The Virgin Voyages cruise ship Scarlet Lady came into unfortunate contact with a mooring dolphin at PortMiami over the weekend. This mishap resulted in a dent and hull perforation on the starboard aft side of the ship just above the waterline.
Luckily for guests, Virgin Voyages could immediately initiate repairs, ensuring guests experienced a minor delay in the vessel’s departure.
Scarlet Lady Collision in Miami
Scarlet Lady was involved in a one-sided collision on Sunday, July 16, at PortMiami. The cruise ship made contact with a mooring dolphin during arrival.
Eyewitnesses and online video footage reveal that the incident occurred as the ship attempted to align its starboard side with the dock at the Virgin Voyages cruise terminal. You can watch the arrival of the vessel below, including the impact:
Unfortunately, the vessel miscalculated the distance to the dolphin, a freestanding extension of the dock used for mooring ships. The mishap led to the ship’s collision with the dolphin during its turn. This event, however, did not stop the Scarlet Lady for long. Repairs were promptly initiated and continued throughout the day.
Despite this hiccup, the US Coast Guard cleared the ship, which pulled out at approximately 12:30 AM, albeit with a delay of around six and a half hours from the scheduled departure time.
The Scarlet Lady, at 110,000 gross tons and with a capacity for over 2,770 guests, had just returned from a 4-night cruise to Key West and Bimini in the Bahamas before the mishap.
Following the incident and subsequent repairs, the ship set off from PortMiami for a 5-night cruise, with stops in Cozumel, Mexico, and Bimini Island, Bahamas, before returning to Miami.
The Scarlet Lady is scheduled to operate year-round from Miami through April 2024, when she will be repositioning to Europe for a season in the Mediterranean, sailing from Barcelona. From Miami, the ship sails four- and five-night cruises to Key West and the Bahamas.
Minor Impact on Guest Experience
Guests who boarded the Scarlet Lady for the cruise departing July 16 can consider themselves fortunate. The damage was effectively repaired thanks to the quick and efficient work of the ship’s crew and contractors. It also means that the impact of the collision will not negatively affect guests onboard.
Images of the vessel after the repairs were completed show minimal damage, with the ship’s crew even managing to put a fresh coat of paint on the damaged area.
At this time, Virgin Voyages has not made any statements on the cause and possible further effects of the collision; neither is it clear who, the harbor pilot or the Captain, was in charge of navigation during the incident.
Photo Credit: EQRoy / Shutterstock
The vessel seems unlikely to need more significant repair work, as the United States Coast Guard has already cleared her to sail.
This incident contrasts with a similar situation on July 6, 2023, involving the Crown-class Ruby Princess cruise ship. This cruise ship collided with Pier 27 in San Francisco, causing damage to the ship’s hull similar to that on the Scarlet Lady. After extensive repairs and obtaining the necessary certification from the US Coast Guard, the ship resumed operations.
Nevertheless, the incident reduced the originally planned 10-night Alaska sailing to a 7-day cruise. Ruby Princess also sailed with fewer passengers onboard because some opted out of the shortened itinerary.
Have you ever wondered what do cruise ships do with sewage? If you have ever wanted to know, we have all of the answers. Read on for the truth!
When most people think of a cruise vacation, they immediately picture beautiful views of open water, relaxation, luxury, and exciting amenities. What is often ignored is how these massive vessels deal with the immense amount of sewage and waste produced during their lengthy voyages.
If you have ever wondered what cruise ships do with sewage, we have all of the answers. We will explain how modern-day cruise ships handle human waste and other forms of sewage while they are at sea and how these enormous ships deal with garbage and recycling. While it may not be the most glamorous topic, having a clean, odor-free experience is essential for cruise passengers and crew members alike.
If you are ready to learn, here is how cruise ships ensure that they handle sewage safely and responsibly!
What Types of Sewage Do Cruise Ships Deal With & What Do They Do With It All?
Before we dive into the ways that cruise ships handle and dispose of sewage, it is helpful to quickly explain the different types of waste generated during a voyage.
Non-Human Solid Waste
While flushing toilets, running taps, and shower drains all result in significant amounts of human waste and wastewater, they are not the only forms of sewage that can build up while a cruise ship is on the water.
Kitchen waste, specifically food scraps and unfinished beverages, can quickly become an issue on a lengthy cruise with a high number of passengers and crew members. If not stored and dealt with properly, this type of waste can begin to biodegrade, resulting in unpleasant odors and even a buildup of flammable gases.
Even non-odorous solid waste, like scrap paper and plastic, must be dealt with appropriately, or else the ship would quickly become overwhelmed with unsightly messes.
What Do Cruise Ships Do With This Type of Waste?
To overcome this issue, waste is segregated and dehydrated. Any form of waste that can be recycled, such as reusable plastics, glass containers, and metal cans, are all cleaned and stored, so they can be recycled and repurposed when the ship reaches land and the appropriate recycling facilities.
Non-recyclable, organic waste is dehydrated, and then it is incinerated. This is the most environmentally-friendly way to deal with this waste while the ship is at sea. If the ship is in port, the waste can be collected by local waste management services.
Wastewater not linked to human waste is often called grey water within the cruise industry. This water can come from washing dishes in the ship’s kitchens, the ship’s laundry facilities, and water used by the cleaning staff to mop floors, sinks, and clean other surfaces. Since this water can contain non-biodegradable debris, chemical cleaning agents, and detergents, it cannot simply be released overboard.
What Is Done With This Type of Wastewater?
This type of wastewater is usually filtered and treated onboard the ship because modern cruise ships have sophisticated water treatment facilities. Settlement tanks, a range of filters, chemical treatments, and various water quality tests are performed on the so-called grey water, as this ensures that the water is free from all harmful contaminants.
Garbage Disposal Area on Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Mohd Syis Zulkipli / Shutterstock)
Once fully treated, this type of non-sewage wastewater can be discharged into some regions of the ocean. While this may sound like it would be harmful towards the environment, the water must meet stringent regulatory standards before dumping can begin. Essentially, the water must be completely clean and pose no serious risk to the health of local marine life and ecosystems.
Human Waste and Sewage
Given how many passengers and crew members travel on a large-scale cruise ship, it is incredibly important that they handle human waste correctly. Human waste can refer to water that results from flushing toilets and water collected by cabin showers and other bathing facilities on the ship.
Cabin Toilet on a Cruise (Photo Credit: Solarisys / Shutterstock)
This particular type of waste is also known as black water. Due to the health risks associated with it and the unpleasant odors that go with human waste, this form of sewage must be dealt with properly.
What Is Done With This Type of Wastewater and Sewage?
All forms of human waste have to undergo an extremely rigorous treatment process within areas of the ship that are off-limits to all passengers. In addition to heavy filtration, these modern sewage treatment facilities use chemical treatments and biological composting procedures.
Throughout the process, the treated and untreated sewage is stored in airtight holding tanks, which helps with odor control. These holding tanks are also incredibly durable, and they are regularly checked for leaks and weak spots, as maintaining their structural integrity is essential for the health and safety of all onboard the ship.
Once the sewage has been treated and is no longer a biological concern, clean and tested water can be released from the ship into designated bodies of water. Dehydrated solid waste is kept until the ship can dispose of it correctly on land.
Some of the larger cruise ships also have incineration facilities that can deal with treated solid waste at high temperatures, reducing its volume and completely sterilizing it.
If the ship is in port when the treated sewage is ready for discharge, it is passed off to the local water treatment facilities to be processed even further.
What Types of Regulations Govern How Cruise Ships Dispose of Sewage?
To ensure that all cruise ships adhere to proper sewage treatment and disposal procedures, it is essential that the industry is regulated.
To protect marine life and the environment, the entire cruise ship industry has to follow the rules regarding sewage disposal. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is one of the most stringent regarding regulations regarding how cruise ships hold and release sewage and other forms of waste.
When cruise ships are within waters belonging to a particular nation, they must also adhere to that country’s specific rules and regulations regarding waste and sewage treatment. For example, if a cruise ship travels through American waters, the cruise ship must adhere to rules set out by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
While these national agencies can set different standards and rules, most are fairly clear on how sewage must be treated and how it must be disposed of and discharged.
In addition to strict treatment standards, these powerful organizations also dictate where waste can be released, even after it has been treated.
Most do not allow cruise ships to discharge waste anywhere near the nation’s shores, so all waste must be treated, then delivered to local waste treatment systems. Naturally, this also comes with a significant fee, which can be rolled into fees paid to dock a cruise ship in a local port.
Does the Cruise Industry Have its Own Rules?
Believe it or not, many cruise lines add their own environmental standards for sewage disposal that go beyond what they are legally required to do.
Icon of the Seas Sea Trials (Photo Courtesy: Royal Caribbean)
Not only is this good for the cruise line’s public image, but coming up with more effective and energy-efficient treatment systems cuts down on waste and makes the entire ship more practical and sustainable.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is black water on a cruise ship?
Black water is a term used to describe sewage. Typically, the term is explicitly used when describing human waste or water that has been in contact with some form of human waste.
Are cruise ships allowed to release sewage anywhere?
No, there are set regulations that specify where a cruise ship is allowed to discharge sewage. Typically, sewage cannot be released within miles of a shoreline or at shallow water depths, as it can pose a greater risk to the marine ecosystem in the area. The sewage must also be treated before it is released into the water.
What is grey water?
Grey water is a term cruise ships use to describe wastewater that has not come in contact with human waste or any other form of biologically hazardous material. This can include water that has passed through a sink, laundry machine, or non-toilet drain.
Is the treated sewage water safe to drink?
While this water is close to drinkable, it is unsafe to do so, as drinking water needs to be vigorously tested through a certified water treatment facility.
Have cruise ships always treated sewage water?
Sadly, cruise lines of the past did not treat water before releasing it into the sea or ocean. Fortunately, changing attitudes and strict regulations have improved how cruise ships deal with wastewater and sewage.
Final Words
How cruise ships treat and dispose of sewage has come a long way. Cruise ships now use a complex sewage treatment process that helps limit the environmental impact of carrying so much waste at sea.
Thanks to advanced technologies, high standards, and government regulations, cruise ships deal with sewage sustainably and professionally, protecting passengers, crew members, and the waters that cruise ships travel through.
The Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany has announced that Saturday, July 22, 2023 is the day for Carnival Jubilee, when the newest ship in the Carnival Cruise Line fleet will be floated out of the construction dock, touching water for the first time and bringing her one step closer to her December debut.
Carnival Jubilee to Be Floated Out This Weekend
Meyer Werft has announced that Carnival Jubilee will be officially floated out on Saturday morning, July 22, 2023. This is a major construction milestone for any new vessel, and marks a significant shift in the ship’s progress as final outfitting is begun in a nearby wet dock.
“Saturday, it’s the day!”Meyer Werft announced on social media.“The Carnival Jubilee will leave our covered building dock at about 9 am and will be fixed at the equipment pier around 12 pm, according to the current schedule.”
The shipbuilder does note that the schedule may change due to weather conditions. The Saturday forecast in Papenburg calls for a 60% chance of rain and a high temperature of 69 degrees Fahrenheit (21 Celsius), which is quite typical for July in northwestern Germany.
Carnival Jubilee Cruise Ship
The float out of a cruise ship is a significant construction milestone and marks the completion of the vessel’s outer hull. While interior work is far from complete, this does showcase the progress of the ship and is the first step toward her long service life on the water.
A variety of shipyard employees will attend the float out ceremony and there may be cruise line officials present as well, though this is not a handoff ceremony or official naming. Those steps will come later, as the ship is fully completed and ready to welcome guests.
Photo Credit: Meyer Werft
This float out is particularly significant as Carnival Jubilee was never originally intended as a Carnival Cruise Line ship, and instead the vessel had been ordered for AIDA Cruises.
The incredible success of Mardi Gras, however, prompted Carnival Corporation to switch the new ship to its namesake line, making Carnival Jubilee the first vessel Meyer Werft has ever built for Carnival Cruise Line.
Next Steps
The first steel was cut for Carnival Jubilee on March 18, 2022, beginning the ship’s physical construction. Over the past 16 months, the hull has taken shape, blocks have been assembled, and even the Bolt roller coaster has been installed onboard.
Carnival Jubilee is not yet be quite ready to be handed over to the cruise line, however, as much interior work remains to be finished. After the float out, the ship will be tied up at a nearby wet dock, where interior work – furnishing the ship, interior design, etc. – will commence. This will take several weeks, as final details are put into place.
Carnival Jubilee Construction at Meyer Werft
Next up will be the ship’s sea trials, which will take place sometime in August 2023. These are the technical tests of the ship’s critical systems, including navigation, propulsion, and safety operation. Those tests can take from just a few days to two weeks, depending on the vessel’s performance and any adjustments that may need to be made.
After the sea trials, the ship will be handed over and officially become property of Carnival Cruise Line, rather than of Meyer Werft. At that time, final details of the interior spaces will be completed, and the ship will begin receiving supplies and equipment so she is ready to sail.
Upper Deck of the Carnival Jubilee Currents Zone
Crew members (as many as 1,735) will begin arriving to the ship in the following weeks to familiarize themselves with its facilities and unique quirks, and in December 2023, Carnival Jubilee will welcome guests for the first time.
When finished, the 183,521-gross ton Carnival Jubilee will measure 1,130 feet in length, with 15 passenger decks for as many as 6,631 guests to explore (5,374 guests when booked at double occupancy only).
First Sailings
The third Excel-class ship, sister to Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration, is scheduled to debut on December 23, 2023 with a 7-night sailing roundtrip from Galveston, Texas.
Rendering Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line
The Western Caribbean cruise will call on Roatan, Honduras and Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico before returning to her Lone Star State homeport.
Details have not yet been announced about the ship’s official christening, including who will be named the ceremonial godmother.
Carnival Jubilee is scheduled to remain homeported from Galveston at least through April 2025, sailing alongside the Dream-class Carnival Breeze and Carnival Dream and the Spirit-class Carnival Miracle.
The local economy of Portland, England, a frequent port call for ships sailing around the British Isles, received a welcome influx of unexpected cruisers when a Norwegian Cruise Line vessel made a surprise visit.
Portland, roughly 60 miles southwest of Southampton, is located along England’s famed Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage site in the county of Devon.
Norwegian Dawn Arrives a Day Early at Portland
Norwegian Cruise Line’s 2,340-guest Norwegian Dawn arrived in Portland, England, on July 10, the evening before her scheduled port call, bringing more business to shops, restaurants, and pubs. Poor weather conditions elsewhere prompted the early visit.
The Dawn-class ship that entered service in 2002 regularly calls at Portland on summer season itineraries that explore the British Isles and Ireland, plus France and Belgium. Norwegian Dawn is among many ships that call at Portland.
In fact, the port in 2023, expects a total of 130,000 cruise guests to visit, reflecting a 23% increase in cruise arrivals versus 2022. For 2023, cruise-related revenues are expected to bring about $13 million to the local economy.
Norwegian Dawn
One of the largest ships to call this season was MSC Cruises’ MSC Virtuosa, which carries up to 5,000 cruise guests. Cruisers who call at Portland typically visit the nearby town of Weymouth, and that is what the Norwegian Dawn’s guests did this week.
“One of the secrets of success in the growth of our cruise business is to be as accommodating and flexible as we can be for our customers. Praise must go to our staff and suppliers for their quick response to make arrangement for the Norwegian Dawn’s arrival and shuttle bus transport for its passengers,” said Bill Reeves, Chief Executive of Portland Port.
“On the evening of arrival about half of the ship’s passengers headed off to Weymouth to enjoy the pubs and restaurants or sample the local fish and chips, and their arrival would have provided an unexpected economic boost for many catering, hospitality and related businesses in the area,” Reeves added.
Photo Credit: Maciej Olszewski / Shutterstock
The ship was sailing a 10-day itinerary from Copenhagen to Southampton, departing the Danish port on July 2. Besides Portland, other port calls included Edinburgh and Stornoway, Scotland; Dublin, Ireland, and Belfast, Northern Ireland, among other destinations.
Norwegian Dawn is currently sailing a 14-night itinerary roundtrip from Southampton that departed on July 12, with calls planned to Le Havre, France; Bruges, Belgium; Invergordon, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Kirkwall, Scotland; Belfast, Northern Ireland, and Cork and Dublin, Ireland, among other destinations.
Port Call is Part of England’s Famed Jurassic Coast
Portland Port records show that roughly half of visiting cruise guests book excursions in the region, while the remaining guests use the port’s free shuttle buses to Weymouth, a quaint seaside town known for its colorful beach huts and Georgian architecture.
Some excursions explore the Jurassic Coast, one of Great Britain’s most popular destinations and the only place on Earth where rocks from the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods can be seen in one location.
Photo Credit: Vytautas Kielaitis / Shutterstock
Onboard Norwegian Dawn, guests will find a wide range of stateroom categories, including the ship’s garden villas, which are among the largest suites at sea. Some of the villas have multiple bedrooms and comprise up to 7,000 square feet.
Specialty dining venues on the ship include La Cucina, for Italian cuisine; the French-inspired Le Bistro; Tappanyaki, for Japanese specialties; Sushi; Los Lobos, featuring Mexican dishes; Cagney’s Steakhouse; and Modern Churrascaria, a Brazilian steakhouse.
Norwegian Dawn will continue to sail British Isles and Ireland cruises from Copenhagen and Southampton, plus Germany and Poland sailings between Stockholm, Sweden, and Copenhagen, and France, Spain, Portugal and Belgium voyages between Southampton and Lisbon through October.
In November, the ship will deploy farther south, offering a variety of Mediterranean and Greek Islands cruises.
Carnival Cruise Line is expanding its use of facial biometric technology to facilitate debarkation at nine different homeports, getting travelers on their way more quickly and smoothly after enjoying their cruise vacations. To date, more than three million Carnival guests have already enjoyed expedited, simplified debarkation.
Nine Carnival Homeports Using Facial Biometrics
Nine of Carnival Cruise Line’s 14 US homeports are now using facial biometric technology in partnership with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), covering the busiest homeports the cruise line uses and already expediting debarkation processing for more than three million guests.
The technology is already being successfully used for Carnival cruises at Port Canaveral, the world’s busiest cruise port, as well as Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville, New York, Baltimore, Mobile, Galveston, and Long Beach.
Photo Credit: pisaphotography / Shutterstock.com
“Expanding this technology at our U.S. homeports ensures we’re doing everything we can to make the debarkation process as simple as possible for our guests,”said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.“Thanks to our partnership with CBP, these technology solutions make the process more efficient, while giving guests a sense of safety and security, knowing their information is protected.”
This summer, these ports include sailings for Carnival’s two Excel-class ships, Mardi Gras from Port Canaveral and Carnival Celebration from Miami. These are the largest ships in Carnival’s fleet, and each one can host 5,282 guests at double occupancy, or as many as 6,465 passengers when fully booked with all berths filled. During the summer months, full bookings are more likely as families and groups travel.
When the third Excel-class ship, Carnival Jubilee, joins the fleet in December from Galveston, guests sailing on the new vessel will also enjoy the benefits of facial biometric technology.
How Facial Biometrics Work
Facial biometrics recognition works by taking a high speed, high quality photo of guests as they debark the ship, and rapidly comparing that photo to the image already on file with each guest’s passport or visa.
The process only takes an average of two seconds, and has a greater than 98% accuracy rate. After the traveler’s identity is confirmed they are free to leave immediately, and US citizens’ photos are deleted to protect privacy.
“CBP is excited to expand the use of facial biometrics in the debarkation process to further secure and streamline the passenger experience through public/private partnerships with the cruise industry,”said Diane J. Sabatino, Deputy Executive Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations, US Customs and Border Protection.
Carnival Cruise Port Biometrics
“Through our partnership with Carnival Cruise Line, we will continue to transform cruise operations by leveraging technology and enhanced processes while also strengthening our data sharing agreement to further secure U.S. seaports.”
Data collected from the technology’s implementation so far shows an average of 30% faster debarkation, compared to traditional manual document checks of travelers’ passports or other identification. When debarking thousands of guests in just a few hours, this can be a significant improvement over traditional debarkation.
Guests who may be uncomfortable with the technology or prefer manual document screenings can opt out of the facial biometric process in favor of a document check from a CBP officer.
A total of 38 seaports across the US (cargo as well as passenger ports) have biometric technology available, and while not all are Carnival Cruise Line homeports, other cruise lines are also utilizing the technology.
In April, Norwegian Cruise Line introduced the technology to Boston, and all cruise lines that use the Massachusetts homeport will be able to utilize it.
Carnival Pride will not be visiting Gothenburg, Sweden as scheduled on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, due to the development of a propulsion issue that has impacted the ship’s maximum cruising speed.
The problem developed on Tuesday evening, when tracking data noted the vessel cruising at very slow speeds with occasional dead stops at different times in the open waters of the Baltic Sea.
Propulsion Issue on Carnival Pride
Guests currently sailing on Carnival Pride’s 12-night European itinerary roundtrip from Dover, England have been notified via a letter delivered to their staterooms that they will not be visiting the final port of call on the ship’s itinerary, Gothenburg, Sweden, as planned.
“The ship has developed an issue that is affecting its maximum cruising speed and our engineers are actively working on a repair plan,”the letter reads.“Regrettably, as a result of this issue, we will not be able to visit Gothenburg today. We know you were looking forward to your time there and apologize for this unexpected change of plans.”
Carnival Pride Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Mario Hagen / Shutterstock)
All pre-purchased Carnival shore excursions for Gothenburg, as well as applicable taxes, fees, and port expenses, are being refunded to guests’ Sail & Sign accounts.
Furthermore, all staterooms are being given a $100 (USD) onboard credit as compensation for the missed port of call. The credit is per stateroom, not per guest, and can be used for onboard purchases such as drinks, spa treatments, photographs, souvenirs, or specialty dining.
Ship Returning to Germany
The nature of the propulsion issue has not been disclosed, nor has there been any information given on how repairs can be made or whether or not the ship’s return to Dover on Friday, July 21, will be impacted.
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Guests onboard Carnival Pride, however, have reported an announcement from the ship’s master, Captain Renato Bendinelli, that the ship will be returning to Kiel, Germany, which is confirmed by updated tracking data.
It seems unlikely that the vessel will be able to return to that north German port, effect repairs, and then sail on to Dover for debarkation as planned.
Carnival Pride Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: StudioPortoSabbia / Shutterstock)
The ship’s hotel operations and other onboard power usage does not appear affected, nor are any safety systems compromised.
There is no word yet on any impact to the next sailing, a 9-night Europe itinerary scheduled to depart from Dover, England on Friday, July 21 and visit various ports in Scotland and Ireland.
Carnival Pride is a 88,500-gross ton, Spirit-class vessel capable of welcoming 2,124 guests at double occupancy and as many as 2,680 passengers when fully booked.
The ship is currently homeported from Dover for the summer and is scheduled to offer several sailings from Rome in September and October before moving to Tampa and offering Caribbean sailings for the winter.
Recent Drydock
Carnival Pride was in drydock for an extensive refit and refurbishment at the Navantia Shipyard in Cadiz, Spain just weeks ago, from April 28 through May 27, 2023.
During that refit, new venues were added to the vessel, the spa was renovated, the ship received the new red-white-and-blue hull livery, and various mechanical and technical upgrades were made.
Whether or not the engines were worked on or updated has not been disclosed, but when a ship is in drydock for such a lengthy time, all major systems are generally included in repair and maintenance work.
Previous Propulsion Issues
This is not the first time Carnival Pride has suffered propulsion issues. In March 2019 – ironically, shortly after the ship’s previous Fun Ship 2.0 drydock upgrades in February 2019 – the ship’s maximum cruising speed was impacted. This caused delays for returning to its homeport, which at that time was Baltimore, and delayed the next sailing by several hours.
Other Carnival ships have also suffered from propulsion issues, ranging from slight delays to fully adjusted itineraries with cancelled ports of call. Carnival Sunshine, Carnival Victory, Carnival Vista, Carnival Elation, the former Carnival Fantasy, and other ships have all experienced a variety of propulsion or engine troubles.
Engine difficulties can result from many different factors, as a cruise ship’s propulsion is one of its most technically complex systems. Onboard engineers continually monitor the engines and associated equipment, and are on hand to make repairs even as a ship continues sailing at a reduced speed.
Carnival Cruise Line has reached out to guests booked on the next sailing of Carnival Pride to inform them that the 9-night cruise from Dover, England departing on Friday, July 21, 2023, has been cancelled.
Impacted guests have different options to choose from for this last-minute cancellation, depending on whether or not they have already traveled to Europe in advance of Friday’s embarkation.
Next Sailing Cancelled for Carnival Pride
Carnival Cruise Line has announced that the next sailing of Carnival Pride, which is currently docked in Kiel, Germany, must be cancelled as the vessel undergoes emergency repairs to its propulsion system.
The stop in Kiel was not previously planned, and because of the repairs, the ship will not be able to return to its homeport of Dover, England on time for the next cruise.
“Carnival Pride is experiencing a technical issue and is making an unplanned stop in Kiel, Germany today so that we can board expert technicians,”the email explained.“While we are working to make the repair and get the ship back to Dover as quickly as possible, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the 9-day cruise that is scheduled to depart from Dover on Friday as planned.”
The cruise line is offering several options to booked guests, depending on their travel plans.
Guests who have not yet traveled to Europe will automatically receive a full refund of their cruise fare, port fees, taxes, and pre-paid onboard expenses, as well as a 100% future cruise credit (FCC) for another sailing. Any airline cancellation fees will also be covered by Carnival Cruise Line as guests submit receipts for reimbursement.
This option will most obviously affect guests who have booked airfare through Carnival Cruise Line, but will also apply to guests who have not yet begun their travels to meet the ship in Dover in two days.
Guests who are already in Europe will be reimbursed for two nights of hotel stays, up to $300 (USD) per night, along with a food per diem of $100 per day, per person, beginning on Friday, July 21, to cover expenses as they make arrangements to return home. Any airline change fees will also be covered by the cruise line.
Photo Credit: Christopher Ison / P&O Cruises
Carnival Cruise Line is also investigating any availability on its sister lines – P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises – for 7-night sailings from Southampton departing on Saturday, July 22. P&O Cruises’ Iona and Princess Cruises’ Sky Princess are both offering Scandinavian itineraries on that departure date.
Shorter Cruise May Be Possible
Depending on the nature of the necessary repairs and any special equipment or parts that may be needed, a shorter sailing may be possible for Carnival Pride.
“Based on when we can make the repairs and return the ship to Dover, we may be able to operate a revised itinerary with a shorter cruise that will end in Dover on the originally scheduled debarkation date of Sunday, July 30,”the email said.
Carnival has said it will reach out to booked guests with follow-up details for the possibility of a shorter sailing on Thursday, July 20.
Carnival pride Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Mario Hagen / Shutterstock)
If a shorter cruise is possible, guests will receive a prorated refund of their original cruise fare as well as an onboard credit for the adjustment, depending on the finalized plans for an altered sailing. Because guests who have not yet begun traveling to Europe are being automatically refunded, this option will only apply to those travelers already in Europe.
The now-cancelled Carnival Pride cruise was to have been a 9-night European itinerary calling on ports in Scotland and Ireland.
Carnival Pride Propulsion Issues
The Spirit-class Carnival Pride – which just underwent an extensive, month-long drydock in Spain this spring – began experiencing issues Tuesday evening after departing Kiel, Germany while sailing a 12-night European itinerary roundtrip from Dover, England.
The call to Kiel was to have been the next-to-last port of call after successful visits to destinations in Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Finland, and Sweden.
Carnival Pride Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Mario Hagen / Shutterstock)
The final port of call – Gothenburg, Sweden – was cancelled due to the propulsion issues which dramatically reduced the ship’s cruising speed and forced the unplanned return to Kiel. At times late Tuesday evening and into early Wednesday morning, the ship was at a dead stop in the Baltic Sea.
Guests onboard were issued refunds for pre-purchased Carnival shore tours to Gothenburg, as well as the taxes and fees associated with the port call. For compensation for the missed port, guests were also given a $100 per stateroom onboard credit.
At this time, guests onboard now in Kiel have been informed that the cruise line will assist with return plans to the UK, but details are still being developed. As many guests are booked on successive, back-to-back sailings, the arrangements may take some time to finalize.
Princess Cruises has notified guests booked on a 2024 Japan voyage that their sailing has been canceled, leaving limited options for disappointed cruisers. The cruise was part of a spring series of voyages ranging from 5 to 19 days, but the impacted sailing will now be a charter cruise instead.
Japan Voyage Nixed on Diamond Princess
Cruise guests booked on a 19-day “Southern Islands & Sea of Japan” voyage on Diamond Princess due to depart in spring 2024, were told that Princess Cruises will instead charter the full ship to an unnamed group.
The line issued a cancellation notice to guests for the May 16, 2024 departure, which was to operate roundtrip from Tokyo (Yokohama).
The notification said that booked guests will receive a refund of all monies paid within 10 to 15 business days. Refunds will be made to the original form of payment.
Diamond Princess Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: HIROSHI H / Shutterstock)
There is an option to rebook on a later cruise, however, if guests are willing and able to adjust their travel plans. Princess Cruises suggested that guests consider an alternate, 18-day Southern Islands & Sea of Japan, a similar itinerary also aboard Diamond Princess and roundtrip from Tokyo, departing on June 22, 2024. Guests who wish to rebook to the June date were asked to contact the cruise line or their travel advisor.
The June 22 itinerary does not include four ports scheduled on the canceled cruise, including Aomori, Sakata, Toyama, and Sakaiminato, all in Japan. Two new ports are on the alternate itinerary, however – Kagoshima and Akita.
The notice also sweetened the deal with a financial incentive, offering guests who rebook for any 2024 Japan or Singapore voyage $50 onboard credit per stateroom, with the credit applying to the first two guests on the booking, for reservations made by August 31, 2023.
“We sincerely apologize for any disappointment this cancellation may cause and look forward to welcoming you aboard another Princess cruise,”the notification said.
Port calls on the lengthy, now-cancelled itinerary included well-known destinations, such as Sakata, Ishigaki, and Nagasaki, Japan; Busan, South Korea; and Hualien and Keelung, Taiwan, among others.
All cruise lines do occasionally cancel voyages in favor of full-ship charters. While it may seem unfair to booked guests who have their travel plans disrupted, such cancellations are typically made many months in advance, allowing plenty of time for revised plans.
In May 2023, for example, Norwegian Cruise Line canceled nearly all of the Norwegian Spirit’s Alaska cruises in 2024. Initially, the line gave no reason for the cancellation, but a month later revealed the ship would be chartered to a Taiwanese tour company for cruises in Asia.
Sailing Was Part of a Broader Return to Japan
Princess Cruises returned to the Japan region in spring 2023 for the first time since the industry-wide shutdown. The line had announced in December 2022 that it would redeploy to Japan after the government decided to allow international cruise ships to return to its ports.
Some of the ship’s summer itineraries will showcase local festivals, offering guests late-night stays in port for events that include the Aomori Nebuta Festival, Kochi Yosakoi Dance Festival, and the Kumano Fireworks Festival, all happening in August 2024.
Japanese Guests Introduced to Medallion Services
Japanese guests sailing onboard Diamond Princess in 2023 are having their first experience using the Princess Medallion technology. The quarter-size Medallions are wearable devices that enable touch-free boarding, keyless stateroom entry, locating other guests onboard the ship, making dining reservations, ordering food and drinks, and accessing other shipboard services.
The technology, which is accessed by downloading the Medallion app, was introduced by Princess Cruises in 2017 but was not used on Diamond Princess during pre-pandemic Japan sailings.
The 115,875-gross ton Diamond Princess is a Grand-class ship that offers eight stateroom categories and several specialty restaurants, including Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria, Sterling Steakhouse, Kai Sushi, Chef’s Table Experience, and Ultimate Balcony Dining. It has five main dining rooms and 12 bars, and plenty of other features for cruisers of all ages to enjoy.
Due to ongoing confusion about priority passenger boarding in Galveston, Carnival Cruise Line brand ambassador John Heald has further clarified where guests should go on their way to their cruise vacation at the popular Texas homeport.
Despite recent rumors, priority boarding is very much available at the terminal, but is slightly different than what frequent cruisers may be accustomed to at other homeports.
Carnival Cruise Line Priority Boarding in Galveston
In response to guest concerns about priority boarding in Galveston, Texas, Carnival Cruise Line brand ambassador John Heald has reached out with clear instructions about where the designated priority boarding lines can be found.
“Due to the space outside both terminal buildings with a quite narrow verandah area by the doors entering the buildings, Galveston has a slightly different set-up from what other ports may have,”Heald explained.
As guests approach the terminal entrance in Galveston, curbside agents verify each guest’s boarding pass. If “Priority” is printed on the pass, the guest is directed to the “On Time” boarding lane, regardless of the arrival appointment they may have selected.
Carnival Cruise Ship in Galveston
Inside the terminal building, the “On Time” lane splits and all Priority guests are directed to a single line noted for VIFP Diamond, VIFP Platinum, Suites, and Faster to the Fun boarding. Each of these groups enjoys the priority embarkation privilege.
After guests have successfully had their identification verified and passed the security screening, three separate priority lanes are available, depending on the type of priority boarding a guest has for the cruise.
Diamond and Platinum loyalty guests share one lane, while separate lanes are also available for suite guests as well as Faster to the Fun guests. These separate lines help expedite the check-in process for each group.
Photo Credit: JHVEPhoto / Shutterstock
“I hope this helps explain what happens,”Heald said.“My thanks to all the wonderfully friendly embarkation staff and to all of you for choosing to sail from Galveston.”
With the upcoming Excel-class Carnival Jubilee to debut from Galveston in December 2023, it is important that these embarkation procedures be clarified to work flawlessly. The new ship can welcome 5,374 guests at double occupancy and up to 6,631 passengers when fully booked, and for her inaugural season, many guests with priority boarding access are sure to be onboard.
At the moment, Carnival Breeze, Carnival Dream, and Carnival Vista are currently homeported from Galveston.
At that time, some miscommunication between embarkation staff and how the lines were organized was noted, and thereafter corrected.
Photo Credit: BUI LE MANH HUNG / Shutterstock
“There seemed to be some confusion on the wording we had online about this,”Heald said.“The practice is to allow Priority guests to join the Priority queue whenever they arrive and this will be reworded in our online information and reiterated to the home port embarkation teams.”
Now, it seems the signage at the Galveston terminal may be somewhat unclear, and guests may not realize that the “On Time” line is further split inside the terminal, where they will be able to join the “Priority” embarkation queue.
At other Carnival homeports, guests with priority boarding access are often able to join the appropriately labeled line before they enter the cruise terminal, eliminating some of this confusion. In Galveston, the distinction between the lines is not made until inside the cruise terminal, which can cause misdirection.
Priority boarding – being one of the first to embark a ship and skipping the lengthy check-in lines – is one of the most sought-after loyalty privileges from Carnival Cruise Line, available only to guests booked in suites, past cruisers who have achieved Diamond or Platinum status with the cruise line, or guests who purchase the add-on Faster to the Fun package.
