A new law in the Bahamas requires jet ski drivers to be at least 18 years old, affecting popular cruise excursions at destinations like Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Royal Caribbean and other cruise lines have updated their policies,restricting 16- and 17-year-olds from driving Wave Jets, even with parental consent.
The change follows multiple tourist injuries and a fatal accident, prompting Bahamian officials to review water sports regulations and safety enforcement.
Teens in the US may have the right to drive at age 16, but for those visiting the Bahamas, a new law requires drivers of jet skis to be 18 years or older.
The change was brought to the attention of recent guests of Royal Caribbean enjoying the “Wave Jet Driver and Passenger” excursion on the cruise line’s private destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas.
The recent shift in Bahamian law now raises the minimum age to operate jet skis to 18 years old.
“Due to a recent change in local government regulations in the Bahamas, the minimum age required to operate a Wave Jet is now 18 years old,”the cruise line stated in an email to passengers booked on the excursion.
“We’re sorry for the inconvenience this may cause and apologize for any disruptions to your plans,” the company continued.
The regulations affect teens ages 16 and 17 who were previously allowed to drive and manage their own jet skis, under the presence of a parent who signed liability forms.
Royal Caribbean reminded passengers that the new regulations do not prevent children under 18 from enjoying jet ski excursions, but that those 16 and 17 must now join as passengers with a driver over the age of 18, as is the case of children under 16.
The minimum age for children to ride as a passenger of a jet ski with Royal Caribbean remains 10 years old.
Although the alert came from Royal Caribbean, other cruise lines that often sail to the Bahamas have updated their policies for jet ski excursions, including Carnival Cruise Line, whose website now states 18 as the legal driving age at its own private destination, Half Moon Cay.
Jet Ski Crackdown
The updated age restriction follows a string of jet ski-related accidents that have raised concerns about water sports safety in the Bahamas.
Since August 2024, at least four American tourists have been hospitalized due to jet ski injuries, according to the US Embassy. Two of those cases were serious enough to require emergency medical evacuations to the US.
In March 2025, a passenger of Holland America Line suffered a fatal accident while jet skiing at Half Moon Cay.
Cruise Passengers on Jet Skis (Photo Credit: Gail Johnson)
The US government has advised visitors not to rent jet skis in the Bahamas.
In response, the Bahamian government began working with key tourism and transportation officials to address safety lapses and improve oversight of the water sports industry.
The effort included consultations with the Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA), the Ministry of Transport, the port department, police, and the Ministry of Tourism, according to local media.
Said Robert Sands, president of the BHTA, “We’ve been pressing for improved regulation in the water sports industry for a long time. Safety is the single biggest issue.”
He added that tourists want water sports but said “they must be offered in a way that is safe, professional, and maintains the country’s reputation.”
Additional proposed safety solutions include creating designated operating zones, requiring liability insurance, establishing formal identification for tour operators, and outlying disciplinary procedures for violations.
For years, water sports operators in the Bahamas have faced criticism for lax enforcement and inconsistent training.
In fact, the US State Department’s travel advisory specifically warns that some jet ski operators may lack safety certification and ignore poor weather conditions, which both increase the likelihood of accidents.
Fines of up to $1,500 will be delivered to any passenger that operates a jet ski in a restricted zone, under the influence of drugs or liquor, or without a life jacket.
Royal Caribbean has confirmed that exemptions will no longer be granted for the “everyone must purchase” rule for the deluxe drink package.
The change is largely due to increased package sharing, which violates of the deluxe drink package guidelines.
The cruise line strengthened the policy and ceased personalized exemptions as of Friday, August 1, 2025.
It is always nice when cruisers can find a way to save a few dollars off onboard expenses, and saving on drinks is a great option. Royal Caribbean, however, has quietly firmed up a policy that used to save guests hundreds of dollars.
Recently, guests have noticed the change and social media rumors have been circulating as to whether or not it is official: no more personalized exceptions to the beverage package purchase rule.
The well-known “everyone must purchase” rule that has been in place for years. All guests of legal drinking age staying in the same stateroom are required to purchase the deluxe beverage package if one person buys it, regardless of individual drinking preferences.
Until now, however, there has been a personalized workaround for the purchasing requirement. Guests could call the cruise line’s customer service line and explain their situation, asking for an exemption.
Doing so could permit one person to buy the deluxe package while another guest would purchase either the “Royal Refreshment” package or the soda package instead.
These unofficial exemptions were never guaranteed but were well known as a secret that wasn’t really a secret.
This could amount to significant savings depending on the length of the cruise. The deluxe beverage package can run from roughly $50-$115 per day, depending on the exact sailing and cruise length. The Refreshment package is $30-45 per day, while the soda package is $10-20 per person per day.
For a couple on a 7-night cruise, two deluxe packages could run up to $1,610 for the week. If one person were able to buy just the refreshment package, however, that cost could be slashed to $1,120, a savings of $490.
Royal Caribbean has confirmed that this will no longer be an option. Cruise Hive reached out directly to the cruise line on Saturday evening for details and learned the change is a recent one.
“Beginning August 1, Royal Caribbean will no longer be able to grant exceptions to our policy that both guests in a stateroom must purchase the Deluxe Beverage Package,”Royal Caribbean stated.
“This change allows us to ensure guests are consuming their beverage package responsibly. Over time, requests for exceptions have increased, and sharing of packages has continued, which led us to implement this policy change.”
There you have it, a prime example of some people’s poor behavior spoiling it for everyone. The policy was in place to prevent package sharing, and did permit some flexibility for those who have different drink preferences or medical issues that prohibit alcohol consumption.
Now, instead, there will be no exemptions and the firm policy will stand.
How Can You Still Save on Drinks?
To be fair, it isn’t necessary to buy a drink package at all. Depending on one’s beverage preferences and the amount of liquid refreshment desired, just purchasing drinks as needed can be a great savings.
Alternatively, purchasing any of the drink packages pre-cruise can lead to significant savings, with some flash sales as much as 50% off the regular price.
Furthermore, Royal Caribbean often features “drink of the day” specials and other savings options that don’t depend on packages.
“Guests are still able to purchase a la carte drinks and drink specials will still be widely available throughout the ship,”the cruise line said.
Plus, let’s not forget the free drinks. Basic coffee, tea, and hot cocoa are available, as well as different juices in the morning and lemonade, iced tea, and several fruit-infused waters throughout the day at onboard drink stations.
My favorite? The strawberry kiwi and the tropical mango tie for the top spot! No better drink on a sunny day at sea, without any cost at all.
Celebrity Constellation lost power for approximately two hours while sailing in the Ionian Sea off the coast of Italy.
At least partial power was restored but the ship remained adrift slightly longer before resuming at much slower speeds.
The next port of call is scheduled for Sunday, August 3 in Messina, but there is not yet confirmation of any itinerary adjustments following the power loss.
Celebrity Constellation has suffered a technical malfunction and spent two hours without power while drifting slowly off the coast of southern Italy, according to reports from guests onboard and tracking data online.
The ship set sail on an 11-night, one-way voyage from Ravenna to Rome on Monday, July 28, 2025. Following several port visits to Croatia and Montenegro, Saturday, August 2 was to have been a day at sea en route to Messina, Sicily for a visit from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.
Satellite tracking data now shows the vessel to have slowed significantly and drifted from her expected route. For several hours, the vessel was only moving at 1-2 knots, or approximately 1.1-2.3 miles per hour, far below the speed necessary to reach Messina. Her top cruising speed is 24 knots (27.6 mph).
As she drifted, Celebrity Constellation was positioned roughly 25 miles east-southeast of Crotone, Italy in the Ionian Sea between Italy and Greece.
Reports from guests onboard the Millennium class ship describe what appears to be a power failure with no lights, no air conditioning, toilets not flushing, and only cold food being served for dinner.
“One hour in and it’s HOT,”one guest noted.
The lack of air conditioning could be especially concerning as local temperatures are roughly 80 degrees. Without air circulation, interior areas of the ship, including staterooms, can quickly become stifling and uncomfortable.
Celebrity Constellation was only without power for about two hours, however, and the situation is not yet so dire. It is possible further power failures could occur as repairs are made.
What Happened to Cause the Malfunction?
There is no confirmation about how a power failure could have occurred. These types of incidents are often, though not always, precipitated by fires or electrical shorts in a ship’s engine room, though there are other potential causes of power loss.
Cruise ships are fully equipped to handle emergencies and unexpected technical issues. Celebrity Constellation undoubtedly remains in contact with the cruise line as well as authorities on land to update them on the situation.
Simultaneously, engineering teams would be assessing the vessel and initiating any emergency repairs to restore both backup power and main power to return the ship to full operation.
No further details are available at this time. The situation does not appear to be the same as has impacted Celebrity Beyond in recent weeks, as that is an engine issue that has only impacted sailing speed, not onboard operations.
The 90,940-gross ton Celebrity Constellation is one of the older ships in Celebrity Cruises’ fleet, having debuted in 2002. She can welcome 2,184 guests aboard, and is also home to approximately 1,000 crew members.
Welcome to another edition of Cruise News Update, Cruise Hive’s exciting recap of our top stories. Highlights of this week’s coverage include the new waterpark Norwegian Cruise Line has planned for Great Stirrup Cay, the tsunami warning that caused a cruise ship to temporarily leave guests behind, and Royal Caribbean’s extension of cancelled visits to Labadee.
Make sure you stay well-informed by signing up for Cruise Hive’s Daily Update, so the big cruise stories are delivered right to your inbox.
Cruise Guest Tumbles Over Infinity Pool Railing
Icon of the Seas The Hideaway Pool Fall
A scary video of a cruise guest tumbling over a poolside railing went viral on social media, but a tragic outcome was averted thanks to the presence of a second safety railing.
It happened in the Hideaway Pool area on Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas. A guest enjoying the infinity pool is seen reaching for something over the edge of the pool railing and then falling over the railing. Witnesses indicated he or she was reaching for sunglasses.
Thankfully, a walkway and second railing interrupted the guest’s fall. But the guest was not in a location where he or she could have fallen off the ship and into the ocean.
The blurry video appears to show a glass railing at the edge of the pool. It looks like the guest hit the second railing and landed between the two glass railings.
It was the second untoward incident that happened on that sailing of Icon of the Seas. Earlier in the cruise, a crew member jumped overboard and died. He apparently jumped after stabbing another crew member on the ship. That employee was treated for injuries.
Icon of the Seas is based at PortMiami and sails alternating 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages.
Agents from the FBI are handling a routine investigation of the death of a cruise passenger aboard Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Dream on July 23, 2025.
The cruise line has stated that no criminal activity is suspected and that the FBI’s involvement was standard protocol.
Emergency alarms sounded sometime between 3 and 4 a.m., according to guests onboard the 3,646-guest ship, as the vessel sailed from Costa Maya, Mexico, to Belize City. The ship is based in Galveston and was sailing a 6-night Western Caribbean itinerary.
The guest who died was identified as 48-year-old Euvelester Villarreal Jr of Rio Grande City, Texas. No cause of death was made public.
Guests who disembarked the ship in Galveston when the cruise ended on July 26, 2025 indicated they saw law enforcement officers boarding the ship. In fact, disembarkation was apparently delayed due to the investigation, but the ship’s next sailing, an 8-night Bahamas cruise, departed on schedule later that day.
The presence of the FBI sparked rumors on social media about the passenger’s death, but the investigation was standard operating procedure.
Massive Waterpark on Tap for Great Stirrup Cay
Great Stirrup Cay Great Tides Waterpark
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Great Stirrup Cay, a private island in the Bahamas, will soon have a lot more to offer guests, including the 6-acre Great Tides Waterpark.
Opening in summer 2026, the park will offer 19 waterslides, an 800-foot lazy river that will feature an accelerated current, cliff-jumping experiences, and splash zones for children.
Great Stirrup Cay is situated on 270 acres, providing plenty of room for the line to expand guest amenities and services.
The multiple waterslides will be located at the 170-foot-tall Tidal Tower, and will offer racing slides and tube slides. Cliffside Cove will be home to 10- and 15-foot cliff-jumping experiences that represent an industry first.
Youngsters will enjoy the new 9,000-square-foot splash zone, where they can cool off under a tipping bucket and try out miniature slides, among other activities.
There are other enhancements coming soon to Great Stirrup Cay. In late 2025, several previously announced areas will come on line, including a heated pool, two swim-up bars, and the Vibe Shore Club, an adult-only area modeled on the line’s shipboard Vibe Beach Club.
Tsunami Warning Prompts Ship to Leave Guests Behind
Pride of America Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Jose Gil)
It isn’t the kind of publicity a cruise line wants, but when a potential tsunami is headed toward your ship, it must be moved out of the way as quickly as possible.
That was the case with Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America, the ship that sails weekly cruises between the Hawaiian Islands.
When tsunami warnings were issued in Hawaii following the 8.8 magnitude earthquake that hit eastern Russia on July 29, 2025, Pride of America was making her port call at Hilo, on the Big Island.
Her emergency departure to open seas, which is much safer for a cruise ship than remaining in a harbor, forced the ship to leave about 300 guests and crew members in port. (The ship accommodates 2,200 guests.)
It was a challenging time for those left behind, including family members who were separated by the events.
Many guests had been on shore excursions or exploring the destination on their own when the warning was sounded. Those who were on excursions organized by the cruise line were taken to an area school to wait it out.
After an overnight at the school, they were driven back to the harbor to reboard the ship, which had returned to Hilo early that morning.
Be Careful When Visiting Celebration Key
View of Celebration Key
There is plenty to celebrate at Celebration Key, Carnival Cruise Line’s newly opened private destination on Grand Bahamas Island, but an abundance of bees is not one of them.
Apparently, many cruise guests visiting the destination are getting stung by bees. And they are complaining to the cruise line, namely to brand ambassador John Heald via his popular Facebook page.
Heald has indicated that Carnival Cruise Line is aware of the bounty of bees and is taking steps to mitigate the problem. It’s likely that the destination’s many exotic flowers are partly to blame, as are the dining and bar venues — bees definitely love soda and other sugary drinks, for instance.
The cruise line has not revealed how it will deal with the problem, but efforts are likely to include physically moving bee nests to less populated areas of Celebration Key.
Meanwhile, Heald reminded cruisers that the destination has a first aid station at the north end of Lokono Cove, and that anyone needing medical attention can go there. The station keeps epinephrine on hand, which can be used in cases of severe allergic reactions.
Bug spray would probably help some, too.
Royal Caribbean Extends Cancelled Calls to Labadee
Royal Caribbean’s Labadee (Photo Credit: Chesser62)
Labadee, Haiti, is in the news again after Royal Caribbean announced that its ships will continue to avoid the port call through at least October 2025.
The cruise line operates a private destination in Labadee, roughly 125 miles from Port-au-Prince, the embattled capital city where civil unrest has been a problem in the last few years.
In fact, Haiti remains under a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory from the US Department of State.
The ships with Caribbean itineraries now through October that no longer will visit the land-side resort are Adventure of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Icon of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, and Radiance of the Seas.
Royal Caribbean said the cancellations, totaling 23 sailings, were being made out of an abundance of caution, even though the Labadee destination has its own security system.
Alternative port calls will vary by ship and departure, but will include Nassau, Bahamas; George Town, Grand Cayman; Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos; and Costa Maya, Mexico, among others.
Guests booked on affected sailings will be contacted by the cruise line.
Carnival Warns of Roadwork, Detours Near PortMiami
Carnival Conquest in Miami, Florida (Photo Credit: Dennis MacDonald)
Headed to board your cruise ship at PortMiami through August 4, 2025? Lucky you! But look out for roadwork and detours along Biscayne Boulevard, the busy north-south artery that leads to the port from downtown Miami.
Carnival Cruise Line issued an alert to guests booked on several sailings during the first weekend in August, urging them to be aware of road restrictions, detours, and likely traffic delays.
Leave extra travel time, the line warned, to be sure to arrive at your specified time in the terminal. Guests who bought transfers from the cruise line, either from an airport, nearby hotel, or some other location, will be contacted by Carnival if the transfer is in any way affected.
The cruise line sent the alert to guests booked on Carnival Conquest’s 3-night Bahamas cruise departing on August 1 and her 4-night Bahamas cruise departing on August 4, 2025.
Also, Carnival Horizon’s 8-night Southern Caribbean departing on August 2, 2025; Carnival Celebration’s 6-night Eastern Caribbean and Carnival Magic’s 7-night Western Caribbean departures on August 3, 2025; and Carnival Sunrise’s 5-night Eastern Caribbean cruise departing on August 4, 2025.
The cruise line’s ships depart from either Terminal D or E at PortMiami, which is the busiest in the US in terms of cruise passenger transits.
More Cruise Headlines
Let’s keep going with cruise news! Cruise Hive has many more cruise developments you will want to know about, such as the US government reissuing a travel advisory for Antarctica, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings posting record revenue for the second quarter of 2025, and Mexico cruise ports celebrating high arrival numbers for the first half of 2025.
An updated version of the Cruise Passenger Protection Act has been introduced to both US houses of Congress.
The 56-page bill covers a variety of safety, security, and guest rights issues related to crimes at sea.
Additional revisions and updates are likely as the bill continues to be examined before it becomes law.
With viral videos and dramatic streaming shows often showing a seedier side of cruise ships, travelers might be nervous to set sail without knowing what recourse they could have if something unsavory were to occur.
Two US legislators have now introduced the Cruise Passenger Protection Act of 2025 for legislative consideration. The 56-page bill covers a variety of measures to improve security, onboard safety, crime reporting, and guests’ rights.
Introduced by US Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and US Representative Doris Matsui (D-CA), the bill is aimed at the well-being of all passengers and provides peace of mind that their rights are preserved even at sea.
“Cruises should be a time of rest and relaxation – but a dream vacation can quickly turn into a nightmare if there are inadequate safety measures for travelers,”said Blumenthal.
“Cruises are billed as safe, family-friendly vacations – but when emergencies happen, passengers still lack the rights and protections they deserve,”Matsui added.
US Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and US Representative Doris Matsui (D-CA)
Provisions that are part of the Act include:
A 3-year minimum statue of limitations for travelers to file a lawsuit against a cruise line
Defining which types of complaints guests may register against a cruise line
Establishing a victim support services office to help impacted travelers
Directing that crime data, including overboard incidents, is more readily available
Guidelines for when and how crimes must be reported, including crime scene preservation
The bill will apply to any ship that “has overnight accommodates for 250 or more passengers” and “is on a voyage that embarks or disembarks passengers in the United States.”
This means that ships on transpacific or transatlantic cruises would still be obligated to abide by the law, even if they are on one-way journeys away from the US.
When Will the Bill Become a Law?
A great deal of editing, adjusting, and compromise is sure to be made on the bill as it moves through committees as part of the legislative process.
Still, it is a good effort to ensure that cruise guests retain their protections even after they set sail into international waters.
“The International Cruise Victims Association (ICV) strongly supports the newly reintroduced legislation in both chambers of Congress aimed at protecting the safety, dignity, and fundamental rights of cruise ship passengers,”said Jamie Barnett, Laurie Dishman, and Georgia Ananias of ICV.
It can take years for legislation to go through multiple revisions before it is voted on and potentially approved. In fact, the bill introduced on August 1 is actually a revision of an earlier bill and refines and expands many key points of the document.
In some cases, legislation must be further amended as technology advances. A key point in the new bill is better clarification of overboard detection technology, which is continually being refined with advancements in facial recognition, artificial intelligence, and other aspects.
Cruise lines and other maritime officials will all be part of various committees to review the legislation, ensuring a thorough review of each amendment and addendum before the bill advances.
A new tax on visitors to Greece, including cruise guests, began on Friday, August 1, 2025.
Tax rates will vary depending on destination and visit dates, with higher fees during peak periods.
Royal Caribbean will refund fees if guests stay onboard and do not debark in Greek ports of call.
Beginning August 1, 2025 sailing to the iconic Greek Isles has become a few dollars more expensive for Royal Caribbean guests. This is due to a new seasonal tax now in effect for the popular Mediterranean destination.
The tax was announced in 2024 but has only just begun to be implemented. The new tax rates change depending on when and where guests visit.
The cruise line has reached out to guests with bookings that include different ports in Greece to alert them to the change.
“Beginning with sailings that depart on August 1, 2025, a seasonal cruise tax will be implemented about various ports in Greece,”the email explained,“including iconic destinations like Mykonos and Santorini.”
All Greek ports are now implementing the tax. While Mykonos and Santorini are by far the most popular destinations in the Hellenic Republic, other destinations include Athens, Crete, and Rhodes.
The cost of the fee does vary depending on where guests visit and the date they enjoy the port of call. This is an effort to further ease tourism crowding during peak periods and at the most popular destinations.
The fee breaks down as follows:
Peak Season – June 1 through September 30: €20 for Santorini and Mykonos; €5 for other ports
Shoulder Season – April 1 to May 31 and October 1-31: €12 for Santorini and Mykonos; €3 for other ports
Off Season – November 1 through March 31: €4 for Santorini and Mykonos; €1 for other ports
It isn’t immediately clear how fees will be calculated for cruises that visit multiple Greek ports on the same sailing. Because the rates vary by destination, however, it is likely that each port will have a different fee assessed and they will be added together for multiple port visits.
Currency exchange rates will naturally fluctuate, but as of August 1, this means US cruise guests to Santorini and Mykonos will pay approximately $23.10 (USD) in peak season; $13.85 in the shoulder season, or $4.61 in the off season.
If guests booked their Greek Islands sailing after September 20, 2024, the new fee has already been incorporated in the taxes and fees at the time of booking. If guests booked their sailing earlier, the appropriate fee will be charged to their onboard account.
Cruise Ships Visiting Santorini, Greece (Photo Credit: Ella Fogel)
However, Royal Caribbean has noted that if guests do not disembark during Greek port visits, they will not be charged the fee.
“If you choose to stay onboard and not go ashore in these Greek ports, we will automatically credit your SeaPass account for the applicable amount towards the end of our sailing,”the notification explained.
It should be noted that these taxes are not being implemented by Royal Caribbean, but rather by Greece. This means guests on other cruise lines will also be impacted, though each cruise line may collect the fees in a different way.
The new fees on cruise guests are not intended as punitive measures, but are instead earmarked for environmental and conservation measures.
“This initiative supports sustainable tourism and helps preserve the natural beauty and cultural heritage of these beloved destinations,”Royal Caribbean explained.
The phenomenal beaches, striking architecture, ancient temples, and other attractions of Greece that bring in the most tourism are also some that can be most damaged by too many visitors.
While exact plans have not been revealed, the new tax can provide funding for protective and restoration efforts, as well as improving local infrastructure to minimize crowding and ensure a pleasant and memorable visit for everyone.
Greece is not the first popular cruise location to implement these types of taxes, and it certainly won’t be the last.
Royal Caribbean marked a major milestone by officially welcoming 100 million cruise guests.
The occasion was marked with a surprise celebration onboard Icon of the Seas, in which a family was honored with special upgrades and a free cruise.
Royal Caribbean’s history of growth and breaking records will only continue with Star of the Seas and the brand’s upcoming shoreside destinations.
When we talk about the cruise guests in terms of numbers, we’re often thinking about how many passengers visited a specific port of call.
But this time, Royal Caribbean is stealing the spotlight to celebrate that the popular cruise line has now welcomed 100 million guests after over 50 years in the cruise industry.
The celebration kicked off with a big surprise for the Duquette family, who became the 100 millionth guests when they stepped onboard Icon of the Seasfor a 7-night Caribbean vacation.
The Parkland, Florida, residents were stunned to find themselves at the center of a celebration in the Royal Promenade in which they were given special upgrades, a $1,000 onboard credit, and a free cruise onboard Utopia of the Seas.
For context, Utopia of the Seas is the most recent addition to the Oasis-class ships, launching in 2024 like Icon of the Seas. She currently operates 3-4 night sailings to the Bahamas out of Port Canaveral.
The Duquette family, Royal Caribbean 100 Million Guests
As the family was honored, excited crew members came running with balloons spelling out 100M and threw colorful confetti.
However, the celebration isn’t just about honoring one lucky family. The winners are a symbol of all the fun-filled memories the cruise line wants to make with the next 100 million guests.
With this in mind, Royal Caribbean is also running a special promotion where guests can save up to $100 on all Royal Caribbean vacations embarking in the US on bookings madethrough August 5, 2025.
Onwards and Upwards
Today, Royal Caribbean is one of the major leaders in the cruise world. But to put things into perspective, it’s important to look back at how far the brand has come since it was founded in 1968.
Now 57 years ago, the cruise line was born in Norway thanks to the efforts of three Norwegian shipping companies: Anders Wilhelmsen & Company, I.M. Skaugen & Company, and Gotaas Larsen.
Just about two years later in 1970, the company launched the now-retiredSong of Norway, and the growth only continued from there.
Today, the RCL fleet consists of 29 cruise ships that sail to over 300 bucket-list destinations around the world.
Along the way, Royal Caribbean has broken all kinds of records on its ships and at its private islands to become one of the most innovative brands on the high seas.
To state the obvious, Icon of the Seas has made waves as the largest cruise ship in the world at 248,663 gross tons and a maximum occupancy of 7,600 passengers.
This giant of the ocean broke several other records, including being home to the largest waterpark at sea with the tallest water slide at sea.
The famed AquaDome, meanwhile, is covered by the largest glass dome ever added to a cruise ship and also houses the world’s largest AquaTheater.
Of course, these are only a few examples of the many records the cruise line has broken.
More innovations are on the horizon with the next Icon-class ship, Star of the Seas, set to debut at the end of this month.
Perfect Day Mexico is also coming in fall 2027, and just as the original Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas broke records with its waterslides, so will the new waterslides and long lazy river at the new addition on Costa Maya.
Royal Beach Club Paradise Island will also open in Nassau by the end of this year, with Royal Beach Club Cozumel launching in Mexico and Lelepa in the South Pacific by the end of 2027.
Costa Toscana was set to operate a series of winter voyages from the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
The Excellence-class ship will instead remain in the Mediterranean.
Cost Cruises attributed the decision to unpredictable conditions in the region.
Faced with ongoing geopolitical challenges in the Middle East, Costa Cruises has revamped the deployment of Costa Toscana, which was to sail a series of voyages from the United Arab Emirates and Dubai during winter 2025-26.
Instead, the ship will remain in the Mediterranean for the season. Costa Toscana, with a capacity for 5,300 guests in double occupancy and 6,500 with all berths occupied, currently sails the Western Mediterranean with embarkation from multiple ports.
“Due to the currently fluid situation in the Middle East, which remains unpredictable for the foreseeable future, Costa wants to provide its guests with reliable clarity on their vacation plans for the upcoming winter season as early as possible,” the cruise line stated.
The cruise series was to include 7-night sailings roundtrip from Abu Dhabi, UAE, calling at Dubai, UAE; Muscat, Oman; and Doha, Qatar. Seven-night voyages roundtrip from Doha were to call at Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Muscat.
Additionally, the ship’s fall 2025 and spring 2026 repositioning cruises to and from the Middle East homeports also are cancelled. The cruise line has contacted all booked guests on the impacted cruises to advise them of the change and offer alternative options.
Costa Toscana, an Excellence-class ship that launched in 2021, was scheduled to remain in the Mediterranean until mid-November 2025, before deploying to the Middle East.
Under the updated schedule, the ship will continue to sail the Mediterranean, however, the cruise line has not revealed or opened for sale any of those cruises yet.
Costa Toscana Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: GEORGE STAMATIS)
The ship is currently operating 3-, 6-, and 7-night voyages roundtrip from multiple embarkation ports. Her 7-night sailing from Barcelona on August 26, 2025, for example, calls at Ibiza, Spain; Palermo, Sicily; Rome and Savona, Italy; and Marseille, France.
A shorter 3-night getaway from Barcelona to Palermo on September 9, 2025, calls at Ibiza, while a 6-night cruise from Rome on September 6, 2025 takes guests to Savona, Marseille, Barcelona, and Ibiza.
Costa Cruises indicated that Costa Toscana’s updated fall-winter schedule would be released soon.
Canary Islands, Caribbean Are Options For Winter Cruising
Meanwhile, the cruise line, a Carnival Corporation brand, reminded prospective guests that starting in December 2025, Costa Fortuna will offer a series of Canary Islands voyages from Barcelona, Marseille, and Savona, and roundtrip from Tenerife and Gran Canaria, Canary Islands.
Prospective cruisers looking to explore the Caribbean can sail on the line’s Costa Fascinosa or Costa Pacifica, both offered with Costa’s “fly&cruise” package that combines air and cruise fares.
A 7-day voyage aboard Costa Fascinosa offers embarkation from Martinique, Guadeloupe, or Santo Domingo, and calls at destinations including Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Dominican Republic.
Costa Pacifica offers several longer itineraries. A 15-day cruise roundtrip from La Romana, Dominican Republic, calls at Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Barbados; Guadeloupe; Saint Kitts and Nevis; British Virgin Islands; and Grand Turk.
The decision to cancel Middle East cruises was not the first for Costa Toscana. As tensions in the Red Sea emerged in early 2024, the ship’s 19-night repositioning cruise from Dubai to Italy was cancelled just six weeks before departure.
The regional unrest, which stemmed from conflicts involving Houthi rebels in Yemen, targeted maritime traffic and caused multiple cruise lines to cancel cruises or reroute itineraries away from the Red Sea.
Costa Toscana made her inaugural call to Dubai in late 2022 and remained in the region that winter, cruising between Oman, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar.
Carnival Cruise Line does not permit collapsible wagons to be used at embarkation or debarkation, even in ports of call.
Similarly, they may not be used onboard ships due to safety constraints and damage to the decks and architecture.
Guests can bring such wagons aboard but must carry (not wheel) them off for use only in ports.
Are you a chronic overpacker? Do you feel better bringing all your luggage onboard with you on a cruise? It can be challenging if you have a lot of carry on items, but a small, collapsible wagon could make it easier to lug bags around.
Unfortunately, wagons are not permitted on Carnival cruise ships at the times when they might be most useful. This includes embarkation and debarkation, as well as when going to and from the ship at ports of call.
One guest has reached out to the cruise line’s brand ambassador, John Heald, to better understand the reasoning and why wagons can’t be used onboard.
“We used to take a small folding wagon to check in and walk around the ship until we could access our rooms. We don’t carry a ton on, but some things you have to carry on (like soda, medicines, etc.). It ends up being more than I can carry,”the guest explained.
A wagon could make it much easier to bring multiple bags up the sometimes lengthy gangways and onto the ship. This could be especially true for any guest who also brings aboard their preferred soft drinks or who might also have small children.
“Our last cruise, I saw that we can no longer use wagons,”the guest noted.“Are we able to take wagons through the check in process and onto the ship? It would make boarding so much easier on this body of mine.”
The answer Heald offered, however, is not one the guest might have wanted.
“I’m so sorry to tell you that these are now strictly not allowed,”he said.
This is not a new policy, as collapsible wagons have been listed on Carnival Cruise Line’s prohibited items list since at least 2021. They aren’t actually 100% prohibited, however.
“They [can] be used in port but not carried or dragged around the ship,”Heald confirmed.
Wagons are listed under the “Items for Port Use Only” portion of the prohibited items list. This means guests may bring them aboard the ship, but may only use them while off the vessel at different destinations.
This policy further clarifies that wagons cannot be rolled on or off the ship either at the beginning or end of a cruise or while visiting ports of call.
“For the safety of our guests, the wagon cannot be rolled onto/off the ship during embarkation and debarkation and cannot be rolled off/onto the ship while in port,”the policy outlines.
Heald further explained why wagons aren’t permitted, and it goes beyond just safety.
“They have been damaging the decks and some of the architecture as well as causing problems in other ways as well,”he said.
Different wagons use different materials for wheels. Some materials may scratch, scuff, or leave debris on the different flooring and deck materials onboard ships, especially after busy, sandy beach days.
Travel Wagon (Photo Credits: msg919)
Furthermore, if the wagons are carelessly bumped or crashed into corners, poles, railings, or doorways, that could create even more damage.
Heald does not offer details about what other problems wagons might cause. Depending on their use, however, wagons could easily take up excess space in already crowded elevators, injure other guests with bumps or squashed toes, or cause difficulties if they are “parked” in corridors.
So how can guests bring their essential items when they board the ship, if there is just a bit too much to tote?
The self-assist luggage option is always available and does not have size restrictions. Guests can (and I have!) bring aboard larger rolling bags, so long as they can manage the bags without help from crew members.
