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High Winds Impact Cruise Ships in Elliott Bay

Lissa Poirot
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High Winds Impact Cruise Ships in Elliott Bay

Two cruise ships were stranded in Elliott Bay outside of Seattle on the morning of June 3, 2024, due to high winds. Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas and Hurtigruten Expeditions’ ms Roald Amundsen could not make port and were stranded waiting for tugboats to assist.

As Quantum of the Seas approached its berth at the Port of Seattle for its 6 a.m. arrival, strong winds forced the ship to wait until more tugboats could assist. Typically, two tugboats are used to bring in cruise ships, but with strong winds, the ship required extra caution to dock at Pier 91 and chose to anchor in Elliott Bay as it waited.

Petty Officer Steve Strohmaier said to Cruise Hive: “The high winds affecting the Seattle area did impact 1 cruise ship today. The pilot aboard the Royal Caribbean ‘Quantum of the Seas’ requested an anchorage spot in Elliott Bay to wait for tugs to assist them into their berth at Pier 91. A small craft advisory exists for the entire Puget Sound area.“

“Two tugs from the Foss corporation were able to assist the cruise ship around noon on Monday to get to Pier 91,” Strohmaier added.

A spokesperson for Royal Caribbean told local news, “Due to high winds, Quantum of the Seas is delayed in returning to port. We’re closely monitoring the weather and are communicating updates directly to our guests.”

The ship, which holds over 4,900 passengers and measures more than 1,100 feet long, is homeported in Seattle for the summer, taking passengers on week-long trips to Alaska. Quantum of the Seas was returning from a voyage that departed Seattle on May 27 and journeyed to Ketchikan, Sitka, Tracy Arm/Endicott Arm, and Juneau, Alaska, along with Victoria, British Columbia.

Worth Reading: Royal Caribbean Ship Alters Ports as Poor Weather Hits South Pacific

On the same day, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a wind advisory for western Washington, including Elliott Bay, forecasting gusts up to 40 miles per hour until 11 a.m. June 4.

Norwegian expedition cruise line Hurtigruten Expeditions’ 1,018-passenger ms Roald Amundsen, which is only 460 feet long, was also stranded in the sound, requiring additional tugs. The ship is also currently spending the summer exploring Alaska.

Quantum of the Seas arrived in Elliott Bay shortly after 5 a.m., according to cruise tracking data, and did not dock until after 1 p.m. Pacific Time (PT). The delay had significant implications for passengers with early morning or afternoon flights as they missed their connections. Those with flights later in the day were still at risk as disembarkation on mega ships as large as Quantum of the Seas can take up to four hours to complete.

Quantum of the Seas was also scheduled to embark on another Alaskan voyage at 4 p.m. (PT).

Passengers waiting to board that 7-night roundtrip adventure, which also included trips to Sitka, Skagway, Tracy Arm, Juneau, and Victoria, were expected to experience delays in embarkation and departure due to the late arrival.

Cruise Ships In Seattle
Cruise Ships in Seattle

Following disembarkation, the ship’s crew needs time to clean and prepare the ship between the sailings, further delaying the process. High winds are expected to continue until the following day, which could potentially require additional tugboat assistance leaving the cruise terminal.

At press time, Royal Caribbean had not released a statement regarding further delays or possible compensation offered to either itinerary’s passengers who were inconvenienced.

    Royal Caribbean is likely to face the challenge of coordinating with passengers to adjust their travel schedules. However, weather-related delays do not warrant compensation from cruise lines. Cruise lines also warn passengers not to book early morning flights to allow time for potential arrival delays. Any additional fees incurred for missing a flight will likely be at the expense of the passenger.

    The predicament highlights the advantages of having travel insurance, which typically covers unforeseen events such as trip delays, cancellations, and interruptions. In the case of Quantum of the Seas, passengers with travel insurance may be able to claim expenses for rebooking flights, accommodations, and meals.

    Bar Harbor Businesses Seek Injunction Against Partial Cruise Ban

    Lissa Poirot
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    Bar Harbor Businesses Seek Injunction Against Partial Cruise Ban

    Local businesses have once again petitioned the Maine District Court to prevent the town of Bar Harbor, Maine, from enforcing a new regulation that limits cruise ship passengers allowed to disembark to 1,000 per day.

    The petition follows a decision by the United States First Circuit Court to allow the ban to remain in effect during ongoing litigation.

    The injunction request, filed on May 30, aims to stop Bar Harbor from using the ordinance to deny cruise ship reservations while the nearly two-year legal dispute continues to unfold.

    Cruise Ship at Bar Harbor
    Photo Credit: Eric Jeremiah photos / Shutterstock

    The ordinance follows a November 2022 vote, where 58% of Bar Harbor residents approved the new law in an effort to prevent overcrowding and to promote sustainability in the area, which is home to Acadia National Park.

    A month after the vote, local businesses challenged the ordinance, claiming it violated the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution by interfering with interstate commerce. The case went to trial in July 2023 and on March 1, 2024, Judge Lance E. Walker, ruled in favor of Bar Harbor, upholding the passenger limit.

    The Association to Preserve and Protect Local Livelihoods (APPLL), representing the local business owners, appealed the decision to the First Circuit Court in late March. They also sought an injunction to stop Bar Harbor from enforcing the limit while the appeal is pending. 

    However, on May 24, the court denied the motion “without prejudice,” allowing the plaintiffs to seek a similar injunction in District Court, which they did on May 30.

    Read Also: Bar Harbor Gets Approval to Radically Limit Cruise Ship Passengers

    As the cruise season to the destination launched with the May 2 arrival of the 2,394-passenger Norwegian Gem, the first of many visits by a Norwegian Cruise Line vessel, APPLL is requesting an expedited process, with a 12-day window for briefs before a judge issues a ruling in hopes of preventing the city from enforcing the ordinance as other cruise lines are scheduled to call through October.

    The Town Council voted to hold a public hearing on the ordinance on June 18, directing the Town Manager to gather input. The outcome of the hearing will determine if the town moves ahead with the daily passenger cap.

    Implications for the 2024 Cruise Season

    As the race between Bar Harbor and local businesses intensifies, cruise lines are left waiting in the wings. 

    If the Town Council begins enforcing the ban, cruise ships like Holland America’s ms Volendam, scheduled to arrive five times in June alone with 1,432 passengers and 647 crew members, will have to limit the number of disembarkments, potentially disappointing many cruisegoers and crew, and forcing cancelations of shore excursions.

    However, ahead of the 2024 cruise season, other cruise lines made the decision to skip Bar Harbor and avoid the confusion altogether. For instance, Royal Caribbean’s 2,514-passenger Vision of the Seas and 3,634-passenger Liberty of the Seas, along with Celebrity Cruises’ 2,850-passenger Celebrity Eclipse, are now calling on Portland, Maine.

    Bar Harbor Cruise
    Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks / Shutterstock

    Also adding to the legal woes is a challenge initiated by Charles Sidman, who led the 2022 citizens’ call for the partial ban. Sidman points out that the Town Council has allowed ships with more than 1,000 passengers to dock if booked before the November 2022 vote. He says the decision contradicts the town’s code, which required the limit to apply to all permit applications pending or filed after March 17, 2022. 

    Sidman filed a lawsuit with the Hancock County Superior Court to stop the town from honoring reservations by cruise ships that violate the passenger limit.

    The town dismissed his case on May 2, and he is now asking the Bar Harbor Board of Appeals to override the Council. The Board will be reviewing his request on June 11.

    Cunard Reveals Godparent of Queen Anne in Naming Ceremony

    Melissa Mayntz
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    Cunard Reveals Godparent of Queen Anne in Naming Ceremony

    The newest Queen in the Cunard Line fleet has been officially named, with a symbolic godparent no one was expecting. Rather than a single godmother or godfather – widely speculated to be a member of the British Royal Family – the iconic cruise line chose the whole historic City of Liverpool as Queen Anne‘s official godparent.

    Five women – all hailing from the amazing city with its rich maritime history – were selected, each representing the unique and diverse culture of the city.

    “These distinguished women, who embody the heart and future of Liverpool, just as Queen Anne does for Cunard, have been chosen for their significant contributions to culture at a local, national or international level,” Cunard Line stated.

    Queen Anne In Liverpool
    Queen Anne In Liverpool (Credit: Cunard Line)

    The iconic women are Spice Girl and author Melanie C (Sporty Spice), broadcaster and community leader Ngunan Adamu, local restaurant entrepreneur Natalie Haywood, Liverpool punk music and cultural legend Jayne Casey, and British Olympian track-and-field heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thomson. Each attended the ship’s official christening to add their own blessings and good fortune to the vessel.

    “All [these women] remarkable in their own right, they have inspired generations and collectively capture the essence of the city that has shaped global culture,” said Katie McAlister, President of Cunard.

    While the choice of the entire City of Liverpool and these five representative women was a shock for Cunard Line fans, the city itself has a long-standing maritime history, from trade routes to emigration to modern tourism. Liverpool is also notable for its iconic music scene and cultural arts, and is the fourth largest port in the UK.

    “Liverpool is the spiritual home of Cunard, and we are therefore delighted and feel it very fitting that the City of Liverpool is the godparent to Queen Anne,” said McAlister. “It’s testament to the enduring relationship that connects Cunard and the city in which it was founded to the present day when we officially named our new ship on the Liverpool Waterfront, in front of the Cunard Building.”

    “It’s an incredible honour for the City of Liverpool to be chosen as the Godparent of Queen Anne,” said Andrew Lewis, Chief Executive of the Liverpool City Council. “This city shares a treasured bond with Cunard dating back to 1839 when we were the original home of the world-famous line.”

    While Cunard Line is now headquartered in Southampton, the cruise line still shares interests with Liverpool with occasional visits by the different Queens. Queen Mary 2, for example, will spend a day in the city in September. The 113,000-gross-ton, Pinnacle-class Queen Anne has several additional visits to Liverpool planned for 2025, on different itineraries.

    Mixed Reactions

    Reactions have been mixed to the announcement of Liverpool and its iconic women being named as the new ship’s official godparents. While this is a departure from tradition, it does show the cruise line’s adaptability and acknowledgment of a new era in diversity and community connection.

    Some less enthusiastic reactions had hoped for a British Royal to name the new ship, as has been tradition for the other three Cunard Queens currently in service.

    Cunard Queen Anne Arrives in South Queensferry
    Cunard Queen Anne Arrives in South Queensferry (Photo Courtesy: Cunard Line)

    The late Queen Elizabeth II christened Queen Mary 2 in 2004, and when Queen Victoria joined the fleet in 2007, she was christened by Camilla Rosemary, now Queen Camilla. Queen Elizabeth II also christened the next youngest of the cruise line’s ships, Queen Elizabeth, in 2010.

    Several royal candidates were heavily favored for the honors, including the Princess Royal, Anne Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise, or Catherine, Princess of Wales. It was also believed that Queen Camilla might reprise her ceremonial role for the new ship.

    The confused and disappointed reactions are similar to the reaction when Gwen Stephani was named godmother of Carnival Jubilee. Carnival Cruise Line had spent months hyping the new ship’s connection to Texas and her homeport of Galveston. Despite her accolades in the music industry, however, Stefani has no personal connection to the Lone Star State.

    Both Cunard Line and Carnival Cruise Line are owned by Carnival Corporation & plc.

    Newest Cunard Ship Arrives for Naming – But By Whom?

    Melissa Mayntz
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    Newest Cunard Ship Arrives for Naming – But By Whom?

    Queen Anne, the much anticipated new ship from Cunard Line and the first new Queen to join the fleet in 14 years, has arrived in Liverpool ahead of her official christening. But who will do the honors to name the new ship? The closely guarded secret will be revealed today.

    The new ship is currently in the midst of a 14-night British Isles sailing that departed Southampton on Friday, May 24. She has visited Edinburgh, Kirkwall, Belfast, and other ports, but the stop in Liverpool is the most sought-after of the voyage, as this is where Queen Anne will be officially blessed and named as part of the fleet.

    Spectators gathered to watch the ship sail into the historic port on this historic occasion, and the facilities are decked out for the celebration with a waterfront stage and special areas ready for guests, VIPs, media, and more.

    The naming ceremony is scheduled for 4 p.m. local time, and is sure to include a variety of remarks from local dignitaries as well as cruise line executives. Live music, solemn blessings, and entertainment are generally part of cruise ship naming ceremonies, as well as the traditional breaking of a champagne bottle on the ship’s hull. The full ceremony will take approximately one hour.

    Queen Anne‘s naming ceremony will include one-of-a-kind performances from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, and local DJ Lauren Lo Sung. As the ship sails away to continue her voyage at 8:30 p.m., fireworks will send her off in brilliant style.

    From Liverpool, the ship will head to Cobh as her last port of call on this sailing. The 113,000-gross-ton, Pinnacle-class ship is offering a diverse selection of European itineraries for the remainder of 2024, and she will begin her Maiden World Voyage on January 7, 2025.

    Who Will Do the Honors?

    Cunard Line has closely guarded the secret of who will christen the new ship. Most cruise lines announce each vessel’s ceremonial godmother or godfather well in advance of the ceremony.

    Celebrities, military veterans, and other notable personalities are often named as ship godmothers. Some of the select individuals have connections to the cruise line or other godparents.

    Each of the other three active Queen ships has had an illustrious grandmother worthy of the honor and the association with more than 180 years of ocean liner history.

    Queen Anne Ship Sea Trials
    Queen Anne Ship Sea Trials (Credit: Cunard Line)

    Queen Elizabeth II christened Queen Mary 2 in 2004, as well as Queen Elizabeth in 2010. When Queen Victoria entered service in 2007, she was christened by Camilla Rosemary, now Queen Camilla.

    More From Cruise Hive

    Speculation is high that the Princess Royal, Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise, second child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, may do the honors for the ship that bears her name. Another top contender for the honors is Catherine, Princess of Wales, or Queen Camilla may christen the new vessel.

    Cunard Line has given no hint of who will do the honors for the new ship, but now crowds are gathered, champagne is chilled, and the moment is near at hand to officially welcome the cruise line’s 249th ship in a time honored ceremony for a truly historic moment.

    New Margaritaville Cruise Ship Arrives in Florida

    Melissa Mayntz
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    New Margaritaville Cruise Ship Arrives in Florida

    The new Margaritaville at Sea Islander has arrived in the Sunshine State, but hasn’t quite reached her homeport. The ship, fresh from an extensive dry dock renovation, arrived in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday, June 2, where she will take on additional supplies before moving around the Florida peninsula to her new home, Port Tampa Bay.

    The ship left the Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast, Northern Ireland on Sunday, May 19, and has been making her way across the Atlantic. No guests are currently onboard, but each day has undoubtedly been filled with ongoing finishing work to ensure the tropically-themed ship is at her best when her first passengers arrive.

    “The Margaritaville at Sea Islander has officially arrived in Port Everglades, where she’ll be loading up with everything we’ll need to ensure relaxation and revelry on June 14. Next stop: Port Tampa Bay!” Margaritaville at Sea announced on social media on June 2.

    Margaritaville at Sea Islander
    Margaritaville at Sea Islander

    The 85,619-gross-ton, Spirit-class Margaritaville at Sea Islander will more than double the passenger capacity of the boutique cruise line, joining Margaritaville at Sea Paradise.

    Margaritaville at Sea Islander can welcome 2,114 guests at double occupancy or up to 2,680 travelers when fully booked, compared to Margaritaville at Sea Paradise‘s 1,308 guests (double occupancy) or 1,680 travelers at full capacity.

    The ship is also home to nearly 900 international team members, many of whom are likely to board the ship in Fort Lauderdale to help with final preparations and to familiarize themselves with the vessel’s layout and details.

    Undoubtedly, similar enthusiastic reactions will greet the ship when she arrives in Tampa in the coming days, ahead of her official debut. Up next will be her official naming ceremony, which has not yet been announced.

    The cruise line did reveal that Savannah Buffett, eldest daughter of the late singer, songwriter, and sailor Jimmy Buffet, will be the ship’s official godmother.

    “I’m beyond excited to be named Godmother of Margaritaville at Sea Islander and look forward to rendering the right concoction of love and luck so she may plow the seas amidst smooth, untroubled waters in search of that one particular harbor,” said Savannah of her symbolic role.

    Setting Sail on Margaritaville at Sea Islander

    When Margaritaville at Sea Islander sets sail with her first guests on Friday, June 14, the ship will also begin a new era for the cruise line as the first of their ships to offer departures from Port Tampa Bay.

    She will feature mostly 4- and 5-night Western Caribbean itineraries to Cozumel, Key West, and Progreso, depending on the exact departure date and cruise length.

    Margaritaville at Sea Islander Departs for Florida
    Margaritaville at Sea Islander Departs for Florida (Photo Credit: Margaritaville at Sea)

    In 2025, even longer 6- and 7-night sailings will begin to all three ports, as well as extra destinations such as Belize, Jamaica, and Grand Cayman.

    Regardless of the sailing, guests onboard will be able to enjoy the new ship’s tropical theming following her extensive refit and rebranding, which began in January and progressed to dry dock in mid-March.

    Worth Reading: Margaritaville at Sea Asks Passengers to Arrive an Hour Later for Upcoming Cruise

    From the new colorful hull artwork to themed Margaritaville touches throughout the public spaces and guest cabins, the refreshed ship has a unique vibe Parrotheads and cruise lovers of all types will be able to appreciate.

    Guests will be able to fuel up at the Port of Indecision Buffet, stay in shape at the Fins Up Fitness Center, relax at the 5 O’Clock Somewhere Pool, take a selfie at the Flip Flop Atrium, and much more.

    Sick Cruise Guests Cause Flight Cancellations, Plane Cleaning

    Melissa Mayntz
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    Sick Cruise Guests Cause Flight Cancellations, Plane Cleaning

    A United Airlines flight from Vancouver, Canada to Houston, Texas on Friday, May 31 had an unexpected illness outbreak onboard with 25-30 passengers having nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea during the flight.

    A quick investigation revealed that all the sick flyers had been part of a larger group cruise, indicating a potential norovirus outbreak onboard the ship.

    Because of the extensive illness onboard, the Boeing 737 MAX-8 aircraft was met by local emergency responders in Houston to evaluate several ill passengers. The aircraft was then removed from service for deep cleaning, which caused three different flight cancellations.

    “United Airlines is actively coordinating with health authorities to address the situation. As a precautionary measure, the aircraft will be removed from service and go through a deep cleaning before returning to service. Ensuring the health and safety of our passengers and crew remains our top priority,” a statement from United Airlines read.

    United Airlines Flight in Houston
    United Airlines Flight in Houston (Photo Credit: John McAdorey)

    None of the ill flight passengers required hospitalization. In total, there were 163 passengers and six United Airlines crew members on the impacted flight, while the Boeing 737 Max 8 has a capacity of 189-210, depending on its exact configuration. Of those onboard the aircraft, 75 had been on a cruise prior to their return flight to Texas.

    While the cruise line and ship the group had sailed with has not been confirmed, Royal Caribbean International’s Radiance of the Seas is the only vessel to have docked in Vancouver on Friday, May 31. The 90,090-gross-ton ship is offering alternating northbound and southbound Alaska cruises between Seward and Vancouver.

    It is possible, however, that the cruise passengers could have been from another recent ship, if the group had spent several days enjoying Vancouver after their cruise, and was only incidentally headed home on May 31.

    It is interesting to note, however, that Radiance of the Seas had reported another recent norovirus outbreak. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) investigated a confirmed norovirus outbreak on the ship’s 14-night repositioning cruise from Tampa to Los Angeles from April 8-22.

    On that cruise, as the ship began moving into position for the Alaska season, 67 passengers and 2 crew members reported diarrhea and vomiting. Testing confirmed norovirus and protective measures were taken, including isolating ill individuals and enhanced cleaning.

    Radiance of the Seas In Vancouver
    Radiance of the Seas In Vancouver (Photo Credit: Macklin Holloway / Shutterstock)

    No sailings of Radiance of the Seas were adjusted either for the earlier outbreak or the most recent sailing. The ship has already departed on her next voyage, a northbound sailing that is scheduled to visit Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Sitka, and Skagway, as well as enjoy scenic cruising near Hubbard Glacier, before arriving in Seward on June 7.

    To be clear, it is not confirmed that the travelers on the United Airlines flight were from Radiance of the Seas, only that they were recent cruise passengers.

    Norovirus on Cruise Ships

    Norovirus is one of the most common viruses responsible for gastrointestinal symptoms, including stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, fever, headache, lethargy, and body aches. The illness is commonly called a “stomach bug” or the “stomach flu” and is highly contagious, easily spread through contaminated surfaces, contaminated water, or poor hygiene.

    Someone who has contracted norovirus typically develops symptoms within 12-48 hours of exposure. Most individuals overcome the illness within 1-3 days, but could remain contagious for up to two weeks even after feeling recovered.

    It should be noted that in cruise ship CDC reports of norovirus infections, the numbers reported are for the total cruise, not how many guests may have been ill on the same day. For the earlier outbreak on Radiance of the Seas, for example, the 69 reported cases were over the entire two weeks of the cruise.

    Proper and frequent handwashing with warm water and soap, liberal use of hand sanitizer, and minimizing touching high contact surfaces – hand railings, elevator buttons, serving utensils, etc. – can help cruise travelers avoid contracting norovirus when they set sail.

    Special Carnival Cruise Cancels All Key Ports Due to Weather

    Melissa Mayntz
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    Special Carnival Cruise Cancels All Key Ports Due to Weather

    Guests aboard Carnival Pride on her special early summer Carnival Journeys cruise to Greenland will not be able to visit Greenland after all.

    The decision to scrap both ports of call in the sought-after destination has been made due to poor weather and local ice, including substantial bergs that make navigation more hazardous.

    Instead of visiting Nanortalik and Qaqortoq on June 1 and June 2, respectively, the ship will now spend both days at sea. June 1 is intended now as a day of scenic cruising through fjords near Ivittuut, an abandoned mining town 123 miles northwest of Nanortalik and 80 miles west-northwest of Qaqortoq.

    Carnival Pride Visiting Greenland
    Carnival Pride Visiting Greenland (Photo Credit: Gestur Gislason)

    While the scenic cruising will showcase Greenland’s natural beauty for those aboard Carnival Pride, there will be no opportunity to land or explore the destination.

    It is hoped, however, that there will still be a chance to see the northern lights, which have been particularly brilliant in recent weeks thanks to increased solar activity. Of course, the weather will still need to cooperate for that viewing.

    As compensation and acknowledgement of the disappointment guests are sure to feel, Carnival Cruise Line is providing $400 (USD) of onboard credit per stateroom. This is in addition to the refund of the fees and taxes for the now-cancelled ports of call.

    Any pre-paid shore tours for the Greenland ports will also be automatically cancelled and refunded.

    Guests’ disappointment is understandable, as only a few Greenland sailings are scheduled each year. This makes these sailings very highly sought after, and they often sell out quickly. Safety is always the top priority, however, and the extra ice, fog, and wind in the region – which of course can’t be predicted when itineraries are first planned – makes it unwise to continue the original schedule.

    Read Also: What You Should Know About Cruise Port Cancellations

    Of course, crew members will schedule additional activities and entertainment for the extra days at sea, ensuring that everyone has a memorable cruise vacation even though they aren’t able to visit the ports of call they’d hoped to see.

    Other Ports Also Adjusted

    It isn’t only the port visits to Greenland that have been cancelled for Carnival Pride‘s current sailing. Slight adjustments have also been made to the Canadian ports of call the ship will visit.

    Carnival Pride was supposed to visit St. Anthony on June 4, but that date has been moved up to June 3. The time in port has also been slightly tweaked from the original 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the ship will now visit from 7 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.

    The visit to Cornerbrook remains on June 5 as originally planned, but will now be from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. instead of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Likewise, the call to Sydney remains on June 6, and the time has also remained from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (3:30 all aboard time) as initially scheduled.

    Carnival Pride Docked in Baltimore
    Carnival Pride Docked in Baltimore (Photo Credit: Port of Baltimore)

    The last two days will remain days at sea as planned while Carnival Pride makes her way back to Baltimore, Maryland for debarkation on Sunday, June 9.

    The 88,500-gross-ton, Spirit-class Carnival Pride can welcome 2,124 passengers aboard, and is also home to 930 international crew members. The ship will make two more cruises to Greenland – hopefully with better success – during the fall foliage season later this year. The first departs on August 18, the second on September 8. Both are 14-night sailings, with the same itinerary as the current sailing.

    It should be noted that in September 2023, Carnival Legend was also forced to cancel all ports of call in Greenland during her sailing due to poor weather from hurricane remnants.

    Any experienced cruise guest knows that ports of call are never guaranteed. It is always best to remain flexible with one’s travel expectations, especially when visiting more remote destinations.

    P&O Cruises Introduces New Fee That May Be Controversial

    Melissa Mayntz
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    P&O Cruises Introduces New Fee That May Be Controversial

    P&O Cruises is introducing a new cancellation fee for its young cruisers program, a move that may be controversial for parents depending on their family’s plan for the youth facilities and how their child may react on different days of a cruise vacation.

    The fee is meant to ensure adequate space in the facility for everyone to enjoy, reducing last-minute cancellations or no-show guests.

    Guests onboard Azura have received letters regarding the new charges, while app booking screens show the same information. It is unknown at this time whether the the fees are only being tested in a limited manner onboard one ship, or if they will be rolled out fleet-wide in the coming days or weeks.

    P&O Azura Cruise Ship
    Photo Credit: StudioPortoSabbia / Shutterstock.com

    “We are writing to inform you of our upcoming changes to The Reef,” the letter explained. “From 30th May 2024, there will now be cancellation charges.”

    While The Reef – a youth space for children up to 12 years of age, with age-based groups and activities – is free for guests to use, pre-registration is required. The facility often fills to capacity, and it can be frustrating for travelers when others fill up registrations but then fail to take advantage of their reserved session times.

    “A cancellation charge of £5 [$6.36 USD] will be applied to your on board account for a session cancelled less than 24 hours before the session start time and a charge of £10 [$12.73 USD] for a session which is not attended,” the letter read.

    It should be noted that these fees only apply for The Reef for children ages 12 and younger. The teen club, H2O, does not require advance booking and there is no mention of fees whether or not teens (ages 13-17) use that space.

    Reactions to the fees are mixed. Some parents appreciate the fee, as it may ensure travelers aren’t making reservations they may not strongly intend to keep. Those types of “just-in-case” reservations could fill up space that would otherwise be available to more children.

    Other parents, however, prefer a more flexible option and note that some children may change their minds about play sessions or be shy or uncomfortable on different days. This could result either in unwanted fees or else pressuring a young cruiser to take part in activities they aren’t interested in, leading to fussy behavior or temper tantrums.

    Some travelers have also expressed concern at the 24-hour-notice requirement, as that may not always be possible depending on when a reservation is made. For example, if a reservation is made on embarkation day for the next morning, it would never be possible to cancel more than 24 hours in advance.

    Scubas, as part of The Reef on P&O Cruises
    Scubas, as part of The Reef on P&O Cruises

    Similarly, it is possible a child may start feeling ill before a play reservation, and there is concern that parents might put their child into The Reef anyway in order to avoid fees. This could potentially spread illness to other children using the space.

    Undoubtedly P&O Cruises will use guest feedback and responses to further refine the program, as is common when new processes are introduced.

    Similar to Other Fees

    This new fee is similar to cancellation and no-show fees some cruise lines charge for specialty restaurant reservations. These are used in an effort to prevent travelers from booking multiple restaurants either before sailing or on embarkation day, then simply cancelling or not showing up when they make plans in port or choose other dining options on different days.

    Read Also: P&O Cruises Clarifies New Drink Policy Restrictions

    Many shore excursions also have similar cancellation windows, and if guests do not cancel far enough in advance, they may be charged a fee. If passengers do not show up for a tour they have already booked and paid for, they are not given any refund and must still pay the full fee.

    Restaurants, activity spaces, and tours cannot overbook reservations and risk forcing someone out of their dedicated time slot. Therefore, it makes sense to impose penalties as an incentive for guests to honor their reservations or else give others sufficient opportunity to take advantage of a cancellation.

    Carnival Cruise Line Announces Dates for Halloween Sailings

    Melissa Mayntz
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    Carnival Cruise Line Announces Dates for Halloween Sailings

    Halloween is one of the most popular holidays in the world, and Carnival Cruise Line offers a lot of not-so-scary fun onboard its fleet during spooky sailings.

    The cruise line has announced the exact sailing dates for Halloween-themed cruises in 2024, giving guests the opportunity to prep their scary best for a fun and festive getaway.

    All ships in the Carnival fleet will offer Halloween sailings throughout October, but the exact date for the first themed voyage depends on each individual ship’s schedule. Similarly, the exact number of Halloween cruises will depend on whether a ship is offering shorter or longer voyages.

    Carnival Cruise Ship at Night
    Carnival Cruise Ship at Night (Photo Credit: NAN728 / Shutterstock)

    “Cruising at Halloween is a brilliant experience. And this year we will again be celebrating the whole month of October,” confirmed John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador.

    The first ship to welcome guests with spooky decorations and fun will be Carnival Spirit on her September 24 departure, which is a 15-night Carnival Journeys sailing roundtrip from Seattle and visiting Hawaii.

    Likewise, the last ship to offer frightful fun will be Carnival Panorama, which will showcase her Halloween decorations for a single sailing leaving Singapore following a month-long dry dock. The ship’s only Halloween cruise is her 24-night one-way sailing from Singapore to Long Beach, California.

    The complete list of departure dates for Halloween sailings across the Fun Ship fleet is as follows:

    Read Also: All Carnival Cruise Ships By Age – Newest to Oldest

    • Carnival Breeze – September 28; October 3, 7, 12, 17, 21, 26, 31
    • Carnival Celebration – September 29; October 6, 13, 20, 27
    • Carnival Conquest – September 30; October 4, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28
    • Carnival Dream – September 29; October 5, 13, 19
    • Carnival Elation – September 30; October 5, 10, 14, 19, 24, 28
    • Carnival Firenze – September 28; October 5, 12, 19, 26
    • Carnival Freedom – September 28; October 3, 7, 12, 17, 21, 26, 31
    • Carnival Glory – September 30; October 4, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28
    • Carnival Horizon – September 28; October 6, 12, 20, 26
    • Carnival Jubilee – September 28; October 5, 12, 19, 26
    • Carnival Legend – September 26; October 6, 16, 26
    • Carnival Liberty – September 29; October 6, 13, 20, 27
    • Carnival Luminosa – October 1, 12, 16, 23, 30
    • Carnival Magic – September 29; October 5, 13, 19, 27
    • Mardi Gras – September 28; October 5, 12, 19, 26
    • Carnival Miracle – October 1, 16, 25
    • Carnival Panorama – October 12
    • Carnival Paradise – September 30; October 6, 10, 14, 19, 24, 28
    • Carnival Pride – September 29; October 6, 13, 20, 27
    • Carnival Radiance – September 30; October 4, 7, 13, 27, 31
    • Carnival Spirit – September 24; October 9, 26
    • Carnival Splendor – September 27; October 6, 10, 13, 21, 31
    • Carnival Sunrise – September 30; October 5, 10, 14, 19, 24, 28
    • Carnival Sunshine – September 28; October 3, 7, 12, 17, 21, 26, 31
    • Carnival Valor – September 30; October 5, 10, 14, 19, 24, 28
    • Carnival Venezia – September 27; October 4, 14, 25
    • Carnival Vista – September 29; October 5, 13, 19, 27

    In total, Carnival Cruise Line is offering 151 Halloween sailings, with every ship in the fleet participating in the festive fun no matter where in the world it is setting sail. Carnival Conquest and Carnival Glory are offering the most sailings, with 9 Halloween cruises each.

    Carnival Conquest is homeported from Miami, while Carnival Glory is homeported from Port Canaveral. Both ships offer 3- and 4-night Bahamas cruises to visit destinations such as Bimini, Nassau, Princess Cays, and Half Moon Cay, depending on the ship and departure date.

    Of special note is newly updated Carnival Legend, which will finish the spooky season during her 15-night transatlantic cruise from Rome to Tampa. That sailing departs Rome on October 26 and will visit Spain, Portugal, the Azores, and Nassau before arriving in Florida on November 10. It is likely that the seasonal decorations will be removed in early November while the ship is en route.

    Carnival Cruise Ship Deck During Sunset
    Carnival Cruise Ship Deck During Sunset (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)

    Carnival Luminosa will not display her Halloween decorations until October 1, partway through the ship’s transpacific sailing from Seattle to Sydney. On October 1, the ship is scheduled to visit Moorea Island in French Polynesia. She will arrive in Sydney on October 12.

    Finally, Carnival Miracle‘s first Halloween Cruise will depart October 1, which is a 15-night one-way repositioning cruise as the ship moves from San Francisco to Galveston.

    What to Expect on Carnival Halloween Cruises

    Each of the cruise line’s Halloween sailings will be filled with extra activities and fun themed to the season, including special trivia contests, seasonal music, spooky craft projects, unique menu items, and more.

    “Halloween is always an exciting time aboard Carnival and we take it to the next level with Frightfully Fun activities that guests of all ages can enjoy,” Carnival Cruise Line’s website describes the season.

    One of the most highly anticipated events of these seasonal sailings are costume parties, with guests invited to join in and show of their spooky spirit.

    “The ships will be decorated and there will be a some frightfully fun events including a special costume party,” said Heald. “I hope many of you will take part and bring your costume. For something really scary buy a pair of suspenders, stick a pillow down your shirt, smack yourself in the face with a frying pan and go as John Heald, Brand Ambassador.”

    Have you ever set sail on a Halloween cruise? Share your experiences, tips, and tricks-or-treats on the Cruise Hive boards!

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