Norwegian Encore’s upcoming 7-night Caribbean voyage, which embarks in Miami on November 8, 2025, has had its final port call of the sailing replaced.
Instead of calling on Cozumel, Mexico, on November 13, the NCL ship will visit Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas on November 14.
The itinerary change was made due to updated port availability at the Cozumel Cruise Port.
Norwegian Cruise Line has issued an important update for some future guests of Norwegian Encore.
The Breakaway Plus-class ship will be operating a 7-night sailing to the Caribbean based out of Miami, Florida, on November 8, 2025, but the back end of the voyage will look a little different than expected.
“We want to let you know that, due to updated port availability, we will no longer be visiting Cozumel, Mexico,” reads a letter from the cruise line.
“The good news? We’ve added a call to Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas, our private island exclusively for Norwegian Cruise Line guests.”
However, this date will now be spent as a sea day. Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas, which is Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island, will now be the final port call on Friday, November 14, 2025.
“When we make an itinerary change, it’s never just a line on a map, it’s something we think about carefully, always with your experience at the heart of it,” NCL continued.
While no additional compensation is being provided for the port swap, any shore excursions that were booked for Cozumel directly through Norwegian Cruise Line will be automatically refunded to the original form of payment.
New activities and tours specific to Great Stirrup Cay will become available for booking in approximately three weeks.
The remainder of the 7-night itinerary remains unchanged. Before arriving in Great Stirrup Cay, the 3,958-guest ship will first call on Harvest Caye, NCL’s private island in Belize; Roatan, Honduras; and Costa Maya, Mexico.
Port Availability is Behind the Change
Although it’s not always clear why the cruise lines alter itineraries, Norwegian Cruise Line has made it known that limited port availability in Cozumel is the culprit in this specific case.
“Every now and then, unexpected changes pop up, like port availability, that can shake up even the best-laid plans,” Norwegian Cruise Line explained.
“While we work closely with port authorities to lock in every detail well in advance, circumstances can still shift, and sometimes we’re informed that space is no longer available. These changes are often beyond our control…”
Norwegian Encore Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Khairil Azhar Junos)
Updated port availability may refer to congestion within the cruise port, or it could be related to portions of the infrastructure temporarily becoming unavailable due to factors like the need for maintenance or repairs.
It will be a busy day for cruising in Cozumel on November 13, when Norwegian Encore was supposed to be present.
Three Royal Caribbean ships(Mariner of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, and Grandeur of the Seas), two Carnival ships (Carnival Jubilee and Carnival Dream), and one Holland America Line ship (Zuiderdam) are all on the port schedule for the same date.
Cozumel can dock up to eight ships at once at its three separate cruise terminals (and more if tender operations are employed), so capacity would not have been met even if Norwegian Encore didn’t alter course.
Disney Adventure departed the Meyer Werft shipyard on Monday, September 1, 2025 to head for her sea trials.
The ship is the largest ever built in Wismar, Germany. Her deep draft presented technical challenges for safely leaving the harbor.
Originally Global Dream, Disney Cruise Line bought the ship in late 2022 and she will finally be welcoming her first guests in December 2025.
More than seven years after construction of the vessel began, Disney Cruise Line’s upcoming Disney Adventure has finally left the shipyard.
The ship is now enroute to begin her sea trials, one of the last steps before she will be handed over to the cruise line ahead of her public debut.
The Global-class ship, which will be the largest ever built for Disney Cruise Line at 208,00 gross tons, left the Meyer Werft shipyard in Wismar, Germany on Monday evening, September 1, 2025.
According to North German Broadcasting, the maneuver began at 6:30 p.m. with three blasts on the ship’s horn to alert those nearby that the ship was underway.
The ship was originally scheduled to depart on Saturday, but brief delays to Sunday and then to Monday were necessary due to poor weather and local water levels.
Tugboats assisted Disney Adventure as she moved away from the docks and into the harbor. To be clear, the vessel is not yet finished, as is customary when setting forth on sea trials.
Even incomplete, however, Disney Adventure is the largest ship to have ever been built in Wismar. Her sheer size, 1,122 feet long and 152 feet wide, makes even simple repositioning or turning in the harbor a technical challenge.
The ship’s deep draft, just over 31 feet, also created some complications. The ship’s finished draft is roughly three feet deeper than the maximum draft typically permitted by the harbor.
Fortunately, because the ship is unfinished with some items – including her funnels – not yet installed, she was not as deep are her maximum draft and was able to sail safely out of the harbor.
Additional finishing work on the outer decks as well as the vessel’s interior will be necessary in the coming weeks ahead of Disney Adventure‘s December debut.
First, the sea trials will put the ship through her paces. These intensive tests deliberately stress various mechanical and technical systems, including navigation, propulsion, and emergency responses, to ensure the ship responds appropriately.
Depending on the ship’s performance, a second set of sea trials may be necessary. Otherwise, final finishing work will begin and within a few weeks, Disney Adventure will be handed over to Disney Cruise Line.
The new ship’s 3-night maiden voyage is scheduled to depart on December 15, 2025. She will remain homeported from Singapore year-round, offering immersive 3-, 4-, and 5-night sailings to as many as 6,000 guests onboard.
A Very Long Construction Timeline
It is unusual for a modern cruise ship to take so very long from her steel cutting to sea trials. What some Disney Cruise Line fans may not realize, however, is that Disney Adventure was not originally Disney Adventure.
The ship was first ordered and meant to be the Global Dream for Dream Cruises, a company of Genting Hong Kong.
Construction began in March 2018 with the ceremonial steel cutting, with expected delivery of the ship in 2021. Three years is not unusual for cruise ship construction.
Disney Adventure is now 90 months past her steel cutting, and still has three months before she will welcome guests.
After construction began on Global Dream, however, the COVID-19 pandemic radically disrupted shipyard operations and construction was temporarily halted in 2020. Many cruise ships were delayed at this time, including Carnival Cruise Line’s Mardi Gras.
Genting Hong Kong filed for bankruptcy in January 2022. The company’s assets, including the unfinished Global Dream, were put up for sale.
Disney Cruise Line purchased the ship in November 2022. Though the ship was roughly 75% complete at that time, the design needed to be tweaked and adjusted to fit Disney’s signature style.
This includes such iconic details as her stern sculpture characters, revealed to be Captain Minnie and Captain Mickey, which will bring the fun of Disney cruises to Asia for the first time.
Fortunately, it appears that Disney Adventure is now well on her way to smooth sailing as her construction is completed and the one-of-a-kind ship should debut on schedule.
A preservation group is pushing hard with a petition and fundraiser in a last-ditch effort to save the SS United States.
Legal claims about law violations and environmental compliance are unfounded and rely on outdated legislation.
The project to remediate the ship and eventually sink her as the world’s largest artificial reef continues as planned.
The remediation work on the SS United States is continuing in preparation for the aged vessel to be sunk as the world’s largest artificial reef. That work isn’t without opposition, however.
The case is emotionally compelling as a cry to save the historic ship and the glory she represents.
“On occasion we find ourselves in the perilous position where history faces destruction, and are forced to petition those who hold power to see past the fog of nebulous dealings and intervene on the behalf of the few who can afford to keep a watchful eye over that which may otherwise be ignored,” the petition begins.
Grandiose language continues throughout with phrases such as “teetering on the brink of needless destruction”“untapped potential awaiting rebirth” and “enshrine your name as a protector of history.”
The petition is targeted to government officials, including President Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and various members of the Okaloosa County Commission. No one named has yet responded to the petition.
In the more than six months the petition has been running, it has garnered fewer than 15,000 signatures.
Funnel Being Removed from SS United States (Credit: Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners)
The corresponding GoFundMe campaign, seeking to raise funds to purchase the ship, relocate her to New York City, and establish a “green technology waterfront” in Brooklyn at the Gowanus Bay Terminal, has raised just over $10,500 of its million-dollar goal. This fundraiser has also been active for six months.
There is no doubt that the issue of the ship’s decay, eviction from her former home in Philadelphia, sale to Okaloosa County, and eventual sinking is an emotional one.
The ocean liner indeed has significant meaning toward US ingenuity and engineering prowess, and is an important historic artifact with nostalgic connections for many of her supporters.
False Hopes, Hard Truths, and the Ship’s Final Course
The fact is, however, that few options were left for the ship’s eventual end. The SS United States Conservancy, which oversaw the vessel after purchasing it in 2011, has clarified the coalition’s claims.
“A wave of misinformation has erupted across liner forums, social media, and online message boards. Assertions that the ship is being illegally dismantled, that preservation options still exist, or that federal laws are being violated are false,”a statement from the Conservancy’s Southeast Chapter reads.
“Let me be crystal clear: the SS United States is legally owned by Okaloosa County, Florida. The County is the sole lawful steward of the vessel and is carrying out a carefully planned and environmentally compliant remediation in preparation for her deployment as an artificial reef.”
For example, the Coalition has claimed that a “Section 106” review should be required because of the ship’s historic significance. But because no federal agencies are needed for funding, licensing, or permitting the ship’s scuttling, no such review is necessary.
Furthermore, the ship’s presence on the National Register of Historic Places is not a legally binding title and has no bearing on whether the ship can or should be moved or sunk.
SS United States Departs (Photo Credit: SS United States Conservancy – Hampton Roads Chapter)
The Coalition also claims various other public laws are in effect, but the cited laws (passed in the 1970s) have been superseded by more modern legislation.
“Let’s be blunt: When it was publicly announced in 2024 that the SS United States would have to vacate Pier 82 in Philadelphia, it was made clear that the only two legal options were scrapping or reefing,”the Conservancy stated.
“No rescue plan was presented by any other credible organization, or individual. No serious funding was raised. No governmental support was secured.”
The Conservancy repeatedly emphasizes that the legal, lawful owner of the vessel is Okaloosa County. That sale was finalized in October 2024.
“If Okaloosa County were somehow stripped of ownership—which is not happening—the outcome would not be a miraculous revival. It would be scrapping. Period,”the Conservancy explains.
“Those fanning false hope are not saving the ship—they are threatening to erase her legacy entirely.”
The ongoing project to remediate the ship as planned prior to sinking the hull as an artificial reef may not be the outcome that had been hoped for, but nor is it the disaster that may be proclaimed.
“The SS United States is not being scrapped. She is not being destroyed. She is being transformed—with care, compliance, and respect—into a living reef and public memorial,”the Conservancy said.
“We are not witnessing a disgrace—we are witnessing the final chapter of an American icon, honored through transition, not abandonment. Let us meet it with clarity, truth, and resolve.”
There are always two sides to every story, and it would be impossible to get everyone to agree. Nevertheless, it is important to fully understand the project and realize not what may be lost, but what may be gained as the ship is transformed into a museum and underwater site.
Dates for the ship’s eventual sinking and the opening of the land-based museum have not been announced, but the Conservancy continues to provide updates as the project continues.
No, sharks do not follow cruise ships, despite that being a common myth. You may rarely see sharks from your cruise ship on occasion, but overall, sharks are not able to keep up pace with a cruise ship’s speed, and there’s little reason why a hungry shark would want to follow a cruise ship anyway.
There are a few reasons people like to believe that sharks follow cruise ships. One, they think that the sharks are after an easy meal, in the form of passengers.
Two, they think that sharks want to eat items thrown overboard. And three, you do hear of people seeing sharks from a cruise ship, from time to time, so that reinforces their reasoning.
However, all of these theories can be addressed, proving this misconception wrong and that sharks don’t follow cruise ships.
The Sharks Don’t Want to Eat You
Loads of Sharks Under Boat (Photo Credit: Matt9122)
I get it — there are a lot of reasons why you might expect a shark to follow a cruise ship. We view sharks as these massive ocean predators that are just waiting for a human to chomp down on.
As such, why wouldn’t they follow a cruise ship carrying thousands of passengers, just in case they get lucky enough for one to fall overboard?
However, sharks are like just about any wild animal. They’re just minding their business, looking for food and, if they see something that looks like a food source, they might give it a nibble. But in general, sharks aren’t out to get humans.
Cruise Ships Don’t Leave Behind Enough Food to Attract Sharks
Garbage Disposal Area on Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Mohd Syis Zulkipli / Shutterstock)
Additionally, even if you don’t think that sharks are following cruise ships for the tasty passengers, you might assume that cruise ships are emitting something into the water that sharks want to eat, kind of like how seagulls flock to the beach to eat up all the leftover snacks from the beachgoers.
Again, though, despite there being a whole Reddit thread dedicated to the idea that sharks follow cruise ships because of all the food passengers toss overboard, cruise ships don’t leave behind enough food to attract sharks.
For one, cruise ships are very strict about not letting passengers throw things overboard, and if they catch you, for example, on camera, doing so, you may be removed from the ship.
Secondly, while cruise ships do dump food waste into the sea to get rid of it (following strict regulations), they’re not doing so in massive quantities. Cruise lines go to extensive lengths to reduce food waste.
For instance, across its multiple cruise lines, Carnival Corp & PLC employs strategies such as donating unused food in ports, and then they use food waste dehydrators, dryers and grinders to minimize further leftovers.
From there, that food can be bio-digested, offloaded off-shore or released into the water. Any food that does get dumped in the ocean is typically so processed that it’s only attractive to small marine life.
Any Sharks That You See are Just Coincidences
Shark Fin (Photo Credit: Martin Prochazkacz)
Lastly, as mentioned, you might rarely see sharks from your cruise ship. If you do, though, don’t think that those sharks are actively following you.
Sharks can’t keep pace with a cruise ship, so any multiple sharks you see are a coincidence — not the same shark running behind you, throughout your cruise itinerary.
The average shark swims at a rate of 5–12 mph, and only at their top speeds in short bursts, while the average cruise ship travels at a rate of 20–35 mph.
In addition to sharks not being fast enough to keep pace with a cruise ship, most sharks are going to go where their natural prey is — in shallow water where they can find animals like seals.
In contrast, cruise ships spend the bulk of their time in deep water or in port, where sharks have little incentive to go.
Additionally, cruise ships are loud, and that loud noise and the vibrations can deter a shark as well. Accordingly, even a cruise ship-curious shark is unlikely to come across one naturally.
What if You Want to See a Shark During Your Next Cruise?
Man Watching Sharks (Photo Credit: MillionPictures)
But what if you’re reading all of the above and it actually kind of bums you out? You weren’t looking for reassurance that you’d be safe from sharks on your cruise. You actually want to see one!
Well, if you do, there are a few things you can do. One, book a cruise to a destination where these apex predators are most prominent, such as a cruise through the Caribbean or around Hawaii, Mexico or Australia.
Then, two, just book a shark-related excursion. Lots of cruise lines offer them. Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean both offer a shark encounter and snorkel excursion in Nassau. Norwegian Cruise Line and Disney Cruise Line both offer a shark encounter excursion in Puerto Plata, in the Dominican Republic.
Sharks and Cruise Ships in the News
Whale Sharks (Photo Credit: Jason LSL)
All of the above facts regarding the unlikelihood of seeing a shark during your cruise, though, haven’t prevented real cruisers from experiencing their own shark encounters on occasion.
Keep in mind, though, that while you may see a cruise ship shark encounter pop up in the media every so often, you may only see a few of these stories per year, if that.
Meanwhile, there are more than 300 cruise ships operating at any given time, with more than 37 million people cruising every year. Again, this all makes any encounters very, very rare.
Here are a few cruise ship shark stories that have popped up in recent years.
Shark Bite Shuts Down Shore Excursion
Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas (Photo Credit: Francesco Joesph)
In 2024, a shore excursion in the Bahamas was shut down following a shark bite. While it’s unclear whether or not the victim, a young boy, was on the excursion as part of a cruise, it was an excursion open to cruisers.
Following the bite, the boy was expected to make a full recovery and was taken back to the States to complete treatment.
Tall Ship Cruisers Spot Basking Shark in Massachusetts
In 2021, a video was posted to TikTok from a tall ship cruise in Massachusetts. There, cruisers can be seen hanging over the side of the ship, gawking at a very large shark.
The good news? It was just a basking shark, so while basking sharks are one of the largest sharks in the world, they’re safe to swim with, as they primarily just eat plankton. In fact, you can take excursions just to see and swim with basking sharks.
Do note, though, that when you’re taking cruises on smaller vessels like this — such as a day tour cruise or dinner sunset cruise that sticks closer to the shore — you may be more likely to glimpse sharks, due to proximity to the shallows, as well as the smaller ship size.
Cruisers Rescue Shark
Ovation of the Seas (Credit: Leonard Zhukovsky) and Basking Shark (Credit: Vimukthi avishka)
Unfortunately, one Royal Caribbean cruiser didn’t have quite the same story. In 2022, a cruiser from Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas was partaking in a snorkeling excursion in the Bahamas.
During the excursion, a bull shark attacked the passenger, and they later passed due to their upper body injuries. The excursion was not ran by the cruise line.
Sharks and Cruises: They Don’t Mix
In short, sharks and cruises don’t really mix. You’re unlikely to encounter a shark on your cruise and, if you do see a shark from the ship, it’ll be a rare sighting and you won’t see the same shark twice. It’s not following you.
The only time on a cruise when you might even be slightly in danger of encountering a shark is if you’re on an excursion or beach where sharks are present — or, if you tragically fall overboard.
Even then, if someone does fall overboard on a cruise, they’ve got bigger, more immediate problems to worry about.
A Carnival guest is outraged that they will be visiting Celebration Key instead of Nassau as originally scheduled.
Carnival Cruise Line has offered no explanation for the itinerary change, but they also don’t have to do so.
Guests are debating which port is the best and whether the change could be considered an upgrade.
Experienced cruisers know very well that port visits can be cancelled or switched for many reasons. Poor weather, berth availability, port staffing, mechanical problems, or even civil disturbances can all cause itinerary adjustments.
Sometimes cancellations might be made months in advance, such as Royal Caribbean extending the cancellation of Labadee visits at least through November. Other times, such as with Hurricane Erin, such changes could be last-minute decisions.
But how would you feel if the cruise line never explained why a port was switched? One Carnival guest is extremely upset at such a change, which they believe was made for less-than-scrupulous reasons.
The guest reached out to Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador, John Heald, with their expectations.
“Carnival has changed our cruise itinerary from Nassau to Celebration Key. They are giving NO EXPLANATION,”the guest claimed.
“We can only believe this is another money grab attempt on Carnival’s part in hopes we will spend money at Celebration Key.”
For reference, Nassau is on New Providence Island, while Celebration Key is on Grand Bahama. The two ports are roughly 125 miles apart.
“We pick cruises based on the ports. I should be given a full refund,”the guest continued.“Why has this not been answered Heald by you or by Carnival?”
Many cruisers can sympathize with the idea of picking sailings based on the ports of call. Just ask everyone who was looking forward to visiting Bermuda but Hurricane Erin intervened and they sailed to Canada or the Bahamas instead.
Granted, most cruisers wouldn’t be excited about sailing toward a major hurricane (I would, but I’m odd that way). Drastic port changes to avoid a hurricane are certainly necessary.
Heald rightly points out that this itinerary change is the cruise line’s prerogative and no explanation is necessary for any port change.
“I dislike using this answer but it is a fact that in the terms and conditions of the cruise contract it does say that we can change the itinerary at anytime without offering any compensation,”he noted.
“Secondly, we do not have to give a reason, we are not obligated to do so as in this case here.”
The clause in question is in the ticket contract, which all guests agree to when booking a Carnival cruise. Section 8(d) reads, in part:
“Carnival may change the duration and/or itinerary of the cruise at any time. … to omit or change any or all port calls … with or without notice, for any reason whatsoever.”
The contract goes on to note that no compensation is necessary for such changes.
“Carnival shall have no liability for any compensation or other damages in such circumstances for any change in itinerary [or] ports of call.”
The fact that this guest is demanding a full refund because their itinerary has been changed is ridiculous, though their frustration is certainly understandable.
What other guests do agree with is the idea that it would be better customer service for Carnival to at least offer even a slight explanation for the change.
“I do think that the cruise line should tell people the reason for the change. The contract says they don’t have to but it is not good for customer relations,”one guest noted.
“One of the biggest complaints passengers have, along with customers across ALL industries, is lack of information and transparency,”another guest commented.“Just because you’re not obligated to give an explanation doesn’t mean you shouldn’t.”
Is Celebration Key an Upgrade?
Heald goes on to note that he believes the guest will have a good time at Celebration Key and, therefore, shouldn’t be upset at the itinerary change.
“The guest will love Celebration Key,”he claimed.“She will not have to spend money at Celebration Key. There are hundreds of complimentary beach chairs, umbrellas, and a complimentary lunch. None of this is available in Nassau or indeed most ports.”
Cruise Ships Docked at Celebration Key
It’s true that no one has to spend anything extra when visiting Celebration Key. If, however, a guest wants to enjoy more than one food truck or restaurant during their visit, or if they want a refreshing soda or cocktail, they will have to pay for those amenities.
Guests also have to pay to access the adults-only space, Pearl Cove, or to enjoy the waterslides at Celebration Key.
Different cruisers have their own preferences for what type of travel experience they enjoy most. If the guest wants a beach day, time in a pool, and a more laid-back, exclusive experience, Celebration Key is indeed an upgrade.
If, however, the guest is more interested in seeing historic sites, enjoying diverse shopping, and exploring the culture of a destination, Nassau would certainly be the better choice.
Both ports offer great things for guests to enjoy. The best course of action is to take a deep breath and enjoy the cruise, no matter where it visits!
During the last few months, and especially over the last few weeks, I’ve been seeing a lot of buzz about Carnival’s SEA Sailings.
But what exactly are these unique cruises and how does one make it onboard? I went on a deep dive to find out everything you could possibly want to know about these adults-only voyages and how to get in on the action.
What Does SEA in Carnival SEA Sailings Stand For?
SEA is a catchy acronym that ties to the ocean-theme of cruising. In this case, it stands for Sailings Exclusively for Adults.
A limited number of these cruises are available exclusively for guests over the age of 21 through March of 2026.
Why is Carnival Offering Kid-Free Cruises?
As one of themost family-friendly cruise lines in the industry, it’s certainly unexpected to see Carnival offering cruises exclusively for adults. So, what gives?
Instead of letting the ships sit idle, the cruise line decided to use that time period to try something new.
“The adults-only cruises are a result of scheduling conflicts with planned dry docks for some ships, and Carnival decided to fill those slots with casino-themed events,” a message from the cruise line explained.
Casino on the Carnival Jubilee Cruise Ship
The sailings have been primarily marketed to more active members of the Carnival Players Club, which is the cruise line’s casino loyalty program, as a way to maximize revenue by getting these big spenders back onboard.
As part of this, these cruises feature expanded casino access, extended gaming hours, themed casino parties, and tournaments that may not normally be offered.
Carnival has also increased its bar staff for these voyages to allow for faster service, and drinks can be delivered to cruisers while they’re gambling.
This is also a chance for the cruise line to assess demand for adults-only sailings and see if this is something that Carnival might want to continue to offer in the future on a limited basis.
In addition to expanded casino access and the peace of a kid-free environment, Carnival is enticing adults to take advantage of these unique cruises with offers that will only be available on these voyages.
Depending on their VIFP loyalty status, guests may also get to take advantage of perks like free Wi-Fi plans, waived room service charges, a complimentary gift in their stateroom, early cabin access, and up to $150 in onboard credits.
Additionally, some of the restaurants onboard are swapping to higher end menus for more mature palettes just for these voyages.
For example, I found an American Table menu made specifically for a Carnival SEA Sailing that features entrees like Pan-Roasted Halibut, Lobster Fettuccini, Duck Breast A L’orange, and Blue Cheese Crusted Filet Mignon.
Normally, the menu options are simpler, featuring dishes like grilled free range chicken breast and linguini.
What Itineraries are Available?
Of course, cruising isn’t just about the experience onboard, but also about all the places guests will get to visit.
Though these sailings are limited, a good variety is still being offered for select voyages based out of Miami and Port Canaveral in Florida and Galveston, Texas, through March of 2026.
The first of these itineraries, which is a 9-night southern Caribbean sailing operated by Carnival Conquest, already set sail from Miami on August 22, 2025.
From Miami, the Conquest-class vessel will next embark on a 12-night Southern Caribbean cruise on August 31, 2025, a 9-night Eastern Caribbean sailingon September 12, 2025, and a 10-night Southern Caribbean voyage on September 21, 2025.
Carnival Conquest Departing Miami, Florida (Photo Credit: Just dance)
The 2,980 guest ship will then resume normal operations until January 2026, when she embarks on a 12-night adults-only sailing to the Southern Caribbean on January 5, 2026, from Miami.
This will be followed by a 13-night SEA Cruise to the Southern Caribbean that sets sail on January 17, 2026.
But before we look too far ahead into next year, it’s worth noting that Carnival Magic will also be operating three SEA Cruises this year.
The first of these cruises is a 7-night sailing from Miami to the new Celebration Key and Half Moon Cayin the Bahamas that begins on October 18, 2025.
This will be followed by another 7-night sailing to Celebration Key on October 25, 2025, but Half Moon Cay will be replaced by Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos.
In the new year, Carnival Glory will operate two very exciting SEA Cruises. The first will be an 8-night Southern Caribbean cruise that is based out of Port Canaveral, Florida, and embarks on March 2, 2026.
Carnival Glory Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: eric laudonien)
The Conquest-class ship will then leave on a 15-night Transatlantic voyage from Port Canaveral to Barcelona, Spain, that will depart on March 10, 2026.
Similarly, Carnival Dream will operate two SEA Cruises of her own, both of which will be based out of Galveston, Texas.
The first sailing will be a 9-day cruise to the Western Caribbean that sets sail on February 7, 2026, which will be immediately followed by a 15-night Transatlantic crossing to Barcelona on February 16, 2026.
How Can You Get Onboard for a Carnival SEA Sailing?
Many Carnival fans have reported that they received invitations for these special voyages – especially if they are elite members of the VIFP program or the Carnival Players Club.
However, you do not need an invitation in order to participate in a SEA cruise.
All interested cruisers have to do is go to the Carnival websiteand register to get information about the sailings by creating a free account or logging in with their existing VIFP credentials.
After registering, all people have to do is click the “Exclusive Adults-Only Cruise Deal” button to peruse the included sailings and make a new booking.
Looking to stay on top of the major cruise industry news? You’ve come to the right place. In this week’s recap, Cruise Hive covers the leading headlines, including the MSC Cruises’ ship that drifted without power off the coast of Italy, the people of Costa Maya putting the brakes on Royal Caribbean’s planned Perfect Day Mexico resort, and the dramatic medical evacuations of two guests from the same ship at the same time.
What could be more convenient than having the big cruise news stories delivered to your inbox each day? Sign up for Cruise Hive’s Daily Update and don’t miss a thing.
Drowned Man’s Family Sues Norwegian Cruise Line
Horseshoe Bay, Bermuda (Photo Credit: Zea Raiza Pidut)
A lawsuit charging Norwegian Cruise Line with multiple negligent actions was filed by the family of a man who drowned during a Norwegian Getaway excursion to Bermuda’s Horseshoe Bay on March 27, 2024.
It’s a tragic tale: Hyon Duk Shin was snorkeling with his two sons when he noticed a girl experiencing undertow currents and apparently drifting. He rescued her, but then got caught in the current himself.
His wife, Yanli Gong, and mother, Kwang Shin, watched from the beach and called for assistance. No lifeguards were present, but a bystander pulled Shin from the water. He could not be revived.
The victim’s family filed their lawsuit on March 25, 2025. The suit charges that the excursion is described by the cruise line as “easy,” with no mention of strong undertow currents. Also, it claims that the cruise line knew of the danger and of other drownings in that area.
Norwegian Cruise Line has continued to offer the excursions, which it describes as an easy Level 1 “Beach/Swimming” tour.
MSC Cruises’ Ship Loses Power Off Italian Coast
MSC World Europa in Italy (Photo Credit: Artem Stepanov)
If you must drift along somewhere on a powerless cruise ship, the coast of Italy would be a nice place to do it. But no one wants to be on a cruise ship that has lost power and propulsion.
That’s what happened to the more than 6,000 guests who were sailing aboard MSC Cruises MSC World Europa on August 25, 2025, as she operated a 7-day cruise from Genoa to Naples.
Back-up generators were working and sea conditions were good, but the Italian Coast Guard sent tugboats, a helicopter, and some patrol vessels to the ship anyway. The ship was about 8 nautical miles from the coast when propulsion was temporarily lost.
The slowdown caused MSC World Europa to arrive in Naples about 8 hours later than planned. After guests disembarked, the cruise line conducted a technical review and made any needed repairs. The ship’s next cruise, a 7-night sailing roundtrip from Naples, missed its scheduled departure at 6 p.m.
While it was lights-out temporarily, the ship’s back-up generators were quickly able to restore lights, air conditioning, and hotel services while the vessel was adrift.
An Imperfect Reception for Perfect Day Mexico
View of Perfect Day Mexico
A few hundred thousand residents in Costa Maya, Mexico, have signed a petition asking Royal Caribbean to conduct more environmental and cultural impact research before it proceeds with its planned resort, Perfect Day Mexico.
Like Perfect Day at CocoCay, the Costa Maya destination will host many thousands of Royal Caribbean cruise guests who sail aboard its Western Caribbean voyages. The cruise line plans to open the private destination in 2027.
However, the petition states that the development will alter local access to beaches, pollute the region, and cause damage to coral reefs and mangrove forests. The document does not call for Royal Caribbean to halt the project, but to conduct additional assessments.
For its part, Royal Caribbean has responded with promises to protect some 100 acres of mangroves and sea turtle nesting sites, and to install a wastewater treatment facility, among other environmental initiatives.
It has also pledged that the destination will use 100% green energy by 2040. At last count, 278,000 local residents had signed the petition.
Yet Another Glass-Shattering Moment For Royal Caribbean
Star of the Seas Glass Panel Breaks (Credits: Asphalt Mafia & Nancy Pauwels)
Sometimes a preview cruise onboard a brand new ship doesn’t go quite as planned. That was the case with Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas on August 26, 2025.
It was the ship’s second-to-last showcase sailing to Perfect Day at CocoCay from Port Canaveral when a glass panel on Deck 15 suddenly shattered for no apparent reason. The panel was one of many safety barriers in place along the edge of the deck.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the incident startled guests who were sunbathing in nearby lounge chairs. Crew members quickly blocked off the area, but not before guests videotaped the scene and posted about it on social media.
The 5,610-guest Star of the Seas is set to sail her first revenue cruise on August 31, 2025.
The shattered glass panel was one of a few broken glass mishaps on Royal Caribbean ships this year. Three instances of broken glass panels or canopies broke onboard Symphony of the Seas and a piece of acrylic glass in the Frightening Bolt waterslide on Icon of the Seas broke away from the slide.
The thrill ride remains closed pending an investigation on both Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas, as a precaution.
Dual Evacuations After Ship Departs on Alaska Cruise
Coast Guard Makes Two Evacuations from Same Cruise Ship (Credit: US Coast Guard)
Medical evacuations happen from time to time on cruise ships, but they are not common occurrences, considering the number of vessels at sea on any particular day. So when two guests are evacuated from the same ship at the same time, it’s quite rare indeed.
It happened aboard Princess Cruises’ Ruby Princess on August 24, 2025 shortly after she sailed from San Francisco on an 11-night voyage to Alaska.
First, a 52-year-old woman experienced cardiac arrest and was placed on life support by the ship’s medical team. Then, a 99-year-old man apparently choked, with an esophageal obstruction that became life-threatening.
The ship was sailing off the coast of Washington State when the evacuation of both passengers was required. US and Canadian authorities responded.
The Canadian Air Force sent a CC-295 Kingfisher aircraft to coordinate the evacuations by two helicopters — a CH-149 Cormorant from Canada and a MH-65 Dolphin from the US Coast Guard.
Both passengers were successfully evacuated to medical facilities and the ship continued on her way as scheduled.
Man Overboard Alarm Turns Out To Be False
Disney Wish Overboard (Photo Credit: Tom McLaughlin)
Guests and crew aboard Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wish were able to breathe a sigh of relief on August 26, 2025, when a man overboard alert turned out to be a false alarm.
It wasn’t a person seen floating in the waters of the Bahamas as the ship sailed from Nassau to Castaway Cay, it was just a piece of floating debris.
But that was not immediately known, so the ship quickly turned around and crew members dispatched two rescue boats when the alarm was sounded. The 4,000-guest ship was sailing a 4-night Bahamas cruise from Port Canaveral.
Nassau and Castaway Cay, one of the line’s private islands, are the only calls on the itinerary, which concluded at the Florida port on August 29, 2025.
Following the realization that it was debris in the water and not a person, the ship’s captain called for a mandatory count of all guests and crew, just to make sure everyone was safe and onboard.
Another overboard incident happened on a Disney Cruise Line ship, Disney Dream, in late June 2025, when a child fell off the ship. Her father jumped into the water after her and was able to reach her. They waited for a rescue boat to arrive, and both were brought back onboard.
It was a kind of David and Goliath moment in Rotterdam on August 24, 2025, when environmental activists in kayaks and canoes attempted to block a 116,017-gross-ton cruise ship from docking.
Protesters from Extinction Rebellion were able to delay the ship from docking for about a half-hour, until police arrived and ended the demonstration. Two protesters were arrested.
It happened on the Maas River as P&O Cruises’ Ventura made a port call on her 4-night sailing roundtrip from Southampton. Rotterdam was the only port call scheduled.
Ventura accommodates 3,000 guests and sails 4- to 14-night voyages from the UK port.
It was the second time this summer that Extinction Rebellion attempted to disrupt cruise operations in the Netherlands. In late July, the protesters delayed Celebrity Cruises’ 2,850-guest Celebrity Eclipse for two hours as she tried to dock in Amsterdam.
In that case, the voyage was concluding in Amsterdam and guests needed to disembark the ship, which made the incident more troublesome.
More Cruise Headlines
Cruise Hive is chock full of news developments from across the cruise industry. Check out even more stories from the past week, including coverage of Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship sailing from New York, Celebration Key lowering the age requirement at an adult-only venue, and the cruise industry’s trade group suing Hawaii over its new cruise tax.
Also, a celebrity chef is named godmother of Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Xcel, and Australia gears up for the start of the busy summer season Down Under.
A Virginia Beach resident was arrested on felony charges while attempting to board a cruise ship at the Norfolk Cruise Port on August 23, 2025.
The man was caught after he was connected to an active warrant by US Customs and Border Patrol agents during the routine security screening.
It’s unclear which cruise ship the suspect was intending to board, as both Carnival Sunshine and ACL American Patriot were in the port that day.
Don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time – and don’t try to board a cruise ship if you don’t want to get caught!
One alleged criminal named Fard Shaheed Matthews was just caught at Virginia’s Norfolk Cruise Port while going through the security process before boarding a cruise ship on Saturday, August 23, 2025.
It’s not clear which cruise ship the 49-year-old Virginia Beach resident was planning to sail on, as Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Sunshineand American Cruise Lines’ ACL American Patriot were both in the port that day.
Either way, he never made it onboard because US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers discovered the cruiser-to-be had an outstanding arrest warrant issued by the Norfolk Police Department.
His alleged crimes are felony forcible rape and sexual battery charges, which, depending on the circumstances, could result in several years in prison to a life sentence if Matthews is found guilty.
“These allegations, if proven true, are serious and reprehensible, and Customs and Border Protection officers are pleased to assist our local law enforcement partners in returning a fugitive to justice,”said Keri Brady, CBP’s Acting Area Port Director for the Area Port of Norfolk-Newport News.
“CBP’s unique border security mission of knowing who is entering or departing the United States allows us to ensure that victims’ voices are heard, and helps our law enforcement partners make our streets a little safer,”Brady added.
After verifying Matthews’ identity and that the warrant was indeed still active, CBP personnel turned him over to officers with the Norfolk Police Department, who took him into custody.
Are Cruisers Always Background Checked?
While cruise guests are not guaranteed to be background checked every time they embark on a cruise, major cruise lines like Carnival and Royal Caribbean do reserve the right to do so for safety reasons.
“Carnival Cruise Line (“Carnival”) reserves the right to use consumer reports prepared by a third-party consumer reporting agency, to conduct a criminal background check for guests who have booked a Carnival cruise,” reads Carnival’s policy.
“Given that cruise vessels are at sea, with many guests and crew in close contact for an extended period, Carnival has a legitimate business purpose for conducting these background checks.”
However, cruise guests will always undergo a strict security and document verification processbefore being permitted to board.
Carnival Sunshine in Norfolk (Photo Credit: Carnival)
But at US Ports of Entry (which the Norfolk Cruise Port is), the security measures are taken to another level because CBP completes its own inspections and searches.
As part of this, CBP officers compare passengers to numerous law enforcement databases to identify guests who might require additional scrutiny. This is where active arrest warrants might come back to haunt certain cruisers.
According to CBP, its officers welcomed and processed more than one million travelers arriving at the various ports of entry, airports, and land border crossings on an average day in 2024.
Out of this massive number, an average of 44 wanted suspects would be identified and arrested.
This also isn’t the first time that a passenger with an active warrant was foiled by attempting to board a cruise ship.
In June, a 64-year-old woman named Karen Bryan was arrested while trying to board a cruise ship in Ketchikan, Alaska, because she had an active warrant for embezzlement charges in Wyoming.
As another example, a 47-year-old man named Dominic Weaver was arrested at the end of last year while disembarking a cruise in Miami because he owed more than$100,000 in back child support.
Another Labor Day is fast approaching and with it comes the traditional flurry of cruise line deals and discounts designed to entice vacationers into reserving their next voyage.
It’s a great time to book an at-sea adventure, since the promotions offer a wide variety of incentives, everything from free fares for kids to reduced beverage packages and cruise rates.
Here’s a round-up of what’s on offer from several of the leading cruise lines:
Carnival Cruise Line is celebrating Labor Day 2025 with its “Biggest-Ever Bundle Deal,” which combines a $400 onboard credit with a 25%-off deal on certain onboard activities and amenities, such as spa treatments, Wi-Fi packages, specialty dining, and some shore excursions.
New bookings made through September 2, 2025 are eligible for the perks on select voyages departing through May 2026.
The bundle deal is offered on certain 3- to 5-day cruises departing between October 15, 2025 and May 31, 2026, and on certain 6-day or longer sailings that depart between January 1, 2026 and May 31, 2026.
Travelers who book during MSC Cruises’ Labor Day Sale receive up to 40% discounts on cruise fares and can take advantage of the line’s Kids Sail Free offer.
The line’s promotion is valid on new reservations made by September 1, 2025 for cruises to the Caribbean, Alaska, the Far East, and many other destinations.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line Funnel (Photo Credit: Adam McCullough)
A whopping 50% sale on all cruises is on offer from Norwegian Cruise Line for new bookings made between August 29, 2025 and September 2, 2025.
The half-off sale applies to all guests in a stateroom and to solo travelers. Additionally, children sail free when they are booked as the third and fourth guests in a cabin.
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas (Photo Credit: Dennis MacDonald)
Royal Caribbean is marking Labor Day with its sale that features up to 40% off all beverage packages as well as a $50 bonus savings on certain Caribbean and US West Coast sailings.
One of its “Flash Deals” is a 4-night sailing aboard the new ship Wonder of the Seas, visiting Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay from PortMiami departing January 12, 2026. The per person fare starts at $478.
Holland America Line
Holland America Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Ceri Breeze)
Holland America Line’s Labor Day sale combines several valuable incentives available on new bookings made through September 8, 2025.
First, it’s offering up to 45% off cruise fares plus onboard credits up to $400. A reduced deposit of $99 gets the ball rolling. The promotion is good on cruises of three nights or longer.
One sample itinerary included in the promotion is a 7-night Caribbean cruise onboard Zuiderdam, sailing from PortMiami on November 15, 2025.
Interior cabins start at just $78.43 per person, per night. The offers are valid on Mexico and Panama Canal cruises, too, as well as on some Holiday at Sea voyages.
Celebrity Cruises
Aerial View of Celebrity Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Wangkun Jia)
The premium line Celebrity Cruises is offering a Labor Day deal of up to 50% off cruise fares.
Featured voyages include a 4-night Bahamas sailing aboard Celebrity Summit from Fort Lauderdale. Guests can book the February 17, 2026 departure for as little as $84.45 per person, per night.
Margaritaville at Sea
Margaritaville at Sea Islander (Credit: Margaritaville at Sea)
Margaritaville at Sea is tempting vacationers with a Labor Day sale that promises an eye-popping 80% cruise fare discount for the second, third, and fourth guests sharing a stateroom aboard its two ships — Paradise and Islander.
The promotion is valid on all Paradise sailings through December 30, 2026 and on Islander cruises through April 24, 2027. Reservations must be new, and must be booked between August 25, 2025 and September 8, 2025.
Both ships sail from the Sunshine State to destinations in the Bahamas. Paradise homeports in Palm Beach while Islander is based in Tampa, Florida.
