Blog Page 155

NCL Warns Italy-Bound Cruisers to Steer Clear of Mosquitos

Catie Kovelman
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NCL Warns Italy-Bound Cruisers to Steer Clear of Mosquitos

Key Aspects: 

  • Norwegian Cruise Line is operating a plethora of cruises to Italy this year, where mosquitos are present.
  • As mosquitos can spread diseases, the cruise line is encouraging passengers to take measures to avoid getting bitten in the first place.
  • Preventative actions include keeping skin covered with clothing, investing in bug spray that contains DEET, and wearing clothes that have been treated with permethrin.

One of the easiest ways to ruin a cruise vacation is staying up all night because of annoying and itchy mosquito bites. I’ve been there, done that, and can assure you that you don’t want to try it.

Norwegian Cruise Line will be operating 27 cruises to Italy before 2025 ends, and is also warning guests about mosquitoes ahead of time to prevent these common pests from ruining any sailings.

For reference, the cruises will be operated by Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Sky, and Norwegian Viva.

Mosquito bites usually just result in a few days of annoyance, which is of course not fun, but NCL would also like to protect its passengers from the diseases these insects may carry.

“Ensuring your health and safety is our utmost priority throughout your journey with us,” the cruise line wrote in a letter to booked guests.

“As part of our commitment to your well-being, we want to inform you about the presence of mosquitos in certain destinations that we will be visiting during your sailing,” the letter reads.

Several species of mosquitos are currently present in Italy, ranging from the common house mosquito to intrusive varieties like the Asian tiger mosquito.

“Many diseases transmitted by mosquitos do not have vaccines or specific medications for prevention. Therefore, the most effective way to minimize your risk is by taking proactive measures to prevent mosquito bites,” NCL added.

The aforementioned Asian tiger mosquito, which can be recognized by its black and white stripes, is usually the culprit when it comes to spreading diseases.

In recent months, West Nile virus and dengue fever have been the most prevalent threats, but cases of chikungunya and Zika virus have also been reported in the past.

If a cruise guest is bitten and develops symptoms like fever, headache, muscle or joint pain, and/or a rash, they are encouraged to seek immediate treatment from the onboard medical center.

Staying Safe From Mosquito Bites 

We already know that the best way to prevent bug-borne illness is to never get bitten in the first place, but how can cruisers make themselves less appetizing to these insects?

Luckily, Norwegian Cruise Line shared a list of suggestions that have been provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

First, cruisers should choose outfits that keep their skin covered as much as possible. After all, if the buggies can’t get to your skin, they can’t bite!

This means wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats to stay protected, as well as opting for closed-toe shoes like boots.

I’m particularly fond of the sun shirts and hoodies sold by companies like REI and the North Face, which protect you from the elements but are made with light fabric to keep you cool in warmer weather.

Norwegian Epic Cruise Ship
Norwegian Epic Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: hydebrink)

As an added level of protection, passengers may also want to treat their clothing and bags with permethrin. However, this synthetic insecticide should never be allowed to touch skin to avoid negative reactions.

Read Also: Is it Safe to Go on a Cruise – All You Need to Know

Of course, there is always the tried-and-true method of wearing insect repellants that contain DEET as an active ingredient, which are actually designed for direct application onto skin.

There are a variety of bug sprays out there to choose from, so make sure to consult the list of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents before purchasing.

Additionally, you can even buy mosquito repellent bracelets. These are small, easy to pack, and usually waterproof.

Though results with these bracelets alone aren’t foolproof, they are a good add-on when other preventative measures are already being taken.

Finally, try to prioritize accommodations that are air-conditioned, screened-in, and far away from areas with standing water (which is where mosquitoes like to hang out).

This likely won’t be an issue once onboard the cruise ship, but it is something to think about when booking accommodations for before and after the sailing.

Norwegian Cruise Brands Enjoy Record Revenues, High Occupancy Levels

Donna Tunney
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Norwegian Cruise Brands Enjoy Record Revenues, High Occupancy Levels

Key Aspects

  • Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings reported second-quarter results for Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
  • Revenue totals broke the company’s second-quarter record, reaching $2.52 billion.
  • Occupancy levels for the quarter rose to 103.9%.

Second-quarter results from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) revealed robust bookings, high occupancy levels, and record revenues, as reported in an upbeat financial statement issued on July 31, 2025.

The company’s three cruise brands, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, together set a second-quarter revenue record of $2.52 billion, an increase of 6% year-over-year.

NCLH had noted in its first-quarter report that some softening was seen in 12-month advance bookings. While those bookings have now rebounded, the company expanded on that concern in the new report, saying that third-quarter European itineraries had experienced softness in early April 2025.

That concern has now eased, the company said, with the brands’ 12-month-booked positions returning to an optimal range. In fact, NCLH reported its advance ticket sale balance hit a record of $4 billion, rising from $3.9 billion in the earlier quarter.

Cruisers are clearly embracing the three brands, as occupancy levels have risen, too. For the second quarter, occupancy reached 103.9%, up from 101.5% in the first quarter.

Read Also: Great Stirrup Cay: A Full Overview of NCL’s Private Island

“We delivered another record quarter, demonstrating once again the strong customer demand environment, the power of our brands, our outstanding onboard product, and the dedication of our team,” said Harry Sommer, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. 

“Demand has rebounded across all three of our brands, with bookings now ahead of historical levels in recent months and continued strength in onboard spend,” added Sommer.

Looking ahead, NCLH predicted occupancy levels in the third quarter would reach 105.5% and 103% for the full year overall.

Recent Successes Helped Shore Up Financial Outcome

The company pointed to three major initiatives that helped buoy the financial results and its future performance.

First, it announced earlier this year that Norwegian Cruise Line would begin phase two of the expansion at Great Stirrup Cay, the line’s private island in the Bahamas.

A new 6-acre Great Tides Waterpark will be added to the destination in summer 2026, offering multiple thrill rides, splash zones, a whopping 19 waterslides, and an 800-foot-long river.

Great Stirrup Cay Great Tides Waterpark
Great Stirrup Cay Great Tides Waterpark

Thrill-seekers will be able to engage in cliff jumping at a new destination called Cliffside Cove, and children will have a 9,000-square-foot space filled with tipping buckets, mini-slides, fountains, water sprays, and more.

Second are the extensive dry-dock renovations to Norwegian Epic and Pride of America. Both ships emerged from their shoreside spruce-ups in time for the summer 2025 season with additional staterooms and upgrades to public areas.

The 4,100-guest Norwegian Epic is currently sailing Mediterranean voyages roundtrip from Rome, while the 2,200-guest Pride of America is the industry’s only ship that sails inter-island Hawaii voyages year-round from Honolulu.

The vessels received enhancements that included a reimagined water park for children and an expansion of the adults-only Vibe Beach Club.

Finally, the company cited the successful launch of Oceania Cruises’ new-build, Oceania Allura. The 1,200-guest ship entered service on July 18, 2025, sailing her inaugural 18-night Mediterranean voyage from Trieste, Italy, to Monaco.

Carnival Issues Travel Warning for Guests Sailing From Miami August 1–4

Donna Tunney
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Carnival Issues Travel Warning for Guests Sailing From Miami August 1–4

Key Aspects

  • Biscayne Boulevard will have detours and road restrictions in place from August 1 to 4, 2025.
  • Several Carnival Cruise Line ships are due to depart during the roadwork schedule.
  • Booked guests are advised to leave extra time for potential traffic delays.

Arriving in a timely manner at a cruise departure port is the first in a series of must-do’s on embarkation day, but sometimes elements beyond a passenger’s control can impact the experience.

That will be the case in early August, when roadwork along Miami’s busy Biscayne Boulevard will likely affect cruise guests heading to their cruise line terminals.

On July 29, 2025, Carnival issued an alert to guests booked on several ships due to depart from PortMiami between August 1 and 4, 2025, when detours and road closures could potentially snarl traffic.

Biscayne Boulevard is a roughly 12-mile stretch of road that runs through downtown Miami and serves as a major north-south artery in the city.

Passengers who can expect to be affected are those booked on Carnival Conquest’s 3-night Bahamas cruise departing on August 1 and her 4-night Bahamas cruise departing on August 4, 2025.

Also, Carnival Horizon’s 8-night Southern Caribbean departing on August 2, 2025; Carnival Celebration’s 6-night Eastern Caribbean and Carnival Magic’s 7-night Western Caribbean departures on August 3, 2025; and Carnival Sunrise’s 5-night Eastern Caribbean cruise departing on August 4, 2025.

“Our partners in Miami have informed us that Biscayne Boulevard will be closed from Friday, August 1, through Monday, August 4, due to roadwork. Consequently, there will be detours and traffic restrictions in certain areas,” Colleen Oliverio, vice president of guest services for Carnival Cruise Line, wrote in a notice to guests.

“Since this could impact your commute to the cruise terminal, we encourage you to include ample travel time to ensure prompt arrival within your pre-selected Terminal Arrival Appointment,” added Oliverio.

Passengers who bought the cruise line’s transfer service were told that the time of their transfer could be affected, although Carnival Cruise Line is working with its transfer operations vendor to deal with any possible issues.

Anyone who did not purchase a cruise line transfer and is driving themselves or taking public transport to PortMiami should leave plenty of extra time to arrive when required.

Guests were also reminded that they must be onboard their ship by the final boarding time noted on their boarding pass.

Those who miss their ship’s departure must make their own forward travel plans to meet the vessel at a future port call — a task that is often a challenge both financially and logistically.

As the cruise capital of the world, PortMiami is the busiest US port in terms of arrivals and has multiple cruise terminals to accommodate virtually every major cruise line operating. Carnival Cruise Line ships typically depart from Terminal D or E at PortMiami.

A Wide Range of Miami Itinerary Options on Carnival’s Ships

Carnival Cruise Line departures that could be impacted by the road work in Miami include a wide range of itinerary options.

The 2,980-guest Carnival Conquest is sailing 3- to 5-night Bahamas voyages. All cruises call at the line’s new private island destination, Celebration Key. Four- and 5-night sailings add either Princess Cays or Half Moon Cay, and Grand Cayman.

Carnival Cruise Ship Embarkation
Carnival Cruise Ship Docked in Miami (Photo Credit: Marcio.Duarte)

The 3,960-guest Carnival Horizon sails 6- and 8-night Western and Southern Caribbean cruises. Featured destinations on the latter include the ABC Islands — Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao.

Carnival Celebration, accommodating 5,300 guests, offers 6- to 8-night Eastern and Southern Caribbean voyages, with Eastern Caribbean sailings calling at Turks and Caicos, Dominican Republic, Nassau, Bahamas, and Celebration Key.

Read Also: Here’s How You Can Make Cruise Embarkation a Breeze

The 3,690-guest Carnival Magic is sailing 6- to 8-night Western, Eastern, and Southern Caribbean voyages, with Western Caribbean port calls in Mexico, Belize, and Honduras.

Carnival Sunrise offers shorter getaways and accommodates 2,984 guests. The ship sails 4- and 5-night Eastern Caribbean and Bahamas voyages with calls to Celebration Key, Half Moon Cay, and Nassau.

Antarctica-Bound Cruises to Sail Under Updated Travel Advisory

Catie Kovelman
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Antarctica-Bound Cruises to Sail Under Updated Travel Advisory

Key Aspects: 

  • The US government has reissued a Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution Travel Advisory for the chilly continent of Antarctica.
  • The reasoning behind the advisory is that Antarctica is prone to hazards caused by extreme and unpredictable weather, which is worsening with global warming.
  • Cruising to Antarctica is still safe, especially when sailing with a reputable brand and when passengers have contingency plans in place before any potential emergencies arise.

Cruising to Antarctica is not for the faint of heart. The coldest continent on Earth is certainly a sight to behold, but the frigid weather and barren landscapes pose their own unique challenges.

This is something that the US Government knows all too well, and it’s the reason that the Antarctica Level 2 Travel Advisory has been reissued as of July 28, 2025.

Travel advisories work on a scale of Level 1 to Level 4, with Level 2 telling cruisers that they should “exercise increased caution” while visiting this destination.

“Exercise increased caution in Antarctica due to environmental hazards posed by extreme and unpredictable weather and limited emergency services,” the advisory warns.

“There are no U.S. government consular services available to U.S. citizens in the Antarctic Region. The closest U.S Embassies/Consulates are in Argentina, Australia, Chile, New Zealand, and South Africa,” it continues.

Related to global warming, researchers have observed that the Polar region is experiencing an uptick in extreme and often unpredictable weather events.

This is related to the mass melting of sea ice in the region, which disrupts ocean currents, and in turn, impacts weather conditions and contributes to a greater number of storms.

To put things in perspective, NASA scientists have found that Antarctica lost an estimated 150 billion metric tons of ice per year from 2002 to 2023. Unfortunately, this decline is only continuing.

So, while cruise lines won’t be leaving Antarctic waters anytime soon, guests and crew members alike will need to be prepared for unusual weather conditions.

Have Antarctic Cruises Become Unsafe?

The purpose of the US travel advisory is really to encourage guests to be prepared before something goes south (no pun intended) or there is an extreme weather event.

At this time, cruises to Antarctica aren’t considered unsafe, especially when sailing with well-respected brands like Seabourn Cruise Line, Ponant Expeditions, and Silversea Cruises (among others).

“Travel with a professional guide or organization such as those that are a member of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators, or, if organizing a private expedition, be self-sufficient and have emergency medical evacuation insurance,” reads the advisory.

Seabourn Vessel in Antarctica
Seabourn Vessel in Antarctica (Photo Credit: Nancy Pauwels)

All of these brands operate smaller expedition vessels that are Polar certified, which means the ships’ structure and equipment has been designed specifically to handle the hazardous conditions that come with sailing to “The White Continent.”

For example, the hulls on these ships have been strengthened and reinforced to make navigating icy waters safer.

It’s also worth noting that sailings are only offered during the spring and summer months in the Southern Hemisphere (usually October to March), when the ice isn’t quite as thick.

Read Also: How to Stay Safe and Enjoy Your Cruise Vacation

Especially because Antarctica is remote and help may be far away, the US government also encourages cruisers to make a contingency plan for emergencies in advance.

This means investing in travel insurance, which would ideally cover any medical issues that arise and trip cancellations, as well as provide evacuation assistance.

Additionally, cruise guests can sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) online via the US Department of State.

STEP works by sending alerts and updates from the US embassy or consulate for the specific destination(s) cruisers are visiting as needed, and also helps officials contact passengers in an emergency.

Norwegian Cruise Line Adding New Visits to Norfolk, Virginia

Melissa Mayntz
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Norwegian Cruise Line Adding New Visits to Norfolk, Virginia

Key Aspects:

  • Norwegian Pearl will visit Norfolk, Virginia, as a port of call on 20 cruises from April through August 2027.
  • The port visit will be part of Bermuda itineraries, but offers a rare extra port for guests to enjoy.
  • Growing interest in Norfolk ensures more opportunities for eager guests as the cruise port completes updates.

Guests setting sail on Norwegian Pearl during the summer of 2027 will enjoy a unique port visit to Norfolk, Virginia on nearly every one of the ship’s 7-night sailings.

The brand new itinerary offering will homeport from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for 7-night cruises to Bermuda, with visits to Norfolk as part of the schedule for 20 departures between April and August.

This will give guests the unusual opportunity to enjoy some southern hospitality and charm in the Hampton Roads region, something not too many cruise itineraries offer.

Furthermore, the new sailings will bring great economic opportunities to Norfolk, with both guests and crew taking advantage of the stop.

“We’ll have the opportunity to welcome nearly 2,500 additional passengers and a thousand crew members every single Tuesday for five months,” said Stephen E. Kirkland, executive director of Nauticus, which operates the Half Moone Cruise & Celebration Center.

“That activity, coupled with our Carnival sailings each weekend, represents a broadening economic impact for this entire region.”

Carnival Cruise Line’s sailings, however, are year-round homeport operations with Carnival Sunshine. The ship offers a diverse selection of 4- to 8-night sailings to Bermuda, the Bahamas, Canada, and the Eastern Caribbean, depending on departure date.

While some guests travel to a homeport a day or two before setting sail and will therefore have hotel rooms and use restaurants, day visits at a port of call can have a more wide-ranging impact with sightseeing tours, restaurants, retail purchases, and more.

The 93,520-gross ton, Jewel-class Norwegian Pearl can welcome 2,394 guests per sailing. Together, the new itineraries will bring approximately 49,000 cruise guests to Norfolk during the summer 2027 season.

Growing Interest in Norfolk

Norfolk is uniquely positioned as a convenient port visit for ships from both northeastern homeports as well as a destination for ships from Florida, depending on overall itinerary options.

Read Also: Norwegian Cruise Ships by Age – Newest to Oldest

These new visits coming from Norwegian Pearl are one of the largest port visit commitments in Norfolk’s history, demonstrating the growing interest in the destination.

In addition to Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line, numerous other cruise lines also visit Norfolk, at least on occasion.

This includes Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, TUI Cruises, Viking Voyages, AIDA Cruises, and more.

Norfolk Cruise Terminal
Norfolk Cruise Terminal (Photo Credit: Carnival)

The port is often part of repositioning sailings. For example, Majestic Princess will visit Norfolk on October 30, 2025 as the last port of her 14-night sailing from Quebec City at the end of the autumn foliage sailing as the ship repositions to Fort Lauderdale for winter in the Caribbean.

Uniquely positioned 720 miles northwest of Bermuda, the city is also an occasional part of more leisurely Bermuda cruises. In March 2026, Oceania Allura will visit Norfolk as part of a 14-night “Balmy Bermuda” sailing roundtrip from Miami.

In spring 2024, Norfolk played a key role in keeping cruises sailing following the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and the closure of the Port of Baltimore.

At that time, Norfolk assumed homeport operations for Carnival Legend and Carnival Pride as well as Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas for several weeks.

With cruise traffic growing, the Half Moone Cruise & Celebration Center began a $12 million upgrade in January 2025. The two-phase project includes terminal and walkway upgrades, a bus loading zone, and more.

As more visits to Norfolk are planned, undoubtedly interest will continue to increase to add the destination to more varied itineraries and hopefully additional homeport operations. This will give eager cruisers yet another great option for their oceangoing vacation plans.

Royal Caribbean Cancels Labadee Visits Until November

Melissa Mayntz
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Royal Caribbean Cancels Labadee Visits Until November

Key Aspects:

  • Royal Caribbean is continuing to cancel all calls to Labadee, Haiti, at least through October 2025.
  • More than 20 sailings across five ships have confirmed itinerary changes, removing Labadee visits.
  • Haiti remains under a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory from the US Department of State due to violence and crime.

Guests booked on upcoming Royal Caribbean sailings won’t be able to visit the cruise line’s private destination in Labadee, Haiti for several more months.

Due to continued gang violence, increased crime, and civil disturbances in Haiti, the cruise line is now cancelling planned visits to Labadee at least through the end of October 2025.

To be clear, there have been no reports of any incidents directly in Labadee. The ongoing cancellations are a precautionary measure to ensure ships, guests, and port personnel remain safe.

“We have been monitoring the evolving situation in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and out of an abundance of caution, we’re cancelling our visits to Labadee through October 31st,” an email notification explained.

Impacted ships will shift to other port visits, extend time in already planned ports, or simply enjoy a day at sea instead as necessary to accommodate the changes.

These changes apply to all ships scheduled for Labadee visits, including the following departures:

  • Adventure of the Seas – August 16, 30; September 13, 27; October 11, 25
  • Freedom of the Seas – August 22, 28; September 11, 25; October 4, 9, 18, 23
  • Icon of the Seas – August 9, September 20
  • Oasis of the Seas – August 17; September 7, 14; October 5, 12, 26
  • Radiance of the Seas – October 20

In total, 23 sailings on five different ships are all cancelling calls on Labadee. These are all Caribbean sailings that range from 4-7 nights.

Additional sailings may be impacted as well and booked guests will be notified as changes are confirmed.

Depending on the ship and departure date, alternatives include Nassau, Grand Cayman, Grand Turk, Costa Maya, and other options.

On some itineraries, this changes the days of visits to other ports as well due to travel time and berth availability.

Read Also: What Are the Different Royal Caribbean Ship Classes?

Any pre-purchased, pre-paid tours for Labadee will be automatically cancelled and refunded to guests. No additional action is necessary.

Tours for other ports that are shifting days or times will likewise be automatically adjusted as necessary. Excursions for new port visits will be available on the cruise line’s website or onboard.

When Will Visits to Haiti Resume?

At the moment, there are still ships scheduled to visit Labadee in November 2025 and beyond.

Royal Caribbean is evaluating the safety of such itineraries periodically. It is possible that more sailings will cancel the visit if needed.

Haiti has experienced increasing violence, particularly gang activity, in the past few years, and this is not the first time Labadee has been removed from itineraries.

Cruise Passengers in Labadee, Haiti
Cruise Passengers in Labadee, Haiti (Photo Credit: Mary Baratto)

The most recent cancellations were announced in May 2025 and extended through the summer months. Now, the suspension is further extended through October.

The US Department of State has a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory in effect for Haiti due to kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and more, including the potential for terrorist activities.

Furthermore, emergency services and health care are both limited in the troubled nation.

While it can be disappointing for guests to miss an exclusive beach day, water sports, or other fun at Labadee, safety is always the first consideration.

Royal Caribbean will continue to monitor the situation and undoubtedly hopes to resume calls to Labadee as soon as it is safe to do so.

Carnival Working to Address Stinging Problem at Celebration Key

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Working to Address Stinging Problem at Celebration Key

Key Aspects:

  • Celebration Key visitors have noted an abundance of bees, which can be a problem for those with phobias or allergies.
  • Carnival Cruise Line is taking mitigation steps to reduce the bee population near public areas so guests are not alarmed.
  • First aid stations are equipped with allergy medications and guests can also purchase over-the-counter options for bee sting relief.

It’s the little things that might ruin a cruise vacation: forgetting a critical piece of clothing, neglecting sunscreen, or pesky bug bites. Some bites, however, can be far more than pesky, and Carnival Cruise Line is working to keep guests from feeling the sting.

The sting of bees, that is, at the cruise line’s new Bahamian destination, Celebration Key. Though the fun-filled port has been open less than two weeks, guests have noticed extensive swarms of bees.

So numerous are the bees, undoubtedly enjoying plenty of native tropical blooms, that guests have reached out to Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador, John Heald, for help.

“Hi John! Can you address all the talk and commotion about the large number of bees at Celebration Key. Will Carnival be doing anything to control the bees there?” one guest asked.

With many cruise guests afraid of bees and some travelers severely allergic to bee stings, it is important that steps be put into place to make Celebration Key as safe as possible.

Heald acknowledges the issue and notes that Carnival Cruise Line is implementing a number of steps to be sure everyone can have an enjoyable and safe visit.

“Celebration Key contains hundreds of acres of land. We are aware of bee colonies around the property and have implemented numerous mitigation measures to contain the bee population and/or move them away from the guest areas,” he explained.

The exact mitigation measures have not been outlined, but may include relocating swarms or hives away from guest areas and trimming or replacing plants near public areas to lessen blooms that would attract bees.

Heald goes on to urge guests to take appropriate precautions if they do have bee allergies.

“Please note that there is a fully-staffed First Aid Station at the north end of Lokono Cove near the departures for shore excursions, should you need attention. The medical team there does have epinephrine in case of severe allergies,” he confirmed.

“For mild allergies, Pharmabox vending machines, with over-the-counter medications, are available on the south side of Starfish Lagoon and the north side of Calypso Lagoon.”

Read Also: 10 Worst Cruise Fails You Can Prepare For

Guests who know they have bee sensitivities should always carry appropriate medication as advised by their allergist or physician.

Why Are Bees Such a Concern?

No one is surprised that Celebration Key is home to bees; it is a tropical island destination, after all, and bees are necessary for pollination.

It is the scope of bees on the island that are of concern and can make the port less enjoyable.

Many guests may have a fear of the stinging insects. This is called apiphobia for the Latin “api” for bee or melissophobia, as “Melissa” in Greek means bee. Of course, the stings are painful and can easily ruin what was supposed to be a relaxing and enjoyable beach day.

Bees in the Bahamas
Bees in the Bahamas (Photo Credit: arianak_61)

For some guests, however, so many bees are an even greater concern. According to BeeAware, up to 7.5% of the US population may be allergic to bees and just one sting could risk severe anaphylactic shock.

More From Cruise Hive

It may take some time for the mitigation measures to be implemented and for Celebration Key’s bee population to relocate further from the most popular guest areas.

In the meantime, guests who may be impacted most by the presence of bees should be sure they are prepared for any possible reactions and are able to seek help if necessary.

Heated Debate About Saving Seats Fires Up Cruisers

Catie Kovelman
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Heated Debate About Saving Seats Fires Up Cruisers

Key Aspects: 

  • Following a controversial post, Carnival cruise fans are once again debating when and if saving seats for shows onboard is appropriate. 
  • One side of the argument thinks that it’s okay to save seats under certain circumstances, but others say that the practice should never be allowed. 
  • Notably, Carnival does not permit seat saving at any of the theaters or pools onboard its cruise ships. 

An age-old debate is once again rearing its head among Carnival cruisers, and the question at hand is if it’s okay for passengers to save seats at the various venues onboard.

The topic was once again broached by a controversial Facebook post from a recent guest of Carnival Spirit, that has now made its way to Reddit.

“Just met the rudest guest. We were saving a seat for some friends at the [trivia] game area and this man and wife picked up our jackets and moved them even after being told we’re holding those seats for our friends,” the anonymous cruiser wrote, likely expecting sympathy.

But after cruise fans bashed the passenger in the comments section for saving seats, the post was quickly deleted – but obviously not forgotten.

Before we get too deep into the different arguments, it’s worth pointing out that Carnival Cruise Line does not allow seat saving in any of the theaters on its cruise ships.

Instead, the crew members are instructed to enforce a first-come, first-served policy.

I remember seeing signs outside of the Punchliner Comedy Club while onboard Carnival Radiance just last year that stated that seat saving was not allowed.

Another cruise guest who put their voice into the mix shared how they sat down in the comedy club even though another family claimed to be saving the seats.

The group called over multiple crew members to try to remove the passenger, but were told that the passenger couldn’t be made to move, which shows that the seat saving policy is enforced.

“One time at said comedy club, I showed up early and snagged a spot at the front row. This was on a Spirit-class ship where most of the seating is long bench/couch seating instead of individual chairs,” they shared.

“The group sitting at one end informed me that they were saving that space for their family, but I refused to move. They flagged down the host who told them that he couldn’t make me move,” the guest continued.

The anti-seat saving policy is also enforced on the pool decks, where Carnival has cracked down on chair hogging by “unreserving” chairs that go unused for a period of 40 minutes.

Is Saving Seats Ever Okay? 

Ultimately, there is no right answer to this question, and I’m not sure that there ever will be. There are too many different sides to this heated debate.

For example, some cruisers think that saving seats is okay under certain circumstances, such as when just a couple people are running behind or someone needs to step away to use the bathroom.

“They could have had to use the restroom, went for a drink, etc. I say 10-15 minutes is fair. Anything beyond that is inconsiderate,” one cruise fan asserted.

“I think it’s ok within reason. Saving 2 seats is fine. Saving 6? That’s pretty excessive…you certainly shouldn’t be taking the better seating if your party isn’t ready,” another agreed.

Carnival Cruise Line Lido Deck
Carnival Cruise Line Lido Deck (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)

Read Also: 15 Most Annoying Things People Do on Cruises

Others were steadfast in their belief that saving seats is never okay, no matter the circumstances.

“Saving seats to shows is ridiculous. Everyone who wants to see the show is trying to get there early or on time,” one person argued. 

“The group that runs down and blocks off desirable seats because members of their group are running late are a–holes. If the show is important, have them be there on time,” they continued.

I’ve personally seen people save prime seats for production shows on multiple cruise lines, only for their party to never actually arrive.

When all is said and done, this debate is really a question of proper cruise ship etiquette.

This means being considerate of your fellow passengers, but also keeping in mind that asking someone to save you a seat can lead to awkward encounters and potential conflict.

I like to think about it this way: If you would be angry to be on the receiving end of your seat saving actions, you may want to reconsider your next move.

NCL Ship Leaves Hundreds Behind for Tsunami Evacuation, Awaits Clearance to Return

Melissa Mayntz
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NCL Ship Leaves Hundreds Behind for Tsunami Evacuation, Awaits Clearance to Return

Key Aspects:

  • Pride of America left more than 300 individuals behind at her emergency departure from Hilo due to tsunami evacuation measures.
  • The ship will return to Hilo Harbor once a required safety assessment is complete and the harbor has reopened.
  • No itinerary changes have yet been confirmed, but the ship will be unable to visit Kona exactly as planned.

Following the tsunami warnings issued to Hawaii in the wake of the 8.8 magnitude earthquake late Tuesday, July 29, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America was required to immediately evacuate Hilo Harbor.

The emergency departure, an essential step to safeguard the ship and harbor from the threat of tsunami waves, meant that guests were recalled to the vessel long before the scheduled all-aboard time.

Unfortunately, not all guests made it back to the pier. Similarly, not all crew members enjoying time ashore were able to return to the ship before it had to leave.

In total, more than 300 individuals were not aboard Pride of America as she sailed away. In some cases, families were separated depending on who was aboard the ship and who was ashore at the critical time.

In a statement to Cruise Hive, Norwegian Cruise Line explained their emergency operational decisions and what will happen next.

“Before departure, all guests were notified via SMS and advised to seek higher ground and follow instructions from local authorities if they were unable to return to the ship in time for its departure,” the statement read.

“Guests participating in NCL shore excursions were brought directly to a local high school, a designated safe location in Hilo, where refreshments were provided for their comfort and well-being.”

The high school used as a tsunami evacuation shelter is Waiakea High School on Kawili Street, just over three miles from the Port of Hilo. The high school is 105 feet above sea level and equipped to handle emergency crowds as needed.

Cruise guests on independent tours or exploring Hilo on their own who were not able to return to Pride of America could also go to the school. Some choose to seek other shelter or accommodations for the night as the ship remained safely away from the port.

Pride of America Cruise Ship
Pride of America Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Jose Gil)

“As a precaution and due to the temporary port closure, Pride of America has remained at sea, a safer location in situations such as this,” the cruise line confirmed.

“The tsunami warning has since been lifted, allowing for the affected ports to gradually reopen. Hilo Harbor, however, requires a safety assessment before it can receive clearance from local authorities and the U.S. Coast Guard. This assessment is scheduled to take place in the early morning of July 30, 2025 local Hawaii time, at which point our guests will reboard the ship.”

Satellite tracking data shows Pride of America remaining at sea in the early morning, though the ship has not ventured further than necessary from Hilo. This will ensure she can return promptly once the all-clear is received and Hilo Harbor has safely reopened.

At that time, the ship will be able to reunite with guests who were unable to return before the emergency departure and the 7-night Hawaiian inter-island sailing will continue.

Itinerary Adjustment Inevitable

Considering that Pride of America was scheduled to be in Kona on the other side of the Big Island on Wednesday, July 30, from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., that stop will not be possible as planned.

At this time, it is not confirmed whether or not the ship will simply cancel that port visit, adjust the timing, or shift all port visits on the itinerary to accommodate the unexpected changes.

Read Also: Cruise Destinations Under Tsunami Warnings Following Major Earthquake

There is one sea day left on the ship’s weeklong itinerary, planned as the last day of the voyage. It is possible that all port visits could simply be shifted one day later, or else the visit to Kona may be cancelled and the itinerary will resume as scheduled.

The next port for Pride of America is Nawiliwili on Kauai on Thursday, July 31, from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. This is also the last port for the weekly itinerary.

Guests onboard will be updated with itinerary changes as soon as plans are confirmed.

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