Today’s cruise travelers won’t soon forget the longing for an oceangoing getaway five years ago (already five years?) when the industry was shut down for the COVID-19 pandemic and no one knew how it would change or even if it would restart.
But while we stayed home and wished we were on cruises, there were people – crew members – onboard ships who just wished they could go home.
In a ruling released Tuesday, May 6, 2025, however, the 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the actions of Celebrity Cruises in detaining crew members during the pandemic.
At that time, there was no established way for the individuals to be repatriated to their home country of the Philippines.
According to WFSU News, the lawsuit was filed in 2020 by Ryan Maglana and Francis Bugayong. Both were Filipino crew members aboard Celebrity Millennium at the time while the ship was under warm layup and not in service.
The suit alleged false imprisonment and intentional infliction of emotional distress following the cruise line’s disciplinary actions.
At first, once the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued the initial no-sail order on March 14, 2020, that suspended all cruise operations from US ports, crew members were not permitted to disembark.
While anchored and not in service, Maglana was accused of onboard theft, taking a bottle of liquor from a ship’s bar and sharing it with Bugayong. As per company policy both crew members were summarily fired.
Under normal circumstances, this would mean the former crew members would have been put ashore at the earliest opportunity. Unfortunately, because of pandemic-related travel restrictions, they could not be disembarked and had to remain on the ship.
In May 2020, protocols were developed to repatriate crew members to their home countries as it became apparent that cruises would not be resuming soon.
On May 21, Maglana filed the lawsuit, several days before Celebrity Cruises chartered a flight to return roughly 200 Filipino crew members – Maglana and Bugayong included – to the Philippines.
Celebrity Millennium Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Leonard Zhukovsky)
Portions of the case were dismissed in 2023, which then moved to appeals. This week, the appeals court upheld the dismissal of the false imprisonment and emotional distress issues, noting that the cruise line’s “conduct was not outrageous” given the exceptional circumstances at the time.
“[Maglana and Bugayong] were trapped for months on a cruise ship without guidance about when they might return home,”the opinion, written by Chief Judge William Prior, read.
“But the pandemic also gave Celebrity the unenviable job of repatriating thousands of crewmen to their homes around the globe — all while making sure that none encountered a member of the public. … That Celebrity did not do this difficult job perfectly or as quickly as Maglana and Bugayong would have liked does not mean that its behavior was outrageous.“
Cruise Line Lawsuits Not Uncommon
It is not unusual for cruise lines to be sued by guests and crew members alike. Personal injury lawsuits are particularly common, as are charges related to employee dismissals, vessel accessibility, misinterpreted policies, or altered itineraries.
Environmental contamination, copyright infringement, and violation of local ordinances are other lawsuits cruise lines are regularly cited with.
Cruise lines have extensive and detailed contracts for both cruise guests as well as crew members, as well as dedicated legal teams to handle any such tricky situations.
You’ve been dreaming of your cruise vacation for months and now (finally!) embarkation day is here.
It’s great to bask in anticipation of the fun that awaits, but don’t be surprised if a snag or two mix in with the excitement of boarding your cruise ship.
I can recall at least two embarkations impacted by computer glitches that slowed the check-in process to a crawl and caused more than a few cruisers to become, shall we say, less than courteous to cruise line staff.
But there are plenty of things within our control that we can do to create a seamless and pleasant boarding experience.
First, pack your patience, then follow these 15 tips to make embarkation as smooth as silk.
Carnival Cruise Ship in Miami, Florida (Photo Credit: byvalet)
Traveling to your embarkation port city on departure day is a mistake that can end up costing a lot of money, and adding a whole lot of stress to the start of your vacation.
There are too many variables that can impact and delay travel, particularly air travel, but also other modes of transport, like driving your own car to the port or taking public transportation.
It’s always best to arrive a day early and stay at a hotel near the cruise terminal the night before your cruise departs. If you’re driving to your cruise terminal, you’re better off paying for an extra night’s parking fee along with the hotel bill rather than risk same-day arrival.
For air travelers, many hotels near the major US ports offer free shuttle services to the cruise terminals, but even if you have to pay for a taxi, it’s well worth the peace of mind to know you can get to your departure port in just minutes.
Arrive at the Cruise Terminal at Your Assigned Time
The major cruise lines typically have staggered boarding times so that thousands of guests don’t descend on cruise terminals at the same time, overwhelming the pier side operations.
You can often choose your boarding time window when booking the cruise, or the cruise line will assign you an arrival window.
It’s important that all guests show up at their planned arrival times, because doing so keeps the flow of human traffic moving smoothly through the terminal and along the gangways onto the vessel.
Keep Key Documents Close at Hand
Embarking on a Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Joni Hanebutt)
Even in these digital times there is paperwork involved on embarkation day and it’s vital to have your key documents within easy reach. These include identification such as passports or other acceptable IDs.
Boarding passes with a QR code can be downloaded into your phone, or accessed by email, and scanned by cruise line representatives at the terminal. But, it’s a good idea to keep a printed version of the pass as a back-up.
Virtually all cruise lines require guests to fill out a health declaration form at the terminal, asking cruisers to confirm they are not experiencing certain symptoms of illness. These will be turned in to staff when requested during the check-in process. So, after you fill it out, keep it handy.
Eat Breakfast Before Heading to the Port
Dining at Bayside (Photo Credit: 4kclips)
It might seem like an unimportant thing, but some cruisers are in such a hurry to get going that they skip having a decent breakfast on embarkation day. They will regret that decision later, if the boarding process hits a snag and there are delays getting aboard the ship.
Even if everything goes smoothly, most cruisers will typically board their ship sometime after noon. Cruise terminals might have some vending machines, but decent food will be hard to come by while waiting to board.
So, take time to enjoy a hearty breakfast. It also helps to keep crankiness at bay if there are check-in snafus.
Hold Onto Your Carry-On Bag, But Not Suitcases
Royal Caribbean Cruise Luggage (Photo Credit: Solarisys)
Cruise documents along with medications should be among the items packed in your carry-on bag, which you should keep with you during the check-in process.
I find that the fewer bags I have to deal with, the better, so I even stuff my purse into my carry-on and hold my passport and phone in the other hand as I move through the check-in process.
Big luggage should be turned over to porters outside the terminal. It is unusual for cabins to be ready for guests upon embarkation, and that means if you bring your luggage onboard you’ll be hauling it around the ship for an unknown amount of time.
Don’t be afraid to trust the porters. Luggage delivery to cruise ship cabins is amazingly efficient.
Make Sure Luggage Tags Are Secure
Cruise Luggage Drop Off at PortMiami (Photo Credit: Ceri Breeze)
It’s crucial that luggage tags are bound in a secure way onto your luggage. Cruise lines will provide tags that you can print out at home. They will contain your name, the cruise line and ship name, and your cabin number.
Here’s how I deal with tags: After printing them at home I pack them in my carry-on bag with a small roll of scotch tape. Just before leaving for the port on embarkation day, I wrap the tag around my suitcase handle and secure it with tape.
Waiting until the last minute to add the tag lowers the chance that it will become ripped and fall off. Remember, a lost luggage tag almost always means a lost piece of luggage.
No Matter What, Don’t Be Late
Miami Travel With Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Ceri Breeze)
While there is no point in arriving early at your departure port, since you will have to wait until your scheduled check-in time to board the ship, neither do you want to show up late and risk missing the ship’s departure.
You’ll have to contact the cruise line with the bad news and then make your own way, at your own expense, to the ship’s first port of call. The cost could run into big bucks, so don’t be late.
Adhere to Security Checks and Disclose Certain Items
Be prepared to go through a security system at the cruise terminal. Just like at airports there are metal detectors, and all bags get X-ray screening. This is the time to disclose any wine or bottled water you are bringing onboard.
Each cruise line has its own rules about how much wine, champagne, and water you can carry onto the ship, so check out those rules when booking your trip.
Anything over the limit will be confiscated by ship management. (Remember, there are corkage fees charged for all wine brought onboard. Check the FAQ section on your cruise line’s website to learn the rules.)
All cruise guests have their photos taken either inside the cruise terminal or, in some limited cases, as they first step aboard their ship. There is no getting around it, and due to the sometimes stressful embarkation process, these pictures can look as unattractive as a police mug shot.
However, each time you get off and on the ship throughout your cruise, staff will scan your ID card and see your photo appear on their computer screen, making sure you are who they think you are. So why not offer a big, happy grin? After all, you’re going on vacation!
In all the excitement of embarking on a cruise vacation, it can be easy to forget that the ship’s specialty restaurants will almost certainly require a reservation even on the first night, so if you’re hoping to dine in one of them, get your table booked first thing.
If the cruise line has a guest app, which most of them do, you can download it and create an account on your phone. Now, you’re ready to book a reservation at any of the dining venues — including the main dining room. Reservations can be made even before embarkation on many cruise line apps.
Those looking to totally chill out on the first night can avoid reservations and choose to dine at one of the ship’s casual eateries. Room service typically is available on the first night of a cruise as well.
Absolutely Watch The Ship’s Safety Video
Carnival Cruise Line Cabin and TV (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)
In the post-pandemic era most cruise lines have switched to e-muster drills, meaning that guests no longer have to report to muster stations and stand there with safety vests on while listening to the safety briefing. These days, it’s all done by video in the staterooms.
But the video cannot be avoided; every guest must watch it before the ship can sail, and the cruise line will monitor whether the video has played in each cabin.
Also, on most ships, guests must still present their ID card for scanning by a crew member at their assigned muster station or other official meeting place, as proof that they know where to go should an emergency arise.
Muster stations are indicated on a map located on the inside of each cabin door. Listen for instructions over the public address system.
Switch Your Phone to Airplane Mode
Communication on Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: CLS Digital Arts)
Cruise guests can get hit with expensive data roaming charges on their phones if they don’t switch to airplane mode after boarding their ship. Doing so prevents your phone from trying to connect to cellular networks at sea.
Those who don’t buy an internet package will be able to use the cruise line app, but will only have internet access while in a port. Even then, roaming charges will come into play and they can be hefty.
Steer Clear Of Your Cabin Until It’s Ready
Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive
Cruise guests barging into their staterooms before the cabin steward has finished cleaning and sprucing it up is a growing problem on some cruise lines. Some guests even have the nerve to tell the steward to come back later!
The hard-working cabin stewards have a detailed cleaning plan they must follow and a tight schedule to keep — they must be allowed to do their jobs unbothered by guests.
Listen for the announcement over the public address system alerting guests that they can proceed to their cabins. Until then, settle down in a comfy public space.
Explore the Ship and Grab a Bite
Carnival Cruise Line Lido Marketplace Buffet (Photo Credit: Emrys Thakkar)
Now that you’ve made it onboard your beautiful cruise ship, it’s time to have a look around, get the lay of the land, so to speak, and find a place to eat.
Locate and check out the places that will matter most to you — the pools and thrill rides, sports courts, spa and salon, mini-golf course, casino — anywhere you intend to spend some time.
For lunch, I always skip the buffet; it’s just too loud and crowded. Many guests don’t realize that the main dining rooms are typically open for lunch on embarkation day, and there you can find a more quiet space and order from the ship’s full lunch menu.
Don’t Miss The Sailaway Party
Crowded Carnival Cruise Line Deck (Photo Credit: Ruth Peterkin)
Once the hard part is done, the sailaway party is one of the best experiences of a cruise. Passengers have gotten through the check-in process, dropped their carry-on bags in their cabins and maybe even unpacked a suitcase.
Now, everyone is out on deck, sipping fancy tropical drinks, dancing to live music, and enjoying the view as the ship heads out to sea. Let the vacation begin!
Carnival Cruise Line offers exciting Playlist Production shows featuring singers, dancers, music, special effects, and more. Many guests want to arrive early to the shows to get a good seat, but the main theater doors don’t always open early.
This can lead to late-arriving guests searching for seats and blocking the others’ views, taking away from the enjoyment of the evening’s entertainment. But is there anything the cruise line can do?
One upset traveler reached out to John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador, to explain the situation and ask about a potential solution.
“We just returned from sailing on the Paradise out of Tampa and had a wonderful time. My only complaint was they open the show 30 minutes prior to Showtime so everyone can get in and get a seat and get situated. You would think that was plenty of time for everyone to come in and sit down,”the guest explained.
“We were constantly interrupted with late arrivals coming in and trying to find seats in the dark. … Isn’t there any way that they could post someone at the doors that would turn away late arrivals?”
Carnival Paradise is homeported from Tampa, Florida and offers 4-, 5-, and 6-night itineraries to the Western Caribbean and the Bahamas, depending on the cruise length and departure date.
The ship’s two-story Normandie Main Lounge is located forward on Decks 8 (Atlantic Deck) and 9 (Promenade Deck), with entrances on both levels.
Those entrances, however, are closed off with heavy doors until just before each evening’s entertainment. This is true whether it is a production show or another popular event, such as the ever-hilarious Love and Marriage Show or the fun “Family Feud Live” gameshows.
But why aren’t the doors opened earlier so all guests can find a seat before the curtain rises? Heald offers behind-the-scenes insights that clarify the policy.
“The reason for this is because the stage is still being set,”he explained.“They only have a very limited time with previous activities taking place in the lounge and we can’t have guests in the lounge for safety reasons obviously while lighting is being set and rigging is being done.”
Because the show lounge is also used for bingo games, shore tour and shopping talks, jewelry presentations, and more, it makes sense that each activity would need its own lighting and sound setup.
Before a big show, stage props or music setups might also need positioning.
Furthermore, crew members need sufficient time between activities to clean up the show lounge, removing any glassware, napkins, and other debris from previous activities or earlier showtimes.
During some shows, confetti or streamers may be released during finale numbers. I know from cleaning up after similar finales while working at an amusement park many years ago, this can be a real challenge to clean up quickly!
How Can Guests Get the Best Seats?
The best way to get one’s preferred seats for a show is to arrive early. Even if the doors have not yet opened to admit guests, it’s easy enough to line up and wait for the doors to open and have first pick of the seats.
That will not stop others from arriving late, however. With the house lights down, it can be hard to see where friends or family members may be sitting, or just to find seats together to enjoy the rest of the performance.
Carnival Cruise Ship Theater Lounge (Photo Credit: gary yim)
It would be impossible for Carnival Cruise Line to implement a turn-away policy, however, as many guests would be frustrated at being denied the opportunity to watch a one-night-only show. This would be especially true if they were delayed because of a previous activity or even dinner service running longer than expected.
Adding more performances could help ease the difficulty, as late arrivers could be turned away and reminded of additional available showtimes. On crowded cruise schedules, however, this isn’t always an option.
Another possibility could be to have some seating sections – such as in the back corners where fewer guests may be seated earlier – left available for late arrivals, while more prime seating is closed off. There would need to be crew members to direct guests to the appropriate section, however, which requires more staffing.
A Greek Isles cruise can be an amazing, bucket-list itinerary for many travelers, and there is no more iconic destination in the Grecian archipelago than Santorini.
Unfortunately, port visits to Santorini have been questionable in recent months, following an earthquake swarm that peaked in early February 2025.
Guests aboard Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Equinox were welcomed with the happy news that their visit to Santorini would go ahead on the current sailing, but with some new challenges.
“As you may know, Santorini experienced several earthquakes last winter, which have prompted some necessary repairs. As a result, we have been advised that the Cable Car will not be available until the Port of Thira reopens which is not until after May 15th, based on the latest advisory we have received,”the notification read.
Celebrity Equinox is currently sailing a 10-night itinerary from Barcelona to Rome, with multiple port visits in Greece and Turkey. The ship is due to visit Santorini on Saturday, May 10.
“The good news is that our visit to Santorini is still on!”the letter confirmed.“However, there will be some changes in how we’ll go ashore.”
Because the Cable Car is not available and it is not advisable for hundreds or thousands of cruise guests to attempt the very steep and challenging trail to the clifftop, tender boats will transfer guests to Athinios Port. This is approximately a 20-minute ride on the small boats.
“This tender will give you a unique perspective of the turquoise waters and steep volcanic cliffs that shape Santorini, a perfect backdrop to a fabulous selfie or atmospheric landscape shot,”the letter describes.
From Athinios Port, Celebrity Cruises has arranged for complimentary shuttles to drive guests to Fira for time ashore. A one-way drive is approximately 30 minutes.
Together, this means it will take guests roughly an hour from the time they leave the ship until they can begin enjoying time ashore for shopping or tours. Any shore excursions booked through Celebrity Cruises will be automatically adjusted for the tendering and shuttle operations as needed.
Some guests will experience even more challenges, however. Because of the need for tenders, travelers who must use a wheelchair or mobility scooter and cannot manage a few steps may be unable to go ashore.
Furthermore, tender boats will not be able to run from 2:30-4 p.m. so local ferry services can operate as scheduled. This 90-minute gap can be inconvenient for guests who may wish to return to the ship during that time frame.
Celebrity Equinox is scheduled to be visiting Santorini from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m., so even after 4 p.m. guests will still have ample time to return to the ship.
It is possible – though not yet announced or confirmed – that Celebrity Equinox may extend her stay slightly to ensure guests have as much time ashore as they were hoping according to the original schedule.
Will All Cruises Call to Santorini This Summer?
Because of the risk of rockslides and other potential quakes, many cruise guests with upcoming voyages to Greece have been concerned about whether or not their visits would actually happen.
In fact, Viking Cruises immediately cancelled visits to Santorini in February. Winter is the slow season for the cruise destination, but as summer approaches and dozens of vessels are due to call on the picturesque port, travelers are eager to learn if they will be able to visit.
Other cruise lines have not yet made announcements on individual ports visits for different sailings. Without question, booked guests will be alerted to any adjustments as soon as possible.
Depending on how repairs progress, it is possible that smaller ships may be able to make planned visits while larger ships could choose to divert to alternative destinations due to the challenges of tendering operations.
The Solstice-class Celebrity Equinox, for example, can welcome 2,850 travelers at double occupancy. Much larger ships are scheduled to visit Santorini in the coming months, which could have more difficulty accommodating all guests.
Larger ships with Santorini on their itineraries before May 15, when the Cable Car is expected to reopen, include the 3,502-guest MSC Divina on May 11 and the 4,198-guest Odyssey of the Seas on May 13.
Guests booked on any sailings that include Santorini in the next few weeks should stay in close contact with their cruise line in case of port changes or tendering plans as necessary.
The Texas Port of Galveston will celebrate two big milestones on November 9, 2025: The first departure of an MSC Cruises’ ship homeporting at the Gulf Coast facility and the opening of the port’s fourth cruise terminal.
The 170,400-gross-ton MSC Seascape, with a capacity for 5,800 guests, will begin sailing 7-night Western Caribbean voyages from Galveston Wharves, with calls at Roatan, Honduras, and Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico.
The ship, one of the line’s Seaside EVO class, will embark and debark guests at Galveston’s new Terminal 16, now under construction but expected to be completed well ahead of the first departure date.
A ground-breaking event was held in August 2024 to herald the start of construction of the $150 million terminal.
While 100-plus cruise line and port officials celebrated the event, the port revealed a large-scale rendering of the terminal, which will provide 165,000-square-feet of check-in space, a lounge for MSC Yacht Club guests, a parking garage, outdoor spaces, and other amenities.
Initial planning for the new terminal began a few years ago, and MSC Cruises opened bookings for MSC Seascape’s Galveston voyages in January 2024.
“It seems like just yesterday we were announcing our intention to sail from Galveston, and now here we are six months out. We’ll be there before you know it,” said Lynn Torrent, president of MSC Cruises North America.
“Our ‘Let’s Holiday’ campaign has vacationers and travel advisors across the country buzzing about our trademark mix of European style and American comfort, so it’s a great time to expand into a fantastic market like Galveston,” Torrent added.
The port’s fourth terminal is expected to generate more than 900 jobs in the Galveston area and about $177 million in revenue. Annual spending in the local economy by guests and crew is predicted to add another $21 million.
Construction of Galveston’s Cruise Terminal 16 (Credit: Port of Galveston)
“We’re honored that MSC Cruises chose Galveston as it expands its US presence. Having MSC, the world’s third largest cruise line, homeporting in Galveston says a great deal about their confidence in the Port of Galveston and mid-America cruise market,” said Rodger Rees, port director and CEO of Galveston Wharves.
While the Western Caribbean destinations that MSC Seascape will visit during her deployment to Galveston will offer exciting shore excursions for guests, there is plenty to do onboard the ship as well.
Thrill-seekers will want to experience the glass-floored Bridge of Sighs and try the Robotron rollercoaster while those looking to relax can do so poolside at one of the ship’s six swimming pools, including an infinity pool.
More than 7,000-square-feet are dedicated spaces for children and teens, where age-appropriate supervised activities are offered.
The ship will tempt guests with 11 dining venues and 19 bars and lounges, and features one of the fleet’s largest MSC Yacht Club spaces — the luxury-level, ship-within-a-ship accommodations area.
Galveston Is Fourth-Busiest Cruise Port in the US
Galveston is a popular drive-to port for the population centers in Texas as well as neighboring cities along the Gulf Coast. The port welcomed 1.6 million cruise guests in 2024 and is poised to receive 1.75 million in 2025.
It is the fourth-busiest US port in terms of cruise arrivals, behind PortMiami, Port Canaveral, and Port Everglades.
Earlier this year it announced it is moving ahead with several infrastructure projects detailed in its 20-Year Strategic Master Plan — all designed to make transiting the port smooth sailing for cruise passengers.
Aside from the new terminal currently under construction, which will be used by Norwegian Cruise Line as well as MSC Cruises, the Port of Galveston recently completed $53 million in improvements to Carnival Cruise Line’s Terminal 25.
The Galveston Wharves Board of Trustees also recently approved a new master plan for the port, which is expected to handle some 400 embarkations and debarkations in 2025.
Loyalty programs can offer a lot of amazing benefits to frequent cruisers, but what about when a traveler wants to try out a new line? While status matching and trading benefits can be tempting, it isn’t always possible.
Carnival Cruise Line is one of the world’s biggest cruise lines with loyal guests all over the world, but unfortunately, it isn’t able to offer guests such a status match with other cruise lines in the same corporate family.
John Heald, Carnival’s official brand ambassador, has regularly addressed this issue, and offers insights into why a combined program isn’t possible.
“Is Carnival going to combine loyalty programs for all their brands to stay competitive with the other cruise lines that have and to upsell as the others have as well?”one guest recently asked.
It is true that a status match or combined loyalty program might tempt some guests to try out a different cruise line, especially as their travel preferences might change over the years.
For example, Carnival Cruise Line is very definitely the Fun Ship fleet, well known for a lighthearted, casual, party vibe that appeals to a more energetic crowd.
Carnival Corporation & plc, however, also owns the premium and historically rich Cunard Line. The upscale line offers more of a luxury experience with service deeply rooted in maritime traditions and a far more sedate and reserved atmosphere.
Because the lines – and others in the corporate family – are so different, however, it would be too difficult to match their loyalty programs for a shared structure.
“Please know that [at] this time there are no plans to do this,”Heald confirmed.“Each cruise line is run completely separately at different pricing with different loyalty based for us.”
It does make sense that overall pricing would make a significant difference for loyalty programs and their substantial benefits, particularly when comparing more budget-friendly lines to premium and luxury lines.
Because Carnival Corporation & plc owns so many lines, if a status match were offered between them, the corporation could lose a great deal of potential business if guests were interested in building loyalty on different lines.
Furthermore, discounts offered as benefits – complimentary wash-and-fold laundry on Carnival Cruise Line, 10% shore excursion discounts on Princess Cruises, complimentary alternative dining on Cunard Line – do cut into the company’s profits.
Just imagine the financial dent if suddenly thousands, if not tens of thousands, of new guests suddenly reached upper loyalty levels without spending any money with each particular cruise line!
And while all cruise lines appreciate and value their loyal guests, they are, after all, a business and have to keep that bottom line firmly in mind.
Why Change Cruise Lines at All?
Cruise line loyalty can be a tricky thing, especially for frequent guests. After your first cruise – if you had a good time and want to sail again – you’re very likely to go on the same cruise line. You had such a positive experience, why not?
Or your loyalty could be related to convenience, especially if your most convenient homeport is a base for just one cruise line – like how only Carnival Cruise Line sails from Jacksonville, Florida. It can be challenging to shift to a different cruise line with the added costs and hassle of airfare and other arrangements.
Over time, however, you may hear a lot of good things from other cruise lines – but do you really want to start over on a new loyalty program when you’ve already garnered benefits from one tried-and-true cruise line?
Carnival Cruise Line Loyalty Pin (Photo Credits: Debbie Ann Powell & Melissa Mayntz)
For guests who are close to busier cruise homeports such as PortMiami or Port Canaveral, it can be easier to switch up their cruise routine and try different lines, but hefty loyalty benefits can give anyone pause.
I have high level Carnival benefits thanks to years of only being able to reach Long Beach at a time when Carnival Cruise Line was the only company offering sailings from that homeport.
Now, I’m fortunate to live just minutes from Port Canaveral, but it has still taken quite a bit of convincing to give up priority embarkation privileges to spend more time on Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line ships.
A status match or shared loyalty program would make it more tempting for many travelers to try out new cruise lines, even if it was just for a single “trial” sailing or other special offer.
When embarking on a cruise, there are many delightful things you expect to smell – such as delicious food onboard or the salty sea air. Sewage and feces do not make that list.
However, one first-time cruiser and his family, who were sailing onboard an unspecified Royal Caribbean cruise ship, were hit with a rather gross smell every time they entered their stateroom.
“Is it normal to occasionally smell poop? It’s my wife and I first cruise with our daughter and everytime we enter our room we are hit with the smell of feces,”the father explained on Reddit.
“We assumed it was our daughter’s diaper or maybe her farting, but we took out the diapers and dropped her off at daycare and we still smell it so I was wondering if that’s normal on a cruise,” he inquired.
Allow me to join the comments section in saying that this smell is not normal – but does happen from time to time. As cruise ships operate 24/7 every single day of the year, sometimes things do go wrong – including in the pipes.
When these smells do pop up, they are usually coming from the bathroom – either stemming from a backed up pipeor a malfunctioning bathroom floor drain trap, which is supposed to block sewer gasses.
“You may have a dried up drain trap. Run water in the sink, shower and floor drain,”one cruise fan guessed.
“Your room may be close to a sewage pipe may be my guess. I don’t think this is normal,” another theorized.
In the future, hopefully this guest will know to contact guest services sooner for help if something smells funky – literally or figuratively.
The guest services team at Royal Caribbean is there to help day and night, and may have been able to either address the maintenance issue that is causing the smell quickly or move the family to a fresher-smelling cabin.
A Smelly Situation Onboard Allure of the Seas
Only one day before the father posted about his family’s smelly cabin, another cruise guest shared his own complaints about clogged toilets and unsatisfactory odors onboard Allure of the Seas.
“On the Allure this week and twice we’ve had times where we went to flush our toilet… And no flush. Called maintenance and they said they were working on things because someone had flushed a foreign object down the toilet,” he shared.
Cruise ship toilets are generally stronger and more powerful than commodes on land because they use a vacuum system – but it’s still important to not put anything down themaside from the cruise-line-provided toilet paper.
Even with the extra power behind the flush, the waste still has to make its way through a potentially complicated system of pipes to reach the vessel’s waste treatment and storage facilities.
Allure of the Seas Balconies (Photo Credit: Ritu Manoj Jethani)
However, the malfunctioning toilet wasn’t this guest’s only complaint. There was also an unexplained sewage smell on Deck 7 of the Oasis-class ship.
“And, on deck 7 port side, the hallway has smelled like waste all week right around the 7200 block,”he wrote.
“On the first couple of days people were in the hall complaining to their stateroom attendants asking for some kind of air freshener to at least help mask it. No idea if it’s related to the toilets or just a fun coincidence,” the recent guest continued.
The cause of the smell, or how it is being addressed, is unclear – although the crew members are certainly working on it.
Interestingly, the 2010-launched vessel was only recently in dry dock for a month between February and March of 2025 to undergo a major $100 million overhaul.
This refurbishment also followed a flooding incident in a hallway on Deck 10 on the 5,484-guest ship in December 2024 – so the pipes and sewage system definitely would have been checked.
Even so, constantly being in service does mean that signs of wear and tear can manifest at any time – even when they’re least expected. But that’s why the major cruise lines always have maintenance teams, engineers, and plumbers onboard to spring into action at a moment’s notice.
Missing your cruise ship is something that is almost always completely avoidable and comes with a huge hassle. Even so, cruisers push their luck all the time by rushing to rejoin their ship at the end of a port call at the very last minute.
Usually, these so-called pier runners are in an absolute panic when they finally arrive at their cruise ship – often to the amusement of other guests onboardwho returned on time.
However, one guest who was left behind by a Royal Caribbean cruise shiphad an unusual reaction. Instead of panicking or pleading for the ship to come back, he stopped to take a selfie – using a selfie stick and all.
The cruiser in question was left behind in Cartagena, Spain, by Odyssey of the Seas on May 7, 2025. Per cruise tracking data, the Quantum-class vesseldeparted the port at around 5 p.m. local time.
“Pier runners missing the Odyssey departure in Cartagena just yet. (40 mins past all aboard time). But….let’s first take a selfie,” one of the current passengers shared on social media, along with photos of the late guest. “Great entertainment for all with a port side balcony.”
It’s unclear if the guest was traveling solo or if three other people seen on the pier with him were also part of his group. At this time, he has not been identified.
Photo Credit: Aerial-motion / Shutterstock
But according to a current passenger onboard the 5,498-guest ship, the captain made an announcement that they left Cartagena with four less people onboard than when they docked in the morning.
“Captain Marek said 4 people got left in Cartagena today. Ricardo and his 3 guests. Oops. 4:30 means 4:30,”she wrote.
The left-behind passengers will now need to figure out how to catch up with the 169,000-gross ton ship at one of the final two ports of call on the 14-night itinerary (Barcelona, Spain, and La Spezia, Italy) or make their own way home.
No Mercy for Pier Runners
Unsurprisingly, most of the onlookers had no sympathy for the selfie-taking pier runner – but they still could appreciate his relaxed attitude about the situation.
“May as well see the funny side and take a selfie of the ship disappearing,”one cruise fan commented.
“No need to freak out, that won’t change the situation. It is what it is.Take a pic of yourself and laugh at yourself later with a reminder to never do it again,” another said.
While novice cruisers may think that it’s easy for ships to turn around to retrieve late passengers or expect the ship to wait for them, this is incorrect.
With the exception of delayed passengers that are participating in cruise-line booked shore excursions, cruise ships will not wait because that would inconvenience potentially thousands of on-time passengers depending on the size of the ship.
Extending the time in port can also lead to additional port fees that the cruise line would have to eat.
That said, there really is no reason for cruise guests to miss their ship – barring an extreme situation like a natural disaster in the portthat blocks the roads.
All aboard times are announced and posted in multiple places and guests are typically reminded several times before going ashore, so all it really takes to be on time is some good planning.
I always make a point to plan to return to the pier at least a half hour before the all aboard time in case I encounter an unexpected delay – and I often make that buffer a full hour if I’m unfamiliar with the destination.
Every cruise line has its strengths and weaknesses, and every cruise line does something that outshines its competitors in some way. But how much do cruise lines learn from one another?
Of course, cruise lines are aware of most public policies from their competition, but the onboard experience can be a wonderful learning opportunity. That is an opportunity that Carnival Cruise Line might be missing out on.
One interested cruise guest asked John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador, about such opportunities and whether or not the cruise line takes advantage of them – at least through Heald himself.
“Random thought, do you ever sail anything besides Carnival to see what others are doing?”the guest asked.“I’ve only ever sailed Carnival.”
The guest does not specify how long they have cruised with Carnival Cruise Line, nor how many ships or sailings they have experienced. It’s a great testament to the line, however, that they remain loyal just to Carnival.
Personally, I remained loyal just to Carnival Cruise Line for many years when I needed to fly to cruise homeports. The known fun aboard a Carnival ship was exactly what we wanted in our getaways, rather than risking a less-than-fun experience aboard a cruise line we didn’t know as well at that time.
As an employee of Carnival Cruise Line, Heald has obviously experienced just about everything across the Fun Ship Fleet, but what about other lines?
“Yes, I have done in the past within the corporation so cruise lines like Princess, etc.”Heald explained.
Carnival Corporation & plc is the parent company not only of Carnival Cruise Line and Princess Cruises, but also British-based line P&O Cruises, the German line AIDA Cruises, the Italian Costa Cruises, and more.
While each of the corporation’s different cruise lines do have different policies and offer different experiences for their guests, it makes sense that Heald would have traveled with other lines on occasion.
But what about cruise lines from completely different companies and corporations? That is a step Heald has never felt inclined to take.
“Honestly, I’ve never had the desire to cruise on Royal Caribbean or NCL etc.,”he said.“I know they do a wonderful job and yet I am just concentrating on what we do and trying to help as many people as I can [here].”
Could Carnival Cruise Line be missing out? Firsthand experience could show exactly what other cruise lines are doing that Carnival might consider implementing, such as changes to dining operations, new entertainment features, or onboard features and activities.
Of course, as a very recognizable figure for Carnival Cruise Line, Heald might not be the best person to assign such a role.
What Heald Will – And Won’t – Do
As Brand Ambassador, Heald’s job is to serve as an intermediary contact for guests. He represents Carnival Cruise Line – not the other brands owned by Carnival Corporation & plc – and shares information, policies, and updates to keep guests informed.
One of the biggest parts of Heald’s job is to help guests with questions, concerns, and even complaints as needed. He is open to all comments through his popular Facebook page, with more than 610,000 followers.
John Heald
Each week, he answers hundreds of questions about drink packages, itinerary changes, onboard parties, special holiday menus, and much more. He also assists guests with arranging to scatter ashes, requesting mattress toppers, or requesting private tables in the dining room.
But one thing he won’t do is denigrate other cruise lines. Despite Carnival being compared to other lines many times with requests – and demands – for policy changes, Heald does not comment negatively on any other cruise line.
Furthermore, he readily admits that he does not know all the specifics of other cruise line’s policies, nor is he privy to their decision making or other insider information.
Because of that, he will not answer comparisons to other lines, but always keeps the focus on all the FUN that Carnival Cruise Line offers.
