Blog Page 155

Canadian Port Replaced for Multiple Liberty of the Seas Sailings

Catie Kovelman
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Canadian Port Replaced for Multiple Liberty of the Seas Sailings

Key Aspects: 

  • Royal Caribbean has replaced the port of Sydney, Nova Scotia, with an extended visit to Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, for at least two cruises.
  • The impacted cruises are both 9-night sailings that embark from Cape Liberty, New Jersey, on September 18 and October 2 in 2025. 
  • The reason for the switch is unconfirmed, but many wonder if it has to do with the breakdown of the free shuttle service in Sydney. 

Many future passengers of Liberty of the Seas who were looking forward to exploring Sydney, Canada, won’t get the chance to experience the Nova Scotia destination after all.

The Royal Caribbean cruise ship will soon be operating a handful of 9-night sailings to different destinations around New England and throughout Canada, coinciding with the famously beautiful fall season.

But for the voyages due to embark from Cape Liberty, New Jersey, on September 18, 2025, and October 2, 2025, the 3,634-guest vessel will no longer sail to Sydney as planned.

Instead, the day-long visits to Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, that were already on the itinerary will be extended into overnight calls.

“We’re on the October 2nd sailing and were notified today that Sydney has been cancelled. Now overnighting in St John…..so this might happen to you all also,” one booked guest confirmed.

“It also happened on our sailing on Sept 18th. Our group of six are bummed,” another guest added.

Liberty of the Seas will still be visiting Boston, Massachusetts; Portland, Maine; and Halifax, Nova Scotia, on these voyages, as was called for on the original itinerary.

The Freedom-class cruise ship is also supposed to operate two more similar 9-night voyages to Canada that embark on September 4, 2025, and October 16, 2025, for which no changes have been announced publicly at this time.

But given the other changes, passengers booked on these voyages will want to keep an eye out for possible communications from Royal Caribbean.

Cruisers Want Answers 

While itinerary changes can be disappointing, part of cruising is that the cruise lines may switch up ports of call for pretty much any reason.

This is usually a term that passengers agree to in their cruise contract when they first book their sailings.

But while Royal Caribbean fans understand that change is sometimes inevitable, many wished that they knew the reason behind this one. The cruise line apologized for the inconvenience, but did not provide its rationale.

Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas (Photo Credit: Wangkun Jia / Shutterstock)

“Why don’t they give us a reason for the change to the itinerary?  I mean we are more than two months out from the cruise,” one passenger inquired.

“I will enjoy the cruise either way but it would be nice if they had the courtesy to let us know why they had to change the port,” another echoed.

Read Also: Royal Caribbean Suite Perks: Is It Worth Upgrading?

Though unconfirmed, the leading theory in this case is that the change has to do with the breakdown of the free shuttle service that transports passengers from Sydney’s second berth to the main terminal when more than one ship is present.

The second berth is rather far from the main Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion terminal, making transportation a necessity.

“My daughter did some research and it seems the transportation bus is non operating and they have used the school bus for July and August but since school will be in session after that….maybe no transportation,” one passenger guessed.

“Some ships apparently had to hire private taxi and shuttle services and it was very slow so I think this led to them preemptively canceling the port as there’s no timetable for resolution,” another cruiser theorized.

According to cruise tracking data, a second cruise ship is scheduled to be in the port at the same time as Liberty of the Seas would have been for the September 18 and October 2 sailings.

Interestingly, she is the only ship scheduled during her planned visits for the voyages that so far remain unchanged.

Protestors Delay Celebrity Cruise Ship Homeporting in Amsterdam

Catie Kovelman
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Protestors Delay Celebrity Cruise Ship Homeporting in Amsterdam

Key Aspects: 

  • The Extinction Rebellion group has staged another anti-cruise protest, this time blocking Celebrity Eclipse from docking in Amsterdam on July 27, 2025.
  • During the protest, around 30 environmental activists blocked the 2,850-guest ship from entering the harbor by forming a barrier with smaller boats and inflatables.
  • The stand off lasted for about two hours, delaying disembarkation from a now-concluded 11-night cruise.

The Amsterdam cruise terminal in the Netherlands welcomed over 1.1 million passengers last year, but an activist group called Extinction Rebellion would prefer that this number dropped to zero immediately.

The environmental organization vehemently opposes cruise tourism, which they believe should not be allowed to continue due to ship-caused pollution and the potential negative environmental impact on coastal communities.

Approximately 30 members came out in full force in Amsterdam on the morning of July 27, 2025, to block Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Eclipse from docking at what has been her homeport since the end of April.

Ominous pictures show the protestors surrounding the bow of the cruise ship just as the dawn is breaking, getting way too close to the significantly larger vessel for comfort.

“Dabbling in boats, canoes and inflatable animals, 30 rebels again took action against the cruise industry. This time we stopped the cruise ship the Celebrity Eclipse (2,850 passengers and 1,200 crew members) from docking at the Passengers Terminal Amsterdam,” the group posted on their social media.

“We protest with this blockade against the harmful influence of cruise ships on humans, nature and the climate,” the post continued.

The group has caused cruise ships to delay arrivals and skip port calls entirely in Europe before by blocking the entrance to harbors, with members sometimes even using their own bodies to block critical access locks.

This time, activists gathered starting at around 4:30 a.m. in canoes, inflatables, and other small water crafts to form a barrier well before the Solstice-class vessel arrived closer to 6 a.m.

Once the ship arrived, which was carrying thousands of guests who needed to disembark from an 11-night sailing to Iceland and Ireland, a two-hour stand off ensued until the protestors could be removed.

Law enforcement did eventually intervene to break up the protest, with five activists arrested on charges of assault, obstructing the cruise ship, and refusing to provide identification when asked.

At least two of the individuals who were taken into custody have already been released.

Some of the protestors have also alleged that police boats collided with their inflatable vessels, but this has not been confirmed and no injuries have been reported.

Celebrity Eclipse was able to dock safely and is already in the middle of a 7-night sailing to the Norwegian Fjords that set sail at around 5 p.m. the very same day.

Protesting With Renewed Passion

Unfortunately, the conflict between the cruise industry and Extinction Rebellion does not seem to be going away anytime soon. If anything, tensions are actually increasing.

“Cruise ships are floating environmental disasters. They should not be allowed in Dutch waters. We demand strict and binding national and international environmental standards and regulations, as well as strict enforcement and sanctions policy,” Extinction Rebellion posted.

“We will continue with actions like this until this harmful tourist industry is banned from Amsterdam and the rest of the Netherlands,” the group asserted.

That said, this stance may be a bit harsh as the cruise lines have made a real effort to be carbon neutral by 2050 (or sooner) and have been prioritizing sustainability in recent years.

Protesters Block Celebrity Eclipse
Protesters Block Celebrity Eclipse (Photo Credit: Extinction Rebellion NL)

For example, many cruise lines have updated their fleets to be able to connect to shore power, which is a greener fuel alternative, and have built new ships to have this capability from the start.

Of course, Extinction Rebellion’s efforts do have a negative impact on cruise operations, which is what the group wants.

Top brands like Royal Caribbean (the sister brand to Celebrity Cruises), Disney Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and Ambassador Cruise Line have all been forced to pivot due to the group’s actions in 2024.

The delays and skipped port calls that this group has caused leads to unhappy passengers and significant expenditures when the cruise lines have to refund shore excursions or compensate guests.

The passengers onboard, meanwhile, may be forced to skip tours they paid for or miss flights or other pre-booked transportation if disembarkation is significantly delayed.

More From Cruise Hive

On the shore side, tour providers are forced to quickly adjust, especially if guides and buses are already waiting at the port, and perhaps lose out on significant income, impacting their livelihoods.

The protestors are risking their own safety as well. At 121,878-gross tons and 1,041 feet long, Celebrity Eclipse is a large ship that is certainly capable of damaging or sinking the activists’ vessels.

Multiple Celebrity Beyond Cruises Adjusted for Ongoing Speed Issues

Melissa Mayntz
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Multiple Celebrity Beyond Cruises Adjusted for Ongoing Speed Issues

Key Aspects:

  • Celebrity Beyond‘s sailings in August, September, and October 2025 are being adjusted to accommodate a lowered speed.
  • Port visits are being preserved, but most itineraries are swapping port days or adjusting times in port to compensate.
  • At this time, no additional sailings are cancelled for the vessel, but further adjustments are always possible.

Things may not be quite back up to speed for Celebrity Beyond following her recent engine repair. Guests booked on multiple upcoming sailings have received itinerary change notifications, all citing the same technical concern for the adjustments.

The ship sailed at “a lowered speed” for her first itinerary back from emergency repairs in Freeport, Bahamas. That itinerary departed on Sunday, July 27, 2025.

At the time, it may have seemed that the lowered speed was part of the testing process or a “breaking in” period for repairs, just to ensure the ship was able to function at peak performance.

Now, however, several other cruises have had similar adjustments, including the following departure dates:

  • August 3, 24, 31
  • September 14, 28
  • October 5, 12, 19

To be clear, these are only the adjusted sailings that Cruise Hive has confirmed. With changes impacting so many itineraries already, it is likely that additional voyages may also have similar changes.

Guests booked on Celebrity Beyond in the coming months will want to stay in close contact with Celebrity Cruises in case of additional itinerary adjustments or more drastic changes or cancellations.

For each impacted sailing, the notification email has used identical language to break the news that the ship has to put on the brakes.

“Due to a reduced sailing speed, we’ve made a few adjustments to ensure our voyage remains smooth, comfortable, and above all, safe,” the emails read.

Homeported from Miami, Celebrity Beyond offers 7-night sailings on both Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean routes. How individual cruises are adjusted depends on the sailing date, route, and what alternative ports or adjustments may be possible.

Celebrity Beyond Cruise Ship
Photo Credit: Skyshark Media / Shutterstock

For example, the ship’s August 24 departure is a Western Caribbean voyage to Bimini, Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Jamaica. That itinerary has now been adjusted as follows:

  • Sunday, August 24 – Depart Miami
  • Monday, August 25 – Bimini, Bahamas; 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. (formerly 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
  • Tuesday, August 26 – Day at Sea
  • Wednesday, August 27 – Falmouth, Jamaica; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (formerly Cozumel)
  • Thursday, August 28 – George Town, Grand Cayman; 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. (formerly 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
  • Friday, August 29 – Cozumel, Mexico; 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (formerly Falmouth)
  • Saturday, August 30 – Day at Sea
  • Sunday, August 31 – Arrive Miami

These changes are typical of the shifts being done to other itineraries, including altered times in port and swapping port visit days.

Whenever possible, the overall number of port visits are being preserved, but further adjustments are always possible.

On each impacted sailing, any pre-purchased Celebrity Cruises shore tours are being adjusted in accordance with the schedule changes as needed.

Wasn’t Celebrity Beyond Just Fixed?

The 141,420-gross ton, Edge-class Celebrity Beyond first developed a “technical issue” that required slower sailing speeds on her July 13 sailing.

At that time, the ship was delayed in her return to Miami, and her July 20 departure was subsequently cancelled for emergency repairs.

Theoretically, those repairs were completed in Freeport, Bahamas and the ship returned to service for her July 27 departure. So why are so many upcoming cruises continuing to be adjusted, and should guests be concerned?

Celebrity Beyond Cruise Ship
Celebrity Beyond Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks)

First, the ship would not have welcomed guests if she was not seaworthy or if any safety systems were compromised. Likewise, there have been no reports of any difficulties with her onboard systems, such as restaurants, entertainment, hotel operations, etc.

Read Also: Who Owns Celebrity Cruises?

It is possible that the reduced sailing speed is simply precautionary to prevent additional difficulties.

Full repairs to return to the ship’s top speeds may not be possible until a more extensive dry dock. At this time, a preliminary dry dock appears scheduled for the ship in early November 2026.

If these issues persist or worsen, however, it may be necessary for another emergency dry dock to be arranged so more repairs can be made.

Coast Guard Evacuates Woman From Carnival Ship During Tsunami Warning

Melissa Mayntz
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Coast Guard Evacuates Woman From Carnival Ship During Tsunami Warning

Key Aspects:

  • A 71-year-old woman was evacuated from Carnival Legend 120 miles off the Oregon coast during the tsunami warning.
  • Emergency crews from Air Station Astoria responded to the emergency situation flawlessly with an efficient airlift.
  • Coast Guard crews are highly trained to respond to a wide range of emergencies, assisting cruise ships when medical needs arise.

It can be hard to predict any type of emergency, much less multiple emergencies at the same time. Yet U.S. Coast Guard crews are ready, willing, and able to respond to multiple events simultaneously whenever needed.

Such a multi-tiered situation arose late Tuesday evening, July 29, aboard Carnival Legend during a day at sea at the end of a 10-night Alaska sailing.

The ship was 120 miles west of Grays Harbor, Washington, sailing from British Columbia to San Francisco, when a 71-year-old woman experienced a cardiac emergency onboard.

The emergency call was put out from the vessel at 6 p.m. and picked up by the Coast Guard Northwest District Command Center. Emergency crews from Air Station Astoria were immediately alerted to assist.

The rescue team aboard the MH-60 helicopter arrived at the ship at 8:39 p.m. and successfully hoisted the guest from the ship’s deck.

They were able to transport her safely to Air Station Astoria where she was transferred to emergency medical services.

You can watch the released footage of the airlift below:

To safeguard the guest’s privacy as well as that of her traveling companions, her name has not been released. There have been no further updates on her condition.

What further complicated this rescue, however, was what happened as the helicopter was making its way toward the cruise ship: the 8.8 magnitude earthquake that struck near Russia, triggering tsunami warnings around the Pacific.

The estimated arrival time of the tsunami wave to the Oregon coast was roughly 11-11:30 p.m. This meant the USCG crew was also on the lookout for potentially dangerous waves while they conducted the delicate rescue operation.

“While carrying out a critical long-range medical evacuation from a cruise ship, Coast Guard Northwest District units also stood ready to respond to the threat of a distant tsunami,” said Commander Neal Corbin, commanding officer of Air Station Astoria.

“Their ability to answer both calls at once is a powerful testament to the Service’s unwavering dedication to saving lives and protecting the maritime community.”

Despite what could have been very challenging circumstances for the long-distance evacuation during a tsunami alert, the rescue went smoothly and Carnival Legend continued to San Francisco without difficulty.

Read Also: Who Owns Carnival Cruise Line?

Cruise Hive’s thoughts are with the evacuated guest and her loved ones in the hopes that she has a full recovery and is able to enjoy many future cruises.

Challenging Evacuations Under Many Different Circumstances

Any medical evacuation from a cruise ship can be harrowing. The USCG crew must coordinate the operation with the moving cruise ship on an unsteady ocean surface, yet with perfect precision for a safe, smooth outcome.

Poor weather, strong swells, low visibility, distance from land, or especially delicate medical circumstances can all cause added difficulty.

In November 2024, for example, rough weather complicated a rescue from Carnival Vista while the ship was near Puerto Rico.

Carnival Legend Airlift
Carnival Legend Airlift (Credit: US Coast Guard)

US Coast Guard evacuation crews, however, are highly trained and focused on their work with intense concentration that enables them to react quickly to even the most challenging situation.

Furthermore, rescue crews may be called upon to react with the same skill and precision over and over.

This was the case in May 2023 when Air Station San Diego performed three separate rescues in a 24-hour-period from three different cruise ships.

Cruise guests everywhere are undoubtedly grateful for the dedication and service of these specialized crews. While we hope never to use their services, if we do need them, they never fail to perform.

NCL Warns Italy-Bound Cruisers to Steer Clear of Mosquitos

Catie Kovelman
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NCL Warns Italy-Bound Cruisers to Steer Clear of Mosquitos

Key Aspects: 

  • Norwegian Cruise Line is operating a plethora of cruises to Italy this year, where mosquitos are present.
  • As mosquitos can spread diseases, the cruise line is encouraging passengers to take measures to avoid getting bitten in the first place.
  • Preventative actions include keeping skin covered with clothing, investing in bug spray that contains DEET, and wearing clothes that have been treated with permethrin.

One of the easiest ways to ruin a cruise vacation is staying up all night because of annoying and itchy mosquito bites. I’ve been there, done that, and can assure you that you don’t want to try it.

Norwegian Cruise Line will be operating 27 cruises to Italy before 2025 ends, and is also warning guests about mosquitoes ahead of time to prevent these common pests from ruining any sailings.

For reference, the cruises will be operated by Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Sky, and Norwegian Viva.

Mosquito bites usually just result in a few days of annoyance, which is of course not fun, but NCL would also like to protect its passengers from the diseases these insects may carry.

“Ensuring your health and safety is our utmost priority throughout your journey with us,” the cruise line wrote in a letter to booked guests.

“As part of our commitment to your well-being, we want to inform you about the presence of mosquitos in certain destinations that we will be visiting during your sailing,” the letter reads.

Several species of mosquitos are currently present in Italy, ranging from the common house mosquito to intrusive varieties like the Asian tiger mosquito.

“Many diseases transmitted by mosquitos do not have vaccines or specific medications for prevention. Therefore, the most effective way to minimize your risk is by taking proactive measures to prevent mosquito bites,” NCL added.

The aforementioned Asian tiger mosquito, which can be recognized by its black and white stripes, is usually the culprit when it comes to spreading diseases.

In recent months, West Nile virus and dengue fever have been the most prevalent threats, but cases of chikungunya and Zika virus have also been reported in the past.

If a cruise guest is bitten and develops symptoms like fever, headache, muscle or joint pain, and/or a rash, they are encouraged to seek immediate treatment from the onboard medical center.

Staying Safe From Mosquito Bites 

We already know that the best way to prevent bug-borne illness is to never get bitten in the first place, but how can cruisers make themselves less appetizing to these insects?

Luckily, Norwegian Cruise Line shared a list of suggestions that have been provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

First, cruisers should choose outfits that keep their skin covered as much as possible. After all, if the buggies can’t get to your skin, they can’t bite!

This means wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats to stay protected, as well as opting for closed-toe shoes like boots.

I’m particularly fond of the sun shirts and hoodies sold by companies like REI and the North Face, which protect you from the elements but are made with light fabric to keep you cool in warmer weather.

Norwegian Epic Cruise Ship
Norwegian Epic Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: hydebrink)

As an added level of protection, passengers may also want to treat their clothing and bags with permethrin. However, this synthetic insecticide should never be allowed to touch skin to avoid negative reactions.

Read Also: Is it Safe to Go on a Cruise – All You Need to Know

Of course, there is always the tried-and-true method of wearing insect repellants that contain DEET as an active ingredient, which are actually designed for direct application onto skin.

There are a variety of bug sprays out there to choose from, so make sure to consult the list of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents before purchasing.

Additionally, you can even buy mosquito repellent bracelets. These are small, easy to pack, and usually waterproof.

Though results with these bracelets alone aren’t foolproof, they are a good add-on when other preventative measures are already being taken.

Finally, try to prioritize accommodations that are air-conditioned, screened-in, and far away from areas with standing water (which is where mosquitoes like to hang out).

This likely won’t be an issue once onboard the cruise ship, but it is something to think about when booking accommodations for before and after the sailing.

Norwegian Cruise Brands Enjoy Record Revenues, High Occupancy Levels

Donna Tunney
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Norwegian Cruise Brands Enjoy Record Revenues, High Occupancy Levels

Key Aspects

  • Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings reported second-quarter results for Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
  • Revenue totals broke the company’s second-quarter record, reaching $2.52 billion.
  • Occupancy levels for the quarter rose to 103.9%.

Second-quarter results from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) revealed robust bookings, high occupancy levels, and record revenues, as reported in an upbeat financial statement issued on July 31, 2025.

The company’s three cruise brands, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, together set a second-quarter revenue record of $2.52 billion, an increase of 6% year-over-year.

NCLH had noted in its first-quarter report that some softening was seen in 12-month advance bookings. While those bookings have now rebounded, the company expanded on that concern in the new report, saying that third-quarter European itineraries had experienced softness in early April 2025.

That concern has now eased, the company said, with the brands’ 12-month-booked positions returning to an optimal range. In fact, NCLH reported its advance ticket sale balance hit a record of $4 billion, rising from $3.9 billion in the earlier quarter.

Cruisers are clearly embracing the three brands, as occupancy levels have risen, too. For the second quarter, occupancy reached 103.9%, up from 101.5% in the first quarter.

Read Also: Great Stirrup Cay: A Full Overview of NCL’s Private Island

“We delivered another record quarter, demonstrating once again the strong customer demand environment, the power of our brands, our outstanding onboard product, and the dedication of our team,” said Harry Sommer, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. 

“Demand has rebounded across all three of our brands, with bookings now ahead of historical levels in recent months and continued strength in onboard spend,” added Sommer.

Looking ahead, NCLH predicted occupancy levels in the third quarter would reach 105.5% and 103% for the full year overall.

Recent Successes Helped Shore Up Financial Outcome

The company pointed to three major initiatives that helped buoy the financial results and its future performance.

First, it announced earlier this year that Norwegian Cruise Line would begin phase two of the expansion at Great Stirrup Cay, the line’s private island in the Bahamas.

A new 6-acre Great Tides Waterpark will be added to the destination in summer 2026, offering multiple thrill rides, splash zones, a whopping 19 waterslides, and an 800-foot-long river.

Great Stirrup Cay Great Tides Waterpark
Great Stirrup Cay Great Tides Waterpark

Thrill-seekers will be able to engage in cliff jumping at a new destination called Cliffside Cove, and children will have a 9,000-square-foot space filled with tipping buckets, mini-slides, fountains, water sprays, and more.

Second are the extensive dry-dock renovations to Norwegian Epic and Pride of America. Both ships emerged from their shoreside spruce-ups in time for the summer 2025 season with additional staterooms and upgrades to public areas.

The 4,100-guest Norwegian Epic is currently sailing Mediterranean voyages roundtrip from Rome, while the 2,200-guest Pride of America is the industry’s only ship that sails inter-island Hawaii voyages year-round from Honolulu.

The vessels received enhancements that included a reimagined water park for children and an expansion of the adults-only Vibe Beach Club.

Finally, the company cited the successful launch of Oceania Cruises’ new-build, Oceania Allura. The 1,200-guest ship entered service on July 18, 2025, sailing her inaugural 18-night Mediterranean voyage from Trieste, Italy, to Monaco.

Carnival Issues Travel Warning for Guests Sailing From Miami August 1–4

Donna Tunney
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Carnival Issues Travel Warning for Guests Sailing From Miami August 1–4

Key Aspects

  • Biscayne Boulevard will have detours and road restrictions in place from August 1 to 4, 2025.
  • Several Carnival Cruise Line ships are due to depart during the roadwork schedule.
  • Booked guests are advised to leave extra time for potential traffic delays.

Arriving in a timely manner at a cruise departure port is the first in a series of must-do’s on embarkation day, but sometimes elements beyond a passenger’s control can impact the experience.

That will be the case in early August, when roadwork along Miami’s busy Biscayne Boulevard will likely affect cruise guests heading to their cruise line terminals.

On July 29, 2025, Carnival issued an alert to guests booked on several ships due to depart from PortMiami between August 1 and 4, 2025, when detours and road closures could potentially snarl traffic.

Biscayne Boulevard is a roughly 12-mile stretch of road that runs through downtown Miami and serves as a major north-south artery in the city.

Passengers who can expect to be affected are those 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.

“Our partners in Miami have informed us that Biscayne Boulevard will be closed from Friday, August 1, through Monday, August 4, due to roadwork. Consequently, there will be detours and traffic restrictions in certain areas,” Colleen Oliverio, vice president of guest services for Carnival Cruise Line, wrote in a notice to guests.

“Since this could impact your commute to the cruise terminal, we encourage you to include ample travel time to ensure prompt arrival within your pre-selected Terminal Arrival Appointment,” added Oliverio.

Passengers who bought the cruise line’s transfer service were told that the time of their transfer could be affected, although Carnival Cruise Line is working with its transfer operations vendor to deal with any possible issues.

Anyone who did not purchase a cruise line transfer and is driving themselves or taking public transport to PortMiami should leave plenty of extra time to arrive when required.

Guests were also reminded that they must be onboard their ship by the final boarding time noted on their boarding pass.

Those who miss their ship’s departure must make their own forward travel plans to meet the vessel at a future port call — a task that is often a challenge both financially and logistically.

As the cruise capital of the world, PortMiami is the busiest US port in terms of arrivals and has multiple cruise terminals to accommodate virtually every major cruise line operating. Carnival Cruise Line ships typically depart from Terminal D or E at PortMiami.

A Wide Range of Miami Itinerary Options on Carnival’s Ships

Carnival Cruise Line departures that could be impacted by the road work in Miami include a wide range of itinerary options.

The 2,980-guest Carnival Conquest is sailing 3- to 5-night Bahamas voyages. All cruises call at the line’s new private island destination, Celebration Key. Four- and 5-night sailings add either Princess Cays or Half Moon Cay, and Grand Cayman.

Carnival Cruise Ship Embarkation
Carnival Cruise Ship Docked in Miami (Photo Credit: Marcio.Duarte)

The 3,960-guest Carnival Horizon sails 6- and 8-night Western and Southern Caribbean cruises. Featured destinations on the latter include the ABC Islands — Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao.

Carnival Celebration, accommodating 5,300 guests, offers 6- to 8-night Eastern and Southern Caribbean voyages, with Eastern Caribbean sailings calling at Turks and Caicos, Dominican Republic, Nassau, Bahamas, and Celebration Key.

Read Also: Here’s How You Can Make Cruise Embarkation a Breeze

The 3,690-guest Carnival Magic is sailing 6- to 8-night Western, Eastern, and Southern Caribbean voyages, with Western Caribbean port calls in Mexico, Belize, and Honduras.

Carnival Sunrise offers shorter getaways and accommodates 2,984 guests. The ship sails 4- and 5-night Eastern Caribbean and Bahamas voyages with calls to Celebration Key, Half Moon Cay, and Nassau.

Antarctica-Bound Cruises to Sail Under Updated Travel Advisory

Catie Kovelman
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Antarctica-Bound Cruises to Sail Under Updated Travel Advisory

Key Aspects: 

  • The US government has reissued a Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution Travel Advisory for the chilly continent of Antarctica.
  • The reasoning behind the advisory is that Antarctica is prone to hazards caused by extreme and unpredictable weather, which is worsening with global warming.
  • Cruising to Antarctica is still safe, especially when sailing with a reputable brand and when passengers have contingency plans in place before any potential emergencies arise.

Cruising to Antarctica is not for the faint of heart. The coldest continent on Earth is certainly a sight to behold, but the frigid weather and barren landscapes pose their own unique challenges.

This is something that the US Government knows all too well, and it’s the reason that the Antarctica Level 2 Travel Advisory has been reissued as of July 28, 2025.

Travel advisories work on a scale of Level 1 to Level 4, with Level 2 telling cruisers that they should “exercise increased caution” while visiting this destination.

“Exercise increased caution in Antarctica due to environmental hazards posed by extreme and unpredictable weather and limited emergency services,” the advisory warns.

“There are no U.S. government consular services available to U.S. citizens in the Antarctic Region. The closest U.S Embassies/Consulates are in Argentina, Australia, Chile, New Zealand, and South Africa,” it continues.

Related to global warming, researchers have observed that the Polar region is experiencing an uptick in extreme and often unpredictable weather events.

This is related to the mass melting of sea ice in the region, which disrupts ocean currents, and in turn, impacts weather conditions and contributes to a greater number of storms.

To put things in perspective, NASA scientists have found that Antarctica lost an estimated 150 billion metric tons of ice per year from 2002 to 2023. Unfortunately, this decline is only continuing.

So, while cruise lines won’t be leaving Antarctic waters anytime soon, guests and crew members alike will need to be prepared for unusual weather conditions.

Have Antarctic Cruises Become Unsafe?

The purpose of the US travel advisory is really to encourage guests to be prepared before something goes south (no pun intended) or there is an extreme weather event.

At this time, cruises to Antarctica aren’t considered unsafe, especially when sailing with well-respected brands like Seabourn Cruise Line, Ponant Expeditions, and Silversea Cruises (among others).

“Travel with a professional guide or organization such as those that are a member of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators, or, if organizing a private expedition, be self-sufficient and have emergency medical evacuation insurance,” reads the advisory.

Seabourn Vessel in Antarctica
Seabourn Vessel in Antarctica (Photo Credit: Nancy Pauwels)

All of these brands operate smaller expedition vessels that are Polar certified, which means the ships’ structure and equipment has been designed specifically to handle the hazardous conditions that come with sailing to “The White Continent.”

For example, the hulls on these ships have been strengthened and reinforced to make navigating icy waters safer.

It’s also worth noting that sailings are only offered during the spring and summer months in the Southern Hemisphere (usually October to March), when the ice isn’t quite as thick.

Read Also: How to Stay Safe and Enjoy Your Cruise Vacation

Especially because Antarctica is remote and help may be far away, the US government also encourages cruisers to make a contingency plan for emergencies in advance.

This means investing in travel insurance, which would ideally cover any medical issues that arise and trip cancellations, as well as provide evacuation assistance.

Additionally, cruise guests can sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) online via the US Department of State.

STEP works by sending alerts and updates from the US embassy or consulate for the specific destination(s) cruisers are visiting as needed, and also helps officials contact passengers in an emergency.

Norwegian Cruise Line Adding New Visits to Norfolk, Virginia

Melissa Mayntz
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Norwegian Cruise Line Adding New Visits to Norfolk, Virginia

Key Aspects:

  • Norwegian Pearl will visit Norfolk, Virginia, as a port of call on 20 cruises from April through August 2027.
  • The port visit will be part of Bermuda itineraries, but offers a rare extra port for guests to enjoy.
  • Growing interest in Norfolk ensures more opportunities for eager guests as the cruise port completes updates.

Guests setting sail on Norwegian Pearl during the summer of 2027 will enjoy a unique port visit to Norfolk, Virginia on nearly every one of the ship’s 7-night sailings.

The brand new itinerary offering will homeport from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for 7-night cruises to Bermuda, with visits to Norfolk as part of the schedule for 20 departures between April and August.

This will give guests the unusual opportunity to enjoy some southern hospitality and charm in the Hampton Roads region, something not too many cruise itineraries offer.

Furthermore, the new sailings will bring great economic opportunities to Norfolk, with both guests and crew taking advantage of the stop.

“We’ll have the opportunity to welcome nearly 2,500 additional passengers and a thousand crew members every single Tuesday for five months,” said Stephen E. Kirkland, executive director of Nauticus, which operates the Half Moone Cruise & Celebration Center.

“That activity, coupled with our Carnival sailings each weekend, represents a broadening economic impact for this entire region.”

Carnival Cruise Line’s sailings, however, are year-round homeport operations with Carnival Sunshine. The ship offers a diverse selection of 4- to 8-night sailings to Bermuda, the Bahamas, Canada, and the Eastern Caribbean, depending on departure date.

While some guests travel to a homeport a day or two before setting sail and will therefore have hotel rooms and use restaurants, day visits at a port of call can have a more wide-ranging impact with sightseeing tours, restaurants, retail purchases, and more.

The 93,520-gross ton, Jewel-class Norwegian Pearl can welcome 2,394 guests per sailing. Together, the new itineraries will bring approximately 49,000 cruise guests to Norfolk during the summer 2027 season.

Growing Interest in Norfolk

Norfolk is uniquely positioned as a convenient port visit for ships from both northeastern homeports as well as a destination for ships from Florida, depending on overall itinerary options.

Read Also: Norwegian Cruise Ships by Age – Newest to Oldest

These new visits coming from Norwegian Pearl are one of the largest port visit commitments in Norfolk’s history, demonstrating the growing interest in the destination.

In addition to Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line, numerous other cruise lines also visit Norfolk, at least on occasion.

This includes Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, TUI Cruises, Viking Voyages, AIDA Cruises, and more.

Norfolk Cruise Terminal
Norfolk Cruise Terminal (Photo Credit: Carnival)

The port is often part of repositioning sailings. For example, Majestic Princess will visit Norfolk on October 30, 2025 as the last port of her 14-night sailing from Quebec City at the end of the autumn foliage sailing as the ship repositions to Fort Lauderdale for winter in the Caribbean.

Uniquely positioned 720 miles northwest of Bermuda, the city is also an occasional part of more leisurely Bermuda cruises. In March 2026, Oceania Allura will visit Norfolk as part of a 14-night “Balmy Bermuda” sailing roundtrip from Miami.

In spring 2024, Norfolk played a key role in keeping cruises sailing following the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and the closure of the Port of Baltimore.

At that time, Norfolk assumed homeport operations for Carnival Legend and Carnival Pride as well as Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas for several weeks.

With cruise traffic growing, the Half Moone Cruise & Celebration Center began a $12 million upgrade in January 2025. The two-phase project includes terminal and walkway upgrades, a bus loading zone, and more.

As more visits to Norfolk are planned, undoubtedly interest will continue to increase to add the destination to more varied itineraries and hopefully additional homeport operations. This will give eager cruisers yet another great option for their oceangoing vacation plans.

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