A glass panel broke on Deck 15 of Utopia of the Seas this week. The incident occurred in the Windjammer Marketplace.
No one was injured in the incident and the panel did not fall. The glass was quickly roped off for repairs.
Royal Caribbean has been plagued with multiple glass incidents on different ships in recent weeks, including Symphony of the Seas, Star of the Seas, and Icon of the Seas.
Yet another glass panel has shattered on a Royal Caribbean ship, this time on the newest Oasis-class vessel, Utopia of the Seas.
The affected panel is on Deck 15 in the Windjammer Marketplace. Photos circulating on social media show the shattered panel above the distinctive Boardwalk neighborhood balconies, but the glass remained in its frame and did not fall to the deck below.
Utopia of the Seas offers the “World’s Biggest Weekend” sailings from Port Canaveral. These 3- and 4-night cruises visit either just Perfect Day at CocoCay on the short cruises or both Nassau and CocoCay on the 4-night itineraries.
The exact sailing when the glass shattered has not been confirmed, but as the photos just appeared on Friday, September 26, it is likely to be that departure date for this weekend’s 3-night cruise.
No injuries have been reported, and the broken glass will not impact Utopia of the Seas‘ itinerary in any way. The affected panel will be covered and replaced as soon as possible.
So Many Glass Incidents on Royal Caribbean Ships!
It is not unusual for glass to break on cruise ships occasionally, but for panels to shatter without an apparent cause is more concerning.
For example, if a glass panel were to break due to a rogue wave, that would be understandable. If there were a collision with a pier that broke some glass, no one would wonder why.
Shattered Glass Panel on Utopia of the Seas (Photo Credit: Mike Kerwin)
What is raising concerns is so many glass-related incidents aboard Royal Caribbean ships in recent weeks.
Onboard Symphony of the Seas, for example, three different panels have broken since early June. On June 8, a panel in the Coastal Kitchen restaurant shattered and rained shards onto the pool deck below. Injuries were avoided only thanks to the fast warning of an alert crew member.
In early August, a glass panel on Deck 16 shattered near the miniature golf course. Speculation is that an errant golf ball might have caused that incident. Fortunately, the glass did not fall, though the entire panel was fractured.
Onboard Icon of the Seas, the Frightening Bolt waterslide captured headlines with dramatic footage of its glass breaking and water pouring down over the deck as the slide was in operation on August 7. One guest was injured in that incident, and the slide has since been repaired with a solid-colored section.
Even the brand new Star of the Seas has had a glass incident. A panel on Deck 15 broke on August 26, just days before the ship’s official maiden voyage.
Guests who were nearby when the glass shattered reported hearing a pop as it broke, but there was no immediately apparent cause for the break.
Royal Caribbean has not announced any connection between so many glass incidents. There could be many factors behind the different breaks, from sudden impacts to manufacturing defects to weather-related stress.
After each incident, crew members have worked quickly to secure the glass and ensure there is no debris that could cause injuries to anyone nearby. Repairs have been made as quickly as possible.
Other than the closure of the Frightening Bolt waterslide on Icon of the Seas (as well as on Star of the Seas as a precaution), none of these incidents have impacted ship operations in any way once the repairs have been completed.
After another busy week of cruise news, it’s time to recap the big developments you need to know about.
In this week’s update, we have coverage of a huge theft of cars from a UK cruise terminal parking venue, a Carnival Cruise Line guest who debarked at a Caribbean port and deliberately disappeared, and a Norwegian Cruise Line guest who got stuck in a waterslide tube.
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Disney Destiny Sails Complex Route on Ems River
Disney Destiny, River Ems
Cruise ships move forward while sailing, sideways while docking, and even in circles if adrift, but backward?
Yes, they do, when they are navigating the complex River Ems, near the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany.
Cruise ships that are constructed at the shipyard, which is located 20 miles up the river from the turbulent North Sea, must undertake a complicated conveyance on the river when leaving the shipyard. It happened this week with Disney Cruise Line’s new Disney Destiny.
Apparently, sailing backward provides greater maneuverability and better sight lines for the captain or pilot in charge of navigation, and protects the ship’s propellers from the riverbed.
The 144,000-gross-ton Disney Destiny began her trip down the river just before noon on September 19, 2025 and arrived in Eemshaven, Netherlands, on September 21, 2025. The new-build will be officially handed over to the cruise line soon, although the exact date has not been announced.
Construction of the ship began in March 2024. Her maiden voyage is set for November 20, 2025, a 4-night Bahamas cruise roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, her US homeport.
Guest Debarks on Port Visit, Asks to Be Left Alone
A disappearance was reported by Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Horizon as the ship called at Kralendijk, Bonaire, during a Southern Caribbean voyage: A 47-year-old female guest failed to return to the ship by the all-aboard time.
As departure time approached, the ship issued several onboard announcements asking her to make herself known, and probably tried to contact her by email or text.
The case took a strange turn when the guest, Jessica Collins, texted one of the ship’s Care Team members with a message that said she is safe and does not want to be found or contacted.
She had debarked the ship on September 17, 2025 with all of her belongings — she had apparently boarded with just a backpack, and had left a thank-you note and a tip for her cabin steward.
Since the cruise line had reported her missing to Bonaire authorities, local officials began a search for the woman.
It is unknown why Collins left the ship, which had departed from PortMiami on the 8-night cruise.
Debarking from a cruise ship is not a sanctioned entry method for emigrating to Bonaire, or any destination. But perhaps that was not her motive.
Video of Waterslide Tube Mishap Goes Viral
Cruise Guest Stuck on Waterslide (Credit: kaylamierzejewski)
Imagine getting stuck inside a waterslide tube, high above the open ocean. It happened to a female guest on a Norwegian Cruise Line ship, and the mishap was caught on video and posted on social media.
It garnered more than 7 million views and close to 10,000 comments in just a few days, as scores of people watched the guest struggle after coming to a full standstill at a point in the Ocean Loops slide where the water level is very low.
The 13-second video shows the woman trying to move along inside the slide, which is positioned high above the ocean. She eventually manages to get past the low point and continue on her way.
It isn’t known which ship the guest was sailing on, although only three Norwegian ships have the slide — Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Joy, and Norwegian Encore. All three were sailing Alaska cruises around the time the video was posted on TikTok on September 19, 2025.
Some commenters indicated that they would have felt panic if they had experienced such an incident. Others said that being stuck in a slide over the ocean would cause them feelings of claustrophobia, breathing difficulties, and emotional distress.
Massive Car Theft Hits Southampton Cruise Parking Lot
Cruise Parking Lot in Southampton (Photo Credit: Gallwis)
Many cruisers choose voyages at ports they can drive to, thereby avoiding the inconvenience of air travel, and usually things work out just fine. But not always.
More than a dozen cruise passengers who recently sailed from Southampton, England, returned from their at-sea vacations to find their cars had been stolen from an indoor parking lot near the port’s cruise terminals.
The thefts of 17 cars apparently happened on September 9 and 10, 2025, impacting guests who had sailed on various cruise ships homeporting at Southampton.
The cars were parked in a locked warehouse, so it is unclear how thieves could have reached them. Local media reported that the facility is located on First Avenue in Millbrook and is operated by Southampton Cruise Parking Services.
A free shuttle service to and from the cruise terminal is offered to guests who leave their cars at the indoor lot, which is claimed to have 24-hour surveillance and security with CCTV.
Among the ships based at Southampton whose passengers might have been impacted were Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas, Cunard’s Queen Anne and Queen Mary 2, Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Fantasy, and Princess Cruises’ Regal Princess.
Royal Caribbean Confirms Plans to Build ‘Icon 5’
Star of the Seas and Legend of the Seas at Meyer Turku
There will be yet another Icon-class ship coming to Royal Caribbean in 2028 — temporarily named Icon 5, now that the cruise line has confirmed an order for the ship.
The confirmation was part of an extension of the cruise line’s partnership with the Meyer Turku shipyard. The line already has an option for Icon 6, and the extension adds an option for Icon 7. It means that the Finnish shipyard now has contractual agreements with Royal Caribbean through 2036.
The cruise line introduced the popular Icon class with the 248,663-gross-ton Icon of the Seas in 2024. Star of the Seas debuted in August 2025, and Legend of the Seas is due to launch in summer 2026.
Also on the roster is Icon 4, slated to enter service in 2027. The mega-ships accommodate 5,600 guests in double occupancy and 7,600 with all berths occupied. Counting crew, the ships can sail with nearly 10,000 people onboard.
New ships are not the only additions coming to Royal Caribbean in the next few years. The Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, in the Bahamas, is scheduled to open in December 2025, a beach club is scheduled to open in Cozumel, Mexico, in 2026, and Perfect Day Mexico is slated to open in 2027.
Speed Problem Delays Ship’s Return to Big Apple
Cruise ships typically return to their homeports at the end of a voyage first thing in the morning, but that wasn’t the case for Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Escape, thanks to a technical problem that reduced the ship’s speed.
The 4,200-guest ship began a 5-night Bermuda cruise from New York on September 19, 2025 and was due back to port by 7 a.m. on September 24, 2025. However, the propulsion problem forced the ship to sail more slowly, arriving at about 2 p.m. that afternoon.
The vessel was sailing at about 16 knots. Her top speed is around 23 knots.
It caused some problems. First, debarking guests with early flights had to be rebooked. Those who booked air with the cruise line had arrangements automatically updated, and the line provided up to $300 (USD) in reimbursement for any non-refundable or not-covered airline change or cancellation fees for those who booked air independently.
Also, the delayed debark process meant that guests on the ship’s next sailing experienced a delayed embarkation. Normally, guests can begin embarking around noon, but guests on the September 24, 2025 cruise were not able to board the ship until between 4 and 8 p.m.
The cruise line has not indicated what caused the speed issue.
Prank Ducks’ Free Drink Offer Is One Big Joke
Carnival Cruise Duck Message (Credit: John Heald)
We’ve heard of Mallard ducks, baby ducks, and even dead ducks, and now there’s something new — prank ducks.
They’ve been found on Carnival Cruise Line ships. First, for those who don’t know, cruise ducks are a bit of onboard fun for some guests on various cruise lines. People hide them for others to find, and it’s all in good fun.
But now, someone is hiding prank ducks that come with a tag that states: “Congratulations! You have found one of our ducks! 1 free drink redeemable at the casino bar! Thank you for sailing with Carnival!”
Carnival Cruise Line has not hidden any of the prank ducks, and the free drink is not a valid offer.
Cruise line brand ambassador John Heald addressed the issue on his popular Facebook page, asking whoever is responsible for the duck prank to stop.
Heald noted that it puts the ships’ bartenders and servers in a negative situation when they have to deny guests the free drink and explain that they are the victims of a joke.
More Cruise Headlines
Did you know that Virgin Voyages unveiled a new cruise fare structure, or that Celebrity River Cruises opened all of its inventory for sale on two new river ships? These and other articles are found on Cruise Hive, your go-to source for cruise news.
Authorities have recovered 7 out of the 17 cars stolen from a secure parking facility near the Port of Southampton earlier this month.
The makes, models, ages, and conditions of the recovered vehicles have not been released as the investigation is continuing.
Southampton is the UK’s busiest cruise port, but the port itself is not involved with the impacted parking facility, which is independently operated.
Just over two weeks after a massive theft of 17 cars from what was to have been a secure parking facility service the Southampton Cruise Terminal, seven of the stolen vehicles have now been recovered.
According to the Daily Echo, local authorities have confirmed the recovery, noting that the cars include various makes, models, and ages.
The recovered vehicles were not all found together, but have been located at different intervals since the initial theft overnight on September 9-10. The seventh car was just recovered on Friday, September 26.
No information about the condition of the vehicles, including whether or not any of them have sustained significant damage or if any contents were removed, has been released. Each vehicle will surely undergo detailed forensic investigation to gather evidence in the hopes of tracking down the thieves.
The parking facility where the cars were removed from is the lot on First Avenue in Millbrook, belonging to Southampton Cruise Parking Services. It is just a 5-minute drive from the cruise terminals.
The company’s website boasts that they are “the only ‘indoor & secure’ parking facility at Southampton docks” and that this provides “peace of mind your car is in safe hands whilst you enjoy your holiday.” Cars are parked indoors at the facility’s warehouse.
The company is working closely with authorities to support those impacted and to strengthen their security features to minimize any future risks.
As is common for public parking lots and cruise terminal parking facilities, leaving one’s vehicle is always at the traveler’s risk. Despite on-site security features, including cameras, 24-hour security, and fencing, the company is not responsible for loss, damage, or theft.
While the investigation of this massive theft is far from complete, authorities have indicated an organized crime ring may be responsible for the act.
Cruise Parking Lot in Southampton (Photo Credit: Gallwis)
Port officials are planning extra patrols and increased surveillance of parking facilities, including consultations with outside firms for measures to improve security.
Just in September, more than 60 ship calls are scheduled. This includes vessels from Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, AIDA Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, P&O Cruises, MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Cunard Line, Silversea, and more.
Cruise Lines Not Involved
The names of the stolen (and subsequently recovered) vehicles’ owners and which cruise lines they were sailing with at the time of the theft have not been released.
The cruise lines are not involved with the theft investigation and have no bearing on the criminal activity. None of the cruise lines or the Port of Southampton have ownership of the parking facilities, nor are they involved with how the facilities are operated.
As the investigation remains ongoing and there are still 10 more vehicles to recover, local police are urging anyone with information about the theft or the locations of the still-missing vehicles to come forward.
Global Ports Holding is investing $250 million across five major projects in The Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Lucia, Spain, and Puerto Rico.
Completion dates stretch from late 2025 through 2027.
The new projects include new terminals, upgraded berths, and expanded amenities designed to handle larger ships and more passengers.
From the Caribbean to the Canary Islands, Global Ports Holding (GPH) is pouring $250 million into reshaping how and where cruise passengers arrive, with new pools, terminals, and piers rolling out through 2027.
The company, the world’s largest cruise port operator, is simultaneously moving ahead with five major construction projects across its global network while continuing to operate dozens of existing facilities.
Current developments include Nassau, The Bahamas; Antigua & Barbuda; St. Lucia; Las Palmas, Spain; and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
“These construction projects with a combined investment volume of over $250 million reflect our commitment to building world-class cruise destinations that support both passengers and local communities,”said Mehmet Kutman, chairman and CEO of Global Ports Holdings.
In Nassau, a waterfront expansion for GPH is nearing completion with the new West Marina Pool set to open by mid-October 2025 and a Superyacht Marina with berths for mega-yachts opening by year’s end.
Antigua’s port district in the island’s capital of St. John’s is also being reshaped with a homeport terminal designed for turnaround operations, alongside new retail, dining, and public amenities.
The redevelopment includes a pool, signature restaurant, and expanded parking with the terminal slated to open late in 2025 ahead of the high season, while broader features will roll out in 2026.
St. Lucia’s Point Seraphine in the main cruise terminal in Castries, the nation’s capital, will see Berth 1 upgraded to handle the region’s largest cruise ships.
A new tender jetty, improvements at Fishermen’s Village and Soufriere Bay, and a revitalized Vendors Arcade are also in progress for the island with full completion by 2027.
In Las Palmas on the island of Gran Canaria, Spain, GPH is building what will be the largest cruise terminal in Europe.
Designed to host up to five ships and 12,000 passengers is scheduled for competition in September 2025. The terminal will feature renewable power and energy-efficient systems.
Global Ports Holding’s rendering of the expanded cruise port in Antigua.
Puerto Rico is also seeing major investment. At San Juan, rehabilitation work is underway on the Pan American Wharf and Piers 3 and 4. While Pier 3 upgrades are already complete, improvements to the wharf are due in October 2025, and Pier 4 is slated for 2026.
“Each project is carefully designed to enhance the guest experience, create economic opportunities, and deliver sustainable infrastructure that will serve these ports for decades to come,” said Kutman.
Continued Growth for GPH
Global Ports Holding has grown rapidly over the past two decades. The company manages nearly three dozen cruise ports across Europe, the Caribbean, and Asia.
Earlier this year, GPH expanded its presence in Spain with new terminals in Alicante and on the Canary Islands of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote.
In Alicante, on the Mediterranean coast, two large ships can be welcomed simultaneously at the 700-meter cruise pier with improvements to food and retail at the terminal, while the Canary Islands projects are expected to accommodate more than a million passengers annually.
By combining larger berths and modern terminals with retail, dining, and public spaces, GPH is positioning its ports as destinations.
Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas encountered a rogue wave on its return to Baltimore, causing the ship to rock heavily and sending dishes and glassware flying.
Passengers onboard Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas experienced a dramatic moment at sea when the vessel encountered a rogue wave on its return leg from Bermuda.
The incident, captured in a viral video now circulating across multiple social media platforms, shows the 78,340-gross-ton cruise ship rocking violently as carts of plates slid across dining room floors and glassware shattered.
The ship had departed Baltimore on September 20, 2025, for a 5-night roundtrip voyage to Bermuda. It was sailing back toward its Maryland homeport when the unexpected wave struck, causing the vessel to list heavily for several minutes.
In the TikTok video posted by @evanddddddddddd, crew members can be seen bracing themselves while attempting to stabilize service carts, while diners clutched onto tables and chairs to avoid falling.
The passenger said the ship “hit some waves the wrong way and tipped for a few minutes. Everyone was holding on as not to slip.”
They described the scene of dishes and glassware crashing to the floor in restaurants and lounges throughout the vessel.
“The bar floor was the worst with glass and liquor everywhere,” they explained, adding that the crew quickly cordoned off slippery areas to protect guests.
Despite the chaos, no injuries were reported. The same passenger noted that a few guests lost their balance during the rocking and that some children were frightened, but crew training and swift action kept the situation under control.
“They are trained and experienced,” the passenger said. “They are more worried about safety rather than the mess.”
The clip has drawn significant attention online, with more than 5.4 million views and a follow-up clip receiving over 1.3 million views at press time.
Hundreds of viewers weighed in. Some seasoned cruisers remarked that rough seas are part of the experience, while others admitted they would have been unnerved by the sudden motion.
Crew Response Praised
Vision of the Seas, one of the oldest ships in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, is a Vision-class vessel built in 1998 that can carry more than 2,000 passengers.
While the ship is equipped with stabilizers designed to minimize movement, rogue waves can overwhelm even modern cruise technology.
These rare waves, sometimes defined as more than twice the height of surrounding seas, have been known to catch vessels off guard.
Vision of the Seas Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Cristian Dina)
In this case, the incident occurred near the end of the voyage. Passengers reported that the sudden lurch lasted only minutes, but the effects were widespread. Broken glass and toppled dishes left dining areas temporarily unusable until staff completed cleanup and safety checks.
Commenters on social media praised the crew for keeping their composure while chaos unfolded around them. One user described the steady handling of a sliding cart as “a very impressive catch,” while another remarked that the cleanup must have been daunting.
Some even noted the swaying reminded them of why they enjoy cruising. One frequent cruiser said the rocking felt like “being rocked to sleep like a baby.”
Vision of the Seas safely returned to Baltimore and is currently on its subsequent voyage, a 9-night sailing to Canada and New England, which departed on September 25, 2025.
Royal Caribbean is moving four different ships in two homeport swaps for sailings in 2026 and 2027.
The impacted vessels are Radiance of the Seas swapping with Rhapsody of the Seas and Vision of the Seas swapping with Brilliance of the Seas.
Impacted guests can choose to rebook or cancel their sailing for a full refund if preferred.
It’s a confusing time for guests booked on various Royal Caribbean ships sailing in 2026 and 2027 as the cruise line sends out multiple notices of redeployment plans. This is canceling some cruises, changing homeports, and otherwise causing plans to change for thousands of booked guests.
Four different ships are impacted: Radiance of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas, Vision of the Seas, and Brilliance of the Seas.
Radiance of the Seas Swaps with Rhapsody of the Seas
Initially, Radiance of the Seas was scheduled to offer 7-night Southern Caribbean sailings from San Juan, Puerto Rico beginning in April 2026. Instead, the cruise line has decided to move Radiance of the Seas to Tampa, Florida.
“As a result, your cruise has been redeployed, and unfortunately, there is not a sailing on our new deployment that matches your current sailing,”the cruise line notified impacted Radiance of the Seas guests.
Royal Caribbean is waiving change fees and non-refundable deposits for guests who wish to rebook on any other sailing, which does not necessarily need to be aboard Radiance of the Seas. If guests do not wish to rebook, they will receive full refunds instead.
Replacing Radiance of the Seas in San Juan will be the somewhat older and smaller Rhapsody of the Seas. With the larger Radiance of the Seas to be sailing from Tampa, this gives guests booked from that homeport different options.
“The good news is, your sailing and itinerary will remain intact, just on a different ship,”the email explained.
Guests booked on Rhapsody of the Seas out of Tampa will automatically be moved to the same sailing on Radiance of the Seas in a like-for-like stateroom and with price protection.
If guests prefer to re-book on a different sailing, however, they can do so without any change fees. Guests can also choose to cancel their cruise vacation outright if no other sailing meets their expectations. If guests cancel, they will receive a full refund.
Brilliance of the Seas Swaps With Vision of the Seas
Brilliance of the Seas Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Benson Truong)
A similar ship swap is also happening for two more ships, involving San Juan and Fort Lauderdale as homeports.
Brilliance of the Seas was to have homeported from Puerto Rico from November 2026, but now that ship will instead be sailing from Fort Lauderdale.
Taking her place in San Juan is Vision of the Seas, another older and smaller vessel, which was to have sailed from Fort Lauderdale.
As with Radiance of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas, guests already booked on the impacted cruises aboard either Brilliance of the Seas or Vision of the Seas have the opportunity to rebook if they prefer, or else to receive a full refund.
Why Swap Ships?
Cruise lines will occasionally swap ships in this way to better serve passenger interest from different homeports. Ship capacities can be a factor in deciding which vessel is deployed where, as can the strength of bookings from different homeports and for different itineraries.
Fortunately, the changes for all four ships are several months in the future, which gives impacted guests plenty of time to consider their vacation options and rebook or cancel if they prefer.
If guests are booked on any of the four vessels but have not yet received notification of the ship swaps, they should be patient. It may take some time to notify thousands of guests of the impacted sailings, but emails are on the way.
Staying in close contact with the cruise line or their travel agent is a sure way to be alerted to such changes as soon as possible.
Princess Cruises took delivery of the new-build Star Princess from a Fincantieri shipyard in Italy on September 26, 2025.
The 4,300-guest ship is the second in the line’s Sphere class, following the 2024 launch of Sun Princess.
Star Princess will soon sail to Barcelona, where she will embark her first guests on October 4, 2025, and operate an 11-night Western Mediterranean inaugural cruise.
Princess Cruises took delivery of Star Princess, its 17th ship and the second in its celebrated Sphere class, during a festive handover ceremony at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy.
The delivery of the 177,882-gross-ton ship on September 26, 2025 drew cruise line and shipyard officials, and government representatives to the shipyard event.
“Today is a proud moment for Princess as we welcome the new Star Princess to our incredible fleet,” said Gus Antorcha, president of Princess Cruises.
“This remarkable vessel is a testament to the innovation and craftsmanship of our long-standing partners at Fincantieri, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to the shipbuilding team for bringing our newest ship to life,” Antorcha added.
The 4,300-guest Star Princess is a sister ship to Sun Princess, which launched in February 2024. The Sphere class brought several new features to Princess Cruises, including The Dome, a multi-deck entertainment space, the Princess Arena, an in-the-round stage show venue, and the Piazza, a three-story grand atrium at the center of the ship.
Guests on Star Princess will enjoy 30 dining venues and bars, and choose from more than two dozen stateroom categories, including the luxury Sanctuary Collection, which debuted on Sun Princess.
The private-access luxury area offers access to the exclusive Sanctuary Club and restaurant, and its cruise fares include Princess Premier perks, which cover unlimited specialty dining and premium spirits, a WiFi package, and crew gratuities, among other amenities and services.
Star Princess guests also will see two new mainstage productions in the Princess Arena, “Meridien” and “Illuminate: A Spectacle of Joy,” both created by London-based Black Skull Creative.
Another entertainment venue that launched on Sun Princess will be repeated on the new ship — Spellbound by Magic Castle, the speakeasy experience created in partnership with the Hollywood-based The Magic Castle venue.
Crew Members Are Onboard, Preparing For First Guests
Following the ship’s delivery to Princess Cruises, Star Princess’ 1,600 crew members are onboard the ship preparing staterooms and public spaces for the arrival of the first guests.
Star Princess will make her way to Barcelona, where embarkation will take place prior to her inaugural cruise departure on October 4, 2025.
The 11-night voyage will call at Marseille, France; Rome and Naples, Italy; Palermo, Sicily; Cartagena, Spain; and Gibraltar, UK before returning to Barcelona.
Star Princess Cruise Ship
The ship will sail a 7-night Mediterranean cruise after her maiden voyage before beginning a transatlantic crossing to her US homeport, Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades. Star Princess will sail 7- and 14-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises from the South Florida port through mid-April 2026.
On April 13, 2026, the ship will sail a 20-night “Panama Canal – Ocean to Ocean” voyage to Seattle, where she will be based for the summer Alaska season. From Seattle, the ship will sail 7-night Inside Passage cruises.
The ship will return to Fort Lauderdale in October 2026 for seasonal winter voyages.
The launch of Star Princess was twice delayed. She was originally slated to enter service in July 2025, then in September 2025. Several cruises had to be cancelled as a result of the postponements.
The ship’s sea trials were held from August 9 to 12, 2025, when key systems such as navigation, propulsion, safety, and other processes were tested. Star Princess and Sun Princess represent the line’s first vessels to be powered by LNG (liquified natural gas).
Carnival Sunrise will be visiting Half Moon Cay a day early on her September 25, 2025 sailing to ensure smoother water and safety for all guests.
The tropical depression developing near Cuba has already impacted other cruise lines and ships, but is not yet an official tropical storm.
Rough weather is expected to move north through the Bahamas during the weekend and is likely to impact more ships and sailings.
With a tropical system continuing to form just east of Cuba and forecast to move north through the Bahamas over the weekend, Carnival Cruise Line has decided to shift one port visit on Carnival Sunrise for a better experience.
The impacted cruise is the ship’s current sailing, which departed from Miami on Thursday, September 25, 2025. The 4-night Bahamas cruise was to have spent Friday at sea, then visit Half Moon Cay on Saturday, followed by Celebration Key on Sunday, before returning to Florida on Monday, September 29.
Instead, the first full day of the cruise will now be spent at Half Moon Cay, with the day at sea moved to Saturday, September 27.
“We are actively monitoring a weather system forecasted to affect Half Moon Cay Saturday, September 27. To improve your experience, we will visit the destination tomorrow, Friday, September 26, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, when conditions are expected to be better,”a notice sent to guests onboard confirmed.
Because Half Moon Cay is a tender port, it is important that ships visit when the seas are calm. Long swells or other rough water can make it too dangerous to operate tenders and unsafe for guests to walk across the unstable gangways.
While the Bahamas may be experiencing higher waves and wind gusts for the next 2-3 days, at this time it is only the call to Half Moon Cay that is impacted.
It is possible that the ship’s visit to Celebration Key might also be adjusted, though no such decision has yet been made. Celebration Key does have a dock, however, and if the weather is not too severe, a visit can still be manageable.
Carnival Sunrise (formerly Carnival Destiny) is homeported year-round from Miami, offering 4- and 5-night Bahamas sailings with occasional Eastern and Western Caribbean routes for even more vacation options.
Storm Development Likely This Weekend
The area of tropical interest currently centered near eastern Cuba that is already impacting cruises is expected to further develop over the next 2-3 days. In fact, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) forecasts an 80-90% chance of the system becoming an official tropical storm, which would be named Imelda.
Even without full development, however, strong winds and waves are likely to bring heavy surf and rain to the Dominican Republic, the Turks and Caicos, and the Bahamas through the weekend.
Developing Storm
Other cruise lines are also making similar adjustments to select ships and itineraries to pursue the safest sailings.
Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas, for example, will now be sailing a 7-night Western Caribbean route for her September 28, 2025 departure instead of the planned Eastern Caribbean itinerary. This will also cause the second Icon-class ship to postpone her inaugural visit to St. Kitts.
Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wish has also adjusted her September 26, 2025 sailing by dropping Nassau as a port of call and moving up her day at Castaway Cay to ensure a safer, more enjoyable experience.
Additional cruise lines are likely to make similar adjustments as needed to safeguard their ships and keep all guests and crew members safe and comfortable for the best possible vacations.
Guests booked on Bahamas or Eastern Caribbean sailings departing in the next few days should stay in close communication with their cruise line for updates and itinerary alterations.
Disney Cruise Line is notifying guests on select Disney Wonder sailings that their taxes have increased by hundreds of dollars for visiting Hawaii.
This is the result of the new Transient Accommodations Tax passed in May 2025, which is the first time the state has applied such taxes to cruise ships.
The new tax takes effect from January 1, 2026 and will impact all cruise lines and ships visiting Hawaii from that date forward.
Guests looking forward to an outstanding cruise aboard Disney Wonder in February 2026 are receiving a bit of sticker shock with notifications about the new taxes being implemented in Hawaii.
The impacted cruise is the ship’s February 16, 2026 voyage, a 10-night, one-way sailing from Honolulu to Vancouver after the ship finishes her season in Australia.
Disney Cruise Line has reached out to booked guests just over three weeks before their final payment is due to alert them to the increased charge.
“We are writing to you with important information related to your upcoming cruise, which includes a visit to Hawai’i. The State of Hawai’i will be implementing an 11% Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT), as well as a 3% Local County TAT, on a portion of your cruise fare based on the time spent docked in Hawai’i,”the email explained.
These new taxes were approved in May and are set to take effect from January 1, 2026. This is the first time cruise ships have been included in the TAT.
Guests booked on sailings that include Hawai’i will now have their taxes, fees, and port expenses updated to reflect the new taxes.
For this particular Disney Wonder cruise, the visits to Nawiliwili, Maui, and Hilo will all be taxed.
The exact amount of the increase in taxes will depend on the individual fare rates guests have booked. Some guests are already reporting increases of $400-450 and higher, which can be quite a chunk for a family budget.
The final payment date for the sailing is October 19, 2025, which will include all the new taxes.
Failure to pay the increased taxes may result in reservation cancellations and the loss of a cruise vacation that guests may have been looking forward to for months, if not years.
Can Cruise Lines Increase Fares?
Cruise Lines have the authority to adjust fares and pricing at any time, for any reason. Once a guest confirms their reservation, their fare rate is generally locked in, but taxes and fees are set by ports and may still change.
Most cruise lines attempt to estimate these fees as closely as possible so there are no surprise increases so close to a sailing date. If the cruise line were to overestimate such fees, they might refund the few extra dollars to guests as onboard credit.
Many times, if cruise lines underestimate fees by a small amount, they will simply absorb that increase without changing what guests have already paid.
Cruise Ship Docked in Honolulu, Hawaii (Photo Credit: Nate Hovee)
This new TAT in Hawai’i, however, is far from a small increase. Just for this one Disney Wonder sailing, if every stateroom were to have a $400 increase in taxes, that would total $350,000 in extra fees.
The previous Disney Wonder sailing, the February 2, 2026 departure from Sydney to Honolulu, will likewise have a fee increase, though not likely quite as high. While the ship will still spend some time in the Aloha State before debarking in Honolulu, there is just a single port visit to Nawiliwili on February 15.
Ships from many cruise lines will be impacted by this change starting in January 2026. Just in January, this will include Ruby Princess, Holland America Line’s Zaandam and Nieuw Amsterdam, Carnival Radiance, Emerald Princess, and Coral Princess.
Of course, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America will be impacted most of all, as that ship sails 7-night Hawaiian itineraries year-round.
In August 2025, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) filed suit against the State of Hawaii challenging the constitutionality of the new tax, but it could be many months before that federal lawsuit is resolved.
