It’s always hard to say goodbye but even harder when the person bidding adieu has spent half a century dedicated to the passengers and crew aboard some of the world’s biggest cruise ships.
After a remarkable 50-year tenure with Royal Caribbean, Captain Johnny Faevelen is embarking on his next journey – one that keeps him closer to home.
“It is with mixed feelings I have handed in my resignation,” the Norwegian-born captain shared in a heartfelt message posted to his Facebook account on January 13, 2025.
His new role, as he jests, will be full-time as a husband, father, and grandfather.
“I will be a 100-percent husband for my lovely wife, Sissel. I will be 100-percent father for our two fantastic children, Erelend and Eirin. And I will be a 100-percent grandfather for my 4.5 grandchildren, Tord 10, Enny 8, Guro 4, Alfred 3, and our last little grandchild girl, expecting delivery April,” said Faevelen.
The captain also shared personal photos, including when he first joined Royal Caribbean’s Song of Norway in 1975 at the age of 20 and when he first became a captain in 1994 aboard the Nordic Prince.
A final poignant photo, taken on the day of his post, shows Faevelen at the helm of his current vessel, Symphony of the Seas, set to Rod Stewart’s “Sailing.” The image featured lyrics from the song, “I am sailing, home again, ‘cross the sea.”
Faevelen, who has nearly 150,000 TikTok followers, received hundreds of well wishes from former passengers and crew members alike.
Wrote Captain Rumen Yovchev of the cruise line’s Radiance of the Seas,“Captain Johnny, for me was an honor to be your OF1, OFCS, OFC, and SCPT. Wouldn’t be in the position I am right now without your coaching, mentorship, role model, and friendship.”
Said another, “Captain Johnny what an incredible career you have had and such an amazing Captain! You were my first captain on the Mariner[of the Seas] & my last Captain on Harmony [of the Seas] 14 years later. Your next job sounds fab too! Wishing you all the best.”
Captain Johnny Faevelen
Faevelen’s last day, which comes at the completion of a 7-night roundtrip Eastern Caribbean cruise from Port Miami traveling to the US Virgin Islands, St. Maarten, and Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at Coco Cay, will be January 26, 2025.
The captain is currently on a similar 7-night voyage, taking up to 5,518 passengers aboard the 228,081-gross-ton Symphony of the Seas to Coco Cay, Puerto Rico, and St. Maarten before he hangs up his captain’s hat.
From Seaman to Master
Captain Johnny Faevelen’s half-century tenure at Royal Caribbean began in 1975, when, as he puts it, he was “an ordinary seaman.”
Beginning as a deckhand and navigating through every rank until he ultimately took command of some of the largest and most prestigious vessels in the world, Faevelen has captained several iconic ships within the Royal Caribbean fleet, including Mariner of the Seas from 2004 to 2020, Allure of the Seas from 2010 to 2016, and Harmony of the Seas from 2016 to 2024.
He has been Master of the Oasis Class Symphony of the Seas since 2024 and has spent time navigating the waters of the Caribbean, Mediterranean, South Pacific, Alaska, Northern Europe, Asia, and the coasts of the US.
Besides his passion for his family and the sea, Faevelan is also an avid Harley Davidson rider and golfer and has managed and operated Lindesnes Golfklubb in his hometown of Spangereid, Norway, since 2022.
Cruise Hive wishes Captain Johnny a happy retirement!
Once upon a time, sailors used to get through long days at sea by singing rhythmic work songs known as “shanties” that told tales about living life on vessels.
TUI Cruises plans to laud this old tradition by officially bringing them aboard in 2025, along with more modern-day homages to internationally acclaimed music by The Beatles and ABBA.
The German-based cruise line recently announced it will be launching a series of three themed cruises that will bring melodies to sea beginning in May 2025.
The special voyages will blend historical and pop culture music experiences aboard Mein Schiff 3 and Mein Schiff 5 as they journey through the UK and Greek Isles.
“The Shanty, known as the work song of the sailors, also plays a major role on the Mein Schiff fleet,”said TUI Cruises.“The crew of the ships regularly sings the most famous shanties together with the guests.”
“The enthusiasm is so great every time that TUI Cruises has now decided to devote a whole journey to the popular genre with “Shanty Ahoi” with its traditional sailor songs,” it continued.
Launching on Mein Schiff 3, the vessel will also host “Mein Schiff in Beat Fever” in August and September to celebrate The Beatles.
Its “Take a Chance at Sea” voyage on Mein Schiff 5 will honor ABBA during Grecian journeys in October.
Musical Tributes at Sea
The first melody-filled voyage will be aboard the 2,506-passenger, 99,526-gross-ton Mein Schiff 3 on May 14, 2025, and will feature Scottish singer-songwriter Nathan Evans along with Kimber’s Men and local Shanty choirs for a shanty-filled sailing.
The 10-night roundtrip cruise from Bremerhaven, Germany, will sail to the UK isles and call in Invergordon and Glasgow (Greenock), Scotland; Belfast, Northern Ireland; and Liverpool and Southampton, England.
The next journey will feature the tunes of John, Paul, George, and Ringo as Mein Schiff 3 sails another 10-night adventure from Bremerhaven during “Mein Schiff in Beat Fever.”
Kimbers Men (Photo Courtesy: Kimbers Men)
This cruise, embarking on August 24, 2024, will be led by the Swedish tribute band, Pepperland, and the English-based Love The Beatles, along with other acts and highlights.
Finally, up to 2,534 passengers can “Take a Chance at Sea” on 98,785-gross-ton Mein Schiff 5’s ABBA tribute voyage departing from Iraklion, Greece, on October 17, 2025.
Guests can expect the greatest hits of ABBA – Agnetha, Bjorn, Benny, and Anni-Frid – as well as Disco-inspired outfits and sets.
The 7-night journey will visit Limassol, Cyprus, as well as the Greek ports of Rhodes, Piraeus (Athens), and Nafplion before returning to Iraklion on October 24.
Both vessels feature a three-story theater space with main and stage curtain areas, with Mein Schiff 5 also offering a state-of-the-art 3D hologram stage known as The Studio.
TUI Cruises has a lot more to look forward to in 2025. The cruise line, which is a joint venture between TUI AG and Royal Caribbean Group, is debuting its newest ship, Mein Schiff Relax, in April 2025, sailing from Malaga, Spain, to the Canary Islands.
Its christening, in which Mein Schiff 5 and sister ship Mein Schiff 7 will serve as godmothers, will include performances by award-winning British singer and songwriter Robbie Williams.
Its sister ship, Mein Schiff Flow, also under construction at Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, will be introduced in 2026.
A private table or table-for-two can be very sought after onboard a cruise ship, especially during main seating dining times when hundreds of guests are enjoying their meals simultaneously.
This can be confusing, however, during open seating meals when guests are seated at first available tables – even larger tables. During these meal services, seating assignments are typically grouped to bring travelers together for easier, more efficient service.
One guest aboard Carnival Spirit recently had some difficulty with the seating assignments. For help and clarification, they reached out to John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador.
“My wife has a very difficult time hearing and therefore we much prefer to be seated by ourselves in the dining room,”the guest explained.“We were initially assigned a shared table at brunch this morning.”
Carnival Cruise Line’s “Seaday Brunch” is a wonderful dining option offered when the ship is not in port, with more extensive menu selections than may be available from the Lido Marketplace buffet.
Served in the ship’s Main Dining Room, the Seaday Brunch is included with the cruise fare and offers treats such as huevos rancheros, 12-hour French toast, steak and eggs, and much more.
“I informed the hostess that we wanted a private table so she seated us at a different table,”the guest continued.“Three minutes later another couple was seated with us. It’s no like the dining room is crowded either, there are many empty tables all around us.”
This type of seating arrangement is described as “open seating” – when guests do not need a specific dining time but instead are seated at the first available open table. For the wait staff, this typically means grouping arriving guests together so service is smoother and easier to plan.
Still, being seated with other guests is not how all travelers want to enjoy their meals. This can be particularly true when seating considerations must accommodate special needs, such as hearing difficulties.
“What can we do to be seated by ourselves?”the guest asked.“I’d think that by not checking the ‘shared table’ choice the powers that be would know to seat us privately.”
The box the guest is referring to is part of every Carnival cruise guest’s online reservation, where they can indicate their dining preference ahead of setting sail. To be clear, however, this preference only applies to the dinner dining arrangements in the Main Dining Room, and not to open seating mealtimes.
It is entirely possible that the brunch dining team never saw the seating preference selection. When several team members are all seating different guests, the hostess that sat another couple together with the first couple may not have been aware of their request.
Still, Heald offered what help he could while still explaining the operational needs of the onboard dining team.
“Well, we can definitely do this at dinner,”he said.“It’s very difficult operationally for us to always promise this at brunch or at breakfast. The waiters are busy on Lido and the rest are working in the dining room and it can’t be something that is all spread out.”
Heald does offer to pass along the guest’s request to his colleagues to see if it can be accommodated or if any operational changes could be made in the future to accommodate such needs.
Getting Preferred Dining Room Seats
Cruise travelers can always make requests for private tables, window seats, or other preferred dining room arrangements, but it it is important to note that these are requests only.
While Carnival Cruise Line will do all it can to honor such requests, it may not always be possible. When it is a matter of special needs, however, guests may need to speak up to ensure their legitimate needs are known and accommodated.
Travelers can reach out to the Guest Access Department prior to sailing to ensure they can comfortably enjoy their cruise vacation, no matter what accommodations may be necessary.
Guests who reach out to Heald can also get some personalized assistance, as he often helps with dining seating arrangements. Whether it is a private table, seating a large group together, or helping switch a dining time, Heald does try to help every guest enjoy every meal they have onboard.
One of Carnival Cruise Line’s top Fun Squad members is moving up in the world and sailing into new adventures as the cruise line’s newest Cruise Director.
Elizabeth “Lizzie” Clough has officially been promoted to cruise director, though she’s already been serving in the position for nearly a year. She is currently the CD aboard Carnival Valor, and her next assignment is to Carnival Miracle, beginning on February 9, 2025.
The promotion was announced by Kyndall “Fire” Magyar, the current cruise director aboard the Excel-class ship, as well as by Clough herself. Magyar was especially ecstatic for her co-worker, as they’ve worked together extensively and Magyar is very familiar with Clough’s enthusiasm and dedication to amazing guest experiences.
“Please join me in celebrating Lizzie, one of the Inaugural Lonestar Fun Squad, on her exciting and well deserved promotion to Cruise Director!”Magyar posted on her Facebook page.“So so proud of this young lady, and can’t wait to see all she accomplishes in the future!”
Clough, a UK native, has been with Carnival Cruise Line since July 2018. She was one of the first Fun Squad members aboard Carnival Jubilee when the fleet flagship debuted in December 2023, and her boundless energy has thrilled thousands of guests.
In addition to her service onboard Carnival Jubilee, Clough has hosted the fun aboard Carnival Freedom, Carnival Sunshine, and more.
“To say I’m proud is an understatement,”Clough said of her promotion.“Lizzie from 6 years ago wouldn’t believe how far she has come. From putting on that red uniform and Fun squad name tag for the first time to now, emotions are definitely running high.”
Hundreds of guests have chimed in to offer their congratulations and share fond memories of sailing with Clough, noting that she also had a great mentor with Kyndall Magyar, a sentiment Clough herself agrees with.
“Having the opportunity to work with the most incredible leaders and mentors to having my own teams who have supported my journey,”Clough explained.“I have no words to explain how grateful I am for all the love and support I have received over the years from my loved ones to my carnival family.”
Clough maintains an active page on Facebook with more than 2,000 followers, a number that is sure to grow now that she is a full-fledged cruise director.
Many of her fans have joined in with congratulations as well.
One Carnival cruiser commented, “I know exactly why they promoted you!!! You are INCREDIBLE!!! Not only did you help create an environment for my whole family to have an amazing first cruise experience but you made my little feel so special and loved the whole cruise. Thank you for your generosity, positivity and kindness. We will never forget our first experience. We hope to cruise with you again!!“
Another said, “Congratulations Lizzie Clough. I am so happy for you! I remember you on the Fantasy when you wore the red on the Fun Squad. I went on a tour of the ship with you. It had been a pleasure watching your adventures through the years. Thank you for sharing. I hope to see you on a cruise again soon.“
These are just a few of the sentiments guests share about setting sail with Clough, often sharing selfies they snapped with the vibrant young woman and her happy smile.
Setting Sail with Lizzie Clough
Clough is currently aboard Carnival Valor, having signed on to the ship in mid-November, but her contract ends in a matter of days. Up next will be Carnival Miracle, where she will arrive – for the first time as a full-fledged cruise director – on February 9, 2025.
From that point, Clough will be full speed ahead with all the duties of a cruise director, including collaborating on each day’s activity schedule, hosting game shows, welcoming guests, and so much more.
New Carnival Cruise Director (Photo Credit: Lizzie Clough)
Clough’s favorite activity to host onboard any Carnival ship is Bingo, which she does several times on each sailing.
“There’s nothing quite like seeing someone’s face when they realize they’ve won a Bingo game and getting to share that excitement and of course sharing all my bad Bingo jokes, that’s a plus!”she discussed of the game, long before being named as a cruise director.
In fact, becoming a CD has been one of Clough’s goals from the very beginning.
“My ultimate goal is to become a Cruise Director, a position I would love to achieve in my career at sea,”Clough said when beginning her service aboard Carnival Jubilee.
Cruise Hive congratulates Clough on her achievement, and wishes her smooth sailings and happy crowds on every cruise to come!
Everything is bigger in Texas, including the country music scene. And starting in February, one vessel sailing from Galveston, Texas, will feature a host of musical performances to bring a splash of country tunes to the Caribbean.
Taking place on Princess Cruises’ 3,560-passenger Regal Princess, which recently completed emergency repairs that forced several cancellations at the end of 2024, the special series is offered in collaboration with the Academy of Country Music (ACM).
“ACM Live from the Red Barrel Lounge” will be featured on six Caribbean voyages departing from the Gulf of Mexico port between February 9 and March 17, 2025, and will bring some of country’s music brightest emerging stars to the high seas.
The artists will offer two 45-minute shows in the intimate setting of the state-of-the-art Princess Theater, located on the vessel’s Fiesta Deck and accommodating just under 1,000 guests.
Each artist will also participate in Meet & Greet sessions, offering passengers closer connection to the music they love.
“We’re thrilled to partner with the Academy of Country Music to showcase the incredible talent of these rising stars,”said Princess Cruises’ Head of Global Entertainment Becky Thomson Foley.
“Many of our guests are passionate about country music, and this unique experience featuring intimate performances and meet-and-greet opportunities, promises to make their cruise vacation unforgettable,” she said.
Country Roots at Sea
The Red Barrel Lounge is a nod to the historic Red Barrel Niteclub, where the first So-Cal Country Music Awards Banquet, the precursor to the Academy of Country Music’s Awards, was hosted in 1963.
Today, the ACM is headquartered in Nashville and still features the Red Barrel Lounge as a platform for established and emerging artists.
The concert series aboard the 142,229-gross-ton Regal Princess – the largest Princess Cruises’ vessel to sail from Galveston – will honor the legacy of ACM by providing passengers with unique personal interactions and live entertainment.
Performances will take place on two roundtrip itinerary options.
The longest, an 8-night Western Caribbean sailing, stops in Belize City, Belize; Roatan, Honduras; and Mexico’s Costa Maya and Cozumel, interspersed with three days at sea. The shorter voyage, at 6 nights in length, calls in Costa Maya, Cozumel, and Roatan.
Kicking off the series, Drew Baldridge, known for his viral hit “She’s Somebody’s Daughter,” will take the stage from February 9 to 17, 2025.
Princess Cruises and Academy of Country Music Show
Following Baldridge, the trio Chapel Hart, who made their mark on America’s Got Talent, will bring their blend of Mississippi roots and Louisiana spunk to Regal Princess.
Performances by the group consisting of Danica and Devynn Hart alongside Trea Swindle will include the band’s hit “You Can Have Him Jolene,” and will be the feature of the vessel’sFebruary 17 through 23 voyage.
Kentucky-native, Hannah Ellis, recognized by Rolling Stone Country as an “Artist to Watch,” will join the ship’s February 23 to March 3 journey, where passengers will get to hear hits from her acclaimed debut album, “That Girl.”
The ACM New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year sister duo, Tigirlily Gold, hailing from North Dakota and known for “I Tried a Ring On,” will perform during the subsequent March 3 to 9 cruise.
They will be followed by Kentucky’s own Kelsey Hart, who will bring gospel-inspired tunes to the March 9 to 17 sailing.
The concert series will close on the March 9 to 17 adventure, with Kameron Marlowe performing his soulful tunes, including the gold certified “Giving You Up.”
Taking “let’s meet up for coffee” to a whole new level, the captains of two Princess Cruises vessels grabbed a coffee together with Sydney Harbor as a picturesque backdrop when the ships were crossing paths Down Under.
Captain Mario Consentino of the Crown Princess and Captain Michele Bartolomei of the Diamond Princess shared a cup of Joe on January 11, 2025, providing a rare photo opportunity that celebrated the cruise line’s adventures in Australia.
The meetup occurred when the 113,561-gross-ton Crown Princess was departing from her homeport of Sydney on a 14-night roundtrip journey to New Zealand, just as the 115,906-gross-ton Diamond Princess was moored at Athol Bay during a call on a 10-night roundtrip sailing from its homeport in Brisbane, Australia.
Up to 2,670 passengers aboard Diamond Princess had departed from Brisbane on January 3, visiting Eden, Australia, and Port Arthur and Hobart, Tasmania, before arriving in Sydney at 7 a.m. for a 12-hour visit.
As Diamond Princess was enjoying a day in Sydney, Crown Princess was departing on its voyage to New Zealand that included Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland.
(It had arrived earlier in the day from a 13-night roundtrip cruise from Fiji that had departed on December 29, 2024.)
The two ships greeted one another with various horns while passengers hit the decks to wave to fellow cruisers. Some shared their own images from their vantage points on social media.
“This was one of the greatest experiences I’ve had while cruising,”said one passenger.“Thank you so much Princess Cruises for organizing this event. I’ll never forget it.”
Guests onboard Crown Princess – up to 3,080 – reported being slightly delayed, which may have been due to the meeting of the captains for a cup of espresso.
“We’re delighted to be in Sydney today with our sister ship, Diamond Princess, in this beautiful city,”said Captain Consentino.
“It’s the first time our ships are together in Sydney and it’s also the first time I’ll see my colleague Diamond Princess’ Captain Bartolomei in almost 10 years,” he continued.
Discover Princess Captain Michele Bartolomei (left) and Crown Princess Captain Mario Consentino (right) meet for coffee in Sydney. (Photo Credit: Princess Cruises)
The ships’ photo op aligned with Crown Princess leaving the White Bay Cruise Terminal and passing the moored Diamond Princess, which wasn’t set to leave the harbor until 7 p.m.
After departing, Diamond Princess sailed back to Brisbane to conclude her voyage on January 13.
Princess Anchors Growth in Australia’s Thriving Cruise Market
Princess Cruises Australia currently operates three ships in Australia, including the 3,560-passenger, 142,714-gross-ton Royal Princess, which was sailing in New Zealand when her sister ships converged.
The two ships showcased the popularity of Australia for cruise lines, with the tourism board anticipating 1.2 million passengers and crew member visits in New South Wales, Australia – including Port Sydney, Port Eden, Port of Newcastle, Port Botany, Port Jackson, and Port Kembla – during its 2024-25 summer season.
Last year, New South Wales celebrated a $4.4-billion cruise industry – its largest to date and a 22% increase over its pre-pandemic highs.
Princess Cruises docks at White Bay Cruise Terminal or the Overseas Passenger Terminal (Circular Quay West) when in Sydney, if not mooring due to congestion.
If you were to ask me the best way to spend Valentine’s Day, I’d recommend going on a cruise, hands-down.
Whether you go with a luxury cruise line, all-inclusive line or just a family-friendly line that offers something for everyone in your crew (including opportunities to get alone for Mom and Dad), a cruise ship’s many amenities, from fine dining to romantic spa treatments, lend themselves well to a Valentine’s Day getaway.
Here’s how I’d recommend you plan the most romantic Valentine’s Day possible.
Planning a romantic Valentine’s Day cruise starts with picking the right itinerary and the right cabin, at the time of booking, as you peruse the variety of cruises available. No matter what cruise line you choose, some itineraries and cabins just lend themselves to romance more than others.
For example, if you decide to head out from Miami on a Caribbean cruise, I’d recommend choosing an itinerary that takes you to some of the smaller, less crowded and more luxurious and intimate islands throughout the region. Personal favorites include St. Barts and St. Lucia.
Cruise Ship in Port (Photo Credit: Elena_Alex_Ferns)
Destinations like these may feel a little less crowded and hectic (and thus less stress-inducing) compared to super-busy cruise ports like San Juan or those in the Bahamas or Mexico, or cruise line’s private islands like Royal Caribbean’s CocoCay.
You’ll also want to consider the best cabin for your itinerary. If you’re going to be spending a good chunk of time in your cabin (it is a romantic trip, after all), consider splurging a bit on a more luxurious cabin.
This doesn’t mean you need to book an expansive penthouse suite, but it might mean upgrading to a stateroom that does come with extra perks and services.
For an upgrade that offers the most value for your dollar, I like booking a stateroom within cruise lines’ exclusive, suite guest-only areas, which often come with access to a private lounge, restaurant, sun deck and sometimes even a pool. Favorites include Norwegian Cruise Line’s The Haven and MSC Cruises’ Yacht Club.
Even if you don’t book one of these staterooms, though, at least consider a balcony stateroom or similar stateroom with outdoor space.
There’s nothing quite like sitting on your balcony with a cup of coffee right after you’ve woken up, watching the sun come up over the horizon, or stargazing at night with a glass of wine.
2. Book Select Experiences Ahead of Time
Carnival Cruise Line’s Steakhouse (Photo Credit: Jonathan C Wear)
The last thing that you want to happen when you get on your cruise? To find out that all of the activities and experiences that you and your sweetheart had looked forward to most are already booked up for your cruise’s select dates.
Remember — this is a Valentine’s Day cruise. You’re not the only one that’s going to be celebrating something special. Other couples on the cruise are likewise going to be vying for those fine dining reservations and spa treatments. Book whatever activities you have your heart set on, as soon as you can, so you’re not disappointed.
3. Plan a Romantic Cruise that Fits You and Your Significant Other’s Style
Celebrity Cruises Deck (Photo Credit: Dennis MacDonald)
One thing to remember when planning a romantic cruise is that romance is not one size fits all. What I might think of as a perfect date night could be a total snooze-fest for you and your significant other.
So, before you rush to book that couple’s massage or chef-led dinner experience, think about what you and your significant other would actually enjoy. Whatever your preferences, you’ll likely find plenty of opportunities for romance on a cruise ship.
If you’re a foodie couple that savors a fine-dining experience, I’d suggest considering a cruise line known for its fine dining, such as Oceania Cruises, with its Jacques Pépin-directed culinary program, or Silversea Cruises.
If a luxury cruise line is out of your budget, I’ve found the fine dining on mainstream cruise lines like Celebrity Cruises to be quite nice, such as at the cruise line’s Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud restaurant, which is featured on Celebrity Ascent and Celebrity Beyond.
Maybe you and your significant other are more adrenaline junkies than anything, though, and your idea of romance includes some blood-pumping activities.
Book shore excursions to that effect and choose a cruise ship with plenty of unique on-board features like jaw-dropping waterparks (Royal Caribbean’s newer ships are a good choice for this).
If you do book shore excursions, regardless of the type you book, consider booking private excursions versus group excursions. You’ll appreciate the privacy and personalized attention.
But maybe you just want to stay on the ship the entire time and your preferences are simple; maybe you want to share a beer while you watch the sunset, or hit up the steakhouse.
The point? Plan cruise activities catered to your idea of romance, not mine or any other cruiser’s.
4. Take Advantage of Adults-Only Spaces
Adults-Only Serenity Area (Photo Credit: Ihor Koptilin / Shutterstock)
If you’re not cruising on an adults-only cruise line like Virgin Voyages or Viking, you may find that the poolside environment isn’t quite romantic.
However, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some fun in the sun with your sweetheart. If you’re looking for a quieter space, try your ship’s adults-only pool or outdoor decks.
On Carnival Cruise Line, that space is the Serenity Retreat. On Royal Caribbean, it’s the Solarium. MSC Cruises likewise has an adults-only solarium. Princess Cruises has its adults-only Sanctuary.
Even Disney Cruise Line has an adults-only space, with its Satellite sun decks. For an adults-only space with a beach club vibe, you’ll find it on Norwegian Cruise Line, with the line’s Posh, Vibe and Spice H20 areas.
Do note that some adults-only areas, like those on Norwegian Cruise Line, may come with an extra admission fee.
5. Check Out the Cruise Line’s Lineup of Valentine’s Day Activities
Carnival Cruise Line Fleetwide Vow Renewal
As you plan out your cruise itinerary, check out the various Valentine’s Day-related activities that may be on offer as part of the ship’s daily programming.
For example, I’ve been on Carnival sailings in the past that have incorporated Valentine’s Day themes into their daily activities, with options like Valentine’s Day trivia, romantic poetry and love song competitions and romantic movie showings.
These activities can be fun and, better yet, free!
6. Surprise Your Sweetheart With a Special Gift
Photo Credit: Joni Hanebutt / Shutterstock
While some cruise lines will allow you to have flowers from local florists delivered to your stateroom at your embarkation port, you have other options for surprising your sweetheart with a unique gift, courtesy of your cruise line.
Whatever your chosen cruise, you should be able to order certain room décor and special surprises to be delivered to your stateroom ahead of boarding.
For example, Royal Caribbean will deliver chocolate covered strawberries, bottles of Champagne, chocolate truffles and other romantic gifts to a stateroom or suite, to help cruisers celebrate special occasions ranging from Valentine’s Day to anniversaries to a birthday.
Want to find the most perfect gift but really unsure what your significant other would like? Consider gift certificates to the cruise ship’s spa or salon.
7. Considering Renewing Your Vows
Carnival Cruise Line Fleetwide Vow Renewal
What could be more romantic than renewing your vows? If it’s been a while since you and your honey said “I do,” consider renewing your vows during your Valentine’s Day cruise.
There are several cruise lines that offer vow renewal packages that come with not just your ceremony, but also extras, bundling together items and services like photography, music, flowers and Champagne. These cruise lines include Carnival Cruise Line, Cunard, P&O Cruises, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Line and more.
Not really one for formal services? If you’d like to mark the occasion in a big way, but without the fanfare of a special event, you might take a look around the ship’s duty-free shops, particularly the jewelry boutiques.
A Valentine’s Day cruise is the perfect time to upgrade your wedding bands or engagement ring.
8. Dress Up For a Special Date Night
Formal Night Photos on Royal Caribbean Cruise (Photo Credit: Solarisys)
Whatever your preferred specific date night activity, look your best. Beyond going to the spa, considering going to the on-ship salon as well. In addition to basic services like haircuts and styling, some also offer waxing, teeth whitening, lash and brow services and more.
Once you’re all spiffed up, break out your favorite date night attire. Even if you’re not going to one of the ship’s fine dining specialty restaurants, I find that more formal attire isn’t necessarily out of place in many ships’ main dining rooms.
If you’re worried about sticking out, attend the main dining room’s “formal night.” Usually occurring once or twice during the cruise, depending on cruise length, the main dining room’s formal night requires a more elegant dress code and usually encompasses a slightly elevated menu to match, from the salads course to the desserts.
Cruise lines with formal nights include Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean Princess Cruises, and Cunard, and the level of formality differs according to the line you choose.
As a more budget-friendly cruise line, the formal dress code on Carnival Cruise Line is less strict than the dress code on Princess Cruises, where I’ve seen full tuxedos and gowns.
Just note that if you do have your date night in the main dining room, you won’t have the privacy that you’d have in one of the specialty restaurants, as you’ll be seated at a table with other cruisers.
9. Stay in and Order Room Service
Photo Credit: CathyRL / Shutterstock
There’s no need to dress up and go out for date night, though, if your preferred attire is a bathrobe. Kick up your feet and order room service. Better yet, cruise with a line that offers multi-course, in-room dining.
If you’re sailing with a luxury cruise line like Crystal Cruises, Regent Seven Seas or Princess Cruises, you can enjoy high-end dining served right in your suite or on your balcony, for a more private experience that allows you to fully enjoy your upgraded stateroom.
Even if you’re not sailing with a luxury cruise line that offers this service, don’t forget about room service come morning. I’m partial to ordering room service breakfast at least once during a cruise.
It’s the perfect way to kick off the day on a relaxed note (and without fighting the crowds at the breakfast buffet!).
10. Experience the Ship’s Nightlife
Virgin Voyages Party (Photo Credit: AVOXY)
Your romantic date night doesn’t just have to be dinner. Plan to enjoy the ship’s nightlife as well, whether that means heading to a show after dinner or going out to one of the ship’s clubs or music venues.
There’s typically a range of nightlife options on every ship, so you can find something to fit your and your significant others’ preferences. Beyond theater shows and clubs, you can also find comedy sets, film screenings, karaoke and more.
11. Make Sure to Get Lots of Photos
Couple Taking Photo on Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Nazar Skladanyi)
You can work with one of the ship’s professional photographers to get photos of all your favorite moments during your cruise, but this comes with its pros and cons.
The major pro is that you don’t have to even think about it. They show up, take the photos and you just worry about having a great time. The major con is that these professional photos come with an added cost, so you might prefer to bring your own camera.
Whatever you choose, be sure to get lots of photos of every memorable moment. Those photo souvenirs will be the best keepsake that you could give yourself.
12. Don’t Stress Over It
Couple Enjoying Cruise (Photo Credit: ReganP)
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from years of cruising, it’s that you should prepare and plan for your cruise as much as possible ahead of time — but then once you’re onboard the ship, it’s ideal to focus on enjoying yourself and not on making sure every small detail is 100% perfect.
If you’ve put in the right amount of research and planning, your cruise will be just as relaxing and romantic as you hoped, so settle back and focus on spending time with your loved one.
It’ll be a Valentine’s Day to remember (and you might just find that a Valentine’s Day cruise becomes an annual tradition!).
Social media is often filled with rumors which can spread rapidly and seem to be factual. Reaching out to an authority and properly looking into the background of an issue can often reveal something quite different, however.
Such is the case with a recent rumor surrounding a very popular, award-winning dining venue beloved aboard Carnival cruise ships – Guy’s Burger Joint.
Images of a supposedly “new” breakfast menu have been circulating in recent days. Many eager guests have reached out to Carnival Cruise Line’s official Brand Ambassador, John Heald, about whether or not the menu will be spread across the fleet.
Heald has responded to the inquiries – he answers hundreds of comments, questions, and requests every week on his popular Facebook page – noting that the menu is only offered on one ship at this time.
“I see on social media (questionable source, I know) that Guy’s Burgers is now serving breakfast,”one guest wrote recently.“Great if it’s true! Which ships are doing this, and are there plans and a schedule to roll this out fleetwide?”
This guest rightfully acknowledges that social media resources are not always the most reliable, and notes that the rumor of the breakfast menu may not be true. By asking Heald, they’ve attempted to go to the most reliable source of information about all things Carnival Cruise Line.
Heald does respond, but does not have the news the guest might wish he did.
“Carnival Sunrise is currently the only ship doing this,”Heald noted.“If we had any further ships, I will of course let you know.”
Interestingly, Heald answered this question slightly differently a few days earlier.
“Good morning, John! Does the Jubilee have the new Guy’s Burgers breakfast offerings?”another guest asked.
This guest obviously believes the breakfast options at Guy’s Burger Joint are a new addition to the menu selection. Heald’s answer, however, gives a different impression.
“You know, we tried that, but with so many other breakfast choices it wasn’t very popular so no, at the moment we don’t serve breakfast from there,”Heald explained.
While there is no indication that the breakfast menu will be removed from Carnival Sunrise, it’s clear that it won’t likely be expanded to additional ships.
The breakfast menu includes different burgers topped with fried eggs, maple aioli, hashbrown patties, a French toast bun, turkey breakfast sausage, and more, depending on which burger a guest orders. All breakfast burgers are still served with fries.
Carnival Sunrise is homeported year-round from Miami, Florida, offering diverse itineraries to the Bahamas, the Eastern Caribbean, and the Western Caribbean, depending on departure date.
Could the Menu Change?
Of course, it isn’t unusual for cruise lines to beta test new menus on a single ship or just a few ships to gauge responses and gather feedback before deciding whether or not to roll out changes to the entire fleet.
Because the Guy’s Burger Joint breakfast menu is still available aboard Carnival Sunrise, it is possible the offering is continuing to be considered for expansion, perhaps with tweaks or updates.
It is also possible that it is being kept aboard the ship as a unique offering just for that vessel, similar to the Italian-style burgers with pepperoni and mozzarella only available on Carnival Venezia and Carnival Firenze.
In the meantime, guests aboard other ships in the Carnival fleet have a wide range of delicious breakfast options to enjoy. These include service in their staterooms, the expansive Lido Marketplace buffet, the popular Seaday Brunch or the whimsical Thing 1 & Thing 2 Birthday Breakfast, and various other tasty choices.
As wildfires continue to wreak havoc across Los Angeles County, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is offering assistance to affected passengers and contributing to community relief efforts.
The fires, which have been particularly severe in areas like Pacific Palisades and Pasadena, prompted NCL to take action to support its guests and the wider community during this challenging time.
John Chernesky, senior vice president of North American sales at NCL, expressed his concerns for the victims, noting that he, himself, lives just 5 miles from the Hurst Fire that as of January 11, 2025, is forcing evacuations and destroying properties.
“The fires that have impacted Los Angeles are nothing short of devastating, and all of us at NCL are heartbroken at the loss of life and the destruction that has occurred,” he said.
To support its guests, Chernesky announced that the cruise line is waiving all cancellation penalties for January and February cruises from any location for anyone who resides in areas affected by the fires.
Additionally, NCL is offering a 100 percent future cruise credit (FCC) for the total price of their cruise for passengers who are unable to sail as planned due to the horrific fires.
Typically, FCCs are good up to one year from the date of issue, so guests can rebook a future cruise when it’s more convenient for them to steal away.
To further aid recovery efforts, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, NCL’s parent company, which also operates Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, is donating $50,000 to the Red Cross.
“All of us at NCLH are very proud to be part of an industry that rallies together in times of crisis and need,” said Chernesky. “It’s heartwarming to see the actions being taken at every level, from agencies to individual advisors, to assist those in need.”
Cruise Lines Respond to LA Wildfires
The wildfires spreading quickly across Los Angeles first ignited on January 7, 2025, fanned by the Santa Ana hurricane-force winds with speeds of up to 60 miles per hour.
The Palisades and Eaton fires, which encompass the Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and Pasadena, were among the first reported, causing significant destruction.
As of January 11, the fires have led to at least 11 deaths, destroyed more than 12,300 homes and buildings, and have left over 150,000 thousand residents displaced.
The situation remains critical, with the new Hurst fire erupting near the San Fernando Valley and the Kenneth fire in Bell Canyon.
Efforts to contain the fires are ongoing, with containment levels low. The Palisades Fire is currently only 8 percent contained and the Eaton Fire is only 3 percent contained.
The cruise line, which is based inLos Angeles, is allowing for free cancellation of any of the five cruises scheduled to depart from Los Angeles in January, with a future credit at full price good for one year.
Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles (Photo Credit: Pedro.Fonoff23)
In a statement to Cruise Hive, representatives from Princess Cruises said, “Princess Cruises, Los Angeles’ hometown cruise line, is deeply saddened by the devastation caused by the Palisades and Eaton fires. Our hearts go out to all those affected during this challenging time.”
Carnival Cruise Line, which homeports ships in the nearby Port of Long Beach and, like Princess Cruises, is owned by Carnival Corporation, has not announced any similar offerings for its passengers.
Cruise Hive reached out to Royal Caribbean, which currently homeports Navigator of the Seas in LA, about any offer it may have for those affected by the wildfires but did not receive a response.
Both the Port of Long Beach and LA’s World Cruise Center, just south of the city, remain open, despite the nearby emergency.
