The saga continues! After making waves for attempting to climb a Carnival cruise shipin Sydney, Australia, we now have some idea of the fate that awaits the alleged perpetrator.
The suspect, who has earned the nickname of “Spider-Man” on social media, was captured on video climbing the mooring lines of Carnival Adventureat the Sydney’s Overseas Passenger Terminal on May 17, 2025.
The dangerous stunt was eventually brought to a safe conclusion after New South Wales (NSW) police officers coordinated with the crew onboard to lower the mooring ropes toward a police boat – which is when the man was taken into custody.
Footage from onlookers also captured the climber – who has only been identified as a 29-year-old man – being led away in handcuffs by four officers. This is a correction from earlier reports, which said the man was 30 years old.
Following the incident, he was taken to the Day Street Police Station, which is only about a 12-minute drive from the cruise port.
Per local newsoutlet News.com.au, he has since been given three charges related to unauthorized entry, including “entering a cleared zone without being screened and cleared, entering a land-side restricted zone without authorization, and entering a water-side restricted zone without authorization.”
He was then released on conditional bail, but will have to appear in court on June 11, 2025.
If he is found guilty, the man could face consequences like long-term house arrest, imprisonment, and/or hefty fines.
While Carnival has not issued a statement on the matter, it’s also quite likely that he will be banned from all future Carnival sailings (and for those of Carnival’s sister brands) as the cruise line has a no tolerance policy when it comes to matters of safety.
The Danger of the Situation
Stunts like this have to be taken seriously with a no nonsense approach because it could be a matter of life and death. If the man had fallen, he could have been seriously injured or killed.
As the man shimmied precariously on the mooring ropes, he could have potentially fallen between the 108,865-gross ton cruise ship and the pier. In addition to injuries from the fall, this could come with a big risk of becoming stuck, or even drowning.
A scare like this actually recently unfolded by accident at Royal Caribbean’s private Bahamian destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay, on April 14, 2025 – during which a young child fell between the concrete pierand the ship.
Man Climbs Cruise Ship Mooring Ropes (Credit: 9News)
Thankfully, the child was quickly rescued – although it is unknown if they sustained any injuries in the event.
More solemnly, another elderly cruise guest actually died in a freak accidentin which they fell from their electric wheelchair and into the water at the port of Philipsburg, St. Maarten, on December 26, 2024.
And in this case, the climber would have been falling into the water – or the hard surface of Circular Quay itself – from a much taller height.
Another factor to consider here is that the offender was climbing on the mooring lines – which are meant to keep the cruise ship tethered to the dock.
While mooring lines are designed to be quite strong – as they have to be able to withstand strong wind, waves, and ocean currents – this doesn’t mean they can’t break, especially if they have been tampered with.
If a mooring line had snapped, the force of the sudden break is strong enough to be lethal – and can cause significant damage to both the ship and the dock itself.
All that said, let’s just be extra thankful that the climber was brought down without any injury to himself, the crew, the authorities, or the ship.
Disney Wish passengers who set sail to the Bahamas on May 16, 2025, were warned to expect delays at embarkation at Port Canaveral ahead of their weekend getaway.
Guests received a warning that the cruise line was still dealing with a technical issue with its Online Check-in that caused severe delays just days before in both Fort Lauderdale and Port Canaveral.
The result? All passengers needed to be checked-in in-person at the Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal 10.
“We need to verify all guests’ documentation during the check-in process at the terminal on embarkation day,” Disney Cruise Line said in an email.
“This includes reviewing citizenship documentation and capturing photos for each guest,” the email continued. “As a result, guests may experience an extended wait during the check-in process.”
Disney Cruise Line also made guests who arrived early wait outside until their designated check-in window opened to help smooth the process.
Guests who did not complete online check-in or who didn’t receive an arrival time ahead of embarkation were instructed to arrive no sooner than 2 p.m.
“Travel with any convenience items you may need should you encounter a delay at the terminal,” the cruise line also advised.
The delays affected up to 4,000 passengers on the 144,000-gross-ton Disney Wish, Disney Cruise Line’s first Wish Class ship.
The voyage is currently underway with calls at Nassau and the cruise line’s private destination, Castaway Cay, in the Bahamas.
The ship will return to Port Canaveral on May 19, 2025, at which time it will take its next group of passengers to the Bahamas on a 4-night adventure.
Not the Only Warning
Passengers sailing on May 19, 2025, may want to prepare for longer wait times, as this incident is not isolated.
While the check-in disruption is a rare operational hiccup for Disney Cruise Line, earlier in the week, a similar issue occurred on Disney Dream, which also carries 2,500 passengers.
During the boarding process in Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades on May 12, 2025, guests shared that the check-in process and a lack of direction at the terminal led to waits of more than an hour following scheduled arrival times.
“The line we’re in stretches back to the garage entrance (on the other side of luggage drop off),” shared one passenger, who also said staff was unprepared.
Disney Dream cruise ship docked in Port Canaveral. (Photo Credit: AwayWithYourFairies)
A week prior, Disney Magic, carrying 2,400 passengers, also experienced delays for its Bahamas cruise from Port Canaveral that forced the ship to miss a 4 p.m. departure time.
However, a passenger on Disney Dream said there were no delays for their May 16, 2025, embarkation in Port Everglades, despite receiving similar warnings from Disney Cruise Line.
“Just boarded the Dream and had no issues. Even though we received the email warning us possible delays, we had no wait at all,” the guest shared on Reddit.
A crew member responded, saying staff worked 16 hours until 2 a.m. to fix the issue, “because we really wanted you to have a smooth embarkation. It means a lot to see that we made a difference!”
Disney Magic also sailed from Port Canaveral on May 16 on a 5-night voyage, followed by Disney Treasure on May 17, which is sailing to the Western Caribbean, but there has been no indication that there were any delays.
Disney Cruise Line has not revealed the cause of the technical issue or the status of its repair but the cruise line did say it was testing new app features in April.
There are many exciting landmarks that tourists can expect to see when cruising out of Sydney, Australia – such as the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge. A man climbing a cruise ship, however, is an unusual sight.
But on May 17, 2025, onlookers were surprised to see an unidentified man climbing the mooring ropes of the 108,865-gross ton Carnival Adventure at Sydney’s Overseas Passenger Terminal.
The video shows a small group of crew members, who look like they could be officers or members of the security team, trying to talk to the man from a gangplank not far above him.
The new addition to the fleet– which was acquired from P&O Cruises and started sailing under the Carnival name in March 2025 – had just returned to her homeport from a 12-night sailing to Fiji and was preparing to embark on a 9-night round-trip sailing to the Great Barrier Reef that same day.
Climbing a cruise ship, of course, is incredibly dangerous – as the man could have been seriously injured or killed if he had fallen.
Tampering with the mooring linescan also be deadly because of the extreme force they can produce if one were to snap – and can also cause damage to the dock and the cruise ship.
It’s unclear what possessed the man to attempt such a feat or what his end goal was, but thankfully, he was brought down from the ship with no injury to the climber, the crew members, or the first responders.
According to local outlet “9 News,” a New South Wales (NSW) police boat arrived at Circular Quay at around 3 p.m. in the afternoon to find the man hanging from the ropes as a curious crowd watched.
Man Climbs Cruise Ship Mooring Ropes (Credit: 9News)
The authorities coordinated with the crew members to lower the mooring lines so that the 30-year-old man could be taken into custody.
“They got him to the ground by making the ropes slack and about 30 police escorted him away. We were there watching,”one witness shared.
The man has not been formally charged at this time, though authorities will likely be working to understand his motivations, evaluate if he is in need of mental help, and determine any applicable charges.
A Potential Stowaway?
While the man’s identity has not been released beyond his age, it’s fair to speculate that he was likely a passenger of the 2,636-guest ship or someone who works at the port.
This is because it’s not easy to gain access to a cruise ship. Before passengers make it to the pier, they have to go through a thorough security screening and document verification process.
As the video of the climbing man has made waves across the internet, many have been joking (and theorizing) that the subject was looking for a free cruise or to extend his vacation.
Another witness, meanwhile, thought she recognized the man as someone who had been denied boarding – although this has not been confirmed.
“This looks like the same dude who was going off at check in as they wouldn’t let him on,”she wrote.
Cruise lines can deny boarding for a variety of reasons, including expired or incorrect documentation and medical conditions that make it unsafe to travel – which can include signs of erratic behavior.
Perhaps in light of his disappointment at the denial, the man was willing to try anything to find his way onboard.
In fact, this kind of stunt is likely enough to get the man banned from Carnival (and its sister brands) for life – as the cruise lines take a zero tolerance stance when it comes to matters of safety.
There are many reasons why a cruise line – Carnival Included – might tweak itineraries. These changes could be related to weather, updated port availability, or even shifting routes for fuel efficiency.
In the latest round of itinerary tweaks, Carnival Cruise Line has altered a total of six sailings in 2025 and 2026 across Carnival Freedom, Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Conquest, and Carnival Elation.
All changes should be reflected on Carnival’s website and on cruise tracking data within 24 hours.
Carnival Freedom
The first voyage on the list to be impacted is Carnival Freedom’s October 6, 2025, cruise – which is a 5-night Eastern Caribbean sailing based out of Port Canaveral, Florida.
The itinerary includes calls on Celebration Key, the cruise line’s new private destination that is about to open in the Bahamas; Nassau, Bahamas; and RelaxAway (Half Moon Cay), Bahamas. No ports are being removed from the list, but the order is changing.
“Port visits to Celebration Key and Nassau have been reversed with modified port times for Nassau,” Carnival updated.
This means that Nassau will now be the first stop of the voyage and Celebration Key will be bumped to second. RelaxAway (Half Moon Cay) will still be the third and final stop – sort of like the grand finale of the cruise before returning to Florida.
Carnival Sunrise
Carnival Sunrise Cruise Ship
The next itinerary change is for Carnival Sunrise – but it won’t come into effect until spring of 2026.
The Sunshine-class ship is due to embark on a 5-night Eastern Caribbean sailing from PortMiami, Florida, on May 25, 2026. The itinerary features calls on Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos; Nassau, Bahamas;and RelaxAway (Half Moon Cay), Bahamas – which is another Carnival-owned private destination.
Once again, no ports of call are being dropped – but the order in which the ports are visited has changed.
“Order of port visits has changed and port times have been modified for RelaxAway (Half Moon Cay) and Grand Turk,” Carnival shared.
The cruise line did not say if Nassau would also be impacted as part of the shift, but it’s currently the final stop of the trip.
Carnival Conquest
Carnival Conquest will also be embarking on a now-altered sailing on the same day as Carnival Sunrise – May 25, 2026.
The Conquest-class vessel’s 4-night Miami-based sailing was supposed to just visit Carnival’s private island experiences in the Bahamas – RelaxAway (Half Moon Cay) and the new Celebration Key.
However, RelaxAway (Half Moon Cay) has been replaced with a different private destination instead: Princess Cays, Bahamas. This is the only itinerary change on the list in which a port of call has been entirely removed.
“Replaced RelaxAway (Half Moon Cay) with a visit to Princess Cays on another day and modified port times,” the cruise line updated.
Even though Princess Cays technically falls under the domain of Princess Cruises, Carnival ships can still visit because the Carnival Corporation is the parent company for both brands.
Carnival Elation
Carnival Elation Cruise Ship
Carnival Elation is last on the list, but has the most changes – as three separate sailings are impacted. These include the voyages embarking from Jacksonville, Florida, on September 28, 2026, October 12, 2026, and October 26, 2026.
All three cruises are 5-night Bahamas voyages that are sailing exclusively to Carnival’s private destinations – RelaxAway (Half Moon Cay) and Celebration Key.
Neither of these ports are being removed, but rather the order is switching so that the sailings will end with Celebration Key instead of visiting the new destination first.
“Reversed the order of port visits for Celebration Key and RelaxAway (Half Moon Cay),” reads the brief update.
As the same ports are still being visited and it’s much too soon to book shore excursions (Carnival excursions can be purchased 120 days before the cruise date), hopefully booked guests will be able to go with the flow and have a great time.
Buckle up for this week’s exciting news recap from Cruise Hive. Read on to find out how pier runners reacted to missing their ship, learn what Royal Caribbean has planned for its new Perfect Day Mexico destination, and get the scoop on a new ship for Margaritaville at Sea.
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.
Port Calls to Labadee Are Suspended For Even Longer
Port of Labadee, Haiti (Photo Credit: Mary Baratto)
Labadee, Royal Caribbean’s private destination on the northern coast of Haiti, is again off-limits to cruise ships, this time at least through mid-summer due to the country’s ongoing civil unrest and gang activity.
Even though the private enclave at Labadee is 90 miles from the embattled capital city of Port-au-Prince and has its own security system, Royal Caribbean is extending the suspension of visits to the destination.
The cruise line has notified guests booked to sail on Oasis of the Seas’ July 20, 2025 Western Caribbean voyage that Labadee is off the itinerary. The ship will swap the destination for a day at sea and add a call to Nassau.
Other ships slated to call at Labadee in July were Adventure of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas — both itineraries have been altered to avoid the visit.
The US Department of State has a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory for all of Haiti. Calls to Labadee were originally cancelled from March to September 2024.
They resumed in October of that year, but by April 2025, some calls were cancelled as gang violence and political unrest increased.
Pier Runners Get Sympathy But Not Reimbursement
Cruise Ship Pier (Photo Credit: Jim Lopes)
Carnival Cruise Line has plenty of sympathy for guests who arrive at the pier late and miss a ship’s departure, but the feeling does not extend to reimbursing expenses to those unlucky cruisers, who must make their own way to the next port of call.
That’s the upshot from the line’s brand ambassador, John Heald, who responded to a guest’s inquiry on his popular Facebook page, where he interacts with guests and often handles tough topics.
The so-called pier runners, in this case, missed their ship in Costa Maya because the clock in the Jeep they rented was set to local time, not ship’s time. They arrived back at the port too late to board the vessel.
The couple had to pay for a hotel and then a ferry ride to the next port, Cozumel. They wanted Heald to know they didn’t appreciate that, nor did they like the jeers from guests who were watching from the ship’s balconies and decks.
Heald sympathized with the couple, but said there is no way the cruise line will reimburse them. As to the jeering, well, Heald admits that’s unkind, but the line is unable to stop people from reacting to pier runners.
Virgin Voyages Apologizes for Delayed Debarkation
Resilient Lady Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Imaxe Press)
Virgin Voyages is sorry, very sorry indeed, for the debarkation delays that annoyed guests sailing on Resilient Lady’s recent cruise roundtrip from Athens.
There had been a gastrointestinal bug that affected an unknown number of people on the cruise, and authorities in Athens required that all guests with symptoms of the illness debark first. They also required that all guests wear masks while leaving the ship and going through port entry procedures — as an added precaution.
These rules delayed disembarkation, and many guests later contacted the cruise line to complain about the process. They also were frustrated by the lack of communication by ship management during the disembarkation, some of them posted on social media.
Virgin Voyages soon issued an email apology to guests, saying the cruise line was deeply sorry for the debacle and that protocols would be reviewed to avoid similar problems in the future.
The line also acknowledged that communication from ship officials should have been better. It did not offer any compensation for the chaotic debarkation, but based on the social media posts, guests appeared satisfied with the cruise line’s apology.
Carnival Miracle Makes Up For Cabin’s Dirty Condition
A couple sailing for the first time with Carnival Cruise Line boarded Carnival Miracle in Lisbon on May 11, 2025 only to find dirty — make that abhorrent — conditions, inside their cabin.
The cruisers took to Facebook to complain about the mess, which included seriously disgusting sights such as mold in a soap dish, sticky surfaces, hairs on a table, unknown stains on a luggage mat, and what appeared to be feces under the toilet seat, among other atrocities.
Commenters on the social media site suggested the couple contact guest services to complain, and so they did. Staff and management arrived to inspect the cabin and were appalled at the state of the accommodation.
They acknowledged the unseemly condition of the cabin and vowed to make good on it, and so they did. The aggrieved guests were moved to a different stateroom, a very clean one, and were refunded their entire cruise fare.
So the couple was pleased with Carnival Cruise Line’s reaction and went on to enjoy their voyage, which concludes in Dover, England, on May 18, 2025.
Royal Caribbean Offers Peek Into Perfect Day Mexico
Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day Mexico
Royal Caribbean has revealed enticing details about its new Perfect Day Mexico destination, a private, 200-acre coastal paradise near Costa Maya, Mexico.
Scheduled to open in fall 2027, Perfect Day Mexico promises to feature lots of record-breaking activities, such as the Loco Waterpark, with the tallest waterslides in North and South America, and Splash Cove, the longest lazy river in the world.
Seven themed neighborhoods will provide experiences for guests of all ages and abilities. The destination will have 10 pools, with the largest coming in at 100,000 square feet. An adult-only area, Dl Hideaway, will have a swim-up bar and in-pool DJ.
Those looking for a luxury atmosphere can indulge in the Costa Beach Club, which will sport a heated infinity pool, private cabanas, and a private beach.
Twenty-four bars will offer exotic drinks to guests, while several dining venues will range from casual restaurants to sit-down experiences.
The Mexican development will be Royal Caribbean’s second Perfect Day destination, following its wildly popular Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas.
‘Poop Cruise’ Documentary to Air in June
Carnival Triumph During “Poop Cruise” (Photo Credit: Netflix)
Who can forget the story of the famous “poop cruise,” the 4-day voyage that turned into a nightmare when an engine room fire left Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Triumph without power?
If anyone has forgotten, they can relive the whole mess by watching an episode of “Trainwreck,” a Netflix documentary anthology that recaps some of the world’s most notorious incidents.
The anthology’s episodes begin on June 10, 2025, and the “Poop Cruise” episode is slated to air on June 24, 2025.
It will tell the story from the perspectives of guests who were stranded on the ship with no propulsion, air conditioning, refrigeration for food, bathroom facilities, and other necessary services.
Carnival Triumph was sailing from Galveston on February 7, 2013 to the Western Caribbean, with one port call at Cozumel, Mexico, when the fire caused damage that basically left the ship adrift.
Other Carnival Cruise Line ships in the area delivered food and water to Carnival Triumph, but it wasn’t until emergency electrical generators began working that the ship was able to return to port after several challenging days at sea.
Margaritaville Cruise Line Buying Another Costa Ship
Margaritaville at Sea adding third ship (Rendering: Margaritaville at Sea)
Margaritaville Cruise Line will soon expand to a three-ship fleet following the planned purchase of Costa Cruises’ Costa Fortuna.
Starting in 2026, the 2,700-guest Costa Fortuna will join the line’s two existing ships, the 2,650-guest Islander and the 1,680-guest Paradise.
Both of those ships previously sailed for Costa Cruises, too, as Costa Atlantica and Costa Classica, respectively.
The Margaritaville at Sea brand, inspired by Jimmy Buffett’s laid-back, island vibe, has not disclosed the new name of Costa Fortuna, but the cruise line plans to renovate the 22-year-old ship, adding the decor and public spaces that reflect the tropical Margaritaville theme.
The ship will join the fleet in September of 2026 and enter dry dock later that year. For its part, Costa Cruises had announced on May 9, 2025 that Costa Fortuna, which is its longest-serving ship, would be transferred to a new owner in 2026.
More Cruise Headlines
Cruise Hive has plenty more stories about happenings across the global cruise community, so check out our exciting coverage of Princess Cruises adding a third ship to its solar eclipse-focused voyages in 2026, Royal Caribbean deploying Navigator of the Seas to Singapore in 2026, and another viral outbreak impacting a cruise ship, this time a luxury vessel.
Also, a Disney Cruise Line ship experiencing a computer glitch that delayed embarkation; and a big storm causing flooding aboard a Carnival Cruise Line ship after it departed PortMiami.
While the muster drill process is annoying to many, it’s absolutely essential to safety. In the unlikely event of an emergency, making sure passengers know what to do and where to go can literally save lives.
But in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many cruise lines – Carnival included – implemented a new E-muster drill that allows guests to complete the task from their phones on embarkation day.
But lately, Carnival has been returning to traditional mustering methods on select voyages – and three more of these sailings have just been announced.
The first sailing in question is Carnival Sunrise’s May 17, 2025, voyage – which is a 5-night Eastern Caribbean sailingfrom PortMiami, Florida.
The next two voyages – which both embark on May 19, 2025 – will be operated by Carnival Freedom and Carnival Glory.
Following the safety procedure, both ships will depart from Port Canaveral, Florida. Carnival Freedom will set sail on a 5-night Eastern Caribbean voyage, while Carnival Glory will operate a 4-night Bahamas cruise.
“Shortly before departure, a full safety drill will take place on your upcoming sailing. This is a mandatory procedure, and all guests will be required to participate in this brief but essential exercise,”Carnival wrote to impacted cruisers.
Ship-wide announcements will provide guidance on the process, which will include collective gathering at your assigned muster station to familiarize yourself with the necessary steps to take in the unlikely event of an emergency,” continued the update.
The same change was also made in March 2025to three sailings that were hosted onboard Carnival Liberty, Carnival Conquest, and Carnival Valor.
Although Carnival is still using the simpler E-muster drill for the majority of sailings, going through the full traditional process from time to time is still important – as it also gives the crew a chance to practice their roles in a potential emergency.
No matter how the muster drill is handled, it is always mandatory. According to SOLAS, Chapter III, Regulations 19.2.2. and 19.2.3, new passengers must always be given a safety briefing about how to respond in a crisis and must be instructed in the use of lifejackets.
Is Carnival Returning to Traditional Muster Drills?
Carnival Cruise Line first adopted thecurrent E-muster drillsin 2021 as a way to promote social distancing when the cruise industry was first making a comeback after the pandemic.
If you haven’t sailed with Carnival recently, the way it works is guests find their muster station upon boarding using instructions in the HUB App and check in with a crew member when they arrive.
Next, they watch a short safety video, which can be accessedon all stateroom TVs – and that’s all there is to it.
Muster Drill on Carnival Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: PIXAS)
Most cruisers prefer this “new way” of doing things because it’s usually a lot quicker and results in less crowding – allowing them to get to the fun of their vacation sooner and with less hassle.
But as this isn’t the first time a Carnival sailing has randomly gone back to the old method of mustering, some are wondering if the traditional practice of gathering all passengers at their stations at once for roll call and instructions might be coming back.
That said, the cruise line has consistently explained that they have no plans to return to traditional muster drills full time.
After the full safety briefings were conducted in March, Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald clarified that the full drills have to take place approximately every six months to comply with Health, Environmental, Safety, and Security (HESS) regulations – but that otherwise the E-muster drills would remain in place.
Guests who are booked on sailings with the full safety drills should be notified ahead of boarding – although it might not be until the very last minute!
It’s the end of an era. After just about 42 years of service, the now-retired Celestyal Crystal is officially being scrapped.
It was an impressive career at sea – as most cruise ships only remain in service for about 30 years. But alas, all good things must come to an end.
The 1,200-guest ship has arrived at the famous Alang Shipbreaking Yard in India and has been beached to begin the dismantling process, which can take several months (or even over a year) to complete.
Though the 25,611-gross-ton vessel sailed under many names and brands over the course of her career – which first began in 1980 – her last real stint as a cruise ship was with Celestyal Cruises.
But once the small two-ship cruise line acquired the newer Celestyal Journeyfrom Holland America Line at the beginning of 2023, the decision was made to phase out the older vessel. Her final voyage for the Greek brand was in August of that year.
Since her retirement, the older ship has mostly been on an extended layup of nearly two years in the Eastern Mediterranean.
At some point earlier in 2025, reports show that she was sold to a smaller company, and per cruise tracking data, was renamed as Sun Bright. It’s unclear who the new owners were, as reports are mixed on if the company is Greek or located in the United Arab Emirates.
Either way, she sailed one final voyage in April of 2025 under her new name before being set for scrapping – with the decision likely made because of wear and tear due to her age and maintenance costs.
Celestyal Crystal will also be in good company at the scrapyard. SunStone Ships’ 40-year old Ocean Atlantic arrived for dismantling earlier in May, and Royal Caribbean’s former Song of America was beachedat the beginning of the year.
An Impressive – and Varied – History
Believe it or not, Celestyal Crystal was not first designed to be a cruise ship. When she first entered service in 1980, she did so as a cruise ferryknown as MS Viking Saga under Rederi Ab Sally.
Her main purpose was taking passengers between Stockholm, Sweden, and Helsinki and Turku in Finland rather than providing a luxury vacation experience onboard. To this day, she is still known as the first genuine ferry to operate in Finland.
But as early as 1986, Viking Saga became Sally Albatross (I) and was remodeled for use as a cruise ship at the Wärtsilä Helsinki New Shipyard – though a fire onboard inhibited construction and she wasn’t a full cruise ship on a technicality by the time she re-entered service.
Celestyal Cruises (Photo Credit: Toni Arsovski)
She primarily cruised around the Baltic Sea until she was sold to the Effoa and Johnson Line in 1987. This is when she was fully re-built as a cruise ship in Germany – complete with restaurants, night club, conference centers, and more.
Her early cruise days mostly went on without a hitch until January 1990, when a massive fire broke out while the ship was docked in the Finnboda Shipyard in Nacka, Sweden for another remodel to improve the cruising experience.
The ship burned extensively for three days because the automatic sprinkler system was turned off while undergoing her latest re-model and the fire hydrants nearby were discovered to be dry.
However, she underwent a massive reconstruction – in which she essentially rose from the ashes as a new and improved cruise ship with an increased capacity – and was renamed Sally Albatross (II).
Before winding up at Celestyal Cruises in 2011 (when the brand was still called Louis Cristal), she had many other names – including Leeward, SuperStar Taurus, Sija Opera, and Opera.
She even sailed under Norwegian Cruise Line for several years, which helped introduce her to international cruise traffic.
Even though ferries and cruise ships can look somewhat similar, they have very different purposes. While both carry passengers, a ferry is a purely utilitarian vessel that is designed to move people from one destination to another.
A cruise ship, on the other hand, is designed for leisure, so the journey itself is the primary focus. To help you avoid booking the wrong type of trip, I’ll break down the differences in ship design, function, and what the experience is like for passengers.
The most obvious difference between cruise ships and ferries is their respective sizes. While river cruise ships and smaller adventure cruise ships are the exception, when you compare the average cruise ship and the average ferry, the cruise ship will dwarf the ferry.
Cruise ships are almost like floating resorts, while even a large ferry is more like a floating version of a big public bus.
Passenger Capacity Differences
Photo Credit: GSPhotography / Shutterstock.com
Cruise ships tend to carry between 16 and over 7,000 passengers, depending on their size and intended itineraries.
On the other hand, ferries differ in passenger capacity depending on their route, with most having a capacity of around 300 people. That said, the largest ferry in the world can carry nearly 5,200 passengers and vehicles.
Regarding the number of crew members on either type of ship, cruise ships usually have a ratio of around 2.5 passengers for every crew member.
More luxurious cruise ships will have an even closer ratio, as the vast number of crew members is needed to ensure all guests receive a high level of service from the attentive staff.
Since ferries are designed less for luxury and more for basic transportation, the ratio of passengers to crew members is very different.
Even large ferries will have fewer than 50 crew members, with the smaller vessels operating with a crew of roughly 25 individuals. Again, rather than providing high levels of service, the crew is there more for the vessel’s safe operation.
Physical Size Differences
Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas (Photo Credit: Just dance)
When you look at gross tonnage, average cruise ships weigh close to 100,000 GT, whereas a typical ferry sits around 15,000 GT. As I’ll explain in more detail, these differences become even more drastic when you look at the largest versions of either type of vessel.
Take Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas, which weighs 228,081 GT, has a maximum passenger capacity of 6,680, and a crew capacity of 2,200. A mega ship like this can carry more than 10 times the population of Gustavus, Alaska, which has a permanent population of 612.
When you compare that to a major passenger ferry, like Color Line’s Color Magic, which can carry nearly 2,500 passengers and comes in at 75,000 gross tons, you realize even at the upper end of the scale, cruise ships dwarf ferries.
Comparing the Largest Cruise Ship to the Largest Ferry
To help you visualize just how drastic the size difference can be, let’s look at the differences between the world’s largest cruise ship and the current largest passenger ferry.
The largest cruise ship in the world is Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, while the largest passenger ferry is the MV Stena Hollandica Superferry.
Icon of the Seas is an enormous Icon-class cruise ship, while MV Stena Hollandica is a combined ferry and freight ship that transports people, passenger vehicles, and goods between England and the Netherlands.
Here’s a quick breakdown of how these two mega ships compare:
Metric
Icon of the Seas (Cruise Ship)
MV Stena Hollandica Superferry (Ferry)
Gross Tonnage
248,663
64,039
Maximum Passenger Capacity
7,600
1,200 passengers
Crew Capacity
2,350
85
Length
1,196.7 feet
790.3 feet
Height
159 feet
167.25 feet
Maiden Voyage
January 27th, 2024
June 8th, 2010
Typical Journey Duration
7 days
7 hours
Remember that huge passenger ferries like the MV Stena Hollandica Superferry are relatively rare and are only seen operating between high-traffic areas, like the waters separating Sweden and Norway.
On the other hand, most cruise ships are enormous, as they are designed to carry a high number of passengers and ensure those guests have their own private quarters and plenty of shared space to explore.
In other words, the largest cruise ships are much bigger than the largest ferries, and even average cruise ships are larger than the largest passenger ferries.
Purpose
Ferry and Cruise Ship Passing Each Other (Photo Credit: Kevin Shipp)
As you can see, cruise ships are much larger than ferries, but that is not by accident. The real reason for the drastic differences between the physical size of the two types of ships and the numbers of guests they can carry is simply down to the fact that ferries and cruise ships serve very different purposes.
Basically, the difference between the two types of ships can be summarized as practical transportation vs. leisure travel. To help you understand that key difference, I’ll provide a quick breakdown of the primary purpose of each type of ship, starting with the primary use for ferries.
The Purpose of Passenger Ferries
Passengers and vehicles on the Stena Hollandica ferry (Photo Credit: Ingrid Pakats)
Think of a ferry as more of a functional transportation service that moves people and their vehicles from one place to another.
In some ways, a passenger ferry acts like a moving bridge that connects two pieces of land separated by a body of water. These can connect parts of the same city, state, or country, like the Washington State Ferries (WSF), which runs 10 distinct routes that connect various terminals throughout the state.
Like public buses, these ships are owned and operated by the Washington State Department of Transportation, and connect various terminals in places like Seattle to other destinations in the state, like Bainbridge Island.
The focus of ferry ships like these is to provide passengers with convenience and direct transportation, rather than focusing on luxury and providing a leisurely experience.
As you can probably guess, you tend to find ferries in places dotted with islands or where large rivers and fjords separate them. This explains why you find them in places like Alaska, BC in Western Canada, Norway, the United Kingdom, Japan, and the Greek Isles.
What Are Passenger Ferries Like?
Interior of Stena Line Ferry (Photo Credit: Tomasz Wozniak)
I’ve personally taken plenty of ferry trips. While they’re usually just something I use for shorter journeys where taking a flight would be unnecessary, I have taken some lengthier ferry trips—the longest being an overnight ferry from Hull in England to Rotterdam in the Netherlands.
While you could pay extra for a small cabin, most people, myself included, simply passed the time in the main seating area.
The trip took roughly six hours, so it wasn’t the most exciting, but the ship did have a cafeteria, televisions, comfortable seats, washrooms, and the advantage of transporting my car in the vehicle hold down below.
This was hugely convenient, as I didn’t have to worry about renting a vehicle when I arrived and could explore everything the Netherlands and Belgium had to offer from the comfort of my own vehicle.
The Purpose of Cruise Ships
Icon of the Seas Cruise Ship Departing PortMiami (Photo Credit: Just dance)
Cruise ships focus more on enjoying the journey rather than just providing transportation from one point to another. They offer relaxation, entertainment, luxury, and exotic destination visits. In other words, the journey itself is the main focus.
Cruise ships can also deliver a wide range of different types of experiences. From short-duration cruises that allow their guests to have a relaxing getaway to 10-day-long voyages that visit numerous ports of call, there are cruise itineraries that match all preferences.
Since the primary focus is on delivering a positive experience for all passengers, most modern cruise ships are designed like a floating version of a hotel, resort, and theme park all wrapped into one.
With incredible amenities that can include water parks and Broadway-style theaters to luxury spas and gourmet restaurants, a cruise ship is designed to keep guests entertained for multiple days, regardless of their entertainment preferences.
What Are Cruise Ships Like?
Princess Cruises in Alaska (Photo Credit: WESLEY FOULDS)
At this point, I’ve taken almost more cruises than I can count. I can’t get enough of them because they combine all types of travel into one easy-to-book vacation.
You get thrilling amenities, the best food you’ll find anywhere, the opportunity to visit countless exciting destinations, and the opportunity to spoil yourself.
With that said, one of the most memorable cruises I’ve ever taken was one of the least indulgent. I booked a last-minute, affordable Alaska cruise package on a Princess Cruises ship called Royal Princess.
While the ship still had plenty to offer, I kept costs low by booking the cheapest cabin I could and tried to save as much money as possible by keeping my onboard spending to a minimum.
The cruise departed from Seattle and visited Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan, and several other Alaskan towns. Taking in the incredible scenery and the sense of isolation was the real show, even though I still enjoyed visiting the ship’s gyms, spas, and theatres and spoiling myself on a few occasions by checking out the more gourmet dining options.
Ferries certainly serve their purpose and can be practical, but the experience you get when traveling to exciting destinations in a floating resort really can’t be beat.
Trip Length and Schedules
Another significant way that ferries and cruise ships differ is in how frequently they are scheduled and how long the trips are.
Typical Ferry Trip Durations
Dover, England (Photo Credit: ALLYOU Grzegorz Wasowicz)
On one hand, ferries are designed to provide quick and frequent trips on fixed schedules. Think of a ferry as just another form of public transportation.
From one-way rides that last just 15 minutes and connect one side of a river to the other, to more elaborate overnight ferries that can take people and their vehicles from one country to another, the schedule for a ferry is predictable. Most have set departure and arrival times that repeat every single day.
While the duration of the trip can vary depending on where the ship is going, most ferries have fixed routes that run at set times throughout the day and week.
Here are just a few examples of route durations for different ferries:
Bellingham, WA to Juneau, AK
The Alaska Marine Highway System is an interconnected ferry system connecting 35 ports along Alaska’s Inside Passage. These ferries depart daily and run a 3,500-mile route, with the full route taking roughly 38 hours.
Stockholm, Sweden to Helsinki, Finland
The Viking Line Ferry System connects these two Scandinavian countries, allowing travelers to book low-cost transportation for themselves and their vehicles. Multiple ships ensure the route is traveled daily, and this overnight ferry takes roughly 16 hours to get from one destination to the other.
Dover, United Kingdom to Calais, France
P&O Ferries operates a cross-channel ferry that departs 15 times per day. The entire trip only takes 1.5 hours, with crossing times varying slightly during periods of severe weather.
Toronto Island Ferry System
For an example of how brief a ferry ride can be, the City of Toronto runs a ferry route from downtown Toronto, Canada, to Toronto Island Park, a small island just off the city’s coast. Ferry rides take roughly 20 minutes and operate almost like a city bus.
Typical Cruise Durations
Cruise Ships Docked in Nassau, Bahamas (Photo Credit: SNEHIT PHOTO)
Since cruise ships are designed to provide passengers with a multi-day vacation experience, itineraries usually range from three nights to two weeks. Most include port-of-call stops at several destinations along the route.
So, cruisers have an opportunity to depart and then reboard the same ship after spending time exploring a destination outside of their original embarkation or debarkation point.
Here are just a few examples of the types of cruise itineraries and durations that are out there.
Alaskan Cruises
Cruise Passengers in Juneau, Alaska (Photo Credit: Kenneth Sponsler)
Plenty of Alaska cruises travel along Alaska’s Inside Passage, with stops at ports of call like Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, and Seward. Most depart from Vancouver, British Columbia, or Seattle, Washington, and seven, ten, and even 14-night itineraries are common.
Mediterranean Cruises
For those looking to enjoy the old-world charm of Europe, 10-night cruises around the Mediterranean are incredibly popular. Some depart from Rome and visit Barcelona, Marseille, Cannes, Malta, and the Greek Islands.
Baltic Sea Cruises
Ten to 12-night cruises exploring the ports along the Baltic Sea are also popular for European cruisers. While itineraries vary, these voyages will have stops in Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm, Helsinki, and Saint Petersburg.
Western Caribbean Cruises
Cruises in the Western Caribbean are incredibly popular, with most departing from Florida’s Port Canaveral or PortMiami. With so many different destinations, the ports of call vary, as well as the duration.
Visiting exciting destinations, like Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Jamaica, these cruises can run between four and 14 nights, depending on what you book.
Ship Design
Given that they’re designed for completely different purposes, let’s examine how that impacts their design.
Ferry Design
Brittany Ferry (Photo Credit: Martin Augustus)
Given their intended purpose, ferries are almost always designed to be practical and efficient. Their utilitarian design can include open-air car decks, ramps, wide openings for below-deck car storage, and even huge holds if they are designed to double as cargo vessels.
For short-duration ferries, the common areas feature basic seating, such as benches and rows of chairs. Some ferries provide vending machines, small cafés and snack bars, and restroom facilities.
For overnight ferries, like those that connect different countries or islands, passengers usually have the option to book private cabins for an additional fee, but these are very basic. Small beds, a tiny desk, and maybe a toilet and sink.
These larger ferries usually have cafeterias and basic entertainment options, like airplane-style TV screens and maybe a small gift shop.
Ferries also tend to be much smaller and more susceptible to wave movement, as they are not outfitted with the sophisticated stabilization technology found on cruise ships.
Cruise Ship Design
Icon of the Seas at Meyer Turku (Photo Credit: Meyer Turku)
Since cruise ships are designed more like floating resorts than utilitarian modes of transportation, they are true engineering marvels that feature a luxurious interior, themed shared spaces, nicely outfitted private staterooms and suites, open-air swimming pools, and plenty of other impressive amenities.
The most sophisticated cruise ships have multi-purpose live entertainment theaters, spas, gyms, numerous restaurants, bars, clubs, casinos, and even more elaborate entertainment options, like go-kart tracks, waterslides, bowling alleys, and ice rinks. There really is no shortage of options for onboard activities on a modern cruise ship.
Accommodations vary depending on what you decide to book, but even the most basic interior cabins will be more comfortable than the private cabins found on overnight ferries. Suites and cabins with private balconies, even the private sections of cruise ships, are designed with comfort in mind.
Beyond the features that have to be incorporated into the design of a cruise ship, the ship itself also has to have an extremely durable hull, as they are designed to travel through rough waters and open seas.
Rather than focusing on speed and efficiency, the design ensures the ship provides guests with a stable and comfortable journey.
Onboard Experience
Interior of Ferry in Europe (Photo Credit: Ana del Castillo)
You’re probably getting the impression that ferries are bare bones, which is actually a pretty accurate description. They’re just designed to get passengers and sometimes their vehicles from point A to point B as efficiently as possible.
Since the main purpose of ferry travel is to deliver passengers to a set destination, the ships do not need to be overly elaborate, which actually helps keep fare costs down and the overall cost of building the ship down.
Still, you might find indoor and outdoor seating, restrooms, Wi-Fi (if you’re lucky), vending machines, and maybe a hot food café.
It’s pretty much the same for overnight ferries, but they’ll feature a cafeteria where you can purchase meals and the option to book a private cabin if you want somewhere to lie down and a degree of privacy.
The Cruise Experience
Cruise Ship Pool Deck (Photo Credit: Solarisys)
When you book a cruise, you’re paying for an incredible and varied onboard experience. Cruise lines compete with one another to outfit their ships with the most impressive amenities possible, but even a basic cruise ship will feature swimming pools, hot tubs, specialty dining venues, saunas, a casino, gyms, live entertainment, and more.
Plus, the onboard experience is only half the fun, as most itineraries feature stopovers called port of call visits, where passengers can explore a port and its surroundings or book shore excursions. Afterwards, you board the ship and get to enjoy the onboard facilities again.
Think of a ferry like taking a plane, where most of your entertainment options are designed to kill time. By contrast, cruise ships are massive entertainment venues designed to give all passengers their ideal vacation.
You must also remember that you will have to pay out of pocket for anything extra on a ferry, whereas cruise ships include meals at specific venues, access to pools and other amenities, and much more.
Accommodations
Photo Credit: Mikhail Markovskiy / Shutterstock
Not all ferries have private accommodations, but those designed for long-haul or overnight travel will have optional cabins. These usually consist of a small bed or bunk, a chair, and maybe a tiny restroom with a sink and toilet. An average cabin is generally around eight square feet, with some even smaller.
Cruise ships have private accommodations for all guests, with passenger capacity dictated by the number of beds the ship can provide. Guests can also book the type of accommodation that suits their needs and budget, with even basic interior cabins around 150 square feet.
Oceanview cabins and private balcony cabins take things further, with most providing around 200 to 300 square feet of private space, comfortable beds, and seating areas.
Then you get into private suites, which take luxury to the next level. Designs can vary drastically, but most feature plenty of floor space, comfortable beds, and plenty of high-end features.
When you get into the upper tiers of suite design, like Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate Family Suite, you get crazy features, like jacuzzi tubs, table tennis, and even an in-suite slide!
Motion at Sea
Cruise Ship Sailing Rough Seas (Photo Credit: Wirestock Creators)
If you’re susceptible to seasickness, you’ll want to pay attention here. Most ferries are designed to be purely functional, so less money is invested in providing a stable passenger experience. Since they also tend to operate near the shoreline, the waters can be rough.
In other words, you can expect to feel that signature side-to-side motion, especially if you are taking a ferry across rough waters, like the English Channel, or traveling on a day with bad weather.
By contrast, cruise ships are engineered to provide a smooth onboard experience for passengers. With stabilizer fins and a hull design that prioritizes stability, the motion is minimal.
Just think, almost all cruise ships are designed with open-air swimming pools, and, trust me, they aren’t wave pools; they look just like any swimming pool you’d find at a resort on shore.
Beyond ship design, the two types of ships also travel in different waters. Ferries stay close to land or travel across turbulent channels and rivers. Cruise ships travel in deep water, where the rolling effect is far less noticeable.
Cost
Docked Ferries (Photo Credit: Inga Fortuna)
By design, taking a ferry is meant to be a practical and economical way to travel. Prices vary by route and whether you bring a vehicle, but here are a few examples:
Taking a ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island will cost just $10.35 per adult passenger, or $18.65 for one adult and a standard vehicle. For a ferry that connects two countries and takes almost two hours, prices are higher.
For example, going from Dover, England to Calais, France by cross-channel ferry will cost between $100 and $200 USD, depending on if you are traveling with a vehicle and your departure time.
Why Cruises Cost More
Promenade on MSC Virtuosa (Photo Credit: Sergey_Bogomyako)
Naturally, cruises tend to cost more than ferry journeys, as you’re paying for a longer journey and a far more luxurious experience. Prices vary, depending on the ship, the destinations, the length of the journey, and the time of year when you book, but here are some basic prices you can expect:
A seven-night Princess Cruises voyage from Seattle to Alaska can cost roughly $750 to $1,000 per person, with prices increasing depending on your accommodations and onboard spending. Ten-night Mediterranean cruises are a bit pricier, with most costing around $1,300 per adult.
Again, prices can also increase beyond basic fares, as you’ll have to pay daily gratuity fees, which can cost about $15 to $25 per day. Specialty dining venues, Wi-Fi access, shore excursions, and paid entertainment amenities can also increase the total cost of the journey.
Plus, you can purchase all-inclusive drinks packages, which allow you to pay a set daily fee for unlimited paid drinks and food.
Keep in mind that even a minimal cruise package will still cover your private accommodations, meals at included dining venues, and access to plenty of entertainment venues and amenities, like swimming pools, live shows, and more.
When you compare it to the fact that ferry fares include nothing more than your travel, you realize that cruises are more expensive, but you get a lot for your dollars.
Shall I see You on a Ferry or Cruise Ship?
Ferries and cruise ships are both designed to carry passengers, but how they do so is very different. This is mostly because the two types of ships are designed to serve very different purposes.
Where ferry travel is based on practical transportation from one place to another, cruise ships provide a luxurious vacation experience, with varied entertainment venues, comfortable accommodations, and delicious food.
Since they’re designed to serve completely different purposes, one isn’t necessarily better than the other, but I definitely know which type of journey I prefer!
That’s the message Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald had for a guest that complained about cabin temperatures aboard Carnival Jubilee, voted the Best New Shipwhen it debuted in 2023.
In a Facebook post on May 16, 2025, Heald responded to a passenger who said they had night sweats during their cruise because the thermostat wouldn’t drop below 69 degrees.
“We need the air conditioning cold,” the passenger wrote. “We were on the beautiful Carnival Jubilee, and it was not cold enough. We checked with the crew, and the cabin temperature was 69 degrees,” she wrote.
“We run our house between 60 and 65. Our cabin at 69 was far too hot,” she continued. “We are wanting to book the Jubilee again; we had a fabulous time. But we will not unless you can guarantee us it will be at the temperature that we want.”
Heald didn’t hold back.
“I like it cold, but 60 degrees is never going to happen,” he replied.
He also gave a candid warning, “I’m going to be honest. If you want it to be 60 degrees, don’t book. I don’t think you can book any ship where it will be 60 degrees.”
Heald used the video moment to warn upcoming passengers of warmer temperatures during the summer months and what to expect onboard.
“This is when the sea temperatures are at their highest,” he explained. “There will be times when public spaces are a little warm.”
He said many guests are caught off guard when boarding, especially on embarkation day.
“People sometimes panic on embarkation day. They walk on the ship and think, ‘It’s hot,’” Heald said.
Carnival Jubilee Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Jonathan C Wear)
Heald said that ships are more vulnerable to warmer indoor temperatures when docked and not yet underway because the ship isn’t in motion and many areas often closed to the elements are open, such as gangways and areas where the ship takes in luggage and supplies.
Vessels are oftentimes utilizing shore power, as well, which can have an effect of the capabilities of air conditioning.
“That’s why on embarkation day it might be a little hotter, but once those doors are closed and the ship is sailing, things will calm down,” Heald said.
Speak up on Board
The post led Heald to urge passengers who are uncomfortable while sailing with Carnival Cruise Line to speak to someone onboard rather than waiting until a cruise is over.
“Please don’t write to me afterwards and say it was too hot,” he pleaded. “Speak to someone, call guest services, tell your cabin attendant so the crew can do all they can to make it better for you during the cruise.”
Many longtime Carnival Cruise Line guests chimed in with support after Heald’s post, saying cabin temperatures had never been an issue on their sailings.
“After 14 cruises I can say we have never had a problem,” one passenger commented.
Others acknowledged that some areas of a ship can feel warmer during the day, despite setting the cabin thermostat as low as possible, which Heald said attendants automatically do for guests.
“60 is definitely way too cold, but I do feel at time it does get a little toasty,” one wrote. “I keep the curtains shut to help during the day. However, it would be nice to be able to get a fan.”
Unfortunately, Carnival Cruise Line, which may have a limited number of fans to dole out by request and more specifically for medical reasons, does not have enough fans to support all passengers.
Guests may pack fans smaller than 12 inches, as long as they are placed in carry-on luggage.
