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Disney Cruise Line Provides Update on New Under Construction Ship

Melissa Mayntz
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Disney Cruise Line Provides Update on New Under Construction Ship

Disney cruise fans are getting an insider look at their vacation destiny with a new time lapse video of the ship’s construction as the first entry of the new Ship’s Log, an exclusive collection of all things Disney Destiny.

The fast-paced video, shot inside the construction bay of the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, shows the ship’s blocks being assembled over the past few months.

Furthermore, the video is accompanied by an exciting announcement – that the final blocks of the ship were put in place in late 2024, finishing the ship’s hull.

“That’s right – with the last piece of the ship in place, the ship’s exterior is now structurally complete and outfitting work has begun on the interior,” Disney Cruise Line has confirmed.

The video, which does not have any accompanying sound, initially shows the bow of Disney Treasure in the construction bay as the first blocks of Disney Destiny are laid into place.

Over the next minute, those blocks are built up into the recognizable front of the new vessel, but without adequate room for the rest of the ship.

Halfway through the video, Disney Treasure suddenly vanishes on what would have been the day of her float out in early August 2024. The space is gradually filled in by more blocks from Disney Destiny as the rest of the ship’s hull takes shape.

Easily visible are balcony and porthole staterooms, the ship’s bridge, the base of the iconic red funnels, and the beginnings of the outer decks.

The video clearly showcases just how intricate the operation is to “assemble” a cruise ship from pre-built blocks, with multiple cranes at work to carefully maneuver each block precisely into place. This work has no room for error, as the blocks must be properly fitted to ensure the ship’s integrity and stability.

Various measures are taken to protect parts of the ship as the work moves forward, such as coverings over windows and deck sections while other blocks are moved into place. This ensures no debris can cause incidental damage that would require even more work to correct.

It is also clear from the video, however, just how “basic” the blocks can be, with raw decking and no interior details visible at this time, though the shape of the ship has been completed. A tremendous amount of work still remains before Disney Destiny sails into service in late November.

This video is just the first entry in the new Ship’s Log that has kicked off from Wednesday, January 15, 2025. Future updates are sure to offer more reveals about the new vessel as she reaches her upcoming milestones.

What’s Next for Disney Destiny?

Disney Cruise Line has revealed many exciting details about what guests can expect to see aboard the next Wish-class ship with her heroes-and-villains inspiration. The ship will embrace the Marvel universe more than any other vessel, but still includes classic Disney iconography.

“Guests will be inspired, encouraged and empowered by heroes and villains alike, universally beloved for their strength of character and distinctive personalities,” Disney Cruise Line has stated.

“The ship will be a celebration of the bold, charismatic and driven characters at the heart of the many myths and legends, fairy tales and fantasies from Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Disney Parks.”

From the staterooms decorated with the epic journeys of Disney heroes to the Black Panther statue adorning the main atrium, the entire vessel is infused with the inspiring characters that capture the imaginations of cruisers young and old.

Disney Destiny Cruise Ship
Disney Destiny Cruise Ship (Image Courtesy: Disney)

Different entertainment shows, dining options, and activity spaces will embrace Disney favorites such as “The Lion King,” “Frozen,” “The Incredibles,” and much more.

Read Also: Disney Destiny Cruise Ship – Everything We Know So Far

Before guests can set sail into their cruising destinies, however, the ship will need to be floated out at the shipyard. At that time, she will move to a different area for finishing work, both interior and exterior.

Following a successful float out, Disney Destiny will undergo her sea trials to ensure all her systems function as expected and to test her operational and emergency procedures.

Then, finally, the ship can be outfitted for passengers as the last details are arranged, supplies are loaded up, and the vessel will be delivered to Disney Cruise Line. At that point, she will make her way to her homeport at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Disney Destiny will be offer 4- and 5-night Bahamas and Western Caribbean itineraries beginning with her maiden voyage on November 24, 2025. That very special first sailing will be calling on both of the cruise line’s private Bahamian destinations, Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point as well as Castaway Cay.

Bookings for Disney Destiny are now open and filling fast with eager travelers ready to embrace the destiny of an amazing cruise vacation.

Malta’s Cruise Passenger Numbers Hit Record High in 2024

Lissa Poirot
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Malta’s Cruise Passenger Numbers Hit Record High in 2024

Just five years after the pandemic brought cruise traffic in Malta to a crippling halt, the island nation is celebrating historic passenger levels.

Officials on the island reported more than 940,000 passenger movements at Malta’s Valletta Cruise Port in 2024, marking a 4 percent increase from its previous record that took place in 2019.

In fact, the Grand Harbour in the nation’s capital city welcomed 357 cruise ship calls, highlighting the island’s growing appeal in the Mediterranean region.

“We are incredibly proud of the record-breaking results achieved in 2024, reflecting the cruise industry’s resilience and swift recovery post-Covid,” said Stephen Xuereb, COO of Global Ports Holding and CEO of Valletta Cruise Port.

“Beyond the impressive numbers, we must continue to work towards delivering a smooth and authentic Mediterranean experience for which our islands are globally renowned,” he added.

Xuereb highlighted the steps Valletta Cruise Port is taking to enhance infrastructure to support its growing cruise industry, emphasizing sustainable development. In December 2023, the port became the first in the Mediterranean to offer shore-to-ship power.

The system, which reduces emissions by allowing cruise ships to shut down their engines and connect to the local power grid, is capable of servicing up to five cruise liners simultaneously.

In an effort to boost capacity for cruise ships and improve the overall passenger experience, the port is also expanding and upgrading the port’s Quay Pinto 4-5. 

The €25 million project will transform the existing Pinto 4 and 5 quays, located near the Customs Department, into a single, integrated quay stretching nearly 1,000 feet. The expansion project is expected to be complete within the year.

Read Also: MSC Cruise Ships By Age: Newest to Oldest (For 2025)

The port has also recently requested proposals for the redevelopment of the Old Power House, and has plans to launch a public tender for the Atrium car park by mid-February 2025.

“With this development and our status as the first Mediterranean port to offer onshore power supply, we are well-positioned to ensure sustainable growth in this sector,” said Xuereb. “2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year.”

During a recent visit to the port, Malta’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism Ian Borg expressed his enthusiasm over the record-breaking feat and called for island stakeholders to work together to further enhance tourism.

Valletta Malta
Valletta, Malta (Photo Credit: meunierd)

“We want cruise passengers to enjoy their experience and put our country in their bucket list for a longer holiday next time round,” said Borg. “This is why we are collaborating with other ministries to make sure that as a country, we intensify our efforts for a better-quality tourism product in coming years.”

Cruise Lines Boosting Island Economy

The cruise traffic to Malta was also revealed to be a major contributor to the island’s economy. The government said it receives €88 million annually – €38 million in passenger spending and €50 million coming from cruise lines.

Malta’s Valletta port will serve as homeport to a number of major cruise lines in 2025, including P&O Cruises’ 3,100-passenger Azura, arriving in March; Explora Journey’s 922-guest Explora I and MSC Cruises’ 6,762-passenger MSC World Europa, arriving in April; and the MSC Magnifica, carrying up to 3,013 guests, arriving in May.

MSC Cruises is also currently sailing to the island from other ports, with MSC World Europa first calling on January 8, 2025, during a 7-night Mediterranean voyage from Sicily.

Other cruise lines expected to dock in Malta this year include Viking Oceans, Holland American Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Seabourn, Regent Seven Seas, Cunard, Princess Cruises, and Oceania Cruises, just to name a few.

Cruise Ship Reports Outbreak Among Guests and Crew

Melissa Mayntz
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Cruise Ship Reports Outbreak Among Guests and Crew

With norovirus and other gastrointestinal illnesses surging in many areas, it is not surprising that cruise ship outbreaks are also likely to be reported.

These outbreaks are not confined to the largest ships with thousands of guests onboard, however.

Silversea Cruises’ newest ship, Silver Ray, has a guest capacity of just 728 passengers. The vessel is currently experiencing an outbreak as she makes her way from Lima, Peru to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The 16-night sailing departed Lima on Saturday, January 5, 2025, following an overnight embarkation stay.

The ship has visited Ecuador as well as enjoyed passage through the famed Panama Canal and a port call in Colombia. Aruba is the last planned port of call as the ship continues on to Port Everglades.

Unfortunately, all has not been smooth sailing for the new ship as an unidentified outbreak of gastrointestinal distress has been reported onboard.

While conclusive testing is not yet complete and the exact causative agent has not been determined, affected guests and crew members are reporting diarrhea and abdominal cramps.

Thus far, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 38 of the ship’s 681 passengers have reported the symptoms, along with 5 of the 532 crew members aboard. This means 5.58% of passengers and just under 1% of crew members have reported the illness.

Whenever more than 3% of a ship’s passengers or crew members report such symptoms, the outbreak is required to be reported to the CDC. This directive applies to any cruise ships with more than 13 passengers that visit any US port.

To be clear, the guests onboard Silver Ray may not all have reported the symptoms at the same time. The total number of impacted passengers is counted for the duration of the voyage, but could mean that some travelers were ill early in the sailing while others did not feel any distress until several days later.

The ship has already implemented enhanced sanitation measures as well as isolating both passengers and crew members who have reported the illness. These steps will hopefully mitigate any further spread.

When the ship reaches Port Everglades on Monday, January 20, 2025, further deep cleaning is likely to be done before new guests embark for Silver Ray‘s next sailing, a 12-night sailing that will return to Lima, Peru.

At this time, there is no change for embarkation timing, but booked guests will be notified if any delay becomes necessary.

What Illness Is It Among Passengers and Crew?

Though the illness onboard Silver Ray has not yet been identified, norovirus is one of the most common and widespread gastrointestinal illnesses. Of 18 reported outbreaks in 2024, 14 were confirmed as norovirus.

Interestingly, the only 2024 outbreak aboard a Silversea Cruises ship was not due to norovirus, but E. coli – which is commonly spread through contaminated food or water.

That outbreak occurred on Silver Nova, sister ship to Silver Ray, in early April. In that incident, 28 out of 633 guests reported symptoms, while 1 out of 538 crew members was affected.

CDC
Photo Credit: JHVEPhoto / Shutterstock

Norovirus spread in similar ways, as well as through contaminated surfaces. For both illnesses, diarrhea is a very common symptom.

Both these outbreaks aboard Silversea Cruises ships clearly demonstrate that illnesses can spread even aboard luxury vessels or when fewer numbers of guests are onboard.

Similarly, an outbreak aboard Sea Cloud Cruises’ Sea Cloud Spirit earlier in January 2025 noted that no passengers out of the 120 aboard were ill, though 28 of 93 crew members (30.1%) reported illness. That outbreak is presumed to be ciguatera, a foodborne illness.

Travelers should always be sure they are washing their hands frequently and taking other steps to stay healthy while on a cruise to minimize any risks of contagion that could dampen their oceangoing vacation.

Country Music Cruise Unveils Star-Studded Lineup

Lissa Poirot
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Country Music Cruise Unveils Star-Studded Lineup

Country music fans have a treat awaiting them this month as the Country Music Cruise has unveiled its star-studded lineup for its 11th annual sailing.

Headlining the voyage, which sets sail on January 19, 2025, aboard Holland America Line’s Nieuw Amsterdam? John Michael Montgomery, who will perform on his farewell tour.

Montgomery, who debuted his first album, “Life’s a Dance,” in 1992, will be performing his chart-topping hits, including “I Can Love You Like That,” “I Love the Way You Love Me,” and “I Swear.”

“Our 10th anniversary sailing [in January 2024] was a very special one indeed,” said Mike Jason, president of StarVista LIVE. “Whether a guest on many of our sailings or a first-timer, everyone was warmly welcomed into the Country Music Cruise family.”

“The artists entertained us in a world-class fashion, provided plenty of great music and laughs, and created many, many special moments,” he continued.

Throughout the new seven-day cruise, up to 2,106 passengers will have numerous opportunities to interact with their favorite musicians during panel discussions, Q&A sessions, and meet and greets.

The entertainment lineup extends beyond concerts to include country karaoke, gospel hours, cornhole tournaments, and line dancing. Guests can also participate in theme nights and vow renewal ceremonies.

As an added feature, Nan Kelley, long-time host on Great American Country, will provide engaging artist interviews, cooking segments, and artist introductions.

Setting Sail with a Star-Studded Lineup

The all-inclusive Country Music Cruise, which is following the current StarVista LIVE Sandy Beaches musical cruise on Nieuw Amsterdam that returns on January 18, 2025, will depart from Fort Lauderdale.

It will travel to ports in Key West, Florida, and Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico.

Fares include daily activities, meals, and more than 100 live performances offered across seven venues, including the two-story World Stage, the Rolling Stone Lounge, and Billboard Onboard.

In addition to Montgomery’s much-anticipated performances, guests on the chartered voyage will enjoy a lineup brimming with talent, such as Moe Brandy, who will bring his honky-tonk and rodeo-themed music to life, and T.G. Sheppard, who will blend country and pop smoothly with hits like “Devil in the Bottle.” 

Nieuw Amsterdam Cruise Ship
Photo Credit: Wangkun Jia / Shutterstock

Meanwhile, the powerful voice of John Berry, singing songs like “Your Love Amazes Me,” will be found alongside the Isaac family, who will sing gospel steeped in bluegrass tradition.

The musical journey will continue with Jimmy Fortune, known for his tenure with the Statler Brothers; Check Mead, formerly of BR549; Australian-born Jamie O’Neal; Mo Pitney and his deep country roots; and the energetic ensemble 50 Shades of Hay.

Plus, passengers can look forward to the return of the Elvis Tribute Artists and the special Grand Ole Opry at Sea event, where artists take the stage together for an evening of stories and songs.

Read Also: 10 Worst Cruise Fails You Can Prepare For

For those unable to join the 2025 voyage, the 2026 Country Music Cruise lineup has been released with familiar faces like Josh Turner, Randy Owen, and Patty Loveless headlining.

That cruise will sail January 25 through February 1, 2026, from Fort Lauderdale on Holland America Line’s 2,104-passenger, 86,273-gross-ton Eurodam. 

The journey will take guests and artists to Grand Turk in Turks & Caicos and St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands.

Dry Dock Schedule Shifts Cause Multiple Disney Cancellations

Melissa Mayntz
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Dry Dock Schedule Shifts Cause Multiple Disney Cancellations

Cruise passengers always take a chance on delays or cancellations when choosing a cruise vacation near a ship’s planned dry dock dates.

Disney cruisers never expected multiple cancellations long past what was to have been the end of Disney Fantasy‘s upcoming dry dock, however.

The impacted guests received notification of their cruise cancellations this week, and a total of four sailings have been removed. The ship’s October 20, November 2, November 7, and November 12, 2025 departures are now cancelled.

“Due to an unplanned change in the scheduled dry dock dates for the Disney Fantasy, your sailing is no longer available,” the notification read. “We sincerely apologize for any disappointment this may cause and welcome the opportunity to assist you in rescheduling your sailing around the same timeframe.”

Disney Fantasy, which is homeported from Port Canaveral, Florida, is scheduled to move to Europe for the summer sailing season in mid-May. After offering a variety of sailings from Barcelona, Rome, and Southampton, the ship was to have entered dry dock on September 29, 2025.

Following the dry dock refreshment and update, Disney Fantasy was to have returned to service on October 20, 2025 with a 13-night westbound transatlantic sailing from Southampton back to Port Canaveral. At that time, she would have resumed her 4- and 5-night Bahamian itineraries.

Guests on the now-cancelled sailings are receiving a full refund back to their original form of payment. In addition, Disney Cruise Line is offering a 20% discount on a future booking.

Blackout dates do apply and the discount may not be used on maiden voyages for upcoming Disney ships, including Disney Destiny from Fort Lauderdale in November.

The 129,750-gross-ton, Dream-class Disney Fantasy entered service in 2012. The ship can welcome 2,500 guests aboard at double occupancy, or as many as 4,000 travelers when fully booked.

Also onboard are more than 1,400 international crew members who work to ensure that all guests’ cruise vacation fantasies come true.

Will New Cruises Be Added?

Disney Cruise Line has already stated that a revised 13-night Disney Fantasy westbound transatlantic sailing will be available for booking beginning on Thursday, February 6, 2025. As yet, there is no departure date for that cruise, nor have any ports of call been confirmed.

The cancelled post-dry-dock transatlantic sailing was to have visited La Coruna and Vigo in Spain as well as Ponta Delgada in the Azores. It is likely that the revised cruise will have similar ports of call as the ship returns to Port Canaveral.

Worth Reading: A Little Less Disney Magic as Dry Dock Change Cancels Cruise

At this time, it is unknown whether or not new Disney Fantasy sailings will be offered in Europe prior to the dry dock, as it appears the dates have been shifted to slightly later than originally planned. This might mean the ship can offer extra European cruises before entering dry dock.

Disney Fantasy in the Caribbean
Disney Fantasy in the Caribbean (Photo Credit: Derek Boucher)

Read Also: Disney Cruise Ships – Newest to Oldest

Another possibility is that the ship’s dry dock will need to be longer than initially anticipated either due to extra work that needs to be done or labor challenges at the shipyard that might impact work schedules. This would mean the ship needs the additional time to remain in dry dock longer than expected.

While the dry dock itself is not unplanned – all cruise ships undergo maintenance and refurbishment every few years – the date change is sure to be a surprise to booked guests.

Dry dock delays do occasionally happen, and it is not unheard of for a ship’s first post-dry-dock sailing to be impacted. What is unusual in this case is that four cruises are impacted, for a total of 27 days.

Fortunately, travelers will not be out of any investment for their cruise fare and will have a pleasant discount for rebooking a new sailing of their choice.

New Carnival Itineraries Will Include Inaugural Port Visits

Melissa Mayntz
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New Carnival Itineraries Will Include Inaugural Port Visits

Cruise travelers are always interested in brand new and exciting itineraries, especially visiting unique destinations. It doesn’t get more unique than a ship’s inaugural visit to a port of call, and Carnival Cruise Line will be offering multiple such opportunities on four brand-new Asia and Pacific sailings.

The four cruises – two aboard Carnival Luminosa in 2026 and two aboard the upcoming Carnival Adventure in 2027 – are all longer Carnival Journeys sailings, sure to offer amazing immersive experiences for travelers.

Carnival Luminosa will be offering two unique 14-night sailings, one from Tokyo to Singapore and the other from Singapore to Brisbane.

The first sailing will depart Tokyo on October 9, 2026, with an astonishing five inaugural port calls en route to Singapore.

Carnival Luminosa will be the first-ever Carnival ship to visit Hong Kong, Osaka (Kyoto) and Fukuoka (Hakata) in Japan, Seogwipo (Jeju) in South Korea, and Keelung (Taipei) in Taiwan. Also on the itinerary is a visit to Phy My (Ho Chi Minh) in Vietnam.

The ship’s second new itinerary is a 14-night itinerary from Singapore to Brisbane, departing November 30, 2026. While this voyage does not include any inaugural calls, the planned visits to Bali as well as Darwin, Cairns, and Airlie Beach in Australia are sure to be amazing port stops for guests to enjoy.

Carnival Adventure, which is joining the Carnival fleet from P&O Cruises Australia in March 2025, will offer two more distinctive Carnival Journeys in 2027.

The first is a 14-night cruise from Sydney to Singapore, departing on January 27, 2027 and stopping at Airlie Beach and Darwin in Australia, Bali, and Lombok, Indonesia. These are not new ports of call for the cruise line, but are sure to offer new opportunities for interested travelers.

Carnival Adventure‘s second new itinerary is a 9-night Southeast Asia cruise roundtrip from Singapore that will depart on February 27, 2025.

Three brand-new ports of call are on the exotic itinerary: Koh Samui and Laem Chabang (Bangkok) in Thailand and Sihanoukville in Cambodia. The ship will also visit Phy My (Ho Chi Minh) in Vietnam.

All of these exciting options add up to great fun for Carnival guests, further expanding the cruise line’s presence in the region and appealing to adventurous travelers.

“These new itineraries represent some of our most enchanting and diverse offerings in the Asia-Pacific region,” said Fred Stein, vice president of itinerary planning for Carnival Cruise Line. “With our expanded deployment in Australia, we’re able to offer our guests itineraries with more variety along with the Carnival experience they know and love.”

Carnival Luminosa
Carnival Luminosa (Photo Credit: Ian Dewar Photography)

Not only will travelers on these unique cruises enjoy spectacular ports of call and all of Carnival Cruise Line’s amazing amenities, but Carnival Journeys sailings are often filled with even more immersive experiences.

For example, guest lecturers often provide insights into unique destinations, while local performers may be brought onboard for one-time exclusive entertainment options. Delicious menu options often highlight local cuisine, and other special touches may be introduced as well.

How Are Inaugural Calls Different?

What makes these new Carnival Luminosa and Carnival Adventure itineraries even more exciting is so many brand new ports of call.

A ship’s inaugural visit to a destination – as well as the cruise line’s inaugural visit – is always a special occasion. A welcome ceremony is usually held either onboard the vessel or on the dock, where the ship’s captain will exchange plaques with local authorities.

Read Also: Carnival Cruise Gratuities – How Much and Why?

These plaques – which may also be small statues, photos, or medallions – are often displayed on the cruise ship, documenting the amazing destinations the vessel has visited throughout her service life.

While cruise lines do everything possible to ensure guests have ample options for exploring new ports of call, travelers should understand if shore excursion choices may be limited at brand-new destinations as well.

Nevertheless, these sailings are sure to be memorable and momentous voyages for everyone aboard, guests and crew alike!

Southampton Hits Huge Cruise Passenger Record, £1 Billion to Economy

Donna Tunney
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Southampton Hits Huge Cruise Passenger Record, £1 Billion to Economy

The cruise business continued to boom in Southampton in 2024, setting a new arrivals record and injecting substantial revenue into the port and its surrounding regions.

The Port of Southampton, which is managed by Associated British Ports (ABP), recorded a 15% spike in cruise passengers transiting the facility in 2024 compared with 2023. In 2024, 3 million cruise guests visited the port versus 2.6 million the previous year.

Economic contributions to the area, in the form of guest and crew spending on local products and services, and local employment derived from cruise operations, exceeded £1 billion ($1.2 billion USD) in 2024.

The port attracts cruise ships from all of the major lines and many smaller, UK and European lines. It offers five cruise terminals, the newest of which is the Horizon Cruise Terminal, the first in the UK to provide shore power technology to cruise ships.

A second shore power connection is in the process of being installed at another terminal, the Mayflower Cruise Terminal.

Cruise ships that are shore-power enabled are embracing the service at Southampton. The port in 2024 saw a 50% hike in the number of cruise ships hooking into the local power grid.

Shore power allows ships to cut emissions by using local energy sources to keep their hotel operations running while docked in port, rather than keep their engines on.

Other green technologies in use at the Horizon terminal include a rooftop solar installation that produces more energy than the facility uses.

“We are proud to have the capability, infrastructure, and partnerships in place to facilitate this incredible economic value for our city. We continue to see global cruise sector growth, and Southampton leads the way for the UK and Northern Europe,” said Rebekah Keeler, cruise strategy manager at Associated British Ports.

Southampton, one of 22 ports managed by ABP, is the UK’s largest and handles about 85% of the UK cruise market. Also in 2024, the Port of Southampton was named Best UK Departure Port, based on passenger reviews.

The lion’s share of the port’s cruise business comes from the busy summer season, but some ships operate turnaround cruises in the winter months as well. Among them are Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Borealis and Balmoral, MSC Cruises’ MSC Preziosa, and P&O Cruises’ Iona, Arvia, Aurora and Ventura, to name a few.

Cruise Ships in Southampton
Photo Credit: Peter Titmuss / Shutterstock

Read Also: The Essential Guide to All Southampton Cruise Terminals

Off-season itineraries from Southampton take cruise guests to the Canary Islands, Northern Europe, the British Isles, and various Western Europe destinations. Other cruise lines homeport ships at Southampton during the prime summer season.

Port Benefits From Arrival of Cunard’s Queen Anne

Perhaps Southampton’s most notable arrival of 2024 was Cunard’s new-build Queen Anne, the iconic cruise line’s first new vessel in a decade.

Built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy, Queen Anne arrived at her Southampton homeport on April 30, 2024 and was welcomed with a grand fireboat water salute, hundreds of fans at the port, and headlines around the world.

The 3,000-guest ship sailed multiple itineraries from Southampton during her inaugural summer season, and on January 7, 2025 departed on her first world cruise, a 111-night voyage that offered embarkation in Hamburg, Germany, as well as Southampton.

Following her world cruise Queen Anne will return to her homeport of Southampton for a series of summer sailings to Northern Europe, the British Isles, and the Western Mediterranean.

Other popular luxury and premium cruise lines offering sailings from Southampton in 2025 include Silversea Cruises, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, and Viking.

Carnival Confirms Ship Will Continue to Sail With Modified Funnel

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Confirms Ship Will Continue to Sail With Modified Funnel

The iconic whale tale funnel of Carnival cruise ships is a sight that excites many cruise travelers, recognizable from miles away. It can be the first sight of embarkation, and is a wonderful reminder of amazing cruise memories.

One Carnival ship does not have that characteristic funnel, however, and won’t be getting one anytime soon due to scheduling concerns.

Carnival Freedom lost her funnel – twice – in fires in May 2022 and again in March 2024, just months after receiving her replacement funnel. Since then, the ship has sailed with a modified straight funnel that is fully functional, but lacks the visual and architectural interest of Carnival Cruise Line’s signature whale tail.

The funnel is of interest to many cruise guests not only as a sign of their sailing, but as a great photo feature for every Carnival cruise ship. One upcoming guest on Carnival Freedom inquired about the new funnel, wondering when it might be replaced yet again.

The guest reached out to John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s official Brand Ambassador, about the funnel. Heald and his assistant Jacinta answer hundreds of questions every day on Facebook about all types of topics, including ship updates.

“Has Freedom gotten her tail back yet?” the guest asked. “If not, what is the ETA [estimated time of arrival] on that?”

Heald does respond to the question, noting that disrupting the ship’s scheduled deployment is not an option.

“No, there are no plans immediately to give her a whale tail because that would mean canceling two possibly three cruises while that work is done,” he explained. “I’m sure one day she will, but I don’t have any information as to when exactly.”

When Carnival Freedom‘s whale tail first caught fire in May 2022, the starboard “wing” of the structure was completely destroyed. The incident happened while the ship was docked in Grand Turk, and guests were transferred to Carnival Conquest to return to Port Canaveral.

Carnival Freedom then went into an emergency dry dock in Freeport for assessment and repair, at which time the portside wing of the funnel was also removed. The ship returned to service on June 11, 2022 with a modified straight funnel.

It wasn’t until the ship’s scheduled dry dock in Cadiz, Spain in October 2023 that the whale tail funnel was fully restored.

Carnival Freedom Damaged Funnel
Carnival Freedom Damaged Funnel

In a cruel twist of irony, a lightning strike hit Carnival Freedom‘s brand new funnel in March 2023 – just five months after the restoration – causing a fire on the portside wing. Once again, the ship would set forth with a modified straight funnel, which she has sported ever since.

There were no injuries reported during either funnel fire incident, and the onboard fire emergency teams responded swiftly to contain the respective blazes and ensure everyone’s safety.

When Is Carnival Freedom‘s Next Dry Dock?

While Carnival Cruise Line has not confirmed exactly when Carnival Freedom will once again receive a new whale tail, it may happen during her planned dry dock in October 2026.

The 110,000-gross-ton, Conquest-class ship is scheduled for a 14-night, one-way transatlantic crossing from Port Canaveral, Florida to Barcelona, Spain departing on August 18, 2026. Barcelona is the closest embarkation/debarkation port to the shipyard in Cadiz, 560 miles away.

The next voyage for the ship is not until October 9, 2026 when she will offer an 8-night Mediterranean itinerary from Barcelona. Following that, a westbound 13-night transatlantic cruise will return the ship to Port Canaveral to resume her Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean itineraries.

Read Also: Carnival Cruise Ships by Age – Newest to Oldest

Carnival Freedom Cruise Ship
Carnival Freedom at Port Canaveral (Photo Credit: Peter Titmuss / Shutterstock)

During the nearly two month gap in Carnival Freedom‘s scheduled sailings, the ship is likely to be undergoing her next dry dock update in Cadiz. While shipyard schedules are always packed with work, it is possible the addition of the new funnel will be planned into the ship’s overhaul.

Most cruise ships undergo updates every 3-5 years, depending on the size and age of the vessel as well as changes in environmental or safety regulations that may necessitate additional work.

Typical maintenance during such a lengthy dry dock includes technical updates of the ship’s major systems, as well as aesthetic updates such as new decking, carpeting, upholstery, and other details. Additionally, new spaces may be added to the ship, such as the non-smoking casinos Carnival has been adding to more ships.

Hopefully, Carnival Freedom will also receive her new funnel at that time, bringing back the classic look that Carnival cruisers love!

Note: Three other Carnival ships also have straight funnels. Carnival Luminosa, Carnival Venezia, and Carnival Firenze are all former Costa cruise ships and retained their straight funnels when they were transferred to Carnival Cruise Line. These are not modified whale tails, however, and are the classic funnels these ships have always showcased.

Princess Cruises’ Ship Set for Unscheduled Dry Dock After Multiple Issues

Donna Tunney
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Princess Cruises’ Ship Set for Unscheduled Dry Dock After Multiple Issues

Three months after a series of engine problems started to impact multiple itineraries aboard a Princess Cruises’ ship, the line has decided to send the vessel into an unscheduled dry dock in April 2025, a move that will shorten her transatlantic repositioning cruise.

Guests booked to sail aboard the 3,560-guest Regal Princess on a 24-night Night Western Europe & British Isles Grand Adventure cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Southampton were alerted to the change.

The ship is set to depart the Florida port on April 4, 2025 and arrive at Southampton four days earlier than planned, on April 24, 2025, rather than on April 28, 2025.

The early arrival of Regal Princess, a Royal-class ship that entered service a decade ago, in Southampton means that several port calls will be missed. The ship was slated to call at Kirkwall, Scotland, on April 24, Invergordon, Scotland, on the 25th, and Edinburgh, Scotland, on the 26th.

The notice explained that the itinerary will retain port calls to four British Isles ports — Falmouth, Cobh, Dun Laoghaire, and Belfast. Princess Cruises also assured guests that the ship is safe for travel.

“We sincerely apologize for this unexpected change and inconvenience it may cause. Our team is committed to ensuring your revised itinerary is an enjoyable and seamless experience filled with the exceptional service and memorable moments you expect from Princess,” the notice from Princess Cruises said.

“The ship is fully certified for service by all applicable authorities and remains fully operational for all scheduled voyages through late April that will proceed as planned,” the line added.

Besides the British Isles ports, the ship is scheduled to call at Ponta Delgada, Azores; Brest, France; Amsterdam; Zeebrugge Belgium; Dublin; and Glasgow, Scotland.

The dry dock will likely be of short duration. The ship’s next scheduled cruise is slated to depart Southampton on April 28, 2025. The cruise line has not announced any delay or itinerary changes for that 11-night British Isles cruise.

Regal Princess has experienced a spate of engine issues since late October 2024. The 142,714-gross-ton ship was taken out of service on October 27, 2024, after her seasonal transatlantic crossing from Southampton to Galveston, Texas.

Emergency repairs caused three cruises to be cancelled, including the October 27, 2024, and the November 3 and 10, 2024 departures.

An engine room fire had erupted during the ship’s transatlantic crossing, however, the cruise line has not indicated that the blaze prompted those cancellations.

A month later, “essential engine maintenance” caused itinerary changes on four cruises in December 2024 and January 2025. These included the December 8, and January 5, 12, 19 Western Caribbean departures.

Regal Princess Cruise Ship
Regal Princess Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Peter Titmuss)

Three of the impacted itineraries had calls to Costa Maya, Mexico, cancelled, while the ship instead overnighted in Roatan, Honduras. On the fourth cruise, a call to Montego Bay, Jamaica, was nixed, and an overnight added in Roatan.

It appeared that the ship’s maintenance issues were likely addressed while the ship docked in Roatan during the overnight visits, although the cruise line did not disclose any maintenance details.

Cruise Line Offers Full, Partial Refunds to Booked Guests

Guests can cancel their booking and receive a full refund of the cruise fare and all pre-paid shore excursions booked through the cruise line.

Read Also: 10 Worst Cruise Fails You Can Prepare For

Princess Cruises also will refund air tickets booked through the line, or reimburse guests who booked air independently for up to $200 in change fees. Guests seeking reimbursement must provide receipts and fill out a refund request form.

Guests who wish to sail on the cruise will receive a 4-day pro-rated refund of their cruise fares and a future cruise credit reflecting 25% of the fare paid for the full voyage. The credit must be applied toward a future cruise booked by November 30, 2025 on sailings departing by April 2026.

Passengers who plan to sail on the cruise, and who booked their air travel through Princess Cruises will automatically have their flights altered to fit the new sailing schedule.

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