Blog Page 9

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.

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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.

Family Sues Disney Cruise Line Over Bunk Bed Fall At Sea

Catie Kovelman
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Family Sues Disney Cruise Line Over Bunk Bed Fall At Sea

Key Aspects:

  • A child is suing Disney Cruise Line through her parents after breaking both of her wrists in an accident onboard Disney Wonder.
  • The young girl was sleeping in a Murphy-style bunk bed when she rolled through an open gap and fell to the floor of her cruise cabin.
  • Her legal team claims that Disney is negligent because of the dangerous design of the bed and for failing to warn passengers about it.

Disney Cruise Line will have to answer in court after a child was injured in a nighttime accident while sailing onboard Disney Wonder.

The minor girl, who has only been identified as C.S., is suing the cruise line through her parents. The lawsuit was filed in the Circuit Court for Brevard County, Florida, on May 18, 2026.

However, the accident in question occurred on the night of July 30, 2024, nearly two years before the lawsuit was filed. At the time, the family was enjoying an Alaska cruise onboard Disney Wonder.

Cabin 2508 was their home away from home for the duration of the sailing. This is a Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom that features a bed, a sofa bed, and a Murphy-style bunk bed to accommodate up to four guests.

The lawsuit states that C.S. went to sleep in her bunk between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. on the night of the accident. While there is a railing on the Murphy-style bed to keep guests safe, it does not run the entire length of the bed.

At around 1 a.m., the child allegedly rolled in her sleep and fell through the gap in the guardrail. She broke both of her wrists when she fell, which included a fracture to the growth plate in her right wrist.

The family is now demanding a jury trial. They are seeking damages over $50,000 for pain and suffering, medical care, permanent disability, and future losses.

Cruise Hive reached out to Disney Cruise Line for a statement, but did not receive a response in time for publication.

Disney Cruise Line Accused of Negligence

Aronfeld Trial Lawyers, which is the firm that is representing the family, has accused Disney Cruise Line of three counts of negligence.

The first count accuses Disney of failing to provide reasonably safe accommodations because the guardrail did not extend the full length of the bed.

“DISNEY CRUISE’s breach was the cause-in-fact of C.S.’s great bodily harm in that, but for DISNEY CRUISE’s breach C.S.’s injuries would not have occurred,” the lawsuit stated, in part.

Next, the cruise line is accused of failing to warn its passengers of the hazards posed by the bunk bed. The suit states that Disney should have been aware of the danger, but the risk was not obvious to a sleeping child.

“Despite having actual and/or constructive knowledge of the dangerous condition, including the gap in the guardrail on the upper bunk bed, DISNEY CRUISE did not warn passengers, including C.S., of the risk of falling,” the lawsuit continued.

Disney Wonder Cabin
Disney Wonder Cabin

Finally, the family claims that DCL is vicariously liable for the employees or contractors who designed, installed, approved, and/or failed to properly inspect the bunk bed.

The lawsuit asserts that Disney Cruise Line or anyone acting as its agent were negligent in failing to identify the short guardrail as dangerous and in not correcting the issue.

Safety is a Top Priority for DCL

Though Disney Cruise Line has not commented on this specific case, the cruise line is known for its commitment to safety.

“At Disney Cruise Line, nothing is more important than the well-being of our guests and crew members, and the safe and secure operation of our ships,” DCL wrote in a letter to guests that is posted on its website.

“From regular crew training, safety drills and equipment inspections to the latest navigational technology, we employ multiple processes and procedures to uphold high standards of safety at all times, whether at sea or in port,” the cruise line added.

Disney has also been known to take the initiative to modify its ships when safety concerns are brought to light.

For example, the cruise line added new plexiglass and railings to portholes onboard Disney Dream after a child fell through an open porthole while posing for a picture.

Additionally, Cruise Hive reported that Disney modified the Nemo’s Reef Splash Pad onboard Disney Dream after a child fell from a coral fixture and broke his femur.

In Disney Wonder’s case, the 84,130-gross ton vessel is operating normally. The 2,713-guest ship is homeporting in Vancouver as it takes cruisers to see the highlights of Alaska, just as it was at the time of the bunk bed accident.

Norwegian Cruise Line Ship to Spend First Night of Cruise Docked in Miami

Catie Kovelman
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Norwegian Cruise Line Ship to Spend First Night of Cruise Docked in Miami

Key Aspects:

  • Instead of leaving Miami on August 24, 2026, Norwegian Getaway will stay in the Florida port overnight.
  • The purpose of the delay is to assist PortMiami in testing its shore power system.
  • Even with the delayed departure, there will be no impact to the ports on the 4-night itinerary.

Norwegian Getaway won’t be making as quick of a “getaway” from PortMiami as it expected during an upcoming voyage, but it’s for a very good reason.

On August 24, 2026, the Norwegian Cruise Line ship will begin a 4-night sailing to the Bahamas. But instead of departing from her Florida homeport at 4 p.m. as planned, the ship will stay in PortMiami overnight.

Thankfully, the change of plans won’t impact the ports on the itinerary and won’t significantly disrupt the embarkation process.

The purpose of the delay is so the 145,655-gross ton vessel can assist with the commissioning, or testing, of PortMiami’s shore power system.

“As part of PortMiami’s continued efforts to enhance its sustainability initiatives, Norwegian Getaway will participate in the commissioning of the shore power system,” Norwegian Cruise Line wrote in a letter to guests, which was shared on Facebook.

“This technology allows ships to connect to the local electrical grid while in port, reducing emissions and supporting a cleaner environment. To accommodate this work, Norwegian Getaway will remain in Miami overnight before setting sail,” the cruise line added.

As far as passengers are concerned, embarkation day should feel like a normal start to a cruise vacation.

The biggest difference is that only one gangway will be available for guest access during the boarding process to accommodate the commissioning activities.

Normally, the terminal used by Norwegian Cruise Line (Terminal B) uses two symmetrical passenger boarding bridges.

NCL Terminal in Miami
NCL Terminal in Miami (Photo Credit: Foundshots Photography)

In the letter, NCL said that guests should still plan to arrive at the cruise port at their assigned check-in times, and that team members will be on site to make the process run smoothly.

Additionally, guests will not be able to disembark in the evening after boarding the cruise ship. Passengers will be required to stay onboard, as they would if they were already heading out to sea.

No Impact to Norwegian Getaway Ports of Call

Thankfully, the up to 3,903 guests booked on the August 24 sailing won’t be significantly impacted by the late departure.

Cruise Hive confirmed that there will be no change to the port calls on the itinerary as a result of this delay, which is surely a relief for impacted passengers.

The Breakaway-class ship is now scheduled to depart Miami at 3 a.m. on August 25, which was already supposed to be a sea day. This leaves plenty of time to arrive in Nassau as planned at 8 a.m. on August 26.

For context, Nassau is only around 180 nautical miles from PortMiami, which is a distance that Norwegian Getaway can cover in about eight to 10 hours.

“While the timing of your voyage has been adjusted, all scheduled ports of call remain unchanged, and you’ll still have plenty of time to enjoy the sun-soaked beaches, crystal-clear waters, and island experiences that await in the Bahamas,” Norwegian Cruise Line confirmed.

The second and final port call, which is a visit to Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas on August 27, is also unimpacted.

Both PortMiami and Norwegian Cruise Line have taken great pride in pursuing ambitious sustainability initiatives. PortMiami is the first major cruise port on the US Eastern Seaboard to offer shore power capability at five berths.

Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Conquest made history as the first ship to plug into shore power in Miami in June of 2024.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, meanwhile, has also committed to working with port authorities in Seattle to improve sustainability and decarbonization efforts within the port as part of a long-term lease amendment.

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