Blog Page 279

From Shows to Games: 9 Cruise Entertainment Options

Emrys Thakkar
-
0
From Shows to Games: 9 Cruise Entertainment Options

Worried you’re going to get bored while you’re on your next cruise? Even if you have multiple sea days scattered across your itinerary, cruise ships are bursting at the seams with ways to keep you occupied — and when it comes to shows and similar entertainment, you have more options than ever.

Yes, there are still the staple theatrical performances like those that have long been a part of cruise ships’ offerings, but now there’s so much more, too. Here are the nine types of entertainment and shows you can find on a cruise.

In This Article:

1. Broadway Shows

Let’s start with one of the basics, and probably the type of cruise ship entertainment you’re most familiar with, simply because these types of shows feature prominently in cruise ships’ main theaters: Broadway shows.

Many cruise lines produce their own versions of Broadway favorite hits, with shows rotating in and out, so even if you cruise with one cruise line reliably, you can probably find something new on the docket during every single cruise.

Royal Caribbean, for example, has put on renditions of CATS, Saturday Night Fever, Mamma Mia, Hairspray and Grease. Norwegian Cruise Line has likewise put on renditions of Jersey Boys, The Choir of Man and Beetlejuice, among others.

Then, while not technically a Broadway show, Norwegian Cruise Line does also feature other shows from a group with Broadway connections. Burn the Floor is a ballroom and Latin dance theater company that performs shows on Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Epic.

2. Original Productions

Norwegian Jade Show
Photo Courtesy: Norwegian Cruise Line

Beyond putting on Broadway favorites in the theater, some cruise lines also put on their own original productions, completely created in-house, for shows you won’t and can’t see anywhere else. Depending on the cruise line, these shows may blend choreography and music, acrobatics and acting.

Royal Caribbean has produced more than two dozen original productions, and shows really run the gamut. Some are more geared toward the adults in your crew, while others are more geared toward families. Some are music-heavy, with lots of choreography, while others lean into special effects and amazing, over-the-top sets.

Carnival Cruise Line also produces a range of original shows via Playlist Productions. Carnival’s original shows are typically more music-heavy, and may feel more like a musical review than a theatrical performance.

However, this provides broad appeal to large cruising audiences, and you’ll likely quickly see why cruisers are quick to snag their seats for these shows.

Norwegian Cruise Line likewise has some theatrical performances of its own devising, as does Princess Cruises. On the former, you can find musical reviews that feature cool celebrity impersonators representing some of the biggest names in music history.

Read Also: Top 10 Best Party Cruises for Teens and Young Adults

For truly top-tier original productions, though, you can’t ignore Disney Cruise Line. The cruise line condenses some of its favorited franchise and movies into smaller, staged shows. You’ll be able to find shows with songs and scenes from family hits like “Frozen.” 

Do note that, whether you’re planning on catching a Broadway performance or a house-produced performance, you can typically find shows going on at two different times, most evenings. Additionally, you may need to purchase tickets in advance, if you want to guarantee that you’ll get a seat at the time that you want.

3. AquaTheater Shows

AquaTheater at the Aft of the Ship
AquaTheater at the Aft of the Ship

The AquaTheater is a venue unique to Royal Caribbean. It’s basically what it sounds like — a theater venue that also contains a water element, in this case the largest and deepest freshwater pool at sea.

As such, the theater is outfitted with multiple high-diving platforms, for spectacular stunts all set against the backdrop of the sea, over the ship’s side. As you could probably expect, the AquaTheater shows take a nautical theme in many instances, with shows like Pirates vs Mermaids. Others focus on acrobatic stunts set to music.

The AquaTheater appears on both Oasis-class and Icon-class ships.

4. Ice-skating Shows

Ice-Skating Rink
Ice-Skating Rink

If you’re sailing on a cruise ship with an ice rink, you may be able to catch some ice-skating shows on the rink during your cruise.

Royal Caribbean boasts ice rinks on all the ships within its Voyager, Freedom, Oasis and Icon classes. There, in addition to the open skating sessions, you can also find a range of shows, from the more traditional, to the kid-friendly, to the fairytale-esque.

5. Live Music

Holland America Show
Holland America Show

You can find live music played throughout just about any cruise ship, at just about any time of day. In public spaces, live music sets the scene, providing a lively, fun atmosphere. In smaller, more intimate settings, live music either provides a backdrop for a few casual drinks or gets the party started.

Favorite live music options across major cruise lines include Carnival Cruise Line’s piano bars. You’ll find one of these bars on every Carnival ship.

Some cruise lines have specific cover bands that cover songs from classic, favorite bands and musicians. For example, Norwegian Cruise Line has The Cavern Club (if you’re into Beatles’ lore, you’ll automatically recognize this name) on a handful of ships (Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Joy), where you can stop by and get a drink but also enjoy Beatle cover sets.

Otherwise on Norwegian Cruise Line, you can find live music sets at venues such as Howl at the Moon (on Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Escape), and at Syd Norman’s Pour House (on Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Prima).

Other cruise lines might focus on classical music or jazz stylings. The latter is partially the case on Holland America, thanks to offerings like B.B. King’s Blues Club (for R&B), where you can hear the classic R&B hits every day.

Holland America also has other spots to hear live covers from other genres, such as Billboard Onboard and the Rolling Stone Lounge, which offer the hits and rock classics, respectively.

6. Game Shows

Mardi Gras Cruise Ship Game Show
Rendering: Carnival Cruise Line

Some cruise lines host game shows on some days and evenings, inviting cruisers to participate in the audience and/or go head-to-head with their fellow vacationers on the stage.

Carnival Cruise Line has a Family Feud-style game show that you can catch. It’s equally fun, whether you’re in the audience or in the bright lights.

Norwegian Cruise Line hosts recognizable rounds of games like Deal or No Deal and Wheel of Fortune.

Royal Caribbean has a few game shows as well, but they’re more for the adult set. Options include Love and Marriage and Battle of the Sexes.

7. Comedy Sets

Punchliner Comedy Club, Carnival Cruise
Punchliner Comedy Club, Carnival Cruise

Whether you prefer improv or a more rehearsed set, you can find plenty of laughs at comedy clubs on cruise ships.

Carnival Cruise Line has its Punchliner Comedy Club on every ship in its fleet, offering both family-friendly shows during the day and raunchier sets after dark.

Norwegian Cruise Line similarly has its Headliners Comedy Club on Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Escape.

8. Planetariums

Queen Mary 2 Planetarium
Queen Mary 2 Planetarium

Okay, you won’t be able to find this entertainment option on a wide swathe of ships, but if you can, it’s seriously cool.

Most notably, on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2, the cruise line offers planetarium-set shows where you can sit back, stare upwards, and listen to a calming voice tell you all about the cosmos.

You can also find a planetarium on Viking Cruises’ Orion, which claims status as the highest-definition planetarium at sea.

9. Movie Theaters

In addition to live performances, you can also find movies playing on many ships. Disney Cruise Line, for example, plays both old favorites and new releases in the movie theaters aboard its ships, with both kid-friendly and more adult-geared showings (so, for example, Marvel movies for the 13-and-up crowd).

Several cruise lines also show movies on the top deck, on a big screen, including Carnival Cruise Line and Princess Cruises.

Tokyo to Become Center of Disney Cruise Operations in Asia

Catie Kovelman
-
0
Tokyo to Become Center of Disney Cruise Operations in Asia

Oriental Land Company., Ltd., which is a Japanese leisure and tourism company, has just marked another major milestone in its expanding partnership with the Disney brand. 

Oriental Land Company already operates Disney’s two theme parks in Japan – Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea – and is now leading the charge as Disney Cruise Line expands into the Asian market. 

On November 29, 2024, Oriental Land Company., Ltd. signed an agreement with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government that designated the Port of Tokyo as the hub for Disney Cruise Line’s Asian operations and as the homeport of choice for future sailings. 

“We would like to inform you that Oriental Land Company, Ltd. has signed a cooperation agreement with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government for the aim of developing its Japan-based cruise business, with the Port of Tokyo as its main departure and arrival base and to cooperate on related initiatives,” reads a statement regarding the agreement, which has been unofficially translated from Japanese. 

As part of this, Oriental Land Company, Ltd. has established a more concrete plan for building and launching a new Wish-class ship specifically for the Japanese market – which was first announced on July 9, 2024. 

Construction will begin in 2025 – with ship delivery taking place in 2028. The ship is then expected to officially debut in 2029.

“In order to develop our cruise business, we will start shipbuilding in fiscal 2025 and aim to launch in fiscal 2028. Based on this agreement, we will work in cooperation with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to realize our unique leisure called ‘Family Entertainment Cruise,’” continued the translated statement.

This will be the first ship to sail under the Disney name that is actually owned and operated by an organization other than The Walt Disney Company. 

It’s also an entirely separate endeavor than the previously announced Disney Adventure, which was designed with the Asian market in mind but is still owned by Disney. The first of Disney’s Global-class ships will launch in Singapore at the end of 2025. 

What We Know About the Next Wish-Class Ship

While it’s still very early in the process, the unnamed new-build will likely share a lot of similarities with Disney Wish and the new Wish-class vessels joining the fleet: Disney Treasure and Disney Destiny. 

Disney Treasure will officially enter service on December 21, 2024, with Disney Destiny following in 2025.

The new ship is expected to be about 140,000 gross tons, with a capacity for about 4,000 passengers and 1,500 crew members (also known as cast members) – which makes the new-build around the same size or ever so slightly bigger than the existing Wish-class ships.

Disney Treasure Construction
Disney Treasure Construction

While the new vessel will likely offer similar amenities to other ships in her class – such as the AquaMouse water coaster that debuted on Disney Wish – there will likely be new experiences specifically curated for Japanese cruisers. 

Read Also: How Much Is a Disney Cruise?

With Disney Adventure heading to Singapore next year, many may also be wondering how the unnamed vessel will compare to Disney’s first ship that was specifically designed for the Asian cruise industry. 

While we don’t yet know specifics about amenities onboard the new-build, Disney Adventure will certainly be much larger. In fact, she is the largest ship in Disney’s fleet at 208,000-gross tons with a capacity for approximately 6,000 guests. 

She also wasn’t exactly a new-build – whereas Oriental Land Company, Ltd. will be starting from scratch on their ship.

Disney acquired the partially constructed vessel in 2022 from the now bankrupt Genting Cruise Lines. 

At the time, the Global-class vessel was known as Global Dream and was in her fourth year of construction at the Wismar shipyard in Germany.

Cruise Lines May Bypass Mexico If Hefty New Tax Moves Forward

Melissa Mayntz
-
0
Cruise Lines May Bypass Mexico If Hefty New Tax Moves Forward

Mexico is a top cruise destination for many travelers, and ports such as Cozumel, Costa Maya, Ensenada, Cabo San Lucas, and more welcome millions of passengers each year. These destinations might soon become empty ports, however, if a proposed new tax is not reconsidered.

The Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), a not-for-profit trade organization that represents 23 cruise lines, has reached out to Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, requesting that a new $42 per person “immigration fee” for cruise passengers be eliminated.

The tax – officially titled the “Non-Resident Fee” is slated to take effect in 2025 and the FCCA is taking action to see if adjustments are possible. Cruise bookings for both 2025 and 2026 are already underway and many travelers will have booked their cruises long before the fee was suggested.

Specifically, the organization is writing on behalf of Carnival Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise Line.

Each of these major cruise lines operates hundreds of sailings that include Mexican ports of call each year. Depending on the exact itinerary, one ship may visit several destinations in Mexico on a single sailing.

According to Reportur, the FCCA letter explains that cruise lines may adjust itineraries if the fee goes into effect, which could have a significant financial impact on local Mexican economies.

“Cruise lines are already actively considering significantly altering itineraries, which would reduce the more than 10 million passengers and 3,300 cruise ship arrivals expected to visit Mexico in 2025,” the letter stated.

Mexican destinations are included on itineraries from 3-7 nights and longer from various homeports, including Long Beach, Galveston, Mobile, New Orleans, Tampa, Miami, and Port Canaveral. The country is also visited on repositioning sailings before and after the Alaska season, as well as on longer, more diverse itineraries.

The letter also notes that not only might cruise ships slow or stop visiting Mexico, but applying the fee might then jeopardize different cruise lines’ investments in Mexico as a top destination.

“This proposed tax could also jeopardize the cruise industry’s investments in the country, including billions in planned developments and other projects,” the letter reads.

This could include Royal Caribbean’s recent announcement to create “Perfect Day Mexico” in Mahahual, adjacent to Costa Maya, as well as other port improvement and development projects.

Mexico’s Non-Resident Fee – Why Are Cruisers Now Impacted?

Mexico has actually imposed a non-resident fee on tourists since 1999. In 2024, the fee is $687 Mexican pesos, or approximately $33 USD. If visitors want to leave and reenter the country several times, or if they will be carrying out paid activities while in Mexico, different fees apply.

Read Also: One of These Mexico Cruise Ports Could Be on Your Itinerary

Cruise Ships Docked in Cozumel, Mexico
Cruise Ships Docked in Cozumel, Mexico (Photo Credit: JorgeSuarez)

Cruise passengers have largely been exempt from this tax, however. The biggest provision exempting cruise travelers is that if an individual’s stay in Mexico is less than seven days, the fee has not previously applied.

It should be noted that this tax on passengers is in addition to other taxes imposed on cruise lines, such as docking fees and other taxes based on ships’ overall capacity.

Furthermore, this new tax is not the same as the previously approved $5 (USD) per person tax in Quintana Roo – home to both Costa Maya and Cozumel – that will take effect from January 1, 2025. That is a state tax rather than a national one.

Tourism taxes generally help support further tourist development in a nation, such as ensuring proper infrastructure for visitors and improving attractions to encourage longer stays and repeat visits.

While $42 per person may not be excessive for a single traveler, it can add substantially to a family’s cruise travel budget, especially if the tax is levied at each individual Mexican port of call on an itinerary.

Note: This article originally stated that the non-resident fee was to begin in 2026. This has been corrected; the fee will begin in 2025.

Banned Passenger Finally Gets to Embark on Villa Vie Odyssey

Catie Kovelman
-
0
Banned Passenger Finally Gets to Embark on Villa Vie Odyssey

The approximately 100 passengers onboard Villa Vie Odyssey already had to wait about five months longer than planned to embark on their home away from home. 

But, for two passengers who were particularly outspoken about the extensive delay, Bonny Kelter and Jenny Phenix, the wait has been extra long as Villa Vie Residences terminated their contracts due to their complaints in WhatsApp messages. 

“We have received over a dozen formal complaints from residents regarding your continuous complaints and negativity. This behavior has significantly impacted the morale and well-being of other passengers,” Chief Operating Officer Kathy Villalba told Phenix at the time.

“Given the overwhelming feedback, we must cancel your contract permanently to uphold the well-being and satisfaction of our community,” continued Villalba.

Both women denied being rude, disrespectful, or threatening in their messages and claimed that they did not turn to the media or try to go public until after their cruise contracts were actually cancelled.

That said, the messages they sent are not publicly available to verify the content.

But despite their protests, neither woman was onboard when the vessel finally set sail from Belfast, Ireland, on October 3, 2024. The 24,344-gross ton vessel was originally supposed to start her ongoing world cruise on May 15, 2024. 

But while Phenix is still in a dispute with the residential cruise line, Kelter was able to reach an agreement that will allow her to join the vessel when it begins the South America Segment of its first 3.5-year world cruise in December 2024 – just in time for Christmas. 

“I am happy that Villa Vie Residences and I were able to resolve our issues. I am elated about joining the ship and beginning the fulfilment of my lifetime dream of travelling the world while living aboard a cruise ship,” Kelter told Shipmonk UK. 

Kelter will finally be able to take advantage of her more than £75,000 investment (about $95,513 USD), which is what she paid for her home at sea. 

She will also be reunited with her belongings that were onboard when the ship set sail without her, including important items like medications and valuable jewelry. 

Where is Villa Vie Odyssey Now?

The process of transforming the former MS Braemar from Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines into Villa Vie Residences’ first residential cruise ship was wrought with both administrative and technical issues – leading to the extensive delay. 

But after a rocky start, everything seems to be resolved and all has been well for the inaugural portion of Villa Vie Odyssey’s first world sailing – which explored destinations in Spain, Portugal, France, and Morocco.

The residential cruise program allows guests to own their own home onboard or to sign up for one-year to four-year memberships starting at just under $50,000 annually – with room onboard for about 600 residents.

Passengers Celebrating Departure of Villa Vie Odyssey
Passengers Celebrating Departure of Villa Vie Odyssey (Photo Credit: Villa Vie)

The long-term cruisers then get to see the world as the smaller ship circumnavigates the globe every 3.5 years – with the maiden world cruise expected to visit 425 destinations and over 100 islands across 147 countries and seven continents.

For many, like the 66-year-old Kelter, it’s a desirable retirement option – as guests get to see the world, own their own residence at a lower cost than many homes on land, and have their needs met through the all-inclusive onboard experience. There is even a health center onboard that offers complimentary consultations.

Read Also: Living on a Cruise Ship: What You Need to Know

Per cruise tracking data, Villa Vie Odyssey is currently sailing in the Caribbean Sea. Her official itinerary – which was updated in October 2024 – has her exploring the Caribbean from November 14 until December 17, when she transitions to South America via the Panama Canal. 

Kelter will actually join the ship in Panama City, Panama, on December 17. She will be onboard for the entirety of the South America segment – which lasts until April 23, 2025, and includes several multi-day port calls. 

The remainder of 2025 includes visits to bucket list destinations throughout North America, Japan, the Philippines, and the South Pacific.

Norwegian-Based Cruise Lines Acquired by Investment Consortium

Donna Tunney
-
0
Norwegian-Based Cruise Lines Acquired by Investment Consortium

Hurtigruten and sister brand HX, formerly Hurtigruten Expeditions, each will be acquired by their existing investors following a rebranding of the two cruise lines that began a year ago.

The 10-ship fleet operated by Hurtigruten plies the Norwegian coastal route while HX’s five ships sail global itineraries and polar cruises. The expedition line was renamed HX in late 2023 in a bid to differentiate it from Hurtigruten.

Their acquisitions, slated to close in January 2025, represent the final stage of financially separating the two brands. The changes in ownership are not expected to have impacts on guests or the daily operations of the two fleets.

HX is being purchased by a consortium consisting of London-based Arini Capital Management and New York-based Cyrus Capital Partners, and will include an investment infusion of EUR 140 million ($147 million USD) in new junior funding. The funding is aimed at expanding growth opportunities.

The HX fleet includes the 250-guest Fram; Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen, both with capacity for 490 guests; the 90-guest Santa Cruz II; and the 220-guest Spitsbergen. 

The two largest ships, Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen, offer multiple restaurants and staterooms with balconies. The newest of the fleet, they entered service in 2020 and 2019, respectively. Santa Cruz II operates solely in the Galapagos Islands year-round.

“Today’s announcement will allow HX to further enhance our offerings to our guests, boost our focus on greener innovation and explore new destinations around the globe,” said Gebhard Rainer, CEO of HX.

Rainer will remain in his current position following the sale.

In its announcement on November 29, 2024, HX indicated that the acquisition would enable the lines to continue its investment into a fleet of ships, which could imply the building or purchasing of additional vessels.

The expedition cruising market has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years. According to data from Cruise Lines International Association, expedition and exploration are the fastest-growing sectors of cruise tourism, posting a 71% increase in passengers traveling on expedition itineraries from 2019 to 2023.

Growth in the cruise niche is expected to continue to grow as consumers embrace travel opportunities that offer experiences based on adventure, science, and environmental sustainability.

“We believe HX is poised to continue to build market share, and the group of investors is committed to providing the backing needed to accelerate its success,” said Torben Geisler, a representative of Arini Capital Management.

Coastal Cruise Line to Receive Long-Term Funding

Hurtigruten, the Norwegian coastal line, is to be acquired by existing investors that include Arini Capital Management, AlbaCore Capital, and Barings. As part of the purchase, the line will receive EUR 110 million ($116 million USD) in long-term funding.

Read Also: 13 Impressive New Cruise Ships Arriving in 2025

Also, the sale will reduce the line’s outstanding debt to EUR 400 million ($422 million USD). Like the HX transaction, the Hurtigruten purchase is slated to close in January 2025.

Hurtigruten Ship Roald Amundsen
Hurtigruten Ship Roald Amundsen (Photo Credit: dvlcom)

“This is an important milestone for Hurtigruten. The transaction allows us to continue to deliver our long-term goals, enable sustainable growth, and enhance our customer experience. We look forward to working alongside the new investor group,” said Hedda Felin, CEO of Hurtigruten.

As with its former sister brand, the coastal cruise line is experiencing strong demand. Its 2025 bookings, as of November 24, 2024, are running 24% higher compared to 2024 bookings made by the same date in November 2023.

Both Hurtigruten and HX are tempting future cruisers with Black Friday promotions.

HX is offering cruise fare discounts of up to 50% on certain voyages in 2024 and 2025 when booked by December 9, 2024. Hurtigruten’s Black Friday sale runs to December 2, 2024, providing fare reductions of up to 50% on some Coastal Express departures until September 2025. 

Carnival Cruise Line Will Not Add Requested Crew Position

Melissa Mayntz
-
0
Carnival Cruise Line Will Not Add Requested Crew Position

Every cruise passenger has ideas of how to run a cruise line more efficiently and what crew members ought to do to ensure a better onboard experience. Guests rarely know all the behind-the-scenes details of ship operations, however, and not every suggestion guests may make is possible to fulfill.

This is the case with one traveler’s outrage and insistence at a recent situation aboard Carnival Valor, an incident that obviously infuriated them and caused them to reach out to the cruise line’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald.

“I just wanted to ask why Carnival doesn’t have a worker stationed in the self service laundry rooms. They should be telling people that do laundry on a cruise ship to set a timer or something so their clean laundry doesn’t sit in the washing machine or dryer for hours on end,” the guest suggested.

The guest is obviously upset about the situation in the ship’s launderette, as they go on to exclaim “It is not fair! It is not right!” before further explaining.

“While doing laundry on Valor, there were people that put their laundry in the machines, and didn’t return for HOURS,” the guest continued. “This was the last sea day, I got so mad that I literally took the stuff out of the machines and put it on the floor! Where were the Carnival crew?”

It is true that there are no crew members routinely stationed in onboard self-service laundry rooms, a staffing suggestion that Heald confirmed will not be changed.

“Can I start by saying that I know very little about the rules that apply in a self service launderette,” he said. “Obviously we cannot have a staff member sitting in the laundry watching what happens.”

Most individuals who regularly use self-service, unattended laundry rooms understand the unwritten rule that if their clothing is left unattended for a long period, it may be moved out of a machine – either washer or dryer – so another person can use it.

This can be a touchy action for some people, however, who may be reluctant to touch another traveler’s laundry and potentially risk an unpleasant altercation. Even if the laundry is clean, some people may also be a bit squeamish about touching some unknown “unmentionables.”

Other commenters did respond to the original poster, agreeing that signage urging quick removal of items would be helpful in the laundry rooms onboard Carnival cruise ships.

Other suggestions are that crew members could at least check for unattended items that would then be moved to guest services, or perhaps laundry timers could be integrated into the Carnival Hub app as reminders.

What most respondents disagree with, however, is the idea that the original poster put the clean laundry on the floor rather than on a nearby table or on top of a machine.

Most cruise ship self-serve laundry rooms are small facilities, and there may not be a table available for items to be placed on. Similarly, the washers and dryers are often stacked to save space, and therefore clean items could not be put on top of a nearby machine.

While the original poster did not clarify when they were sailing aboard Carnival Valor, the 110,438-gross-ton, Conquest class ship is currently homeported from New Orleans, offering 4- and 5-night Western Caribbean itineraries.

Does Everyone Do Laundry While Cruising?

Heald followed up on the laundry room dilemma by featuring it in a poll, asking if travelers can enjoy a longer cruise without needing a laundry day.

Of the more than 23,000 votes cast in less than an hour, 30% (roughly 7,030) agree that “I could easily pack for a seven or eight day cruise knowing I would not have to do any laundry at all.”

Just 5% of voters (approximately 1,170) note that “I could never do a seven day or an eight day cruise without doing some kind of laundry or sending laundry to be done on the ship.”

Do cruise ships have irons

In more than 40 cruises, I have only done laundry one time onboard, and that was an emergency stain situation that couldn’t wait until after traveling home. Some passengers, however, do not like putting dirty laundry back in their luggage or they prefer to pack less and wash clothes to rewear during longer cruises.

Read Also: Cruise Ship Laundry – What You Need to Know

To be clear, not all cruise ships have self-serve laundry facilities, and therefore doing one’s own laundry onboard may not always be an option. The Excel class vessels, including Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee, don’t currently have self-serve laundry rooms.

Guests can always, however, send out their laundry for the ship’s crew to wash, albeit for an additional charge. Both wash-and-fold services as well as more delicate dry cleaning services are available.

On Carnival ships, guests who have reached the Platinum or Diamond level in the VIFP loyalty program also have some complimentary wash-and-fold services as part of their perks, which many travelers appreciate.

Carnival Explains Requirements for Prohibited Item to Be Permitted

Melissa Mayntz
-
0
Carnival Explains Requirements for Prohibited Item to Be Permitted

While cruise lines continue to expand the types of items guests are prohibited to bring aboard ships, sometimes, there are exceptions to what are otherwise hard and fast rules.

While obvious prohibitions will not be lifted – such as Carnival’s recent ban on Bluetooth speakers – small exceptions can occasionally be made if guests have a good reason for needing the item.

Case in point: scissors. These common household items may seem innocuous, but larger scissors and shears can have dangerous, open cutting edges that might be used as weapons or otherwise pose a safety hazard.

One Carnival Cruise Line guest, however, has reached out to John Heald, the line’s official Brand Ambassador, about their need for smaller scissors during their sailing.

“I had my little scissors removed from [a] case. I went nuts, [I] knew I packed [them],” the guest explained.

The guest went on to list several ways their scissors are an essential travel item, such as for opening the seals on a mouthwash bottle, cutting open medication packaging, removing labels from new clothing, and more.

“How can I keep them, if I carry [the scissors] on with me?” they asked.

Carnival Cruise Line’s prohibited items list specifically lists scissors as an item guests are not permitted to bring onboard, but Heald had a slightly different response.

“If they are the size of nail scissors, they are absolutely allowed on board,” he confirmed. “Please put them in your carry-on bag and you will not have any problems.”

Of course, different security personnel might react differently to finding a pair of scissors in a traveler’s bag, no matter what their size. If the scissors are in the carry-on bag, however, the guest can easily explain what the implement is for and why it is needed.

Furthermore, the security crew member checking a carry-on bag can also assess the guest’s explanation on a case-by-case basis as they interact with them. If the scissors are in a checked bag, no such explanation or interaction is possible.

Heald does note, however, that occasional difficulties may still be possible.

“If you do [have problems] when you get on board, let me know and I will take care of it immediately for you,” he said.

Heald does not specify what size scissors might be permissible, nor does the cruise line’s prohibited items policy clarify any size requirements. The policy simply lists “knives, scissors, and open razors” as not permitted. One exception is listed for larger scissors, however.

“Large scissors used by scrapbook and quilting enthusiasts are at times permitted with prior notification from the Security Services Department but are held on board in the same manner as dive knives,” the policy explains.

Recreational dive knives, typically used by certified scuba divers in case of entanglement or to get the attention of a fellow diver (by rapping on air tanks), can range in size and style.

Onboard a Carnival cruise ship, these knives would be held at Guest Services or by the Chief Security Officer. When a guest has a dive excursion in a port of call, they would need to check their knife in and out so its whereabouts are tracked at all times.

What Scissors Can You Bring Onboard?

Though Heald does not give a precise size measurement for scissors that might be permitted onboard, a good rule of thumb is to follow typical Transportation Security Administration (TSA) guidelines.

The TSA advises that any scissors are less than 4 inches from the pivot point (joint), so smaller scissors are best. Ideally, guests should choose scissors as small as possible for their travel needs, such as sewing snippets.

Cruise Passengers

Furthermore, the scissors should be secure in a sheath, case, or wrap to ensure they are not a hazard to luggage handlers or security inspectors.

Read Also: What Can You Not Bring on a Cruise?

If possible, scissors with blunt points would be preferred, though this may not be possible depending on why a cruise traveler may need them. Blunted scissors, for example, would not be useful to pierce tough medication blister packs without crushing the pills.

Finally, travelers should never pack along any scissors with sentimental value. For example, while I enjoy taking my own craft projects on some cruises, I always leave my grandmother’s bird-shaped sewing scissors at home.

Have you set sail with scissors? Have they ever posed a problem? Share your experiences on the Cruise Hive boards!

San Juan Provides Update on Pier Closure Following Cancellations

Melissa Mayntz
-
0
San Juan Provides Update on Pier Closure Following Cancellations

With thousands of cruise guests left wondering why their itinerary was changed and San Juan no longer able to be visited as a port of call from Symphony of the Seas, the cruise port has reached out with clarification about the ongoing closure of Pier 3.

The pier, extended by various mooring dolphins to a longer length able to accommodate the Oasis-class vessel, has been unable to welcome Symphony of the Seas for several weeks. The ship’s November 17 and December 1 voyages have both been impacted thus far.

The update from San Juan Cruise Port does not offer extensive detail, but does note that it is one of those very mooring dolphins that allow the pier to accommodate Symphony of the Seas that is now the cause of the problem.

“As part of its ongoing commitment to passenger safety and efficient cruise operations, San Juan Cruise Port (SJCP) has been working diligently with regulatory agencies to restore service to Pier 3 West, following a recent incident involving a mooring dolphin,” the update reads.

The nature of the “incident” is not disclosed, but could likely be a collision from another vessel that damaged the mooring dolphin, a structure necessary for the ship to be securely tied off when docked. Depending on conditions, severe weather or even natural erosion could also damage a mooring dolphin.

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) noted on Wednesday, November 27, that the loss of the mooring dolphin actually happened in April, but does not describe how the loss occurred.

If the mooring dolphin is no longer sound, it would be unable to hold the ship safely as passengers and crew members are using gangways. Before the pier can be returned to service, appropriate repairs and safety inspections and tests must be completed and certified.

“San Juan Port’s Pier-3 West remains closed to cruise-ships until further notice pending requested satisfactory assessment studies followed by a Coast Guard on-site inspection of the facility,” the USCG explained.

San Juan Cruise Port does remain committed to ensuring the proper inspections are complete as soon as possible, though at this time those inspections have not yet been documented.

“Upon completion and approval of these evaluations, the pier will be cleared to resume receiving scheduled cruise ships,” the cruise port’s update confirmed. “SJCP, in collaboration with the Puerto Rico Ports Authority, U.S. Coast Guard, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, continues to prioritize safety and reliability in the restoration efforts.”

Smaller vessels originally scheduled for Pier 3 may be able to be accommodated at other docks depending on berth availability, but the length of the pier is critical in securing a ship the size of Symphony of the Seas.

“San Juan’s Pier-3 West receives the largest cruise ships in the world. Since the loss of the facility’s mooring structure, Coast Guard Prevention personnel have been actively working with the San Juan Cruise Port and the Puerto Rico Ports Authority to determine if the structure remains sound for cruise ship operations,” said Captain Luis J. Rodriguez, Commander of USCG Sector San Juan and Captain of the Port – San Juan.

“We understand the inconvenience of this matter, however, it is critical we ensure the safety of the port, the cruise ships and the thousands of people who operate on or visit the island through this port facility.”

The 228,081-gross-ton Royal Caribbean ship measures 1,187 feet long and can welcome 5,518 travelers at double occupancy or up to 6,680 guests when fully booked.

When Will Symphony of the Seas Return to San Juan?

At this time, it is unknown when the repair work, inspections, and necessary certifications will be completed to permit Symphony of the Seas to return to Puerto Rico.

As a result of the pier closure, the ship’s Eastern Caribbean itineraries are impacted, with more than San Juan affected. Because the call in Puerto Rico is no longer possible at the moment, the cruises have also cancelled the next port of call – a visit to St. Maarten, which is even further east.

Instead, the ship has set sail for Jamaica and Labadee as alternative destinations on the 7-night sailings.

Royal Caribbean Ships Docked in San Juan
Royal Caribbean Ships Docked in San Juan (Photo Credit: Ritu Manoj Jethani)

Symphony of the Seas is currently homeported from Miami, offering a mix of Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean sailings. Every itinerary also calls on Royal Caribbean’s private Bahamian destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Most of the ship’s upcoming sailings are Eastern Caribbean itineraries, though not all of them include San Juan as a port of call. The next departure dates that might be impacted if the pier is not yet repaired are Symphony of the Seas‘ December 22, December 29, January 5, and January 12 departures.

Read Also: San Juan Cruise Port – Amenities and What’s Nearby

Undoubtedly, Royal Caribbean is making itinerary changes one sailing at a time only if it is necessary for the ship to be rerouted. At any time, the pier could be reopened and port visits safely resumed.

In the meantime, booked guests are being notified of the changes as needed. While it may be disappointing for port visits to be changed on short notice, safety is always a top priority whether a ship is at sea or docked in port.

Who Owns Princess Cruises? Behind the Company

Emrys Thakkar
-
0
Who Owns Princess Cruises? Behind the Company

Princess Cruises is currently owned by Carnival Corporation & plc, one of the world’s largest leisure travel companies. In addition to Princess Cruises, Carnival owns and operates multiple other cruise lines and travel companies.

John Padgett acted as the president of Princess Cruises since October 2021. In this role, he oversaw the cruise line’s strategic operations, including everything guests experience to the company’s overall direction. However, in November 2024 it was announced that Gus Antorcha would become the new Princess Cruises president starting from December 2, 2024.

In This Article:

Who Is the CEO/President of Princess Cruises?

From December 2, 2024, Gus Antorcha, previously president of sister line Holland America, will take over the role as the president of Princess Cruises. He is taking over from John Padgett, who is leaving the company in February 2025.

Gus Antorcha
Gus Antorcha

American businessman John Padgett was the president when he assumed the role in early October of 2021 after taking over from the previous president, Jan Swartz.

In this role, he reports directly to Josh Weinstein, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Carnival Corporation & plc, the parent company of Princess Cruises. The role also involves regular contact with the other executive leadership team members and the company’s board of directors. 

Prior to assuming the role, John Padgett gained recognition for his leadership experience and expertise in creating transformative experiences for cruise ship passengers by introducing new technologies. 

This is unsurprising when you discover that John Padgett is actually an accomplished inventor and creator in his personal life, with over 30 patents and 100 trademarks for technologies and processes, most of which are related to the cruise industry. 

John Padgett was promoted to the position of president from within. He previously led Carnival Corporation’s innovation team and had over 18 years of leadership experience from working with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. 

In his role with Carnival’s innovation team, he created and implemented a number of award-winning technologies and even produced a successful TV series highlighting vacation experiences guests could enjoy by traveling with the company.

John Padgett
John Padgett

Prior to being promoted to the role of president of one of Carnival Corporation’s largest and most recognizable cruise lines, Padgett held the position of Chief Experience and Innovation Officer, where he worked towards enhancing guest experiences by driving the creation of the “Ocean Medallion” wearable tech device. 

This technology was introduced on Princess Cruises vessels to enhance cruise experiences for all guests by enabling a smooth transition from onboard entertainment to on-shore activities, excursions, and hotel services.

Today, guests aboard any ship in the Princess Cruises fleet will almost immediately notice John Padgett’s impact, and it seems the cruise line will continue to move in a positive direction under his leadership. 

The History of Princess Cruises

Before we dive into the present day ownership of Princess Cruises, let’s take a look back and explore the history of the cruise line.

The Founder

Princess Cruises was founded in 1965 by Canadian-born businessman and former United States Navy Air Corps member Stanley McDonald. In the beginning, Stanley McDonald leased a single ship, the Princess Patricia, from Canadian Pacific Limited. 

While the ship was originally used to provide passenger services from destinations along Canada’s West Coast to coastal towns in Alaska, McDonald had the idea to repurpose it to provide cruise-style voyages from Los Angeles, USA, to destinations along the Mexican Riviera.

The decision to become involved in the cruise industry originated from McDonald’s experiences during the 1962 World’s Fair in Seattle, where there was a lack of viable hotels for visitors.

Stanley McDonald envisioned docking a ship in the harbor that could provide comfortable transportation for those living along North America’s Western Coast and double as a luxury hotel while it was in the harbor.

This involved retrofitting the Princess Patricia for more luxurious travel and voyages in more tropical climates. From installing air-conditioning systems to renovating the cabins and introducing suits, this was a major project. 

Growing Popularity and New Routes

However, starting with its first voyage from Los Angeles to Mexico, the newly formed Princess Cruises Cruise Line quickly gained popularity, becoming well-known along the western coastline of the United States for providing luxurious cruises to fun and exotic locations.

By the early 1970s, Princess Cruises had expanded its fleet and the types of routes its ships would run, including providing regular trips to and from Alaska. 

Selling the Company to P&O

P&O Britannia Cruise Ship
P&O Britannia Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Nandani Bridglal / Shutterstock)

Then, in 1974, the company was sold to a British shipping conglomerate, the Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company, or P&O, as it is more commonly known. 

This represented a major ownership change for the brand, but it continued to operate and grow in popularity by building on Stanley McDonald’s original vision. Under the guidance and ownership of the passenger division of P&O, called P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises continued to grow, adding more ships to its fleet and expanding its global reach. 

Becoming a Household Name

The Love Boat Cast
Photo Courtesy: Princess Cruises

In the 1980s, Princess Cruises became a household name throughout North America after one of its ships became the central focus of the internationally broadcast show The Love Boat. 

Not only did the show feature the Princess Cruises brand and several of its ships, but it also brought cruising into the public eye, helping to make the cruise line synonymous with glamorous cruises, even to those who had never stepped foot on a cruise ship. 

Growing the Fleet

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

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Princess moved from operating repurposed vessels to incorporating purpose-built, modernized cruise ships into its fleet. The ‘90s saw the cruise line introduce its Sun-class vessels and later its Grand-class ships, which were both amongst the largest and most expensive cruise ships ever built when they were introduced. 

In March 1998, the Grand Princess set sail as the largest passenger ship ever built. It was then joined by Golden Princess and Star Princess, which equaled their sister ship in size. 

Despite Princess Cruises’ success, the ownership company’s shipping division was beginning to struggle financially at the turn of the century, which helped push their decision to form an independent company called P&O Princess Cruises. 

This move was followed up by the introduction of two new classes in the Princess fleet, the Coral-class and the R-class, which were both optimized to travel through the Panama Canal, opening up new and exciting routes.

Carnival Corporation Acquires Princess Cruises

Carnival Office
Photo Credit: JHVEPhoto / Shutterstock

While Princess Cruises continued to have a significant presence in the cruise industry, its profitability reflected that the cruise line became part of the Carnival Corporation on April 17, 2003. 

This move resulted from a major merger between P&O Princess Cruises plc and Carnival Corporation. This acquisition positioned Princess as one of Carnival Corporation’s premium cruise line brands, helping them expand their offerings to cruise passengers seeking luxury and a more personalized onboard experience. 

As a result of this merger, the two former cruise rivals now had a combined net worth of $5.4 billion, making them the largest and most valuable cruise company on the planet.

From the perspective of Carnival Cruise Line, the acquisition of the internationally-known Princess Cruises brand helped them solidify their status as the world’s top cruise company. 

Following this merger, Princess Cruises has continued to grow, significantly benefiting from the Carnival Corporation’s financial backing and global reach. That said, they remain a distinct identity within the portfolio, continuing to be known for luxury, exceptional customer service, and offering lengthy voyages and unique itineraries.

Today, they are one of the best-known names in the industry, and they offer cruises worldwide, including destinations that other cruise lines tend to neglect, like Alaska, Hawaii, Australia and New Zealand, South America, Europe, and Asia.

In fact, their upcoming Australian summer itineraries include numerous voyages throughout the Pacific, with some slated to become the lengthiest voyages of any ships in the entire Carnival Corporation fleet.

Princess Cruises’ Net Worth

Princess Cruises Ship
Princess Cruises Ship (Photo Credit: Ceri Breeze)

Today, Princess Cruises remains a significant brand within the portfolio of Carnival Corporation & plc. Given that the Carnival Corporation has an estimated net worth of nearly $28 billion, it is no surprise that Princess Cruises is an extremely valuable company.

In fact, in revenue alone, Princess Cruises reports an annual income of nearly $4 billion. The cruise line also has a fleet of 16 full-sized cruise ships, with another on the way in 2025, and a permanent staff of nearly 30,000 full-time employees. 

While it is currently listed as a subsidiary of the Carnival Corporation, so knowing the brand’s exact net worth is somewhat difficult, financial experts estimate that it could be worth as much as $10 billion to the Carnival Corporation. 

Despite the financial setbacks and challenges that Princess Cruises faced during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic, it recovered incredibly well, remaining one of the most valuable cruise lines in the entire industry.  

Owning a Share of Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises Ship
Princess Cruises Ship (Photo Credit: Ceri Breeze)

While you cannot own a share of Princess Cruises, as the Carnival Corporation owns the cruise line, you can invest in that parent company. If you decide to invest in Carnival Corporation & plc shares, you can purchase them on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker NYSE: CCL. Shares can also be purchased on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker LSE: CCL.

Carnival Corporation is a major company, but its stock price has not fully recovered to the heights of 2017, which was when it enjoyed its most valuable period. However, the stock price has continued to rise following the cruise line’s recovery after the COVID-19 Pandemic, so it could be a good purchase. 

That said, we do not want to offer anyone any financial advice that does not pertain directly to booking and enjoying a cruise, so we would not want to influence your decision to purchase or sell Carnival Corporation stock.

Shareholders can sometimes benefit from perks like onboard credits when they sail with Princess Cruises or other Carnival brands, depending on the number of shares they hold.

For example, shareholders could receive an onboard credit of $250 if they book a stateroom on a voyage of 14 days or longer while traveling with one of Carnival’s North American brands, including Princess Cruises.

For a more detailed breakdown of shareholder benefits, Carnival Corporation & plc provides a page on “Carnival Stock Perks” and instructions on how to claim them through the Carnival App.

Princess Cruises’ Fleet of Ships

Sun Princess Cruise Ship
Docked Sun Princess Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Pedro H C Carvalho)

As mentioned, Princess Cruises currently operates a fleet of 16 modern cruise ships, with another (Star Princess) set to be put into service in early 2025. These ships sail to over 300 unique destinations around the world. 

From the largest vessels, like the Sun Princess and Star Princess, which offer an extensive range of onboard amenities, to smaller cruise ships, like Coral Princess and Island Princess, which focus on visiting more niche destinations and smaller ports of call, the fleet is incredibly diverse, but every ship adheres to the brands focus on maintaining world-class passenger services. 

This focus on offering the best services to their guests is reflected in their world-renowned “Princess Medallion Class” experience, which, as mentioned earlier, is a type of wearable technology that allows passengers aboard any Princess Cruises vessel to enjoy a highly personalized service.

From ordering food and drinks at the side of a pool to enjoying simplified keyless entry to cabins and suites, this system ensures guests enjoy a luxurious experience no matter where their Princess Cruises vacation leads them. 

Breakdown of Ships in the Princess Cruises Fleet

To help you gain an appreciation for just how impressive the Princess Cruises fleet is, here’s a basic breakdown of their existing vessels:

  • Sun Princess: 175,500 GT, 4,310 guest capacity
  • Discovery Princess: 145,000 GT, 3,660 guest capacity
  • Sky Princess: 144,650 GT, 3,660 guest capacity
  • Enchanted Princess: 144,650 GT, 3,660 guest capacity
  • Majestic Princess: 142,229 GT, 3,560 guest capacity
  • Regal Princess: 142,229 GT, 3,560 guest capacity
  • Royal Princess: 142,229 GT, 3,560 guest capacity
  • Ruby Princess: 113,561 GT, 3,080 guest capacity
  • Emerald Princess: 113,561 GT, 3,090 guest capacity
  • Crown Princess: 113,561 GT, 3,090 guest capacity
  • Caribbean Princess: 112,894 GT, 3,140 guest capacity
  • Sapphire Princess: 115,875 GT, 2,680 guest capacity
  • Diamond Princess: 115,875 GT, 2,710 guest capacity
  • Island Princess: 92,822 GT, 2,210 guest capacity
  • Coral Princess: 91,627 GT, 2,000 guest capacity
  • Grand Princess: 107,517 GT, 2,610 guest capacity

Final Thoughts on Princess Cruises

Now under the ownership umbrella of Carnival Corporation & plc, Princess Cruises is one of the largest and most recognizable cruise lines in the industry. With Gus Antorcha taking over as president, the brand continues to innovate and expand its ever-growing fleet of luxurious cruise ships.

Read Also: What Cruise Lines Does Carnival Own? List of Carnival Corporation Brands

From its humble beginnings as a small company consisting of a single retrofitted Alaskan passenger ferry, Princess Cruises has become one of the world leaders in offering luxurious and memorable cruise voyages. 

Stanley McDonald’s original vision of creating a luxury cruise line that could provide guests with comfortable accommodations, entertaining amenities, and thrilling voyages to exciting destinations has been fully realized, but Princess Cruises is showing no signs of slowing down.

1...278279280...607Page 279 of 607