Blog Page 14

Vancouver Wraps Biggest Cruise Season Ever With Nearly 1.4 Million Guests

Calvin Musquez
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Vancouver Wraps Biggest Cruise Season Ever With Nearly 1.4 Million Guests

Key Aspects:

  • Vancouver’s cruise port has had its busiest season yet, with nearly 1.4 million passenger visits and 358 ship calls during its 2026 season.
  • Passenger visits increased approximately 18% over 2025, while cruise ship calls increased 19%.
  • Cruise tourism contributed more than C$1 billion to Vancouver’s economy, with many visitors extending their stays before or after sailing.

In the early hours of October 13, 2026, Norwegian Encore set sail from the Port of Vancouver on a 6-night Pacific Coast cruise. This departure marked the end of a record-breaking 2026 season for the Canadian port.

Vancouver was already anticipating a record season when Cruise Hive reported on the projected figures for the year in February 2026. The final numbers for the season ended up closely aligning with those projections. 

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority has reported a nearly 20% surge in passenger and cruise ship visits at the Canada Place terminal throughout the year, compared to 2025. The port reported nearly 1.4 million passenger movements and 358 cruise ship calls between February and October.

This represents an 18% increase over the 1.2 million passenger visits in 2025. Cruise ship calls, meanwhile, increased 19% over the 300 cruise ship calls in 2025.

In addition to the increase in passengers and calls, the port also saw some new additions in 2026, with several ships making their first-ever visits to the port. These include Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady, Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s Luminara, and Disney Magic.

Additionally, in 2026, Canada Place welcomed its biggest cruise ship yet. On September 27, Princess Cruises’ 177,882-gross-ton Star Princess docked in Vancouver, becoming the largest ship by tonnage ever to dock at the port.

Cruise Tourism Delivers Major Economic Benefits

Vancouver’s economy has reaped major benefits from this increase in cruise tourism. The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority reports that cruise tourism contributed more than C$1 billion to the local economy throughout the season. 

“We are thrilled to celebrate another successful cruise season, with more than C$1 billion injected into the local economy as cruise lines and passengers increasingly make Vancouver a core part of their Alaska adventure,” said Jeff Scott, VP of Operations and Supply Chain at the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority.

Cruise Ship Docked in Vancouver
Cruise Ship Docked in Vancouver (Photo Credit: Fotogro)

This economic boon is not purely from the cruises themselves. The most recent Cruise Passenger Survey, conducted by the Pacific Rim Cruise Association, found that the majority of passengers extend their stay in the city beyond their cruise.

According to the survey, 76% of cruise passengers spend additional time in Vancouver before or after their sailing, staying an average of 1.4 nights. Passengers each reportedly spend, on average, C$1,144 on local hotels, restaurants, shopping, tours and attractions.

Vancouver Continues Investing in Cruises

Officials at the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority credit the increase in passenger movements, in part, to the port’s position as a gateway to Alaska. The port has also made strides in recent years towards advancing its cruise infrastructure.

In particular, the port cited its introduction of facial biometric scanning in 2024 as helping to move passengers through the terminal more quickly. It reports that the average embarkation time has shrunk to under 30 minutes since this technology was implemented.

The port is now looking forward to 2027, with further infrastructural advancements on the way. Work is set to begin in the coming months to expand shore power capacity, while new elevators at the terminal are being added to ease passenger navigation.

Roads Closed and Boats Banned as Israeli Cruise Ship Visits Kefalonia

Melissa Mayntz
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Roads Closed and Boats Banned as Israeli Cruise Ship Visits Kefalonia

Key Aspects:

  • Both marine traffic and road restrictions were in place for Crown Iris‘ visit to the Port of Argostoli (Kefalonia), Greece on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
  • Marine restrictions covered just longer than the time the ship was in port, but road restrictions began at 11 p.m. Tuesday evening before the ship arrived.
  • The Israel-based Crown Iris has been the focus of protests and even a potential threat of attack over the past year and the restrictions were an extra security measure.

To support Mano Cruise’s Crown Iris during her visit to the Port of Argostoli (Kefalonia) from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, local authorities halted additional marine traffic within a 500-meter (1,640 feet) radius of the vessel as well as implemented traffic control measures on streets near the ship.

These protective measures were put in place by the Kefalonia Port Authority’s Port Police Department out of an abundance of caution for the 2,000-guest ship, which was sailing from Haifa, Israel on an 11-night Greece and Adriatic itinerary.

The marine restrictions were in place from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. on October 14 and included both motorized and non-motorized watercraft, though ships of the Argostoli-Lixouri ferry line were exempt from the prohibition and able to continue their scheduled runs while Crown Iris was in port.

Restrictions to road access began earlier, at 11 p.m. on Tuesday, October 13 and were not lifted until 8 p.m. on October 14, an hour after the ship departed.

Impacted roads stretched from the intersection of Ioannou Metaxas Avenue and Gerasimou Foka Street to Antoni Tritsi Street in front of the Palia Plaka restaurant, a distance of about 1,400 feet along the waterfront. Access to the cruise ship terminal is in the middle of that distance.

According to Kefalonia Focus and translated unofficially from the original Greek, the reasoning for the restrictions is, “due to emergency policing and order measures during the stay in our port of cruise ships of special interest.”

No other cruise ships were scheduled to be in port with Crown Iris and there were no reported threats or protests against the ship, her guests, or her crew members.

Why Were the Restrictions Necessary?

While no explicit threats were cited for why these protective measures are necessary for Crown Iris, there may be poor local sentiments against Israeli citizens and the restrictions could be necessary to ensure the safety of both guests and crew.

Crown Iris is visiting multiple ports in Greece during the current sailing, including Kalamata (Tuesday, October 13), Argostoli (Wednesday, October 14), Corfu (Sunday, October 18), Katakolon (Monday, October 19), and Chania (Tuesday, October 20).

Crown Iris
Crown Iris (Photo Credit: Mali Sokol)

Also on the itinerary is a visit to Brindisi, Italy on October 15; Dubrovnik, Croatia on October 16; and Kotor, Montenegro on October 17.

On previous visits to Greek ports, Crown Iris has drawn some pro-Palestinian demonstrations. Anadolu Agency reported that pro-Palestinian members of the Greek Union of Sailors (PENEN) and other groups protested the ship’s visit to Piraeus (Athens) on Friday, August 14, 2026, waving Palestinian flags and carrying signs and banners condemning genocide in Palestine.

Similar protests have been held against the ship since mid-2025 at different Greek ports, including Rhodes, Syros, and Crete. Furthermore, Parapolitika reported that a 37-year-old Palestinian man was arrested on Saturday, June 6, 2026 in Crete as a suspect in a possible attack plot against Crown Iris.

Those prior events may have led to the restrictions for this specific visit, though no authorities have confirmed any connection between prior protests or threats and this week’s restrictions.

Crown Iris is homeported from Haifa, Israel, and offers itineraries ranging from 3-11 nights. Depending on departure date and sailing length, the ship visits ports not only in Greece, but also in Italy, Croatia, Montenegro, Cyprus, and Malta.

The ship was originally constructed for Majesty Cruise Line and entered service in 1992. After that cruise line ceased operations in 1997, the ship was sold to Norwegian Cruise Line and, following an extensive refit and lengthening, sailed as Norwegian Majesty for several years. She changed hands multiple times to various lines before joining Mano Cruise in 2018.

Carnival Bundles Drinks, WiFi and Dining Into 4 New FunPacks

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Bundles Drinks, WiFi and Dining Into 4 New FunPacks

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival is introducing four FunPack bundles that include drink packages, WiFi access, and other benefits that can add up to significant savings for guests.
  • FunPacks are only available for pre-cruise purchases from October 13-30, 2026 for sailings departing from October 31, 2026 through December 31, 2027.
  • Terms and conditions vary for each FunPack and can make the packages less valuable for individual guests depending on which benefits they will use.

Carnival Cruise Line has introduced a new bundle offer for guests to take advantage of: FunPacks. Four different bundle variations are available, designed to appeal to different vacation styles and therefore offer more savings flexibility to guests.

The four FunPacks are Kidstarter, Zero Proof, Social, and Epic, and each one includes different top add-ons for upcoming sailings.

“We’re excited to launch FunPacks, our largest collection of packages to date, making it easier for guests to bundle the experiences they enjoy the most and save money,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.

The least expensive and exclusively available for guests ages 3-17 is the Kidstarter FunPack. For $25 per person, per day, the package includes the Bottomless Bubbles unlimited soda package, social WiFi internet access, 1,000 arcade tokens, a lanyard, and 50% off bulk candy purchases at the Cherry on Top retail shop onboard.

The Zero Proof FunPack is $50 per person, per day and includes the cruise line’s CHEERS! Zero Proof unlimited non-alcoholic beverage package that was first introduced in September 2025. Also part of the bundle is the Value WiFi internet access, one $50 shore excursion discount, and one $25 specialty dining discount.

For guests who love to be social, the Social FunPack includes an exclusive CHEERS! Social package that covers unlimited non-alcoholic drinks plus three alcoholic beverages per day, each valued up to $20.

Also part of the bundle is Premium WiFi access, one free shore excursion valued up to $100, one free specialty dining meal valued up to $55, 50% off eligible spa treatments, and 50% off eligible Dreams Studio photography packages. The Social FunPack is $60 per person, per day.

The Epic FunPack is the most expensive at $99 per person, per day, but also has the most benefits. Included is the full CHEERS! beverage package, Premium WiFi access, two free eligible shore excursions valued up to $100 each, two free eligible specialty dining meals valued up to $55 each, 50% off eligible spa treatments, 50% off eligible Dreams Studio packages, a bottle of sparkling wine, and one bag of wash-and-fold laundry service.

Only Available for a Limited Time and Other Conditions

The new FunPacks must be booked online from Tuesday, October 13, 2026 through Friday, October 30, 2026 and are only for sailings departing from October 31, 2026 through December 31, 2027.

Carnival Cruise Line has not indicated whether this limited time window is just a test run to determine the popularity and feasibility of the bundles or if additional booking windows may be open in the future.

While the bundles are designed to save guests up to 35-55% off individual purchases of the included items, depending on sailing length and FunPack selection, guests should read the terms and conditions carefully for various caveats that can impact the overall value.

Carnival FunPack
Carnival FunPack

For example, the discussion of Stateroom and Guest Eligibility notes that, “If any guest age 21 or older (as of date of departure) purchases a FunPack, every guest age 21 or older in the same stateroom must purchase the same FunPack.”

This rule mirrors Carnival’s drink package policy and could make FunPacks much less of a value if not everyone in the same stateroom would take advantage of every benefit. The mandatory purchase does not apply to the Kidstarter FunPack, even if there are multiple children in the same stateroom.

For the shore excursion discounts in the Zero Proof FunPack, Faster to the Fun is excluded. Likewise, Bonsai Teppanyaki and The Chef’s Table are not eligible for the dining discount.

The Social and Epic FunPacks have additional restrictions. Faster to the Fun, Bonsai Teppanyaki, and The Chef’s Table are still excluded from discounts, and the up-to-$55 free specialty dining may not be applied to higher-priced dining with guests paying the difference. Only dining at or below the $55 limit is eligible, and if the cost is less than $55, the remaining value is forfeited.

For the free shore excursions up to $100 each, the value can be applied to higher-priced excursions and guests will pay the difference in price, but if the excursion is less than $100, the remaining value is forfeited.

More From Cruise Hive

Also, for the Social FunPack, any unused alcoholic beverage credits do not carry over to the next cruise day, and instead they are forfeited.

For all applicable packages, dining and shore excursion choices must be made before sailing, and any unused benefits are non-refundable.

Terms and conditions for any sales, promotions, and special offers are always subject to change, and guests will want to review the terms carefully if they are considering a FunPack purchase.

Royal Caribbean Sends 7 Ships To Europe For Its First All-Year Season

Calvin Musquez
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Royal Caribbean Sends 7 Ships To Europe For Its First All-Year Season

Key Aspects:

  • Royal Caribbean has announced its first year-round European cruise season, beginning in 2028 aboard Rhapsody of the Seas.
  • Seven ships will operate European itineraries, with destinations throughout the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and the Canary Islands.
  • The cruise line will open bookings for the 2028-29 season to the general public on October 15, 2026, following early access for Crown & Anchor Society members.

European cruise fans are getting a huge expansion of options from Royal Caribbean in 2028. The cruise line has announced it will offer year-round European sailings for the first time during its 2028-29 season.

Cruise Hive previously reported that the first part of Royal Caribbean’s 2028 European deployment would be released during the week of October 12. Today’s announcement follows through on that schedule.

Royal Caribbean will open general bookings for the new season on October 15, 2026. Crown & Anchor Society members are getting a head start, with bookings for the loyalty program members open now.

Rhapsody of the Seas will begin its deployment in May 2028, sailing from Piraeus, Barcelona, and Lisbon. Through October 2028, the 2,040-guest ship will offer 7-night itineraries featuring Turkey and Egypt, including overnight stays in Istanbul and Alexandria, or Greece. 

Some visits to Greece will include extended stops in Santorini as well as visits to Royal Caribbean’s private destination, Royal Beach Club Santorini. The cruise line’s first European beach club destination was previously announced in October 2025.

Then, in November, the ship will shift to 9- to 12-night cruises visiting the Canary Islands, Portugal, Morocco, Cyprus, Malta, and Greece. Rhapsody of the Seas’ deployment also sees Royal Caribbean return to Heraklion, Greece and Cagliari, Italy for the first time after more than a decade.

Six Additional Ships to Sail Europe 

Six more ships from Royal Caribbean’s fleet will also cruise Europe during the season. Explorer of the Seas will offer 7-night sailings from Ravenna, visiting the Greek Isles and Croatia from May to October 2028. Select voyages aboard the 3,286-guest ship will also visit Kotor, Montenegro.

Freedom of the Seas will depart from Southampton from May to October with 3- to 9-night sailings. These voyages offer scenic cruising through the Norwegian fjords as well as visits to Copenhagen, Zeebrugge, Bilbao, Le Havre, and Lisbon.

Liberty of the Seas will offer 7- to 8-night cruises from Barcelona, Piraeus, and Civitavecchia. It will visit the Greek Isles, Marseille, Sicily, and Cagliari from May to October 2028. This marks the first time that the Freedom Class sisters, Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas will be in Europe at the same time.

Departing from Copenhagen and Stockholm from May to August 2028, Jewel of the Seas will sail 7- to 11-night itineraries. The 2,191-guest ship will visit destinations such as Helsinki, Visby, Gdynia (Gdansk), and Klaipeda.

Mariner of the Seas, meanwhile, will also depart from Barcelona and Piraeus, as well as Lisbon and Ravenna. The 3,344-guest ship will sail 7-night voyages visiting Palma de Mallorca, Porto, and Dubrovnik. 

Finally, the 4,198-guest Odyssey of the Seas will sail from Civitavecchia from April to October 2028. The ship will offer 7-night itineraries visiting the Greek Isles, Ephesus, and Mykonos.

Notably absent from the schedule are any Oasis Class ships or Legend of the Seas. Oasis Class vessels have been sailing in Europe for over a decade, while Legend of the Seas made its European debut in 2026 and is set to return in 2027.

It was previously announced that the first part of the 2028-29 European deployment would be released this week. However, Royal Caribbean has not confirmed if or when additional European deployments will be revealed.

Carnival Drink Package and WiFi Prices Will Change by Sailing From December 1

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Drink Package and WiFi Prices Will Change by Sailing From December 1

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Cruise Line will introduce dynamic pricing for its drink packages and WiFi plans beginning on December 1, 2026.
  • No pricing details have been released for the new model, but the cruise line notes that prices will vary based on sailing length, itinerary, and season.
  • It is unclear whether dynamic pricing will be a permanent change or just a temporary test for these popular cruise add-ons.

Carnival cruise guests looking for the best deals for the most popular add-ons to their oceangoing getaways will want to shop carefully for beverage packages and WiFi plans. The cruise line has now announced a switch to dynamic pricing for those options beginning December 1, 2026.

The announcement comes as Carnival Cruise Line has introduced its new “FunPack” bundles of popular services, which include drink deals, WiFi plans, dining discounts, shore excursion credits, and other perks depending on the exact bundle purchased. The FunPacks are only available for a limited time and must be booked pre-cruise.

No confirmed pricing details for the new dynamic model have yet been released for Carnival’s CHEERS!, CHEERS! Zero Proof, or Bottomless Bubbles packages.

Ahead of the change, the CHEERS! alcoholic beverage package is $69.95 per person, per day when purchased pre-cruise, or $74.95 per person, per day when purchased onboard.

CHEERS! Zero Proof, which was introduced in September 2025, is the cruise line’s premium non-alcoholic beverage package covering sodas, standard juices, bottled water, premium coffees, smoothies, and more, and is currently priced at $29.99 per person, per day when purchased pre-cruise.

Bottomless Bubbles is the unlimited soda and juice package that is currently priced at $6.95 per child per day and $11.99 per adult per day.

A 20% service charge is added to CHEERS! and other beverage packages, which is likely to continue with the dynamic pricing model.

The cruise line also offers four different WiFi plans: Social, Value, Premium, and Premium Multi-Device. The exact services and access speeds vary for each plan.

WiFi pricing starts at $20.40 per person, per day for the Social plan; $23.80 per person, per day for the Value plan; $25.50 per person, per day for the Premium plan, and $90 per day for up to four devices on the Premium Multi-Device plan when purchased online before setting sail.

Carnival Cruise Line Online
Carnival Cruise Line Online (Photo Credit: Tigarto)

Onboard pricing is typically higher. Carnival’s WiFi package page notes that the savings average 15% compared to onboard purchases, though the Premium Multi-Device package can save up to 25% and is only available for online pre-purchases.

Carnival Cruise Line has not clarified if packages purchased before December 1 will be at the current rates, or if dynamic pricing will apply to all sailings departing after December 1.

How Dynamic Pricing Works

Dynamic pricing is common for sporting events, online retailers, airlines, hotels, and similar companies where supply and demand can vary. Every company has different algorithms to determine when prices should change and by how much they should fluctuate.

Carnival Cruise Line has not revealed what factors may influence the pricing for its drink packages and WiFi plans, but has only stated that, “Pricing will vary based on sailing length, itinerary and season.”

More From Cruise Hive

This may mean higher per-day prices for the most popular sailing dates, such as holidays, or even on newer ships or special sailings, like longer Carnival Journeys itineraries, the adults-only SEA cruises, or unique itineraries like transatlantic cruises or Panama Canal transits.

The cruise line has not confirmed any reasoning behind the switch to dynamic pricing, nor whether the switch is permanent or will just be a test phase.

Carnival Splendor Cancels Napier and Triples Time in Another Port

Calvin Musquez
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Carnival Splendor Cancels Napier and Triples Time in Another Port

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Splendor has cancelled its October 16, 2026 visit to Napier, New Zealand, due to unfavorable weather in the forecast.
  • Instead, the ship will visit Tauranga one day earlier than planned, while the subsequent visit to Auckland has been extended into an overnight stay.
  • Napier excursions booked through Carnival will be refunded while tours at other ports have been adjusted.

Guests aboard Carnival Splendor have received a major adjustment to their itinerary on the second day of sailing. Adverse weather in the forecast has led to a port cancellation and changes to two other ports of call.

The 3,012-passenger ship departed from Sydney, Australia on October 12, 2026 for a 10-night New Zealand sailing. This voyage was scheduled to call at Napier, Tauranga, Auckland, and the Bay of Islands before returning to Sydney on October 22.

On October 13, however, guests received a notice from Captain Mario Imbimbo explaining that unfavorable weather conditions in the forecast necessitated an itinerary adjustment. As a result, the scheduled October 16 call in Napier has been cancelled.

“A weather system that is forecast to bring unfavourable conditions is expected to impact the Napier area over the next few days,” the notice read. “With your safety and comfort in mind, we have made the decision to cancel our visit to Napier.”

Instead, Carnival Splendor will call at Tauranga one day early on October 16. At 11.5 hours in port, from 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., the call at Tauranga is now 3.5 hours longer than the original 8-hour Napier call and half an hour longer than the original 11-hour Tauranga call on October 17.

Carnival Splendor will then continue to Auckland, arriving a day early on October 17 at 8:00 a.m. This port call has now become an overnight visit, staying until its original departure time of 6:30 p.m. on October 18.

This visit has more than tripled from its originally planned 10-hour-and-15-minute call. Guests will now have 34.5 hours to explore the New Zealand port.

The scheduled call in the Bay of Islands on October 19 remains unchanged, arriving at 7:00 a.m. and departing at 4:00 p.m. The return to Sydney on October 22 is likewise unchanged.

Carnival is also refunding Napier excursions booked through Carnival to guests’ Sail & Sign accounts. Tours scheduled for the original calls to Tauranga and Auckland have been adjusted to reflect the revised itinerary.

What Weather Led to the Change?

The notice sent to guests did not specify what weather conditions led to this change. However, forecasts for Hawkes bay on October 16 from MetService show swells rising to 4 meters with wind gusts up to 46 miles per hour.

Safe wind speeds for docking depend on the exact conditions at the particular port. Ultimately, whether an itinerary adjustment is necessary is up to the discretion of the ship’s captain. 

Captain Imbimbo and Carnival’s Fleet Operations Center determined, in this case, that the conditions presented too much risk to continue as scheduled. In the notice sent to guests, the captain apologized for the change and expressed that the safety of those onboard is always a priority over maintaining the itinerary.

“I know you may be disappointed to miss our visit to Napier, and I am sorry the weather has disrupted our plans,” the notice said. “While these changes are never ideal, your safety must always come first.”

Carnival Splendor has faced difficulties with New Zealand weather before. In March 2026, Cruise Hive reported when guests aboard a similar 10-night New Zealand voyage aboard the ship were warned that weather in the region could impact their sailing.

The Concordia-class ship, which entered service in 2008, is based year-round out of Sydney. It offers regular 2- to 10-night sailings visiting destinations throughout Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, and Vanuatu.

Carnival Panorama Cancels Two Mexico Ports Over Hurricane Simon, Swaps in Ensenada

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Panorama Cancels Two Mexico Ports Over Hurricane Simon, Swaps in Ensenada

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Panorama has cancelled two ports on her current sailing, changed visit dates for two others, and added a new port as an alternative.
  • The ship left Long Beach, California on Saturday, October 10 for the 8-night Mexican Riviera itinerary.
  • Multiple port changes have been necessary due to Hurricane Simon, which is expected to impact the Baja Peninsula through the weekend.

Carnival Panorama‘s 8-night Mexican Riviera itinerary that departed Long Beach, California on Saturday, October 10, 2026 has had significant changes from the original plan, due to the influence of Hurricane Simon.

Guests onboard have been kept updated on the changes and have now received confirmation letters about the situation, noting an alternative port that has been added to the itinerary.

Originally, the cruise was to have visited Puerto Vallarta on Tuesday, October 13; followed by Mazatlan on Wednesday, October 14; La Paz on Thursday, October 15; and Cabo San Lucas on Friday, October 16.

Because of Hurricane Simon’s position off the Pacific Coast of Mexico, however, the itinerary was altered. The ship was to have visited Cabo San Lucas first on Monday, October 12, but that turned out not to be possible.

“We’re sorry we were not able to visit Cabo San Lucas yesterday, as weather conditions made it unsafe to operate water shuttles,” the letter, delivered to guests on Tuesday, October 13, explained. “Weather permitting, we will make another attempt to visit Cabo San Lucas, Wednesday, October 14, from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM.”

There are several spots where cruise ships may anchor at Cabo San Lucas for water shuttle operations. At times, anchorages closer to the dock may be safe enough for water shuttles, but anchorages further out could be deemed too rough or unstable. Whether a ship can safely visit or not depends on which anchorage is available for which vessel.

Carnival Panorama was able to visit La Paz on Tuesday, and AIS tracking on Wednesday morning confirmed the ship was successful in reaching Cabo San Lucas for that day’s visit. This is not the end of the itinerary adjustments for the sailing, however.

“Regrettably, due to Hurricane Simon’s location, we will not be able to visit Puerto Vallarta or Mazatlan,” the letter confirmed. “Instead, we have arranged a visit to Ensenada on Saturday, October 17, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.”

The letter also noted that any shore excursions purchased through Carnival Cruise Line for the now-cancelled visits to Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan will be automatically cancelled and refunded to guests’ onboard Sail & Sign accounts. If guests had booked tours for Cabo San Lucas, those arrangements were shifted to Wednesday’s visit.

Guests can purchase tours for Ensenada through the Carnival Hub app or by visiting the Carnival Adventures or Guest Services desks forward on Deck 3 (Lobby Deck). The Carnival Adventures desk is located on the port side of the Panorama Atrium, while the Guest Services desk is on the starboard side.

Hurricane Simon May Impact More Ships

According to the Wednesday morning update from the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Hurricane Simon has maximum sustained winds of 90 miles per hour, making it a strong Category 1 storm, weakened from its Category 4 strength over the weekend.

The expected track of the storm has shifted, as several days ago it was expected to make landfall on the Mexican mainland east of the Baja Peninsula.

Now, the updated track shows the storm moving toward the Baja Peninsula. The storm may skirt just to the west of the peninsula or could make landfall on the peninsula itself over the weekend.

Hurricane Simon Track
Hurricane Simon Track

Because Hurricane Simon is moving very slowly at just 2 mph, there are currently no coastal watches or warnings in effect. Watches are issued 48 hours before tropical-storm-force winds are expected, while warnings are issued 36 hours in advance.

“Simon is a very small hurricane. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 10 miles (20 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles (55 km),” the NHC explained.

Nevertheless, the storm will still be felt in ways that could impact further ships with itineraries that include Cabo San Lucas.

“Swells generated by Simon will affect portions of the coast of west-central Mexico and Baja California Sur during the next few days. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions,” the discussion said.

Cruise Hive has already reported on changes to Royal Caribbean’s current sailing of Voyager of the Seas due to Hurricane Simon.

Voyager of the Seas is expected to be back in Cabo San Lucas on Sunday, October 18 as part of her next cruise, a 6-night itinerary which departs Los Angeles on Friday, October 16. Carnival Firenze is scheduled for the port on Friday, October 16, while both Discovery Princess and Brilliant Lady are scheduled for the port on Monday, October 19.

By Monday the storm is expected to have weakened to a tropical depression, but may still be causing rough weather along the peninsula. Booked guests should stay in close communication with their cruise line for any adjustments or updates as they are confirmed.

Disney Imagination Revealed as Name of Disney Cruise Line Japan’s First Ship

Melissa Mayntz
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Disney Imagination Revealed as Name of Disney Cruise Line Japan’s First Ship

Key Aspects:

  • Oriental Land Company, Ltd. announced the name of its forthcoming Wish-class ship as Disney Imagination.
  • The ship is being specifically designed for the Japanese market and will homeport from Tokyo beginning in spring 2029.
  • Classic characters Ariel and Sebastian from “The Little Mermaid” will be on the ship’s stern, but few other details have been announced.

Oriental Land Company, Ltd. and Oriental Land Cruise Co., Ltd. have announced the name of the forthcoming Japan-based vessel for Disney Cruise Line: Disney Imagination.

“Disney Imagination is a ship of dreams and wishes filled with the power of ‘imagination’ – the heart of Disney’s storytelling,” the company said. “The name embodies the hope for guests of all generations to enjoy their voyage while experiencing the ‘imagination’ of Disney.”

Also revealed are the ship’s stern characters, Ariel and Sebastian from the 1989 Walt Disney Animation Studios classic, “The Little Mermaid.” An artist concept of the stern sculpture shows the red-haired mermaid, who is well known for using her imagination, swinging on a length of seaweed while she puts the finishing touches on the ship’s name.

Sebastian, the Jamaican-influenced court composer crab appointed as Ariel’s chaperone on her quest for humanhood, is also clinging to the seaweed, holding a shell with the paint Ariel is using to paint the hull.

The stylized border around the ship’s name includes shells and starfish, with swirls and flourishes reminiscent of water splashes but also very close in style to the classic decorations on the sterns of other ships in the Disney fleet.

Disney Cruise Line fans will be pleased to note that the ship’s name is portrayed in the iconic swirly font used on all other vessels except one. Cruise Hive reported on the font change for the recently revealed Disney Believe, which uses a “Toy Story”-inspired font to match that ship’s stern characters. The change in font had mixed reactions from the cruise line’s fans.

Few details have yet been revealed about Disney Imagination. While no confirmation of exact venues and themes for interior spaces has been announced, the ship will feature stage shows, Disney character meet-and-greets, approximately 30 food and beverage venues with three main dining restaurants, exclusive merchandise, and more. Both children’s and adults-only areas are also planned.

Disney Imagination Stern Render
Disney Imagination Stern Render

It is common for Disney Cruise Line to tease details on new ships while the ship is under construction and before the initial bookings are open. On Wednesday, October 7, 2026, the cruise line livestreamed a reveal on Disney Believe, which is scheduled to debut in December 2027.

Disney Imagination is scheduled to begin construction in the second half of Japan’s fiscal 2026, which begins this month. The fifth Wish-class ship is planned to enter service in spring 2029, though no exact date has been announced for her debut.

The Company Behind Disney Cruise Line Japan

The ship will be operated under the official company name Disney Cruise Line Japan, and Disney Imagination is the first vessel for the company. She will be constructed at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, where her sister Wish-class ships were also built and where Disney Believe is currently under construction.

Oriental Land Company is a Japanese leisure and tourism company that also operates the Tokyo Disney Resort, including Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea.

The company pays licensing fees and royalties to the Walt Disney Company but is not technically part of Disney. The Walt Disney Company does provide consultation, design services, and oversight to ensure continuity in the guest experience.

Oriental Land Company, Ltd. signed an agreement with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government on November 29, 2024 that designated the Port of Tokyo as the premier homeport for Disney Cruise Line Japan’s Asian operations. The announcement of the Wish-class ship specifically designed for the Japanese market had been made in July 2024.

Costa Favolosa Cancels Two Norway Ports as Rough Seas Close In

Calvin Musquez
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Costa Favolosa Cancels Two Norway Ports as Rough Seas Close In

Key Aspects:

  • Amid forecasts of strong winds and rough seas, calls in Leknes and Bodø on Costa Favolosa’s current Norwegian itinerary have been cancelled.
  • The revised itinerary includes an overnight stay in Trondheim, followed by visits to Haugesund and Kristiansand.
  • Costa Cruises is providing €100 in refundable onboard credit per guest, limited to two per stateroom, and automatically refunding any impacted Costa excursions.

Guests aboard the current sailing of Costa Cruises’ Costa Favolosa have received a major last-minute itinerary shake-up. Forecasted rough weather has led to two cancelled ports and a reshuffling of others in the final days of the cruise.

Costa Favolosa departed Hamburg, Germany on October 5, 2026 for a 14-night sailing visiting a variety of Norwegian ports. The cruise had already completed its scheduled calls in Bergen, Narvik, Harstad, and Hammerfest when the itinerary was thrown off course.

The 3,000-passenger ship was scheduled to visit Gravdal (Leknes) on October 13, followed by Bodø on October 14, Trondheim on October 15, and Haugesund on October 17. It is then scheduled to return to Hamburg on October 19.

However, guests received a notice on October 12 from Captain Valentino Savarese, informing them that strong winds and rough seas were forecast in the areas around Leknes and Bodø. These adverse conditions necessitated the vessel moving south earlier than planned.

The scheduled calls in Leknes and Bodø have been cancelled. Instead, the vessel will have an overnight stay in Trondheim, arriving at 9:00 p.m. on October 13 and departing at 11:00 p.m. on October 14.

So, while guests are losing the Lofoten Islands, dramatic mountains, and fjords associated with Leknes, they are also nearly tripling their time in Trondheim. Guests originally had a 9-hour visit, from 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., but now will spend an additional 17 hours at the Norwegian port.

The scheduled October 15 call in Trondheim has subsequently been replaced with a sea day. Haugesund has moved up one day to October 16 from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 

The October 17 slot originally filled by Haugesund, meanwhile, has been replaced with a new port call in Kristiansand, from 10:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. A scheduled sea day on October 18 ahead of the return to Hamburg remains unchanged.

This isn’t the first time in 2026 that rough weather conditions in northern Norway have disrupted a cruise itinerary. In March, Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambition saw its entire Northern Lights itinerary replaced due to worsening weather in the region.

Costa Offers Guests Onboard Credit and Refunds

As compensation for the reshuffled itinerary, Costa Cruises has offered €100 in onboard credit per person, capped at two guests per stateroom. This credit can be utilized for onboard purchases at shops, spa services, specialty restaurants, and for hotel service charges.

Applicable credit will be deducted from the final onboard account. Unused onboard credit will be issued as a refund.

Additionally, excursions booked through Costa Cruises for Leknes or Bodø will be automatically cancelled and refunded. Replacement shore excursions for Trondheim, Haugesund, and Kristiansand were made available onboard beginning on the morning of October 13.

In his notice to guests, Captain Savarese thanked passengers for their understanding and cooperation. He emphasized that the changes were made with the safety and well-being of the crew and guests in mind.

More From Cruise Hive

This itinerary adjustment comes nearly eight months after Costa Favolosa experienced another kind of rough weather shake-up. In February 2026, Cruise Hive reported that an extratropical cyclone in southern Brazil shook the vessel, briefly sending some onboard guests into a panic.

In that case, there was no change to the ship’s itinerary. However, it demonstrates that you never know how unpredictable weather might impact your vacation.

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