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What If You Get Caught Sneaking Alcohol on a Cruise?

Haiyan Ma
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What If You Get Caught Sneaking Alcohol on a Cruise?

Alcohol and cruises go hand in hand. However, you must consume alcohol on a cruise safely and according to your cruise line’s guidelines. This means that you shouldn’t risk sneaking alcohol onto your cruise ship.

Maybe you don’t want to pay extra for drinks. Or perhaps you have a particular drink that you want to enjoy on your vacation. Whatever your reason, the consequences aren’t worth trying to sneak alcohol onto your cruise.

In this article, you’ll learn what happens if you get caught sneaking alcohol on a cruise and the alternatives to doing so to ensure that you still enjoy your vacation as much as possible.

In This Article…

Consequences of Sneaking Alcohol on a Cruise

In general, nothing good happens if you’re caught smuggling alcohol on a cruise, and there are several possibilities for disciplinary action.

Best case, the crew simply confiscates the alcohol. Worse case, you may be asked to disembark. Here are the consequences you can expect if you get caught sneaking alcohol on a cruise:

Drinking on a Cruise Ship
Photo Credit: Gianluca Piccin / Shutterstock
  • Fine or surcharge: On many cruise lines, you may be subject to a fine or a surcharge if they catch you sneaking alcohol onto the ship. 
  • Confiscation of alcohol: No matter what other disciplinary action the cruise line takes, you can expect them to confiscate your alcohol as soon as they find it.
  • Passport or identification retention: Besides confiscating your alcohol, you may have to show ID for the cruise line to note your actions and keep them in the system.
  • Asked to disembark from the cruise: In extreme cases, you may be asked to disembark the ship. This will typically only happen if you refuse to give up the alcohol or if the crew fears that you will be a disruption. 

How exactly can you get caught sneaking alcohol on a cruise? Let’s take a look.

Ways to Get Caught Sneaking Alcohol

It’s not very hard to get caught sneaking alcohol on a cruise because you have to go through several checks to even get on the ship, and you may be subject to additional checks while you’re on your cruise.

Beer on Cruise Ship
Photo Credit: Wirestock Creators / Shutterstock

As you know, the cruise line checks your luggage as you come onto the ship. However, this doesn’t mean you can simply sneak alcohol on board by other means. Nonetheless, many people try to sneak alcohol onboard in the following ways:

  • Hiding it deep in their suitcase
  • Hiding it on their person
  • Filling an unsuspecting bottle with liquor, such as a shampoo bottle

None of these ways to sneak liquor onboard work. Let’s look at the possible ways to get caught sneaking alcohol on a cruise. 

Body Scanners

While cruise ships don’t typically have the scanning technology you’ll find at airports, you’ll still have your luggage scanned and need to walk through an X-ray machine.

This machine can detect any liquids you may be carrying on your person, meaning you can’t hide any small bottles of alcohol in your pockets!

Room Inspections

Even if you somehow get past the cruise ship scanner with your booze, there’s still a chance of getting caught sneaking alcohol. Any cruise line can inspect any cruise passenger’s room for any reason. You’ll find this in your cruise contract, where you can also read the alcohol policy.

Cruise Cabins
Cruise Cabins

While most cruise lines aren’t in the habit of doing random searches, there’s still a possibility that they’ll search your cabin, especially if they suspect something is wrong. 

Informants

Speaking of suspecting something, you should expect to be monitored closely by the ship’s crew, security, or other potential informants. While they don’t follow your every move, they are wary of suspicious activity, such as being drunk yet not having ordered a drink. If the crew suspects any strange behavior, you may have your person and cabin checked and potentially be found with liquor.

As you can see, it generally isn’t worth it to sneak alcohol on a cruise. However, if you still want to drink until your heart’s content, there are other options.

Alternatives to Sneaking Alcohol

To give you some ideas on how to enjoy drinking on your cruise, here are your options.

Royal Caribbean Wine
Photo Credit: Joni Hanebutt / Shutterstock

Bring One Bottle of Champagne or Wine

There’s one exception to the prohibition of alcohol on cruise ships. Some cruise lines allow you to bring a limited number of bottles of wine or champagne onboard on embarkation day.

For example, Carnival Cruise Line allows passengers to bring onboard one 750-ml bottle of sealed/unopened wine or champagne, per person, in their carry-on luggage on embarkation day only. However, that one bottle is enough to celebrate the beginning of your cruise!

Purchase Alcohol From the Ship’s Bars

Unless you are on a sober cruise, you can always purchase alcohol on board at the bar. The ship’s bars always have an assortment of drinks available, including:

  • Beer
  • Wine
  • Cocktails
  • Champagne
  • Spirits

So don’t worry; you’ll likely be able to access your favorite drink on board. The stores on the ship will also have alcohol for sale as part of their duty-free shopping. However, if you purchase alcohol from the ship’s stores, it cannot be consumed onboard. It will be delivered to your cabin at the end of the cruise.

Cruise Ship Bar
Cruise Ship Bar

Book a Cruise with Unlimited Alcohol Packages

One of the best options that cruise lines offer is to purchase an unlimited drink package. With this package, you get access to unlimited drinks throughout your cruise. 

While some cruise lines may restrict the type of drinks you order, this is an excellent option for those who want the freedom to drink their favorite alcoholic beverage and keep the party rolling throughout their vacation! Most cruise lines offer unlimited alcohol packages, here are a few:

Bonus Tip: Drinking Ashore

In general, drinking at bars ashore is much cheaper than drinking on the ship. So one great way to ensure that you get drunk on your trip, even while on a budget, is to mainly drink at bars in the ports before going back on the ship. Plus, they’ll always have new drinks for you to try!

FAQs

Can I drink alcohol I bring from shore excursions?

You know cruise passengers can’t bring beer, wine, or liquor with them on embarkation day, but what about when you buy a bottle of wine or another alcoholic beverage on an excursion? Alcohol that you bring from shore excursions will be taken and stored separately once you return to the ship, and you’ll be given back your alcohol to take home with you at the end of your cruise.

Are there other items I can’t bring onto a cruise ship?

What cruise passengers can and cannot bring on board largely depends on the cruise line. However, in general, most cruise lines don’t allow irons and steamers, sharp objects such as knives or scissors, candles, and perishable food. Check your cruise line’s website for a specific list of prohibited items.

The Takeaway: Don’t Risk Being Caught

The consequences of sneaking alcohol on a cruise are not worth the risk of being caught, and being caught can potentially ruin your entire vacation.

Instead, take advantage of the options on board the ship, including an unlimited drinks package. They’re a great chance to be catered to and to try out some new drinks, as long as you’re above the legal drinking age. Remember to drink in moderation!

Huge Block Laid as Cruise Ship Reaches Construction Milestone

Robert McGillivray
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Huge Block Laid as Cruise Ship Reaches Construction Milestone

TUI Cruises celebrates a significant milestone in its ongoing fleet expansion with the keel-laying of Mein Schiff 7 at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland. 

The ceremony, which follows old shipping traditions, marks the completion of a quarter of the ship’s construction. Set to join the fleet in 2024, Mein Schiff 7 is the latest addition to the TUI Cruises fleet. The company launched two ships in 2018 and 2019 and is set to launch one more ship in 2024 and another in 2026.

Keel-laying Ceremony For Mein Schiff 7 at Shipyard

Following old shipping traditions, coins were symbolically placed in Mein Schiff 7‘s central block during the traditional keel-laying ceremony at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland. The milestone marks an important step in constructing a ship, as it means the actual building can begin.

“We are very happy that the first block of the ship could be laid as planned, and we are looking forward to the further milestones that lie ahead,” said Tim Meyer of Meyer Werft.

Mein Schiff 7 Construction Milestone
Photo Courtesy: TUI Cruises

During the building process, a total of 85 steel blocks will be joined and welded together. Representatives from TUI Cruises and Meyer Turku were present to celebrate the construction milestone for the Mein Schiff fleet’s newbuild. 

TUI Cruises CEO Wybcke Meier said: “With the keel laying of Mein Schiff 7, we are continuing the expansion of our feel-good fleet and maintaining our position with the most modern fleet on the German market.”

Mein Schiff 7 is a sister ship to Mein Schiff 1 and Mein Schiff 2, which entered service in 2018 and 2019. By 2026, TUI Cruises plans to put two more new ships into service in addition to Mein Schiff 7, doubling the capacity of the Mein Schiff fleet to almost 27,000 beds. Mein Schiff 8 is also scheduled to begin operations in 2024, and Mein Schiff 9 will enter service in 2026.

Drive for Sustainability

Mein Schiff 7 will run on lower-emission marine diesel and feature catalytic converters that provide a nitrogen oxide reduction of approximately 75%, and she will have a shore power connection. The ship is also being built to run on green methanol, making its propulsion nearly CO2-neutral. 

“The decision to equip Mein Schiff 7 for a methanol drive is an important investment in the future for us and an important contribution to climate-neutral cruising,” Meier said.

Mein Schiff 7 Construction Milestone
Photo Courtesy: TUI Cruises

Additionally, the vessel will have a system to shred organic waste through thermal treatment, making waste processing more efficient. 

The company’s ambitious climate plan was recently validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTI) recently validated the company’s ambitious climate plan.

Launched in 2015, this initiative aims to help companies set science-based greenhouse gas emission reduction targets that are in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement. The ambitious goals will also help Mein Schiff achieve the targets the entire cruise industry set out to become carbon neutral by 2050.

Facts and Figures of Mein Schiff 7

Mein Schiff 7‘s construction began on June 14, 2022, and she will enter service in June 2024. The ship is 315.7 meters long and 111,500 gross tons, with 15 decks and 1,461 cabins to accommodate 2,894 guests at double occupancy.

TUI Mein Schiff 7
Render Courtesy: TUI Cruises

The maiden voyage of Mein Schiff 7 is scheduled for June 23, 2024, departing from Kiel, Germany. The 14-night cruise will visit various ports in Norway, including Stavanger, Nordfjordeid, Molde, Honningsvag, Trondheim, and Alesund. Mein Schiff 7 will even visit the North Pole with a call at Longyearbyen on Spitsbergen before returning to Kiel on July 7, 2024.

TUI Cruises, a joint partnership between the Royal Caribbean Group and the TUI Group, owns and operates the Mein Schiff cruise ships. The cruise line offers a German-language, all-inclusive concept covering almost all food and beverages on board. Tips and several bars, lounges, and restaurants are also included in the price. 

Princess Cruises Ship Performs Daring Midnight Rescue

Melissa Mayntz
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Princess Cruises Ship Performs Daring Midnight Rescue

The Princess Cruises’ ship Grand Princess responded to a police call for assistance in the very early hours of Monday, March 20, 2023, off Wilsons Promontory in southernmost Victoria, Australia. As the closest vessel in the area, the cruise ship helped safely rescue two sailors who had become stranded and abandoned their boat.

A Grand Overnight Rescue

The sailors, a man and a woman, were just off Skull Rock, a small but distinctive rock formation 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) west-southwest of the southernmost point of Wilsons Promontory National Park.

Their boat began having difficulties, the nature of which have not been disclosed, and the couple abandoned the vessel for a dinghy. They deployed an emergency beacon to call for assistance.

Princess Cruises Ship
Photo Credit: StudioPortoSabbia / Shutterstock

Near midnight, local authorities located the dinghy and coordinated rescue efforts by contacting Grand Princess, which was the closest vessel capable of rendering suitable aid.

“A rescue craft was deployed from the cruise ship in Bass Strait and the pair were taken aboard,” said Belinda Batty, a media officer for the Victoria Police. “No one was injured during the incident.”

The tense video shows the approach of the cruise ship’s rescue craft in rough water and large swells. The stranded pair appear to have been wearing safety gear, but the turbulent water made the operation tricky and the rescue craft had to circle the dinghy to find the best angle to help the sailors aboard.

Everyone returned to the cruise ship safely, and while the ship was slightly delayed returning to Melbourne to conclude its sailing, the outcome is a happy one.

Grand Princess was finishing a 13-night, roundtrip voyage from Melbourne, having visited a diverse number of ports circumnavigating New Zealand. The next sailing has already gotten underway, a 7-night Southern Australia Explorer cruise visiting Philip Island, Port Lincoln, Adelaide, and Kangaroo Island.

The first vessel in the cruise line’s Grand class, Grand Princess debuted in 1998 as the largest and most expensive cruise ship ever constructed to that date. Weighing in at 107,517 gross tons, today she is one of the smallest vessels in Princess Cruises‘ fleet, but is still a favorite among cruise travelers.

In comparison, the upcoming Sun Princess, which was just recently floated out, will be the cruise line’s largest vessel ever when she debuts, weighing in at 175,500 gross tons.

Rescuing Stranded Sailors

Grand Princess‘s sailor rescue comes at almost the same time as another rescue of stranded sailors, also in difficult conditions, albeit in completely different waters on the other side of the world.

P&O Cruises’ Ventura rescued three yacht sailors from choppy waters in the Gulf of Mexico, also on Monday, March 20. In that incident, the yacht’s equipment failed causing steering difficulties, requiring a rescue.

All mariners are required by the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) agreements to assist any vessel in distress, no matter what the condition, size, or complement of the vessel requiring aid, so long as the rescuing craft can do so with reasonable safety.

Refugee Boat in the Distance - Photo Courtesy: Vici Sheffield
Photo Courtesy: Vici Sheffield

Many notable rescues involve refugee watercraft, such as unstable or makeshift rafts or small, overcrowded boats that are not seaworthy or safe, yet are carrying 6, 8, 10, or even more refugees at once.

Cruise ships can and do come to the assistance of other mariners, including pleasure sailors, fishermen, and others who may find themselves in suddenly dangerous waters or in an emergency situation due to poor weather or equipment failure.

For example, in April 2022, Carnival Magic responded to a distress call from a disabled sailboat near Florida, while in 2016, Carnival Spirit rescued two people from a stranded luxury yacht near Australia.

Have you ever been aboard a cruise ship during a rescue operation? Share your experiences on the Cruise Hive Boards!

Costa Venezia Arrives for Transformation into Carnival Cruise Ship

Robert McGillivray
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Costa Venezia Arrives for Transformation into Carnival Cruise Ship

Costa Venezia, a cruise ship initially built for Costa Cruises, has arrived at the Navantia shipyard in Cádiz, Spain, to be converted into a Carnival Cruise Line ship. After a dry dock period, the vessel will be renamed Carnival Venezia and adapted to showcase the new “Carnival Fun Italian Style” product.

Carnival Venezia is the first cruise ship to sail under the Carnival Fun Italian Style banner. Carnival Firenze will join her in 2024. In the meantime, the former Costa Luminosa has also been converted into a Carnival Cruise Line ship but is not part of the new program. 

The Transformation of Costa Venezia into Carnival Venezia

Costa Venezia, a Vista Class cruise ship of 135,225 gross tons with a capacity of 4,208 passengers, has arrived at the Navantia shipyard in Cadiz, Spain, to undergo a comprehensive refurbishment. 

This conversion will introduce Carnival’s signature activities and experiences, such as the Carnival Waterworks aqua park, the Piano Bar 88, and the Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse. Additionally, the ship will feature Bonsai Sushi, Seafood Shack, Cloud 9 Salon & Spa, and the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat.

During the two-month dry dock period, the Costa Venezia will receive a new livery that shows off the traditional Costa Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line colors and lines and is highlighted by the traditional Costa Cruises funnel. Upon completion of the refurbishment, the newly transformed Carnival Venezia will embark on a 15-night transatlantic crossing in late May. 

The cruise ship will then homeport in New York City, commencing year-round cruising operations in June with a variety of four- to 15-night cruises to destinations such as Bermuda, the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Canada, and New England.

Carnival Venezia
Carnival Venezia

Carnival Venezia will be perfect for the colder weather that can be expected on the North-East coast of the United States, as she will be one of the few cruise ships in Carnival’s fleet that features a dome over the main pool deck. 

Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy: “I think this may be my favorite spot on the ship. The Lido deck, believe it or not, and it’s unique. This ship has a Dome, so we thought it would be a perfect ship to bring to New York year-round. Because obviously, in the winter months, as we leave New York, we’re probably going to keep that Dome closed.”

For the coming three weeks, Costa Venezia will be in a wet dock to prepare for her dry dock period, which will begin once Symphony of the Seas sets sail for her summer of Mediterranean cruises starting April 12. 

Introducing the “Carnival Fun Italian Style” Concept

Carnival Cruise Line has taken possession of Costa Luminosa, Costa Venezia, and Costa Firenze due to the collapse of the Chinese cruise market. All three cruise ships were due to sail in China, but as the cruise industry in China is far from fully operational, there was a significant overcapacity for Costa Cruises. 

This acquisition has led to the creation of the “Carnival Fun Italian Style” concept, which combines Carnival’s signature experiences with the Italian theme of these ships.

Costa Venezia Atrium
Photo Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Venezia‘s interior design is inspired by the city of Venice, with themed areas such as the main restaurants featuring Venetian architecture and life-sized gondolas made by local artisans. This unique combination of Carnival’s signature elements and the Italian theme will be the hallmark of the “Carnival Fun Italian Style” concept.

The Carnival Venezia will be the first to sail under the concept after its transformation at the Navantia shipyard. Meanwhile, Costa Firenze will join in 2024, sailing from Long Beach, California. 

Carnival Luminosa joined the Carnival fleet last year and has been operational in Australia since then. She will be repositioning to Alaska for the summer season. Although a former Costa cruise ship, she is not part of the Carnival Fun Italian Style. Yet, she does share many similarities with the concepts of Carnival Venezia and Carnival Firenze. 

P&O Cruise Ship Safely Rescues Three From Sailing Yacht

Melissa Mayntz
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P&O Cruise Ship Safely Rescues Three From Sailing Yacht

The P&O Cruises ship Ventura has successfully rescued three sailors from a damaged yacht, bringing the stranded individuals aboard safely. The incident occurred on Monday, March 20, 2023, while the cruise ship was en route to New Orleans, Louisiana, as part of a 35-night sailing.

P&O Cruises Ventura Rescue

The Grand-class Ventura was enjoying time at sea in the Gulf of Mexico between Belize City and New Orleans when the sailing yacht was first sighted. Initially, there was no distress and the cruise ship passed the yacht safely, but later received a distress call and turned to relocate the vessel and render aid.

The weather was somewhat rough, including choppy waves and swells, and the yacht’s rigging and engine had failed making steering impossible. Three sailors were aboard, two women and one elderly man.

P&O Ventura
P&O Ventura (Photo Credit: SeregaSibTravel / Shutterstock)

The P&O Cruises ship approached the yacht’s port side to attempt to break the wind and make rescue operations safer. The elderly man was taken aboard first, followed by the two women as the yacht’s mast began to collapse and hit the side of the cruise ship, causing additional safety concerns.

The three rescued sailors were given medical attention, food, and water aboard the ship, as is customary with any at-sea rescue. All three are reported well. The yacht was left adrift, though local authorities would have been notified of its position as a potential sailing hazard.

Such rescues, while not frequent, are not unheard of in the Caribbean, where generally calm waters can suddenly become rough and challenging, especially for smaller watercraft.

Ventura’s 35-Night Voyage

At the time of the rescue, Ventura was sailing a 35-night roundtrip Caribbean and USA itinerary from Southampton, England, which began on Thursday, March 2, 2023.

Only halfway through the trip, the ship has now already visited ports in seven different countries: Spain, Bermuda, The Bahamas, Mexico, Honduras, Belize, and the United States.

The 116,017-gross-ton ship still has three more ports of call after leaving its overnight stay in New Orleans. On Saturday, March 25, the ship will visit Miami, followed by Port Canaveral (Orlando) the next day.

P&O Cruises Ship
Photo Credit: Sterling Images / Shutterstock

Ventura will then recross the Atlantic Ocean and stop in the Azores of Portugal before returning to Southampton on Thursday, April 6.

The ship, which is homeported in Southampton, will then be offering a variety of shorter roundtrip cruises ranging from 4-14 days. Itineraries include explorations of the Canary Islands, “short break” cruises to Amsterdam, and Western Europe voyages stopping in Spain, Portugal, France, and the UK, depending on the cruise length.

While all cruise ships are bound by maritime law to render aid to any vessel in distress, whether it is a sailing yacht, makeshift raft, rowboat, freighter, fishing boat, or other craft, Ventura has actually had to call for aid itself.

In late 2019, the ship suffered engine failure and issued a mayday as it fell adrift northeast of the Canary Islands. Several tugboats assisted and brought the ships safely back into port, with no passengers ever in danger. The following cruise was cancelled so complete repairs could be made.

In a less life-concerning incident, the ship needed to dispatch lifeboats during a June 2022 embarkation after a full cage of luggage was inadvertently dropped overboard, much to the dismay of passengers. Unfortunately, not all the soggy bags were able to be retrieved.

Ventura debuted in 2008 and was most recently refurbished just weeks ago, in February 2023 with minor updates and renovations. The ship can welcome 3,192 passengers at double occupancy, and as many as 3,597 guests when fully booked with all berths filled.

Carnival Warns Guests About Heavy Weekend Homeport Traffic

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Warns Guests About Heavy Weekend Homeport Traffic

Carnival Cruise Line has contacted guests booked on weekend sailings from PortMiami to alert them about potentially heavy traffic in downtown Miami due to the Ultra Music Festival, taking place from March 24-26.

This can potentially impact a number of Carnival cruises over the weekend, as well as other cruise lines sailing from Miami during the festival dates.

Heavy Traffic Expected

Guests sailing on Carnival ships from PortMiami this weekend may see significant traffic congestion through the downtown area, and the cruise line has reached out via email to alert travelers about the potential difficulties.

“While you prepare for your cruise, we’d like to inform you that the City of Miami will be hosting Ultra Music Festival in the downtown area from Friday, March 24 through Sunday, March 26, 2023,” the email explained. “As a result, there will be numerous street closures and heavier than normal traffic in and around the city.”

Miami Cruise Ships
Photo Credit: EQRoy / Shutterstock

Guests are urged to allow ample time to commute to the cruise terminal so as to arrive within their pre-selected arrival windows, as redirected traffic, congestion, and road closures will likely cause delays.

If driving, Carnival suggests guests use the PortMiami tunnel to avoid the downtown area. Guests using rideshare services might also suggest that route to their drivers for the most efficient service.

Travelers who have purchased airport transfers from Carnival Cruise Line will be contacted individually, as their transfer times may also be affected by the excess traffic. “We will remain in close contact with our transportation provider throughout embarkation day,” the email said.

Impacted Ships

With PortMiami the second busiest passenger cruise port in the world, multiple Carnival ships will likely be impacted by the increased traffic through the festival weekend.

While only Carnival Conquest will be in PortMiami when the festival opens on Friday, March 24, Saturday and Sunday are both busier days. Carnival Sunrise and Carnival Spirit are both docked on Saturday, while Carnival Horizon and the cruise line’s newest ship, Carnival Celebration, will be in port on Sunday, March 25.

Carnival Conquest Cruise Ship in Miami
Photo Credit: JHVEPhoto / Shutterstock

In addition to Carnival ships, vessels from Royal Caribbean International, MSC Cruises, Virgin Voyages, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Seabourn are also scheduled throughout the weekend.

Sunday will likely be the most challenging day for port traffic, as eight different cruise ships will be in port, including the Oasis-class Oasis of the Seas and Carnival Celebration, as well as Norwegian Encore, the largest ship by gross tonnage in Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet.

Options to Avoid Traffic

Cruise travelers can use several options to avoid the worst of the Miami traffic during the festival weekend.

Taking shuttle services, public transportation, or carpooling with other cruise guests can help minimize traffic, or guests can adjust their route for arriving to the cruise port to avoid the worst congestion. Extra time will be necessary to navigate through road closures and account for traffic delays as well.

Carnival Cruise Ship in Miami
Photo Credit: Felix Mizioznikov / Shutterstock

To make arriving at the port as easy as possible, travelers should check which terminal their ship will be docked at before arriving at the port, so they can better adjust which traffic lanes to use and learn which parking structures or lots are most convenient.

Worth Reading: Carnival Advises Guests on Port Challenges Before Sailing

It is important to note, however, that ships do not always return to the same terminal at the end of a cruise that they may have used for embarkation.

Above all, it will be critical for guests to be patient with the traffic difficulties, and not take out frustrations on either port personnel or cruise ship crew members. While the arrival may be more challenging, guests are sure to still have a fabulous cruise vacation to enjoy!

About the Festival

The Ultra Music Festival is an outdoor electronic music festival that began in 1999. The event is held annually in Bayfront Park, just at the base of Port Boulevard in downtown Miami and less than a mile from the cruise terminals.

The three-day festival drew 165,000 total attendees in 2022, and along with the bands themselves – typically more than 100 groups or performers throughout the event – as well as vendors and service personnel, can bring significant crowds to downtown Miami.

The festival has been so successful that international festivals have also been debuted, and the event has been nominated for numerous awards, and won for “Best Festival” from the International Dance Music Awards in 2018.

First Engine Started on Massive New Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship

Emrys Thakkar
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First Engine Started on Massive New Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship

With Royal Caribbean’s largest cruise ship in the world, Icon of the Seas, currently under construction in Finland, any milestone is significant! That includes when the engines are turned on for the very first time.

The shipyard confirmed that the first of six multi-fuel engines was activated. It comes as progress continues on the first Icon-class vessel, which will be completed at the end of 2023, and ready for sailing in early 2024.

Icon of the Seas Engines Started for the First Time

Royal Caribbean’s new LNG-powered Icon of the Seas has already reached some major milestones while under construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland. Now, the ship has reached another milestone, with the first of six engines getting started for the very first time.

These engines will ensure the giant new class vessel is fully powered as over 7,000 passengers and crew are busy on board working or enjoying. The first engine was started on March 15 using diesel fuel. However, the main engines can be powered by fuel and gas.

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas at Shipyard
Icon of the Seas at Meyer Turku (Photo Credit: Meyer Turku)

Chief engineer Tuomas Auvinen says: “Icon of the Seas has six Wärtsilä main engines. The first of them (number 2) was started today, Wednesday 15.3. at 11:00 a.m. Both diesel and natural gas can be used as fuel in the main engines, Wednesday’s start was made with diesel.”

With the complex technology involved, it’s a huge milestone for the workers at the shipyard. It shows that the installation has succeeded, which is especially important for a new design.

“The first main engine start on a ship largely tells a lot about the ship’s readiness. It is a sign that the various departments throughout the yard have achieved something significant. To achieve this milestone, all professional groups are needed, and for that, big thanks to everyone!” Auvinen added.

Royal Caribbean plans to use the six multi-fuel engines with Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), each providing 67,500 KW of energy to run the ship. The cruise line will scrutinize kilowatts to ensure the Icon of the Seas is energy efficient and reduces emissions.

The ship will be shore power ready, use fuel cell technology, have waste heat capture and air lubrication systems, and even have one of the best water management systems at sea.

World’s Largest Cruise Ship Under Construction

Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas has been under construction at Meyer Turku since the first piece of steel was cut on June 16, 2021. Since then, the cruise ship has come together block by block. Construction milestones included the keel being laid for the first time in April 2022 and the ship floating out onto the water on December 2022.

The ship is well on its way to completion, focusing very much now on the interior spaces. And oh my, are there a lot of spaces that need work!

When Icon of the Seas is delivered to the cruise line, she will become the new world’s largest cruise ship at 250,800 gross tons, with a maximum guest capacity of 7,600 and 2,350 crew members across a total of 20 decks.

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas Cruise Ship
Render Courtesy: Royal Caribbean

With all that capacity and space comes eight neighborhoods, each with its own features and styles, including the Aquadome, Central park, Chill Island, Royal Promenade, Surf Side, Suite Neighbourhood, The Hideaway, and Thrill Island.

Icon of the Seas will be delivered at the end of 2023 following the necessary sea trials. The ship will debut out of Miami, Florida, on January 27. the first guest sailing will be a seven-night Caribbean itinerary with visits to St. Kitts, St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands, and the Royal Caribbean private island of Perfect Day at CocoCay.

The ship will sail year-round from PortMiami, offering seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises. Guests will be happy to know a second Icon-class cruise ship is already under construction and will be completed in 2025. Are third in the same will class will also be constructed, with delivery in 2026.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Breaks Transatlantic Crossing Record

Robert McGillivray
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Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Breaks Transatlantic Crossing Record

Considering that transatlantic voyages sailed with a few thousand people onboard at most just a hundred years ago, it is pretty remarkable that Symphony of the Seas just arrived in Europe carrying more than 7,000 people onboard. 

After completing a transatlantic voyage that departed Miami on March 9, the Oasis-class cruise ship became the ship carrying the most people onboard during a completed transatlantic voyage in peacetime. 

Symphony of the Seas Breaks Atlantic Crossing Record

With 7,604 people on board, which includes 5,350 passengers and 2,224 crew members, Symphony of the Seas arrived in Malaga, Spain, on March 19, completing a voyage across the Atlantic that will enter the history books. 

The Oasis-class cruise ship is now the world record holder for the vessel carrying more people across the Atlantic Ocean than any other vessel in history in peacetime. After visiting Malaga on March 19 and Valencia today, March 20, Symphony of the Seas is scheduled to complete the 12-day cruise and arrive in Barcelona, Spain, on March 21.

The 228,081 gross tons Symphony of the Seas, built in 2018, was the world’s largest cruise ship between 2018 and 2022. She will go into dry dock in Cadiz and undergo routine maintenance and class work at the shipyard. 

Symphony of the Seas will resume operations on April 16 with a series of seven-night cruises in the Western Mediterranean, departing from Barcelona every Sunday. Ports of call include Palma De Mallorca, Marseille, La Spezia, Civitavecchia, and Naples. 

The season in Europe will be relatively long for Symphony of the Seas. The cruise ship will be sailing in the western Mediterranean through October 29 this year. 

Symphony of the Seas isn’t the All-Time Record Holder

While impressive, the transatlantic record set by Symphony of the Seas is not the all-time record for a cruise ship crossing the Atlantic Ocean. In July 1943, the Cunard Line ocean liner Queen Mary set the record for a crossing of the Atlantic carrying 16,683 crew members and troops on a single passage.

RMS Queen Mary
Photo Credit: Khairil Azhar Junos / Shutterstock

During the second world war, Queen Mary sailed a massive 765,429 military personnel between the United States and the United Kingdom. Due to her tremendous efforts, it was later noted by Sir Winston Churchill that Queen Mary and her sister Queen Elizabeth had shortened the war efforts considerably:

Sir Winston Churchill: “Built for the arts of peace and to link the old world with the new, the queens challenged the fury of Hitlerism in the battle of the Atlantic. Without their aid, the day of final victory must unquestionably have been postponed.”

Nine Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships in Europe in 2023 

Royal Caribbean is placing a lot of importance on Europe this summer, with no less than nine of its cruise ships based in the Mediterranean, the UK, and Western Europe this summer. 

Besides Symphony of the Seas, this will be Anthem of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas, and Jewel of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean The Key
Photo Credit: EQRoy / Shutterstock

Anthem of the Seas will be based in Southampton, England, offering seven-night cruises to Spain and France, or the Norwegian Fjords. 

Odyssey of the Seas returns to Rome, Italy, offering seven- to nine-night cruises from Rome to Naples, the Greek islands, and Turkey, as well as 12-night Holy Land sailings, which includes calls in Limassol, Cyprus; Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey; and Jerusalem, Israel.

Serenade of the Seas will sail 8-night itineraries to the Western Mediterranean, 12-night cruises to the Greek Isles, and 5-night sailings to Italy and France from Barcelona. Explorer of the Seas sails from Ravenna, Italy, on seven-night cruises to Olympia, Greece; Kotor, Montenegro, and Chania, Crete.

Brilliance of the Seas sails from Rome, Ravenna, Athens, and Barcelona on a variety of itineraries. Rhapsody of the Seas will operate from Haifa, Israel, and Limassol, Cyprus, on a series of cruises between four and seven nights to Turkey, Israel, and Greece. 

Sailing on cruises around Western and Northern Europe are Jewel of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas from Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Copenhagen, Denmark, and Stockholm, Sweden.

Another Carnival Cruise Director Promoted to Fleet Position

Melissa Mayntz
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Another Carnival Cruise Director Promoted to Fleet Position

Carnival Cruise Line has announced the second popular cruise director to be promoted to the position of “Fleet Cruise Director” to oversee the line’s entire cadre of cruise directors. Chris “Donkey” Salazar will be the second person with this new title, and the position will include training operations and other work aboard multiple ships.

Two Cruise Directors Promoted

The second employee promoted to the Fleet Cruise Director position has been revealed as Christopher Salazar, a long time, popular cruise director on multiple Carnival ships.

This followed the cruise line’s January announcement that Mike Pack was the first to be promoted to “Fleet Cruise Director.” Carnival Cruise Line brand ambassador John Heald announced the two promotions, with congratulations for both Pack and the as-yet-unannounced second cruise director for their amazing work.

Carnival Cruise Line Fleet Cruise Director
Photo Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line

“I would like to add my congratulations to Mike Pack who along with one other Cruise Director has been promoted to Fleet Cruise Director,” Heald said. “[They] will be responsible for working with and assisting all the current group of wonderful Cruise Directors and will help train new CDs.”

Meet Chris “Donkey” Salazar

Salazar has been with Carnival Cruise Line since November 2008, serving on a number of vessels, including as cruise director aboard Mardi Gras, Carnival Sunshine, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Glory, Carnival Liberty, and other ships. He has been recognized as “Team Member of the Month” several times, and is always a positive force not only for cruise guests, but also for all crew members.

Salzar embraced the nickname “Donkey” early in his Carnival career when a young guest innocently commented that Salazar’s big ears and teeth had a resemblance to the popular Shrek animated character. Salazar loved the nickname and has made it his own with his quirky, vibrant personality.

The Australian-born natural entertainer is an energetic, colorful personality (with the outfits to match) and a favorite cruise director for many guests, who will be sad to learn he will no longer be assigned to a single vessel. Many frequent cruisers will select specific voyages in order to sail with their favorite cruise directors.

“Hey Carnival family, so this will be my last contract as Cruise Director,” Salazar said when announcing his new position. “I’m very proud and happy to say that I have been promoted to Fleet Cruise Director. A massive thank you to everyone one for the love and support over the last 14 years and so excited for what the future will bring.”

What Will Fleet Cruise Directors Do?

While cruise directors are well known for leading onboard events such as dance parties and evening performances, as well as interacting with crew members and facilitating all entertainment on a vessel, what will a fleet cruise director do?

The newly created position is intended to help guide the training for new cruise directors and to assist with entertainment operations across the entire Fun Ship fleet, rather than remaining assigned to a single cruise ship.

Read Also: How Much Does a Cruise Director Make?

Mike Pack on Mardi Gras
Photo Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line

The overall role is sure to be defined in part by how both Pack and Salazar embrace their new duties. Some of the responsibilities are obvious, such as conducting training for cruise directors and entertainment staff, including each ship’s “Fun Squad” members who host trivia contests, line dance lessons, deck games, and more.

Other fleet cruise director duties are likely to include participating in product and event development, such as new game show or Lido Deck game options, as well as interacting for guest relations and safety, crew morale, mentoring staff, and more.

It is also likely that the new fleet cruise directors will make appearances at notable events, such as naming new ships, visiting new ports of call, land-based conferences or award ceremonies, or opening newly constructed cruise terminals.

While no announcements have yet been made about what sailings on which ships either Pack or Salazar may participate in, guests are sure to find them onboard here and there throughout the Carnival fleet for amazing and memorable voyages.

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