Costa Cruises Costa Fascinosa was able to aid a stranded sailing yacht with a fuel transfer on Saturday, December 14, 2024, as both vessels were in the midst of their respective transatlantic crossings.
The distress call came at approximately 5 p.m., at which time Costa Fascinosa immediately turned to the south-southeast to reach the Canadian-registered yacht Elefance.
The yacht is a private pleasure craft and was making her way from Lanzarote in the Canary Islands to St. Martin when she experienced a “major mechanical failure” that compromised her ability to sail.
Without enough fuel to engage her engines for the entire trip across the Atlantic Ocean, the stranded yacht was adrift and facing a potentially hazardous and life-threatening situation.
Fortunately, the 114,500-gross-ton Costa Fascinosa was reasonably nearby and able to respond to the distress call.
It took three hours for the cruise ship to reach the yacht, at which time a lifeboat was quickly dispatched to render aid. The sailing vessel was successfully refueled and able to resume her journey. No individuals were transferred to the cruise ship, and no injuries were reported at the time.
The crew of the Elefance shared their thanks and gratitude to Costa Fascinosa via social media, noting that the aid ensures they are able to safely make landfall as planned.
“A huge thank you to the crew of the Costa Fascinosa for the heroic fuel transfer mid-Atlantic!”they posted.“We are very grateful for the assistance and wish everyone a fabulous journey.”
Costa Fascinosa was quickly able to resume her own transatlantic cruise and there is no expected delay to the cruise ship’s voyage.
The Carnival-owned ship departed Savona, Italy on Thursday, December 5, 2024 on her way to Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe. During the 14-night journey, the ship has calls in France, Spain, the Canary Islands, and Barbados. She will arrive in Guadeloupe on Thursday, December 19.
Costa Fascinosa can welcome 3,780 travelers aboard for each sailing. From Guadeloupe, she will be offering diverse Caribbean sailings visiting top destinations such as Antigua, Grand Turk, the Dominican Republic, and more.
In mid-March 2025, the ship will return to Europe to spend the summer in the Mediterranean.
Unique Cruise Ship Rescues
While migrant refugee rescues are the most common type of distress calls cruise ships respond to, all vessels are obligated under international maritime law to render aid to any type of craft in distress. At times, this means cruise ships offer assistance in very unique situations.
For example, the new Disney Treasure has already performed her first rescue even before officially entering service. The ship rescued four individuals from the catamaran Serenity that was taking on water 230 miles off the coast of Bermuda on November 10, 2024.
Another unique rescue was conducted by P&O Cruises’ Pacific Explorer in October 2023, when a young man hoping to break a world record for rowing across the Pacific Ocean was in distress with an overturned boat. The rescue was near Vanuatu, just short of his goal of reaching Australia.
Regardless of the circumstances, nationalities, or individual situation, cruise ships will always respond to those who require assistance. The safety of all life at sea is always the priority, and so long as a cruise ship can offer aid without endangering itself, that help will be available.
A classic experience on any cruise vacation is enjoying delicious meals in the Main Dining Room. Carnival Cruise Line uses the familiar early and late seating time arrangements for diners, as well as the popular “Your Time Dining” flexible option.
When passengers don’t plan to eat in the Main Dining Room, however, is there a protocol for how to inform wait staff not to expect them for the seating?
Carnival Cruise Line’s official Brand Ambassador, John Heald, has offered advice about the issue in response to guest inquiries through his popular Facebook page.
“If we are booked in to the early dining for dinner in the main dining hall but decide for that particular night that the buffet may be more suitable for that day, do we need to notify the main dining hall that we won’t be needing our table that evening?”a concerned guest asked.“What is the protocol for this?”
Heald answers hundreds of dining-related questions each week, assisting travelers with getting the dining time they prefer, reserving a specific table location within the dining room, or ensuring dietary needs can be addressed.
This particular question is a unique one, but very helpful for the cruise line’s dining teams.
“Thank you for asking sir and it is a good question,”Heald said.“If you know in advance that you will not be at dinner the following evening because perhaps you are going to one of the specialty restaurants then yes, I do think it is nice if you tell your waiter/waitress. If it is a spur of the moment thing there is no need to go and tell anyone.”
To ensure the speediest, most efficient service in the dining room, dining teams often group their assigned tables together, submitting orders for appetizers, entrees, and desserts altogether rather than for individual tables.
When some guests are absent, however, the dining team may delay submitting orders for several minutes as they wait to see if the missing guests are simply delayed.
Furthermore, if guests are seated at a larger table with other travelers, servers will typically wait until everyone has arrived before collecting orders. If some guests are not dining that evening, the entire table could be delayed.
Letting the servers know in advance about any absences permits easier communication with the kitchen for smoother meal preparation, as well as easier serving when all dishes are available at the same time.
Many other commenters also responded to the inquiry, noting that it’s always polite to offer notification if they know they won’t be attending their assigned dining time.
“Nothing different than making a reservation at a land based restaurant. The right thing to do is to call and cancel the reservation,”one guest noted.
How Late Is Too Late?
In addition to addressing the idea of notifying wait staff about planned absences, Heald has also opened discussion about when diners should arrive to their assigned dining time.
It can be frustrating when dining companions may be late, holding up service for an entire table. While a few minutes’ grace is offered for each dining time, how long should the dining staff wait?
Carnival Cruise Line Dining Room (Photo Credit: gary yim)
Heald offered up a poll on the issue, noting if a 10-minute wait time is acceptable or if guests should be directed to the buffet instead.
Of more than 40,000 votes cast, 30% (approximately 12,200) agreed that 10-15 minutes is still an acceptable delay and travelers should be allowed in the Main Dining Room. After 15 minutes, they ought to be asked to go to the Lido Marketplace buffet instead.
Only 4% of responders (approximately 1,600 votes) believe that 10 minutes is already too late and those guests should be directed to the buffet rather than be seated at their assigned tables.
Of course, there are always extenuating circumstances that could make guests late for their assigned dining time. No matter when they arrive, the wait staff will do their best to accommodate everyone. If it isn’t possible, however, guests should be gracious and enjoy the other dining options available at any time.
Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas cost roughly $2 billion to build, making it the most expensive cruise ship ever constructed. This massive investment reflects its innovative design, tremendous scale, ground-breaking amenities, and the boldness of Royal Caribbean’s vision.
Discover why this ship cost so much to build, how much it costs to sail on it, and much more!
From the initial napkin sketches that gave the enormous vessel its nickname, “the white paper cruise ship,” the vision for Royal Caribbean International’s Icon of the Seas was incredibly ambitious.
The design team wanted to construct a cruise ship that would be record-breaking in its scale but also revolutionary in its design and passenger features.
The plans were to build not only the largest ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet but also the biggest in the world. The design also called for it to become the “world’s best family vacation at sea,” meaning it would be outfitted with family-friendly amenities on a scale never before seen on the water.
Icon of the Seas would also become the first in Royal Caribbean’s brand-new Icon Class, which would become the cruise line’s signature type of ship. With a focus on family-oriented accommodations and amenities, as well as environmentally friendly technology, it was to be immense from the very beginning.
While the physical size and scale of the ship would be one of its most eye-catching features, Royal Caribbean also worked meticulously on a design that would exceed the expectations of all types of passengers.
Focusing on finding a balance between family-friendly excitement and more adult-oriented relaxation and luxury, the design needed to be different from that of any cruise ship that preceded it.
Icon of the Seas Under Construction at Meyer Turku (Photo Credit: Finmiki)
To achieve this, the innovative neighborhoods concept was introduced into the design. This concept involved dividing the ship’s interior and decks into unique themed areas, such as the adrenalin-boosting Thrill Island and the more relaxed, pool-covered Chill Island.
Creating dedicated spaces for all age groups while still offering a diverse range of activities was a huge achievement in itself. As we will discuss in further detail, some of these “neighborhoods” and amenities had record-breaking features on their own, only adding to the immense magnitude of the Icon of the Seas project.
Once the design was finalized, the ship was constructed at the Meyer Turku Shipyard in Turku, Finland, with the enormous building project commencing in June of 2021.
With a final gross tonnage of 248,663 GT, 20 decks, and a completed length of 1,198 feet, this was also the largest ship ever constructed at the Meyer Turku Shipyard.
Icon of the Seas Size Facts and Stats
Completing the huge project required thousands of skilled workers working in tandem on different segments of the ship, from laying the enormous keel with a 3,000-ton crane to building and testing the record-breaking amenities, like the iconic AquaDome glass and steel dome structure and the largest water park on the water.
Beyond the amenities, the vessel also marked a significant leap in cruise line innovation from an environmentally friendly perspective, featuring ground-breaking technologies like the LNG (liquefied natural gas) powered propulsion system and the latest fuel cell technology.
By making huge strides towards reducing carbon emissions and promoting clean transportation, the Icon of the Seas project was truly unprecedented and represented a huge step forward for the entire industry.
Icon of the Seas Cost Breakdown
Icon of the Seas Docked in Miami (Photo Credit: Just dance)
Designing and constructing such a momentous cruise ship came at a tremendous financial cost.
In all, the project cost Royal Caribbean $2 billion, more than $500 million more than the previous record holder, Allure of the Seas, which cost $1.43 billion to build.
Breaking down the various construction costs will help reveal where the funds from this significant investment actually went:
Designing and Engineering the Ship
Photo Credit: Royal Caribbean Group
While the original napkin sketches cost nothing to dream up, turning that original vision for the world’s largest cruise ship into reality required considerable financial and creative resources.
Constructing a cruise ship that would push not only cruise industry boundaries but also shipbuilding standards for complexity, sustainability, and scale was always going to require careful planning from skilled ship designers.
Not only did the ship itself need to be designed, but record-breaking features, like the tallest indoor waterfall, the tallest cruise ship water slide, and the largest water park on any cruise ship, also needed to be built into the design.
Estimates suggest that design and engineering might represent roughly 15 to 20% of the project’s total cost, which would translate to around $300-400 million USD.
In addition to designing the keel, hull, propulsion system, and more, this phase also involved crafting intricate deck layouts, space optimization, and integrating cutting-edge amenities and over 40 dining venues. It was a complex project that needed to be done correctly, which was always going to be expensive.
Labor Costs
Icon of the Seas at the Shipyard
Labor always represents a significant proportion of total costs when constructing a new cruise ship, but they can become incredibly high when you are talking about a ship on the scale of Icon of the Seas.
The entire project took just over 900 days to complete, with almost all aspects of the construction taking place at the Meyer Turku Shipyard. Thousands of skilled workers were required to work long hours.
From structural engineers and safety specialists to interior designers and welders, these professionals were brought in from throughout Finland and beyond.
The project required almost the entire full-time staff of the shipyard to work around the clock, while other professionals were also brought in on contracts from throughout Europe and beyond.
On top of that, the COVID-19 pandemic also delayed construction, creating costly logistical problems when it came to organizing and employing a team of nearly 3,000 shipbuilders and other laborers.
In all, labor costs for constructing Icon of the Seas likely ranged between $400 and $600 million.
Materials and Technology
Courtesy: Royal Caribbean
Naturally, constructing the world’s largest cruise ship required significant investments in materials. German steel manufacturer Metalcolour Group supplied over 350,000 square meters of high-quality DOBEL film laminated steel for the ship, which would have come at a tremendous cost.
Substantial investments in materials were then required for the ship’s six multi-fuel Wartsila engine propulsion systems, luxurious interiors, numerous amenities, furnishings for the ship’s 2,805 staterooms, and more.
The material and technology budget alone is estimated to have reached as high as $600 million. This would include the specialized marine gas oil and propulsion system, which would allow the ship to lower its life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions.
In addition to these costs, Royal Caribbean had to contend with material damage when a fire broke out in February 2023 while the ship was being constructed at the Meyer Turku Shipyard. While Royal Caribbean did not release the cost of the fire, materials were damaged.
Interior Design and Amenities
Royal Promenade on Icon of the Seas
Given that the completed ship is equipped with numerous record-breaking amenities, Royal Caribbean spared no expense on outfitting the ship’s interiors.
The costs to create the neighborhood spaces, including the prominent AquaDome, the New York City-themed Central Park neighborhood, and the lavishly decorated Royal Promenade, would have been immense.
The same is true for the numerous amenities, like Category 6, the largest water park at sea. Other amenities, including the mini-golf course, the first suspended infinity pool on any cruise ship, the FlowRider Surf Simulator, live performance venues like Lou’s Jazz Club, and numerous other restaurants, bars, and cafés, could have easily cost hundreds of millions to design and install.
While these costs may seem outrageous, the amenities were installed to enhance guest experiences and contribute to the vessel’s allure as a luxury cruise ship, helping to draw in crowds and create a buzz.
Royal Caribbean correctly predicted that the money spent on constructing Icon of the Seas would allow the ship to become profitable and help the cruise line cement its position as one of the industry’s leaders and innovators.
Why Did Icon Cost So Much to Build?
Several unique aspects contribute to the high construction cost of Icon of the Seas:
The Size and Scale of the Project
Icon of the Seas at Meyer Turku (Photo Credit: Meyer Turku)
Constructing the world’s largest cruise ship was no easy feat, nor was it inexpensive. From start to finish, the project required enormous resources, including advanced design and construction techniques, like reinforcing the dry dock, where most of the project was completed.
Even the decision to hire the Meyer Turku Shipyard for the project was not the most budget-friendly decision, but the famous shipbuilders are internationally known for their expertise in building large, complex vessels.
In addition, the cost of importing materials to this relatively remote location in Finland, combined with the enormous skilled labor force, only added to the final expense.
The Innovations in Fuel Efficiency and Sustainability
Credit: Royal Caribbean
When Royal Caribbean Group decided that their flagship vessel would adhere to the industry trend of moving towards more environmentally sustainable cruising, it meant that they would have to invest heavily in LNG technology, a cleaner marine fuel, and expensive fuel cell technology.
While decreasing carbon emissions was seen as a positive move and one that helped create a positive image for the ship in the eyes of the general public, it was not cheap.
Unique Features and Their Costs
While the enormous size of Icon of the Seas usually steals the headlines, the ship is also notable for its unique features, many of which were record-breaking when they were added to it.
Unsurprisingly, all of these headline-catching features came at a high cost, helping to contribute to the overall price tag for the ship. Here are just a few of the ship’s major features and estimates of how much they cost.
The AquaDome
Courtesy: Royal Caribbean
This enormous enclosed glass and steel dome, which gives one of the ship’s eight neighborhoods its name, offers panoramic ocean views and serves as a multi-purpose venue for dining, entertainment, and relaxation.
Aligning and installing the world’s single largest glass and steel structure on the water was an 80-hour nonstop process requiring a team of over 300 specialists.
The cost of developing such a versatile space was just shy of €8 million, or $8.5 million, which makes sense when you consider the material costs and the incredible amount of engineering required to make it functional, visually appealing, and safe.
The World’s Largest Water Park at Sea
Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas During Sea Trials
The ship’s Thrill Island Neighborhood’s record-breaking water park, Category 6, also includes six full-size water slides, making it the most impressive at sea.
Building and maintaining a water park of this scale involves high costs, both in initial construction and ongoing maintenance. The company had to bring in several expert water slide design firms to design the park in a way that would allow it to be technically sound and completely safe without compromising on the original vision.
The slides were constructed off-site and transported to Meyer Turku. The design had to account for the weight of the three deck-high slides and the water they would hold.
While Royal Caribbean did not release a final total for the Category 6 Water Park cost, it would have been one of the most expensive amenities to design, build, and test.
The Eight Neighborhoods
Dividing the ship into eight distinct areas was another ambitious decision intended to enhance guest experiences by offering something for every age group. For Icon of the Seas, the eight neighborhoods are:
The AquaDome
Chill Island
Thrill Island
The Hideaway
Surfside
The Royal Promenade
Central Park
The Suite Neighborhood
Each of these areas features unique amenities, decor, layouts, and accommodations that would have raised the overall construction costs for the ship.
To meet these standards, the ship was designed to meet rigorous and international safety standards and all environmental requirements.
Compliance with maritime safety requirements meant outfitting the ship with advanced navigation and communications systems, acquiring 17 lifeboats to accommodate the ship’s total maximum capacity of 9,950 people, and much more.
Again, all of these safety measures would have contributed substantially to the ship’s final cost, but failure to meet safety requirements would have jeopardized the ship’s ability to sail.
Cost to Cruise on Icon of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas (Photo Credit: lightmax84)
Now that Icon of the Seas is in service, passengers can enjoy cruising on the world’s largest and most expensive cruise ship.
Given the wide range of accommodations available, the price of a voyage on Icon of the Seas can vary. While a top-tier, seven-night cruising experience in one of the ship’s many suites could cost over $7,000 per person, a basic seven-night Eastern Caribbean & Perfect Day at CocoCay Cruise could cost as little as $1,600 if you chose to stay in one of the most affordable interior cabins.
While these prices may seem expensive on the surface, it’s important to remember how much the ship has to offer. Not only do guests get a lot for their money, but when the ship is fully booked, the voyages generate the millions of dollars in revenue required to help Royal Caribbean recoup its substantial investment.
Final Thoughts on the Cost of Icon of the Seas‘ Construction
Not only did the completed ship redefine what a cruise ship could be, but it also showed how ambitious and expensive a project building a record-breaking vessel had to be.
From its ground-breaking amenities and eye-catching features to its enormous physical size and $2 billion price tag, Icon of the Seas is a true achievement and the type of ship all cruise enthusiasts should be excited to experience first-hand.
‘Tis the season for gift giving, and homemade baked goods – cookies, fudge, candies, and other snacks – are a popular treat that offer a sweet taste of home.
On a cruise, such gifts may seem to be the perfect choice to offer crew members who themselves are far from home and away from their families at this special time of year.
Carnival Cruise Line has a strict policy on such treats, however, and wants passengers to know that homemade items are not permitted.
Furthermore, crew members cannot accept alcoholic gifts of any kind, including bottles of wine or champagne that may have been bought onboard the ship.
The clarification comes via John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s official Brand Ambassador, following inquiries from a guest who wants to offer treats to crew members.
“Would you please clarify once and for all whether staff members are permitted to keep unopened, new food items that are gifted to them (like chocolate candy, cookies, etc.)? Also bottles of wine or champagne?”the guest asked.“We were told they cannot during our behind the scenes tour, but there is an ongoing debate about the issue.”
Many cruise guests do want to offer something special for crew members, but they need to be careful what they offer.
“Alcoholic beverages of any kind cannot be gifted to the crew,”Heald confirmed.“It is not possible for them to accept this, and they would be in trouble for doing so.”
Guests should note, then, that it may be best not to leave any bottles of wine or champagne in their staterooms at the end of the cruise if they do not want them. This includes any bottles that may be given as prizes or recognition at different onboard events.
Instead, gifting those bottles to other passengers is a great way to share, or they could be turned in to the Guest Services desk or the onboard liquor store to be sure they are taken care of.
As for any snacks, crew members are only permitted to accept certain items.
Carnival Cruise Line Crew Members (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)
“If you’re going to kindly provide any snacks or cookies or chocolate, it must be in the original factory packing,”Heald explained.“That means the original box or packet and no home-baked goods are allowed.”
While most Carnival cruise guests would be generous and well-meaning with the treats they might offer to crew members, Heald has previously explained that the risk of homemade goods being contaminated with potential allergens (or worse) is why the cruise line does not permit such gifts.
What Gifts Crew Members Want Most
Of course it can be difficult for cruise crew members to be hundreds or thousands of miles from their family members and friends during the holiday season. A nice gift from guests can help brighten the season, especially on Christmas cruises.
While edible gifts – chocolates, cookies, candies – are always welcome, other popular gifts include pre-paid phone cards or internet cards, gift cards to shops crew members can visit in port, or small items from guests’ home cities as fun collectibles.
Some crew members also collect cruising ducks, so a special one just for them with a thank you note can be a wonderful gift option.
The very best gift of all is a kind word and a genuine expression of appreciation for all that crew members do to make a cruise vacation memorable. An extra gift of cash – above standard gratuities – is also very welcome and lets crew members choose how they spend it.
Taking steps to make work easier – such as putting away personal items in one’s cabin or minimizing special orders in the dining room – can also be a way to help hard working crew have a great holiday season.
Passengers wrapping up a 7-night cruise to the Western Caribbean may have started off on the wrong foot when they left Port Canaveral, Florida, but ended on a positive one as they returned to port on December 15, 2024.
After a fire broke out in a generator room on the first night of a recent MSC Cruises sailing aboard MSC Seashore, the cruise line has announced a future cruise credit to passengers who experienced the frightening emergency start to their vacation.
One passenger shared what was happening in real-time on social media, saying they heard two “huge bangs followed by lots of ‘sizzling’ then lots of smoke.”
During the fire, guests also reported disrupted services on the ship, including closed dining rooms, non-working elevators, spotty Wi-Fi services, and closures on the 19th floor and swimming pools.
Despite the scary moments, the emergency response was swift, and the fire was quickly extinguished, leaving MSC Seashore’s itinerary unaffected.
Hinesh Nensee, hotel director for MSC Seashore, addressed the situation in a recent letter to passengers: “There was a small electrical fire in the emergency generator room on an upper deck, which was extinguished quickly.”
“While our itinerary was not disrupted, it did affect some services, and for that, we deeply apologize,” he continued. “Our mission is to always offer the best experience, and we are disappointed when we fall short.”
To address any inconveniences, MSC Cruises is offering all passengers of the 4,540-double-capacity vessel a future cruise credit of 20 percent of the cruise fare paid, applicable to new bookings and valid for up to one year.
The credits will be awarded as certificates directly to passengers or through travel advisors in which guests booked their cruise within 30 days.
Additionally, any unused portion of the credit on a new booking will carry over so passengers have the opportunity to take advantage of the full amount.
Swift Action By MSC Crew Averts Crisis
The electrical fire on the 170,412-gross-ton MSC Seashore occurred late on December 8, 2024, as the ship was en route from Port Canaveral to MSC Cruises’ private destination, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve near Bimini, as part of a 7-night cruise to the Bahamas and Mexico.
Breaking out in the emergency generator room on Deck 18 Aft, the fire was extinguished by the ship’s fire brigade without the need for outside support.
However, reports indicated repairs required new parts, which were shipped overnight to Ocean Cay, where the ship was conveniently already scheduled to spend an overnight call on December 9, providing crew members ample time to make repairs without further affecting the cruise.
After the incident, the ship continued its scheduled itinerary, enjoying 29 hours in the Bahamas before sailing to Costa Maya and Cozumel for the pre-holiday journey.
“Thank you for joining us aboard the MSC Seashore. We’re delighted to have you with us and to share this journey with you,” said Nensee. “We appreciate your understanding and look forward to having you sail with us in the future.”
MSC Cruises has not identified the reason for the fire, but electrical fires can occur due to faulty or deteriorating wiring, overloaded circuits, or power surges.
Kudos to the response team that quickly put out the fire and kept passengers safe.
Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas will be arriving back to her homeport of Galveston, Texas significantly later than anticipated on Sunday, December 15, 2024. As the ship was completing her current sailing, an emergency evacuation was needed, which has led to a delay of more than eight hours.
Guests setting sail aboard Harmony of the Seas for her next cruise, a 7-night Western Caribbean sailing, have been notified of the delay and given updated arrival windows to check in to the cruise terminal.
“Due to a medical debark on our previous sailing, Harmony of the Seas will be arriving later than originally planned,”the email notification said.“Because of this delay, the terminal will be closed until 8:00 PM.”
Originally, the earliest arrival times at the cruise terminal began at 11 a.m., but travelers are now being asked not to arrive until nine hours after their selected arrival time.
For example, guests with that early arrival window are now asked to arrive to the cruise terminal at 8 p.m. The latest arrival time was originally 2 p.m., but those guests should now plan to arrive for check in at 11 p.m.
Updated announcements onboard Harmony of the Seas indicate the ship may begin debarkation at approximately 4 p.m., but this does not necessarily mean any earlier embarkation update for incoming guests.
It is important that incoming passengers not arrive at the cruise terminal before their newly adjusted time in order to ensure that debarking guests are able to leave smoothly and there will be fewer snarls in the cruise terminal or parking facilities.
Incoming travelers will be relieved, however, that there is no need for itinerary adjustments for their 7-night cruise. Harmony of the Seas will still be able to visit Roatan, Costa Maya, and Cozumel as planned in the coming week.
Furthermore, guests are being offered onboard credit as compensation for the very late embarkation. The amount of credit varies based on the type of stateroom. Similarly, guests will also receive prorated refunds for pre-cruise purchases of Wi-Fi access and drink packages impacted by the significant delay.
Dining options, including the ship’s main dining rooms as well as the Windjammer buffet, will also be open later than planned so incoming guests can enjoy their first meal onboard, even if it is not at the anticipated time.
While shorter delays do occasionally happen with cruise ships, lengthy delays are rare. Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Liberty recently had a similarly long delay following three different events that impacted the ship’s return to New Orleans.
Why the Lengthy Delay?
The significant delay for Harmony of the Seas is due to an onboard emergency on Friday, December 13, as an elderly woman traveling with her family on her first cruise began experiencing symptoms that might indicate a major stroke or aneurysm.
The onboard medical team quickly determined that an evacuation was necessary. At the time, the Oasis-class ship had already departed Cozumel – her last port of call – several hours earlier. The ship reversed course to return to the island for the emergency debarkation.
Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas (Photo Credit: Dennis MacDonald)
At the time, a helicopter evacuation was not possible due to high winds that would have made such an operation too hazardous. Similarly, Harmony of the Seas was unable to reroute to Cancun – which would have been closer for emergency debarkation – because the ship’s size could not be accommodated.
Family members have established a GoFundMe account in anticipation of the significant costs associated with bringing the woman back to the United States after her condition is stabilized.
At this time, there are no further updates on the woman’s condition or whether or not she is yet able to be transported.
Cruise Hive’s thoughts are with the guest as well as her family members and friends at this very difficult time, with hopes that all travelers are understanding about such unanticipated delays.
Savvy cruise passengers frequently log in to their cruise line’s website to browse new sailings, update their bookings, make payments, or reserve extras for their upcoming cruises, such as drink packages, internet access, or specialty dining reservations.
Carnival Cruise Line guests were not able to do any of that through the morning and into the early afternoon of Saturday, December 14, 2024, however, due to a technical glitch on the cruise line’s website.
Planned “technical maintenance updates” were ongoing for Carnival.com but had been expected to be completed by 6 a.m. Eastern Time.
Unfortunately, as many guests investigated the website, as well as the Carnival Hub app, they found numerous glitches that prevented any new bookings or reservations. Different travelers reported the website freezing, logins failing, missing information, and other problems.
The glitches were not confined to a single web browser and were impacting guests in all different time zones and for sailings on a variety of ships in the Carnival fleet.
So extensive were the difficulties that it came to the attention of John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s official Brand Ambassador. Heald regularly addresses guest concerns through his popular Facebook page, and he was inundated with frustrated guests early on Saturday.
“Many of you have written to me with a dollop of frustration that our website is still down despite the banner headline saying it would be back by 6 a.m. Miami time,”Heald said at approximately 10 a.m.
“I’ve spoken to the beards who sincerely apologize and they are working furiously to get this back up as soon as they can. My sincere apologies and I will let everybody know as soon as it’s working again.”
Guests continued to report website outages as late as 3 p.m., with frustration continuing to build – especially for those setting sail soon.
The website and app outages made it challenging for guests to check in for their upcoming departures or make last-minute reservations such as for specialty dining, shore tours, or drink packages.
This was especially frustrating for travelers who had hoped to use onboard credit for such purchases and take advantage of special deals only available online.
In the meantime, the website’s update message invited guests to explore other social media channels to connect with Carnival Cruise Line through Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and more.
It should be noted, however, that none of those social media channels are useful for checking in, printing boarding passes, adjusting bookings, or making reservations.
Heald did respond to later comments that if guests were unable to buy last-minute packages, such as the Cheers! Beverage Package, at the pre-cruise price, that price would be honored for onboard purchases.
This is likely to only apply to sailings over the next day or two, however, as the glitch has now been fixed and travelers with upcoming sailings are free to make their purchases online with ease.
What Updates Did Carnival Make to Their Website?
It is not unusual for corporations to update their websites or even plan technical maintenance that will completely shut down their website for a brief period of time.
This is usually done at times when the site is less busy, though it can be challenging to find such an interval with one of the world’s largest and most popular cruise lines.
Many such updates are behind-the-scenes upgrades to security, site efficiency, and other details that users may not immediately notice.
With this update, however, Carnival Cruise Line has also streamlined its header with new categories and a larger search bar.
One person commented to Heald that she attempted to purchase the internet package for an upcoming sailing, but Carnival told her they were doing upgrades:
“I tried buying internet for my upcoming cruise and it won’t let me select onboard credit. I called Carnival she said they was doing system upgrades and onboard credit wouldn’t show at this time but that was two days ago. I’m guessing they are still doing upgrades.“
The new header will make it easier for guests to browse through Carnival.com, as well as quickly access their bookings for easy management. Access to the cruise line’s loyalty VIFP program is also faster, giving people an easier way to look for the best deals and special offers.
This is not the first time the Miami-based cruise has suffered from a glitch that has impacted guests. In June 2024, Carnival had issues with online check-ins related to different time zones.
In September 2023, the cruise line upgraded its booking system, but when it came back online, cruises displayed incorrect pricing, causing some confusion for many.
Guests sailing on a Carnival Cruise Line ship in the new year should check their itineraries. The cruise line just announced more schedule changes across seven ships.
The update comes less than a week after a similar announcement for 2025-26 schedules on eight vessels.
In a letter to passengers on December 12, 2024, the cruise line revealed that 11 voyages in February, June, September, and December 2025, as well as one 2026 sailing, will be affected.
Carnival did not reveal the reason behind the changes, which includes revised port times, call swaps, and missing its private destination, Half Moon Cay, on some journeys. However, Carnival Corporation recently announced the destination in the Bahamas will be undergoing a major expansion.
For excursions at ports that were cancelled, the cruise line is automatically refunding passengers to their original form of payment. Tours for the new ports will be available for purchase once the final adjustments have been made.
“Thank you for your understanding,”said Colleen Oliverio, vice president of guest services – contact centers for Carnival Cruise Line.“We look forward to welcoming you aboard for a fun and memorable cruise.”
Carnival Magic
The 130,000-gross-ton Carnival Magic, operating Caribbean cruises from Miami, will see changes to two itineraries in 2025.
Its 8-day Eastern Caribbean sailing on February 22 will be revising port visit days, excluding Philipsburg, St. Maarten, on February 26, and update times for other destinations.
Carnival Cruise Line has not yet specified the revisions, but they will affect calls in Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic, San Juan in Puerto Rico, and St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands.
Meanwhile, a similar June 28 sailing that features Half Moon Cay instead of Amber Cove will see adjusted arrival and departure times for San Juan, St. Maarten, and St. Thomas.
Additionally, Carnival Magic’s July 1 call in San Juan and July 2 visit in Philipsburg have been swapped.
Carnival Miracle
The 88,500-gross-ton Carnival Miracle will have changes to its September 6 and September 17, 2025, Mediterranean sailings from Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy.
The first includes swapped days for Piraeus (Athens) and Mykonos. The vessel will now make Piraeus its first call on September 9 and arrive in Mykonos on September 11.
The cruise line says it is also modifying schedules for other ports of call in Turkey, Greece, and Italy.
The September 17 journey will also see modified days and port times for most of the destinations, although those have not been released. The 12-night itinerary is scheduled to visit two ports in Turkey, four in Greece, and Naples, Italy.
Carnival Pride
From Baltimore, the December 14, 2025, sailing of the 88,500-gross-ton Carnival Pride will swap Princess Cays, another Carnival Corporation-owned private destination, and Nassau during a 7-night journey. Passengers will now arrive first in Princess Cays on December 17, followed by Nassau on December 18.
Also sailing in the Bahamas from Port Canaveral, Florida, the 110,000-gross-ton Carnival Glory’s December 15, 2025, cruise replaces Bimini with a stop in Freeport.
Originally slated for December 16, the cruise line says it will also adjust the date, possibly affecting a scheduled stop in Nassau.
Carnival Conquest
Two December 2025 itineraries taking place on the 110,000-gross-ton Carnival Conquest from Miami will see notable changes.
The 4-night Bahamas itinerary departing on December 15 replaces a visit to Princess Cays on December 17 with Nassau, keeping its Celebration Key visit intact, while its December 29 sailing will introduce a new port order and adjust visit times.
Additionally, Half Moon Cay has been replaced with Celebration Key on the vessel’s January 2, 2026, cruise.
Also skipping Half Moon Cay is the 71,909-gross-ton Carnival Elation on her 5-night December 31, 2025, voyage from Jacksonville. Instead, the ship will visit Nassau on January 3. Its call in Celebration Key is unchanged.
Carnival Sunrise
Finally, the 101,509-gross-ton Carnival Sunrise has adjustments for both its December 27 and December 31, 2025, sailings from Miami.
The December 27 itinerary replaces the December 29 stop at Half Moon Cay with Freeport, while the December 31 itinerary swaps it with a visit to Princess Cay on January 2.
Carnival Cruise Line will rearrange all dates for the latter sailing, including Nassau and Celebration Key.
You always knew you could get anything you needed at Costco, but the company recently revealed even luxury around-the-world cruises are sold through the big box retailer.
During an earnings call on December 12, 2024, Costco’s Chief Financial Officer Gary Millerchip shared that the company sold a $293,000, 150-day, around-the-world cruise through its Costco Travel services.
This specialty side of Costco offers cruises, vacation packages, and rental cars to its members.
While revealing fun facts about the travel business, including that Costco Travel “sold enough rental cars to fill every US Costco parking spot 8.5 times,”Millerchip dropped the bombshell sale.
“Our largest cruise booking last year was a 150-day around-the-world cruise starting from Fort Lauderdale and making stops in places like the Galapagos and Easter Islands,”he said.
“The total price was $293,000 for two in the Owner’s Suite cabin and added values on the booking included a shipboard credit of $13,000 and a Costco shop card worth $25,000,”he continued.
Costco, a membership-based warehouse club offering goods and services at discounted prices, charges $65 to $130 annually for its memberships, contributing to $1.17 billion in revenue through 138.8 million cardholders. The company generated $62.15 billion in total revenue in its first quarter.
High Demand for World Cruises
While Costco’s CFO did not disclose which cruise line operated the high-end voyage, several cruise lines offer world cruises to exotic destinations, many of which will begin new routes in January 2025.
And surprisingly – or not, considering if you’re going to sail around the world, you should do it in the largest suite possible – suites are the first to sell out.
For example, passengers can sail from Fort Lauderdale on a 124-day Grand World Voyage with Holland America Line on January 4, 2025. Its sailing aboard the 82,305-gross-ton Zuiderdam will visit 32 countries and features destinations like Machu Picchu, Easter Island, and the Great Barrier Reef.
Its largest offerings are Neptune Suites, offering a separate bedroom and living area. Guests in the Neptune Suites have exclusive lounge access, priority services, premium in-room amenities, exclusive dining options, and special invitations.
The suites on the world cruise are sold out. They also cost nearly $160,000 per person.
Or, consider the 116-night sailing aboard MSC Cruises’ 95,128-gross-ton MSC Magnifica, also leaving on January 4. This voyage from Civitavecchia (Rome) will visit 50 ports across 21 countries.
Sydney (Photo Credit: Majonit)
Its most expensive suites are its Royal Suites in the MSC Yacht Club, which also features separate sleeping and living areas with exclusive perks like 24-hour butler service. Balcony cabins can cost around $4,100 a night for two people.
But these world cruises and others still have availability for less expensive stateroom selections, including interior cabins, that start well below the suites’ hefty price tags. For instance, an interior cabin for Princess Cruises’ 116-day world voyage from Fort Lauderdale, departing on January 5, 2025, starts at $20,666.
Sailing on the 92,822-gross-ton Island Princess, passengers will explore 51 destinations across 26 countries on six continents, including maiden calls to Bar, Montenegro, and Taranto, Italy, as well as the Greek islands of Patmos and Volos.
Additionally, Azamara’s Azamara Onward begins its 155-night world cruise to 37 countries from San Diego on January 6, while Regent Seven Seas’ Seven Seas Mariner takes off on its 150-night world cruise from Miami to San Francisco the following day.
Luxury cruise line Cunard’s Queen Anne will also embark on her maiden world cruise on January 7, with rates starting at $16,500 per person for an inside cabin. Unfortunately, its Queen Grill Suites, starting at $87,219, are already booked.
