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Cruise News Update: Ice Warning, Clash at Private Island, Cancellations

Cruise News

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May 31, 2025

Cruise News Update: Ice Warning, Clash at Private Island, Cancellations

Stay on top of all the exciting cruise news right here at Cruise Hive, where our weekly recap brings you industrywide coverage. Top stories this week include a possible UFO sighting at a major Mexican cruise port, and an altercation between guests at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Make sure you stay well informed by signing up for Cruise Hive’s Daily Update, so the big cruise stories are delivered right to your inbox.

Sea Ice And Other Warnings For Greenland Voyage

Ice Around Greenland (Photo Credit: ge zheng)

Who knew there would still be sea ice drifting off Greenland in late May, possibly causing a cruise ship’s itinerary to change? The captain of Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Pride, that’s who.

Guests booked on the ship’s 14-night cruise to Greenland and Canada, which departed on a roundtrip cruise from Baltimore on May 25, 2025, were notified that sea ice is present in the area and might impact the ship’s routing.

It turns out that temperatures around Greenland in May typically average about 39 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, dipping to 27 degrees at night.

In addition to the sea ice warning, guests were also cautioned that anyone with mobility issues might have problems going ashore at ports where the ship cannot dock at a pier but rather uses tenders to ferry guests to land.

The first three port calls are tender ports — Nanortalik and Qaqortoq in Greenland, and Saint Anthony, in Newfoundland, Canada.

In the case of the tender ports, guests also were reminded that mobility devices must be foldable in order to be placed on a tender boat.

UFO Speculation as Ship Calls at Cozumel

UFO Near Cruise Ship (Credit: Jam Press)

Was it a bird, a plane, a drone, a ghost — or maybe even a UFO? Cruisers sailing onboard Margaritaville at Sea’s Islander caught sight of something strange as the ship was docked for a port call in Cozumel, Mexico, on May 18, 2025.

The unknown object was seen by guests and videotaped from a land-based webcam that was facing Cozumel’s International Pier, where the 2,600-guest ship was docked. The footage showed a dark, round metallic thing flying fast through the air.

The quality of the image wasn’t great, and it was impossible to tell what the object was, however, with the abundance of drones flying over destinations around the globe, it might be a good bet that’s what it was.

Cozumel is one of the busiest cruise ports in the Caribbean, sometimes hosting up to 10 ships at a time and well over 1,000 ship calls each year. So, if you are among those with a cruise itinerary that includes Cozumel, remember to look up.

How Close Is Too Close to a Private Cabana?

Passengers Fight At CocoCay (Credit: tiedye_dreamer)

It wasn’t a perfect day for everyone at Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island destination in the Bahamas, on May 24, 2025.

One of the luxury experiences on the private island is renting over-water cabanas in the destination’s Chill Island area. Rentals can cost a few thousand dollars for the day, and for that price, guests expect an exclusive atmosphere.

However, on this day, guests using the nearby public swimming area apparently ventured too close to one cabana, prompting the cabana renters to start an altercation with the swimmers. This included a shouting match that led to profanities and the situation devolved into thrown punches — and we don’t mean rum punches!

Lifeguards had to intervene. The altercation was, of course, filmed and uploaded to social media. Royal Caribbean has not commented on the squabble, but it shows that not everyone chills out on Chill Island.

Carnival Ambassador Dismisses Adults-Only Rumor

Carnival Magic Departing Miami (Photo Credit: Just dance)

It didn’t take long for the cruise community to spread rumors about Carnival Cruise Line becoming an adults-only line, or offering a steady stream of adult-only voyages.

The speculation started when the line, which draws mainly families, announced it would host special Casino Offer voyages on Carnival Magic in November 2025. Since the cruises will be centered on casino events and tournaments, only adults over 18 will be allowed to sail.

But Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador, John Heald, who interacts with guests on his popular Facebook page, has put the kibosh on the notion that the cruise line is changing into an adults-only brand.

It turns out that Carnival Magic was to have been in dry dock during most of November 2025, but the shipyard plan was postponed. The delay provided an opportunity for the line to schedule cruises during November after all, and it chose to plug in a few casino-themed voyages.

Casino Offer cruises typically are by invitation-only for guests in the Carnival Players Club casino loyalty program.

Star of the Seas Completes Trials, Adds Preview Cruises

Star of the Seas Departing Shipyard (Photo Credit: Jouni Niskakoski)

Royal Caribbean’s soon-to-launch Star of the Seas, second in the Icon class, completed her sea trials with flying colors and returned to Finland’s Meyer Turku shipyard on May 27, 2025.

Sea trials are a key component of the construction process, as all onboard systems are put to the test, such as navigation, propulsion, and safety, before the final touches are put in place prior to delivery to the cruise line.

The 5,600-guest ship, sister to the line’s popular Icon of the Seas, was at sea for eight days while the trials were held. They finished in record time, enabling the shipyard to handover the vessel a bit early.

That means Royal Caribbean can introduce the new-build earlier than expected. In fact, it will enable the line to add three showcase sailings before the ship’s 7-night inaugural voyage from Port Canaveral on August 31, 2025.

The preview cruise schedule now includes a three-night cruise departing on August 20, 2025, followed by two four-night sailings. All of the preview sailings will make one port call, to Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island destination in the Bahamas.

Carnival Conquest Cancels Sailings Due to Dry Dock Change

Carnival Conquest Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz / Cruise Hive)

Scheduling dry docks for its ships seems to be an ongoing challenge for Carnival Cruise Line. For the second time in recent weeks guests were informed that cruises have been cancelled due to the changing dates of shipyard maintenance. This time it’s Carnival Conquest.

Seven voyages aboard the 3,000-guest ship with departure dates in January 2026 no longer will operate, thanks to dry dock scheduling changes.

All impacted sailings were 3- and 4-night Bahamas cruises set to depart PortMiami between January 5, 2026 and January 26, 2026. Guests can rebook on a similar itinerary and get an onboard credit up to $100 per stateroom, or receive a full refund.

The cruise line also will reimburse up to $200 per guest for those having to pay non-refundable change fees for air travel (documentation required).

In mid-April, multiple voyages aboard Carnival Horizon and Carnival Magic were cancelled due to rescheduled dry docks. Ships usually undergo dry dock maintenance once every three to five years.

Virgin Voyages Nixes Three Cruises in Summer 2026

Valiant Lady Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Just dance)

Guests booked on three Virgin Voyages cruises in 2026 received the disappointing news that their sailings aboard Valiant Lady have been cancelled.

One 10-night sailing departing from Barcelona on June 28, 2026, and two 14-night cruises, both roundtrip from Portsmouth, England, on July 8 and July 22, 2026, no longer are operating.

Cruisers were presented with a few options, including rebooking any sailing, with price protection and a $100 onboard credit per stateroom. A second alternative was to rebook on a choice of three Scarlet Lady itineraries, all departing in 2025. This option comes with a $300 onboard credit.

And finally, guests can opt for a full refund, which can be either repayment or a future cruise credit (FCC). Cruisers have 60 days to decide, after which their refund will be processed as an FCC.

Meanwhile, several new, shorter sailings were unveiled for June and July 2026, all from Barcelona. These voyages take place during the same timeframe as the cancelled sailings, and are 6- to 10-night cruises.

More Cruise Headlines

Ready for more news? Check out additional stories brought to you by Cruise Hive, including Holland America adding solar eclipse sailings in 2027, Tropical Storm Alvin forming in the eastern Pacific, and Juneau nearly doubling its cruise ship docking fees.

Also, MSC Cruises sailing from two Caribbean ports starting in 2026; and Celebrity Cruises upgrading its Solstice-class ships.

US Travel Advisory Downgraded for Popular Cruise Port in the Caribbean

Port News

Catie Kovelman

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May 31, 2025

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US Travel Advisory Downgraded for Popular Cruise Port in the Caribbean

Cruisers hoping to sail to Jamaica on an upcoming voyage will be glad to learn that their vacation just got a little bit safer.

It seems like almost every time the US State Department revises a travel advisory, it’s to indicate that a location has become more dangerous.

However, the government has opted to lessen the severity of the advisory from a Level 3: Reconsider Travel to a Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution.

The change comes after Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State, visited Jamaica in March of 2025 as part of a tour of the Caribbean.

During his travels, Rubio met with the Jamaican Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, to discuss how Jamaica has made great strides in becoming safer in recent years.

Indeed, recent data shared by Dr. Kevin Blake, the Commissioner of Police in Jamaica, shows that there has been an 18% decrease in major crimes within the Western Caribbean cruise port.

However, this doesn’t mean that all crime has been eliminated, and violent crime rates are still high – but more so in areas that aren’t frequented as much by tourists and cruise guests.

“While violent crime in Jamaica has decreased since 2024, it remains statistically high throughout the country. Tourist areas generally see lower rates of violent crime than other parts of the country,” reads the travel advisory.

“The homicide rate reported by the Government of Jamaica is among the highest in the Western Hemisphere. Armed robberies and sexual assaults are common,” continued the notice.

Visitors are also advised that medical care within Jamaica is lower quality than in the United States – and that emergency services are not always readily available or may come with longer wait times.

What Does “Exercise Caution” Really Mean?

Travel advisories are not uncommon at popular cruise destinations, and are currently in place for destinations throughout the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Panama, and even Europe and Australia.

For example, Turks and Caicos and Costa Rica are also under Level 2 travel advisories, Honduras is under a Level 3 travel advisory, and Haiti – which is home to Royal Caribbean’s private resort at Labadee – is famously under the most severe Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory.

In 2024, more than 1.4 million cruisers sailed to Jamaica – generating $197.8 million in revenue – and the vast majority never had an issue.

Jamaica Flag and Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks)

Rest assured that the cruise lines always have safety as their top priority, and will not sail to a destination that has become too dangerous.

No matter where you are traveling to, it’s always a good idea to remain aware of your surroundings and stay vigilant – whether the destination is under a travel advisory or not.

In Jamaica’s case, the US government has issued specific guidelines on how to stay safe.

First, it is illegal to bring firearms or ammunition into the cruise port – and the punishment can be severe, even for non-citizens.

“Do not attempt to bring firearms or ammunition. This includes stray rounds, shells, or empty casings. The penalties for carrying firearms or ammunition, even by mistake, are severe, and can include long prison sentences,” the advisory states.

Additionally, guests are advised to avoid walking or driving at night (most port calls usually only take place during daylight hours anyway) and to avoid remote areas.

It is also not recommended to utilize public transportation, such as buses. If you will need a ride around the port, the safest course of action is to pre-book a reputable service in advance or take a shore excursion that has been vetted by the cruise line.

Norwegian Epic Breaks from Moorings, Guest Falls From Gangway

Norwegian Cruise Line News

Lissa Poirot

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May 30, 2025

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Norwegian Epic Breaks from Moorings, Guest Falls From Gangway

Passengers aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Epic experienced a chaotic afternoon on May 30, 2025, when the ship broke free from its moorings while docked in Catania, Italy.

The incident occurred just after 1 p.m. local time as guests were reboarding the vessel following a port stop in the Sicilian city.

Videos and eyewitness reports indicate that the ship’s lines snapped one by one with loud cracks, sending some guests, who had been on the gangway, tumbling into the water.

“All of a sudden, we heard this loud bang,” said one passenger. “One by one, the concrete nubs in the ground that hold the ropes were pulling out of the ground and went flying into the ship,” said one passenger.

Local media reported that strong winds were a contributing factor in the incident.

Indeed, the Italian Meteorological Service had issued a moderate wind warning, which indicates sustained wind speeds of 26 to 39 miles per hour or frequent wind gusts of 35 to 57 miles per hour.

While the exact cause is still under investigation, reports indicate that the mooring points on the dock may have failed under stress, combined with mechanical pressure from the ship’s movement.

Port authorities and emergency responders acted quickly to pull two individuals from the water after a female passenger fell into the water and her husband jumped in to rescue her.

Norwegian Cruise Line confirmed that one guest in the process of disembarking fell from the gangway into the water and both passengers were taken by ambulance to the local hospital.

Worth Reading: Princess Cruise Ship Breaks Free from Moorings in Norway

“On-duty crew members were able to immediately assist the guest from the water and see that they were evaluated by the medical team,” said a spokesperson for the cruise line to Cruise Hive.

“It was determined that they sustained minor injuries and were transported to a local hospital for further examination and treatment.”

As the ship floated away from the dock and into the harbor, crew members advised guests still on land to return to the city and check back later.

Response to Norwegian Epic Breaking From Moorings (Photo Credit: Brian Koning)

Once Norwegian Epic regained control and returned to port, authorities delayed reboarding until the winds died down.

Passengers reported being told they would be able to embark by 4 or 5 p.m., but high winds continued into the early evening, further delaying the process.

“The disembarkation and embarkation process was paused until weather conditions improved and the ship was able to safely dock again,” said Norwegian Cruise Line to Cruise Hive.

A guest shared that the ship finally began the reboarding process at 7:15 p.m., six hours after the incident.

Cruise Delayed in Catania

Norwegian Epic can accommodate over 4,000 passengers and is sailing a 10-night round-trip voyage from Civitavecchia (Rome).

After visiting Santorini, Athens, and Olympia, Greece, as well as Malta, the 155,873-gross-ton ship arrived in Catania at 8 a.m. The call was meant to conclude at 6 p.m., and at press time, 9 p.m. local time, the ship remains in port.

Local Police help After Norwegian Epic Breaks Free From Moorings (Photo Credit: ANSA)

She is scheduled to arrive in Naples, Italy, on May 31, followed by visits to Livorno (Florence), Italy, and Cannes, France, before concluding on June 3, 2025.

During the incident, passengers stuck on land took to social media to share their frustration, including a lack of communication from the crew in port or via the Norwegian Cruise Line app.

“Everyone is stuck at the port, very little information from NCL, some of us have been waiting here since noon. Very little water, older folks are hot, there is not enough water or seats,” shared one guest.

Norwegian Cruise Line responded to the reports and said, “During this interruption, our crew were actively attending to our guests until they were able to re-embark the ship. As always, the safety of our guests and crew is our top priority.”

Despite the delay, broken mooring lines are not uncommon. In March 2025, a Holland America Line ship had to skip a port after the lines broke on Rotterdam during rough swells.

Bahamas Launches Tax Crackdown on Private Cruise Destinations

Port News

Lissa Poirot

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May 30, 2025

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Bahamas Launches Tax Crackdown on Private Cruise Destinations

Cruise lines with private islands in The Bahamas will soon face tighter tax scrutiny as the government rolls out new compliance measures aimed at increasing revenue.

Prime Minister Philip Davis KC unveiled a new initiative on May 28, 2025, as part of the 2025-2026 Budget, calling the move essential to ensuring “fairness and equity.”

The Prime Minister said the tax contribution from cruise operators has not kept pace with their growing footprint, particularly at private island destinations that cater to millions of passengers annually.

“In 2024 alone, cruise visitors numbered 9.4 million – an increase of 20.3 percent over the previous year and representing a staggering 83.4 percent of total tourist arrivals. These numbers are not just impressive; they are transformative,” Davis told local media.

However, he also pointed out that while cruise volumes have soared, contributions to government revenue have “not kept pace.”

“We’ve seen exponential growth in private cruise destinations, where premium onshore activities like cabana rentals now fetch as much as $4,000 per day, yet these earnings often flow offshore with limited benefit to the Bahamian taxpayer,” said Davis.

Government officials are now in discussions with cruise lines regarding taxes on all imports to their destinations, all services provided to guests, “watercraft” activities being reserved for Bahamians, Customs duty enforcement, and “the payment of work permit fees for expatriate employees.”

Cruise lines don’t own land in The Bahamas; instead they use it through long-term leases with the government. These leases include specific rules the cruise lines must follow, and if they don’t, the government can take the land back.

But the government can’t just add new rules to those agreements unless the cruise lines agree to them.

Davis said cruise lines agree with the Bahamian principles and requests and have promised to work with the government to ensure they are meeting requirements.

As a result, Davis anticipates that revenue from private cruise destinations will be the nation’s largest GDP growth driver over the next 3 to 5 years.

That number includes revenue following the upcoming grand opening of Carnival Cruise Line’s $600-million Celebration Key in July 2025 and Royal Caribbean’s brand-new $110-million Paradise Island Beach Club in December 2025.

Destinations Draw Millions

Several major cruise lines operate exclusive private destinations in The Bahamas and will now face heightened regulatory oversight under the government’s new tax compliance initiative.

Designed as self-contained, resort-style experiences, they host millions of visitors each year.

Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay, located in the Berry Islands, is one of the most prominent of these destinations.

With attractions such as a waterpark, beach club, and helium balloon ride, the island welcomed over 3 million visitors in 2024, making it one of the busiest private ports in the region.

MSC Cruises Private Island in the Bahamas (Photo Courtesy: MSC Cruises)

Not far from there, Norwegian Cruise Line operates Great Stirrup Cay, a 250-acre island offering zip lines, snorkeling, and a swim-up bar. That property attracts around 400,000 guests each year and is currently undergoing a $150 million multi-ship pier upgrade.

Carnival Corporation has long maintained a presence with Half Moon Cay, a beach getaway located on Little San Salvador Island, which is shared between Carnival Cruise Line and Holland America Line.

Nearby on Eleuthera, Princess Cruises, also owned by Carnival Corporation, operates Princess Cays, featuring a mix of water sports and local craft markets.

Disney Cruise Line’s Castaway Cay, located near Great Abaco Island, is another key player in the region, particularly for family-focused itineraries with Disney character meet-and-greets.

It was joined in 2024 by a second Disney-themed destination, Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point on Eleuthera.

Meanwhile, MSC Cruises’ Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in the Bimini chain emphasizes eco-tourism and marine conservation, recently opening a coral reef restoration center on the island.

Carnival’s new Celebration Key, located on Grand Bahama, is projected to handle up to 2 million guests per year.

Itineraries Modified Across 4 Carnival Cruise Ships

Carnival Cruise News

Lissa Poirot

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May 30, 2025

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Itineraries Modified Across 4 Carnival Cruise Ships

Passengers eager to set sail with Carnival Cruise Line in late 2026 and early 2027 may want to double check their itineraries.

The cruise line has made a series of updates affecting four ships: Carnival Valor, Mardi Gras, Carnival Spirit, and Carnival Glory.

The adjustments include destination swaps, new port arrival times, and in a few cases, reversing the order of port visits.

Carnival Cruise Line began notifying impacted passengers via email on May 29, 2025.

“We have made adjustments to the itineraries for the following cruises, which include yours,” the letter reads. “The changes will be reflected on Carnival.com within 24 hours.”

Among the notable changes is the substitution of Costa Maya with Progresso in Mexico on several Carnival Valor sailings. These voyages will also see adjusted port times.

Similar reversals and timing changes are also coming to Mardi Gras, Carnival Glory, and Carnival Spirit voyages, with the latter also swapping a port in the Bahamas altogether.

Carnival noted that guests who pre-purchased shore excursions will be automatically refunded and offered the chance to rebook based on the updated itineraries.

Carnival Valor

The 2,980-passenger Carnival Valor’s upcoming round-trip cruises from New Orleans are being adjusted on seven separate dates in 2026 and 2027.

Instead of sailing to Cozumel and Costa Maya during the 5-night Western Caribbean voyages, it is replacing Costa Maya with Progresso.

The change of port also means a change in arrival and departure times. Instead of a call from 1 to 10 p.m., the Progresso call will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Affected departure dates include April 18, May 2, June 13, July 25, September 5, and October 17, 2026, as well as January 9, 2027.

Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras’ September 19, 2026, round-trip cruise from Port Canaveral, Florida, carrying up to 5,200 guests has reversed the order of ports to visit Roatan, Honduras; Cozumel; and Carnival Cruise Line’s new private destination, Celebration Key in the Bahamas, opening in July 2025.

At press time, the sailing details had not yet been updated on Carnival.com for more information.

Carnival Spirit

The cruise line’s 2,124-passenger Carnival Spirit will also have its ports visited in a different order for its 6-night Bahamas cruise from Mobile, Alabama, on December 6, 2026. Guests will first visit the Bimini Islands, then Celebration Key.

The change affects call times. Instead of visiting Bimini from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., guests will now arrive at 11 a.m. and stay until 7 p.m.

And the good news is that all receive more time in Celebration Key, arriving at 8 a.m. instead of 12 p.m. (Still departing at 5 p.m.)

However, Bimini will be skipped on the February 28, 2027, sailing and replaced with Nassau from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Carnival Glory

Also getting an update in February is the 2,980-passenger Carnival Glory’s 4-night Bahamas cruise departing from Port Canaveral on February 15, 2027, as well as its March 29, 2027, offering.

Its visits and port times to Nassau and Celebration have been updated.

The changes follow a previous announcement that eight Carnival Cruise Line ships will also be undergoing changes during winter 2025 and 2026 sailings.

These types of tweaks are slight and common for cruise lines that plan cruises two years in advance. Sometimes, it’s a matter of slight repositioning of fleets, but oftentimes it can be due to port availability or congestion as other cruise lines make their plans.

TUI Cruises’ New Mein Schiff Flow Reaches Construction Milestone

TUI Cruises News

Donna Tunney

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May 30, 2025

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TUI Cruises’ New Mein Schiff Flow Reaches Construction Milestone

Mein Schiff Flow, the second ship in TUI Cruises’ InTUItion-class, celebrated a milestone with the May 30, 2025 float-out from her construction bay at an Italian shipyard.

The 4,000-guest ship is being built at Fincantieri’s Monfalcone location, where a launching ceremony was held to mark the first time the ship’s hull touched water. The float-out ceremony, a maritime tradition, drew executives from the cruise line and the shipyard.

Among those attending were Wybcke Meier, CEO of TUI Cruises, a unit of TUI AG. Cristiano Bazzara, shipyard director, also attended the celebratory event.

Another major construction milestone, the 160,000-gross-ton ship’s keel laying ceremony, was held in November 2024.

Mein Schiff Flow is set to debut in July 2026, following the introduction of the first ship in the class, Mein Schiff Relax, in March 2025.

Like her sister ship, Mein Schiff Flow will have an ecologically advanced fuel system that can power the vessel with both LNG (liquified natural gas), a low-emission fuel, and traditional marine gas oil.

“Mein Schiff Flow will feature catalytic converters meeting Euro 6 standards, a steam turbine, using the residual heat from the diesel generators as well as an electrical shore-power connection,” a statement from Fincantieri explained.

“All this will ensure almost emission-free operations while in port (about 40% of operating time),” the statement added.

Other environmentally responsible systems the ship is being built with include one for waste treatment, which uses a thermal process that makes organic materials recyclable.

Following the float-out ceremony, the shipyard’s focus now turns to completing any exterior work and starting the interior design of the vessel. The next milestone for Mein Schiff Flow will be her sea trials, expected in spring 2026, before her delivery to TUI Cruises.

Sea trials will test the ship’s key systems, such as navigation, propulsion, safety, and other onboard programs.

When Mein Schiff Flow enters service in 2026, she will be TUI Cruises’ third new ship in as many years, since Mein Schiff 7, which is not part of the InTUItion class, launched in 2024 and Mein Schiff Relax followed in 2025.

Read Also: How Big Is a Cruise Ship Engine?

Together, the three new ships represent a capacity increase of about 60% in the nine-ship fleet, enabling TUI Cruises to enter new markets.

Mein Schiff Flow‘s First Sailing Scheduled for July 2026

Mein Schiff Flow’s first scheduled cruise is set for July 19, 2026. The 9-night Western Mediterranean voyage roundtrip from Palma De Mallorca, Spain, will call at Barcelona, La Spezia, and Rome, Italy; Ajaccio, Corsica; and Marseille, France.

TUI Cruises, which caters to the German market, has already revealed several of Mein Schiff Flow’s design highlights. Interior spaces, the line promised, will offer a new way of experiencing lightness. A three-deck atrium with oversized windows, for example, will allow the centerpiece of the ship to be bathed in natural light.

Atlantic, the ship’s main dining room, is being designed with large windows that offer expansive sea views, and a new outdoor area, called Agora, will be modeled on a traditional Greek village.

Agora will feature an infinity pool, food and beverage service, and live entertainment. The ship’s pool deck will offer an 80-foot-long swimming pool and a dedicated bar.

Mein Schiff Flow will offer seven dining venues included in the cruise fare plus four specialty restaurants — the Surf & Turk steakhouse; Richards, also a steakhouse; Hanami, service Asian specialties; and Schmankerl-Entspannt, offering Austrian dishes.

TUI Cruises, which is based in Germany, was created in 2007 and is a 50/50 joint venture between Royal Caribbean Group and TUI AG.

8 Carnival Cruise Ships Have Homeport Departure Changes

Carnival Cruise News

Catie Kovelman

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May 30, 2025

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8 Carnival Cruise Ships Have Homeport Departure Changes

Carnival Cruise Line is back with some more itinerary changes – but don’t worry, no popular ports of call have been removed or replaced.

Instead, Carnival has changed the departure times on embarkation day for select sailings across eight different cruise ships – including Carnival Liberty, Carnival Venezia, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Paradise, Carnival Dream, Carnival Pride, Carnival Legend, and Carnival Freedom.

These changes were likely made due to port scheduling and operational needs at the homeports – which can sometimes come to light after itineraries are planned.

With the new information in mind, guests will want to take extra care to make sure they arrive at the cruise port well before the final boarding time – which will be specified on boarding passes obtained during or after the online check-in process.

Carnival Liberty

Carnival Liberty, which homeports in New Orleans, Louisiana, year round, is changing its departure time for two sailings.

The voyages in question are scheduled for November 30, 2025, and November 29, 2026 – and will depart from the cruise port at 4:30 p.m. instead of 5 p.m. local time.

Both of these cruises are 14-night sailings throughout the Caribbean and Panama.

Carnival Venezia

This Vista-class cruise ship is changing the departure time for seven different voyages.

For cruises embarking on November 30, 2025, January 11, 2026, February 22, 2026, November 29, 2026, January 10, 2027, and February 21, 2027, Carnival Venezia will sail out of Port Canaveral, Florida, at 4:30 p.m. EST instead of 5 p.m.

Additionally, the 7-night Eastern Caribbean sailing that embarks on November 15, 2026, will leave the Orlando-based port at 5:30 p.m. instead of 6 p.m.

Carnival Miracle

Next on the list is Carnival Miracle – which is tweaking four sailings across two homeports.

The first two sailings are based out of Tampa Bay, Florida, and are expected to set sail on February 1, 2026, and April 11, 2026. In both cases, the Spirit-class ship will depart at 4:30 p.m. instead of 5 p.m.

The next two cruises come at the end of the 2026 Alaska season – which the 2,124-guest ship will operate from Seattle, Washington.

The September 17, 2026, cruise – which is the final round-trip Alaska sailing of the year for Carnival Miracle – will now set sail at 3:30 p.m. instead of 4 p.m.

The subsequent voyage that embarks on September 26, 2026 – which is a one-way repositioning cruise to Galveston, Texas – will depart at 4:30 p.m. instead of 5 p.m.

Carnival Paradise

Only one departure is impacted for Carnival Paradise – but it gets one of the biggest time jumps.

The Fantasy-class cruise ship will be operating a 6-night sailing to the Bahamas on May 1, 2026, from Tampa, Florida.

But instead of departing at 3:30 p.m., the 2,124-guest ship will remain in the port until 5 p.m.

Carnival Dream

Carnival Dream, which is homeporting year-round in Galveston, Texas, through at least April of 2027, has made six departure changes.

The cruises that are scheduled for October 18, 2025, January 4, 2026, January 18, 2026, October 17, 2026, January 2, 2027, and January 16, 2027, have moved their departure time up from 5 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

While the specific itineraries vary slightly, all of the impacted sailings are longer 14-night voyages – which is interesting because the Dream-class ship primarily operates week-long cruises.

Carnival Pride

The next change coming down the pipeline is for Carnival Pride in Baltimore, Maryland.

The 14-night Caribbean cruises embarking on November 2, 2025, January 11, 2026, November 1, 2026, and January 10, 2027, have pushed back their departures from 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Additionally, the 10-night Eastern Caribbean sailing that is due to set sail on April 9, 2026, will now remain in the port until 6:30 p.m. local time instead of leaving at 5 p.m.

Carnival Legend

Two sailings across two different homeports have been tweaked for Carnival Legend in 2026.

The first impacted voyage is a 14-night sailing around the Caribbean and Panama that embarks from Galveston on February 2, 2026. In this case, the Spirit-class ship will depart at 4:30 p.m. instead of 5 p.m.

Later in the year, on May 24, 2026, a 14-night transatlantic crossing from Miami, Florida, to Dover, England, will set sail at 5:30 p.m instead of 5 p.m.

Carnival Freedom

Last but not least, Carnival Freedom will spend an extra half hour in Port Canaveral on August 18, 2026.

Instead of setting sail at 5 p.m. as originally planned, the 14-night one-way sailing to Barcelona, Spain, will now officially kick off at 5:30 p.m.

Holland America Offers Rare Chance to See Solar Eclipse in 2027

Holland America Line News

Skyler Wolpert

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May 29, 2025

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Holland America Offers Rare Chance to See Solar Eclipse in 2027

On May 29, 2025, Holland America Line announced an exciting new lineup of cruises that will be taking place during a solar eclipse, allowing passengers to be in the line of totality on August 2, 2027.

“The excitement around viewing a total solar eclipse the past few years has been palpable, and we jumped at the chance to create more itineraries that give our guests the incomparable opportunity of viewing the eclipse at sea,” shared Paul Grigsby, Vice President of Deployment for Holland America Line.

Grisby also shared that vessels being on the ocean at the time of the eclipse are ideal for viewing, as the crew can attempt to reposition if cloud coverage blocks the view.

The first of these newly added voyages will take place on the 2,666-passenger Nieuw Statendam, and will be a 28-night round-trip itinerary departing from Rotterdam in the Netherlands on July 27, 2027.

This will be the longer of the two cruises available to view the eclipse and will include 13 stops at ports in France, the United Kingdom, Spain, Denmark, Portugal, Gibraltar, Morocco, and Portugal — with overnight calls in London and Barcelona.

Nieuw Statendam will be positioned off the coast of Morocco for the viewing of the eclipse on August 2, as the line of totality runs through Northern Africa.

The second of the newly added sailings will take place on the 1,964-passenger Oosterdam, which will be doing a 14-night round-trip itinerary out of Athens in Greece, departing on July 31, 2027.

This shorter cruise will first head to the coast of Tunisia for the viewing of the eclipse, after which it will call on ports in Tunisia, Italy, Malta, and Greece — with one extended call in Valetta, Malta.

Both of these newly added cruises will provide guests with the opportunity to experience the maximum totality of the eclipse, and will also offer lectures and opportunities to connect with scientific experts.

Beyond that, passengers will get to enjoy themed activities, as well as being provided with proper equipment, such as eclipse glasses, for safety reasons.

The two newly added cruises join a growing list of eclipse-focused voyages offered by Holland America Line, as there will be three others happening during the 2026 solar eclipse — including 13-night, 28-night, and 35-night itineraries on Oosterdam, Nieuw Statendam, and Zuiderdam.

More New Sailings Added to View Another Natural Phenomenon

Beyond adding the two new cruises that will allow guests to view the solar eclipse in 2027, Holland America Line also announced three new voyages that will allow passengers to view the Northern Lights.

All three sailings are happening at the end of 2027, and will have 14-night round-trip itineraries out of Rotterdam or Dover.

The first of these voyages will depart on October 3, 2027, on the 2,668-passenger Rotterdam, which will call on ports such as Bergen, Ålesund, Tromsø, Leknes (Lofoten), and Åndalsnes in Norway — with the addition of Trondheim as a late-night call and Alta as an overnight.

Additionally, the ship will call on Lerwick in the Shetland Islands before disembarking in Rotterdam.

Rotterdam Cruise Ship — Photo Credit: StudioPortoSabbia / Shutterstock

The two sailings available on Nieuw Statendam will be embarking on October 16 and November 6, 2027, which will be doing the same itinerary.

Ports this ship will be stopping at include Ålesund, Åndalsnes, Leknes (Lofoten), Tromsø, and Kristiansund, with the addition of Trondheim as a late-night call, as well as Alta as an overnight call, all of which are in Norway.

All three of these cruises will include special experiences that have come out of Holland America Line’s partnership with the History Channel, which allows guests to experience a destination’s history on a deeper level through enhanced shore excursions and activities.

Both the solar eclipse and the Northern Lights cruises are already open for booking as of May 29, 2025.

Two years might feel far away, but with the rise in popularity of eclipse and Northern Light viewing cruises, they could sell out quickly.

To view the lack of light, or to view the light in the night sky, that is the question!

Tropical Storm Alvin Forms and Threatens Cruise Itineraries

Port News

Lissa Poirot

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May 29, 2025

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Tropical Storm Alvin Forms and Threatens Cruise Itineraries

As Memorial Day Weekend kicks off the unofficial start to summer, the cruise season is in full swing.

And so, too, is the start of hurricane season. Following the holiday weekend, a storm system in the eastern Pacific Ocean has been gathering strength, with Tropical Storm Alvin becoming the first named storm of the 2025 season in the region.

As of Thursday, May 29, 2025, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported that Alvin was located approximately 670 miles south-southeast of the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula.

The storm is moving northwest at 10 miles per hour and has maximum sustained winds of 40 miles per hour.

While the NHC anticipates the storm will dissipate within the next three days, it also illustrates a path that reaches Baja California’s Cabo San Lucas in the early morning hours of Sunday, June 1.

Carnival Cruise Line’s 4,126-passenger Carnival Firenze is sailing to Cabo San Lucas from Los Angeles and is expected to call on May 31, possibly being affected by bad weather due to the storm.

It will spend June 1 at sea as it returns back to California, and may still be within the storm’s reach.

The storm could also affect nearby cruises sailing along Mexico’s western coastline, including Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlán, which the cruise line’s Carnival Panorama recently visited with up to 4,008 passengers on its way to La Paz, Mexico, on May 29.

Bryan Norcross, a FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist, says this first storm is right on schedule.

“The ocean water off the southern coast of Mexico is always quite warm, and this year the atmospheric pattern over that part of the ocean is quite conducive for development,” he told national media.

Norcross agrees with the NHC’s assessment of the storm, saying the water cools quickly as the storm heads north.

“If Alvin affects Cabo Can Lucas or nearby areas in northern Mexico, for example, it looks likely to be a weakening storm.”

Storm Outlook for 2025

The 2025 Pacific hurricane season began in the eastern Pacific on May 15, 2025, and is forecast to be near- to below-average, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

This means forecasters expect fewer tropical storms and hurricanes in the region.

In the central Pacific, which includes Hawaii, NOAA’s outlook calls for 1 to 4 tropical cyclones this season, also reflecting a near- or below-normal year.

But while the Pacific outlook suggests a quieter season, forecasters are sounding a different alarm for the Atlantic, which includes the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Atlantic Ocean.

That season begins June 1 and is expected to be above average in both storm count and intensity. NOAA predicts 13 to 19 named storms, with 6 to 10 of those becoming hurricanes, and 3 to 5 reaching major hurricane strength, meaning a Category 3 or higher.

Last year, the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season featured 18 named storms, 11 hurricanes and 5 major hurricanes that resulted in nearly $200 billion in damages, making it the second-costliest season on record.

The 2024 Pacific hurricane season, however, was relatively quiet, with only 12 named storms, 7 hurricanes, and 2 major hurricanes forming, making it the least-active Pacific hurricane season since 2011.

Last year, the region didn’t see its first storm, Tropical Storm Aletta, until July 4. Tropical Storm Alvin must reach sustained wind speeds of 74 miles per hour to become a Category I hurricane.

Tune into Cruise Hive throughout hurricane season to stay abreast of storms and how they may impact cruises.