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Carnival Ship Cancelled Port Due to a Technical Issue and Local Regulations

Calvin Musquez
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Carnival Ship Cancelled Port Due to a Technical Issue and Local Regulations

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Adventure’s visit to Mystery Island on July 11, 2026 was cancelled due to a delay.
  • The delay was caused by a technical issue closing the ship’s pontoon door before departing from Port Vila.
  • Guests were compensated with onboard credit, and all shore excursions on Mystery Island were refunded.

Guests aboard Carnival Adventure received a disappointing update on July 11, 2026.

The 9-night Vanuatu and New Caledonia cruise that departed from Sydney, Australia on July 6 got through the first leg of its journey without issue. However, Cruise Hive has learned that, due to a technical issue closing the ship’s pontoon door, the 2,636-passenger vessel’s departure from Port Vila on July 10 was delayed. 

As a result, the scheduled visit to Mystery Island in Vanuatu the following day was cancelled. The uninhabited island destination was subsequently replaced by an additional sea day.

Guests were notified by a ship-wide announcement the night before the visit on July 10, as well as by letter the following morning.

“As shared in my announcement last night, I’m sorry to advise that we will be unable to visit Mystery Island today and will instead spend the day at sea,” Captain Francesco Bencivenga wrote in the letter. “We sincerely apologise for this disappointment and any inconvenience caused.”

The rest of Carnival Adventure’s sailing was unaffected, stopping in Noumea, New Caledonia on July 12 before returning to Sydney on July 15.

Carnival Adventure Cruise Ship Docked in Sydney
Carnival Adventure Cruise Ship Docked in Sydney (Photo Credit: Elias Bitar)

Affected guests were compensated for the loss with AU$100 of onboard credit per stateroom. Guests who had booked prepaid shore excursions on Mystery Island were also refunded to their Sail and Sign accounts.

The 108,865 gross ton vessel, formerly known as Pacific Adventure sailing under P&O Australia, has since departed on a 4-day, round-trip sailing from Sydney, with a single stop at Moreton Island.

Why Was The Visit Cancelled Instead of Delayed?

The issue was not just the delay in departing Port Vila. The timing very well could have allowed the ship to dock at Mystery Island later than planned, with a shortened stop. However, Vanuatu biosecurity regulations meant that the ship was unable to legally dock at the island after sunset.

“Vanuatu’s biosecurity regulation states that vessels are unable to travel to another island within Vanuatu after dark because of the potential risk of transporting a beetle that can damage coconut trees,” the letter to guests reads.

“We appreciate your understanding of the importance of these measures in protecting the local environment and economy.”

The beetle in question is likely the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle, an invasive species first detected on the island of Efate in Vanuatu in 2019. In recent years, the beetle has since spread to several of Vanuatu’s outlying islands. The beetle burrows into the crown of coconut palm trees, severely weakening the structure and leaving them vulnerable to damage and disease.

This rich ecological landscape in Vanuatu is isolated and fragile, and invasive species such as the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle have the potential to decimate it.

Vanuatu took a major blow to its environment and economy after a 7.3 magnitude earthquake shook the region in December 2024, putting a halt on cruise tourism for months.

Carnival Adventure was the first ship to dock in Vanuatu following the earthquake in August of last year. Carnival Cruise Line maintains a very good working relationship with the island nation, and clearly has no interest in souring that relationship by ignoring regulations.

While the loss of Mystery Island surely came as a blow to cruise guests, Carnival and other cruise lines’ cooperation with the Republic of Vanuatu’s biosecurity regulations helps to keep the islands beautiful and healthy for visitors for years to come.

Popular Cruise Destination Pushes Back on Updated US Travel Advisory

Catie Kovelman
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Popular Cruise Destination Pushes Back on Updated US Travel Advisory

Key Aspects:

  • Turks and Caicos issued an official response to the updated US travel advisory for the Caribbean destination.
  • Officials reaffirmed the destination’s commitment to safety and highlighted the nation’s progress in lowering crime rates.
  • The US government classifies the severity of the risk as “Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution.”

The US Department of State updated the travel advisory for Turks and Caicos, and local officials have something to say about it.

Cruise Hive reported that the language of the advisory was updated on July 7, 2026, but the severity of the warning did not change. Turks and Caicos continues to be listed as “Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution.”

In response to the update, key officials from the Caribbean island nation, including the Acting Governor, the Premier, and Minister of Tourism, gathered on Sunday, July 12, to discuss the advisory.

While the local powers respect the right of its international partners to provide travel information to their citizens, the government wanted to publicly clarify that the safety of its citizens and cruise guests are its top priority.

This is the second year in a row that the British Overseas Territory has responded to an updated travel advisory to reaffirm its commitment to safety.

“The safety and security of our residents and visitors remains one of this Government’s highest priorities,” Premier Hon. Charles Washington Misick, OBE, JP said in a statement, which was shared on social media.

“We take all matters relating to public safety seriously and continue to invest significantly in strengthening law enforcement, border security, intelligence-led policing and crime prevention initiatives across the Turks and Caicos Islands,” Misick continued.

The Premier also cited recent statistics from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force that indicated serious crime rates have decreased significantly in the first half of 2026 compared to the same time period in 2025. For example, murder rates dropped by 40%.

Cruisers Should Take Reasonable Precautions

For context, crime is one of the risks listed on the updated advisory. Cruise guests are more likely to be victims of petty crime or crimes of opportunity (e.g., pickpocketing or purse snatching) than serious or violent offenses.

In order to mitigate risk, the US government is encouraging visitors to use caution when walking or driving (especially at night) and not to resist in the event a robbery does occur.

Cruise Passengers on the Pier in Grand Turk
Cruise Passengers on the Pier in Grand Turk (Photo Credit: Ajith Achuthann)

Read Also: 11 Most Dangerous Cruise Ports You Should Be Extra Cautious About

Minister of Tourism Hon. Zhavargo Jolly agreed that guests should exercise caution while exploring the cruise port, but that this should always be the case regardless of the destination they are visiting.

“We encourage all visitors, as they would anywhere in the world, to exercise sensible precautions, remain aware of their surroundings and familiarize themselves with local laws and regulations before travelling,” Jolly advised.

He also echoed Misick in asserting that Turks and Caicos would do its part by continuing to monitor and strengthen public safety initiatives.

Cruises Keep Sailing to Turks And Caicos

It’s worth noting that the cruise lines will not continue sailing to destinations if they believe doing so will put their passengers and crew members at risk.

For example, Cruise Hive reported that Royal Caribbean has cancelled all of its visits to Labadee, Haiti, through June of next year due to ongoing unrest and related safety concerns.

Meanwhile, cruise tourism is actually on the rise in Turks and Caicos. The Grand Turk Cruise Center welcomed more than one million passengers in 2025 and is on track to do it again in 2026.

“The Turks and Caicos Islands remains one of the world’s premier luxury tourism destinations, recognised for its exceptional hospitality, outstanding natural beauty and unwavering commitment to providing a safe and enjoyable experience for residents and visitors alike,” Jolly added.

Per the port schedule, Grand Turk is expecting a total of 350 to 400 calls for the entire year.

Major cruise lines will be calling in the months that remain, including Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, MSC Cruises, Holland America Line, Virgin Voyages, Cunard Line, Royal Caribbean, and more.

Royal Caribbean Confirms Labadee Cancellations Extended Through June 2027

Catie Kovelman
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Royal Caribbean Confirms Labadee Cancellations Extended Through June 2027

Key Aspects:

  • Royal Caribbean will continue to avoid Labadee, Haiti, through June 2027 due to ongoing safety concerns.
  • 62 port calls were scheduled for the first half of next year, including from the newest Icon-class ships.
  • Labadee is being replaced with other destinations throughout the Bahamas and the Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean will continue to steer clear of its private destination at Labadee, Haiti, through at least the first half of 2027.

In January, the cruise line made the decision to cancel all Labadee visits for the remainder of 2026 due to ongoing unrest in Haiti. This lengthy hiatus is now being extended until June of 2027.

Royal Caribbean confirmed the decision in a statement that was sent to Cruise Hive:

“As we continue to evaluate conditions in Haiti and our ability to deliver the best vacations responsibly, we have decided to extend the suspension of ship calls to Labadee through June 2027. This decision was made with the safety and well-being of our guests and crew members in mind. We have communicated these changes directly with guests.”

All sailings to Labadee before July of 2027 have already been removed from Royal Caribbean’s website, but the cruise line originally had 62 ship calls scheduled for the first half of next year.

Some of the most exciting ships in the fleet were on the original schedule, including the newest additions to the Icon-class, Legend of the Seas (2026) and Star of the Seas (2025).

Familiar favorites were also slated to visit the exclusive destination, including Adventure of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, and Odyssey of the Seas.

Guests Notified of Itinerary Changes

As of July 14, 2026, the thousands of impacted passengers were being notified of changes to their itineraries.

Labadee is being replaced with new destinations whenever possible, but these swaps depend on the ship, sailing dates, overall port availability, and the impact to the rest of the originally scheduled itineraries.

Based on letters circulating on social media, replacements have included Nassau, Bahamas; Puerto Plata and Samana in the Dominican Republic; Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico; Ponce, Puerto Rico; and Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas.

For example, one letter to guests booked on Star of the Seas’ May 2, 2027, sailing received the following letter:

“As you prepare for your vacation, we wanted to share an update to your May 2, 2027, itinerary. We’ve reviewed our sailing plans and made an adjustment to the ports of call we will visit. Instead of visiting Labadee, we’ll now enjoy a day in Perfect Day at CocoCay.”

Notably, the 5,610-guest Legend of the Seas will be dropping several of its visits to Falmouth, Jamaica, in addition to Labadee. While not confirmed by the cruise line, this is likely a casualty of swapping out the temporarily off-limits resort.

In a letter to passengers booked on Legend of the Seas’ March 28, 2027 sailing, Royal Caribbean wrote the following:

“Instead of visiting Labadee, we’ll now enjoy a day in Samana Port, Dominican Republic…Additionally, we’ll now visit Ponce, Puerto Rico from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM instead of Falmouth, Jamaica.”

Royal Caribbean Ships Docked in Labadee
Royal Caribbean Ships Docked in Labadee (Photo Credit: BrianPIrwin)

The recently debuted vessel also saw both ports dropped from its February 14, 2027, voyage, with the destinations replaced by Costa Maya and Cozumel.

All Royal Caribbean shore excursions booked for Labadee (and Falmouth when applicable) will be automatically cancelled and refunded without guests needing to lift a finger.

The letters conclude with the cruise line apologizing for the inconvenience and reaffirming that safety is the brand’s top priority.

Is Labadee Dangerous?

Royal Caribbean started cancelling visits to Labadee following severe civil unrest and gang activity that caused a widespread government collapse in 2024, though the political, economic, and social crisis really began to escalate in 2018.

Relatedly, the US Department of State has Haiti listed as a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory due to the risk of crime, kidnapping, terrorism, unrest, and limited access to health care.

The majority of the unrest is concentrated around Haiti’s capital city, Port-au-Prince, which is around 134 miles away from Labadee. Given the less-than-ideal road conditions, it would take over six hours to make the trek from Port-au-Prince to the private resort.

Between the distance, protective fencing, and a private security detail that guards the 260-acre resort, Labadee is likely safer than the rest of the country. But either way, Royal Caribbean isn’t taking any chances.

Two Cruise Ships Skip Canadian Port Due to Forecasted Weather

Catie Kovelman
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Two Cruise Ships Skip Canadian Port Due to Forecasted Weather

Key Aspects:

  • Neither Crown Princess nor Oceania Vista were able to visit St. John’s (Newfoundland-Labrador), Canada, on July 14, 2026.
  • According to port authorities, the double call was cancelled due to forecasted bad weather.
  • Per cruise tracking data, both vessels spent the day at sea and are en route to their next port calls.

Thousands of cruise guests were forced to miss out on exploring the capital of Newfoundland and Labrador on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.

According to the City of St. John’s, Princess Cruises’ Crown Princess and Oceania Cruises’ Oceania Vista were both forced to cancel their calls at the last minute due to inclement weather.

“The Oceania Vista cruise ship and the Crown Princess cruise ship, both scheduled to arrive in the Port of St. John’s today, Tuesday, July 14, at 8 a.m., have been cancelled due to forecasted weather,” the City of St. John’s posted on Facebook.

Per cruise tracking data, both vessels spent the day at sea instead of pivoting to a different port.

The 3,090-guest Crown Princess is now en route to Corner Brook, Newfoundland, which is her next stop on July 16. 

Princess Cruises’ Grand-class vessel is currently in the middle of a 114-night world cruise, which, as Cruise Hive reported, is the longest world cruise to ever set sail from Australia.

Oceania Vista included St. John’s as part of a much shorter voyage. The current 14-night one-way sailing embarked in New York on July 9 and will conclude in Reykjavik, Iceland, on July 23.

The next port call for the 1,200-guest ship will be at Grundarfjordur, Iceland, on July 18.

How Bad is the Weather?

As of the time of publication, there are no cyclones or hurricanes brewing in the Atlantic, nor is St. John’s under any severe weather alerts from the Government of Canada.

Throughout the day on July 14, the Canadian cruise destination has been experiencing rain showers and winds of around 20 miles per hour.

While these wind speeds aren’t particularly treacherous, standalone gusts could be stronger. The winds could also still cause shifts in the current or create swells that make docking dangerous.

For context, cruise ships generally require significantly lower wind speeds to safely dock than to sail in the open ocean.

The cruise port, which uses two piers in the heart of downtown, is also on the smaller side. This can make navigating large cruise ships more challenging as well.

Alternatively, cruise ships will sometimes reroute to avoid poor weather along their course even when conditions at their intended destination are suitable for visiting, which in theory, could have been the case here.

Unfortunately, it will be a while before any cruise guests get a chance to return to St. John’s. Cruise tourism will go silent until a flurry of activity begins with the arrival of Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam on August 18, 2026.

More From Cruise Hive

Holland America’s Volendam, Azamara Cruises’ Azamara Journey, Lindblad Expeditions National Geographic Explorer, and Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Silhouette will also visit St. John’s before the end of August, weather permitting.

St. John’s is frequently impacted by storms during the Atlantic Hurricane Season thanks to its location on the eastern tip of the island of Newfoundland, directly on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. But luckily, experts are predicting a quieter year.

Port Canaveral Doubles Cruise Terminal 5 and Adds a 13-Story Parking Garage

Calvin Musquez
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Port Canaveral Doubles Cruise Terminal 5 and Adds a 13-Story Parking Garage

Key Aspects:

  • Port Canaveral in Florida has shared additional information on two improvement projects.
  • Terminal 5 is getting a complete overhaul and redesign, expanding passenger capacity and accommodating larger ships.
  • Updates were also shared regarding construction of the massive 13-story parking structure adjacent to Terminal 6.

Port Canaveral in Florida just shared additional information on two major improvement projects. The first is a complete reimagining and expansion of Terminal 5.

This overhaul, led by Ivey’s Construction out of Merritt Island and designed by BEA Architects of Miami, comes with a price tag of nearly $80 million invested and will nearly double the size of the cruise terminal – from 90,000 square feet to around 170,000 square feet.

The interior is getting a complete redesign, with a modernized entry, expanded luggage laydown, and larger areas for passenger seating and security.

The expansion will not only modernize the space, but will also accommodate some of the world’s biggest ships carrying up to 5,600 passengers, such as Royal Caribbean’s newest Icon Class ship, Legend of the Seas and the upcoming Hero of the Seas, debuting next year. The new terminal is expected to be finished in December 2026.

The second major project is the construction of a brand new 13-story parking structure next to Terminal 6.

Port Canaveral New Parking Lot
Port Canaveral New Parking Lot (Credit: Port Canaveral)

Cruise Hive reported when construction on this new structure officially began in March 2026. The largest and most complex parking project in the port’s history, the over $90 million structure will add approximately 3,700 parking spots, bringing the total number of available parking spaces at the port to nearly 17,500.

The garage will also feature eight extra-large elevators, twin two-lane vehicle ramps, and a pedestrian bridge to accommodate large numbers of passengers and their luggage, as well as provide them with an easy route to the new Terminal 5. The new parking structure is scheduled for completion in Autumn 2026.

Read Also: Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal: Your One-Stop Guide

Altogether, these projects represent nearly $175 million in total investment for the Florida port.

“Every investment we make is focused on ensuring the Port can continue to support the level of guest experience and operational efficiency our cruise partners expect from us, while readying ourselves to meet future business commitments,” said Capt. John Murray, Port Canaveral CEO.

The two projects have created 2,000 local jobs and total more than 85,000 hours of work from contractors and subcontractors as of mid-July.

Port Canaveral Continues Growing

These two projects are just a small part of Port Canaveral’s investment into the future of its cruise infrastructure. Both the upgraded terminal and parking structure are a part of Port Canaveral Advantage, a five-year, nearly $1 billion capital improvement program dedicated to improving and expanding the port’s infrastructure and efficiency.

Port Canaveral currently holds the title of busiest cruise port in the world, having surpassed PortMiami with 8.6 million passenger movements in 2025’s fiscal year. The port sees business from 7 of the world’s leading cruise lines: Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, and Disney Cruise Line.

The port shows no signs of slowing down, and projects like these show its dedication to preparing for the future.

Holland America Unveils Zuiderdam Upgrades With New Suites

Emrys Thakkar
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Holland America Unveils Zuiderdam Upgrades With New Suites

Holland America continues to push ahead with its Evolution program to upgrade its fleet. The next ship being focused on is the Zuiderdam, with the cruise line releasing new renderings and details about the upgrade.

Details released by the Carnival-owned cruise line include the Bridgeview and Pinnacle Suite. The enhanced exclusive suites will debut once the ship has been upgraded in Spring 2028.

There will be one new Pinnacle Suite, two new Bridgeview Suites, 14 enhanced Vista Suites, and 32 Solo Verandah rooms. The Pinnacle Suite will have panoramic ocean views and an expansive living area, making it the largest living space onboard.

On Zuiderdam, there will also be two 900-square-foot Bridgeview Suites located above the bridge, offering guests booked in those rooms forward-facing views. Even larger will be the enhanced 1,550-square-foot Pinnacle suite, featuring panoramic views, a powder room, a walk-in closet, a separate living room, and a private balcony.

Beth Bodensteiner, president of Holland America Line, said in a press release, “We’ve seen strong interest in our Bridgeview Suites and Solo Verandahs on Oosterdam, and we’re excited to make these new accommodations available on Zuiderdam. We’re building on that momentum and look forward to sharing more details, including itineraries, very soon.“

If you’re cruising on your own, the Holland America ship will also feature 32 Solo Verandahs, which will be 200 square feet, with a private balcony, a glass-walled shower, and a dedicated workspace.

And then there are the new Vista Suites, which will feature floor-to-ceiling windows, a sitting area, and a private verandah.

More From Cruise Hive

The 1,964-passenger Zuiderdam will also follow in the footsteps of its sister ship Oosterdam by having the new Grand Dutch Café. This venue will become a hub for the vessel where guests can gather, enjoy a coffee, or even a bite to eat throughout the day.

In fact, Zuiderdam will be the second ship upgraded as part of Holland America’s $500 million Evolution program. Oosterdam will be the first to debut the upgrades in the fall of 2027. Following Zuiderdam, the program will continue with Nieuw Amsterdam, Westerdam, Noordam, and finally Eurodam.

Port of Galveston Is Considering a Fifth Cruise Terminal

Calvin Musquez
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Port of Galveston Is Considering a Fifth Cruise Terminal

Key Aspects:

  • The Port of Galveston is studying the feasibility of building a fifth cruise terminal.
  • A new terminal would go between Terminal 10 and Terminal 16, and shows the potential to significantly boost the local economy.
  • This research is preliminary, as part of the port’s 20-Year Strategic Master Plan.

The Port of Galveston in Texas is looking into expanding its cruise infrastructure in a major way.

As part of its updated 20-Year Strategic Master Plan, the port released concepts and research for a proposed fifth cruise terminal, hoping to increase passenger capacity, city revenue, and boost the local economy.

The new terminal would go between Royal Caribbean’s Terminal 10 and the still relatively new Terminal 16, which Cruise Hive reported on the opening of last November. Terminal 16 services MSC Cruises year-round as well as Norwegian Cruise Line in the winter.

The port performed an economic impact study to determine the feasibility and theoretical effectiveness of the proposed terminal.

Findings showed a good potential boost to the local economy, estimating that the new terminal could generate 1,500 new local jobs, $91.5 million in personal income, $278 million in direct business revenue, and $7.9 million in state and local taxes.

It also estimated a non-specific increase in city revenue through parking fee agreements from the new terminal. In 2025, the port paid the city over $3 million in passenger and parking fees, which is estimated to grow to over $4 million in 2026.

In addition to the economic impact, the port also hired an independent engineering firm to study the potential traffic impact. 

Traffic is a real concern for Galveston. Recently, road construction led to difficult parking situations for Carnival guests, with many needing to take a shuttle to the terminal.

Bearing this in mind, the firm generated a 107-page study assessing the impact on traffic operations and potential issues the new terminal may create, offering suggestions to improve traffic handling.

Galveston Cruise Terminals Aerial View
Galveston Cruise Terminals Aerial View (Photo Credit: Felix Mizioznikov)

The study concluded that the updates would result in minimal traffic delays surrounding the port. The Port of Galveston is now preparing to hire a consultant to further analyze the demand for port growth as well as the economic and traffic impact.

This is just the beginning of Phase 1 of the Port of Galveston’s research for the ongoing expansion project, but it provides a strong foundation indicating promising results for the port, the local economy, and the cruise industry as a whole.

Rapid Growth In Galveston

Galveston has been a rapidly growing market for the cruise industry in the last few years. In 2023, the port welcomed around 3 million passengers, rising to 3.4 million in 2024, and 3.6 million in 2025.

With the new Terminal 16 and MSC Cruises fueling increased demand, it anticipates that number rising further, estimating up to 4 million passengers in 2026.

More From Cruise Hive

The 20-Year Strategic Master Plan, first adopted by the Galveston Wharves Board of Trustees in 2019, has already made significant headway, having completed a 2-mile-long internal roadway, new on-site parking infrastructure, and additional roads to ease traffic congestion.

In addition to the new terminal, the plan also includes a new modern commercial area around the port, with hotels, retail, restaurants, and housing, further boosting the local economy.

Royal Caribbean Embarkation Update Leads to Scam Concerns

Catie Kovelman
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Royal Caribbean Embarkation Update Leads to Scam Concerns

Key Aspects:

  • Royal Caribbean sent out an alert that Mariner of the Seas’ next embarkation would be slightly delayed due to an inspection from the US Coast Guard.
  • However, some guests mistakenly thought that the text update was trying to get them to click on a dangerous link.
  • It’s better to be cautious, as cruisers continue to be targeted by scams that employ fake emails, phone numbers, and advertisements.

While it’s always a good idea to be cautious about what you click online, sometimes notifications from the cruise lines really are legitimate.

A suspicious-looking text message from Royal Caribbean had some guests wondering if they were being scammed.

But in reality, the cruise line was letting soon-to-be guests of Mariner of the Seas know that embarkation would be delayed on Thursday, July 16, due to a US Coast Guard inspection.

“Is this a legit email from Royal? My first cruise and first email I’ve received and I was nervous to open the link. We sail this week,” one of the impacted guests posted on Facebook.

The passenger also shared a screenshot of the text, which reads “Royal Caribbean: The U.S. Coast Guard…” before the words trailed off and an Everbridge link was posted.

Several in the comments agreed that the link looked suspicious, so this guest was not alone in their concerns, but Royal Caribbean does actually use Everbridge as a third-party mass notification system.

That said, it’s better to be cautious and inquire than fall victim to a scam. Cruisers in the past have been tricked by fake emails and phone numbers, as well as fraudulent advertisements.

When in doubt, the best practice is to reach out to the cruise line directly using the contact information from the official brand website.

Mariner of the Seas’ Embarkation Delay

Mariner of the Seas will undergo an inspection from the US Coast Guard on the morning of July 16. This will take place at the 139,863-gross ton vessel’s homeport, Galveston, Texas.

The link led to a message that stated, “The U.S. Coast Guard will conduct its annual inspection onboard Mariner of the Seas, which will cause some boarding delays.”

“Our boarding process will now begin at 11 AM. We’ve sent you an email with further details,” the message concluded.

Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks)

Per several of the up to 3,344 booked guests, the delay was only slight, with the start of embarkation pushed back from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

“It’s not spam. I got the same one. It’s for our arrival time. The US Coast Guard is doing an inspection so boarding can’t start until 11 am instead of 10:30 am if you are scheduled for 10:30 am,” one of the impacted guests shared.

This short delay will have no impact on the 4-night Western Caribbean itinerary, which sails to Cozumel, Mexico, and then back to Galveston.

The Purpose of Coast Guard Inspections

The US Coast Guard conducts routine (but very mandatory) inspections of all cruise ships operating in US ports twice a year, not just Royal Caribbean’s ships.

For example, Cruise Hive reported that embarkation was briefly delayed for Carnival Venezia and Carnival Miracle in November of 2025 to allow for two of these inspections to take place.

The purpose of these biannual examinations isn’t to annoy or delay passengers, but rather to ensure their safety.

During the inspections, Coast Guard officials ensure that cruise ships are following international maritime laws and environmental regulations.

Safety systems and equipment are also checked to ensure they are properly maintained and operating correctly, with everything from structural fire protection and sprinkler systems to lifejackets and lifeboats carefully scrutinized.

The Coast Guard inspections are also in addition to the health inspections that are conducted by the CDC Vessel Sanitation Program, which occur without warning on ships in US ports twice a year.

Passenger Removed and Deported After Drug Arrest on Scarlet Lady Cruise

Catie Kovelman
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0
Passenger Removed and Deported After Drug Arrest on Scarlet Lady Cruise

Key Aspects:

  • One passenger was removed from Scarlet Lady’s current LGBTQ+ sailing after drugs were allegedly found in his possession.
  • The guest was arrested in Chania on July 10, and has since been deported to his home country of Spain.
  • Virgin Voyages has a zero tolerance policy for drug-related offenses and strictly forbids guests from bringing illegal substances onboard.

The drama just keeps piling on for Scarlet Lady’s 2026 Atlantis LGBTQ+ charter sailing, which embarked in Piraeus (Athens), Greece, on July 5, 2026.

Virgin Voyages’ 2,770-guest ship first made national news after being blocked from visiting Turkey and Egypt due to the nature of the themed cruise, and now a passenger has been arrested on drug-related charges.

According to local outlet Gazzetta, the onboard security team allegedly discovered that a 35-year-old Spanish passenger was in possession of and distributing illegal drugs during the 10-night sailing.

The security team contacted the Chania Port Authority, and officers from the Hellenic Coast Guard were waiting to greet the suspect when the 110,000-gross ton vessel arrived in Souda (Chania), Crete, on July 10, 2026.

This was the next port of call on the itinerary, which was thrown in at the last minute to replace the cancelled visit to Cairo (Alexandria), Egypt.

A quick search by local authorities allegedly unearthed small packets of cocaine and cannabis in the cruise guest’s possession. He was then removed from the ship and placed under arrest on suspicion of violating Greece’s drug laws.

Both substances are illegal in Greece and are strictly forbidden onboard Virgin Voyages’ ships.

Passenger Flown Back to Spain

The unidentified cruise guest is lucky to be back in his home country with only a slap on the wrist, though his vacation came to an abrupt end with no refund.

Greece has some of the strictest drug laws in Europe, with penalties ranging from short jail terms (up to 5 months) for personal possession to life imprisonment for large-scale operations.

Atlantis Events Virgin Voyages
Atlantis Events Virgin Voyages (Photo Credit: Atlantis Events)

But after appearing before the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Chania, the guest was released from police custody and put on a plane back to Spain.

Cruise Hive learned that Virgin Voyages would not permit the passenger to rejoin the sailing, which will officially conclude on July 15, 2026, in Trieste, Italy.

Neither Virgin Voyages nor the charter company, Atlantis Events, have publicly commented on the arrest.

A No Tolerance Policy

Virgin Voyages’ code of conduct makes it clear that the adults-only cruise line will bring the hammer down hard and fast if passengers are found to be participating in illegal activities.

“No illegal drugs or other illegal substances are allowed onboard or may be used onboard a Virgin Voyages Ship. Illegal drugs or substances will be confiscated and appropriate action taken, which may include a search of the Sailor’s cabin, belongings and person, confiscation of any suspect substance or items found, removal from the ship and involvement of appropriate authorities,” the code of conduct reads.

“In addition, foreign governments at ports of call have strict laws that address drug possession. Sailors found in violation of such laws are subject to arrest and prosecution by the next jurisdiction at which the ship is calling or located, and may be disembarked,” the cruise line continues.

More serious offenses (like drug use) are punishable by immediate disembarkation without a refund and a lifetime banishment.

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