A new star is getting ready to shine bright in Finland as Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas has begun its liquified natural gas (LNG) fueling process – a final step before her sea trials.
On Thursday, April 10, 2025, the LNG bunkering vessel, Coralius, arrived from Norway and was positioned alongside the under-construction, 250,800-gross-ton Star of the Seas.
Once in place, shipyard workers began transferring fuel, a process that takes roughly 12 hours, with the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland sharing images of Coralius’ arrival.
“Liquefied natural gas, LNG, is a fuel that has been cooled into liquid form and produces fewer emissions than traditional marine fuels,” said the shipbuilder.
The second Icon class ship, constructed at Meyer Turku shipyard follows its sister Icon of the Seas, which debuted in January 2024, in utilizing the eco-friendly LNG fueling system.
“The Icon Class ships run on LNG, and thanks to other environmentally efficient solutions such as shore power connections and advanced waste recycling, they are the most environmentally efficient vessels in the Royal Caribbean fleet,” Meyer Turku added.
Next up for Star of the Seas? Sea trials, which are a series of tests marking a ship’s final phases.
During sea trials, which could last up to a week, the new vessel will sail in open waters for the first time to test its operating systems, including its engine, propulsion, steering, navigation, fuel system, and power.
Star of the Seas, which will have the capacity to accommodate 5,610 guests, is moving quickly through her construction phases, which began with her steel cutting in February 2023, moved onto her keel laying in December 2023, and saw her float out in October 2024.
Originally scheduled to begin sailing on August 31, 2025, from Port Canaveral, Florida, perhaps Meyer Turku’s earlier work on Icon of the Seas has made it easier to work faster on Star of the Seas.
The vessel is now offering three preview sailings on August 20, 23, and 27, indicating Royal Caribbean is expecting successful sea trials and an early handoff from the shipbuilder.
That doesn’t mean Meyer Turku will get any rest. It’s also working on a third Icon class ship for the cruise line, scheduled to arrive in 2026.
Paws, Perks, and Ports
Nearly identical in size and design as Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas will debut with some enhancements, beginning with the cruise line’s second Chief Dog Officer, a golden retriever named Sailor.
This new tradition of having an onboard resident dog began with Rover on Icon of the Seas and has captivated cruise lovers, who have been following Sailor’s growth on social media since she was born on Valentine’s Day 2025.
Additionally, the vessel is expected to feature more dining venues than the already expansive selection of 40-plus restaurants, lounges, snack spots, and casual eateries on Icon of the Seas.
Star of the Seas LNG fueling (Photo Credit: Mediascope Productions)
Also different will be the expansion of programming for kids. Where Icon of the Seas’ Surfside caters to kids ages 0 to 6, Star of the Seas will extend its reach to kids up to age of 10.
Star of the Seas’ first cruises will be a 3- and 4-night showcase sailing to Royal Caribbean’s private Bahamas destination, Perfect Day in CocoCay.
Her first “official” journey will be a 7-night roundtrip Western Caribbean itinerary to Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico, and Roatan, Honduras.
The vessel will continue to operate alternating 7-night sailings from Port Canaveral to Eastern and Western locales, with Eastern Caribbean calls taking place in the US Virgin Islands, St. Maarten, Puerto Rico.
A Virgin Voyages guest charged with assaulting another passenger not only must contend with the legal ramifications of the alleged act but also with his new-found unemployment.
Kenneth DeGiorgio, formerly the chief executive officer of First American Financial Corporation, has departed the company, an April 15, 2025 statement from the California-based firm says.
While vacationing aboard Resilient Lady as she sailed off Martinique on March 31, 2025, DeGiorgio allegedly assaulted another guest, choking him after the guest made a rude gesture to the suspect’s wife, Nichol DeGiorgio.
The incident happened in the ship’s On the Rocks bar and was filmed by security cameras in the venue.
According to FBI statements, the victim of the assault, identified only as M.A., raised his middle finger and spewed vulgarities to Nichol DeGiorgio after she asked him to put his shoes back on — apparently M.A. was dancing barefoot.
Her husband then approached M.A. and attempted to choke him, the statement from FBI Special Agent William P. Waters says.
Security was called and Kenneth DeGiorgio was taken to his stateroom and confined there until the cruise concluded on April 1, 2025. He was arrested upon debarking the ship in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The 53-year-old suspect was charged with assault within the Maritime and Territorial Jurisdiction of the United States. The misdemeanor charge could carry up to one year in jail if DeGiorgio is convicted.
In announcing the news, the financial services firm made no reference to a reason for the departure but stated: “We want to thank Ken DeGiorgio for his many years of service to First American.”
The 2,700-guest Resilient Lady had sailed from San Juan on March 22, 2025, operating a 10-night “Puerto Rican Daze & Caribbean Nights” cruise. No other guests were involved in the incident.
The ship has since repositioned to the Eastern Mediterranean and is sailing seasonal cruises roundtrip from Athens.
When Tempers Flare, Cruise Guests Face Ramifications
Assault charges stemming from confrontations on cruise ships happen from time to time but are considered uncommon, considering that 31 million people took a cruise vacation in 2024, according to Cruise Lines International Association.
One recent incident unfolded on MSC Cruises’ MSC Seascape in October 2024, when a female guest and her son got into an argument with an elderly guest in the ship’s theater. According to reports, the woman and her son were seen, and apparently filmed, striking the guest.
Virgin Voyages and CEO (Photo Credits: Kevin Shipp & First American Financial)
However, she was ultimately charged with battery on a person 65 or older upon MSC Seascape’s return to PortMiami on October 12, 2024.
Sometimes, altercations aboard cruise ships involve multiple people, and if the incident is violent, the guests involved can be banned from sailing with the cruise line in the future. That was the case aboard Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Paradise in June 2024.
A brawl, captured on video and posted on social media, erupted in the ship’s buffet line late in the evening of June 6, 2024. The ship, which was based in Tampa, Florida, was sailing a 5-night Western Caribbean cruise.
The fight involved around a dozen guests, who fought each other, threw chairs, and broke dishes. Security officials onboard the 2,100-guest ship broke up the fight and all those involved were banned from any future travel with the cruise line.
Unexpected circumstances can quickly sink a cruise vacation, and it might seem like reaching out to the cruise line can be helpful. They care about their loyal guests, don’t they? They want everyone to have the best time?
That may be true, but cruise lines are also businesses. They cannot simply offer special exceptions to booked guests who might fall on hard times, a lesson Carnival Cruise Line’s official Brand Ambassador, John Heald, is trying to impress on his fans.
Heald responds to hundreds of comments, requests, and questions nearly every day, sharing extensive information with his more than 600,000 Facebook followers.
Though he is an official representative of Carnival Cruise Line, Heald does not himself make policy changes. He does, however, have the ear of “the beards” and is often able to pass along issues to the proper department or assist with simple requests.
Dining room seating assignments, spreading ashes at sea, or celebrating something special onboard are typical requests he receives.
Unfortunately, Heald also receives more heartbreaking requests that he simply cannot help with, but he is urging travelers to take their own steps to secure proper assistance.
“I know everybody has a budget, I understand that and I respect that, but hear me out,”he began.“One of the saddest, most gut-wrenching parts of my job is when people write to me that they’ve been ill, they’ve lost a loved one, or been involved in some sort of an emergency situation at home and they’ve had to cancel their cruise.”
Heald gets these sorts of notes nearly every day, which could involve an illness or surgery, a lost job, a sudden death, a car accident, a natural disaster, or any other devastating circumstance.
“They ask me, they beg me to help them reclaim their money, because, well, they didn’t take insurance,”he said.“Responding to you when you write that to me is so hard.”
Heald notes that guests are often angry and resort to personal attacks when they write to him about the possibility of refunds, often after being refused by customer service. He understands, however, that the guests are emotional and sad and understandably upset.
“Nevertheless, it really does tug at the heartstrings,”he said.“I hope I’m not out of place to say to everyone, please, if you can purchase travel insurance, please do so. You of course, like most people, it’s human to say it will never happen to me – until it does.”
The Travel Insurance Dilemma
Adding insurance to a cruise purchase can be up to several hundred dollars, depending on the cruise line, length of cruise, overall fare, itinerary, departure date, and other factors.
This can be a hefty additional cost to guests with tighter budgets. For travelers who have very low risk for health conditions, who have stable jobs, and who aren’t expecting any difficulties, insurance can seem like an unnecessary expense.
But as Heald noted, you don’t think any such things will happen to you – until they do.
Carnival Venezia in New York (Photo Credit: Just dance)
This happened to me, in fact. Excited about Carnival Venezia coming to Port Canaveral for the very first time, my husband and I eagerly booked her first departure (December 18, 2024) when the reservations opened in May 2023.
Fast forward to July 2024 – 14 months after we booked the cruise – and I was diagnosed with lung cancer at the age of 47.
As a non-smoker who grew up in a non-smoking household and has never worked around toxic fumes or chemicals, the diagnosis was, to say the least, a bitter shock.
Through my treatment plan, I would be at the worst point of chemotherapy just days before our departure on Carnival Venezia. Regrettably, we made the decision that we had to cancel the cruise – without travel insurance.
Fortunately, we were able to cancel just days before our final payment due date. Because of that timing, we only lost our deposit, but we did lose every penny of it, despite rebooking Carnival Venezia for a 2025 sailing.
Was that financial hit yet another blow at an already difficult time? Absolutely. Should Carnival Cruise Line have granted us an exception and fully refunded our deposit even though we chose not to have travel insurance? Absolutely not.
Every cruiser has to decide whether or not to purchase travel insurance based on their own personal circumstances, including their individual financial situation if they need to cancel their vacation.
Any cruise line – Carnival or otherwise – should not be expected to make exceptions for unexpected hardships. Cancellation and refund policies and penalties are clearly posted (Section 7 of Carnival’s Cruise Ticket Contract) and all guests agree to them when they book their vacation.
Is it frustrating when vacation plans change? Of course. But, dealing with that frustration is the guest’s responsibility, not the cruise line’s. Purchasing travel insurance can make a challenging situation just a little less frustrating in the future.
So exactly how does the ill-fated Titanic, with its unparalleled levels of indulgence, measure up against today’s average cruise ship? Let’s take a look at the quick numbers.
As the most luxurious ship of its time, the Titanic was…
48,328 gross tons
882 feet, 9 inches long
92 feet in width
With 9 passenger decks
And a passenger capacity of 2,435, with a crew of 892
Icon of the Seas vs Titanic
Now, let’s compare that to the current largest class of cruise ships in the world, Royal Caribbean’s Icon class, which includes Star of the Seas and Legend of the Seas. Icon of the Seas measures in at…
248,663 gross tons
1,196 feet long
159 feet in width
With 20 total decks
And a passenger capacity of 5,160 guests at double occupancy, with a crew of 2,350 people
Today, the Titanic would be considered a mid-size ship by passenger capacity, hardly holding a candle to the many massive vessels sailing the high seas in the modern era.
Still, it took ocean travel to new heights when it was built, exceeding all other ships that had come before it and making significant strides in the travel industry.
Titanic Compared to Cruise Ships
Similar size comparisons can be made with other larger ships from all the major cruise lines, including NCL’s brand-new Norwegian Aqua, Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Jubilee and MSC Cruises’ MSC World America.
Cruise Ship
Gross Tonnage
Length
Passenger Capacity
Titanic
48,328
882 feet, 9 inches
2,435
Norwegian Aqua
156,300
1,056 feet
3,571
Icon of the Seas
248,663
1,196 feet
5,160
Carnival Jubilee
183,521
1,130 feet
5,362
MSC World America
216,638
1,092 feet
6,762
Compared to today’s state-of-the-art cruise ships, the Titanic just can’t stand up. It even cost a tiny amount to build compared to today’s cruise ships.
In today’s money, the Titanic would cost approximately $400 million to build. Meanwhile, Icon of the Seas cost Royal Caribbean a whopping $2 billion.
Differences Between Cabins on the Titanic vs. a Current Cruise Ship
There are many differences between cabins and their facilities on the Titanic vs. modern cruise ships.
While the Titanic split its diverse range of travelers into first, second and third classes, today’s bigger ships would never do something so possibly offensive. Instead, they offer upgrades upon upgrades, and those who pay for those pricey upgrades get the best treatment.
Think of the VIP cabins and private pools and restaurants that are available to Norwegian Cruise Line’s The Haven passengers, for example; it’s just like their very own first class, just by a different name. (So maybe things aren’t so different after all!)
Additionally, while Titanic passengers may’ve been stuck choosing between three classes, modern cruise ships offer a bevy of stateroom and suite options.
For example, I was recently on Norwegian Aquaand this ship features nine stateroom and suite options within The Haven VIP area alone. Then, there are more than six other types of suites, penthouses and staterooms to choose from throughout the rest of the ship.
Some rooms on Norwegian Aqua can accommodate as many as eight passengers, but those eight passengers are spread across a generous 2,100 square feet, in the largest suite on the ship. (A far cry from the 10 passengers stuffed into the Titanic’s small third-class cabins!)
Another big difference between the Titanic and modern cruise ships? While every single cabin on today’s cruise ships comes with its own private bathroom (even if it is a slightly cramped one), that wasn’t the case on the Titanic.
Club Balcony Suite (Photo Credit: Emrys Thakkar)
Instead, many first-class passengers, despite their luxury, were forced to share communal restrooms.
Additionally, due to a lack of fresh water, baths were taken in sea water and, for similar reasons, there was no laundry service, even for the sheets (though first-class passengers had their linens changed daily).
One thing, though, that the Titanic offered that today’s cruise ships do not? Cabins that included separate servants’ quarters. So posh!
Similarities Between Cabins on the Titanic vs. Modern Cruise Ships
Still, there are some similarities between cabins on the Titanic and cabins on today’s passenger ships.
Much like many of today’s best cruise ships aim to model their cabins after high-end hotels, with modern and luxurious furnishings, right down to the interior cabins (just take a look at some of Royal Caribbean’s newest ships), so did the Titanic.
In fact, the Titanic’s designers looked to the Ritz Hotel in London as inspiration for their decor.
As such, the Titanic’s opulent interiors were decked out with elegant European-style decor, with sweeping staircases (yes, including the one from the movie), ornate woodwork and luxurious furnishings.
Also, just like today’s cruise ships, the Titanic offered connecting cabins for groups and families.
First-Class Staterooms on the Titanic
Your onboard experience on the Titanic would differ heavily depending on your class.
In total, the Titanic featured around 350 first class cabins, of which a small portion could be used as second-class staterooms if needed.
These most luxurious and most spacious staterooms were decorated in nearly a dozen different styles, from Georgian to Jacobean to Italian Renaissance, with a fine attention to unparalleled luxury and detail in recreating every historic aspect of the various decor styles.
First Class Titanic Stateroom (Photo Credit: Robert Welch)
Depending on where a passenger’s stateroom was located on the ship, that luxury extended out into the halls, via cut-glass ceiling fixtures, gilt details, lavish amenities and more. Everything was thought of to provide guests with the utmost in relaxation and high taste.
That said, for all their comfort, you’re not going to find common modern features in these first-class cabins from the early 1900s. Forget the hot tub or private balconies.
Second-Class Staterooms on the Titanic
The ship’s second-class accommodations boasted room for over 500 second-class passengers — perhaps that’s because the Titanic crammed its second-class passengers into every nook and cranny it could?
RMS Titanic (Photo Credit: D. Ribeiro / Shutterstock)
Second-class passengers slept in bunk beds, in cabins that came with either two or four bunk beds apiece.
Despite the cramped quarters, those second class rooms still had their linens changed daily, and there was a sink in each cabin, even if the restrooms were communal.
Third-Class Staterooms on the Titanic
But no one had it as bad as those in third class (though, compared to other trans-Atlantic liners at the time, the situation could have been worse). The Titanic’s third-class passengers numbered about a thousand individuals.
Cabins were outfitted for 10 passengers each and were located near the engines. And for all of those passengers, there were only two bathrooms.
Third-class passengers were fed a basic diet, nothing fancy, but the food was free and there were leisure spaces for the guests to socialize.
What was Entertainment Like on the Titanic?
Today’s modern cruise ships are basically floating resorts, playgrounds filled with tons to do and see.
For example, Icon of the Seasis particularly notable for its diverse array of entertainment options and amenities, with its seven pools, six waterslides, more than 40 restaurants and bars, AquaTheater, casino, surfing simulators, laser tag, miniature golf, rock climbing walls, theater with Broadway-style shows, comedy clubs, fitness centers and more.
The Pool and Sports Zone
While you wouldn’t find any casinos, surfing simulators or rock-climbing walls on the Titanic, you would find lots of entertainment venues suitable to the day.
There were wellness facilities that featured the workout gear that you would expect at the time, as well as a few pieces that would be recognizable to cruisers in gyms today (like stationary bikes, though you likely wouldn’t recognize the electric horses and camels).
Titanic’s Turkish Baths
Instead of traditional spa services and spa treatments, there was a Turkish bath, steam rooms, saunas and massages room for guests’ well-being needs. There was only one pool, compared to the many, many water attractions you’ll find on today’s cruise ships.
Other entertainment-geared spaces included a squash court, smoking room, lounge, reading and writing room and promenade.
You would not, however, unlike on today’s cruise ships, find huge theaters or live music performances by cover bands. Despite this, there was enough to keep high-class passengers’ boredom at bay.
What Was Dining Like on the Titanic?
For the longest time, cruise industry food didn’t receive a great reputation, but thanks to a few modern cruise lines’ efforts and some world-class chefs, that’s all changed.
Certain cruise lines have gained a great reputation for their culinary offerings and delicious meals. Royal Caribbean’s first Oasis class ship, Oasis of the Seas, gives guests more than 20 spots to dine and drink, ranging from casual eateries to gourmet restaurants to specialty cuisine venues.
Dining on Oasis of the Seas (Photo Credit: Solarisys)
Now, cruise lines offer not just extravagant dining experiences, but also cooking classes and themed parties in their restaurants, and they can cater to your dietary restrictions with ease.
The variety of dining options were more limited aboard the Titanic, though. The ship boasted four restaurants: A la Carte Restaurant, the Dining Saloon, the Verandah Cafe and the Cafe Parisien.
A la Carte Restaurant was open to first-class passengers only and was one of the earliest examples of for-a-fee dining on a cruise ship. An alternative to the main dining room, it was smaller and served the most fashionable of French decor.
First Class Dining Room (Photo Credit: Francis Browne)
Passengers could show up and dine whenever they liked, no set dining reservations required (again, much like for-a-fee dining on today’s cruise ships).
A passenger would later describe the food as “superb” and including “caviar, lobster, quail from Egypt, plovers’ eggs, and hothouse grapes and fresh peaches.”
The grand dining saloons, on the other hand, were basically the ship’s equivalent of today’s main dining room. Passengers were assigned seating for the length of the voyage and had to show up at specific times in order to eat.
Titanic’s Café Parisien (Photo Credit: Robert Welch)
Both the Verandah Cafe and the Cafe Parisian were located off the promenade, and offered a more intimate, casual dining experience than could be found with the other two selections. Sadly, 24-hour room service was not an option.
What Were Safety Precautions Like on the Titanic?
Given the tragic sinking of the Titanic, this question doesn’t really need to be asked, as this ship wasn’t exactly known for its stringent safety regulations or rigorous safety drills.
However, for comparison’s sake, let’s look at how the Titanic stacks up against modern cruise ships in terms of safety features.
Titanic Lifeboat
The Titanic was only equipped with 20 life rafts, or enough for 1,178 people. The ship was also outfitted with approximately 3,500 life jackets and 48 life rings.
However, those were of little use for a great number of passengers, given the temperature of the water and the quick onset of hypothermia.
In comparison, the gigantic cruise ship Icon of the Seas is outfitted with 17 lifeboats that can fit 450 passengers each, for a total of 7,650 passengers in lifeboats.
Royal Caribbean’s icon of the Seas (Photo Credit: Jouni Niskakoski)
Additionally, the ship features a Marine Evacuation System, which basically deploys more inflatable rafts during an emergency.
These inflatable rafts would be used by crew members in the event of an emergency, with lifeboats reserved for passengers, as the rafts can be difficult to navigate.
How Will the Titanic II Stand Up to the Competition?
In 2012, Blue Star Line, based out of Australia, launched a Titanic II project, hoping to replicate the fateful ship.
Still, though, even with all the modern advancements of cruising, the Titanic II won’t quite be able to stand up to today’s biggest and best cruise ships — that is, if it’s even completed at all.
The ship was initially planned to be finished in 2016, but things were delayed, then Covid-19 happened, causing further delays.
Titanic II
As of 2024, though, the project was underway again, with newly unveiled information revealing that the ship would provide as much of an authentic experience as possible — right down to the first, second and third classes.
Passengers will be encouraged to dress for the time period, and the dining will be period appropriate as well (so you might want to think twice about booking that third-class experience).
The planned ship is expected to be 833 feet long, with nine decks and 835 cabins capable of holding just over 2,300 passengers. The current hope is for it to set sail in 2027.
A Modern Cruise Ship with Titanic-Esque Vibes
But what if you want to take a cruise on a modern, contemporary cruise ship, but you don’t really like the sound of an exact Titanic replica?
Consider a voyage on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2. An ocean liner, just like the Titanic, designed for transatlantic journeys, the ship similarly set a new standard when it debuted as the longest, tallest, widest, priciest, biggest passenger liner thus built.
Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 in Southampton (Photo Credit: Skyshark Media)
The ship is definitely not the title holder of these records anymore, but is still the largest ocean liner ever built — a key distinction, as ocean liners are built with rougher ocean crossings in mind, compared to standard cruise ships.
Transatlantic voyages on ocean liners also offer fewer shore excursions in exotic destinations (or even no shore excursions!) than cruise ships traveling around the Caribbean or Mediterranean, with passengers spending their time enjoying onboard activities.
Of course, the Queen Mary 2 is still quite a bit larger than the Titanic, at 149,215 GT, but the ship is somewhat similar in length and passenger capacity, at 1,132 feet long and holding 2,695 people.
The ship also offers an elegant, somewhat old-fashioned vibe, with fewer flashy amenities and less overall features as compared to a resort-style cruise ship like the ones discussed above.
The Queen Mary 2 even follows a similar route to the Titanic, traveling between Southampton and New York City, making for a memorable vacation experience.
Nobody likes to be left behind when their loved one goes on a cruise without them – but calling in a bomb threat is not the correct response. Michigan local Joshua Lowe, however, is now paying for his crimes after doing just that.
Lowe appeared in federal court in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on Monday, April 14, 2025, where he was sentenced to eight months in prison.
“We take every threat of mass violence seriously,”US Attorney Mark Totten said on the matter.
“Hoaxes can endanger lives, incur needless costs, and divert public safety resources needed to address real threats. My office has zero tolerance for wrongdoers who intentionally convey false and misleading information that prompts a law enforcement response,” continued Totten.
Lowe’s false information, which was sent via an email that was later traced back to him, led the 1,108 crew members onboard to enact emergency protocoland needlessly search over 1,000 staterooms when the incident first unfolded in January 2024. For context, the ship only has 1,492 cabins.
The US Coast Guard and Jamaica Marine Police were also called in to escort the Sunshine-class vessel and assist in the investigation.
After all that chaos and panic, some may feel that Lowe got off easy with only eight months in prison.
In fact, Section 35 of Title 18 of the US Department of Justice’s Criminal Resource Manual calls for punishments of up to five years in jail, paying up to $5,000 in restitution, or both.
In a similar incident in 2010, when Linda Gayle Wilson of Florida made fake bomb threats and claimed a female terrorist was onboard the now-retired Carnival Fascination, the punishment was a full year in federal prison.
All that said, Lowe did express remorse for his actions. In a letter to US District Judge Paul Maloney, Lowe wrote “this is all my fault and take full responsibility.”
If You See Something, Say Something
The prevailing rule of thumb is that if you see something suspicious, it is better to be safe than sorry and to speak up if you have any doubts. If you are making a report with good intentions, you won’t find yourself in trouble.
Authorities would rather investigate and find that nothing was actually wrong rather than wait for a disaster to occur – assuming the threat wasn’t the product of a lie or hoax in the first place.
“Anyone making a bomb threat should expect to be taken at his word. Fortunately, this particular hoax did not result in physical injury,”Assistant US Attorney Nils Kessler said in court documents.
Photo Credit: Eric Glenn / Shutterstock
While uncommon, threats of other forms of violence, such as gun use or passengers behaving erratically should also be reported in good faith to security personnel.
And of course, both the cruise ports and cruise lines have specially trained security teams and surveillance in place to monitor for any possible issues and to keep everyone safe.
Quite recently, however, another unfounded bomb threat also threw Florida’s PortMiami into chaos on March 3, 2025. Traffic was disrupted around the Cruise Capital of the World for several hours as a result.
The threat was receivedshortly after 9 a.m. in the morning – although it remains unclear if or which of the five cruise ships in port that day were targeted.
Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas, MSC Cruises’ MSC Divina, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Joy, and Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Sunrise and Carnival Conquest all homeport from Miami and were present to disembark and set sail with new passengers.
Once again, the threat was found to be a hoax. No one has been charged as of this time, but an investigation is underway.
A cruise vacation shouldn’t be a scary experience, but even a simple accident can turn a happy day into a very frightening one.
A young family had such a frightening incident on Monday, April 14, 2025 while visiting Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Two Oasis-class ships were docked on Monday – Oasis of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas – and a guest aboard Oasis of the Seas witnessed a young child fall between Symphony of the Seas and the concrete pier.
Symphony of the Seas departed Miami, Florida on Sunday, April 13, and the visit to CocoCay is the first port of call on the 7-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary. While the time of the incident was not disclosed, the ship was docked from approximately 7 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Witnesses to the incident do clearly note that the child’s mother was nearby, and the child was quickly rescued. A cruiser aboard Oasis of the Seas, Henry Yeany, was one such witness.
“The child was rescued in a matter of a few minutes,”Yeany said.“The mother and child got back onboard the Symphony. Please keep a close eye on your kids.”
There have been no details released of the incident, including whether or not the child was closely attended, their age, or if they sustained any injuries.
Cruise Hive has reached out to Royal Caribbean for comment and further information, but has not yet heard back at the time of publication. This article will be updated if additional details are provided.
Symphony of the Seas departed CocoCay on schedule, and there appears to be no delay to her itinerary.
The ship will spend Tuesday at sea, and will visit St. Thomas and St. Maarten on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. Friday and Saturday are both sea days while the vessel makes her way back to Miami for debarkation on Easter Sunday, April 20.
Many parents have chimed in on social media expressing their fears for just such a situation, though to be clear, these are speculations only.
It should be noted that when a cruise ship is fully docked, there are bumpers that keep the ship’s hull from rubbing against the pier. That gap can certainly be wide enough for a small child – or an adult, for that matter – to fall through.
Some guests have speculated about why a fence-type barrier is not used when a ship is docked. There is usually signage, however, warning guests to keep away from edges, as well as painted warning lines to highlight the edges of the pier.
Royal Caribbean Ship at Perfect Day at CocoCay (Photo Credit: EWY Media)
Fencing may not be practical as there would have to be significant gaps for the ship’s mooring ropes to be secured. Even when firmly docked, cruise ships can move several feet back and forth with tidal action and waves, which could make fencing even less useful.
When I have visited CocoCay, there have been crew members carefully watching along the pier and reprimanding any guests who step into the yellow cautionary space as they are too close to the edge. It is unknown whether any such crew members were on the pier at the time of this incident.
Many other commenters note that young children can be very quick, and even a conscientious parent might lose sight of their child for a moment or two – all the time necessary for such an accident to occur.
Not the First Similar Incident
In fact, a very similar incident happened in October 2023 for guests onboard another Royal Caribbean ship – Enchantment of the Seas.
At the time, the ship was docked in Salerno, Italy as part of a 7-night Greek Isles cruise. An 8-year-old boy slipped from his father’s grasp and accidentally stepped off the dock and fell into the water next to the cruise ship. His father jumped in and both guests were quickly rescued without any injuries.
Undoubtedly, there will be a full investigation into this most recent incident to ensure all safety protocols were properly followed.
Furthermore, Royal Caribbean may review those protocols as well as signage and warnings at CocoCay to minimize any risk of future incidents.
Cruise Hive’s thoughts are with the young cruiser and his family, hoping these scary moments are quickly forgotten and replaced with happy cruise vacation memories.
The night before a cruise should be one filled with excitement, but for passengers set to embark on a Mediterranean voyage with MSC Cruises, it became an evening of dread and a scramble to rearrange travel plans.
The cruise line’s 58,625-gross-ton MSC Sinfonia was scheduled to depart on a 7-night journey from Bari in Southern Italy’s Puglia region on the Adriatic Sea on Saturday, April 12, 2025.
Instead of departing on an itinerary that would sail guests to Piraeus (Athens) and Corfu, Greece, and Izmir and Istanbul, Turkey, technical issues forced the cruise line to scrap the voyage.
Alerted by text message, passengers discovered their cruise was cancelled just before 7 p.m. local time on Friday, April 11.
“IMPORTANT: MSC Sinfonia’s cruise from Bari tomorrow has been cancelled due to technical issues,”the text message began.
“Our team will reach out shortly to assist with accommodation if needed,”it continued before adding, “We apologize for the inconvenience.”
Meanwhile, guests already onboard the challenged ship during a roundtrip 7-night segment sailing from Istanbul, were visiting Corfu for a 6-hour call as passengers in Bari were getting the notification.
“I’m on the cruise now and we’re not disembarking until Athens on Monday [April 14],” shared one passenger. “We haven’t heard anything.”
Reports followed that MSC Sinfonia experienced a malfunction that was reducing the vessel’s speed, requiring the vessel to travel at a limited speed with an escort from the Italian Coast Guard to Bari, where it is currently docked.
The trouble forced the ship to miss its Athens call, as well as its April 15 and April 16 calls in Turkey, where new passengers were also set to embark on new segments of the voyage.
It’s likely more guests were stranded in those cities waiting for the vessel, and that others onboard were forced to find an alternative way home.
Passengers on the Bari segment were told they would be receiving a 100 percent refund of the cruise fare, as well as a future cruise credit for 100 percent of the fare paid to compensate for the last-minute inconvenience.
There is a good chance others were offered the same compensation while engineers work to repair the issue while the 2,163-guest MSC Sinfonia is stuck in port.
Ship Speed Affected
The news came as the cruise line was celebrating its newest entry to the fleet, the MSC World America, which was celebrating its christening in Miami and taking guests on a preview cruise.
But it’s not the first time an MSC Cruises vessel dealt with technical issues. The much-larger 171,598-gross-ton MSC Bellissima experienced engine failure in December 2024 while in Japan, forcing it to cancel several sailings.
Typically, when a ship has to travel at reduced speeds, it is often a propulsion issue.
MSC Sinfonia (Photo Credit: Roger Utting)
While engines can generate power, issues in the mechanical system can prevent the power from reaching the propellers so the ship cannot maintain cruising speeds.
The actual problem can be a number of things, from the motors to the shafts to the propellers, which is why engineers in Italy need more time to identify the actual problem.
MSC Cruises says there may not be an answer to the question of when MSC Sinfonia will resume her schedule until April 15.
Once she is up and running again, the vessel will maintain her series of 7-night itineraries from Bari, Istanbul, Izmir, and Athens through the end of the month.
It will then add additional stops like Santorini, Katakolon, and Argostoli, Greece, and also provide several 3-night sailings into summer 2025.
Our world is full of screens of all sizes – tiny screens on smart watches and cell phones, medium screens on computers, and huge screens on other televisions, movie theaters, and yes, cruise ships.
But what should be shown on the huge outdoor poolside screens on a cruise ship? Carnival Cruise Line has gotten some criticism for what it shows at its Carnival Seaside Theaters, but change may be coming.
One guest raised the issue to John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador, noting what is – and isn’t – shown.
“We have been on Carnival several times and this last week we took our grandchildren on Jubilee. I would like to see less Carnival advertising on the big screen. It is on all day long,”the guest explained.“Could we maybe have island scenes and port scenes. Even ocean scenes would be great.”
It is true that the big screens – typically located on the Lido deck near the main pool – show quite a bit of Carnival Cruise Line advertising. This might range from exclusive shows to advertisements for shore tours to highlights from new ships or new port destinations.
Sometimes there are ocean and beach scenes shown, but this has become less common in favor of more advertising, it seems.
Of course, Carnival Cruise Line does offer the Dive-In Movies – top-rated movies great for a fun night under the stars – but those are usually shown in the evening, with only the occasional afternoon matinee.
“Second, I would love to see anything they are doing special at poolside put up on screen,”the guest commented.“It was very hard to see for all the people crowded around.”
Being a bit shorter myself, I can certainly attest that when there are Lido Deck events – ice carving, games, pool competitions, etc. – it can be hard to see unless you’re at the front of the crowd.
Carnival Cruise Ship Open Deck (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)
Showing a live camera view on the big screen during the even would be very helpful. Sometimes this is arranged, but not always.
Heald is in firm agreement with the guest that more events should be broadcast via the Seaside Theater, and is going to take steps to see if this might be possible.
“I absolutely agree. I think we need to do more and I think we can, so please leave this with me,”he said.“For the fleet, not just this ship, I will share it with my colleagues.”
Heald often shares ideas and requests with “the beards” for consideration. While this is certainly no guarantee that there might be changes, it does show that Carnival Cruise Line is open to suggestions and delivering what guests want.
Not All TV Changes Are Possible
It should be noted, however, that the cruise line cannot do everything, screen-wise, that guests may want.
Many times, guests have asked for specific sporting events – tournaments, certain teams, special events, etc. – to be broadcast, but that isn’t always an option.
Carnival Cruise Line has broadcast contracts with certain channels and companies, and can only offer showings in accordance with those contracts.
Cruise Passengers On Ship During Port Day (Photo Credit: Emrys Thakkar)
Some big events, such as the Super Bowl, are often broadcast onboard, but it does depend on which channels have the exact rights each year.
The cruise line will not, however, broadcast any televised events that might be considered too polarizing and controversial, as these could result in unpleasant situations onboard. This was the case with the recent presidential election, and is typically the same for any similar political events.
Guests can, however, tune in to such events on their stateroom televisions (even if the screens aren’t as large!) and can catch the news, different sports broadcasts, and more on a variety of channels.
If a guest’s preferred channels aren’t available, the Premium Wi-Fi Plan supports higher internet speeds that permit streaming movies and apps such as Netflix and Hulu, so guests can see what they wish on their own screens.
On April 14, 2025, Disney Cruise Line announced exciting new details about its latest ship.
Disney Destiny, which is themed around heroes and villains, is set to depart on its maiden voyage on November 20, 2025.
The cruise line has just shared a new concept design of the ship’s Great Hall which is inspired by Marvel Studios’ Black Panther.
During the day, this part of the ship will be filled with positivity brought by heroes, but that can change at any moment!
With 360-degree lighting effects available, the Grand Hall will be a continuously changing space as it reacts to the presence of certain characters, providing a magical experience for guests.
Passengers can expect to see some of the most legendary villains from both Disney and Marvel lore, including Loki, the god of mischief.
When he enters the Grand Hall, it will trigger a visual transformation, taking the room from a bright and sunny area to one that is surrounded by Loki’s signature green aura.
While Loki may be intent on clearing his name with the mortals of Midgard, he may also attempt to claim himself as ruler of the vessel and its occupants.
Of course, he is just one of the villains that may show up in this area seeking out new subjects. Dr. Facilier may also be lurking around the Grand Hall area ready to dazzle passengers with a parlor trick or slide of hand.
If you aren’t interested in joining him for a game of chance, you can also visit Maleficent at Saga Entertainment Lounge to witness her magical powers and experience her evil through close-up demonstrations.
Disney Destiny Cruise Ship
Two brand-new entertainment experiences featuring the fashion icon herself, Cruella de Vil were also announced.
These fashion-centered opportunities allow stylish cruisers to put their personal style to the test on Cruella’s own wretched runway, where she will be providing live commentary.
Be warned though, Cruella promises to be dreadfully honest, so be prepared for her to fawn or faint over your fashion!
As a part of these shows, there will be a time when a terribly inaccurate version of the song plays — audience members may be recruited to sing a more flattering tribute to this in Cruella’s honor.
Other Exciting Features on the Character-Driven Ship
Cruella de Vil does not just have her own show on the 4,000-passenger Disney Destiny — she also has her very own piano bar!
Announced in 2024 during an unveiling event held by Disney Cruise Line, this ship will feature De Vil’s piano lounge, where guests can also interact with a live-action version of the villain.
This lounge will reflect Cruella’s unique style choices, focusing on a white, black, and red color scheme. Of course, the One Hundred and One Dalmatians will also be integrated into this experience but through animations only.
Unlike the fashion show, this piano bar is an adult-exclusive area that will have live music as well as a wide selection of wines, martinis, and cocktails to choose from.
Just across from this is the Cask and Cannon pub, which promises to transport guests right into the Pirates of the Caribbean universe.
This pub will be covered in treasures and will offer several kinds of rums and custom brews to choose from.
Disney Destiny will be the second ship in Disney’s fleet to have the Haunted Mansion Parlor, but this one promises to be more nautical-themed than the one on Disney Treasure.
Beyond just the bars and pubs, there will be additional experiences open to guests such as dance parties themed around Oogie Boogie from The Nightmare Before Christmas and meet-and-greets with villains such as Sleeping Beauty’s Maleficent or Peter Pan’s Captain Hook.
The ship will also feature AquaMouse, the cruise line’s signature water ride that is already available on Disney Wish and Disney Treasure.
Homeporting in Port Everglades, the new vessel will offer 4- and 5-night itineraries to the Caribbean, including some of Disney’s private destinations.
While only six ships are sailing as part of the Disney Cruise Line fleet, both Disney Destiny and Disney Adventure are set to begin sailing by the end of 2025. The 144,000 gross ton Disney Destiny is currently under construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany.
With plans to add five more ships between 2027 and 2031, the cruise line’s fleet will more than double in size offering cruisers more magical experiences at sea than ever!
