Hurricane Rafael has strengthened throughout Wednesday, causing greater concern for cruise travelers with sailings in the Gulf of Mexico over the next few days. Carnival Cruise Line has made several adjustments to different vessels, all with guests’ safety as the top priority.
While the Atlantic Hurricane Season officially runs through November 30, such strong storms later in the season are a bit unusual. Still, all cruise lines are carefully watching the storm to ensure their ships remain safe.
“Our Fleet Operations Center in Miami continues to actively monitor Rafael, which has developed into a hurricane. The safety of our guests and crew is our priority and our ships will always maintain a safe distance from the storm,”Carnival Cruise Line said.
Carnival Valor Adjustments
Carnival Valor is currently sailing a 5-night Western Caribbean itinerary that departed New Orleans on Saturday, November 2. While the ship has not had any changes to this particular sailing, she is speeding up and will be arriving back at Port NOLA earlier than scheduled on Thursday, November 7.
This means that the debarkation of the current sailing will happen earlier than usual in order to get the ship ready for her next sailing and begin embarkation. Carnival Cruise Line has confirmed that Carnival Valor will depart New Orleans earlier than expected in order to keep out of the storm’s path.
“To sail safely away from the storm, we will depart at 2:30 PM (CT), earlier than scheduled,”the cruise line said.
Guests must still stick to their terminal arrival appointments, but all travelers must be checked in at the cruise terminal no later than 2 p.m. for the ship’s earlier departure.
The 4-night Western Caribbean cruise is still expected to visit Cozumel as planned on Saturday, November 9, but that port of call may be adjusted if necessary.
Guests are urged to sign up for text alerts in case of further updates. The Carnival Hub app will also be updated and announcements will be made onboard if there are further changes for Carnival Valor.
Port Tampa Bay remains open but at Port Condition Whiskey, with the possibility of gale force winds within the next 72 hours. At the moment, however, all port operations remain open and there are no impacts to cruise schedules.
Carnival Paradise is finishing a 4-night Western Caribbean sailing that visited Cozumel on Tuesday, November 5, and the ship should arrive back in Tampa on schedule on Thursday, November 7.
There are no expected changes for the Fantasy class ship’s next itinerary, her November 7 departure, which is another 4-night Western Caribbean cruise visiting Cozumel.
Carnival Miracle – Port Cancellation
Carnival Miracle departed Galveston, Texas on Sunday, November 3 for a 12-night Southern Caribbean Carnival Journeys voyage. Unfortunately, Hurricane Rafael forced the cancellation of the ship’s first port of call, Grand Cayman, on Wednesday, November 6.
The Spirit class vessel is continuing as planned on the remainder of the itinerary, with visits scheduled for Aruba on Friday, November 8; Bonaire on Saturday, November 9; and Curacao on Sunday, November 10, with no changes anticipated.
Furthermore, the ship’s visit to Ocho Rios, Jamaica on November 12 is not expected to be impacted, nor is her return to Galveston on Friday, November 15 adjusted at this time.
Carnival Horizon – Port Cancellation
Carnival Horizon is the most impacted ship in the Carnival fleet at this time. The Vista class vessel is currently sailing a 6-night Western Caribbean voyage that departed Miami on Sunday, November 3.
Guests were notified onboard that it was necessary to reverse the ship’s itinerary to steer clear of the rough weather, and ultimately, the call to cancel the call to Grand Cayman that had been planned for Wednesday, November 6.
Announcements will be made onboard if further changes are necessary, and the Carnival Hub app will also be updated as needed.
Hurricane Rafael Update
Hurricane Rafael Update
Hurricane Rafael is currently located about 55 miles west-northwest of Havana and is moving northwest at 13 miles per hour.
The storm’s intensity did peak at 115 miles per hour as a Category 3 hurricane late Wednesday afternoon. After making landfall across Cuba, however, Rafael has weakened somewhat with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph at of the most recent update from the National Hurricane Center, making it a Category 2 storm.
At this time, the storm is expected to maintain intensity over the next couple of days, though it will continue to generate rough water significantly away from its center.
Travelers with any cruises booked for the Western Caribbean over the next few days should stay in close contact with their cruise line to keep updated about any itinerary changes, port cancellations, or other adjustments as necessary.
Travel brand loyalty programs allow you to earn points for doing what you love: traveling! If you’re a frequent cruiser, and you’re loyal to one particular cruise line, then it’s worthwhile to enroll in that cruise line’s loyalty program (and they all have one!).
You’ll receive amazing benefits as a result. If you’re a frequent Royal Caribbean cruiser — or maybe you just took your first Royal Caribbean cruise and now plan on becoming one — but you’ve yet to join the Royal Caribbean Crown and Anchor Society, here’s everything you need to know.
What is Royal Caribbean’s Crown and Anchor Society?
While you may be a member of a hotel or airline loyalty program that comes with a credit card, and then rewards you with points or miles for spending on that credit card, that’s not how the Crown and Anchor Society operates.
Instead, the Crown and Anchor Society rewards you exclusively for booking and sailing with Royal Caribbean. Every cruiser who cruises with Royal Caribbean is automatically enrolled in the society the first time they step onto a Royal Caribbean cruise ship (so, no, you don’t even need to sign up or register, if you’ve already sailed with Royal Caribbean!). Then, they start earning points automatically.
Royal Caribbean does have a credit card with credit card spending-based rewards, but that’s a different program entirely. With the Royal Caribbean Visa Signature card, you earn MyCruise Rewards points for any and all spending on the card, and then those points get you rewards both during cruising and when enjoying other travel.
If you’re a frequent Royal Caribbean cruiser, consider looking into both points-earning options: both the Crown and Anchor Society and the Royal Caribbean Visa Signature card.
Earning Points
So, how do you go about earning Crown and Anchor Society points? Called “cruise points,” within the program, you’ll earn one point for every night you cruise with Royal Caribbean, and an additional cruise point for every night you cruise with Royal Caribbean if you’re staying in suite accommodations. Your number of eligible cruise points dictates your membership tier.
Now, thanks to a new loyalty status match program, cruisers can enjoy an equal loyalty status across Royal Caribbean Group’s three cruise lines: Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea.
That means, if you have attained a high loyalty status in the Royal Caribbean Crown and Anchor Society, Celebrity Cruises’ Captain’s Club, or Silversea’s Venetian Society, you’ll enjoy very similar perks whenever you cruise with any of these three lines.
Cruisers already enrolled in one of the three loyalty programs will automatically receive matched status when they enroll in one or both of the other two programs. The status matching went into effect in June 2024.
Membership Tiers
Crown and Anchor Society Membership Tiers
There are six different membership tiers within the Crown and Anchor Society program. You’ll be automatically enrolled as a Gold member, but the more points you earn, the higher your status and the more perks you can earn (like a complimentary cruise!).
The six membership tiers are Gold, Platinum, Emerald, Diamond, Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club. To become a Platinum member, you need 30 cruise points. To become an Emerald member, you need 55 cruise points.
To become a Diamond member, you need 80 cruise points. To become a Diamond Plus member, you need 175 cruise points. To become a Pinnacle Club member, you need at least 700 cruise points.
Do note that, for example, when you level up from Gold status to Platinum status, you don’t lose your prior 29 points and have to start from scratch again, accumulating a new 55 points to reach Emerald status. Your points accrue over time, so that you can keep working toward a higher and higher status the more you cruise.
There is, though, one other way to achieve a higher status within the Crown and Anchor Society, beyond cruising. If you already have loyalty status with another cruise line within the Royal Caribbean Group, you’ll receive a loyalty status match, for comparable benefits within the Crown and Anchor Society.
This loyalty status-matching offer extends to Celebrity Cruises and Silversea.
Photo Credit: Solarisys / Shutterstock
So, if you have Classic status within the Celebrity Cruises Captain’s Club, you have Gold status within the Crown & Anchor Society. Captain’s Club Select status equates to Crown & Anchor Society Platinum and Emerald status. Elite equates to Diamond, Elite Plus equates to Diamond Plus and Zenith equates to Pinnacle Club.
With Silversea’s Venetian Society, 1 VS Day equals Crown & Anchor Gold status, 100 VS Day equals Platinum status, 250 VS Days equals Diamond status, 350 VS Days equals Diamond Plus Status and 500 VS Days equals Pinnacle Club Status.
If you’re already a member of one of these three loyalty programs, you’ll receive an email letting you know if you’re eligible for a status upgrade, based on the loyalty status matching program.
If you’ve not received such an email and believe you are eligible for a status upgrade or match, address membership inquiries to Royal Caribbean and have your Anchor Society membership number at the ready.
Do realize, though, that even if you do get a status match and now have new, elevated status in the Crown & Anchor Society, you might not get all of the benefits that come with your newly elevated status. Certain benefits are still being reserved for members who earned their status the old-fashioned way.
These benefits include:
Complimentary Pinnacle Club milestone cruises
Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club amenities
Single supplement cruise fare reduction
Access to certain onboard event
Upgraded bathroom amenities
Pinnacle Club milestone recognition
Chef’s Choice amenities
Benefits for Gold Level Members
Docked Royal Caribbean Ships (Photo Credit: fitzcrittle)
But let’s get into what exactly you can expect, in terms of membership benefits of the Crown and Anchor Society. There are numerous exclusive perks.
Gold tier status members (and, remember, this is the basic membership tier that anyone can take advantage of, with just one sailing) will enjoy:
Two coupons per sailing for 50% off any glass of wine, beer or soda
Two coupons per sailing on select ships for 50% off a Johnny Rockets milkshake
Private departure lounge with continental breakfast
10% discount on any glass of wine, beer or soda
25% off any coffee beverages (excluding Starbucks coffee beverages)
Anchor exclusive rates for 10% off Stream internet access and internet packages purchased on board
Access to a Crown & Anchor Society Loyalty Desk
$2 Crown Royale Free Play credit
1 free Jackpot bingo package card
10% discount on select Royal Caribbean logo products purchases
10% discount on any spa service, excluding medi-spa services
Access to a member newsletter
Priority notice on special offers, new ships and itineraries
Exclusive cruise rates, reduced cruise fares and special savings
Kids members also enjoy a few extra perks, including 50% off a scoop of ice cream on select ships and at the ice cream parlor, internet discounts, buy-one-get-one-free movie rentals and arcade credits.
Benefits for Platinum-Status Members
Wonder of the Seas Boardwalk Cabin (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)
In the next tier of the Crown and Anchor Society, Platinum status members enjoy all of the above, but also:
Free coffee beverage with the purchase of one specialty restaurant dinner
Access to an exclusive society event on certain sailings (for example, on five-night sailings)
In-room robes
Discounts on laundry and press service
20% discount on photo purchases, such as a photo book or individual photo
Discounts on balcony and suite staterooms
They also get greater discounts, such as 50% off coffee instead of 25%, a 15% Stream internet discount instead of 10%, and a 15% discount on spa services instead of 10%. They also get more value in casino benefits like slot machine credit.
Benefits for Emerald-Status Members
For the next tier benefits and point status, Emerald status is very much the same as Platinum status, but with a few extras. You’ll get more FreePlay credits and Jackpot cards at the casino, greater discounts on photo packages and complimentary welcome waters.
Benefits for Diamond-Status Members
Royal Caribbean’s Photo Venue (Credit: Royal Caribbean)
When you achieve Diamond status, you get the above perks, but additional perks include:
Priority waitlist seating request in the main dining room
Four complimentary daily drinks up to $14 in value, with certain venues excluded
One free day of internet usage or an equivalent discount
Priority waitlist for shore excursions and spa services
Exclusive top-tier events like an exclusive backstage tour on select cruises
Crown Lounge access with a nightly happy hour
A stateroom phone discount rate
Chef’s Choice gifts on certain sailings
A bonus gift of a single photo of your choice
A commemorative lapel pin and personalized gift
Additionally, you’ll receive greater discounts and credits, including on wine, beer and soda; laundry services; photo packages; branded products; and Vitality spa services. Children likewise get up to four complimentary daily non-alcoholic drinks up to $14 in value, with exclusions.
Benefits for Diamond Plus-Status Members
Spectrum of the Seas Dining Room (Photo Credit: I Love Drones)
Diamond Plus members get all the above, as well as:
Buy-one-get-one specialty dinners for your second guest (with exclusions)
30% discounts on deluxe beverage packages
Priority access and priority seating at the theater, the ice show and AquaTheater shows
Complimentary add-on spa services
Exclusive access to call center staff
Reduced single cruiser fares
Greater discounts are also given for wine, beer and soda. You’ll also enjoy more complimentary daily drinks (for both adults and children), more casino vouchers and two days of free internet.
Benefits for Pinnacle Club-Status Members
Coastal Kitchen
Lastly, if you manage to make it to the most elite level, the Pinnacle Club, you’ll enjoy a huge number of perks beyond all of the above, including:
Access to and complimentary dining in the Coastal Kitchen restaurant (normally reserved for suite guests only)
Discounts on a specialty restaurant dinner cover charge
Exclusive daily breakfast
Free internet for one device
Suite or concierge lounge access, as well as access to the suite-level sun deck and pool area
Flexible arrival privileges
Free cruise certificates for cruise vacations in either a balcony stateroom or junior suite stateroom, as you continue to earn points and reach certain points-earning milestones
You’ll also enjoy more complimentary daily drinks, and better onboard offers for deluxe beverage packages.
How to Earn a Higher Status Faster
While many points- and miles-earning fanatics are always looking for the easiest way to earn a higher status, faster, with Royal Caribbean’s Crown and Anchor Society, it’s not really possible.
The program is very cut and dry, simple and straightforward. You earn points and the more points you earn, the more perks you get. You don’t have to redeem your points for anything and there’s no fast-track to a higher membership tier.
The only way to get those coveted Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club membership benefits is by cruising often with Royal Caribbean, cruising on longer itineraries and opting to stay in a suite versus a regular stateroom — or obtaining a similar status on another Royal Caribbean International brand.
Partnerships
Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: marleyPug)
Thanks to a few Royal Caribbean partnerships, you can enjoy certain perks with other travel brands as well, if you’re a Crown and Anchor Society member — and remember, so long as you’ve sailed with Royal Caribbean in the past, you’re already a member!
Members can claim Hertz Gold Plus membership status, which comes with perks such as counter-free pickup, better rental cars and more
Members can also receive a tier status match with MGM Rewards, MGM Resorts’ loyalty program. Gold members receive MGM Rewards Sapphire status, Platinum members receive MGM Rewards Pearl status, Emerald and Diamond members receive MGM Rewards Gold status and Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club members receive MGM Rewards Platinum status.
Most recently, as of the latter half of 2024, Royal Caribbean announced a new partnership with IAG Loyalty, which will be of interest to cruisers based in the U.K., Spain, or Ireland. The cruise line also has a rewards partnership with Hard Rock International.
When you book through Royal Caribbean websites in those countries, you’ll now be eligible to earn Avios, which is basically the rewards currency/points used by British Airways Executive Club, Qatar Airways Privilege Club, Iberia Plus, Aer Lingus AerClub and Vueling Club.
How Does it Compare to Other Cruise Line Loyalty Programs?
Deck of an MSC Cruises Ship (Photo Credit: Nate Hovee)
However, if you’re not married to the idea of becoming a lifelong Royal Caribbean cruiser, should you skip the Crown and Anchor Society and, instead, sign up for another cruise line’s loyalty program?
In general, Royal Caribbean’s Crown and Anchor Society is pretty generous (you can get a free milestone cruise certificate, after all!).
Carnival’s Very Important Fun Person Club operates very similarly, giving you one point for every cruise night, but the perks aren’t overall as good as what you’ll get with the Crown and Anchor Society. The same goes for Disney Cruise Line’s Castaway Club.
The Holland America Mariner Society gives you more ways to earn additional points than these other loyalty programs, such as by making purchases or using the cruise line’s credit card.
Similarly, MSC Cruises’ MSC Voyagers Club is on the more flexible side, too, allowing you to match loyalty status with a large array of partners, including Hilton, Hyatt, and Marriott.
Ultimately, though, the best cruise line loyalty program for you will simply be the loyalty program for the cruise line you cruise with most often. Just make sure to join before your next cruise!
For one guest onboard Grand Princess, their cruise to paradise abruptly ended when they found themselves in need of an urgent airlift from the US Coast Guard.
The 33-night sailing, which embarked from Los Angeles, California, on Halloween, took a scary turn for a 29-year old female passenger who developed symptoms of appendicitis by the evening of Monday, November 5, 2024.
When the ship’s team of healthcare providers reached out to the Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu watchstanders at around 6 p.m. local time on Monday evening, the duty flight surgeon confirmed an airlift was in order.
The evacuation proceeded without a hitch the following day, on Tuesday, November 6, 2024, while the Grand-class vessel was about 70 miles off the coast of Oahu, Hawaii.
The MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew that responded was able to deliver the young patient to The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii – where her condition was listed as stable.
The skilled team included Lieutenant Wade Myers, Lieutenant Jacque Kubicko, Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT3) Owen Maurer, and Aviation Survival Technician (AST1) Paul Wiedenhoeft, who received a shoutout for their heroic efforts on the US Coast Guard Hawaii social media accounts.
“At 6:17 p.m. Tuesday, an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point rendezvoused with the Grand Princess about 70 miles east of Kaneohe, Hawaii,”the US Coast Guard shared in a press release.
“The helicopter crew hoisted the ailing woman and transported her to The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu. The patient was reportedly in stable condition,”continued the notice.
Unfortunately for this guest, she only got to be onboard through the first port call of the sailing, which was on Kauai, Hawaii, on November 6.
The itinerary also features Honolulu (Oahu), Hawaii; Pago Pago, American Samoa; Apia, Western Samoa; two destinations in Fiji (Suva and Dravuni), and three stops in French Polynesia (Moorea, Raiatea, and Papeete, Tahiti).
The voyage will conclude in Los Angeles on November 3 – and the 2,610-guest ship will embark on a new16-night Hawaiian sailing the same day.
More US Coast Guard Rescues on Hawaiian Sailings
If you’re wondering if this rescue sounds oddly familiar, that’s because another similar airlift took place onboard Grand Princess while sailing back to Los Angeles from Hawaii just a couple weeks ago.
On October 13, 2024, a 63-year-old passenger onboard the 107,517-gross ton vessel began to experience severe abdominal pain – which necessitated an emergency airlift.
This was the first airlift conducted by the new Coast Guard base, which launched earlier this year in NAS Point Mugu, California, and thankfully the evacuation was successful.
US Coast Guard Grand Princess Airlift (Photo Credit: USCG)
The first passenger was a 70-year-old man who seemed to be suffering from a heart attack, while the second was an 86-year-old man showing signs of internal bleeding.
In both cases, the guests were successfully airlifted to Hilo Medical Center in Hilo, Hawaii, via an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter, where they were left in stable condition.
Voyager of the Seas, which has temporarily been out of service to undergo routine maintenance and inspections in dry dock, isn’t making the grand return to service she was hoping for.
Instead, her first cruise back in business will have to be delayed by one day due to inclement weather.
The sailing was supposed to embark from Barcelona, Spain, on November 10, 2024, and will take guests to the Voyager-class vessel’s next homeport, Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, over the course of 16 nights.
However, the 1999-launched ship’s arrival in the Spanish port will be delayed by one day due to weather – which is also pushing back embarkation by one day in a domino effect.
“Due to a delay in our current dry dock operations caused by adverse weather, Voyager of the Seas will arrive in Barcelona one (1) day later than we initially planned. As a result, we will now depart Barcelona on Monday, November 11, instead of Sunday, November 10,”Royal Caribbean informed guests on November 6, 2024.
As a consequence of the delay, the planned visit to Valencia, Spain, scheduled for November 12 will be cancelled – with the port call on Palma De Mallorca, Spain, being pushed back from November 11 to November 12 instead.
That said, it’s also possible that the visit to Valencia would have been cancelled regardless – as the Spanish city is still recovering from catastrophic flash floodingthat killed hundreds.
The remaining ports of call on the itinerary are unaffected, and include Cartagena and Malaga, Spain; Madeira (Funchal), Portugal; and Gran Canaria and Tenerife, Canary Islands.
The rest of the itinerary consists solely of sea days until the 4,269-guest vessel reaches Port Canaveral on November 26.
How Serious is the Weather?
After a particular intense hurricane season in the Atlantic, many may be wondering if the bad weather has now made its way to Europe. But cruisers can rest easy knowing that the current weather forecast isn’t too severe.
The weather in the Barcelona Cruise Port on November 10, when the sailing was originally supposed to begin, will be rainy, with a chance of thunder and lightning.
Winds will be low and cruise ships can typically navigate rain with no issue – but the skies should be clear and sunny when embarkation day finally arriveson November 11.
But in this case, the delay is more likely the result of high winds anticipated for Cádiz, Spain. Per cruise tracking data, this is where the Royal Caribbean ship is currently docked.
Voyager of the Seas (Photo Credit: Wikipedia)
Indeed, there is currently a coastal event warning in place from Cádiz to around Tarifa, with strong winds reaching up to around 38 miles per hour expected – which can make navigating ports unsafe and lead to rough seas.
But even with a delay, Voyager of the Seas should make it to Port Canaveral on time to begin her season sailing the Caribbean and the Bahamas – which she will do until she returns to Barcelona in May of 2025.
Throughout the winter and early spring, the Royal Caribbean vessel will alternate between three separate itineraries.
The next voyage in the mix is a 5-night Eastern Caribbean cruise, which will visit Puerto Plata / Amber Cove, Dominican Republic, and Labadee, Haiti – where Royal Caribbean has another private destination.
Last but not least, the cruise ship will operate 5-night Western Caribbean voyages, which will call on Cozumel, Mexico, and CocoCay, Bahamas.
Any meal on a cruise ship can be a festive occasion, but holiday dinners are something extra special. Unique dishes with gourmet twists on classic favorites are common additions to onboard menus for special holidays, and are delightful dinners that travelers look forward to.
Carnival Cruise Line has now released its 2024 Thanksgiving dinner menu, which is filled with mouth-watering dishes that honor the American tradition while highlighting the cruise line’s gourmet dining experience.
The special dishes include options for all three courses – appetizer, entrée, and dessert.
The featured Thanksgiving appetizer is a warm Baked Brie garnished with cranberry-pecan crumble and accompanied with fig and olive crostini, all seasonal tastes that evoke the deliciousness of an autumn harvest. If guests prefer a different starter, they can also enjoy seasonal tastes with the roasted pumpkin soup or the short rib and yam croquette.
More familiar appetizers are also offered, including shrimp cocktail, deviled eggs, and the BLT wedge salad.
Three classic holiday entrees are available to celebrate the season. Of course, the Holiday Roasted Tom Turkey will take center stage with Thanksgiving stuffing, sweet potato casserole, giblet gravy, and cranberry relish.
Not everyone enjoys turkey, and the Honey Glazed Ham is another special entrée option on the Thanksgiving menu. This is accompanied by classic sides of mashed potatoes, roasted carrots, asparagus, candied pineapple, and raisin sauce.
A special vegetarian entrée is also available – Cauliflower and Gruyere Cheese Soufflé, with asparagus and mushroom beurre blanc, Brussels sprouts, and glazed pecans.
Carnival Cruise Line Thanksgiving Menu
If the holiday options don’t start guests’ taste buds watering, there are other entrees on offer for Thanksgiving dinner as well. Oven-baked salmon, ricotta ravioli, flame-grilled striploin steak, and parmesan crusted chicken with honey mustard ranch are just a few of the options.
Dessert is where many holiday meals truly stand out, and Carnival’s Thanksgiving menu is no exception. The featured dessert is none other than Pumpkin Pie with traditional spices, salted caramel sauce, and creme Chantilly.
Not everyone enjoys pumpkin pie, however, and Carnival is also offering a Festive Maple Wedge with cognac creme, brown butter shortbread, and caramelized pecan.
For more refreshing dessert options, guests can indulge in the lemon cheesecake or the fresh tropical fruit plate. Of course, Carnival’s signature melting chocolate cake is always on offer. Personally, there is no way I could choose just one dessert from this delicious menu, but it’s a holiday, so why not enjoy them all?
Thanksgiving Food Onboard Carnival Cruise Ships
While this special holiday menu is a treat indeed, guests do not have to eat in the Main Dining Room onboard for seasonal fare.
Every ship’s Lido Buffet is sure to be offering some traditional holiday options, such as carving stations for roasted turkey or glazed ham. Side dishes such as stuffing, mashed potatoes, and green beans are also very popular.
Desserts are sure to include pumpkin pie and other treats, and while they may not be as festively presented as the plating for the Main Dining Room, they will be just as delicious.
Of course, each ship’s other dining venues will still be available as well. Many guests may prefer to make specialty dining reservations to celebrate the holiday, opting for a luxurious dinner at the Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse or the entertaining fun of Bonsai Teppanyaki.
While the specialty venues will not have unique menus for the holiday meal, their offerings are special enough to celebrate Thanksgiving and be thankful to be on a Carnival cruise.
And don’t forget other casual but delicious options such as grabbing a bite from Guy’s Burger Joint or BlueIguana Cantina, enjoying that extra slice of pizza or another ice cream cone, or other free food available onboard.
Finally, be sure to raise a glass to toast the holiday and remember the very best thing to be thankful for – cruising!
Princess Cruises’ Coral Princess will depart on a lengthy, destination-immersive cruise as scheduled on January 5, 2026, but the voyage will not sail the traditional world cruise itinerary originally planned.
The 3,000-guest Coral-class ship will operate a 131-day Circle Pacific Voyage rather than a 114-day around-the-world sailing that was to travel through the Red Sea and Suez Canal, both hotspots for ongoing regional conflicts that could impact ship and passenger safety.
The new itinerary focuses solely on destinations across the Pacific and sails from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale to the Port of Los Angeles. Coral Princess will call at 60 ports in 19 countries during the voyage.
The itinerary swap came after the line consulted with experts in global security and government officials. The new routing for Coral Princess will take guests from the cosmopolitan cities of East Asia to the beaches of New Zealand and the remote coastline of Alaska.
“This Circle Pacific Voyage is more than just an itinerary, it’s an invitation to explore some of the Pacific’s most iconic and remote destinations in a single, unforgettable journey,” said John Padgett, president of Princess Cruises.
“We’ve crafted this route to showcase the beauty, culture, and diversity of 19 countries, from the volcanic shores of Hawaii to the bustling streets of Bangkok and the serene landscapes of Alaska,” added Padgett.
The voyage has a distinct East Asia focus, with nine port calls in Japan alone, including at Yatsushiro; Kagoshima; Kochi; Osaka; Shimizu; Tokyo; Miyako; Aomori; and Hakodate.
Destinations in Vietnam, Malaysia, and South Korea, are featured as well, along with Alaska’s top tourist sites such as Anchorage, Skagway, Juneau, Sitka, and Ketchikan.
Visits to ports in Australia, New Zealand, French Polynesia, and Hawaii will provide guests with plenty of warm sunshine and beaches. The tail-end of the voyage explores the west coast of the US with calls to Seattle, Washington; Astoria, Oregon; and Santa Barbara, California, before ending in Los Angeles.
Several segments are available for guests seeking shorter itineraries. A 115-day option allows guests to join the ship at the Port of Los Angeles on January 21, 2026.
Photo Credit: Dans Destinations / Shutterstock
Also, there are opportunities to embark Coral Princess on January 5, 2026 and debark at various destinations.
For example, guests can select a 22-day Panama Canal segment anddebark in Honolulu; a 30-day option is offered from Los Angeles to New Zealand; a 39-day segment goes from Los Angeles to Sydney; and a 59-day route travels from Los Angeles to Singapore.
Guests can also embark on the ship on January 27, 2026, in Honolulu and sail to Sydney.
A slew of valuable savings and benefits await guests booking either the full 131-day voyage or the 115-day route. They include free air fare, premium beverages, unlimited specialty dining, crew tips, WiFi for up to four devices, onboard credits up to $500, and other perks.
Ship Will Offer Vibrant Onboard Enrichment Programs
The Circle Pacific Voyage on Coral Princess will provide an ambitious onboard enrichment program that will feature various speakers and destination experts who will interact with guests and offer insights into the itinerary’s port calls.
Activities will include language classes, dance lessons, art events, music instrument instruction, and local culinary offerings.
Entertainment is always a big part of world cruises or lengthy regional cruises, and Coral Princess will deliver with folk shows that highlight regional traditions, stage shows, deck and sailaway parties, trivia contests, and more.
Coral Princess launched in 2002. The ship will spend summer 2025 sailing Alaska cruises from Vancouver, British Columbia, and then reposition to Fort Lauderdale in October 2025. She will operate several Caribbean cruises in fall 2025, before setting sail on her Circle Pacific adventure.
It’s the little things that make dining on a cruise so special – the delicious combination of gourmet flavors in every entrée, the special plating of that favorite dessert, and the stunning service that accompanies every course.
But why does a fine dinner on a ship often start with a very difficult challenge? The bread offered to tempt the palate and awaken the tastes is great, but the butter pats can be frustrating frozen bricks unable to be spread over the soft, warm bread.
The issue of too-hard butter has been brought to the attention of Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald. This may seem like a tiny problem, but in fact it is one that many, many cruisers have experienced.
“Simple question. Why … can’t they set the butter [pats] out about 15 or 20 minutes before we are served the bread?”a commenter asked. “It’s such a simple thing and the bread wouldn’t get ripped apart from the rock hard butter.”
Carnival offers several types of bread to diners, including crusty French baguettes, soft sourdough rolls, wheat rolls, and more. Each one is a delicious choice, but when faced with nearly frozen butter, the bread gets squished and torn and mangled trying to spread the pat evenly.
Heald answers hundreds of questions nearly every day on his popular Facebook page. Dining inquiries are often related to requests for tables-for-two or seating groups together, arranging a specific dining time, how special dietary needs can be addressed, or wonderful acknowledgements of spectacular crew members.
While the concern over too-hard butter may not be a common question, it is a common problem many cruisers have encountered. Heald offered a respectful explanation and suggestion for how to overcome this difficulty.
“That’s probably because it gets quite warm in the galley and so we have to keep it on ice otherwise it would be completely unusable,”he explained.“However, if this is a big thing for you then of course please simply ask your waiter and they will make sure they personally put it out 15 or 20 minutes before. They are there to please and I hope we see you having fun with us very soon.”
While travelers wouldn’t be able to make this request on the first night of their cruise before they have met their dining team, it is an easy ask that servers can accommodate without problems for the rest of the sailing.
Why Isn’t Butter Already Out?
While Heald has explained that butter pats can’t be left out in the galley due to heat – too-soft or even melted butter could be just as big of a problem as nearly frozen pats – why isn’t butter already on the dining room tables?
If the butter is left on the table, it would soften before dinner service but not get excessively melty. This might seem to be the perfect solution, but it can actually cause problems as well.
With gluten-free dining and other special dietary needs being of greater concern in recent years, not all travelers want bread with dinner, and therefore they would not be using the butter pats. Similarly, some guests may prefer their bread sans butter, and wouldn’t be using the spread no matter what temperature it is.
Carnival Cruise Line Lido Marketplace Buffet (Photo Credit: Emrys Thakkar)
A butter pat may seem like a small, simple thing, but it is more complicated than just a bit of butter. With hundreds of tables in each Main Dining Room onboard each of Carnival’s 27 ships and each table receiving several pats for both early and late dining service, those small pats add up quickly.
If even one out of 10 tables refuses bread and does not want butter, that can be a lot of butter – not to mention the small foil wrappers – saved for every dining service. This can help Carnival Cruise Line continue to reduce food waste and be more environmentally sustainable.
Because of health and contamination concerns, butter pats may not be able to be reused or re-refrigerated for future services, especially if they have been disturbed, such as 1-2 pats being used and the rest remaining on the table.
That may not be a problem at my table onboard (this cruiser likes a lot of butter on her bread!), but how do you use butter? Do you prefer harder pats or softened butter? Do you skip the bread altogether? Share your bread-and-butter preferences on the Cruise Hive boards!
It has been a banner year for PortMiami, as the Cruise Capital of the World welcomed a record-breaking 8,233,056 cruise passengers. The number reflects a nearly 13% spike in cruise arrivals compared to 2023, when 7,299,294 passengers transited the port.
The passenger totals were tallied during fiscal year 2024, which ran from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024.
“I am grateful to our cruise lines for their ongoing partnership and this record-breaking year,” said Hydi Webb, director and CEO of PortMiami.
“I want to thank Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, the Board of County Commissioners and our cruise partners for their unwavering support to ensure PortMiami is the departure choice for cruise passengers,” added Webb.
In 2022, Port Canaveral narrowly edged out PortMiami as the busiest port in terms of cruise arrivals. The central Florida port received 4,072,396 multi-day cruise guests versus PortMiami’s 4,022,544 multi-day guests, but the record-setting change was short-lived. PortMiami took back the busiest-port title in 2023.
“PortMiami has not only transformed our iconic skyline and bolstered our economy, but its ongoing commitment to creating more sustainable development ensures that our port remains a forward-thinking, future-ready gateway to the world,” said Mayor Cava.
“PortMiami continues to break records and uphold its status as the Cruise Capital of the World,” she added.
Indeed, the economic engine that is PortMiami adds mightily to the state’s coffers. In 2023, the port accounted for nearly 4% of Florida’s gross domestic product, and a whopping $61 billion in economic impact. The facility also employs about 30,000 people and supports another 340,000 related jobs.
Every major cruise line is represented at PortMiami, including Royal Caribbean, which homeports its Icon of the Seas there. It is the world’s largest cruise ship currently operating, with a capacity of 7,600 guests. The ship sails alternating 7-day Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises.
PortMiami has dedicated cruise terminals for Carnival Corporation at Terminals D and E, Royal Caribbean Group at Terminals A and G, MSC Cruises at Terminal F, Norwegian Cruise Line at Terminal C, and Virgin Voyages at Terminal V.
MSC Cruises is in the process of building a new terminal at PortMiami; Terminal AA will be the largest terminal in the world when it debuts in April 2025. Also, construction will begin on a terminal for Royal Caribbean, Terminal G, in the summer of 2025.
PortMiami Will Welcome Notable Inaugural Ship Visits
The winter 2024-2025 season will feature ship deployments from the major lines plus several ships making maiden calls, including Explora Journeys’ Explora II and Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady, in November 2024.
Also, the port will welcome MSC Cruises’ World America and Norwegian Cruise Line’s Aqua in April 2025, Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady in October 2025, and Oceania Cruises’ Allura in November 2025.
Besides its record-breaking cruise arrivals in 2024, the year also brought PortMiami’s first shore power connection into service. Shore power plug-in technology enables cruise ships to turn off their engines while docked, lowering emissions and noise.
The shore power infrastructure, which began operating in June, was a partnership between Miami-Dade County, Carnival Corporation, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Royal Caribbean Group, Virgin Voyages, and Florida Power & Light Company.
Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Conquest was the first cruise ship to use the technology. PortMiami is the first major port in the eastern US to provide shore power at five cruise berths.
Villa Vie Residences, which recently – and finally – watched its 23,344-gross-ton Villa Vie Odyssey set sail as a residential cruise ship on October 3, 2024, has plenty of space available on its around-the-world voyages.
To attract more residents, the cruise company is attempting to fill space by offering a new flexible cruise option for residential cruises without a permanent commitment.
The new Tour La Vie program, which seems to be more in line with a timeshare program but with a lot more freedom, allows cruisers to board the ship at any time along its ongoing, multi-year global journey to more than 425 ports in 140 countries.
Starting at just under $50,000 annually, Tour La Vie guests can live in one of Villa Vie Odyssey’s 600 residences at their convenience and schedule for a taste of the residential life.
“Villa Vie offers a unique one-of-a-kind way to see the whole world at a slow pace where you have enough time to actually experience the cultural vibe of every port,” said Villa Vie Residences’ Head of Sales Anne Alms.
“Your villa is your bedroom, and the ship is your home,” she continued. “She’ll take you across the globe to endless horizons.”
Villa Vie Odyssey has a passenger capacity of up to 600 residents but set off from Belfast, Northern Ireland, with only 100 passengers, leaving plenty of room for newcomers.
Through the Tour La Vie program, guests can select a one-, two-, three-, or four-year option in an ocean-view villa. Rates start at $49,999 per person for double occupancy or $79,999 for single occupancy for the one-year membership, while the four-year offering is $159,999 and $255,999 based on double or single occupancy.
Villa Vie Odyssey Balcony Cabin
The prices are heavily discounted from Villa Vie Residences’ original year-round passengers who invested a minimum of $99,999 for a villa and pay a monthly fee.
There is even a try-before-you-buy opportunity that gives potential Tour La Vie residents a 7-day stay for $1,998 for double occupancy or $999 for single occupancy. The cruises, like the residences, include accommodations, meals, activities, and fitness facilities.
Global Cruise Options After a Delayed Start
Villa Vie Residences, which will sail around the world every 3.5 years on a “perpetual journey,” was originally set to embark on May 15, 2024, but experienced a number of setbacks that forced the ship into dry dock until late July.
Once out of dry dock, the issues continued, and the ship was left to stay put in Belfast for five months, angering residents who were stuck in hotels after selling their worldly possessions to live onboard.
Even when released, the vessel was stranded off the coast of Belfast as it awaited new paperwork needed to continue to its first calls, since the original paperwork had expired during the delays.
Villa Vie Odyssey (Photo Credit: Villa Vie Residences)
The ship is now spending a month in the Caribbean and then will head to South America for four months, with two Panama Canal transits.
Villa Vie Odyssey’s journey south of the equator includes an Antarctic sailing, a visit to Rio de Janeiro during Carnival, and an 8-day sail along the Amazon River.
Villa Vie Residences are still selling villas at sea, as well, now starting at $139,999 for a guaranteed 15 years. Guests who spend on an “Endless Horizons” option, starting at $299,999, do not need to pay monthly fees.
Additionally, cruisers can rent villas and select from several voyage segments varying from 35 to 120 days.
