An 83-year-old American man has died on NCL’s Great Stirrup Cay private island.
The tragic incident occurred on Sunday, May 3, while he was snorkeling.
The only cruise ship visiting that day was the Norwegian Getaway.
According to Eyewitness News Bahamas, an 83-year-old man from the United States has died at Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island of Great Stirrup Cay. The destination, which is only visited by NCL cruise ships, is part of the Berry Islands, approximately 20 miles north of Nassau.
The tragic incident occurred between 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM on Sunday, May 3, 2026. According to the man’s son, who was on the island, they had started snorkeling together at approximately 2:00 PM along the beach, but towards the end of their snorkeling session, the son spotted his father unresponsive, without a mask.
Local authorities reported that officers of Bullocks Harbor and a local doctor had been alerted shortly after 3:00 PM and confirmed the passing of the elderly man.
An investigation into the cause of death has been launched. His identity has not been released by authorities at this time.
“We are saddened by the passing of one of our guests who became unresponsive while snorkeling in the ocean. Our medical team and local emergency responders provided immediate assistance. Unfortunately, the guest was unable to be revived. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family during this difficult time,”a spokesperson for Norwegian Cruise Line stated to Cruise Hive.
The 3,903-passenger Norwegian Getaway was the only cruise ship visiting the private destination on May 3. The vessel was on a three-day voyage that departed Miami, Florida, on May 1.
Guests Enjoying a Day at Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas (Photo Credit: Grindstone Media Group)
The ship had already completed a port of call in Nassau the day before, on May 2, and as of press time, the 145,650 gross ton ship has already arrived back home to Miami on May 4.
This incident comes shortly after Norwegian Cruise Line recently settled a lawsuit with the Shin family in April 2026 after a cruise guest named Hyon Duk Shin drowned after rescuing a child during a visit to Horseshoe Bay in Bermuda in March 2024. This was also related to the Norwegian Getaway cruise ship.
Cruise Hive’s thoughts are with the 83-year-old’s family and friends during this very difficult time.
Three cruise guests from Ocean Expedition’s MV Hondius have died, with one confirmed death from hantavirus.
The World Health Organization is conducting tests and monitoring the situation, which includes three additional ill guests.
There are several types of hantavirus with different symptoms and severities, depending on overall health conditions.
Any death on a cruise ship is a startling occurrence, but when those deaths are from a relatively rare but very deadly disease, it can raise alarms for even the most conscientious cruiser.
Such alarms are sounding loud and clear following the deaths of three passengers on Oceanwide Expedition’s MV Hondius believed to be caused by a hantavirus infection. Three more guests are ill and may be similarly infected.
Two of the deceased guests are husband and wife, ages 70 and 69, respectively. A third ill passenger is a 69-year-old British national and is in intensive care in a hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa.
None of the identities of those infected have been released. This is standard practice to safeguard the privacy of those impacted by such emergency situations.
The outbreak has been confirmed by the World Health Organization (WHO) with laboratory testing of one deceased guest positive for hantavirus. Additional testing is underway to track the suspected outbreak.
“WHO is aware of and supporting a public health event involving a cruise vessel sailing in the Atlantic Ocean. To date, one case of hantavirus infection has been laboratory confirmed, and there are five additional suspected cases. Of the six affected individuals, three have died and one is currently in intensive care in South Africa,”a statement from the World Health Organization reads.
WHO is aware of and supporting a public health event involving a cruise vessel sailing in the Atlantic Ocean. To date, one case of hantavirus infection has been laboratory confirmed, and there are five additional suspected cases. Of the six affected individuals, three have died… pic.twitter.com/SqMAAZzoID
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) May 3, 2026
Hondius is a Polar Class 6 ice-strengthened, expedition vessel and can welcome up to 170 guests. This means even with just six cases, 3.5% of guests onboard are ill, a concerning number for any illness outbreak.
The ship also carries a crew complement of 57, plus 13 guides for its expedition itineraries. One medical doctor is also onboard.
About Hantavirus
Hantavirus is typically contracted from exposure to infected rodent urine or feces. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the pulmonary type of the virus may not show symptoms for 1-8 weeks after exposure. Fatigue, fever, and muscle aches are the first symptoms, while coughing and shortness of breath develop later.
A faster-acting type of hantavirus is hemorrhagic fever, which typically develops in just 1-2 weeks and includes more severe symptoms, notably intense headaches and blurred vision, followed by internal bleeding and acute kidney failure.
The exact type of hantavirus confirmed for the guests aboard Hondius has not been released. Sequencing of the virus is underway to further determine the strain.
No outbreaks of any type of hantavirus aboard cruise ships have been reported to the CDC in at least the past 30 years, according to archived data. Cruise Hive has reported on various outbreaks of norovirus, e. coli, salmonella, and similar diseases from most cruise lines.
At the time the illness was detected, the ship was sailing from Ushuaia, Argentina to Cape Verde. Satellite tracking confirms that Hondius is now docked in Cape Verde.
The ship appears to have finished her Antarctic season and is scheduled to begin Arctic sailings at the end of May. The current itinerary, which departed Argentina on March 20, may include elements of both polar explorations, a rare and highly desirable expedition sailing, or it may simply be a transatlantic cruise as the ship repositions for the northern summer season.
Should Cruisers Be Concerned About Rare Outbreaks?
By their nature, expedition sailings typically operate in remote regions where there may not be as much port or local infrastructure. This can make it challenging if there is an emergency situation or outbreak of a severe illness onboard.
Oceanwide Expeditions notes that their typical guests range in age from 30 to 80, with the majority from 45 to 65. Older populations can be more vulnerable to respiratory conditions such as hantavirus, and overall health can play a part in how such diseases impact individuals.
There is, however, no restriction on ages or health conditions for guests to set sail on expedition itineraries. The cruise line does explain that mobility can be a concern at many destinations they visit.
“You must be in good overall health and be able to walk several hours per day. The expedition is ship-based and physically not very demanding, but we spend as much time as possible on shore,”the cruise line’s website states.
Typical disease outbreaks on cruise ships tend to be gastrointestinal illnesses with vomiting, diarrhea, and similar symptoms. While gastrointestinal diseases can be severe for very vulnerable guests, rarely do any such outbreaks cause fatalities.
Spirit Airlines ceased operations and cancelled all flights as of Saturday, May 2, 2026.
Travelers booked on Spirit flights may find discounts and assistance from other major airlines.
Cruise lines generally do not provide any refunds if guests cannot reach their sailing due to cancelled flights.
With Spirit Airlines abruptly ceasing operations as of Saturday, May 2, 2026, thousands of cruise guests may be in a tight pinch for their travel plans in the coming weeks, just as the busy summer sailing season begins.
“It is with great disappointment that on May 2, 2026, Spirit Airlines started an orderly wind-down of our operations, effective immediately,”the statement said.“All flights have been cancelled, and customer service is no longer available.”
Further information instructs travelers not to go to the airport, but notes that refunds will be processed automatically back to the cards used for payment. If travelers booked through a travel agent or agency, they should contact those third-party operators for details.
Spirit Airlines is not able to help travelers rebook now-cancelled flights with other airlines. Fortunately, however, several airlines have already stepped up with discounts and price caps to help travelers left stranded by the sudden closure.
JetBlue, for example, is offering $99 one-way fares for travelers with cancelled Spirit flights on the same routes through May 6, while Frontier Airlines is offering up to 50% off select base fares to disrupted travelers. American Airlines and Delta are also offering discounted rescue fares on select routes.
Spirit Airlines and Cruise Travel
The budget-friendly airline has a major presence in Florida and is headquartered in Dania Beach, just five miles from Port Everglades and 25 miles from PortMiami.
According to Fox 35 Orlando, Spirit Airlines had been scheduled for 237 flights out of Orlando International Airport in just the next week, reaching more than 40 domestic and international destinations. In March 2026, the airline handled nearly 500,000 travelers just in Orlando, the closest major airport to Port Canaveral.
Spirit Airlines’ low-cost, no-frills fares have been a favorite for cruise travelers on a budget, often saving hundreds of dollars over other major airlines.
These savings would give cruise guests a larger budget for cruise fares and add-ons, such as drink packages, shore tours, spa treatments, and other vacation amenities.
View of Parking Lots at Port Canaveral (Photo Credit: Joni Hanebutt)
Merger and bankruptcy filings have been in the works for several years. In early 2022, Frontier Airlines attempted to merge with Spirit Airlines, but the deal was ultimately rejected. Shortly afterward, JetBlue also made an offer to acquire the airline but was unsuccessful. The airline filed for bankruptcy in November 2024 and again in August 2025.
Now, cruise travelers are scrambling with last-minute adjustments to their travel plans.
“So Spirit Airlines has decided to shut down 6 days before our cruise,”one upcoming guest noted on Facebook.“I’m about to be out thousands of dollars because I can’t rebook without the money back that I’ve already spent.”
Because of rising fuel costs and the popularity of summer travel, many cruisers may find themselves in a similar situation if refunds from now-cancelled flights take weeks or months to process.
Some costs may be reimbursed if guests have travel insurance, depending on the terms and conditions of their individual policies.
This is certainly not a case of “don’t book a same-day flight” or other typical cruise advise, as Spirit Airlines’ closure will impact flights for weeks, if not months.
Making other travel plans will be essential for thousands of cruise guests who may rebook on other airlines or investigate alternative options, such as lengthy drives to the cruise terminal.
Due to the magnitude of this disruption, it is possible that cruise lines might make exceptions to this general rule, but no cruise line has yet made any such offer to impacted guests, nor should it be expected.
It has been a tough week in the cruise world. Two lives were lost at sea, a charter organizer is facing charges over hundreds of thousands in unpaid refunds, and Carnival’s most loyal guests just found out their perks won’t mean much on one very popular Alaska sailing.
But it wasn’t all bad news. Royal Caribbean doubled down on its biggest ships, Norwegian Cruise Line opened a door into The Haven, and Holland America Line gave Rotterdam a fresh coat of paint and a whole lot more live music.
Here are all those main stories.
Woman Dies After Falling From Balcony on Carnival Firenze
A passenger aboard the Carnival Firenze has sadly died after falling from her balcony on the morning of April 27.
According to local reports, the woman went over her balcony railing and fell to a lower deck. Her family alerted the crew, and Carnival’s Care Team has been supporting them since.
Carnival Firenze Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Pedro H C Carvalho)
The cruise line confirmed that all appropriate authorities were notified and that law enforcement would board the ship at Catalina Island to investigate. The woman’s identity has not been released, and it is not known how or why she went over the railing.
Carnival Firenze had departed her homeport of Long Beach on April 26 for a short Baja Mexico cruise. The 135,156 gross ton ship continued on to Ensenada following the incident and is set to return to Long Beach on April 30. She joined the Carnival fleet in 2024 after transferring from Costa Cruises.
Search Called Off for Crew Member Lost Overboard From Norwegian Breakaway
The incident happened roughly 12 miles off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The US Coast Guard launched a search operation involving both aerial and surface assets, but ultimately suspended efforts the following afternoon after the crew member could not be found. Unless new information comes to light, the search will not resume.
Search for Overboard Crew Member on Norwegian Breakaway (Photo Credit: Tammy Ross)
The crew member’s identity and the circumstances behind the fall have not been made public. Water temperatures off Cape Cod at this time of year sit between 40 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit, meaning hypothermia could set in within 15 to 30 minutes.
This is now the second NCL crew member lost at sea in April alone. Another employee went overboard from Norwegian Viva near Costa Maya on April 9 and was also never found. Norwegian Breakaway‘s next sailing was briefly delayed by the search but is now underway.
Charges Filed Against Cruise Charter Organizer Over Unpaid Refunds
If you booked a music-themed Caribbean cruise through Capital Jazz and never saw your money again, you are not alone.
Maryland’s Attorney General Anthony G. Brown has filed charges against Capital Jazz and its owner, Clifford Hunte. The case centers on the company’s failure to refund passengers from a cancelled SuperCruise that was supposed to sail aboard the Fantasia-class MSC Divina from March 22 to 29.
MSC Cruise Ship Deck Party (Photo Credit: Mundofoto)
MSC Cruises pulled the plug on the private charter back in November 2025, after the organizer failed to pay the cruise line on time. Guests were not told about the cancellation until months later, and many had already spent thousands on bookings, flights, and hotels near PortMiami. Worse still, the company allegedly continued accepting new deposits right up until the last minute.
So far, 103 guests have come forward, and Capital Jazz owes them at least $642,240 in unpaid refunds. Maryland’s Consumer Protection Division believes the real total is likely much higher.
And this is not the company’s first run-in with authorities. Capital Jazz has also stopped paying penalties from a 2025 legal settlement over earlier unpaid refunds from a previous cancelled cruise.
That means the world’s largest cruise ship class is about to get even bigger. The first two ships, Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas, have already been carrying up to 7,600 guests per sailing.
Icon Class Cruise Ships at Meyer Turku (Photo Credit: Jouni Niskakoski)
The third, Legend of the Seas, is currently undergoing sea trials after departing the Finnish shipyard on April 20. A fourth ship, Hero of the Seas, is expected in late 2027, and a still unnamed fifth ship is slated for mid 2028.
Meyer Turku has built 25 ships for Royal Caribbean over a partnership spanning more than 30 years, and the Icon class vessels are the largest industrial projects in Finland.
These new orders lock in fleet growth well into the next decade. Both are subject to appropriate financing, which is standard in the industry.
Norwegian Opens The Haven Restaurant to Non-Suite Guests (With a Catch)
Norwegian Cruise Line’s The Haven is famous for being exclusive. Private sundeck. Concierge service. A restaurant that only Haven guests can set foot in.
But as of April 23, that last part has changed. Slightly.
Guests staying in a non-Haven stateroom that physically connects to a Haven suite, and who are traveling with the guests in that suite, can now dine at The Haven Restaurant at no extra charge. There is no limit on the number of visits, either.
Norwegian Cruise Line Haven Restaurant (Photo Credit: NCL)
There is a catch, though. The non-Haven guests must be accompanied by at least one traveler from the connecting Haven stateroom. And the offer only applies to physically connecting rooms. So, traveling companions in a separate cabin down the hall? Still out of luck.
No other Haven perks are being extended. No concierge, no private sundeck, no cocktail party with the officers. It is a dining-only change.
For families who book a Haven suite alongside a connecting balcony, though, it means the whole group can finally eat together in The Haven Restaurant. Guests will need to make arrangements with the Pre-Cruise Concierge Desk before sailing.
Rotterdam Returns From Dry Dock With More Music and a Fresh Look
Holland America Line’s Rotterdam is back in action after a two-week dry dock in her namesake city, and she is looking (and sounding) better than ever.
The biggest theme of the refresh? Live music.
The Billboard Onboard and Rolling Stone Lounge on Deck 2 both got expanded seating and improved sightlines. A brand new live music stage was added to the Crow’s Nest on Deck 12, a space that will still host lectures and enrichment programming with panoramic views as a backdrop. And yet another stage went in at the aft Sea View Pool on Deck 9.
Holland America Rotterdam Dry Dock
Beyond the music, the casino on Deck 3 expanded with nearly 20 new slot machines, updated carpet, upgraded table games, and new seating. The Greenhouse Spa & Salon received comfort and efficiency updates, and the Effy Jewelry boutique got a modernized look.
On the accommodation side, 22 of the ship’s Vista Suites now feature new sofa beds, increasing capacity to four guests without sacrificing the suites’ design or luxury feel. The 99,863 gross ton ship also got a fresh hull repaint and various behind-the-scenes technical work.
Rotterdam returned to service on April 26 with Norwegian fjord itineraries and will reposition to Florida in October.
Carnival Cuts Platinum Loyalty Perks on Brand Ambassador’s Alaska Sailing
Not everyone heading to Alaska on Carnival is going to get the VIP treatment they expected.
Platinum members of Carnival’s VIFP loyalty program who are booked on the May 5 sailing of Carnival Spirit out of Seattle have been told several key benefits will not be available. That means no priority embarkation or debarkation, no early stateroom access to drop off luggage, no priority luggage delivery, and potentially no priority line at Guest Services either.
Why? Too many Platinum guests on one ship. The 7-night cruise to Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, and Victoria is the 2026 FFS Cruise with brand ambassador John Heald, which tends to draw a heavy concentration of loyal Carnival cruisers. Diamond level guests, for what it’s worth, will still receive all of their benefits.
This is not new territory for Carnival. The line has pulled Platinum perks on other sailings before, particularly longer voyages like repositioning or transatlantic crossings. But it is always a tough pill for guests who have sailed enough to earn that status.
Carnival Spirit can welcome up to 2,124 guests at double occupancy. The 85,920 gross ton ship will spend the summer in Alaska before offering a 15-night Hawaii sailing and then repositioning to Mobile for the winter.
More Cruise Headlines
That wraps up this week’s cruise news roundup. Between the Icon class expansion, The Haven’s slight opening, and Rotterdam‘s musical makeover, there is plenty to look forward to across the industry. From there week there was also coverage on a construction update on the Carnival Festivale, the new Legend of the Seas completing sea trials, and even a continued increase in cruise line gratuities.
Royal Caribbean revised the itinerary for Legend of the Seas’ July 25, 2026, departure.
Notably, the visit to Alicante, Spain, has been replaced with a call at La Spezia, Italy.
The rest of the itinerary has been reordered, and the time in certain ports has been adjusted.
Legend of the Seas hasn’t entered service yet, but it is already no stranger to itinerary changes.
Royal Caribbean recently tweaked several itineraries for the third Icon-class ship’s inaugural Caribbean season, and is back with another change for the new build’s fourth official cruise.
The impacted voyage is a one-way sailing from Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy, to Barcelona, Spain, which is scheduled to embark on July 25, 2026. The ship will have just entered service a few weeks prior on July 4, 2026.
Over the course of eight nights, the 250,800-gross ton vessel was supposed to visit Naples, Italy; Palma De Mallorca, Spain; Alicante, Spain; and Malaga, Spain, in the listed order.
However, the schedule has been reordered and Alicante has been swapped out entirely with a visit to La Spezia, Italy, which is the gateway to Florence and Pisa.
Cruise Hive was not able to verify the reason behind the drastic change, but cruise lines can make itinerary changes for a variety of reasons, such as port availability, safety concerns, fuel optimization, and/or anticipated rough weather.
What is the New itinerary?
Most of the same ports are still on the itinerary for the July 25 sailing, but in a different order and with updated timing. Only Alicante was entirely removed and replaced.
“We’ll now visit Florence/Pisa (La Spezia), Italy instead of Alicante, Spain on Day 2 at 6:30 AM and depart at 8:00 PM—giving you even more time ashore to enjoy everything this beautiful destination has to offer,”Royal Caribbean wrote to impacted guests.
“As a result of this change, our Sea Day will now take place on Day 3, followed by our visit to Naples, Italy on Day 4 from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. After another relaxing Sea Day, we’ll arrive in Palma de Mallorca, Spain on Day 6 at 7:00 AM until 2:30 PM. Additionally, our call times in Málaga, Spain have been updated to 12:30 PM to 9:00 PM,” the letter continued.
Legend of the Seas Letter
La Spezia will now be the first port call of the trip on Day 2 (July 26), knocking Naples out as the first destination of the voyage.
Instead, the 5,610-guest ship will spend Day 3 (July 27) of the voyage at sea and visit Naples one day later than planned on Day 4 (July 28).
Palma De Mallorca was originally on the itinerary for Day 5 (July 29), but this visit has been bumped back to Day 6 (July 30). Cruisers will get to enjoy the port from 7 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. instead of the originally planned 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Malaga does not shift from its planned date of July 31. However, the visit has shifted from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. This is roughly the same amount of time in Malaga, but the window has been pushed back.
Accessibility Concerns for La Spezia
Surely adding to the annoyance for some guests, Royal Caribbean will be employing tendering operations during the visit to La Spezia.
La Spezia does have a standard dock, but the soon-to-debut ship is simply too massive to safely dock at the pier. The ship is 1,198 feet long and 213 feet wide, which, to put it simply, is huge.
Because of the nature of tendering operations, guests who are not able to walk at least a couple of steps and/or guests who do not have collapsible wheelchairs will not be able to go ashore.
“We’ll be tendering you ashore in Florence/Pisa (La Spezia), Italy. Tenders are accessible to guests who use collapsible wheelchairs and who can take a few steps. Full-time mobility scooter or wheelchair users who are unable to take a few steps may be unable to go ashore,”Royal Caribbean advised.
Guests who are unable to disembark in La Spezia will still get to enjoy all of the amenities and entertainment onboard (and likely with less crowds!), including the world-class pools and hot tubs.
Goldbelt Tram, a popular attraction enjoyed by cruise guests in Juneau, is temporarily closed following an accident.
The cruise lines have not commented publicly on the incident, but will likely automatically refund Goldbelt Tram shore excursions for the time being.
More than a dozen cruise ships are expected in Juneau over the next week from brands like Carnival, Princess Cruises, and more.
An accident has temporarily closed one of the most popular shore excursions in Juneau, Alaska, just as the 2026 cruise season kicks off.
Juneau’s Goldbelt Tram is closed at least through the weekend of May 2-3, 2026, and likely longer, following an incident on the night of April 30, 2026, that sent two people to the hospital.
The famous attraction offers a scenic, six-minute ride from the cruise port to the top of Mount Roberts, where guests can take in the beautiful sights of Juneau from 1,800 feet high.
The major cruise lines that visit Alaska frequently sell tickets to the tram as a shore excursion. This includes Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, and more.
But at least for now, this excursion will be put on hold until the issue behind the recent accident is identified, fixed, and thoroughly inspected by the appropriate authorities.
What Went Wrong?
On Thursday night, five tram employees were riding the tram when it came into the base station too fast and stopped abruptly and rather violently.
The Capital City Fire Rescue team responded to the scene, where first responders “successfully stabilized the cabin and gained access to all occupants.”
All of the employees had minor injuries. Two of the five employees, one of whom was knocked unconscious, were taken to a local hospital for treatment. Both have already been released.
There was initially concern that the injured people may have been guests of Carnival Luminosa, which was docked in Juneau at the time as part of a 10-night Alaska sailing. However, it has been confirmed that all five people were employees.
The cause behind the incident is still unclear and is under investigation, but the attraction will not be reopened until the investigation is complete and any necessary repairs have been made to prevent this situation from happening again with cruise guests.
“It came in faster than anticipated, so it was just docking at a higher rate of speed,”Ben Moorhead, the tram’s director of operations and facilities, told The Juneau Independenton May 1.
“Today we’re just trying to figure out everything that happened…So I’m in contact with the lift manufacturer and in contact with people to make all the repairs,”Moorhead continued.
Because of the time required to investigate and fix the tram, as well as inspections to confirm it is safe to reopen, Cruise Hive expects that the attraction will likely stay closed at least into the week of May 4, 2026.
Juneau Tram Incident (Photo Credit: Capital City Fire Rescue)
Most likely, the cruise lines will automatically refund any Goldbelt Tram shore excursions booked directly through them while the famous attraction remains shuttered.
Usually, refunds in cases like these will either go back to the original form of payment or will be provided as credits, which can be used to book a new tour from the cruise line’s repertoire.
Which Cruise Ships Will be Impacted?
The Alaska cruise season doesn’t typically peak until mid-June to mid-August, but there are still plenty of cruise ships coming to Juneau over the next week.
So far, Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Miracle, which is operating a 10-night Alaska sailing out of Seattle, was in Juneau on May 1, 2026, from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m.
On Saturday, May 2, UnCruise Adventures’ Wilderness Legacy, Carnival’s Carnival Spirit, and Princess Cruises’ Coral Princess are on the port schedule.
Sunday, May 3, is quieter. UnCruise Adventures’ Wilderness Discoverer is the only ship on the schedule, and is a small vessel with room for only 76 passengers.
The next week, however, looks busier. 13 ship calls are scheduled from May 4 to May 8 from brands like Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Silversea Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, and Lindblad Expeditions.
During its busy period, Alaska’s capital maintains a five-ship daily limit. Although, there is one day on the schedule for this season where a sixth ship was given special permission to hot berth.
However, it will likely be rare to see the port at capacity going forward, as Juneau has implemented a daily passenger cap of 16,000 cruise guests on weekdays and a reduced limit of 12,000 on Saturdays.
Cruise guests who are booked on the Goldbelt Tram in the near future should look out for communication from the cruise line or the tram company (if booked independently) for potential updates about the ongoing closure and refunds.
Only 700 individuals survived the sinking of the Titanic, and it’s estimated that less than 100 of those were rescued directly from the water.
Hypothermia is now considered a major cause of death for Titanic passengers, superseding drowning, which was the originally recorded cause.
Hypothermia can occur at any point where the body loses heat faster than it generates it.
As the Titanic sank in the North Atlantic Ocean, the water was frigidly cold, at an estimated 28 degrees Fahrenheit, or negative 2 degrees Celsius. As such, the main cause of death for many of the Titanic’s passengers and crew members was hypothermia.
Here’s everything you need to know about what these passengers may’ve experienced during that fateful night, how the cold water impacted their survival, and how some passengers miraculously survived the cold temperatures.
Fast Facts Regarding the Titanic Sinking and Cold Water Conditions
Date of sinking
April 15, 1912
Location
North Atlantic Ocean, about 370 miles off Newfoundland
Water temperature
~28°F (negative 2°C)
Air temperature
~31°F (negative 0.5°C)
Time to sink
About 2 hours and 40 minutes
Number of people aboard
~2,224 passengers and crew
Estimated deaths
Over 1,500
Survival time in water
15 to 30 minutes for most victims
Cause of death (majority)
Hypothermia and cold shock
Cold shock response
Occurs within minutes
Hypothermia onset
Within 10 to 15 minutes
The Temperature and Water Conditions During the Titanic Sinking
When the Titanicsank on the night of April 14, 1912, in the North Atlantic, the water was 28 degrees Fahrenheit or -2 degrees Celsius. About 1,500 people died during the shipwreck, compared to the approximately 700 survivors.
While you might expect that the major cause of death for those who perished due to a ship sinking would be drowning, in this instance, that was not the case. Instead, hypothermia was the main cause of death in this tragedy, due to passengers’ exposure to the cold water.
Titanic Lifeboat
But, you might be thinking, shouldn’t the water have been mostly frozen if it was colder than the freezing point of water? No, according to The Titanic Museum, the water, despite its temperature, would not be frozen, due to its high salinity.
And just how do we know the water temperature? The SS Californian traveled through the same icy water close to where the Titanic sank. Captain Stanley Lord provided the water temperature to the authorities while tracking it.
Although the SS Californian was relatively close, it was too far away to help the passengers of the Titanic. The closest ship at the time of impact was a sister ship called the RMS Carpathia. Unfortunately, this ship was 58 miles away, and it took four hours to reach the crash site.
How Does Hypothermia Occur?
Even if the water had been much warmer during the Titanic’s sinking, it’s very likely that the same number of people who fell overboard would have died due to hypothermia.
Experts consider “cold water” anything under 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and hypothermia can occur at any point where the body loses heat faster than it generates it, and the body’s core temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
What Happens During Hypothermia?
For the Titanic passengers who would’ve ended up in the water suddenly, they would’ve experienced initial cold shock, with immediate symptoms including involuntary gasping and hyperventilation, as well as panic.
If these passengers managed to keep themselves afloat during this panic, without drowning, they would still likely lose the ability to swim within three to 30 minutes.
Image of What the Titanic Could Have Looked Like During Freezing Temperatures
While a life jacket can keep someone in this situation from drowning, unfortunately, the life jackets on the Titanicwere not exactly ideal. In fact, it’s assumed that they were another major cause of death for passengers, as their construction made it so that, if anyone jumped into the water wearing them, their necks broke when they hit the water.
As hypothermia then begins to set in, after about half an hour, symptoms include violent shivering, shallow breathing, slurred speech, weak pulse, drowsiness, confusion and loss of consciousness as the heart and respiratory system fail.
However, before hypothermia fully and fatally sets in, it is still possible that an individual might slip below the water, fatigued, and drown, or experience a heart attack.
Those Who Survived Hypothermia
Of the Titanic’s 700 or so survivors, the very large majority did not survive if they landed in the water. While accounts differ, it’s estimated that the number of people who did survive the water’s frigid temps was definitely under 100.
One of the most famous people to survive was the Titanic’s head baker, Charles Joughin. As the ship began to sink, Joughin supposedly helped with the evacuation efforts, before the ship fully sank and broke apart, taking him with it (he’s said to be one of the last people, if not the absolute very last, to leave the ship). He then tread water for as long as two hours.
Shoe From Titanic Wreckage (Photo Credit: EML)
According to Joughin, one of the elements that added to his survival? Alcohol that he’d drank before the ship sank. However, it’s worth noting that alcohol increases risk of hypothermia, even if it might give you the initial sensation of being warmed up. If alcohol helped Joughin in any way during the sinking, it was probably in keeping calm.
It is theorized that more individuals could have survived the water than is officially recorded.
As the RMS Carpathia rescued those in lifeboats, the crew left behind anyone remaining in the wreckage. The ship’s authorities had assumed that those remaining individuals were dead, but some may have survived.
Furthermore, some doctors believe that more could have been done to mitigate the deaths from hypothermia. Crewmates could have grabbed individuals from the water, and doctors could have done CPR and rewarmed the bodies.
Hypothermic patients aren’t pronounced dead until they warm up to normal core temperatures and still do not respond to CPR. As such, there is a chance that the rescue teams didn’t bother pulling people out of the water who were alive with an opportunity to survive.
The Free at Sea drink gratuities are increasing by $3.50 per person, per day, but only on cruises from 2-5 nights.
This makes the drink gratuity rate $32 per person, per day instead of the previous daily rate of $28.50.
No other gratuities, including the daily service charge, are changed at this time.
A short cruise getaway can be the perfect opportunity to relax and let loose just a bit, but guests on Norwegian Cruise Line will now be paying a bit more for the “let loose” part of their vacation.
Starting from Friday, May 1, 2026, the cruise line has increased the daily gratuities on the drink package included with the popular “Free at Sea” bundle, but only on shorter sailings.
Previously, the gratuities were $28.50 per person, per day, regardless of cruise length. Now, however, that price has increased to $32 per person, per day, but only for sailings from 2-5 nights. For sailings of 6+ nights, the daily gratuities remain at the lower rate.
These rates are only for pre-paid, pre-cruise pricing. If guests add the package to their cruise experience after embarkation, the gratuity rates are higher for all sailing lengths.
This represents a 12% increase on the drink gratuities for shorter sailings. On a 5-night cruise, one guest would pay an additional $17.50 in these gratuities.
There is no official explanation or announcement for the change, though Norwegian Cruise Line did alert travel agents to the increase shortly before it took effect. Booked guests, on the other hand, had no opportunity to lock in the lower rate by adding the Free at Sea package to their upcoming sailings before May 1.
To be clear, this increase is only on gratuities for the drink package associated with Free at Sea and is not the same as the “service charge” for stateroom stewards, dining teams, and behind-the-scenes support staff.
That separate service charge remains $20 per person, per day for standard staterooms and Club Balcony suites and $25 per person, per day for The Haven and most suite staterooms. The service charge applies to all guests, with or without the Free at Sea package.
The Reputation of Shorter Sailings
Shorter cruises, especially weekend getaways, tend to have a reputation as party boats or booze cruises, with a bit more “freestyle” in the overall freestyle cruising vibe.
Every sailing is different, of course, and all cruise lines take steps to ensure guests are safe, comfortable, and able to have fun, no matter how much they may or may not indulge in adult beverages.
Norwegian Cruise Line Deck (Photo Credit: Eliza Larsen)
The idea that shorter sailings might be a bit more drink-heavy could be part of the logic for this gratuity change. This may also be an attempt to help curb overindulgence if the package pricing is just out of reach for some travelers.
Wait, Free at Sea Isn’t Free?
The name “Free at Sea” may seem misleading because there certainly are charges associated with the package deal. Those charges are gratuities associated with not only the drink package, but also with specialty dining.
On a 7-night Alaska cruise onboard Norwegian Bliss sailing from Seattle in July 2026, for example, the “free” costs for two guests in a balcony cabin add $519 to the total fare.
Of that extra cost, $399 is the gratuities for the unlimited open bar associated with the package, while the remaining $120 covers gratuities for the three “free” specialty dining meals also included with the package.
Both charges, however, can be removed when guests make a booking. Even if the Free at Sea offer is available on a particular booking, guests do not need to accept the package and they can remove the fees.
This does mean there will be no unlimited open bar and no included specialty dining, but if guests won’t take advantage of those inclusions, it makes more sense to remove the package and pay a-la-carte instead.
The other Free at Sea Benefits, including credits for shore excursions and limited wi-fi access, are still included at no extra charge.
Norfolk, Virginia, is hosting a Spring Wine Festival during the weekend of May 2-3, 2026.
The event will bring road closures and heavy traffic to the Waterfront in Downtown Norfolk.
Guests embarking on Carnival Sunshine on May 2 should allow extra time to reach the cruise port.
Thousands of cruisers are surely looking forward to boarding Carnival Sunshine on Saturday, May 2, 2026, for an 8-night sailing to the Eastern Caribbean. However, an unusual obstacle may make getting to the cruise port more challenging.
Carnival Cruise Line notified the up to 3,002 guests that Norfolk’s Spring Wine Festival will be taking place this weekend, which is expected to bring street closures, detours, and increased congestion.
The annual event will take place on the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront in Town Point Park, less than a half mile from the cruise port.
It will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on May 2, which are prime embarkation hours. Terminal arrival appointments typically start around 10:30 a.m. and go into the early afternoon.
“Norfolk’s Spring Wine Festival will occur on the day of your embarkation, resulting in street closures and heavier than normal traffic in some areas,” Carnival wrote in a letter, which was obtained by Cruise Hive.
“Since this could impact your commute to the port, please plan accordingly and follow law enforcement directions and street signs that will lead you to the cruise terminal,” the letter continued.
On the bright side, the 102,853-gross ton Carnival Sunshine will be the only cruise ship in Norfolk that day. This means that there won’t be additional ships (and their passengers) around to add to the traffic.
Cruisers Encouraged to Plan Ahead
Even with the event creating extra traffic, the Sunshine-class flagship will not wait for tardy guests who arrive late at the Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center. Guests must be onboard by the final boarding time specified on their boarding pass, with no exceptions.
Typically, the final boarding call is around an hour to 90 minutes ahead of departure. Since the Carnival ship is supposed to set sail at 4:30 p.m. on May 2, that deadline will likely be no later than 3:30 p.m. local time.
Carnival Sunshine in Norfolk, Virginia (Credit: Carnival)
Carnival is making sure guests know about the wine festival so that they can plan appropriately to make their Terminal Arrival Appointments on time.
The cruise line encourages guests to allow extra time to accommodate potential delays, and to check traffic conditions in the area on embarkation day.
Additionally, guests can sign up for Carnival Text Alerts to be notified immediately about changes to their sailing or the embarkation process.
Will Disembarking Guests be Impacted?
Current guests, who are in the middle of enjoying a 6-night sailing to the Bahamas as of the time of this writing, shouldn’t be quite as impacted by the local festival.
The disembarkation process should be completed before the event officially begins, though it’s likely that street closures will occur sooner to allow time for setting up.
With this in mind, cruisers who booked early flights home may want to check with their transfers and airlines to ensure that they can make it to the airport on time or adjust their flights in advance to avoid same-day change fees.
Otherwise, guests who are sticking around Norfolk for a while could even partake in the festival. It runs on May 2 and 3, and tickets start at $35 per person.
