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Multiple Cruise Guests Arrested in a Single Day at Port Canaveral

Port News

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Jul 18, 2026

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Multiple Cruise Guests Arrested in a Single Day at Port Canaveral

Key Aspects:

Six different cruise ship guests were arrested at Port Canaveral on Friday, July 17, for different warrants and probation violations.
The ships the guests were sailing on were not identified, but Carnival, Disney, and Royal Caribbean ships were in port.
Background checks for outstanding warrants are common at cruise ports, and such arrests are always possible.

It was a busy day at Port Canaveral on Friday, July 17, 2026, and not just because of the three cruise ships in port. The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office arrested six different ship guests that day due to different violations and outstanding warrants.

Of the six, two of the arrested guests were 24-year-old Martell Murray and his traveling companion, 24-year-old Kenderia Burney, both from Atlanta, Georgia.

“Murray had a warrant reference a violation of his release conditions for his Murder charges…yes you read that correctly, and Burney had warrant for Violation of Probation!” the sheriff’s office confirmed on Facebook.

Murray and Burney were set to embark a ship on Friday, but instead “still got to vacation together” at “Ivey’s Iron Bar Lodge,” the tongue-in-cheek description for the Brevard County Jail. The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office often pokes fun at criminals that are arrested, increasing awareness on social media that fugitives will not be tolerated.

Both Murray and Burney are currently being held without bond.

The third and fourth arrests were of 38-year-old Veronica Hamlet from Tampa, Florida and 66-year-old James Brewton from Allendale, South Carolina.

Both had minor court violations of failure to appear and a violation of probation warrant, respectively. Hamlet was released Saturday, July 18 on a $1,000 bond, while Brewton was released on Saturday on a $500 bond. It is not known whether Hamlet and Brewton knew one another or if they were embarking or disembarking sailings at the time of their arrests.

Arrested Passengers in Port Canaveral (Photos Credit: Brevard County Sheriff’s Office)

The final two arrests were of disembarking passengers who were both on felony probation and did not have approval to leave the country. Therefore, their cruise vacations were a direct violation of those probation terms. Their names were not released.

“Whether you’re from Florida or Alaska, if you come to Brevard County and break the law…or in this case have a warrant…you better believe that we will lock you up!” the sheriff’s office noted.

Which Cruise Ships Were Involved?

None of the ships the now-arrested guests were sailing on (or were supposed to sail on) were identified, but the cruise lines were not themselves involved in the arrests in any way. There is no indication of poor behavior or altercations onboard any of the ships.

Three ships from three different cruise lines were at Port Canaveral on Friday. Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Glory had just finished a 4-night Bahamas trip that visited Nassau and Celebration Key. The 2,980-guest vessel offers 3- and 4-night cruises year-round from the Space Coast.

Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wish was also in port, having just finished a 4-night Bahamas cruise to Nassau and Castaway Cay. Disney Wish can welcome as many as 4,000 guests when fully booked and likewise offers short 3- and 4-night sailings year-round from Port Canaveral.

Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas was the final ship in port on Friday, having just returned from a 4-night Bahamas sailing to Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay. The Oasis-class vessel was the largest ship in port that day, able to host 5,668 guests at once at double occupancy. The ship also offers 3- and 4-night cruises year-round from Port Canaveral.

There were no delays for any of the ships. All three have since departed on their regular 3-night weekend sailings.

Arrests Not Uncommon

Unfortunately, arrests at cruise ports are not uncommon. While large-scale incidents such as major brawls are relatively rare, local law enforcement does work with port and cruise line officials to arrest individuals with outstanding warrants.

Cruise Hive has regularly reported on such arrests. A Kentucky man was arrested at PortMiami in December 2024 for more than $100,000 in unpaid child support, and a Pennsylvania woman was arrested in 2025 for misappropriation of GoFundMe donations, including buying herself a cruise.

Embezzlement, drug possession, casino fraud, planting hidden cameras, credit card fraud, forged documents, sexual assault, and other charges have all led to guests being arrested at cruise terminals either before or after their sailings.

Pregnant Cruiser Evacuated From Carnival Cruise Ship Near Miami

Carnival Cruise News

Catie Kovelman

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Jul 18, 2026

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Pregnant Cruiser Evacuated From Carnival Cruise Ship Near Miami

Key Aspects:

Shortly after departing from PortMiami on July 16, a guest of Carnival Sunrise began to experience pregnancy complications.
The US Coast Guard successfully rescued the 29-year-old mother-to-be.
Carnival Sunrise has continued on with its 4-night sailing to the Bahamas with no reported itinerary changes.

A getaway cruise to the Bahamas came to an abrupt end soon after embarkation for a pregnant passenger.

The 29-year-old woman had boarded Carnival Sunrise in Miami, Florida, on July 16, 2026, with the intention of enjoying a 4-night sailing to Princess Cays and Nassau in the Bahamas.

But almost immediately after the 2,984-guest ship departed from Miami at around 3:30 p.m. EDT, pregnancy complications necessitated a rescue from the US Coast Guard.

The Carnival ship was around 4 miles northeast of Government Cut when rescuers arrived, which is the passage that connects PortMiami to the Atlantic Ocean.

“A Coast Guard Station Miami Beach boat crew medically evacuated a 29 year old woman experiencing pregnancy complications from a cruise ship approximately 4 miles northeast of Government Cut on Thursday,” the US Coast Guard Southeast posted on Facebook.

“The rescue began after Sector Miami watchstanders received a report from the vessel’s security manager requesting Coast Guard assistance,” the post continued.

Rescuers transported the cruise guest back to shore via boat, where an ambulance was waiting to transport her to Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach.

Carnival Guest US Coast Guard Evacuation

There have been no reports of itinerary changes related to the evacuation, with cruise tracking data showing the 101,509-gross ton vessel en route to Princess Cays and calmly sailing at a speed of 9 knots.

Carnival Cruise Line has not commented publicly on the rescue at this time.

Cruising While Pregnant

All the major cruise lines, including Carnival, have strict policies in place to ensure that pregnant passengers and their unborn children are as safe as possible.

Importantly, Carnival does not allow pregnant women onboard after their 24th week of pregnancy. Additionally, mothers-to-be must also provide confirmation from their physician that they are safe to sail.

For context, this is stricter than air travel, with most airlines allowing women to fly domestically until they reach 36 weeks and to fly internationally until they are between 28 to 32 weeks. That said, it’s usually easier for a flight crew to divert during an emergency than it is for a cruise ship to coordinate a rescue at sea.

“Pregnant women are welcome on board. Please note that for your own safety and the safety of your unborn child, you must not be beyond your 24th week of pregnancy by the end of the cruise to be allowed to sail,” Carnival’s policy states.

“In every case you need a confirmation by your attending physician. Please ask us for the appropriate form,” the policy added.

The cruise line even asks women if they are pregnant during the online check-in process to ensure they know the rules and are in the safe window to sail if they are expecting.

Carnival is extremely strict about enforcing this policy because it’s a matter of safety. While cruise ships have medical facilities with skilled doctors, they do not have the means to safely deliver a baby, especially if delivery is premature or if there are complications.

In 2024, Cruise Hive reported that a woman who was attempting to sail onboard Carnival Luminosa was denied boarding because she was 26 weeks pregnant, which is two weeks past what is allowed.

She was also not given a refund because the pregnancy policy is clearly explained on Carnival’s website and in the cruise ticket contract that she agreed to upon booking her sailing.

The Carnival Sunrise passenger in this recent rescue would have met Carnival’s requirements in order to embark at all, though sometimes health can change in the blink of an eye.

Disney Cruise Line Makes History With Its First-Ever Female Captain

Disney Cruise Line News

Calvin Musquez

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Jul 17, 2026

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Disney Cruise Line Makes History With Its First-Ever Female Captain

Key Aspects:

Disney Cruise Line has appointed its first-ever female captain, Maria Gotor.
The new captain sat down for a Q&A with Disney Experiences, where she shared how she went from a legal career to a cruise captain.
Gotor will helm Disney Wish, currently sailing Bahamas itineraries from Port Canaveral.

In a historic move, Disney Cruise Line has promoted Maria Gotor to Captain at the helm of the 144,000 gross ton Disney Wish, becoming the first-ever female captain in the cruise line’s history.

Gotor joined Disney Cruise Line just two years ago in 2024 as a Staff Captain after leaving the same role at Celebrity Cruises. She first shared the news of her promotion on social media on July 15, 2026 with a selfie, grinning ear to ear while pointing at her new captain epaulets.

The new captain sat down with Disney Experiences for a Q&A session, shared on July 17, where she told the story of how she left behind a growing legal career to pursue a life on the high seas.

As a child growing up in landlocked Seville, Spain, Gotor was drawn to lucrative careers like being a doctor, lawyer, or architect. She ended up going to law school and spent six years growing a career in the legal field.

However, one trip on a ferry would change the course of her life. One day, when she was crossing the Strait of Gibraltar to visit some friends, she met the ferry’s captain. The captain invited her to visit the wheelhouse, and she became transfixed at the notion of a nautical career.

“[I] realized there was an entire industry I’ve never considered before,” Gotor said.

She asked the captain what it took to get that job, and immediately began pursuing a master’s in nautical engineering, while continuing her legal job.

After finishing her degree, she immediately left her legal career behind and began piloting a Trasmediterranea ferry, the very same one, in fact, that inspired her career change. After six years, looking for more opportunities to grow and learn, she joined the cruise industry in 2009 as a Junior Officer for Celebrity Cruises.

She rose through the ranks at Celebrity Cruises quickly, being promoted to Chief Officer in 2011, Safety Officer in 2012, then finally to Staff Captain in March of 2018. She is a popular onboard figure with guests, and is active on social media, sharing her travels and life updates with her nearly 3,000 followers on Facebook and over 11,000 followers on Instagram.

Gotor’s Journey With Disney

Maria Gotor stayed with Celebrity Cruises as Staff Captain for another six and a half years before answering the call of Mickey Mouse in September 2024. When asked what drew her to Disney Cruise Line, Maria Gotor gushed about the unique brand of happiness felt onboard by both guests and crew with Disney.

“I’ve sailed for many years, but there is something unique about Disney Cruise Line,” Gotor said. The joy on board is real, and today I am the happiest I have ever been. I feel it from the guests, from the crew, even standing on the open deck. It’s unlike anything else in this industry.”

Her promotion comes at a time of rapid expansion for Disney. The cruise line plans to nearly double its fleet with 13 total vessels by 2031. This is marked most recently by the announcement of their fourth Wish-Class ship, Disney Believe, debuting in late 2027.

Her appointment also marks a shift in a predominantly male-dominated industry. While exact numbers vary by source, most reports put the percentage of cruise captains who are female at less than 3%. That is a number, however, that has been growing in recent years. Fellow Celebrity Cruises alumna, Captain Kate McCue, made history in 2015 by becoming the first-ever American female cruise captain.

With this promotion, Gotor is already serving as a role model for young girls.

“My Captain Emma was on the Treasure last week looking for lady captains,” one user commented on Gotor’s Facebook post. “Someone told us about you being the first female captain for Disney so now she wants to go on the Wish to see you.”

If you also want to see Captain Gotor at work, Disney Wish is sailing 3 and 4 day Bahamas cruises out of Port Canaveral until April 25, 2027, when she will reposition to Barcelona to begin Mediterranean and European itineraries.

Carnival Cruise Line Sends Out Itinerary Change Advisory

Carnival Cruise News

Emrys Thakkar

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Jul 17, 2026

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Carnival Cruise Line Sends Out Itinerary Change Advisory

Carnival Cruise Line has sent out a guest advisory regarding an itinerary change for the Carnival Paradise ship out of Tampa, Florida. The communication was sent out on June 1, 2026, and impacts only the July 20 departure.

The itinerary in question is a six-night western Caribbean voyage that includes calls at Belize on July 22, Roatan in Honduras (Isla Tropicale) on July 23, Cozumel in Mexico on July 24, and finally a return to Tampa on July 26.

Worth Reading: Carnival Issues New Itinerary Changes for Five Ships With Updated Port Lineups

The cruise line’s communication states, “We have adjusted your itinerary – the days visiting Isla Tropicale (Roatan) and Belize have been swapped and port times have also been modified. These changes will be reflected on Carnival.com within 24 hours.“

So, this means that on July 22, that call will now be to Roatan, and the call on July 23 will now be in Belize. The official site already shows the changes, including the new times in Roatan (11:00 AM to 7:00 PM) and Belize (8:00 AM to 5:00 PM).

Carnival has also informed booked guests that any pre-purchased shore excursions booked through the cruise line will automatically be adjusted before the actual cruise. This will give guests time to make arrangements and plan their days at the swapped-around ports.

Cruise Lines do often make itinerary changes like this, and they don’t often explain the reason for it. One of the most popular reasons, which Cruise Hive has reported on multiple times, is due to port congestion, but in this case, Carnival has not confirmed it.

The 71,925 gross-ton Carnival Paradise is among the oldest ships in the fleet and part of the Fantasy-class. The 2,124-passenger vessel is based out of Tampa and sails a range of four-night to six-night western Caribbean itineraries.

Royal Caribbean’s Hero of the Seas Reaches Major Hull Milestone

Royal Caribbean News

Calvin Musquez

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Jul 17, 2026

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Royal Caribbean’s Hero of the Seas Reaches Major Hull Milestone

Key Aspects:

The final block of Hero of the Seas’ hull has been placed, officially marking the end of the hull’s construction.
Meyer Turku Shipyard will now shift focus to ensuring the vessel is ready for float out and delivery.
Hero of the Seas, the fourth Icon-Class ship, has had a rapid construction process and is set to debut in summer 2027.

Royal Caribbean’s fourth Icon-Class ship, Hero of the Seas, just hit another major construction milestone.

On July 17, 2026, Meyer Turku Shipyard in Finland shared the exciting update that the 248,633 gross ton vessel’s final block has been lifted into place, officially marking the end of the hull’s construction. The shipyard also shared new photos of the ship’s construction, with the final silhouette having taken shape.

The construction of Hero of the Seas began when the hull’s first block was laid in September 2025 in a keel laying ceremony, attended by Royal Caribbean leadership, Meyer Turku Shipyard executives, and the construction team.

By mid-January 2026, the first cabins had been lifted into place. A couple of weeks later, the massive Pearl structure, a key feature of Royal Caribbean’s Icon-Class ships, was also installed.

The name of the ship, Hero of the Seas, was officially announced on March 30, 2026, along with a host of new details about onboard features.

Then, just last month in June 2026, the massive glass Aquadome structure, one of the most recognizable and, well, iconic features of the Icon-Class, was lifted into place.

The completion of the ship’s hull marks a major milestone for the ship’s construction. Meyer Turku is now shifting to ensuring the ship is prepared for delivery to Royal Caribbean.

“Construction of the vessel is progressing rapidly,” said Project Manager Kalle Hyytiä. “Next, our focus will shift to the float-out and ensuring the vessel is ready for commissioning.”

Hero of the Seas Construction (Photo Credit: Meyer Turku)

Meyer Turku has a long-standing relationship with Royal Caribbean, having built 25 vessels for the cruise line over more than 30 years.

The latest ship built for Royal Caribbean by Meyer Turku was another Icon-Class giant, Legend of the Seas, which just launched with her inaugural 7-night Western Mediterranean cruise on July 4, 2026.

Additionally, two more Icon-Class ships have been ordered by Royal Caribbean. Work began on the currently unnamed fifth Icon-Class ship in January 2026, followed by the sixth Icon-Class ship in June.

Royal Caribbean’s Icon-Class ships, which began with Icon of the Seas in 2024, are the largest industrial projects in all of Finland.

What Cruisers Can Expect

Guests aboard Hero of the Seas can expect all the same features that have defined the Icon-Class.

Like her previous sister ships, Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas, and Legend of the Seas, the ship will be divided into eight distinct neighborhoods, featuring a variety of pools, more than 40 food and beverage locations, over 2,800 luxury cabins, the Pearl, the massive Aquadome, and the largest waterpark at sea, Category 6.

But everything isn’t identical to Hero‘s Icon-Class sisters. She will feature nine total pools, compared to the seven pools featured on the three previous Icon-Class ships, including the new Coconut Cove Pool, featuring tropical vibes, easy access to the Lime and Coconut bar, and views of Central Park.

In addition to updated favorites like Royal Railway, Hero of the Seas will also include new dining and food options, including the Orleans Parish Supper Club, bringing Cajun and Creole dishes to a jazzy, upscale venue.

The cruise line is also bringing a new vibe to the Ultimate Family Townhouse suite on the new ship with a rustic design, now dubbing it the Ultimate Family Treehouse. Many other accommodations have been redesigned from previous iterations, bringing a whole new experience to cabins and suites, such as the Royal Loft Suites.

Hero of the Seas will debut in the summer of 2027, offering 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Miami.

The Fun Squad Star Passengers Love Just Got a Major Carnival Promotion

Carnival Cruise News

Catie Kovelman

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Jul 17, 2026

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The Fun Squad Star Passengers Love Just Got a Major Carnival Promotion

Key Aspects:

Sara Taskoski, a beloved member of Carnival’s Fun Squad, has just been promoted to cruise director.
Taskoski has been working her way up in the cruise company for the past 4.5 years.
She is currently leading the fun onboard Carnival Firenze and will be assigned to Carnival Freedom later this year.

Years of hard work are paying off for Carnival Cruise Line’s newest cruise director.

After 4.5 years of working her way up the ranks of the Fun Squad, Cruise Hive learned that Sara Taskoski has officially been promoted to cruise director.

“Look Mom, I got my stripes!! Happy to say I am fully promoted to CRUISE DIRECTOR,” Taskoski announced in a social media post.

“Starting with Carnival 4 1/2 years ago I never would’ve thought I would have the strength or confidence to achieve this role. Thank you to all my mentors who pushed me to be the leader I am today,” Taskoski added.

Per her LinkedIn, Carnival originally hired Taskoski as an activity host in 2021. In this role, she would have been hosting events like bingo and trivia and leading deck parties.

She spent her early career working on ships like Carnival Horizon, Carnival Venezia, Carnival Panorama, and Carnival Vista.

In August of 2025, she was promoted to acting cruise director, which is a temporary assignment to cover for fully fledged cruise directors who become unavailable.

This role comes with great responsibility. In addition to hosting, she would also be managing the ship’s entire entertainment and activities schedule.

Prior to becoming an official cruise director, she filled the role onboard Mardi Gras, Carnival Vista, Carnival Sunshine, and Carnival Firenze.

Over the years, Taskoski has begun to develop a following who love her high-energy hosting style and warm and welcoming personality. Between her years of experience and approachable demeanor, things should keep looking up for Taskoski.

How to Sail With Carnival’s Newest Cruise Director

Already a fan favorite within the cruise community, many passengers will surely be eager to set sail with Taskoski.

Taskoski’s promotion was announced shortly after she began her current contract onboard Carnival Firenze, where she is scheduled to lead the fun from June 29, 2026, until August 28, 2026.

Currently, the 135,156-gross ton vessel is operating 3- and 4-night sailings to Mexico out of Long Beach, California.

After a couple months off, Taskoski will return to ship life onboard the 110,000-gross ton Carnival Freedom, which will be her home for the holidays.

“P.S. Carnival Freedom I’ll see ya in November,” the new cruise director concluded her post.

Her contract is scheduled for November 2, 2026, until March 4, 2027. During this time, the 2,980-guest ship will be cruising to the Bahamas from Port Canaveral, Florida.

Any assignments for Taskoski after this point have not yet been publicly revealed, but the cruise personality keeps her followers updated through social media.

Carnival also frequently updates its cruise director schedule with necessary adjustments and new assignments, so guests can always keep an eye out for their favorites.

Cruise Ship Breaks Its Moorings in Maine, Plus Four Rescued From a Sailboat

Port News

Catie Kovelman

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Jul 17, 2026

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Cruise Ship Breaks Its Moorings in Maine, Plus Four Rescued From a Sailboat

Key Aspects:

American Cruise Lines’ American Independence broke free from its moorings during a visit to Rockland, Maine, due to strong winds.
The ship drifted in the windstorm and collided with the pier at Safe Harbor.
Four passengers from another smaller vessel fell into the water and were rescued.

Four cruise passengers from a local sailboat took an unexpected dip in Rockland’s Penobscot Bay, and during the same weather conditions, a cruise ship broke away from its moorings.

American Cruise Lines’ American Independence was docked in Rockland, Maine, on July 16, 2026, as part of an 8-night “Maine Coast and Harbors” cruise.

At approximately 2:30 p.m. local time, an intense windstorm with winds of 50 knots suddenly struck. The winds caused the 3,000-gross ton vessel to break away from its moorings. The cruise line has confirmed the vessel did sustain damage. While four passengers from another smaller sailboat fell into the water.

Rockland Fire Chief Christopher Whytock confirmed that all four guests were successfully rescued, with no injuries reported.

Squall Leads to Cruise Ship Collision

Cruise Hive also learned that the 90-passenger ship damaged pilings when it broke away from the floats at Rockland’s public landing.

For context, pilings are a key part of port infrastructure that provide foundational support for piers, wharves, and docks while also serving as bumpers and mooring points to safely guide and secure visiting ships.

The American Independence vessel, which is 226 feet long, then drifted until it bounced off the dock at Safe Harbor, damaging the end of the dock.

Rockland Harbormaster Molly Eddy told Midcoast Villager that the damage was extensive, but it could have been worse. Eddy said that two floats will have to be replaced and that one piling and one dolphin (group of pilings) were damaged.

It’s unclear how long the repairs and related assessments may take, and what that will mean for future ship calls.

As an example, when MSC Cruises’ MSC Meraviglia accidentally damaged the mooring dolphin structure in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the impacted pier remained closed for months.

In addition to American Independence, Rockland is frequented by other ships from American Cruise Lines, including American Legend, American Pioneer, and American Maverick.

The more mainstream cruise brands, including Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and more, visit Bar Harbor and Portland when sailing to Maine.

As of 11 p.m. EST on July 16, cruise tracking data shows that American Independence remains docked in Rockland.

More Cruise Ships Break Free

American Independence is a smaller vessel, but even larger cruise ships are not exempt from breaking free from their moorings.

For example, Cruise Hive reported that Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Epic broke free from its moorings in May of 2025 while docked in Catania, Italy.

Two guests, who were using the gangway when the lines snapped with a “loud bang,” went tumbling into the ocean. Both were rescued and subsequently taken to the local hospital via ambulance.

Also in May of 2025, MSC Seascape’s mooring lines broke due to stormy weather during a visit to MSC Ocean Cay in the Bahamas.

The gangway splashed into the water below, but thankfully no guests were using it at the time. Passengers who had gone ashore were left waiting in the rain behind a barricade on the pier as the MSC ship was secured.

But while cruise ship moorings can break when under extreme stress, this isn’t exactly a common occurrence.

These moorings are designed to be extremely tough, with the expectation that they will have to withstand strong currents, inclement weather, and to keep extremely heavy vessels safely tethered to the pier.

Same Alaska Cruise Ship Hit By a Third Outbreak in 2026

Cruise News

Calvin Musquez

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Jul 16, 2026

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Same Alaska Cruise Ship Hit By a Third Outbreak in 2026

Key Aspects:

A gastrointestinal illness outbreak was confirmed aboard National Geographic Sea Bird on July 12.
18 of the 62 onboard passengers were affected with symptoms including vomiting and abdominal pain, although the cause is unknown.
This is the third outbreak for National Geographic Sea Bird in 2026.

Another outbreak of gastrointestinal illness was confirmed aboard National Geographic Sea Bird during its five-day, one-way Alaska cruise. Passengers first reported symptoms on July 12, with the predominant symptoms reported being vomiting and abdominal pain.

According to a report by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 18 of the 62 passengers onboard were affected, accounting for 29% of total passengers. No crew members reported any symptoms.

The outbreak was reported to the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP), which monitors and tracks outbreaks on ships visiting US ports.

Although the underlying cause of this outbreak is unknown, the most common cause of gastrointestinal illness, particularly on cruise ships, is norovirus, a highly contagious virus that can spread through physical contact between people as well as through food and touched surfaces.

Symptoms of norovirus typically spring up 12 to 48 hours after exposure and include vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pain.

When the outbreak began, Lindblad Expeditions, which operates National Geographic Cruises, sprang into action, implementing increased cleaning and disinfection procedures and isolating affected passengers.

Onboard medical professionals also collected stool samples from ill guests for testing and consulted with VSP to optimize their cleaning and sanitation procedures. The CDC continues to monitor the situation remotely and is reviewing the ship’s outbreak response procedures.

CDC Sign — Photo Credit: bear_productions / Shutterstock.com

The voyage, which departed from Sitka in Alaska on July 10, hit some of the most popular spots in the region, stopping at Baranof Island on July 11, followed by Icy Strait Point and Inian Islands on July 12, then moved on to Haines on July 13, and Tracy Arm Fjord on July 14, before arriving in Juneau on July 15.

The 630 gross ton cruise ship has since departed Juneau on another five-day, one-way Alaska sailing, stopping in Glacier Bay, Summer Strait, Wrangell, and Misty Fjords, before arriving in Ketchikan on July 20, 2026. No outbreak has been reported on the current sailing.

Sea Bird’s Rough Final Season

This news comes just weeks after Cruise Hive reported on two separate norovirus outbreaks aboard National Geographic Sea Bird in May and June 2026. Those outbreaks prompted an expanded response from the Vessel Sanitation Program, which even sent investigators onboard the ship to physically assess the situation.

Despite the increased pressure from these investigations, and passing an October 2025 VSP Cruise Ship Inspection with a score of 96, where a score of 86 is considered satisfactory, it seems that the ship has been hit with a stroke of bad luck when it comes to illness outbreaks.

Of the eight illness outbreaks aboard cruise ships in 2026 so far, National Geographic Sea Bird accounts for three of them, an unfortunate 37.5% of all 2026 cruise ship outbreaks.

The ship, originally built in 1982 as Majestic Explorer, operated by Lindblad Expeditions as Sea Bird since 1988 and partnered with National Geographic since 2007, is sailing into her final season. After over four decades of sailing, she is set to retire in 2027.

Norwegian Cruise Line Unveils Major Upgrades On Two Ships

Norwegian Cruise Line News

Calvin Musquez

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Jul 16, 2026

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Norwegian Cruise Line Unveils Major Upgrades On Two Ships

Key Aspects:

Norwegian Cruise Line has unveiled new looks at a few redesigned spaces aboard Norwegian Jade and Norwegian Gem.
The ships now feature an upgraded spa, adults-only Vibe Beach Club, and Starbucks Coffee.
Norwegian Jade sails Alaska itineraries through the end of Summer 2026, while Norwegian Gem offers Mediterranean cruises through November 2026.

Norwegian Cruise Line just unveiled new looks at some reimagined spaces aboard two of their ships: the 93,558 gross ton Norwegian Jade and the 93,530 gross ton Norwegian Gem.

The sister Jewel-Class ships emerged from extensive three-week dry docks in May with major upgrades and some fan-favorite spaces added.

In addition to a general sprucing up of the decade-old ships, with Norwegian Jade having launched in 2006 and Norwegian Gem in 2007, the sisters now feature upgraded spa experiences, the popular adults-only Vibe Beach Club, and Starbucks.

For travelers who like a relaxing and reinvigorating cruise experience, the Mandara Spa and Salon is now upgraded and expanded on both ships. The Thermal Suite now features three times as many hot tile loungers, upgraded steam rooms and saunas, an updated reception area, and a whole new, more centralized layout.

Additionally, the spa now features a charcoal sauna utilizing a radiant heat system with a charcoal outer layer, an ice room, salt room, IV lounge, and new Four-Senses Loungers, promising an unmatched sensory experience for deep relaxation.

On Norwegian Jade, spa guests can also now experience brand new experiential showers, with multiple water jets and lighting effects, as well as a plunge pool for cold water immersion. Meanwhile on Norwegian Gem, guests can enjoy an updated hot tub and Thalassotherapy pool, with massage jets, bubble loungers, and countercurrents.

Both ships now also feature the popular adults-only Vibe Beach Club. Historically only available on select, newer ships, Norwegian Cruise Line has been making an effort recently to add the popular spot to more of its older fleet. Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Pearl both saw the club added last year.

Now, with the addition of Jade and Gem, the club is officially available on all Jewel-Class ships.

Vibe replaces the previous sundeck on Deck 14, now offering wide ocean views, a private full-service bar, a hot tub, 50 premium lounge chairs, and seven brand new private cabanas to guests over the age of 18.

If you need a pick-me-up after all the relaxing, both ships now also feature a fully licensed Starbucks store onboard. Whether you’re in the mood for a simple black coffee, or a Venti Double-Blended Caramel Crunch Frappuccino with oat milk, you can now get your fix onboard, and even pay with the Starbucks app.

“Listening to our guests and delivering exceptional experiences across our fleet is at the heart of what we do,” said Marc Kazlauskas, president of Norwegian Cruise Line.

“These recent transformations bring some of our most beloved amenities to Norwegian Jade and Norwegian Gem, creating greater consistency across our fleet while giving guests more ways to personalize their vacation.”

These updated and reimagined spaces demonstrate that Norwegian Cruise Line is not about to let its older ships become obsolete, opting instead to keep them fresh and exciting.

Where Can You Experience The Upgrades?

Norwegian Jade is currently offering seven-day Alaska and British Columbia itineraries through summer 2026. These itineraries feature stops in popular Alaska destinations such as Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, and Icy Strait Point. In mid-September 2026, she will reposition to Yokohama to offer Eastern Asian itineraries until next Summer.

Meanwhile, Norwegian Gem offers a variety of Mediterranean and Greek Isles itineraries through mid-November 2026, when she will reposition to Florida for her 2026-2027 Caribbean season.

So, whether you’re in the mood for glaciers, pasta, or sunny beach vibes, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to check out the upgrades on these Norwegian Cruise Line vessels.