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Family Vloggers Criticized for Leaving Toddlers Alone in Cruise Ship Cabin

Catie Kovelman
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Family Vloggers Criticized for Leaving Toddlers Alone in Cruise Ship Cabin

Matt and Abby Howard share their lives on social media, appearing as the picture-perfect parents as they raise their young sons: 2-year-old Griffin and 1-year-old August. 

The famous couple has 5.3 million followers on TikTok, 7.34 million followers on their family YouTube channel, and an additional 715,000 followers on YouTube for the “Unplanned Podcast,” which the couple has hosted for the past year. 

But despite their wholesome online presence, the couple has come under fire for their parenting decisions during their recent cruise onboard Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas. 

The Voyager-class vessel is currently operating a series of 7-night sailings to Ensenada, Mexico, out of the Port of Los Angeles in California – although it’s unclear which specific sailing the influencers were on.  

Near the end of the sailing, it seems the couple became frustrated with taking their kids with them to the main dining room for dinner each night. Their solution was to leave their allegedly sleeping toddlers behind in their stateroom and head to dinner without them. 

“We ended up taking them for 5 nights and it became apparent that they weren’t enjoying it and therefore we weren’t either,” Abby shared in a now deleted Instagram story.

“So then we switched our dinner time to after their bedroom and FaceTimed the monitors while we ate,” the influencer wrote.

Abby had previously shared how her baby monitors wouldn’t work onboard unless she was within 10 feet of the devices, which created a serious hole in that plan that other social media users were quick to pick up on. 

In another now deleted story, Abby shared that the couple wasn’t able to reserve slots for their children in the onboard nursery, which necessitated this plan.

“You need to book ahead if your child is under 3 and pretty much all of the dinner slots were already booked before I could get to the nursery (an hour after boarding),” Abby posted.

Matt and Abby Baby Monitor Post
Matt and Abby Baby Monitor Post

This story was likely meant to head off the large amount of the criticism that came from surprise that the influencers would choose the markedly less safe option of leaving a baby and toddler unsupervised for potentially hours at a time rather than taking advantage of the award-winning childcare services offered by the family friendly cruise line. 

Abby even went so far as to complain about the activities for toddlers onboard in a third story, in which she said there wasn’t anything for her boys except a “small section of the splash pad.”

The Howards Face Backlash for Cruise Parenting Decisions

Indeed, the response to the Howards’ decision to leave their sleeping children in their stateroom has not been kind across social media platforms. The general consensus is that the famous parents are selfish and planned poorly. 

“It’s obvious at this point that they’d rather risk the safety of their kids so they can continue with their lives,” one person wrote on Reddit.

Other commenters thought that the Matt and Abby planned to leave their kids behind in the stateroom all along, which is why they brought the baby monitors in the first place.

Matt and Abby on a Previous Cruise
Matt and Abby on a Previous Cruise

“The fact that they even PACKED the baby monitors and brought them onto the cruise ship shows this was a premeditated backup plan in case they could not handle the kids during dinner time. They literally “thought” this plan through. So crazy!,” another person wrote on Youtube.

Read Also: Should Teenagers Get Their Own Cruise Cabin?

The resounding sentiment was that the kids were much too young to be left alone safely, and the parents should have adjusted their own plans in order to put the wellbeing of their children first – or left their children at home with a trusted babysitter if they wanted a break from parenthood.

For example, maybe Matt and Abby didn’t need to eat a formal dinner at the main dining room each night. If their toddlers were fussy, the couple could have dined at a more quick and casual venue onboard, such as the Windjammer buffet, or ordered room service. 

Additionally, past Royal Caribbean guests advised that the parents should have re-checked with the nursery if all the slots were pre-booked on embarkation day, as more spots often open up in the Royal Babies & Tots Program later in the voyage.

Guest Complains About Smoking Onboard New Cruise Ship

Catie Kovelman
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Guest Complains About Smoking Onboard New Cruise Ship

Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas only recently entered service in July of 2024, but the Oasis-class vessel is already getting some complaints on the internet. 

One recent guest, who was just onboard the 5,668-passenger ship, took to Reddit to anonymously vent about smoking onboard. 

Considering the post went up on September 12, 2024 and the guest states that the post was written while onboard, this implies the cruiser and his family were onboard for the 4-night round-trip Bahamas sailing that embarked from Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, on September 9, 2024. 

Before disembarking on September 13, 2024, the 236,860-gross ton vessel called on Nassau, Bahamas, and Perfect Day at CocoCay, the cruise line’s private island destination in the Bahamas.

But despite the family friendly fun onboard and a great itinerary for a quick getaway, the Redditor couldn’t get past the rampant smell of smoke onboard. 

“I am so frustrated by the smokers. We are on Utopia so I assumed it would have the whole smoking section thing figured out. But putting it in the middle of the pool deck?,” wrote the Redditor. 

The Redditor claimed that he could smell smoke while playing with his young child at the pool, as well as other parts of the ship, which he deemed unacceptable. 

“I am severely asthmatic and don’t think it is ridiculous that when I am with my kid at the splash pad I shouldn’t have to run away from smokers?,” asked the Redditor.

“Security doesn’t do anything about people smoking outside of the casino, in their rooms, at the kids splash pad?! I had to leave dinner early from the [Main Dining Room] because the smoke is coming in from the casino,” continued the post.

The rule on Royal Caribbean ships is that guests may only smoke in designated areas – which usually include the adults-only casino and a small area on the pool deck.

On Utopia of the Seas, the outdoor smoking section is tucked between two pools, but is still out of the way.

It’s possible that the guest was smelling smoke from the outside smoking area, especially if it was a windy day, and perhaps encountered some noncompliant guests before the 2,290 crew members did.

Is Smoking a Problem on Cruise Ships?

None of the major cruise lines ban smoking, but do limit the activity to designated areas to avoid bothering non-smokers. 

According to Royal Caribbean’s current policy, smoking is only permitted in designated outdoor areas and in part of the casino (Casino Royale). Another part of the casino is designated as smoke-free to allow for the enjoyment of all guests. 

Aside from a couple designated locations, smoking is not permitted anywhere else onboard any of Royal Caribbean’s ships. Smoking is never allowed in spaces like kids’ play areas, the theater, dining rooms, cruise cabins and private balconies, bars, lounges, and fitness spaces. 

On the Oasis-class vessels (Utopia of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, and Wonder of the Seas) the Central Park and Boardwalk neighborhoods are also smoke-free zones. 

Read Also: Can You Smoke on a Cruise Ship – What to Know

In the comments of the Reddit post, recent cruisers who have also already sailed onboard Utopia of the Seas during her approximately two months of service reported that they were not bothered by smoke – perhaps indicating that the redditor’s experience was a one-time occurrence. 

“I was on Utopia in August, I didn’t notice many smokers and I knew to avoid one of the sides of the ship near the pool but they definitely weren’t in the middle of the pool deck,” wrote one commenter. 

According to Royal Caribbean’s website, smoking violations are taken seriously. For example, guests who are caught smoking in their stateroom will be charged a $250 (USD) cleaning fee at best, and could be subject to more serious penalties per the “consequences section” of the guest conduct policy.

If cruisers are particularly concerned about smoke exposure, it may be prudent to do research in advance of booking a cruise to see where the smoking sections are on the ship in relation to popular areas, such as theaters, dining rooms, and the pools.

Every ship is a different, and typically, there are deck plans online. A little bit of research may enable prospective guests to pick a ship with a smoking and non-smoking layout that is less likely to bother them.

Royal Caribbean Forced to Cancel Bookings Due to Lifeboat Damage

Catie Kovelman
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Royal Caribbean Forced to Cancel Bookings Due to Lifeboat Damage

Cruisers who were getting ready to board Rhapsody of the Seas in just about two day’s time got some bad news from the cruise line.

The Vision-class cruise ship had to cancel her 7-night Southern Caribbean cruise for some passengers who were supposed to embark from San Juan, Puerto Rico, on September 15, 2024, due to a damaged lifeboat. 

It’s unclear what caused the damage to the smaller vessel, which doubles as a tender boat, but it must have become apparent that the boat could not be fixed or replaced in time to set sail. 

“On our previous sailing, there was damage to one of our tender boats, which also serves as a lifeboat. This leaves the ship over capacity for the number of available lifeboat seats in the event of an emergency for our next sailing,” reads a letter from Royal Caribbean to impacted guests.

“We must have a seat on a lifeboat for every guest onboard. Unfortunately, this means we’ll be unable to welcome you onboard our September 15, 2024, Rhapsody of the Seas sailing, and we must reschedule your cruise,” continued the letter.

Indeed, maritime law is quite strict about lifeboat guidelines to ensure the safety of both guests and crew should an emergency occur.

According to the current regulations, which are enforced by Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), there must be lifeboats available on both sides of the ship with enough vessels to be evacuating 37.5% of the people onboard simultaneously. This accounts for 75% of the ship’s capacity – and the remaining quarter can be rescued using life rafts. 

Even though an emergency is unlikely to occur, cruise ships are not allowed to continue sailing if they do not have the capacity to evacuate all guests should an emergency arise. 

Safety Comes First – But Guests are Compensated Well

If the 2,416-passenger ship was able to sail as planned, the round trip voyage would have called on St. Croix, US Virgin Islands; St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; Basseterre, St. Kitts; Castries, St. Lucia; and Bridgetown, Barbados. 

It’s unclear if Rhapsody of the Seas’ subsequent sailing – another 7-night Southern Caribbean voyage scheduled to embark on September 22 – will be impacted. That said, this cancellation gives the family friendly cruise line a week to make repairs or replace the damaged lifeboat. 

While the last-minute cancellation is understandably disappointing, Royal Caribbean has to always put safety first. That said, the cruise line is compensating the guests with a full refund and future cruise credit to help soften the blow.

Lifeboats on Royal Caribbean's Rhapsody of the Seas
Lifeboats on Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas (Photo Credit: marsilioaguiar)

“We will be providing you with a full refund and a credit for a new cruise. We know this news is disappointing and we’re terribly sorry for the impact to your vacation plans,” wrote Royal Caribbean.

Read Also: What to Expect During a Cruise Ship Muster Drill

The cruise line will start by refunding guests the total cost of the sailing within 14 business days. If the cruise was paid for using a future cruise credit, passengers will be provided with a new certificate that will be valid for one year from the date of issuance. 

Also in the next two weeks, passengers will receive a 100% future cruise credit via email that can be used on any Royal Caribbean International sailing that embarks on or before September 13, 2025. 

While there are many exciting ships in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, guests might want to take advantage of this credit to be among the first to sail on the second Icon-class cruise ship, Star of the Seas, which will debut in August of 2025. 

Lastly, guests are invited to submit their travel receipts to Royal Caribbean for reimbursement of non-refundable, pre-purchased transportation change fees. The cruise line will cover up to $200 per guest for domestic changes, or up to $400 per guest for international adjustments.

Carnival Explains Why There Were No Towel Animals

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Explains Why There Were No Towel Animals

Towel animals can be a lot of fun for many cruisers who eagerly await the arrival of each day’s new addition to the menagerie, but they can also be a controversial use of resources.

This issue arose on Carnival Venezia‘s recent cruise to Bermuda, a 7-night sailing that departed New York on August 31, 2024. Because of Bermuda’s environmental restrictions, cabin attendants were unable to craft new towel creations for a couple of nights, and their absence was noted.

Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald, discussed the issue via his Facebook page in response to numerous comments and inquiries about the missing fluffy friends.

“Yesterday I answered a few comments about the Carnival Venezia and her current cruise to Bermuda. She had an overnight stay and this meant that the Bermudian authorities insisted we close our laundry operations for environmental reasons,” Heald explained.

“We of course complied but this meant that because of these restrictions the cabin attendants were not able to make the towel animals for a couple of evenings. And there was much disappointment plus some gnashing of teeth.”

Carnival Cruise Line has crafted towel animals in a variety of shapes, sizes, and poses ever since the cruise line first set sail in 1972, and has no intention of discontinuing the tradition – an issue Heald has addressed previously.

Yet not every traveler enjoys the appearance of these origami-like creations in their stateroom every day.

“Towel animals are only cute if you are a child or have no life,” one commenter told Heald. “Most adults do not like towel creatures so they end up back in the laundry using soap, water and man power just so children and those with childish minds are amused when they return to their cabins.”

Worth Reading: Carnival Guest Discovers Shocking Secret About Towel Animals

The commenter said “most adults” but shared no evidence of an extensive survey, poll, or petition to support their claim. While it is true that some cruisers would prefer not to have towel animals, these fun creations are a source of joy and cruising happiness for many travelers of all ages.

“Love the towel animals! They make me smile and in today’s world we all need a smile!”

“I love them & I keep every last one of them to the end.”

“The towel animals are a cute touch. Some attendants are more creative than others with their design. We truly appreciate their creativity when they go above and beyond with their designs.”

Do You Get Towel Animals Every Day?

Other travelers explain that while they enjoy the towel animals, they don’t need them daily and prefer the cabin attendants save themselves the extra work.

“I do enjoy the towel animals however I’d much prefer my stateroom attendant get that 5 minutes of their life back and get done with their job that much earlier. I tell them I appreciate it but it’s not necessary.”

“I can cruise without them. They are cute and I appreciate the effort they put into making them. But I agree that the room stewards are over worked and this would save them time. And lessen the laundering.”

Towel Animal on Carnival Cruise Ship
Towel Animal on Carnival Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)

Read Also: Towel Animals to Look for on Your Cruise

Personally, our family enjoys the dinosaur towel animal best and asks the steward for it when we meet them on embarkation day, but then requests no further towel animals throughout the cruise in the interest of less work and less laundry.

Another option for those who love the towel animals and the creativity they showcase is the exhibition or parade of towel pals on most Carnival cruises.

This event is often on the Lido Deck, where a different towel animal will occupy every chair (not saving chairs for too long!), or it may be in the Main Theater in case of poor weather.

Most cruises also offer a towel folding demonstration at some time during the sailing, giving guests the opportunity to learn how to craft their own towel pals.

Do you enjoy towel animals or would you rather they stay away? Share your thoughts on the Cruise Hive boards!

Carnival Reminds Guests to be Considerate on the Lido Deck

Catie Kovelman
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Carnival Reminds Guests to be Considerate on the Lido Deck

When you embark on a cruise, your ship becomes your home away from home for the duration of your sailing. However, it’s important to remember that you’re sharing your temporary home with thousands of other people. 

Two recent Carnival passengers learned this the hard way when they were asked to relocate their card game from the busy Lido deck during prime lunch hour so that other guests could sit and eat. Of course, this caused offense. 

When the incident occurred, the unidentified duo were taking part in a limited edition Carnival Journeys sailing, which are extended voyages to destinations like Hawaii, New Zealand, the Caribbean, and the Panama Canal, although it’s not clear which voyage the pair was on. 

“Two people were playing cards at 12:45pm, the busy time on Lido for lunch. They were politely asked to stop because the guests wanted to sit there to eat. And so they wrote to me saying that the crew member was rude and, well you get the picture,” Brand Ambassador John Heald wrote on Facebook.

Carnival’s brand ambassador also defended the crew member, stating that the staff has been asked to help make sure the popular dining hours go more smoothly by making sure there are enough places for everyone to sit and eat. 

“She was not rude, she was doing her job as we have been asking the crew to help us with this. I know that people want to play cards and this ship had the upper level of the dining room for this with tables cleared of cutlery, plates and starfish,” continued Heald in his post. 

According to Heald, the two guests were taking up a table of six for their card game, when other guests could not find a place to sit and eat.

While the players could have relocated elsewhere on board, such as a lounge or the unused dining room Heald mentioned, the people trying to eat lunch don’t have quite as much flexibility.  

Rush Hour on the Lido Deck

Across cruise lines, and certainly across Carnival’s 27 ships, few places onboard get busier than the Lido deck – especially during prime dining hours. 

Along with being the home to pools, hot tubs, and lounge chairs, this deck is also where guests will find the popular Lido Marketplace buffet, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Worth Reading: Clipped Carnival Playing Cards – Is This Really a Cutback?

With a wide array of options, such as deli, BBQ, salads, Asian cuisine, pasta, and desserts, Lido is a quick and popular dining option. The only problem is there is not always enough seating to go around on the Lido deck – especially during peak hours like during breakfast and from noon to 2 p.m.

Busy Lido Deck on Carnival Cruise Ship
Busy Lido Deck on Carnival Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Ritu Manoj Jethani)

With this in mind, the consensus among the hundreds of commenters on Heald’s Facebook post was that the card players were being inconsiderate of other passengers. 

“So many places on board to play cards… I’m actually happy that the crew member asked the people to move. There are times where it feels like it’s impossible to get a seat for lunch,” wrote one person in the comments.

“Anyway, you can play cards on Lido but not during breakfast and not between noon and 2pm please,” Heald personally added.

Read Also: Free Carnival Cruise Dining Options You’ll Want to Know (With Menus!)

To be clear, Carnival Cruise Line has nothing against cruise passengers playing cards at sea – as long as they are mindful of their fellow passengers. It’s actually quite a popular activity. 

According to a poll Heald posted on his Facebook page, playing cards is the second most popular activity onboard – only behind reading books. 

But if guests see the area filling up for breakfast or lunch, the kind thing to do would be to relocate until prime dining hours have passed so other passengers can enjoy their meal.

Disney Cruise Line Updates Wine Policy Across the Fleet

Catie Kovelman
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Disney Cruise Line Updates Wine Policy Across the Fleet

Even on family-friendly cruise ships, there is typically no shortage of alcoholic beverages onboard for guests over the age of 21 to enjoy – and Disney Cruise Line is no exception. 

That said, sometimes adults want to bring their own special bottle of wine or champagne on their cruise to celebrate a special occasion or simply because it’s their favorite brand. 

Whatever the reason, this is something guests are allowed to do in moderation. However, there is a fee if they want to drink their personal wine or champagne in any of the ship’s main dining rooms or in the adults-only specialty restaurants, which include Palo, Palo Steakhouse, Remy, and Enchanté. 

As of September 9, 2024, the corkage fee has increased by $4 (USD) – going from $25 to $29 per bottle on all Disney cruise ships.

“Guests wishing to consume wine or champagne that they have brought on board in one of the dining rooms will be charged a corking fee of $29.00 per bottle,” states Disney’s current policy.

Charging a corkage fee for bringing in outside alcoholic beverages is common practice for restaurants on land as well – with the average cost typically between $10 and $40. 

But if guests don’t want to pay extra, they can enjoy their drinks for free in the privacy of their staterooms.

Indeed, passengers over the legal drinking age (21 in the US and 18 for round-trip cruises from Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, and Brisbane) may bring a maximum of two bottles of unopened wine or champagne onboard that are no larger than 750 ml or a case of six beers that are no larger than 12 ounces. 

Alcohol can be brought onboard at the beginning of the voyage and at each port of call in the same quantities. 

The beverages must be packed in carry-on baggage, and any bottles packed in checked luggage will be removed and discarded with no reimbursement. 

Does Disney Cruise Line Offer a Drink Package? 

Some cruise lines, such as Carnival, offer inclusive drink packages that can be purchased prior to setting sail at a cost-savings to guests. While Disney does not currently offer a drink package, there are a few workarounds. 

Guests who plan to enjoy a substantial amount of wine or beer may find a cost benefit to pre-ordering a selection of beer and/or wine to their stateroom ahead of embarkation day by browsing the “onboard gifts” section in their DCL online account. 

On the low end of the spectrum, a 6-pack of beer starts at around $36, while a single bottle of wine can cost as little as $40, including delivery to the buyer’s stateroom.

Disney Wish Cabin
Disney Wish Cabin

Future cruisers can also pre-order sets of three, four, five, or seven wine bottles to their cabins – with prices ranging from $105 to $330 depending on quantity and quality.

Another option for beer lovers is to invest in the Beer Mug Savings Package. In order to do this, guests need to purchase a DCL branded mug for $15.25. They can then bring that mug to any onboard bar to get it filled with 21 ounces of beer for the price of a 16 oz. size glass. 

A third way to save is for adventurous drinkers to check their Disney Cruise Line Navigator app daily while they are onboard.

Read Also: How Much Is a Disney Cruise?

Each morning, a new Drink of the Day will be revealed on the app and will be offered at a discount – as an opportunity for guests to save money and potentially discover a new favorite refreshment.

Finally, guests can sign up for an interactive, adults-only beverage tasting seminar that currently costs around $20 to $35. The classes cover all sorts of cocktails and spirits – from beer and wine to margaritas, whiskey, and bourbon. 

During the seminar, guests get to taste a wide selection of drinks, while also learning the history behind them. In some cases, such as the popular Mixology class, participants will learn how to recreate their favorite drinks at home.

Dining Changes Made for Sun Princess Ahead of Caribbean Season

Lissa Poirot
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Dining Changes Made for Sun Princess Ahead of Caribbean Season

As Sun Princess readies for her inaugural Caribbean season this October, Princess Cruises is already changing its onboard dining experience, relocating many of its restaurants.

The cruise line has announced a series of dining venue relocations and name changes that will take effect on October 14, just in time for the 4,300-passenger, 177,882-gross-ton ship to welcome guests to the tropics.

Among the most notable changes is the debut of The Sanctuary Restaurant, located on Deck 8 aft, taking the place of the Americana Diner, which will relocate to Deck 9 aft.

The new restaurant will be exclusive to guests of the Sanctuary Collection, a ship-within-a-ship concept with 80 suites, 123 mini suites, and 12 premium deluxe balcony cabins.

The Sanctuary will provide guests access to a top-deck retreat and high-end amenities, with the Sanctuary Restaurant providing a private dining with ocean views and a custom chef’s menu. Meanwhile, Americana Diner will offer casual dining options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Worth Reading: Cruise Attractions Ditched, New Carnival Ships and More

Another highlight is the relocation of The Catch by Rudi, which will now be found on Deck 7 near the multi-story Piazza atrium. Previously located on Deck 9, the seafood-centric venue by Chef Rudi Sodamin serves up modern seafood dishes with international influences.

Additionally, The Butcher’s Block by Dario, also formerly on Deck 9, will now be situated on Deck 7 forward, where the Crown Grill once stood. This collaboration with world-renowned butcher Dario Cecchini offers a family-style dining experience.

The Crown Grill will move to Deck 7 aft, replacing the former Reserve Collection Restaurant, which is no longer needed with the addition of The Sanctuary. It will continue serving high-quality beef, chops, and seafood in an intimate setting.

Read Also: Princess Cays, Bahamas: Things You Need to Know

Sami Kohen, vice president of food and beverage for Princess Cruises, said of the changes, “With the relocation and transformation of these popular specialty restaurants, we’re not only enhancing the ambiance but also optimizing the overall dining experience for our guests.”

He continued, “These new locations allow us to expand capacity while also creating more intimate and immersive culinary environments, ensuring that every meal aboard Sun Princess is truly exceptional.“

Sun Princess Dining Room
Sun Princess Dining Room (Photo Credit: Vintagepix / Shutterstock)

Additional changes include the renaming of the Horizons Dining Room, located on Deck 6 and Deck 7 aft. The venue will now be called Soleil Dining Room on Deck 6 and the Eclipse Dining Room on Deck 7.

The ship’s massive three-deck family activity zone and sports facility, Park19, is also getting a refresh as it becomes the SkyDeck Sports Court & Track.

Sun Princess Wraps up Inaugural Season, Prepares for Caribbean

Sun Princess, Princess Cruises’ largest ship to date, officially launched on February 28, 2024, after a few delays in the lead-up to her debut. Originally slated for a February 8 maiden voyage, the first sailing was postponed twice due to technical adjustments at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy.

The first Sphere Class ship’s inaugural season in the Mediterranean, departing from Rome and Barcelona, wowed guests with 30 restaurants and bars featuring collaborations with celebrity chefs like Sodamin and Cecchini.

The vessel will complete its last Mediterranean cruise on September 14 in Barcelona, then reposition to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, via calls in Spain and England. It is scheduled to arrive in its new winter homeport on October 9, 2024.

More From Cruise Hive

Its first Caribbean cruise, a 5-night roundtrip sail, will depart on October 14 and call in Puerto Plata/Amber Cove, Dominican Republic, and Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos.

The season will predominantly feature Princess Cruises’ private destination, Princess Cays, in the Bahamas.

Carnival Ship Forced to Sail Cruise to Nowhere Following Storm

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Ship Forced to Sail Cruise to Nowhere Following Storm

Carnival Valor, already delayed returning to her New Orleans homeport due to Tropical Depression Francine, will now operate her next sailing without any ports of call.

While this is not an ideal situation, passengers will still be able to enjoy all the ship’s amenities and service even if they aren’t stopping at any ports.

Carnival Cruise Line provided the update to booked guests on Thursday morning, September 12, 2024, after confirming that the ship would already be delayed at least a full day in returning to Port NOLA.

“We remain in close contact with port officials in New Orleans and are still working on our operational plans for your cruise, which we expect to depart tomorrow, Friday, 09/13/2024,” the brief email update read. “Given the shortened duration, we will operate as a voyage without a port of call visit.”

Carnival Valor had originally been scheduled to depart on Thursday, September 12, for a 4-night Western Caribbean itinerary. The only planned port of call was Cozumel, Mexico, where the ship was to have spent the day on Saturday, September 14 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Because the ship will now not be leaving until Friday, September 13, there is not enough time for the vessel to cover the approximately 700 miles from New Orleans to Cozumel with adequate time for guests to enjoy the destination.

While details are still being worked out, Carnival Cruise Line will undoubtedly refund all port fees and taxes related to Cozumel to passengers’ onboard account.

While no other compensation is required, there may be additional onboard credit or a partial refund offered as a gesture of goodwill and acknowledgment of the dramatic vacation change.

Read Also: What Is a Cruise to Nowhere?

Any pre-paid shore tours booked through Carnival Cruise Line will also be automatically cancelled and refunded, as is standard practice whenever a port of call is cancelled.

Guests may also be permitted to cancel their sailing for a full refund, but that decision is up to the cruise line and has not yet been confirmed. A further update for available options will be provided later on Thursday afternoon.

“Thank you again for your patience and please do make sure you stay tuned to the text alert and your emails,” said John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador. “I truly hope everyone is safe that has been or will be in Francine’s path.”

What About Guests Onboard?

Of course, with Carnival Valor delayed, guests onboard are also having an unexpectedly extended cruise. To be clear, the vessel is in no danger and all onboard operations – hotel features, entertainment, navigation, safety, restaurants, etc. – are perfectly fine.

Instead, Carnival Valor is remaining at sea until Port NOLA has cleared inspections and is able to safely resume operations. This includes ensuring the mouth of the Mississippi River is clear of any debris and navigable for different vessels.

Guests currently on the ship have received updates about their extra day onboard.

Carnival Valor in New Orleans
Photo Credit: Carnival Valor in New Orleans

“It will take some time to fully assess the Mississippi River channel to ensure that the ship can safely sail into New Orleans,” the letter delivered to staterooms read. “It is now clear that we will not be able to return to port until sometime Friday, September 13. We do not yet know the actual arrival time, but we will advise you as soon as possible so you can accurately make travel plans.”

To help guests make plans and stay in touch with family and friends not on the ship, internet service is being provided for all guests at no charge.

Furthermore, there will be no charge for the extra cruise day, including for any pre-purchased beverage packages, Wi-Fi, or gratuities.

Finally, Carnival Cruise Line’s partners at the Port of New Orleans will be waiving the extra day’s parking fee for any travelers who have a vehicle parked at the port.

“We know you are eager to get home and appreciate your patience and understanding. My team and I will continue to take great care of you during our extended time together,” the letter finished, signed by the ship’s master Captain Giuseppe Castrogiovanni.

Stay tuned to Cruise Hive for further updates on Carnival Valor‘s status and how the next sailing will be impacted by any further delays.

Carnival Begins Solar Installation at Barcelona Cruise Terminal

Lissa Poirot
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Carnival Begins Solar Installation at Barcelona Cruise Terminal

Carnival Corporation is continuing to make strides in sustainability, installing solar panels at its two Port of Barcelona terminals, a first for the port.

The project, which began installation in July 2024, involves roof-mounted solar panels at the two-story 107,639-square-foot Palacruceros (Terminal D) and 134,548-square-foot Helix Cruise Center (Terminal E).

The panels are expected to generate enough energy to power the daily operations of both terminals.

The initiative, in partnership with a local Catalonia-based solar provider, will help the terminals run entirely on renewable energy, reducing overall electricity consumption. 

Carnival Corporation operates eight cruise lines that call on Barcelona annually, including Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, and Cunard.

Karin Plettner Rutishauser, vice president of global ports and destinations strategy for Carnival Corporation, said of the installation, “The shift to renewable energy is an integral part of our global strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and minimize our environmental footprint at the beautiful destinations we visit.”

She continued, “By partnering with Port of Barcelona, the solar panels at our terminals will significantly contribute to the product of clean energy, benefiting both the local community and our over 1 million cruise guests who enjoy this vibrant city each year.”

The solar panels are expected to produce over 866,000 kilowatt hours per year. Additionally, the panels are expected to generate 32 percent more power than needed, particularly at Helix Cruise Center. This excess will be fed back into the port’s local grid.

As one of the busiest cruise ports in the Mediterranean, Barcelona was also the first port in the area to supply cruise ships with liquefied natural gas. It is also working on air quality improvements to reduce emissions.

“Sustainability has always been our main driving force,” said Port of Barcelona President Lluis Salvado. “Through this latest project with Carnival Corporation, we are laying the foundation for our new energy model based on renewable energy, energy storage, and a smart electricity grid.”

Salvado said the port’s efforts put it at “the forefront of generating environmental and economic prosperity in our great port, city, and region.“

Sustainability Improvements as Overtourism Remains an Issue

As the port and Carnival push towards sustainability, the City of Barcelona is grappling with overtourism, particularly from cruise visitors. The influx of over 3.5 million cruise passengers who arrived in 2023 is taking a toll on the city’s infrastructure and resources.

The dramatic surge in tourism – up 13.7 percent since pre-pandemic highs – has led city officials to push for an increase in its tourist tax for cruise visitors. Currently, cruise passengers who spend less than 12 hours in the city pay a tax of €3 per person. Those who stay longer pay €3.50.

Cruise Ships at Barcelona North Pier
Cruise Ships at Barcelona North Pier (Photo Credit: terekhov igor / Shutterstock)

However, city leaders are pushing to increase the tax by as much as 50 percent. This would raise the fee for short-term visitors to €4.50 and €5.25 per person for those staying longer.

The additional funds would be directed towards maintaining public services, enhancing infrastructure, managing waste, and supporting the preservation of the city’s historic sites.

Additionally, the tax increase will support sustainability efforts, such as reducing emissions from port activities and improving air quality.

In July 2024, Barcelona opened the first onshore power supply system, providing docked vessels with 100 percent renewable electricity.

The new system can power two ships simultaneously at Hutchison’s BEST terminal and is expected to reduce emissions by 2,500 tons annually, as well as improve air quality. The terminal aims to reduce its carbon footprint by 80 percent by 2030.

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