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Fifth Carnival Ship Begins Sailing From World’s Second Busiest Cruise Port

Melissa Mayntz
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Fifth Carnival Ship Begins Sailing From World’s Second Busiest Cruise Port

Carnival cruise fans setting sail from the Sunshine State have a new option now offering Port Canaveral departures, as Carnival Venezia has welcomed her first guests from her new Space Coast homeport.

The ship arrived at Port Canaveral in the early hours of Wednesday, December 18, 2024, finishing a successful 12-night Carnival Journeys itinerary that repositioned her from New York to Port Canaveral. Carnival Venezia visited the US Virgin Islands, Aruba, Curacao, and Grand Turk before her Florida debut.

The ship – now the sixteenth actively homeported ship from Port Canaveral – was welcomed by port executives with a traditional plaque exchange ceremony. Also in attendance was a special North Pole guest, as Carnival Venezia is also in the midst of holiday sailings that guests love.

“We’ve have had a long and successful partnership with Carnival Cruise Line for nearly 35 years,” said Port Canaveral CEO Captain John Murray. “We’re very proud of our collective growth and thrilled to play a role in their continuing success with Carnival Venezia added to our incredible lineup of homeported ships.”

The “Carnival Fun, Italian Style” ship is beginning her winter season from Florida with a 4-night Bahamas sailing, after which she will be offering a diverse selection of 7- and 14-night itinerary options.

Along the way, travelers will enjoy both the classic Carnival fun as well as the unique offerings the former Costa Cruises ship features.

“Our Venice-themed ship adds another truly dynamic offering, with a fresh Italian twist on our signature Carnival fun plus the same friendly service our guests love, and further enriches the variety of convenient options available to our loyal guests cruising from Orlando,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.

“Our guests who sailed with Carnival Venezia from New York love the ship and its new experiences, and we know that she will add even more value to the Carnival offering in her new winter home at Port Canaveral.”

While Carnival Venezia is a Fun Ship through and through with Guy’s Burger Joint, the Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, the Heroes Tribute Lounge, Fun Squad shenanigans, and more, she also has her own unique Italian flair.

Carnival Venezia and Port Canaveral Event
Carnival Venezia and Port Canaveral Event

From her distinctive architecture and decor – don’t miss the full-size gondola! – to unique menu items, the ship is unlike any other in the fleet. Guests won’t want to miss the specialty restaurant Il Viaggio for its authentic Italian fare or the sparkling wine and spritz bar Frizzante.

Activities onboard also showcase the ship’s uniqueness, including the elegant Venetian Mask Night party held on every sailing.

Sailing Carnival Venezia From Port Canaveral

Guests will be able to enjoy 7-night Western Caribbean sailings that visit Roatan, Belize, and Cozumel or Nassau, Jamaica, and Grand Cayman, depending on the departure date.

The ship is also offering 7-night Eastern Caribbean voyages to destinations such as Grand Turk, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, Amber Cove, and St. Croix, also depending on departure date.

Of special interest are two special 14-night Carnival Journeys cruises that Carnival Venezia will be offering.

The first departs Port Canaveral on January 12, 2025 and is a Southern Caribbean voyage that will visit Antigua, Grenada, Barbados, and other outstanding and highly sought after destinations.

Read Also: Carnival Cruise Gratuities – How Much and Why?

Carnival Venezia Atrium
Carnival Venezia Atrium (Photo Credit: Port Canaveral)

The second Carnival Journeys is a bucket list Panama Canal sailing that will depart on February 23, 2025 with stops in Aruba, Colombia, Costa Rica, and more. Guests will also enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime experience of seeing the engineering marvel that connects the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.

Carnival Venezia is the fifth of Carnival Cruise Line’s 27 active ships to be homeported from the Space Coast, joining Mardi Gras, Carnival Vista, Carnival Glory, and Carnival Freedom.

Combined, the five ships offer itineraries from 3-8 nights in length, with special longer sailings also occasionally on offer. Destinations include the Bahamas, Mexico, and nearly every Caribbean port cruise travelers dream of visiting.

Carnival Venezia will remain sailing from Port Canaveral through mid-May 2025, at which time she will return to New York for the summer and fall. The ship will be back sailing from the Space Coast in November 2025.

Norwegian Cruise Line Announces Major Upgrades for Two Ships

Lissa Poirot
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Norwegian Cruise Line Announces Major Upgrades for Two Ships

If a photo is worth a thousand words, Norwegian Cruise Line’s recent reveal of the upcoming makeovers for Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Breakaway speaks volumes.

The cruise line just shared impressive images showcasing significant enhancements to come to two of its most popular ships.

Scheduled for early 2025, the renovations include an array of firsts and exclusives, including the first-ever immersive cinema at sea, a brand-new outdoor venue, and expanded suites in The Haven.

“At Norwegian Cruise Line, our guests and what they value most is critical in order for us to develop experiences,” said David J. Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. “Our goal is to provide them their very own best vacation.”

“From creating new concepts that offer more outdoor gathering spaces for making memories with friends and family, to expanding dining options that consistently bring joy to our guests across our fleet, we’re providing more to do and more to enjoy for all types of travelers,” he continued.

Renovations will take the 168,028-gross-ton Norwegian Bliss to dry dock from January 17 to February 2, 2025, while the 146,600-gross-ton Norwegian Breakaway will undergo refurbishment from February 19 to March 14.

Read Also: Norwegian Cruise Ships by Age – Newest to Oldest

Although the location of the dry docks has not been revealed, both ships will be near Southampton, England, for their respective voyages.

Following the makeovers, Norwegian Bliss will embark on a 13-day itinerary from Southampton to Miami, carrying up to 4,000 passengers for a brief a season exploring the Western Caribbean and the Mexican Riviera.

Once the 3,903-guest Norwegian Breakaway completes dry dock, the vessel will depart from Southampton to the Mediterranean on a 14-night sailing to Barcelona to enjoy a season in the Mediterranean.

What’s to Come for Both NCL Ships?

Much of the revamp to NCL’s flagship vessels are in line with upgrades and changes made during sister ship dry docks in 2024. Norwegian Joy, for example, kicked off 2024 with a new look in February, while Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Prima just wrapped up their own two-week dry docks earlier this month in December.

Norwegian Bliss will follow in their footsteps and expand its luxury accommodation offerings within The Haven. Here, its Premiere Owner’s Suites will include three-bedroom, suites with expansive balconies and separate living and dining rooms.

Silver Screen Bistro
Silver Screen Bistro (Rendering Courtesy: Norwegian Cruise Line)

The vessel is also taking space from its Deck 15 Observation Lounge to add 24 balcony staterooms and two club balcony staterooms, increasing its stateroom and passenger capacity.

Additionally, Norwegian Bliss, along with Norwegian Breakaway, are swapping out dining spaces for newer offerings. Bliss, for instance, is replacing Los Lobos, Coco’s, and Ocean Blue dining options with Cagney’s Steakhouse, an expanded Teppanyaki, and the high-end seafood restaurant, Palomar, which debuted on Norwegian Prima in 2022.

Worth Reading: Norwegian Bliss Upgrades Will Impact Repositioning Cruise

Meanwhile, Breakaway is replacing Moderno Churrascaria and Ocean Blue to expand its Cagney Steakhouse and add Palomar, respectively.

Both vessels will also introduce a brand-new top deck area called Horizon Park. This recreation area will feature a number of lawn games like cornhole and giant Jenga alongside a stage for live music and entertainment, plenty of lounge space, and panoramic views.

Norwegian Bliss Cruise Ship
Norwegian Bliss Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: achinthamb)

Unique to Breakaway, however, will be the introduction of the Silver Screen Bistro, a first-of-its-kind cinema and dining experience where guests can enjoy movies in the comfort of oversized recliners, served with dishes from the globally inspired Food Republic menu.

Designed by NCL’s Brand Innovation Team and Studio DADO, the cinema will replace the Speigel Tent.

More From Cruise Hive

The ship will also debut The Stadium, currently a highlight of the cruise line’s Prima Class vessels. This space will provide guests with tabletop games like shuffleboard, foosball, and Ping Pong.

Moreover, passengers will see an expansion in both the adults-only Vibe Beach Club and The Haven Sundeck, meaning more seating and cabana offerings.

Carnival Cruise Line Explains Unique Ship Name

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Cruise Line Explains Unique Ship Name

With great speculation at hand about possible names for the next two Excel class ships, as well as the already announced brand new ship class to debut in a few years, there has been renewed interest in one specific Carnival cruise ship – Mardi Gras.

Why does this one vessel, of all the soon-to-be 29 ships in the Carnival Cruise Line fleet, not have the identifying “Carnival” as part of her official name?

The question was posed to John Heald, the cruise line’s Brand Ambassador, through his popular Facebook page. While Heald regularly responds to guest questions and comments about dining concerns, spreading ashes at sea, dress codes, and other topics, ship names aren’t as common an inquiry.

“Why is Mardi Gras only called Mardi Gras and doesn’t have Carnival in front of it like every other ship in the fleet?” a guest asked.

It is true that the first Excel class ship is simply known as Mardi Gras, whereas all other Carnival cruise ships are “Carnival” named.

“Someone in another forum said it’s because there was already an original Mardi Gras from the past and the company wanted to differentiate the two in history,” the guest continued. “If this is true, then why not also just call the Carnival Celebration, just Celebration because there was definitely a previous Celebration ship in Carnival’s past.”

Carnival’s Fantasy class ships were previously known by just one name – Paradise rather than Carnival Paradise, for example. The ships were quietly renamed in the early 2000s to add “Carnival” to each name and therefore provide more consistency and identifiable branding throughout the fleet.

Mardi Gras, however, debuted in 2021, breaking that branding tradition without “Carnival” in her name.

“Thank you so much for the wonderful question,” Heald responded. “[The earlier ship] wasn’t the Carnival Mardi Gras and it is something that we wanted to keep consistent in this particular case.”

The name is a definite nod to the cruise line’s history, as Mardi Gras was the very first ship to set sail as a Carnival Cruise Line vessel in 1972.

Mardi Gras
Photo By: René Beauchamp (Wikipedia)

“Our first ship Mardi Gras was a historic vessel, introducing a brand new style of cruising to the vacationing public. What better way to pay tribute to our company’s nearly 50-year history of creating wonderful vacation memories than by naming this groundbreaking vessel after our original and beloved ‘Fun Ship,'” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, in 2018 when the name was announced.

Mardi Gras‘ two sister ships in the Excel class, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee, have also been nods to their predecessors. The original Celebration sailed with Carnival Cruise Line from 1987-2008, while Jubilee welcomed guests from 1986-2004.

Will New Ships Be Given Historic Names?

No names for Carnival Cruise Line’s five new ships on order have been announced, but there is great speculation about whether or not they may also enjoy connections to former Carnival ships.

Carnival Holiday is a popular choice, as is Carnival Festivale or Carnival Tropicale.

Read Also: Former Carnival Cruise Ships – Where Are They Now?

It is unlikely the cruise line would name a ship for the second vessel in the Empress class, the original Mardi Gras‘ sister ship – Carnival Carnivale just sounds a bit too odd.

Another top contender for a new ship name would be Carnival Fantasy, resurrecting the lead ship of the Fantasy class that became such iconic ships for the cruise line in the 1990s and beyond.

Of course, the cruise line could easily add completely new names to the fleet, bringing new identities to the upcoming vessels and starting new traditions cruise travelers will enjoy for decades to come.

Citizen Petition to Limit Cruise Tourism Advances in Sitka

Donna Tunney
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Citizen Petition to Limit Cruise Tourism Advances in Sitka

The fourth time turned out to be the charm for a group that has been trying to limit the impact of cruise tourism on Sitka, Alaska, after the city’s municipal clerk certified an application that will enable a citizen’s petition to move forward.

The group Small Town SOUL had failed in three previous attempts to place a petition before voters that would create an ordinance setting limits on cruise ship operations in the town.

In the current petition, the group calls for capping debarkations, having one cruise-ship-free day each week, and requiring all ships to obtain disembarkation permits. 

The measure, which would take effect in 2026, also establishes financial penalties against cruise lines that do not adhere to the regulations.

On December 17, 2024, the group learned that the clerk had approved its petition, which now needs the signatures of 614 registered voters to move forward.

Petition books will be available for signing starting on December 30, 2024, and if the group succeeds and signatures are validated, a special election will be called.

Small Town SOUL plans to move quickly to gather the needed signatures and hold the election in spring 2025.

“Sitka’s home rule charter allows 90 days for us to get the signatures. But we aim to get them in weeks, not months, toward having the special election in early spring,” said Larry Edwards, an organizer for Small Town SOUL.

In the group’s most recent failed effort, in July 2024, the clerk turned down a similar petition for having “misleading, confusing, and incomplete terms.” 

The group’s new proposed ordinance would cap the total number of cruise guest disembarkations at 4,500 per day and 300,000 per year — about half of the current arrivals. Ships that exceed their authorized limit will pay a penalty.

“Our 4th initiative is a streamlined regulatory scheme, easier to understand and administer,” said Klaudia Leccese, president of Small Town SOUL.  

“We had help from Anchorage attorney Sam Severin, last time, and on this version, both Sam and former Juneau city attorney Rob Palmer provided legal advice,” added Leccese.

Juneau, a much bigger Alaskan port, has had similar struggles with its growing cruise ship calls. Starting in 2026, it will begin limiting cruise guest arrivals to 16,000 per day, Sundays through Fridays, and 12,000 on Saturdays. A ballot question to prohibit large cruise ship calls on Saturdays failed in October 2024.

Cruise Ships Docked in Sitka, Alaska
Cruise Ships Docked in Sitka, Alaska (Photo Credit: Artchemy Labs)

Nearly 600,000 cruise passengers arrive in the town of 8,300 residents each summer season, since Sitka is a popular port call on virtually every Inside Passage itinerary.

In its latest ballot proposition, Small Town SOUL cites three main reasons for the action. They include reducing cruise-related overcrowding of people and vehicles on roads, sidewalks, trails, and waterways; protecting Sitka’s small town character and way of life; and regaining its integrity as a high-quality destination.

A Closer Look at What the Ordinance Would Do

In addition to the 4,500 per person per day limit and the 300,000 annual cap, the measure would provide for one day each week when no ship accommodating more than 250 guests would be allowed to call. The no-ship day is not specified in the group’s petition.

The season would be officially set from May through September. All cruise ships must have an annual Disembarkation Permit issued by the city and must count and report the number of passengers who disembark in Sitka.

The proposed fines, large enough to get a cruise line’s attention, the petitioners believe, include a $15,000 penalty for calling without having an annual permit.

If a ship exceeds its scheduled number of guests ashore, or makes a port call that was not scheduled, it will be fined $5,000 for a first offense and $10,000 for a second offense.

A third offense would bring a penalty of $15,000 and the revocation of the ship’s disembarkation permit. Unlike previously proposed rules, a ship’s crew members will not count toward the ship disembarkation number.

11 Carnival Ships Will Take Part in a Series of Birthday Meetups

Lissa Poirot
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11 Carnival Ships Will Take Part in a Series of Birthday Meetups

It’s never too early to begin planning for a big birthday celebration, especially when you need to coordinate with a fleet of ships to make the party the biggest one yet.

Carnival Cruise Line is just getting started in planning what will be a huge celebration at sea to mark its 55th anniversary in 2027. And part of the fun will be the gathering 11 of its ships to meet at sea on three different occasions near the company’s private destinations.

The cruise line, which launched its very first voyage from PortMiami in 1972, will, of course, include cruises from Miami, as well as from its homeports in Mobile, Alabama; Jacksonville, Tampa, and Port Canaveral, Florida; Galveston, Texas; and Baltimore.

Voyages will take place on Carnival Spirit, Carnival Elation, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Pride, Carnival Celebration, Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Vista, Carnival Glory, and two special journeys aboard Carnival Legend.

“In the spirit of creating fun vacation memories with family and friends, the unique birthday meetings will bring ships and their guests together,” said Carnival Cruise Line in its December 17, 2024, announcement.

As part of the celebrations, guests aboard the participating vessels will have the opportunity to enjoy various itineraries exploring the Bahamas and the Caribbean, with cruises ranging from short 3-day escapes to extensive 8-day adventures. 

The three meetups will take place near Carnival Corporation’s private destinations, including a March 10 gathering near the newly renamed RelaxAway at Half Moon Cay and March 9 and March 13 celebrations near the soon-to-debut Celebration Key.

Guests aboard the ships will enjoy special Lido deck celebrations, birthday-themed cocktails, special birthday cakes at ship restaurants, a lavish dessert buffet, and party games and trivia.

Details of Ship Meetups

The first meetup event is scheduled for March 9, 2027, near Celebration Key, which will open in the Bahamas in July 2025, and will involve four Carnival Cruise Line ships. 

This lineup includes Carnival Spirit, which will embark on an 8-day journey from Mobile starting March 6; Carnival Elation, departing Jacksonville on a 5-day cruise on the same day; Carnival Legend, beginning a 6-day voyage from Tampa on March 7; and Carnival Freedom, which will set sail on a 5-day cruise from Port Canaveral on March 8.

Worth Reading: Royal Caribbean Photoshoot to Cause Disembarkation Delay

A second meetup will also take place the following day, March 10, 2027, near RelaxAway at Half Moon Cay, also in the Bahamas.

This event features Carnival Jubilee, setting off on an 8-day voyage from Galveston on March 6; Carnival Legend, again from Tampa on March 7; and Carnival Pride, which will start a 7-day cruise from Baltimore on the same day.

Carnival Cruise Line 55th Birthday Meetups
Carnival Cruise Line 55th Birthday Meetups

The final gathering will take place on March 13, 2027, near Celebration Key with five ships.

From Miami, Carnival Celebration will depart on a 7-day cruise on March 7, Carnival Sunrise will embark on a 4-day journey on March 11, and Carnival Conquest will begin a 3-day adventure on March 12.

From Port Canaveral, Carnival Vista and Carnival Glory will depart on an 8-day and 3-day cruise, respectively, starting on March 6 and March 12.

More From Cruise Hive

Ports of call for the various voyages include a stop at Carnival Corporation’s Princess Cays on 4-day voyages from Miami, and visits to ports in the Dominican Republic, Aruba, and the Bahamas during longer Caribbean itineraries.

While the meetups will celebrate Carnival Cruise Line’s past 55 years, they will also signal the start of a new phase of growth, with the cruise line introducing a new Excel-class ship in 2027 and four more new vessels by 2033.

Unruly Passenger Passes Away on Royal Caribbean Ship

Melissa Mayntz
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Unruly Passenger Passes Away on Royal Caribbean Ship

Just hours after being subdued and detained by the cruise ship security team following an enraged outburst, the unruly guest reported aboard Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas has died.

The news comes from a relative of the man, who has been identified as 35-year-old Michael Virgil. A thorough investigation is sure to be underway of the incident, and all steps will be taken to protect the privacy of everyone involved.

No information has been confirmed about the cause of death, including whether or not alcohol or any illegal substances may have contributed to Virgil’s passing. He leaves behind a wife and 7-year-old son who were also aboard the cruise.

Royal Caribbean has confirmed the death in a statement and is offering help to the man’s family.

“We are saddened by the passing of one of our guests. We offered support to the family and are working with authorities on their investigation,” the statement read.

The initial outburst was filmed by Christifer Mikhail, who found himself in the same corridor as Virgil was kicking at a doorway, yelling profanity, and physically assaulting crew members.

The incident happened shortly after Navigator of the Seas departed Los Angeles, California on Friday, December 13, 2024. The ship was on a 3-night sailing to Ensenada, Mexico.

Security team members quickly responded to Virgil’s outburst, ultimately subduing him with pepper spray, zip ties, and handcuffs. He was then taken to the ship’s brig.

Family members have claimed that Virgil was injected with a sedative by security, hours before his passing. This is unconfirmed but sure to be thoroughly investigated to determine the official cause of death.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the entire incident, as it occurred in international waters. Mikhail has been interviewed repeatedly, and interviews are also being conducted with other passengers from the cruise as well as crew members.

“I just want to give my condolences to the family,” Mikhail said in a follow up interview with Fox 11 News. “Nobody deserves to die, especially like that. May he rest in peace.”

Many Questions Remain

At this time, there are still many questions about what caused Virgil’s unruly behavior, particularly so soon after the cruise ship set sail.

While it may seem that alcohol was a key factor in the incident, cruise ship bartenders do monitor guests’ intake and will refuse to serve any passenger who appears to be severely intoxicated.

Because the incident happened shortly after Navigator of the Seas departed Los Angeles, it seems unlikely that Virgil would have consumed enough alcohol onboard to instigate such behavior. Family members have said his behavior was not typical.

Read Also: Do Cruise Ships Have Morgues?

Navigator of the Seas Passenger
Navigator of the Seas Passenger (Credit: FOX 11 Los Angeles)

The 140,000-gross-ton, Voyager class ship continued on its sailing without any delay or deviation. The cruise returned to Los Angeles on Monday, December 16, and has since set sail on its next voyage, a 4-night sailing with visits to Catalina Island and Ensenada.

Deaths are not common aboard cruise ships, but they do happen. In September 2024, a 12-year-old boy died aboard Harmony of the Seas after falling from a balcony into the ship’s Central Park atrium.

In February 2023, a suspicious death occurred aboard Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Sunshine during a cruise to the Bahamas, and authorities initiated appropriate investigations at that time.

Guests may also pass from medical emergencies or due to deliberate intent. Regardless of the circumstances, such incidents are naturally upsetting and heartbreaking for travel companions, family members, and friends, as well as each ship’s crew members.

Cruise Hive’s thoughts are with Virgil’s family and friends at this troubling time.

Princess Cruise Ship Will Have Delayed Embarkation for Disinfection

Catie Kovelman
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Princess Cruise Ship Will Have Delayed Embarkation for Disinfection

Sapphire Princess will be kicking off her next sailing – a 17-night voyage to Antarctica – on December 18, 2024. However, the planned embarkation in Buenos Aires, Argentina, has now been delayed. 

This change became necessary due to reported gastrointestinal illness on the Gem-class vessel’s current voyage – which is another 17-night sailing to Antarctica – although it is unclear how many of her up to 2,670 guests and 1,100 crew members have become sick. 

Before new passengers are brought onboard on December 18, the crew members will spend extra time sanitizing and disinfecting the ship to prevent any further spread of illness on the subsequent sailing.  

“Please be advised that there will be a slight delay in the embarkation process for your upcoming Sapphire Princess cruise on Wednesday, December 18,” Princess Cruises wrote in a letter to booked guests.

“Our crew will be spending extra time disinfecting the ship in Buenos Aires that day following reported cases of gastrointestinal illness among guests on the current voyage,” continued the notice.

As a result, guests have been asked not to arrive at the cruise terminal until 1:30 p.m. at the earliest – with staterooms not available until later on in the afternoon. However, all guests must be onboard by 5:30 p.m. local time.

“Guests will be permitted to check in beginning at 1:30 PM, and staterooms will be available later in the afternoon. Please do not arrive before 1:30 PM as the terminal will be closed with limited shelter in surrounding areas. Guests with Princess hotels or transfers will have their new pick-up times provided at the hotel or airport,” the Carnival-owned cruise line added.

All that said, the delay shouldn’t impact the itinerary – as the 116,000-gross ton ship actually isn’t scheduled to depart from Buenos Aires until 4 p.m. local time on the following day (December 19) anyway.

Her polar itinerary includes calls on Punta Arenas, Chile; Ushuaia, Argentina; Port Stanley, Falkland Islands; and Montevideo, Uruguay. 

How Bad is the Outbreak?

Although the number of gastrointestinal cases onboard Sapphire Princess’ current Antarctic cruise is unknown, it’s important to note that the medical event has not been classified as an outbreak – at least not as of the time of publication. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) runs a vessel sanitation program (VSP) where they monitor and report outbreaks from cruise ships where 3% or more of the passengers or crew report gastrointestinal symptoms to the onboard medical staff – as well as other noteworthy medical events or outbreaks. 

Sapphire Princess Cruise Ship
Sapphire Princess Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Wojciech Wrzesien)

This includes all ships under VSP jurisdiction – which applies to Sapphire Princess – even when they are sailing outside of the US (as is the case here).

Read Also: How to Stay Safe and Enjoy Your Cruise Vacation

As of December 17, 2024, Sapphire Princess is not on the list of outbreaks reported in 2024 – which means the number of gastrointestinal cases onboard is likely low and the enhanced cleaning is out of an abundance of caution. 

The ship’s April 5, 2024, voyage is listed as having a norovirus outbreak – but that has since been resolved and is a separate incident. 

But as it is the cold and flu season, it may seem like people everywhere are getting sick more frequently – including on cruise ships. 

In the past week alone, gastrointestinal outbreaks have been reported for both Ruby Princess and Holland America Lina’s Zuiderdam – which is a sister-brand of Princess Cruises. 

Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Provides Aid to Stranded Fishermen

Catie Kovelman
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Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Provides Aid to Stranded Fishermen

Harmony of the Seas’ current sailing has been nothing if not eventful. 

First, embarkation in Galveston, Texas, on December 15, 2024, was delayed by more than eight hours – coming as a result of the 6,687-guest ship going out of her way to medically evacuate an elderly guest at the end of the previous voyage. 

On December 17, just two days into the current 7-night Western Caribbean sailing, the Oasis-class vessel came to the rescue for four stranded fishermen while sailing off the coast of Cozumel, Mexico. 

According to current passengers who witnessed the rescue, the fishermen became stranded due to a mechanical issue – and no one onboard the smaller vessel required medical attention. 

The fishermen didn’t want to leave their boat behind, so crew members provided them with provisions and a radio – and made sure Mexican authorities were on their way to further assist the stranded group before sailing on. 

“I’m on board. There were 4 fishermen that had a mechanical. Captain said that none needed medical attention, didn’t want to leave their boat, so we left provisions and a radio and ensured Mexican authorities were en route and monitoring them and they released us from the scene to continue our voyage,” one witness shared.

Harmony of the seas Rescue
Harmony of the seas Rescue (Photo Credit: Zynir)

Had the fishermen wanted to come aboard, Royal Caribbean would have provided them with any necessary medical attention, sustenance, and lodging before most likely dropping them off at the next port of call – which in this case, is on Roatan, Honduras, on December 18. 

With the 226,963-gross ton vessel already sailing again at speeds of 19 knots per hour (about 22 mph) – and considering the rescue didn’t take her off course – it’s very unlikely that the unplanned stop will lead to any significant delays or itinerary changes. 

After Roatan, the Royal Caribbean ship is scheduled to call on Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico, on December 19 and 20, respectively.

The cruise line has not released any official statements about Harmony’s heroic efforts as of the time of publication. 

A Heroic Year for Harmony of the Seas 

Harmony of the Seas is ending 2024 in the same way she began the year: with a heroic rescue. 

On Tuesday, January 16, 2024, the ship also stopped during another 7-night Western Caribbean sailing to rescue six fishermen and their dog. 

The small fishing vessel, named Aris, has experienced an engine failure over the weekend, before losing communication abilities. The mega-cruise ship happened to find them two days after they had been reported lost. 

Thankfully, all seven castaways (including the dog, named Canelo) were found to be in reasonably good health considering what they had endured.

Royal Caribbean Harmony of the Seas Rescue
Royal Caribbean Harmony of the Seas Rescue

Rescue teams brought them onboard, where they were provided with food, water, and medical attention, before being transferred to the Mexican Navy. It was then up to the authorities to transport the group home to their families in Cozumel, Mexico. 

Read Also: Secret Codes on Cruise Ships Only Crew Members Know!

Later in the year, there was another heroic rescue performed by a passenger onboard Harmony of the Seas. 

In early October, Rory Foy dove into action during a port call in Roatan, Honduras, after witnessing a passenger fall overboard from another cruise ship that was docking in the port. 

Luckily for that guest, Foy is an Irish Firefighter and Paramedic. The trained first-responder leaped into the water to bring the distressed person a life ring and help them swim to safety.  

It’s unclear what cruise ship the guest fell from – but what really matters in the end is that everyone was okay.

Tails of the Seas Will Be Name of Much Anticipated Dog Cruise

Melissa Mayntz
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Tails of the Seas Will Be Name of Much Anticipated Dog Cruise

Following an enthusiastic contest with a pack of creative submissions, the official name of the world’s first-ever dog-friendly cruise has been chosen. In November 2025, travelers and their canine companions will embark on the first “Tails of the Seas” sailing!

The naming contest was held as a way to encourage further engagement and interest in the unique cruise opportunity aboard Margaritaville Islander, the flagship of the small cruise line Margaritaville At Sea.

The name “Tails of the Seas” was submitted by Shawn Loomis, who has won a human-only cruise for two courtesy of Margaritaville at Sea.

“Thank you to everyone who participated in the cruise naming competition. It was amazing to see such enthusiastic participation from our community, and we appreciate all of the creative names shared,” said Steve Matzke, Cruise Tails Captain.

“We will be opening more contest opportunities and are excited to give our community more chances to sail!”

The prize cruise will not be aboard the Tails of the Seas sailing, owing to the special nature of the voyage and the unique logistics involved in bringing dogs onboard.

Applications are still open for pet owners hoping to set sail with their privileged pooches, though the first round of cabin applications have already been filled. The second round still has limited availability and interested passengers are encouraged to apply as soon as possible while spaces remain open.

No more than 250 total dogs will be permitted on this first-of-its-kind cruise. All eligible dogs must weigh less than 20 pounds and be under 18 inches in height. All dogs must also be up-to-date on vaccinations and have health certificates from their veterinarians.

“This is the first pet cruise ever, because until now everyone thought it was impossible. To ensure success, everything has been planned with an abundance of caution and safety,” the cruise’s FAQ reads.

A $500 per-passenger and $250 per-dog deposit is due when prospective travelers apply for the sailing, but will be fully refunded if the guest is not selected to join the cruise.

Dog-Friendly Itinerary Confirmed

The canine cruise will depart on November 18, 2025 from Port Tampa Bay. The 6-night sailing has only recently had its itinerary confirmed as visiting Key West, Florida as well as Progreso and Cozumel, Mexico.

This is a typical 6-night itinerary for Margaritaville Islander. The organizing travel agency for the full-ship charter, however, took extra care to ensure that all ports of call are welcoming to the dogs onboard.

Pet owners will still be responsible to ensure their dogs meet all necessary requirements for sailing and visiting the ports if desired.

Margaritaville at Sea Islander
Margaritaville at Sea Islander

Prior to setting sail, “pre-boarding events” are also being planned for this very exciting cruise, which has already attracted the attention of online pet influencers, celebrities, and dog-friendly brands.

Extensive marketing and promotion is expected to be a part of this cruise, and sponsorship and exhibitor applications are also being accepted. All travelers will need to sign a media waiver before sailing.

Read Also: 10 Reasons Why I Would Never Take a Dog-Friendly Cruise

This first Tails of the Seas voyage is sure to be setting the standard by which future dog-friendly cruises may – or may not – happen, and every precaution possible is being taken to ensure success so additional voyages can be planned.

If this sailing is as bark-tastically fun as hoped, a second Tails of the Seas cruise will potentially happen in spring 2026, sometime between March and May, depending on ship bookings and arrangements. At this time, no confirmations of future sailings have yet been made.

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