More than 33,000 guests visited Nassau on Monday, June 8, which set a new single-day visitor record for the port.
The previous record was just over 30,000 guests in March 2025 and tourism to the port continues to grow.
Six ships from four different cruise lines were in port to help set the monumental record.
The cruise business is booming in the capital of the Bahamas as Nassau set a new single-day passenger record on Monday, June 8, 2026. On that one day, 33,254 cruise guests visited Nassau Cruise Port.
This surpasses the previous record set more than a year ago on March 11, 2025, with 30,538 guests. The 2,716-guest increase is roughly 8.9% higher than the earlier record. This significant rise in visitors demonstrates how the updated cruise port can efficiently welcome tens of thousands of guests in a single day yet still provide a great guest experience.
“This is a proud and meaningful achievement for Nassau Cruise Port and for The Bahamas,”said Mike Maura, Jr., CEO & Director of Nassau Cruise Port.
“The 33,000-passenger mark was an important benchmark for us, and reaching 33,254 guests in a single day reflects the strength of Nassau as a cruise destination, the confidence of our cruise line partners, and the dedication of the teams and stakeholders who support the visitor experience here.”
Maura goes on to give credit to the many parties involved in the cruise port’s success, including tour operators, retailers, transportation providers, businesses, and more.
Six cruise ships from four different lines were in port on the historic day: Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, Carnival Cruise Line’s Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration, Princess Cruises’ Caribbean Princess, and Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Fantasy.
Not Just About a Record
While the new record is certainly impressive, the total impact of cruise ships coming to Nassau is about the economic opportunities they bring with them to local communities.
“High-performing cruise days support retailers, restaurants, tour operators, transportation providers, attractions, artisans, entertainers, and a wide range of other Bahamian businesses that benefit from cruise passenger activity,”Maura said.
Cruise Ships Docked in Nassau (Photo Credit: Sven Hansche)
Cruise guests to Nassau book tours, visit restaurants, buy souvenirs, enjoy bars, rent snorkeling equipment, take horse carriage rides, get their hair braided, and enjoy a wide range of experiences at the cruise port and beyond.
Each of those experiences helps support the local economy. Even more important, guests who enjoy their time in Nassau recommend the destination to others, helping to continue the growth that makes Nassau one of the most popular cruise ports in the world.
So many visiting guests do want to be cautious, however, as increased crime, sexual assaults, and other safety concerns have led both the US Embassy and the US Department of State to recently issue warnings about activities in Nassau.
World’s Largest Ships Did Not Help Set Single-Day Record
Interestingly, while the six ships that set the new record are impressive, neither of the currently in-service Icon class ships were visiting Nassau that day. Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas are the world’s largest cruise ships with a maximum capacity of 7,600 guests.
Both ships offer 7-night itineraries from Miami and Port Canaveral, respectively, but the vessels do not often visit Nassau. The ships do, however, go to Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, on every sailing.
All cruise ships scheduled for Santorini on June 22, 2026, were cancelled after local bus operators launched a strike.
The dispute centers on the island’s new 70-30 passenger distribution system, which redirects some guests through Athinios Port.
Norwegian Pearl, Celebrity Ascent, MSC Sinfonia, and Star Flyer were affected by the shutdown.
Cruise passengers scheduled to visit the beautiful island of Santorini, Greece, on June 22, 2026, never made it ashore.
All cruise ship arrivals planned for Monday were cancelled after the island’s tourist bus operators launched a strike over a controversial new passenger transportation system.
The strike left cruise lines without the buses needed to move passengers around the island, forcing local authorities to cancel the day’s scheduled calls.
At the center of the dispute is Santorini’s new “70-30” passenger distribution plan, which was created by the Municipal Port Fund of Thira and took effect on June 15, 2026.
As previously reported by Cruise Hive, the plan was introduced to reduce congestion around Fira, where cruise passengers traditionally arrive by tender before taking the island’s cable car, walking path, or donkeys to the clifftop town.
Under the new system, approximately 70 percent of passengers continue to arrive through the traditional route serving Fira while 30 percent are directed through Athinios Port and transported around the island by bus.
Local officials have said the change is intended to spread visitors more evenly across the island and reduce long lines at the cable car station during busy cruise days.
Bus operators, however, argue the system was introduced without consultation and creates operational challenges for local transportation companies.
The Santorini Tourist Buses Association told Greek media, the new system is “unfair and dysfunctional without the implementation of [time slots] for the disembarkation of cruise passengers between Fira and Athinios.”
Cruise Ships Visiting Santorini, Greece (Photo Credit: Ella Fogel)
The association also cited the lack of suitable parking spaces for tourist buses, the absence of organized meeting points, and the lack of overall planning that would create serious problems in traffic and visitor service, saying the impact would “discredit the island.”
The strike quickly escalated into a disruption for cruise tourism. Although ships were still able to reach Santorini, authorities cancelled all cruise arrivals.
According to local media, business groups said the cancellations cost Santorini approximately 425,000 euros in lost revenue for the single day.
Cruise Ships Impacted by Shutdown
The cancellation affected multiple cruise ships that had planned calls in Santorini on June 22.
The largest vessel impacted was Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Ascent, carrying up to 3,260 passengers, which was scheduled to spend 15 hours in port as part of an 11-night Greece, Turkey, and Italy voyage sailing from Civitavecchia, Italy.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s 2,344-passenger Norwegian Pearl and MSC Cruises’ MSC Sinfonia, carrying nearly 2,000 guests, were also not allowed to disembark in Santorini. Both ships were meant to have full-day calls on the island during their Mediterranean voyages.
Whether bus operators will continue to strike or if local officials will revise the policy remains unclear. What is clear is that the dispute was enough to bring cruise operations on one of the Mediterranean’s busiest islands to a standstill.
P&O Cruises will now confiscate and discard wine of Champagne exceeding its one-liter allowance.
The allowance remains unchanged for wine and Champagne, and spirits and other alcoholic beverages remain prohibited.
The alcohol policy comes alongside expanded guest conduct rules covering disruptive behavior.
Bringing too much wine onboard a P&O Cruises ship could now come with a costly consequence.
The cruise line has updated its alcohol policy, introducing a stricter rule for guests who exceed the line’s one-liter wine or Champagne allowance at embarkation.
Under the previous policy, passengers who brought more than the permitted one liter had the excess stored and returned at the end of the cruise. Under the revised policy, any wine or Champagne over that limit will be confiscated and discarded, with no compensation provided.
The allowance itself remains unchanged. Guests aged 18 and older (or 21 and older when sailing from US ports) may still bring up to one liter of wine of Champagne onboard when they embark for the first time. Spirits and other alcoholic beverages remain prohibited.
“Each guest aged 18 years (21 years in United States of America ports) and older may bring up to one litre of wine or Champagne on board when they embark the ship for the first time only. Wine or Champagne over the one-litre limit will be confiscated and discarded and no compensation will be provided,”said the cruise line.
The revised policy continues P&O Cruises’ focus on responsible drinking. Guests who appear intoxicated can be denied service, and the cruise line warns that offensive, unruly, dangerous, or violent behavior linked to alcohol consumption could result in serious consequences.
Any alcohol purchased ashore during a cruise must still be declared and handed over at the gangway, where it will be stored and returned before the end of the voyage. Alcohol purchased from onboard duty-free shops is also held until the cruise concludes.
While the confiscation rule may seem like a small change, it represents a tougher approach and removes what had effectively been a grace period for passengers breaking the rules.
Expanded Rules on Behavior
The alcohol update is just one part of a broader revision to P&O Cruises’ guest policies, which now contain more detail about passenger behavior and the consequences for breaking the rules.
Under the new guidelines, guests who become excessively intoxicated, harass others, create disturbances, or refuse crew instructions could face disciplinary action during their cruise.
P&O Cruises Ship (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks)
Whether it’s a confrontation in a bar, shouting in a hallway after midnight, or behavior that leaves other guests feeling uncomfortable, P&O Cruises is making it clear that disruptive conduct will not be ignored.
Said the cruise line, “At all times while on board and during shore experiences, guests are expected to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner and with due regard to the health, safety and enjoyment of all other guests, crew and shore experience guides.”
P&O Cruises also reminded passengers thatfailure to comply could result in being sent home at their own cost.
The updated code specifically prohibits abusive, aggressive, threatening, intimidating, or discriminatory behavior. Harassment, bullying, offensive language, and unwanted physical contact are also among the actions that could result in intervention from crew members.
The cruise line has also added new language addressing excessive noise, reminding guests that everyone onboard is entitled to enjoy their vacation without disruption.
The changes don’t stop with adults. Parents and guardians are also being put on notice. The updated rules make clear that adults are responsible for supervising children throughout the voyage and ensuring they follow ship rules and behave appropriately in public spaces.
The code also reinforces the authority of crew members, stating that guests must comply with instructions and cooperate with any onboard safety or security investigations.
Passengers who violate the policy could face consequences ranging from warnings and removal from activities to confinement in their cabin. In more serious cases, guests could be denied boarding, removed from the ship at their own expense, or prevented from sailing with the cruise line in the future.
Carnival Splendor will skip Moreton Island on Monday, June 22 because no marine pilot is available.
Guests were given $100 AUD per stateroom as compensation for missing the only port of call on the 4-night cruise.
No alternative ports are available and there are no other changes to the ship’s itinerary.
Guests aboard Carnival Splendor are not able to enjoy their only port of call on their 4-night getaway due to unusual circumstances with a necessary pilot.
The 113,600-gross-ton ship departed Sydney, Australia, as planned on Saturday, June 20, for the short getaway that was to have included a stop at Moreton Island in Queensland on Monday, June 22.
Unfortunately, that visit is no longer possible due to the unavailability of a pilot to help guide the 3,012-passenger ship into Moreton Bay. Guests were informed about the change with announcements over the public address system as well as a letter delivered to their staterooms.
“A marine pilot is required to be on board the ship as we enter and exit Moreton Bay to get to Moreton Island,”the letter explained.“Unfortunately, our pilotage provider has advised us that they will not be able to provide us with a pilot in time tomorrow, due to unexpected circumstances.”
Carnival Splendor was scheduled to visit the island from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The “unexpected circumstances” have not been explained, but could simply be a labor shortage, illness, or other personal situation that prevents the pilot from assisting the cruise ship at that time.
Marine pilots, also called maritime pilots or harbor pilots, are experts in their specific waterways and the unique hazards and challenges individual waterways may present. Moreton Bay, for example, has significant sandbanks and other obstacles that must be navigated very precisely, as well as heavy marine traffic to coordinate.
Because no pilot is available to safely guide Carnival Splendor, the ship is unable to make the port visit and will instead enjoy a day at sea. Satellite tracking shows the ship did sail as far north as Moreton Island, but then turned to head south again without entering the bay. No alternative ports are feasible on the sailing.
There is no further change to the ship’s itinerary and she should arrive back to Sydney by 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 24 as planned.
Compensation Offered
Missing a port visit can happen for a variety of reasons, such as weather, civil unrest, or mechanical difficulties with the ship.
In general, cruise lines do not offer compensation for itinerary changes that are out of their control, but the change with Carnival Splendor is unique because Moreton Island was the only port visit on the short cruise.
Because of that, guests are receiving a $100 (AUD, approximately $70 USD) credit per stateroom “as a gesture of appreciation” for understanding the unusual situation.
Any shore tours booked through Carnival Cruise Line for Moreton Island will be automatically cancelled and refunded to guests’ onboard accounts.
Those onboard credits can be used for drink purchases, retail therapy, spa treatments, specialty dining, photos, and other onboard purchases.
If guests have booked tours through independent operators, they would need to contact those operators directly for cancellation and refund options, if available.
Not the First Pilot Incident
Cruise Hive has occasionally reported when different issues with harbor pilots may disrupt cruise operations. This can happen occasionally with labor disputes or on very busy days when not enough pilots may be available to handle all the traffic at busier ports.
In February 2026, a harbor pilot fell into the ocean when attempting to board Emerald Princess for a visit to Kauai, Hawaii during exceptionally rough seas. While the pilot did not appear to be injured, the port visit was cancelled.
Cruise lines always consider the safety of crew members, guests, and the communities they visit when making any port cancellation decisions. This includes the safety of marine pilots and everyone who works at the port or harbor facilities.
Ovation of the Seas arrived in Seward, Alaska with a dead whale on the bulbous bow on Friday, June 19.
It is unknown whether the ship struck and killed the whale or if the animal was already deceased when it was hit.
The Alaska Sea Life Center and NOAA are investigating the incident and performing a necropsy to determine the cause of death.
Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas sadly arrived in Seward, Alaska on Friday, June 19, 2026 with a 61-foot female fin whale that the ship may have struck and killed en route to its northern homeport.
The Quantum class ship had departed Vancouver, British Columbia for the one-way Alaskan cruise on Friday, June 12. On her way to Seward, the ship visited Sitka, Juneau, and Skagway, as well as enjoyed scenic glacier cruising.
Ovation of the Seas is offering the north-south route for the Alaska season through mid-September, with departures from Vancouver (northbound) and Seward (southbound) every other week.
Upon arriving in Seward this time, however, the whale was draped across the ship’s bulbous bow, the projection of the hull just under the forward waterline that helps with ship stability and reduces drag.
According to SAKtown News, immediately after the ship docked as planned, the whale carcass was draped with a tarp to keep it from view and to preserve the body for examination.
On Friday evening, the carcass was towed to a protected lagoon at Lowell Point, roughly three miles south of the Seward cruise terminal. A marine wildlife expert team from the Alaska Sealife Center and NOAA performed a necropsy (animal autopsy).
Part of the investigation was to determine if the whale was killed by the ship or if the animal may have died of other causes and was snagged by the ship as the vessel entered Resurrection Bay.
Samples from the carcass must be examined for evidence of bacteria or illnesses that may have caused the whale’s death, and other signs of trauma will also be noted.
Cruise Hive has reached out to Royal Caribbean about the incident but has not yet received a response from the cruise line.
Fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) are the second-largest species of baleen whale and can reach up to 90 feet long. Since the killed whale was just 61 feet, it was a smaller member of the species and may have been a juvenile.
Ovation of the Seas With Whale (Photo Credit: pizzaboy420)
These whales are considered at risk and vulnerable on environmental ranking scales, making the loss of a young whale especially devastating to local populations.
As the Dale R. and Carol Ann Lindsey Alaska Railroad Terminal in Seward only opened to welcome guests on June 10, this unfortunate incident is especially troubling.
Cruise Hive has already reported that the 4,180-guest Ovation of the Seas is the first Royal Caribbean ship to use the new terminal. Despite this troubling incident, there was no delay to the ship’s schedule and the vessel departed on its next sailing on time.
Not the First Whale Incident
Startlingly, this is not the first time a fin whale has been dragged into Seward on the bow of a cruise ship.
In 2016, a similar incident occurred with Holland America Line’s Zaandam, which snagged a young male fin whale in nearly the same location. In that incident, the cruise line was determined not to be at fault, as the ship had been proceeding at recommended speeds with lookouts posted.
Comparing the two cruise ships, however, Zaandam is just 61,396 gross tons. The 168,666-gross-ton Ovation of the Seas is more than double the size of the Holland America Line vessel.
It is unknown whether or not the ship’s overall size could play a stronger factor than anticipated as a threat to marine wildlife.
More recently, MSC Cruises’ MSC Meraviglia arrived in New York with a whale on its bow in May 2024. At 171,598 gross tons, MSC Meraviglia is even larger than Ovation of the Seas.
Cruise ships use several different tactics to minimize noise in the water, including hull shape, specialized paint, and reduced speeds. These steps are meant to minimize disruption to marine ecosystems but also can make it more challenging for larger animals, including whales, to notice the ship and get out of its path quickly enough to avoid a collision.
Local opinions are mixed on this incident. In a popular Reddit thread, more than 230 comments are discussing the whale’s death.
Some note that, while unfortunate, such incidents do happen.
“Former maritime worker. This is a not uncommon cruise ship reality,”one commenter explained.“I worked on a vessel in Norway for a while and it happened there, too. I wish it weren’t so.”
One person succinctly compared the incident to hitting a deer with a car. Tragic and unfortunate, but such accidents do happen. Others compared the situation to wildlife killed by planes or trains.
Nevertheless, a full investigation will undoubtedly consider how Ovation of the Seas approached the harbor and the speed the ship was traveling, as well as its exact route.
No official cause of death for the whale has yet been released, and it may be some time before full results are available.
A federal judge sentenced a cruise passenger to more than four years in prison for identity theft and falsely claiming to be a US citizen.
Investigators found multiple fraudulent documents, including a counterfeit driver’s license, birth certificate, and tax form.
The man was also ordered to pay more than $25,000 in restitution and faces deportation after serving his sentence.
A man who boarded an Alaska cruise under a stolen identity will spend over four years in federal prison. The man admitted to identity theft and falsely claimed to be a US citizen.
Enrico Ronquillo, 38, was sentenced June 17, 2026, in federal court after pleading guilty to one count of false impersonation of a US citizen and one count of aggravated identity theft, according to court documents.
The case began when Ronquillo boarded a cruise ship in Seattle on May 11, 2025. Prosecutors said he represented himself as a US citizen during the boarding process and used another person’s name, date of birth, and address when completing the cruise line’s online passenger application.
Three days later, when the vessel arrived in Juneau, officers with US Customs and Border Protection conducted a search and discovered documents that raised concerns.
“Mr. Ronquillo knowingly used stolen identities and personal information of innocent US citizens to gain passage on a cruise ship and enrich himself at its casino,” said US Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska.
In addition to the prison sentence, Ronquillo was ordered to serve one year of supervised release after completing his prison term. The court has also ordered him to pay more than $25,000 in restitution.
Because Ronquillo is not a US citizen, authorities said he faces deportation proceedings after serving his sentence. Local media noted that while he is a lawful permanent resident, the convictions could affect his ability to remain in the country.
Juneau, Alaska (Photo Credit: Charles HHuang)
“This fraudster stole the identity of a US citizen and impersonated the victim while on board a cruise said, where he then continued to commit financial fraud crimes on the high seas,” said Charge Zachary Pomerantz, assistant special agent in charge of the FBI Anchorage Field Office.
Pomerantz reminded the public that identity theft and impersonating a US citizen carry real consequences and that his office is committed to protecting US citizens.
Multiple Fraudulent Documents
Cruise ships sailing in international waters are required to maintain accurate passenger manifests for inspection by US Customs and Border Protection. Ronquillo’s use of a stolen identity allowed him to appear on the ship’s manifest as a US citizen.
After the unidentified Alaskan cruise ship arrived in Juneau, Customs and Border Protection officers boarded the vessel and searched Ronquillo’s backpack, leading to the discovery of fraudulent documents, including a California driver’s license connected to an identity theft victim who reported losing it in Las Vegas in 2023.
The stolen driver’s license with Ronquillo’s photo was not the only fraudulent document tied to the case. According to court records, investigators found a counterfeit birth certificate and a fraudulent W-9 tax form.
The multiple documents helped investigators piece together the broader identity theft scheme and included numerous federal, state, and local agencies, including Alaska State Troopers, the Coast Guard Investigative Service, Homeland Security Investigations, the TSA’s Office of Law Enforcement, the Federal Air Marshal Service, and the FBI’s Los Angeles Office.
After a federal indictment in June 2025, Ronquillo later pleaded guilty in February 2026 before receiving his sentence this month.
One guest is frustrated that soda is not widely available first thing in the morning onboard Carnival ships.
John Heald has clarified that the JavaBlue Cafe does offer soda and energy drinks as soon as it opens every morning.
Experienced guests have also offered other solutions so that anyone can enjoy soda at any time they wish.
Many people are fiercely loyal to a specific brand of soda, but are they equally insistent on when they drink that soda? One Carnival Cruise Line passenger has reached out to learn if they can have their drink of choice first thing in the morning.
The guest, who was recently aboard Carnival Sunrise sailing from Miami, noted that soda isn’t widely available early in the day and reached out to the cruise line’s brand ambassador, John Heald, about where and when they can get the fizzy refreshment.
“Does Carnival understand that many of us drink soda with breakfast?”they asked on Heald’s Facebook page.“The problem is John that the first bar to open on the Sunrise was the lobby and not 8 in the morning.”
It’s true that bars onboard do not open until later in the morning when more guests are seeking adult beverages. It can be hard to find soda at other locations.
“I need to have a Coke with breakfast. John you should try it and ditch the coffee. It’s refreshing,”the guest explained.“Please do something to help the many American cruisers who want a soda before or with breakfast.”
While not all cruisers agree that a soda is “refreshing” first thing in the morning, Carnival Cruise Line does try to have a variety of options available for their guests.
Heald noted that the JavaBlue Cafe (or other coffee shops onboard, depending on the ship) does offer both soda and energy drinks even in the early morning.
“We now have soda and energy drinks available from the JavaBlue cafes across the fleet and they open at 7am or thereabout,”he said.
Heald also spoke with “the Beards” to confirm the availability of sodas from the coffee shops on every ship early in the morning.
It is not unusual for cruise lines to periodically switch between major suppliers as provisioning contracts are renegotiated.
Do Cruisers Drink Soda in the Morning?
For many travelers, the morning drink of choice would be coffee or fruit juice. Carnival offers orange juice, apple juice, and a delicious orange-passionfruit-guava blend that is this writer’s favorite.
For those who need a bit more of a kick for waking up, energy drinks or traditional morning cocktails like Bloody Marys, Irish coffee, mimosas, or bellinis are also popular.
While many other commenters noted they do prefer other drinks in the morning, some support the early morning soda idea.
This is especially true for those who don’t care for coffee but may still need a bit of caffeine to start the day.
“My Diet Coke is my coffee,”one quest quipped.
An ice-cold soda might also be preferred on hot Caribbean mornings, particularly if guests aren’t accustomed to tropical temperatures.
Guests Suggest Other Solutions
If the original poster prefers their first soda of the day even earlier than when the JavaBlue Cafe opens, other Carnival guests suggested a variety of options.
It is possible, for example, to get an unopened can of soda from a bar or lounge the night before, then keep it in one’s stateroom for that early morning drink. While stateroom coolers are not as cold as fridges, guests can request ice from their cabin attendant every evening to keep a soda cold or they can get a glass of ice at breakfast.
Another option is to bring a 12-pack of one’s soda of choice at embarkation. The Carnival Cruise Line’s beverage policy permits every guest to bring “a maximum of 12 sealed, unopened cans/cartons of 12-ounces/354-ml each or less, per person” onboard.
Cases or cartons of soda must be in carry-on luggage and are subject to inspection.
Both original Bonine and Dramamine are over-the-counter antihistamines and forms of motion sickness medication, but their active ingredients differ.
When it comes to Bonine vs. Dramamine, Dramamine is more likely to make you drowsy but typically kicks in faster, while Bonine lasts longer.
Other ways to reduce motion sickness include using acupressure bands, ginger/licorice, and light snacks.
There’s nothing worse than being motion sick on a cruise (okay, maybe there are some worse things that can happen on a cruise, but motion sickness is up there), especially if it’s your first cruise and you’re just slammed with a wave of nausea that you weren’t expecting.
You imagined yourself having fun in the sun, downing all those complimentary drinks, and lounging by the pool, and instead you’re holed up in your cabin with your head between your knees.
I don’t always suffer from it, but when motion sickness hits (like during rough seas), I’ll do anything to relieve the symptoms, and there are two primary OTC medications that cruisers reach for, to combat motion sickness symptoms: Bonine and Dramamine. While similar, they do differ in dosing, effectiveness and more. Here’s how to compare Bonine vs. Dramamine (original formulas) and how to choose which option is best for you.
Bonine is not intended for those under the age of 12. It’s advised that you check with a doctor before taking Bonine if you have or have had glaucoma, breathing problems, urination problems (including enlarged prostate), and liver or kidney disease.
It’s also not a great idea to use Bonine after recent use of alcohol, sedatives, or tranquilizers. Additionally, ask a doctor if you take any opioids, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, or anxiety or seizure-related medications.
You cannot drink alcohol while taking Dramamine. Dramamine can be taken every four to six hours, as needed.
Possible Dramamine Side Effects
Drowsiness
Headache
Blurred vision
Tinnitus
Dryness of mouth
Lack of coordination
Palpitation
Dizziness
Hypotension
Trouble breathing or coughing
Painful or difficult urination
Who Should Not Use Dramamine
You should not use Dramamine if you have urination problems (including an enlarged prostate), breathing problems, or glaucoma. Avoid taking Dramamine if you also recently used alcohol, sedatives, or tranquilizers.
Just as is the case with Bonine, ask a doctor before using Dramamine if you take any opioids, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, sedatives, tranquilizers or anxiety or seizure-related medications. Those over the age of 65 may also want to ask their doctor before using Dramamine.
Bonine vs. Dramamine: Which is Better?
Effectiveness
It’s generally the case that Dramamine works faster than Bonine, but Bonine offers longer-lasting symptom relief, and you won’t have to take it as often throughout the day. Both medications need to be taken before your cruise begins, for best results.
Chewable vs. Pill
Bonine is only available as a chewable table, while you can purchase Dramamine as a chewable tablet or as a pill.
In terms of side effects and potential risks, both Bonine and Dramamine are pretty comparable, except when it comes to one specific side effect. Dramamine is notorious for making you drowsy. I can take Dramamine and be out like a light in half an hour.
As Dr. Natascha Tuznik, infectious disease specialist and associate clinical professor of medicine at UC Davis Medical Center, told NBC in a 2025 interview, regarding Dramamine, “Unfortunately, not much can be done to mitigate the side effects. If you’ve taken it before, you should expect similar side effects each time.” Tuznik confirmed with the publication, though, that Bonine was indeed “less likely to cause drowsiness.”
Cost
If you’re worried about cost, you can get both Bonine and Dramamine for $5–$10 at your typical grocery store. You can purchase these medications after you’re already on the ship, but remember that any necessities such as these are marked up considerably in the ship’s stores. Even if you just think you might need an anti-seasickness medication, go ahead and buy it before your cruise, rather than waiting.
Cruiser Reviews
As you’re deciding between Bonine vs. Dramamine, though, what do the actual people say?
An informal poll of cruisers on Reddit finds that many cruisers prefer Bonine, in part because it doesn’t make them as drowsy as Dramamine. Many use Bonine and take further measures as well, including wearing pressure point bands, eating ginger chews, taking Zofran (a prescription-only nausea medication), etc.
Alternatives to Taking Bonine or Dramamine on a Cruise
Cruise Passenger With Motion Sickness (Photo Credit: GBALLGIGGSPHOTO)
If you’re not ready to take Bonine or Dramamine just yet (maybe you’re worried about the side effects ruining your cruise or you don’t want to abstain from drinking during your vacation), you do have other options.
However, I’d advise that, if it’s side effects you’re worried about, just take a dose in advance of your cruise, to see how the medication affects you.
Otherwise, here are some of your other alternatives.
Choosing the Right Ship and Cabin
Simply booking the right ship and the right cabin on that ship can reduce your chances of experience motion sickness significantly. The motion sickness is caused by, obviously, the motion of the ship. You feel that motion more when you’re on a smaller ship, as well as when you’re closer to the ship’s sides and top.
As such, aim to book a bigger shipthat provides more stability, as well as a cabin that’s toward the middle of the ship. Some also find that having a cabin with a balcony or ocean view can also be helpful, as looking at the horizon can alleviate some mild symptoms.
Natural Alternatives
There are a range of natural remedies for motion sickness that are worth trying out. While they may not work for everyone, they could very well work for you.
Try using an acupressure point bracelet; some cruisers report that they help relieve nausea. Eating candy or lozenges made out of ginger or licorice root is also reportedly a good option.
Simple Changes
If your symptoms are mild, you may be able to make very small changes to what you’re doing, to relieve a bit of the nausea.
For example, get out onto your balcony or onto an outside deck where you can see the horizon, as well as get some deep breaths of fresh air.
You may find that you feel better standing up vs. laying down, or vice versa. You may want a stomach-settling drink or snack, such as something very light (crackers!) or cold water or soda. Using your phone can also make you feel worse, so try a distraction that’s not screen-based.
The above is not intended as health advice and you should always check with a pharmacist, doctor or similar professional before taking any new medicine.
Carnival Cruise Line has reopened four SEA Cruises to anyone 21+.
The previously by-invitation-only cruises must be booked by June 30, 2026.
Brand Ambassador John Heald is joining the October 12 voyage.
One of Carnival Cruise Line’s hardest-to-book cruise experiences is once again open to the general public to sail, with a very special guest joining the fun.
The cruise line has reopened bookings for four upcoming adults-only SEA Cruisesaboard Carnival Firenze, allowing anyone 21 and older to book the kids-free sailings in 2026.
Previously, the cruises were available primarily by invitation-only to casino players, making them largely inaccessible to the average Carnival Cruise Line guest. Now, passengers can reserve cabins on a series of fall 2026 departures from Long Beach, California.
The announcement was made by Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald, who shared the news with followers on Facebook on June 17, 2026.
“SEA adults-only cruises now open for everyone,” Heald wrote. “Please come and join me on a sailing from Looooooooong Beach on 10/12/26 aboard the Carnival Firenze.”
Heald said he plans to sail on first departure in October himself, hosting events throughout the voyage.
“I will be there to enjoy with you the enhanced dining room menu (available on all SEA cruises), special entertainment, and of course a big dollop of Fun in the casino too,” Heald added. “I will host some events and shows and join you for a massive dollop of FUN.”
The adults-only sailings are designed to offer a different atmosphere than a traditional Carnival cruise. Every guest must be at least 21 years old, and bookings must be made by June 30, 2026.
Four Adults-Only Sailings
The SEA cruises will operate on four departures aboard Carnival Firenze, one of the newest ships in the fleet, during October and November 2026.
The first sailing, with Heald onboard, departs October 12, 2026, for a 7-day Mexican Riviera itinerary visiting Mazatlán, Cabo San Lucas, and Ensenada.
John Heald
A longer 14-day cruise follows on October 19, 2026. The itinerary includes Cabo San Lucas, La Paz, Acapulco, Manzanillo, Puerto Vallarta, and Ensenada, Mexico, before returning to Long Beach.
In November, an 11-day voyage leaves on November 2, 2026, calling at Puerto Vallarta, Acapulco, Mazatlán, Cabo San Lucas, and Ensenada.
The final sailing departs November 13, 2026, on a 7-day itinerary featuring La Paz, Cabo San Lucas, and Ensenada.
In addition to the adults-only requirement, the cruises will feature special programming, including an enhanced dining room menu, dedicated entertainment, and casino-focused activities.
The adults-only format eliminates the need for youth programming and family activities, and Carnival Firenze will expand its casino offerings with additional slot machines, table games, and tournaments.
Heald also revealed that he plans on sailing on several Carnival Cruise Line ships in the coming months, including Carnival Vista sailing from Port Canaveral on July 25, 2026. That kid-friendly voyage will sail to the Caribbean and visit the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Carnival Cruise Line’s new private destination, Celebration Key in the Bahamas.
In August, the beloved brand ambassador will visit ships in Galveston, Texas, and hint that he may be enjoying Carnival Legend’sspecial eclipse sailing from Dover, England, on August 9, 2026. The 11-day voyage will be positioned at sea during the total solar eclipse on August 12.
Heald says he’ll be sharing his full sailing schedule soon so passengers can join him, with a special Live event streaming on Facebook from Trieste, Italy, in July.
