A female passenger, identified as a 48-year-old American guest, has passed away after attempting to jump overboard from Princess Cruises’ Sky Princess on Saturday, December 21, 2024. The incident happened in the mid-afternoon, and despite immediate attention from crew members, the woman succumbed to her injuries.
While precise details of the incident have not been confirmed in order to protect the woman’s privacy, a medical call was made for assistance to Deck 7, starboard side.
The ship’s captain made an announcement about the situation several hours later, confirming that a woman had jumped from the ship, hit an obstruction, and later passed on from the injuries she sustained.
Princess Cruises has also released a statement to Cruise Hive about the incident.
“Princess Cruises is deeply saddened to confirm the passing of a 48-year-old American female guest who attempted to jump overboard earlier today aboard Sky Princess,”the statement read.“The guest fell to a lower deck, where she was promptly rescued. Shipboard personnel immediately provided emergency medical care, but despite their best efforts, she could not be revived.”
No further details about the woman’s identity or her traveling companions have been released in order to safeguard their privacy during this very troubling time.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to the guest’s family and friends during this profoundly difficult time. Grief support services are being offered to guests and crew members affected by this event,”Princess Cruises said.
Passengers onboard the ship could contact the Guest Services desk if they wished to speak with a counselor about the upsetting incident.
At the time, Sky Princess was enjoying a final day at sea while returning to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida at the conclusion of a 7-night Western Caribbean sailing. The ship had visited Princess Cays, Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel during the week-long voyage, the first of the vessel’s seasonal departures from Port Everglades.
It should be noted that the cruise line is cooperating fully with both local and federal authorities as the incident is investigated. This is standard procedure whenever a potentially suspicious death may occur onboard, as the circumstances of the incident must be properly verified.
Sky Princess returned to Fort Lauderdale as scheduled with no delay on Sunday, December 22. The ship has already departed on her next voyage, a 7-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary with visits planned for Princess Cays, San Juan, and St. Thomas.
The 145,281-gross-ton, Royal class ship can welcome 3,660 guests onboard, and is also home to approximately 1,300 international crew members. Sky Princess is homeported from Fort Lauderdale through early March offering Caribbean and Bahamas sailings.
In the spring, she will reposition to Southampton, UK to offer Mediterranean, Scandinavia, Iceland, and Norwegian fjord sailings through November before returning to Florida to homeport from Port Canaveral.
Unfortunate Incidents Not Common
It is a sad fact that these types of unfortunate incidents do occasionally happen on cruise ships, though are not as common as cruisers may believe. Thousands of guests set sail every day for very enjoyable vacations and return home safely with wonderful memories to cherish for years to come.
When such sad incidents happen, they can profoundly impact not only the immediate family members and friends of those involved, but other passengers and crew members who may witness the situation onboard.
This is not the first overboard situation to occur from a Princess Cruises ship this month. On December 2, an elderly man was reported missing from Ruby Princess as the ship returned to San Francisco following a 5-night getaway.
The man was traveling alone and believed overboard in international waters. Because of that, US Customs and Border Protection was also involved in that investigation.
Cruise Hive’s thoughts and deepest condolences are with the family members and friends of everyone impacted by such sad situations, as well as crew members who only wish to help everyone aboard their ships have a happy and enjoyable cruise vacation.
Following the destructive impact of a magnitude 7.3 earthquake on December 17, 2024, a 6.1 tremor, and 5.5 magnitude aftershocks, the US Department of State has escalated its travel advisory for Vanuatu to Level 3.
This advisory strongly urges US citizens to reconsider travel to the archipelago nation made up of 83 volcanic islands in the South Pacific.
The earthquakes, which peaked at 12:47 p.m. local time just 19 miles from Port Vila, Vanuatu’s capital, have caused significant infrastructure damage to Vanuatu’s main island of Efate, impacting local transportation and emergency services.
It also heavily damaged the US Embassy building, severely compromising the US government’s ability to provide emergency services. The building also housed the embassies for the UK, France, and New Zealand, the latter of which also issued an increased caution advisory to its citizens.
At least 16 people were killed due to the earthquakes, with over 200 more of the island’s 49,034 inhabitants injured. Given the scale of the destruction, the local government implemented a curfew in the hardest-hit areas from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. through December 28, 2024.
As authorities struggle to manage the aftermath, which includes a potential health crisis as approximately 20,000 residents lack access to clean water, rescue and recovery operations are ongoing, with international aid efforts gearing up to support the island nation.
It also advises guests to “prepare for disruptions by ensuring you have sufficient supplies of water, food, and medications, as resources are limited” and to “have evacuation plans that do not rely on US government assistance.”
Travel advisories are just that: an advisory. If someone chooses to visit an area under an advisory, they risk conditions that could endanger their health, safety, or security.
Cruise Lines Alter Itineraries
Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas was in Vanuatu when the earthquake struck, albeit 76 miles away at the more remote Mystery Island. With the archipelago extending 800 miles, not all islands were impacted by the quakes.
In fact, not all 4,180 passengers aboard the ship were even aware of the nearby earthquake until the captain made the announcement the ship would have to skip its December 18 call in Vila and instead return to Mystery Island.
Carnival Luminosa in Vanuatu (Photo Credit: litttree)
Carnival Corporation, which had a number of cruise lines scheduled to visit Port Vila following the quakes, made a $60,000 donation to ProMedical Vanuatu to support in the search and medical care of islanders injured during the earthquake.
“This donation has been made possible thanks to all of Carnival Corporation & plc cruise lines operating in the region – Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, Cunard, and P&O Cruises Australia as well as the generosity of P&O guests,”said Carnival in a statement.
Its P&O Cruises Australia had two vessels avoid the damaged Port Vila on 10-day itineraries that each departed from Australia on December 17, 2024.
The 2,600-guest Pacific Encounter and the 2,636-passenger Pacific Adventure were set to call in Vila on December 21 and 22, respectively, but spent the day at sea instead. Pacific Encounter, however, maintained its call to Mystery Island.
Carnival Cruise Line also diverted its 2,826-guest Carnival Luminosa. Its December 23, 2024, visit to Port Vila took passengers to Mystery Island instead.
Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth, with 2,081 guests, will avoid the port on December 28, 2024, and stay at sea.
Royal Caribbean Group also anticipates adjusting its itineraries for its Royal Caribbean and Silversea Cruises. Quantum of the Seas and the 728-passenger Silver Nova have December 24 and December 30 calls scheduled for Vila, respectively.
We may be on the cusp on 2025, but MSC Cruises is already thinking ahead to 2027.
The cruise line unveiled its MSC World Cruise 2027, which will set sail aboard the 2,550-passenger MSC Musica.
The nearly four-month-long voyage will provide guests with an extensive tour across five continents, calling in 45 destinations across 25 countries.
Passengers can embark on the journey from Civitavecchia (Rome) or Genoa, Italy, on January 5 or 6, respectively, or Marseille, France, on January 7, or Barcelona, Spain, on January 8.
After leaving one of the four European departure ports, the World Cruise will head westward, navigating over 37,000 nautical miles and offering passengers the opportunity to cross the Equator twice.
“This extraordinary itinerary promises unforgettable experiences, blending natural wonders, historic landmarks, and cultural hubs to fulfil every traveler’s wanderlust,” said MSC Cruises.
The itinerary includes seven overnight stays, including Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Buenos Aires and Ushuaia, Argentina; Valparaiso, Chile; Sydney, Australia; Hobart, Tasmania; and Papeete, Tahiti, as well as full day stays in every port to allow passengers more time to immerse themselves in the local scene.
Bookings for the cruise are now open, with MSC Cruises offering several amenities in the cruise fare. Each booking includes 15 shore excursions, featuring tours and shows, along with a complimentary Dine & Drink beverage package that covers a variety of beverages, including house wines and draft beers, during lunch and dinner.
The cruise line is also offering a 30 percent discount on laundry services during the extended voyage.
Members of the MSC Voyager Club, the cruise line’s loyalty program, who are at the Classic level or above receive a 5 percent discount on their booking price. Additionally, points accrued from the World Cruise will be tripled and credited to their accounts before the voyage begins for instant status elevation.
MSC’s 2027 World Cruise Itinerary
Initiating the 92,409-gross-ton ship’s Mediterranean itinerary, MSC Musica will stop at key sites in France, Spain, and Morocco, including Casablanca and Marrakech. The vessel then crosses the Atlantic, heading to South America via Cape Verde, with notable visits in Salvador and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The vessel will then progress to Buenos Aires, followed by Puerto Madryn, Argentina, which is known for its opportunities to spot whales. The cruise will continue south to the nation’s Falkland Islands and Ushuaia, recognized as the southernmost town in the world, before heading to Chile.
MSC 2027 World Cruise Itinerary
MSC Musica will then transit across the Pacific Ocean towards the South Pacific, where it will call in Easter Island and the remote Pitcairn Islands. The cruise also explores Tahiti and the Cook Islands.
Next, the cruise will take guests to New Zealand, Tasmania, and Australia, visiting the Bay of Islands, Auckland, Tauranga, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hobart, and Sydney, respectively.
After which, the sailing continues to the Pacific Islands of New Caledonia, Vanuatu, and Samoa, followed by a visit to Hawaii after another transpacific voyage. MSC Musica will explore Pearl Harbor, Hilo, and Honolulu before reaching Los Angeles and making its way along the coastline of Mexico and Costa Rica.
The ship will then transit through the Panama Canal to reach the Caribbean Sea and cross the Atlantic Ocean a second time to reach the Canary Islands. Its final stops will be in Naples and Civitavecchia before concluding in Genoa on May 5, 2027.
Although the cruise line has not yet revealed MSC Musica’s follow-up voyage or any other 2027 itinerary for its fleet of nearly two dozen ships, including the highly anticipated MSC World America, this World Cruise is a good indication of what’s to come for MSC Cruises.
Cruise guests traveling to St. Thomas may need to pay not one, not two, but three higher fees in 2025 in order to fund critical infrastructure projects requested by cruise lines. The new fees will begin on two separate dates, and which fees guests pay will depend on exactly where their ships dock.
The new fees were discussed at a public hearing hosted by the Virgin Islands Port Authority on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, following their approval in September.
According to the St. Thomas Source, cruise ship fees to visit the islands are set by tariff contracts with cruise lines. The new fees are earmarked to fund projects essential to cruise travel to the islands.
The largest fee increase is the port dues, which will increase from $6.84 per guest to $9.84 per guest. This $3 per person fee increase will help fund the Charlotte Amalie Harbor Dredging Project, which was specifically requested by Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Carnival Cruise Line.
Dredging the harbor to a deeper depth will help accommodate larger cruise ships and improve navigability.
“[Virgin Islands Port Authority] is responsible for dredging the USVI’s harbors, but does not have the financial resources to do so,” said Carlton Dowe, the port authority director.“The government of the V.I. is assisting with funding the Charlotte Amalie Harbor Dredging, but it will not cover all costs.”
The dredging project is slated to begin in the second quarter of 2025 and will take approximately two years to complete. The fee increase will begin from April 1, 2025.
It should be noted that the central government of the USVI has already earmarked $17 million in funding for the project, and therefore, cruise guests are not paying the entire cost directly.
The other two fees are both wharfage fees collected at the different docks, depending on where individual cruise ships berth. The fees are the same at both docks – currently $7.80 per cruise passenger, but set to increase by just $.44 per person, to $8.24 per passenger.
This fee increase will fund “marine operations and expenses” and helps maintain the facilities that cruise ships use as they dock. The higher fee will take effect from January 1, 2025 at the West Indian Company Dock in Havensight and from April 1, 2025 at the Austin “Babe” Monsanto Marine Terminal in Crown Bay and on St. John.
Cruise Ship in US Virgin Islands (Photo Credit: Pedro H C Carvalho)
Potentially, if a cruise guest were traveling on an itinerary that included a visit to both St. Thomas and St. John, they could be hit with all three fee increases – the overall port dues, as well as wharfage fees at both destinations.
No fees are currently being increased for visits to St. Croix.
It should be noted that these latest increases follow a similar increase imposed on Royal Caribbean ships that began on January 1, 2024. That $5 per guest Capital Cost Recovery Charge has also helped with dredging costs.
Will Increased Fees Change Cruise Itineraries?
Discussion at the recent public hearing brought up concerns from local business owners, including fears that cruise lines might be considering changing itineraries for destinations without higher fees. Dowe noted that no cruise line has expressed such concerns at this time.
St. Thomas is a wildly popular destination for Eastern Caribbean cruise itineraries. In addition to Disney, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Carnival, other cruise lines that regularly visit St. Thomas include Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, MSC Cruises, and more.
Understanding the gratuities policy for a cruise line can help you avoid confusion when you set sail. Luckily, Princess Cruises has a straightforward tipping system designed to ensure the entire crew receives fair compensation.
With Princess, a daily amount of $17 to $19 (depending on your room type) is automatically charged to your onboard account. Additional tips of $1 to $20 for specific services and exceptional assistance are also encouraged.
Princess Cruises uses an automatic gratuity system, which is not included in a standard cruise fare. Princess Cruises calls this universal system their Crew Appreciation and Service Charge Policy, but most people will simply refer to it as Crew Appreciation.
Rather than worrying about paying tips in cash, having random charges added to your final bill, or wondering if all of the crew and staff have been adequately rewarded for their services, Princess Cruises adds this daily fee to every guest’s onboard account.
The crew from eligible stations will then receive these funds, ensuring that all hardworking crew members on the ship are acknowledged and rewarded with gratuities rather than just the passenger-facing staff.
For Princess Cruises, the amount a guest will pay towards the Crew Appreciation Policy depends on which category of stateroom they are staying in. For Princess cruise ships operating in USD, these charges are broken down into three categories:
Crew Appreciation Fee for Suites
A daily charge of $19 per person is charged for guests staying in a suite.
Crew Appreciation Fee for Mini Suites, Cabanas, Club Class, and Reserve Collection Staterooms
A daily amount of $18 is charged per person for guests staying in any of the above-mentioned accommodations.
Crew Appreciation Fee for All Other Types of Staterooms
Guests staying in any of the other types of staterooms pay the minimum daily Crew Appreciation fee of $17. This includes all standard cabin rooms, including balcony and oceanview staterooms.
Why Are There Different Gratuities Rates?
Enchanted Princess in Port (Photo Credit: Adam McCullough)
While it may seem odd that passengers paying for more expensive accommodations would also pay a higher daily appreciation fee, this structure ensures that passengers in higher-category rooms contribute more due to the additional services provided with these premium accommodations.
A typical 7-day cruise can total $119 per person in a standard room or $133 for suites, ensuring comprehensive support for the crew across the board. For almost all cruises, the Crew Appreciation fees are charged in USD, but ships operating in AUD (Australian dollars) will also pay the fees in that same currency.
Another thing to keep in mind is that all guests, regardless of age, are responsible for the Crew Appreciation daily rate. While some cruise lines do not charge gratuity fees to children under a certain age, Princess Cruises has a set fee that covers all guests, even if they are young children.
So, if your family of four has booked a standard interior cabin, your daily Crew Appreciation fee would be $17 per guest, and your family would be responsible for a combined Crew Appreciation fee of $68 per day, no matter how young your children are at the time of sailing.
Adjusting the Payment and Packages that Include It
Dining on Island Princess (Photo Credit: Brian Logan Photography)
Guests can prepay their Crew Appreciation gratuity charges when they book using the Manage Booking feature of the Princess Cruises App. This helps with budgeting and reduces extra charges at the end of the trip.
While Princess Cruises advises guests to participate in this tipping program, as they pride themselves in having an onboard crew and staff that go above and beyond when it comes to customer service, guests do have the option to adjust the payment to a lower amount, but this must be done before disembarkation.
If a guest does not adjust the daily charge before boarding or while on the ship, the payment and charge become non-refundable.
Certain passengers also do not need to pay the Crew Appreciation fee, as they have booked a package that includes gratuities and other upgrades for one set fee.
For example, a Princess Premier Package costs $90 per day per guest, but it includes Wi-Fi for four devices, premium Lavazza coffee drinks, some alcoholic beverages and other drinks, unlimited specialty dining and premium desserts, professional photos, and a fully included Crew Appreciation fee.
There is also the slightly cheaper Princess Plus Package, which is $60 per day and includes slightly downgraded services but also covers the full Crew Appreciation fee.
Where Does My Gratuity Go?
Princess Cruises Crew Members (Photo Credit: Erin Cadigan)
The Crew Appreciation gratuities and related services charges are pooled together. This applies to every ship in the Princess Cruises fleet.
Once these fees are pooled, credit card transaction fees are subtracted. The pooled funds are then distributed across every department on the ship to ensure fair compensation for all crew members, from housekeeping staff to cooks, servers, and other members of the dining teams to every member of the crew who interacts directly with guests or helps assist them behind the scenes.
Rather than a single payment at the end of the voyage, the pooled funds are fairly distributed throughout the year through bonuses and evenly spaced tip-out compensation payments.
This means that not only do customer-facing staff members who you see directly receive compensation, but those who are often neglected also work hard to ensure your cruise experience is pleasant, like kitchen staff and those working in the galley, get fairly paid too.
The purpose of the appreciation system and the way the funds are collected and distributed prevents individual crew members from being overlooked while others are overly compensated despite being part of a larger team.
At its core, Princess Cruises is committed to ensuring all employees receive fair wages, which is one of the best ways to do so.
The Potential Controversy Behind Mandatory and Shared Tipping
Cruise Tipping
While we are on the topic of shared tipping, it is worth mentioning that there is some debate about whether cruise lines use these types of gratuity programs to offset wages.
In a sense, the Princess gratuities system and similar systemsused by other cruise lines essentially act as a service charge that helps cruise lines supplement the salaries they pay their crews.
Since tips are not tied to individuals’ generosity and are presented as a set, predictable fee all guests will pay, staff can essentially bank on receiving those payments as part of their wages.
While it is up to the individual to decide whether or not they agree with these types of tipping systems, Princess Cruises claims that they do so to ensure that gratuities are evenly distributed.
This is a critical component of ensuring that all guests receive quality service rather than just those willing to splash the cash and reward specific crew members.
So, not only does it balance out compensation and make it fair for all crew members, but it also prevents situations of preferential treatment, where guests more willing to tip get better service at the expense of those on a tighter budget.
Can I Tip Extra for Exceptional Service?
Carnival Cruise Line Tipping (Photo: John Heald)
That brings us to the next question: Can you still tip extra if you feel an individual crew member provided you with service that went above and beyond the standard?
While it is not required, for guests who would like to reward a particular member of the crew that they felt went above and beyond, extra tipping is completely acceptable.
In most cases, cash tips are the most popular option for those hoping to reward a staff member directly. For ships operating in USD, bringing small denominations of American bills can greatly reward the staff. If the ship is operating in another currency, like AUD, you can bring small bills in that particular currency.
Suggested Additional Fees
Sun Princess Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Princess Cruises)
Again, it is not required or even expected, but some general suggestions for extra tipping rates would include the following:
Tipping $1 or $2 in cash per drink at a bar or nightclub. By bringing some cash, you can do this in addition to the daily Crew Appreciation rate, as well as any automatic beverage package service fee you are paying.
For specialty dining restaurants or any venue where you feel like the service was exceptional, leaving anywhere from a couple of bucks to a $20 bill would be highly appreciated by the staff.
Unlike a restaurant on land, do not worry about tipping a percentage of the cost of the meal, as the staff are already receiving a gratuity as part of your daily Crew Appreciation fee. In this sense, anything you feel like leaving behind will be appreciated.
For cleaning staff, many guests find that leaving $5 to $10 for the staff can be a way to express your satisfaction with their efforts. Like a hotel or resort, you do not have to worry about tracking the cleaning staff down, as a simple cash tip left in your stateroom with a note saying “thank you” or “for the staff” will do the trick.
Once again, it is worth stating that additional tips are not required, but they are certainly appreciated.
If you feel like you will want to tip but are unsure what to bring, a good suggestion is to bring $50 to $100 in small denominations of cash, which should be more than sufficient. If you do not find a reason to use it, you can always bring this money home or use it during a port-of-call visit.
It is also worth mentioning that tipping staff in person using cash does not mean you will no longer have to pay the Crew Appreciation fee unless it is included in a package you have booked or opted out of before embarkation.
In other words, cash tips are just another form of compensation that does not replace any mandatory gratuities you are required to pay.
You should also remember that plenty of services are provided on a cruise ship where tips are not expected or required. In these cases, it is better to avoid tipping and allow the Crew Appreciation fee to compensate the staff holding those positions.
As mentioned above, all passengers can pay the Crew Appreciation before boarding through the Manage Booking portal on the Princess Cruises App, which can be found by checking the Onboard Account section.
Doing so would allow you to adjust the amount that you pay if you feel the daily amount is too high, but Princess Cruises does encourage guests to keep the original amount, as it is used to reward the hardworking passenger-facing crew and behind-the-scenes staff directly.
You can also pay following disembarkation, but at this point, the fee is mandatory and non-refundable, so you will no longer be able to adjust it.
If you choose to pay your gratuities fees beforehand, you will notice them as a subheading when you look at your final cruise fare total.
If, on the other hand, you would prefer to pay during or at the end of your vacation, you can pay in person by visiting guest services or just when you go to settle up the final costs of your vacation.
Again, if you choose to wait until the end of the trip, you cannot adjust the amount that you pay, so you will have to pay the Crew Appreciation fee that correlates to your room type in full.
What Other Services Have Gratuities Added?
In addition to Princess Cruises’ daily Crew Appreciation charge, certain optional onboard services have their own automatic service charge, which functions as an additional gratuity.
These tend to be for more premium services and upgrades, and they help reward staff beyond the standard level of service all guests enjoy. Here are services where you might be required to pay an additional service fee:
Bar and Beverage Packages
Princess Cruises Bar (Photo Credit: steve estvanik)
There is a non-refundable and mandatory service charge of 18% of the cost of any optional beverage packages. This fee is automatically applied to these packages, so it will be listed as a subheading when you look at the pricing breakdown.
Specialty Dining and Private Functions
The same 18% gratuity is added to all specialty dining meals and private group functions you have booked. Again, this goes directly to the staff to reward them for providing services not included in a guest’s standard cruise fare.
Whether it is a formal or casual dining establishment, the same 18% fee is added if it is paid specialty dining.
Spa Services
Princess Cruises Spa (Photo Credit: Sandra Foyt)
All onboard spa services and treatments, including massages and beauty services, also include a mandatory 18% gratuity, which is automatically applied to the final cost of the service.
So, if you plan on visiting the onboard Lotus Spa for any treatment or service, you should remember that you will need to consider that additional 18% fee on top of the cost of anything you book.
Excursions
While there is no set fee for excursions, even if they are booked directly through Princess Cruises, you should remember that many local shore excursion providers depend heavily on tips to make a living.
For this reason, most cruise passengers bring a small amount of cash with them that they can use to tip the tour guide, instructor, driver, or excursion organizer.
Final Say on Princess Gratuities!
Princess Cruises Pool Deck (Photo Credit: Kenneth Sponsler)
While Princess Cruises’ gratuity system might seem a little odd to those who would prefer to tip at their own leisure for services rendered, many guests actually prefer how simple it makes it to budget a trip.
Rather than being unsure how much you will spend on tips and gratuities, you know ahead of time, as you will pay a simple dollar amount for each day of your vacation.
Whether you decide to prepay the Crew Appreciation fee, choose a package deal that covers the fee for you, or wait until your voyage has concluded to pay everything as one fee, Princess Cruises’ simplified tipping system will make things simple and the fees transparent.
While extra tips are always appreciated by those who provide all of your onboard services, you are not required to pay them, so you should view these types of tips as an additional reward that you can use to recognize outstanding service.
But now, just over a month later, AARP has once again cut its Carnival discount – this time from 8% off to 5% off. So now instead of saving $8 on that $100 gift card, members would only save $5.
The monthly purchase limit of the gift cards – which was lowered from 25 to five per month as part of the previous discount update – still remains in place.
“So I noticed today that the AARP discounted carnival cruise gift cards have been dropped down to only a 5% discount. They used to be 10% a month ago. Then AARP revamped the rewards website and knocked the discount down to 8%. Checked the AARP website today and they lowered it again down to 5%,”one member posted on Reddit – with the change also reflected on the AARP website.
Since the gift cards can be used to book cruises, as well as experiences and amenities onboard, many seasoned cruisers like to buy the discounted gift cards to make their sailing more affordable.
Between the recent gift card limit and the lessened discount, many were disappointed – with some saying it was time to cancel their membership.
“Damn. I guess they will still probably save me a couple hundred bucks but this still sucks,”one member shared.
“So we can only buy 5 and it’s only 5%?? Pfft cancelled,” another added.
“Thanks for reminding me to cancel my AARP membership,” a third echoed.
It also likely doesn’t help that AARP’s annual membership dues are increasing from $16 to $20 per year starting in January 2025.
That said, the non-profit, which caters to people over 50, still has better discounts on other cruise lines – with Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises gift cards at 10% off as of the time of this writing.
Some AARP vacation packages might also offer better rates – with the website currently advertising early Wave Season cruise deals onboard Princess Cruises, Holland America, and Celebrity Cruises that come with up to $100 in onboard credits.
Is Carnival Responsible?
With Carnival already feeling the heat after a website glitch that prevented guests from using their onboard credits and gift cards online, some may be eyeing the Miami-based cruise line as a possible culprit behind the slashed discounts – as they did for the November change.
At the time, Brand Ambassador John Heald received an onslaught of messages complaining about the change on his Facebook page.
“I have received a large amount of bollockings this morning about a change to the percentage of something to do with the gift cards. This has nothing to do with the cruise line, this is all decided as all gift cards are by the people that distribute them,” Heald wrote at the time, before directing his followers to contact AARP with any further questions.
Indeed, the discounts can vary based on demand and availability – with even the AARP website caveating that the Carnival Cruise Line gift cards are a “limited time offer, while supplies last.”
Two Carnival Cruise Ships (Photo Credit: Gianfranco Vivi)
As of Heald’s most recent update on the matter three days ago (December 19, 2024), the issue still wasn’t resolved.
“Once again, I have to say the word sorry…I do understand for many of you posting this morning that you can still not use your gift card or OBC on the website. I promise you that we are very much aware and we will continue to keep you informed and hopefully I will have some good news a little bit later today,”the brand ambassador wrote.
Heald is now on vacation until after Christmas, and there have been no further updates from him on this matter.
Per the comments section of his post, it appears that some have regained their ability to use onboard credits, while others have not.
Construction on the Icon of the Seas began at Meyer Turku Shipyard in Finland in June 2021. Not only was she designed to be the world’s largest cruise ship and the first in Royal Caribbean’s new Icon-class of vessels, she was meant to redefine what a cruise ship could be.
With cutting-edge, family-friendly amenities, environmentally-conscious technologies, and unparalleled luxury, designing and constructing the Icon of the Seas wasn’t easy, but she set sail on her maiden voyage on January 27, 2024, helping to make a truly iconic step forward for Royal Caribbean International and the cruise industry as a whole.
From the very beginning, Royal Caribbean International’s vision for Icon of the Seas was incredibly ambitious. The designers wanted to construct a cruise ship that would be record-breaking in scale and revolutionary, capable of providing the “world’s best family vacation at sea.”
The goal was to achieve this by focusing on sustainability, an unrivaled passenger experience, and building a ship that would stand out for its size and architectural grandeur.
As for the interior, Royal Caribbean Group wanted to create an immense cruise ship that would mimic a floating city. A key design element was the decision to separate the interior and top decks of the ship into eight distinct neighborhoods, each offering unique environments, amenities, dining establishments, themed suites, and atmospheres.
Icon of the Seas Steel Cutting Ceremony
These neighborhoods would incorporate elements from luxury hotels, state-of-the-art theme parks, and real-life cities from around the world, like New York City and Paris.
Another key element of the original vision was the idea that the ship would be built around a massive, record-setting glass dome at the ship’s bow.
To this day, Royal Caribbean describes the Icon of the Seas as a “white paper cruise ship” because the main design elements, including the plan for the enormous glass dome that would become the ship’s iconic AquaDome, began as rough sketches on a white napkin four years before construction would begin.
These original drawings and notes started with Richard Fain, the company’s CEO from 1988 until January 2022, and the current CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, Jason Liberty.
As for one of the other major focuses of the original vision for the gargantuan cruise ship, it was decided early on that it would be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), making it one of the most eco-friendly major passenger vessels in the world.
Render Courtesy: Royal Caribbean
It would also incorporate fuel cell technology and advanced waste management systems into the design, helping to minimize its environmental footprint further.
Early on, it was recognized that a key part of the success of such a milestone ship was its ability to appeal to a more eco-conscious market. Basically, the ship would redefine what a cruise ship could be, both in terms of its size and offers, as well as how small its carbon footprint could be.
Once the decision was made to turn this ambitious vision into reality, a construction contract was set up with the Meyer Turku Shipyard in Turku, Finland.
The immense project commenced in June 2021, starting with a first steel cut ceremony attended by then-CEO Richard Fain, Michael Bayley, the CEO of Royal Caribbean International, and Tim Meyer, the CEO and President of the Meyer Turku Shipyard.
Laying the Keel
Photo Courtesy: Royal Caribbean
Serious construction on the project commenced on April 5, 2022, with a keel-laying ceremony. Senior executives from all relevant companies at the Meyer Turku Shipyard in Finland attended this keel-laying celebration. A keel-laying ceremony is a long-standing tradition that Royal Caribbean was set on honoring due to the project’s significance.
As part of the tradition, a commemorative coin was positioned directly beneath where the center of the keel would sit during the ship’s construction. The freshly minted coin depicted the completed ship on one side and the joint logos for the shipyard and Royal Caribbean on the reverse side.
Replica coins were also put aside to be given to the Icon of the Sea’s captain and crew before her maiden voyage, another traditional gesture that is supposed to bring good luck to the ship, her crew, and all future passengers.
Given the immense scale of the ship’s keel, a 3,000-ton crane was required to lift the massive steel block onto the newly built platform that would hold it throughout the entire construction process. Using this considerable crane, the enormous steel block was put into place on the dry dock.
Given that the ship would have a final gross tonnage of 248,663 GT and a length of 1,198 feet, the proportions of the keel were also immense. Advanced construction techniques were required to ensure structural integrity, and high-strength steel struts were required to hold the huge keel in place as the ship’s framework was added.
State-of-the-art robotic welding machines were also employed at Meyer Turku to ensure that the positioning and securing of the keel were completed with precision.
The Building Phase
Photo Courtesy: Royal Caribbean
While the decision to construct the first Icon class ship was momentous from Royal Caribbean’s perspective, it was also a huge first for the Meyer Turku Shipyard, as they had never before undertaken such a colossal project.
Building the world’s largest cruise ship required a team of roughly 2,600 people working every day, with subcontractors and skilled tradespeople needing to be brought in from over 20 different countries.
Once the keel was laid, the Icon of the Seas began being built in modules, a construction method known as block assembly in the shipbuilding industry. Every phase of this modular process was completed at the Meyer Turku Shipyard.
This involved constructing over 100 massive prefabricated sections and meticulously and securely joining them together. This modular approach allowed for simultaneous construction and installation of key features, expediting the process while maintaining the highest standards for safety and quality.
Not only would the Icon of the Seas become the world’s biggest cruise ship at the time, but it would also have numerous other record-breaking features, like the Royal Bay, which would become the largest pool at sea, the tallest water slide on any ship, called the Frightening Bolt, and singlelargest glass dome on water, which would become the enormous 82 feet high and 164 feet wide AquaDome.
All of these enormous features required specialized care, which helped play into the decision to construct the ship in modules. Allowing teams to work on these sections before lifting them into place helped keep the thousands of workers focused, which helped avoid confusion and unnecessary safety issues.
Photo Credit: Niko Alakoski / @finki.22
Other major structural sections, like the engine rooms, theaters, and water park areas, were also built as individual blocks and then joined together. Again, this allowed teams to work on different parts of the ship in tandem.
Given its complexity, the construction required precision engineering to bring each component together seamlessly and ensure structural integrity. Due to the specialized nature of certain features, the Meyer Turku shipyard also contracted certain components out to partner companies for off-site construction.
This included the incredibly heavy glass and steel structure that would become the AquaDome and The Pearl, a nearly 50-foot-wide signature staircase that doubles as a load-bearing structure for the ship’s 20 decks.
Unfortunately, the shipbuilding industry, like so many, encountered workplace restrictions, shutdowns, and supply chain issues during the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath.
As a result, the construction phase faced numerous delays, pushing back the completion day by an estimated full year. However, by March 2023, all of the modular sections had been lifted into place, and the steel hull panels could be fixed in place. It was now ready for the next phase of the construction process.
Outfitting the Ship
Icon of the Seas at Meyer Turku (Photo Credit: Meyer Turku)
Once the ship’s structure was complete and the ship was roughly 70 percent complete, the outfitting phase could begin.
While there was no specific date for when this phase commenced, the shell of the mighty ship and the modular components were all attached to the keel by mid-March 2023. So, it was now time to transform this somewhat raw shell into a luxurious, record-breaking floating resort.
During this phase, the ship was slowly and meticulously moved from the original dry dock to the outfitting pier. Teams of designers, engineers, outfitters, interior decorators, and other specialists worked together to outfit the ship’s eight neighborhoods, which included:
The AquaDome Neighborhood
Thrill Island
Chill Island
The Hideaway
SurfSide
Central Park
The Royal Promenade
Suite Neighborhood
To start, public spaces and amenities were prioritized, as these were the most ambitious projects. Deck by deck, major features were lifted onto the ship and fixed into place, including the features of what would become the largest waterpark at sea, called Category 6 because of its six water slides.
Other entertainment amenities, like a carousel, the FlowRider wave simulator, sports courts, laser tag, fitness centers, spas, swimming pools, hot tubs, and more, needed to be finished.
Royal Promenade on Icon of the Seas
While the modular building process helped in this regard, outfitting the ship with these amenities and ensuring they were passenger-ready was an enormous project.
Of course, one of the ship’s signature features, the iconic AquaDome Neighborhood, required significant work.
Beyond fixing the huge glass and steel dome into place, the interior also needed to be outfitted with dining venues, bars, a cutting-edge transforming pool, four robotic arms, a massive projection and lighting system, seating, and, of course, the enormous, cascading waterfall that would become the centerpiece for the entire AquaDome Aquatheater.
Thinking of just how complex that one component of the outfitting job would be gives you an idea of how much thought and effort is needed to coordinate the work.
Once the ship had been equipped with the main amenities and the propulsion system was completed, the focus shifted to outfitting the ship’s 2,805 cabins and suites, 20 restaurants, and numerous public entertainment areas.
Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas
With 28 different types of staterooms that range from basic family suites to intricately designed and decorated themed suites, like the Ultimate Family Suite, outfitting the passenger quarters was an immense task requiring thousands of employees working in tandem.
Since dividing the ship’s public spaces into eight distinct neighborhoods was a major component of the original vision, making sure they were expertly decorated with eye-catching features was another major part of the outfitting process.
As mentioned, each neighborhood was designed to create a unique ambiance—from the energetic design elements found in Thrill Island to more tranquil spaces, such as Central Park, which features living greenery, park benches, streetlights, and open-air dining spaces.
Despite the incredible complexity of the outfitting process and the incredible number of workers the job required, the ship was almost entirely outfitted by early June 2023.
Sea Trials
Icon of the Seas Sea Trials (Photo Courtesy: Royal Caribbean)
As with any ship, sea trials are a critical step that ensures it is seaworthy and safe enough for long-distance travel. For the Icon of the Seas, these trials were a major step forward for the entire cruise industry, as the ship broke numerous records the second it set sail.
Before the sea trials, the Icon of the Seas underwent numerous safety and equipment system tests while it was still in the Meyer Turku Shipyard. Over 450 specialists carried out these tests, which included inclining tests, bunker inspections, navigation and steering tests, and more.
Once she had passed the dock testing, it was time for the first sea trial, which began on June 22, 2024, and culminated with a final sea trial test on October 29, 2023.
These sea trials involved rigorous testing of the ship’s propulsion, navigation, and safety systems, with regular trips throughout the Baltic Sea used to test the ship’s capabilities, even in harsh weather.
To conduct these trials, Royal Caribbean’s engineering and operations teams collaborated with engineers and representatives from the shipyard and specialized third-party inspection teams. Together, they conducted numerous on-water tests and trials under various conditions to assess the ship’s performance and stability.
Icon of the Seas Sea Trials (Photo Courtesy: Meyer Turku)
The ship’s communications systems and emergency protocols were also evaluated to guarantee passenger safety. After being signed off by representatives from the relevant maritime regulatory agencies, which certified she met stringent international standards for passenger safety.
She was ready for the final stage of the entire process—the first transatlantic crossing, which took over a week and began when she set sail from Cadiz, Spain, on December 22, 2023.
After arriving at her destination of Ponce, Puerto Rico, on January 2, 2024, she was joined by the full team of crew members for training, as well as finishing touches, like stocking the ship and inspecting all of the systems to ensure that the first major journey was a success.
Finishing Touches
Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas (Photo Credit: Jouni Niskakoski)
Finishing touches on the Icon of the Seas began after the ship arrived at the Navantia Shipyard in Cadiz, Spain. This final outfitting work commenced in early December before she set sailacross the Atlantic Ocean.
This work included adding last-minute design elements and ensuring that all of the staterooms were properly outfitted with functional amenities, like televisions, beds, showers and sinks, and more.
Before arriving in Spain, the ship regularly returned to the Meyer Turku Shipyard for final adjustments and tests, including inspections to ensure that all fixed components had not shifted during the sea trials.
Quality control tests were also conducted to ensure everything worked as it should. From cooking appliances in the ship’s numerous kitchens to testing onboard communications systems and other technology, these tests also required a team of over 1,500 individuals working around the clock.
Once she arrived in Ponce, Puerto Rico, and was joined by her crew, detailed cleaning and other preparation procedures began to ensure that she was ready to welcome her first passengers later that month. Again, tests were meticulously conducted to ensure that everything worked as intended.
Icon of the Seas in Ponce, Puerto Rico
Quality control teams from Royal Caribbean were also sent to Puerto Rico to conduct walkthroughs of each neighborhood, ensuring that features were not only functional but as visually stunning as the design team envisioned them to be.
Attention to detail was paramount; from comfortable furnishings to perfect lighting, every element of the interior of the Icon of the Seas was designed and tested to provide a memorable experience for passengers.
From climate control systems to pool filtration systems and water slides, the crew and visiting quality control teams were incredibly careful about ensuring the first voyage would succeed.
Once all of this was complete, she was ready to travel up to Miami, Florida, where the ship was met by representatives of the US Coast Guard and other regulatory bodies to ensure she was compliant with all necessary regulations. After passing these tests, it was time to prepare for her first passenger voyage.
The Maiden Voyage
Cruise News Update (Photo Credit: Felix Mizioznikov)
All of the hard work that went into designing, building, and outfitting the Icon of the Seas culminated in one single moment: her maiden voyage. The voyage took place on January 27, 2024, when the ship departed from PortMiami in Miami, Florida.
Given the immense scale of the ship and the fact that it cost roughly $2 billion to construct, the maiden voyage was preceded by a naming ceremony attended by a star-studded array of industry insiders, members of the press, celebrities, and world-renowned sports icon Lionel Messi, who was named the official icon for the ship.
The highly anticipated inaugural voyage was a seven-night Eastern Caribbean adventure from PortMiami to St. Kitts, St. Thomas, and Perfect Day at CocoCay. Then she returned to PortMiami.
Although Icon of the Seas had a higher maximum capacity, she traveled with 5,610 guests for her first voyage, which included a variety of influencers, media representatives, and high-profile travel agents as part of a highly publicized itinerary.
While regular travel on Icon of the Seas is extravagant, this initial voyage had even more of a party atmosphere. Guests were welcomed by a red carpet, glasses of champagne, and representatives from Royal Caribbean’s executive team.
Aerial View of Icon of the Seas
Guests were also provided with free giveaways that marked the occasion, including baseball caps, water bottles, lanyards, and other items branded with the ship’s name and the Royal Caribbean logo.
The departure from Miami was announced with fireworks, while each port of call stop had celebrations of its own, including visits from that particular country’s government.
The maiden voyage was a complete success, and those lucky first guests enjoyed the full experience. Even the specialty restaurants were open to try free of charge.
The fact that Icon of the Seas continues to be one of the most in-demand cruise ships in service shows just how successful this maiden voyage was.
Mega-Icon Now Sailing the Seas!
Icon of the Seas in Miami, Florida (Photo Credit: Felix Mizioznikov)
From the original concept to the maiden voyage, constructing Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas was a giant step forward for the entire cruise industry.
Building the ship was an incredible accomplishment for Royal Caribbean, and the ship is a testament to their bold vision and the hard work of everyone who was involved in bringing the concept to life.
While Icon of the Seas is a giant cruise ship, she represents a lot more than her giant proportions. The ship blends sustainability, unmatched family-friendly experiences, groundbreaking designs, and more to truly redefine cruising.
With Royal Caribbean set to launch three more Icon-class ships between 2025 and 2027, it is exciting to wonder how the industry will continue to evolve.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America has altered her Christmas cruise itinerary due to unsafe waves that make it impossible for the ship to dock in Maui for as long as originally planned.
The ship, which offers 7-night inter-island Hawaii cruises roundtrip from Honolulu all year long, departed on her current sailing on Saturday, December 21, 2024. Guests were notified of the itinerary change once onboard.
“While we have made every effort to maintain the original itinerary and provide you with the vacation you purchased, the safety of our guests and crew remains our top priority,”the notification explained.
“Unfortunately, due to a winter swell phenomenon creating large breaking waves and strong currents along all north- and west-facing shores, making it unsafe to remain alongside, our scheduled visit to Kahului, Maui, on Sunday, December 22, 2024, has been canceled.”
Fortunately for guests, Pride of America was scheduled to have had an overnight visit to Kahului. While that is no longer possible, the ship will still visit the picturesque port on Monday, December 23 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
On Sunday, the ship will instead enjoy a day of scenic cruising with panoramic views of volcanic mountain peaks and the lush landscape of Maui’s dramatic, tropical coastline.
In the meantime, additional onboard activities are sure to be scheduled, and travelers will be able to enjoy all the features and amenities of the 80,439-gross-ton ship, the largest US-flagged cruise ship in the world.
Any Kahului shore tours booked through Norwegian Cruise Line for Sunday will be automatically cancelled and a full refund returned to guests’ onboard account.
Guests do not need to visit the Shore Excursion desk to make any changes for the now-cancelled visit, though they can check for additional tour options available on Monday if they have had already booked Sunday tours.
Why the Cancellation for Pride of America?
Winter swells are often caused by storms that begin near the Aleutian islands of Alaska, but then move unimpeded toward Hawaii.
This can cause immense waves along northern shores, damaging coastal communities and speeding erosion along the coastline.
Kahului is on the north shore of the island of Maui, and while the dock is reasonably sheltered, maneuvering for docking could be exceptionally hazardous. Furthermore, swells creating movement of the gangways can be unsafe for either guests or crew members leaving or returning to the ship.
Photo Credit: Jose Gil / Shutterstock
While passengers for this Christmas cruise will be understandably disappointed to have their time in Maui cut much shorter than anticipated, safety is always the first priority for any cruise line.
At this time, there are no changes for any ports of call through the rest of the week-long cruise. Pride of America will visit Kahului on Monday, followed by Hilo on Tuesday, Kona on Wednesday (Christmas Day – Mele Kalikimaka!), and an overnight in Nawiliwili from Thursday into Friday.
While Hilo is on the north shore of the Big Island of Hawaii, Kona is on the west shore of the Big Island, and Nawiliwili is on the eastern coast of Kauai.
None of the other ports should be so strongly impacted, though Norwegian Cruise Line will continue to monitor the swell activity and will make further changes if necessary to keep everyone safe and comfortable.
Pride of America can welcome 2,186 passengers aboard at each sailing, and is also home to just over 900 crew members who strive to ensure that everyone has a memorable and enjoyable visit to the Aloha State.
As a popular cruise port, Roatan, Honduras, welcomes more than one million cruise guests annually.
But, due to a recently updated travel advisory by the US Government, many soon-to-be cruisers have become worried about visiting the port on upcoming sailings. Afterall, the advisory puts Honduras at a Level 3 – which means tourists should reconsider travel.
However, doing so would be detrimental to the economy and livelihood of many in the tourism and hospitality industries who rely heavily on cruise ship calls.
Just for context, 1.4 million cruise passengersvisited the Western Caribbean destination in 2023 – which was an increase of 47.6%.
The Port of Roatan andthe Mahogany Bay Cruise Port accommodate calls from several mainstream cruise lines year-round – including Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Carnival-owned ships – welcoming guests to Roatan’s capital city of Coxen Hole.
With this in mind, Bryan Tejada, the general manager of AT21 TOURS Roatan, has issued a letter explaining why Roatan is still safe to visit – and how it’s different from the rest of the country.
As a leading operator of shore excursions for cruise guests in Coxen Hole, as well as all-inclusive vacation packages for other visitors, Tejada and his team are very familiar with the island.
“We understand that recent news regarding a US Department of Justice advisory for Honduras may have raised concerns about your upcoming trip. However, it’s important to note that Roatan, where you will be visiting, is fundamentally different from the mainland of Honduras, both in terms of safety and overall travel experience,” Tejada wrote.
Further reinforcing this, even the US travel advisory noted that tourism hot spots are safer than other parts of the country – including Roatan.
“Around resort areas in the Bay Islands, which include Roatan, Utila, and Guanaja, there is a concentration of resources, and these areas are better policed,”the travel advisory reads, in part.
That said, this would likely be a port call where it would be prudent to book with a reputable tour operator – such as AT21 TOURS Roatan – that knows the island well and is aware of current safety information.
Roatan is Located Away From Danger
One of the key distinctions that Tejada wanted to make is that Roatan is not part of mainland Honduras – which is where the crime and violence that triggered the travel advisory is more rampant.
“Roatan is one of the Bay Islands located about 40 miles off the northern coast of mainland Honduras. It is a well-known tropical paradise, celebrated for its vibrant coral reefs, pristine beaches, and welcoming local communities,”explained Tejada.
“The advisory you’ve read pertains to the mainland, where certain challenges exist in areas far removed both geographically and contextually from Roatan. In contrast, Roatan has a strong focus on maintaining its reputation as a premier tourist destination, which includes heightened safety protocols in areas frequented by visitors,”the business manager added.
Cruise Ships Docked on Honduras (Photo Credit: Dennis MacDonald)
Indeed, local authorities work closely with law enforcement, tourism organizations, and business owners to keep visitors safe and happy – bringing in extra security as required.
This situation actually sounds quite similar to the current situation in Labadee, Haiti – which is Royal Caribbean’s 260-acre private destination on the north coast of Haiti.
While Haiti is under the most severe Level 4 travel advisory – which stands for “do not travel” – Labadee is safer because it’s over 100 miles awayfrom the crime and unrest unfolding in Port-au-Prince, which is the country’s capital city.
The exclusive destination is also part of a heavily guarded area that is protected by high fences, private security, and even armed guards.
But no matter where cruisers travel – whether that is an exotic destination or to the grocery store at home – it’s always a good idea to exercise basic precautions, such as staying aware of one’s surroundings and safeguarding belongings.
