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Cruise News Update: Modified Plan, Overboard, Service Fees, and More

Cruise News

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Dec 6, 2025

Cruise News Update: Modified Plan, Overboard, Service Fees, and More

It’s been another super-charged week in the cruise industry, and Cruise Hive has it all covered. This edition of our weekly recap includes stories about Port Canaveral edging out PortMiami as North America’s busiest cruise port, Carnival Cruise Line quietly raising some of its service charges, and Philadelphia partners with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings to build a new cruise port and terminal.

Stay up to date on the major cruise news stories with Cruise Hive’s Daily Update, a must-read for industry insiders. Sign up here and have the news delivered to your inbox each morning.

Ship’s Crew Rescues Local Man From Martinique Harbor

Crew members on Princess Cruises’ Enchanted Princess rescued a man who had jumped into the water at the Martinique cruise port, but it turned out he wasn’t a guest sailing on the ship.

It was a local resident who, for reasons unknown, decided to cool off in the harbor where the 3,660-guest Enchanted Princess was docked for the day on November 29, 2025. In fact, he jumped in the water right in front of the 145,300-gross-ton ship.

Enchanted Princess Rescue Operation (Credit: @thenomadiccatmom)

The ship’s overboard alert was sounded, and crew members immediately came to the man’s rescue, bringing him to shore on one of Enchanted Princess’s rescue craft. It was around 10 a.m. when crew members completed the rescue, and local police placed the man in custody.

Enchanted Princess was sailing a 12-night Southern Caribbean voyage roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale. Her port call at Martinique was from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., giving guests plenty of time to enjoy the destination.

The man who jumped into the harbor apparently was not injured, but questions remain. Why did he do it, and how did he manage to enter the port’s secure area, evading several checkpoints?

Port security and operations staff will likely be investigating the incident.

Search Ends For Man Overboard in Canary Islands

Authorities have called off the search for an elderly guest who went overboard from Marella Cruises’ Marella Explorer 2 as she sailed near La Palma, Canary Islands.

The unidentified 76-year-old man was reported overboard from the 1,800-guest ship on November 27, 2025 and a search was immediately begun, involving the ship’s crew and the Salvamento Maritimo — the Spanish Coast Guard.

Marella Explorer 2 Cruise Overboard (Photo Credits: Liam Best & penofoto)

Other guests saw the man, said to be a British national, enter the water around 10 a.m. Two helicopters, a patrol boat, and other rescue aircraft searched for the man for two days before calling it off. Foul play is not suspected.

Guests aboard Marella Explorer 2 were enjoying a sea day when the tragic incident happened. The ship homeports in Tenerife and sails mostly 7-night itineraries to multiple Canary Islands destinations.

While active search efforts ended, maritime reports continued to alert local boats about the missing man, asking them to keep watch in the unlikely event the man survived longer than expected in the water.

Cruise Line Modifies Vacation Protection Plan

Several modifications were made to Carnival Cruise Line’s Vacation Protection Plan, effective with departures on and after December 1, 2025.

First, the cruise line has changed insurance carriers and is now using United States Fire Insurance Company.

Previously, the plan provided a Medical Evacuation Benefit of $30,000 and a Repatriation of Remains Benefit of $30,000. Under the new plan, both are combined into a single benefit of $50,000.

Carnival Cruise Ship Funnel (Photo Credit: YES Market Media)

It is not clear whether the $50,000 benefit can be used for either purpose. But if that is so, as one repeat cruiser who also is an insurance agent suggested, it’s good for guests, because those who use the evacuation benefit would not also need the repatriation benefit, and vice versa.

Repatriation refers to the removal of a dead body. So the benefit for either emergency could rise by $20,000.

Also, the Accident Medical Expense Benefit of $10,000 and the Sickness Medical Expense Benefit of $10,000 are now combined into one Accident and Sickness Medical Expense Benefit of $20,000.

Cruisers can buy the protection plan policy at rates starting at $49, depending on their total cruise fare and the length of the sailing.

Carnival Cruise Line Raises Some Service Fees

Experienced cruisers who sail with Carnival Cruise Line know that every time they buy a drink, whether they have a drinks package or not, an 18% gratuity is added onto the tab.

Well, no more. Now that the service charge has risen to 20%, meaning a $10 glass of wine will actually cost $12. Moreover, the higher fee also applies to specialty dining charges, in-stateroom decorations purchased for special events like birthdays, and gifts for staterooms such as toys and flowers.

Emeril's Bistro on Carnival Celebration — Emeril’s Bistro on Carnival Celebration (Photo: Melissa Mayntz / Cruise Hive)

The new policy was quietly added to the terms and conditions section of the line’s website and has already taken effect.

The higher service charge applies to all purchases of the Cheers!, Bottomless Bubbles, and the new Cheers! Zero Proof packages, as well as all drinks bought without a package.

For example, if two adults buy the Cheers! package, which costs $139.90 per day, the total package cost for a 7-night cruise comes to $979.30. The new 20% service fee would add $196 to the total cost — about $20 more than the 18% fee, which would add $176.

It won’t break the bank, but onboard costs do add up.

New Philadelphia Cruise Port In The Works

The US East Coast will soon have another cruise port to sail from: Philadelphia! The city, in partnership with Norwegian Cruise Line, has plans to build PhilaPort, a 16-acre port conveniently located next to Philadelphia International Airport.

The port, which is set to open in April 2026, held an official ground-breaking ceremony on December 1, 2025.

PhilaPort Cruise Terminal Rendering (Photo Credit: PhilaPort)

City officials also revealed a 7-year agreement with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings that enables its three brands — Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, to operate as the port’s only operator. The deal provides for an initial commitment of 41 sailings per year.

The 2,376-guest Norwegian Jewel will homeport at Philadelphia from April 16, 2026 to October 17, 2026, offering Bermuda cruises and Canada/New England voyages.

Under the plan, PhilaPort will handle the waterfront construction, and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings will build the cruise terminal.

The new port will be open in time for the city’s celebrations in summer 2026, tied to the 250th anniversary of the 1776 founding of the US.

PortMiami Breaks All-Time Cruise Arrivals Record

It’s been another record-setting year for PortMiami, as cruise guest transits reached 8,564,225, a 4% increase compared to 2024.

It represents the highest passenger-arrival total in the port’s history, based on the fiscal year that ran from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025.

Miami is known as the Cruise Capital of the World, but it has lost ground this year to Port Canaveral, on Florida’s Space Coast (see next news brief below).

Cruise Ships Docked in PortMiami (Photo Credit: Felix Mizioznikov)

Still, PortMiami continues to be a global leader in the cruise industry, with virtually every cruise brand sailing from its docks.

Those deployments translate into around $61 billion in economic benefits to the region, supporting some 340,000 jobs related to cruising. And while cruise arrivals continue to increase, so does the port’s cargo business, port officials note.

PortMiami currently is home to popular ships such as Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Jewel, and Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Conquest, among many others.

Port Canaveral Edges Out Miami in Guest Arrivals

Congratulations to Port Canaveral, the growing port in Central Florida that has surpassed PortMiami as the busiest cruise port in North America.

The numbers are in: Port Canaveral recorded 8.6 million cruise guest movements in 2025, inching past PortMiami’s 8.5 million (see news brief above).

Port Canaveral is home to some of the industry’s biggest ships, including Royal Caribbean’s 5,610-guest Star of the Seas and Disney Cruise Line’s 4,000-guest Disney Treasure.

Cruise Ships at Port Canaveral (Photo Credit: Santiago Castillo Chomel)

Other cruise lines with a presence at Port Canaveral include Carnival Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Celebrity Cruises.

The port’s 2025 numbers show a very respectable 13% increase over 2024’s totals, when it received 7.6 million passengers.

Port Canaveral is a homeport for 18 of the industry’s most popular ships, but it is also a major port of call, since the theme parks of Orlando are less than an hour’s drive away.

More Cruise Headlines

Let’s keep going with more news! Cruise Hive has full coverage of Carnival Cruise Line’s Celebration Key all spruced up for the holidays, MSC Cruises revealing more details about the upcoming MSC World Asia, and Virgin Voyages rolling out a 30-day season pass to Alaska.

Also, Princess Cruises’ Sky Princess begins sailing from Port Canaveral, and France’s Senate approves a tax on cruise passengers.

Passengers and Crew Become Sick Aboard Carnival-Owned World Cruise

Cruise News

Melissa Mayntz

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Dec 5, 2025

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Passengers and Crew Become Sick Aboard Carnival-Owned World Cruise

Key Aspects:

Guests sailing aboard AIDAdiva‘s New Year’s World Cruise that departed Hamburg, Germany on Monday, November 10, 2025 have an unwelcome stowaway: norovirus.

The outbreak has been reported to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as is required for any ship sailing to US ports regardless of where the cruise originated.

The current illness update from the ship indicates 95 of the 2,007 passengers onboard (4.8%) as well as 6 of the 640 crew members (.9%) have reported diarrhea and vomiting, the most common symptoms of norovirus.

Onboard testing has confirmed the causative agent as norovirus, one of the most common sources of gastrointestinal distress worldwide.

To date, there have been 16 confirmed norovirus outbreaks onboard cruise ships in 2025 that have been reported to the CDC. The most recent was aboard Oceania Insignia in late October.

In addition to testing to confirm norovirus, the diligent crew members onboard AIDAdiva have implemented enhanced cleaning and sanitation procedures to help minimize the spread of the illness.

Guests and crew members reporting symptoms are also being confined to their staterooms as part of the health and safety protocols.

It is important to note that despite the 101 cases so far reported onboard, there is no indication that all of those cases have been ongoing simultaneously. The CDC requires that outbreaks be reported only when total numbers of cases pass a threshold of 3% of either guests or crew members.

Because the percentages are cumulative, it isn’t unusual for longer sailings such as AIDAdiva‘s 133-night world itinerary to eventually see enough cases to warrant such a report.

Furthermore, these may not be the final totals that will be reported from the 69,200-gross-ton, Sphinx-class vessel. As the cruise continues, it wouldn’t be unheard of for more guests to contract the very contagious illness.

Don’t Cruise With Norovirus!

While it will be frustrating for travelers who are afflicted with the illness, norovirus generally resolves within a few days without extensive treatment.

Guests can protect themselves from the illness by washing their hands thoroughly in warm, soapy water after using the restroom and before meals. Avoiding common utensils and high-contact surfaces can also minimize the risk of exposure.

AIDAdiva is the first ship from the Carnival-owned AIDA Cruises to report an outbreak to the CDC this year. Other norovirus outbreaks have been noted from Oceania Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Holland America Line, Viking Cruises, Seabourn, Cunard Line, and Princess Cruises.

Clearly, the illness is widespread and can be very common, no matter what the size of the ship or type of cruise line.

What’s Next for AIDAdiva

AIDAdiva has already completed the transatlantic portion of her world cruise and visited the top US ports of Boston, New York, Charleston, and Miami. The ship has also made her way through the Caribbean, and will transit through the Panama Canal.

The cruise will continue with more US calls in California and Hawaii before completing the transpacific route to visit South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, Sri Lanka and more phenomenal ports.

The last leg of the global circumnavigation is moving up the west coast of Africa with visits to South Africa and Namibia en route to the Canary Islands and Portugal. AIDAdiva will return to Hamburg, Germany on March 23, 2026.

Following the world cruise, the ship will offer Scandinavian and Baltic Sea itineraries through the end of August.

Florida’s Port Everglades Smashes Its Cruise Passenger Record

Port News

Lissa Poirot

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Dec 5, 2025

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Florida’s Port Everglades Smashes Its Cruise Passenger Record

Key Aspects:

Port Everglades set a new cruise-passenger record in Fiscal Year 2025, moving nearly 4.8 million guests.
The numbers represent a 16 percent jump from 2024 and enough to rank it as the world’s third busiest cruise homeport.
The port expects another rise in 2026 with 40 ships from nine cruise lines scheduled to sail.

If you sailed out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in 2025, you were part of a record-setting moment.

While 2024 saw just over 4 million passengers in a year that positioned Port Everglades as one of the busiest ports in the world, in Fiscal Year 2025 the South Florida port reported 4,773,873 cruise passengers, a 16 percent increase that secured its place.

The numbers mean Port Everglades is the third-busiest cruise homeport globally in 2025, trailing Port Miami and Port Canaveral, which each also bested their 2024 numbers and makes Florida’s Atlantic Coast the biggest cruise region, period.

Officials say the record aligns with a period of expansion as more cruise lines base ships in Fort Lauderdale. Established operators like Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Carnival Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, and Princess Cruises have added larger ships and increased frequency to the port in recent years.

“The trifecta of record-breaking accomplishments reflects the strength of our partnerships and the resilience of our business lines,” said Port Everglades CEO and Port Director Joseph Morris.

He added that the port’s diversified portfolio “positions us to adapt, compete, and lead as global and regional markets evolve.”

While Morris noted gains in all sectors at the port, cruising is getting much of the attention. Passenger demand is so strong that the port expects even higher numbers in 2026, with 40 ships from nine cruise lines plus a dairy ferry scheduled to sail.

Port Everglades, Florida — Photo Credit: Broward County’s Port Everglades

Many of the ships sailing from Port Everglades are cruising shorter itineraries, which allow for frequent passenger turnover. Meanwhile, seasonal deployments are driving peak-period occupancy.

Port Everglades is also continuing its long-term Master/Vision Plan, which includes more than $3 billion in infrastructure, capacity, and efficiency investments that will continue to improve passenger flow, modernize terminals, and reach sustainability targets.

South Florida benefits heavily from the port’s contributions of $28.1 billion annually, supporting more than 204,000 jobs in the region.

What’s Ahead for 2026

Port Everglades’ upswing in cruise passengers will continue with the addition of several new ships that will join its homeport in the 2025-2026 season and beyond.

Among the arrivals? Celebrity Cruises Celebrity Xcel, which originally began service out of Fort Lauderdale on November 18, 2025, and sails to the Eastern and Western Caribbean carrying 3,260 passengers.

Disney Cruise Line’s new Disney Destiny also joined the lineup, debuting at port on November 20, 2025. The 4,000-guest vessel is offering 4- and 5-night voyages to the Bahamas and Western Caribbean.

The new 4,300-passenger Sphere-class Star Princess from Princess Cruises also started its inaugural season from Port Everglades on November 7, joining her sister ship, Sun Princess, also based at the port.

Royal Caribbean’s third Icon-class vessel, Legend of the Seas, which carries 5,610 passengers, will begin homeporting at Port Everglades in November 2026, bringing another mega-ship into its waters.

French Senate Greenlights Cruise Passenger Tax, Industry Braces for Fallout

Port News

Catie Kovelman

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Dec 5, 2025

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French Senate Greenlights Cruise Passenger Tax, Industry Braces for Fallout

Key Aspects:

The French Senate has approved a new per-person cruise ship tax.
If passed, cruise lines will have to pay €15 per person every time they visit a French port.
This would likely result in skipped port calls and/or an uptick in pricing for European sailings.

France is one step closer to implementing one of the most significant new taxes on cruise ships.

On Monday, December 1, 2025, the French Senate voted to approve an environmental tax of €15 ($18 USD) per cruise passenger that would be charged for every single port call in France.

This means that if a cruise ship stopped at two French ports, the per-person tax would be owed twice.

If passed into law, the tax is expected to generate approximately €75 million (around $87.4 million), which would be put toward protecting and enhancing France’s coastlines.

The thought process behind the tax is based on the “polluter pays” principle, meaning that the cruise lines are being held responsible for the cost of pollution and its prevention instead of those affected.

Per the senators who introduced the measure, “this tax, based on the ‘polluter pays’ principle, aims to offset the ‘particularly heavy externalities’ of international cruises on coastal and port areas.”

Senator Jean-Marc Délia, who is championing the tax, pointed out that cruise ships emit more than 7 million tons of carbon dioxide in Europe each year.

Worth Reading: Carnival CEO Responds to Fuel Surcharge

But on the other side of the coin, the cruise lines are making great strides to be more environmentally conscious and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

A Negative Impact on Cruising

The new tax is a huge blow to the cruise industry, as it would cost a fortune if implemented.

As an example, a moderately sized cruise ship with 2,000 passengers would have to shell out €30,000 (around $35,000 USD) for a single port call in France.

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has already spoken out against the tax as unfair.

“Cruise operations in Europe are already contributing substantially to national and EU climate funds,” CLIA said in a statement.

“Adding a €15 per passenger fee at every French port of call would layer a new charge on top…effectively taxing the same emissions twice without a clear environmental benefit,” CLIA continued.

“Any new levy should be fair, evidence-based and consistent across vessel types, without confusing cruise ships with other types of vessels.”

Carnival Mardi Gras in Marseille — Carnival Mardi Gras completed dry dock in Marseille. (Photo Credit: Carnival Cruise Line)

If the tax is passed, passengers can expect to see an uptick in pricing for European sailings, especially if France is on the itinerary.

When new taxes are passed, it’s quite common for cruise lines to pass the expense onto passengers.

It’s also possible that the cruise lines would replace French port calls on already booked itineraries until they can start putting more of the financial burden onto guests.

Alternatively, the number of cruises to France may lessen, as the cruise lines could opt to sail to more cost-effective destinations – especially if demand decreases in response to higher pricing.

This is not only a disappointment to cruisers who dream of sailing to these destinations, but it could also have a negative impact on France’s economy.

What Happens Next?

Now that the Senate has approved the motion, the Assemblée nationale must consider the tax before it can be passed into law. A vote is expected to take place later in December.

That said, the measure will likely be subject to a fair amount of scrutiny and debate, and its final form could look a bit different when all is said and done.

For example, Amélie de Montchalin, Minister for Public Accounts, has already opposed the measure because the wording did not clearly differentiate between cruise ships and ferries.

But for now, the cruise community will simply have to wait and see how things play out.

St. Maarten Issues Order to Protect Cruisers From Harassment

Port News

Catie Kovelman

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Dec 5, 2025

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St. Maarten Issues Order to Protect Cruisers From Harassment

Key Aspects:

The Minister of Justice in Philipsburg, St. Maarten has issued a new public-order to protect cruisers from being harassed by local vendors.
Vendors will now be fined $190 USD if they attempt to offer services without proper authorization.
The order will be in effect from December 1, 2025, until April 30, 2026, which coincides with the peak cruise season.

As many Caribbean destinations do, Philipsburg, St. Maarten’s economy relies heavily on tourism in order to stay afloat – much of which comes from the more than 1.5 million cruise guests that visit the port each year.

But in order to keep the cruise lines coming back, it’s important that passengers have a good experience while visiting St. Maarten’s capital.

Of course, being harassed and heckled at the cruise port by pushy vendors is not the key to a good time.

In light of recent events in which tourists have been approached in an aggressive or intimidating manner, the Minister of Justice has issued a Ministerial Decree establishing strict public-order controls at the island’s waterfront entry ports.

Any vendor who approaches guests, disturbs the peace, and/or attempts to offer services without proper authorization will be fined $190 USD.

Prohibited activities include renting cars and bicycles, offering tours or excursions without permits, providing services like hair braiding and massages, and persistently approaching visitors to solicit business.

This order is not meant to penalize lawful business operators who have the necessary permits, but rather to reinforce safe commercial activity within the tourist hubs.

Why Now?

Now that the Atlantic Hurricane Season has come to an end, it’s officially the peak cruise season in the Caribbean.

With this in mind, the order will be in effect from December 1, 2025, until April 30, 2026, which covers the port’s busiest months.

When is the best time to cruise the Caribbean — Cruise Ships Docked in St. Maarten, in the Caribbean. Photo Credit: Dennis MacDonald)

During this time, Philipsburg will welcome dozens of ships every single week from brands like Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, and more.

While in place, the public-order will protect the entrance of the Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facilities and the access points to the Captain Hodge Wharf and the Walter Plantz Wharf on the Boardwalk.

Cruisers Celebrate the News

The public-order, which was announced on the Facebook page for the Government of Sint Maarten on December 4, was met with gratitude from the cruise community.

“Good call! I have never wanted to go on a cruise ship holiday because I have witnessed from the shore how cruise passengers get “attacked” by vendors the instant they step off the ship,” one person sounded off in the comments.

“Great news, these people what they do is scare the tourists, I understand they want to work and be nice, but definitely is not the way to market or promote a business,” another past visitor reacted.

Enhanced security measures have also been taken at other major cruise ports, such as Nassau in the Bahamas.

This is another location where locals can come off a bit too strong when trying to solicit business.

In 2023, the entire cruise port got new fencing and controlled entry/exit points for passengers, which was another welcomed change.

Only approved vendors are allowed to set up shop inside, which prevents unwanted interactions with the locals while guests are inside the port itself – and guests don’t necessarily have to leave the fenced area to have a good time.

Carnival Changing Water Sizes, But Not Prices – Or Are They?

Carnival Cruise News

Melissa Mayntz

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Dec 4, 2025

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Carnival Changing Water Sizes, But Not Prices – Or Are They?

Key Aspects:

There appears to be price and size changes for bottled water offered for sale on Carnival ships.
The changes are not yet consistent but could be the beginning of a fleetwide shift.
Carnival Cruise Line has confirmed that price changes are due to rising costs.

Many guests buy bottled water on a cruise ship for CPAP machines, preparing baby formula, taking along on shore tours, or just for personal preference and taste. With the popularity of the beverage, it’s not surprising that it can be a big money-maker for a cruise line.

But is Carnival Cruise Line taking its water pricing to extremes? Guests onboard different ships recently have reported that bottled water has changed from 1.5 liters to 1 liter, and it may even be more expensive.

It is confirmed that the taller 1.5-liter bottles are no longer available from Carnival’s website, where the listing for individual bottles of water is for a single large 1L bottle priced at $4.50.

Earlier this year, that same price was for a 1.5L bottle, which is no longer for sale on the cruise line’s websites.

Different ships, however, may be utilizing different water supplies. Guests on Carnival Firenze have noted the smaller bottles offered for $5, while other ships have the smaller bottles available for $4.50 or $4.75.

This represents a 30% decrease in size but no change in pricing. Other ships in the fleet, however, are still offering the larger bottles with prices ranging from $4.50 to $5.25.

This change comes as the red VIFP water bottle neck tags have been rolling out across the Carnival fleet, carefully noting which bottles are the “Refreshing Reward” for returning guests.

That loyalty gift is for all returning guests after their first sailing with Carnival, but there has been confusion in the past about whether the in-room bottles can be used for the free gift or if the bottles must be picked up from a bar or restaurant.

Carnival Cruise Line has placed several for-sale bottles in staterooms for many years as a convenience for thirsty guests. If travelers use those bottles, the cost is automatically added to the stateroom account.

The new red tags absolutely confirm which bottle is the free loyalty gift, and they are being delivered to guests’ staterooms without any pickup or requests necessary.

Have the Bottles and Prices Really Changed?

Because there is sufficient variation across different ships, it is possible that there haven’t been any permanent changes to the sizes of the bottled water onboard Carnival ships.

For example, there may have been a simple mixup with a supplier and the confusion and change in water bottles is just temporary. It’s perfectly understandable that if smaller bottles had been provided, the cruise line would rather fulfill orders with those smaller bottles rather than not have any bottled water available.

Carnival Cruise Line Defends Cost of Water (Photp Credits: Cruise Hive & Daniel Wright98)

It is also possible that this represents a true change in the supply and the size and cost of bottles onboard. Since these reports have only been made in the last few days, it would take time for supplies to be completely changed on 29 different ships.

Cruise Hive has reached out to Carnival Cruise Line for clarification and the cruise line confirmed that “the price adjustments reflect our higher costs for products and services.”

No mention was made of the different water bottle sizes, but time will tell if that becomes a consistent change.

Can You Get Free Water?

In addition to the 1.5L bottle given as a gift to returning cruisers (a gift which will be continued when the loyalty program switches to Carnival Rewards), there are other ways Carnival guests can get “free” water. Or at least, it’s included.

Bottled water is included with the Cheers! drink package as well as with the new Cheers! Zero Proof premium non-alcoholic beverage package, which also includes soda, juices, mocktails, smoothies, and more.

Guests can also get filtered water from the self-service drink stations at the Lido Marketplace buffet and filtered water is served in the Main Dining Room and specialty restaurants.

Of course, guests can always drink from the taps in their stateroom or refill their own water bottles from those taps as well.

Carnival’s Celebration Key Marks First Christmas Season with Festive Touches

Carnival Cruise News

Lissa Poirot

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Dec 4, 2025

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Carnival’s Celebration Key Marks First Christmas Season with Festive Touches

Key Aspects:

Carnival Cruise Line is celebrating Celebration Key’s first holiday season by decorating the entire new port.
The seasonal transformation includes themed trees, oversized gift boxes, sand sculptures, and Santa appearances to introduce Christmas programming.
Passengers visiting Celebration Key in December 2025 will find the festivities extend to Carnival Cruise Line ships, as well.

Cruises passengers stepping onto Celebration Key this month are finding something new waiting for them: The private destination owned by Carnival Cruise Line is bedecked for its first holiday season with holiday decorations lining the walkways, transforming into a tropical-themed North Pole of sorts, complete with Santa sightings.

The festive atmosphere stretches across the destination’s themed portals, with each district featuring its own decorative trees, wreaths, and garlands tailored to its setting.

For instance, Paradise Plaza, the destination’s arrival hub and central gathering area, showcases oversized wrapped boxes, while Lokono Cove, the port’s retail and dining district, is anchored by a 20-foot Celebration Key-themed tree.

Even the sand joins the celebration with Carnival introducing holiday-style sand sculptures, including an 8-foot-tall sand tree in Santa’s Village at Starfish Lagoon, the family-focused portal featuring kids’ activities and lagoon access.

Of course, Santa will be making an appearance in Starfish Lagoon, greeting families for photo sessions and giving kids a chance to let him know what they want for Christmas.

The Junkanoo parade, a Bahamian tradition that is a staple of the destination, is also getting seasonal updates to costumes and choreography, offering a holiday twist for passengers walking through the port.

Guests sailing to the new destination during December can expect Christmas-style programming both on shore and at sea. Onboard, Carnival Cruise Line voyages are pairing the Celebration Key rollout with seasonal menus, themed events, and entertainment tied to the holidays.

Santa and his helpers at Celebration Key (Photo Credit: Carnival Cruise Line)

Passengers on Carnival Dream, Carnival Vista, Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, Carnival Elation, Carnival Pride, Carnival Spirit, Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Freedom, and Carnival Glory are all getting a taste of Christmas on Celebration Key, with each ship sailing to the port in December 2025.

The ships are routinely sailing 3- to 7-night cruises that include stops at Celebration Key.

The cruise line says the debut marks the first of what could become a recurring seasonal experience.

Inside Celebration Key

Celebration Key officially opened on July 19, 2025, when Carnival Vista became the first ship to dock at the new port for nearly 5,000 guests. The opening marked the debut of Carnival Cruise Line’s first private destination designed exclusively for its own guests.

Located on the south side of Grand Bahama Island, roughly 20 miles east of Freeport, Celebration Key spans nearly 65 hectares and features a private white-sand beach, the two largest freshwater lagoons in the Caribbean, and five distinct portals, each offering different amenities and vibes.

The development includes the aforementioned themed areas Paradise Plaza, Starfish Lagoon, and Lokono Cove, along with the natural landscape of Nature’s Wild Life Preserve and the adults-only Calypso Lagoon, where bars, entertainment, and a quieter setting will get a dose of holiday spirit this season.

Guests can enjoy over 30 venues on the property, including a mix of quick-service and sit-down restaurants.

Carnival Corporation, which owns Carnival Cruise Line, will be sending other brands to the port, including Princess Cruises in 2027-2028.

Massive Dragon Revealed as MSC World Asia Is Just One Year Away

MSC Cruises News

Donna Tunney

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Dec 4, 2025

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Massive Dragon Revealed as MSC World Asia Is Just One Year Away

Key Aspects:

MSC Cruises will launch its next World-class ship in exactly 12 months.
The line revealed more details about MSC World Asia’s design and public spaces.
Despite her name, the ship will be initially deployed to Europe.

Precisely 12 months from today, December 4, 2025, MSC World Asia, the third ship in MSC Cruises’ World class, will set sail on her first revenue cruise following construction at a French shipyard.

The 215,863-gross-ton ship that will accommodate 5,400 guests will embark passengers on the inaugural voyage, a 7-night Mediterranean itinerary roundtrip from Barcelona, which departs on December 4, 2026.

With the official one-year countdown to her launch now underway, MSC Cruises is revealing some new details guests can look forward to, and highlighting amenities in the ship’s public spaces.

They include areas designed for families, such as a newly designed destination called The Harbour, an outdoor park in the Family Aventura district, and The Clubhouse, where kids and parents can enjoy everything from the cruise line’s popular LEGO® Family Zone, to bumper cars and roller skating, plus traditional table games.

For those looking for thrills, the family district will be home to Cliffhanger, an over-water swing ride that debuted onboard sister ship MSC World America when she entered service in 2025.

A new thrill ride, The Spiral @ Tree of Life, will set a record as the longest dry slide at sea. At a full 266 feet high, the ride spans 12 decks and is modeled on Singapore’s famous destination, Gardens by the Bay.

Other new venues include Pan-Asian Street Food, an indoor-outdoor restaurant featuring Southeast Asian specialities.

A major design highlight has been unveiled, too — Dragon Sculpture, a massive 39 by 29 foot stainless steel dragon that will hang from the ceiling, sparkling with 700 mirrors and thousands of LED lights.

While the ship will sport Asian-inspired designs and motifs, MSC World Asia is not initially bound for deployment in Asia. At least through the fall of 2027, the ship will sail in the Mediterranean.

Bookings opened nearly a year ago, in January 2025. Like other MSC Cruises’ ships in the Mediterranean, MSC World Asia will offer departures from multiple ports, including Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa, Naples, Rome, Messina, Sicily, and Valetta, Malta.

Itineraries will typically call at several of those ports, and guests can embark at the destination of their choice.

The new-build was floated out of her construction bay at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France in November 2025, marking the first time the ship’s hull touched water. Following the float-out, work is continuing on interior and exterior spaces.

In the fall of 2026, the ship’s construction will be near completion, and she will enter the sea trial phase, when key operational systems are tested.

More World-Class Ships Will Follow MSC World Asia

MSC World Asia will follow two earlier World-class ships: MSC World Europa, which debuted in 2022, and MSC World America. More are on the way. MSC World Atlantic is also under construction at the French shipyard and slated to debut in 2027.

Two additional ships, still unnamed and currently referred to as World Class 5 and 6, are on order and due to enter service in 2029 and 2030, respectively.

Meanwhile, the cruise line in November 2025 announced the order of two more World-class ships. They are known as World Class 7 and 8. Construction is scheduled to begin on both in 2029.

Like her sister ships, MSC World Asia will feature seven themed districts, 40-plus restaurants and bars, seven pools, dedicated spaces for supervised children’s programs, a full spa, and the exclusive luxury accommodations area, MSC Yacht Club, which will have 144 suites.

Carnival Cruise Line Makes Pajama Exception for Christmas Brunch

Carnival Cruise News

Melissa Mayntz

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Dec 4, 2025

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Carnival Cruise Line Makes Pajama Exception for Christmas Brunch

Key Aspects:

Carnival Cruise Line will permit guests to wear pajamas to Christmas breakfast or brunch.
All holiday pajamas must still be family-friendly and suitable for everyone.
Each ship’s maître d’ has the discretion to turn guests away if they are inappropriately dressed.

A Christmas cruise can be an amazing experience, but celebrations onboard are often very different from the traditions guests may have at home.

Carnival Cruise Line, however, is permitting a unique exception to onboard guidelines so guests can still enjoy one holiday tradition: pajamas.

Many families enjoy Christmas morning with fun matching pajamas, and they can still do so onboard a Carnival cruise ship, so long as their festive attire meets family-friendly guidelines.

The clarification comes from John Heald, Carnival’s brand ambassador. Heald answers hundreds of guest questions every week, on all types of unique subjects. During this time of year, pajamas can be a topic of contention.

“I’ve also had some guests asking about whether holiday pajamas are going to be allowed in the dining room for Christmas brunch,” he noted.

“Here’s my guidance: if you have a family tradition of having breakfast (or brunch) in your holiday pajamas, the ships are advised to make a one-time exception on Christmas morning to the ‘no pajamas’ rule.”

Typically, no sleepwear is permitted in the Main Dining Room restaurants. While Carnival’s “What to Wear” FAQ does not specifically prohibit pajamas, it does state that clothing that is sheer, see-through, or sexually suggestive is not appropriate.

Christmas on a Carnival Cruise (Photo Credit: Ihor Koptilin)

Heald reiterates that those guidelines still apply even for the one-time holiday pajamas exception on Christmas morning.

“Please note: they must be family friendly (and should be long pants/sleeves),” he said. “Ultimately the maître d has discretion to ask you to change if they don’t pass family friendly guidelines. Don’t get on the naughty list by trying to slip by in something that crosses the line.”

So, guests should be sure to leave the “unwrap me” skimpy holiday-themed pjs at home!

Where Will Carnival Ships Be on Christmas Day?

Depending on the itinerary, several Carnival cruise ships will be at sea on December 25, ensuring guests can enjoy the fabulous Seaday Brunch in their festive pajamas.

More than half the fleet, however, will be having port visits on Christmas Day, including:

Celebration – Grand Turk
Conquest – Nassau
Elation – Princess Cays
Freedom – Celebration Key
Glory – Celebration Key
Horizon – Willemstad
Liberty – Nassau
Mardi Gras – Nassau
Miracle – Belize City
Panorama – La Paz
Paradise – Cozumel
Pride – Nassau
Spirit – Half Moon Cay
Sunrise – Montego Bay
Valor – Progreso
Venezia – Charlotte Amalie

Guests should still be able to enjoy breakfast wearing their holiday pjs if they prefer, but they will also want to ensure they’re dressed appropriately for any shore tours or exploring ashore, where pajamas may not be the best choice.

More Holiday Festivities on Carnival Ships

Guests onboard any of Carnival’s holiday sailings, whether they are cruising on Christmas Day or not, will be able to enjoy a wide range of fun and festive happenings.

This includes visits from Santa and the Grinch, tree-lighting ceremonies, “snow” in the ship’s atrium, themed trivia, a special holiday entertainment show, and more.

In terms of festive attire, guests also have more options. In addition to holiday-themed pajamas, they will want to pack along sweaters for the ugly sweater contest, as well as elegant attire for formal night.

Heald also noted that regardless of a ship’s cruise length or itinerary, the planned Elegant Night on most sailings will be on Christmas evening, December 25. This may vary on select ships, however.

Guests should check the Carnival Hub app for their specific onboard schedule to be sure they don’t miss out on any of the holiday fun!