Cruise ships offer more than endless buffets, high-flying entertainment, and battles to find lounge chairs near swimming pools.
For some, visiting a ship’s shops, galleries, and art houses is part of the full experience.
But what was supposed to be a celebratory moment at an art auction aboard a Royal Caribbean sailing turned sour for one family.
During a Park West Gallery art auction held on the 4,515-passenger Freedom of the Seas, the family bid on and supposedly won a piece of art for $650.
Although the auctioneer’s gavel confirmed the sale, when finalizing the purchase later, the family was informed that due to a pricing error, the artwork’s price would be $2,700 and not the $650 initially agreed upon.
Currently sailing on an 8-night roundtrip voyage from Fort Lauderdale to the Eastern Caribbean, the father reached out to fellow passengers on social media about his shock and dismay.
“My wife and I (and two kids) attended their art auction and the whole family were drawn to a piece of art,” he wrote.“Someone came over to assist us, and really continued to ‘sell it.’ He provided us the ‘reserve’ lowest price, and we decided to bid on it.”
The then-thrilled-turned-shocked family was informed they had won the auction, but when meeting with Park West Gallery representatives, the digital copy of the artwork did not look the same.
That’s when they were told the piece they purchased was “sold out” and also wrongly priced.
“I feel like it was a scam, announcing one price to the crowd, but then, later, in private, backing out,” continued the passenger.
He said Royal Caribbean’s Guest Services told him Park West is a separate company and they are not responsible for its business dealings.
The passenger doesn’t condone the partnership, saying, “I feel like Royal [Caribbean] should make sure they do what they said they would do – sell the auctioned painting at the auctioned price they agreed to in a room full of people – as they operate on their ship and under their banner.”
Park West Stirs Controversy
Park West Gallery can be found on nearly 100 cruise ships, including vessels in Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Princess Cruises fleets.
Says the company, “Whether you are an avid art collector or just starting your collection, the Park West Gallery cruise experience is one that is incomparable to anywhere else in the art collecting industry.”
But not all cruisers are enamored by Park West, with many telling the family they should be thankful they just saved themselves $650 and to avoid the gallery in the future.
Photo Credit: Park West Gallery
“I’ve heard for years Park West is a scam. If I and others know it then I assure you RCL [Royal Caribbean] knows it,” replied another. “How much of a cut, if any, is RCL getting from Park West? RCL should ban them.”
While it is true that Royal Caribbean and other cruise lines lease space to galleries and shops found onboard – meaning it earns money from renting the space but doesn’t earn a cut of its sales – it is not responsible for any wrongdoing of its tenets.
Just as any shopper needs to be aware of who they are buying with, cruise passengers may want to turn to reviews to get a good sense of where their money is going.
On TrustPilot, a popular online review platform, Park West Gallery is rated 1.7 stars of 5, with over 100 reviews complaining about its ethics.
The company is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau, a nonprofit that promotes trust based on their ethical practices and customer interactions.
After 24 years in service, the much beloved Carnival Spirit is looking fresher and better than ever following her month-long dry dock update in Cadiz, Spain. New spaces have been added and favorite venues renovated, and highly sought-after features have been added to guest staterooms.
Carnival Spirit entered dry dock in mid-February, following her last sailing from Mobile, Alabama for the season. As the lead ship in the Spirit class, she has been due for major updates, and that’s just what she received in her bow-to-stern refresh.
One of the biggest updates is the addition of the Heroes Tribute Bar, which is now featured on 14 Carnival ships – more than half the fleet of 27 vessels. The military-themed venue was first introduced aboard Carnival Panorama in 2019 and has been gradually added to ships as they are updated.
The patriotic watering hole features unique memorabilia from veterans of all branches of the armed forces, along with other red, white, and blue Americana decor.
While the venue is focused on honoring members of the military and is where the military appreciation gathering is typically held, all guests are welcome to enjoy it.
“The new Heroes Tribute Bar and all the other upgrades to Carnival Spirit are part of our ongoing effort to continually enhance our existing fleet with features we know our guests appreciate and enjoy,”said Lisa McCabe, Carnival’s vice president of refurbishments.
Upgraded Carnival Spirit Mini Golf (Credit: Carnival)
The Heroes Tribute Bar is located on Deck 2 (Promenade Deck), in the space that was formerly the Skybox Sports Bar.
In addition to the new bar, the ship also now features a dedicated Chef’s Table space for that popular dining experience, a sell-out on nearly every sailing.
While great drinks and dining are part of every cruise vacation, what else will guests do onboard? Carnival Spirit‘s updates offer something for everyone.
New Heroes Tribute Bar on Carnival Spirit (Credit: Carnival)
The Cloud 9 Spa and Fitness Center were updated, as well as the nightclub, miniature golf course, and the basketball court. No matter what type of activities guests enjoy, they’ll find new and reenergized spaces onboard Carnival Spirit.
For capturing every moment of an amazing cruise vacation, guests can visit the new Dreams Studio to book a personalized portrait session (well worth the investment for the best cruise photos ever). For souvenirs to remember their time onboard, guests will want to check out the exclusive merch at the Carnival Adventures store.
Guests who want to try their luck in the ship’s casino on Deck 2 will find an all-new layout and a wide selection of new machines for the most updated gaming challenges and (hopefully!) exciting jackpots.
Other updates across all public spaces include new carpeting, lighting updates, and general refreshment.
Inside guest staterooms, convenient features such as bedside and sofa bed lights with USB A and C charging ports have been added. Extra charging ports are one of the most requested updates guests look forward to.
Full Speed Ahead to Exciting New Itineraries
With so much done, Carnival Spirit is ready to welcome guests for unique and popular sailings.
The ship greeted her first guests on Sunday, March 16, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain, before heading out on a westbound transatlantic cruise. The ship will visit ports in Spain, the Azores, and Bermuda before arriving in Miami, Florida on Sunday, March 30.
The very next sailing is equally unique as a 15-night one-way cruise from Miami to Seattle, Washington, including a bucket-list passage through the Panama Canal. Guests will also be treated to stops in Colombia, Costa Rica, and Mexico.
Once she arrives in Seattle, the better-than-new Carnival Spirit will be ready to begin her Alaska season. Through the summer, she will be offering primarily 7-night Inside Passage itineraries with visits to Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan, along with spectacular scenic cruising through the Last Frontier.
In late September, the ship will offer a unique 15-night Hawaii sailing roundtrip from Seattle before crossing through the Panama Canal again and returning to Mobile, her winter homeport.
From Alabama, she will be offering 6- and 8-night Bahamas itineraries, which will include visits to Carnival Cruise Line’s upcoming private destination, Celebration Key.
With such a diverse few months ahead of her, Carnival Spirit is sure to wow thousands of guests with her new updates and spectacular spaces.
The ship can welcome 2,124 guests at double occupancy and is also home to nearly 1,000 international crew members, all of whom are ready to ensure every traveler has a memorable getaway.
Disney’s magic is notorious with both the theme parks and a cruise line renowned for creating unexpected experiences for its guests.
But passengers on a recent Disney Cruise Line voyage found that magic turned sour when an unexpected sewage backup left feces seeping onto the carpet.
According to a guest’s post on Reddit, the problem was caused by pressure issues within Disney Magic’s plumbing system – and not by inappropriate items being flushed, as commonly assumed.
The incident appears to have occurred on the 2,700-passenger ship’s 6-night roundtrip Western Caribbean sailing from Galveston, Texas, where the ship is homeporting until April 2025.
“It was a ship issue and affected multiple rooms; no alternative rooms were available. Poop on the carpet,”said the passenger, who also said the cruise line cleaned and dealt with the issue immediately.
“It’s so gross,” the guest continued. “They are still running fans in the hallway two days later. No amount of cleaning makes this not gross.”
The passenger said the affected cabins were on Deck 6 in the high 6500s. However, Disney Cruise Line told Cruise Hive only one cabin experienced the issue.
Still, the guest wondered what sort of compensation would be acceptable from the cruise line.
An equally unfortunate passenger said a similar incident took place on Disney Magic in October and they were only compensated $150 onboard credit plus some snacks.
“Our bathroom flooded with poop water three times. It was so gross,”the prior guest commented.“The whole deck seemed to smell of sewage, so I am sure we weren’t the only ones it was happening to.”
A former Disney Cruise Line cast member also responded regarding cleaner products. “I can tell you they are very effective. Poop particles are how [gastrointestinal illness] is spread, so they will take this incredibly seriously.”
“If a certain threshold of guests get sick, they won’t be able to run cruises with that ship until it’s completed a quarantine,” the cast member continued.
“Keeping the ships clean and ready for [US Public Health] inspection at all times is drilled into the crew.”
What Went Wrong?
Disney Cruise Line, which most recently introduced the Disney Treasure in December 2024 and will unveil its Disney Destiny in November 2025 and Disney Adventure in December 2025, currently operates a fleet of six ships.
Beyond 2025’s new additions, the company has plans for four new ships to be delivered between 2027 and 2031.
However, the sewage trouble is leading some guests to question if the cruise line should put more effort into its original ships, especially the sewage-troubled Disney Magic.
Disney Magic Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: StudioPortoSabbia)
Making its maiden voyage on July 30, 1998, the 83,969-gross-ton ship is the oldest in the fleet and introduced Disney to the high seas.
That said, despite its age, the ship has been well maintained. Its last dry dock was completed in Freeport, Bahamas, in May 2023.
That 21-night dry dock – performed ahead of her 25th anniversary – had the ship run the gamut of routine cleaning, upgrades, and paint, as well as receiving shore power technology to help it reduce its carbon footprint.
Cruise ships typically undergo dry docking every few years for routine maintenance and refurbishment, and the ship is not behind schedule.
Still, plumbing systems on cruise ships are often a closed loop that relies on pumps to move wastewater from lower decks to treatment facilities found on higher ones.
If these pumps fail or pressure within the system isn’t properly regulated, backups can occur unexpectedly. It may be time for the cruise line to look at the pumps and pipes to ensure this stinky situation doesn’t become so routine.
It’s been rough sailing for Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas for the past few days as strong winds in the Bahamas have impacted multiple cruises.
The most recent impact is to her St. Patrick’s Day departure, a 4-night Bahamas Perfect Day cruise with calls scheduled to both Nassau and CocoCay. The day before embarkation, guests received notification of an itinerary change to ease the rough weather.
“Our captain along with our Chief Meterologist, Craig Setzer, have been monitoring strong winds developing in and around Nassau, Bahamas. As a result, we have rearranged our port order,”the email explained.“We’ll enjoy a Sea Day before we make our way to Nassau, Bahamas.”
Liberty of the Seas was scheduled to depart Fort Lauderdale on Monday, March 17 and visit Nassau from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday. A day at sea would follow on Wednesday, and then Thursday, March 20, was to be a visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay before the ship returns to Port Everglades on Friday, March 21.
AccuWeather predicts winds of 20 miles per hour in Nassau on Tuesday, with gusts as high as 33 mph.
The ship’s departure on Monday is not impacted by the poor weather, but she will remain leisurely at sea and away from the worst winds with a day at sea on Tuesday. Wednesday, then, will be spent in Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas.
The visit to CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s award-winning private island destination, is unchanged for Thursday. Similarly, there should be no delay to the ship’s return to Fort Lauderdale on Friday.
Any shore excursions for Nassau that guests pre-paid through Royal Caribbean will be automatically rescheduled for the new visit date. If the tours are unable to be rescheduled due to operator availability or other factors, they will be cancelled and refunded to guests’ onboard accounts.
The onboard credit can be used for souvenirs, photos, drinks, or any other expenses on the ship. Any account credit remaining at the end of the sailing will be returned to the original form of payment.
Guests may be understandably disappointed at the itinerary change, particularly if further changes are necessary and Liberty of the Seas may not be able to visit both Nassau and CocoCay. Safety is always the cruise line’s primary consideration, however.
“We’re terribly sorry for the last-minute change caused by the weather – your safety is our top priority,”the cruise line said.“Please know, being onboard is one of the safest places because our ship can quickly move out of the way of any inclement weather.”
Weather-related changes are not uncommon on cruises. These might involve port delays or swapping days in port, or even spending extra days at sea if a swap or alternative port is not possible.
Second Sailing in a Row Impacted
The 155,889-gross-ton, Freedom class Liberty of the Seas is currently homeported from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, offering 3- and 4-night Bahamas cruises.
Because the ship’s itineraries are so brief, any strong weather system has the potential to impact more than one sailing, as has been the case with Liberty of the Seas.
In addition to the port day swaps for the March 17 departure, the ship was also forced to cancel her visit to CocoCay on the previous cruise, a 3-night itinerary that left Fort Lauderdale on March 14.
Liberty of the Seas Cruise Ship Overboard (Photo Credit: Enrico Powell / Shutterstock)
For that weekend getaway, the ship was also scheduled for Nassau along with CocoCay, but high winds meant docking at CocoCay was not possible. Without any day at sea on the original itinerary, simply changing the port day or making other arrangements was not an option.
Missing a private island experience is always disappointing for travelers, and Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay is consistently voted as the best private island destination. With a thrilling waterpark, multiple beaches, an adults-only area, nature trails, and much more, CocoCay is a top choice for many cruise guests.
While CocoCay does have a pier, ships must be able to dock safely and the pier must be safe for walking. Very high winds and waves can make it dangerous, and in those situations, it is not possible for a ship to visit.
Guests boarding Carnival Sunshine in Norfolk, Virginia on Sunday, March 16, 2025 are not setting sail on their cruise as soon as they’d hoped.
Due to a passing cold front, poor weather in the region has delayed the ship’s departure until Monday morning and as a result, one of the Bahamas port of call visits has been cancelled.
Guests were informed of the need to delay the ship’s departure just the day before embarkation, though the full impact to the ship’s 6-night Bahamas itinerary was not yet known.
“Our Fleet Operations Center is actively monitoring an easterly-moving cold front that is likely to impact the Norfolk area Sunday afternoon into evening time,”the email notification explained.“The front is producing unfavorable conditions, including strong winds and rain, that could make it unsafe for us to depart as scheduled.”
True to the prediction, local radar weather tracking showed strong thunderstorms and heavy rain throughout the Norfolk region on Sunday afternoon and into the nighttime hours.
Furthermore, Windy.com indicated strong winds from 25-30 knots (29-35 miles per hour) at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay, where Carnival Sunshine would have to pass to reach the Atlantic Ocean.
These conditions make delicate navigation to begin the voyage unsafe, and would also make for very uncomfortable sailing conditions for guests.
Instead, satellite tracking data confirms that Carnival Sunshine has remained docked in Norfolk through Sunday evening and into the night. The ship will be departing on Monday morning, once conditions improve for easier sailing.
The ship’s embarkation on Sunday was not impacted despite the unpleasant weather, and guests were welcomed onboard for their first Guy’s burger, a slice of Funfetti cheesecake, and plenty of entertainment and activities even without a sailaway party.
Port Visit Cancelled – But Which One?
Guests onboard the ship have also confirmed the delay as well as the cancellation of one of the planned port visits in the Bahamas.
Carnival Sunshine had originally been scheduled to spend Monday, March 17 at sea on her way to the Bahamas, with visits to Nassau, Bimini, and Freeport planned for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, respectively. Another day at sea on Friday will bring the ship back to her Old Dominion homeport on Saturday, March 22.
Now, however, it is not possible for the ship to reach all three ports of call as planned. Initially, announcements onboard indicated that Bimini would be cancelled, but instead it was ultimately decided that Nassau would be cancelled while Bimini and Freeport would remain on the schedule.
Carnival Sunshine Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Daniel Wright98)
Further updates on the exact port timing will be made available as the scheduling is finalized, which also depends on exactly when the weather clears and the ship can depart Norfolk.
It is also possible that as port operations are confirmed, further changes may be necessary. By skipping Nassau, however, the ship should be able to retain her original times for visiting Bimini (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) on Wednesday and Freeport (7 a.m. to 3 p.m.) on Thursday. Any change in times will be communicated to guests onboard as soon as possible.
Any pre-paid Carnival shore excursions booked for a cancelled port of call (whether it is Nassau or Bimini that is ultimately cancelled) will be automatically refunded.
Similar delays – both leaving the homeport and returning at the end of a sailing – also happened while Carnival Sunshine was homeported from Charleston, South Carolina.
Every traveler wants their perfect cruise vacation with nothing but blue skies and smooth seas. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case, and when things do go wrong, it can sour the whole experience.
Carnival Cruise Line guests are lucky they have someone to reach out to with comments, inquiries, requests, and yes, even complaints – the official Brand Ambassador, John Heald. Through his popular Facebook page, Heald interacts with hundreds of guests every week.
While he does always remain polite and humorous in his responses to guests (except when his less-than-courteous alter ego, Bob, makes a rare appearance), Heald does wish guests would do one thing before sending complaints to him.
“I read comments where people tell me what was wrong with the cruise. I get that, it’s my job to listen and I want people to tell me these things,”he explained.
“However, what drives me absolutely stark raving bonkers is when every day, and yes it is every day, that when I investigate with the ship … [I learn] ‘Um, there are no reports here from the guest.’ Nothing was reported, nothing was said.”
When following up on a complaint, Heald will contact the ship in question and the department head who would typically address the issue.
This could include the Guest Services Manager as well as the Hotel Director, Dining Room Manager, Security Chief, or any other department necessary.
For a bathroom issue, for example, Heald would check with the ship’s engineering, maintenance, and plumbing teams. For a dining issue, he would check with the associated Maitre ‘D, the Head Chef, and the assigned dining room team.
What is so frustrating, however, is when Heald follows up but learns that the guest – who has come to him with the complaint – has not actually filed a report onboard. He notes that the crew members he contacts always respond in the same way.
“They always add something along the lines of ‘I wish the guest had told us because we could have helped,'”he said.
Cruise crew members work spectacularly hard to try and ensure that every guest has an enjoyable vacation. When a problem arises, they can’t help correct it if they don’t know about it.
Issues Crew Members Can Set Right
Heald goes on to share examples from recent guests and how crew members might have been able to resolve different problems and preferences.
“What has happened to the warm chocolate melting cake on the Carnival Sunshine. I ordered it every night and it was overcooked each time. Your chef needs to go back to cooking school,”one guest noted.
Despite ordering the iconic dessert every night and being disappointed each time, the guest never reported their preferences to their dining team.
I have personally been in this situation and all it took was one mention to my waiter and every melting cake for the rest of the sailing was the perfect firmness I enjoy.
Heald shares another example, one even more serious for cruise ship safety.
“Every night the person on the balcony directly below us on Deck 8 was smoking. This woman can kill herself but why should I not be able to use my balcony because of her. Smokers are disgusting people and her disregard for me and others on balconies near hers proves my point. The crew did nothing to stop her,”one guest described.
“This is a very important one. The crew didn’t do anything to stop her because they didn’t know,”Heald said.“Having checked with the ship there were no reports made by this guest or indeed any guests from cabins around the area. … The cruise was 8 days long, the guest says this lady was doing it every night, yet there were no reports. If there had have been I promise the right steps would have been taken.”
Heald explains that smoking on balconies is of course absolutely forbidden – as is noted in every cruise ship safety briefing. Carnival Cruise Line’s Cruise Ticket Contract, section 9(b), explicitly outlines the smoking policy and consequences for violating it.
“Smoking is only permitted in designated areas. Guest agrees to refrain from smoking in non-designated areas and agrees that Carnival has the right to assess up to a $500 charge, per violation, and to disembark the Guest for failure to observe Carnival’s Tobacco and Marijuana Smoking Policy with no refund to the Guest,”the contract reads.
Smoking is not permitted on balconies, or indeed, in any guest staterooms of any kind. Yet if crew members are unaware of smoking violations, they cannot stop the behavior or issue any punishments.
Yes, I have reported a balcony smoker on a cruise, and yes, the ship’s security responded promptly and without mentioning my name or cabin number to the guest as they resolved the issue. For the rest of the cruise, there was no smoking.
“I get that some people do not like confrontation. But please, don’t be worried, the crew are there for you,”Heald said.“That’s why our crew are the best in the industry because they truly do care, they want to exceed your expectations.”
All Carnival cruise guests, no matter whether it is their first sailaway or their fiftieth, are urged to let crew members know if there is a problem or concern of any kind.
While not all problems may be able to be fixed, the crew will do everything possible to try and give every guest a memorable and fantastic FUN vacation.
I apologize for being a bit of a downer, but I’m going to force you to consider the part of cruising no one wants to think about: when it’s time to disembark the ship at the end of your vacation.
While a lot of thought goes into what guests need to do to embark on their sailing – especially as far as preparing the correct documentationis concerned – there is still a lot to think about when it’s time to say goodbye to your cruise ship.
Consider the following to make sure you are properly prepared the next time you have to disembark from a cruise ship.
While the process of leaving your cruise ship for the last time is similar across cruise lines, each brand may do things a little bit differently.
For example, some cruise lines might assign disembarkation windows differently based on factors like if guests checked their luggage or where guests’ staterooms were onboard as a means of managing congestion.
Some cruise lines may also offer an early sit-down meal or buffet breakfast for guests before they leave, while other brands do not.
If you would like to eat onboard prior to disembarking, which is often smart if you have a long travel day ahead, this is something to look into in advance.
Depending on which cruise line you sail with, you will either be assigned a disembarkation time or will need to select your own.
When I recently sailed on Carnival Radiance near the end 2024, I was required to select my disembarkation window and indicate if I would be checking my bags or not in the HUB App before 1 p.m. on the final full day of the sailing.
This gave room stewards enough time to deliver luggage tags to guests who would be checking their bags and picking their luggage up from the cruise port later.
Meanwhile, every time I sailed with Disney Cruise Line, my family and I were assigned a window that correlated with a Disney character or specific color.
Decide if You Will be Checking Your Luggage
Disembarking Cruise With Luggage (Photo Credit: Ken Schulze)
Speaking of luggage, you will need to decide if you would rather carry your suitcases and bags off the ship by yourself or if you would rather the crew members do it for you.
For cruisers who traveled light and/or don’t want to spend much time in the cruise terminal, handling your own belongings will be the more efficient option.
I chose this route on my Carnival cruise because I could leave early – ahead of guests who checked their bags – and was on my way home before the cruise terminal got very crowded.
But guests with a lot of luggage – or who have a disability that limits their mobility – may find it easier to check their bags and pick them up in the cruise port.
However, it’s important to note that any checked luggage will need to be picked up by the crew members the night prior to disembarkation.
If you choose this option, you will be given new luggage tags that usually indicate zones where you can reunite with your belongings once you’re on dry land again. If you don’t receive these, check with your cabin stewardfor more information.
Additionally, these guests will be given a time window – which is usually several hours long – in which they can place their packed suitcases outside of their cabin doors for pick up on the final night of the sailing.
The crew members will collect the bags and keep them in a secure location until the ship arrives in the port – which is when the offloading process begins.
Whether you are checking your luggage or not, take some time to organize your belongings and get as packed as possible the night before disembarkation.
The disembarkation process starts quite early – usually around 7 a.m. local time – with crew members trying to get current guests off the ship as quickly as possible so they can prepare for the next round of passengerswho will embark later in the day.
Considering the early hour and the rushed nature of the process, getting prepared the night before will help make the whole experience feel a lot less stressful.
The final night of the cruise is also a great opportunity to condense your belongings – which makes things easier for yourself and the crew members who may be assisting you – and shop for any last minute souvenirs you’ll want to pack.
Note that stores are not allowed to operate in cruise ports, so this would be your last opportunity to get a gift for someone at home, purchase your professional photographs from your sailing, or pick up that souvenir you’ve been debating buying for yourself.
Last but not least, my husband and I also like to make sure we have some small bills easily accessible for the next day so that we can easily tip any crew membersor port employees who assist us as we begin our journey home.
This is also when we will leave an extra tip for the housekeeping team – in addition to our pre-paid gratuities – so that we don’t forget when we’re tired in the morning.
Keep Important Documentation Handy
Suite on MSC Virtuosa Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Sergey_Bogomyako)
Make sure you know what documents you need in order to exit the cruise ship and make your way through the cruise terminal. While some brands will only need to scan your room key or cruise card, others may want to see additional forms of identification.
Unless you were on a closed-loop voyage or your sailing didn’t stray from your home country, you most likely visited international ports and will need to go through customs in the cruise port.
This means you will need to keep your passport handy and may need to fill out a “Customs Declaration Form” that you will present to a customs and border control agent.
The important piece of paperwork asks guests about their activities while in port, where they went, and what items they are bringing into the country.
Usually, cabin stewards will deliver the form to guests’ cabins near the end of their sailing – although sometimes it can also be completed electronically. Only one form needs to be completed per family.
Personally, I always feel most comfortable keeping all my important documentation (i.e., passport, driver’s license, airfare confirmations) on me and easily accessible – especially if I’m checking my suitcase.
This protects me if my suitcase is accidentally lostand prevents any issue from needing documentation before I reach the luggage pick up point.
Make Any Special Accommodations Early
Cruise Ship’s Guest Services Desk (Photo Credit: steve estvanik)
Embarkation day and disembarkation day are usually the most hectic times to be on a cruise ship – often with long lines to leaveand packed elevators.
Some cruisers get around this by leaving early and exclusively taking the stairs.
But if you’re someone who is not able to use the stairs, perhaps due to an injury or disability, it may be useful to contact the cruise line in advance to receive additional assistance.
For example, Carnival Cruise Line allows guests to request wheelchair assistancein advance of their sailing if they need it – in which crew members will escort guests on and off the ship so they don’t have to deal with the crowds on their own.
On some ships, this may mean that guests are wheeled on and off the vessel using private crew elevators that aren’t normally accessible to the general public.
Similar accommodations are offered across the major cruise lines – but guests who need this service should ask in advance.
Know How You’ll be Leaving the Cruise Port
Disembarking a Cruise Ship (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)
There are many different ways to come and go from a cruise port, including driving your own car and parking at the port, using rideshare services or shuttle services, booking a private driver, taking a train, or coordinating rides with local friends and family.
Rather than scrambling to figure out transportation once you’re no longer onboard, try to have a plan in place – especially if you have somewhere to be soon after disembarking.
My personal favorite method is to order an Uber or Lyft once I make it through customs because then I’m not making anyone wait if it takes a longer time than I expect to go through the disembarkation process.
That said, you’ll have a pretty good idea of when you should be ready for a ride prior to disembarkation day – and many professional services that you can pre-book do include a buffer period where they will wait for you if necessary.
Meanwhile, shuttles – such as the ones that often run between cruise ports and the airport – will come on a regular schedule. Therefore, you don’t have to rush too much because there is always another shuttle coming soon.
Of course, check with the specific cruise port and/or shuttle operators to confirm if this is the case for you – and if you will need to make advance reservations.
Leave a Buffer if You’ll be Flying
Plane Going Over Port Everglades (Photo Credit: Leonard Zhukovsky)
If your next stop will be at the airport, make sure to leave enough of a window to make it to your flight on time.
Typically, a good rule of thumb is to allow yourself two hours in the airport to make a domestic flight, and three hours if you’re flying internationally. This is not counting the time it will take to make your way through the cruise port.
This means that if you’re due to disembark at 8 a.m., you shouldn’t pick a flight before 11 a.m. at the absolute earliest, even if the cruise port and airport are close together.
It’s important to leave enough time for hiccups related to things like long lines to leave the ship or to go through customs, delayed or lost luggage, and traffic surrounding the cruise port.
Keep in mind that traffic around the cruise port is often at its worst during times of embarkation or disembarkation – especially if multiple ships are docked that day – and you may also be on the roads at the same time as rush hour in that city.
Consider if You Want to Continue Your Vacation on Land
Cruise Ships at PortMiami, Florida (Photo Credit: 4kclips)
At least in the US, some of the biggest cruise ports are on Florida’s coast – such as Port Canaveral and PortMiami.
Port Canaveral is located in Orlando – which is also the home of major theme parks like Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. Many families like to visit these parks before going home since they’ll already be in town.
That said, there are reasons to stick around in most ports – such as wanting to visit Disneyland or Hollywood after docking in Los Angeles or taking extra time to explore a European cruise port city.
If this applies to you, make sure to secure transportation to your next destination in advance, along with booking any necessary hotel stays or tickets to ensure availability.
Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas is not having the smooth sailing guests hoped when they boarded the ship in Sydney, Australia on Saturday, March 15, 2025. The 7-night cruise was to have included visits to Adelaide in South Australia and Hobart in Tasmania.
Unfortunately, guests were informed that the original itinerary would no longer be possible due to severe weather developing along the route – specifically, on the way to Adelaide.
“Along with our Chief Meteorologist, Craig Setzer, we’ve been monitoring adverse weather developing on the west coast of Australia along the route to Adelaide,”the notification read.
“As a result, we’ll have to skip our visit to Adelaide, Australia, and enjoy an overnight in Hobart, Tasmania instead. Additionally, we will also visit Eden, Australia later this week where you’ll have plenty of time to explore everything this destination has to offer!”
The cruise had originally intended to be in Adelaide from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18, followed by Hobart from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 20.
Instead, Ovation of the Seas will head straight to Hobart for an earlier and longer overnight visit, arriving at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, March 17. The ship will remain in port until 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18.
Wednesday will remain a day at sea as originally planned, but the ship will spend Thursday in Eden from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
While some guests onboard will undoubtedly be disappointed at missing out on the vibrant city of Adelaide, these decisions are not made lightly.
“We’re terribly sorry for the last-minute change caused by the weather,”the notification acknowledged.“Your safety and comfort remain our top priority.”
All cruise lines carefully monitor weather patterns and storm systems for the ships in their respective fleets. While they always try to maintain their original, published itineraries, safety is the top priority.
For safety, this might mean ensuring a ship can safely maneuver while docking, that any tender boats could be used properly, and that all areas of the ship – including outdoor decks wherever possible – remain usable.
When poor weather disrupts a cruise itinerary, cruise lines may substitute alternative destinations, extend already planned ports of call, or simply opt for an additional day at sea.
Weather Impacting Ovation of the Seas
The storm system forcing the change of plans for Ovation of the Seas is currently impacting much of southeastern Australia, particularly Melbourne and the adjacent coastal region. This includes much of the Bass Strait, the body of water that separates mainland Australia from Tasmania.
Ovation of the Seas would have needed to transit through the Bass Strait to reach Adelaide, but by heading straight to Hobart, the ship can remain further out of reach of the rough weather.
Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas (Photo Credit: Leonard Zhukovsky)
Such high profile ships – Ovation of the Seas soars more than 200 feet above the waterline – can be susceptible to high winds, which can create uncomfortable lists or maneuvering difficulties.
Ovation of the Seas is the second Royal Caribbean ship to have dramatic weather impacts in Australia recently. Quantum of the Seas had to remain at sea for three extra days before returning to Brisbane due to Tropical Cyclone Alfred less than a week ago.
While these two weather systems are not directly related, this type of severe weather is a seasonal threat in Australia’s summer, just as the Atlantic hurricane season (June 1 through November 30) impacts Caribbean sailings.
Fortunately, Ovation of the Seas should not be delayed in her return to Sydney, and there are no announcements yet about any impact to the ship’s next sailing, a 2-night weekend cruise to nowhere.
This won’t stop the cruise line fromcalling on Mahogany Bay – which was a $62 million investment that the Carnival Corporation built and controls in Honduras – or from running the five impacted tours. Things will just look a little different.
“We have an important update regarding a recent change to local regulations for tours that include wildlife,” reads an email to guests booked on impacted excursions.
“While you will be able to closely observe the wildlife that will be present during your tour, please note that you will not be permitted to touch or feed them. This mandate will be strictly enforced by local authorities,”continued the update from Carnival.
Honduras’ National Institute of Forest Conservation shared that the reason behind the stricter regulations was due to“the drastic increase in the frequency of illegal trafficking, mismanagement and OVERMANIPULATION OF WILDLIFE observed in recent years on Roatan Island.”
The ban also follows the rescue of five different sloth bears that were confiscated while being illegally sent to Roatan in January 2025 – which may have been the final straw for the local government.
Additionally, handling the animals can also be stressful for the creatures that cruise guests go to see, even though reputable sanctuaries and conservation centers do try to mitigate this as much as possible.
Which Shore Excursions are Impacted?
Five different tours that are offered by Carnival Cruise Line have been adjusted to account for the new restriction.
First on the list is the “Pirates, Birds & Monkeys of the Caribbean” tour, which lasts for four hours and costs $59.99 per person.
The tour, which is centered in Gumbalimba Park, will still visit a refuge where guests can get up close and personal with white face monkeys, parrots, and macaws (but now without touching the animals). Tourists will also still visit Coxens Cave to learn about the history of pirates.
Next up is the slightly longer “Canopy & Gumbalimba Park” tour, which lasts for 4.5 hours and follows up an exhilarating zip lining experience with now modified-animal encounters.
Mahogany Beach (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)
The third experience to be tweaked is called “Tabyana Beach Day & Gumbalimba,” which lasts for 4.5 hours and costs $79.99 per person.
In addition to exploring Gumbalimba Park – which is home to the Monkey Refuge and Coxen’s Cove – those that book this excursion can also enjoy activities like snorkeling and listening to Caribbean music on the Tabyana Beach.
The final two tours – “Monkeys, Sloths & Macaws” and “Discover Roatan – Monkeys, Sloths & Macaws” – are perhaps the most animal-centric on the list. Both start at $99.99 per person, last for 3.5 hours, and are advertised as “wildlife encounters” on Carnival’s website.
While guests will still be able to visit, see, and learn about the animals, they will no longer be able to hold or feed them – which were previously the highlights of these experiences.
If the changes to these tours are deal breakers for you, Carnival does allow guests to cancel shore excursions booked through the cruise line for a full refund until two days before embarkation– which is the pre-sail cut off time.
With the cruise line offering more than 50 shore excursions in Mahogany Bay, there likely will be another activity that strikes your fancy.
