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Carnival Festivale Sailings and Massive Water Park Revealed

Carnival Cruise News

Melissa Mayntz

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Aug 13, 2025

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Carnival Festivale Sailings and Massive Water Park Revealed

Key Aspects:

Carnival Festivale‘s first itineraries are now open, including her transatlantic maiden voyage.
The ship will offer 6- and 8-night Eastern and Southern Caribbean sailings from Port Canaveral.
New zones emphasize the ship’s immersive music theme with new features, bars, and more to enjoy.

It’s time for Carnival fans to celebrate, as bookings have opened for Carnival Festivale, the upcoming fourth Excel-class ship. The ship is now under construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany.

The cruise line announced earlier that Carnival Festivale will homeport from Port Canaveral. Now we know exactly when and how she will arrive.

The ship’s inaugural sailing will be a 15-night transatlantic cruise departing from Southampton, UK on May 2, 2027.

The ship will visit La Coruña and Vigo, Spain; Funchal, Portugal; Tenerife in the Canary Islands; and Grand Turk as she makes her way home to Florida.

Carnival Festivale will arrive in Port Canaveral on Sunday, May 16, 2027.

The ship’s first sailings from Florida begin May 19 with a 4-night Bahamas cruise to both Celebration Key and RelaxAway Half Moon Cay.

She will then offer 6- and 8-night Eastern and Southern Caribbean itineraries. Depending on sailing date and cruise length, Carnival Festivale will visit amazing ports like Amber Cove, St. Thomas, Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao.

Every sailing will also visit Celebration Key, giving guests the chance to enjoy Carnival’s newest ship and newest destination on the same great vacation.

In total, more than 50 new sailings are now available to book and are sure to fill up fast.

New Features for a New Ship

As is customary with a brand new ship, Carnival Festivale is also introducing brand new features.

Overall, the ship will have an immersive music theme, bringing sounds and sights together in transformative venues.

“Music is the universal language that brings families and friends together, and Carnival Festivale will amplify that unique connection. The experiences we’ll deliver will appeal to every generation,” said Christine Duffy, Carnival Cruise Line president.

“Everyone – no matter their age or interest – will find their rhythm on this ship.”

Studio 724, located midship, will celebrate music-making by remixing the cruise experience with synchronized lights, animations, and sounds. The Spark will offer signature cocktails immersed in the creativity of songwriting and nightly live performances.

Nearby, the ever-popular Alchemy Bar will have an expanded lounge, giving everyone plenty of space to enjoy the live music.

Deck 7 will be home to the brand new Mix Bar with music-themed cocktails and a turntable bar. Guests can create their own cocktails by remixing flavor “tracks” for unique tastes.

The music theme continues on Deck 8 with The Festival, a bright, spacious promenade with dynamic lighting that changes from day to night. The Festival Grounds Coffee & Bar, Pizza Palooza, and Rhythm & Rolls Deli are all found here.

Out on deck, adventurous guests will enjoy Sunsation Point and the biggest ever waterpark in Carnival’s history – Carnival WaterWorks Ultra.

The Vista Pool on Deck 16 will feature a splash pad for the youngest cruisers (swim diapers permitted), while the bigger slides are found on Deck 18. Six waterslides are planned, including two family raft slides, the SunSoaker and Turning Tides.

The dueling Racing Currents slides offer competition for waterslide lovers, while two mini slides are ideal for the kids.

In an industry first, WaterWorks will be open on select evenings to give guests the unique experience of enjoying their favorite slip-and-slide fun at night.

For guests who prefer staying dry, Deck 17 will be the place to be. The Vault Retrocade has both modern and vintage video games, while the Scenic Overlook bar is THE place for stunning aft views.

Want an even better view? Try the Treehouse adventure trail with net bridges, obstacles, and a dry slide. Kids will also have a smaller playground to enjoy nearby.

Outdoor pool games, giant Jenga, and the illuminated mini golf course complete the fun.

With so much on offer and so many great itineraries now available, the festival is about to start on Carnival Festivale!

Royal Caribbean Scrambles for New Godmother After Diana Ross Bows Out

Royal Caribbean News

Melissa Mayntz

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Aug 13, 2025

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Royal Caribbean Scrambles for New Godmother After Diana Ross Bows Out

Key Aspects:

Diana Ross has unexpectedly pulled out as Star of the Seas‘ godmother and will not appear at the ship’s naming ceremony.
A new godmother will be selected, but no potential choices have been revealed.
Star of the Seas will be named in an evening ceremony at Port Canaveral on Wednesday, August 20.

Star of the Seas is just days away from her official debut, but one crucial step remains – the ship’s naming ceremony. This tradition, conducted by the ship’s official godmother, bestows good fortune on a new vessel and all who sail on her.

Royal Caribbean announced in early June that the legendary Motown singer Diana Ross was to be Star of the Seas‘ godmother. Now, however, Ross has unexpectedly pulled out of the honor.

“We are disappointed that Diana Ross is unable to join us to be godmother of Star of the Seas,” a Royal Caribbean representative confirmed.

The singer has cancelled her appearance aboard the new ship at the naming ceremony, scheduled for Wednesday, August 20 in the ship’s iconic AquaDome neighborhood.

The 81-year-old performer was initially thrilled with the honorary title for the second Icon-class vessel.

“Having spent years of creating beautiful music and memories and bringing people together from all over the world, this feels like a perfect continuation of my journey as godmother of Star of the Seas,” said Ross.

The reasons behind Ross’s cancellation and withdrawal from the naming ceremony have not been released. She has just completed a UK arena tour, however, and is scheduled to begin her “Beautiful Love” US tour on August 16 in Saratoga, California.

It is possible that rescheduling tour dates may conflict with Ross’s commitment as the ship’s godmother, though the second published tour date isn’t until August 28 in St. Louis, Missouri.

The singer’s health and family commitments may also have created last-minute changes to her schedule, though no details have been confirmed.

Who Could Be Named as the New Godmother?

Who will do the honors now, with just a week to go before the christening?

“We look forward to announcing our new godmother soon,” Royal Caribbean said, confirming that no new godmother has been immediately chosen.

Still, there could be a fair few choices. Celebrities – actresses, singers, athletes, etc. – are often selected for the honor. Other recipients are often leaders in their respective fields, renowned for charitable work, or otherwise notable for their accomplishments.

And a “godmother” doesn’t necessarily have to be a woman. In recent years, several ships have had godfathers do the ceremonial naming honors instead.

Royal Caribbean CEO and Lionel Messi (Photo Credit: Michael Bayley)

In fact, Star of the Seas‘ sister ship, Icon of the Seas, was named by her godfather, top soccer player Lionel Messi of Inter Miami CF.

Given that Star of the Seas is also home to Sailor, the second Chief Dog Officer in the fleet, a godparent with a connection to dog rescues or animal welfare could be a very appropriate choice.

Or, and I’m just suggesting, I do live just a few minutes from Port Canaveral and would happily release that oversized bottle of champagne onto Star of the Seas‘ hull next week! (I mean, if they need a volunteer…)

Cruise Hive will be on hand at Star of the Seas‘ naming ceremony, so stay tuned for in-person updates and perspectives at the very momentous occasion for one of the world’s largest cruise ships.

Landslide Prevents Royal Caribbean Ship From Visiting Alaska Destination

Royal Caribbean News

Catie Kovelman

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Aug 13, 2025

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Landslide Prevents Royal Caribbean Ship From Visiting Alaska Destination

Key Aspects:

A landslide in the area around the Tracy Arm Fjord, which then triggered a tsunami, has made the area unsafe for cruising temporarily.
Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas will be skipping the scenic cruising destination on August 13, 2025, and heading straight for Juneau.
With several other ships expected to sail through Tracy Arm in the coming days, Alaska-bound cruisers should keep an eye out for possible updates.

Cruise guests looking forward to visiting Tracy Arm Fjord, Alaska, will be disappointed to learn that Mother Nature had other plans.

Due to a landslide (and subsequent tsunami) that impacted Tracy Arm and Endicott Arm on August 10, 2025, Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas will have to skip her planned visit on August 13, 2025.

For context, both “Arms” are two separate (but close) waterways that branch off from Holkham Bay in Southeast Alaska.

Both destinations are also only visited for scenic cruising. Guests do not actually disembark.

“As previously announced by our Captain, there was a landslide that occurred near the Tracy Arm Fjords area yesterday, pushing an extensive amount of debris into the water,” the up to 2,490 guests onboard were notified.

Local reports show that tens of thousands of cubic meters of debris went careening into the ocean, which currently makes the area unsafe for cruise ships to navigate – and safety has to be the top priority for the cruise lines.

“The US Coast Guard has alerted us that the area still remains hazardous to navigate. As a result, we are unable to visit the Tracy Arm Fjords & Glacier,” the cruise line’s update continued.

View of Tracy Arm fjord From the Deck (Photo Credit: Ken Schulze)

On the bright side, the Radiance-class cruise ship’s planned call on Juneau, Alaska, which was scheduled as an afternoon call following the scenic cruising on August 13, will now be expanded to a full day in the popular city.

“We are proceeding to Juneau, Alaska, and we will now arrive at 9:00 AM instead of 2:00 PM,” Royal Caribbean confirmed.

The final port calls on Icy Strait Point and Ketchikan will also go ahead as planned before this 7-night itinerary concludes in Vancouver on August 17.

What Exactly Happened?

At about 5:30 a.m. local time on August 10, a landslide sent debris tumbling into the ocean. This was followed by localized tsunami waves that averaged at around 10 to 15 feet high.

“We received reports this morning from the Endicott Arm area of Southeast Alaska of a local tsunami that rolled through the area just after 5:30 AM,” the Alaska Earthquake Center shared on social media shortly after the event.

“…At this point, all evidence suggests that this set of reported 10- to 15-foot high waves was set in motion by a landslide of several tens of millions of cubic meters of rock striking the water. We are working to confirm the exact location,” the post continued.

We will post an informative web story later today on what we know about the large landslide and local tsunami it caused in Southeast Alaska. In the meantime, our gratitude to LT Chip Baucom and CDR PJ Johansen, @uscoastguard , for sharing this first flyover of the landslide that… pic.twitter.com/XY7If7duGL
— Alaska Earthquake Center (@AKearthquake) August 12, 2025

It’s also not the first time a landslide has thrown a wrench into cruising plans. Ketchikan experienced its own landslide on August 25, 2024, just about a year ago.

About a month earlier on July 23, 2024, Alaska cruisers who set off to tour the Yukon during a day in Skagway were stranded in Canada due to a major landslide.

In this case, it’s unclear how long it will be before cruise ships can safely sail through the Tracy Arm Fjord.

With dozens of ships planning to take their own scenic tours before August ends, cruisers bound for Alaska in the near future should be keeping an eye out for updates from their cruise line.

Princess Cruises’ Discovery Princess and Holland America Line’s Westerdam are expected most immediately in Tracy Arm on August 13, but it’s unclear if they, too, will be altering course.

Royal Caribbean Ship Is First to Divert Due to Tropical Storm Erin

Royal Caribbean News

Melissa Mayntz

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Aug 12, 2025

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Royal Caribbean Ship Is First to Divert Due to Tropical Storm Erin

Key Aspects:

Vision of the Seas will not be visiting Bermuda on her August 14 sailing in order to avoid Tropical Storm Erin.
Instead, the ship will spend a day at Port Canaveral and have a longer visit in Nassau.
Tropical Storm Erin should intensify into a hurricane in the next couple of days, but there is still great uncertainty in her track later in the week.

Royal Caribbean is wasting no time in ensuring the safety of its ships, or at least one ship, that would likely be directly in the path of Tropical Storm Erin.

The cruise line has contacted guests due to board Vision of the Seas on Thursday, August 14, 2025 to alert them to an itinerary change that will now skip Bermuda entirely.

The ship is homeported from Baltimore, Maryland and her August 14 departure is a 9-night Bermuda and Perfect Day cruise.

To ensure a more perfect vacation than sailing into what will likely be a hurricane, Vision of the Seas will now head south instead of aiming for Bermuda.

“Along with our Chief Meteorologist, Craig Setzer, our Captain has been monitoring Tropical Storm Erin and its expected track that will take it near Bermuda during our sailing,” the email reads. “In the interest of safety, we have decided to avoid the storm and head south.”

Vision of the Seas was scheduled to visit Bermuda overnight on Saturday and Sunday, August 16-17. While the storm isn’t likely to reach Bermuda until early next week, the ship would have had to pass through the storm’s path to continue on to the Bahamas.

Now, the ship will keep much further west and well away from the roughest waters churned up by what may be a major hurricane at the time.

Instead of visiting Bermuda, Vision of the Seas will visit Port Canaveral (Orlando) on Sunday, August 17. Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy iconic Cocoa Beach, explore the stars at Kennedy Space Center, or experience outstanding theme parks.

This change will also permit Vision of the Seas to reach Nassau several hours earlier than originally planned. Instead of being in port from 1-8 p.m. on Tuesday, August 19, the ship will now reach the Bahamian capital at 7 a.m.

Guests can take advantage of earlier shore tours, spend the morning hours exploring on their own, or enjoy more leisurely time onboard while others are already off the ship.

Of course, pre-booked tours for the cancelled Bermuda visit will be automatically refunded to the original form of payment.

The ship’s visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay and her return to Baltimore are not expected to be impacted.

Ultimately, of course, the safety of the ship is the foremost concern. Should further itinerary changes be necessary, Royal Caribbean will notify guests as soon as possible.

Update on Tropical Storm Erin

Though still located more than 1,600 miles east of the easternmost Caribbean ports, Tropical Storm Erin continues to move west and is forecast to become a hurricane by late Thursday or early Friday.

Currently, the storm’s maximum sustained winds are 45 miles per hour, well below the 75 mph threshold to be classified as a hurricane. The National Hurricane Center notes that intensification is expected by late Wednesday, August 13.

At this time, no warnings have yet been issued for the storm, but there is still a lot of uncertainty over the next few days.

“Erin could move close enough to the northern Leeward Islands, Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico over the weekend to produce some impacts on those islands,” the 5 p.m. Tuesday forecast discussion notes. “However, the magnitude of those impacts is still not known.”

Undoubtedly, Vision of the Seas will only be the first of several ships to adjust itineraries in order to offer smooth, comfortable, and most of all, safe sailing to guests.

Any travelers with cruises booked to the Eastern Caribbean, Bahamas, or Bermuda in the next 7-10 days should stay alert to possible adjustments.

Staying in close contact with one’s cruise line is the best way to ensure prompt notification of such updates.

Michael Bublé Calls Disney Alaska Cruise “Unreal” in Candid Post

Disney Cruise Line News

Lissa Poirot

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Aug 12, 2025

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Michael Bublé Calls Disney Alaska Cruise “Unreal” in Candid Post

Key Aspects:

Michael Bublé called his family’s cruise to Alaska “unreal.”
Bublé and fellow passengers praise Disney’s crew and service.
Disney Wonder’s Alaska season runs through September 23, 2025.

World-renowned Canadian crooner Michael Bublé just became a spokesperson for Disney Cruise Line without any multi-million contract.

The singer known for his hit “Haven’t Met You Yet” shared a heartfelt recap of his family’s recent Alaskan getaway aboard a Disney Cruise Line vessel, and, in no surprise of other Disney guests, gave it an enthusiastic thumbs up.

In a post on his Instagram on July 29, 2025, the singer described his family’s cruise as “unreal.”

“My family and I just went on a Disney cruise to Alaska and it was unreal!! Every part of the experience exceeded our expectations,” Bublé posted.

He continued, “I’m not exaggerating when I say the staff, the food, and all of our fellow passengers totally rocked.”

Bublé went on to urge other families to cruise with Disney, highly recommending it before injecting a bit of humor and clarity, adding, “Hilariously this is definitely not an ad but it sure does sound like one reading this back.”

His post quickly gained traction on social media, resonating with passengers who sailed with Disney before.

Said one, “He’s absolutely right. I’ve been on two Disney cruises, and each one was magical. The cast and crew that work on those ships make it extra special.”

Another passenger recalled her own voyage aboard Disney Wonder in 2023, “Disney cruises are the most amazing thing on the planet. No other cruise compares. Everything from the natural beauty to the staff to my wonder room – pure magic!”

Ways to Find Wonder

Bublé’s cruise with his wife, also a singer, model, and actress, and their four children – ages 2 to 11 – was featured on his Instagram page as he shared photos with crew, cast, and team members.

The cruise took place on the 2,713-guest Disney Wonder, the second-oldest ship in the fleet that has been sailing in Alaska since May 2025, providing 7-night roundtrip journeys from Vancouver, near Bublé’s hometown.

Disney Wonder in Alaska (Photo Credit: been.there.recently)

The cruise itinerary includes calls in Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan, Alaska, along with two sea days.

“I just genuinely loved everything about it so much I had to give props where they were due,” Bublé said. “We’re already trying to figure out how to get back on that boat again!”

He has several more chances as the 84,130-gross-ton Disney Wonder is still in Alaska. Her last 2025 seasonal voyage concludes in Vancouver on September 23, 2025.

But have no fear, Michael, Disney Wonder is already confirmed to sail the route again beginning in May 2026.

But while the Bublé family may have had a blast in Alaska, the cruise line offers a fleet of six ships (and two more debuting soon!) in other parts of the world, including the Caribbean from Florida ports like Port Canaveral and Port Everglades.

Disney Wonder, however, is repositioning Down Under after its Alaskan season. Perhaps the family would like to join the 10-night cruise to Hawaii from Vancouver on September 23, 2025?

That voyage will visit the islands of Oahu, Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii before a 14-night repositioning cruise to Syndey that arrives on October 18, 2025.

The ship will then spend a Southern Hemisphere summer season in Australia and New Zealand, conducting 3- and 5-night sailings to Eden, Australia, and Hobart, Tasmania, from Syndey as well as Wellington and Christchurch, from Auckland.

It will be Disney Cruise Line’s last cruise season Down Under.

Code Oscar Alert as Overboard Situation Reported on Norwegian Star

Norwegian Cruise Line News

Melissa Mayntz

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Aug 12, 2025

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Code Oscar Alert as Overboard Situation Reported on Norwegian Star

Key Aspects:

An overboard incident has been reported from Norwegian Star off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada.
Norwegian Cruise Line has confirmed that a 79-year-old male passenger did go overboard.
No details on their condition have been released but an investigation is ongoing.

It’s a somber day aboard Norwegian Star as an overboard situation has been reported. The ship is currently at sea for a 14-night, one-way sailing from New York to Reykjavik, Iceland.

The emergency call was made at roughly 5 a.m. Tuesday, August 12, 2025, in the waters of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, as the ship is on its way toward Nuuk, Greenland.

Guests onboard reported being woken up by short blasts from the ship’s horn and the “Code Oscar” announcement early Tuesday morning.

That code or similar announcements, such as “Oscar, Oscar, Oscar” are emergency codes typically used only in overboard situations.

A passenger currently onboard shared, “We were woken this morning by a “Code Oscar” announcement, which means someone has gone overboard. Several people in our sailing’s FB group saw lifeboats being lowered, and one saw the person being recovered. Rumor (unconfirmed) is that they didn’t survive. Given the temperature of the water up here, north of Newfoundland, I would be very surprised if they did.“

Satellite tracking data shows that Norwegian Star did indeed slow and turn back on her course briefly, which would be consistent with an individual overboard.

Rescue boats were immediately launched to search for the individual or to effect their recovery. The boats returned shortly thereafter, and the cruise ship continued on her course.

In a statement provided to Cruise Hive, Norwegian Cruise Line confirmed the incident.

“We are deeply saddened to confirm that one of our guests, a 79-year-old male, was reported to have gone overboard while the ship was sailing to Greenland. The appropriate authorities have been contacted and an investigation is ongoing,” the cruise line said.

“In consideration for the family and their privacy, updates will be shared as appropriate. Our thoughts and prayers are with the guest’s loved ones during this difficult time.”

Norwegian Star left New York on Thursday, August 7, 2025. The ship has already visited Halifax, Sydney, and Corner Brook, and is spending August 12 and 13 at sea before arriving in Nuuk on Thursday, August 14.

Interestingly, the visit to Corner Brook on Monday, August 11 was the ship’s first-ever visit to that port. It is rare for a 24-year-old ship to have an inaugural visit, but that would have been a very special event for this sailing.

Norwegian Star Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: P.Cartwright)

Additional port visits are scheduled in both Greenland and Iceland before Norwegian Star arrives in Reykjavik for debarkation on August 21.

This sad incident will have no impact on the ship’s schedule as she continues her itinerary.

The 91,740-gross ton ship can welcome 2,348 guests aboard and is also home to roughly 1,000 international crew members.

Could Someone Survive in Colder Water?

Water temperatures could be of grave concern for this type of situation.

According to Live Radar sea temperature monitoring, the ocean temperature in the region where the overboard occurred is currently about 55 degrees Fahrenheit (13 Celsius).

While this may seem balmy, it can actually be dangerously cold depending on an individual’s physical condition as well as any protective clothing they may be wearing.

In a cruise ship overboard situation, it is unlikely the individual, whether a crew member or guest, would be wearing heavier clothing or thermal coverings.

In general, numbness would begin to be severe within as little as 10-15 minutes, with exhaustion or unconsciousness occurring in as little as an hour. Of course, if the individual were injured in the fall or were to have other health problems, they could be in grave danger much sooner.

Cruise Hive’s thoughts are with both guests and crew aboard Norwegian Star at this difficult time.

What Carnival Crew Members Can’t Do for Guests

Carnival Cruise News

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Aug 12, 2025

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What Carnival Crew Members Can’t Do for Guests

Key Aspects:

Carnival crew members aren’t always able to repair personal belongings, especially electronics or specialized equipment.
Liability and equipment warrantees must be considered before any repairs can start.
Guests should take steps before and during their cruise so their belongings stay working and protected.

It’s well known that cruise ship crew members do their very best to respond to all sorts of requests nearly every day.

This might be as simple as providing a bucket of ice or a few extra pillows, or as unique as softening butter before dinner.

Sometimes, such requests are pleas for help when something breaks. Crew members have helped sew buttons on shirts or even repair broken luggage.

But crew members can’t do everything. There are certain things they absolutely can’t manage, and some repairs they aren’t permitted to attempt.

Carnival’s brand ambassador, John Heald, addressed fix-it requests in one of his daily videos, which he often uses to comment on guests’ concerns.

“In the last week or so, I’ve been asked for help to have our crew repair the following,” Heald said. “A mobility scooter, a personal hair dryer, an iPhone that was dropped in the ocean while taking selfies.”

Heald noted that these guest requests come directly to him, without the guests first asking for assistance onboard their respective ships. Some requests are polite, some are better classified as demands.

“Our crew are fabulous, they always try. But sometimes, they have to say no,” he said.

“None of them have been trained in repairs of mobility scooters, they haven’t. We don’t have a mobility scooter repair officer onboard.”

It isn’t just scooters that are outside the expertise of Carnival crew members.

“None of them have been trained in the inner workings of a Dyson hair dryer,” Heald noted. “We don’t have an IT officer who comes running to the information desk to meet the guests with a manual for the iPhone 15 and a massive bucket of rice to put it in. We don’t.”

Heald explains that crew members really do try, but there are occasionally liability reasons why repairs aren’t possible.

Worth Reading: Crew Member Removed From Cruise Ship After Giving Notice

For example, if a crew member attempted to repair a mobility scooter but did so incorrectly, that individual and the cruise line might be considered at fault if the scooter failed again and injured the guest.

Unauthorized repairs might also void equipment warranties, creating more trouble for guests in the future.

Jemuel, Carnival Cruise Line Crew Member

Ultimately, guests should be aware that repairs aren’t always possible and may not even be attempted, depending on the item and its damage.

“Please, don’t be angry at them if they can’t repair your personal belongings,” Heald urged. “Sometimes, they just can’t repair it.”

Of course, crew members will always try to help if they can. In May 2025, a Carnival Breeze engineer took a few minutes from his day to help a guest with a detached walker wheel during debarkation.

This was a simple repair and didn’t involve electronic components, and is just one example of crew members going out of their way to help whenever possible.

How to Protect Your Belongings

The best thing guests can do is to ensure all their essential equipment is in top condition before setting sail.

In the case of scooters or other assistive devices, this might involve visiting a local repair shop before the cruise for a quick tune-up.

Tightening screws and inspecting luggage seams, checking clothing buttons, ensuring cords are in good shape, and other simple steps can be sure belongings are ready for a cruise.

Of course, guests must also protect their items while onboard. Take care when driving scooters to avoid inadvertent crashes and keep a firm grip on phones for those all-important selfies!

WWII Mustang Soars Over White Cliffs in Farewell to Carnival Miracle

Carnival Cruise News

Donna Tunney

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Aug 12, 2025

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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 (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.

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

Carnival Cruise News

Melissa Mayntz

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Aug 12, 2025

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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 (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.

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“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.

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!