A cruise to Alaska can be a once-in-a-lifetime, bucket list getaway. Part of the phenomenal attraction of the Last Frontier is the amazing wildlife in the region – whales, seals, bears, and plenty of birds.
Carnival cruise guests cannot enjoy one type of wildlife interaction while sailing to Alaska, however – feeding the birds. This activity is not permitted from any Carnival cruise ship, whether in Alaska, the Caribbean, or anywhere else.
One recent guest aboard Carnival Spirit reached out to John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador, about her disappointment about that restriction.
“[The guest] bombarded me with complaints about the crew on Carnival Spirit who told her children they could not feed the seagulls during their Alaska cruise,”Heald explained.“She is very angry about this.”
To be clear, the guest was attempting to have her children feed the birds from the ship, not on any shore excursion or organized tour.
“The feeding of any bird from any of the ships is not allowed,”Heald confirmed.“I explained that it is not safe for the guests because once you start feeding the seagulls they can become very vicious and take the food out of your hand with force.”
I love birds and always travel with a pair of binoculars and my favorite field guide. I’ve seen amazing birds from cruise ships, including bald eagles and sandhill cranes in Alaska.
Nevertheless, cruise lines have their restrictions for very good reasons. Gulls in particular can become very food-aggressive, and their pecks and bites can hurt if they’re grabbing fries, pizza crust, or ice cream cones from guests’ hands – especially the small hands of young cruisers.
But Other Cruise Lines Let Us!
Many cruisers seem to want to feed the gulls, but Carnival Cruise Line will not reverse their policy.
“What gobsmacked me was the number of you who agreed that telling her children not to throw food to the birds from the open decks was wrong,”Heald noted.“One person wrote that it was ‘cruel’ and another of you proudly said that ‘another cruise line in Alaska encouraged feeding the birds.'”
It is highly unlikely that any cruise line encourages this type of behavior, which is also dangerous to the birds. Any foods gulls might nick from a cruise ship is not nutritious and can lead to health problems for the birds.
“I do not for one minute believe this allegation but if they do allow this on the ‘Letthebuggerscrapalloverthedeck of the Seas’ then that’s their decision,”Heald said.“We do not.”
Despite the fact that I do eagerly look for birds on every cruise, Carnival Cruise Line’s policy is absolutely correct and in the best interest of the ship, guests, crew members, and the birds.
Carnival Spirit in Alaska (Photo Credit: Artha sant)
As gulls learn that cruise ships can be a source of food, they will begin to swarm ships searching for scraps. This can lead to unwelcome messes on tables, decks, and railings, as well as the birds harassing diners on the outer decks.
Other guests agree, and the overwhelming response to Heald’s response is that feeding the birds is inappropriate.
Many commenters shared their own experiences, particularly at the beach, where offering food to one gull brings on an entire flock.
“Saw 1 seagull. Fed it. Immediately it became a sequel of ‘The Birds,'”one guest described.“Never made that mistake again.”
Carnival guests should also be aware that the cruise line’s Cruise Ticket Contract – which all travelers agree to when they book their vacation – prohibits throwing anything from the cruise ship.
“Any dumping or pollution of any kind including discharge of any item into the ocean and/or waterways is strictly prohibited,”Section 9(i) of the contract reads.
It makes no difference that the “item” – a French fry, perhaps – could be caught by a bird before actually hitting the water. In extreme cases, feeding the birds could be interpreted as a violation of this environmental policy.
Furthermore, the cruise line’s Code of Conduct specifically notes that “any guest whose conduct affects the comfort, enjoyment, safety or well-being of other guests or crew will be disembarked at their own expense and banned from sailing on Carnival in the future.”
Feeding gulls and instigating their aggressive flocking behavior could certainly be considered affecting the comfort, enjoyment, and safety of other travelers, especially if guests are asked to stop but refuse.
While Carnival Cruise Line has not yet enforced fines, debarkation, or lifetime bans for feeding the birds, if the behavior is out of control, these steps might become necessary.
When it comes to packing for a cruise, it’s easy to feel like you need three suitcases just to cover the “what if” scenarios. But after years of traveling (and lost luggage), I’ve learned I’m happiest when I keep it simple.
I never travel with anything more than a carry-on and a personal bag – no matter where I’m going or how long I’ll be away. My longest cruise with just a carry-on? Fourteen days.
And yes, it worked – without feeling like I was wearing the same thing every day.
Fully packed carry-on and personal bag (Photo Credit: Lissa Poirot)
Why Packing a Carry-on for a Cruise Makes Life So Much Easier
Before I explain the how, let’s get into the why.
Beyond the obvious (not dragging a giant suitcase around or waiting in line at the airport), there are real benefits to sticking with a carry-on when you’re cruising.
First, you actually have your bag when you board. You don’t have to wait hours for porters to deliver it to your stateroom. You can head straight to the pool, change into a swimsuit, grab lunch – all without wondering when your clothes will show up.
It’s also a major stress-saver if you’re flying to meet your ship or if your vessel is delayed getting into port.
Tight connections, flight delays, reroutes – if you only have a carry-on, you don’t have to worry about your luggage getting lost somewhere between you and your embarkation port. Your bag stays with you the whole way.
And, once you’re onboard, space is limited. Cruise cabins (even the bigger ones) aren’t designed for bulky, oversized luggage.
A compact carry-on is easy to tuck into the closet, leaving more room for you to actually enjoy the space and not trip over your suitcase for a week.
How I Do It
First rule: I only pack what I know I’ll wear. Not what I might wear, not what could come in handy – just what I will reach for.
Every item has to pull double or triple duty. Think dresses that can work with sneakers for daytime or sandals for dinner, and lightweight layers that can mix and match.
Color cordinated combinations (Photo Credit: Lissa Poirot)
A big key to my packing is coordinating outfits before I pack. Every item has to match so I can wear a top with a skirt, a pair of pants, or leggings to serve as three different outfits.
I have the hardest time traveling when the weather is a mixed bag. For instance, on a recent Mediterranean cruise aboard Viking Cruises’ Viking Star, the weather varied from 50 to 70 degrees and a mix of rain and sun. On that occasion, layers were key.
Caribbean cruises are by far the easiest: swimsuits, coverups, and sun dresses. Done.
If I have to travel in cold weather, I’ll carry my coat onto the plane and use it as a blanket, stuffing gloves and a hat into my personal bag.
My entire wardrobe (below) packed into packing cubes (Photo Credit: Lissa Poirot)
I also swear by packing cubes, which saves me space in my carry-on but helps me stay organized onboard. I pack by category (casual, dressy, swimsuit) so I can grab what I need without tearing apart my whole suitcase. It also makes unpacking a breeze.
Shoes are the trickiest part of my packing. I stick to three pairs, maximum, including the pair I will wear as I travel. I often wear the heaviest, bulkiest pair to keep space open in my suitcase.
Typically, I wear a comfy pair of shoes that are also stylish. I need these shoes to manage long days of walking tours and getting myself through the airport.
What I wore on the plane (Photo Credit: Lissa Poirot)
Then, I pack a pair of dress shoes that go with all of my evening attire. My third pair is often a pair of running shoes so I can hit the gym.
The Packing List
Here’s a basic version of what I packed for those 14 days I traveled in the Mediterranean with mixed weather:
My entire wardrobe (Photo Credit: Lissa Poirot)
3 dresses for nicer dinners in specialty restaurants (I stuck to dresses that rolled up small)
Bottoms: I wore jeans on the plane then packed a black pair of wrinkle-free pants, a pair of cream pants, and a long black skirt so I had 4 options.
Tops: On the plane, I wore a floral sweater under a blue sweater (I always get cold on planes anyway!) and topped it with a heavy cream-colored sweater poncho that would serve as my coat. I packed 2 light sweaters (one gray and one cream), 2 casual shirts (one cream and one orange for a pop of color), and 2 T-shirts (blue and gray) that could also be used in the gym. In all, I had 8 options and a cozy coverup.
I packed two thin leggings (one black, in case I wanted another pair of pants) and two sports bras for workouts, planning to wash them often, even if just in the sink.
I also packed a swimsuit, coverup, and a week’s worth of under garments and socks.
Additionally, I packed a lightweight scarf, a rain hat, a sunhat that rolls up, and a crossbody bag for shore excursions.
I wore waterproof walking shoes, packed a pair of black dress shoes, and a pair of running shoes.
I wore minimal jewelry, and I packed a toiletries kit using refillable small containers that I placed into my personal bag, along with my laptop, my iPad, my noise-cancelling headphones, a kit filled with chargers and adapters, my cell phone, my wallet, and my passport.
Still empty space in my bag for a few souvenirs! (Photo Credit: Lissa Poirot)
Note that all the items I packed were color-coordinated and could be mixed and matched so my four bottom options could combine with my eight tops to create a multitude of outfits that didn’t ever repeat.
During our sea day, halfway through the cruise, I was up bright and early to use the washer and dryers provided on Viking’s vessel. I also did my laundry again on the last day, just so I didn’t have to pack dirty clothes.
What I Use
For the record, and without any sponsorship, my carry-on of choice is a hard-shell Carry-on Plus bag by Mono with a matching Metro Weekender as my personal bag. I travel so often that I made an investment in my luggage.
Enjoying a day in Nice (Photo Credit: Lissa Poirot)
I also use Mono’s packing cubes designed to fit perfectly into the case, and the Weekender bag fits right onto the carry-on and is held in place by the luggage handle.
Both are easy to wheel through crowded airports and down the aisle of a plane, and the Weekender fits under the seat on the plane. They also meet airline carry-on requirements and my weight was right on par.
Carnival Cruise Line is well known for its dynamic and energetic cruise directors who go all out to make every voyage a spectacular one for every guest onboard.
The very popularity of a cruise director, however, can create an opportunity for fraud and scams – but not for the CDs themselves. Instead, scam artists have begun usurping the names and activities of cruise directors to target unsuspecting guests.
One such cruise director is Kyndall “Fire” Magyar, one of the top cruise directors aboard Carnival Cruise Line’s flagship, Carnival Jubilee.
Fortunately, Magyar herself is very alert to potential scams and takes steps to warn her fans of illicit solicitations.
“Please never ever fall for any of these people. I have not and will not ever ask you to buy a package, promise special treatment or tours, or give you access to premier content for a cost,”Magyar noted.“If you are ever reached out to by anyone from “Kyndall Fire’s Team”, or “Kyndall’s Handler,” they are LYING TO YOU!”
Magyar’s dynamic personality and popular social media presence have led scammers to impersonate her in an attempt to trick unsuspecting fans and Carnival cruise guests. She has more than 150,000 followers on her Facebook page, plus nearly 50,000 on Instagram.
Magyar shared a screenshot of a recent scam message, which seemed to begin innocently enough – other than the obvious solicitation.
“Thank you for your generous decision to join us as a mid – level donor, grateful for your support and having you on this journey with us,”the message reads.
The first clue that the message is not legitimate is the spacing error for “mid – level” which is then followed by grammatical mistakes, missing punctuation, and missing words in the rest of the message.
The message goes on to offer a PayPal email address from a free email server, with a request that the “family and friends option” be used – without the proper capitalization, and incorrectly phrased. I’ve used PayPal for many years, and the phrase has always been “Friends and Family” never “family and friends.”
Kyndall “Fire” Magyar Scam
It is small inconsistencies like this that are often a sign of scams.
Even more alarming is that the scam goes on to request that guests send along their full name as well as a photo for their “donor ID card” – which can make anyone easy prey for identity theft.
Magyar urgers her online fans to report any fake accounts they find using her information for such solicitations. Of course, no guests should ever make payments or share their personal information with any unknown accounts.
Brand Ambassador Issues Similar Warnings
Carnival’s cruise directors aren’t the only popular cruise line figures to become scam-related targets. John Heald, the cruise line’s official brand ambassador, frequently has his image stolen by scammers creating fake accounts.
Just recently, one guest who had fallen for a scammer managed to reach out to the real Heald.
“I private messaged you several weeks ago to let you know how I loved Carnival Cruise Line. We have been chatting privately since then,”the guest explained.
Heald never uses private messages to communicate with guests, no matter what the situation. Even for more personal topics, such as spreading the ashes of a loved one, his communications are done publicly through his daily Facebook posts.
“Yesterday, you reached out to me in a private chat. At first nothing was amiss,”the guest continued.“Then you stated you were on a ship and you were low on your subscription to Apple and could I go buy you a subscription.”
John Heald
The guest did not appear to be suspicious of the solicitation, just upset to be asked to buy something for someone they had never met in person.
“I’m sharing this because hopefully it will be a warning to all of you. I feel genuinely sorry for this poor lady and I have let her know how sorry I am,”Heald responded.“But this of course was not me. This is one of the many fake pages who are trying to make money from you by pretending to be me.”
As with Magyar, Heald has accounts on both Facebook and Instagram. Together, he has nearly 650,000 fans and followers.
It can be fun for cruise guests to like, follow, and interact with their favorite cruise personalities online, but it is always critical to protect one’s privacy.
In May 2024, a booked guest aboard Carnival Celebration had her family’s nearly $15,000 cruise cancelled shortly before embarkation because she had shared her booking information on social media, leaving her vulnerable to scammers.
Scams with shore tours, port transfers, onboard credit, and other aspects of a cruise vacation are always evolving.
Any travelers should remain vigilant about their plans and always work only with authorized cruise line representatives or through reputable booking engines for their next cruise vacation.
While some passengers are overly concerned about the meaning of formalwear, others are just trying to figure out what is appropriate to wear at the pool.
One soon-to-be Celebrity Cruises guest took to Reddit to seek advice on what a reasonable swimsuit would be to wear while tanning.
“I know Celebrity is geared more towards the adult crowd and less family oriented,”the poster said, asking,“what’s the modesty expectation?”
The 23-year-old admitted they enjoy tanning by the pool, so her swimsuits tend to be more cheeky — especially since it is hard to find modest ones in her size.
The post went on to say,“my concern is am I going to offend people if I’m walking around the pool deck in small bikini? I want a nice tan, but I also don’t want to make anyone uncomfy if it’s more of a modest vibe.”
Worried about offending other passengers, this individual wanted to know if it was acceptable to be walking around the pool deck in a small bikini, or if it be better to just find a one-piece.
“Tl;dr – are my butt cheeks gonna be offensive by the pool?”the poster added.
Fellow cruisers were quick to reply, offering some advice and advising the poster not to overthink the situation.
“I have been on many celebrity cruises. There are a vast variety of different shapes, sizes and ages wearing bikinis. While sunning it will be no issue, I would bring a coverup to go to and from the pool,” one person replied.
“Wear what you want, but just be aware that you may get uncomfortable attention. If you feel at all weirded out by the behavior of another guest, let staff know and make sure no one is trailing behind before you go back to your room,” added another.
The poster added an update after receiving the feedback, saying that she is aware and will not be going to the buffet in a bikini — and that she will also be wearing a cover-up when talking to and from the pool.
Celebrity Cruises’ dress code states clearly that while guests are at the pool, bathing suits are welcome, but it does not specify that any particular style of the suit is prohibited.
“In main and specialty dining, we ask guests to refrain from wearing swimsuits, see-through coverups or robes, bare feet, tank tops, T-shirts, and baseball caps,”the dress code goes on to say.
While this future passenger is trying to be respectful, she can rest easy knowing that her slightly NSFW bikinis are safe for the pool deck.
Breaking the Dress Code Will Annoy Other Passengers, but Not Crew
Passengers frequently break the dress code, whether they are aware of it or not. However, it is not uncommon for these rule breakers to get away with it while, in the process, annoying other guests with their attire.
In March 2025, a passenger on the 88,500 gross ton Carnival Legend complained about thelack of dress code enforcement by the crew while on the ship.
“In the buffet area – people in bathing suits – no cover ups – bare feet!,”the annoyed cruiser shared in a Facebook post.
Beyond the lack of enforcement around the pool, other passengers were disregarding the formal dress codes — at the end of the day, the worst thing that happened was someone being annoyed by another person wearing casual clothing to dinner.
Just days before this, another passenger on Carnival Spiritcomplained to brand ambassador John Heald about guests wearing jeans when the dress code called for formalwear.
Worth Reading: Cruise Line Introduces More Relaxed Evening Dress Code
Heald responded to the post, encouraging this individual not to let others’ fashion choices affect their dining experience, something that is becoming an unfortunate theme.
Carnival’s dress code says,“Life on board is dominated by a casual atmosphere,” and they take that seriously.
While not every passenger follows the dress code, some may seek advice to try to make sure other guests are comfortable, which is thoughtful.
Bikini lovers, breathe easy — these swimsuits and their many iterations, including thongs, are not prohibited on any cruise line. Happy tanning!
Disembarkation is always hectic, but the chaos was taken to the next level in Texas’s Galveston Cruise Port on Saturday, April 26, 2025, by an unruly – and violent – group of passengers.
The cruise guests were in the process of disembarking from Carnival Jubilee – which had just returned from a 7-night Western Caribbean sailing that embarked from Galveston on April 19, 2025 – when a massive fight broke out in the luggage pickup area.
It’s not clear what triggered the altercation, but video footage shows a group of people beating up at least two other men while several kids and bystanders watched.
Carnival Cruise Line stated to Cruise Hive: “The incident occurred in the debarkation area under the authority of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. The matter has been turned over to law enforcement. We will not tolerate such behavior, and 24 people have been placed on our Do Not Sail list. They can go on another cruise line if they want but are never welcome back with us.“
24 cruise guests can be seen hitting and punching at least two other guests – with the brawl starting in the luggage hall and quickly migrating toward the far side of the hall, near the entrance to customs.
Security personnel did rush to break up the brawl, but struggled to restore order – at least initially. The footage shows that one officer was actually shoved backwards with quite a bit of force.
So far, the identities of the individuals involved have not been released – nor have any reports of arrests or injuries been made public.
But among both Carnival cruisers who witnessed the event or learned about it from afar, the hope is that the perpetrators will be shown no mercy by the cruise line and the local police.
“Arrest them all and ban them from cruising on Carnival. Families don’t need to see this behavior from grown adults. You know the saying, when you know better, you do better,” one cruise fan asserted.
“Hopefully they all get a lifetime ban! If you can’t act like a decent human on vacation, stay home,” another agreed.
Some passengers also reported that two other fights broke out on Decks 4 and 10 during the sailing – with the brawl on Deck 10 allegedly causing property damage. At this time, it’s unknown if either of these incidents were connected to the fight in the terminal.
Passengers Brawl in Galveston Cruise Terminal
Carnival Will Not Tolerate Fights
While the fate of the individuals involved in this latest fight remains unknown, the consequences will undoubtedly be severe, including Carnival already banning them from any future Carnival cruise.
Because the fight occurred in the cruise terminal, the people involved would fall under the jurisdiction of the Port of Galveston Police Department – the port has its own police force – and would most likely be arrested and charged with some form of assault and/or battery.
If the perpetrators are found guilty, they could be sent to jail for a year (or more), depending on if their crimes are categorized as misdemeanors or felonies.
If a fight breaks out during a sailing, guests face consequences such as fines, being confined to their cabin or the brig (onboard jail), early removal from the sailing with no refund, and a potential lifetime ban.
However, this shouldn’t be a surprise to guests who choose violence. Carnival requires all guests to agree to a code of conduct as part of the cruise check-in process and make the consequences clear up front – including the possibility of a $500 fine.
“Consistent with our commitment to safety, disruptive behavior is not tolerated and any guest whose conduct affects the comfort, enjoyment, safety or well-being of other guests or crew will be disembarked at their own expense and banned from sailing on Carnival in the future,” the code of conduct reads.
“All guests must acknowledge and commit to our code of conduct during the check-in process, and any violation may result in a fine of $500, possible stateroom confinement and removal from the ship,”it continues.
As recently as last summer, Carnival also proved that it has no problem enforcing this policy afterpassengers of Carnival Paradise got into a late-night brawlin the buffet area. All of the 10 to 15 guests involved in the brawl were indeed banned from the cruise line.
Liquefied natural gas, or LNG, is a cleaner alternative to traditional cruise ship fuels. With a growing number of LNG-powered cruise ships on the water, questions are being raised about how much of an impact they’ll actually make.
While this fuel does reduce certain emissions and pollutants, the actual environmental impact is a little more nuanced. I’ll share my own experiences on LNG ships and explain how they could be a big step forward for the cruise industry, but they aren’t a complete solution.
But first, I need to tell you what an LNG cruise ship is! Well, it’s a cruise ship that doesn’t use traditional fuels; instead, it uses liquefied natural gas (LNG), which generates enough energy to power the propellers of a ship.
What Is LNG?
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is a colorless and non-toxic liquid formed when natural gas is cooled to -260°F (-162°C). This cooling process transforms the gas into a liquid state, which is where it gets its name.
By keeping it at these incredibly low temperatures, the volume of the gas is reduced by nearly 600 times, which makes it much easier to store and transport.
The liquified gas itself is composed mostly of methane, a greenhouse gas that can damage the environment when released in high volumes. That said, it can still be more environmentally friendly than traditional fuels used to power large vessels like cruise ships.
LNG Refueling Vessel (Photo Credit: JSvideos)
This is because LNG burns cleaner than those messy fuel types, meaning burning it to power cruise ships and other large vessels results in fewer emissions. Lower levels of sulfur, nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter are released into the air and water, allowing the cruise industry to lower its emissions by roughly 30%.
Thirty percent might not sound too crazy until you remember that nearly 360 cruise ships are operating in the world right now, and many of these cruise ships are enormous vessels that spend most of the year traversing the world’s major waterways.
The cumulative impact could be incredible if a growing percentage of those ships can start using a fuel that reduces emissions by roughly 30%.
That said, LNG is not a perfect solution to the problem of high emissions. For starters, methane itself is a greenhouse gas, meaning that when it enters the planet’s atmosphere, it helps trap heat, contributing to global warming.
Then there’s the fact that the fuel can leak and spill into the environment during transportation, production, or even from the cruise ships themselves.
If this feels a little heavy on the science, don’t worry. I’ll compare it to the traditional fuels the cruise industry uses, which will give you an idea of why LNG cruise ships are such a big deal right now. We’ll then look at when the first LNG ships set sail and how this fuel impacts passengers.
I’ve mentioned that burning LNG releases roughly 30% of the emissions of traditional fuels, but what are those conventional fuels, and which emissions do they release?
Before the emergence of liquified natural gas, the modern cruise industry relied on two types of fuel: marine gas oil (MGO) and heavy fuel oil (HFO).
Although both are known for generating high levels of carbon emissions and releasing various particulates when they are burned, they have been seen as practical fuels for large cruise ships.
Basically, MGO is the better of the two traditional fuels, as it is lighter, more heavily refined, and releases fewer emissions than HFO. In contrast, HFO is more cost-effective, so it helps cruise lines save money but is worse for the environment.
While powering a large ship with MGO is better for the environment than doing so with HFO, it can still release high levels of carbon dioxide (CO₂), sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulates into the air.
So, how do LNG-powered ships compare? Well, here’s a quick rundown: LNG combustion can reduce sulfur emissions by 99%, nitrogen oxide emissions by 85%, and carbon dioxide emissions by roughly 25%. When combined with noticeable reductions in other pollutants, the numbers are pretty staggering.
So, LNG Is Better Than Other Fuels?
Clean Jacksonville LNG Barge
Unfortunately, LNG isn’t a flawless solution to the cruise industry’s emissions issues. For starters, there is a process known as methane slip, a phenomenon where unburned methane escapes into the atmosphere when LNG is burned. Given how harmful methane is to the atmosphere and global warming, this process is a serious concern.
With methane being a major concern for the atmosphere and having the potential to heat the planet more than 80 times more than carbon dioxide over the same period, releasing methane into the air through methane slip is not something the cruise industry can take lightly.
On top of that, there’s always the risk that this liquified natural gas could leak due to a major spill during transportation or from a cruise ship itself. If that happens, the environmental impact could be disastrous.
In addition, retrofitting existing ships with LNG-burning systems is incredibly complex and costly, and the process itself isn’t great for the environment.
It may sound confusing, but the main takeaway is that LNG cruise ships are technically cleaner than those that burn traditional fuels but are far from perfect. It’s also difficult to update existing cruise ships with these systems, so we mostly see new ships equipped with the sophisticated fuel storage systems needed for LNG fuel.
Setting Sail: The First LNG Cruise Ship
Photo: Aida Cruises
AIDA Cruises, a cruise line owned by the Carnival Corporation, launched AIDAnova in December 2018. This moment marked the debut of the first ever fully LNG-powered cruise ship.
This ship was built under contract by Meyer Werft shipbuilding company in Papenburg, Germany. Thanks to its use of an LNG-powered drive system, the German government awarded the ship the “Blauer Engel” environmental seal.
Three enormous tanks in the ship’s center hold roughly 37,673 square feet of liquified natural gas, enough fuel to power a full two-week cruise vacation.
While AIDAnova is most famous for adopting LNG as a fuel source, she is also an enormous and nicely outfitted ship. With 2,626 staterooms and suites, she can carry up to 6,654 passengers at maximum capacity. With a gross tonnage of 183,858, she remains one of the 15 largest cruise ships in the world.
The Impact of AIDAnova
AIDAnova Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Karis48)
The launch of AIDAnova was a big step forward for the cruise industry. Labeled “The Cleanest Cruise Ship,” her high-profile launch made headlines and pushed other cruise lines, like MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean, to add LNG-powered cruise ships to their fleets.
MSC World Europa was launched in December 2021 as another fully LNG-powered cruise ship. Built in the Chantiers de l’Antique shipyard on the western coast of France, she didn’t just become the first LNG vessel in the MSC Cruises fleet; she was also the cruise line’s biggest, with a gross tonnage of 215,863 GT.
MSC World America was constructed alongside MSC World Europa, and was released shortly after her sister ship.
As the two largest and “cleanest” ships in the MSC Cruises fleet, their construction was a major step forward for the cruise line, and the smaller AIDAnova’s LNG propulsion system was used as direct inspiration during their construction.
Around the same time, AIDA Cruises ordered AIDAnova, Disney Cruise Line ordered an LNG-powered ship of their own from Meyer Werft. It took longer to construct, partially due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wish was the cruise line’s first LNG ship.
Carnival’s Mardi Gras was also ordered shortly after the Carnival Corporation ordered AIDAnova. Like her sister ship, AIDAnova, her Azimuth Propulsion Drive System is also powered by LNG fuel.
Since the launch of these ships, LNG-powered cruise ships have really taken center stage, with Royal Caribbean International launching Icon of the Seas, which was launched as the world’s largest cruise ship in early 2024.
With LNG now being used as the primary fuel type for some of the largest and most iconic cruise ships, it’s clear that it now plays a major role in the industry.
Greener or Greedy? Environmental Impact of LNG
LNG Fuel
Given that some of the world’s biggest and most profitable cruise lines have invested heavily in LNG technology, the question remains: Is this move a genuine effort to reduce the environmental impact of their cruise ships, or is it just a marketing ploy designed to entice environmentally conscious customers and curb environmental regulations?
Well, it’s a complex question with an equally complex answer. For starters, there is no getting around the fact that burning LNG significantly reduces the release of carbon dioxide (CO₂), sulfur oxides (SOx), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions. This can improve air quality, especially in high-traffic areas like major cruise ports.
However, the risk of methane slip remains a significant concern. So, in one way, these cruise ships trade certain emissions and particulates for methane emissions.
Even the most sophisticated LNG propulsion systems are not 100% efficient, meaning some unburned methane will always get released into the atmosphere during combustion.
On top of that, potential leaks would be disastrous for the environment, which is why plenty of environmental groups and advocates argue that LNG is not quite the clean and sustainable fuel solution some cruise lines portray it to be.
Even the UN Environment Program highlights that research on methane emissions has concluded that the risk associated with transporting and producing LNG negates the fact that it is a cleaner fuel to burn.
So, are LNG-burning cruise ships actually a perfect long-term solution to the cruise industry’s environmental impact? No, it isn’t. But even the fact cruise lines are making efforts to reduce emissions and reduce their impact on the climate is hugely encouraging.
Cruise lines are also investing billions of dollars in alternative technologies to help them stay at the forefront of green technology.
Solid oxide fuel cell technology is one such technology, while others are working on bio-LNG and hydrogen fuel cell technology. The cruise industry is even making strides in incorporating solar and wind technology into ships and ports.
Why Cruise Guests Should Care
While all of these goals and environmental investments seem distant from the average cruise passenger’s onboard experience, the more widespread adoption of LNG technology can actually improve it.
Improving the Onboard Experience
MSC World America Entering PortMiami
For starters, LNG engines produce less noise than those powered by traditional fuel sources. While most modern cruise ships are surprisingly quiet, having noticeably quieter engines can make for a much more peaceful onboard experience, especially if you spend time near the lower aft section of the ship.
Some also say that LNG-powered cruise ships provide a smoother ride, making it a much more pleasant experience when combined with a quieter cruise.
While you may not notice it while you are actually on board a cruise ship, having cruise ships burn cleaner fuel that results in reduced emissions can also help improve air quality.
You may not be able to notice reduced ship exhaust and cleaner air while enjoying your cruise ship’s decks, but you certainly can if you spend time visiting busy cruise ports. The cumulative impact of having multiple cruise ships using a cleaner-burning fuel can be really apparent in the busiest ports.
For those concerned about their carbon footprint and their vacations’ impact on the environment, choosing cruise companies that prioritize their own environmental impact by using LNG-powered ships can be worthwhile.
Personally, I like the idea of supporting cruise lines that are investing in ways to reduce their carbon footprint, even if LNG is not the perfect wonder fuel it was initially advertised as being.
One of my favorite things about taking a cruise is looking out into the pristine ocean and seeing untouched coastlines from the peace and quiet of one of the ship’s outdoor areas.
Knowing that I’m spending my vacation dollars in a way that supports cruise lines trying to reduce their impact on those environments is well worth it. It’s just an added bonus that many of the LNG-powered cruise ships also happen to be some of the biggest and most impressive.
Ultimately, if a growing number of cruise passengers choose cruise lines that heavily focus on eco-consciousness in their branding, the industry will respond to those trends and invest more heavily in green technology and waste reduction.
We have already seen how regulatory pressures have combined with market demands to push the cruise industry towards carbon neutrality by 2050, a goal they seem to be on track to meet.
The Debate Heats Up: LNG Controversy
MSC Euribia LNG (Photo Courtesy: MSC Cruises)
By now, I’ve hinted that a growing number of critics are arguing that LNG is just a transitional fuel rather than a long-term solution.
This criticism has been reported in major news outlets, making the general public more aware that LNG-powered cruise ships aren’t automatically the “clean cruise ships” the cruise industry claims them to be.
Major environmental organizations, like Greenpeace and the David Suzuki Foundation, argue that releasing unburned methane emissions and the huge risk associated with fracking and transporting liquified natural gas make it a dangerous fuel rather than a sustainable alternative to traditional cruise ship fuels.
While there is certainly a major pushback against LNG-powered cruise ships or at least the idea that they are a miracle solution to the cruise industry’s emissions problems, the cruise industry itself seems to be taking a stance that it is doing everything it can to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
In other words, they view LNG technology as a step in the right direction rather than the finish line for what it plans to do in the future.
Outside the industry, environmental regulators oversee the cruise industry, like the International Maritime Organization (IMO), who also acknowledge the need for the industry to continue innovating new green technology and adding it to their operations and ships.
These regulatory visions go beyond just introducing low greenhouse gas fuels, with the IMO introducing a set timeline for how much greenhouse gases should be reduced by the entire organization over a set number of years.
Ships Leading the Way: Current LNG-Powered Vessels
I already mentioned how several cruise lines were quick to place orders for new LNG-powered cruise ships after AIDAnova was first ordered, but the number of LNG cruise ships now sailing has grown substantially.
To give you an idea of how big of a presence LNG cruise ships now have across the cruise industry, here’s just a quick overview of the many cruise ships that are powered by LNG technology:
AIDA Cruises
Photo Credit: penofoto / Shutterstock
After pioneering the LNG movement with AIDAnova in 2018, Aida Cruises unveiled AIDAnova’s sister ship, AIDACosma, in 2021. AIDA Cruises later retrofitted an existing Sphinx-class ship called AIDASol with LNG technology.
While AIDASol does not run completely on LNG, it is now classed as an LNG hybrid vessel. This means that it tends to use LNG fuel while in port to help reduce marine emissions while docked.
Carnival Cruise Line
Mardi Gras, LNG Refueling
Given that Carnival Corporation owns AIDA Cruises, the company has been involved in the LNG movement since the very beginning. As for ships that sail under the Carnival Cruise Line banner, I already mentioned how Mardi Gras was launched with a full LNG propulsion system in 2020.
After the success of Carnival’s Mardi Gras, Carnival Cruise Line launched a sister ship to Mardi Gras called Carnival Celebration. Launched in 2022, it was the second LNG-fueled ship to join the fleet.
In December of the following year, a third Excel-class ship called Carnival Jubilee was launched with an LNG-based propulsion system, bringing Carnival Cruise Line’s total of LNG cruise ships to three.
There are plans to add additional LNG-powered Excel-class vessels to the fleet, with the upcoming Carnival Festivale and Carnival Tropicale set to join in 2027 and 2028 if construction goes ahead as scheduled.
Norwegian Cruise Line
It may sound surprising, but Norwegian Cruise Line doesn’t operate any LNG cruise ships. NCL claims to have a longer-term vision for reducing emissions, with much of its focus going into biofuels and methanol-powered propulsion technology.
MSC Cruises
MSC World America in Miami
MSC Cruises is another cruise line that became interested in adopting LNG technology quickly. After launching in 2022 and becoming one of the biggest ships in the fleet, MSC World Europa now acts as the cruise line’s flagship LNG-powered vessel.
As mentioned, the cruise line’s latest ship, MSC World America, is powered by LNG. There are also plans to expand their existing fleet with two new LNG-powered ships in 2026 and 2027—the latter being MSC World Asia, another LNG-powered World-class ship.
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Treasure at Meyer Werft
As of now, Disney Wish and Disney Treasure, and Disney Destiny are the only ships in the Disney Cruise Line fleet to be powered by LNG, but there are plans to expand their LNG offerings.
Disney Cruise Line has really leaned into adding an eco-friendly focus to its marketing, so it’s not overly surprising that it has placed orders for even more of these low-emissions cruise ships.
Costa Cruises
Costa Cruises also has two LNG cruise ships in its fleet, Costa Smeralda, launched in 2019, and Costa Toscana, following in 2021. Like Carnival Jubilee, they were constructed by Meyer Werft and are also called Excellence-class cruise ships.
P&O Cruises
P&O Cruises added P&O Iona (184,089 GT) to its fleet in 2020, which became its first LNG-powered cruise ship. She is another Excellence-class ship and was joined by P&O Arvia in 2022.
Princess Cruises
Sun Princess Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Eric Glenn)
Princess Cruises was one of the later cruise lines to add an LNG cruise ship to their fleet, with Sun Princess (177,882 GT) being launched in 2024. Since then, Princess Cruises has added a second LNG-powered Sphere-class cruise ship called Star Princess.
The second ship was constructed in Fincantieri’s Shipyard in Italy, making her the largest LNG-powered ship ever built in the country.
Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Deutschlandreform)
Royal Caribbean International is another cruise line that was relatively late to join the LNG party but made a huge impact when it did in 2024.
Icon of the Seas was the first LNG ship in its fleet, but it also happens to be part of the world’s largest class of cruise ship. Having such an ambitious build be powered entirely by LNG was a huge step forward for low-emissions shipbuilding.
Utopia of the Seas (236,473 GT), a smaller Oasis-class ship, also features an LNG propulsion system and was launched in July 2024. The Star of the Seas, Legend of the Seas, and Hero of the Seas are full LNG systems.
TUI Cruises
Mein Schiff Relax
TUI Cruises, a smaller German cruise line, has launched two LNG cruise ships. Their first, Mein Schiff Relax, launched in November of 2023. She was joined by a second LNG-powered InTUItion-class cruise ship called Mein Schiff Flow in early 2025.
See You on an LNG Cruise Ship!
LNG technology might not be the miracle cure to the cruise industry’s environmental woes that it was first advertised as being, but its widespread adoption does show that the industry is taking its environmental impact seriously, which is a big step in the right direction.
With more LNG cruise ships on the way and the added benefit of a quieter, smoother ride for passengers, you just might find yourself on an LNG ship on your next cruise vacation!
If there’s one thing I’ve learned throughout my years of cruising, it’s to always expect the unexpected and be ready to roll with the punches. For example, it’s not uncommon for itineraries to change at the last minute due to inclement weather.
But what some passengers may not realize – especially if they are newer to cruising – is that booking a stateroom with a private balconydoesn’t always guarantee balcony access for the duration of the sailing.
Indeed, one such guest took to Reddit to ask if it was normal to lose access so that the crew members could complete maintenance tasks.
“We received a notice yesterday saying our blinds need to be closed and our balcony is off limits until they complete routine maintenance. I don’t know how long it will take yet, but a woman a few cabins down said hers was out of bounds for 3 days for painting, so I’m expecting the same,”the cruiser wrote without specifying the ship or cruise line.
In a later update, the guest confirmed that they only lost access for one day – not three like their fellow passenger – but still wanted to know if this practice was commonplace.
“We lost access at 6pm last night, and it’s going to be out of bounds until 6pm tonight… I’m not upset about it, just curious what the status quo was. I was a bit worried that it would be for longer since my neighbour lost hers for 3 days this sail, but guest services said I’d have access again this evening,”reads the update.
In the comments section, the majority confirmed that they had similar experiences where they too lost balcony access – but that it usually only lasted for a couple hours and was while the ship was in port, when guests would most likely be off the ship anyway.
That said, there could be situations – or even emergencies – where the crew needs to conduct maintenance that can’t wait for a port call or turnaround day.
But no matter the reason, losing balcony access – and/or not seeing the expected view from one’s balcony – can be a hot button topic with cruisers.
Last year, for example, one cruiser made headlines for complaining that the safety railing on their balcony obstructed their view onboard Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas.
Even more recently, a Norwegian Cruise Line guest sparked debate – and even got compensation – after her view was blocked by maintenance equipmentwhile sailing through a narrow portion of the Panama Canal.
Why Balcony Access Isn’t a Given
There are many reasons for why crew members might need to temporarily forbid balcony use – but in this case, the cruiser confirmed that it was due to painting in their original question and in the comments section.
“I wasn’t expecting to lose access for my balcony for a full 24 hours, and the woman a few cabins down lost hers for 3 days because of grinding and painting,”they wrote to another cruise fan.
Some might wonder why the cruise line couldn’t just wait for the next visit to dry dock to paint, but most ships actually need to be painted much more often to prevent rust and corrosion and maintain the ship’s desired appearance.
Cruise Ship Balconies (Photo Credit: Dy.studio)
Completing the work at sea allows the cruise line to maintain the ship with less delays and often lower costs.
More commonly, cruise guests may receive similar notices to close their blinds and stay off their balconies so that the crew members can wash the windows – which keeps the ship clean, ensures guests get to keep their clear view, and prevents salt damage.
Although, sometimes guests don’t get the memo in time either – leading to some awkward situations.
One woman shared her family’s embarrassing story:“Did you know that they don’t even need to go into your room to go on the balconies? My husband found out after he took a shower midday and went into our bedroom to get dressed and loans behold there was our daily room cleaner outside on the balcony washing the windows!”
This is why most brands, such as Carnival Cruise Line, now notify guests of the cleanings in advance using an environmentally friendly door hanger system– which was implemented in summer of 2024.
Windows typically need to be washed at least once during every sailing – with some cruise lines undertaking the task more often. This often needs to take place mid-voyage due to the frequency this chore is required and simply not having enough time on turnaround days.
Cruises can be fun, relaxing, stressful, and sometimes even crazy! But hey, what is life without a bit of chaos?
One passenger took to Reddit seeking out the craziest stories and experiences fellow cruisers have witnessed, and let’s just say the responses did not disappoint.
The original poster shared their own first, detailing a very serious fight between a couple that was not stopped by other guests or crew in one of the ship’s elevators.
Stories about intoxicated guests flooded the comments of this post, becoming a common theme among the truly crazy experiences.
“Some drunk went crazy on a Disney Cruise. Security chased him around the ship till they took him down by spraying him with a fire hose on the pool deck,”said the comment, sharing the innovative way the crew de-escalated the intoxicated passenger.
This guest was removed from the Disney Cruise Line ship at the next port, which is the reality for those who fail to follow the cruise line’s policies.
“We watched a very drunk woman take her bra off and climb the flag pole on the back of the ship to attach her bra to the end,”another person replied.
This commenter added that this passenger was later removed from the former SS Norway, but her bra remained on the back of the ship for the rest of the voyage. That is one flag you do not see often!
Another passenger shared that while cruising around the Pacific Ocean, there was a woman who went to guest services and requested a cab while the ship was at sea.
While the crew always tries their best to fulfill guests’ requests, this was one that could not be fufilled for obvious reasons.
While many of the other replies continued to share about unruly passengers, one commenter replied with a truly unique story when a kid got to live out every chocolate lover’s dream.
“This was back when I was a kid in the early 90s,” the cruiser commented, adding, “I watched a kid give ALL the way in to his intrusive thoughts and go completely ham on the chocolate fountain.”
The story does not end there, as the four-year-old covered fully in chocolate proceeded to get it all over the tables, walls, floors, and even on the waiters trying to stop him.
After a few tables were left overturned and an ice sculpture took a fatal fall, the toddler was finally stopped — until moments later, he wriggled loose and went right back for more chocolate.
Photo Credit: Solarisys / Shutterstock
Who could blame him for wanting another turn at the dessert station?
As fun as it sounds, there are rules set in place by all cruise lines that help to maintain the safety and well-being of passengers, and sadly a dip in the chocolate fountain is frowned upon.
While things such as chocolate fountains have largely been phased out by cruise lines, drink packages continue to be extremely popular despite some passengers using them unwisely.
Passengers Continue to Cause Chaos
If it was not clear by how every story above mentioned intoxicated passengers’ poor behavior ended with them being removed from the ship, cruise lines have and still do take these situations seriously.
In May of 2024, a passenger on Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas simply got up from his lounger to use the restroom when another guest who was intoxicated came and sat in his spot while his belongings were still there.
Eventually, after a bit of a struggle, this individual was removed by security. This story was shared on Reddit, and one commenter shared how they witnessed another inebriated passenger urinate on their lounge chair to avoid losing their spot.
While all cruise lines have some sort of regulations in place to try to prevent passengers from being over served, many have drink packagesthat can be used 15 times a day.
Of course, these can be used for things such as soda or coffee, but do not be fooled — it is not a challenge.
Instead, try to be a little bit more like the chocolate fountain kiddo and seek out fun new experiences while onboard, just maybe avoid covering yourself in the dessert if possible!
Anyone who’s ever been on a Carnival cruise knows that staterooms can be tiny, and the bathrooms even tinier. But what about one critical accessory inside those bathrooms – are the towels large enough?
One guest doesn’t think so, and has reached out to Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald, with their bigger-than-the-towels frustrations.
Their complaints aren’t just about size, however, but also about quality. Are the towels in Carnival staterooms truly so terrible? For this guest, they claim the towels are the only thing they hated about their cruise ship cabin.
“They are by far worse than even the towels used in any cheap motel,”the guest claimed.“I thought Carnival had accidentally stocked us with the bath mat towels for soaking up the water at the base of the shower.”
The “bath mat towels” are typically rolled on the floor next to the shower or stocked on the shelf below the sink in the bathroom. They are a sturdier material, often scratchier and not as fluffy as a typical bath towel, and they are much smaller in overall size – similar to the size of a welcome mat.
“You would think that after getting washed every day, they would soften up a bit. But no, these towels are so stiff and rough that they stand up on their own,”the guest complained.
The only Carnival cruise towels I’ve ever seen stand up on their own are carefully rolled, twisted, and folded into the famous towel animals. My favorite is the dinosaur, but the elephant, dog, monkey, rabbit, and others are also classic towel friends.
Of course, some guests have had exceptionally talented cabin stewards who craft full-size human figures, often laying on the couch, the bed, or positioned strategically in that extra-small bathroom. I’ve never seen one standing, however.
The guest goes on to note that the size of the towels is also inadequate for their specific needs.
“They are also not large enough for big people,”the guest explained.“I am a proud 400-pound man. You will relate to this, John. The towels Carnival gives us are not big enough for big people. Cutbacks to towels are being noticed. Do better, Carnival!”
While Heald reserves his comments on the guest’s size – and their comments on his own appearance – for a joke, he does suggest that anyone who isn’t happy with their stateroom towels can ask for replacements.
Carnival Cruise Line Towels (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen this kind of comment before,”Heald noted.“If you get a brand new towel it doesn’t maybe dry as well as one that’s been used before, but if you don’t like it, speak to your cabin steward, your cabin attendant, and he or she will take care of it immediately and give you different towels.”
Asking one’s cabin attendant or stopping by the Guest Services desk is a fast and easy way to correct many minor (and not so minor) concerns to get back to the cruising fun as soon as possible.
An Easy Towel Fix
Other guests quickly weighed in (pun definitely intended) on the poster’s towel-sized problems. The most common – and reasonable – solution is to simply use the pool towels, which are significantly larger than the bathroom towels.
These towels are free to use, and the stateroom steward will happily replace used ones every day, the same as with the bathroom towels.
Guests can also simply ask for extra towels, which is a common solution for individuals who might prefer to shower multiple times a day or who need extra towels for long hair, for example.
Of course, guests can also choose to pack along their own towels to use onboard. Some travelers choose to do this if they are especially sensitive to detergents, for example.
Other guests had even more creative solutions. My favorite?
“After the wife and I shower (not together of course) we like to stand naked at the front most point of the ship and air dry,”one guest suggested.“Similar to a scene from the Titanic.”
