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MSC Cruises to Showcase Its Upcoming New Flagship During Super Bowl

Donna Tunney
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MSC Cruises to Showcase Its Upcoming New Flagship During Super Bowl

With 100 million-plus people estimated to watch the upcoming 2025 Super Bowl, MSC Cruises is getting in on the action by kicking off a new US marketing campaign during the Big Game.

For the first time, the cruise line is investing in a “Big Game” commercial that will feature two celebrities — not yet revealed, cruising aboard MSC World America, the line’s newest ship set to launch in April 2025.

The 6,762-guest MSC World America is under construction at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France.

The line’s 60-second commercial will profile the ship’s unique offerings and highlight MSC Cruises’ combination of American and European elements. A Super Bowl ad is a huge investment; in 2024, the cost of a 30-second commercial topped $7 million.

The Swiss-Italian cruise line is banking on the idea that Americans will embrace its Old World heritage coupled with contemporary American aspects. MSC Cruises is based in Geneva, Switzerland, and has offices in Genoa, Naples, and Venice, Italy. Founded in 1988, the line has 22 ships sailing.

“Our message is clear: a cruise vacation with MSC Cruises goes far beyond traditional expectations,” said Suzanne Salas, executive vice president of marketing, eCommerce, and sales at MSC Cruises USA. 

“We offer the experience of a lifetime, seamlessly blending European style with American comfort. The Big Game provides an unmatched platform to showcase our first campaign and first ship designed specifically for North American guests,” Salas added.

The Big Game commercial isn’t MSC Cruises’ only foray into major sports. In 2023, it announced a multi-year partnership as the Official Cruise Line of the Miami Dolphins.

Read Also: Why Are MSC Cruises So Cheap?

The pact includes branding opportunities at the football team’s Hard Rock Stadium, such as digital signage and various commercial placements. The cruise line also has a marketing agreement with Formula 1.

While it is still unknown which NFL teams will compete in the 2025 Super Bowl, the event will be held at New Orleans’ Caesars Superdome on February 9, 2025. 

Commercial to Highlight Ship’s Unique Districts

Designed for American travelers, MSC World America will offer seven districts offering unique spaces and activities. Cruisers will choose from among 19 dining venues and 18 bars and lounges.

Her public spaces include The Harbour, an outdoor area that will attract families to its Cliffhanger thrill ride — an over-water swing, plus a ropes course, the Harbour Aquapark, a playground, and food outlets.

MSC World America at the Shipyard
MSC World America at the Shipyard (Photo Credit: Emrys Thakkar)

One of the longest dry slides at sea, Jaw Drop @ The Spiral will span 11 decks in the World Promenade district, which also will offer shopping and dining venues.

The new ship will have the fleet’s largest MSC Yacht Club, the ship-within-a-ship luxury retreat area, and a three-level World Galleria, lined with restaurants, bars, and retail shops.

MSC World America is undergoing her final finishes at the French shipyard and will soon begin her sea trials, when the ship’s major operational systems will be evaluated. Following her handover to the cruise line, the 215,000-gross ton ship will be homeported in Miami.

The ship’s maiden voyage is set to depart PortMiami on April 12, 2025. The ship will offer 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises, all of which will call at MSC Cruises’ Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in the Bahamas.

Eastern Caribbean itineraries will visit Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, and San Juan, Puerto Rico, while Western Caribbean sailings will visit Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; and Roatan, Honduras.

Coast Guard Makes Nerve-Wracking Airlift Off Carnival Ship

Melissa Mayntz
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Coast Guard Makes Nerve-Wracking Airlift Off Carnival Ship

While all evacuations from a cruise ship are dramatic and nerve-wracking, travelers rarely get a good view of just how precise the work must be. The team from Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans has shared video footage of a rescue from Carnival Valor, offering a birds-eye view of the operation.

The medical evacuation took place on Sunday, January 5, 2025 as the cruise ship was enjoying a day at sea en route back to New Orleans at the end of a 4-night sailing that had visited Cozumel, Mexico.

The 33-year-old male cruise passenger needed medical evacuation, though further details about his condition have not been released in order to protect his privacy and that of his family and traveling companions.

The operation was carried out by an MH-60 Jayhawk aircrew with oversight support from an HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew. Together, the crews smoothly coordinated the guest’s evacuation, airlifting him in a transport basket aboard the helicopter.

The guest was then transported to University Medical Center in New Orleans, reportedly in stable condition.

Harrowing video of the operation shows the precise and heroic work of the aircrew, including how the helicopter must hold position with the cruise ship, hand signals the crew uses to communicate, and how gear is secured to ensure safety.

Viewers even get to “ride along” with the crew as they are lifted back onto the helicopter, showing expansive views of the area and the cruise ship.

Despite the pause for the evacuation to be carried out, there was no disruption to Carnival Valor‘s schedule and the ship returned to New Orleans as planned.

The 110,438-gross-ton, Conquest-class Carnival cruise ship is homeported year-round from New Orleans, offering 4- and 5-night Western Caribbean itineraries. While the shorter cruises only visit Cozumel, the 5-night sailings also visit either Progreso or Costa Maya, depending on the departure date.

Carnival Valor will be making a pair of transatlantic cruises later this year as she moves to Spain for a significant dry dock update. The ship will leave New Orleans on April 24 for a 16-night eastbound journey to Barcelona, calling first on Nassau and then in the Azores and other Spanish ports of call before debarkation on May 10.

Details of the dry dock and expected updates have not yet been released, but the refreshed ship will depart Barcelona on June 11 for a 15-night westbound transatlantic cruise visiting Malaga, Cadiz, and the Azores. Carnival Valor will arrive back in New Orleans on June 26 to resume her typical itineraries.

Other Recent Cruise Rescues

The US Coast Guard (USCG) is always on standby whenever a cruise traveler needs help or care that can’t be provided onboard the ship. While cruise ships are well-equipped to handle a wide range of medical issues, stronger emergencies or very specialized conditions may require evacuation to land-based facilities.

When this is necessary, the emergency call is made for assistance. USCG crews are activated to reach the ship, evacuate the guest or crew member, and transport them to an appropriate hospital or medical center.

Carnival Coast Guard Airlift

Such rescues do not happen on every cruise, but do happen regularly. While some are basic operations, others are more dramatic depending on the conditions the aircrews must face.

For example, in September 2024, an 8-year-old boy was airlifted from Princess Cruises’ Royal Princess off the coast of California when heavy fog impeded the operation.

In April 2024, extreme distance made it challenging for the USCG to evacuate a pregnant woman from Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Fantasy 180 miles from Puerto Rico.

Despite rough weather, USCG crews will do all they can to successfully rescue travelers in need, as was the case in April 2023, when hazardous conditions made it necessary for crews to initially abandon their rescue attempt from Carnival Dream. Once the weather eased, a second crew rendezvoused with the cruise ship to evacuate the guest.

While no cruiser wants to debark their ship via a medevac, every passenger who ever needs this help is grateful for the expertise and dedication of the USCG teams.

Four Carnival Cruises to Lose Loyalty Benefits

Melissa Mayntz
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Four Carnival Cruises to Lose Loyalty Benefits

Guests eager to set sail for some of the most sought-after cruise destinations in the world – the Virgin Islands, Jamaica, the Panama Canal, Barbados, and Hawaii – will not have the benefits they may have anticipated on four upcoming Carnival cruises.

The impacted cruises are Carnival Dream‘s January 11, 2025 departure, a 14-night Eastern Caribbean sailing from Galveston, as well as the January 12, 2025 departures for Carnival Pride, Carnival Radiance, and Carnival Venezia.

Carnival Pride is sailing a 14-night Panama Canal itinerary roundtrip from Baltimore, while Carnival Radiance is sailing from Long Beach for a 14-night Hawaiian cruise. Carnival Venezia, now homeported from Port Canaveral, will be enjoying a 14-night Southern Caribbean itinerary.

Worth Reading: Another Carnival Cruise Loses Loyalty Benefits – How Many More?

These Carnival Journeys cruises are longer, more immersive sailings popular with Diamond and Platinum guests in Carnival Cruise Line’s Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) program. Because of their overwhelming popularity, however, it isn’t possible to offer all the benefits that these most loyal travelers have earned with the company.

Carnival Cruise Line reached out to booked guests for the upcoming sailings to notify them of the adjustments.

“As you prepare for your cruise, we have an important operational update,” the email read. “Due to the high number of Diamond and Platinum guests joining us on this voyage, we will not be able to provide priority embarkation for debarkation (including at any of the ports of call).”

The email did note that guests are still free to go to their staterooms immediately to drop off carry-on luggage. This is one of the most popular perks of the upper level loyalty statuses, but guests are not permitted to remain in their staterooms – only to drop off bags before leaving so cabin attendants can complete their work.

The notification also had further news for Diamond guests, a status reserved for travelers who have sailed with Carnival for a minimum of 200 cruise nights.

“Related to Diamond guests, due to capacity limitations, we cannot guarantee main dining room seating requests for dinner,” the email explained.

Worth Reading: Carnival Cruise Line Confirms Disappointing Loyalty Program News

Platinum level guests do not have the perk of guaranteed seating requests, but only priority consideration.

It is common on very popular Carnival Journeys sailings that several of the upper level benefits for Diamond and Platinum guests cannot be accommodated. This is due to an overwhelming number of these guests enjoying the longer sailings.

Other benefits, however, remain intact and available. This includes complimentary beverages, priority spa reservations, the VIFP logo gifts (currently a canvas baseball cap), complimentary laundry service, and the collectible pins – the new 2025 design that was just revealed earlier this week.

When Is the Program Being Updated?

Carnival Cruise Line has been hinting at a significant overhaul to the VIFP program, which has been confirmed by the line’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald.

What has not been confirmed, however, is when those changes will be announced and implemented. Heald fields inquiries about that timeline every day through his popular Facebook page.

Carnival Pride Docked in Bermuda
Carnival Pride Docked in Bermuda (Photo Credit: EWY Media)

“I don’t have any details that I’m able to share at the moment but I promise that as soon as I have all the information we will share it” and “I don’t have any details to share about the new program and although it is 100% definitely coming, I don’t know the timeline as to when” are two of his recent responses.

Cruise lines typically overhaul their loyalty programs when the benefits they offer need significant adjustments, perhaps because they are no longer viable. Another reason for program updates are when the different loyalty levels need better balance in order to accommodate all past passengers.

Read Also: Which Cruise Lines Match Loyalty Programs?

Options might be to change how loyalty status is accrued, adjusting where different loyalty levels begin, or adding new tiers to the program so as to further separate guests in different ways.

It had been strongly hinted (though never confirmed) that Carnival’s new VIFP program was to have been unveiled before the end of 2024, but that did not happen. Now, eager travelers can hope that the updates will be announced sometime in the new year.

Stay tuned to Cruise Hive for the announcements, updates, and new loyalty news when it is confirmed!

Largest Small-Ship US Cruise Line Will Double Alaska Presence

Lissa Poirot
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Largest Small-Ship US Cruise Line Will Double Alaska Presence

America’s largest small ship cruise line is planning to infiltrate Alaska in a big way in 2025, promising to double its capacity to guests who want to delve deeper into the Last Frontier.

Competing against larger cruise lines that dominate the waterways, American Cruise Lines has ambitious plans to bring two ships to the area that can navigate the northernmost US state’s less-traveled waterways.

This is also good news with larger Alaskan towns fighting for restrictions on the influx of cruise passengers.

With its ships the American Constitution and the American Constellation leading the charge, American Cruise Line’s 2025 itineraries include two brand-new Alaska National Parks cruises for exploring Denali and Kenai Fjords National Parks.

In addition, the cruises will sail through Glacier Bay National Park and the Inside Passage during the cruise line’s biggest Alaska season to date.

“Among all the options available for cruising Alaska in 2025, American’s ships and itineraries offer a unique way to explore this bucket-list region,” said American Cruise Lines.

“The company’s offerings are notable, because they blend small-ship expedition access with large-ship luxury and comfort on board,“ the cruise line continued.

Both 4,057-gross-ton ships accommodate just 170 passengers and measure between 269 and 304 feet in length. In fact, American Constellation, which was built in 2018 – a year after American Constellation – was designed specifically to navigate Alaska’s waterways and Puget Sound. 

The news of the Alaska expansion follows a growth year for American Cruise Lines, which added four new ships in 2024 by acquiring vessels from the now-defunct American Queen Voyages.

With the addition of the new vessels, including the largest paddlewheel steamboat ever built, American Queen, the cruise line now operates a fleet of 23, making its not only the largest small-ship cruise line in the US but the nation’s largest river cruise line as well.

The new cruises will include pre-cruise stays, overnights in the national parks, and land tours.

Alaskan Adventures

The 2025 Alaska season features five diverse itineraries, including the new 19-day Grand Alaska National Parks voyage and the 16-day Alaska National Parks adventure.

Launching on June 18, 2025, American Constellation will embark on the first of four Grand Alaska National Parks options from Fairbanks to Juneau through September 6. 

American Constitution will offer the same journey beginning on August 27.

American Cruise Line Alaska
American Cruise Line Alaska (Photo Credit: American Cruise Line)

The ships will visit 18 ports of call during its 12 days at sea, including Anchorage, Seward, Haines, Sitka, Petersburg, Wrangell, and Tracey Arm. Seven additional days will feature guided trips in Denali and Kenai Fjords.

The 16-day option, also available on both vessels, features 7 days of guided exploration in the parks with a 9-day sailing from Fairbanks to Juneau to similar ports, minus Sitka and a scenic visit to the Inside Passage. 

This shorter option launches July 6, 2025, on American Constitution, although the first voyage is already sold out. There are seven additional journeys, the last of which departs on American Constellation on August 25.

Read Also: Your Guide to the Best Alaska Cruise Ports

Additionally, the cruise line is offering the itineraries in 2026, with bookings already open.

The first of five Grand Alaska National Parks voyages of 2026 will launch on American Constellation on June 7, 2026, while American Constitution’s June 28, 2026, departure will be the first of eight for the Alaska National Parks itinerary.

Returning to the schedule in 2025 and 2026 are three additional and popular American Cruise Line routes, including the 8-night roundtrip Southeast Alaska cruise from Juneau, the 15-night one-way Alaska Inside Passage voyage from Seattle to Juneau, and the 11-night Alaskan Explorer roundtrip sailing from Juneau.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Guest Shocked With Massive Bill After Sailing

Melissa Mayntz
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Royal Caribbean Cruise Guest Shocked With Massive Bill After Sailing

Cruises are well-known to offer a great value for travelers, but some bills can add up quickly if guests aren’t careful. While it is easy to be mindful of what one spends onboard, what about when hidden charges show up after returning home?

One Royal Caribbean guest has learned the hard way that such charges can be substantial.

The recent traveler – who has remained anonymous – purchased Royal Caribbean’s onboard internet service, but failed to note that the service does not include cellular network access.

Because the guest did not put their cell phone into airplane mode, their device continued to download updates, access locations, and otherwise work in the background throughout their sailing. Their child also used the phone to watch videos throughout the week-long sailing.

This resulted in $1,300 of roaming charges from the cell phone company, a nasty surprise and an unwelcome shock to the post-cruise budget, according to YouTuber Jayson Judson.

The understandably upset passenger reached out to Royal Caribbean about the bill, but it is outside the cruise line’s control. To be clear, the bill was not from the cruise line, but from the individual’s cell service provider. Royal Caribbean, therefore, is not responsible for the charges in any way.

It is not just aboard Royal Caribbean ships that cell phone roaming charges may add up. A similar, though somewhat less expensive, bill awaited a Carnival cruise passenger in January 2024. In that case as well, the cruise line was not responsible for the extra charges.

Internet Access Onboard Royal Caribbean Ships

Royal Caribbean’s description of its VOOM internet package notes what is included, but does not mention overall cellular access.

“The VOOM Surf + Stream Internet Package lets you message and video chat on messenger services, browse the web, send emails and post on social media, and video chat live. Plus stream your favorite videos, movies, music and shows,” the description reads.

Furthermore, nowhere in the package description is there any mention of airplane mode or the possibility of roaming charges if guests do not switch their phones off active service.

Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Ticket Contract does mention phones briefly, but only with general notes.

“The Cruise Fare does not include … phone calls [or] satellite connection for mobile phones,” Section 3(a) of the contract reads.

Of course, when a guest purchases an add-on service like the cruise line’s VOOM Surf + Stream Internet Package, it does seem reasonable that cell service could be part of the package, even though this is incorrect.

Royal Caribbean WiFi
Royal Caribbean WiFi and Phone (Photo Credit: Tigarto)

The cost for the package varies depending on cruise length and the number of devices connected, as is standard with different cruise lines’ internet service offerings.

Read Also: Do Cruise Ships Have Wi-Fi? – 5 Things to Know

Our daily lifestyles are more and more interconnected with apps, websites, email, text messages, streaming services, and other digital connectivity these days.

It is easy to forget about that wi-fi lifeline that may add up charges throughout a cruise as the phone automatically seeks to connect to whatever signals are available.

As a cruise ship moves to different countries throughout a sailing, it is easy for an active phone to inadvertently connect to non-network signal sources, accruing the high charges that accompany those connections.

Cruise lines do warn travelers to be sure their mobile devices are set to airplane mode. This may be done via announcements on embarkation day as well as printed notices in onboard newsletters. Cruise line apps may also alert users to switch to airplane mode when logging on.

Such notifications can be easily overlooked, however, especially with how crazy embarkation can be and how exciting it can be on a cruise ship with many different activities each day.

Experienced travelers may set an alert or alarm before their cruise sets sail to remind them to switch to airplane mode.

Princess Cruises Cancels Caribbean Voyage Out of Florida

Lissa Poirot
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Princess Cruises Cancels Caribbean Voyage Out of Florida

In a disappointing turn for early-bird passengers who booked a September 2026 cruise on the 142,714-gross-ton Regal Princess, Princess Cruises has announced it has removed the September 5 Southern Caribbean Islander itinerary from its schedule.

Citing changes in their deployment program, which could mean anything from scheduling a chartered voyage to port adjustments to repositioning the vessel, Princess Cruises is automatically refunding all booked passengers. None will be rebooked on another Regal Princess option.

“We sincerely apologize for the disappointment this cancellation causes and hope to have the opportunity to welcome you aboard another Princess cruise in the future,” said the cruise line.

Originally scheduled to sail 14 days to Curacao, Aruba, Grenada, Barbados, Dominica, St. Maarten, and Puerto Rico from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, where the ship will be homeporting from April 2026 into 2027, Regal Princess’ voyage was set to conclude on September 19.

Neither the cruise’s previous 7-night Eastern Caribbean sailing arriving back in port on September 5 nor the following 7-night Western Caribbean journey departing on September 19 have been adjusted.

This may indicate the 3,560-passenger ship may be undergoing standard maintenance during the freed-up two-week timeframe.

In fact, the cruise line recently cancelled several itineraries on its 3,080-passenger Crown Princess due to dry dock scheduling in late 2025.

Regal Princess has been dealing with engine issues as of late, cancelling port calls on four cruises between December 8, 2024, and January 19, 2025, for overnights in Roatan, Honduras, to perform essential repairs.

However, with 20 months’ notice, this leaves affected guests ample time to find another cruise, whether with Princess Cruises or another operator visiting similar ports in the Caribbean.

Alternative Voyages

While the cruise line did not rebook dismayed passengers, it did highlight a similar cruise option aboard Regal Princess’ sister ship, Majestic Princess.

The 141,000-gross-ton, 3,560-passenger vessel will conduct a 12-day Southern Caribbean Islander route on November 7, 2026, from New York City to Fort Lauderdale. 

The itinerary includes calls in St. Maarten, Curacao, and Aruba but misses Barbados, Dominica, and Puerto Rico in favor of St. Kitts and St. Lucia.

The ship, based in New York City for a brief autumn 2026 stint that sails to New England and Canada for fall foliage adventures, will visit the Caribbean as it repositions to Galveston, Texas, on December 1.

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

Its subsequent 12-night Southern Caribbean Islander cruise, departing from Fort Lauderdale on November 19, will visit the British Virgin Islands, Antigua, Curacao, Aruba, and Cozumel, Mexico. However, the ship ends its journey in Galveston.

Read Also: Amber Cove, Dominican Republic: Everything You Need to Know

Caribbean Princess, which hosts up to 3,140 guests, also offers a 14-night Eastern/Western Caribbean Adventurer option that departs on September 6, 2026, from Port Canaveral in Central Florida.

The 112,894-gross-ton vessel will begin by sailing to Mexico and Honduras to visit Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Roatan on a 7-day segment cruise that returns to Port Canaveral before its second leg sails to Puerto Rico, Turks and Caicos, and the Dominican Republic to visit the cruise line’s private destination at Amber Cove.

The rest of the Princess fleet will be in various parts of the world, including the Mediterranean, South Pacific, and Japan. In the US, the cruise line has seven ships positioned in Alaska in September.

The news of Regal Princess’ cancellation follows earlier disappointment that the ship removed Edinburgh, Scotland, and Dublin, Ireland, from a 12-night British Isles sailing in 2025.

Princess Cruises cited congested ports as the reason, replacing the major cities with a sea day and a call in the more remote Orkney Islands.

Two People Rescued After Cruise Ship Wake Sinks Their Boat

Catie Kovelman
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Two People Rescued After Cruise Ship Wake Sinks Their Boat

Thanks to the quick action of first responders and two Tampa Bay Harbor pilots, a situation that could have easily ended in tragedy got a happy ending. 

On January 4, 2025, two people and their dog found themselves caught in a cruise ship’s wake – which ultimately sank their smaller boat and left them clinging to a buoy near Gadsden Point in the Tampa Bay.

It’s unclear which cruise ship was responsible for the disastrous wake, but both Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas were in Florida’s Port Tampa Bay that day. 

Michael Stutevoss and Dan Hammer are professional pilots with Tampa Bay Harbor, who were guiding one of the two ships out of the port around sunset when the incident unfolded.

Guests onboard the same ship spotted the duo and their canine companion in distress and notified the crew – but it takes a long time to slow a massive cruise ship. 

“Our ship was going very fast when we sighted these people, so by the time we were able to communicate to the crew of the cruise ship and get the ship stopped, we were a good way past the victims in the water,” Hemmer told FOX 13 News. 

Acting as quickly as possible, the cruise line deployed its “man overboard” team to search for the stranded boaters while the two pilots contacted the St. Petersburg Sector of the US Coast Guard. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office was also notified. 

Shortly after 6 p.m. EST, first responders found the people and their dog clinging onto the buoy about 200 yards away from the debris left behind by their boat.

Watch the moment the stranded boaters were found below:

“Our team’s coordinated response with other agencies led to the successful rescue of two people who desperately needed help. We will continue to work together to protect lives on our waterways,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

The two passengers suffered unspecified injuries – but they were rescued successfully, along with their dog.

The boaters were able to converse with first responders and confirm they were the only ones in need of rescue. They were then taken to a local hospital to receive treatment.

A Dangerous Rescue

When people are stranded in the open water, there is unfortunately, a lot that can go wrong. In this case, certain factors made the speed of the rescue extra important – with time very much of the essence. 

First, the time of day made it more difficult to spot the stranded trio – with the lack of light making it feel a bit like searching for a needle in a haystack. There was a chance that rescuers would not find the people at all, or not see them until it was too late to avoid another accident. 

“The sun had already set. It was twilight. They were basically like shadows in the water. Though I was on scene looking for them, I was afraid of running them over as well,”  Matthew Riley, who was piloting a smaller cargo ship nearby and got involved in the search, told FOX 13 News.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Docked at Tampa Port
Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Docked at Tampa Port (Photo Credit: Feng Cheng)

Read Also: From Mishaps to Maydays – Cruise Ship Accidents

Although the weather in Tampa has peaked at a comfortable 73 degrees Fahrenheit thus far in January 2025, the water is still cold enough to lead to hypothermia. 

“The water is 64 degrees here. Hypothermia can set in very quickly. Even though we are in Florida, hypothermia can set in,” added Michael Stutevoss, one of the two Tampa Bay Harbor Pilots.

This incident ultimately serves as a grim reminder of how dangerous cruise ships can be to smaller vessels in the wrong circumstances. 

Their wakes are particularly dangerous due to their large size and power, which can violently rock – and even capsize – smaller vessels who come too close. And of course, the bigger the cruise ship, the bigger the wake.

The intense rocking caused by the wake may also throw passengers of these smaller vessels off balance or cause injuries to those onboard – which adds to the risk of losing control of their boat while caught in the wake.

Wakes may also extend further than they appear to the naked eye – with more turbulent water hidden beneath the surface that may continue to disturb the depths long after a cruise ship has passed.

Norwegian Cruise Line Drops Greek Port From Upcoming Season

Lissa Poirot
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Norwegian Cruise Line Drops Greek Port From Upcoming Season

Cruisers looking forward to seeing Greece’s “Emerald Island” of Corfu in 2025 won’t find it on the 155,873-gross-ton Norwegian Epic. The cruise ship operated by Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has removed the destination from its lineup.

This marks the second consecutive year NCL will skip the port during a Mediterranean season. Two new Greek destinations replaced the port during Norwegian Breakaway’s 2024 season.

But all is not lost. The 4,100-guest vessel will be redirected to Katakolon, considered the gateway to ancient Olympia, or Argostoli, the seaside capital of Kefalonia, the largest of the Ionian Islands.

On some voyages, the change has resulted in rearranged schedules, such as swapping Santorini and Mykonos calls and adjusting call times.

For instance, a Mykonos call originally scheduled for 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. was changed to 1 p.m. to 10 p.m., while the Santorini call was changed from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

As word spread among passengers on social media that Norwegian Epic would scrap 17 calls beginning with its May 14 sailing through its October 21 voyage in Greece, the cruise line sent affected guests official notice.

“We recognize the importance that destinations play in our guests’ vacation planning and decision-making process,” wrote Norwegian Cruise Line. “Please rest assured that these modifications were made with an optimal guest experience top of mind.”

The letter continued, “While unfortunately changes may arise, please rest assured that we are always working hard to provide you with a smooth and enjoyable journey.”

Shore excursions booked for Corfu through the cruise line have automatically been cancelled with a full refund to the original form of payment. Excursions affected by date and time changes have also automatically been adjusted.

Passengers who booked their independent excursions are advised to contact the provider to cancel and make any necessary adjustments themselves.

New Fees May Have Impacted Decision

NCL did not give a reason for its decision to avoid Corfu again. However, Greece has recently promised to implement new restrictions on cruise ships visiting its most popular island destinations.

In fact, the government approved in December 2024 a €20 fee for all cruise ship passengers visiting Santorini and Mykonos, as well as €5 fees in ports like Rhodes and Crete.

Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis also revealed plans to limit the number of ships allowed to dock in its ports during the peak season of May through October.

Additionally, cruise ships will face increased docking fees and a digital berth allocation system to spread out arrivals throughout the day.

Norwegian Epic in Europe
Norwegian Epic in Europe (Photo Credit: meunierd)

The decision followed news that the nation was anticipating a final tally of more than 8 million guest arrivals by cruise ship in 2024, a 22 percent increase over 2023. Projections have 2025 also besting that record number.

Corfu, which received its own record-breaking 815,000 cruise passengers in 2024, was included in the government’s plans. Cruise guests who want to visit the island must also pay €5.

Norwegian Epic’s original itineraries, which included calls in Corfu, Santorini, and Mykonos, would have had passengers paying €45 to disembark in all three ports during a 9- to 11-day voyage.

Worth Reading: Norwegian Cruise Ships by Age – Newest to Oldest

The new itineraries, which sail roundtrip from Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy, feature 10-night voyages that call on Santorini, Piraeus (Athens), Mykonos, and Katakolon, Greece, as well as La Valletta, Malta; Messina, Sicily; and either Naples (Pisa) or Messina and Livorno (Florence/Pisa) or Salerno (Amalfi Coast), Italy.

By August, the ship will skip Mykonos, Katakolon, and Naples and sail instead to Argostoli and Cannes, Frances. The French port is also a highlight of 11-night itineraries. Nine-night voyages will include stops in Iraklion in lieu of Athens.

CDC Reports Two More Cruise Outbreaks Heading Into 2025

Lissa Poirot
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CDC Reports Two More Cruise Outbreaks Heading Into 2025

As the new year sets sail, it looks like 2024’s tumultuous year for virus outbreaks aboard cruise ships looms large.

Just days into 2025, two cruise ships have already reported virus outbreaks to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including Holland America Line and Oceania Cruises.

Holland America Line’s Eurodam, carrying 2,139 passengers and 832 crew members, may have departed from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on December 30, 2024, in celebratory mode. However, it is returning from its roundtrip voyage on January 8 with illness onboard.

After welcoming in the New Year at sea, guests enjoyed days in the ABC islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao before 86 passengers (4 percent) and eight crew members caught norovirus, as reported to the CDC on January 4, 2025. 

Symptoms of this acute gastroenteritis (AGE) include vomiting, along with diarrhea, muscle ache, headache, abdominal cramp, or fever.

While Eurodam was sailing its 9-night Southern Caribbean itinerary, the ship actually launched a 16-night voyage on December 23, returning to Port Everglades on December 30, with some passengers from the first leg that had sailed to Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and the US Virgin Islands remaining on board for an 18-night journey.

This means the outbreak could have begun on the earlier voyage, as the CDC says symptoms may not appear for up to 48 hours and can be spread for 2 weeks or more after a person recovers.

Norovirus is passed to others through contact with contaminated objects or persons, which is why the ship is isolating sick passengers and crew and implementing cleaning and disinfection procedures in accordance with the CDC’s prevention and response plan.

With Eurodam slated to head back to sea on January 8, 2025, at 3 p.m., it is likely passengers excited to embark on its next adventure will have to wait a bit longer, as the vessel will undergo a deeper clean between cruises – a wait worth it considering the next voyage will travel in the Caribbean for 21 nights.

Nautica Also Hit With an Outbreak

Meanwhile, Oceania Cruises’ smaller vessel, Nautica, carrying 639 passengers and 398 crew, is dealing with its own health hurdle.

The ship reported an outbreak to the CDC on January 3, 2025, revealing that 15 guests were experiencing symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting due to an unspecified gastrointestinal illness. There are also 16 crew members with the bug.

Passengers aboard Nautica departed from Miami on December 23, 2024, for a lively holiday voyage and are sailing to Los Angeles via a Panama Canal crossing.

They are expected to arrive on January 8 after visiting Caribbean and Pacific Coast ports in the Bahamas, Colombia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Mexico.

Oceania Cruises' Nautica
Oceania Cruises’ Nautica (Photo Credit: Vytautas Kielaitis)

Cleaning measures have been increased, and the ship is isolating guests and crew members who are experiencing symptoms.

Nautica is scheduled to embark on its highly anticipated 180-day East-to-West World Cruise from Los Angeles following extra cleaning on January 8, 2025.

Guests boarding at 6 p.m. may be delayed as the crew aims to eradicate the virus before sailing 18 nights to Tahiti on its first segment.

These outbreaks are a carryover from last year’s highest incidence of gastrointestinal problems aboard cruise ships in more than a decade, as highlighted by the CDC’s latest data. 

The majority of 2024 outbreaks were caused by norovirus, with the virus responsible for illness on five ships from Cunard Line, Holland America Line, and Princess Cruises in December alone.

Despite the gloomy figures, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) reassures that such incidents are exceedingly rare and affect only a very small percentage of the more than 37 million passengers expected to cruise in 2025.

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