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Carnival Expands Exclusive Live Entertainment Offerings

Carnival Cruise News

Lissa Poirot

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Mar 26, 2025

Carnival Expands Exclusive Live Entertainment Offerings

Already known for featuring an array of live entertainment to keep the fun in its Fun Ships, Carnival Cruise Line has announced it will feature even more shows in 2025.

The Carnival LIVE Spotlight Series is getting expanded to showcase even more singers, including many recognizable faces and voices from popular reality TV shows like NBC’s “The Voice.”

“We’re building on the success of the program thanks to positive guest feedback since its launch,” said the cruise line’s vice president of entertainment, Chris Nelson.

He added, “The best way to exceed our guests’ expectations is to deliver something unexpected.”

Carnival will do so by bringing live, concert-like performances onboard during an extensive entertainment schedule that includes 30 production shows, live music performances, nightly comedy shows, and other activities that will enthrall guests throughout the year.

“Each Carnival LIVE Spotlight Series performance is a great value-add to our industry-leading entertainment,” said Nelson.

Carnival’s announcement is a bit elusive, however. It did not reveal the official lineup that will be featured on select sailings across Carnival Cruise Line’s fleet of 27 ships or even which ships will have the special concerts.

It did tease the new series with an image of “The Voice’s” Omar Cardona, who finished fourth on season 22 under Grammy-winning Coach John Legend’s tutelage.

Cardona, who got his start performing at Disney theme parks in Orlando and aboard a number of cruise vessels sailing from Port Canaveral, has been serenading fans onboard as of late. Most recently he appeared on a 3,646-guest Carnival Dream voyage from Galveston to the Bahamas in November 2024.

Last week, Deejay Young, who appeared on “The Voice” Season 24, posted on his social media that he had spent a week headlining the Carnival LIVE concert series in the Bahamas while aboard the 2,754-passenger Carnival Sunrise, which homeports in Miami.

Carnival Live Spotlight Series (Photo Credit: Deejay Young)

In the past, even bigger names have popped in for the Carnival LIVE series, including country legends Tim McGraw and Little Big Town and rock-band icons like Foreigner and Styx.

Entertainment Options on Carnival

Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival LIVE series brings concerts onboard its vessels, meaning passengers need to book tickets just as they would a live show on land.

Guests can select from general admission to VIP tickets, ranging in price from $35 to $250, depending on the artist, for a more intimate performance for just over 1,000 guests.

Its VIP offerings often include front-row seats in a ship’s theater, an artist meet-and-greet, and a chance to take a photo with the artist.

But even guests not choosing to book one of these shows can find live music all around Carnival ships – mostly for free.

Performers can be found nightly at the laidback RedFrog Pub, during Lido deck parties, and at the Piano Bar, although the latter is so popular that it requires an additional fee to enjoy.

Additionally, the cruise line features its Playlist Productions for Broadway-style entertainment.

These shows also vary by ship but include “America Rocks” for rock music, “Broadway Beats” for show tunes, and a risqué burlesque show, “Blanc de Blanc.” (Again, the latter comes with an additional cost.)

Carnival cruises also feature comedy shows at the Punchliner Comedy Club, a chance to sing along with other guests at the karaoke club, and music to dance by at the nightclub.

There are also complimentary dive-in movies, a mix of free and ticket-needed game shows like “Family Feud Live” and “Deal or No Deal,” and IMAX films (extra), along with plenty of sports to watch at the SkyBox Sports Bar.

Of course, trivia, Bingo, and games like cornhole and mini-golf round out the fun.

Cruise Ship Reports Outbreak Mostly Affecting Crew Members

Cruise News

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Mar 26, 2025

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Cruise Ship Reports Outbreak Mostly Affecting Crew Members

Even ultra-luxury cruise lines are susceptible to the dreaded norovirus, the bug that causes gastrointestinal illness and has plagued multiple cruise ships in recent months.

This time it’s Seabourn’s Seabourn Encore, an Odyssey-class ship that launched in 2016 and carries 600 guests and 450 crew members.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the federal agency that tracks onboard illnesses, it is the crew members who are most affected by this recent outbreak. Twenty-two team members, or 5.4% of employees, have reported symptoms while just 7 guests out of a total 461 onboard, 1.5%, have done so.

The presence of norovirus, which can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps, must be reported to the CDC when the percentage of affected people onboard reaches 3%. Following the outbreak, Seabourn Encore staff increased their cleaning and disinfection procedures, isolated impacted guests and crew, and collected specimens for testing.

The ship is currently at sea, headed toward Honolulu, Hawaii, following a port call to Yokohama, Japan on March 20, 2025. She departed from Singapore on March 2, 2025, sailing a 39-night Southeast Asia, Japan & Hawaiian Islands voyage.

Seabourn Encore already had called at ports in Vietnam, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and several in Japan. Following her visit to Oahu and Kauai, Hawaii, the ship’s itinerary will conclude in Los Angeles on April 9, 2025.

The outbreak was the first to be reported on any Seabourn ship so far this year.

New outbreak confirmations at the CDC also shed light on a recent viral illness reported on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2. The iconic ocean liner revealed there were multiple cases of gastrointestinal illness during her 29-night Eastern Caribbean cruise that sailed roundtrip from Southampton, UK, on March 8, 2025.

During her port call on March 22, 2025 in Barbados, guests not impacted by the bug were asked to go ashore while an intensive cleaning took place across the vessel. Many guests would have had shore tours booked, so the request would not have seemed unreasonable.

Any guests who did not wish to leave the ship were asked to vacate their staterooms and to enable cleaning crews to access those spaces for thorough disinfecting.

The exact number of affected guests and crew was not initially known, but the CDC has now confirmed that 183 of 2,538 guests were impacted, representing 7.2%, and 14 of 1,232 crew members, or 1.1%, reported symptoms.

The current outbreak is at least the third onboard Queen Mary 2 since mid-December. The earlier viral infections also were confirmed as norovirus and happened on back-to-back sailings. The first voyage impacted was a December 21, 2024 departure from New York.

Queen Mary 2 Ocean Liner (Photo Credit: Wandering views / Shutterstock)

Persistent Norovirus Impacts Ships Across Industry

Norovirus has affected several of the major cruise lines in 2025. Three Holland America Line ships, Eurodam, Rotterdam, and Volendam, all experienced spread of the bug onboard, with Rotterdam having to deal with it twice — once on a February voyage and again in March.

Princess Cruises’ Coral Princess also was hit with the virus twice, once in late January and again in late February. Other notable ships that experienced norovirus were Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas and Viking’s Viking Mars.

Not all gastrointestinal outbreaks turn out to be norovirus. Silversea Cruises’ Silver Ray in early January reported illnesses that turned out to be E. coli. In that case, 56 guests out of a total 681, or 7.5%, were affected.

Onboard Sea Cloud Cruises’ Sea Cloud Spirit, the ship’s January 4, 2025 cruise was affected by ciguatera, a food-borne illness that affected only crew members — but quite a few of them. On that sailing, 28 of 93 crew members — 30% — became ill.

Cunard Ship to Join Once-in-a-Lifetime Celebration

Cunard News

Melissa Mayntz

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Mar 26, 2025

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Cunard Ship to Join Once-in-a-Lifetime Celebration

The world’s only active ocean liner, the Carnival-owned Queen Mary 2, is going to offer a once-in-a-lifetime perspective for one of the most historic moments in US history, the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026.

The ship will join a landmark event in the Port of New York and New Jersey in partnership with Sail4th 250.

The non-profit organization is planning a 6-day celebration of the nation’s milestone with the largest international flotilla of tall ships and naval vessels ever assembled.

So far, ships from 17 nations have committed to the event, with more than 30 tall ships in the lineup for a July 4th river parade. Vessels from Peru, Ecuador, Spain, Germany, Chile, Italy, Poland, and many more will be part of the spectacular lineup.

Queen Mary 2 will be positioned in New York Harbor with unrivaled views of the spectacle during the ship’s “Independence Day Spectacular Voyage” that will embark on July 3, 2026.

“Cunard has a long and distinguished history with the United States, and we are proud to play a role in this momentous celebration,” said Katie McAlister, President of Cunard.

“As the world’s only ocean liner, Queen Mary 2 will offer guests an experience like no other — immersed in the excitement and grandeur of America’s 250th Independence Day. This is a truly unique opportunity to witness history in spectacular fashion, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to be part of it.”

Guests onboard will enjoy not only uninterrupted views of the assembled ships, but also a dramatic military salute flyover by the Blue Angels as well as fireworks over the iconic Manhattan skyline.

Cunard’s rich maritime history has spanned more than 185 years, including innumerable transatlantic crossings connecting the US and Europe.

“Given Cunard’s storied history and indelible ties to the United States, we are pleased to have found the perfect seafaring partner for our nation’s historic milestone,” said Chris O’Brien, President of Sail4th 250.

Queen Mary 2 in NYC (Photo Credit: Mariusz Lopusiewicz / Shutterstock)

After remaining in New York Harbor for the beginning of the semiquincentennial (yup, that’s a real word) festivities, the ship will then set sail on her 7-night cruise that will also visit Newport, Rhode Island and Halifax, Nova Scotia before returning to the Big Apple on July 10.

Prices for a balcony stateroom for the incredible voyage start at $2,350 (USD) per person based on double occupancy.

Organizers are expecting 8-10 million visitors for the event, including spectators along the 15-mile New York and New Jersey shoreline to view the tall ships and naval vessels. Two tall ship parades are planned, one on July 3 and the larger parade on July 4.

More Historic Cruise Vacation Options

Cruise lines have been planning more and more unique and historic cruise options for guests to enjoy. These types of sailings offer unmatched opportunities for memorable cruise vacations and give guests the opportunity to have even more unique experiences during their voyages.

Eclipse cruises with astronomers onboard for special viewings are one such example. Some cruise lines also offer special itineraries with local festivals in mind, such as Mardi Gras in New Orleans or Carnival in Rio de Janeiro.

Celebrating their own milestones is another popular option for cruise lines. Carnival Cruise Line coordinated historic meetups for its 50th birthday celebrations in 2022, and is also planning similar special events for its 55th birthday in 2027.

While inaugural visits to new ports of call have always been celebrated, events such as private island debuts and other unique visits are also great occasions for cruise guests to enjoy.

Carnival Cruise Line Debunks Persistent Drink Package Rumor

Carnival Cruise News

Melissa Mayntz

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Mar 26, 2025

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Carnival Cruise Line Debunks Persistent Drink Package Rumor

Many cruisers enjoy adult beverages on vacation, whether it’s a sailaway glass of champagne, a morning mimosa, a poolside afternoon margarita, a pre-dinner cocktail, or an evening nightcap.

To help travelers budget and enjoy their favorite drinks without worry, many cruise lines offer all-inclusive drink packages for a per-day price.

But what about when not everyone in the same travel party enjoys those adult beverages? The terms and conditions of the packages can be strict, and one hard-and-fast rule for Carnival Cruise Line’s Cheers! drink package continues to cause controversy.

It is well known among Carnival cruisers that if one guest purchases the Cheers! package, then all guests age 21 and older booked in the same stateroom must likewise purchase the full package.

This can be an expensive restriction if not everyone is interested in so many drinks, and there have been multiple rumors, hacks, and work-arounds cruisers have tried to get exemptions to the rule.

One such persistent rumor is the idea that if a guest presents medical documentation that they are unable to consume alcohol – perhaps due to allergies or medication interactions – they can get a waiver and not have to purchase the program, even if they are traveling with someone who does.

Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald, has definitively stated that this is not true, that no such exemptions are granted.

“Lots of you will have seen all these posts flying around … based on somebody’s who’s a moderator of a Facebook or YouTube or one of those,” he said. “What they’re saying is that they were able to get a medical exemption for them and their family for the Cheers! program.”

Heald also described different scams that have been circulating about how to get around the program’s restrictions, such as false medical documents being used for such exemptions.

“It’s all absolute tush, nonsense,” he confirmed. “Utter bullocks, as we say here in the UK.”

Heald acknowledged that not everyone agrees with the program’s restrictions, but explains that such restrictions are the only way to safely control the program.

“At the moment, the only fair way that we can honestly control the program, is by saying without exception, including medical ones, that you must be 21 and over, if you’re in the cabin everybody of that age must purchase the program,” he said.

Some guests feel the policy means they are “forced” to buy the package even if they don’t want it or can’t use it, but of course travelers can always buy drinks one at a time instead of choosing the package.

Will There Be Changes to Carnival’s Drink Packages?

Heald is frequently asked – nearly every day, in fact – about the possibility of different changes or options for the Cheers! program.

While some guests would like medical or personal exemptions to be honored, others are interested in smaller packages that are lower than the current 15-drinks-per-day quantity.

Another regularly requested package adjustment is the inclusion of specialty coffees or other non-alcoholic drinks as a mid-level package option.

Coffee on a Cruise (Photo Credit: Joni Hanebutt / Shutterstock)

At the moment, Carnival’s only two drink packages are the full, generally all-inclusive Cheers! beverage program or the Bottomless Bubbles soda-only program.

While Bottomless Bubbles does include juices, no shakes, specialty coffees, bottled water, or mocktails are included.

Heald has regularly addressed the question of an intermediate drink package, emphasizing that there just aren’t enough cost savings that could be passed on to guests for such a package.

Carnival Cruise Line does offer two wine packages, the “Cruise the Vineyards” standard and premium options. These packages are wine only, with discounts on select vintages that give cruisers the opportunity to try different wines from around the world. No other drinks are included in these packages.

Another little-known option Carnival offers is a coffee drink card that will give guests a seventh specialty coffee free after six are purchased – a great choice for the ever-popular 7-night cruises.

Exclusive Menu Revealed for Carnival Diamond VIFPs

Carnival Cruise News

Skyler Wolpert

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Mar 25, 2025

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Exclusive Menu Revealed for Carnival Diamond VIFPs

All that glitters is gold, right? Well, for Carnival Cruise Line Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) Club Members, the status to aspire to is Diamond!

These top tier members already benefit from numerous exclusive perks, but Carnival has just added a refreshed lunch menu that is only accessible at Diamond status.

Brand ambassador John Heald was given a copy of the new menu and was asked to share it online with fellow cruisers, which he did on March 25, 2025.

Appetizer options include Teriyaki Pork Bites, a Roasted Pumpkin Salad with Feta and Almonds, a Beer Cheese Broccoli and Potato Cheddar Soup, and Citrus-Cured Salmon topped with avocado puree and caviar.

There are also four mouth watering entrées to choose from — including Artichoke Blue Cheese Fettuccine, Grilled Jumbo Shrimp, Free Range Chicken, as well as Petite Steak and Fries.

Cheese lovers this one is for you — the Artichoke Blue Cheese Fettuccine is covered in a three cheese sauce and topped with basil and parmigiano.

For seafood lovers, the Grilled Jumbo Shrimp is a great choice — a no-frills dish served with garlic and butter, along with charred lemon.

The Free Range Chicken is cooked in a lemon marinade and is topped with mushrooms, carrots, and a gruyère fondant.

Finally, the Petite Steak and Fries is served with buttered broccoli and covered in a green peppercorn sauce.

Of course, what is a meal without a sweet treat after? The three dessert options include a Chocolate Créma, a Pear Almond Crostata, and Seasonal Fresh Fruit with orange sorbet.

Diamond VIFP Lunch Menu (Photo Credit: Carnival Cruise Line)

Along with sharing the menu, Heald added, “I’ve also been asked to let you know that you can bring one non-Diamond guest, but only one please.”

There had been reports of VIFP Club Diamond members bringing two or three non-Diamond guests to the lunch and other exclusive events, which was overwhelming the already hard-working crew members.

Heald kindly asked his followers to cooperate with this rule to make sure that the staff could give Diamond guests a smooth and special dining experience.

How to Reach Diamond VIFP Club Status & Perks

If this lunch is something you want to experience, it will require you (or a friend) to be at the Diamond level of the VIFP Club — so how do you get there?

Carnival Cruise Line’s VIFP Club is free for all Carnival guests to join, and members accrue points each day they cruise. For example, if you are on a seven day cruise, you will receive seven VIFP points.

With five tiers, reaching Diamond level status means getting 200 points — something that would take 40 five-day cruises to reach.

However, the benefits of Diamond status are perks that frequent cruisers surely appreciate.

Diamond level members get priority on many things including water shuttle boarding, check-in and boarding on embarkation day, debarkation, as well as dining and spa reservations.

They also get guaranteed main dining preference times, unlimited complimentary wash and fold laundry services, a one time complimentary cabin upgrade, and even an invitation to a special event from the captain on each sailing.

Carnival Cruise Line VIFP — Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz

Where this status in the club becomes really beneficial is the food and drink perks. Diamond member get complimentary beverages on all cruises — something that could save guests thousands of dollars over time.

Also, these members will get a one-time complimentary meal for two at specialty restaurant of choice, which could cover something like a $100 meal at Carnival’s steakhouse.

Carnival is no stranger to giving gusts special dining options, as they recently had a lunch special that was only available on Valentines Day. Similarly, the cruise line has been introducing more festive holiday menus in the past year, with more tasty celebrations to come.

Clearly, there is no harm in singing up for Carnival Cruise Line’s VIFP Club — you may even end up having this exclusive lunch some day soon! It sure does sound good…

Passengers Pick Carnival’s Specialty Steakhouse as Fave

Carnival Cruise News

Lissa Poirot

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Mar 25, 2025

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Passengers Pick Carnival’s Specialty Steakhouse as Fave

Cruise ships are famous for their round-the-clock food options, buffets, and gourmet dinners, but what is it exactly that passengers love the most?

That’s the question Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald, asked recently on his popular social media page.

More specifically, guests were allowed to pick their favorite specialty restaurant aboard the cruise line’s fleet of 27 ships.

“If I gave you a meal for two at any of the specialty restaurants, which would you choose?” Heald asked his followers on March 21, 2025.

With nearly 24,000 responses, the top pick hands-down bested all on the provided list of eight Carnival specialty restaurants.

The winner? Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse with an overwhelming 58 percent of votes.

The high-end, dinner-only restaurant, which costs adult passengers an additional $52 (prices may vary), touts “mouthwatering premium cuts of beef” along with seafood, gourmet appetizers, and an extensive wine list in “an elegant-yet-modern atmosphere.”

“Went to Fahrenheit 555 last cruise! Absolutely the best steak I have ever had,” raved one guest.

While nowhere close to the steakhouse’s more than 13,700 votes, the cruise line’s Japanese Bonsai Teppanyaki, which also requires an upcharge of nearly $60 to enjoy, came in second with 16 percent of the votes.

The lunch and dinner hotspot is served in traditional hibachi style, with chefs preparing meals for diners seated around giant griddles.

“I love the teppanyaki,” said one passenger. “The fun of having them cook right in front of you and the atmosphere is what makes this my favorite.”

Carnival Horizon Bonsai Teppanyaki — Image By: Carnival Cruise Line

In a respectable third place was Rudi’s Sea Grill with more than 1,900 guests choosing it as their favorite.

The seafood restaurant is only available on Carnival Cruise Line’s newest ships, making its votes even more impressive.

The new restaurant, featuring celebrity chef Rudi Sodamin’s curated flavors, first debuted on Mardi Gras in 2021.

It was added to Carnival Celebration when it joined the fleet in 2022 and Carnival Jubilee, which arrived in 2023.

Poll Explores Carnival’s Culinary Highlights

While Carnival Cruise Line features a host of dining options on its cruises, such as Guy Fieri’s Burger Joint and the BlueIguana Cantina, Heald only included one sort-of-free restaurant on his list.

The cruise line offers one free meal at Chibang!, a combination of Chinese and Mexican cuisine, to passengers sailing on Carnival Celebration, Carnival Jubilee, and Mardi Gras.

After that, the lunch and dinner restaurant is just $8.

However, ChiBang! is not aboard the entire fleet, which could explain why it received the least number of votes in the poll at 2 percent.

Although Emeril’s Bistro at Sea, also on the three newer ships and featuring dishes by renowned Chef Emeril Lagasse, is a specialty restaurant, the brand ambassador left it off the list.

Perhaps Heald was just keeping the list to dinner restaurants, and Emeril’s offers a more casual breakfast through dinner approach.

Heald also included Il Viaggo, a fine Italian restaurant first introduced on Carnival Venezia in 2023 and added to the cruise line’s newest ship, Carnival Firenze.

It and Bonsai Sushi each received just 3 percent of the votes.

JiJi Asian Kitchen, with 4 percent, and the family-style Italian Cucina Del Capitano, with 5 percent, rounded out the choices.

Also not included on the list is The Chef’s Table, but this specialty spot – the most expensive of the bunch – is an intimate dinner with an ever-changing chef’s menu.

Holland America Ship Skips Port After Mooring Lines Break

Holland America Line News

Melissa Mayntz

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Mar 25, 2025

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Holland America Ship Skips Port After Mooring Lines Break

Holland America Line’s Rotterdam has been having rough seas recently in more ways than one. On the current sailing, trouble with the mooring lines amid rough swells caused the ship to skip her anticipated visit to Port Limon, Costa Rica, and spend a day at sea instead.

The ship was attempting to dock as planned at 8 a.m. on Monday morning, March 24, 2025, but the extreme conditions proved too much for safe gangway use.

At the time Rotterdam was attempting to dock, winds from the west-southwest were creating higher than anticipated water levels in the harbor along with high swells.

This created instability with the gangways, and ultimately, too much stress on the ship’s mooring lines.

Passengers Brad and Linda Sylvester were onboard, waiting in the ship’s main theater for their shore excursion departure, when the captain announced it would not be safe to disembark. Brad described the calm sense of waiting for different tours to be called, but some delays in getting started.

Shortly thereafter, the shipwide announcement was made as the captain called extra crew members to assist as “the mooring lines are snapping, the mooring lines are snapping.”

At no point was the ship in danger or released completely from her docking attempt. After discussion with the local pilot, however, it was decided that Rotterdam would be unable to remain safely docked and the port visit was cancelled.

The captain did explain that another ship in port that day – TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 1 – was able to safely dock and disembark because the vessel was sheltered on the inland side of the dock. Rotterdam, however, was fully exposed to the swells without any mitigating cover.

All Holland America Line shore excursions booked for Port Limon were automatically cancelled and fully refunded to guests’ shipboard accounts.

Guests were asked not to immediately swarm to the excursion desk as the process would happen automatically. The Sylvesters noted that no one did rush to the desk, trusting instead in the professionalism of the crew.

“We recognize that the cancellation of a port of call, regardless of the circumstances, can be disappointing, and we sincerely appreciate your understanding,” a letter delivered to guests’ staterooms later that day read. “On behalf of all officers and crew, we thank you for your continued trust in us.”

Rotterdam continued on her way with a day at sea en route to Ocho Rios, Jamaica and the last port visit of the 12-night “Panama Canal Sunfarer” sailing. The ship will return to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Friday, March 28.

The 99,863-gross ton, Pinnacle class ship can welcome 2,668 guests aboard at double occupancy, or up to 4,173 guests when fully booked. Also onboard are just over 1,000 international team members and officers.

Port Limon, Costa Rica (Photo Credit: Ramunas Bruzas / Shutterstock)

Mooring Line Woes

Rough weather can put tremendous strain on a cruise ship’s mooring lines, the ropes that keep a vessel snug against a pier when docked. If those lines give way, the ship could be cast adrift and gangways could become unstable or even collapse if the ship moves too far from the pier.

This can happen in nearly any port, depending on wind speeds and wind direction. MSC Cruises’ MSC Musica snapped her mooring lines while docked in Brazil in February 2023, while Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Prima had the same problem in Belgium in July 2023.

Fortunately, no guests were injured in either incident. Likewise, the quick thinking and concern for safety by Rotterdam‘s officers and crew undoubtedly kept everyone aboard safe during the tumultuous docking attempt.

Hopefully it will be smooth sailing from here on for Rotterdam and everyone aboard, as this latest incident follows two different outbreaks of norovirus aboard earlier this year.

Passengers in Jeans on Formal Nights Ignites Heated Debate

Carnival Cruise News

Lissa Poirot

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Mar 25, 2025

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Passengers in Jeans on Formal Nights Ignites Heated Debate

Denim jeans are so popular that research shows the market is expected to reach $128.7 billion annually by 2028, according to Euromonitor International.

Popular? Yes. But some cruise passengers are angry that the clothing item is becoming all too common on formal nights.

“NO WAY is denim of any color a formal material,” a Carnival Spirit guest angrily shot in a comment to Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador John Heald, once again sparking the age-old debate on what is and isn’t appropriate attire.

Sailing on the cruise line’s current transatlantic repositioning voyage, which departed from Barcelona on March 16, 2025, for Miami, the passenger said there were “at least half-dozen men and women in jeans for formal night.”

In the note to Heald, he suggested that passengers “who do not respect the rules should be forced out of the main dining hall and sent to the buffets.”

“If the crew refuses to do this, then you will lose more and more [passengers] to [another cruise line],” he continued, suggesting Carnival Cruise Line has a bad reputation for allowing rules to be broken.

Heald responded in his usual self-deprecating humor, adding, “Jeans, wear them, don’t wear them, just enjoy your meal, enjoy the company of your family and friends and the service from our brilliant crew. Simple.”

After receiving more than 1,000 comments on the subject, Heald also added a survey asking guests when they wear jeans – only on casual nights, any night, or never.

He also asked if any respondents were equally offended at fellow passengers wearing jeans on formal occasions onboard.

More than 1,900 took the poll, with 22 percent saying they never wear jeans to the dining room, 22 percent saying they only wear jeans on non-elegant occasions, and just 6 percent wearing jeans on formal nights.

Worth Reading: Are Jeans Ever Dining-Room-Ready? Carnival Discusses

That said, 46 percent of those surveyed said it “certainly would not bother me at all” if another guest did choose to wear jeans on elegant evenings.

Of course, the comments rolled in, with most cruisers suggesting to each their own.

Said one passenger, “I’ve seen everything from a tux to a kilt in the [main dining room]. As long as it’s not a bathing suit, I’m pretty much OK with it.”

Formal Night (Photo Credit: Zachary L. Gross)

Others suggested that Carnival Cruise Line drop its unenforced rules, such as its dress code.

“Personally, what other people wear does not bother me, but the dress code has been debated on here relentlessly – the same as wearing hats in the dining room,” commented one.

“There will never be total agreement of what is acceptable to some yet offensive to others.”

The Official Policy

Carnival Cruise Line does publish a dress code but says, “life on board is dominated by a casual atmosphere.”

It recommends women wear long skirts, pants, dresses, and tops while men don shorts, polo shirts, and Tees.

During the one or two nights when passengers can wear “cruise elegant” apparel, the cruise line suggests ladies put on cocktail dresses, pantsuits, elegant skirts, blouses, and evening gowns.

For men, sports jackets, shirts, dress pants, suits, ties, and tuxedos are listed with no-no’s for all passengers dining in the main dining room specifically referring to jeans, as well as t-shirts, flip-flops, swimsuits, sportswear, and ball caps.

While the cruise line suggests anyone not in cruise-elegant clothing visit the Lido deck’s buffet on formal nights, it doesn’t offer any ramifications for ignoring the suggestions.

This is what most passengers agree with, noting that not everyone can afford, let alone travel long distances with, formal wear.

Free Perk Removed from Royal Caribbean’s ‘The Key’

Royal Caribbean News

Lissa Poirot

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Mar 25, 2025

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Free Perk Removed from Royal Caribbean’s ‘The Key’

Cruisers looking to hang 10 on Royal Caribbean’s popular FlowRider surf simulator just got an unwelcome surprise.

The cruise line informed passengers it will no longer include complimentary private time for the onboard activity in its “The Key” add-on program.

“After speaking with our onboard staff and hearing your feedback, we have made an update to The Key sports benefits to further enhance your experience,” Royal Caribbean said in a letter to guests.

In its place? A 25 percent discount on “select” sports activities.

“This benefit is similar to our existing Key Package benefit of 20 percent off any Specialty Dining,” the letter continued. “We believe it will provide even greater value and enjoyment to your cruise experience!”

But passengers disagree, taking to social media to voice their complaints about the sudden change.

“I’m going on a cruise from Barcelona in almost 3 weeks on Allure [of the Seas],” said one.

“Honestly, I feel a little bit pissed right now, especially because of the way it is written, as if what they are offering is a better deal.”

“Absolutely a downgrade,” is a popular consensus.

Other guests addressed the cruise line’s constant changes, with one referring to a time when Royal Caribbean tried to remove the welcome lunch but received such pushback that it reconsidered.

“The only thing you can do is vote with your wallet,” he wrote. “The more they gimp The Key, the less people who will purchase it.”

Royal Caribbean hasn’t been fully clear on these most recent changes to The Key, nor has it made an official announcement.

Flowrider Royal Caribbean — FlowRider on Royal Caribbean (Photo Credit: Serge Yatunin / Shutterstock)

At press time, the company’s website still includes the private FlowRider time in The Key program.

However, besides the change on Allure of the Seas’ 7-night roundtrip cruise from Barcelona on April 15, 2025, the cruise line included the 25 percent off sports activities language on a March 9-16 sailing of Odyssey of the Seas cruise.

Guests on other sailings reported receiving similar letters, indicating this may well be a fleet-wide change.

The Key Program

Royal Caribbean’s The Key is a pre-cruise add-on that provides a slew of onboard perks.

Its price is dependent on the ship, location, and length of the cruise, but can cost up to $60 per day, per person. The cruise line requires all passengers in a stateroom, age 6 and above, to purchase the package together.

Guests receive fast lane access for onboard activities, priority access for arrival times as well as tender port departures, carry-on bag drop-off to staterooms, an exclusive welcome lunch in the Main Dining Room, debarkation day breakfast, and high-speed internet through VOOM Surf & Stream.

The Key also promotes dedicated seats at shows in the Royal Theater, AquaTheater, Studio B, and Two70. Quantum and Oasis-class ships still require reservations, so these dedicated seats are not really guaranteed.

A 20 percent discount on specialty dining reservations is only available on reservations booked on Day 1 of the sailing, and that’s subject to availability, with many passengers prebooking reservations online weeks in advance.

It is unclear as to what sports activities will be eligible for the discount.

Many of the fleet’s 28 ships already include sports activities for free, such as Adrenaline Peak rock climbing, zip lining above the Boardwalk, and even the Trapeze School, depending on the vessel.

The FlowRider is also included, but guests pay extra for activities like an escape room, the RipCord by iFLY skydiving simulator, and Crown’s Edge sky-high obstacle course, so the discount may apply to these.