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MSC World Asia Unveils a Three-in-One Pan-Asian Dining Venue

MSC Cruises News

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Jul 2, 2026

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MSC World Asia Unveils a Three-in-One Pan-Asian Dining Venue

Key Aspects:

MSC Cruises unveiled a new three-in-one Pan-Asian dining venue for MSC World Asia.
The venue will combine a specialty restaurant, cocktail bar, and complimentary grab-and-go counter.
Dishes will reflect Southeast Asian flavors influenced by Indonesia, Singapore, South China, Thailand, and Vietnam.

One restaurant. Three ways to dine. That’s the concept MSC Cruises is bringing to its newest ship with a new Pan-Asian venue that combines a specialty restaurant, cocktail lounge, and complimentary grab-and-go counter.

The cruise line unveiled new details of the unnamed dining concept for MSC World Asia on July 2, 2026, saying it will give guests multiple ways to enjoy Southeast Asian-inspired cuisine throughout the day. Whether passengers want a full meal, a drink before a show, or a quick snack between activities, all three experiences will be offered in one location.

The specialty restaurant will serve dishes inspired by Southeast Asian cuisine, while the adjacent bar will focus on cocktails and beverages influenced by flavors from across the region. A separate walk-up window will provide complimentary street food-style snacks during the day with items such as seafood balls and bao buns.

“With this new three-in-one venue, we are inviting guests to explore one of the world’s most exciting food cultures in a way that is vibrant, welcoming, and full of flavor,” said Stéphane Franchini, senior director, food and beverage product, MSC Cruises.

The venue will draw inspiration from the food traditions of Indonesia, Singapore, South China, Thailand, and Vietnam. Live cooking stations, artwork, music, and themed décor will create a dining environment that reflects those influences.

Menu items announced so far include Singapore-style shrimp, shiitake mushroom fried rice, and wok-fired specialties. Beverage options will include Asian beers such as Tsingtao, Chang, and Bintang, along with bubble teas, smoothies, fresh fruit juices, and specialty cocktails like jasmine mojitos, rose and strawberry daiquiris, and matcha coladas.

The concept was developed with input from Chef Xiao Wang, whose experience includes developing Asian dining concepts for MSC Cruises, and Chef Luca Césarini, who has worked in restaurants and hotel kitchens in Shanghai and Thailand.

Franchini said the venue was designed to “create a truly immersive culinary journey, from the diverse range of dishes to the atmosphere of the space, and the expertise of Chefs Xiao Wang and Luca Césarini.”

“It reflects our ambition to offer greater choice, seamless convenience, and more memorable moments through food,” he added.

The new venue will become one of 19 dining options aboard MSC World Asia, which is scheduled to join the fleet December 4, 2026.

Dining Options Continue to Expand on MSC World Asia

The addition continues MSC Cruises’ strategy of expanding specialty dining aboard its newest World Class ships, which also include MSC World Europa and MSC World America.

MSC World Europa debuted the Nordic Chef’s Garden Kitchen and La Pescaderia seafood, while MSC World America introduced the only Eataly at Sea and the Greek-inspired Paxos restaurant.

MSC World Asia will feature six specialty restaurants, six main dining concepts, an exclusive restaurant for guests staying in the MSC Yacht Club, and several fast-casual and grab-and-go options.

Returning favorites include Butcher’s Cut, the cruise line’s American-style steakhouse serving premium cuts of beef, along with Kaito Sushi Bar and Kaito Teppanyaki, which both focus on Japanese cuisine.

Guests will also find Hola! Tacos & Cantina, offering Latin American and Mexican-inspired dishes in a casual setting.

MSC Cruises also confirmed that another new specialty restaurant featuring Mediterranean cuisine will be announced at a later date.

The Pan-Asian venue’s specialty restaurant will offer indoor seating as well as a rooftop terrace, and its menu will include appetizers, main courses, and desserts.

The vessel will spend its inaugural season in the Western Mediterranean, offering 7-night cruises to Marseille, France; Barcelona, Spain; Genoa, Civitavecchia, and Messina, Italy; and Valletta, Malta.

Cruise Ship Captain Arrested in Greece After Guest Falls Into Water

Port News

Melissa Mayntz

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Jul 2, 2026

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Cruise Ship Captain Arrested in Greece After Guest Falls Into Water

Key Aspects:

A cruise ship broke its mooring lines and drifted from the pier in the late afternoon in Corfu, Greece on Tuesday, June 30, 2026.
The gangway detached from the pier and a female guest fell into the water, sustaining minor injuries before being rescued.
The ship’s captain has been arrested and may be charged with exposing the guest to dangerous risk.

A cruise ship captain has been arrested in Corfu, Greece, following an incident that caused a guest to fall into the water alongside the pier.

According to local authorities, the situation happened on Tuesday evening, June 30, 2026. While guests were reboarding the ship after spending the day in Corfu, strong winds caused the mooring cables to break and the ship shifted away from the pier.

The gangway moved away from the pier and a 56-year-old woman from New Zealand fell into the water alongside the ship. Crew members and port workers quickly rescued her and she was taken to Corfu General Hospital with minor injuries. The hospital is just over four miles from the cruise terminal.

Few specific details about the incident are available. The names of both the captain and the injured guest have not been released, as is standard practice to protect individuals’ privacy in these situations.

It is unknown which cruise ship was involved in the mooring breakaway. Corfu is a popular Greek Isles destination and multiple ships have been in its vicinity recently, including vessels from Norwegian Cruise Line, TUI Cruises, MSC Cruises, Cunard Line, Princess Cruises, AIDA Cruises, and more.

The cruise ship was registered in the Bahamas, but that is common for ships from many lines. Regardless of where a ship is registered, they can offer itineraries in many different regions.

Cruise Ship Captain Arrested for Endangering Guests

Following the incident, the ship’s captain was arrested as culpable for the situation and the risk to the guest.

“In the evening hours yesterday, a 56-year-old foreign Captain (Italian citizen) of a cruise ship flying the Bahamas flag was arrested by officers of the Corfu Port Authority, for violating article 306 of the Criminal Code ‘Report’, at the foreign port of Corfu,” the statement from local authorities read.

The Greek Criminal Code, Article 306, specifies that “exposure to risk” can constitute a crime if a responsible person knowingly puts someone else into a situation that may jeopardize their life or well-being, even without specific intent to cause harm.

Cruise Ship Captain at the Controls (Photo Credit: ID-VIDEO)

Because the ship’s captain remained docked with the gangways open during a time of strong winds when the ship could conceivably break away from moorings, he may be in violation of that law. If convicted, he could face at least six months in prison.

Weather Underground’s recent history for Corfu shows that in the late afternoon and early evening on Tuesday, June 30, steady winds reached as high as 21 miles per hour with gusts recorded as high as 43 miles per hour.

A full investigation will be necessary to determine whether or not the ship’s captain was negligent and in violation of the law.

Mooring Line Breaks Not Unheard Of

Cruise Hive has previously reported on different times when mooring lines break and ships briefly drift away from piers or docks. This can happen anywhere when a sudden squall pops up and puts too much stress on the tense lines, depending on the direction of the wind and the size of the ship.

In May 2025, the lines broke on Norwegian Epic during a visit to Catania, Italy. A female guest fell into the water as the ship moved and her husband jumped in after her. Both guests were successfully rescued with only minor injuries.

Later that same month, MSC Seascape broke free while docked at the cruise line’s private island in the Bahamas and the gangway fell into the water. No guests or crew members were injured in that incident.

Similar breakaways have happened at different ports in Italy, Costa Rica, Spain, Argentina, Alaska, and other destinations. Anywhere strong winds and violent storms can happen, there is a risk for mooring lines to break.

Depending on how suddenly a dangerous situation can arise, cruise ship crews may not have time to close gangways if ropes break and a ship begins to drift. Safety is always the primary consideration, and if necessary, gangway use will be suspended until safe procedures can be reestablished.

Princess Cruise Ship Hit by Outbreak as 125 Fall Ill on Alaska Voyage

Princess Cruises News

Melissa Mayntz

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Jul 2, 2026

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Princess Cruise Ship Hit by Outbreak as 125 Fall Ill on Alaska Voyage

Key Aspects:

A total of 125 norovirus cases have been reported among the guests and crew onboard the current sailing of Ruby Princess.
The 20-night Alaska sailing departed San Francisco on June 12 and is returning on July 2.
Extra sanitation protocols have been put in place and all staterooms were deep-cleaned earlier in the voyage.

A confirmed norovirus outbreak is currently happening aboard Princess Cruises’ Ruby Princess, with 102 guests and 23 crew members onboard reporting gastrointestinal symptoms including vomiting and diarrhea.

Because this number of illness reports exceeds the 3% threshold of guests onboard, the outbreak has been reported to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) Vessel Sanitation Program, which monitors all such outbreaks on cruise ships that visit US ports.

On her current sailing, which departed San Francisco on Friday, June 12, 2026, there are 3,032 guests aboard the 113,561-gross-ton Ruby Princess. With 102 guest reports, 3.4% of travelers have contracted the illness.

Furthermore, 23 crew members of the 1,144 onboard have also reported as part of the outbreak, equaling 2% of crew members.

The total 125 cases have not necessarily been simultaneous. Because the 20-night cruise is a longer voyage, it is entirely likely that some guests or crew members were ill early on in the sailing while others did not develop symptoms until later. In making reports to the CDC, it is the cumulative total of reports that is counted.

Ruby Princess has visited a wide range of Alaska ports on this longer summer solstice sailing, including Ketchikan, Wrangell, Juneau, Skagway, Valdez, and more. The ship has also enjoyed scenic glacier cruising, which is always a highlight of Alaskan itineraries.

The ship is now returning to San Francisco for a July 2 debarkation. At this time, there is no delay to the end of the cruise.

Onboard Precautions Taken

Once cases were reported, crew members onboard Ruby Princess took immediate action to minimize any contamination and spread of norovirus.

Sanitation protocols have included increased cleaning especially of public areas and high-touch surfaces. Samples were collected for testing which has confirmed norovirus as the causative agent for the outbreak.

Guests and crew members reporting symptoms have been isolated as appropriate, and the Vessel Sanitation Program has continued monitoring the ship and its protocols.

Onboard the ship, guests noticed the increased precautions early in the journey.

Cruise Hive previously reported a scheduled deep cleaning and extra sanitizing for all staterooms onboard Ruby Princess on June 16-17. At that time, the full number of reported cases was not yet known because the 3% threshold had not yet been reached.

Buffet service was changed to crew members serving guests instead of self-serve food stations and more crew members were assigned to remind guests to wash their hands before entering the buffet.

Ruby Princess in San Francisco (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks)

Guests have strongly commended the crew on how they have handled the situation.

“The Ruby’s crew has been incredible at keeping the ship clean and having an uplifting atmosphere!” one guest noted in a Facebook group for the sailing.

“Princess handled this 100% perfect,” another guest who reported being ill said. “They deep cleaned my cabin at least three times [while I was quarantined]. Kudos to Princess.”

Guests on the next sailing, a 10-night Alaska cruise, have mentioned receiving notices that their embarkation on July 2 will be slightly delayed to accommodate more cleaning and sanitation, but Cruise Hive has not confirmed this as of publication.

Such delays are not uncommon when a cruise line chooses a complete deep sanitizing after an outbreak.

Third Outbreak on a Princess Cruises Ship in 2026

This latest outbreak aboard Ruby Princess is the third confirmed norovirus outbreak onboard a Princess Cruises ship so far in 2026.

In March, Star Princess suffered an outbreak with 193 reported cases, while in early May, 160 cases were reported aboard Caribbean Princess.

The outbreaks on different ships are not related. It is important to note that norovirus can be widespread anywhere there are large gatherings of people, including at restaurants, schools, and sporting events.

The CDC is also investigating two consecutive norovirus outbreaks aboard Lindblad Expeditions’ National Geographic Sea Bird, a much smaller expedition ship. Such outbreaks are not confined to a single cruise line or any particular ship size, but each one is taken seriously and proper precautions are implemented as soon as possible.

Carnival Alerts Guests About Weeks of Cruise Terminal Construction

Carnival Cruise News

Melissa Mayntz

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Jul 1, 2026

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Carnival Alerts Guests About Weeks of Cruise Terminal Construction

Key Aspects:

Carnival Cruise Line has reached out to guests about cruise terminal refurbishment in Sydney for July and August.
Closed areas of the terminal may make it more challenging to process guests using the Overseas Passenger Terminal.
There is no impact to the docking schedules or itineraries of either Carnival Adventure or Carnival Splendor.

Carnival Cruise Line guests setting sail on 12 departures from Sydney for the next few weeks need to be aware of ongoing construction that may impact their embarkation at the cruise terminal.

While there are no immediate changes for the two ships homeporting from Sydney, Carnival Splendor and Carnival Adventure, the cruise terminal work can impact the check-in and boarding process.

“Some refurbishment works will be taking place at the Overseas Passenger Terminal from 2nd July until late August 2026,” the email notification explained. “Although no active construction will take place during business hours, there will be some sections of the terminal that will be closed off.”

These closures could make navigating the terminal more challenging. Guests will want to ensure they have enough time to check in for their sailing despite the ongoing work.

The impacted sailings include just the July 2 and August 10 sailings of Carnival Adventure. More sailings for Carnival Splendor are affected, including the July 3, 6, 16, 18, and 31 departures, as well as the August 3, 7, 17, 21, and 24 departures.

At this time, no other ship departures are expected to be impacted. Other sailings use the White Bay Cruise Terminal which is not undergoing refurbishment.

Carnival Cruise Line is reminding guests to stick to their Arrival Appointment times for the Overseas Passenger Terminal. No access to the terminal will be allowed earlier than the time printed on boarding passes.

All guests should also have their printed boarding pass in hand when they arrive at the terminal to ensure smooth, efficient processing.

Cruise Hive has previously reported on six cruises for Carnival Adventure switching between cruise terminals to use the White Bay Cruise Terminal rather than the Overseas Passenger Terminal, also in July and August 2026. On certain sailings, guests may embark from one terminal but debark at the other.

Only Smaller Luggage Permitted for Carry-On

The email notification also discusses luggage and how it will be handled for embarkation in Sydney. All bags should have Carnival Cruise luggage tags firmly attached for identification, and guests should be ready to turn in larger bags for security screening.

“Only smaller sized bags (handbags, backpacks, laptop bags, small coolers etc.) should be carried on,” the cruise line explained.

Carry-on bags should include travel documents, medications, and any valuables or delicate items guests have packed. Any allowable non-alcoholic beverages or bottles of wine must also be kept in carry-on bags.

Carnival Splendor in Sydney (Photo Credit: Elias Bitar)

It is unclear whether or not guests setting sail from Sydney can carry on all their luggage with a self-assist embarkation, or if this may be a change based on the terminal refurbishment in order to speed up embarkation.

Scanning multiple large bags through security can take up quite a bit of time, slowing down guest processing when thousands of travelers need to board their cruise ship in just a few hours.

The 108,865-gross-ton Carnival Adventure can welcome 2,600 guests per sailing, while the larger 113,573-gross-ton Carnival Splendor has a double occupancy capacity of 3,016 guests.

It is rare for the two ships to be at the homeport on the same day. When they are, such as on July 6, July 19, and August 7, they use both cruise terminals and therefore should not impact one another.

What Work Is Being Done at the Cruise Terminal?

Carnival Cruise Line has not shared details of the refurbishment at the Overseas Passenger Terminal.

The Port Authority of New South Wales has details on the terminal’s berthing infrastructure project, which includes dredging work to deepen localized spots adjacent to the terminal and minimize the risk of damage to the wharf.

Dredging work began in May 2026 and is expected to conclude by late 2026, though no exact completion date has been announced.

It is unclear if work is actually being done inside the cruise terminal. Spaces within the terminal may simply be closed to accommodate equipment and materials for the dredging project, making those spaces unavailable to cruise passengers for several weeks.

CDC Investigates Repeated Norovirus Illnesses on Alaska Cruise Ship

Port News

Lissa Poirot

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Jul 1, 2026

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CDC Investigates Repeated Norovirus Illnesses on Alaska Cruise Ship

Key Aspects:

The CDC sent investigators aboard Lindblad Expeditions’ National Geographic Sea Bird after repeated norovirus illnesses.
Two reported outbreaks have sickened 32 passengers and crew members combined.
Federal and Alaska health officials are working with the ship to contain the outbreak and prevent additional cases.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has expanded its response to repeated norovirus illnesses aboard a Lindblad Expeditions ship after cases persisted across multiple Alaska voyages.

The CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) reported that 19 of the 68 passengers aboard the National Geographic Sea Bird became ill during a June 25 through June 30, 2026, voyage. One of the ship’s 27 crew members also reported symptoms.

The outbreak was reported to the CDC on June 28, 2026, with nearly 28 percent of passengers becoming ill, well above the agency’s reporting threshold. Cruise ships are required to notify health officials when at least 3 percent of passengers or crew develop gastrointestinal illness during a voyage.

The June voyage marked the second voyage this season for which the CDC has published a formal outbreak report involving the vessel. The first covered a May 26 through 31, 2026, voyage, during which 9 of 66 passengers and 3 of 24 crew members became ill with confirmed norovirus.

Unlike the earlier outbreak, which the agency monitored remotely, the continued illnesses prompted the CDC to send investigators aboard the National Geographic Sea Bird.

“Due to continued cases, VSP conducted a field response for an environmental assessment and outbreak investigation to assist the ship in controlling the outbreak on subsequent voyages,” the CDC said.

The field response also covered two additional voyages that sailed from May 31 through June 5, and June 5 through June 10, 2026, as officials worked to control the outbreak. The agency has not released illness counts for those voyages, making it unclear how many additional people became ill during those sailings.

The agency’s VSP is working closely with the National Geographic Sea Bird and with the Alaska Departments of Health and Environmental Conservation.

How the CDC Responds to Outbreaks

The National Geographic Sea Bird is one of Lindblad Expeditions’ small expedition ships operating in Alaska. The vessel sails 6-day itineraries through the Inside Passage, calling at destinations such as Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan, Endicott Arm, Wrangell, Haines, and Misty Fjords.

Unlike larger cruise ships, much of the experience revolves around close-knit groups, shared excursions aboard Zodiac boats, and exploring remote wilderness together.

That intimate experience also means passengers spend much of the voyage together, creating more opportunities for contagious illnesses such as norovirus to spread.

According to the CDC, norovirus is the most common cause of gastrointestinal illness. Symptoms usually develop 12 to 48 hours after exposure and can include vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and stomach cramps.

Some people also experience a fever, headache, or body aches. Most recover within one to three days.

More From Cruise Hive

The virus spreads easily through contaminated food or water, by touching contaminated surfaces, or through close contact with someone who is sick. The CDC also notes that people can continue spreading the virus for several days after they begin feeling better, which is one reason outbreaks can sometimes continue from one voyage to the next.

According to the CDC, Lindblad Expeditions has increased cleaning and disinfection aboard the ship, isolated ill passengers and crew members, and continues working with federal and Alaska health officials to help prevent additional cases.

Two Norwegian Prima Cruises Just Gained Extra Ports

Norwegian Cruise Line News

Melissa Mayntz

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Jul 1, 2026

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Two Norwegian Prima Cruises Just Gained Extra Ports

Key Aspects:

Norwegian Prima will visit more ports than expected on two upcoming sailings without losing any already scheduled destinations.
The October 9 and November 20 sailings in 2027 are both impacted.
Other minor tweaks are made to the October 9 sailing, but no further changes are needed for the November 20 cruise.

Some cruise guests enjoy days at sea, others prefer port-heavy itineraries with more destinations to explore. Port lovers setting sail on Norwegian Prima on two select sailings in 2027 will be happy to learn that their cruises will now be visiting an extra destination without losing a previously planned port.

The impacted sailings are the ship’s October 9, 2027 and November 20, 2027 sailings. Interestingly, these cruises are in two dramatically different regions, but “recently confirmed port availability” has made it possible for the extra destinations to be added.

“While we work closely with port authorities to finalize each itinerary well in advance, opportunities occasionally arise to further enhance a voyage,” the cruise line explained in notifications sent to booked guests.

In each case, the added port is not replacing another destination but instead is replacing a day at sea. For the earlier sailing, there is more of a change to the overall itinerary that guests should be aware of.

Changes to Northern European Cruise

Norwegian Prima‘s October 9, 2027 cruise is an 11-night one-way trip between Helsinki, Finland and Southampton, UK.

Originally, the sailing was to visit a single port each in Estonia, Sweden, Lithuania, Poland, Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, and France.

Another country has been added to the itinerary with a call to Zeebrugge, Belgium. To accommodate the addition, there is some minor shakeup of the last few days of the schedule.

Norwegian Cruise Line in Southampton, UK (Photo Credit: Skyshark Media)

The ship was to have visited Amsterdam, Netherlands on Sunday, October 17 from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. That visit is being trimmed by just 30 minutes and Norwegian Prima will now depart at 5:30 p.m.

Monday, October 18 was to have been the visit to Le Havre, France, but that will now be the day Norwegian Prima is in Belgium from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The call to France has been moved to Tuesday, October 19 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. On the original schedule, the ship was to have been in port for 13 hours (10 a.m. to 11 p.m.), but the new visit date is even longer with 15 hours in port. Tuesday was previously planned as a day at sea.

There is no change to the 3,099-guest ship’s other port visits. Likewise, her departure from Helsinki and her arrival to Southampton are unchanged. Only one day at sea remains on the itinerary, on Saturday, October 16, as the ship moves from Copenhagen to Amsterdam.

Added Port to Caribbean Cruise

Another port has been added to a separate Norwegian Prima sailing departing San Juan, Puerto Rico on November 20, 2027.

That 7-night Caribbean itinerary will now visit Castries, St. Lucia from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, November 23. This was originally a day at sea between the planned visits to Basseterre, St. Kitts and Bridgetown, Barbados.

Neither of those ports are impacted by this change, and there are no other port adjustments on this itinerary.

On this particular cruise, Norwegian Prima will have no full days at sea, but each day will be visiting another amazing port, including Tortola, Philipsburg, and St. Thomas as already scheduled.

Guests are never obligated to get off the ship at every port of call. If they prefer to stay aboard and explore all the 143,535-gross-ton vessel has to offer, they can certainly do so. Some onboard operations, such as retail stores and the casino, may be closed while in port due to local regulations, but there are always activities and other fun to enjoy.

Carnival Finally Reveals What Loyal Cruisers Get From Milestones

Carnival Cruise News

Melissa Mayntz

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Jul 1, 2026

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Carnival Finally Reveals What Loyal Cruisers Get From Milestones

Key Aspects:

Carnival Cruise Line has announced more details about Milestone recognition in the new Carnival Rewards program.
Guests will receive special gifts, commemorative coins, and onboard credit at higher Milestone levels.
Milestones, stars, and points are all different parts of the new program with different uses.

With the new Carnival Rewards program just two months away, Carnival Cruise Line has released more details about the Milestone recognition program and how guests’ enduring loyalty will be recognized.

Milestones are part of the overall rewards program, but separate from the spend-based stars and points system where different loyalty levels are recognized and guests can redeem benefits.

Days sailed will determine Milestone rewards and they come with personalized recognition that increases the more guests sail with Carnival.

“Every day you sail with us counts toward Milestones recognition,” the cruise line confirmed in an email to guests. “More Milestones, more fun. Achieving new levels of recognition has never been easier.”

To reach Milestone levels, only the number of days sailed with Carnival matters. The overall number of cruises, length of sailings, amount of spending, or type of stateroom booked does not impact accumulating Milestone days.

What Are the Milestone Rewards?

Guests will receive their first Milestone rewards when they reach 50 days sailed with Carnival. For that recognition, guests will receive an additional 5,000 Carnival Rewards points that can be redeemed for benefits of their choice.

Points can be redeemed toward cruise deposits or fares, pre-cruise purchases, or onboard spending. While exact amounts vary, sample point values include 1,357 points for a 6-pack of soda, 2,400 points for a Bonsai Teppanyaki dinner, or 3,000 points for a thermal suite day pass.

The only other recognition at that first level is a “special” Sail & Sign card, though no details have been released about what that card may look like in comparison to the standard cards.

Cruise Hive has already reported on the redesign of the Sail & Sign cards, which includes a new vertical orientation and personalization with the number of nights a guest has sailed.

Once guests reach the 100-day Milestone, they receive an additional 10,000 Carnival Rewards points, the special Sail & Sign card, a commemorative coin, and two other as-yet-undefined benefits.

The first is “onboard recognition” and the second is a Milestones onboard credit. Neither of these perks have been clearly defined and may vary on different sailings, stateroom categories, or other factors.

The same benefits will be awarded to guests for every successive 100 days they sail: 200, 300, and 400.

At 500 days, the benefits increase again. Guests who reach that elite level of more than 16 solid months on Carnival ships will receive all the previous benefits of the 100 level, plus a commemorative award and a commemorative gift.

Both of those special items will be shipped directly to guests’ homes. This will be repeated again at 600, 700, 800, and every successive 100 days sailed with Carnival.

What Is the Difference Between Stars, Points, and Milestones?

There has been a great deal of confusion about the new Carnival Rewards program since it was first announced in June 2025. In the past year, the cruise line has done some tweaking and clarifying about different parts of the program, and this latest update on Milestones is another explanation.

But how do the different facets of the program compare? While there are undoubtedly still more details that haven’t been announced, the simplest explanation is:

Stars – These determine your overall reward status level: Red, Gold, Platinum, Diamond
Points – These can be redeemed for various benefits regardless of status level
Milestones – One-time recognition rewards for accumulating a set number of days sailed with Carnival

Both stars and points are based on spending, either through Carnival Cruise Line or the affiliated Mastercard, which can include everyday (non-cruise) purchases. Stars and points also expire after pre-determined time periods.

As one-time rewards, Milestones do not expire and can be accumulated over a much longer time period. Since the program is still new, there may yet be additional changes as it goes live and gets feedback from guests who begin actively using their rewards.

Quick-Thinking Carnival Crew Member Saves Infant Choking on Grape

Carnival Cruise News

Lissa Poirot

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Jun 30, 2026

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Quick-Thinking Carnival Crew Member Saves Infant Choking on Grape

Key Aspects:

A Carnival Celebration crew member saved an 11-month-old girl who was choking.
Restaurant manager Millić Šarović received Carnival Cruise Line’s internal “Hero” award for the rescue.
Šarović was previously named one of the cruise line’s top leaders.

For one Carnival Cruise Line crew member, what started as a routine dinner break turned into a race to save a baby’s life.

Millić Šarović, a restaurant manager aboard Carnival Celebration, is being recognized after rescuing an 11-month-old girl who stopped breathing after choking on a grape during a recent voyage.

The off-duty crew member received the cruise line’s internal “Hero” award following the incident, which occurred as the ship was sailing toward Miami, according to local media reports in Montenegro, where Šarović resides.

Šarović had just finished his shift and sat down to eat in one of the 183,521-gross-ton ship’s 17 dining venues when another crew member rushed over and told him something was terribly wrong.

He ran toward a crowd that had gathered around the infant, who appeared unconscious and was showing no signs of life.

“I had sat down to have dinner when a crew member came over, very upset,” Šarović told local media. “I ran over and saw a crowd of people surrounding a little girl. She was clearly unconscious, and I saw they were hitting her from behind, on the back, so I assumed she was choking.”

Šarović instinctively jumped in, noticing no one was using the Heimlich maneuver.

Milic Sarovic receives Hero award. (Photo Credit: Millić Šarović)

“I took her, even though I didn’t know if she was alive, and I risked a lot because if she had died in my arms, it would have destroyed my career and my life. But the parent in me took over,” he said.

It took the heroic crew member about a minute before he got a response from the little girl, who eventually expelled the grape she had swallowed and started breathing again. The ship’s doctor eventually arrived on the scene and confirmed the baby was all right.

No details have been released about the infant passenger following the rescue.

A True Hero

Although Carnival Cruise Line has its own onboard medical centers staffed by doctors and nurses, crew members are often the first to respond when emergencies happen in public areas.

That was the case aboard the 5,362-passenger Carnival Celebration, which is currently homeporting in Miami to offer Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages that feature the cruise line’s new private destination, Celebration Key on Grand Bahama Island.

The rescue earned Šarović, one of 1,735 crew members sailing on Carnival Celebration, the “Hero” award, which recognizes employees who take extraordinary action.

“Millić Šarović is being recognized for living the Carnival Values and bringing them to life for our guests and fellow team members,” stated Carnival Cruise Line.

The recognition followed another company honor he received last year, when Carnival Cruise Line named him one of its top leaders, according to local media reports. But Šarović says saving the girl “is the greatest achievement of my career.”

Outside his career at sea, the Carnival team member is known in his hometown of Bar, Montenegro, where he previously co-owned Dublin Pub and performed as a musician. He continues to lead the rock band 9 while working as one of the senior restaurant managers aboard Carnival Celebration.

Royal Caribbean’s Next Icon Mega Ship Adds Huge Glass Structure

Royal Caribbean News

Lissa Poirot

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Jun 30, 2026

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Royal Caribbean’s Next Icon Mega Ship Adds Huge Glass Structure

Key Aspects:

Meyer Turku shipyard has installed the massive AquaDome on Royal Caribbean’s Hero of the Seas.
At 82 feet high and 164 feet wide, it is the largest single-piece glass and steel structure ever lifted on a ship.
The AquaDome is one of the signature features of every Icon-class ship in the cruise line’s fleet.

One of the most recognizable features of Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class has officially taken shape on the line’s newest ship.

Workers at the Meyer Turku shipyard successfully lifted the massive AquaDome onto the 248,663-gross-ton Hero of the Seas on June 28, 2026, marking another milestone in the construction of the fourth Icon-class vessel.

Standing 82 feet tall and stretching 164 feet wide, the shipyard says the AquaDome is the largest single-piece glass and steel structure ever lifted onto a cruise ship.

The operation required careful planning and ideal weather conditions to safely maneuver the enormous structure into place. While the overall operation lasted about 24 hours, the actual lift was completed in just a few hours.

“This was already the fourth AquaDome lift,” said Elvis Kulovac, foreman of factory logistics at Meyer Turku. “The entire operation went exceptionally well in terms of both timing and schedule.”

He said the conditions were perfect. “Virtually no wind, which is crucial for a lift of this scale,” he added.

The AquaDome is far more than an architectural centerpiece. Located at the front of the ship, the enclosed venue serves multiple purposes throughout the cruise.

Hero of the Seas Dome Installation (Photo Credit: Meyer Turku)

During the day, guests can relax in lounges and restaurants while enjoying panoramic sea views through its towering glass panels. At night, the space transforms into the AquaTheater, where divers, aerialists, and robotic technology combine for one of Royal Caribbean’s signature entertainment experiences.

The massive structure has become one of the defining design elements of the Icon Class, first introduced aboard Icon of the Seas and later installed on Star of the Seas and Legend of the Seas. All four AquaDomes have been installed at the Meyer Turku shipyard.

What’s Next for Hero of the Seas

The AquaDome installation follows several other major construction moments for Hero of the Seas. Earlier milestones included the installation of the Royal Caribbean Pearl structure and the ship’s keel laying in September 2025, when the first steel block was lowered into the building dock at Meyer Turku.

Construction has continued at a steady pace since then, with workers assembling the vessel’s neighborhoods, technical systems, and public spaces as the ship continues to take shape inside the building dock.

While installing the AquaDome is one of the shipyard’s most visible construction milestones, significant work remains before Hero of the Seas is ready to welcome guests. Once the vessel leaves the building dock, crews will continue outfitting the ship before sea trials and delivery in 2027.

Hero of the Seas is expected to debut in August 2027 as the fourth ship in Royal Caribbean’s groundbreaking Icon Class.

Like her sister ships, the LNG-powered vessel will feature eight neighborhoods, seven swimming pools, a waterpark, Surfside neighborhood for young families, and accommodations for 5,654 guests at double capacity.

With the massive glass structure now in place, Hero of the Seas is beginning to take on the unmistakable silhouette that has come to define Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class.