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Norwegian Cruise Line Scraps Final Voyage for Norwegian Sky

Melissa Mayntz
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Norwegian Cruise Line Scraps Final Voyage for Norwegian Sky

Key Aspects:

  • The final sailing of Norwegian Sky has been cancelled due to ongoing Middle East tensions.
  • Booked guests will receive complete refunds and expanded future cruise credits as compensation.
  • Norwegian Sky will be transferred and eventually sold to Cordelia Cruises and will debut as Cordelia Sky in October 2026.

As tensions in the Middle East continue to fluctuate and the Persian Gulf remains part of the conflict, Norwegian Cruise Line has decided to cancel the last planned sailing for Norwegian Sky before the ship leaves the fleet.

The impacted cruise was to have departed Piraeus (Athens), Greece on Wednesday, September 9 for the 21-day repositioning cruise to Dubai. Cruise Hive already reported the voyage had been shortened to 18 days and would end in Muscat, Oman to avoid the Persian Gulf.

Now, the voyage is cancelled altogether and guests will receive full refunds and future cruise credits as compensation for the unfortunate change.

“Given the ongoing uncertainty in the region, we no longer have the level of confidence needed to deliver the experience you expect and deserve,” the email sent to booked guests explained.

“While this was a difficult decision, the safety and well-being of our guests and crew guided every step of the process, and we believe it is the right one.”

Guests booked on the voyage have expressed concerns about safety for the sailing, and a number of guests chose to cancel when the earlier changes were announced. Norwegian Cruise Line permitted those cancellations without penalties.

Compensation Expanded

Guests were previously offered a prorated 15% refund when the cruise was shortened. Now, because of the full cancellation, full refunds will be automatically processed back to the original form of payment.

In addition, the previous 15% future cruise credit that was also offered to guests will now be expanded to an additional 50% credit for the current voyage fare. The total amount of the credit will be adjusted based on the previous refund and is being offered as a gesture of appreciation.

“We recognize the flexibility, grace, and understanding so many of you have shown throughout this process, and we are sincerely grateful,” Norwegian Cruise Line said.

Norwegian Cruise Line Ship
Norwegian Sky Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: pio3)

The future cruise credit may be used for any published NCL sailing through December 31, 2027. This gives guests a good deal of time to choose and plan another cruise vacation.

Of course, that vacation cannot be aboard Norwegian Sky as the ship will soon be moved to Cordelia Cruises, a small cruise line based in India. Any other sailing in any cruise region, however, can be booked with the credit.

Read Also: The Former Norwegian Cruise Ships – What Happened to Them?

If guests booked airfare through Norwegian Cruise Line, those flights will be automatically cancelled and refunded. Guests who made independent flight arrangements are urged to contact their airline or travel agent for options. If guests incur change or cancellation fees, Norwegian Cruise Line will reimburse eligible expenses up to $300 (USD) per person.

Future Plans for Norwegian Sky

While her last sailing with Norwegian Cruise Line will not be happening, Norwegian Sky is not set to be scrapped, dismantled, or destroyed.

The vessel has been chartered by Cordelia Cruises and Cordelia Sky is showcased on the line’s official website, complete with the tropical flower hull artwork that has been so distinctive for the 2,004-guest ship.

October 2026 is listed as the ship’s arrival to the new line and she will be offering both roundtrip and one-way departures from Mumbai to Goa, with port visits to Lakshadweep and days at sea to enjoy.

The ship will also offer occasional two-night, three-day cruises to nowhere, perfect for a relaxing getaway to enjoy the 11 dining venues, more than a dozen onboard activities, and outstanding evening entertainment onboard.

What the New Bahamas Travel Advisory Means for Your Next Cruise

Melissa Mayntz
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What the New Bahamas Travel Advisory Means for Your Next Cruise

Key Aspects:

  • The US Department of State has updated the travel advisory for the Bahamas, noting crime and hurricane risks.
  • The overall advisory level remains at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution.
  • No cruise lines are adjusting Bahamian itineraries at this time and visits to the port continue to grow.

It is always a good idea for cruise travelers to be aware of safety risks at the ports of call they plan to visit. For travelers sailing from US homeports on the East Coast, particularly from Florida, the Bahamas is one of the most popular destinations and the US Department of State has recently updated its advisory for the island nation.

While there is no change to the overall Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution advisory level, the summary of concerns has been updated with some key information cruise travelers will want to know.

The update was issued on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, and notes that crime is the foremost concern for guests visiting the Bahamas.

“Violent crime, including armed robberies, burglaries, and sexual assaults, can occur anywhere in The Bahamas,” the advisory notes.

Most crime is noted in the country’s two largest cities, Nassau and Freeport. Both destinations are popular ports for just about every major cruise line in the region: Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Margaritaville at Sea, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, and more.

Specifically, visitors are advised to remain alert in the “Over the Hill” region of Nassau, south of Shirley Street. That area has more gang violence and residents have been killed. Shirley Street is just two blocks south of the cruise terminal.

In mid-June, Cruise Hive reported on another Bahamas travel advisory update that issued stronger warnings about jet skis and watercraft rentals as well as the prevalence of sexual assaults associated with those rentals.

Those warnings are still part of the most recent update, as are notes about beach safety and the illegality of weapons and ammunition even in small quantities.

Hurricane Note Added

A brief note about hurricanes has been added to the advisory, just stating that “the Bahamas regularly experiences hurricanes.”

Cruise guests are well aware of that fact, but it is worth noting because such storms, whether they are Category 1 or Category 5, can dramatically impact itineraries with port cancellations or adjustments, route changes, and delays.

Severe Weather Impacting Cruise Ships
Severe Weather Impacting Cruise Ships (Photo Credit: Dee Browning)

Thus far in 2026 the Atlantic Hurricane Season has been remarkably quiet, but the peak of hurricane season is generally around September 10. Of course, there is always the possibility of storms that impact cruises at any time, and the Bahamas has occasionally been disrupted by severe weather that isn’t strong enough for tropical storm or hurricane classification.

No Itinerary Changes Noted

At this time, no cruise lines are adjusting itineraries or removing Bahamian ports of call from upcoming sailings based on the travel advisory update. All cruise lines do stay updated on government warnings and advisories and will make adjustments as necessary to safeguard their guests and crew members.

A Level 2 advisory is certainly something for guests to be mindful of, but does not necessarily require any dramatic change in plans.

Cruise ports will sometimes dispute the travel advisories and how severe they may make a destination seem. For example, Turks and Caicos issued an official response following an updated advisory in mid-July. Like the Bahamas, that advisory also lists Turks and Caicos as “Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution.”

With Nassau setting a single-day record with more than 33,000 guests visiting on Monday, June 8, 2026, it’s clear that the Bahamas is and will remain a very popular cruise destination.

Holland America Line Just Made A Big Bet On Europe For 2028

Calvin Musquez
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Holland America Line Just Made A Big Bet On Europe For 2028

Key Aspects:

  • Holland America Line has opened bookings for its expanded 2028 European season. 
  • The year-round season will feature five ships sailing to destinations across Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands and more.
  • This comes at a time of rapid growth for Holland America Line and the cruise industry as a whole.

Holland America Line is expanding its offerings across Europe in 2028. The Carnival-owned cruise line just opened bookings for its 2028 season, featuring the most European ports in nearly a decade for the cruise line.

Five Holland America ships will sail routes throughout the region: Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Volendam, and Zuiderdam. This accounts for nearly half of the cruise line’s 11-ship fleet.

These deployments will span the entire 2028 year, from January to December. Itineraries feature voyages across Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Canary Islands. They will also feature a record number of visits to Norway, Spain, Ireland, and the Netherlands.

“We built each season around moments travelers can only experience at certain times of year,” said Paul Grigsby, vice president of deployment and revenue planning for Holland America Line. “From the Netherlands in full bloom during spring to winter escapes in the Mediterranean and Canary Islands and long summer days along Europe’s coastlines.”

Bookings for the 2028 European season are now open. Holland America Line is offering incentives for early booking, including extra perks for the Have It All premium package and an Early Booking Bonus.

European sailings have exploded in popularity recently. The move to year-round European sailings comes just over a year after Holland America Line announced a six-week expansion to its European season for 2026. The 2026 season saw advance bookings running one-third ahead of the previous year for Holland America compared to the previous year.

Holland Anerica's Rotterdam Ship
Holland Anerica’s Rotterdam Ship

Cruise Hive also reported when the cruise line recently expanded its Caribbean offerings for 2027-2028, with 47 departures across 29 itineraries. Moves like this demonstrate the rapid expansion in popularity the cruise industry has seen in recent years, particularly across Europe.

What Itineraries Are Offered?

Holland America Line’s 2028 European season will offer a wide range of itineraries. These sailings range from seven days up to massive 48-day voyages. The itineraries offered will vary by season, with overnight stays, extended calls and late-night departures in select ports.

From January to March, the 99,500 gross-ton Nieuw Statendam will sail itineraries from seven to 14 days, visiting the Canary Islands, Spain, Portugal and Morocco. These itineraries will feature ports like Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Lisbon and Casablanca.

From March to May, Nieuw Statendam will be joined by Rotterdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, and Zuiderdam for seven-to-14-day itineraries. These will visit locations across the Mediterranean, the Low Countries, and Northern Europe. The four ships will visit ports such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Bruges, Barcelona, Athens and Naples.

The 61,214 gross-ton Volendam will join the others from June to August. The five ships will sail to destinations across Norway, Iceland, the British Isles, the Baltic, Greece, Croatia, and Turkey. These voyages will range from seven to 35 days.

More From Cruise Hive

For autumn, Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Nieuw Amsterdam, and Volendam will visit ports in Spain, Italy, Greece, Croatia, Ireland and the Netherlands. These voyages will range from seven to 48 days from September to November.

From November to early December, Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam will continue sailing Mediterranean, Canary Islands and transatlantic itineraries. These end-of-the-year voyages range from seven to 14 days.

Gangway Plunges Into the Sea as Wonder of the Seas Departs Private Island

Melissa Mayntz
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Gangway Plunges Into the Sea as Wonder of the Seas Departs Private Island

Key Aspects:

  • Wonder of the Seas lost a gangway while departing Perfect Day at CocoCay on Saturday, August 1, 2026.
  • No guests were on the gangway at the time and there are no reports of injuries or any damage to the cruise ship.
  • Ships may lose gangways due to weather incidents, structural failures, or other unusual circumstances.

Royal Caribbean’s private island destination in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, can indeed be the perfect day for guests relaxing at the beach, splashing in the waterpark, soaring down the zipline, or having other fun on the island.

But for several crew members (and one gangway) from Wonder of the Seas, Saturday, August 1 was a less-than-perfect day. As the Oasis-class ship was departing the island, one gangway was not loaded properly and fell into the water alongside the pier.

A video of the incident has been shared on Reddit and is making the rounds through other social media platforms. The video was taken from Allure of the Seas, sister ship to Oasis of the Seas, as both vessels were docked at Perfect Day at CocoCay on Saturday.

The 29-second video shows the gangway being taken onboard Wonder of the Seas while the 235,600-gross-ton ship slowly moves away from the pier. The cruise ship is clearly away from the pier as the rubber bumpers that keep the hull from rubbing on the concrete are several feet from the ship during the video.

When a cruise ship is docked, the vessel generally remains snug against those bumpers to keep an even distance from the pier and avoid any incidents like this one.

Wonder of the Seas Gangway Fall
Wonder of the Seas Gangway Fall (Credit: Powerful_Cabinet_341)

A forklift on the pier appears to be attempting to lift the gangway to make it easier to slide aboard but ultimately the gangway tips, dangles for a few moments, then plunges into the water.

Crew members onboard the ship watch the gangway take its dive without significant interference. While it may seem as if crew members should have grabbed onto the equipment to prevent the mishap, doing so would be unsafe and could have resulted in injuries or damage.

Likewise, several workers on the pier watched the incident unfold but took no steps that may have endangered themselves or their equipment (the aforementioned forklift). The video ends with soft gurgles against the side of Wonder of the Seas, though the gangway is no longer visible.

Wonder of the Seas Gangway Fall
Wonder of the Seas Gangway Fall (Credit: Powerful_Cabinet_341)

Wonder of the Seas is homeported from Miami, Florida and departed the Sunshine State on her current 3-night sailing on Friday, July 31, 2026. The visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay was the first for the ship on this itinerary and Sunday, August 2 was spent in Nassau. The ship returns to Miami on Monday, August 3.

There were no reports of any delays departing Perfect Day at CocoCay following the gangway’s demise, nor was there any disruption to the ship’s visit to Nassau.

Royal Caribbean has not released a statement about the incident but there appears to be no damage to Wonder of the Seas as the vessel has continued her itinerary without difficulty. It is not known why the ship seemed to be moving away from the pier before all the gangways were safely stowed.

Not the First Gangway to Be Lost

While it can be startling to witness a gangway “jump overboard” from a cruise ship, these massive ships lose gangways more often than many guests may realize.

Typically, this type of incident happens when a ship may break her lines during a storm, pushing the vessel unexpectedly away from the pier while gangways are still deployed.

Cruise Hive has regularly reported on these types of situations, most recently on June 30, 2026 when a ship in Corfu, Greece broke loose and one guest fell into the water, sustaining minor injuries.

In early November 2022, a more serious incident happened when a gangway attached to Norwegian Encore collapsed while the ship was docked in Panama City, Panama, causing injuries to several guests. Weather was not a factor in that accident.

While cruise lines take all possible steps to prevent gangway mishaps, the uneven walkways can be unstable and slippery. Guests should always hold handrails, watch their footing, and move cautiously over gangways.

Cruise Passenger Arrested at PortMiami Days After Alleged Local Bar Assault

Melissa Mayntz
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Cruise Passenger Arrested at PortMiami Days After Alleged Local Bar Assault

Key Aspects:

  • 47-year-old Daniel Ramirez was arrested at the Royal Caribbean cruise terminal in Miami on Friday, July 31, 2026.
  • Ramirez is charged with felony battery after he allegedly assaulted a bartender at the Hard Rock Cafe at Bayside Marketplace.
  • The attack took place on Sunday, July 26, but Ramirez was arrested by US Customs and Border Protection officers at the port.

Every cruise guest knows it’s a smart idea to fly or drive to a cruise homeport a few days before setting sail, just in case of flight cancellations or delays, traffic jams, or other problems that might cause a guest to miss their cruise. Many guests use that extra time to enjoy some sights at the homeport, getting their vacation off to an early start.

What isn’t a smart idea, however, is assaulting a bartender during that pre-cruise enjoyment, which can still cause a guest to miss their cruise.

That is what has happened to a 47-year-old Texas man, Daniel Ramirez, several days after he appeared to attack a bartender at the Hard Rock Cafe at Bayside Marketplace in Miami. The Hard Rock Cafe is less than a mile from the cruise port and is a popular spot for cruise guests to visit before or after their sailings.

According to 7 News, Ramirez and his family were at the Hard Rock Cafe on Sunday evening, July 26, 2026. A female bartender, who has asked not to be identified, noticed Ramirez at a serving area eating fruit slices intended as drink garnishes.

Ramirez allegedly swore at the bartender when she asked him to stop, she said, then complained to her manager that he was a veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder and that no woman should speak to him that way.

Shopping at Bayside
Shopping at Bayside (Photo Credit: Kamira)

Shortly after the first confrontation, the two interacted again, and at that time, Ramirez purportedly shoved the bartender to the ground. She got up and attempted to photograph him, but he then knocked her phone from her hand and seemed to grab her and shove her to the ground a second time, which caused her to lose consciousness.

The attack was confirmed through surveillance video and the bartender suffered a broken tooth and a concussion.

Suspect Arrested at Port Before Cruise

Ramirez was not arrested for several days, but was found by US Customs and Border Protection officers as he attempted to board a Royal Caribbean cruise on Friday, July 31. While Royal Caribbean has not made a statement on the incident, Wonder of the Seas was the only one of the line’s ships in port that day.

The Oasis-class ship was beginning a 3-night weekend sailing with visits to Perfect Day at CocoCay as well as Nassau. There was no reported delay to the ship’s departure from the Sunshine State.

Instead of setting sail aboard the 5,734-guest ship, the arrest report shows Ramirez has been charged with felony battery with a $2,500 bond and was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center just after 10 a.m. on Friday.

Is the Cruise Line Part of the Investigation?

Royal Caribbean is not involved in the arrest or incident in any way. It is not unusual, however, for local authorities to make arrests at cruise ports as guests’ identities are confirmed during check-in or debarkation processing.

Cruise Hive reported recently on six different guests arrested in a single day at Port Canaveral for various charges, including probation violations and other charges.

As one of the busiest passenger cruise ports in the world, it’s not surprising that there are regular arrests at PortMiami. Cruise guests have been arrested for suspected credit card fraud, attempted narcotics smuggling, defaulting on child support, and other charges.

Cruise lines cooperate fully with authorities during such incidents even if the guests never actually boarded a cruise ship.

Juneau Braces for Glacier Flooding as Dozens of Cruise Ships Head In

Melissa Mayntz
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Juneau Braces for Glacier Flooding as Dozens of Cruise Ships Head In

Key Aspects:

  • Seasonal flooding from Suicide Basin near Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, Alaska is expected in early to mid-August 2026.
  • While the extent of any flooding cannot be predicted, cruise shore tours will likely be impacted for several days.
  • No cruise lines are adjusting any itineraries to Juneau at this time and visits are unlikely to be cancelled.

It’s that time of year again, when Suicide Basin at Mendenhall Glacier is seeing rising water levels and the seasonal overflow that can cause significant flooding in and around Juneau, Alaska, one of the most popular cruise destinations in the Last Frontier.

The National Weather Service is closely monitoring the basin’s water levels, particularly since the August 2025 flooding reached record levels.

Suicide Basin is a side basin just east of Mendenhall Glacier. Once the basin fills with rain and the snow melts, the water breaks out under the glacier and can flood several miles of the valley below.

Mother Nature can be unpredictable, but the basin is expected to reach capacity sometime from August 8-12, 2026.

“Cloudy days will push the timing beyond that range while more sunny days would push it to the beginning of that range,” the NWS carefully notes.

Furthermore, just because the basin reaches its fill limit, that does not mean flooding will begin immediately.

“In the past it has taken up to 6 days for the main event (sub-glacier release) to start after the basin is full with water going over the overflow channel,” the NWS said.

There is no easy way to predict the extent of flooding or any closures or damage that may occur. Nevertheless, local authorities are staying alert to the situation and will take all necessary precautions to safeguard the region.

Flood Overview
Flood Overview (Photo Credit: NOAA)

In mid-August, dozens of cruise ships are scheduled to visit Juneau, including vessels from Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Oceania Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, MSC Cruises, and more.

The cruise docks in Juneau are approximately 10 miles southeast of Suicide Basin and Mendenhall Glacier, and are therefore not at risk from floodwaters.

How Will Cruises Be Impacted?

While no cruise lines are thus far shifting itineraries away from Juneau, it is likely that shore tours may be impacted when the flooding occurs.

This can include hikes, kayaking, and glacier viewing changes or cancellations. Booked guests should be aware of the situation and adjust their expectations accordingly. Similarly, guests planning to explore Juneau independently should stay alert to the conditions that may impact their visit.

According to the City and Borough of Juneau, peak flooding is typically 24-48 hours after the Suicide Basin begins to release. It can be several days, however, before the waters recede. After that, inspections for debris and damage must be conducted before regular visits and tours may resume.

Tours away from the flood area are not usually impacted and will likely move forward as scheduled.

Guests who have booked tours in Juneau during August should stay in close contact with their tour operator (or the cruise line, if booked through the line) to be notified of changes or cancellations. Tour operators are local businesses and will have the most up-to-date information for each guest’s visit and excursion plans.

Depending on the extent of any flooding this year, cruise lines may donate for recovery efforts. Following the catastrophic flooding in August 2024, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings donated $50,000 for community recovery.

Cruise lines are well known for supporting the communities they visit and often arrange charitable projects in addition to the economic support their visits bring to the region.

Propulsion Problem Keeps Norwegian Cruise Ship in Port Until Midnight

Melissa Mayntz
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Propulsion Problem Keeps Norwegian Cruise Ship in Port Until Midnight

Key Aspects:

  • Norwegian Getaway will spend several extra hours in Nassau on Saturday, August 1, 2026 undergoing propulsion repairs.
  • The rest of the 3-night itinerary, including the visit to Great Stirrup Cay, is not impacted and the ship’s safety is not affected.
  • The longer stay in Nassau gives guests unique options to enjoy Bahamian nightlife during their visit.

Guests aboard the current 3-night sailing of Norwegian Getaway are going to have a much longer visit to Nassau than they expected for their weekend cruise. The day before boarding the vessel, they received notification of an itinerary change that keeps the ship in port for repairs.

The impacted cruise is the ship’s Friday, July 31, 2026 departure from Miami, Florida. While the ship has departed the Sunshine State as planned, she will be spending several extra hours in the capital of the Bahamas on Saturday.

“Recently, Norwegian Getaway experienced a technical issue affecting a propulsion component that requires additional time in Nassau, Bahamas to complete the necessary repairs,” the email confirmed.

Originally, the 3,903-guest ship was to arrive in Nassau at 8 a.m. on Saturday, August 1, and depart at 5 p.m.

The schedule has now been changed and Norwegian Getaway will remain in Nassau until 11:59 p.m. that night. The morning arrival at 8 a.m. is unchanged.

Furthermore, the ship’s call to Great Stirrup Cay on Sunday, August 2 is unchanged and remains from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. There should also be no delay in the ship’s return to Miami on Monday morning.

Norwegian Cruise Line is clear in that the ship’s safety is not impacted by the repairs. Norwegian Getaway remains completely seaworthy, though some slower sailing speed is necessary until the repair work is complete.

Satellite tracking on Friday evening, shortly after the ship has cleared her departure from Miami, shows the vessel moving at just 8 knots (9.2 miles per hour). Other nearby ships, including Carnival Conquest and Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas, are moving at similar speeds still so close to the coast where marine traffic is heaviest.

Will Onboard Operations Be Impacted?

The email notification explains that “the safety and comfort of our guests and crew remain our highest priorities, and these repairs will help ensure the vessel continues to operate as intended.”

This does not mean no onboard operations will be impacted during the extended stay in Nassau, however. Even if the ship’s systems remain fully functional at all times, retail stores and the onboard casino must remain closed while the ship is in port.

Norwegian Getaway Cruise Ship
Photo Credit: M-Production

Because this particular sailing does not include a day at sea, this could affect how guests had hoped to spend their evening after enjoying time ashore in Nassau.

Other activities, including planned entertainment, trivia contests, dining, spa appointments, and the regular features of the Breakaway class ship should continue as planned.

The later stay in Nassau does give guests the unique opportunity to enjoy some of the nightlife of the Bahamian capital, such as dinner at a local restaurant or visiting the famed Atlantis casino on Paradise Island.

Not the Only Change for Norwegian Getaway

The change in this weekend’s itinerary for Norwegian Getaway is not the only scheduling change for the vessel to be announced recently.

Cruise Hive reported just hours ago that the ship’s August 24, 2026 departure will remain in Miami overnight to assist the port with shore power system tests.

More From Cruise Hive

Despite the late departure from Florida, that itinerary is not having any impact on the planned visits to Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay.

The two changed itineraries are not related. Hopefully the repairs to Norwegian Getaway will be completed long before her extended homeport visit later in August.

Mexico Enjoys Double-Digit Cruise Tourism Growth for First Half of 2026

Melissa Mayntz
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Mexico Enjoys Double-Digit Cruise Tourism Growth for First Half of 2026

Key Aspects:

  • Mexico has welcomed 6.5 million cruise passengers and 1,839 cruise ships arrivals during the first six months of 2026.
  • The Pacific destination of Puerto Chiapas has had the most growth, followed by Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas.
  • The Caribbean ports of Cozumel and Progreso have also seen dramatic growth compared to the first half of 2025.

Mexico remains a hot cruise destination that millions of passengers enjoy. To be precise, 6.5 million passengers have arrived in Mexico on a total of 1,839 cruise ship visits in just the first six months of 2026.

This is a 17.1% increase in passenger arrivals above the first six months of 2025. The increase in the number of cruise ship arrivals is just 12.2%, which confirms that larger vessels are also visiting Mexican ports, bringing with them greater passenger capacities.

“Mexico is in fashion,” said Josefina Rodríguez Zamora, Mexico’s Secretary of Tourism when releasing the latest figures on Tuesday, July 28, 2026.

The increased cruise traffic is a boon to local economies around the various cruise ports as guests enjoy shore tours and local shopping, dining, and attractions.

“Each cruise ship that arrives at our ports represents more opportunities for Mexican families who depend on tourism. With each visitor, we boost the local economy and continue to make Shared Prosperity a reality in our communities,” said Rodríguez Zamora.

Cruise Hive previously reported the expected growth for Meixcan ports, but the new release from the Ministry of Tourism confirms the country’s continuing popularity.

In fact, the confirmed numbers are even more promising than the previous expected increase of 14.8% in cruise passengers and 10.0% in ship calls.

Which Ports Grew the Most?

Multiple top ports in Mexico showed significant increases in cruise traffic. The most startling increase was for Puerto Chiapas with a 90.2% increase in guests and a 71.4% increase in ship arrivals.

Puerto Chiapas is located on Mexico’s Pacific coast at the southern end of the country, just 16 miles from the border with Guatemala. While a relatively new destination, ships from Princess Cruises and Holland America Line both have calls planned to Puerto Chiapas in the next few months.

Cruise Ships Docked in Cozumel, Mexico
Cruise Ships Docked in Cozumel, Mexico (Photo Credit: JJava Designs)

Also on the Pacific Coast, the more familiar ports of Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas saw guest increases of 69.2% and 64.5%, respectively. Both are popular destinations on Mexican Riviera itineraries as well as repositioning cruises.

In total, Mexico’s Pacific ports saw a total of nearly 2.3 million passengers visiting in six months on 680 cruise ship arrivals. Compared to 2025, this is an increase of 36.4% in guests and 19.9% in cruise ship arrivals.

Read Also: One of These Mexico Cruise Ports Could Be on Your Itinerary

Meanwhile in the Caribbean, 4.3 million passengers have visited Mexican ports on 1,159 cruise ship arrivals. These numbers are up 8.9% and 8.1% respectively from the first half of 2025.

The Caribbean port with the greatest increase is Progreso, with 21.6% more guests visiting on 12.9% more cruise ship arrivals than the same time period in the previous year.

Cozumel is up 10.0% in guests and 8.5% in cruise ship arrivals. As the most popular port in Mexico, the island destination welcomes multiple cruise ships nearly every day, with several days each month seeing 4-5 ships at Cozumel’s docks.

Will the Growth Continue?

There are no signs that Mexico’s popularity will be slowing anytime soon, though not all communities are eager for double-digit increases in either cruise guests or ships.

Recent challenges to Royal Caribbean’s planned Perfect Day Mexico development near Costa Maya, for example, have included petitions and ecological concerns that resulted in the project’s cancellation in May 2026.

The Mexican government has since been working with Royal Caribbean to find a different location for the project or else modify the plans for better environmental compliance.

While no options have yet been confirmed, there is enough interest in cruising to Mexico that the project will likely find a new home in the future as Mexico’s cruise sector continues to grow.

Six Cruise Passengers Face Charges for Hacking Ship’s PA System

Melissa Mayntz
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Six Cruise Passengers Face Charges for Hacking Ship’s PA System

Key Aspects:

  • Six male guests aboard MSC Divina hacked the communications systems and broadcast fake emergency announcements.
  • The incident happened while the ship was at sea heading toward Naples early on the morning of Thursday, July 30, 2026.
  • Local authorities boarded the ship in Naples and the men now face various charges, though the investigation is still ongoing.

Six young male guests are now facing various charges after they broke through security codes and accessed the computer system onboard MSC Divina, broadcasting false emergency announcements to some of the ship’s public areas.

According to Napoli Today, the incident happened while the ship was at sea in the early morning hours of Thursday, July 30, 2026. MSC Divina was approaching Naples at the time and authorities were alerted to respond to the situation.

The six guests are identified only as adults of Neapolitan (Naples) origin. Their exact ages and names have not been released, though they were traveling together in two staterooms onboard the 3,502-guest ship.

Access to the onboard communications system and intercom system is restricted and requires a security code. The passengers allegedly managed to hack that code to gain access to the system, then proceeded to broadcast announcements that were heard in the public areas of two decks.

The exact unauthorized announcements have not been shared but seemed to indicate the captain had lost control of the vessel and the ship was adrift.

At the time, MSC Divina was proceeding to Naples following a visit to Marmaris, Turkey on Tuesday, July 28. The ship was not delayed on her arrival to Naples at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 30.

Guests who heard the strange but alarming announcements reported the incident onboard at roughly 6:30 a.m. The operations center of the Coast Guard’s General Command in Rome intervened, and officers boarded the ship in Naples.

The cruise ship’s master also lodged a complaint about the incident and authorities were able to trace the illegal transmissions and identify the guests responsible.

Charges against the young men include conspiracy to violate the law, unauthorized access to a computer system, and causing an alarm.

cruise loudspeaker
(Photo Credit: Stephen Barnes)

The investigation of the incident continues as authorities trace the exact procedures that resulted in the system breach. The results of the investigation will also be shared with Panamanian authorities, as MSC Divina is registered under the Panamanian flag.

After enjoying the day in Naples, the ship departed and headed toward Civitavecchia for debarkation on Friday, July 31 at the end of the 7-night Eastern Mediterranean sailing. The cruise originally departed on July 24.

Further Consequences Likely

In addition to charges from Italian authorities, it is also possible the guests involved may also face severe consequences from MSC Cruises.

The cruise line’s Guest Conduct Policy explicitly states that unsafe behavior is not permitted.

“Guests may not enter or access any area that is restricted and/or for the use of crew members,” the policy reads.

That the “area” these men entered was digital may be a key point, but there is no doubt they were not authorized to be using the ship’s communication and public address system.

Consequences for violating the Guest Conduct Policy range from security and law enforcement intervention to “denial of boarding on the current or any future MSC Cruises Group cruise.”

This means these passengers may be facing a lifetime ban from the cruise line, as well as Explora Journeys cruises, as they are also part of the corporation.

More From Cruise Hive

Cruise Hive has reported on different questionable behaviors that have led to guests receiving lifetime bans from different cruise lines. Many such incidents do not involve potentially starting an onboard panic, but even simple acts like sneaking alcohol onboard or fishing off a balcony can lead to those severe consequences.

MSC Cruises has not commented publicly on this fake announcement incident. It is not uncommon for cruise lines to avoid comments while investigations are ongoing.

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