A Carnival guest has complained to John Heald that their hot tea was served in a mug rather than a proper teacup.
This is apparently a significant issue involving hygiene and is troublesome enough to impact extra tipping.
Heald has reminded guests that crew members want to make things right, but guests have to ask if something is troubling them.
Tea can be a very elegant and comforting ritual to many people, from the exact blends they prefer to the temperature of the beverage, the timing of the service, and even the vessel it is served in.
It is the latter that has upset one Carnival Cruise Line guest, who feels their tea was not presented properly during their latest cruise. They were so upset at the container they were offered that they reached out to the line’s brand ambassador, John Heald, to air their grievances.
“Dis-embarked the Legend. Disappointed that when I ordered hot tea every night at dinner that the waiter brought this in a mug. A mug like the one you get at the buffet. There were no tea cups,”the guest explained.
“Come on Carnival, really. John Heald, as someone from the UK you must know that this is wrong. Tea and coffee at a dinner table should be served in a cup. Not having a place to rest the spoon is unhygienic.”
Just for full disclosure, Carnival Legend is currently homeported from San Francisco, more than 5,200 miles from the UK and the center of proper tea etiquette. San Francisco is even further from Turkey (6,900 miles), which is the country in 2025 that is drinking the most tea.
Nevertheless, it is the mug the tea is served in onboard that the guest appears to be most offended by.
There are differences between mugs and cups. Mugs are usually a bit larger and thicker. Cups are more delicate and have a saucer, whereas mugs do not have saucers.
But really, the beverage inside the mug is not impacted by the container that surrounds it. The guest doesn’t have any comments about the quality of the tea, its flavor, or its temperature, simply the serving vessel.
This may seem like a silly detail (and it really kind of is), but Heald does respond to the guest and offer his suggestions. Of course, he also notes the silliness himself.
Mug of Tea on Cruise
“Life’s certainly tough in the first world,”he commented before going on with his advice.
“This is one of those occasions where I repeat my mantra that if you are unhappy with something please tell someone during the cruise. Please give the crew a chance to help you, to do better.”
Heald did ask the guest if they requested a cup and saucer, but there was no response.
As for the “unhygienic” claim of where to rest one’s spoon, there are options during dinner service, even if it may not be a coordinating saucer with a specialized teacup.
“Where do you put your fork, knife and spoon when not in use? Is that any more unsanitary than your teaspoon?”another guest commented.
Is This Worth Removing a Tip?
The tea-drinking guest did note one thing they chose to do because they weren’t served a proper teacup.
“I was going to give an extra cash tip to [the server] but because of this I didn’t,”they claimed.
To be fair, the guest does not indicate that they removed automatic gratuities or otherwise impacted their tipping throughout the cruise. They simply did not offer an extra tip for their dinner tea service.
This does seem to be a petty reaction, however, especially if they hadn’t requested a teacup in the first place. Even the best crew members are not mind-readers, after all.
As for me, it wouldn’t matter what type of cup or mug that might be used to serve hot tea (granted, I am not a tea drinker and prefer hot chocolate). As long as my soup isn’t served with a straw, no problem.
Four crew members were deported from Carnival Pride on September 7, 2025, sparking outrage among activists.
Advocacy groups say that the crew members’ rights were violated because they were deported without due process, meaning that they did not get to defend themselves in court.
Carnival Cruise Line is cooperating with law enforcement.
In a reaction to the deportation of several foreign crew members from Carnival Pride earlier this week, dozens of activists are peacefully protesting to demand that the rights of these workers are upheld.
Approximately 35 protestors gathered at the Baltimore Cruise Port in Marylandon September 14, 2025, which was a turnaround day for Carnival Pride. The Spirit-class ship homeports year-round out of Baltimore.
Allegedly, three Filipino crew members and one Indonesian crew member were detained on accusations of child pornography on the cruise ship’s last visit to Baltimore on September 7, and were subsequently deported without due process.
This means they were not given the chance to defend themselves in a court of law, nor were they actually found guilty by a judge.
According to the Tanggol Migrante Movement, one of the grassroots Filipino advocacy groups that has been speaking out, the seafarers’ rights were violated because due process wasn’t followed.
These groups also claim that no evidence has been presented to prove the crew members’ guilt.
They are among many calling on the Philippine government to intervene on behalf of their citizens.
“This was really a heinous act…We call on the Philippine government to act. It’s really their responsibility to do more,”said Mark Rodrigo, education officer for the Malaya Movement Baltimore, which is part of the Tanggol Migrante movement.
“My call is that their due process be upheld and respected,” former Filipino seafarer Philip Coronado said to the crowd gathered at the cruise port.
Additional advocacy groups like the Kabataan Alliance, Migrante USA, and the Filipino Workers Center of Southern California have also spoken out against the deportations.
Were the Workers’ Rights Violated?
If the crew members really are guilty, then they absolutely deserve to be fired and deported – but this was not determined in a court of law and the proper legal process was allegedly not followed.
Per the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments in the US Constitution, workers are allowed to defend themselves in court before a final judgment is passed.
The Fifth Amendment guarantees thatno person shall “bedeprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.”
Meanwhile, the Fourteenth Amendment states that “nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”
The due process clauses in the Constitution are meant to protect all “persons” within US borders, not just citizens. The Constitution never specifically designated that this is a right only available to citizens in these clauses.
Carnival Pride in Baltimore (Photo Credit: Joe Andrucyk, Bill Mc Allen / Flickr)
While there are rare instances where a bad egg slips through the cracks, crew member arrests are rare.
Part of this is because all crew members who work for Carnival and the other mainstream cruise lines have to undergo thorough interviews and background checks before they are allowed to begin their careers at sea.
And of course, Carnival is cooperating with the authorities in their investigation.
“This is a law enforcement matter of which we always cooperate, and we defer to the authorities for further comment,” said Matt Lupoli, senior manager of Carnival’s public relations, in an email to “The Brew.”
According to cruise tracking data, Carnival Pride was not delayed by the protest and departed from Baltimore on time on September 14 to begin its 7-night voyage to the Bahamas.
However, the approximately 930 crew members onboard likely have had to do some rearranging to re-shuffle the workload between different members on the team until new workers can travel to the ship and be brought up to speed.
It’s possible that guests may notice some temporary delays or dips in service onboard as the crew may not be at its usual capacity.
A Carnival guest has noted that tender boat operators have been asking for tips in Cabo San Lucas, behavior that seems unusual.
Carnival Cruise Line has confirmed that tender boat operators are not cruise line employees but are independent operators.
There is no charge to use tender boats and guests should not feel obligated to offer tips, though they can certainly do so if they choose.
On any cruise vacation, hundreds of dedicated crew members are there to take care of guests’ needs. From the engineering team and officers to the housekeeping staff, dining team, bartenders, casino hosts, entertainment crew, youth services staff and so many more, they work diligently to ensure a great getaway for everyone.
Not all “crew members” guests might encounter during their vacation are actually crew members, however.
It’s fair to assume that everyone working onboard the ship is an official crew member. It’s equally fair to assume that employees in ports of call, such as retail workers at shops or tour guides at tourist hot spots, are local residents and not employed by the cruise line.
But what about in between? One recent Carnival cruise guest was confused about workers aboard the very critical tender boats that helped them visit Cabo San Lucas.
For clarification, they reached out to Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador, John Heald.
“This week we are sailing on the Panorama and having an amazing time,”the guest explained.
“During our Cabo port of call yesterday and today [September 9-10], I noticed something that has never occurred before. The crew on all four tender boats from the Panorama to Cabo was walking around asking for tips. I felt that with this being a tender boat, they should not be asking for tips.”
Carnival Panorama is homeported year-round from Long Beach offering mostly 6- and 8-night Mexican Riviera itineraries. On this 6-night sailing, the ship left California on Sunday, September 7 and the overnight visit to Cabo San Lucas was her first port stop.
The cruise guest does note that they’ve sailed with Carnival for many years, with itineraries all over the world. Still, the request for tips on tender boats was a new experience for them.
Heald quickly clarified that even while the tender boat service is necessary for visiting Cabo San Lucas, the crew members operating the small boats are not, in fact, Carnival employees.
“Obviously these are not crew members. These are local people who provide the boat service,”he said.“I don’t know if we can control them for not doing that. But yes, I know it does happen. But again I do want to stress … these are not Carnival Cruise Line crewmembers.”
Should Guests Offer Tips to Tender Boat Operators?
It can seem startling to be asked for tips on a tender boat, but that’s not the only way the boat operators might seek to supplement their income.
When I first visited Cabo San Lucas many years ago, no one asked for tips. There was, however, a salesman with silver necklaces and bracelets draped up and down his arms (picture Elvis Presley’s famous eagle cape!) offering the trinkets for sale onboard the small boat.
Cruise Ship at Tender Port (Photo Credit: Ritu Manoj Jethani / Shutterstock)
No, I didn’t buy any. Nor should anyone feel obligated to offer a tip to a tender boat operator, though certainly they can if they wish.
This is similar to offering a tip to a tour bus driver on a shore excursion. While tips are never required, they can be a gesture of thanks for good service.
To be absolutely clear, there is no charge for tender boats at Cabo San Lucas or any other tender or water shuttle port, from Kona, Hawaii to Qaqortoq, Greenland to Santorini, Greece.
Independent operators can certainly request tips, even in a more forceful or persistent manner than some guests may be used to.
If the tip-requesting tactics are too intimidating, however, guests should politely report that behavior to the Guest Services desk so Carnival Cruise Line can address the situation with the tender operators they work with.
After embarking on more than a dozen cruises, I’ve truly met some of the most amazing people onboard who have become lifelong friends.
However, I have also met some pretty terrible and inconsiderate cruisers over the years. From my experience, these are the 13 worst types of cruise guests you might meet onboard – and I implore you to NOT be one of them.
We’ve all met that person who thinks they are better than everyone, and they are certainly at the top of my list for being the worst of the worst.
These are the people that are mean to the hard-working crew members. Instead of showing gratitude, they insist that the crew can’t do anything right and are constantly complaining, demanding compensation, and even insulting staff.
On one of my Disney Cruises, I once saw a woman verbally attack a waitress in the Animator’s Palate dining room over the consistency of the butter for her bread until the poor crew member scurried away with tears in her eyes.
Of course, they will also take their excessive complaints and rants to any and all other passengers in the vicinity who happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and are forced to listen.
These are also the people who are most likely to skimp on gratuitiesbecause they have a plethora of complaints about why their cruise wasn’t perfect.
Checked-Out Parents and Their Out-of-Control Kids
This is a bit of a two-for-one, because you don’t usually get one without the other.
For whatever reason, some parents feel that their cruise vacation is also a vacation from their parenting responsibilities. Maybe they think their child can’t get into any trouble while confined to a cruise ship.
But at best, unsupervised children can become bratty or wild, which is understandably annoying to other guests.
I’ve personally had kids push all the elevator buttons, dump drinks over my head because they thought it would be funny, and have been caught in a surprise pool noodle “sword fight” on a private island.
At worst, the child might attempt stunts that are dangerous, such as climbing on railings or deck and balcony furniture that put them at riskof going overboard.
Chair Hogs and Seat Savers
Perhaps the most controversial people on this list are the chair hogs and seat savers.
These are the notorious cruisers that make their way up to the pool deck early to snag the best seats for their entire travel group, holding onto them for the entire day even when they aren’t actively in use.
Most cruisers do this by putting their towels or small personal belongings on the chairs, but some take things to the next level.
Royal Caribbean Chair Hogging (Credit: @jesstravel7)
Chair hogs have become such a problem that cruise lines like Carnival have had to crack down on the act. In Carnival’s case, chairs and loungers that are left empty for 40 minutes will be “unreserved.”
It’s one thing if you’re saving a seat or two for a few minutes for one or two people, but I’ve seen it happen where someone saves six or more prime seats and the people never actually come to watch the show.
Latecomers
During my travels, I’ve noticed that some guests don’t seem to believe that the schedule applies to them.
This is also something I notice most commonly in the theaters, where someone arrives late to the show and causes a big disturbance as they try to step over people to get to their desired seats – which is rude to both the guests and the performers.
However, latecomers can also wreak havoc in other cases. I’ve seen latecomers delay dining service at shared tables and force shore excursions to start late or leave destinations on the tour late when guests couldn’t return to the bus on time.
Line Cutting and Refusing to Wait
I get it. No one likes to wait in lines and patience is a virtue.
However, there is nothing more annoying than thinking you’re near the front of the line, and then someone (or half a travel group) tries to cut or run to the front to join their travel party.
Cruise Ship Tender Line in Papua New Guinea (Photo Credit: Annalucia)
But unfortunately, I see this all the time at onboard buffets, quick service restaurants, waiting to board tenders at tender ports, and at rental stands at the cruise lines’ private islands.
Similar to seat saving, it’s best to keep your travel party together and get in line once everyone is ready.
Impatient Elevator Users
There is a reason I try to always take the stairs on cruise ships, and I say this as someone who has chronic joint issues and could benefit from an elevator ride here or there.
I’m talking about the people who aren’t willing to wait their turn to use the elevator, and will shove their way in even when there isn’t space – potentially cutting more respectful guests in the process.
Elevators on Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)
These are usually the same people who act oblivious and refuse to move to let other guests out when the elevator stops at different floors on their way to their destination.
I’ve also seen a fair number of able-bodied cruisers shove past disabled guests who can’t move as quickly and do not have the option to take the stairs, forcing them to wait for another elevator.
Overindulgent Guests
Overindulgent guests fall into two categories: drinking way too much and gluttony in the buffet. And sometimes, the worst cruisers check both of these boxes.
Obnoxious drunks can be annoying, and sometimes dangerous, to other guests. They are often loud and unsteady, and for angry drunks, potentially aggressive.
But be warned: Overly intoxicated guests who become belligerent or show signs of becoming violent could risk confinement in the brigor their stateroom, or even removal from the ship.
Lido Buffet on Carnival Splendor (Photo Credit: Carnival)
Meanwhile, buffet gluttons are often known for having eyes bigger than their stomachs. They may take more food than they can actually eat, potentially taking the last of a dish that another guest may have also wanted to savor.
They tend to accumulate a large number of plates and utensils that makes more work for the crew members to clean and leaves little room for other guests in their travel party to dine at the same table.
Walking Noise Complaints
Some cruisers may forget to regulate their volume while at sea, or may just not realize that they are not the star of the show.
These are the people who talk through performances, scream their dinner conversations in the main dining room, and seemingly shout and stomp their way back to their cruise cabins in the wee hours of the morning when other guests are trying to sleep.
Norwegian Aqua Hallway (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz / Cruise Hive)
This also applies to people who blast their own music or content from speakers or their smartphones in their thinly-walled cruise cabins or in public spaces onboard.
Know-It-Alls
Some avid cruisers want everyone else onboard, from the guests to the crew, to know just how experienced they really are when it comes to ship life.
They have strong opinions about how even complete strangers should be spending their time onboard, and anything that you have done, they have obviously done better and likely for less money (*insert eye-roll here*).
Photo Credit: Ihor Koptilin / Shutterstock
While they may try to offer tips to who they deem as more novice cruisers, it can feel like they are beating you into submission with unsolicited information.
Know-It-Alls can often overlap with more elite members of the cruise line’s loyalty program, and they often like to brag about their status and rewards in between giving advice.
There is usually a dedicated outdoor area for this purpose, and for cruise ships with casinos, there may be a smoking casino or a smoking section within the casino.
However, some cruisers love to sneak in a cigarette where they aren’t supposed to, which is often on their private balconies.
Photo Credit: Filistra / Shutterstock
Not only does this create a dangerous fire hazard, but it’s extremely rude to other guests.
The smoke smell can ruin their enjoyment of their private balconies, and can linger in staterooms for the room stewards and potentially the next round of guests to deal with.
Anti-Germaphobes
Before you come for me, I am not saying that guests should constantly be wearing masks or anything too extreme.
As someone who has been coughed on and sneezed on more times than I can count on cruises, I would like to issue a friendly reminder to cover your nose and mouth.
Hand Sanitizer on Carnival Cruise (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)
I also once saw a cruise passenger onboard a Princess Cruise Ship that shall remain nameless taste the mashed potatoes in the buffet with the serving spoon, and then put the serving spoon back and walk away like nothing had happened.
Luckily, a crew member saw the gross stunt and the dish was immediately removed and replaced.
I’ve also seen numerous passengers use the bathroom and leave without even glancing at the sink, which can lead to norovirus or gastrointestinal outbreaks if the wrong person pulls this stunt.
Social Media Obsessors & Amateur Documentarians
The point of a cruise vacation is to detach from the real world, relax, and unwind. However, some cruisers are simply addicted to their screens and can’t fight the urge to show off to their followers.
They are constantly scrolling and posting on social media instead of simply living in the moment.
I often find myself stuck behind these people as they stop or amble slowly down walkways because they are looking at their phone.
Constantly filming and taking pictures can also be annoying to other guests who would rather not be on camera or because they are always getting in the way to capture the perfect background or pose.
Personally, I have been hit in the face by a rapidly extended selfie stick and had an “influencer” stop talking to me mid-sentence because she saw an opportunity for content nearby. Like, really people?
And while I’m not saying you shouldn’t show affection to your loved one, some personal displays of affection can be too much and should be saved for the privacy of your cruise cabin.
Young Couple Dressed Formally on a Cruise (Photo Credit: Space_Cat / Shutterstock)
Not everyone wants to see excessive touching or an intense make-out session, and I’ve personally been driven out of public hot tubs by cruisers who couldn’t stop locking lips.
How to Deal With Annoying Cruisers
With potentially thousands of cruisers onboard, it’s inevitable that some personality types will clash.
But when you encounter one of the worst types of passengers, the best thing you can do is not to engage. Remove yourself from the situation and go back to enjoying your vacation, which is what you’re really there to do.
Carnival Cruise Ship Passengers on Open Deck (Photo Credit: Ceri Breeze)
That said, you also do not simply have to suck it up and take bad behavior.
In situations where guests are particularly obnoxious or exhibiting concerning behaviors, don’t be afraid to ask for help from crew members or security – it’s what they are there for.
Filing a noise complaint, calling security because someone seems dangerously intoxicated, or asking a waiter to not wait for late guests during dinner is all within the realm of reason.
However, we highly recommend that you do not personally confront unruly guests to avoid conflict or a physical altercation.
A guest has complained that Carnival Cruise Line’s evening activities start too late and don’t permit a good night’s sleep at a decent bedtime.
Brand ambassador John Heald offered a poll that shows great diversity for the bedtime question.
Guests offered many explanations for different bedtime preferences and ways to customize one’s evening cruise schedule.
Carnival Cruise Line just can’t seem to strike that perfect balance of activities and entertainment to please everyone. Now, a cruiser is complaining that there is too much going on too late in the evening.
This latest complaint alleges not that there isn’t enough to do, but that evening activities actually start too late.
“We are in our early 40s. Is Carnival aware that these days people of our age group think they’re going to bed at a reasonable hour and getting a good night? Sleep is one of life’s great pleasure[s]. At 10 p.m. bedtime is perfect,”the guest explained.
“This includes when we cruise. Everything, dinner, shows, and all the events need to start at least two or three hours earlier than they currently do.”
I’m not sure what the guests’ ages have to do with their preferred scheduling, but it is true that health-conscious individuals (of any age) are becoming more and more aware of the benefits of sufficient, restful sleep.
I happen to be in my late 40s, and I do find it very easy to get a good night’s sleep onboard a cruise ship, no matter what bedtime you prefer.
Whether the “perfect” bedtime is 10 p.m., 8 p.m., or 2 a.m. is irrelevant. Furthermore, everyone has different sleep needs and preferences, as well as different plans for the next morning that might impact when they choose to go to bed the night before.
The real difficulty is the guest’s suggestion that everything needs to “start at least two or three hours earlier” in the evening.
Consider the early dining time, which can be as early as 5 p.m. Does this mean some cruisers should be assigned to a dinner time of 3 p.m. or even 2 p.m.? I prefer early dining myself, but this would be far too extreme.
Furthermore, many signature evening events, such as production shows or comedy performances, do tend to have both an early and a late option. This lets guests customize their scheduling to suit whatever bedtime they may prefer.
Heald didn’t respond directly to the guest’s suggestion, but he did include their comment on his daily poll.
Themed Music Party on Carnival Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz / Cruise Hive)
Roughly 2,150 other guests agreed that activities ought to start earlier in the evening. To be fair, I do occasionally miss out on later evening activities because I might be too tired to bother staying up. Maybe that’s the difference between early 40s and late 40s.
There were, however, more than 9,200 guests who firmly voted for “I am not usually in bed on my cruise by 10 p.m.”
Clearly, this particular guest is not representing everyone’s bedtime or evening schedule preferences, though Heald did not delineate poll options by age group.
How Flexible Are Evening Activities on Carnival Ships?
While it’s true that there are more than a few late-night activities onboard, including comedy shows, deck parties, nightclub events, and Playlist Productions, Carnival already offers great scheduling flexibility.
Plus, many guests comment that they enjoy changing up their vacation schedule.
“If there’s something going on that I wanna do I’m up after 10, sometimes I’m exhausted and I’m in bed by 9,”one guest commented.
“Our day ends when it ends. Sometimes it’s 10 pm, sometimes it’s closer to 12. It’s a vacation, and we are go-with-the-flow people on cruises,”another explained.
Many other cruisers noted things like personal circadian rhythms, families with young children having earlier bedtimes, or second and third shift workers being used to later evenings, all influencing bedtime preferences.
And, frankly, there’s always time for a nap onboard if you need to catch up on your sleep!
Silversea Cruises’ Silver Dawn has experienced a gastrointestinal outbreak during her current 12-night sailing that embarked in Southampton on September 3, 2025.
Increased sanitation protocols have been enacted onboard, and the ship will receive a “super sanitation” between voyages when she returns to Southampton on September 15.
Guests of the upcoming voyage have been asked to reschedule if they are sick, have compromised immune systems, or otherwise feel uncomfortable cruising at this time.
Passengers currently onboard Silversea Cruises’ Silver Dawn have unfortunately been plagued by stomach upset, and the luxury cruise line is making sure future passengers can make informed decisions in light of the current situation.
Interestingly, the current outbreak onboard Silver Dawn comes just about a week after its sister vessel, Silver Muse, reported a gastrointestinal outbreak of her own.
The cruise line wrote to the up to 596 guests booked on Silver Dawn’s 12-night voyage that is due to embark from Southampton, UK, on September 15, 2025, to alert them to the situation.
Just like the current sailing that embarked on September 3, the sailing will visit a variety of destinations throughout England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales.
Although the crew members quickly enacted enhanced safety and sanitation protocols, guests with compromised immune systems may want to reconsider their vacation out of an abundance of caution.
“During the previous voyage, Silver Dawn experienced a number of guests who presented to the medical facility with symptoms of gastrointestinal illness,” Silversea Cruises wrote.
“This type of GI illness is common worldwide and typically runs its course in 24 to 48 hours without serious health effects,” the Royal Caribbean-owned brand continued.
“However, people with chronic illnesses and those who are immune compromised may want to consult their physician.”
The cruise line implored future passengers who have experienced stomach upset within the last three days or who are uncomfortable sailing for any reason to speak with Silversea representatives at the Southampton cruise terminal to reschedule their vacation.
“…If you are uncomfortable taking your cruise at this time for reasons related to personal health or otherwise, our staff can assist you in rescheduling your sailing for another time,” the letter states.
Typically, guests would forfeit 100% of their cruise fare to cancel or reschedule at the last minute, but the cruise line appears to be making an exception for this unique circumstance.
Increased Sanitation Onboard
Of course, the approximately 411 crew members onboard aren’t just letting the illness spread.
While the crew members always strive to keep the ship clean, increased sanitation measures have already been put in place.
“Please know that the safety and comfort of our guests and crew is always our top priority,” the cruise line reassured passengers.
“In an abundance of caution and to help prevent any spread of illness, we did immediately implement enhanced cleaning and sanitizing procedures during the previous voyage as recommended by public health agencies worldwide.”
Silver Dawn Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Vytautas Kielaitis)
Additionally, a deep cleaning of the ship, which the cruise line calls “super sanitizing,” will occur between the two voyages when the Muse-class vessel returns to Southampton on September 15.
The cruise terminal will also be deeply cleaned as part of this exercise.
Relatedly, the 298 suites onboard Silver Dawn won’t become available to newly arrived passengers until 2 p.m. instead of 4 p.m. on embarkation day.
Let Cruise Hive keep you informed about all of the big cruise developments each week.
In this week’s recap of the major headlines, our coverage includes a construction milestone for Royal Caribbean’s fourth Icon-class ship, Norwegian Cruise Line adding a no-show fee for those who don’t arrive for their specialty dining reservation, and a true-crime theme cruise getting mysteriously cancelled.
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Guest Complains of Casino Closure During Emergency
Carnival Horizon Departing Miami (Photo Credit: Just dance)
A Carnival Cruise Line guest complained he received no compensation for an inconvenience he experienced when his cruise ship returned to its homeport due to a medical emergency onboard.
The inconvenience was the closure of the casino — ships routinely close their casinos and retail shops while in port due to local laws, and this disgruntled passenger wants to be compensated.
The guest reached out to brand ambassador John Heald on his Facebook page, expressing his displeasure at the early closure of the casino.
It is not clear which ship the emergency occurred on, but the vessel made a return to PortMiami around 11:30 p.m., which is prime time for casino activities. The line has multiple ships based at the Florida port, including Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Celebration, Carnival Magic, Carnival Conquest, and Carnival Horizon.
Heald explained that the cruise line does not provide any compensation in cases like this. Many medical evacuations are carried out at sea, using Coast Guard helicopters. In this case, the decision was made to turn the ship around and head back to PortMiami.
Keel-Laying Ceremony Held for Fourth Icon-Class Ship
Fourth Icon Class Ship Keel Laying
She doesn’t have a name yet, but Icon 4, the fourth vessel in Royal Caribbean’s Icon class, reached a construction milestone at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland on September 8, 2025.
The ship’s keel was laid, and as is tradition, coins to bring good fortune and protection to the vessel were placed under the first steel block. Shipyard and cruise line officials were on hand to celebrate the event.
A short distance away at the same shipyard, the third ship in the class, Legend of the Seas, is under construction.
Two Icon-class ships, Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas, are already operating and have proven popular with guests. The Icon-class vessels are true mega-ships, with capacity for 7,600 guests with all berths occupied. This is in addition to roughly 2,300 crew members.
Icon 4 is due to enter service in 2027. Before that, Legend of the Seas will debut in 2026. In fact, that ship was recently floated out of her construction bay, which means her hull touched water for the first time, and now the outfitting phase of construction can begin.
Carnival Confirms No Sharing of Alcoholic Drinks Plan
Carnival Cruise Line Zero Proof Drink Package
Carnival Cruise Line took steps to clarify rules surrounding its all-inclusive CHEERS! alcoholic beverage package. If one person in a stateroom buys the package, anyone else sharing that stateroom who is over age 21 must also buy it.
Some confusion erupted after the line introduced its new CHEERS! Zero-Proof drink package, which provides for many non-alcoholic beverages.
Guests wondered whether the requirement tied to the alcoholic beverage package would now be relaxed — could one person in the cabin buy the alcoholic plan and another occupant buy the non-alcoholic plan, and share them?
The answer is no, according to brand ambassador John Heald. The sharing of the alcoholic beverage plan is not allowed, he said, and the line has not changed its policy.
However, he pointed out that not all cabin occupants must buy the non-alcoholic plan just because one person buys it. Basically, it’s the alcoholic drinks package that guests are not permitted to share.
The alcoholic beverages plan costs $69.95 per person, per day, while the new zero-proof plan costs $29.99. A third plan, Bottomless Bubbles soda package, costs $9.50.
Two Ships New to Galveston to Set Sail in 2027-28
Two Carnival Cruise Ships Docked in Galveston, Texas (Photo Credit: NAN728)
Carnival Cruise Line will homeport four ships in Galveston, Texas in 2027 and 2028, and two of the ships are new to the destination.
Homeporting for the first time in the Gulf Coast port will be Carnival Spirit and Carnival Horizon, joining Carnival Breeze and Carnival Jubilee.
Galveston is one of the cruise line’s most popular homeports, and the addition of the two vessels will offer more variety to guests.
Carnival Horizon will sail 70-plus seasonal cruises from the Lone Star State beginning on May 19, 2027. The 4,000-guest ship will offer 4- and 5-night Western Caribbean itineraries with port calls to destinations such as Cozumel and Progreso, Mexico.
The 2,100-guest Carnival Spirit will sail seasonal cruises from Galveston starting on October 11, 2027, operating 4- to 10-night sailings to Eastern and Western Caribbean ports.
Carnival Spirit will arrive in Galveston following a 16-night Carnival Journeys cruise that will transit the Panama Canal and visit Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Puntarenas, Costa Rica; and Cartagena, Columbia. The sailing departs from Seattle on September 25, 2027.
True Crime-Themed Cruise Unexpectedly Cancelled
Norwegian Joy Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Just dance)
Cruisers who were looking forward to sailing on a true crime-themed cruise aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Joy in early 2026 were disappointed to learn it has been cancelled.
The sailing, which was not a full-ship charter, was to feature the “Wondery Exhibit C: A True Crime Cruise” experience. The 4-night Bahamas cruise from PortMiami is scheduled to call at Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay.
The theme cruise was to be hosted by John Walsh, creator of the hit TV show “America’s Most Wanted.” Activities slated for the cruise included a live murder mystery show, and educational elements tied to forensic science, investigations, and crime-solving practices.
Booked guests suggested that perhaps sales were slow. All guests will be refunded. However, they can rebook the sailing if they wish. The ship has plenty to entertain — it just won’t have the true crime component.
Those still seeking a true crime experience have another option: Virgin Voyages is hosting its first true-crime cruise on Valiant Lady in October. The 5-night sailing, also from PortMiami, departs on October 10, 2025 and will visit Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, and Bimini Island, Bahamas.
Another Line Adds Specialty Dining No-Show Fee
French Le Bistro on Norwegian Aqua (Photo Credit: Paul Bartlett / Cruise Hive)
Norwegian Cruise Line became the second brand in a week to announce a crackdown on specialty dining reservation no-shows.
A $10 per-person fee will be charged to those who book a table at a specialty restaurant and then don’t show up. The penalty will be implemented if guests do not cancel or change their reservation at least two hours before the specific time originally booked.
The decision reflects the line’s desire to enable more guests to experience specialty dining venues, which typically have limited space. Popular venues on Norwegian ships include Cagney’s Steakhouse, Le Bistro, Q Texas Smokehouse, Teppanyaki, and Los Lobos, among others.
The policy was quietly enacted without a cruise line announcement. Royal Caribbean recently added a no-show fee on its ships, too.
Royal Caribbean did not reveal the amount of its fee. Guests sailing with that line are exempt from the fee if they have a dining package or are booked in a Star Class suite.
Gambling Debt Prompts Man to Jump Ship in San Juan
Cruiser Jumps From Rhapsody of the Seas in San Juan (Credit: Federal Prosecutor’s Office)
A gambling debt seems to be the reason why a cruise passenger jumped overboard from Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas at the conclusion of a weeklong Caribbean voyage.
It was around 9:15 a.m. on September 7, 2025 when Jey González-Díaz plunged into the harbor in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in an effort to avoid having to pay $16,710.24 he apparently gambled away in the ship’s casino.
The ship was in the process of disembarking guests at the end of the cruise. A passing jet skier picked up González-Díaz and took him to shore. About an hour later, US Customs and Border Protection agents apprehended him a short distance away.
Local media reported that he was found with $14,600 in cash and five different identities, among other items. The suspect was charged with failing to report the entry of more than $10,000 that was obtained outside the United States.
Authorities also determined that González-Díaz boarded the cruise ship under his brother’s name.
Will Rhapsody of the Seas’ casino ever recoup the money González-Díaz lost? It’s probably unlikely. Meanwhile, González-Díaz was released on bail.
More Cruise Headlines
Cruise Hive has many more important cruise stories for you to check out, including Holland America Line unveiling its 2027 Canada/New England voyages, a new study detailing how younger cruisers are changing the demographics of the industry, and Disney Cruise Line delaying the launch of the new Disney Adventure by three months.
Also, Celebrity Cruises’ newest ship will enter service with two cruise directors instead of the traditional one, and Carnival Cruise Line confirms its ships will broadcast National Football League games this season.
Tropical Storm Mario officially formed on the morning of Friday, September 12, 2025.
With the storm running parallel to Mexico’s Pacific Coast, it will no longer be safe for Ovation of the Seas to visit Cabo San Lucas as planned.
Instead of spending the night in Cabo San Lucas, guests will enjoy two sea days and an overnight call in Ensenada.
Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas has made a last-minute itinerary change due to poor weather brewing in the Pacific Ocean.
Tropical Storm Mario, which officially formed on Friday, September 12, 2025, is expected to bring heavy rain and flooding to Mexico’s Pacific Coast through the weekend – which makes the Quantum-class ship’s planned route unsafe.
The 4,180-guest ship embarked on a 5-night sailing to Mexico from Los Angeles, California, on September 12, 2025, the very same day Mario fully formed.
The only port of call was supposed to be an overnight visit to Cabo San Lucason September 14 and September 15, which would have been Saturday and Sunday.
But because of the weather, the Royal Caribbean cruise ship has been re-routed to Ensenada, Mexico. Guests will now get to enjoy two days at sea and two days in the replacement port.
“On Ovation preparing to leave Los Angeles…The captain just came on and due to Tropical Storm Mario forming near Cabo San Lucas, our ship’s itinerary has changed. We have 2 days at sea now and 2 days in Ensenada, Mexico (overnight),”one guest shared on social media.
“Our overnight cruise to Cabo on Ovation just was bumped to Ensenada because there was no chance for tenders with the tropical storm. Entirely understandable but still a massive bummer,” another current guest confirmed.
Cabo is located at the southernmost tip of the Baja California Peninsula, and the National Hurricane Center (NOAA) anticipates heavy rain and strong winds in this area as the storm system moves parallel to Mexico’s southwestern Coast through at least Saturday.
Notably, Cabo is also a tender port, and tendering operations are not possible during inclement weather conditions for safety reasons.
Should Cruisers Worry About Tropical Storm Mario?
As of the time of publication, Ovation of the Seas is the only known ship to have had to adjust due to Tropical Storm Mario.
“Mario is a tiny tropical storm, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles (35 km) to the north of the center,”reads NOAA’s update from the morning of September 12, 2025.
Though it’s nowhere nearas strong as the hurricanes that have impacted cruising in the past, Mario may still bring wind, flash flooding, and up to six inches of rain to parts of Mexico.
Tropical Storm Mario
A tropical storm watch is currently in effect for parts of the Michoacán state that spans from Lázaro Cárdenas to Punta San Telmo.
“Heavy rainfall associated with Tropical Storm Mario will impact Jalisco and nearby areas into Saturday morning, which could result in flash flooding, particularly in areas of higher terrain,” NOAA advised in the afternoon update on September 12.
“Tropical storm conditions are possible along portions of the coast of Michoacán today while Mario moves roughly parallel to the southwestern coast of Mexico. Gusty winds are possible elsewhere along the coasts of Western Guerrero, Michoacán, and Colima through tonight.“
By Sunday or early next week at the latest, Mario is expected to weaken and lose wind intensity – before it can have too much impact on the cruise industry.
It’s also not expected to make landfall, and instead will just be running parallel to Mexico.
While it’s possible that additional ships sailing around Mexico may need to alter course, it seems like it’s a quiet weekend for cruising at potentially impacted cruise ports.
In addition to Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán, Acapulco, Manzanillo, La Paz, and Huatulco are all located on Mexico’s Pacific Coast.
But per cruise tracking data, none of these ports have scheduled ship calls this weekend and no other vessels aside from Ovation of the Seas are expected to call on Cabo San Lucas until after the weather passes.
One Carnival guest believes the cruise line is trying to cut costs by not telling cruisers the Main Dining Room is open for breakfast on debarkation morning.
John Heald offered a poll that proves most guests do know about the debarkation breakfast options, but the Lido buffet is the most popular choice.
Debarkation morning dining options are published in the FunTimes newsletter, the debarkation information letter, and on the Carnival Hub app.
The end of a cruise can be a depressing day as one has to leave behind outstanding service, stunning destinations, and attentive service. But even on debarkation morning, there is one more chance for deliciousness with breakfast.
Or is there? One Carnival guest has reached out to John Heald, upset that they didn’t know about all their morning meal options before debarkation.
“I have been on seven cruises with Carnival. It was only on my last cruise Breeze that I realized the main dining hall was open for breakfast,”the guest explained.
“This is never advertised. Carnival [is] trying to cut food costs with this and just wants us off.”
Well, I’ve been on 27 cruises with Carnival (I’ve been cruising for awhile!) and I’ve always known that the Main Dining Room is open for breakfast on debarkation morning.
Furthermore, the information is printed in the FunTimes newsletter and available on the Carnival Hub app.
Debarkation letters delivered to guests’ staterooms on the last day of the cruise with information about the debarking process also list breakfast options for that final morning.
So, the idea that the Main Dining Room breakfast is “never advertised” is frankly preposterous. While it’s true that Carnival has taken steps to curb food waste, not letting guests know where meals are served is not a cost-cutting tactic.
This prompted Heald to list breakfast options for a daily poll to see what guests prefer. The results resoundingly note that not only do guests know where breakfast is available, but quite a few enjoy that last cruise vacation meal in the Main Dining Room.
Out of more than 12,400 votes, just over 620 did not realize the Main Dining Room was actually open on debarkation day.
Meanwhile, more than 4,900 guests are aware they could break their fast in the Main Dining Room, and 1,850 guests actually do so.
The Lido Marketplace buffet is the most popular breakfast option on debarkation day, with more than 2,800 voters confirming it is their breakfast of choice.
For me, I’m part of the roughly 2,200 voters who prefer not to eat at all on debarkation morning. By that time, I’ve had more than my fill of cruise ship food. Because we self-assist our luggage for an early getaway to head home, I prefer to just be on my way off the ship and out of the cruise terminal.
Why Do People Choose Different Dining Options?
Exactly why some cruise guests choose the Main Dining Room over the Lido Marketplace buffet (or vice versa) is a matter of personal preference.
Some travelers prefer the faster service of the buffet, meaning they can grab-and-go and be on their way more quickly. Others might just prefer something light and not be interested in a full meal.
Some cruise guests, especially those whose travel plans are more flexible, love the option to extend their vacation experience just one more hour with a leisurely breakfast in the Main Dining Room.
“I appreciate the dining room being open on debarkation morning. We do not have to catch a flight and are in no rush to get back home to the grind,”one guest explained.“It’s a good way for us to tuck in and relax one last morning before heading home.”
Others note that going to the Main Dining Room means less of a rush for elevators and missing out on the long lines as debarkation begins. I know those lines very well, so skipping that part of the process would definitely be nice!
For some guests, it’s simply a matter of food preference, as there are breakfast options available in the Main Dining Room (like bacon every day) that aren’t offered at the Lido Marketplace.
