One of the coolest parts of sailing on a brand new cruise ship is being among the first to experience everything that’s new.
However, one of the most exciting entertainment offerings will not be available on Norwegian Aqua’s upcoming 7-night Caribbean cruise that embarks from Port Canaveral, Florida, on July 19, 2025.
Indeed, there will be no performances of “Revolution: A Celebration of Prince” in the Aqua Theater and Club for the duration of the cruise as a new cast will be onboarding and getting used to the main stage theater that week.
Time has flown since the first Prima Plus-class ship debutedat the end of March, which means it really is just about time for a new cast to take the reins from the inaugural performers.
Crew contracts for performers in NCL’s production shows typically last for around four to six months.
“We wanted to give you a quick heads-up about a small change to your entertainment lineup. The show ‘Revolution: A Celebration of Prince’ won’t be featured during your sailing, as it coincides with a scheduled cast rotation and production installation,”Norwegian Cruise Line wrote to booked guests.
“But not to worry, your entertainment schedule is still packed with incredible performances, each one just as exceptional,”the letter continued.
As this show is brand new and the headlinerin the three-story theater, I can understand why some will be disappointed to miss the one-hour Prince Tribute.
The performance is supposed to be an incredibly fun, immersive experience that highlights Prince’s rise to fame, his classic hits, and the diversity within the artist’s career.
Guests have the unique option to watch the show from the dance floor with the cast or from traditional theater seats, with energetic performances taking place both on and off the stage.
Norwegian Aqua Shows
It’s also not currently performed on any other NCL ship, so the only way to see it would be to book another sailing onboard Norwegian Aqua.
She does offer alternate itineraries, such as 6-8 night voyages to Bermuda out of New York, so it may be worth coming back for round two.
The impacted sailing is port heavy and Caribbean specific, with stops scheduled at Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; St. Thomas Island, US Virgin Islands; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; and Great Stirrup Cay, the cruise line’s private island in the Bahamas.
More Entertainment Onboard
As the cruise line reassured its passengers, there will still be plenty of entertainment onboard to thrill and delight guests.
In addition to the musical Prince Tribute, the cruise line also enhanced a fan-favorite show for its new 156,300-gross ton vessel.
“Evolution,” which first premiered onboard Norwegian Spirit more than a decade ago, has been revamped as “Elements: World Expanded” for the newest addition to the fleet.
This means that the show, which is inspired by the four elements of earth, water, air, and fire, is more immersive with new magic and acrobatics that are blended with music, dance, and other special effects.
Additionally, the “Welcome Aboard Show” that features vocalists, dancers, and other entertainers will still be running in the main theater, as will the “Ocean Music Fest,” which is a vibrant jam session and concert experience.
Excitingly, the Aqua Theater and Club can be transformed into a club (as the name suggests) for themed parties and dancing.
Especially for those who are missing the Prince show, they will want to check out “Pop Life,” which is a Prince-inspired club experience and dance party.
Other fan favorites from across the fleet will also still be part of the fun, such as game shows like “The Price is Right LIVE on NCL.”
Sid Norman’s Pour House, which is a more casual and intimate “dive-bar” inspired venue, will also be hosting rock-and-roll tributes to icons like Fleetwood Mac and the Rolling Stones throughout the voyage.
Crisis averted! After losing power shortly after setting sail, Norwegian Star’s current sailing is back on track with no impact to the itinerary.
The 2001-launched cruise ship embarked on a 14-night Transatlantic sailing to Iceland from New York’s Manhattan Cruise Terminal yesterday, July 12, at 4:00 p.m. EST.
Tug boats had to help the 91,740-gross ton ship back to Pier 88 in Manhattan, where thankfully, the issue was able to be resolved quickly.
“On July 12, 2025, the ship departed New York City at its scheduled departure time of 4:00 p.m. As a result of a technical propulsion issue, the captain made the decision to return to the port with the assistance from two tugboats,”a spokesperson from Norwegian Cruise Line told Cruise Hive.
“After further inspection, the issue was quickly resolved by the time the ship returned to port.“
It’s not clear what caused the issue, but the ship reportedly suffered from propulsion issues and power loss in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.
Many of these incidents were related to the Azipod propulsion system that is used by several NCL ships, but it’s unclear if Azipod was the culprit this time.
Norwegian Star Issue (Credits: P.Cartwright & Amy Ray Beardall)
“Following clearance from the United States Coast Guard, the ship departed New York City at 12:30 a.m. and is scheduled for a sea day on Sunday, July 13 before the expected arrival into Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada on Monday, July 14,” the spokesperson’s statement continued.
Cruise tracking data confirmsthat the ship departed once again at 12:30 a.m. PST on the morning of July 13 and is cruising along at normal speeds to her first port call, which is on Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, on July 14.
This is great news for the up to 2,348 passengers onboard, who at this time, will not need to miss out on any of their planned port calls.
The exciting itinerary includes stops at Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada; Prince Edward Island, Canada; Nuuk, Greenland; Paamiui, Greenland; Isafjordur, Iceland; Akureyri, Iceland; and Grundarfjordur, Iceland, before disembarking in Reykjavik, Iceland, on July 26, 2025.
Are Power Outages Becoming More Common?
Lately, there has been a slight uptick in news of power outages impacting cruise ships, leaving some to wonder how safe they will be on their next sailing.
Just this summer, MSC Orchestra experienced an extended power outage following a small electrical fire in June, while Celebrity Infinity was stranded in Kusadadi, Turkey, for several days in July following its own small fire and blackout.
During the 4th of July holiday, Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas also experienced an overnight power outage after minor electrical issues caused a firewall to go down.
With the Netflix “Trainwreck” documentary also bringing the infamous “Poop Cruise” onboard Carnival Triumph back into the spotlight at around the same time as these outages, some are nervous about meeting a similar fate on their next cruise.
Carnival Triumph During “Poop Cruise” (Photo Credit: Netflix)
That said, large-scale power outages really are uncommon, especially when you consider that hundreds (if not thousands) of cruise ships are sailing around the world constantly and only a few have had notable issues as of late.
In every recent situation, the ships were able to either resolve the issue quickly or situate themselves in a port where passengers could come and go at their leisure and have access to the expected creature comforts.
The cruise lines have also grown a lot since Carnival Triumph’s 2013 poop cruise, and are prepared to spring into action should a problem arise.
First, modern cruise ships have backup generators onboard that can provide emergency power if there is a main engine failure or another type of electrical issue.
Additionally, skilled engineers are part of the crew and are onboard for every voyage to troubleshoot and start making repairs at sea when necessary.
In the unlikely event of an emergency, cruise ships have a variety of ways to contact land or other vessels for immediate assistance, including very high frequency radios, digital selective calling, and satellite communication methods.
The rollout of Starlink internet, which delivers broadband internet access using satellites in outer space, have also improved connectivity in recent years.
The news of norovirus spreading on a cruise ship is enough to instill fear in all who cruise, but a nightmare is unfolding on a current cruise, with one in six passengers falling ill to the highly contagious gastrointestinal virus.
German-based cruise line Phoenix Reisen’s 44,656-gross-ton Artania set off from Bremerhaven, Germany, on July 5, 2025 with nearly 1,200 passengers excited to visit nine ports in Norway.
However, just days into the voyage, reports began to circulate that illness was moving through the ship. One recent update claims 197 passengers have tested positive for norovirus.
Acting municipal chief medical officer in Norway’s Vestvågøy, Hallvard Angelsen, confirmed the numbers in a statement to Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation’s NRK.
“So far, no local infections have been reported at ports where the ship has docked, but the virus has a 48-hour incubation period, so we will have a clearer picture in about a day and a half,”Angelsen said to the press.
Artania made its first call in Bronnoysund on July 8 after two days at sea, during which 50 cases had been reported, according to local media.
It has since sailed to Gravdal on July 9, Honningsvag on July 11, Alta on July 12, and is currently calling in Tromsø on July 13, 2025.
The voyage still has four upcoming calls in Andalsnes, Geiranger, Hellesylt, and Bergen before returning to Bremerhaven on July 19, 2025.
Reports from the vessel say symptomatic passengers have been confined to their cabins. Additionally, a doctor and nurse joined Artania from Lofoten’s Arctic Guide Service to assist with managing ill passengers, according to NRK.
The welcome help also arrived with more disinfectants and hand sanitizer as the ship reportedly ran out due to the outbreak.
It spreads easily from person to person through contact with contaminated surfaces, food, or water.
Symptoms typically appear within 12 to 48 hours of exposure and include the sudden onset of vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramping, and sometimes fever or body aches.
While most people recover in one to three days, both the CDC and ECDC note that guests can remain contagious for up to two days after symptoms stop – and in some cases, even longer.
The virus can survive on surfaces for days and requires thorough disinfecting to eliminate, which is why the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program outlines strict procedures for cruise lines to follow.
While Artania is not sailing under US jurisdiction, its onboard medical staff and shore agents are following similar containment strategies, which include isolating symptomatic passengers, disinfecting all common areas frequently, and limiting access to buffets and shared utensils.
Although the ship has replenished its hand sanitizer, the CDC says alcohol-based hand sanitizers may not be effective against norovirus. Instead, it recommends frequent handwashing with soap and water.
So far in 2025, the CDC has recorded 17 gastrointestinal illness outbreaks aboard cruise ships in the US, with 12 attributed to norovirus – a figure already nearing or surpassing the yearly totals for 2023 (14) and 2024 (18).
Experts told US media they attribute the rise to the emergence of a new strain, GII.17, which accounts for nearly 80 percent of US cases since last summer.
Whether returning from a cruise vacation or simply re-boarding following a stop at a port of call, many travelers wonder what they can bring back onboard.
While most souvenirs, specific volumes of alcohol, and some food items are allowed, other items, including fresh fruits, live plants, and animal products, are strictly prohibited.
To help you prepare for your cruise vacation, we will explore everything from customs regulations and commonly prohibited items to cruise line-specific policies. Guarantee your return to your cruise ship is hassle-free with this guide.
While cruise vacations offer a truly unique form of travel, cruise passengers still need to adhere to standard customs regulations that apply to all types of travelers, especially when it comes to knowing which items can be brought on the ship and back home.
This is particularly relevant when returning to the United States and other destinations like Canada and various European countries. For American cruise passengers, it is essential that all items that were purchased while abroad are declared.
This safeguard ensures that returning citizens have not exceeded federal purchase limits and duty-free allowances. As you would when entering the country via an airport, you must provide accurate and thorough information to customs agents upon request.
Embarking on a Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Joni Hanebutt)
Failure to do so could put you in violation of federal laws and regulations, which could lead to steep fines and worse.
For example, American citizens are typically allowed to bring back up to $800 worth of goods from foreign countries without paying duty if they have been outside the United States for a minimum of 48 hours.
With that said, the value limits can vary depending on which country or countries have been visited during the trip.
Either way, failure to accurately declare what you have purchased and the value of those goods can put you in immediate violation of federally mandated customs regulations, which can lead to the seizure of the goods, steep fines, and, in serious cases, even jail time.
Beyond purchase limits, there are also specific categories of goods that have additional rules and regulations, like alcohol and tobacco, that were purchased abroad.
If a person exceeded either of these totals when they re-entered the United States, they would be required to pay a duty fee of 3 percent of the value, as well as any domestic taxes that would be applicable.
CBP Confiscate Cigarettes from Cruise Passengers at Long Beach (Credit: CBP)
Canadian citizens returning to Canada via a cruise ship must also abide by similar rules, but they have slightly more flexibility in regards to alcohol, with the option to bring back a total of 1.5 liters of wine, 1.14 liters of alcoholic spirits or a total volume of 8.5 liters of beer.
They are also allowed a total of 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars. Canadians can also claim goods with a total value of up to $800 CAN without paying duty and taxes, but this does not mean you can bring in extra alcohol or tobacco if you have not purchased other items.
Europeans returning to the European Union are also allowed 1 liter of spirits or 2 liters of wine if they have been outside the Union for 48 hours. Be aware that penalties for failing to declare items can lead to fines and confiscation of goods.
Additional Items with Specific Customs Regulations
Beyond the specific regulations for alcohol and tobacco, items like fresh fruits, vegetables, and animal products must be declared and can be restricted due to agricultural regulations.
This applies to American, Canadian, and European cruise passengers, as these rules were implemented to prevent the spread of invasive pests and various diseases that could impact crops and livestock.
Even souvenirs made from plant or animal materials, including seashells and coral found or purchased abroad, are often banned.
If your cruise vacation is taking you to some of the tropical beaches found in the Caribbean or along the coastlines of Mexico, you should definitely hesitate before you purchase any souvenir made from animal by-products, like turtle shells, shark teeth, coral, or even seashells.
What Can I Bring Back on a Cruise Ship?
Before we get into some of the items cruise lines ban, let’s look at some of the items you’re allowed to bring back on the ship.
Limited quantities of sealed, prepackaged, and non-perishable foods, like granola and protein bars, cookies, nuts, chips, popcorn, baby food and formula, instant ramen, candy bars, gummy snacks, and other similar items are all allowed.
These types of small snacks can be a good idea to stock up on, as it’s always nice to have something quick and easy to munch on in your room, especially if you’re looking to save a bit of money on your trip.
Quite a few passengers recommend protein bars for times between meals, and because they’re great to bring on excursions where you are unsure when you might get a chance to eat.
You are also allowed to bring back personal care items, including gels, creams, sunscreens, and toothpaste, but just make sure that these are sealed.
On embarkation day, you will be required to put them in a quart-sized zip-lock bag, but if you buy them in port, you can bring them on the ship if they are sealed.
With the exception of camouflage clothing during visits to the Bahamas, you are allowed to bring back any type of clothing on the ship. Whether it’s a souvenir T-shirt, a handmade dress, or even just a new hat, you can bring back whatever you would like. This includes sunglasses, purses, towels, and other accessories.
Prescription medications and sea sickness pills are all allowed to be brought back on the ship, but you will want to keep the prescription and make sure the medications are labeled. Over-the-counter medications, like Advil and Tylenol, are also safe to bring back if they are in their original packaging.
Small handmade souvenirs are generally okay to bring back, just make sure they do not contain animal by-products, like shells, bones, and teeth. You can also bring back water, either in reusable bottles or disposable bottles, but they may be checked to make sure they do not contain alcohol.
You have a lot of flexibility when it comes to bringing stuff back on a cruise ship. Just make sure you avoid the prohibited items we will discuss below. If in doubt, always ask a representative from the ship, rather than trying to sneak something on and risk a fine.
Items Prohibited by Cruise Ships
Beyond the customs regulations that cruise passengers must abide by when they return to their home country, cruise ships have their own lists of prohibited items that passengers are not allowed to bring onboard, either at the original embarkation point or when returning to the ship after docking at a port of call.
These rules tend to vary from one cruise line to the next, as well as where the cruise ship has visited, but in general, the list includes the following:
Agricultural Products
For the most part, cruise lines work in tandem with customs regulators from their countries of origin, which is why they typically prevent passengers from bringing fruits, vegetables, live plants, and seeds onto the ship.
This helps ensure that the ship complies with customs and quarantine restrictions, both when the ship returns to its point of origin and in any other countries that will be visited along the ship’s voyage.
Cruise Passengers in Jamaica
For example, carrying fresh fruit and vegetables from a nation in the Caribbean into the United States would not be allowed, but there are other situations where this would impact the cruise ship’s compliance with local regulations.
If, for example, a cruise itinerary involved visiting an island nation like Jamaica and then stopping at Cozumel, Mexico, any passengers bringing agricultural products on board in Jamaica could threaten the biodiversity and crop health when they visit Mexico.
To avoid these complications, just about every cruise line prohibits passengers from bringing agricultural products on board its ships.
Animal Products
Naturally, meat and other animal by-products are banned, as they fall into the category of agricultural products, but cruise lines also regularly restrict non-food items derived from animals, including shells, coral, and ivory.
Again, this helps cruise ships comply with local regulations, especially those that are governed by international law, such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
Carnival Cruise Passengers Banned After Fishing
While these rules may seem strict, most cruise lines do so to keep in good standing with the countries they frequent. Rather than risk violating import laws and causing complications with local authorities, the cruise lines simply have a blanket ban on these types of products.
In most cases, these rules apply to items purchased while in port that claim to be “customs friendly” due to aging, heat treatment, or polishing. In general, it is a good idea to avoid collecting or purchasing them altogether.
Illegal Drugs
Naturally, cruise ships departing from and returning to the United States abide by all federal regulations regarding illegal narcotics. No matter where the ship is registered, it will follow local laws in the destinations that it is going to visit, so bringing drugs on a cruise ship is strictly prohibited.
For example, medical marijuana and CBD may be legal in Canada, but a Canadian passenger traveling on a cruise ship that departs from the United States would not be permitted to bring that substance on board, even if they had a valid prescription from Canada.
Prescription drugs are generally allowed, but make sure you have the necessary documentation to show that it is medication.
Alcohol
While there are rules for bringing alcohol into countries, most cruise lines also have their own strict rules regarding alcohol.
Passengers are typically not allowed to bring more than one sealed bottle of wine or champagne onboard, and other forms of alcohol, like spirits and beer, are usually confiscated until the end of the trip.
Photo Credit: Lenush / Shutterstock
If, for example, you purchased a bottle of rum while visiting a Caribbean port of call, you could have that bottle checked by a crew member until you returned to your final debarkation port.
Alcohol rules are so strict that security has the right to inspect containers, like mouthwash bottles, to ensure they are not filled with alcohol. On some cruises, not only would the alcohol be confiscated, but you could be charged a fine if you were caught sneaking it onto the ship.
Perishable Goods
Bringing fresh food, such as meats, fish (even if caught during an excursion), dairy, or baked goods onto the ship after shore excursions is usually not allowed.
While it may seem overly strict, this ensures that the ship complies with local quarantine and import laws. You can bring non-perishable, prepackaged food in reasonable quantities, like chips, granola bars, sealed cookies, and other snacks, as well as 12 standard 17 oz cans of non-alcoholic beverages.
Many cruise lines prohibit using high-power devices such as heating elements, irons, kettles, and even some of the larger and more powerful speakers.
Travel Bluetooth Speaker (Photo Credit: Virojt Changyencham)
This is because their lithium batteries and power cords can pose a potential safety risk while onboard. Loud electronics can also be seen as a nuisance to other guests.
That said, each cruise line has its own set of rules and guidelines for personal items that are prohibited, so it is always a good idea to check the specific policies of the cruise line you are traveling with before you set sail.
Other Items
Other prohibited items you should avoid packing include fireworks, ammunition, knives (including dive knives), drones, compressed gas cylinders and dive tanks, candles, incense, hot plates, non-mobility scooters, hookahs, handcuffs, and more.
As always, checking your cruise line’s specific policies before you start packing is a good practice, as this will ensure a stress-free boarding process.
Cruise Line Policies
While there are some general rules, each cruise line will have its own policies for what guests can bring onto their ships. While you should always check ahead to make sure you are compliant, here is a basic overview of some of the major cruise line policies:
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean Group has a list of prohibited items for all cruise ships in their fleet, including those belonging to Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises.
While guests of legal drinking age are allowed to bring one sealed 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne, all other types of alcohol, including alcohol purchased in a port of call, must be stored by the ship.
Two Royal Caribbean ships docked in CocoCay (Photo Credit: Mary Baratto)
The list of items Royal Caribbean prohibits onboard their ships is pretty standard. It includes all illegal drugs, firearms, and replica weapons, any form of explosives (including fireworks), flammable items, knives and scissors, disabling chemicals, extension cords, and power strips, and any type of HAM radio or transmitting device.
There are a few items that are easy to overlook. For starters, all types of camouflage and military apparel is prohibited when visiting Barbados, as this violates local laws.
Sporting goods, like golf clubs and roller skates, can be brought on the ship but must be stored in the stateroom.
NCL also permits one sealed bottle of wine per person. Like Royal Caribbean, they’ll confiscate any other types of alcohol until the final disembarkation point. Other prohibited items are fairly standard, but a few minor exceptions exist.
Norwegian Jade Cruise Ship in Port (Photo Credit: Ceri Breeze)
For example, unlike some other cruise lines, NCL does allow powered personal grooming devices, like hard dryers, electric shavers, steamers, and curling irons. However, these devices are subject to inspection and removal by the ship’s security.
If they are confiscated, they can be retrieved on the final day of the voyage. NCL also prohibits any type of door decoration, even if they are just basic magnets and stickers. They also recently made exceptions for small powered fans, which were previously prohibited.
Carnival and its subsidiaries, like Holland America Line and Princess Cruises, have the same rules and regulations as the other cruise lines.
With that said, they have unique policies regarding items that can be used for “port use” only, including drones, fishing rods, metal detectors, kites, floatation devices, beach tents, and more.
Unlike other cruise lines, which tend to prohibit these items entirely, Carnival allows guests to check these items and use them off the ship while in port. Guests are responsible for checking these items; otherwise, they can be fully confiscated.
With so many cruise voyages involving numerous stops to exciting destinations, stocking up on souvenirs while in port seems like an obvious decision.
While you can undoubtedly enjoy shopping while on your cruise vacation, focusing on non-perishable souvenirs is always a good idea to remain compliant with your cruise line’s regulations.
This is why clothing, jewelry, and handmade crafts not constructed from animal products are a good idea. You also need to keep the $800 limit in mind for when you return to your home country if you want to avoid paying duty and taxes.
While it’s not always possible when purchasing from small kiosks and vendors, try to obtain a receipt to verify the value of your goods quickly.
If you plan on doing duty-free shopping, remember that many cruise ships have their own duty-free shops, which can be cheaper than some of those found in the ports.
Keep in mind that you will still have to declare these items when you return home, so you’ll want to keep that $800 limit in mind.
Cruise Pier in Cozumel
Plenty of cruise passengers report being heavily persuaded and borderline harassed by local vendors and sales representatives at tax and duty free shops to buy items, even when they won’t be able to bring them on the ship.
From pushy sales reps trying to get you to buy large bottles of alcohol before you get to the gangway, to local vendors trying to upsell you on their goods, just remember that you don’t have to say yes!
Packaging all fragile items safely and securely is also a good idea. You don’t want delicate glassware and ceramics you purchased while visiting a port to get damaged when you leave the ship. You should also keep the alcohol limits in mind when purchasing anything during a visit to a port of call.
While it can be tempting to load up on local spirits, you won’t be able to drink them on board the ship, and you also will have to declare them when you return home.
Just scrolling social media, you can see plenty of videos of passengers trying to open bottles of alcohol in port so they can drink them before getting on board or try to smuggle them on the ship.
The Bottom Line on What You Bring on the Ship
While it may sound complicated, knowing what you can bring back on a cruise ship just involves doing some homework before you set sail. Just keep in mind the specific policies for the cruise line you are traveling with and the regulations for where you are returning to.
While there’s no reason to think you can’t purchase souvenirs and mementos from your vacation, following the rules and declaring these items honestly is the best way to avoid fees, fines, or other complications.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Star should be on her way to Canada and Iceland right now.
But within just a couple of hours of embarking on her current 14-night Transatlantic crossing on July 12, 2025, she needed to be helped back to the Manhattan Cruise Terminal in New York due to a power outage.
Cruise tracking data shows that the 91,740 gross-ton ship turned around within hours of setting sail, while the Port of New York webcam caught the vessel being guided to the dock by tug boats.
Cruise Hive’s Cruise Ship Tracker
Current passengers onboard the 2,348-guest ship have also been quick to confirm the news, sharing that the power has been working intermittently and that there is no air conditioning or running water onboard.
Norwegian Star With Tugs (Cruise Hive’s Cruise Ship Tracker)
“I’m a former crew member on ships, and my aunt, cousins, and parents are on the NCL Star leaving NYC today. They’ve had multiple engine failures, power and air conditioning go out intermittently, and are currently being towed back to the dock,”one person said.
“My parents just left on a 14 night from New York on the Star, and the power just went out on the ship,”another confirmed, before sharing updates about the lights briefly coming back on before going out again.
“Engine failure being worked on. No water or AC currently,”one of her updates read.
Cruise Hive has also reached out to Norwegian Cruise Line for a statement regarding the situation, and we’ll provide updates to readers once more is known.
What Went Wrong & What Happens Next?
As of the time of writing, this is still a developing situation with the NCL shiponly just docking once again.
The cause of the power outage is currently unknown, but this can happen because of a variety of mechanical or electrical reasons.
At this time, there have been no reports of any serious onboard events, such as a fire, which could be to blame.
The 2001-launched ship also has a history of propulsion issues and power loss, with issues reported in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019, most of which were related to the Azipod propulsion system.
Depending on how long the cruise ship will need to remain in port for repairs, the current 14-night itinerary may be impacted.
This is supposed to be a one-way sailing to Reykjavik, Iceland, with the first port call scheduled for Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, on July 14, 2025.
Guests are also supposed to visit Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada; Prince Edward Island, Canada; Nuuk, Greenland; Paamiui, Greenland; Isafjordur, Iceland; Akureyri, Iceland; and Grundarfjordur, Iceland, before disembarking on July 26, 2025.
A delay could mean that some ports of call have to be skipped, while more significant repairs may lead to a cruise cancellation.
If the cruise is cancelled, the subsequent sailing, which is a 12-night return voyage from Reykjavik to New York that embarks on July 26, would also have to be skipped.
For now, we’ll just have to wait and watch to see what happens – and of course, Cruise Hive will keep you up to date with the latest.
On July 12, 2025, guests embarked on the 133,500-gross-ton Carnival Vista for the first-ever voyage to visit Celebration Key.
While more than 20 Carnival vessels will visit the private destination this year, those sailing on Carnival Vista this week will be the first passengers ever to set foot on the private 64 acres of land in Grand Bahama next Saturday.
To help ring in the important occasion, Christine Duffy, the President of Carnival Cruise Line, was in attendance for embarkation to help welcome guests.
The itinerary, which is eight nights and round-trip out of Port Canaveral, includes stops in Bonaire and Aruba, as well as Celebration Key.
Set to arrive at the cruise line’s newest private destination as its final stop, passengers on this Carnival Vista voyage will be the only ones present during the opening day celebration.
However, Carnival Cruise Line did invite community leaders, government officials, and residents of Grand Bahama to a special preview event of Celebration Key on July 12 in tandem with the embarkation of Carnival Vista.
Celebration Key Suncastle
Celebration Key, which took more than three years and $500 million to finish phase one, is the first major project to be completed on Grand Bahama in nearly twenty years, making the grand opening that much more exciting.
Carnival Vista will arrive in Grand Bahama in the morning of July 19, calling on the port from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time.
There will also be a special grand opening ceremony that will begin at 10 a.m.. Present at this event will be Carnival President Christine Duffy and other special guests, who have yet to be announced to the public.
Guests Warned of Kinks
Carnival provided a letter to guests onboard, sharing that since it is the first-ever visit to Celebration Key, they should expect some kinks to be ironed out and to be patient with the staff and crew.
Also, all guests were invited to a special Shop Eat Explore show with cruise director MarQ on July 13 at 10:30 a.m. to learn more about Celebration Key and the other ports of call throughout the sailing.
Currently, Carnival brand ambassador John Heald is on this sailing, and plans to share his full experience with the ship and the island with the cruising community.
While Carnival Vista may be the first vessel to visit, Carnival Conquest will not be far behind, set to arrive on July 20, 2025.
Another 10 Carnival ships will make their initial visits to Celebration Key by the end of July alone, and it is estimated that two million Carnival Cruise Line passengers will visit the new destination by the end of 2025.
Thankfully, after years of waiting, passengers will get to experience the waterslides, specialty dining options, beautiful beaches, and so much more starting at the end of next week.
Not Quite Done Yet
But wait, there is more! Yes — that is right, Celebration Key is technically not fully done being under construction as the cruise line is already working on a pier extension.
Celebration Key Pier Expansion
Phase two of Celebration Key is set to double the pier’s berthing capacity, which currently sits at two available spots. Announced back in 2024, this $100 million project will be completed sometime in 2026.
With four spots available beginning in 2026, and with all being able to accommodate the Excel-class vessels, this new destination will likely become even busier.
If you are looking to visit on a calmer day, either plan to visit before the pier extension, or plan your cruise on days when fewer or smaller ships will be docked.
The good news is that the arrival of Carnival Vista at Celebration Key marks the first of over a hundred itineraries already available with this port of call, so there is no lack of options to choose from.
With the main cruise season in full swing in Greece, some nefarious taxi drivers are on the hunt for frazzled tourists who they can take advantage of to get a bigger payday.
One recent victim of a taxi scam is now warning other cruise guests to stay vigilant to avoid the same fate.
For those that have never visited the Piraeus Port in Athens, it’s quite common for taxis to line up near the cruise terminals to pick up disembarking passengers.
This is where the recent cruise guest hailed a taxi to take the 15-30 minute ride to Neos Kosmos, which is only about 10.7 kilometers (or 6.65 miles) away from the cruise port.
The cruiser quickly ran into problems from the language barrier, as the driver didn’t speak a word of English, and then was surprised as he seemed to try to tack on fees left and right.
“The driver didn’t speak any English and tried to get me to pay in cash. He gave me a receipt that said $17.10,”they explained.
Currently, the the standard flag-down fee for taxis in Athens is 1.80 euros ($2.10) and the standard metered rate is .90 euros ($1.05) per kilometer during the day.
With the additional 1-2 euros surcharge that can apply to cruise port pickups, this total is not out of the realm of reason for this ride.
But then, the taxi driver also wanted to charge a fee of 11 euros ($12.86) for each suitcase that was loaded into his vehicle, which really racked up the total.
“After 10 minutes of trying to tell me something and pointing to his phone and card reader, he showed me on his phone that it was another 11 euros per bag(3 bags). I kept telling him I had no cash. He finally swiped my card, thanked me and shook my hand,” the cruiser continued.
It’s not abnormal for taxi drivers to charge a fee for handling luggage, but usually that cost is 2 euros or less.
The Hassle Had Just Begun
Assuming the luggage fee wasn’t included in the $17.10 fare, the cruise passenger would have been on the hook for around $55 – which is still quite high.
But when the cruiser checked with their bank later on, they were surprised to find that they had been charged just over $80.
This meant that they had to go through the hassle of reversing the charge, which they thankfully had the receipt to use as evidence.
“I checked my card account later and he had charged $82.14 usd. I’ve already emailed the taxi authority and informed my bank not to pay him,” they said.
Making sure to get a copy of the receipt is a great tip for ensuring everyone is on the same page, especially if there is a language barrier, and can be helpful for resolving potential disputes successfully.
Of course, this cruiser hoped that by sharing their story, it would save others from getting scammed to begin with. So, what can we learn from their story?
If you’re planning to take a taxi at any cruise port, forcefully insisting on being paid in cash is a red flag.
I often prefer to pay in cash because it protects me from potential credit card theft, but Greek taxis are legally required to accept card payments.
Next, taxi drivers who refuse to use their meter are likely up to no good and this is likely a sign that they will try to overcharge.
“We arrived at the cruise terminal 2 weeks ago and walked up to the taxi line. As he was putting bags in, we asked if he was going to use the meter etc. He threw our bags out and refused to take us,”another cruiser who recently disembarked in Athens shared.
As many in the cruise community agree, I’m also usually inclined to book an Uber or Lyft as a way to protect myself and avoid the taxi line entirely.
Rideshare services allow all payments to be handled through the app and come with customer service teams to protect passengers if anything starts to smell fishy.
On a cruise ship with thousands of guests, it’s inevitable that not everyone will share the same taste in music. But is Carnival Cruise Line singling out one particular type of music for an all-out ban?
That is the claim made through various social media sites, that Carnival is banning rap and hip-hop music. So prevalent is the rumor that guests have reached out to the cruise line’s brand ambassador, John Heald, for clarification.
“Did Carnival really stop playing hip-hop music on their ships?”one guest asked.
“Is the hip-hop/rap ban on all ships or just the 3-5 day cruises?”another chimed in.
Heald’s answers have been similar to all such questions, noting that everyone has different preferences and the cruise line is trying to offer a variety of different musical genres for everyone to enjoy.
“Because of the different musical tastes and interests of our guests, we are now extending themed nights in our nightclub venues and will play music that fits with the theme for the evening, including R&B, Dance & Pop hits, Blues & Funk, Latin & Soul, and 80s and 90s hits, rap, hip-hop, and Cleveland Ohio drum and bagpipe among others,”he said with his characteristic wit.
It is true that new nightclub theme nights have begun to be scheduled on different Carnival ships, but an exclusive modern hip-hop night is not among them.
Is Current Hip-Hop Really Banned?
Some other guests have chimed in on the various musical conversations, and one persistent omission has been noticed. Some guests have been especially upset that “current hip-hop” is not played onboard.
While it is certainly true that one can find a wide range of musical notes coming from different nightclubs, stages, and sound systems onboard, today’s current hits on the hip-hop charts are not usually among them.
There is a good reason for the omission, however. Carnival Cruise Line strongly and loudly prides itself on being a family-friendly cruise line, and many of the lyrics for today’s top hip-hop hits aren’t necessarily family friendly.
While there are many different rankings and hits charts available, one of today’s hottest hip-hop hits is “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar. Released in May 2024, the song reached #1 on a variety of critical rankings, including Billboard’s #1 of The 100 Best Songs in 2024.
It was performed at the Super Bowl LIX halftime show in February 2025, had more than 823 million on-demand audio streams in the US in 2024, and has been in the top 10 on the UK Singles Chart, Australia’s ARIA Charts, and others.
Furthermore, “Not Like Us” won five Grammy Awards in February 2025 – Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, and Best Music Video.
There’s no denying, then, that the song is absolutely popular and a very current and much-requested hip-hop song.
Why, then, will guests most likely never hear it in the nightclub or on the Lido Deck of any Carnival cruise ship?
The cruise line does not have any problem with hip-hop or rap music as a genre, but this individual song goes dramatically against Carnival’s “family-friendly” vibe.
I cannot reprint the lyrics (not only for copyright reasons), but I will give you some hints. The three verses, two choruses, and final bridge have a total of roughly 900 words for the 4-minute, 34-second song.
Of those words, six are the “f-word”, 17 are the “n-word”, six could be meaning a female dog, nine refer to something other than a donkey, and one is certainly not a cat.
The storylines of the song seem to reference different criminal and sexual acts, slavery, jail time, and more. Granted, every song is a musician’s personal expression and is open to different interpretations depending on each listener’s own experiences.
The catchy beat and rhythms of the song do have a great club vibe, but the lyrics would simply be too controversial to play onboard a Carnival ship.
To be clear, this is just one song and there are many hip-hop songs that could be played for everyone to enjoy. It would be challenging, however, for Carnival Cruise Line to curate a play list of current songs and top hip-hop hits that wouldn’t have some controversial aspects that would upset many of their guests.
Furthermore, Carnival would likely not play music of any genre that had such potentially controversial lyrics or storylines, whether it was a pop song, country tune, or even a lullaby.
All Carnival guests can, however, bring along whatever music they enjoy to listen on private headphones.
While bluetooth speakers are banned and individual music cannot be played publicly, no one is prohibited from enjoying their favorite songs as they sunbathe on the Lido Deck, stroll down the promenade, or otherwise enjoy their cruise vacation.
Don’t miss a thing happening across the cruise industry with Cruise Hive’s weekly news recap. Stories this week cover the delivery of Royal Caribbean’s newest Icon-class ship and two Norwegian Cruise Line ships swapping homeports.
We also got stories on two Royal Caribbean-owned ships with technical issues, Celebrity Xcel, Star of the Seas delivery, and Carnival Breeze cancellations.
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Two Norwegian Cruise Line Ships Swap Homeports
Norwegian Breakaway (Photo Credit: Shutterstock)
Cruise watchers were left scratching their heads after Norwegian Cruise Line recently cancelled more than 40 voyages on two ships, Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Prima, during the winter 2026-27 season.
But this week, the cruise line explained its future plans for both vessels. Basically, the line has simply swapped the two ships’ homeports, sending Norwegian Breakaway from her originally planned San Juan, Puerto Rico, base to Norwegian Prima’s New Orleans deployment, and vice versa.
Rather than sail from San Juan, Norwegian Breakaway will switch to the Big Easy and Norwegian Prima will operate from the Caribbean island. Itineraries remain the same, just the ship changes.
Norwegian Breakaway accommodates 4,000 guests versus Norwegian Prima’s 3,100. It could be that the cruise line believes it has a better chance of filling berths on the bigger ship from New Orleans.
Guests booked on each ship’s original itineraries are receiving automatic refunds and a 10% future cruise credit. They can rebook on the newly deployed ships if they wish.
Dry Dock Schedule Upends Five Carnival Breeze Voyages
Carnival Breeze Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Dennis MacDonald)
A dry dock schedule has forced the cancellation of five voyages aboard Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Breeze, all with 2027 departure dates.
The ship will enter dry dock for routine maintenance in early 2027, nixing the scheduled cruises from Galveston. Impacted cruises are a 4-night sailing departing on January 11; an 8-night cruise departing on March 5; two 4-night cruises departing on March 13 and 18; and a 5-night sailing leaving on March 22.
The cancellations indicate a longer-than-normal dry dock stay, possibly pointing to the ship needing more fixes than usual. Cruise ships typically enter dry dock for routine maintenance every three to five years.
The Dream-class ship accommodates 3,700 guests and entered service in 2011.
Cruise fares and any pre-purchased packages will be refunded and the line is offering some incentives for guests who decide to rebook on another sailing. Onboard credits are among the incentives and range from $50 to $100 per stateroom.
Those who want to rebook should contact the cruise line or their travel advisor by July 21, 2025. Cruise fares will be protected and applied toward a comparable sailing in similar stateroom categories.
New Venues, Services Detailed on Celebrity Cruises’ Latest Ship
Celebrity Xcel Pool Club
Sitting poolside will take on a whole new meaning when Celebrity Cruises’ new Celebrity Xcel debuts in November 2025.
Among new onboard destinations just revealed is the Celebrity Pool Club, with sun-beds guests can stretch out on and a pool valet to keep everyone cool with chilled towels. The pool deck heats up at night, too, with a Shine the Night poolside party held on the last sea day of each voyage.
As the countdown continues to the ship’s launch on November 9, 2025, the cruise line detailed more of her new spaces and amenities.
Along with the pool club and events, Celebrity Cruises is enhancing the ship’s spa with a new hydra room, with hot tub, and heated lounge chairs. An outdoor deck, Vitamin D, will be offered to Thermal Suite guests and provide sea views and wait staff service.
The ship, fifth in the line’s Edge class, will also introduce the Celebrity Flagship store, where guests can buy branded clothing, water bottles, keychains, and lots of other items.
The 3,260-guest new-build is under construction at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France and will homeport at Fort Lauderdale following her launch.
Celebrity Cruises Ship Departs Following Technical Issues
Following a small electrical fire in the engine room on Celebrity Infinity on July 7, 2025, the ship has now finally departed Kusadasi, Turkey. The vessel was forced to remain in port for days, which resulted in the cancellation of all the ports of call.
Guests could only enjoy the time on the Millennium-class vessel or by spending a lot of extended time exploring the port of call. According to passengers onboard, around 10% of their fellow guests had chosen to disembark the ship, rather than remaining until the issue was repaired.
The good news is that the Celebrity Infinity is now repaired and set sail from Kusadasi on July 11. According to the cruise ship tracker, the ship is currently heading more for the Port of Piraeus, the main homeport for Athens. Celebrity Cruises will finally be able to disembark the remaining passengers on July 12.
Star of the Seas Delivered to Royal Caribbean
Star of the Seas at Meyer Turku (Photo Credit: Jouni Niskakoski)
It now means that many crew members are already onboard, making final preparations for the first guests in August 2025. There are also some final outfitting being completed, which is normal for a massive new cruise ship!
It will set sail for southern Spain later in the month, spending July 24 through 26, 2025, at the Alegeciras shipyard before beginning its transatlantic sailing to its homeport in Port Canaveral.
A series of preview cruises is set for early August 2025, when travel advisors and media outlets will get their first look at the new ship. Star of the Seas will sail her maiden voyage on August 31, 2025, a 7-night Western Caribbean & Perfect Day at CocoCay cruise.
Port calls will be made to the CocoCay private destination, plus Costa Maya, Cozumel, Mexico, and Roatan, Honduras. Following the inaugural voyage, the ship will sail alternate Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises.
Royal Caribbean Ship Suffers Technical Issue
Serenade of the Seas Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: StudioPortoSabbia)
Royal Caribbean has also been dealing with some technical issues this past week with Serenade of the Seas out of Vancouver, Canada.
The vessel developed an issue on its June 29 sailing, forcing the ship to sail at reduced speed and skip a call at Icy Strait Point. This also had a knock-on effect for the following July 6 cruise, also to Alaska.
Serenade of the Seas was forced to turn around, just two hours after departure, due to further work needing to be done. Serenade of the Seas was to have arrived in Sitka, Alaska, for a visit from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8. However, that never took place with the ship remaining in Vancouver.
The Royal Caribbean ship eventually set sail on July 7 on a revised itinerary. If all goes to plan, Serenade of the Seas is set to return home on July 13.
More Cruise Headlines
Check out more news on Cruise Hive, including Panama eliminating incentives for homeporting cruise ships, port congestion prompting a Norwegian Cruise Line ship to alter its itinerary, and the cruise industry’s most expensive suite nearly selling out.
