Blog Page 274

Cruise Ship Engine Trouble Strands Passengers in Japan

Lissa Poirot
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Cruise Ship Engine Trouble Strands Passengers in Japan

Passengers who boarded MSC Cruises’ MSC Bellissima on December 6, 2024, woke up the following day to discover they hadn’t left port. Two days later, they were still there and discovered they would not leave.

The 171,598-gross-ton vessel was scheduled to set sail at 7 p.m. on December 6 for a 4-night cruise, but it turns out that navigation and engine problems have prevented its departure. It was slated to be in Ishigaki, Japan, on December 7, but that call needed to be cancelled.

“We should have left yesterday (6th December) at 19:00, but it was reported some engine issues. We went to bed and woke up still in the Port of Naha, with our first port of call cancelled Ishigaki,” shared a passenger of the ship on Reddit.

Later that day, the cruise line sent word to passengers the vessel would remain in the Okinawa port until December 10, when the voyage was expected to end, and that its calls to Keelung, Taiwan, and Miyakojima, Japan, had also been scrapped.

In a statement to Cruise Hive, MSC Cruises said:

“MSC Bellissima remains in the port of Naha, Japan while the necessary maintenance work is completed to enable the ship to continue with the planned cruises. We have chartered aircraft and booked seats on commercial flights to help guests fly back home. We are doing everything we can to ensure that the guests on board still have an enjoyable time on the ship.“

Poor weather conditions in Naha caused a high wave advisory that remains in effect until 12 a.m. on December 10. The good news is that MSC has confirmed that repairs are complete.

Read Also: How You Can Relax and De-Stress on a Cruise

Although Japanese passengers have been able to disembark, local media reports approximately 1,880 Taiwanese guests remain aboard the ship. MSC Cruises is working with Japanese authorities to allow guests to go ashore on December 9.

Passengers who disembark on the 9th will be able to make return travel arrangements. The cruise line also indicated it has arranged flights to help everyone get back home.

“We are actively discussing the plan to arrange a plane pick-up to Keeling. The company’s passenger service team will contact you to provide further details,” stated a letter to guests from MSC Cruises.

Full Refunds and Vouchers Provided

While passengers stuck on MSC Bellissima have been able to spend their time on the ship enjoying its amenities, including numerous bars, lounges, and dining venues, MSC Cruises has offered 100 percent refunds to all guests for the unforeseen cancellation. This includes refunds for all missed excursions booked through the cruise line.

MSC Bellissima Cruise Ship in Japan
MSC Bellissima Cruise Ship in Japan (Photo Credit: Princess_Anmitsu)

In addition to the refund, guests will also receive a future voyage voucher valued at 50 percent of the cruise fare originally paid. This voucher is for the first and second guests in each cabin. Third and fourth guests will receive a voucher valued at $75 per person.

Additionally, passengers in need of transportation within Japan, be it air or train, were offered up to $200 per person compensation, while those overseas were granted up to $400 per person.

Guests are advised to contact their travel advisor or booking agency to facilitate the refunds and get assistance on voucher redemption and additional questions.

MSC Bellissima has not had a history of engine troubles in the past. In fact, the vessel has been voted Asia’s Best Cruise Ship for two consecutive years.

The cruise line’s MSC Seascape, however, did experience engine failure within a month of its debut in late 2022. By January 2023, an issue with engine software forced the vessel to abort a call in Jamaica, with three of four engines down due to the malfunction.

Hallway Floods During Royal Caribbean Cruise, Guests Moved

Lissa Poirot
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Hallway Floods During Royal Caribbean Cruise, Guests Moved

“And why is the carpet all wet, Todd?” became the joke of the holiday season for passengers aboard Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas as they witnessed an unexpected flood on Forward Deck 10 during a recent cruise.

The reason, however, wasn’t so funny, as water gushed and pooled on the floor following a water leak taking place the day after the 5,496-passenger capacity ship had departed from PortMiami on a 3-night cruise to the Bahamas on December 6, 2024.

A post by joshuaofrichardson on TikTok showed water pouring from the ceiling panels and overhead lights, pooling around doors to staterooms. 

The same poster followed up once the leak was contained by the crew, saying, “Pipe stopped, leak being fixed, and people moved right away to other rooms. Royal Caribbean does things right when nature rumbles.”

Another passenger on the ship said they didn’t even know there was a leak and that it was not affecting their cruise, writing, “I’m on this ship right now and didn’t experience this. It must be below us.”

@joshuaofrichardson

meanwhile on royal Carribean allure, who ordered the hallway sauna? #bustedpipes #royalcarribean #fyp #now #trending #cruise #cruising #vacations #waterfall #hottub #sauna

♬ original sound – Joshua Esquenazi

Comments on the video included surprise that the cruise line was able to relocate so many passengers to other rooms, indicating the 225,282-gross-ton ship was not sold out as it headed to Nassau and Royal Caribbean’s private destination, Perfect Day at Coco Cay.

The flood did not affect the ship’s itinerary, which continued without delay and will return to Miami on December 9, 2024. Royal Caribbean did not comment on the incident.

Aging Allure of the Seas Infrastructure May Get Overhaul

The flooding may be a sign the nearly 15-year-old Allure of the Seas is in need of an upgrade. Debuting as Royal Caribbean’s second Oasis-Class ship in 2009, the vessel is already scheduled for renovations beginning in mid-February 2025.

In fact, the aging ship was originally meant to undergo $100-million renovations in 2020 until the pandemic delayed its dry dock. Now, the Allure of the Seas is meant to spend nearly two months undergoing a refit in line with the Royal Amplified renovations taking place across Royal Caribbean’s fleet.

Read Also: What Do Cruise Ships Do with Sewage and Waste?

It just so happens that the vessel is first enjoying one last brief winter season in the Caribbean and the Bahamas from Miami, with 3-, 4-, and 7-day voyages through February 10, 2025. The vessel will then embark on a transatlantic repositioning voyage to Spain to begin its upgrades, arriving in Barcelona on February 22, 2025.

Allure of the Seas Hallway Flood
Allure of the Seas Hallway Flood (Credit: @joshuaofrichardson)

The refit will introduce new dining options, bars, venues, and accommodations, including the addition of Ultimate Panoramic Suites above the ship’s bridge.

Upgrades will also include the addition of the 10-story dry slide, the Ultimate Abyss, more than 35 dining and drinking venues, resort-style pools, fun like laser tag and an escape room, new adults-only spaces and kids’ clubs, and waterslides.

No doubt, the dry dock will also include an opportunity to give the pipes a once-over to make sure leaks and bursts like this one don’t take place again.

Although pipe bursts and plumbing issues on ships occur now and then, like on Voyager of the Seas in February 2024 and again in August 2024, these situations also happen on other cruise lines. The famous Ultimate World Cruises on Serenade of the Seas in early 2024 also had to deal with some flooding issues onboard.

Additionally, there have been a number of freak accidents, like when Harmony of the Seas’ swimming pool overflowed in January 2023, creating a six-story waterfall effect. More recently, the sprinklers accidentally went off on the promenade of two different vessels, Harmony of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas.

P&O Cruises Ship Remains Docked Due to Rough Weather

Melissa Mayntz
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P&O Cruises Ship Remains Docked Due to Rough Weather

Early winter storms can be brutal in northern Europe, and make for challenging conditions for cruise vacations. Instead of sailing into such weather, P&O Cruises’ Iona is remaining docked in Southampton for longer than anticipated following her early arrival on Friday evening ahead of the worst of Storm Darragh.

The ship had been scheduled to depart Southampton and navigate to the English Channel in the late afternoon on Saturday, December 7, 2024. Instead, the vessel is remaining securely docked until conditions improve.

Guests who boarded the 184,089-gross-ton, Excel class vessel – one of the largest ever built for the British cruise market – were informed of the delayed departure.

The ship’s captain advised that the earliest departure would be 10 p.m. on Sunday night, though it is possible that Iona may remain docked until Monday morning if conditions don’t improve.

As of 11 p.m. on Saturday night, the ship was still firmly docked, and local winds were recorded at 20 knots (23 miles per hour) close to the cruise terminal. In the English Channel along the ship’s route, winds were as high as 35 knots (40 mph).

With a delay of this magnitude, itinerary changes will be necessary for Iona‘s 7-night voyage. The first port of call was to have been Hamburg, Germany on Monday, December 9, but the ship will be unable to reach that port on schedule.

The remaining calls to Rotterdam, Zeebrugge, and Le Havre (Paris) may also require adjustment depending on when the ship is able to set sail and what speed she is able to make for her voyage.

Above all, the safety of Iona and all aboard her is the first priority, and cruise lines always make delay, adjustment, and cancellation decisions based on safety. Iona can welcome 5,206 guests aboard for each sailing and is also home to approximately 1,700 international crew members.

To be clear, none of Iona‘s operational systems are impacted in any way by this delay. In fact, guests onboard are enjoying entertainment and activities just as if the ship were sailing as planned.

P&O Iona Cruise Ship
P&O Iona Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: P.Cartwright)

“We are closely monitoring the weather across the UK this weekend. We have many festive activities and entertainment planned and can’t wait to welcome you on board,” the cruise line said to guests with the delay notification.

Iona is scheduled to return to Southampton on Saturday, December 14, and there should be no adjustment to her expected debarkation at that time. Furthermore, there are no anticipated changes to the next sailing, a 14-night Christmas cruise to the Canary Islands.

Other Recent Weather Difficulties

Also arriving early to Southampton on Friday evening to avoid Storm Darragh was Saga Cruises’ Spirit of Adventure, which had embarked earlier that day from nearby Portsmouth but took shelter in Southampton.

Read Also: The 10 Roughest Seas in the World for Cruise Ships

Spirit of Adventure is now sailing a 30-night Caribbean holiday sailing, but may make some early itinerary changes to avoid the worst weather.

These two ships are not the only vessels recently to have had to contend with foul weather. Just days ago, Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambition remained docked at the Port of Tilbury for the entirety of her planned 3-day cruise due to the severity of Storm Bert.

Winter storms are accelerating just as the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season has ended with a higher number of storms, on average, than a typical year, including several that had dramatic impacts on Caribbean and Mexico cruises.

Experienced cruise travelers will always be aware of weather forecasts that might influence their sailings, and will be flexible with their travel plans when poor weather might interfere.

What Is a Lido Deck on a Cruise Ship?

Emrys Thakkar
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What Is a Lido Deck on a Cruise Ship?

Derived from the Italian “lido,” referring to a pool or beach, a cruise ship’s lido deck (pronounced “lee-doh”) is where you’ll find the ship’s main pool and sundecks, but often so much more. A prominent feature for most cruise lines, the lido deck can also be home to buffets, restaurants, bars, outdoor activities and other features.

Here’s what you need to know.

In This Article:

What’s on the Lido Deck? 

While pools and sun decks with lounge chairs are the very basic features on a lido deck, what exactly you’ll find on a ship’s lido deck will depend on both the cruise line and individual cruise ship. 

Other popular features and attractions you might find on your ship’s lido deck include:

  • Water slides
  • Hot tubs 
  • Dining options (particularly the ship’s buffet)
  • Poolside bars
  • Amenities such as showers and restrooms
  • A spa 
  • Retractable roofs for use in poor weather

As an example, on Carnival Celebration, the lido deck is technically deck 16. Here, you’ll find two pools, plus dining and drinking options, including BlueIguana Cantina, Lido Marketplace (the buffet), RedFrog Tiki Bar, the Seafood Shack, and Street Eats. You’ll also find a handful of staterooms. 

On Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas, the lido deck isn’t called the lido deck (that’s the case on all Royal Caribbean cruise ships), but it could still be considered deck 11, where you’ll find the pools and buffet.

Beyond the main pool, sports pool and Windjammer Café (the buffet), this deck also contains multiple whirlpools, a handful of suites, the solarium, part of the fitness center, the Splashaway Bay water area for children, The Lime & Coconut bar, El Loco Fresh, Chops Grille, The Plaza Bar and Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen.

Celebrity Cruises calls its lido decks its resort decks. On Celebrity Edge, the resort deck on deck 14 houses a terraced pool and sundeck, lap pool, pool bar, cabanas, the solarium, the rooftop garden and a handful of dining and drinking options, like Oceanview Café and Il Secondo Bacio. 

More generally, most cruise ships use their lido decks as a hub of activity, so you can expect a lot of events happening here. For example, deck parties often occur on the lido deck, and you can usually find some daily programming occurring, from movies in the pool to crew member-led contests and games.

Should You Book a Stateroom on the Lido Deck?

Carnival Cruise Line Cabin
Carnival Cruise Line Cabin (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)

As you probably noticed above, on some cruise ships, there are some staterooms and suites on the Lido deck. These staterooms come with their pros and cons. 

The pros to booking a stateroom on the lido deck include being close to all the action, as well as having a higher position up on the ship, giving you better overall views (this is why you’ll sometimes find suites on the lido deck, taking advantage of the height).

Read Also: What Are the Best Rooms on a Cruise Ship?

The cons, though, include more noise and foot traffic. While lido deck staterooms are set apart from the main public attractions, you’ll still be exposed to all that activity to some degree. Don’t expect a very quiet deck.

Additionally, the height of these cabins can be a problem for those who suffer from seasickness. The general rule is that seasickness can be lessened by staying toward the middle of the ship, where the ship’s motion is less noticeable. 

Where to Find Your Cruise Ship’s Lido Deck

Elevators on Carnival Cruise Ship
Elevators on Carnival Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Ritu Manoj Jethani)

Some cruise lines, like Carnival Cruise Line, explicitly call their lido deck just that, on a ship’s deck plan. However, other cruise lines don’t use this terminology. Instead, the lido deck is just synonymous with the cruise line’s top deck or pool deck.

So, if you want to find the lido deck on your cruise ship, head upward. You’ll know you’re there when you see, most importantly, the main pool.

What to Do on the Lido Deck

Carnival Cruise Line Lido Deck
Carnival Cruise Line Lido Deck (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)

On most cruises, you don’t even really need to go out of your way to have fun on the lido deck. It’ll naturally happen over the course of your cruise, so long as you’re not staying holed up in your stateroom the entire time. 

However, you should definitely try to make plans to specifically do a few things on the lido deck.

Spend an Afternoon by the Pool

Lounging by the main pool is a required experience for any new cruiser. Whether you go during a sea day (though note it’ll be more crowded then) or come back to the ship early after exploring port and then head to the pool, the main pool is a fun, lively spot you’ll want to enjoy. 

Grab a Bite at the Buffet 

Even if you’re not a buffet person on land, a cruise ship buffet may just win you over. Outfitted with just about every food you could want and with much longer opening hours than some other cruise ship restaurants, the buffet is a favorite with avid cruisers. Plus, it’s free!

Attend a Deck Party

Carnival Panorama Deck Party
Carnival Panorama Deck Party (Photo Credit: Ritu Manoj Jethani)

Deck parties occur throughout your sailing, with most cruise lines hosting a sailaway party as soon as the cruise ship departs on embarkation day, and then other, themed parties throughout the cruise.

Every event, though, is typically high-energy and full of fun, with flowing drinks, live music, DJs and more. Attend at least the sailaway party, which can really set a fun tone for your cruise. 

What Not to Do on the Lido Deck  

There are also a few things you should not do on the lido deck. Even though this area is one of the more laid-back, casual areas of the ship, there are still some rules.

Don’t Let the Kids Run Wild

Keep an eye on the kiddos while you’re on the lido deck. Yes, there’s plenty of fun to be had, but there are also potential hazards. Children should not be running around the pool area or near the side of the ship. You also want to ensure they’re not disturbing other passengers with excessive noise.

Don’t Set up Camp by the Pool

Chair Hog Carnival Enforcement
Chair Hog Carnival Enforcement

Yes, spend time by the main pool. Don’t, however, set up camp like you own the place. These guests are known as chair hogs. Carnival Cruise Line actually upped its efforts to clamp down on this lido deck practice.

Most cruise lines frown on reserving deck chairs via setting a towel, flip-flops or beach bags on the chair, and they definitely frown on disruptive actions like bringing your own music via a portable speaker. (In fact, you may find that some cruise lines don’t even allow you to bring portable speakers on board!)

Don’t Disrespect Adults-Only and Kids-Only Spaces

The great thing about a cruise vacation is that, with most cruise lines, the experience will appeal to everyone in the family. There’s plenty for kids to do and plenty for adults to enjoy as well.

Worth Reading: Why Do Cruise Ships Use Port and Starboard Instead of Left and Right?

This is in part thanks to cruise ships offering separate spaces that are exclusively for kids and exclusively for adults. As such, don’t muddy the waters by bringing kids into adults-only spaces on the lido deck (like the solarium) and don’t crowd the kid-friendly spaces like splash pads with older children and adults.

Amsterdam Receives First Green Globe Certification

Lissa Poirot
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Amsterdam Receives First Green Globe Certification

One of Europe’s most-visited cruise ports has become the first cruise terminal in the world to receive Green Globe certification, complying with more than 300 sustainable tourism standards.

Cruise Port Amsterdam’s terminal, which welcomes more than 150 cruise ship calls and 300,0000 passengers each year, was awarded the certification for its sustainability initiatives in energy, water, waste, procurement, “green office” operations, and carbon reduction efforts.

“We are very proud and pleased that we are certified as the first cruise terminal worldwide,” said Esther Lebbink, office manager the port. 

“A combined venue for cruise and events faces significant environmental challenges, but with the Green Globe certification program, Cruise Port Amsterdam is committed to doing business sustainably,” she continued.

The terminal’s ongoing sustainability measures include reusing materials during renovations, such as repurposing windows from a demolished section of the concourse to provide natural light to the existing terminal.

In 2024, the terminal also increased its recycling rate to 83.5 percent and expects to reach 85 percent in 2025.

The terminal is also preparing for the launch of shore power in 2025, which will allow docked ships to connect to onshore electricity grids instead of relying on engine-generated power, reducing emissions.

Currently, shore power is operational for river cruise vessels, and with the full installation, the port will require all cruise ships to utilize shore power systems by 2030, ahead of the City of Amsterdam’s goal of becoming climate-neutral by 2050.

Read Also: The Cruise Industry’s Pursuit of Carbon Neutrality by 2050

Additionally, 2025 goals include the expansion of electric vehicle charging stations from 2 to 10, converting half of its forklift fleet to electric models, adding 10 segregated waste bins, and developing a dashboard for tracking energy and water consumption.

Beyond its environmental focus, the terminal located on the southern banks of the River IJ engages with the local community through clean-up campaigns, educational site visits, and charitable events.

Amsterdam’s Sustainability Push and Protests

The recognition comes at a good time for the port, which has received a fair share of turmoil in recent months. 

The port has been a focal point for climate protests by the environmental group Extinction Rebellion. Activists from the organization disrupted port operations during the summer months, forcing some vessels to relocate to different ports and delaying multiple cruise ship arrivals, including Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas.

At the time, Extinction Rebellion called for “an immediate termination of the cruise industry due to the urgent and rapidly escalating climate and environmental crisis.”

It claims studies show cruise ships are a significant source of pollution for air, water, and land.

NCL Cruise Ship in Amsterdam
NCL Cruise Ship in Amsterdam (Photo Credit: Bert e Boer / Shutterstock)

The Amsterdam City Council is in agreement and called for a ban of cruise ships docking in the city center, citing concerns over pollution and the strain large vessels place on local infrastructure. 

By 2026, the city will cap the number of cruise ships allowed to enter to 100 – down from the current allowance of up to 190 – and enforce a complete ban by 2035. The city also will reduce river cruise visits by half by 2028.

The city is also requiring all ships docking at Cruise Port Amsterdam to utilize shore power by 2027, further spurring the port’s own initiatives.

The Port of Rotterdam, located an hour south of Amsterdam, expects to accommodate 40 additional cruises who are relocating due to the changes. This port will be equipped with shore power by 2030.

Cruise Ships Take Action to Avoid Storm Darragh

Catie Kovelman
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Cruise Ships Take Action to Avoid Storm Darragh

As Storm Darragh makes its way through the UK, P&O Cruises’ Iona and Saga Cruises’ Spirit of Adventure have made sure to get out of its path. 

Both cruise ships arrived in the Southampton Cruise Port on the night of December 6, 2024, to shelter in place until the worst of the weather passes. 

Iona, which was already operating a 14-night sailing to Spain and Portugal out of Southampton, was already due to return to the UK port on December 7, 2024, to disembark. 

But as the storm intensified, the captain decided it would be best to return to the port early – arriving at around 5 p.m. local time on the evening of December 6, 2024. 

Guests were allowed to disembark the 5,200-guest ship and head home early – but many have opted to stay onboard to enjoy the rest of their planned sea day from the port. 

“The captain has gone full speed and we are already in the Solent and should dock tonight by 5pm instead of early tomorrow morning. Although we can disembark tonight we are choosing to leave as scheduled in the morning rather than trying to drive home in the dark,” one current passenger wrote. 

“So after an absolute amazing cruise, EL CAPITANO decided to put his foot down and get us in to Southampton ahead of the storm so we are safely docked with a nice night on board Iona (safety first),” another current guest shared.

Those that opted to stay onboard are still expected to disembark in the morning as planned, as of the time of this writing.

P&O Iona Docked in Southampton
P&O Iona Docked in Southampton (Photo Credit: Peter Titmuss)

It’s unclear what impact the storm will have on the embarkation of Iona’s December 7 sailing – which is a 7-night round-trip sailing to Germany, Holland, Belgium, and France – but guests are anticipating delays. 

“We are closely monitoring the weather across the UK this weekend. We have many festive activities and entertainment planned and we can’t welcome,” P&O Cruises wrote in a message to guests.

But while the Carnival-owned cruise line has not announced any changes for the upcoming embarkation, many guests took the text as a sign that delays were forthcoming – with some guessing that the 184,089-gross ton vessel wouldn’t set sail until Sunday, December 8. 

Spirit of Adventure Seeks Shelter in Southampton, UK

In the case of Saga Cruises’ Spirit of Adventure, the 999-guest cruise ship was never actually supposed to visit Southampton during her current 30-night sailing – which only just embarked from the nearby port of Portsmouth, UK, on December 6, 2024. 

However, the 58,250-gross-ton vessel made arrangements to wait out Storm Darragh in Southampton – with cruise tracking data marking her arrival at around 9 p.m. local time.  

“Spirit of Adventure seen at Portsmouth today. Adventure departed at 18:00 for Southampton to shelter from the incoming storm,” a guest shared on Facebook, along with a photo of the docked ship. 

The Southampton Cruise Port is positioned further inland and is much bigger than Portsmouth, making it a safer option for waiting out the storm.

Saga Cruises' Spirit of Adventure
Saga Cruises’ Spirit of Adventure (Photo Credit: Kevin Shipp / Shutterstock)

While Portsmouth is primarily a military port that can also accommodate cruise ships, Southampton has five dedicated cruise ship terminals that can each accommodate at least one full sized cruise ship at any given time. 

Once the storm passes, which is expected to happen by the morning of Sunday, December 8, Spirit of Adventure will carry on with her Christmas-themed Caribbean Cruise. 

With the first port call (on Tenerife, Canary Islands), not scheduled until December 11, 2024, it’s currently unclear if the storm will lead to an altered itinerary or if the ship will be able to make up time at sea. 

How Severe is Storm Darragh? 

Beginning on Friday, December 6, and lasting through at least early morning on December 8, Storm Darragh will bring heavy wind and rain to England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and southern parts of Scotland. 

Per the Met Office, which is the UK’s national meteorological service, some parts of England are currently under the most severe weather advisory – which is a rarely-issued red alert warning. This means the weather event is likely to occur and have a severe impact. 

“A period of extremely strong winds will develop during the early hours of Saturday morning as Storm Darragh moves across the Irish Sea,” reads a recent update from the Met Office. 

“Gusts of 90 mph or more are possible over coasts and hills of west and south Wales, as well as funnelling through the Bristol Channel with some very large waves on exposed beaches,” continued the update.

The 90 mph winds have the potential to be life-threatening – with residents advised to stay indoors, avoid travelling, prepare for potential power cuts, and secure loose items around their property if they can do so safely. 

Read Also: What to Do Onboard a Cruise Ship in Bad Weather

That said, conditions at both Southampton and Portsmouth are not expected to be as severe. Both ports are currently under a yellow alert due to high winds – which is two steps down from the red alert issued elsewhere. 

Yellow indicates that the weather event has a low likelihood of occurring but could have a medium-level impact – with the Met Office predicting winds of up to 80 mph along the coast. 

“Winds will initially be from a southerly direction, but the strongest winds are likely as the low clears away when northerly or northwesterly winds may quite widely gust to around 40-50 mph inland but locally could gust in excess of 60 mph,” the Met Office reported. 

“Around coasts, winds may gust to 60-70 mph, perhaps locally nearer 80 mph. The wind may cause disruption to travel, with difficult driving conditions likely,” continued the meteorological agency.

That said, the two cruise ships – and their passengers – should be perfectly safe waiting out the storm in Southampton thanks to its inland location and existing cruise infrastructure.

Norwegian Cruise Line Cancels 35 Sailings, 4 Ships Impacted

Melissa Mayntz
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Norwegian Cruise Line Cancels 35 Sailings, 4 Ships Impacted

Guests booked on four of Norwegian Cruise Line’s most popular ships will not be able to take their cruises as planned in 2025 and 2026, as the cruise line has just announced the cancellation of 35 different sailings.

The impacted cruises are for departure dates ranging from November 29, 2025 through April 11, 2026, with voyages on Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Encore, and Norwegian Joy all affected.

While the first now-cancelled sailings are just under a year away, travelers may understandably be frustrated at having their cruise vacations – which may have already been booked for a year or more – removed.

A total of 35 cruises are cancelled for “fleet redeployments” though the nature of those redeployments has not been specified.

Norwegian Bliss Cancellations

For Norwegian Bliss, 9 total cruises are cancelled – the ship’s November 30, December 5, December 20, and December 27, 2025 departures, as well as her January 3, January 10, February 1, February 16, and March 3, 2026 departures.

This includes the ship’s last roundtrip departure from Los Angeles (November 30), as well as her highly anticipated 15-night repositioning cruise to Miami (December 5 and February 1). All other sailings she’d planned from Miami in early 2025 and her return trips to Los Angeles (January 10 and February 16) are also cancelled.

This appears to indicate that Norwegian Bliss will be remaining in Los Angeles before returning to Seattle to begin the Alaska sailing season in April 2026.

Norwegian Breakaway Cancellations

Norwegian Breakaway Cruise Ship
Norwegian Breakaway / Photo Credit: Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Breakaway now has 10 different cruises cancelled between January 6 and February 6, 2026. This is the ship’s entire short stay at Port Canaveral, when she was to have been offering 3- and 4-night Bahamas itineraries with visits to Great Stirrup Cay.

Before and after the now-cancelled cruises, the ship is sailing from New York for Caribbean, Barbados, Antigua, and Bahamas getaways, which she will presumably now continue throughout that time period instead of moving to Florida for just over a month.

It should be noted that Norwegian Breakaway did not have repositioning sailings scheduled between New York and Florida. Instead, the ship would have moved between the two homeports without guests onboard.

Norwegian Encore Cancellations

Norwegian Encore has just 7 sailings included in this round of cancellations. Now, the ship will not be sailing her planned voyages between November 29, 2025 and January 16, 2026.

As with Norwegian Bliss, this represents a short season that Norwegian Encore was to have offered from a different homeport. In this case, the ship is homeported from Miami and was to have moved to Los Angeles briefly.

Now, the repositioning sailings – Miami to Los Angeles departing on November 29, 2025 and Los Angeles to Miami departing on January 16, 2026 – are both cancelled. Likewise, all the California departures, which were to have been Mexican Riviera itineraries, are also cancelled.

Norwegian Joy Cancellations

Norwegian Joy in New York
Norwegian Joy in New York (Photo Credit: Just dance)

Finally, a total of 9 cruises aboard Norwegian Joy are now cancelled, including select departures from November 2025 through April 2026.

During this time frame, the ship is homeported from Port Canaveral but not all cruises are impacted. The following departure dates are now cancelled: November 29; December 13, 20, and 27; January 17; February 21 and 26; March 3; and April 11.

The first five of these cancelled cruises were all 7-night Caribbean sailings, while the February 21 and 26 departures were to have been 5-night Bahamas cruises. The March 3 cruise was a unique 4-night itinerary to Great Stirrup Cay and Nassau.

The April 11 departure is the most surprising cancellation, as it was to have been Norwegian Joy’s unique 23-night repositioning voyage between Port Canaveral and Seattle, with visits to destinations in Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, and more along the way.

As the ship is still scheduled for her Alaskan season to begin on May 13, 2026, a new repositioning cruise may soon be announced.

Compensation Offered

All guests on any of the 35 now-cancelled cruises will be receiving a full refund of their cruise fare and all associated taxes, fees, and pre-paid expenses. These refunds will be automatically returned to the original form of payment, though processing times may vary.

Furthermore, travelers are being offered a 10% discount with a future cruise credit (FCC), the details of which will be sent to individual guests on Monday, December 9.

Read Also: Who Owns Norwegian Cruise Line?

Terms and conditions of the future cruise credit may vary based on the original ship booked or date of the voyage, but this does give travelers an opportunity to select a different Norwegian Cruise Line sailing to replace the vacation they can now no longer take.

This latest round of cancellations follows a similar burst of cancellations impacting Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Star, and Norwegian Dawn. A total of 38 voyages were cancelled for those three ships less than a month ago, with the same refund and FCC compensation offers.

Would-Be Royal Caribbean Passengers Fall Victim to Cruise Scam

Lissa Poirot
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Would-Be Royal Caribbean Passengers Fall Victim to Cruise Scam

Two Florida residents are urging cruisegoers to be careful when booking a cruise. According to News4Jax, the friends thought they had secured a dream vacation, only to find out their booking was a scam.

The duo said they responded to a Facebook ad promoting a heavily discounted Royal Caribbean cruise. Contacting someone they thought was a legitimate travel agency to book their voyage, they received what they thought was real confirmation details for a 3-night itinerary aboard Utopia of the Seas.

The 236,860-gross-ton ship is currently offering 3- and 4-night itineraries from Port Canaveral to the Bahamas that visits Nassau and Royal Caribbean’s private destination, Perfect Day at Coco Cay.

Nyeasha Lambert of Jacksonville and Rochelle Price of Ocala, Florida, made regular payments for a $523 cruise through Cash App. However, on the day of departure, the friends were turned away, as their reservation never existed.

“It was embarrassing,” the 71-year-old Lambert told Northern Florida media, saying she was literally crying, saying, “What just happened?”

The couple reported the incident to authorities and are warning others to always book directly through a cruise line or a trusted travel advisor.

Authorities are investigating the scam and emphasizing fraudulent travel offers are on the rise, particularly during the holiday season, when people are eager to secure deals.

Protecting Yourself From Cruise Scams

Unfortunately, stories like these are not uncommon. In 2023, an 83-year-old woman contacted authorities about a travel agency that had taken her payments but cancelled her Alaskan cruise a day before she was set to depart, without refund.

Investigators discovered a fake travel agency and arrested a man for scamming thousands of dollars from elderly passengers to take his own vacations.

Another woman in England, age 64, lost £6,300 on a Caribbean cruise she booked through a fraudulent company on eBay.

Spotting a scam can be tricky, especially when an offer seems too good to pass up. But the adage holds true: If it’s too good to be true, it probably is.

Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas Cruise Ship
Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Justin Kozemchak)

However, the deal Lambert and Price thought they were securing is not that far off of Royal Caribbean’s official pricing through its website. Currently, 3-night roundtrip cruises from Port Canaveral to the Bahamas begin at $585, including taxes and fees.

Read Also: How to Save Money on a Cruise: Cash-Savvy Spending Tips

However, one red flag in the transaction was the payment method. Unsolicited deals that require payments to be made through apps like Cash App or other peer-to-peer platforms are often untraceable and provide little to no recourse for refunds.

Unlike credit cards, which offer fraud protection and the ability to dispute charges, payments made through apps are considered final and are nearly impossible to reverse, making them a preferred choice for scammers seeking to make a quick buck.

In the case of the eBay scam, eBay is typically a safe platform that offers a Money Back Guarantee if purchases are completed through approved payment methods. However, the guarantee does not apply to travel tickets or vouchers.

Before booking a cruise, guests should take the time to compare a deal in question to similar offers from legitimate sources. As scammers can create websites that look real and post fake positive reviews, experts advise travelers to check review sites like Google Reviews, Trustpilot, or the Better Business Bureau.

Of course, contacting or booking through a cruise line directly can confirm the authenticity of a deal and guarantee a reservation.

Norwegian Cruise Ship Makes Inaugural Call to St. Kitts

Lissa Poirot
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Norwegian Cruise Ship Makes Inaugural Call to St. Kitts

A Norwegian Cruise Line vessel just got its first taste of “Sugar City,” showing its 3,099 passengers and 1,506 crew members a bit of the sweet life.

Pulling into Port Zante on December 5, 2024, Norwegian Prima, the first ship in the cruise line’s Prima Class, made her inaugural call on the island of St. Kitts.

“Today’s arrival of Norwegian Prima is a remarkable highlight of our dynamic cruise season,” said Hon. Marsha T. Henderson, St. Kitt’s minister of tourism. “With each new call, we strengthen the island’s position as a must-visit stop on the world’s most prestigious itineraries.“

As the first in a new line of Prima Class ships, Henderson referred to the 140,000-gross-ton Norwegian Prima as “a masterpiece of modern cruising, offering unparalleled experiences that align perfectly with St. Kitt’s reputation as a premier destination.“

Upon arrival, the ship’s captain, Roger Gustavsen, accepted a plaque from St. Kitts commemorating the inaugural visit, as is tradition in maritime protocol.

Read Also: St. Kitts Cruise Port – Piers, Getting Around, What’s Nearby

Norwegian Prima arrived at Port Zante in the island’s capital city of Basseterre during an 11-night Caribbean voyage that departed from New York City on November 30. Prior to the call, the ship had visited the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.

It will continue to call on the US and British Virgin Islands before returning to New York on December 11.

St. Kitts will remain on Norwegian Prima’s route for two additional sailings. One, another voyage from New York departing on December 21, and the other during a 14-night journey from Galveston, Texas, departing on January 17, 2025.

St. Kitts Breaks Records and Prepares for 1 Million Passengers

St. Kitts has seen a surge in tourism due to strategic efforts by the island. By the end of September 2024, the island witnessed a near-22-percent increase in visitors over the previous year, with 118,574 total guest arrivals in just 30 days.

Much of the island’s tourism can be attributed to cruise ships, with St. Kitts welcoming just over 670,000 passengers during its 2023-2024 season. 

Said Henderson, “St. Kitts is on an upward trajectory, and I commend my team, our stakeholders, and the local community for your support and invaluable contributions to the industry.”

Norwegian Prima
Norwegian Prima (Photo Credit: St. Kitts Tourism)

In 2024-2025, Kitts is expecting even greater numbers in cruise tourism, with projections exceeding 1 million passengers from 391 scheduled cruise calls that include Norwegian Prima’s first visit, as well as inaugural calls from Explora Journey’s Explora II on December 2 and MSC Cruises’ MSC Virtuosa on December 4.

In fact, the island just witnessed a record-breaking six ships calling at Port Zante and nearby Carambola Beach Club on December 3, 2024. 

This included the world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s 5,610-passenger Icon of the Seas, along with Windstar Cruises’ Star Pride, Seabourn Cruise Line’s Seabourn Ovation, Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Serenity, Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Apex, and AIDA Cruises’ AIDAperla.

The six vessels equated to 13,458 passengers in one day, with St. Kitts reporting guests spent an average $145 per person during calls.

The island will also be featured on Royal Caribbean’s new Star of the Seas’s radar when the ship completes construction at Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland in July 2025. The 250,800-gross-ton, 5,610-passenger vessel is scheduled to make her first appearance on St. Kitts on September 11, 2025.

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