Carnival Cruise Line has just announced the cancellation of two additional sailings of Carnival Panorama as the ship undergoes engine repairs to restore her maximum cruising speed.

The December 9 and December 16, 2023 sailings are now cancelled due to complications in reaching an appropriate dry dock facility, but the ship will return fully repaired for the holiday sailing departing on December 23.

More Cruises Cancelled for Carnival Panorama

Carnival Cruise Line has reached out to guests booked on two upcoming sailings aboard Carnival Panorama that, unfortunately, their cruises must be cancelled as the ship undergoes emergency repairs.

“While we have secured one of the limited number of dry dock facilities on the west coast for the work to be done, we do not have immediate access to the ship yard and will need more time to complete the work,” the notification email read. “Regrettably, two additional sailings are being cancelled.”

The impacted voyages – in addition to the four sailings already cancelled – are the December 9 and December 16 departures, both of which were to have been 7-night Mexican Riviera cruises visiting Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán, and Cabo San Lucas.

Refunds and Credits Offered

All guests will automatically receive a full refund of their cruise fare, taxes, port fees, and any pre-paid onboard expenses, including gratuities, beverage packages, specialty dining, spa treatments, or shore excursions booked through Carnival Cruise Line.

Carnival is also offering reimbursement of air travel change fees up to $200 (USD) per guest, with supporting documentation of the cost and only if there is no other reimbursement offered through the airline or a travel insurance company.

Furthermore, all guests will receive a 50% future cruise credit (FCC) of their cruise fare so they can rebook on a future Carnival cruise to enjoy the vacation they must now unfortunately miss out on.

Tricky Dry Dock Arrangements

The extra cancellations are necessary because of the complicated nature of Carnival Panorama reaching dry dock. Few shipyards on the West Coast are capable of handling the repairs, but the ship is currently sailing toward Astoria, Oregon and the facilities there.

To reach the shipyard, however, the vessel must pass under a bridge that requires the removal of the whale tale funnel, which will delay when she can reach the dock, and repairs can begin.

“There is a bridge and one of the things we have to do is take the whale tale off to actually get under the bridge,” John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line brand ambassador, explained.

The whale tale will be reinstalled after the dry dock work is completed and the ship has passed beneath the bridge on her way back to Long Beach, California.

Heald also explained that the cruise line did look for other areas on the west coast where the repairs could be completed, but options were limited. Factors influencing dry dock availability include not only available space and scheduling but also the nature of the repairs and the ship’s size and technical requirements.

Engine Repairs Urgently Required

Carnival Panorama developed engine difficulties that impacted her maximum cruising speed during her November 4, 2023 sailing. At the time, two ports of call were cancelled in order to permit the ship to return to Long Beach for her scheduled debarkation.

Shortly thereafter, four cruises were cancelled as the ship needs to be removed from service for the repairs to be completed. This drastic step will correct the technical issue and allow the 133,868-gross-ton, Vista-class ship to resume sailing at her maximum speeds.

This is not the first time Carnival Panorama has had engine problems, as the ship had very similar difficulties in August 2021 as well as December 2022.

The ongoing propulsion challenges for the ship, as well as for her sister ships Carnival Vista and Carnival Horizon, have led to questions about what’s wrong with the Vista-class ships, and what actions may be necessary – or even if it is possible – to permanently correct their engine difficulties.

The Meyer Werft shipyard has happily announced that Carnival Cruise Line’s newest ship, Carnival Jubilee, has successfully completed her sea trials. The ship is already back at the dock in Eemshaven for finishing details before her upcoming delivery to the cruise line, when she will officially join the Carnival fleet.

Carnival Jubilee Completes Sea Trials

There is much jubilation at the Meyer Werft shipyard today, as well as throughout Carnival Cruise Line, with the announcement that Carnival Jubilee has completed her sea trials and is one critical step closer to welcoming guests aboard.

The ship’s sea trials rigorously tested all her technical and operational systems, including navigation, propulsion, turning, braking, stabilization, emergency responses, and more. The tests have been conducted in the North Sea over the past 10 days with a full team of engineers, technicians, and officers onboard.

“We’ve made great strides, and I’m very proud of the team that made this possible and implemented,” said Jürgen Storz, project manager from Meyer Werft.

The ship has already returned to her berth in Eemshaven at the mouth of the Ems River. To reach the North Sea from the shipyard, Carnival Jubilee had to complete a complex and challenging conveyance down the river, which was accomplished with the great skill and expertise of local pilots.

What Is Up Next?

Carnival Jubilee is now undergoing finishing work on interior details such as artwork, lighting, flooring, and other features that must be completed for the ship to be ready to welcome her first guests on December 23, 2023.

Very soon, the vessel will be officially handed over to Carnival Cruise Line, a delivery ceremony that marks the change of ownership from the shipyard to the cruise line. At that time, the ship will formally become the 26th ship in the Carnival fleet and the third vessel in the Excel class, joining her sister ships Mardi Gras (2021) and Carnival Celebration (2022).

The ship will need to move from Europe to Texas before she begins sailing, and her arrival in Galveston will be heralded with great fanfare, including the presence of cruise line executives to officially welcome the ship.

The first guests will join Carnival Jubilee on Saturday, December 23, for a holiday sailing and the wonderful gift of an inaugural cruise on one of the largest and most innovative ships Carnival Cruise Line has ever sailed.

Read Also: Carnival Cruise Line Announces Holiday Activities Onboard

Carnival Jubilee matches her sister ships in size and capacity at 183,521 gross tons and room for 5,374 guests at double occupancy. When fully booked with all berths filled, as many as 6,631 passengers will be onboard, along with more than 1,700 international crew members.

When Will More New Ships Join the Fleet?

Carnival Jubilee will retain the title of the newest ship in the fleet for just a few months, until Carnival Firenze completes her conversion from Costa Cruises and joins Carnival Cruise Line in April 2024, the second vessel (after Carnival Venezia) to become part of the “Carnival Fun, Italian Style” program. However, Carnival Cruise Line has no further ships on order, an unusual circumstance for the cruise line.

Many cruise lines, however, are continuing to struggle with debt accrued during the industry-wide shutdown. Instead of building more and more ships, cruise lines are instead focusing on ensuring the product they deliver to guests aboard their current vessels continues to be of the best quality and most amazing experiences.

Carnival Jubilee is sure to do just that, as guests can enjoy such amazing fun and luxurious amenities as the Cloud 9 Spa and stunning Thermal Suite, the transformative Grand Central atrium space, Dr. Inks, PH.D with color-changing cocktails, the onboard brewery at Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse and Brewhouse, Bolt: The Ultimate Sea Coaster, and so much more.

Carnival Cruise Line has announced the opening of its 2025-26 cruise season, featuring expanded itineraries from its Australian homeports in Sydney and Brisbane. This latest offering includes new sailings to Fiji and New Zealand aboard the Carnival Splendor, as well as cruises to Fiji and Papua New Guinea onboard Carnival Luminosa. 

Additionally, both vessels will host several cruises exploring the majestic Great Barrier Reef.

Carnival Splendor From Sydney

Carnival Cruise Line has announced a new series of cruises from Brisbane and Sydney for 2025 and 2026, now open for bookings onboard Carnival Luminosa and Carnival Splendor. 

The Concordia-class cruise ship Carnival Splendor sets sail from Sydney, offering a variety of itineraries. These cruises range in length from short three-day escapades to extensive 12-day voyages.

Guests can explore Australian destinations such as the Great Barrier Reef and Moreton Island, Tasmania. The ship will also sail on a special Melbourne Cup cruise, the world-famous horse race. Beyond Australia, the ship will sail to the pristine environments of Fiji, the South Pacific islands, and New Zealand.

Carnival Splendor‘s cruises to New Zealand, ranging in length from ten- to twelve days, are all Carnival Journeys, the cruise line’s special cruises that offer an in-depth experience of the destination. Ports of call include Wellington, Lyttelton, Dunedin, and a scenic cruise in the Fiordland National Park, amongst others. 

During their time onboard Carnival Splendor, guests can enjoy various activities and popular venues like Guy’s Burger Joint, Pizzeria del Capitano, and the Alchemy Bar. The 113,300 gross tons cruise ship also boasts the WaterWorks aqua park and the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat, ensuring a diverse experience for all guests.

Carnival Luminosa Offers Exciting New Destinations

From Brisbane, the 92,600 gross tons Carnival Luminosa offers its 2,260 guests an equally enticing selection of destinations. Itineraries include six-, seven-, and eight-day trips to Airlie Beach and the Great Barrier Reef, alongside cruises to tropical havens like Fiji, New Caledonia, and Vanuatu. 

However, perhaps most interesting are two 11-day Carnival Journeys that will take guests to Papua New Guinee, an area few cruise ships venture to.

Carnival Luminosa will sail to the Conflict Islands, an area of outstanding natural beauty; Alotau, steeped in World War II history; Rabaul, situated on the edge of a flooded caldera; and Kiriwina Island, renowned for its beautiful beaches and crystal-clear waters; and back to the Conflict Islands.

The two cruises promise an extraordinary journey through some of Papua New Guinea’s most stunning destinations. For those guests looking for a shorter cruise, Carnival Luminosa also offers a wide range of 3-day cruises where the ship stays at sea and 4-day getaway cruises sailing to Arlie Beach. 

Carnival Luminosa originally sailed under the Costa Cruises fleet, as Costa Luminosa. In a move to optimize the fleet, Carnival Corporation decided to transfer the Costa Luminosa to Carnival Cruise Line. 

The transition of the Costa Luminosa to become the Carnival Luminosa took place in 2022. This shift marked a significant expansion of Carnival Cruise Line’s offerings, and one that kickstarted the Carnival Fun Italian Style program, although she is not officially a part of that program.

With bookings now open, these new itineraries present an exciting opportunity for guests to explore the wonders of the Pacific onboard Carnival’s Fun ships. 

A 28-year-old male guest has been reported overboard from Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Glory, and the US Coast Guard is engaged in extensive search operations involving multiple assets.

The ship is currently continuing on its itinerary, as the time of the guest’s disappearance is unclear. This also makes search efforts more complicated.

Man Overboard From Carnival Glory

Carnival Glory departed New Orleans on Sunday, November 12, 2023, for a 7-night Western Caribbean sailing. On Monday afternoon, a male guest – identified by family members as Tyler Barnett from Houma, Louisiana – was reported missing. Details about why he was reported missing or the timing of the report have not been released.

Crew members aboard the 110,000-gross-ton, Conquest-class ship immediately began emergency measures, including accounting for everyone aboard. When Barnett was not located, the US Coast Guard (USCG) was contacted to begin a search.

Two aircraft have been engaged to search more than 200 miles along the ship’s recorded voyage path. The extensive search area is necessary because the exact location where the guest may have gone overboard is not precisely known.

Messages have also been broadcast to other vessels in the region to keep a lookout for the missing passenger, as is standard procedure during any search and rescue operation.

Read Also: What Happens During a Cruise Ship Overboard Alarm?

Carnival Glory is not involved in the search – again, owing to the lack of information about exactly when the passenger may have gone overboard – and is continuing on its itinerary.

The ship’s next stop, the first port of call for the cruise, is Montego Bay, Jamaica on Wednesday, November 15 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. At this time, there are no reports of delays for the visit.

The remainder of the ship’s itinerary includes visits to George Town, Grand Cayman as well as Cozumel, Mexico, before Carnival Glory returns to New Orleans on Sunday, November 19.

Weather Complicates Search

Dangerous conditions in the search area, including gale wind strength and seas reported with 8-12 foot (2.4-3.7 meter) waves have forced a pause in the search operations, as it is unsafe for USCG craft to continue their efforts. The search will resume as soon as it is safe to do so.

As of late Tuesday morning, winds in the region range from 13-27 knots (15-31 miles per hour / 24-50 kilometers per hour) and higher, conditions that make it impossible for aircraft to safely operate for low-level searches. Furthermore, rough seas would cut visibility even more, making search efforts ineffective.

Sadly, rough weather would also impact the survivability of anyone in the water. The USCG will remain alert and continue the search when possible, accounting for possible drift with respect to weather conditions.

Recent Overboards

Unfortunately, overboard situations – while not frequent – do occur on cruise ships. Less than two weeks ago, a passenger went overboard from a charter sailing of Norwegian Pearl. In that incident, several hours of searching were unfortunately unsuccessful.

Yet sometimes emergency response can be initiated quickly enough to rescue an overboard individual. On Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas in late October, swift actions by the crew rescued an individual overboard near the coast of Spain.

Other overboard incidents have been reported this year from Royal Caribbean’s Spectrum of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, and Quantum of the Seas; Princess Cruises’ Emerald Princess; AIDA Cruises’ AIDAperla; Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Elation and Carnival Magic; and other vessels.

While it may seem like overboards are frequent, it is important to remember that thousands and thousands of guests sail safely every week without any concerning emergency calls that denote these unfortunate incidents.

Cruise Hive’s thoughts are with the missing guest’s family members and friends at this troubling time, as well as the crew members of Carnival Glory as they cope with such a somber situation.

At a time when many cruise lines are relaxing dress codes onboard and formal nights have long since become optional, Carnival Cruise Line is taking steps to be sure guests are aware of restrictions on what to wear in certain ports of call.

Because there are different laws in different countries, guests should be aware of such policies and be sure they pack appropriate clothing for their cruise vacation.

Camouflage Clothing Not Permitted

Carnival Cruise Line brand ambassador John Heald recently responded to a concerned guest who had their visit to Barbados interrupted due to inappropriate attire.

The incident happened on the October 28, 2023 sailing of Carnival Venezia, a 12-night roundtrip Southern Caribbean voyage from New York.

Along the way, the ship visited St. Thomas, Dominica, Barbados, St. Lucia, and St. Maarten, before returning to New York on Thursday, November 9. After the cruise, the upset guest reached out to Heald to describe what happened.

“On November 3rd while on Venezia I was marched back to the ship like a common criminal by the Barbados police! Why!!? Because I was wearing camo shorts and a camo backpack. Where was Carnival’s notice on this. Nobody told us at all. No compensation given. We were not rebels or terrorists to the government but were made to feel like we were,” the unidentified guest explained.

Multiple other passengers onboard the same sailing dispute the claim that there was no notice of the attire restrictions. The guideline was printed in the ship’s onboard newsletter, mentioned in several announcements by the ship’s cruise director, and mentioned in the onboard shore excursion and shopping presentations.

Heald was diplomatic with the complaint, promising to speak with the cruise line’s executive team to be sure announcements are made.

“Thank you and I am sorry that this happened and I will speak with the beards to see if we can add some kind of notice,” Heald said.

Heald also noted that any camouflage or military-style clothing is not permitted in various Caribbean nations, including the Bahamas, Jamaica, Barbados, Grenada, St. Lucia, and Dominica.

“It is better to leave this kind of clothing at home,” Heald stressed.

It must be noted that Carnival Cruise Line does not set the attire guidelines for the ports the cruise line visits. Just as different destinations have different laws, each country may have its own requirements for appropriate dress code. As guests in those countries, travelers must always obey local laws.

Why Is Camouflage Clothing Banned?

Different countries have a variety of reasons for banning camouflage clothing. The reasoning can related to fear of confusion with authorized military personnel or law enforcement officers, or the possibility of terrorist activities.

Because styles can vary, bans on camouflage are generally broad and cover all types of attire, even clothing such as swimwear that couldn’t possibly be confused for official military attire and even if the camouflage pattern is in an obvious non-camouflage color, such as pink.

Even small articles of clothing – a scarf, shoes, belts, or cloth face mask, for example – may not have camouflage patterns. Similarly, bags or purses are also prohibited in camouflage patterns.

Anyone caught wearing camouflage clothing may be subject to steep fines, interrogation, or even imprisonment, depending on the country and the individual circumstances of any incident.

In addition to several Caribbean ports of call, camouflage clothing is also forbidden in Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Antigua, Ghana, and various other countries.

Other Clothing Restrictions to Be Aware Of

While the overall restrictions on camouflage clothing may seem extreme to travelers accustomed to many individual freedoms, different types of clothing are actually prohibited in many areas.

When cruising the Mediterranean and visiting cathedrals in Italy, for example, guests must be dressed modestly with covered shoulders, and short-shorts or miniskirts are not permitted. Similarly, guests to very conservative nations such as Bermuda will want to restrict swimwear to the pool or beach, as it cannot be worn in other public areas.

Different shore excursions or activities may also have restrictions on attire, such as requiring long pants and close-toed shoes for horseback riding. Even onboard, such restrictions are common – guests onboard Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, or the upcoming Carnival Jubilee cannot wear skirts to ride Bolt: The Ultimate Sea Coaster for example.

Ultimately, guests are also responsible for knowing – and obeying – the laws of the countries they visit. In the weeks leading up to a cruise vacation, travelers should learn about possible restrictions at ports they will visit, and plan their cruise attire and packing accordingly.

Carnival Cruise Line’s popular “Behind the Fun” tour may soon be available for pre-cruise purchases if a current test proves successful.

At the moment, pre-cruise purchases are only available on one ship, but will be rolled out to additional vessels and eventually fleet-wide if it works.

Buy the Behind the Fun Tour Before Sailing

Guests booked on Carnival Horizon have noticed the ability to purchase the ship’s limited “Behind the Fun” tour before setting sail, a change to the usual availability of the exclusive tour. Normally, this unique onboard tour is only available for purchase onboard.

Carnival Cruise Line brand ambassador John Heald has confirmed testing of the pre-cruise purchases, noting that the eventual plan is to roll out the pre-cruise availability of the tour to all ships in the Carnival fleet.

“We have some news on Behind the Fun. We are testing a pre cruise online purchase of this excursion for one ship at the moment, Carnival Horizon,” Heald explained. “It is only for this ship at the moment. It is being tested and if it works (I am sure it will) we will roll it our for other ships in the days and weeks to come.”

There is no indication of how long the test period of pre-cruise purchases may be, nor have dates been announced for when different ships may begin to offer Behind the Fun tours for sale prior to sailing.

Rolling out the opportunity to different ships is likely to be done in a phased manner, perhaps by ship class or homeport, depending on what arrangements need to be considered to ensure efficient service.

Why Pre-Booking Matters

The ability to purchase Behind the Fun before boarding one’s ship can help more guests have the opportunity to enjoy the tour.

Because the tour has only been available for booking onboard, interested guests may not be able to secure reservations if they happen to embark on the ship later in the day, depending on their travel arrangements to reach the ship.

The Behind the Fun tour is limited and is only offered once per sailing for a small group of guests, typically fewer than 20. Because of the exclusivity, the tour sells out quickly and is often full even before all guests have embarked on the first day of their cruise.

Furthermore, long lines at the Shore Excursions (now called Carnival Adventures) desk and the general chaos of embarkation day as guests first find their way around a ship, complete their muster drill, and settle into their vacation routine can make it more difficult to book the tour onboard.

About Behind the Fun

Behind the Fun is a behind-the-scenes look at how a cruise ship operates, with visits to crew-only areas such as the bridge, engine control room (not the actual engine room, but where the ship is controlled), main galley, staff dining areas, storeroom, laundry, and other spaces guests do not generally see. Exact areas visited may vary depending on the ship and ongoing operations.

As part of the tour, participants also receive limited edition souvenirs and commemorative photos, as well as light snacks.

The length of the tour is approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes. Guests interested in the experience should note that some parts of the tour are only accessible by steep stairs, and all participants must wear close-toed shoes or sneakers. Bathing suits and skirts are not permitted, and the minimum age is 8 years. All guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

An accessible version of the tour is also available with similar experiences, but visits fewer spaces in person due to mobility limitations. Instead, passengers on the accessible tour will view a video showing additional behind-the-scenes areas they aren’t able to visit in-person.

No cameras or other kinds of recording devices, including cell phones, are permitted on any Behind the Fun tours.

Have you enjoyed the Behind the Fun tour? Share your experiences on the Cruise Hive boards!