Blog Page 15

Carnival Sunshine Guests Warned of Traffic Difficulties for Embarkation

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Sunshine Guests Warned of Traffic Difficulties for Embarkation

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Cruise Line has alerted guests to traffic congestion for Carnival Sunshine‘s April 18 embarkation.
  • The City of Norfolk is hosting the 73rd Annual Parade of Nations, which will lead to road closures and detours.
  • There is no change to Carnival Sunshine‘s departure time or her 8-night Southern Caribbean itinerary.

Arriving at an embarkation port can be a hectic day even for the most experienced cruiser, and Carnival Sunshine guests have now been warned that their Saturday, April 18, 2026 embarkation may be even more hectic than typical.

The ship is homeported in Norfolk, Virginia, and Carnival Cruise Line has notified incoming guests about a special event that will impact traffic near the cruise port.

“The City of Norfolk will be hosting the 73rd Annual Parade of Nations on the day of your embarkation,” the email explained. “As a result, there will be numerous street closures and heavier-than-normal traffic in and around the city.”

The Parade of Nations is the only parade in the US to honor NATO and features more than 100 bands, floats, military units, and community groups. The parade route runs between Water Street and East Freemason St., including parts of Waterside Drive and Granby Street. The event officially starts at noon, but road closures will likely begin well ahead of time to allow for setup.

While guests should still plan to arrive during the appointment window they selected when they checked in for the cruise, they are advised to check traffic conditions as they get near the port and to be aware of potential congestion.

Carnival recommends that guests parking at the port use the Cedar Grove Lot on Monticello Avenue, just over a mile’s walk from the Half Moon Cruise Center. Complimentary shuttles will be available at the Cedar Grove Lot to transport guests to the cruise terminal.

If guests are being dropped off at the terminal by family, friends, or rideshare services, detour signs will be posted and local authorities will be on hand to direct traffic around street closures.

Norfolk Nato Festival
Norfolk Nato Festival

The drop-off zone will be across from the cruise terminal at Todd Jurich’s Bistro on Boush Street, less than a 5-minute walk to the terminal building.

There is no change to Carnival Sunshine‘s schedule, and the ship will still be setting sail at roughly 4:30 p.m. for her 8-night Southern Caribbean sailing. The visits to RelaxAway Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk, and Amber Cove are not affected, and the ship will return to Norfolk on Sunday, April 26, as planned.

The cruise line is adamant that all guests must be on board no later than the final boarding time printed on their boarding passes. Late arrivals cannot be accommodated and may be denied boarding.

Carnival Sunshine can welcome 3,002 guests at double occupancy or as many as 3,758 travelers when fully booked with all berths filled. The ship is also home to just over 900 international crew members.

Local Events Often Impact Cruise Embarkations

Travelers often have to plan around different local events that can create traffic difficulties near cruise terminals, particularly for weekend sailings at metropolitan homeports.

Cruise Hive has often reported on such events as cruise lines work to alert guests about potential traffic congestion, road closures, and detours.

In Miami, for example, annual marathons, 5K races, and music festivals can disrupt cruise port traffic, not to mention ongoing road construction and projects at the port itself.

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Road construction has also been a concern lately at the Port of Galveston, where resurfacing work at the cruise port has diverted some traffic patterns temporarily.

Port Tampa Bay has a unique annual event when the Gasparilla Pirate Fest takes over not only several downtown streets, but also waterways that impact the cruise port.

Most cruise lines will reach out to booked guests in the days before embarkation if any large events might cause problems, but guests should always do their own local research as well, so they don’t have trouble reaching their cruise terminal.

First Cruise Ship Clears Strait of Hormuz After 2-Month Closure

Lissa Poirot
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First Cruise Ship Clears Strait of Hormuz After 2-Month Closure

Key Aspects:

  • Iran reopened the Strait of Hormuz on April 17, 2026.
  • Celestyal Discovery became the first cruise ship to pass through the strait, departing Dubai at 11:36 a.m. local time.
  • Other vessels still in the region may soon be able to reposition out of the Gulf.

The first cruise ship has now cleared the Strait of Hormuz after the strategic waterway spent weeks effectively closed amid military conflict in the Middle East.

Celestyal Discovery, a 1,360-guest vessel operated by Greece-based Celestyal Cruises, departed Port Rashid in Dubai, U.A.E., on April 17 at 11:36 a.m. local time, becoming the first cruise ship known to exit the strait since the crisis began earlier this year.

Per Cruise Hive’s Cruise Ship Tracker, the vessel is sailing toward Muscat, Oman, where it is scheduled to arrive April 18 at 4 p.m. local time.

Its passage marks a major development for the cruise industry after the Strait of Hormuz had remained inaccessible to commercial vessels since late February, when escalating military conflict between Iran, the United States, and Israel destabilized the region.

On February 28, Iran’s forces warned ships were not allowed to sail through the strait. The threat effectively halted most maritime traffic through the narrow channel that links the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman.

The disruption stranded multiple cruise ships in Gulf ports, forcing cruise lines to cancel sailings and postpone repositioning voyages.

Celestyal Cruises was among the most affected, remaining docked in Dubai for weeks while sister ship Celestyal Journey waited in Doha, Qatar, both unable to leave the region.

Cruise Ship Tracking for Celestyal Discovery
Cruise Ship Tracking for Celestyal Discovery

Celestyal Discovery had been operating an “Iconic Arabia” program that was calling at ports in the Persian Gulf, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas, Doha, Ras al Khaimah, and Khasab, when the conflict began.

Sister ship, Celestyal Journey, was operating similar itineraries on its “Desert Days” program. The vessel remains in the Port of Doha at press time. The line cancelled all April departures while awaiting safe passage back toward the Mediterranean.

Other cruise operators faced similar challenges, with ships from MSC Cruises and TUI Cruises also stuck in ports across the Gulf, cancelling sailings as vessels were unable to pass through the strait.

Other Stranded Ships Could Soon Follow

The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz could quickly unlock the rest of the cruise ships that have been trapped inside the Persian Gulf for weeks.

Several vessels have been waiting in regional ports since late February. Among the largest vessels stuck in the region is MSC Cruises’ MSC Euribia, a 181-541-gross-ton liquified natural gas (LNG)-powered ship currently docked in Dubai.

The vessel was scheduled to begin its European summer season in Kiel, Germany, but the cruise line has cancelled multiple sailings through mid-May after the ship was unable to reposition.

Two ships from TUI Cruises have also been waiting for the route to reopen. Mein Schiff 4 remains in Dubai while sister ship Mein Schiff 5 has been holding position in Doha. Both vessels cancelled several planned itineraries during the crisis because they could not leave the Gulf.

If the transit remains open and proves safe, other cruise lines are expected to begin repositioning toward Europe for the summer cruise season.

For ships like MSC Euribia, the journey involves sailing through the Strait of Hormuz into the Gulf of Oman, crossing the Arabian Sea, passing through the Suez Canal, and continuing to Europe.

Whether that process begins immediately will depend on security conditions and procedures required by Iranian authorities.

Port of Seattle Opens Its Busiest Alaska Cruise Season in History

Lissa Poirot
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Port of Seattle Opens Its Busiest Alaska Cruise Season in History

Key Aspects:

  • The Port of Seattle expects 330 vessel calls and about 2.1 million passengers in 2026.
  • The season begins with a call by Norwegian Jade on April 17, while Noordam begins the homeport season on April 19.
  • Sixteen vessels will homeport in Seattle, including first-time MSC Cruises and Virgin Voyages’ vessels.

The Port of Seattle officially launched the 2026 Alaska cruise season on April 17, 2026, with the first cruise ship arrival of the year, beginning a schedule that will run through mid-October.

The season will include a record number of ship visits and passengers, with the port revealing it is expecting 330 vessel calls and roughly 2.1 million passengers, the highest totals the port has ever recorded.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Jade is the first to call on the Port of Seattle on April 17 as the ship repositions from San Diego to Vancouver for its Alaska season.

On Sunday, April 19, Holland America Line’s Noordam will kick off the official homeport season with a 7-night roundtrip voyage that includes calls in Ketchikan, Alaska, and Prince Rupert, Nanaimo, and Victoria, British Columbia. 

The ship’s May 10 sailing will begin its regular itinerary pattern, visiting Juneau, Endicott Arm, Sitka, and Ketchikan.

Noordam will also be the last ship to depart Seattle in 2026 on October 11, 2026.

Seattle has spent more than two decades building a cruise program centered on Alaska voyages, which remain among the most popular itineraries in North America. 

Port officials said the continued expansion reflects both strong demand for Alaska cruises and Seattle’s role as a convenient gateway to the region.

“We are fortunate to call the Puget Sound region home,” said Port of Seattle Commission President Ryan Calkins.“It’s no wonder that more than a million travelers from around the world will begin their Alaska journeys here this season, supporting thousands of jobs and sustaining local businesses and farms across Washington state.”

Carnival-Owned Cruise Ships Docked in Seattle
Carnival-Owned Cruise Ships Docked in Seattle (Photo Credit: Ian Dewar Photography)

Cruise activity remains a significant economic driver for the region, with a 2025 impact analysis finding that cruise operations in Elliott Bay generate nearly $1.2 billion in annual local business revenue. It also supports more than 5,120 direct and indirect jobs across Washington State.

The port has also focused on environmental initiatives tied to cruise growth. Eleven homeport ships are expected to connect to shore power during the 2026 season, allowing vessels to plug into electricity from the local grid while docked.

The port will require all homeport cruise ships to use shore power by the 2027 season, becoming the first US port to adopt that such a rule.

New Cruise Lines for a Busy Season

The 2026 cruise season in Seattle will feature 16 homeport ships, the largest lineup Seattle has ever hosted. 

Two cruise lines will enter the market for the first time this year: MSC Cruises and Virgin Voyages.

MSC Cruises will begin Alaska sailings from Seattle when the 2,550-passenger MSC Poesia begins operating from Pier 91 on May 11, 2026. The ship recently completed an expansive dry dock and will offer 7-night roundtrip itineraries that include Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Juneau, and Victoria, along with scenic cruising in Endicott Arm.

Virgin Voyages will follow on May 21 with the Alaska debut of the 2,762-passenger Brilliant Lady. The ship will operate 7- to 12-night itineraries visiting ports including Hubbard Glacier, Skagway, and Haines, Alaska.

Several other cruise lines will also homeport ships in Seattle throughout the season.

Besides Noordam, Holland America Line will base Eurodam in the city, while Carnival Corporation sister brands Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, and Cunard will also operate Alaska sailings from the port.

Carnival Cruise Line will deploy Carnival Miracle and Carnival Spirit from Seattle, Princess Cruises will homeport Star Princess and Royal Princess, and Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth will join the lineup in May.

Royal Caribbean will begin its homeporting season May 8 with the dual arrival of Voyager of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas, followed by Anthem of the Seas on May 11.

Celebrity Cruises will also position a ship in the city when Celebrity Edge begins sailing from Seattle on May 22.

Although Norwegian Cruise Line will not be homeporting one of its vessels in Seattle, several ships will call at the port during the season, including Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Joy, and Norwegian Encore.

Legend of the Seas to Set Sail From Florida Earlier Than Planned

Melissa Mayntz
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Legend of the Seas to Set Sail From Florida Earlier Than Planned

Key Aspects:

  • A new sailing has been added for Legend of the Seas with a November 8 departure from Fort Lauderdale.
  • The 3-night cruise will visit Perfect Day at CocoCay, but the November 11 departure remains the official inaugural sailing.
  • The ship’s European schedule is unchanged and she will debut on July 4, 2026 with a 7-night cruise from Rome.

Royal Caribbean fans are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Legend of the Seas, even if the giant ship is still under construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Finland. The cruise line has now announced that the third Icon-class ship will be making her Sunshine State debut sooner than originally planned.

While the ship will not be moving up earlier for her European debut in early July, she will now be offering an earlier-than-expected 3-night sailing from Fort Lauderdale departing Sunday, November 8, 2026.

The quick cruise will visit Perfect Day at CocoCay on Monday, November 9, followed by a day at sea on Tuesday before returning to Port Everglades on Wednesday, November 11.

The November 11 departure is an identical 3-night itinerary and is not changed at this time. In fact, Royal Caribbean is reassuring guests booked on that sailing that it remains the “official” inaugural sailing from Florida.

Guests booked on the November 11 cruise are being offered the opportunity to switch to the earlier departure if they wish, as it can be a bucket-list opportunity for travelers to be the first to experience all a brand new ship has to offer.

“Whether you’re eager to be among the first to step onboard or excited to celebrate the inaugural voyage, we want to give you flexibility and priority – allowing you to switch sailings, add an additional adventure, or remain right where you are on your existing booking,” the email notification said.

Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas

Many travelers already booked on the November 11 cruise are debating adding the November 8 sailing to create a back-to-back experience.

Others are already booked on both the November 11 and the November 14 departures. The November 14 sailing is an 8-night Southern Caribbean itinerary with visits to Curacao and Aruba, as well as Perfect Day at CocoCay.

After settling into her regular itinerary rotation, the ship will be offering alternating 6- and 8-night cruises. The 6-night sailings are Western Caribbean itineraries visiting destinations such as Cozumel, Costa Maya, Jamaica, and (hopefully in 2027), Labadee.

Not the First Icon-Class Ship to Arrive Earlier Than Expected

Legend of the Seas is not the first Icon-Class ship to debut sooner than expected. Star of the Seas also debuted early, with four “showcase” cruises eventually added ahead of her official maiden voyage from Port Canaveral in August 2025.

These schedule shifts are often possible because cruise lines will be conservative about the timeline for a new ship to debut. If work progresses more smoothly than anticipated, however, earlier sailings become possible.

More From Cruise Hive

After all, it is easier to add a new sailing with great demand for a new ship instead of planning too optimistically and needing to push back the debut. That would mean cancelled sailings and very frustrated guests.

Cruise Hive has already reported on three new sailings added for Legend of the Seas in Europe. The ship’s first official voyage with guests will now be July 4, 2026, a 7-night Mediterranean cruise roundtrip from Rome and visiting Marseille, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, and La Spezia.

The new ship will spend the summer in the Mediterranean and will depart on her first transatlantic cruise on October 25, 2026. That 13-night voyage from Barcelona will visit Alicante, Malaga, and Cadiz before arriving in Fort Lauderdale on November 7.

Now, eager guests will be onboard the 250,800-gross-ton ship the very next day, ready for legendary adventures.

Norwegian Jewel Sets Sail from Philadelphia, Ending 15-Year Cruise Drought

Lissa Poirot
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Norwegian Jewel Sets Sail from Philadelphia, Ending 15-Year Cruise Drought

Key Aspects

  • Norwegian Jewel departed Philadelphia on April 16, 2026, marking the first homeport cruise sailing from the city in more than 15 years.
  • The 7-night voyage visits Bermuda and Charleston, South Carolina, before returning to Philadelphia on April 23.
  • The ship was delayed due to embarkation issues at the temporary PhilaPort terminal.

Philadelphia’s waterfront saw a milestone moment Thursday evening, April 16, 2026, when Norwegian Jewel departed the Port of Philadelphia as the sun began to set over the City of Brotherly Love.

It is the first regularly scheduled cruise sailing from the city in more than 15 years.

The departure marks Norwegian Cruise Line’s (NCL) return to the Mid-Atlantic port and signals the restart of homeport cruise operations in Philadelphia after more than a decade without them.

City and state officials gathered earlier in the day aboard the ship for a ceremony recognizing the return of cruise activity to the port, and presenting the ship’s captain with a replica of the Liberty Bell, one of Philadelphia’s most recognizable symbols.

The event included Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, and leadership from PhilaPort.

“This is a defining moment for The Port of Philadelphia,” said PhilaPort executive director and CEO Jeff Theobald. “The arrival of Norwegian Cruise Line and Norwegian Jewel signals the beginning of a new chapter for our port, our city, and the entire region.” 

Cruise operations from the city had largely disappeared in the early 2010s, leaving cruisegoers in the region to sail primarily from ports such as New York, Baltimore, or Florida.

NCL said restoring departures from Philadelphia gives guests in the Mid-Atlantic another convenient homeport option.

“Norwegian Cruise Line’s return to Philadelphia marks an exciting and meaningful milestone for us and the region,” said Marc Kazlauskas, president of NCL. “For the first time in over 15 years, travelers in the Mid-Atlantic area will once again be able to sail from their own backyard with us to experience everything NCL is known for.”

Kazlauskas highlighted both Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Pearl, which will be arriving later in 2026, for providing the cruise line’s “exceptional experiences our guests know and love.”

The cruise line is working with PhilaPort and local officials on a new cruise terminal intended to support passenger operations and streamline embarkation and disembarkation in the coming seasons.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro welcomed Norwegian Cruise Line's executives
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro welcomed Norwegian Cruise Line’s executives (Photo Credit: Norwegian Cruise Line)

However, a harsh winter delayed construction on the new terminal, requiring passengers on the first cruise and several subsequent voyages to utilize a nearby hotel as a makeshift terminal, busing to the ship for boarding, and delaying the original scheduled 4 p.m. departure by three hours.

Bermuda Sailing Launches New Itineraries

The historic sailing is a 7-night roundtrip Bermuda itinerary, with Norwegian Jewel traveling along the Delaware River to reach the Atlantic Ocean. The 93,502-gross-ton, 2,368-passenger vessel will arrive at Kings Wharf in Bermuda on April 18.

The ship will remain in port overnight before departing Bermuda on April 19. The itinerary then continues to Charleston, South Carolina, where the ship is scheduled to arrive on April 21.

More From Cruise Hive

The cruise concludes with the ship returning to Philadelphia on the morning of April 23. NCL plans to operate additional Bermuda sailings from Philadelphia through August 2026.

After that, Norwegian Jewel will shift to Canada and New England itineraries to coincide with the fall foliage season.

Beginning in late 2026, Norwegian Pearl, carrying up to 2,344 passengers, will replace Norwegian Jewel and return NCL guests to Bermuda, as well as the Caribbean and the Bahamas.

Scheduled to remain based in Philadelphia through April 2028, sailings will include calls at NCL’s private island in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay, which is undergoing a multi-million upgrade.

Princess Cruises Shakes Up Every Ship With New Drink Collection

Calvin Musquez
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Princess Cruises Shakes Up Every Ship With New Drink Collection

Key Aspects:

  • Princess Cruises will launch the POURS beverage collection this summer.
  • The new menu features a unique assortment of alcoholic and zero proof options.
  • The new zero-proof menu takes a wellness-forward approach, including unique ingredients to maximize mood.

Princess Cruises is launching an exciting new beverage collection. This summer, Princess will debut the POURS signature beverage collection across its 17-ship fleet.

Replacing the previous Love Line Collection, POURS aims to shake up the menu with diverse alcoholic and zero-proof drinks and cocktails.

The new menu aims to unify the drinks served on Princess cruise ships under a consistent brand identity. 

“Today’s travelers are looking for both elevated indulgence and mindful choices, and this program allows us to deliver both in a way that feels intentional, inclusive and truly premium,” said Sami Kohen, Princess Cruises Vice President of Food and Beverage.

“From impeccably crafted cocktails to thoughtfully designed wellness forward creations, every detail has been curated to enhance the experience while remaining unmistakably Princess.”

The POURS collection will be included for cruisers with Princess Premier and Princess Plus packages. You can use Cruise Hive’s Drink Package Calculator to see if the Premier or Plus package may be a good fit for your upcoming Princess cruise.

While no exact date has been announced for the release of the POURS collection, it will be launched fleet-wide sometime in the summer of 2026.

What’s On The Menu?

For those who enjoy a boozy cruising experience, the POURS collection has you covered. The new collection will feature a wide assortment of premium, founder-led cocktails, wines, beers, and ready-made alcoholic options.

Princess POURS
Princess POURS

Many favorites from the Love Line Collection will carry over, such as Camila and Matthew McConaughey’s Pantalones Organic Tequila, Meili Vodka by Jason Momoa and Blaine Halvorson, and Melorosa Wines.

Some of the featured cocktails include:

  • 24K Margarita – a classic margarita featuring Pantalones tequila.
  • Tropical Alibi – a refreshing cocktail featuring Slainte Irish Whiskey, banana liqueur, and piña colada mix.
  • Meili Midnight Coconut – with Meili vodka, pineapple juice, coconut milk, fresh lemon juice, and agave nectar.

No Alcohol?  No Problem

For those who prefer a sober experience, Princess Cruises has ensured POURS can fill your glass as well. The new collection will also feature non-alcoholic, zero proof options. While many alcohol-free cruisers often fear that their needs will be an afterthought, the POURS zero proof collection is anything but. 

The collection boasts several non-alcoholic wines, beers, and cocktails, including Kylie Minogue’s non-alcoholic sparkling rosé.

The innovative zero-proof beverage recipes incorporate specially-selected ingredients designed to boost mood, increase energy, and maximize calmness. Ingredients include ashwagandha powder, reishi powder, lemon balm tincture, ginseng root, and maca root.

Some of the new featured non-alcoholic creations include:

  • Golden Orchard – a fruity concoction with green apple juice, lemon, banana, tarragon leaves, sprite, and lemon balm tincture.
  • Tropical Balance – featuring pineapple juice, lime, ginger syrup, ginger ale, and ashwagandha powder.
  • Garden Ember – a spicy mocktail with cucumber juice, jalapeno-infused agave syrup, lemon juice, and maca root powder.

Standard sodas will still be available onboard, although canned beverages will continue to not be included in drink packages.

Whether you’re aiming for a booze cruise or a relaxing ocean getaway, these new drink options are sure to give you something interesting and flavorful to sip on along the way.

Multiple Passengers Fall Ill on Two Cruise Ships in Separate Outbreaks

Lissa Poirot
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Multiple Passengers Fall Ill on Two Cruise Ships in Separate Outbreaks

Key Aspects:

  • Costa Toscana reported an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness (GI) on April 15, 2026.
  • Oceania Insignia reported its own outbreak to the CDC on April 13, 2026.
  • Both ships have enhanced cleaning and disinfection procedures.

Two recent voyages, one in the Mediterranean and the other in the Caribbean, have ended with gastrointestinal illness (GI) affecting passengers.

GI typically refers to infections that affect the stomach and intestines, with the most common cause of outbreaks on cruise ships being norovirus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Passengers sailing aboard Costa Cruises’ Costa Toscana were alerted on April 15, 2026, that a GI outbreak had been identified during their cruise via a letter from Captain Giulio Mistrangelo during the ship’s 7-night Western Mediterranean voyage, which departed Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy, on April 9.

After sailing to Genoa, Italy; Marseille, France; Barcelona; and Cagliari, Sardinia; passengers were informed of the outbreak while the ship was in Naples, the vessel’s final port before returning to Civitavecchia on April 16.

In the letter, the captain confirmed that the cruise line had begun implementing additional sanitation procedures and asked passengers to follow stricter hygiene practices.

“It is critical that excellent standards of personal hygiene are maintained by all onboard, as onward transmission may be easily spread by touching surfaces such as handrails, door handles and elevator buttons,” the captain wrote in his letter.

His request included specific measures, including washing hands with soap and water frequently for at least 20 seconds, using hand sanitizer after washing, minimizing direct contact with others, using toilets in private cabins when possible, and remaining in cabins if experiencing any symptoms of GI.

Costa Toscana
Costa Toscana (Photo Credit: SLSK Photography)

Symptoms of GI usually appear quickly, with people infected often feeling sick within 12 to 48 hours after exposure, according to the CDC. The illness commonly causes vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and stomach cramps.

The letter also warned of drinking water from “open and uncontrolled sources” while on shore, as the captain said it could also cause GI.

“Costa applies sophisticated measures to ensure the highest levels of hygiene and safety for all passengers and a complex and detailed set of procedures to ensure the quality and safety of food and drinks served on all its ships,” Captain Mistrangelo said.

Oceania Insignia Reports Similar Outbreak

A separate outbreak has also been reported aboard Oceania Cruises’ Oceania Insignia, according to the CDC. The illness occurred during a 10-day voyage that sailed from Panama City, Panama, on March 4 and ended in Miami on March 14.

Once 3 percent of passengers or crew report symptoms, cruise ships must notify the CDC. In this case, the ship reported the outbreak on April 13 during the voyage’s final sea day before arriving in Miami.

At the time of the report, 19 of 633 passengers and three of 394 crew members fell ill during the voyage, but additional cases may have occurred after passengers disembarked.

It is the second time in six months that the vessel reported an outbreak to the CDC.

Under CDC protocols, Oceania Insignia implemented enhanced cleaning and disinfection procedures before beginning its next cruise, which departed Miami on April 14 for a 10-day sailing to Panama City.

Costa Toscana has multiple embarkation and disembarkation ports during its Mediterranean season, transferring passengers in Civitavecchia, Genoa, Marseille, and Barcelona, which means new passengers boarding on April 16, April 17, April 18, and April 19 may also need to be notified of the illness cases.

Carnival Cruise Ship Saves Stranded Sailor and His Cat in the Middle of the Ocean

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Cruise Ship Saves Stranded Sailor and His Cat in the Middle of the Ocean

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Legend rescued a man and his cat from a disabled sailboat overnight on Tuesday, April 14.
  • The incident happened as the cruise ship was heading for Cozumel, the first port on her April 13 sailing.
  • Both the man and the cat were safely brought aboard the cruise ship and later debarked in Cozumel.

Carnival Legend‘s current sailing has gone to the cats (not the dogs) with an unexpected rescue operation overnight on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

While sailing through the Gulf of America (Gulf of Mexico) toward Cozumel, Carnival Legend spotted a sailboat in distress launching emergency flares. The boat’s sails were down in the choppy water, though the rigging appeared to be intact. The vessel was bobbing without any obvious means of control.

The waves were quite significant for the small sailboat, though the 85,942-gross-ton cruise ship had no difficulty.

The cruise ship quickly intervened to offer assistance, launching a rescue boat to safely approach the smaller craft. Carnival Legend was able to pull up fairly close to the sailboat and kept searchlights on the boat during the operation.

A small, inflatable raft was also alongside the sailboat at the time Carnival Legend arrived, which may indicate that the mariner was preparing to abandon the boat. Exactly why has not been revealed.

One man was aboard the disabled sailboat, but he wasn’t alone. A black cat named Dahlia was also aboard. According to Click2Houston, the sailboat had been drifting for four days before encountering the cruise ship.

@livingmyloylife

Rescue mission on carnival legend! Male and cat were saved!!! #rescue #carnivallegend #carnivallegend #rescuemission #carnivalcruise

♬ original sound – LivingmyLoyLife

Multiple guests currently aboard the Carnival ship have shared video online of the scary situation.

Both passengers, two-legged and four-legged, were safely brought aboard Carnival Legend. Medical evaluation, food, and other care was provided, as it always is to any refugees. Yes, even to cats!

Read Also: 10 Reasons Why I Would Never Take a Dog-Friendly Cruise

The sailboat was left afloat as Carnival Legend resumed course for Mexico. This is standard procedure for any rescue operation, whether of a stranded boat or a refugee craft. The officers would have noted the position of the craft and relayed the incident to local authorities so others are aware that the sailboat is now abandoned.

Carnival Legend departed Galveston, Texas on Monday, April 13 for a 10-night Western Caribbean sailing. Along with Cozumel, the ship will visit Belize, Roatan, Jamaica, and Grand Cayman before returning to the Lone Star State on Thursday, April 23.

The rescue did not impact the ship’s itinerary and the man and his cat were disembarked in Cozumel during the ship’s scheduled port visit.

Not the First Pet Rescue at Sea

While there was naturally concern about the stranded sailboat and rejoicing that the man was successfully rescued, there was even more concern about the fate of the cat.

Pets are not permitted aboard cruise ships, and some guests feared that the cat might have been left behind. Carnival Cruise Line has confirmed that Dahlia was brought aboard safely, however, none the worse for wear.

People and Dogs Rescued by Carnival Splendor
People and Dogs Rescued by Carnival Splendor

This is not the first time pets have been part of at-sea rescues. Cruise Hive reported in January 2024 that Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas rescued six stranded fishermen and their dog. That incident happened north of the Yucatan Peninsula, in the same general location as Carnival Legend‘s rescue.

In October 2023, a “stowaway” cat was discovered aboard Ovation of the Seas as the ship was sailing from Hawaii to Sydney, likely smuggled aboard by a guest. After a quarantine period, the cat was adopted by a Royal Caribbean team member and moved to Miami.

All cruise lines do permit service dogs aboard, though cats aren’t usually suited to the service life (aren’t we supposed to serve them?). One famous cruise ship cat, however, was Bug Naked, the pet of Captain Kate McCue during her tenure on Celebrity Beyond. The female elf-eared sphynx cat passed away in December 2024.

Virgin Voyages Admits Communication Flub Over Itinerary Change

Melissa Mayntz
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Virgin Voyages Admits Communication Flub Over Itinerary Change

Key Aspects:

  • Virgin Voyages has apologized for striking the wrong tone with the recent Valiant Lady itinerary change.
  • The cruise line used humor in its communication about changing from Bermuda to Canada for the April 6 sailing.
  • The jokes fell flat with many guests who felt more compensation was needed for the dramatic switch.

It’s never a nice email to receive just days before you’re heading off on a cruise, a notification that lets you know you’re not just losing a highly-anticipated port visit, but in fact your entire itinerary has been swapped.

Virgin Voyages guests for Valiant Lady‘s April 6, 2026 received exactly that email recently, alerting them just three days before embarkation that they wouldn’t be going to Bermuda, but instead their sailing was rerouted to Canada.

Cruise Hive reported on the unfortunate switch, which Virgin Voyages handled as a lighthearted and interesting change for a great vacation.

“Saint John will feel a little bit different from Bermuda, with crisp coastal air and a completely new backdrop to explore. You may wanna bring a few extra layers,” the original email said.

While the itinerary change was made for safety reasons due to poor weather impacting Bermuda at the time of Valiant Lady‘s planned visit, not all guests were pleased with the switch.

The cruise line only offered $100 in onboard credit as compensation for the very dramatic change in vacation plans. Guests could also opt to cancel their sailing for a future cruise credit, but full refunds were not available.

Email Tone Falls Flat

Virgin Voyages has now responded to numerous complaints and negative feedback about the experience, acknowledging (in the same lighthearted way) that it could have been handled better.

“Welp, that “Bermuda -> Canada” email really wasn’t it,” they posted on Instagram. “We’ve seen your messages, and we get it. That one’s on us.”

It’s quite rare that a cruise line issues any sort of apology for a change, particularly when the decision was made for safety considerations. Nevertheless, customer service is a huge part of the cruise industry, and Virgin Voyages goes the extra mile to ensure all guests feel heard and valued.

Virgin Voyages Post
Virgin Voyages Post

“This wasn’t the trip you were planning for,” they acknowledged. “We should have spoken to that reality. We understand why you’re disappointed. We agree we need to do better, and next time we will. Itineraries can change for safety, but you deserve us to be real about it when they do.”

Guests on Reddit appreciate the acknowledgement and how the cruise line needs to address upsetting topics in a more professional and serious way.

“A perky, upbeat tone that downplays the issue is a terrible choice for this kind of thing,” one commenter said. “People are way more likely to be accepting and understanding if you give them the full picture and acknowledge that the change isn’t ideal, but it’s still going to be a good time.”

Others agree, even noting that they made the best of the cruise experience no matter what the destination, but better communication would have been appreciated.

Virgin Voyages Post
Virgin Voyages Post

Another fun post from the cruise line references their mistake in comparison to the recent Artemis II moon mission. Using the Earthrise photo from the mission, Virgin Voyages added the note “We are here, sending bad emails” with an arrow pointing to Earth.

In the caption, they asked NASA “if you want to fly our team to the moon next, we’ll gladly stay there and hide behind some moon rocks” with an embarrassed emoji.

More From Cruise Hive

The lighthearted vein continues with “We’ll make sure to bring extra layers too” in direct comparison to their suggestion for guests heading to Canada instead of Bermuda.

Some guests appreciate the creativity as the cruise line tries to rectify the public relations snafu, but others don’t see the humor in the situation and feel that making jokes is not helping to correct the discontent.

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