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.
Puerto Rico’s San Juan Cruise Port is still not ready to accommodate Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class cruise ships – leaving Symphony of the Seas and thousands of her passengers out of luck.
It was previously announced that the 5,518-guest vessel’s upcoming voyage – a 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise embarking from Miami, Florida, on December 22, 2024 – would be operating with a revised itinerary to avoid San Juan.
This marked the third time the mega-ship was re-routeddue to ongoing technical issues with the pier – and both locals and cruisers were already quite frustrated.
But now, the cruise line has announced that the port will also need to be skipped during the sailing embarking from Miami on December 29, 2024 – which is another 7-night Eastern Caribbean voyage.
“We wanted to inform you about some changes to your upcoming cruise. Due to ongoing construction at the pier in San Juan, the port authority has advised us that the port will not be ready in time for our visit,”the cruise line wrote to booked guests.
The skipped port call has created a domino-effect, where most of the itinerary has had to be altered.
In addition to San Juan, the 228,081-gross ton ship was supposed to call on CocoCay, Bahamas (the cruise line’s private island destination), and Philipsburg, St. Maarten.
While the Perfect Day at CocoCay will still happen as scheduled, Philipsburg has been removed from the itinerary due to the change.
Instead, the Royal Caribbean ship will now call on Falmouth, Jamaica, their private destination at Labadee, Haiti, and Nassau, Bahamas – which adds one extra port to the itinerary than what was originally scheduled.
Some guests booked on the January 12, 2025, sailing – which also featured a call to San Juan – have spoken up on social media to say their itinerary was revised to remove the port as well.
But due to an unspecified incident with an MSC cruise ship, which damaged an important mooring dolphin, Pier 3 has had to remain closed.
As of the most recent updatefrom the port at the end of November, repairs were underway – but the pier could not resume cruise operations until the work was completed and inspected by the US Coast Guard.
No date – or estimated date – has been given as far as when Pier 3 can start servicing Oasis-class vessels again.
However, the closure has already gone on for more than a month – with Symphony of the Seas’ first skipped port call taking place in mid-November.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Docked in San Juan (Photo Credit: Dennis MacDonald)
Understandably, cruisers and residents of Puerto Rico have become frustrated – with many now accusing the cruise line itself of poor customer service and shady business practices.
“The dock has been out of commission for a while. RCCL is hurting their brand by not being up front with the situation,”one person wrote on Reddit after the third cancellation.
“Called Royal, they politely told me to kick rocks, wouldn’t even provide a OBC, partial refund, or any sort of compensation. When I called, the representatives didn’t even know about the change until I told them. Royal did a major f— up here,” a soon-to-be guest vented.
But while cruisers are calling for more transparency from Royal Caribbean in this situation – or for the cruise line to adjust all San Juan-bound voyages sooner – it’s also unclear how much the Miami-based cruise line knows about the progress on the pier.
Royal Caribbean has been staying in contact with the San Juan Port Authority – and may have access to information about progress and timing that isn’t known publicly, which is likely informing their decisions (and when they make those decisions).
Joining the ranks of hot destinations breaking passenger records in 2024, the United Arab Emirates saw tremendous growth in Dubai.
Between January and November 2024, its Port Rashid and Dubai Harbour welcomed 187 vessels and 281,775 cruise guests, handling over 1.23 million bags.
Dubai Customs reported the figures, emphasizing its ongoing efforts to enhance operations at cruise terminals, strengthen Dubai’s position in the industry, and attract more cruise ships.
“We are committed to supporting Dubai’s growing tourism sector through a strategic vision that focuses on delivering efficient, state-of-the-art custom services, ensuring a seamless travel experience for passengers arriving by air or sea,” said Khalid Ahmed, director of the passenger operations department.
Ahmed says the port also supports the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which was announced in January 2023 with series of goals to achieve by 2033. These goals include positioning Dubai as a leading cruise hub and to draw a city-wide tourism total of 25 million tourists annually.
Added Falah Al Sammak, senior manager of passenger operations at Al Maktoum International Airport, “Dubai Customs is continually developing its services to ensure smooth and efficient travel through its customs checkpoints, including Dubai International Airport and the city’s renowned maritime hubs.”
“Dubai’s unique position as a bridge between East and West calls for exceptional year-round service standards for travellers and tourists,” he said.
Port Rashid and Dubai Harbour anticipates another record-breaking year in 2025, and Ahmed says Dubai Customs takes “pride in being an integral part of Dubai’s global achievements in tourism and travel.”
Dubai Sees Continued Growth and Expansion
With one more month left in 2024, the cruise traffic to Dubai continues, with multiple calls throughout the month from Costa’s 5,224-passenger Costa Smeralda, Norwegian Cruise Line’s 2,340-guest Norwegian Dawn, MSC Cruises’ 4,838-passenger MSC Euribia, and AIDA Cruises’ 3,300-guest AIDAprima.
In fact, a number of cruise lines have committed to return to the port in the future, such as TUI Cruises, which signed a two-year agreement to spend two cruise seasons in Dubai last March.
Dubai (Photo Credit: Kirill Neiezhmakov)
Its 2,506-passenger Mein Schiff 4 is one of the regular visitors still stopping at the port this month, and will be the first vessel to call in 2025 when it arrives on January 2 during a 7-night Orient Ab Abu Dhabi voyage.
The Greek-based Celestyal Cruises has also committed to a long-term presence at the port, homeporting its 1,260-guest Celestyal Journey for the next three winter seasons.
The ship began its inaugural winter sailings on December 9, 2024, offering week-long winter “Desert Days” itineraries through March 2025. The ship is scheduled to return annually through 2029.
Resorts World One, operated by Resorts World Cruises, is also homeporting in Dubai through April 13, 2025. The 1,800-passenger ship is offering 2- and 3-night cruises to Sir Bani Yas, Khasab, Muscat, and Doha.
But these are not the only cruise lines seeing an increased presence in Dubai. Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Cunard, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Silversea Cruises, and MSC Cruises are seeing more passengers eager to visit the Persian Gulf.
The Hamdan bin Mohammed Cruise Terminal at Port Rashid, unveiled a decade ago on December 11, 2014, stands as the largest single, covered cruise terminal, in the world. It is designed to accommodate up to 14,000 passengers daily.
With a capacity to host seven cruise ships and up to 25,000 passengers simultaneously, the port is currently adding a new waterfront recreational area to further enhance visitor experiences.
The $6.8-billion Mina Rashid Redevelopment project will add a 3-acre beach, a floating yacht club, a swimming pool stretching 1,640 feet, and a new Dubai Mall by the Sea, outfitted with dining and recreational attractions.
The virus outbreaks on cruise ships continue, with a Cunard Line ship reporting that a gastrointestinal illness is spreading on Queen Mary 2’s current voyage.
The 2,691-passenger ship, on a transatlantic sailing that departed on Southampton, England, on December 14, 2024, is scheduled to arrive in New York City on December 21, continuing to the Caribbean for a holiday celebration in St. Maarten, Dominica, St. Lucia, Barbados, and St. Kitts.
While some passengers on the 149,215-gross-ton ship may be disembarking in New York after the 7-day journey, others are on the 28-night sailing to the Caribbean and may be feeling concern for their wellbeing.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed on December 19 that 100 passengers out of a total of 2,430 and seven crew members out of a total of 1,237 have succumbed to the bug.
The stricken passengers, representing over 4 percent of guests, are experiencing symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps.
Cunard Line has implemented stringent cleaning and disinfection procedures in an attempt to stop further spread, with another wave of passengers expected to embark in New York for the subsequent 13-night Caribbean leg of the itinerary.
It is unclear if Cunard will require all passengers to disembark in New York for a more thorough deep clean. However, the Carnival-owned cruise line is isolating those who show symptoms and collecting stool specimens for testing to determine the exact illness and possible cause.
The CDC, which has been notified of the outbreak, says, “Gastrointestinal illness is a commonly used term for acute gastroenteritis (AGE).”
To be defined as AGE, symptoms include “three or more loose stools within a 24-hour period or what is more than normal for that person OR vomiting along with one of the following symptoms: diarrhea, muscle ache, headache, abdominal cramp, or fever.”
A Holiday Season of Outbreaks
Queen Mary 2, which last had a serious spread of illness while on a Christmas cruise in the Caribbean that affected 205 passengers in 2012, is just one of several ships currently battling outbreaks.
On December 19, the CDC recognized an outbreak of norovirus, another stomach-related illness that causes diarrhea, cramping, nausea, and fever, on Holland America Line’s 2,668-passenger Rotterdam.
On December 4, the cruise line’s Zuiderdam, carrying up to 2,272 passengers, had also reported a similar outbreak.
Both ships are sailing in the Caribbean from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, with 83 passengers and 12 crew members ill on Rotterdam and 74 guests and four crew members sick on Zuiderdam.
Photo Credit: JHVEPhoto / Shutterstock
Also reported to the CDC on December 4 was P&O Cruises’ Ventura, sailing in the Canary Islands from Southampton with an unidentified number of passengers sick with what was suspected to be either AGE or norovirus, making Queen Mary 2 the fifth ship in December to experience a significant outbreak.
Unfortunately, both AGE and norovirus are highly contagious and are spread by infected passengers and contaminated food, water, or surfaces, thus the reason cruise ships isolate passengers, limit buffets, and conduct frequent cleanings of high-trafficked and highly touched areas.
Also unfortunate is that it takes 12 to 48 hours of contamination before feeling symptoms of norovirus or gastrointestinal illness, up to three days before symptoms subside, and at least another 48 hours to be clear of the virus – which can be the entire duration of a cruise.
Cruisers of Norwegian Cruise Line were no doubt thrilled to learn about upcoming enhancements slated for two ships, but guests booked on one of those vessels found out that work would not be completed in time for their voyage.
Norwegian Cruise Line on December 19, 2024 alerted guests booked on the February 2, 2025 departure of Norwegian Bliss that not all upgrades will be in place when they embark the ship for their 13-night transatlantic journey from Southampton to Miami.
The cruise line just days earlier, had announced that Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Breakaway would undergo dry dock renovations in early 2025. For Norwegian Bliss, the dry dock takes place from January 17 to February 2, 2025.
However, the notice to guests pointed out that not all of the enhancements will be finished in time for the sailing and that work will continue during the transatlantic crossing as the ship repositions to North America.
The most ambitious of the upgrades include the installation of Horizon Park, a large recreational area that will feature lawn games and a stage for live music and entertainment, and the expansions of two specialty restaurants, Cagney’s Steakhouse and Teppanyaki. Moreover, several venues will be discontinued.
“To complete these enhancements, Coco’s Chocolatier will be closed beginning February 2, 2025, as it will be replaced by the expansion of Teppanyaki,” said a notice to guests from Norwegian Cruise Line.
“Additionally, the Laser Tag arena will no longer be available as of February 2, 2025, as it will be replaced by the new outdoor recreational space, Horizon Park. However, this new venue will not be ready during your sailing as we will be finalizing these updates,” said the notice.
The notice also explained that workers will make repairs to the Bliss Speedway, the line’s popular racetrack experience, causing the closure of the activity from February 2 to February 5, 2025.
The cruise line reminded guests that the ship will still provide many entertainment options during the cruise, which, as a transatlantic crossing, features several at-sea days.
After departing Southampton, the ship calls at Le Havre, France; Vigo, Spain; Lisbon; and Ponta Delgada, Azores. The last port call is on February 8 and the ship docks at PortMiami on February 15, providing six consecutive days at sea.
Expansion of The Haven Included in Dry Dock Refit
Besides the dining venue changes and the speedway repairs, several other major enhancements will be completed. While the ship is in dry dock, her luxury accommodations within The Haven, the exclusive retreat area, will be expanded and more staterooms added.
Premiere Owner’s Suites in The Haven will be expanded to include three bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, and a separate dining room. All living areas will be refreshed, including master bedrooms and balconies.
The ship’s Observation Lounge, located on Deck 15, will be turned into 24 balcony cabins and two club balcony cabins.
Photo Credit: casa.da.photo / Shutterstock
The 4,000-guest Norwegian Bliss is a Breakaway-Plus class ship that entered service in 2018.
After arriving in Miami, Norwegian Bliss will sail a 7-night Caribbean and a 15-night Mexico, Panama Canal & Colombia voyage before repositioning to Los Angeles. Starting March 9, 2025, the ship will sail a series of 5- and 7-night Mexican Riviera cruises.
In April 2025, Norwegian Bliss will deploy to Seattle in advance of her Alaska cruise season.
Meanwhile, the 3,900-guest Norwegian Breakaway will receive some of the same upgrades as Norwegian Bliss, including, for instance, Horizon Park.
Other enhancements are the addition of The Stadium, an outdoor recreation area that debuted on Prima-class ships, and more cabanas and seating in The Haven Sundeck area.
The enhancements will be added to Norwegian Breakaway between February 19 and March 14, 2025.
Christmas came early to a group of fishermen stranded at sea without power when a P&O Cruises vessel happened to be sailing by.
As the 184,700-gross-ton Arvia was sailing in the Caribbean Sea during the evening hours of a sea day on December 19, 2024, the ship, filled with up to 5,200 passengers, spotted the distressed boat.
In a commendable act of maritime solidarity, the vessel came to the small fishing boat’s aid.
Passengers onboard Arvia shared a video during Captain Robert Camby’s announcement, apologizing for stopping the voyage and saying that the crew had spotted a breakdown of the fishing boat.
Said Captain Camby,“We made communications with them and then we gently pulled their vessel alongside our stern hull. We subsequently passed them an early Christmas present of a new battery.”
“They will be proceeding on their passage very shortly, and we will be proceeding on ours. They are very grateful,” the captain added, saying it’s part of the job. “We will now proceed on our original passage for an on-time arrival in Bridgetown.”
P&O Arvia Rescue (Photo Credit: Lisa Doolan)
Guests applauded the efforts, with dozens on social media also adding praise.
“So amazing when you can help a small boat in distress. It made us feel very proud to be on the ship that helped,” wrote one passenger.“And a big cheer to the captain and crew from the dining room.”
The ship did arrive on time in Bridgetown, Barbados, on December 20, concluding a 14-night roundtrip Eastern Caribbean fly-cruise that called in Martinique, St. Kitts, British Virgin Islands, St. Maarten, Antigua, Grenada, and St. Lucia.
A Dose of Christmas Spirit
As Captain Camby said, supporting another vessel at sea is part of the job. In fact, the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) requires cruise ships to assist other boaters in distress under international maritime law.
Although the law obligates all vessels to provide assistance only if they are able to do so without serious danger to their own vessel, crew, and passengers, Arvia was safely able to provide support with its gentle maneuvering.
Just days before this happy ending, a similar Christmas gift was given to a lone passenger of an inoperable catamaran. The captain and crew of Celebrity Reflection, a 126,000-gross-ton vessel owned by Celebrity Cruises, were on their own recent Caribbean Sea voyage at the time.
Guests on board spotted the severely damaged sailboat and saw a flare, prompting the 3,000-guest Celebrity Reflection to shift course on her December 16 itinerary and make a daring rescue during high seas and winds.
And last month, on November 10, as Disney Cruise Line’s new ship, Disney Treasure was making her way from the shipyard to her first homeport of Port Canaveral, Florida, the Coast Guard reached out to vessels who were in the vicinity of a distressed catamaran, taking on water.
Before even entering service, the 144,256-gross-ton ship quickly rerouted and made its way 70 nautical miles to meet the sailboat and rescue four passengers on board.
P&O Cruises is no stranger to rescues, either. In May 2024, its Australian cruise vessel Encounterrescued three sailors adrift at sea for three days as it was sailing to New Caledonia.
“P&O Cruises Australia will always come to the aid of our maritime friends in distress,”said the cruise line in a statement.
These acts of aid go beyond mere obligation but represent a shared commitment across the cruise industry to safeguard lives at sea – it really is a wonderful gift.
