It isn’t too often that a cruise ship that is more than 20 years old gets to make a maiden visit to a port of call she has never seen before. That is just what Carnival Spirit was able to do on Friday, January 24, 2025, however, with her very first ever visit to Curacao.

The ship departed from Mobile, Alabama on a 12-night Southern Caribbean Carnival Journeys sailing on Saturday, January 18, first visiting Grand Turk and then Aruba before her arrival in Willemstad, Curacao.

The Port of Curacao welcomed Carnival Spirit with the maritime tradition of a plaque exchange ceremony. In attendance at the momentous occasion were local authorities, representatives of Customs and Immigration, the Curacao Tourist Board, the Curacao Ports Authority, and the ship’s officers.

The ship has now received her commemorative plaques for the new port visit, and in exchange, offered iconic “whale tail” funnel sculptures to different representatives and dignitaries.

Such items are often exchanged whenever a vessel first visits a new port, whether the ship is brand new or, like Carnival Spirit, has been sailing for decades. Photos, sculptures, maps, flags, and other items may be exchanged in gestures of goodwill and welcome.

These items are then displayed onboard the ship, and make an astonishing gallery cruise travelers can browse to see just where their ship has visited, and when those visits occurred.

This visit is particularly notable as cruise tourism continues to rise throughout the Caribbean. Travelers are eager for unique destinations, and Curacao is on the top of many cruisers’ wish lists for places to visit.

“The arrival of Carnival Spirit highlights Curaçao’s growing appeal as a key Caribbean cruise destination,” the Curacao Ports Authority noted.

As part of an extended Carnival Journeys sailing, this visit is sure to be a memorable one for many travelers aboard. Carnival Journeys cruises are longer voyages that offer more immersive, specialized activities and entertainment to truly highlight the unique destinations the ship visits.

After Curacao, Carnival Spirit will continue on to Jamaica and Grand Cayman before returning to Mobile on Thursday, January 30.

Sailing to Curacao

Curacao is a lovely destination, but its location more than 1,100 miles from the US makes it challenging for cruise ships to reach on typical 7-night or shorter sailings. Longer cruises can reach the tropical island, depending on how many other ports they plan to visit.

Part of the coveted A-B-C itinerary – Aruba-Bonaire-Curacao – the lovely Dutch Caribbean island has amazing features for travelers to enjoy, including the grottos of Hato Caves, the historic Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge, spectacular marine wildlife, and much more.

While Carnival Spirit was the only ship visiting Curacao on January 24, a variety of vessels from multiple cruise lines have enjoyed the port destination just this month.

Ships calling on Willemstad in January have included Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Beyond, Holland America Line’s Eurodam, Princess Cruises’ Island Princess, Virgin Voyages Resilient Lady, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Viva, and Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur of the Seas.

Two other Carnival ships that have visited the island this month: Carnival Horizon on January 9 and again on January 23, as well as Carnival Magic on January 14.

Carnival Miracle, Carnival Vista, Carnival Venezia, and Carnival Celebration will all visit Curacao in the next few months, all on longer Carnival Journeys cruises.

Carnival Spirit first entered service in 2001 and has sailed all around the world, including in Alaska, Europe, the Mexican Riviera, Australia, and more. She is currently the fifth oldest ship in Carnival’s 27-ship fleet.

Read Also: Carnival Ships by Age – Newest to Oldest

Her current sailing is her last itinerary before she will enter dry dock for updating and revitalization. She will return to service with her March 16, 2025 departure – a 14-night one-way transatlantic cruise from Barcelona to Miami. From Miami, she will immediately depart for Seattle on a 15-night sailing that will take her through the Panama Canal.

Carnival Spirit will spend the 2025 Alaska sailing season offering 7-night itineraries to explore the Last Frontier before returning to Mobile in October. Her next visit to Curacao will not be until January 2026, on another 14-night Southern Caribbean Carnival Journeys cruise.

Following an environmental complication and fluid spill that required immediate cleanup, Carnival Freedom was able to leave Port Canaveral after 11 p.m. on Thursday, January 23, 2025.

The late departure has meant a significant change to the ship’s itinerary for her 4-night Bahamas getaway, but fortunately guests will still be visiting all the planned ports of call.

The original itinerary had the 110,556-gross-ton vessel spending Friday in Nassau and Saturday in Princess Cays. The last day of the sailing was to be a Fun Day at Sea before the ship would return to Port Canaveral on Monday, January 27.

Now, the itinerary has been reversed and Carnival Freedom is spending Friday at sea, with the port visits reversed. This means the ship will visit Princess Cays still on Saturday and will be in Nassau on Sunday. The planned return to Port Canaveral is unchanged.

The time visiting Princess Cays has not been impacted, but Nassau’s visit will now be from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. rather than the originally planned 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Any shore tours for Nassau that were pre-booked through Carnival Cruise Line will be rescheduled for the new day and time if possible. If the tours cannot be rescheduled, guests will receive a full refund for those excursions.

It is unclear whether the itinerary reversal is due to the leakage and late departure from Port Canaveral or if other factors such as port congestion or weather may be part of the decision.

By making Friday a day at sea, Carnival Freedom can more easily make up the time from her late departure without completely cancelling any port visits.

Guests onboard were understandably disappointed and frustrated at the ship’s late departure, since onboard retail shops and the casino were unable to open as planned while Carnival Freedom remained in port. Now, however, all facilities are open and onboard activities are moving ahead as planned.

Carnival Cruise Line has not disclosed the cause of what appears to have been some type of fuel leak, but the issue has been resolved. At no time were any safety issues compromised, and all onboard operations have functioned as normal.

A Bad Luck Ship?

Carnival Freedom is starting to take on a bit of a cult following for her unusual incidents. This began in May 2022 when the ship caught fire in the starboard wing of her iconic whale tale funnel, causing cruise cancellations and an emergency dry dock for repairs. The ship emerged from that dry dock without her classic funnel.

Carnival Freedom regained her wings during a planned dry dock in October 2023 and proudly sported a new funnel – for less than six months. In March 2024, a lightning strike caused another funnel fire, this time on the portside wing, and once again the ship lost her whale tale.

Now, the spillage is causing some guests to question the ship’s fitness to sail. All systems are operating as expected, however, and Carnival Freedom is perfectly seaworthy and in compliance with all regulations.

While it doesn’t happen often, it isn’t unheard of for a cruise ship to have various mechanical problems – propulsion issues, power outages, sprinkler malfunctions, broken pipes, and more can all impact a ship.

It must be noted that these very complex ships operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. This can place incredible strain on various systems, and cruise lines have teams of engineers and technicians onboard to ensure everything operates smoothly and any issues can be quickly resolved.

Read Also: Carnival Ships by Size – Biggest to Smallest

Every cruise ship undergoes regular dry dock updates for repairs and maintenance. Carnival Freedom‘s last regular dry dock was in October 2023, when she received her short-lived funnel.

While it is unfortunate that this ship is once again in the spotlight for a less-than-ideal reason, many guests who have sailed on her love the layout, activities, crew members, and itineraries offered by the Conquest-class ship and happily set sail several times.

Carnival Freedom can welcome 2,980 guests and is also home to 1,150 international crew members. Homeported year-round from Port Canaveral, the ship offers 4- and 5-night Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean itineraries.

The up to 2,980 passengers that embarked on Carnival Freedom on January 23, 2025, were expecting to be sailing toward the Bahamas by 3:30 p.m. EST. 

However, the planned departure time came and went, and the Conquest-class ship remains docked in Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida several hours later – presumably due to an environmental issue.

The 110,000-gross ton ship was supposed to be operating a 4-night sailing to Nassau, Bahamas, and Princess Cays, Bahamas (the private island destination belonging to the Carnival-Owned Princess Cruises) – but the extensive delay has called the itinerary into question. 

Cruise Hive reached out to Carnival for comment and received the following statement: “Carnival Freedom’s team managed an environmental matter Thursday, delaying the ship’s departure from Port Canaveral. Guests are being kept informed.” 

The Carnival spokesperson did not specify what exactly went wrong, but current passengers have reported that the ship was leaking oil – which of course has to be quickly resolved and cleaned to minimize contamination and potential harm to marine life and their ecosystems.

“Captain said ‘environmental issue’…ship is supposedly leaking oil and they are having to clean up,” one current guest shared.

“I saw what looked like a lot of fuel in the water at 1pm when we boarded,” another passenger added. 

Others shared videos of what looked like a dark shiny sheen on the ocean’s surface – which can be indicative of an oil spill – and have reported sightings of divers and spill control teams.

“They are loading the divers back up and spill control has just arrived 8pm,” another guest updated at around 8pm EST. 

It’s unclear what caused the alleged leak – as anything from maintenance issues to damage can result in a spill – but guests that disembarked this morning (January 23) from the previous 5-night Eastern Caribbean sailing reported very rough seas on the journey back to Port Canaveral. 

How Will the Carnival Freedom Itinerary Be Affected?

At this stage, it’s a bit too early to tell how Carnival Freedom’s itinerary may change – or if the sailing could be cancelled altogether due to the environmental situation. 

Carnival has not specified how long it will take to make necessary repairs or complete the clean up process – nor has the Miami-based cruise line actually confirmed the issue at hand.

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That said, current guests are reporting that the 2007-launched ship won’t be going anywhere until tomorrow, January 24, at the earliest. 

This means that tomorrow’s planned call on Nassau – where the ship was supposed to be docked from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. local time – will likely be cancelled, or at the very least, shortened.

“They just told us the issue isn’t fixed and we won’t get another update until tomorrow morning. Which SUCKS because we booked Atlantis tickets for tomorrow,” an impacted passenger wrote on Reddit, referencing one of Nassau’s most popular offerings.

“I am currently on the Carnival Freedom which is stuck in port at Port Canaveral with propulsion issues. Will be leaving at least one day late at this point. They are not telling us much,” another guest wrote in an email to Cruise Hive.

Read Also: From Mishaps to Maydays – Cruise Ship Accidents

Current guests are understandably frustrated – not only because they are not getting the experience they paid for, but also because Carnival is not allowed to open the casino or its shops while in port. 

Given the delay and expected itinerary change, it wouldn’t be surprising if Carnival offers compensation – but it’s unclear what form that will take at this time. 

Others demanded that Carnival Freedom be sent back to dry dock for further maintenance – she was last there for refurbishments in 2023 – or insisted that she be removed from service entirely, calling back to when she caught fire in 2024 as another example of when things went wrong.

This also isn’t the first time a Carnival ship has been held up by an unexpected environmental situation. Carnival Magic was delayed in Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos, by discharged soot back in 2023, but that delay only lasted a few hours and did not impact the itinerary.

Lanyards are a popular and practical accessory for many cruise passengers, but a recent conversation among Carnival cruisers has revealed some tips about safety – and lanyards may not be so safe.

The discussion began innocently enough with a cruise guest reaching out to John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador, about whether or not lanyards were still in vogue. The guest hasn’t cruised in several years, and wasn’t sure about the current fashion.

“I’m going on the Mardi Gras in March and want to know if you use a lanyard for your card,” the guest asked. “My husband refuses to put one on a lanyard, he wears one to work every day, so doesn’t want to do it. Do people still do this?”

Heald posted the question as part of his daily Facebook poll. After more than 62,000 votes, 24% of respondents (approximately 15,000 voters) do use a lanyard, while just 10% (approximately 6,200) prefer not to use one.

I’m in agreement with the original poster; having to wear lanyards at work, I don’t want to be wearing one while on vacation. Some travelers do find them very convenient, however, for not only carrying the Sail & Sign card, but also for tucking an extra credit card, cash, or driver’s license into the lanyard pocket.

Others enjoy the fashion statement a lanyard can make, and may change daily to coordinate with different theme nights or outfits. Carnival even sells official lanyards, bedazzled options, and a wide range of colors to suit all preferences.

Furthermore, Carnival Cruise Line’s Sail & Sign cards all come with holes already punched in a corner, making them easy to clip onto even the simplest lanyard. If a card does not have a pre-punched hole, guests can easily visit the Guest Services desk to ask for one to be put in the card if desired.

Could Lanyards Be a Security Risk?

Another commenter raised concern about lanyards, however, that brings safety into question.

“I do not wear a lanyard when it’s super windy on deck (almost lost one overboard once when the wind ripped it off my neck) or if I’m dressed up for dinner (I think it looks weird),” the guest noted.

“I also won’t wear it while in port – I know a lot of people do, but I feel it’s a bit of a safety/security issue to have your cards out for all to see. Especially for those who also have their driver’s license and [credit card] shoved in a clear pocket around on it.”

Worth Reading: Cruise Like a Pro: 20 Mistakes Newbies Always Make

Heald responded to the guest’s thoughts, noting that this might indeed be something to consider.

“Thank you and interesting point there – do you wear your Sail and Sign card on a lanyard when you are walking around ports,” Heald mused. “I mean, I don’t think we have ever advised you not to and I am sure it’s fine to do but this made me think for sure.”

The security concern is a valid one, particularly since so many popular cruise ports do have some travel advisories and tourists may be at risk for increased crime. Using a lanyard in port is a very obvious sign that one is a tourist and could be an easy target for burglary.

Many additional guests chimed in offering their own tips, such as ensuring a lanyard is tucked inside a shirt or jacket while in port, or else putting it securely in a bag or backpack so it is not visible or easy to grab.

Along with the idea that an easy-to-see lanyard and ship card might make one at greater risk for crime, other travelers noted that obvious tourists are also subject to more high-pressure sales pitches. This can make visiting any port of call less enjoyable.

Read Also: 15 Mistakes to Avoid on a Carnival Cruise

Other guests note that wearing a lanyard in port doesn’t make someone appear to be any more of a tourist than snapping photos, shopping in the port areas, or getting on tour buses.

One guest even notes that for her, the lanyard is actually more of a safety measure than using a bag.

“I’m afraid if it’s not around my neck and my purse/bag gets stolen, or I accidentally leave the bag on the back of a toilet, I won’t be able to get back on the ship!” she said.

Clearly, there are logical reasons both to use a lanyard or to avoid one, depending on what any individual cruiser’s preferences may be. Travelers should always be mindful of their safety when in ports of call, and always be sure their ship card is secure.

Carnival Cruise Line has reached out to guests booked aboard the January 25, 2025 departure of Carnival Magic with notification that their sailing will have a delayed embarkation. As a consequence, all terminal arrival appointments have been revised.

The impacted cruise is an 8-night Eastern Caribbean sailing with visits scheduled for Amber Cove, San Juan, St. Maarten, and St. Thomas, before the ship returns to Miami, Florida on Sunday, February 2.

“Saturday, January 25, the ship will be returning from a chartered voyage, and we will need some extra time to disembark guests and offload special equipment before accommodating your arrival,” the notification read. “Consequently, embarkation for your cruise has been revised. Please delay your Terminal Arrival Appointment by two hours.”

Carnival Magic‘s current sailing is the ShipRocked Cruise, a special event featuring more than 35 different rock artists and bands, including returning performers as well as those on their first ShipRocked sailing.

The 6-night sailing is filled with concerts, meet-and-greets, photo ops, theme nights, and more, along with all the typical activities and entertainment onboard.

The chartered cruise departed PortMiami on Sunday, January 19, with calls to St. Thomas and Half Moon Cay on the itinerary.

The “special equipment” that needs to be offloaded before the next embarkation can begin is likely extra sound and stage equipment used for the various concerts during the ShipRocked cruise.

Furthermore, the ShipRocked debarkation may be a bit more logistically challenging to ensure the onboard artists can leave the ship smoothly before fans begin debarkation.

Because of the delay, guests on Carnival Magic‘s January 25 departure will now simply move their Terminal Arrival Appointments to two hours later than planned.

For example, if a guest initially selected an appointment of 12:30-1 p.m. to get checked in and board Carnival Magic, now they will need to arrive from 2:30-3 p.m. All guests must arrive at the cruise terminal no later than 4 p.m.

Carnival Cruise Line is also advising travelers that seating is limited within the cruise terminal and it is not possible to accommodate guests who arrive ahead of their revised appointment times.

It is essential to permit enough time for guests from the previous cruise to clear the cruise terminal and parking areas before arriving travelers can be welcomed.

At this time, there is no expected impact to Carnival Magic‘s January 25 itinerary. All her ports of call are intact and no port times have been changed.

Even leaving Miami slightly later than planned will not be a problem, as the first day of the sailing is a day at sea and it will be easy for the vessel to make up any lost time on her way to Amber Cove.

Why No Earlier Notification?

While guests who must now delay their boarding for Carnival Magic by two hours may be understandably upset, the delay is relatively minimal. This is especially true when compared to fog-related delays that may be several hours, or could even last a full day as happens occasionally in ports like Tampa or Jacksonville.

Still, given that the ShipRocked cruise was planned and chartered months ago, it’s interesting that Carnival Cruise Line did not account for the extra debarkation time in advance.

Read Also: What to Expect When You Go on a Carnival Cruise

Extra notice would have given travelers the opportunity to arrange for later pre-cruise flights or hotel check-outs if necessary, or find some other way to enjoy the time in Miami before boarding the ship.

Personal hint – Bayside Marketplace, just on the base of Port Boulevard next to the cruise terminals, is a great place to spend a couple of hours with the Skyview Miami Observation Wheel, local shopping and restaurants, boat tours, and a huge candy store to explore.

Whenever guests do board Carnival Magic, the ship’s nearly 1,400 international crew members will be waiting to provide exceptional service and ensure that everyone aboard has a truly magical cruise getaway.