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.
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 (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.
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!
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.
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 Annearrived 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 (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.
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.
While Guy’s Burger Joint has consistently been one of the most popular casual dining options on Carnival cruise ships, several complaints have made their way through social media recently about the quality of the burgers.
The issue, however, is one of confusion and the mistaken identity of a particular breakfast product.
Guy’s Burger Joint serves up thousands of fresh-made smashburgers every day on Carnival ships, operating through the lunch hours and into the late afternoon. But what about earlier in the day?
One recent Carnival guest noted a problem with the quality of their burgers, and seemed to discover the answer onboard Carnival Celebration. They brought the issue to the attention of John Heald, Carnival’s official Brand Ambassador – and got an interesting response.
“Hi John, we are on the beautiful Celebration having a good time. Wanted to ask you why are they precooking Guy’s Burgers? They are dried out and awful,”the guest commented.
That the burgers Carnival Cruise Line advertises as “fresh-off-the-grill” would be pre-cooked is a bold claim. The guest goes on to explain that they were on Carnival Magic recently and also had “dried out” burgers, but discovered what they believed to be the reason.
“Next morning [while] coming to breakfast we [saw] they were cooking the burgers at 8 a.m.,”the guest said, noting that they have seen the same thing on Carnival Celebration.
Given the popularity of Guy’s Burgers – the venue has won “best burger at sea” every year the Cruise Hive Awards have celebrated burgers – knowing whether or not they truly are fresh-cooked is of great interest to food aficionados and Carnival cruise fans alike.
Heald reached out to the food and beverage director onboard Carnival Celebration for verification and explanation of the guest’s claim and what they saw.
“We are not precooking burgers at 8:00am as [the] guest mentioned – before 11:45am burgers won’t go on the grill,”the director explained.
Guy’s Burger Joint typically opens at noon, which means every burger patty is no more than a few minutes old when guests begin placing their orders (I’ll have a Plain Jane, please!).
Because of the popularity of the venue, it is necessary for some pre-opening cooking to take place to ensure a long line does not build up right away.
Guy’s Burger Joint on Carnival Liberty (Photo Credit: Carnival)
So, what did the guest really see when cooks were hard at work at Guy’s Burger Joint early in the morning?
“We are using the outlets [from] 7:00am to 10:00am – the same flat top grill – to prepare pancakes for the Lido breakfast buffet lines,”the director said.
With Guy’s Burger Joint located close to the Lido Marketplace on most Carnival ships – an efficient way for different restaurants to share common facilities – this use of the cooking space makes great sense and helps keep the Lido breakfast buffet stocked with great-tasting griddle cakes.
How Could Such a Mistake Happen?
Admittedly, if the guest was only passing by the grilling area while strolling into the Lido Marketplace and didn’t get a good look, the golden-brown pancakes could approximate the size and shape of burger patties.
This does not explain, however, the perceived “dried out and awful” taste of the burgers the guest described. Taste is very much a personal preference, and what may seem to be a boring burger to one person could be delicious to another.
Of course, if Guy’s Burger Joint were to create a breakfast burger with pancakes for a bun around a sausage patty with the signature Super Melty Cheese, sign me up!
An undisclosed medical emergency that took place aboard Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas on January 14, 2025, has delayed the ship’s current voyage and forces the cruise line to start its subsequent cruise a day late.
In a letter shared with guests preparing for the ship’s January 16, 2025, upcoming 8-night Southeast Coast and Bahamas itinerary from Baltimore, Royal Caribbean said it had experienced a medical emergency on its current 12-night Southern Caribbean sailing.
A passenger aboard the 2,050-guest vessel, which had originally departed from Baltimore on January 4, said that as Vision of the Seas was at sea and heading home on January 13, after a call in St. Kitts when the captain announced the emergency.
“Around 2:45 p.m., the captain announced we had turned around and were headed towards Puerto Rico for [an] emergency air lift of a passenger,” said the guest.
“Around 8 p.m., another announcement from the captain that [the US Coast Guard] had deemed air lift was not a viable option, and we were headed to dock at San Juan.”
Cruise Hive position maps show the 78,491-gross-ton ship had, indeed, turned back and experienced an unscheduled docking in San Juan on the morning of January 14.
According to the onboard guest, the afflicted passenger was successfully transferred to a hospital and the ship immediately resumed its course. However, the cruise line said it will not be able to make up the lost time.
“Due to a medical debark on our previous sailing, Vision of the Seas will be arriving at the Port of Baltimore later than originally planned,”said Royal Caribbean.
Guests of the current voyage, which had visited the US Virgin Islands, Antigua, St. Maarten, Martinque, and St. Kitts, have not been given an official arrival time.
Instead, passengers were “offered a specialty dining time that is well past our original arrival time” of 7 a.m. on January 16.
For those scheduled to visit Charleston, South Carolina; Port Canaveral, Florida; and Freeport and Nassau, Bahamas on an 8-night cruise set to depart at 3 p.m. on Thursday, January 16, the voyage will now depart at 3 p.m. on Friday, January 17, according to Royal Caribbean.
Vision of the Seas in Baltimore (Photo Credit: Cruise Maryland)
Passengers are instructed to keep their pre-selected arrival times on the new departure date, with the all-aboard scheduled for 2 p.m.
To ensure the cruise line keeps its schedule for its subsequent voyage, Royal Caribbean also announced it was removing Charleston, South Carolina, from its itinerary.
“Because of this delay, we will need to skip our visit to Charleston, South Carolina, and enjoy a Sea Day instead,”said Royal Caribbean.“We’re terribly sorry for this last-minute change.”
Compensation Offered
Understanding that a late start and skipped call are not the best way to start a journey, Royal Caribbean is offering passengers on the now-January 17 voyage a one-day refund of the cruise fare and one-day refund for daily packages and pre-paid gratuities.
Both will be offered as onboard credits to be used anywhere onboard. Any unused portions of the refundable amounts will be refunded at the end of the cruise.
Guests will still earn loyalty points for the original length of sail of 8 nights.
The cruise line is also automatically cancelling and refunding any pre-paid shore excursions purchased through Royal Caribbean for Charlestown.
Additionally, pre-booked flights and transfers made through Royal Caribbean will be automatically rescheduled, with changes sent to guests via email.
Those passengers who did not book through Royal Caribbean are eligible to receive up to $200 for domestic and $400 for international travel change fees incurred.
Although details of compensation for passengers who will be arriving in Baltimore later than expected, it is likely a similar offering will be made to assist with travel arrangements.
Rogue waves are abnormally large and unpredictable surface waves. While rare, these formidable ocean waves occasionally impact cruise ships and other large vessels at sea.
Fortunately, the cruise ships of today are engineered to protect passengers and withstand the challenges these waves pose, so damage tends to be minimal.
This guide will explain what you can expect in the unlikely event your ship is impacted, the emergency systems used to protect passengers, and more.
A rogue wave is a large, unexpected ocean wave that usually appears with little warning, even in seemingly calm waters. These waves, also referred to as walls of water, freak waves, or even killer waves, are different from tsunami waves, which result from major seismic events, like underwater earthquakes, landslides, and volcanic eruptions.
By definition, to be characterized as a rogue wave, the wave must be at least 2.2 times larger than the average, but it can be significantly taller and wider than that.
Rogue waves are not triggered by seismic activities but can result from natural ocean dynamics and unpredictable weather conditions, such as major storms. When underwater currents and surface-level winds occur simultaneously, their combined energy can create an abnormally large and powerful single wave.
While they can occur in just about any large body of water, they are far more likely in areas where strong ocean currents are exposed to strong winds, like the Agulhas Current off the coast of South Africa or the Gulf Stream in the Atlantic Ocean.
While their very nature makes rogue waves difficult to predict, modern satellite technology and weather forecasting equipment have improved the ability to track the waves.
That said, they can quickly appear in the open ocean, making them a major challenge for any large vessel traversing these waters, including cruise ships.
With how powerful and unpredictable these waves are, the modern cruise and shipping industries have reacted by putting efforts into tracking and avoiding them, as well as withstanding them in the event they cannot avoid a towering wave.
What Happens When a Rogue Wave Hits a Cruise Ship?
Waves and Cruise Ship Near the Coast (Photo Credit: Miroslav Trifonov)
In the event that a cruise ship can’t avoid a rogue wave and is forced to come in direct contact with one, the impact can be substantial and alarming for both passengers and the ship’s crew.
This is because the waves can hit with immense force, which, in some cases, can cause structural damage to the ship itself. With that said, modern cruise ship design helps minimize the impact of these events and how noticeable and chaotic the impact is for those on board the ship.
Even if a massive rogue wave breaks against a cruise ship’s bow, the reinforced hulls and windows are designed to withstand the impact, preventing water from flooding into interior spaces.
For onboard passengers, the most forceful rogue wave impacts usually just result in sudden jolts, where some unsecured items can rattle and fall over.
In the most severe cases, the ship may tilt to one side temporarily or even experience a short power outage. In these cases, the cruise ship’s emergency systems and stabilizers kick in to minimize the impact of the rogue wave or waves.
While serious instances of a cruise ship’s physical integrity being compromised and passengers being injured are incredibly rare, there have been a few notable incidents in the past.
Notable Incidents
As mentioned, incidents where cruise ships are actually damaged and their crew and passengers are put in serious danger are exceedingly rare, but the following incidents have occurred:
Viking Polaris Incident (December 2022)
Photo Courtesy: Viking Cruises
While voyaging from Ushuaia, Argentina, to Cape Town, South Africa, Viking Polaris was struck by a massive rogue wave in the particularly dangerous Drake Passage, just south of Cape Horn.
Tragically, the impact resulted in the death of one passenger, as well as injuries to several other passengers. Despite the incredible force of the wave, the Polaris’s structural integrity remained intact, allowing the ship to return to port under its own power and without the need for a tow or passenger evacuation.
While this incident had a tragic result,the estimated 25-foot-tall wave height could have devastated the ship if it had not been designed to withstand these enormously powerful impacts.
Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas Incident (November 2024)
More recently, Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seasencountered a massive rogue wave while undergoing a trans-Atlantic voyage from Barcelona, Spain, to Miami, Florida. While the ship was able to withstand the wave itself, a deadly storm delivering hurricane-force winds caused the ship to tilt.
Although the ship was able to complete its voyage, the tilt caused by the combined impact of the enormous wave and powerful winds did cause minor injuries to some passengers.
However, thanks to the ship’s engineering and stabilizer system, the frightening experience only lasted a short period, and aside from a few minor cuts and bruises, the passengers completed their itinerary without any major delays.
While these incidents are certainly alarming, especially for those who experience them firsthand, it’s important to remember that they are incredibly rare.
Today, cruise ships are designed to withstand these types of impacts, and equally importantly, they also have sophisticated weather detection and communications systems that allow them to avoid the type of weather and ocean current events that cause them.
Can a Rogue Wave Sink a Cruise Ship?
Titanic Ship (Photo Credit: andrey_l)
We’ve all seen movies like Titanic, so it’s no wonder that one of the most common fears amongst cruise ship passengers is an event powerful enough to sink the ship they are traveling on.
Luckily, the answer to whether or not a rogue wave could do so is almost certainly not. This is because modern cruise ships are designed with multiple layers of safety nets and systems that allow them to traverse through even the most extreme weather conditions and waves.
These key safety features include the following and more:
Structural Integrity
Hull of a Cruise Ship
Today, modern cruise ships are built with reinforced hulls designed to withstand even the most forceful waves. These hulls are reinforced with heavy steel, which not only ensures they are strong enough to withstand direct impacts but also makes the ship immensely heavy, which makes it more stable.
Weight is also distributed carefully to optimize buoyancy, while ballast systems and stabilizers help keep the ships upright in even the most violent waters.
Cruise ships are also designed to have a low center of balance, which prevents them from tipping over.
Advanced Navigation
Photo Credit: Gargantiopa / Shutterstock
Cruise lines also use sophisticated, state-of-the-art navigation and weather detection systems to avoid areas with heightened wave activity. This equipment allows them to alter their planned sailing route to avoid potential dangers, minimizing the risk of encountering rouge waves and disrupting passenger comfort.
For example, a cruise ship headed toward Norway to explore the fjords might reroute to bypass the region if its satellite weather detection systems detected or predicted extreme storm waves or even unexpected wind gusts that could trigger the formation of these dangerous rogue waves.
Crew Training and Emergency Protocols
Cruise Ship Crew Drill (Photo Credit: Claude Huot)
Beyond the physical design of cruise ships and the sophisticated weather detection systems they are equipped with, the cruise industry also relies on well-trained crew members who can implement emergency systems and drills to ensure every passenger is safe in the event of an unavoidable rogue wave or other challenge.
In these situations, the crew directs passengers to their designated muster stations and, if necessary, distribute life vests. All of these emergency protocols are supported by regular safety drills and rigorous measures to ensure the entire crew understands their role in the event of an emergency.
While each cruise line has its own safety protocols, these are also supported by mandatory measures enforced by maritime authorities.
While Mother Nature can be unpredictable, the sophisticated combination of modern ship engineering, advanced technology, and well-drilled crew expertise ensures that rogue waves pose as little risk as possible to cruise ships and their passengers.
What Do I Do if My Cruise Ship Is Hit by a Rogue Wave?
In the unlikely event that your cruise ship encounters a rogue wave, you must stay calm and pay attention to the instructions provided directly by the crew or the ship’s internal communications system.
After spending 8 years working on cruise ships, I know how important it is to follow their lead in these situations. Here are a few tips you can follow to make sure you are safe if an unlikely rouge wave situation does occur:
Stay Indoors
Corridor With Railings on Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)
Remaining inside the ship is the safest place if your ship encounters any turbulent waters. If you can, try to stay away from any objects that could become dislodged if the ship began rolling. Grabbing hold of a secure and stable object can also help if you have concerns that the ship’s motion could knock you down.
If you find yourself on one of the ship’s outer decks or even your own private balcony, move indoors as quickly as possible. Again, you will be much safer inside the ship than in an outdoor area.
Always Follow Crew Instructions
Princess Cruises Crew Members (Photo Credit: Erin Cadigan)
No matter what type of situation is unfolding, it is always important to closely adhere to any instructions provided by the crew. The crew of your cruise ships are thoroughly trained to ensure they understand what to do in any emergency.
If you are not speaking directly to a crew member, listen for announcements over the ship’s PA system and follow those directions.
Report Any Injuries or Damage That You Notice
Royal Promenade on Spectrum of the Seas (Photo Credit: EnthusiasticPhotographers)
After the incident, it is always a good idea to report any injuries you or a fellow passenger has sustained to the crew. They will be able to ensure that all passengers receive the required medical attention as quickly as possible.
Any damage you notice to the inside of the ship should also be reported, even if it seems relatively insignificant. Even a loose mirror or shelf can be dangerous if not secured.
Remember, the likelihood of experiencing a rogue wave is minimal, and cruise lines prioritize passenger safety with comprehensive emergency protocols.
Final Thoughts on Rogue Waves and Cruising
Wave and Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Steve Heap)
While the idea of being on a cruise ship when it encounters a rogue wave may seem pretty scary, it is essential to remember that these events are incredibly rare. In all my years of cruising, I have never personally encountered more than small waves that have no serious impact on the ship itself.
On top of that, even if you do encounter one of these unlikely events, cruise ships are now designed and outfitted by safety experts to ensure passengers have a safe and enjoyable experience.
Even if your cruise ship cannot avoid rough seas and rogue waves, the ship, its crew, and its safety equipment will ensure you remain unharmed while you enjoy your vacation.
Remember, no matter where your cruise ship is sailing from, or what itinerary it is following, cruise ships remain one of the safest forms of transportation. Your safety and comfort are the main priorities for the cruise industry, no matter which cruise line you travel with.
A cruise vacation is the perfect time to cut loose, and Carnival Cruise Line has a well-deserved reputation as the Fun Ships with a wide variety of awesome parties for guests to enjoy. But which ships have which parties?
Carnival Cruise Line has now shared the updated list of which parties are on different vessels for 2025. The schedule may change depending on ship itineraries, activity schedules, and weather (for deck parties), but each event is sure to be a fun time for every guest.
The full fleet schedule of 2025 parties is as follows:
Carnival Breeze: Motown Party, 80’s Rock and Glow, Tailgate Deck Party (5-night sailings only)
Carnival Celebration: 80’s Rock and Glow, White Party, 70’s & Motown, Evolution
Carnival Conquest: 80’s Rock and Glow, 70’s & Motown
Carnival Dream: 80’s Rock and Glow, Mega Deck Party, Silent Party, Farewell
Carnival Elation: 70’s & Motown, Silent Party, 80’s Rock and Glow, Farewell
Carnival Freedom: 80’s Rock and Glow, Silent Party, 70’s & Motown, Farewell, Decades Party
Carnival Glory: 80’s Rock and Glow, 70’s & Motown, Farewell
Carnival Horizon: White Party, Silent Party, 80’s Rock and Glow, 70’s & Motown, Mega Deck Party (8-night sailings only)
Carnival Jubilee: 80’s Rock and Glow, White Party, DFH After Party, Lonestar Tailgate
Carnival Legend: Mega Deck Party, 80’s Rock and Glow, Silent Party, DFH After Party (when offered)
Carnival Liberty: 80’s Rock and Glow, Mega Deck Party, 70’s & Motown, White Party, Country Music Trivia Party, Farewell
Carnival Luminosa: 80’s Rock and Glow, Silent Party, Island Night, Superhero, ABBA
Carnival Magic: 80’s Rock and Glow, Mega Deck Party, Silent Party (White Night), 70’s & Motown, Farewell
Mardi Gras: 80’s Rock and Glow, Silent Party, White Party
Carnival Miracle: Silent Party (White Night), 80’s Rock and Glow, Mega Deck Party, 70’s & Motown, Country Music Trivia Party
Carnival Panorama: 70’s & Motown, 80’s Rock and Glow, Mega Deck Party, Silent Party, White Party
Carnival Paradise: 80’s Rock and Glow, 70’s & Motown, Silent Party, Farewell
Carnival Pride: Mega Deck Party, 80’s Rock and Glow, Silent Party, 70’s & Motown
Carnival Radiance: 70’s & Motown, Mega Deck Party (6+ night sailings only), 80’s Rock and Glow, White Party, Farewell (Carnival Journeys sailings only)
Carnival Spirit: 80’s Rock and Glow, White Party, Silent Party, Country Music Trivia Party
Carnival Splendor: 80’s Rock and Glow, Mega Deck Party / Island Party, Silent Party, Backyard Bash, 90’s Farewell Party, ABBA, Superhero Party
Carnival Sunrise: 80’s Rock and Glow, Silent Party, 70’s & Motown, 90’s Party
Carnival Sunshine: 80’s Rock and Glow, Silent Party, 90’s Party, Superhero, Backyard Bash, Tropical Nights
Carnival Valor: 80’s Rock and Glow, 70’s & Motown
Carnival Venezia: 80’s Rock and Glow, Mega Deck Party (Carnival Journeys sailings only), Silent Party, 70’s & Motown, Festa Italiana
Carnival Vista: Silent Party, 80’s Rock and Glow, White Party, Mega Deck Party, 80’s Theme Night
Exactly when each party will be held on different cruises will depend on individual activity schedules, cruise lengths, time in ports of call, and other factors.
It should be noted that parties have not yet been determined for the upcoming Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter, which will be joining the fleet this spring after P&O Cruises Australia is dissolved and the ships are rebranded as Carnival vessels.
Guests can check the Carnival Hub app or their daily Fun Times newsletter for scheduling and updates during their sailing.
Carnival Panorama Deck Party (Photo Credit: Ritu Manoj Jethani)
Packing for Parties
Many cruise travelers like to know the schedule of parties for their sailing so they can plan ahead with the right outfits and accessories to enjoy the event. After all, why pack the neon pink legwarmers and denim jacket if there won’t be an 80’s Rock and Glow party?
It is not necessary for guests to dress the part to join in the parties, however. These events are open for everyone to enjoy, and there are occasionally contests for the best themed attire, dance moves, or singing impersonations.
Available parties can change and are often adjusted when ships move to new homeports. For example, when the Alaska sailing season begins, vessels deployed to the Last Frontier may add Alaska-themed events to the party schedule.
Following the successful launch of its Annual Pass 2025, Virgin Voyages has rolled out a new and enhanced version for 2026, and it comes with more perks and a significantly higher price.
The Annual Pass 2026 has the same benefits as the current year’s offer but adds a few big-ticket features, including a weeklong stay on Necker Island, Virgin Group founder Richard Branson’s acclaimed destination in the British Virgin Islands, plus $10,000 guests can spend on luxury items.
The annual passes allow guests to sail aboard any Virgin Voyages cruises as often as they wish during a 12-month period. The 2025 pass was introduced at $120,000 per person, and the 2026 pass reflects an increase to $199,000.
The price hike is undoubtedly due to the addition of Necker Island, a destination that ranks among the world’s most exclusive retreats. The 74-acre island can be rented in its entirety, or partially for small groups. Individual accommodations are offered during certain timeframes, with published rates of about $5,000 per night.
The island offers infinity pools and hot tubs, watersports, a gym, and other amenities and services.
By booking the cruise line’s 2026 annual pass, guests can sail on global itineraries for most of the year, and spend one week on land at Necker Island.
Following the same booking options as the 2025 pass, guests who want to buy the 2026 version choose a starting date of February 1, March 1, or April 1, with the pass valid for 12 months from that date. (January 1 also was offered, but that date has passed.)
All 2026 passes must be booked by March 31, 2026, giving prospective guests plenty of time to plan ahead.
The annual passes have proven to be a popular cruise product. Like the 2025 pass, the latest one pays a travel agent commission of $10,000, and according to the line, agents are indicating that prospective cruisers have been asking for details about a 2026 pass.
“After Richard Branson went on Good Morning America to talk about our Annual Pass, there was so much excitement and buzz. It’s truly an industry first and there were long queues to learn more,” said Nicole Huang, senior vice president of sailor experiences.
“Our voyage planners shared feedback of Sailors inquiring about 2026 now, so we thought ‘why wait?’ and added a few elements to make the package a little suite-r,” Huang added.
The 2026 pass is valid on all three of the cruise line’s existing ships — Scarlet Lady, Resilient Lady, and Valiant Lady, and the line’s new-build Brilliant Lady, set to debut in September 2025.
Under construction at a Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, Brilliant Lady will sail from four US ports during her inaugural year — New York, Miami, Los Angeles, and Seattle, and will become the first Virgin Voyages’ ship to sail in Alaska, in summer 2026.
Here Are All the Perks Offered With the 2026 Annual Pass
In addition to the luxurious weeklong stay on Necker Island and the $10,000 shopping spree, Virgin Voyages’ 2026 Annual Pass comes with several other perks.
The cruise line will handle transportation to Necker Island from any location in the continental US to Necker Island by providing roundtrip, business class air fare, and ferry tickets.
Richard Branson’s Necker Island (Photo Credit: Sadie Whitelocks)
While sailing onboard Virgin ships, pass holders will be entitled to a birthday upgrade to RockStar Quarters suites. These accommodations include the Seriously Suite, Brilliant Suite, Sweet Aft Suite, or Cheeky Corner Suite.
Guests sailing on cruises that visit the line’s beach club in Bimini will have use of a personal cabana, including at beach, grove, or poolside locations.
They also will receive one private Shore Thing event per quarter, and can enjoy the line’s Shake for Champagne event, featuring a daily delivery of Moët anywhere onboard a ship.
One curated and privately hosted Shore Thing will be provided to pass holders every quarter, and while lounging around the ship, pass holders can enjoy wearing RockStar robes.
