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Norwegian Spirit Cuts Ports in Hawaii as Tropical Storm Closes In

Melissa Mayntz
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Norwegian Spirit Cuts Ports in Hawaii as Tropical Storm Closes In

Key Aspects:

  • Norwegian Spirit is not visiting Hilo or Kona as planned on her current sailing, but instead has arrived at Honolulu early.
  • The itinerary change and early arrival to the debarkation port is due to Tropical Storm Lala moving toward Hawaii.
  • Guests have been permitted to debark early if they wish, but the ship will leave Honolulu to wait out the storm.

Guests aboard Norwegian Spirit are having a rougher sailing than they might have wished for their 16-night, one-way trip from Vancouver to Honolulu. The ship departed Canada on Friday, July 31, 2026 with visits to various destinations in Alaska before turning out into the Pacific Ocean to head for Hawaii, expecting to debark in Honolulu on Sunday, August 16.

While the 2,018-guest ship has reached Hawaii as planned and enjoyed visits to Kahului (August 11) and Nawiliwili (August 12) already, her last two calls have now been cancelled. She was to have visited Hilo on Friday, August 14 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., followed by Kona on Saturday, August 15 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The west-northwest track and growing intensity of Tropical Storm Lala, however, have made it prudent for the ship to avoid calling on those ports, both of which are on the Big Island, and instead go to Honolulu earlier than planned. As a matter of fact, a hurricane watch is already in effect for the entire county of Hawaii, which is all of the Big Island.

Guests onboard the ship have shared updates on Facebook noting the changes, including screenshots from the cruise line’s app confirming the change. The ship arrived in Honolulu on Thursday, August 13 at roughly 12:45 p.m.

Announcements have also been made over the ship’s public address system to keep everyone informed of the itinerary change and what they can expect.

If guests wish to debark the ship early, they have been permitted to do so, but Norwegian Spirit will leave Honolulu at roughly 11 p.m. Thursday night to remain at sea until Sunday as planned. This will ensure the ship can be safely in deep water and not at risk from any debris or waves while docked.

Norwegian Spirit Cruise Ship
Norwegian Spirit Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: ODIN Daniel)

According to guests onboard, onboard credit is being provided to those guests who remain on the ship as compensation for the missed ports.

As with any hurricane-related itinerary changes, the situation is fluid and further adjustments or announcements may yet be necessary as plans are refined and updated.

Are Hawaii’s Ports Closed?

While Norwegian Spirit is taking appropriate precautions to stay safely out of the way of the storm, the state of Hawaii is preparing for the impact of Tropical Storm Lala.

The US Coast Guard has all but two Hawaiian ports at Condition X-Ray, with gale-force winds expected within 48 hours. The remaining two ports, Port Allen and Nawiliwili Harbor on Kauai, are both Condition Whiskey, with gale-force winds expected within 72 hours.

Full closures of the ports are likely as Tropical Storm Lala moves closer to Hawaii and is expected to strengthen.

Tropical Storm Lala
Tropical Storm Lala

According to the most recent update from the National Hurricane Center, Lala is expected to become an official hurricane as she approaches the Big Island of Hawaii. At the moment, she is 620 miles east-southeast of Hilo (830 miles east-southeast of Honolulu), moving west-northwest at 10 miles per hour.

“On the forecast track, Lala is forecast to be near or just south of the Big Island on Saturday, and pass south of the remainder of the islands later in the weekend,” the public discussion reads.

Read Also: Cruising During Hurricane Season – What You Must Know!

Maximum sustained winds have been recorded at 50 mph, still well below the 74-mph threshold for a Category 1 hurricane. Higher gusts have already been noted, while tropical-storm-force winds are extending out up to 205 miles from the center of the storm.

Storm surge and heavy rains are also expected with the storm and can impact port conditions. After the storm passes, ports will need to be inspected to be cleared for reopening.

Carnival Cruise Line Has a New Plan for Guests’ Forgotten Shoes

Calvin Musquez
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Carnival Cruise Line Has a New Plan for Guests’ Forgotten Shoes

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Cruise Line is launching a new initiative to recycle shoes left behind on cruises.
  • Shoes left behind or donated will be reused or recycled through a partnership with Miami-based company Sneaker Impact.
  • Carnival estimates the new program could give a second life to roughly 50,000 pairs of shoes.

Carnival Cruise Line is making another push towards its sustainability goals with a new recycling initiative. In an effort to reduce waste left behind by guests, the cruise line is partnering with the Miami-based company Sneaker Impact.

Sneaker Impact focuses on keeping unwanted footwear out of landfills through reuse and recycling. This mission will now expand across Carnival’s U.S. fleet in Sneaker Impact’s first-ever partnership with a cruise line.

Carnival will collect unclaimed shoes left behind by guests, as well as any donated by guests or crew, and send them to Sneaker Impact’s Miami facility. Once in the hands of the company, the shoes will be evaluated to determine their best and most sustainable path.

For shoes that are no longer fit for wear, Sneaker Impact breaks them down into their raw materials. That material is then reused in the manufacturing of other products, such as athletic surfaces, yoga mats, and even new shoes.

Not all shoes are recycled in this way, however. Shoes in good condition are sold by the company at a discounted rate to small businesses in developing regions. This generates income while providing affordable shoes in areas where access may be limited.

“We’re always looking for new ways to reduce waste and strengthen our sustainability efforts,” said Benton Lobo, Carnival’s VP of compliance and environmental operations.

“In July, with just five of our ships offloading shoes, we kept more than 500 pairs out of landfills in a single month.”

Carnival Cruise Line Shoe Recycling
Carnival Cruise Line Shoe Recycling

Carnival has high hopes for this initiative once scaled across its entire fleet.  The cruise line estimates the initiative has the potential to give a second life to around 50,000 pairs of shoes.

Cruise Guests Leave A Lot Behind

In the midst of the fun and excitement of a cruise, guests tend to leave a lot of items behind. The scale of Carnival’s lost-and-found operation highlights the need for such a partnership.

Cruise Hive covered an October 2025 post by Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald that offered a behind-the-scenes look at the scale of the problem. The video shared by Heald shows the crew of the 2,980-guest Carnival Conquest processing boxes full of items left behind on a single cruise.

Carnival's Lost-and-Found Department
Carnival’s Lost-and-Found Department

In a previous post from October 2024, Heald showed the full scale of the cruise line’s lost-and-found operation in a four-minute video. In both videos, shoes were among commonly abandoned items shown.

Heald estimates that the cruise line processes around 1,000 lost or forgotten items every week. While Carnival makes every effort to return these lost belongings, many go unclaimed. The new partnership gives the cruise line an alternative to disposing of some of those items.

Carnival Continues Sustainability Push

The partnership with Sneaker Impact is the latest move by Carnival towards a sustainable future. Carnival Cruise Line’s parent company, Carnival Corporation & plc, aims to achieve carbon-neutral operations by 2050.

The cruise line has recently made other pushes to reduce its carbon footprint. In 2021, the 180,800 gross-ton Mardi Gras became the first Carnival Cruise Line ship to utilize LNG power. 12 ships in Carnival Corporation’s fleet are currently LNG-equipped, with plans to expand to seven additional ships by 2033.

As Cruise Hive recently reported, the cruise line has also begun testing Jotun’s HullSkater aboard Carnival Pride. The hull-cleaning robot aims to improve fuel efficiency by preventing marine growth from accumulating on the ship’s hull.

Compared to other considerations such as fuel consumption, forgotten shoes are a relatively small piece of Carnival’s environmental footprint. However, the partnership with Sneaker Impact shows how Carnival’s sustainability efforts are extending to smaller sources of waste across its operations.

Ovation of the Seas Cruises Cancelled as Royal Caribbean Shifts Ship to Australia

Melissa Mayntz
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Ovation of the Seas Cruises Cancelled as Royal Caribbean Shifts Ship to Australia

Key Aspects:

  • Royal Caribbean is cancelling multiple Ovation of the Seas cruises due to the ship’s redeployment to Australia in 2027-2028.
  • Guests are being offered rebooking options and change fee waivers, but without price protection and for different sailing dates.
  • Not all guests are pleased with the changes because of the impact to holiday sailings.

Following in the wake of Royal Caribbean’s announcement of the expansion of sailing options in Asia, guests booked on impacted sailings aboard Ovation of the Seas have begun receiving cancellation notifications for their upcoming Mexican Riviera cruises.

“As we continue planning our Winter 2027-2028 sailings, some itinerary adjustments have been necessary due to scheduling, port agreements, and other operational considerations,” the notification explained.

For example, the ship’s November 22, 2027 cruise is now cancelled. That sailing was to have been a 4-night cruise from Los Angeles to Ensenada, with two full days at sea.

While the email notice does not outline where the 4,234-guest Ovation of the Seas will be going, Cruise Hive has already reported that the Quantum-class ship will be homeported from Brisbane beginning in November 2027. From Australia, she will be offering 3- to 8-night itineraries to Australian and South Pacific destinations.

Naturally, this makes it challenging for Ovation of the Seas to offer Mexican cruises during the same month, so multiple cruise cancellations are likely as the redeployment plans are rolled out.

Guests have noted similar cancellations for other Ovation of the Seas sailings as well as Navigator of the Seas cruises from May through October 2027. Navigator of the Seas will be remaining homeported from Singapore at that time.

Alternative Cruises and Compensation Options

Guests have been offered three options for the cancellation of this Ovation of the Seas cruise. The first option is to move to the new 4-night Navigator of the Seas sailing departing on November 29, 2027, one week after their originally booked cruise was to have set sail. The new cruise will be visiting both Catalina Island and Ensenada.

Any non-refundable deposit change fees will be waived and guests will be moved to a like-for-like stateroom assignment at the prevailing rate for the new cruise. Guests will be responsible for paying any increase in fare, taxes, fees, and other expenses. If the original cruise was already paid in full and the new sailing is less expensive, Royal Caribbean will refund the difference.

Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas (Photo Credit: Felipe Sanchez)

The email notice confirms that this first option will be the default choice if guests do not reach out to their travel agent or Royal Caribbean by August 28, 2026. If guests are happy to transfer to Navigator of the Seas, they do not need to take any action.

The second option is for guests to rebook on any other sailing in the Royal Caribbean fleet, also with non-refundable deposit change fees waived. As with the automatic move to Navigator of the Seas, guests will still be responsible to pay any price difference.

If guests do not want to rebook a new Royal Caribbean cruise they can opt for a full cancellation and refund. That refund will also include any non-refundable deposits, and the refund may take up to 14 business days to process.

Guests Upset About Two Key Points

Every cruise guest understands that itinerary shifts and cancellations can happen. While such circumstances are disappointing, cruise lines typically offer generous compensation to impacted guests in recognition of their disappointment and frustration.

Guests for this Ovation of the Seas cancellation, however, as well as the cancellation of Navigator of the Seas‘ transpacific cruise in May 2027, have noticed some key omissions in the compensation.

While Royal Caribbean is waiving change fees, guests are still responsible for the new prevailing rate of rebooking on a different cruise. Many times, such scheduling changes would be price protected for guests, at least on select, comparable sailings.

Furthermore, the original Ovation of the Seas cruise was over the Thanksgiving holiday (November 25, 2027) but the automatic replacement alternative cruise is the week after the holiday.

“Oh wow. That stinks. Not giving any FCC or OBC as compensation stinks. Defaulting to rebooking you at possibly a higher rate really stinks. Doing this around Thanksgiving and all the complications that implies really really stinks,” one commenter on Reddit noted descriptively.

More From Cruise Hive

Other guests on Reddit have noted a similar swap for the 2027 New Year’s Eve cruise on Ovation of the Seas. That sailing was to have departed Los Angeles on December 31, 2027, but the rebooking option is now aboard Navigator of the Seas departing on December 17, 2027.

Cruise ship schedules are released years before sailing and guests often book well in advance to secure the best pricing and cabin selection. While these changes are more than a year away, it can still be frustrating for travelers to now need to adjust their travel plans for their upcoming cruise vacations.

Why Royal Caribbean Just Cancelled Navigator of the Seas’ Voyage to America

Melissa Mayntz
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Why Royal Caribbean Just Cancelled Navigator of the Seas’ Voyage to America

Key Aspects:

  • Royal Caribbean has cancelled Navigator of the Seas‘ May 2027 transpacific cruise from Japan to California.
  • The change is due to the ship’s first season homeported from Singapore, beginning in October 2026, being extended.
  • Booked guests are being offered three different rebooking and cancellation options for their changed plans.

Royal Caribbean guests booked on Navigator of the Seas‘ planned 2027 transpacific cruise from Tokyo, Japan to Los Angeles, California are now receiving notifications that their cruise has been cancelled. The 18-night sailing was to have departed from Japan on May 12, 2027 with visits to Shimizu, Nagoya, and Kobe-Osaka before arriving in California on May 29.

“As we continue planning our Summer 2027 sailings, some itinerary adjustments have been necessary due to scheduling, port agreements, and other operational considerations,” the email notification explained. “As a result, Navigator of the Seas will be redeployed, and your May 12, 2027 sailing will no longer be available.”

The cruise line is providing several options for booked guests to choose from, now that they cannot take the voyage they originally selected.

First, guests can re-book on an alternative sailing aboard either Voyager of the Seas or Serenade of the Seas. Voyager of the Seas is a sister ship to Navigator of the Seas with only minor differences between the vessels, while Serenade of the Seas is significantly smaller at a capacity of just 2,143 guests compared to Navigator of the Seas‘ 3,368 guests.

Guests can choose any sailing on either of those ships for rebooking without any deposit change fees, and they will be moved to a like-for-like stateroom at the prevailing rate. Guests will be responsible to pay any difference in cruise fare, taxes, fees, and gratuities for the new sailing.

If the new sailing is less expensive than the fare for the now-cancelled Navigator of the Seas cruise, guests will receive a refund for the difference (if the Navigator fare was already paid in full).

Furthermore, Royal Caribbean is offering guests onboard credit to rebook on either ship, ranging from $25-100 USD depending on the new sailing length and stateroom type.

Guests can also apply for reimbursement for any non-refundable transportation change fees for flights, rental cars, or train tickets as applicable, up to $200 for domestic changes or $400 for international changes.

If guests prefer to rebook on any other ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet other than Voyager of the Seas or Serenade of the Seas, deposit change fees will be waived, guests will be responsible for differences in fare pricing, and transportation change fees can be similarly reimbursed, but there will be no onboard credit.

Navigator of the Seas
Navigator of the Seas (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks)

Finally, if guests prefer to cancel altogether without rebooking, they will receive a full refund that includes any otherwise non-refundable deposits. That refund will be processed back to the original form of payment.

Guests should reach out to Royal Caribbean or their travel agent associated with the cruise no later than Friday, August 28, 2026 or else their booking will automatically default to the third option for full cancellation and refund.

What Is Happening With Navigator of the Seas?

The cancellation notices began appearing in booked guests’ email inboxes the same day Royal Caribbean announced an expansion of their Asian and Pacific cruise offerings for the 2027-2028 season.

As Cruise Hive has reported, Navigator of the Seas will now remain homeported in Singapore through October 2027 offering 2- to 5-night itineraries to destinations in Malaysia and Thailand.

This extends the ship’s inaugural season in Asia. Right now, Navigator of the Seas is homeported from Los Angeles with 7-night sailings along the Mexican Riviera.

On October 2, 2026, she departs on a one-way, 17-night transpacific cruise to Tokyo, with visits to Hakodate, Muroran, and Shimizu before arriving on October 18.

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The next sailing is a 12-night one-way voyage to Singapore, with port stops in Japan, South Korea, China, and Vietnam before she sails into Singapore Bay on October 29, 2026 to begin her now-extended Asian season.

While homeported in Singapore, Navigator of the Seas will be offering sailings from 2-13 nights. Shorter sailings visit ports in Malaysia and Thailand, while longer voyages also include stops in Vietnam, China, and even Japan on select voyages with one-way itineraries.

Royal Caribbean Doubles Down on Asia and Australia With Four Ships

Melissa Mayntz
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Royal Caribbean Doubles Down on Asia and Australia With Four Ships

Key Aspects:

  • Royal Caribbean is expanding its Asia-Pacific season for 2027-2028 with a total of four ships.
  • Anthem, Ovation, Voyager, and Navigator of the Seas will all offer cruises from various Australian and Asian homeports.
  • Sailings range from 2-13 nights depending on ship and sailing date, giving guests plenty of options to choose from.

The Asian and Australian cruise markets are sailing full speed ahead and Royal Caribbean is taking advantage of that interest by expanding its 2027-2028 Asia-Pacific season with three ships: Ovation of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas, and Navigator of the Seas, in addition to the previously planned season for Anthem of the Seas.

First, Ovation of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas will be offering more sailings from Brisbane and Sydney. Beginning in November 2027, the 4,180-guest Ovation of the Seas will be sailing 3- to 8-night itineraries that will not only visit top destinations in Australia and the South Pacific, but will do so with all the vessel’s newly amplified upgrades from her April 2026 dry dock.

Those updates include renovations to the pool deck and the addition of the Splashaway Bay children’s area, new dining with Izumi Teppanyaki and Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, the new Pesky Parrot tropically-themed cocktail bar, and expanded casino space.

Voyager of the Seas will also be offering sailings from Brisbane from October 2027 through December 2027, before she repositions to Sydney for even more itinerary options, including special holiday sailings to New Zealand.

Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas Cruise Ship
Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: StudioPortoSabbia)

The 4,180-guest Anthem of the Seas has already been planned to sail from Sydney, offering cruises ranging from 4-13 nights with port visits to destinations in Vanuatu, New Zealand, New Caledonia, and more, including the new private destination on Lelepa Island.

Cruise Hive has previously reported on that new Royal Beach Club Vanuatu location, scheduled to open in October 2027 with emphasis on pristine beach days and connections to nature.

More Sailings in Asia

In January 2028, Voyager of the Seas will reposition to Asia to offer 4- and 5- night departures from Singapore and Hong Kong. Select sailings include overnight stays to give guests the opportunity to really immerse themselves in local nightlife and natural beauty.

Just in time for cherry blossom season, the 3,114-guest ship will then head to Tokyo for a series of four 10- to 12-night sailings that include Osaka, Nagasaki, Kobe, and Shimizu as port destinations.

Navigator of the Seas will also be remaining at her Singapore homeport longer than previously planned following her inaugural season from the city.

Instead of returning to southern California in May 2027, the ship will remain in Singapore through October 2027 with 2- to 5-night sailings to ports in Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand.

One special voyage is the 12-night itinerary from Tokyo to Singapore that departs Japan on October 18, 2026 to bring the 3,376-guest ship to her new homeport, stopping at ports in Japan, South Korea, China, and Vietnam along the way.

Return to Asia Not Unexpected

It is not surprising that Royal Caribbean is amping up offerings in Australia and Asia. Following the pandemic and industry-wide cruise shutdown in 2020 and 2021, cruises were dramatically curtailed in both regions due to strict reopening requirements.

More From Cruise Hive

In recent years, those requirements have eased and tourism in the region has been renewed. This includes cruising, and many guests are eager to set sail in regions that had previously been much more limited.

Royal Caribbean is especially investing in the sailing region with these new deployments and the development of Royal Beach Club Vanuatu, Royal Caribbean’s first-ever private destination in the South Pacific.

Solar Eclipse Delivers for Carnival Legend Guests on Historic Sailing

Catie Kovelman
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Solar Eclipse Delivers for Carnival Legend Guests on Historic Sailing

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Cruise Line’s first-ever solar eclipse cruise offered guests aboard Carnival Legend prime views of the rare celestial event on August 12, 2026.
  • Guests and crew members celebrated the historic milestone with themed entertainment and special beverages.
  • The cruise line will offer three more eclipse sailings in 2027 onboard Carnival Firenze, Carnival Sunshine, and Carnival Miracle.

Carnival Legend’s current sailing is nothing short of legendary, as the up to 2,134 passengers have helped the cruise line make history.

For the first time ever, Carnival Cruise Line is operating a solar eclipse sailing, which departed Dover, England, on August 9, 2026, and is scheduled to call on destinations throughout France, Portugal, Spain, and Belgium.

Guests got to witness the special celestial event on August 12, 2026. Cruise tracking data shows that the 88,500-gross ton vessel was sailing off the coast of northern Spain at the time of the eclipse. It is currently making its way to Vigo, Spain, which is its scheduled call for August 13.

The Spirit-class ship sailed through the path of totality, placing guests directly underneath the shadow of the eclipse, offering a rare view of the total solar eclipse as the moon passed in front of the sun.

While very impressive, the totality for the eclipse was relatively short. The darkness lasted for just under two minutes.

Crew members handed out special eclipse viewing glasses to guests who gathered on the outer decks to watch so that they could safely turn their eyes to the skies.

The eclipse was also turned into a first-of-its-kind onboard celebration, complete with themed entertainment, unique beverage offerings, and other activities that will continue throughout the duration of the 11-night voyage.

More Eclipse Sailings on the Horizon

There is clearly a healthy demand for these special opportunities and Carnival Cruise Line is answering the call.

The current Carnival Journeys sailing was extremely popular, to the point that the cruise line had to drop priority VIFP benefits for Platinum-level guests because there were simply too many elite loyalty members onboard.

For context, Carnival Journeys sailings refer to longer voyages that last for at least nine days.

Carnival Legend Solar Eclipse
Carnival Legend Solar Eclipse

Moving forward, Carnival Cruise Line has announced three more solar eclipse cruises that will set sail in 2027.

First up is a 16-night Carnival Journeys sailing aboard Carnival Firenze, which sails one way from Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Miami, Florida. Embarkation is scheduled for February 2, 2027.

Later in the year, Carnival Sunshine and Carnival Miracle will be perfectly positioned to witness an eclipse that is expected to occur on August 2, 2027.

Carnival Sunshine will be embarking on a 10-night Mediterranean voyage from Barcelona, Spain, on July 25. Soon after on July 29, Carnival Miracle will begin an 11-night sailing to Portugal, Spain, France, and Belgium from Dover, England.

Thousands of Cruisers Witness Solar Eclipse

Carnival Legend was celebrating an important milestone with this eclipse, but it wasn’t the only cruise ship sailing in the path of the celestial spectacle.

Other cruise guests also got to enjoy the eclipse, which was visible from Greenland, western Iceland, northern and eastern Spain, and a small corner of Portugal.

For example, Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, and Queen Anne were all sailing along the path of totality. Notably, Cunard Line is also owned by the Carnival Corporation.

Cruise tracking data also shows that Sky Princess, operated by Princess Cruises — another Carnival Corporation sister brand — was also nearby.

As a final example, Cruise Hive reported that Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas adjusted its current itinerary earlier this year to maximize eclipse viewing.

Mexico Is Charging Cruisers Double, And That Is Only The Start

Catie Kovelman
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Mexico Is Charging Cruisers Double, And That Is Only The Start

Key Aspects:

  • Mexico’s tourism tax rose from $5 to $10 per person on August 1, 2026.
  • More increases are planned for the next two years, with the fee reaching $21 by August 1, 2028.
  • This is not the only destination to levy a cruise tax, with Hawaii, Greece, and Amsterdam taking similar steps.

Cruises to Mexico just got more expensive. Mexico’s government raised the cruise passenger tax (which is also known as the “non-resident fee”) from $5 to $10 on August 1, 2026.

The tourism tax is in effect at all cruise ports throughout Mexico, including major destinations like Cabo San Lucas, Cozumel, Puerto Vallarta, and Costa Maya.

But thankfully, the tax will only be levied once per itinerary, even if the sailing stops at multiple Mexican ports.

For context, Mexico continues to break records as the country welcomes more and more cruise guests annually. Cruise Hive reported that 4.8 million cruisers already visited Mexico between January and April 2026, which is a 14.8% year-over-year increase.

To put things in perspective, 4.8 million guests each paying $10 per person would equate to $48 million for the Mexican government to put toward enhancing tourism infrastructure and public funding.

Cruise Tax Will Increase

Mexico’s decision to tax cruisers is rather fresh, with the initial $5 fee only just taking effect on July 1, 2025, after a six-month delay. The country has had a “non-resident” fee in effect since 1999, but cruise ships were previously exempt.

The jump to $10 per person on August 1 was planned as part of a predetermined schedule for implementing increases over the next two years.

On July 1, 2027, the fee will increase to $15 per guest. The following year, on August 1, 2028, the tax will climb to $21 per person.

The $21 fee will remain in effect through at least September 30, 2030, so cruisers will be able to enjoy at least a brief break from the increases.

Cruise Ships in Cozumel, Mexico
Cruise Ships in Cozumel, Mexico (Photo Credit: Luis Ayerves Photography)

And while cruisers certainly won’t enjoy shelling out the extra cash, keep in mind that it could be worse. Mexico originally proposed a tax of $42 per guest, but lowered it after receiving significant pushback from the cruise industry.

So far, the cruise lines are not steering away from Mexico because of the added fees or the planned increases. The brands are simply making it part of the cruise fare paid by guests.

Not The Only Cruise Tax

Mexico is not the only cruise port to enforce a tourism tax. Several other destinations are doing the same thing to maintain and enhance their harbor infrastructure, local communities, and other government-run services.

For example, lawmakers in the Hawaii State Legislature passed a law in 2025 that would have allowed the state to implement its first-ever tax on cruise ships, though this is currently blocked in federal court.

Similarly, Greece started charging a seasonal tourist tax for cruises, with the prices varying based on the time of year and special attention given to Santorini and Mykonos.

During the peak season that runs from June 1 to September 30, guests have to pay €20 ($23.04 USD) to visit Santorini and Mykonos and €5 ($5.76 USD) to call at other ports.

As another example, Amsterdam has also had a tourist tax for cruise passengers in effect since 2019. As of 2026, the fee is set at €15.00 ($17.29 USD) per person per day.

Princess Cruises Is Sending Eight Ships to Alaska in Summer 2028

Melissa Mayntz
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Princess Cruises Is Sending Eight Ships to Alaska in Summer 2028

Key Aspects:

  • Princess Cruises has opened its extensive 2028 Alaska summer season for booking.
  • The season includes 8 ships, 5 departure cities, and 16 destinations across 185 total sailings.
  • Itineraries range from 4-16 days and can be extended further with exclusive cruisetours on land.

Every cruise guest who dreams of sailing to Alaska knows these coveted sailings fill up fast. For those who want to visit the Last Frontier with Princess Cruises, the 2028 season has now opened for booking with 185 departures to choose from beginning in late April and extending through late September.

The line is deploying eight ships to Alaska for the summer, offering 14 unique itineraries from 4-16 days. Both roundtrip and one-way voyages are available, with departures from Seattle, Vancouver, Whittier, San Francisco, and Los Angeles to give guests plenty of choices for their ultimate exploration of the Last Frontier.

Setting sail for the 2028 Alaska season will be:

  • Star Princess – 7- and 9-day itinerary options from Seattle and Vancouver
  • Discovery Princess – 7-day one-way sailings from Vancouver and Whittier with options for back-to-back 14-day cruises
  • Emerald Princess – One 4-day sailing from Vancouver; 7-day roundtrip Vancouver voyages, and one 16-day Inside Passage roundtrip from Los Angeles
  • Royal Princess – One 4-day sailing from Vancouver to Seattle; 7-day roundtrip Seattle cruises; one 7-day from Seattle to Vancouver
  • Coral Princess – 7-day one-way sailings between Vancouver and Whittier; can be combined for 14-day roundtrip voyages
  • Crown Princess – 7-day one-way cruises between Vancouver and Whittier; combinations for 14-day trips, and one 9-day roundtrip sailing from Vancouver
  • Island Princess – 7-day roundtrip cruises from Vancouver as well as one-way options between Whittier and Vancouver that can be combined for 14-day itineraries
  • Ruby Princess – 10-day roundtrip sailings from San Francisco

In total, Princess Cruises’ ships will visit 16 different destinations during the 2028 season, including popular Alaskan ports of call such as Icy Strait Point, Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan. In Canada, port visits are scheduled for Prince Rupert and Victoria, depending on the itinerary length, ship, and sailing date.

Princess Cruises Ship Docked in Haines, Alaska
Princess Cruises Ship Docked in Haines, Alaska (Photo Credit: Drew Rawcliffe)

To offer guests prime sightings of glaciers, Princess Cruises is planning sailing days in Glacier Bay National Park, College Fjord, Endicott Arm, and other key areas.

Of course, all itineraries and scenic cruising are subject to change based on weather and safety conditions. Cruise Hive reported in March and April 2026 how different cruise lines removed Tracy Arm Fjord from this summer’s itineraries due to rockslide risk and geological instability.

Extra Time in Alaska With Cruisetours

Guests who want to spend extra time immersing themselves in all things Alaska will also be interested in Princess Cruises’ cruisetours. These pre- and post-cruise extensions provide additional opportunities to experience the state’s interior and culture.

Depending on which cruisetour guests might select, the land-based schedule includes visits to Denali National Park, Kenai Fjords National Park, and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, coupled with stays in Princess-owned wilderness lodges.

Custom glass-domed railway cars give guests stunning views of the landscape as they travel through Alaska, and those who want to be even closer to the scenery can step out onto open-air viewing platforms.

Read Also: What Is the Best Time of Year to Cruise Alaska?

As with cruise shore excursions, Princess Cruises’ cruisetours also offer exclusive excursions such as salmon fishing, wildlife-spotting day cruises, historic tours, and rafting adventures.

“Alaska is one of the world’s most awe-inspiring destinations, and Princess has spent nearly 60 years helping guests experience it in a way few others can,” said Jim Berra, Princess Cruises Chief Commercial Officer.

“Our 2028 season brings together glacier-filled voyages, unforgettable wildlife and cultural experiences, Princess Wilderness Lodges and Rail, along with seamless cruisetours that take guests deeper into the Great Land – creating a complete Alaska vacation.” 

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The authentic Alaska experience isn’t just on land, however. While onboard a Princess cruise for the season, guests enjoy signature events such as native cultural presentations, the Glacier Bay National Park Junior Ranger program, and the iconic Puppies in the Piazza event with young sled dogs.

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.

Read Also: What Is a Transpacific Cruise?

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.

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