Blog Page 147

WWII Mustang Soars Over White Cliffs in Farewell to Carnival Miracle

Donna Tunney
-
0
WWII Mustang Soars Over White Cliffs in Farewell to Carnival Miracle

Key Aspects

  • Carnival Miracle closed out her summer season in Dover, England, on August 10, 2025.
  • The ship is operating a repositioning cruise to Rome, where she will sail itineraries to Greece and Turkey.
  • Carnival Legend is scheduled for deployment to Dover in summer 2026.

The UK’s Port of Dover bid a special farewell to a Carnival Cruise Line ship as she officially ended her summer season voyages from the southeast England homeport.

Guests sailing aboard Carnival Miracle’s final cruise of the summer 2025 season were treated to an exciting, 10-minute aerial demonstration featuring a single-seater fighter aircraft — a 1944 Mustang — soaring over the White Cliffs of Dover as the ship set off on her itinerary. The American fighter plane was used in World War II.

The 2,100-guest Spirit-class ship had begun sailing for the first time from Dover in May 2025, operating 9- and 12-day cruises to destinations across the British Isles, Scandinavia, the Baltic, and Northern Europe.

Carnival Miracle’s final departure, a 15-day repositioning cruise to Rome, left Dover on August 10, 2025.

“We appreciate the special send-off from the Port of Dover as Carnival Miracle departs for the final time this summer season,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. 

“Our guests truly enjoy the beauty and rich history in Dover and we look forward to our return next season with Carnival Legend,” Duffy added.

Carnival Miracle arrived in Dover last spring fresh from a dry-dock renovation that added the line’s popular Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounge to the ship. The bar is a gathering place for active-duty military members and veterans.

Refreshed spaces included the Cloud9 Spa, the adult-only Club 02, and the Lido buffet. Also, a Chef’s Table was added to the ship’s culinary experiences.

Mustang Plane Over Carnival Miracle
Mustang Plane Over Carnival Miracle (Credit: Port of Dover)

While summer 2025 was Carnival Miracle’s inaugural season at Dover, the cruise line has previously based ships there for summer sailings. Carnival Legend was homeported at Dover in 2024, and that ship will return in 2026.

“We have shared some brilliant memories with Carnival Cruise Line over the years, and we always appreciate the energy and joy that their crew and guests bring to Dover every season. We can’t wait to see Carnival Legend back for another set of cruises in 2026,” said Peter Wright, Head of Cruise for the Port of Dover.

The 2,100-guest Carnival Legend is scheduled to arrive in Dover on June 7, 2026, to begin her series of summer voyages to destinations in Northern Europe, the British Isles, and Iceland.

Carnival Miracle Will Sail to Greece, Turkey From Rome

With her Dover season completed, Carnival Miracle will begin a 7-cruise series roundtrip from Rome through early November 2025. The 8- to 13-night voyages will feature calls to Greece and Turkey. The repositioning voyage now underway will visit destinations in France, Spain, Portugal, and Italy before ending in Rome.

EXCLUSIVE Cruise Hive Booking Offer: Up To $1,500 Visa Gift Card Per Cabin – Learn More!

Port calls are scheduled to Le Verdon, France; La Coruna, Spain; Porto, Portugal; and Naples, Italy, among others.

On November 8, 2025, Carnival Miracle will operate a 14-night transatlantic voyage to Tampa, Florida, where she will homeport for winter 2025-26, offering a range of Caribbean cruises. In April 2026, the ship will deploy to Seattle for a summer season in Alaska.

The port overall welcomes about 250,000 passengers each year to its two cruise terminals. Located about 75 miles from London, the port is an hour’s train ride from the capital city. Dover is also a major ferry and cargo port.

Besides Carnival Miracle, other cruise ships that made their maiden calls to Dover in 2025 included Windstar Cruises’ 312-guest Star Pride and Ponant’s 184-guest Le Laperouse and 184-guest Le Bellot.

Carnival Announces Short Sailings for One of the Fleet’s Biggest Ships

Melissa Mayntz
-
0
Carnival Announces Short Sailings for One of the Fleet’s Biggest Ships

Key Aspects:

  • Mardi Gras will offer 4- and 5-night cruises from Port Canaveral beginning in May 2027 when Carnival Festivale arrives.
  • Carnival Celebration will continue sailing 7-night Caribbean itineraries from PortMiami.
  • More “dancing of the ships” deployment announcements are coming soon for additional Carnival ships.

Carnival Cruise Line’s trio of Excel-class ships are some of the fleet’s most popular vessels. Unfortunately, not all guests have been able to enjoy Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, or Carnival Jubilee because the three ships only offer 7-night or longer sailings.

Now, the cruise line has announced that its very first Excel ship, Mardi Gras, will also be the very first to offer shorter cruises beginning in May 2027.

This will come as Carnival Festivale debuts, giving Mardi Gras the opportunity to shift to shorter sailings that will give more guests the chance to enjoy all the stunning features of these larger ships.

“With a new Excel class ship on its way to Port Canaveral in 2027, we’re excited to offer more ways to experience these fabulous ships our guests love, with new shorter itineraries on Mardi Gras for the first time,” said Christine Duffy, Carnival Cruise Line president.

“Mardi Gras introduced a number of new entertainment and dining options along with the first roller coaster at sea, so it’s fitting that this ship will take on another first for us as the largest-ever to sail short cruises.”

These 4- and 5-night sailings will still depart from Port Canaveral beginning on May 22, 2027, just as Carnival Festivale arrives.

The first short sailing is the 5-night itinerary, which will visit three beautiful Bahamian ports: Celebration Key, RelaxAway Half Moon Cay, and Nassau.

Worth Reading: The Surprising Cruise Length Carnival Guests Don’t Like

The first 4-night sailing is the ideal relaxing cruise departing on May 25, 2027 for Memorial Day Weekend. The 4-night cruises will visit both of Carnival’s private Bahamian destinations, Celebration Key and RelaxAway Half Moon Cay.

Despite the shorter cruise length, guests boarding Mardi Gras will still have plenty of time to enjoy all the stunning ship offers. From Bolt: The Ultimate Seacoaster to the Serenity Adults-Only Retreat and the expansive casino space to Playlist Production shows, Mardi Gras has something for everyone.

While Mardi Gras will be shifting to shorter cruises, Carnival Celebration will continue offering the ever-popular 7-night cruises from PortMiami, the classic cruise length that so many travelers love.

Carnival Celebration Departing Miami
Carnival Celebration Departing Miami (Photo Credit: Just dance)

These voyages include both Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean itineraries, visiting top port such as Amber Cove, Grand Turk, San Juan, St. Thomas, and more, plus Celebration Key and RelaxAway Half Moon Cay.

Worth Reading:

“This will give our guests more variety as they choose their next family vacation – whether that’s a short getaway on Mardi Gras from Port Canaveral or a week-long sailing on her beautiful sister Carnival Celebration from Miami,” Duffy said.

These new sailings aboard both Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration are now available for booking. Interested guests will want to book early for the best selection and best deals on their future cruise vacations.

Dancing of the Ships Continues

This time of year is what Heald refers to as the annual “dancing of the ships” as future itineraries are announced. This includes the redeployment of different ships to different regions, bringing new and exciting voyages to eager guests.

Of course, some ships remain in their popular homeports, ensuring favorite vessels and itineraries stay available as go-to cruise vacations.

For example, Carnival Panorama will remain sailing from Long Beach at least through April 2028, offering her wildly popular Mexican Riviera itineraries ranging from 5-8 nights.

More From Cruise Hive

Similarly, Carnival Legend, Carnival Spirit, and Carnival Luminosa will continue their Alaska seasons for summer 2027. All three ships will also host remarkable Carnival Journeys sailings as they reposition to the Last Frontier.

New Orleans will welcome a brand new vessel in 2027 with the arrival of Carnival Dream, replacing Carnival Valor from the Big Easy. Carnival Liberty will remain in New Orleans at the same time.

What additional new deployments will Carnival Cruise Line release in the coming weeks? Stay tuned to find out where you’ll be able to set sail next!

Cruise Hive Launches $1,500 Visa Gift Card Booking Promotion

Catie Kovelman
-
0
Cruise Hive Launches $1,500 Visa Gift Card Booking Promotion

As an avid cruiser, I’m always looking for ways to make my money go further when I book my future sailings. 

One thing I really love about Cruise Hive’s new cruise booking feature is that I’ve spotted sailings listed for sometimes hundreds of dollars less than if I booked the same exact voyage directly with the cruise line.

But thanks to an exclusive new gift card promotion launching on Monday, August 11, 2025, prospective passengers can now save even more money when they book with Cruise Hive.

Visa gift cards of up to $1,500 will be given out on a per cabin basis, with the final value dependent on the length of the voyage.

Sailings that last between 3 to 5 days are eligible for up to $500, cruises that last from 5 to 11 days can receive up to $1,000, and cruises that are 12 days or longer may be eligible for the full $1,500 total.

The promo is also quite far-reaching, and applies to more than a dozen mainstream brands, such as the family-friendly Disney Cruise Line, the adults-only Virgin Voyages, and the highly luxurious Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

The Full List of Cruise Lines Where the Promo Applies:

  • AmaWaterways
  • Atlas Ocean Voyages
  • Avalon Waterways
  • Azamara
  • Carnival Cruise Line
  • Celebrity Cruises
  • Crystal Cruises
  • Cunard Line
  • Disney Cruise Line
  • Explora Journeys
  • Holland America
  • HX Expeditions
  • Norwegian Cruise Line
  • Oceania Cruises
  • Princess Cruises
  • Regent Seven Seas
  • Royal Caribbean
  • Seabourn Cruises
  • Silversea Cruises
  • Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
  • Viking Expeditions
  • Viking Ocean Cruises
  • Viking River Cruises
  • Virgin Voyages
  • Windstar Cruises 

Making this deal an even better value for your money, the gift card promotion can be applied with other perks that the cruise lines routinely offer, such as onboard credits, an unlimited open bar, and/or a free Wi-Fi package.

How to Apply the Promotion

This gift card promotion is exclusive to Cruise Hive, which means you won’t find it with the cruise lines or travel agents.

In order to get started, simply visit the Cruise Hive website and click “Book a Cruise” on the top left corner of the screen on desktop or select “Book a Cruise” from the drop down menu if you are using your mobile device. You can also simply use any of the blue booking widgets you find around the site.

You will then be able to filter your search by your preferred cruise lines, ships, sailing dates, and ports of call.

Cruise Hive: How to Book a Cruise on Cruise Hive and Why You Should

Cruise Hive Booking Bonus
Cruise Hive Booking Bonus

As you peruse different voyages from your computer, keep an eye on the “bonus” column. If the gift card promotion applies, there will be a dollar sign in a blue box.

The same icon will still show up on mobile devices, but it will be next to a line of text and the column won’t specifically be labeled as “bonus.”

You can then click on the icon to open a pop-up, which will explain the terms and conditions of the promotion and the amount of money that can be put on the gift card for that specific sailing.

Booking Bonus Terms
Booking Bonus Terms

Once the booking is complete, the bonus will be listed (along with any other applicable perks) on the confirmation page.

Guests will also receive a confirmation email with instructions to redeem the gift card and a link to a redemption form, which must be filled out within 30 days after the cruise disembarks.

Gift card redemption forms will be quickly reviewed and digital Visa gift cards will be emailed to the contact on file within two weeks.

I don’t think I could resist putting my gift card toward yet another cruise vacation, but that is money back in your pocket to use as you’d like!

Injured Passenger Sues Royal Caribbean Over Broken Icon of the Seas Waterslide

Catie Kovelman
-
0
Injured Passenger Sues Royal Caribbean Over Broken Icon of the Seas Waterslide

Key Aspects:

  • The man who was injured onboard Icon of the Seas while enjoying the Frightening Bolt waterslide is pursuing legal action.
  • The passenger received lacerations when a hole appeared on “the tallest waterside at sea” during his ride, but the true extent of his injuries is unknown.
  • The waterslide will remain closed onboard Icon of the Seas (and the brand new Star of the Seas) indefinitely until an investigation can be completed and repairs can be made.

One cruise guest who obviously did not have the vacation he was hoping for is gearing up to see Royal Caribbean in court.

Many in the cruise community suspected that the story was only just beginning when news spread of a man becoming injured when a waterslide broke open onboard Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas on August 7, 2025.

He has, unsurprisingly, obtained legal counsel and will be fighting for compensation.

The unidentified cruiser was riding the Frightening Bolt Waterslide, which is located within the Category 6 Waterpark, when an acrylic glass section broke off and let water come gushing through onto the loungers below.

While the man thankfully didn’t fall out of the slide, which features the biggest drop at sea at an adrenaline-inducing 46 feet tall, he did receive “skin laceration injuries from his legs to his hands,” that can be attributed to the surprise hole.

Royal Caribbean’s onboard medical team provided immediate care following the unfortunate incident, but the extent of the injuries remains unclear.

The man’s 7-night sailing disembarked in Miami, Florida, on August 9, and just two days later on August 11, an announcement was made that he has obtained legal counsel to sue the cruise line.

Broken Icon of the Seas Waterslide
Broken Icon of the Seas Waterslide (Credits: Sunny Side Soul & GlobalNovel4508)

He will be represented by Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A., a top law firm that specializes in maritime and cruise passenger injuries.

“Our firm has decades of experience handling cruise passenger injury cases, and unfortunately, incidents involving material or design failures aboard cruise ships are something we see far too often,” said Maritime Attorney Alex Perez.

“Cruise ships have a responsibility to ensure that the attractions they open and encourage passengers to use are safe. We are thankful for the trust this family has placed in us to represent them,” Perez continued.

Per the firm’s website, the attorneys who work here have won more than 3,000 cases within the cruise and maritime industries, and have won over $500 million on behalf of their clients.

At this time, it’s unclear what specific compensation the cruiser and his legal team will be looking for in this case.

The Investigation Continues

As Icon of the Seas is just over a year old after launching at the beginning of 2024, the Frightening Bolt waterslide is also quite young to be experiencing such a dangerous problem.

Until Royal Caribbean can determine the root cause and make repairs accordingly, the slide will remain closed with no known timeline for when it will reopen.

“The slide remained closed for the rest of the voyage while engineers assessed the damage,” the cruise line said in a statement.

The 5,610-guest ship is now in the middle of a new voyage, which is a 7-night Eastern Caribbean sailing that embarked on August 9.

“The company has not provided a timeline for reopening and is investigating whether the failure was due to a manufacturing defect, installation issue, or an unexpected impact,” Royal Caribbean continued. “Other pools and water attractions on board remained open…”

Broken Icon of the Seas Waterslide
Broken Icon of the Seas Waterslide (Credits: Alain Müller & GlobalNovel4508)

The five other waterslides within the Category 6 Waterpark, where the Frightening Bolt is located, continue to thrill guests with no reported issues.

Read Also: Icon of the Seas Amenities and Everything You’ll Love Onboard

Guests who are currently onboard Icon of the Seas have noticed a tarp around the slide that is keeping guests out and shielding passersby from potential construction debris.

“Just thought it was a bit interesting, looks like they put some plastic around the broken Icon of the Seas slide for now, I guess until they can get it in for repair and to prevent any shards falling down off to it,” one cruiser shared.

Out of an abundance of caution, the identical Frightening Bolt waterslide onboard the new Star of the Seas has also been closed.

It’s not great timing, as the second Icon-class ship is currently being previewed by travel advisors and the media as it begins its career at sea.

Per Royal Caribbean’s Safety and Security page, safety is the cruise line’s top priority, which remains true in this situation.

The cruise line asserts that it often goes above and beyond the requirements put in place by Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the US Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act (CVSSA).

Two Cruise Guests Tragically Perish During Port Visit

Melissa Mayntz
-
0
Two Cruise Guests Tragically Perish During Port Visit

Key Aspects:

  • An elderly Vietnamese couple tragically drowned at Sarakiniko Beach on Milos, Greece on Friday, August 8.
  • The couple had likely been sailing aboard Celestyal Journey on a 7-night Idyllic Greece itinerary.
  • Strong winds caused the couple to fall into the water, rough conditions that are not uncommon on Milos.

Even a wonderful cruise vacation to idyllic destinations can be fraught with peril, even leading to life-threatening dangers no matter how beautiful the landscape may look.

Few port destinations are as beautiful as Milos, Greece, with its smooth white cliffs, natural stone arches, and stunning aquamarine waters.

Yet high winds created devastatingly dangerous conditions on the island on Friday, August 8, 2025, ultimately costing a Vietnamese cruise couple their lives.

According to Greek Reporter, the incident happened at Sarakiniko Beach on the island’s north side, where white rocks and turquoise waters meet. The winds reached as high as 50 miles per hour, well into gale force strength.

The 64-year-old female guest was trying to take a selfie (what cruise tourist hasn’t?) when she was unbalanced by the strong winds and fell into the water. Her 65-year-old husband tried to rescue her but was also pulled into the water.

Sadly, both guests drowned. The local conditions initially made recovery challenging, but both guests were eventually located by a private boat and diver. Multiple private boats assisted with search efforts.

In order to safeguard their privacy and that of their families, the couples’ identities have not been released.

While the cruise ship the guests were from has not been confirmed, the only ship visiting Milos on Friday was Celestyal Cruises’ Celestyal Journey, formerly Holland America Line’s Ryndam.

The ship is homeported from Piraeus (Athens) and was on a 7-night itinerary through the Greek Isles and including Ephesus, Turkey. Milos was the last port visit before Celestyal Journey returned to Athens.

There is no word about whether or not the ship experienced any delays in her return, but the 55,800-gross ton vessel has already departed on her next itinerary.

Weather Risks Not Uncommon at Ports of Call

Strong winds are not unusual at Sarakiniko Beach, which has gotten its ethereal “lunar” landscape features through a combination of wind and wave erosion of the white volcanic rock.

The lack of vegetation and the exposed north shore make the beach particularly vulnerable to strong winds and rough waves. Ferries in the region are often impacted by the weather conditons.

Even on beautiful, clear days, weather can be a risk to cruise ships. In the Bahamas, for example, cruise ships occasionally have to cancel visits to private islands due to tendering or docking risks from ocean swells.

Sarakiniko Beach
Sarakiniko Beach 9photo Credit: Lefteris Papaulakis)

Unexpected geologic events can also have potentially catastrophic impacts on cruises. For example, the tsunami warnings on July 29 caused Pride of America to abruptly leave Hilo, Hawaii with hundreds of guests still ashore.

Earthquakes and volcanoes can cause similar disruptions in geologically active areas, and every cruiser knows the risks of hurricane season, particularly in the Caribbean.

Read Also: Cruising During Hurricane Season – What You Must Know!

Cruise lines take every possible precaution to safeguard their guests and crew members, but tragic incidents can still occur.

When visiting a port of call, cruise guests should always remain alert to potential hazards. This could be as simple as stepping cautiously on uneven or slippery surfaces, keeping well away from high ledges, or not overestimating one’s swimming skills while snorkeling.

MSC Seascape to Begin Galveston Sailings with New Family Entertainment

Lissa Poirot
-
0
MSC Seascape to Begin Galveston Sailings with New Family Entertainment

Key Aspects:

  • MSC Seascape will homeport in Galveston starting November 9, 2025.
  • The ship will debut new family entertainment, including LEGO-themed activities.
  • Returning favorites will also be featured along with the Robotron thrill ride.

As MSC Cruises prepares to bring its 170,400-gross-ton MSC Seascape to homeport in the Texas Galveston, Texas, starting in November 2025, it has revealed new entertainment and activity programming is coming to the lineup.

The November debut will mark the launch of several new family offerings, including a LEGO Parade with onboard characters, a LEGO Family Game Show featuring timed building challenges, and “Boxes,” a mystery game show with prizes.

Families will also see an updated “Doremix Family Disco” with new visuals and tech, a Guinness World Record Family Quiz, and a MasterChef at Sea Juniors kids’ cooking competition.

New tech-focused games will include a Formula 1 Tournament on PlayStation 5 and “Quiz O’Clock,” a trivia format with versions for families, teens, and special themes like musicals or US history.

Said MSC Cruises’ Matteo Mancini, family entertainment director, “The ship is set to bring offerings to captivate today’s Gen Z and Gen Alpha travelers.”

He highlighted the immersive digital entertainment and interactive programming and said, “The arrival of MSC Seascape will offer top-of-the-line entertainment for cruisers of all ages.”

Returning entertainment favorites will also include interactive games, themed experiences, and live productions tailored to different age groups.

For example, “Break the Wall” will challenge passengers to complete surprise tests in front of a digital backdrop while the audience serves as judges.

Families can also take part in “Vikings,” a history-based game, or dive into live events inspired by the ship’s original web series “Cabin 12006.” This includes “The Secret Game,” with music, video, and mystery-solving tasks, and a family game show component.

Read Also: Galveston Cruise Port – Getting There, Piers, and More

For teens specifically, the MSC Dance Crew competition will let 10- to 17-year-olds compete for the title of dance crew of the year, while the Teens Late Show is a weekly program produced live from the Teens Club and will cover music and TV and feature guest stars and games.

Robotron on MSC Seascape
Robotron on MSC Seascape

Additionally, Doremiland, the ship’s youth area, will feature a documentary shown in family cabins to introduce guests to the ship’s kids’ services and activities as the MSC Foundation Junior Ambassadors program introduces young passengers to environmental and humanitarian projects.

Galveston will also notice a standout attraction: Robotron, a robotic-arm thrill ride suspended 175 feet above the ocean, complete with customizable music, lighting, and visual effects.

Sailings from Galveston

MSC Seascape is currently sailing in the Caribbean and The Bahamas from its homeport in Miami. Her last cruise from that port will be a quick 2-night getaway to MSC Cruises’ private island destination, Ocean Cay, on November 2, 2025.

After that brief jaunt, the vessel will set sail for Galveston, where she will begin offering year-round sailings from the Gulf of Mexico port starting November 9, 2025, utilizing the Port of Galveston’s brand-new Terminal 16.

The ship is scheduled to operate 52 weekly 7-night Western Caribbean itineraries annually, visiting ports of call in Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico, along with Roatan in Honduras.

These itineraries also include two sea days so families can fully enjoy the ship’s offerings, which also include the Pirates Cove Aquapark and 15 dining options.

Tropical Storm Erin Forms, Aims for Eastern Caribbean

Melissa Mayntz
-
0
Tropical Storm Erin Forms, Aims for Eastern Caribbean

Key Aspects:

  • Tropical Storm Erin has officially formed and is on track to impact the Eastern Caribbean at the end of the week.
  • There is great uncertainty several days out in the forecast, but all cruisers should watch the storm carefully.
  • No cruise line has confirmed itinerary changes, but they will be monitoring the storm and will make any adjustments necessary to keep ships safe.

Hurricane season is heating up right on schedule, and that means cruisers need to be extra aware of how storm systems may impact their sailings.

On Monday morning, August 11, 2025, Tropical Storm Erin officially formed in the eastern Atlantic. While several days away, her path likely to bring the storm to the eastern Caribbean.

This may impact a number of popular ports of call, as well as cruise ships with itineraries heading east over the next 7-10 days.

The first official advisory for Tropical Storm Erin was issued by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) at 11 a.m. Eastern Time.

The storm has maximum sustained winds of 45 miles per hour, well above the 39 mph threshold for a tropical storm.

The westward track will bring Erin close to the top Eastern Caribbean ports on Friday and Saturday, August 15 and 16, before she turns north.

Forecast predictions have the storm likely to be a major hurricane of Category 3 or higher by that time.

Ports likely to at least feel moderate impact include Barbados, St. Lucia, the US and British Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.

Depending on when and how Erin turns north, the Turks and Caicos as well as the Bahamas, including private islands, are also likely to feel some impact.

Ships departing on Eastern or Southern Caribbean itineraries this coming weekend are most likely to have at least some itinerary changes.

This could include Rhapsody of the Seas from San Juan; Wonder of the Seas from Port Canaveral; Carnival Celebration from Miami; and Norwegian Aqua from Port Canaveral, among others.

To be clear, no cruise line has yet altered any sailings for Tropical Storm Erin. All cruise lines keep safety as the top priority and they will undoubtedly be monitoring the storm as she draws closer.

How Strong Will Erin Become?

The NHC’s forecast discussion advises caution this early, as it is always hard to predict how a tropical storm or hurricane will act several days in advance.

“The intensity forecast in the short-term is a little tricky,” the notes read. “The rate of intensification
will likely increase in the second half of the forecast period.”

Wind shear, ocean temperature, regional atmospheric conditions, and other factors will all interact to determine how the storm may intensify and how she will move.

Forecast tracks (the “spaghetti” plots) do show the storm likely to turn north long before impacting larger islands or the Florida peninsula. That turn will not likely happen until the weekend, however, and could be significantly different than predicted so early in the storm’s formation.

Tropical Storm Erin
Tropical Storm Erin

Read Also: Cruising During Hurricane Season – What You Must Know!

Some forecast models show Erin reaching as high as a devastating Category 4 or 5 storm, though most believe she will remain no more than a Category 2 or 3 intensity.

Just as her path is difficult to predict precisely so many days away, however, her intensity can also vary tremendously as she gets closer.

Furthermore, the overall size of Erin’s wind field will also determine how far away her impact may be felt. Very large storms can often impact ports of call or cruise homeports hundreds of miles from the storm’s eye.

The peak of hurricane season, when storms are strongest and most numerous, is typically around September 10. This does not mean that storms before or after this date are any less dangerous or disruptive.

Any cruise guests with sailings booked over the next few days should watch Tropical Storm Erin carefully. Likewise, anyone with Caribbean sailings booked at this time of year should always stay informed about potential storms in case their cruise is impacted.

2027 Will Be Princess Cruises’ Biggest Alaska Season Ever

Lissa Poirot
-
0
2027 Will Be Princess Cruises’ Biggest Alaska Season Ever

Key Aspects:

  • Princess Cruises will offer its largest Alaska deployment in its history with eight ships and 187 departures in 2027.
  • Sailings will be offered from five homeports from late April through September 2027.
  • Early booking deals include up to 40 percent off.

A week after sister line Holland America Line announced its biggest Alaska season to date, Princess Cruises has unveiled its own plans for its largest-ever 2027 deployment in the Last Frontier, proving Carnival Corporation is betting big on Alaska.

Princess Cruises, aka “The Love Boat” line, will be deploying eight ships and offering 187 departures across 17 itineraries from Seattle, Vancouver, Anchorage (Whittier), San Francisco, and even Los Angeles.

“Few places captivate like Alaska – its beauty, its people, and its sense of wonder,” said Princess Cruises’ Terry Thornton, chief commercial officer. “That’s why our team puts so much heart into every detail of our Alaska season.”

Thornton says the season is designed to bring guests “closer to the soul of the Great Land,” including glaciers, wildlife, culture, and communities.

The itineraries and cruise features will feature these close-up opportunities both onboard and on shore. “All in a way only Princess can deliver,” he added.

Star Princess, the new Sphere Class ship debuting in October 2025, will spend her first season in Alaska in 2026 and is now scheduled to return in 2027. The 175,500-gross-ton vessel will operate weekly 7-day roundtrip Inside Passage voyages from Seattle.

Other ships in the 2027 Alaska lineup include Coral Princess, Crown Princess, Discovery Princess, Emerald Princess, Island Princess, Royal Princess, and Ruby Princess.

Itineraries range from 4 to 16 days with four glacier-viewing destinations: Glacier Bay National Park, Hubbard Glacier, College Fjord, and Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier.

In fact, the season will feature 85 visits to Glacier Bay National Park, more than any other cruise line, according to Princess Cruises.

Sailings here include every-7-day Voyage of the Glaciers itineraries between Vancouver and Anchorage and all 14-day Grand Adventure voyages roundtrip from Vancouver.

Ports on the schedule include Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, Haines, Icy Strait Point, and Victoria, British Colombia.

Star Princess Cruise in Alaska
Star Princess Cruise in Alaska

Princess will also continue to pair sailings with land-based cruisetours, offering stays at five Princess-owned wilderness lodges and rail service that connects ships directly to the Denali area on the same day.

A standout of the cruisetours will be the 17-night Denali Escorted Cruisetour, with two nights at each of the five Princess lodges.

These include Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge, Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge, Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge, Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge, and Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge.

Princess Expands Alaska Presence

The 2027 Alaska cruises on Princess Cruises open for booking on August 12, 2025, with Crown Princess kicking off the season on April 27, 2027, sailing a 4-day roundtrip “sampler” from Vancouver to Ketchikan.

Read Also: Alaska Cruise Ports: What Are Your Options?

Star Princess will also begin her season that month, taking up to 4,300 passengers on a 9-day Inside Passage sailing from Vancouver to Seattle on April 30, 2027.

She will close out the cruise line’s season with a similar September 26 journey.

The cruise line will also feature two 16-day sailings from Los Angeles aboard Emerald Princess that will give West Coast passengers a rare chance to experience Alaska without the need for a flight to the Pacific Northwest.

These voyages will journey across the Inside Passage and visit Glacier Bay National Park.

Princess Cruises is offering early booking incentives for passengers who reserve by August 18, 2025: up to 40 percent off fares, free passage for third and fourth guests on select voyages, a reduced $99 deposit, and complimentary stateroom upgrades.

Carnival-Owned Cunard Line Begins Charging Fees for Select Shows

Melissa Mayntz
-
0
Carnival-Owned Cunard Line Begins Charging Fees for Select Shows

Key Aspects:

  • Cunard’s Queen Anne has updated fees for Bright Lights Society performances and what those fees include.
  • Three different shows now have fees from $20-46 (USD) per person, with select drinks included.
  • This is not the first time cruise lines have offered shows and performances that require extra fees.

One appeal of a cruise vacation is that plenty of dining, activities, and entertainment is included in the cruise fare. For guests on Cunard Line, however, a little less entertainment is now included.

Select shows at the immersive Bright Lights Society “show bar” aboard the new Queen Anne now have a nominal fee for guests to enjoy the signature performances. The fees, however, do include some special bonuses.

“Select shows such as Fizz and Noir now carry an entry charge of US$20pp, which includes a glass of champagne, a souvenir programme, and the service charge,” the cruise line’s website explains.

Fizz is a burlesque-style show with live music and immersive cabaret. The host, Monsieur Laurent, guides the evening and keeps guests engaged as they step back to the glittering era of these eye-raising shows.

Noir, on the other hand, is an interactive murder mystery that draws guests into the plot and subplots (though no one is forced to participate!) with intrigue and romance.

For both shows, guests get a glass of champagne to enjoy during the performance, as well as a souvenir program to commemorate the very special experience.

The third show offered at the Bright Lights Society is Bitter Sweet Symphony, which carries a higher fee of $46 per person. This fee covers three cocktails formulated to complement the unique music and dance performance. Non-alcoholic options are also available upon request.

If guests cancel their reservations for any of the shows at the last minute or simply fail to attend, cancellation fees will also apply.

To be clear, these fees are only for shows at the Bright Lights Society aboard Queen Anne, an exclusive venue only found on the Pinnacle-class vessel.

Cunard Queen Anne during naming ceremony
Cunard Queen Anne during the naming ceremony (Photo Courtesy: Cunard Line)

Bright Lights Society is located on Deck 2, forward on the starboard side of the ship, across from the Golden Lion. It is one of the more intimate venues onboard and even with fees, each show sells out quickly.

Queen Anne is currently sailing in Europe, offering longer itineraries in the Mediterranean, Norwegian fjords, northern Europe, and the Greek Isles.

In January 2026, the ship will begin her 109-night Full World Voyage, a complete global circumnavigation and an epic journey for any traveler to experience.

Should Shows Cost Extra Fees?

While most guests who attend the Bright Lights Society performances agree the cost is well worth the quality of the experiences, others are less thrilled with signature entertainment becoming an add-on cost.

It isn’t unusual for cruise ships to feature add-on attractions. This ranges from specialty dining restaurants and escape rooms to signature attractions such as the Bolt rollercoaster on Carnival’s Excel-class ships to the Crown’s Edge ropes course on Royal Caribbean’s Icon-class ships.

Read Also: What Cruise Lines Does Carnival Own? (Cunard Included!)

Entertainment and shows, however, are generally all included in a cruise price. The exception is when prizes or food are part of the experience, such as Deal or No Deal participation or intimate cooking classes.

Some cruise lines have offered special event concerts, such as Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival LIVE Spotlight Series shows with exclusive performers. Those concerts range from $35-250 per person, depending on the featured artist, venue capacity, ship, and sailing date.

While not everyone may approve of extra-pay performances, the great news is that ships like Queen Anne offer many other activities and entertainment options that do not have additional fees.

Guests can always choose what they’d like to do onboard, and it is possible to have an amazing cruise vacation without additional spending.

1...146147148...601Page 147 of 601