Blog Page 26

Laundry Room Fire Prompts Cruise Ship to Evacuate 320 Passengers

Key Aspects:

  • A fire in a linen storage area onboard Phoenix Reisen’s Amadea caused 320 guests to be evacuated to a different part of the ship on September 14, 2026.
  • The fire happened while the ship was docked in Ronne, Denmark for a port visit but was extinguished within 10 minutes of the first report.
  • No injuries were reported related to the fire and local authorities praised the crew’s response to the emergency.

It was a scary 10 minutes aboard Phoenix Reisen’s Amadea on Monday, September 14, 2026 as a fire broke out onboard and hundreds of guests were prepared for evacuation.

According to Bornholms Tidende and other local reports, the fire was reported at 7:21 a.m. while the ship was docked in Ronne, Denmark, preparing for guests to debark for the day’s port visit. Emergency agencies responded quickly, and the fire was extinguished by 7:31 a.m.

During those 10 minutes, 320 guests onboard the ship were evacuated from one deck to another and moved to a different part of the ship by crew members.

“They did a fantastic job,” Emil Gørløv, incident commander with Bornholm Fire Service, said of the crew’s response, “and they gave us good guidance so we could quickly find our way around on board.”

Port employees also helped direct emergency response vehicles along the access road to the ship to ensure fast action and efficiency.

No injuries to guests or crew members were reported.

The fire occurred in a linen storage area of the ship’s laundry facilities, but an official cause of the blaze has not yet been determined. Bornholm Police are investigating, but no further information has been released.

The extent of damage onboard the vessel has not been confirmed, but the 624-guest ship departed Ronne and has continued on her 12-night itinerary. The cruise began in Bremerhaven, Germany on Saturday, September 5, 2026 and had already visited ports in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Poland before the fire occurred in Ronne.

The ship was scheduled to be visiting the Danish island from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and appeared to depart on schedule. A call to Wismar, Germany followed on Tuesday, September 15, and Amadea will arrive back in Bremerhaven for debarkation on Thursday, September 17.

Phoenix Reisen has not made a public statement about the incident.

Small Fires Happen in Select Areas Onboard

Small fires happen more frequently in certain areas onboard cruise ships, including laundry facilities, engine rooms, and kitchens. On June 10, 2024, a small electrical fire broke out in the main laundry room onboard MSC Cruises’ MSC Armonia as the ship was arriving in Venice for a scheduled port of call visit.

On August 29, 2025, a small fryer fire on P&O Cruises’ Iona caused temporary closure of multiple onboard restaurants and a call for crew members to report to their muster stations. That fire was quickly controlled and guests were not required to muster.

The same day as the fire aboard Amadea, Cruise Hive reported on a fire onboard the tour boat Klondike Express in Whittier, Alaska. That fire impacted Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Jade, forcing the cruise ship away from the dock to stay safe as the fire was brought under control. That incident stretched over several hours and caused severe damage to the tour boat.

Norwegian Jade was not damaged but did switch to a different cruise terminal for embarkation of her next sailing.

A week earlier, a small fire was reported in a trash bin onboard the upcoming Norwegian Aura at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. That incident was quickly contained and there was no significant damage to the new ship.

Police Investigate 13 Guests After Brawl on Costa Smeralda

Key Aspects:

  • Following a fight onboard Costa Smeralda, 13 cruise guests have been reported to Palermo authorities for aggravated brawling.
  • The incident involved two groups of guests after a comment made toward a young woman escalated to physical violence.
  • Authorities identified all 13 guests involved and it was confirmed that one guest who was kicked while unconscious did not suffer serious injuries.

One comment turned into a brawl with more than a dozen participants aboard Costa Smeralda recently while the ship was at sea in the waters between Naples and Palermo.

According to Palermo Today and investigations from local authorities, including the Palermo Maritime Border Police, the incident was between two groups of young guests, ages 18-20. One group has been identified as from Salento, while the other group is from Sicily.

Italpress has noted that the two groups boarded Costa Smeralda in Civitavecchia and Palermo, respectively. It is unknown whether anyone in either group knew one another prior to meeting onboard the ship.

Following detailed reconstruction of the incident from onboard video surveillance footage and crew member accounts, authorities determined that an individual in the Salento group directed a joke at a young woman in the Sicilian group, which began a verbal confrontation near the ship’s nightclub.

The encounter quickly escalated to physical violence and moved into corridors and the nearby elevator bank. Video of the incident shared from the Palermo Maritime Border Police and posted on Facebook shows a very active fight scene with at least one chair thrown and other nearby furniture in disarray.

During the fight, one young man was reportedly knocked unconscious and several others continued to kick him in the head. He was hospitalized temporarily for medical checks but it was determined he had not suffered any serious injuries.

As a result of the brawl, 13 cruise guests were reported to the Public Prosecutor’s Office at the Court of Palermo for aggravated brawling, but it is not confirmed if they were taken into custody or officially charged.

The exact date of the incident is unclear, but the 5,224-guest ship is sailing regular itineraries in the Mediterranean and sails along the Italian coast each week. The ship’s most recent call to Palermo was on Thursday, September 10, 2026, while the most recent visit to Civitavecchia was on Friday, September 11.

Fights Not Uncommon But Followed by Consequences

Unfortunately, fights are not uncommon on cruise ships. When thousands of people are together for several days, it is inevitable that personality conflicts may occur.

Cruise Hive has reported on various incidents from different ships and in different ports of call involving cruise guests. For example, on June 8, 2026, six guests were arrested in Nassau for a brawl at the port that continued in the nearby police station. Ultimately, those guests were collectively fined more than $52,000 for a variety of charges.

Also in June 2026, a huge brawl erupted at PortMiami following a 3-night weekend sailing of Carnival Conquest and 16 guests involved in the incident were banned from Carnival Cruise Line.

No consequences have been confirmed from Costa Cruises for those young guests involved in the recent brawl, but the cruise line’s own terms and conditions clearly state in Section 10.2 that “Passengers’ behavior shall not affect the safety, comfort, wellbeing or enjoyment of other Passengers.”

The terms and conditions go on to outline that the ship’s Master has the power to take actions such as debarking guests, confining them to their staterooms, or otherwise limiting their activities due to unruly behavior.

Costa Cruises is part of the Carnival Corporation & plc family, which also owns Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, and others.

Royal Caribbean Names History-Making General as New Ship’s Godmother

Key Aspects:

  • Royal Caribbean has named retired U.S. Air Force Gen. Lori J. Robinson as godmother of Legend of the Seas.
  • During her 37-year military career, Robinson made history as the first woman to lead a U.S. unified combatant command.
  • The naming ceremony will take place in Fort Lauderdale on Veterans Day, November 11, as the ship begins its U.S. season.

Royal Caribbean has named retired U.S. Air Force Gen. Lori J. Robinson as godmother of Legend of the Seas. The history-making military leader is set to officially name the cruise line’s third Icon Class ship this November.

The naming ceremony will take place four days after the vessel arrives in Fort Lauderdale, following its inaugural European summer season. Robinson will be joined by Royal Caribbean executives, crew members, and other guests at the Florida port for the naming event.

The ceremony coincides with the United States’ annual observance of Veterans Day, giving Robinson’s selection added significance. Robinson commented on the date’s importance to her and expressed her gratitude for the role.

“I am deeply honored to be named godmother of Legend of the Seas and take part in such a special tradition for Royal Caribbean alongside my family,” Robinson said.

“Having the ship’s naming ceremony on Veterans Day makes this especially meaningful to me, and I look forward to recognizing the generations of men and women who have served.”

Robinson’s historic Air Force career spanned 37 years from 1981 to 2018. Among her notable leadership positions, she served as commander of Pacific Air Forces from 2014 to 2016.

Legend of the Seas Cruise Ship
Legend of the Seas Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Jouni Niskakoski)

In 2016, President Barack Obama nominated Robinson to lead U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). She became the first woman in U.S. history to lead a unified combatant command and led USNORTHCOM and NORAD until her retirement in 2018.

As godmother of Legend of the Seas, Robinson will bestow well wishes on the ship, its crew, and future passengers at the naming ceremony. She joins the roster of Icon Class godparents, who include soccer star Lionel Messi, godfather of Icon of the Seas, and research astronaut Kellie Gerardi, godmother of Star of the Seas.

Legend of the Seas Arriving in Florida

The naming ceremony for the 248,663-gross-ton vessel will take place in Fort Lauderdale on November 11, 2026. Legend of the Seas officially entered service on July 4, 2026 and spent its inaugural season sailing in Europe. 

The ship is scheduled to reposition to Fort Lauderdale from Barcelona with a 13-night transatlantic cruise departing October 25. The vessel will then arrive at the Florida port on November 7, 2026.

Legend will sail one cruise from Fort Lauderdale prior to the naming ceremony. This 3-night voyage will depart November 8 and visit Royal Caribbean’s private island destination, Perfect Day CocoCay, before returning at 6:00 a.m. on November 11, ahead of the ceremony.

Following the naming ceremony, the 5,610-guest ship will sail another 3-night getaway to CocoCay, marketed as a special “Legend Naming Cruise.” It will then kick off its regular Caribbean program on November 14 and continue sailing Caribbean voyages from Fort Lauderdale until it repositions to Barcelona in April 2027.

Norwegian’s Newest Ship Adds an Exclusive Whitney Houston Tribute Show

Key Aspects:

  • Norwegian Cruise Line has revealed the entertainment options that will be available aboard the upcoming Norwegian Aura.
  • “Whitney: A Celebration of Whitney Houston” will be the headlining production show, with other live music and immersive productions.
  • The 170,000-gross-ton ship is scheduled to welcome her first guests in the Mediterranean in May 2027.

Some legendary entertainers just have an aura about them, and Whitney Houston is one such superstar. It’s entirely fitting, then, that a new tribute to the singer will be the headlining production show aboard the upcoming Norwegian Aura.

Norwegian Cruise Line announced the new ship’s entertainment lineup on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, just over eight months before the fifth Prima-class ship will welcome her first guests.

“Whitney: A Celebration of Whitney Houston” has been developed in partnership with The Estate of Whitney E. Houston and Primary Wave Music, ensuring a comprehensive and exclusive look at the singer’s spectacular career. Houston’s accolades included more than 220 million records sold worldwide, six Grammy Awards, and seven consecutive No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hits.

The 45-minute production show incorporates contemporary arrangements of Houston’s hits along with storytelling and stagecraft for a unique concert tribute.

Multiple popular hits are part of the show’s lineup, including “It’s Not Right, But It’s OK,” “I Will Always Love You,” and “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me).” The show will be held in the three-story Aura Theatre & Club located forward on Decks 6, 7, and 8.

“We are thrilled to partner with Norwegian Cruise Line to present ‘Whitney: A Celebration of Whitney Houston’ for the debut of the Norwegian Aura in May 2027,” said Pat Houston, executor of The Estate of Whitney E. Houston and president of the Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation.

“Whitney enjoyed cruises. Her fans and supporters will have a nostalgic experience enjoying the extraordinary artistry and live music of Whitney Houston, performed by worldclass musicians while sailing on the high seas.”

Whitney Houston Celebration on Norwegian Aura
Whitney Houston Celebration on Norwegian Aura

“Whitney: A Celebration of Whitney Houston” follows the great success of similar tribute productions on other Prima-class ships, including “Revolution: A Celebration of Prince” aboard Norwegian Aqua and “Rocket Man: A Celebration of Elton John” aboard Norwegian Luna.

“Every new ship is an opportunity for Norwegian Cruise Line to push the boundaries of what entertainment at sea can be, and with ‘Whitney: A Celebration of Whitney Houston,’ we’re building on the incredible momentum we’ve seen from our Vegas residency-inspired productions celebrating some of music’s most iconic artists,” said Bryan White, vice president of entertainment production at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

More Original Entertainment Options and Guest Favorites

The Whitney Houston tribute production show is not the only exclusive entertainment planned for Norwegian Aura.

Guests will marvel at illusions, acrobatics, and visual effects in the 45-minute production show “ILLUMINOX: Infinite Wonder Unboxed” that encompasses steampunk vibes as it turns impossibilities into realities.

For live music fans, “The Vinyl Republic” is the cruise line’s newest music collective that celebrates the legacy of vinyl records across different genres, from country to funk to blues and more. Two late-night parties are planned, one focusing on rock and the other on country, with other live music performances throughout the ship on every sailing.

“LunaTique: Pop Circus” will also be featured on Norwegian Aura, merging adults-only cabaret, circus artistry, and nightlife with curated cocktails. Guests should note that this is an extra-charge show, though the other entertainment offered onboard is complimentary.

Finally, to keep the party going, “Latin LIVE!” is an energy-filled poolside celebration with live percussionists, vocalists, and dance performances sure to light up the night even as the sun goes down.

To discover all the ship’s entertainment options, guests won’t want to miss the “Aura FIRST NIGHT” welcome showcase that will introduce the entire lineup with sample performances, helping guests plan their entertainment preferences onboard.

Norwegian Aura is currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. Cruise Hive reported on her floating out on April 17, 2026, and the 170,000-gross-ton ship, the largest ever built for Norwegian Cruise Line, is now undergoing interior finishing ahead of her Mediterranean debut in May 2027.

Norwegian Jade Forced to Move as Fire Erupts at Alaska Cruise Dock

Key Aspects:

  • A fire was reported at the dock of the Chugach Glacier Gateway Cruise Terminal in Whittier, Alaska, at approximately 11 a.m. on Monday, September 14, 2026.
  • The blaze, which started on a local tour boat, caused Norwegian Jade to move away from the dock, but no damage was reported to the cruise ship.
  • In order for emergency responders to access Whittier more efficiently, the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel was closed for several hours but reopened near 2 p.m.

The double-sided dock at the Chugach Glacier Gateway Cruise Terminal in Whittier, Alaska, has been impacted by a fire while local units from Girdwood Fire and Rescue fought the blaze and a multi-agency response.

According to local news station KTUU, the tour boat Klondike Express was alongside the dock when the fire broke out on the morning of Monday, September 14, 2026. Klondike Express is operated by Phillips Cruises & Tours and offers day cruises from Whittier exploring 120 miles through Prince William Sound.

The US Coast Guard (USCG) Sector Western Alaska & U.S. Arctic noted that the tour boat was moored at the time with no passengers aboard. The boat was released from the pier to move it away from the dock, and the fire was extinguished. However, the vessel has received some fire damage, as confirmed in Coast Guard images further below.

Norwegian Jade was also at the dock at the time of the fire and moved safely away. No damage was reported to the cruise ship. Girdwood Fire and Rescue confirmed no injuries were reported and that the cruise ship was not impacted.

U.S. Coast Guard Responds to Whittier Cruise Port Fire
U.S. Coast Guard Responds to Whittier Cruise Port Fire (Credit: USCG Sector Western Alaska and U.S. Arctic)

The fire department responded to assist with battling the blaze just before 11 a.m., along with units from Whittier Fire, Anchorage Fire, and LifeMed Alaska.

Video shared by Girdwood Fire and Rescue on Facebook shows black smoke billowing near the pier as the 2,402-guest Norwegian Jade slowly moves away from the structure. A small portion of Klondike Express‘s hull can be seen moving away from the far side of the dock, though the rest of the boat is obscured by the thick smoke.

In order for first responders to reach Whittier as quickly as possible, the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel was closed for several hours. Girdwood Fire and Rescue and the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities posted an update just before 2 p.m. local time (6 p.m. ET) that the tunnel had reopened.

Whitter Port Fire
Whitter Port Fire (Credit: The Anchorage Fire Department)

No cause of the fire has yet been announced by any official agency. It is unknown how the fire may impact cruise operations in Whittier in the next few days.

Following Norwegian Jade‘s time in Whittier on Monday, no cruise ships are scheduled for the port until Royal Princess arrives on Thursday, September 24. Cruise Hive reported earlier that Royal Princess now has engine problems and has adjusted her current itinerary, but there are no changes yet to the September 19, 2026 departure that will bring the ship to Whittier.

Is Norwegian Jade Impacted by the Fire?

Norwegian Jade is scheduled to begin a 7-night one-way southbound Alaska cruise from Whittier on Monday, September 14, 2026 with scenic cruising near Hubbard Glacier followed by calls to Icy Strait Point, Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan before arriving in Vancouver on Monday, September 21.

The September 14 departure is the ship’s last southbound sailing of the Alaska season. She will leave from Vancouver on September 21 for one more pass through Alaska on her way to Japan to spend winter sailing in Asia.

Cruise Hive reached out to Norwegian Cruise Line for more details and received the following statement:

“The safety and security of our guests, crew and the communities we visit are always a top priority. We are aware of a fire at the Chugach Glacier Gateway Cruise Terminal in Whittier, Alaska where one of our ships was scheduled to have guests embark from.  As emergency personnel continue to respond to the situation, access to the area remains restricted. As a result, we will proceed with our embarkation process from an alternate location, Whittier Alaska Cruise Ship Terminal 1.”

Cruise Ship Terminal 1 is on West Camp Road, roughly two-thirds of a mile from the Glacier Creek Terminal across the water.

The cruise line goes on to note that there is not yet any confirmation of an impact to Norwegian Jade‘s itinerary, but any further updates would be communicated to guests directly.

Fires are a dangerous threat to cruise ships, but small incidents do happen. Cruise Hive just reported on a small fire onboard the upcoming Norwegian Aura on September 7, 2026, while the ship is under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. No injuries or significant damage were reported from that fire.

Royal Princess Cancels Two Ports Due to Engine Problems

Key Aspects:

  • Royal Princess will no longer visit Juneau and Ketchikan on the current 7-night Alaska cruise that departed Seattle on September 12, 2026.
  • Princess Cruises is providing a 50% cruise fare refund to guests onboard and shore tours booked through the line for the cancelled ports are also refunded.
  • The cruise line has noted an “issue with our engines” as the difficulty, but the ship’s technical teams are working on the problem.

Guests aboard the September 12, 2026 departure of Royal Princess are not getting the Alaskan itinerary that was originally scheduled, as the ship has developed engine difficulties and must skip two ports of call.

The ship departed Seattle, Washington, as planned on Saturday, but on Sunday, September 13, guests received a letter (now posted to the sailing’s Facebook page) outlining the change, which Cruise Hive reviewed.

“We are currently experiencing a technical issue with our engines that does not affect the safety of our guests or crew but does restrict our ability to proceed at the required speed to maintain our itinerary as planned,” the letter explained.

“Due to these circumstances, we will no longer call to Juneau, Alaska tomorrow, September 14. Instead we will spend the day at sea and head directly toward Skagway, Alaska, for our call at 6:00 AM on Tuesday, September 15 as planned. Additionally, as a result of our reduced operational speed, we will no longer be able to call to Ketchikan, Alaska, on Thursday, September 17, and will proceed directly to Victoria, Canada.”

With Juneau and Ketchikan now cancelled from the 7-night cruise, Skagway and Victoria are the only ports remaining on the itinerary.

If there are no further changes, the 3,560-guest Royal Princess will visit Skagway from 6 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. on Tuesday and will be in Victoria from 9 p.m. until midnight on Friday, September 18.

The cruise line has not yet commented on whether the sailing will still include the planned visit to Glacier Bay for scenic cruising on Wednesday, September 16.

Princess Cruises Ship in Alaska
Photo Credit: Just dance

Princess Cruises has confirmed that if guests had booked shore tours through the cruise line for either Juneau or Ketchikan, those tours will be automatically cancelled and credited to guests’ onboard accounts. Guests do not need to visit either the Shore Excursions or Guest Services desks (both on Deck 5, Plaza Deck, just forward of The Piazza) to cancel tours.

Furthermore, the letter notes that all guests will now receive a 50% refund of their cruise fare. That refund will be processed back to the original form of payment, but may take 10-15 business days to process.

What Is the Difficulty?

Princess Cruises has not yet released any details of the “technical issue with our engines” impacting Royal Princess, only noting that the ship’s safety is not impacted.

“Our technical teams are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible,” the cruise line noted.

There is no confirmation that the issue can be resolved before the end of this sailing on Saturday, September 19. At this time, the ship is expected to return to Seattle on schedule and there is no impact to the next sailing, a 14-night one-way cruise that includes Alaska and crosses the Pacific Ocean to Tokyo, Japan.

Earlier this month, Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas cancelled an Alaska sailing that was supposed to depart Vancouver on August 30 because urgent repairs were needed and the ship had to remain docked. While no technical details on those repairs were officially released, propulsion difficulties are often the cause of such delays and cancellations.

This is not the first time a Princess Cruises’ ship has experienced propulsion difficulties while sailing in the Last Frontier. In July 2025, Ruby Princess had multiple ports rearranged and scenic cruising lost due to propulsion issues.

Viral Video Shows What Carnival Does When a Guest Drinks Too Much

Key Aspects:

  • A recent Carnival guest was escorted to her stateroom, and the balcony door handle was removed after she overindulged in alcohol.
  • The ship is identified as Carnival Firenze, but the sailing date of the incident has not been clearly disclosed.
  • Carnival Cruise Line reserves the right to refuse service to guests and take other steps if guests do not drink responsibly.

Carnival Cruise Line takes safety very seriously, including how it pertains to consumption of the Cheers! beverage package and how guests may behave after consuming a few too many.

One recent cruiser learned just what types of steps Carnival will take to protect guests from potentially unsafe behavior, including removing key features of an individual’s stateroom, such as access to the balcony.

The guest posted a video of her experience to TikTok under the name @juicyloveboo, showing the security escort that returned her to her balcony stateroom.

The video was posted on Sunday, August 30, 2026 but there is no indication when it may actually have been filmed, as the guest does not identify the timing in her caption or the video itself.

She does note, however, “Yes, you should get the drinking packages, No you shouldn’t get 15 shots of patron reposado.”

Patron Reposado is premium brand of tequila aged at least four months and noted for its smoothness and slight oak and vanilla flavor.

The 15-second video shows the guest being escorted to her stateroom by three members of the ship’s security team. Once in her stateroom, the guest films walking toward her balcony only to discover that the interior handle had been removed from the balcony door.

“They took my balcony handle & revoked my drinking package,” she said, acknowledging that she was severely inebriated.

Carnival Cruise Line can take all necessary steps to prevent guests from harming themselves or damaging company property. With access to the balcony, a severely inebriated guest might attempt dangerous activities that could result in falling overboard, or else they might throw items overboard or otherwise be disruptive.

Cruise Hive received the following statement from Carnival Cruise Line addressing this incident:

“Carnival Cruise Line’s shipboard security team responded to a reported incident on Carnival Firenze. Following an assessment of the situation, security implemented temporary restrictions, including suspension of alcohol privileges requiring the guest to remain in her cabin.

These measures are consistent with the authority granted to our shipboard security team to take reasonable steps they determine necessary to maintain the safety and security of guests and crew. Restrictions are based on the specific circumstances of an incident and are not automatically applied in every situation.”

@juicyloveboo

*mine…Yes you should get the drinking packages, No you shouldn’t get 15 shots of #patron reposado #carnivalcruise #carnivalfrienze #carnival #atimewashad

♬ original sound – Nykea Zinnerman

The caption includes the hashtag #carnivalfrienze [sic], undoubtedly referring to Carnival Firenze. The 4,126-guest ship is homeported from Long Beach, California, offering 3- and 4-night roundtrip sailings to Mexico.

Outside the closed balcony door, the Queen Mary can be seen, which confirms the location as the Port of Long Beach. The Queen Mary has been permanently moored in Long Beach since 1967 and currently serves as a tourist attraction, floating hotel, and event space.

When Did the Incident Happen?

On Sunday, August 30, Carnival Firenze was on the last full day of a 3-night weekend cruise that had departed on Friday, August 28, 2026, but the video could have been filmed long before that date.

In the comments on her video, the guest added a bit of further information that may clarify when the incident happened.

“Can I start by saying that a man died day 1 of the cruise so we had to turn around,” she noted, explaining that the guest’s alleged death had nothing to do with her alcohol consumption or video, just that it happened.

Cruise Hive previously reported that on August 25, 2026, a critically ill guest was evacuated from Carnival Firenze as the ship was sailing between Long Beach and Catalina on the first full day of the August 24, 2026 sailing. While there is no confirmation of a death or that guest’s updated condition, it is possible that is the incident she is referring to.

At that time, Carnival Firenze was sailing a 4-night itinerary to both Catalina and Ensenada, Mexico.

In addition to removing the handle from her stateroom balcony, the guest confirmed in further comments that the security officers confiscated her room key and her drink package was not refunded.

“No jail time they just took me to my room & took my key & balcony handle,” she said.

While she was not confined to the ship’s brig at any time, confiscating the key would effectively ensure she either cannot leave and return to her room or at least could not order more beverages.

The guest did note that she’s learned a bit about spacing out her drink orders for future cruises.

“So I’ve learned I have to start drinking early then space them out,” she explained. “Don’t start at 7pm trying to race the clock because the bars close at 1:30am.”

Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador, John Heald, has previously confirmed that the line’s bartenders and other crew members are trained to watch for signs of inebriation and may cut off guests who are no longer drinking safely, regardless of the time of day, whether guests have purchased the drink package, or how many beverages they have consumed.

Another Royal Caribbean Giant Starts Rising in the Turku Shipyard

Key Aspects:

  • Royal Caribbean has celebrated the keel laying for the fifth Icon-class ship as its physical assembly begins.
  • The milestone was on Monday, September 14, 2026, at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, which has built all the Icon-class ships.
  • No information on the ship’s name, homeport, or potential itineraries has yet been revealed.

Physical assembly has now begun on the fifth of Royal Caribbean’s massive Icon-class ships at the Meyer Turku shipyard in southwestern Finland, with the vessel’s official keel laying on Monday, September 14, 2026.

Meyer Turku confirmed the milestone with a Facebook post, noting that the first steel block is now in place for the ship as the hull assembly begins.

“The start of construction for the fifth Icon Class ship reflects the strength of the long-term partnership between Royal Caribbean and Meyer Turku,” said Casimir Lindholm, CEO of Meyer Turku.

All five Icon-class ships have been (or are currently being) constructed by Meyer Turku: Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas, Legend of the Seas, Hero of the Seas, and now Icon 5. The fifth ship in the class has not yet had her name revealed but is referred to by her hull number, NB-1408.

“Building a series of ships allows us to continuously learn, improve and innovate, and each new vessel benefits from the expertise gained throughout the program. Together with our partner network, we are proud to demonstrate the world-class shipbuilding capabilities developed in Turku and to help shape the future of cruise shipbuilding,” said Lindholm.

The shipyard shared pictures of the keel laying that show the huge dry dock berth where the ship will take shape, with just a single block now in place. Also in the pictures in a forward wet berth is Hero of the Seas, which Cruise Hive reported was just floated out on Friday, September 4, 2026.

Royal Caribbean's 5th Icon Class Keel
Royal Caribbean’s 5th Icon Class Keel

The two ships will remain next to each other at the shipyard while Hero of the Seas continues her interior construction work and Icon 5’s hull begins to grow.

Royal Caribbean also acknowledged the milestone and confirmed that the ceremonial coins were laid under the ship’s keel.

“Icon 5 just celebrated her keel-laying – the kickoff of the next two years of construction. Freshly minted coins were laid under the keel (the massive steel base of the ship) in the building dock, symbolizing well wishes and marking the official kickoff of physical construction,” the cruise line said on Facebook.

When Will the Fifth Icon Class Ship Set Sail?

Hero of the Seas is slated to welcome her first guests in August 2027, while Icon 5’s timeline for completion has not yet been fully specified. The fifth ship in the class is expected to be delivered in summer 2028, but an exact date for her first sailing is not confirmed.

It was less than eight months ago that steel was cut for Icon 5, marking the beginning of the ship’s construction on January 19, 2026.

Royal Caribbean has also already confirmed orders for two more Icon-class ships, which will be the sixth and seventh vessels in the class. That order was made on April 27, 2026, while Legend of the Seas was undergoing her sea trials.

Read Also: Royal Caribbean Shares How Modern Cruise Ships Are Really Built

Legend of the Seas has since debuted in the Mediterranean, where she will remain until October 25, 2026. At that time she will depart Barcelona on a 13-night transatlantic cruise to her new homeport in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The sixth and seventh Icon-class ships are slated to debut in 2029 and 2030, respectively, but nothing further has been announced about their names, potential homeports, or what special features they may offer.

Royal Caribbean has also said that those details about Icon 5 will be released at a later date as the ship’s construction continues.

MSC World Asia Nears Delivery as Final Sea Trials End in France

Key Aspects:

  • MSC World Asia has successfully completed its final sea trials ahead of its December debut.
  • The new flagship is scheduled for delivery on November 25 and will be officially named in Le Havre three days later.
  • Its first guests will be welcomed December 4 for a 7-night Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona.

MSC Cruises’ newest flagship, MSC World Asia, has taken another step toward its scheduled November 2026 delivery. The 216,638-gross-ton vessel recently completed its final sea trials in the Atlantic.

After departing from the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, the vessel was put through a series of exercises. Propulsion, maneuvering and safety capabilities were tested, along with overall performance and efficiency for the LNG-powered vessel.

This final round of sea trials comes more than two years after construction of the vessel began at the French shipyard in April 2024. Cruise Hive previously reported on the steel-cutting ceremony that officially kicked off construction, during which the ship’s name was also announced.

The vessel was first floated out of the same French shipyard in November 2025. The first round of sea trials took place eight months later in July 2026. MSC World Asia has now returned to Saint-Nazaire for final preparations before delivery.

The cruise line is scheduled to take delivery of the third World Class vessel on November 25, 2026. An official naming ceremony will follow three days later in Le Havre. MSC Cruises has not yet revealed who will serve as the ship’s godparent.

New Flagship Set for December Debut With More on the Way

With sea trials now behind it, fewer than three months remain before MSC World Asia enters service. Helmed by Captain Paolo Benini, the ship will welcome its first passengers in Barcelona on December 4, 2026.

This inaugural 7-night sailing will call in Marseille, Genoa, Civitavecchia, Messina, and Valletta before returning to Barcelona on December 11. It will continue offering 7-night Mediterranean itineraries until mid-November 2027, when it will reposition to the Caribbean.

MSC World Asia Sea Trials
MSC World Asia Sea Trials

When it enters service, MSC World Asia will become the 24th ship in the MSC fleet. It is the third World Class vessel, following MSC World Europa in 2022 and MSC World America in 2025.

A fourth World Class ship, MSC World Atlantic, is currently under construction and set to enter service in 2027. MSC Cruises has also ordered additional World Class ships, including two scheduled for delivery in 2030 and 2031.

Features Coming to MSC World Asia

MSC World Asia will accommodate up to 6,764 guests across 2,614 cabins, according to MSC’s latest specifications. The ship will be organized into seven distinct onboard districts and feature new and reimagines spaces, as well as returning favorites.

The latest construction milestone comes just days after MSC unveiled five new bars and lounges that will debut aboard the ship. World Asia will also feature The Spiral @ Tree of Life, the longest dry slide at sea, measuring 266 feet and spanning 12 decks.

The design of the ship, onboard experiences, and dining was inspired by Asian art and culture. The Tree of Life, serving as the entrance to The Spiral and a focal point of The Harbour, was inspired by contemporary Asian cities and Singapore’s famous Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay.

Another design feature influenced by Asian culture is the Dragon, an illuminated steel sculpture hanging over the Promenade. Cruise Hive reported on the Dragon’s installation in August 2026, when the 39-foot-long sculpture was lifted into place at the Saint-Nazaire shipyard.