact situation, and they are able to help the mourning loved ones navigate repatriation, deal with authorities, handle travel arrangements and insurance, and contact funeral homes.

The extra care often continues once families have returned home, with representatives from the cruise line often assigned to check on them in the coming weeks to months.

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