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Carnival Cruise Line Clarifies Onboard Currency for Unique Voyages

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Cruise Line Clarifies Onboard Currency for Unique Voyages

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Cruise Line has confirmed which currencies are used onboard for upcoming repositioning sailings of Carnival Luminosa.
  • The ship splits her deployments between Australia and the US, and her currencies change based on where she departs from.
  • No currency exchange services are available onboard except for Canadian dollars, though ATMs offer euros on Europe sailings.

Cruising is a fantastic way to travel the world, often visiting multiple countries in one voyage. But when traveling on unique journeys that start and end in completely different countries, what type of currency is used for onboard purchases?

This can be a critical question for guests who want to plan their budget for onboard spending so they aren’t confused or surprised by charges, especially on special repositioning cruises.

Carnival Cruise Line has offered clarification on currencies for several upcoming sailings of Carnival Luminosa. The 2,260-guest vessel is homeported in two different hemispheres and two different countries, spending April through October in San Francisco, US, but spending November through March in Brisbane, Australia.

On the lengthy cruises that move between those two homeports, which currencies are used onboard? Carnival’s brand ambassador, John Heald, has received that question many times but has now set the record straight.

“Carnival Luminosa has some very special voyages coming up this year and next year. Over the last few days I have had multiple guests who are booked on these cruises ask me which currency will be used on board,” Heald explained.

The question has arisen because of incorrect information being shared on social media, as well as some conflicting answers from contacting customer service. Heald puts it very clearly, however, that the onboard currency will be based on the ship’s departure port for these cruises.

“Sailings from Australia to United States are in AUD currency. Sailings from United States to Australia are in USD,” he confirmed.

Three specific upcoming voyages need to be especially aware of the onboard currency. On September 20, 2026, the ship will depart San Francisco on a one-way, 20-night voyage that will visit multiple destinations in Alaska and Japan before arriving in Tokyo on October 9. On that cruise, USD will be the onboard currency.

On April 6, 2027, Carnival Luminosa will depart Australia (from Sydney, rather than her typical Brisbane homeport) for a 23-night sailing to return to San Francisco.

Along the way, the ship will visit ports in Fiji, French Polynesia, and Hawaii, where the Fijian dollar (FJD), French Pacific franc (XPF), and US dollars (USD) are used, respectively, but Australian dollars (AUD) will be the onboard currency for the entire sailing.

When Carnival Luminosa finishes her 2027 summer season of alternating Alaska and Mexico voyages, she will depart San Francisco on October 2, 2027 for a one-way 17-night voyage to Tokyo, Japan.

On that cruise, the ship will visit Ketchikan and Icy Strait Point in Alaska, followed by Sapporo and Aomori City in Japan before arriving in the Japanese capital. USD will be the onboard currency rather than Japanese yen (JPY).

Why Does Currency Matter?

Guests who want to plan carefully for their onboard budget will want to understand which currency is used onboard. Different nations’ currencies fluctuate in value compared to one another, and it can be a surprising expense if one dollar is significantly more or less valuable than another.

At this time, for example, one US dollar is worth approximately $1.41 Australian dollars. When traveling from Australia to the US, this can be a pleasant surprise if one spends $500 onboard, but the US total is just $354.

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On the return trip, however, spending $500 USD onboard would amount to $707 AUD, which could be quite the sticker shock for guests on a budget.

According to the cruise line’s website, Carnival does not offer currency exchange services onboard, except for Canadian dollars at the current exchange rate for a small fee.

For domestic cruises setting sail from the US to ports in Mexico and the Caribbean, US dollars are widely accepted. No other currency exchange services are available onboard, though on Europe cruises the ATMs onboard will dispense Euros as available.

Tempers Flare in Cruise Ship Casino Before Security Steps In

Catie Kovelman
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Tempers Flare in Cruise Ship Casino Before Security Steps In

Key Aspects:

  • An angry cruise passenger appeared to lose her temper with another woman in the casino onboard Utopia of the Seas.
  • The assault was captured on video and posted on TikTok, where the clip is going viral.
  • Royal Caribbean has a zero-tolerance policy against acts or threats of violence.

Cruise passengers expect to take financial risks when they gamble in the onboard casinos, but most don’t anticipate a physical risk from their fellow passengers.

However, a TikTok video that shows a Royal Caribbean guest who appears to get violent with another guest inside Casino Royale onboard Utopia of the Seas is going viral.

The TikTok was posted by a user who goes by @dukeofhoagies610 on TikTok on August 7, 2026. In three days, the clip has racked up over 93,000 views.

In the video, two women are standing next to each other at the bar inside the casino. One of the guests repeatedly yells at the other woman to “get the F— out of my face” as the other woman looks at her in shock.

Aside from saying something inaudible to the crew member working behind the bar, the victim stays quiet and does not engage with the other passenger.

The angry passenger then appears to shove the other guest’s face, prompting the other woman to back away with her hands covering her face in self-defense. The victim does not attempt to fight back in the TikTok video.

It’s unknown if the victim suffered any injuries when she was pushed, but as a positive sign, she is seen standing and walking normally later in the video.

Meanwhile, the out-of-control cruiser continues screaming and yelling throughout the video, and eventually attempts to reach behind the bar before getting blocked by crew members.

Passengers on Utopia of the Seas
Passengers on Utopia of the Seas (Photo Credit: @dukeofhoagies61)

It’s also unclear if the women had any sort of altercation prior to when the cameras began rolling or if excessive alcohol consumption may have been a factor (though the bartenders and other staff do monitor guests for behavioral signs that indicate they may have had too much to drink).

Royal Caribbean has not commented publicly on this situation, but Cruise Hive will issue an update should additional information come to light.

Security Responds to the Casino Assault

Later in the TikTok, security personnel and casino management are seen trying to de-escalate the situation.

The crew members used their bodies to separate the women, with one man shielding the victim while another man put himself in front of the violent guest as she repeatedly threatened to kill the victim.

Eventually, the alleged aggressor is led away by security personnel, although this isn’t where the story ends.

According to the TikTok user, the cruise guest returned to the casino two more times, where she continued to be aggressive. It’s unclear if she was eventually confined or if she faced other consequences.

“She came back to the casino two more times startin s— again,” the video poster wrote.

Notably, Royal Caribbean has a strict, zero-tolerance stance against acts of violence. For example, Cruise Hive reported on another TikToker who was placed under cabin confinement onboard Liberty of the Seas for throwing a punch, which she says she did out of self-defense.

“Inappropriate or abusive behavior is not permitted. This includes: uninvited physical contact, solicitation, harassment, vandalism, theft, violence…,” Royal Caribbean’s Code of Conduct states.

Any violation of this policy can result in punishments like confinement, suspension of loyalty benefits or demotion of loyalty tier status, early removal from the cruise ship, and even a lifetime ban.

At this time, Casino Royale is operating normally as Utopia of the Seas hosts 3- and 4-night sailings to the Bahamas from Port Canaveral, Florida.

Celebrity Cruises Plans Its Biggest Ever Europe Season With Four Edge-Class Ships

Calvin Musquez
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Celebrity Cruises Plans Its Biggest Ever Europe Season With Four Edge-Class Ships

Key Aspects:

  • Celebrity Cruises has announced its 2028-2029 deployments.
  • Itineraries feature new ports and renewed ships, with voyages spanning all seven continents.
  • A particular emphasis has been placed on European voyages, reflecting the region’s continued growth in popularity.

Celebrity Cruises has provided a first look at its 2028-2029 deployments. The itineraries, announced on August 10, 2026, will feature new ports and expand the cruise line’s reach across all seven continents.

“We’re delighted to give our guests more ways than ever to experience the world’s most extraordinary destinations in 2028 and 2029,” said Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises.

“From the breathtaking fjords of Norway to the untouched beauty of Antarctica, these itineraries offer endless opportunities to explore.”

Celebrity Cruises has been steadily expanding its global presence. These world-spanning itineraries are just the latest example of the cruise line’s growth. Its newest ship, Celebrity Xcel, debuted in November 2025, as reported by Cruise Hive.

Additionally, the cruise line is set to debut its sixth Edge-class ship, Celebrity Xcite, in 2028. Construction of the new vessel began with a steel-cutting ceremony in October 2025.

Alaska and Hawaii Sailings

In Alaska, Celebrity Edge will return for a fifth season. She will be joined by the 121,878 gross-ton Celebrity Equinox, sailing seven-night Vancouver to Seward voyages in her first-ever Alaska season. Celebrity Millennium will also offer round-trip Alaska sailings from Vancouver.

The cruise line will also offer round-trip sailings to Hawaii from Los Angeles aboard Celebrity Equinox. Meanwhile, Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Solstice will offer 23 sailings across the South Pacific, departing from Sydney and Auckland.

Celebrity Edge Cruise Ship
Celebrity Edge Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Peter Titmuss)

Asia, Antarctica, And New Year’s Eve Celebrations

Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Millennium will go on to explore Asia. They will offer a variety of itineraries across Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and China. A highlight of these itineraries includes an overnight stay in Hong Kong aboard Celebrity Millennium on New Year’s Eve.

Aboard Celebrity Equinox, guests can experience 12- to 16-night voyages across South America and Antarctica. These voyages will span five countries and feature local cuisine, wildlife exploration, and a special 16-night holiday sailing through Antarctica over New Year’s Eve.

North American Voyages

In May 2028, Celebrity Summit will sail from Cape Liberty, New Jersey to Bermuda before relocating to Boston in September. From there, she will offer 12-night sailings exploring Canada and New England.

Celebrity Cruises Expands European Offerings

The cruise line is putting a particular emphasis on European sailings in 2028-2029. Celebrity promises its most extensive European season yet. Four of its Edge-class ships, Celebrity Beyond, Celebrity Xcel, Celebrity Ascent, and Celebrity Apex will sail throughout Northern Europe.

These voyages will follow Celebrity Beyond’s November 2026 dry dock overhaul, which will introduce new onboard spaces like the Mediterranean restaurant Bora and the Celebrity Pool Club. This marks the first time the 141,420 gross-ton ship will visit Europe since 2023.

Celebrity Beyond Cruise Ship
Celebrity Beyond Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Todamo)

Celebrity Beyond will offer 14-night itineraries visiting Reykjavik, Isafjordur, Akureyri, and Seydisfjordur. She will then sail through the Norwegian fjords, visiting Geiranger, Alesund, Flam, Nordfjordeid, and Bergen. The 91,003 gross-ton Celebrity Summit will later offer Iceland itineraries, sailing round-trip voyages from Reykjavik.

Meanwhile, Celebrity Apex will sail 12-night Scandinavian voyages visiting destinations like Oslo, Skagen, Stockholm, Tallinn, Helsinki, and Copenhagen. She will also offer 12-night British Isles cruises visiting England, Scotland, and Ireland.

Celebrity Xcel, Celebrity Ascent, and Celebrity Eclipse will sail the Mediterranean, offering seven- to 11-night sailings to Italy, France, Spain, Morocco, Portugal, Greece, and Turkey. They will be joined by the 90,940 gross-ton Celebrity Constellation, sailing 10- to 11-night voyages through Italy and Croatia.

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Rounding out Celebrity’s 2028-2029 European offering is Celebrity Infinity, which will offer year-round European voyages. These itineraries will include the cruise line’s first visits to Egypt since 2023.

Cruising is becoming an increasingly popular way to travel. According to the Cruise Lines International Association’s 2026 State of the Cruise Industry Report, global cruise passenger volume climbed to 37.2 million last year. European cruising, in particular, has seen a boom, with other cruise lines also expanding their offerings in the region.

Historic Drought Leaves Europe’s Busiest Cruise Rivers Too Shallow to Sail

Melissa Mayntz
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Historic Drought Leaves Europe’s Busiest Cruise Rivers Too Shallow to Sail

Key Aspects:

  • Multiple river cruise lines are alerting guests to itinerary changes, ship swaps, and even cancellations due to low water levels.
  • The Danube and Rhine Rivers are most impacted by ongoing drought and heat waves.
  • Cruise lines are monitoring river conditions closely and will update guests as needed if their sailings are impacted.

Exceptionally low water levels on some of Europe’s most iconic rivers are having a dramatic impact on river cruises. The Danube and Rhine Rivers are especially low, making it challenging for ships to navigate the rivers safely.

Multiple river cruise lines have now reached out to guests to alert them to potential itinerary changes and ship swaps to keep sailings operating in these challenging conditions. In some cases, cancellations have been necessary.

Viking, for example, has the largest river cruise ship fleet in the industry and is continually monitoring river conditions.

“Viking is uniquely positioned to manage water-level situations such as these. We have decades of experience navigating Europe’s rivers,” the cruise line explained.

“We also deploy identical sister ships on the same itinerary, sailing in opposite directions. In various water-level situations, when disruptions occur, we can implement ‘ship swaps,’ allowing guests and their luggage to transfer to their exact same stateroom on an identical sister ship on the other side of the affected section of river.”

Saga Cruises is similarly monitoring conditions and updating guests as needed.

“Your comfort and enjoyment remain our highest priorities,” the cruise line confirmed. “Should any changes affect your cruise, we will contact you directly, in strict departure date order, to discuss the options available to you.”

Similar to hurricane storm changes, it is possible that river cruise changes will be made at the last minute. If guests are not departing on their sailings for several weeks, they should not expect adjustments until closer to the sailing date, as water levels can fluctuate significantly if enough rainfall is received.

Uniworld River Cruises has also reached out to guests about itinerary changes, explaining how ship swaps work. The August 9, 2026 itinerary will not only be swapping ships from the SS Elisabeth to the SS Antoinette, but the first four days of the sailing are adjusted with different tour offerings.

The transfer from the SS Elisabeth to the SS Antoinette will happen on Thursday, August 13.

“Please be assured that our onboard and on shore teams will be providing our guests with the luxury Uniworld experience that they expect,” the cruise line explained. “The transfer between ships will be handled seamlessly and your luggage will be handled by our team.”

Onboard programming and activities are not impacted by the ship swap. Guests who have endured similar ship swaps in the past have noted that lengthy bus rides are occasionally necessary between vessels, but the cruise line does everything possible to ensure a smooth experience.

Meanwhile, Avalon Waterways has outright cancelled select “Danube Dreams” cruises due to low water levels. Guests are being contacted individually if their cruise is impacted.

River Danube, Budapest
River Danube, Budapest (Photo Credit: Civic Lens)

“We will continue to provide advance communication, should more cruise cancellations be warranted, as conditions evolve,” the cruise line noted.

River cruises must be mindful of water levels at all times. Should water levels become too low, ships may risk running aground, which could cause damage or injuries. Furthermore, if water levels are too low, ships may be unable to complete planned routes.

How Low Are the River Levels?

Much of Europe has been afflicted with heat waves and a severe drought that began early in the summer. These challenging weather conditions have contributed to historically low water levels on major rivers throughout the region.

According to RiverCruise.app, water levels on the Rhine as well as both the upper and lower portions of the Danube are all disrupted and causing navigation issues.

Along the Rhine, the Castles Gorge (or Rhine Gorge) region of the river is particularly low. This is often the first stretch of the river that will show problems that could impact river cruise ships.

The Database for Hydrological Time Series of Inland Waters (DAHITI) shows that Rhine water levels have been most recently measured at 3.07 meters (10.0 feet). That figure was obtained from satellite altimetry on July 21, 2026, and is the lowest the river has been since August 2022. The historic low of 1.65 meters (5.4 ft) was in November 2018.

On the Danube, DAHITI shows the most recent water level measurement overall to be 70.83 meters (232.4 ft). This is the lowest the river has been in the database’s history, which goes back to July 2002.

Because the Danube River stretches from Germany to Romania, there can be great variation in depth along its 1,770-mile length. Exactly how river cruises on the Danube are impacted depends on which specific sections they travel.

Cruise Guest Learns the Hard Way That the Surf Simulator Shows No Mercy

Catie Kovelman
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Cruise Guest Learns the Hard Way That the Surf Simulator Shows No Mercy

Key Aspects:

  • A cruise guest lost his swim trunks while riding the FlowRider Surf Simulator onboard Quantum of the Seas.
  • Rather than hiding in shame, the guest is embracing the wipeout with a sense of humor.
  • Royal Caribbean advises guests to wear well-fitting swimwear to ensure their bathing suits can withstand the water pressure.

Wipeouts are commonplace for Royal Caribbean’s FlowRider Surf Simulator. But one guest of Quantum of the Seas experienced a particularly epic fail in which he lost his swim shorts during his ride.

It’s unclear which sailing he was onboard for, but the 4,180-guest ship is currently operating Mexican itineraries from Los Angeles, California.

Most people would attempt to lie low until the incident was long forgotten. However, this guest is embracing embarrassment with a sense of humor that can only be described as commendable.

“Hey guys! Hoping someone on here might’ve seen or heard about someone wiping out and losing their shorts on the flow rider… I’m the dude lmao,” the passenger posted on Reddit.

Aside from a blow to his dignity, the passenger was thankfully not seriously injured in the fall.

“My ass hurts and my elbow is bruised up…but NOTHING hurt more than hearing a bunch of families laughing and screaming ‘his shorts came off’ as you’re butt booty naked,” the guest wrote.

The FlowRider is a 40-foot-long surf simulator that sends 30,000 gallons of water rushing at guests per minute to allow them to surf or boogie board. The water typically moves at a speed of 17 to 30 miles per hour depending on the setting.

Because of the water pressure, Royal Caribbean encourages guests to wear well-fitting bathing suits and strongly advises passengers to avoid two-piece bathing suits without board shorts and/or a rash guard to avoid incidents like these.

The experience is currently found on 22 Royal Caribbean ships across the Freedom, Oasis, Quantum, Voyager, and Icon-class ships.

A Plea to Fellow Passengers

Crowds often form to watch guests attempt to surf on the FlowRider, which is located at the aft (rear of the ship) on Deck 16. As confirmed by the guest, this wipeout was by no means private.

Given he was unexpectedly nude, the main purpose of the post was to ask witnesses to avoid sharing photos or videos of the wipeout on social media.

If guests weren’t willing to respect his wishes, the man hoped that they would at least share them with the pantsed cruiser so that he could laugh, too.

“To be more specific, there was definitely a good sized group of spectators and I saw your phones so if anyone got any videos or pictures, I get it and I probably would’ve done the same so I’m not mad but please don’t share them,” the cruiser pleaded.

“The crowd was supportive but I was too in shock to ask anyone in the moment lol but anyways, if those pictures and videos are going to float around, at least send them to me please,” he wrote.

In an update, the guest said that several passengers had approached him to ask about his missing shorts, but that the interactions were funny and lighthearted. None of those guests had taken photos or videos of the fall.

What Happened to the Shorts?

Nearly 100 people have commented on the cruiser’s Reddit post, and one of the top questions on everyone’s mind is what happened to the shorts after going rogue.

Maintaining his sense of humor, the guest has kept a running gag going that the shorts have been lost since they unexpectedly left his body.

FlowRider Session
FlowRider Session (Photo Credit: Bob Deering)

“Omg, sending thoughts and prayers to your shorts. Hope they’re okay out there,” one cruise fan quipped in the comments section.

“Never found them, they’re probably out there getting drunk,” the original poster joked back.

Another cruiser asked if the guest had filed a lost and found report to locate his shorts, to which he replied, “Didn’t file a lost and found report but I am considering throwing them overboard for their betrayal.”

More likely than not, a crew member quickly retrieved the shorts and handed them back to the guest so that he could regain his modesty as quickly as possible.

The surf simulator has protective barriers so that guests, and apparently their shorts, don’t fly off the simulator and hurt themselves.

FlowRider Surf Simulator Comes With Risks

While losing your pants is unusual, riding the surf simulator is considered an extreme sport and more than one’s ego can get bruised.

Though crew members do everything they can to prevent injuries, guests have gotten hurt in the past. Earlier this year, Cruise Hive reported that Royal Caribbean was sued after a guest suffered head and neck injuries in a FlowRider fall.

“Riding on the FlowRider® is an extreme sport and high-risk recreational activity,” Royal Caribbean cautions on its website.

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“Sheet wave surfing on the Flowrider may result in physical or mental injury, including but not limited to serious injury to the head, neck, back, hips, arms, and legs, as well as the possibility of illness, disease, paralysis or death,” the cruise line added.

Passengers are required to fill out a waiver prior to enjoying the FlowRider that shows they understand the risks. But while guests are warned of potential safety risks, the potential for public nudity may not be flagged by the liability waiver.

Another Cruise Line Asks Guests to Leave Ducks at Home

Melissa Mayntz
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Another Cruise Line Asks Guests to Leave Ducks at Home

Key Aspects:

  • Marella Cruises has begun requesting that guests not participate in the cruising ducks phenomenon onboard its ships.
  • The request for no ducks is printed in the daily onboard newsletters for at least two ships in the Marella fleet.
  • Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean also have restrictions on cruise ducks, but other cruise lines permit the activity.

The cruising ducks phenomenon has flocks of fans, but not every cruise line is welcoming these feathered friends. Guests onboard Marella Cruises have noticed new advisories in printed newsletters requesting that guests not bring the unauthorized activity onboard.

Specifically, guests on Marella Voyager have spotted the advisory. The 1,912-guest ship is currently homeported from Corfu, Greece, offering 8-night roundtrip Adriatic Sea itineraries. The ship most recently departed on Friday, August 7, 2026, with port visits planned in Croatia, Montenegro, and Slovenia.

The newsletter’s admonishment against ducks was shared on Facebook on August 9. These types of announcements are often reprinted in multiple newsletters to advise guests about onboard policies, and may be the same on multiple ships and sailings.

“As much as we love a bit of personality, the ducks have started to drive us quackers…” the newsletter said. “So we kindly ask that toys, novelty items and other personal bits aren’t left or hidden around the ship or at our destinations.”

This would cover not only the standard rubber bath toy ducks or the tiny acrylic ducks, but also different duck-themed items such as keychains, earrings, bracelets, plush toys, ornaments, stickers, and more.

“While it’s all meant in good spirit, these can become hazards and are usually disposed of by our crew,” the newsletter noted.

The request also goes along with the cruise line’s efforts to reduce plastic waste to be more environmentally friendly. It is felt that encouraging or permitting duck hiding “doesn’t quite match that effort.”

Furthermore, the same advisory goes on to ask that guests also not decorate their doors, which would eliminate duck magnets, mailboxes, trading posts, and similar setups.

“We also ask that public areas and cabin doors are left as they are, without added decorations like flags, banners, posters, stickers, or magnets. It helps keep the ship looking its best for everyone and ensures we are on top of safety,” the newsletter said.

Guest reactions to Marella Cruises’ duck restrictions are mixed. While some guests are glad to see what they consider a tacky or overdone trend be halted, others don’t mind letting those who enjoy it have their fun.

Marella Voyager Cruise Ship
Marella Voyager Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Lykourgos06)

In addition to newsletters onboard Marella Voyager, another commenter noted they had seen the same notice on the 1,830-guest Marella Discovery recently. That ship is currently homeported from Limassol, Cyprus, offering 8-night Aegean Sea itineraries.

With the notice confirmed on two different vessels in the Marella Cruises fleet, it is reasonable to believe the same notices may be fleetwide.

Will Other Cruise Lines Restrict Ducks?

Cruise Hive has recently reported on Disney Cruise Line enforcing more restrictions on door decorations, which went into effect on June 3, 2026. Disney Cruise Line also asks that guests not hide ducks around their ships.

No cruise lines have confirmed official, outright bans on duck hiding at this time, but Royal Caribbean does restrict where the toys are placed. In July 2025, guests began to notice signage on the Oasis- and Icon-class ships requesting that guests not hide ducks in Central Park.

That specific neighborhood on Deck 8 of those ships features living green walls, extensive planters, and even full-sized trees. The cruise line noted that plants were getting damaged from over-enthusiastic duck hiders and hunters.

In contrast, Carnival Cruise Line has leaned heavily into the cruising ducks phenomenon, even introducing a photo-worthy duck crew member in late 2024 who just may show up in different costumes on different ships.

Most other cruise lines neither encourage nor discourage the guest-led activity, which has boatloads of fans and even social media groups and apps to facilitate the fun.

Cruise Ship Rescues Alaska Boaters as Zuckerberg’s Yacht Stays Silent

Melissa Mayntz
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Cruise Ship Rescues Alaska Boaters as Zuckerberg’s Yacht Stays Silent

Key Aspects:

  • Wilderness Legacy offered aid to a stranded skiff that ran out of fuel in southeastern Alaska on August 3.
  • The cruise ship towed the smaller boat several miles to a safe anchorage and provided supplementary fuel.
  • The luxury yacht Launchpad owned by Mark Zuckerberg was closer to the skiff but failed to respond to the call for assistance.

Small boats are necessary to explore some of the most remote and beautiful destinations in the world, and parts of Alaska’s intricate fjords can certainly be challenging to navigate. One small skiff found an additional challenge in the region when it ran out of fuel and had to request assistance.

The UnCruise Adventures vessel Wilderness Legacy was able to respond to the call and render aid.

A guest onboard Wilderness Legacy, Michael Love, posted about the incident on social media, sharing what details were made available through the captain’s announcements. Further information from the US Coast Guard (USCG) clarifies the situation even more, with another nearby ship failing to respond to the assistance call.

The incident began at 9:32 p.m. Monday night, August 3, 2026 when a 21-foot Hewescraft boat reached out to the USCG requesting assistance. At that time, the vessel was near Point Highland, Alaska, roughly 85 miles south-southeast of Juneau.

Following communication with the vessel, the USCG determined there was no immediate distress but assistance was required. The USCG passed on that marine assistance request at 9:56 p.m.

Wilderness Legacy received the request and responded, moving to intercept the skiff at 10:58 p.m. The smaller vessel did not have adequate fuel aboard, but the cruise ship was able to tow it to safe anchorage in Farragut Bay, just over nine miles east. The cruise ship also provided some supplementary fuel.

At roughly 12:50 a.m. on Tuesday, August 4, Wilderness Legacy reported the skiff was safely anchored. The entire operation, from first assistance call to safe anchorage, took just under 3.5 hours.

Two women, a child, and a dog are believed to have been aboard the smaller boat, but no further information about their identities or how the vessel became stranded have been released. They remained with their craft after the assistance was given.

No injuries or damage to either vessel were reported, and Wilderness Legacy was not significantly delayed on her 7-night voyage. The 88-guest expedition cruise ship is homeported from Juneau and offers 7- and 12-night voyages exploring Alaska in ways that larger cruise ships are not able to manage.

When this incident occurred, Wilderness Legacy had begun her sailing on Saturday, August 1, had already visited Robert Islands and Glacier Bay, and was en route to Wrangell Narrows.

A Closer Vessel Failed to Respond

Wilderness Legacy was not the closest vessel to the skiff when the call for assistance was issued, but the closer vessel did not respond to communication.

That non-responsive vessel was the 387-foot luxury yacht Launchpad, owned by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. That particular yacht is significantly larger than Wilderness Legacy, both in length (387 feet versus 190 feet) and gross tonnage (5,528 gross tons versus 1,472 gross tons).

Launchpad Yacht
Launchpad Yacht (Photo Credit: K I Photography)

It is unclear why Launchpad did not respond to the request for assistance and no information is available about who may have been aboard the luxury yacht at the time.

While the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) requires that all able vessels respond to distress calls, the USCG has been clear that this was not actually a distress call, only a call for assistance.

Cruise Hive reported just yesterday on such a distress situation that MSC Musica responded to in the Mediterranean, diverting course to rescue eight migrants from a small craft in distress.

Santorini Lifts Ban on Iconic Cruise Path After Wall Collapse

Catie Kovelman
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Santorini Lifts Ban on Iconic Cruise Path After Wall Collapse

Key Aspects:

  • The Port of Fira in Santorini has resumed normal operations after a temporary closure.
  • A wall bordering the famous Karavolades Stairs collapsed, making the pathway from the port to the city of Fira inaccessible.
  • Cruise operations were relocated to the ferry port of Athinios while the stepped path was closed.

Things are getting back to normal for cruise guests visiting Santorini, Greece.

Cruise Hive reported that a private wall bordering the famous Karavolades Stairs collapsed on Monday, July 27, 2026, making the path from the old port on the Bay of Fira to the capital of Fira inaccessible.

But thankfully, the closure was short-lived. The Mayor of Thira, Anastasios Nikolaos Zorzos, reopened the pathway on August 3, 2026.

“We decide the revocation of decision no. 274/2026 of the Mayor of Thira and the lifting of the blocking of access and of the prohibition of passage on the section of the stepped road from the settlement of Fira (equid stop) up to and including the Bay of Fira (old port). The present decision is in force from its posting,” the official order from the mayor stated.

The damage caused by the collapsed wall has been addressed and there is no lingering danger to pedestrians who traverse the path.

“The fact that the reason for which the above blocking and the prohibition of passage had been imposed has ceased to exist,” the mayor’s order confirmed.

Cruise visitors were significantly impacted by the sudden loss of access, as they were no longer able to travel the stepped path between the tender docks and the capital city of Fira by foot or by hoof (aka via riding a donkey or mule).

The only remaining option was the popular Santorini Cable Car, which could not feasibly accommodate an influx of cruise guests along with other tourists.

Impact on Cruise Tourism

On July 28, one day after the closure, Greek authorities made the decision to temporarily relocate cruise operations from Fira to Athinios, which is the main ferry port in Santorini. Fira is the traditional gateway to enjoying the island for cruise guests.

Athinios is approximately seven miles away from the Port of Fira. Public buses and taxis already run between the two ports, with the drive taking around 25 minutes.

During the closure, all shore excursions were based out of Athinios for both local tours and tours on other parts of the island. This was seen as the best option for managing crowds and ensuring guests could still reach the experiences they paid for.

There were no public reports of cancelled port calls as a result of this situation.

Port in Fira
Port in Fira (Photo Credit: Bardhok Ndoji)

Just two months earlier, Cruise Hive reported that the Municipal Port Fund changed its policies so that up to 70% of cruise guests had to disembark at the old port at Fira, with no more than 30% arriving through Athinios.

These limitations were disregarded during the closure, but are once again being enforced now that the stairs have reopened.

Which Cruise Lines Sail to Santorini?

Santorini is a popular destination on cruises to the Mediterranean and the Greek Isles, with more than 1.2 million cruise guests visiting the island annually.

It’s currently the peak season for cruising in Santorini, which runs from June through mid-September. In the past, Santorini has seen upwards of 10,000 passengers visit in one day during its busy season (though now there is a daily cap of 8,000 passengers).

60 ship calls are still scheduled for the rest of August 2026 alone, with major brands like MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises, and more coming to Santorini.

MSC Cruise Ship Diverts to Rescue Eight People Adrift Off Ibiza

Melissa Mayntz
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MSC Cruise Ship Diverts to Rescue Eight People Adrift Off Ibiza

Key Aspects:

  • MSC Musica rescued 8 men from a single-outboard craft roughly 16 miles east of Ibiza on Friday, July 31, 2026.
  • A lifeboat was quickly launched and the men were brought aboard the cruise ship and later delivered to local authorities.
  • The men were reportedly from North Africa, but no further details on their identities have been released.

What was to have been a routine visit to Ibiza on Friday, July 31, 2026, quickly turned into a rescue operation for the crew of MSC Musica as the ship was approaching the Spanish island for a port visit.

According to Il Dispari, the ship was roughly 16 miles east of the island when a small boat was spotted in distress just before 11:30 a.m. The crew of the 2,550-guest ship quickly reacted to render aid, lowering one of the lifeboats into the water to approach the smaller craft.

Video of the incident shows the small boat bobbing in the water apparently without power. The craft seemed to lack any sort of mast or alternative propulsion and did not appear to have significant supplies or belongings aboard.

Eight men identified as originating from North Africa were onboard the small single-outboard boat and were carefully transferred first into the lifeboat and then onto the cruise ship. The first mate of MSC Musica, 27-year-old Roberto de Girolamo, led the rescue mission.

Local authorities were alerted to the situation, including the Salvamento Marítimo and the Guardia Civil based in Sant Josep. The men were turned over to authorities as the ship reached Ibiza.

While no details have been released about the condition of the migrants, it is standard procedure for a cruise ship to offer supplies and medical assistance to those rescued from such potentially dangerous situations. MSC Cruises has not made any official statement about the incident.

MSC Musica Cruise Ship
MSC Musica Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Lenush)

MSC Musica had departed her homeport of Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy on Monday, July 27 for the 7-night roundtrip Western Mediterranean itinerary with port visits to Italy, France, and Spain.

Ibiza was the next-to-last port stop, and there were no reports that the ship was significantly delayed. The ship returned to Civitavecchia on schedule on Monday, August 3.

Cruise Ships Obligated to Render Aid

Migrant rescues are unfortunately not uncommon in the Mediterranean, with desperate migrants attempting to cross the sea to other countries.

All vessels, including cruise ships, are bound by the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), which covers the guidelines for rendering aid and assistance to those in distress.

SOLAS covers all manner of ship and maritime safety, from construction standards to equipment maintenance, emergency drills, radio communications, and much more. It is Chapter V, Regulation 33 that specifically covers distress situations and rescues.

“The master of a ship at sea which is in a position to be able to provide assistance, on receiving information from any source that persons are in distress at sea, is bound to proceed with all speed to their assistance,” the regulation reads.

“This obligation to provide assistance applies regardless of the nationality or status of such persons or the circumstances in which they are found.”

All cruise lines respond to such situations with emergency rescue operations. In October 2025, Norwegian Epic altered course to rescue 67 migrants near Greece, while that same month MSC Splendida saved 19 migrants in rough waters off the coast of Mallorca.

Such rescues are not confined to the Mediterranean either. Many cruise ships have been involved in similar situations near Cuba and Mexico when on various Caribbean itineraries.

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