Disney Cruise Line has revealed that its wearable technology, DisneyBand+, will soon be making its way to a third ship in the fleet—Disney Magic.
This follows the introduction of the technology on the company’s newest cruise ship, Disney Wish, and the subsequent rollout on Disney Fantasy earlier in July of this year.
DisneyBand+ Comes to Disney Magic
Disney Cruise Line’s DisneyBand+ will be introduced on a third cruise ship, Disney Magic, starting October 22, 2023. The popular wearable can already be used on two ships: Disney Wish since spring 2023 and Disney Fantasy since July 2023.
While exact dates for bringing DisneyBand+ to the two other Disney Cruise Line ships, Disney Dream and Disney Wonder, are yet to be announced, Disney Cruise Line has confirmed that the technology will be available fleet-wide by the end of 2023.
Photo: Disney
In a statement on social media platform X, Disney announced:“More magic and convenience is heading your way! We’re excited to announce that DisneyBand+ is now on sale for guests sailing aboard the #DisneyMagic starting October 22nd. Eligible guests may place orders between 45 and 11 days prior to sailing.”
Initially a hit at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort under the name MagicBand+, Disney Cruise Line has modified the technology for the unique conditions of life at sea. Dubbed DisneyBand+, the waterproof wristband uses wireless RFID technology to provide a wide range of different functionalities.
Disneyband+ Functionality
DisneyBand+ wristband simplifies various aspects of the cruise experience. A quick tap of the wristband against the door sensor unlocks guests’ staterooms.
For those looking to make onboard purchases—be it snacks, souvenirs, or beverages—the wristband allows for quick and convenient transactions directly charged to the stateroom accounts.
Children can also use Disneyband+; those aged three and up can use DisneyBand+ to access kids’ clubs onboard, such as Disney’s Oceaneer Club and Scuttle’s Cove at Castaway Cay.
Photo: Disney
And, while Disney Cruise Line has been somewhat vague on what they term as “enchanting surprises,” they encourage everyone to stay alert for extra magical moments that may be tied to wearing the DisneyBand+.
Adapted to be “adventure-proof,” the wristband is functional even during water-based activities, such as swimming or snorkeling at Castaway Cay. The band is priced at $35 for a solid color and $45 for themed designs, with discounts available for early purchases.
It should be noted that while it adds to onboard convenience, it doesn’t replace the need for traditional “Key to the World” cards for embarking and disembarking at ports.
Compatibility and Current Routes
The Disneyband+ will be available onboard Disney Magic starting October 22, 2023. Currently, the 83,338 gross tons, 3,325-passenger cruise ship is sailing short cruises out of Miami, Florida, to Castaway Cay, Nassau, and Grand Cayman.
On October 5, the ship will be repositioning to the West Coast, sailing from Miami, Florida, to Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Cartagena, Colombia; a transit through the Panama Canal; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; and arriving in its homeport for the winter, San Diego, California, on October 19.
This means that the first cruise that Disneyband+ will be available will be the four-night ‘Halloween On The High Seas’ cruise, which will visit Catalina Island, California, and Ensenada, Mexico.
Royal Caribbean International has reached out to guests booked on a Freedom of the Seas cruise that was cancelled almost three months ago to let them know that the sailing is not, in fact, cancelled after all.
Now, guests have an additional option to restore their original cruise, even if they had opted to rebook, change to a different sailing, or outright cancel their previous vacation plans.
Freedom of the Seas Cruise Not Cancelled – Three Months After It Was Cancelled
Guests previously booked on the December 21, 2024 sailing of Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas sailing have received unusual notifications – that their cruise, which was cancelled in June, is now not cancelled after all.
“We recently communicated to you about the unfortunate cancellation of your upcoming 2024 sailing onboard Freedom of the Seas,”the email explained.“This was due to a dry dock we had to schedule, but we’ve got some good news – we were able to adjust our scheduling and your previous sailing will be made available again!”
Freedom of the Seas (Photo Credit: EQRoy / Shutterstock)
At the time of the original cancellation, guests were given three options: to select an alternative sailing from a list of available cruises onboard Freedom of the Seas or Oasis of the Seas, rebooking on any other Royal Caribbean sailing, or else choosing a full refund of their cruise.
Now, even though guests all made those prior decisions, travelers can return to the originally scheduled cruise departing December 21, 2024 from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The 8-night Eastern Caribbean holiday cruise will visit St. Thomas, St. Kitts, Puerto Rico, and Labadee.
Options to Resume the Original Cruise
Impacted travelers have three options to reset their vacation plans back to the original sailing, if they wish to do so.
First, if guests moved to one of the specially offered select sailings, they can return to the original cruise in a comparable stateroom with protected pricing or a reduced fare if the new rate is lower. Any overpayment would then be refunded to the original form of payment.
The same deal is available for guests who rebooked on any other Royal Caribbean International sailing, if they would like to return to the original Freedom of the Seas cruise.
Photo Courtesy: Royal Caribbean
In both cases, guests can also opt to remain on their current booking, which was made in replacement of the Freedom of the Seas cruise when it was first cancelled.
If guests had chosen to cancel their vacation plans altogether when the first cruise was cancelled, it is now possible to reinstate that original booking with protected pricing or at the new cruise rate, if lower than previously booked.
Travelers who do want to reinstate their cruise – whether they had rebooked or cancelled – must contact the cruise line or their travel agent by October 3, 2023 to confirm their decision.
“Thank you for understanding,”the email concludes.“Whether you choose to rejoin us on the Freedom of the Seas or on another cruise in the future, we have no doubt your time with us will be nothing short of amazing.”
The 156,271-gross ton Freedom of the Seas can welcome 3,782 guests at double occupancy, or as many as 4,515 travelers when fully booked with all berths filled.
Photo Credit: Joni Hanebutt / Shutterstock
No explanation other than “we were able to adjust our scheduling” has been offered for why the cruise has reappeared, just as there was very little information given for the initial cancellation other than “dry dock for routine maintenance and exciting improvements.”
There is no indication of whether the dry dock schedule has been moved earlier, postponed later, or cancelled altogether.
Because the impacted sailing is 15 months away, guests have plenty of time to consider their options and make the best holiday vacation plans possible for their cruising wishes.
It is also likely that with the impending drydock rescheduled, other cruises are also affected. Any guests who had a sailing cancelled on Freedom of the Seas in recent months should stay alert for possible notification and rebooking options.
Carnival Cruise Line has notified guests setting sail aboard Carnival Freedom as the ship begins her transatlantic crossing to Spain for dry dock that some of the most sought after benefits typically provided to returning guests will not be available on this cruise.
This is due to the high number of loyal guests booked on this particular sailing, and is a step the cruise line has had to take with other popular sailings.
VIFP Benefits Reduced Aboard Carnival Freedom
Guests aboard Carnival Freedom as the Conquest-class vessel departs Port Canaveral, Florida en route to Barcelona, Spain, will not be able to take advantage of some of the most desirable benefits of loyalty status. In a notification sent just a week before embarkation, the cruise line explained which benefits could not be offered.
As the concern is only related to loyalty benefits at the top tier Diamond and Platinum VIFP (Very Important Fun Person) status, the letter was only given to guests who have achieved that level with the cruise line.
“Due to the high number of Diamond and Platinum guests joining us on this voyage, we will not be able to provide priority embarkation or debarkation (including at any of the ports of call),”the letter said.
The letter also indicated that guests would not be able to remain in their staterooms until after 1:30 p.m. on embarkation day, though they could drop off any carry-on luggage before heading to lunch. Finally, Diamond level guests would not be guaranteed main dining room seating requests for dinner.
“This operational change is consistent with other Carnival Journeys cruises where we have a very large number of Diamond and Platinum guests,”the letter explained.“We apologize for any disappointment and thank you for your understanding.”
No information is available about the exact numbers of Diamond or Platinum passengers onboard this 13-night transatlantic sailing, but it is likely that there are hundreds of guests who would qualify for the benefits.
Carnival Freedom can welcome 2,980 guests at double occupancy, or as many as 3,754 guests if fully booked with all berths filled. All other loyalty benefits, including VIFP gifts, special events, and casino benefits remain intact.
Carnival Freedom on Her Way to Spain
Carnival Freedom departed Port Canaveral at 6 p.m. on Thursday, September 21, 2023 for the one-way trip to Spain, where the ship will enter dry dock for upgrades and general maintenance.
Before arriving in Spain, the ship will visit Bermuda on Sunday, September 24; Ponta Delgada in the Azores on Friday, September 29; and Malaga and Valencia in Spain on October 2 and 3, respectively, before arriving in Barcelona on Wednesday, October 4.
The ship will be out of service for approximately one month, before setting sail from Barcelona on October 23, 2023 to return to Port Canaveral by way of Valencia, Malaga, the Canary Islands, and Bermuda, arriving back in Florida on November 6, 2023, refreshed and ready to welcome guests.
Dry Dock Plans
This dry dock is of particular interest, as Carnival Freedom is currently unique in the Fun Ship fleet.
The ship’s iconic “whale tail” funnel was damaged in a fire in May 2022, and interim repairs involved removing the characteristic wings from the funnel structure. The remaining structure was fully functional, but the ship has been sailing for more than a year without that instantly recognizable feature.
A new whale tail funnel is to be installed during the dry dock in Spain, returning the ship to the classic look that has graced every Carnival ship since Tropicale was first constructed for the line in 1982.
Another key feature will also be added to Carnival Freedom during this dry dock. The ship is scheduled to receive the new red, white, and blue livery that initially debuted with Mardi Gras in 2021, and has gradually been rolled out across the fleet as ships have had dry dock updates.
Other regular maintenance and refreshment of public areas as well as guest staterooms will be part of the dry dock as well, and in a month’s time, the 110,000-gross ton Carnival Freedom will be upgraded, renovated, and ready to set sail once more with all the charismatic fun of every Carnival ship.
Royal Caribbean International has reached out to guests booked aboard the September 23, 2023 sailing of Vision of the Seas to notify them that, due to forecasted poor weather in the region, it will not be possible to set sail after all and the cruise is now cancelled.
Significant compensation is being offered, though travelers will undoubtedly be disappointed by the short notice and loss of their cruise vacation.
Vision of the Seas Cruise Cancelled
Guests ready to set sail on their cruise vacation on Saturday, September 23, 2023 aboard Vision of the Seas will not be cruising after all, as the sailing has been cancelled at the last minute.
Royal Caribbean International notified guests late on September 21 with the unfortunate news, owing to a developing tropical storm that is forecast to dramatically impact the area over the weekend and early next week.
“Unfortunately, the weather will prevent us from safely conducting our upcoming cruise on Vision of the Seas, and we’ll have to cancel our September 23rd, 2023 sailing,”the notification read.
Vision of the Seas is homeported from Baltimore, Maryland, and the September 23 sailing was to have been a 5-night cruise to Bermuda, with no other ports of call available.
“While these circumstances are beyond our control, we understand that this change impacts your vacation, and we’re truly sorry,”the cruise line apologized.
The 78,340-gross ton ship can welcome 2,050 guests at double occupancy, or as many as 2,514 travelers when fully booked. Also onboard are more than 700 international crew members.
Generous Compensation Offered
While the cancellation is unavoidable, Royal Caribbean is being generous with the compensation offered to make up for the change.
All guests will receive a 100% refund not only of the cruise fare, taxes, and fees, but also on any pre-paid tours, gratuities, shore excursions, and onboard expenses such as drink packages or Wi-Fi connectivity. Flights purchased through Royal Caribbean International as well as any royal Caribbean Travel Protection will also be fully refunded.
Refunds will be processed within 14 business days, but guests should note that the exact time to receive the refund may vary depending on different financial institution policies.
Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas (Photo Credit: Stefan Lambauer / Shutterstock)
If travelers used a future cruise credit (FCC) to book this sailing, that credit will be reinstated and any additional funds paid above the FCC amount will be refunded.
All guests will also receive another FCC worth 50% of their cruise fare to be used toward any future Royal Caribbean cruise. The new cruise must be booked no later than December 31, 2023, and is applicable for any available sailings by that date.
Potential Tropical Storm Developing
The rough weather impacting Vision of the Seas is currently classified as a “potential tropical cyclone” in that it has not yet developed full rotation or a discernable eye, but is likely to do so sometime on Friday.
The center of the storm is currently positioned 620 miles (998 kilometers) east of Bermuda, moving north at 14 miles per hour (23 kilometers per hour). The maximum sustained winds are reported at 50 mph (80 kph), and expected to strengthen somewhat in the next day.
The storm’s track indicates strong impact on the Atlantic coast, from North Carolina as far north as New Jersey. This puts Vision of the Seas‘ homeport, Baltimore, right in the middle of the storm’s track. Tropical storm warnings are already in effect for the potential impact area, including inside Chesapeake Bay.
Potential Tropical Cyclone Sixteen
While the center of the storm will not reach the Baltimore area until Sunday afternoon, the broad wind field of the system could be having impacts on the area 24 hours before or even sooner – just when Vision of the Seas would be maneuvering through the bay.
The safety of the ship, guests, and crew members is the most important consideration, and while it is never ideal to completely cancel a sailing, the decision is the best one possible to keep everyone safe.
At this time, there is no indication if the ship’s next sailing – a 9-night Canada & New England cruise departing Baltimore on Thursday, September 28 – will be affected.
By Thursday, the storm should be either fully dissipated or will have moved far out of the area. Guests booked on that next sailing, however, will want to stay in close contact with Royal Caribbean in case of any updates.
Carnival Cruise Line has reached out to guests booked aboard three different ships sailing this weekend to alert them to potential impacts of a developing tropical cyclone.
While there are no itinerary adjustments confirmed at this time, guests will want to stay in close contact with the cruise line in case of further updates or last-minute changes.
Three Carnival Ships on Weather Alert
With a new tropical storm developing off the southeastern coast of the US and forecast to move north over the weekend, Carnival Cruise Line is notifying guests setting sail on Carnival Venezia, Carnival Legend, and Carnival Magic to stay alert to possible adjustments. All guests received a notification on Thursday, September 21, to stay alert and to sign up for cruise line text messages for updates on their sailings.
The 135,225-gross ton Carnival Venezia is scheduled to depart from New York on Saturday, September 23, for a 6-night Canada & New England cruise that will visit Portland, Maine; Saint John, New Brunswick; and Halifax, Nova Scotia before returning to New York on Friday, September 29.
The 88,500-gross ton Carnival Legend is setting sail from Baltimore, Maryland on Sunday, September 24, for a 6-night Bermuda sailing, with no ports of call other than Kings Wharf for an overnight visit.
Photo Credit: Tony Davis
The 128,000-gross ton Carnival Magic is sailing from Norfolk, Virginia on Sunday, September 24, also for a 6-night Bermuda cruise, which will enjoy an overnight port visit to Kings Wharf.
“At present, there is no change to our sailing plan,”the notifications for all three cruises read.“As everyone’s safety is our priority, we will continue to monitor the weather forecast and provide timely updates should there be any impact to your embarkation.”
Guests are asked not to head to the cruise terminal for embarkation until they have received a final update from the cruise line, in case there are changes or delays.
Carnival Magic Reminders
In addition to the notification about the tropical storm – which is not expected to strengthen into a hurricane, but will nonetheless create rough sailing conditions – guests booked on Carnival Magic have received an additional reminder about their embarkation in Norfolk.
The email notes,“terminal arrival appointments will be strictly enforced and guests who arrive before their selected time will be asked to return later.”
Carnival Magic, Norfolk, Virginia (Photo Credit: Nauticus)
Shuttle buses are provided between the parking area and the cruise terminal, which are approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) apart. Parking payments must be made in cash or via credit card, and are due upon arrival.
All guests must also be onboard Carnival Magic no later than 60 minutes before the sailing time, which is currently scheduled for 5:30 p.m. It is possible the ship’s embarkation may be moved earlier to provide a wider margin ahead of the incoming storm, though this has not yet been decided and at the moment, the departure time remains as originally planned.
Tropical Storm Expected
While the rough weather that may impact all three Carnival cruises is currently only a “potential tropical storm” it is expected to strengthen into an official tropical storm on Friday, September 22.
The center of the storm is currently 620 miles (998 kilometers) east of Bermuda, moving north at 14 miles per hour (23 kilometers per hour). The maximum sustained winds are reported at 50 mph (80 kph), though the system does not yet have a defined eye or complete circulation that is necessary for tropical storm classification.
Tropical storm warnings are already in effect from North Carolina north to New Jersey, with the entire region likely to be impacted by strong winds, large waves, and heavy rain.
Any guests sailing in the region over the next few days, including coastal cruises as well as fall foliage sailings, may want to be prepared for less-than-ideal weather and the possibility of itinerary adjustments.
A new partnership between luxury line Cunard and a prestigious British film group will bring a special program of short films and movies to the cruise line’s newest ship, Queen Anne. The ship, under construction at an Italian shipyard, is due to launch in May 2024.
Curated Films To Be Showcased on Queen Anne
Cunard, a luxury brand of the Carnival Corporation, entered an exclusive partnership with the British Film Institute (BFI) that will showcase blockbuster movies and films on the outdoor screen in The Pavilion, a two-deck, open-air theater space onboard Queen Anne.
Under the 3-year collaboration, 10 films curated by the BFI will be shown every month on the LED screen in The Pavilion, and also available in guests’ staterooms. Inspired by a glasshouse design, The Pavilion features a retractable glass dome roof.
“We are absolutely thrilled to be partnering with the British Film Institute, with our shared dedication to providing immersive experiences aligning perfectly. We’re hugely proud of our long-standing affiliation with the silver screen, with some of Hollywood’s biggest names having sailed in style with Cunard – from Charlie Chaplin to Meryl Streep,” said Katie McAlister, president of Cunard.
Queen Anne Open Deck
The cruise line also announced it will be a sponsor of the 67th BFI London Film Festival, in partnership with American Express, from October 4 to 15, 2023. Additionally, on October 11, 2023, the Cunard Gala will support the European premiere of the movie “The Holdovers” during the film festival. The event will be held at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall.
“We are thrilled to be working alongside Cunard on this partnership and are incredibly thankful for their support of the BFI and the BFI London Film Festival. We are excited to be able to reach audiences in new inventive ways with amazing films and look forward to collaborating with Cunard over the next three years,” said Francesca Vinti, executive director of fundraising and enterprise at BFI.
Queen Anne To Debut in May 2024
The 14-deck, 113,00-gross ton Queen Anne will accommodate 3,000 guests in 1,400 staterooms. Under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy, Queen Anne was floated out in early May 2023, shortly after she received her iconic red and black Cunard funnel.
The glass dome in The Pavilion, where the BFI-curated movies will be featured, was designed by architect Martin Francis, who supported the engineering behind the Louvre Pyramid in Paris.
Other common spaces onboard the new ship include a wellness studio, a Sky Bar and Observation Deck, the tropical-themed Cabana bar, and the outdoor Grills Terrace.
Cunard’s Queen Anne Ship (Photo Courtesy: Cunard Line)
Like the other Cunard ships, Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth, and Queen Victoria, the new-build will feature the three accommodations categories of Queens Grill Suites, Princess Grill Suites, and Britannia Club staterooms. Under the category system, certain lounges and dining rooms are reserved for guests who book Queens and Princess suites.
Queen Anne is scheduled to depart on her maiden voyage May 3, 2024, on a 7-day cruise roundtrip from Southampton, UK, with port calls at Lisbon and La Coruna, Portugal. The sailing is already sold out, according to the Cunard web site.
Her inaugural summer season in Europe will feature a mix of Canary Islands, British Isles, Mediterranean, Norwegian Fjord, and Northern Europe/Scandinavia voyages.
Queen Anne’s 14-night British Isles cruise, roundtrip from Southampton on May 24, 2024, calls at destinations such as Edinburgh, Isle of May, Kirkwall, and Inverness, Scotland, plus Belfast, Northern Ireland, Cork, Ireland, and Liverpool, England.
A 14-night Northern Europe sailing departs Southampton on June 30, 2024, calling at Copenhagen, Denmark; Visby and Stockholm, Sweden; Tallinn, Estonia; Helsinki, Finland; and Kiel, Germany.
For the second time in just a few days, Carnival Cruise Line has reached out to guests booked on an upcoming sailing to notify them that the most popular loyalty benefits for top-tier returning passengers will not be available.
The impacted sailing is the September 29, 2023 Carnival Venezia departure, and while it is a longer sailing, it is not quite so momentous as other cruises where these benefits cannot be accommodated.
Why does this keep happening aboard Carnival Cruise Line, and what might be done to preserve loyalty status on more sailings?
Loyalty Benefits Not Available on Upcoming Cruise
Returning Carnival guests who have achieved Diamond or Platinum level in Carnival Cruise Line’s “VIFP” (Very Important Fun Person) loyalty program will not be getting all their benefits aboard the September 29, 2023 cruise on Carnival Venezia.
The 15-night Southern Caribbean itinerary is a roundtrip “Carnival Journeys” cruise scheduled to call on Grand Turk, Aruba, Curacao, Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, and St. Thomas before returning to New York on October 14, 2023.
The cruise line’s most loyal guests booked on the cruise, however, have been notified that not all their benefits can be offered on this sailing.
“Due to the high number of Diamond and Platinum guests joining us on this voyage, we will not be able to provide priority embarkation or debarkation (including at any of the ports of call),”the notification email read.
Furthermore, the email also noted that “due to capacity limitations” Diamond guests would not be guaranteed main dining room seating time requests for dinner.
Carnival Venezia Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Mariusz Lopusiewicz / Shutterstock)
“This operational change is consistent with other Carnival Journeys cruises where we have a very large number of Diamond and Platinum guests,”the email explained.“We apologize for any disappointment and thank you for your understanding.”
In order to reach Platinum VIFP status, a cruise traveler must have sailed with Carnival Cruise Line for a minimum of 75 cruise nights (each night earns one point in the program, and points do not expire). To reach Diamond status, guests must have sailed with the cruise line for at least 200 nights.
The priority embarkation and debarkation benefits are some of the most sought after loyalty rewards in the program, but they are not the only benefits the most experienced cruisers receive. Other benefits, including the loyalty gifts, casino free play, and the special line at Guest Services remain intact for this sailing.
Benefits Not Available on All Cruises
Whenever necessary, Carnival Cruise Line does remove benefits from individual sailings if those benefits cannot be accommodated in a timely and efficient way.
For example, the “Carnival Journeys” cruises – longer sailings to more exclusive destination that often attract more experienced cruisers – regularly get these benefits reduced, because it simply would not be possible to effectively deliver the appropriate service to hundreds of Diamond or Platinum guests.
With more and more travelers reaching the distinct upper levels of loyalty status, however, it is possible that these benefits may be rescinded more and more frequently on a larger number of Carnival sailings. This can make the benefits must less valuable and much less attractive to frequent cruisers.
“The whole loyalty program is being looked at by very smart people and while I have zero news to share on what will or will not happen I know that the program needs a massive refresh so we can do a better job in thanking people for their loyalty and to keep that loyalty alive,” Heald said.
Any adjustments to Carnival’s existing program could be tricky, however, as guests who are already Platinum or Diamond may resent if any existing benefits are removed for a new, higher tier. This could cause ripples with upcoming bookings or cancellations if guests opt to shift to other cruise lines – perhaps lines like MSC Cruises, which offers a status match for competing lines’ loyalty programs.
What new benefits do you think Carnival could introduce for a new tier of VIFP guests? Share your thoughts on the Cruise Hive boards!
Newport, Rhode Island, known for its colonial charm and picturesque coastal landscapes, welcomed the biggest cruise ship to visit the port this year, MSC Meraviglia, on September 25. The call is part of the ship’s inaugural voyage in its Canada & New England season of cruises out of New York City.
Fall cruises to New England and Canada are incredibly popular, drawing in thousands of guests each year who want to explore the region. MSC Meraviglia‘s visit is part of MSC Cruises’ expansion in the US market, with the cruise line now operating cruises from New York City, Miami, and Port Canaveral.
Newport Welcomes MSC Meraviglia
MSC Cruises has kicked off its 2023 New England and Canada season of cruises onboard MSC Meraviglia with a call to the charming Rhode Island city of Newport. Although Newport is probably best known for the America’s Cup, the city is becoming increasingly popular with visiting cruise ships.
The 171,598 gross tons Meraviglia-class cruise ship is the biggest cruise ship to visit Newport this year, bringing up to 5,700 guests to the city.
Evan Smith, CEO and President of Discover Newport: “This is not only the largest cruise ship to make a port call in Newport this season, but also the most guests arriving on one vessel to this city.”
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase our coastal destination, Newport, Rhode Island, to the MSC Meraviglia guests and to be part of this memorable coastal Canada and New England itinerary.”
The call by the MSC Cruises ship, which sailed from New York City on September 24, means a significant financial boost for Newport, with cruise organization CLIA stating it could bring in more than two million USD in local revenues. Guests will be able to explore the city’s charming colonial center and try out the region’s famous seafood.
“For our hospitality partners; retail shops, restaurants, and attractions, the economic impact from this one-day visit will be significant and a welcome boost going into the fall months,” Evan Smith said.
Besides Newport, MSC Meraviglia will also visit Boston, Massachusetts; Saint John, New Brunswick; Portland, Maine; Sydney, Nova Scotia; and Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. The cruise is the first of three voyages MSC Meraviglia will sail along the New England coastline this fall.
MSC Building US Presence
The cruises from New York City to New England and Canada are part of MSC Cruises’ ever-expanding presence in the United States.
Rubén A. Rodríguez, President of MSC Cruises USA: “MSC Meraviglia’s inaugural visit to Newport is a great milestone for MSC Cruises as we continue expanding our presence in the North American market. When we launched year-round cruises from New York City, one of our goals was to allow guests to visit a wider variety of destinations, and Newport is a perfect example.”
MSC Meraviglia Arrives in New York (Photo Courtesy: MSC Cruises)
“The response to these itineraries has been strong, which means we’ll bring thousands of visitors to Newport this season. We look forward to continuing to work with leaders here to provide our guests with a distinctive and immersive cruising experience.”
Besides cruises to New England, MSC Meraviglia also sails on cruises to Bermuda, the Bahamas, and Florida. MSC Cruises now has ships sailing from three major homeports, Miami, Port Canaveral, and New York City.
MSC Seascape operates seven-day cruises to the Caribbean from Miami, while MSC Seaside operates from Port Canaveral. MSC Seashore will begin operating cruises out of Port Canaveral to the Western Caribbean and the Bahamas from mid-November. MSC Magnifica and MSC Divina will also operate from PortMiami this year.
If you have never been on a cruise vacation, you might be surprised just how flexible they can be when allowing passengers to explore on-land locations via tender ports
While cruise ships certainly can dock in local ports, they are not always big or deep enough to accommodate the gigantic dimensions of a modern-day cruise ship.
This is where tendering at the port comes into play. Unlike conventional ports and docking bays, tender ports allow cruise ships to drop their anchor on the water, so passengers and crew members can be shuttled or tendered to shore.
In this guide, we will explain everything you need to know about tender ports and how they differ from standard ports of call. We will also explain why tender ports can quickly emerge as one of any cruise vacation’s most exciting and memorable components. So, if you are ready to unveil the charm of tender ports, let’s get started!
In simple terms, a tender port is a designated off-shore location meant to accommodate ships that cannot enter a traditional port.
Rather than having the cruise ship enter the port and attach itself to a dock, passengers and crew members are ferried to the shore using small, specialized vessels known as tender boats or tenders.
Tender ports can consist of floating docks, which help with boarding, or they can simply be the formal name for the designated area where large ships can drop their anchors so smaller tender boats can shuttle passengers to and from shore.
What Do Tender Boats Look Like?
Whether they are called tender boats, tenders, or simply shuttle boats, these unique vessels can come in various shapes and sizes depending on the occasion’s needs.
The typical tender boat will almost look like an elaborate version of a lifeboat. These boats are designed to ensure maximum buoyancy and stability so that passengers can enjoy a comfortable trip to shore. For the most part, the seating areas are entirely covered and feature large windows that passengers can use to take in their surroundings.
Cruise Ship Lifeboat Being Used as Tender (Photo Credit: Dirk Coppens / Shutterstock)
Open-air tender boats and catamarans can be used when the tender port is close to the shoreline. These cruise ship tender boats provide passengers with a more exciting and immersive experience. Thanks to unobstructed views and their open design, passengers can really embrace the sense of adventure.
Why Are Tender Ports Used Instead of Traditional Ports?
In some cases, the immense dimensions of a cruise ship can make it difficult to dock in a traditional port. Not only can the port be too small, but it might not offer the appropriate water depth for such large ships.
In other cases, a local port might be too busy to accommodate a full-sized cruise ship. Rather than completely alter the cruise ship’s itinerary, passengers can be shuttled to the shore for excursions and various land-based activities. Once these activities and experiences have concluded, passengers can re-board their designated tender boat and return to the cruise ship.
Photo Credit: Feng Cheng / Shutterstock
In certain situations, cruise ships are not allowed to enter a port or even come within a specified distance of the shoreline. This is usually regulated to protect delicate marine ecosystems like coral reefs.
In these cases, tendering allows passengers to visit the shore or even just get a closer look at the coastline from the water without the ship needing to violate local rules and regulations.
What Are the Main Differences Between Tender Ports and Typical Ports of Call?
Tender ports differ significantly from the standard ports you may visit as part of your cruise’s regular itinerary. The main difference is the way the ship docks.
With a standard cruise port of call, the cruise ship docks like any other type of vessel, meaning it enters the port, saddles beside a dock, and then is secured in place using ropes and cables.
On the other hand, when it comes to tender ports, the ship never has to enter a port. Instead, the ship’s navigation crew will drop the anchor in the designated tender port area.
Cruise Tender
From there, tender boats are either lowered from the cruise ship itself or local tender boats are dispatched to the cruise ship’s location. In some cases, floating docks make it easier for guests to board the tender boats and return to the cruise ship afterward.
Naturally, a standard port of call will have all the equipment and features you would expect from a permanent port, including piers, docks, slips, and cranes for loading and unloading supplies. By contrast, tender ports are very basic and may feature little more than a few buoys.
What Is the Charm of Tender Ports for Cruise Ship Passengers?
While tender ports serve a practical purpose for cruise lines, they also offer plenty of charm and excitement for cruise ship passengers. In fact, some people find that the tendering experience is one of the most memorable experiences of their entire cruise vacation.
Here are some of the reasons why so many seasoned cruise travelers enjoy tender ports so much:
The Sense of Adventure and Exploration
Even boarding a tender boat can be incredibly exciting and adventurous. Disembarking from a full-sized cruise ship and boarding a small boat on the water can be exciting and a completely new experience.
Once on board the tender boat, cruising towards the shoreline can make you feel like an explorer. The sensation of feeling the waves crash against the front of the tender boat and the smell of the salty air is very different from the experience of looking out from a cruise ship’s observation decks.
The experience of boarding and traveling on the tendering boat is also just the beginning. Once the tendering boat has reached its destination, you can set foot on land in a new country or region. In other words, you can have a miniature adventure by experiencing new cuisines, cultures, and landscapes.
Tendering Offers a More Exclusive and Intimate Experience
Where most passengers will leave the cruise ship when it stops at a standard port of call, deciding to board a tender boat and visit locations off limits to the main ship can make for a much more exclusive experience.
With fewer passengers opting to use tendering ports, you will not have to deal with the crowds when you get to the shore. This also means you will not have to feel like more tourists than locals surround you.
Tender Port
In short, tendering allows you to leave your comfort zone and interact with the destination. Unfortunately, this is not always the case with bustling and crowded ports where numerous cruise ships are loading and unloading passengers at the same time.
The Chance to Interact with Nature and Take Incredible Photographs
While cruise ships provide passengers with plenty of stunning ocean views, it can be challenging to feel like you are genuinely interacting with nature when you are floating around in such a massive vessel. By tendering, you can visit remote shorelines far less spoiled by human interaction than large-scale permanent ports.
Even traveling in a tender boat gets you close to the tropical waters you might only see from a distance if you never choose to leave the cruise ship.
Unfortunately, the waters in some standard ports of call are heavily polluted and relatively free from marine pollution. This is not the case if you take a smaller vessel to a more secluded location.
Cruise Tender
Not only do you get to experience all of this nature more authentically and intimately, but you will also be presented with incredible opportunities to take breathtaking photographs.
Photograph stunning landscapes, small coastal towns, and wildlife. You can even turn around and photograph the cruise ship from the water, which can be an incredible memento from your cruise vacation.
Tips for Cruise Ship Tendering
If tender ports sound appealing to you and the passengers you will be traveling with, it always helps to be prepared. By taking the time to prepare appropriately, you can ensure that your tendering experience is a fun and stress-free experience.
Here are our top tendering tips for those hoping to experience a tender boat adventure for the first time:
1. Consider Packing a Small Bag
Like any adventure or day trip, you should pack a small bag that you can carry comfortably if you plan on boarding at a tender port.
Consider bringing bottled water, sunscreen, sunglasses, local tender, nutritious snacks, identification information, medication, a swimsuit, flip flops, and maybe even a change of clothes.
2. Book Shore Excursions Ahead of Time
If you hope to have an adventure onshore, look into booking excursions ahead of time. Just like standard ports of call, tender ports often allow cruise passengers to visit designated areas where various excursions and experiences are available.
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If they are offered through your cruise line, the local staff will fully understand the tendering process, and they will be able to ensure that your excursion is completed in time for you to be ready for the return trip to your cruise ship.
3. Wear Comfortable Clothes and Footwear
Once you have boarded a tender boat, you cannot return to the cruise ship until the tendering trip is complete. Make sure that you are wearing clothing that you will be comfortable in.
This is particularly important regarding footwear, as you must ensure that the footwear you have chosen will be comfortable for walking around the shoreline.
4. Pay Attention and Always Follow Instructions from the Crew Carefully
While the crew will try their best to ensure that the tendering process goes smoothly for passengers, it is still important that you pay close attention to their instructions.
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They will explain exactly how to board and debark the tender boat. They will also provide precise details regarding when you must return to the tender boat station for your return trip to the main cruise ship.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is it possible to enjoy tendering if you have mobility issues?
Tendering with mobility issues depends on how accessible the cruise line’s tendering situation is. Given that the level of accessibility can vary depending on the cruise ship and the destinations it is traveling to, the best thing to do is contact the cruise line ahead of time.
They will be able to discuss your specific needs and provide information about the tendering process and any mobility aids they can provide.
2. Will every cruise ship offer tendering experiences?
While tendering is becoming more common, it is not always an option for every cruise line or cruise ship. Tendering options can depend on where the cruise ship is traveling to, its itinerary, and whether or not the vessel has the necessary equipment to facilitate tender ports.
Again, your best options are to check your chosen cruise itinerary or contact the cruise line for more information. They will be able to address all of your questions.
3. Will I get seasick on a tender boat?
If you suffer from seasickness, make sure that you bring motion sickness medication. Over-the-counter motion sickness medication or wristbands should do the trick.
Remember, the side-to-side movements that trigger seasickness will be far more perceptible on the tender boat than on the main cruise ship.
Even if you do not regularly suffer from seasickness, you should ensure you adequately hydrate before boarding a cruise ship tender boat. Dehydration can increase your likelihood of experiencing seasickness and even worsen your symptoms.
Final Words
Tender ports enable cruise ships to offer their passengers a different experience. Enjoy the sense of adventure and excitement you can get from boarding a small vessel and traveling toward land.
Take in the shoreline’s stunning views and the local culture if your tendering experience takes you to the shore. You might even get the chance to try a shore excursion you never even imagined!
Even if tendering is not the main reason you planned your cruise vacation, you might be surprised just how memorable and exhilarating the experience can be.
