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Two Carnival Cruises Hit With Parking Crunch at Port of Long Beach

Calvin Musquez
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Two Carnival Cruises Hit With Parking Crunch at Port of Long Beach

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival has warned guests on two upcoming cruises of a shortage of parking at the Long Beach Cruise Terminal.
  • Guests booked on Carnival Radiance on May 28 and Carnival Firenze on May 29 are affected.
  • While some offsite parking and shuttles will be available, guests are encouraged to find alternative transportation.

Southern Californians are no strangers to traffic and difficult parking, but if Carnival cruisers thought they’d get a respite heading into their Mexican cruise vacation, they were sadly mistaken.

Carnival Cruise Line has notified guests booked on two upcoming sailings of a shortage of parking at the Port of Long Beach, and are encouraged to plan accordingly.

“Dear Carnival Guest,” the notice reads. “The parking facility at the cruise terminal has very limited capacity. Please make plans to use alternate transportation that does not require parking.”

The first cruise impacted by this lack of parking is the May 28, 2026 sailing aboard Carnival Radiance.  The 101,509 gross ton vessel will sail a 5-day, Mexican Riviera cruise, stopping in Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada before returning to Long Beach.

One day later, on May 29, the 135,156 gross ton, Vista-class Carnival Firenze is set to sail a 3-Day weekend Baja Mexico cruise stopping in Ensenada. 

Situated next to the iconic Queen Mary ocean liner, the Long Beach Cruise Terminal is solely owned and operated by Carnival Cruise Line. Despite this, the small onsite parking structure can still fill up quickly.

The parking structure is five stories tall, with 1,450 parking spaces.  That may sound like a lot, until you consider the ships’ passenger counts. 

Carnival Radiance can carry up to 2,984 guests, and Carnival Firenze can carry up to 4,126. Even if only half of the passengers on these cruises decide to park a car, that’s already at nearly double the structure’s capacity.

Carnival Firenze Cruise Ship Docked in Long Beach
Carnival Firenze Cruise Ship Docked in Long Beach

This is far from a new issue at the Port of Long Beach and the cruise line. Most recently, Cruise Hive reported on nearly the same situation arising in December of 2025.

While Carnival seems to have a handle on these parking issues for the time being, as cruise ships continue to get bigger, and the industry continues to expand, one can only wonder how long it will be until a major change is needed at the Long Beach Cruise Terminal.

Overflow and Parking Alternatives

In the notice, Carnival urged guests to seek out alternative means of transportation.

While Los Angeles County isn’t known for having the most reliable public transport, the Passport transit line does run regularly through the day and stops at the Queen Mary, right next to the terminal.

Alternatively, guests can book a driver through any popular ride-share service, such as Uber or Lyft, with thousands of estimated drivers working in the region.

Should you go this route, though, it’s important to be vigilant, as ride-share scams have become more common in the area in recent years.

However, in the case that driving and parking can’t be avoided, Carnival has managed to secure a small amount of overflow parking at an offsite facility.

“If driving is your only option, please be prepared to be directed to park at an offsite location operated by the City of Long Beach,” Carnival wrote in the notice to guests. “Full details will be communicated at the cruise terminal.”

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In that case, guests will need to drop their luggage off at the terminal, receive written instructions to the offsite parking, have their boarding pass checked at the offsite facility, and then return to the terminal aboard a complimentary shuttle.

It hardly sounds like an easygoing embarkation experience. 

Cruise Ship Battles Rough Seas to Rescue Injured Sailor on Dismasted Boat

Catie Kovelman
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Cruise Ship Battles Rough Seas to Rescue Injured Sailor on Dismasted Boat

Key Aspects: 

  • Silver Whisper came to the rescue for an injured sailor who was stranded on a disabled sailboat in the Pacific Ocean.
  • Captain Michele Macarone Palmieri led an impressive rescue, which was made more difficult by rough seas.
  • Some guests were so touched by the successful rescue that they were moved to tears.

Passengers onboard Silver Whisper got to witness a miracle at sea, as the Silversea Cruises’ vessel came to the rescue of a distressed sailor in the nick of time.

The rescue took place on the afternoon of Tuesday, May 26, 2026, while the 392-guest ship was cruising in the Pacific Ocean. The Royal Caribbean-owned ship is currently nearing the end of a 24-night one-way sailing from Papeete, Tahiti, to Vancouver, Canada.

Under the rules established by Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), cruise ships must come to the aid of other mariners in distress when called upon to do so, though this was a task the 295-person crew proudly undertook.

Her chosen course to Vancouver, which brought the ship by Hawaii, meant that the 28,258-gross ton vessel was still the closest rescuer to the distressed sailor.

Unfortunately, the craft, which is named April Alice, was inconveniently located too far from the Hawaiian islands and too far from the US mainland to attempt an air rescue.

Though Captain Michele Macarone Palmieri wasted no time altering course, it still took approximately seven hours to reach the distressed sailor.

When Silver Whisper finally arrived, they found the craft battered and missing its mast, presumably due to poor conditions. The sole occupant had sustained an injury to his left shoulder.

“Two hours ago our ship, the Silver Whisper, rescued a man (in green hat), whose vessel lost all power & communications in high winds & rough seas. We were the closest ship to him – it took 7 hours to reach him, with no exact coordinates,” a current guest shared on Facebook, along with photos from the scene.

“Happy to report he was found, is alive – with a broken shoulder, but doing well. Big Congrats to the Silver Whisper Captain & Crew,” the poster celebrated.

Cruise Hive learned that crew members brought the man onboard within an hour and provided treatment for his left shoulder. He will most likely be disembarked in Vancouver when the ship arrives on May 28.

April Alice, which had been sailing along the west coast of British Columbia and around the US for at least the past seven years, was left behind.

Rough Weather Makes Rescue Even More Impressive

While a successful rescue is always something to celebrate, passengers commended Captain Macarone Palmieri for successfully navigating the rough seas to reach the man in need.

In a lucky break, the calmest period of the otherwise rocky voyage seemed to be while crew members were completing the rescue.

“Funny thing was that the hour we spent rescuing the guy was about the smoothest period we’ve had on this ship since we left Kona (Hawaii) five days ago,” another passenger, Jeff Hall, told the Vancouver Sun.

It took two attempts to position the cruise ship next to the disabled boat because of the ocean conditions and due to issues securing the sailboat.

Silver Whisper Rescue
Silver Whisper Rescue (Photo Credit: Maribeth Spitz)

Hall went on to say that Captain Macarone Palmieri “did a super job moving the ship alongside the sailboat. He actually had to do it twice because the first line they attached to the sailboat broke and it drifted away from us for about 15 minutes.”

Given the difficult conditions, the speed and success of the rescue was nothing short of impressive. Some guests were so moved that the man was safely found that they were moved to tears, despite the fact the sailor was a complete stranger.

“I have experienced many wonderful moments on Silversea but was moved to tears today as I watched our fantastic Captain Michele Macarone Palmieri and the crew of the Silver Whisper perform a miraculous rescue at sea requested by the Coast Guard…words cannot describe how brave these men and women were,” one woman exclaimed.

And even while saving the sailor, the Captain had his passengers’ safety in mind, too. According to guest reports, announcements were made encouraging guests to stay off the ship’s outer decks and return to their cruise cabins until the rescue was complete due to bumpy conditions.

However, dozens of people could not tear their eyes away from the impressive rescue, with many remaining on deck to watch.

No Impact to the Itinerary

Despite the fact that Silver Whisper significantly altered course to complete the rescue, she is still supposed to arrive in Vancouver on time on the morning of May 28.

As of the time of publication on May 27, cruise tracking data places the smaller vessel near Neah Bay in Washington, which is only around 81 nautical miles from Vancouver.

More From Cruise Hive

The itinerary was also front-loaded with ports, and all calls were completed by the time the rescue unfolded. Therefore, there were no ports for the rescue to impact.

Once the luxury ship arrives in Vancouver, she will launch her 2026 Alaska season, which consists of 7-night, one-way sailings back and forth between Vancouver and Seward, Alaska.

Maintenance Forces Norwegian Cruise Ship to Shorten Bermuda Port Call

Catie Kovelman
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Maintenance Forces Norwegian Cruise Ship to Shorten Bermuda Port Call

Key Aspects:

  • Norwegian Breakaway will be leaving Bermuda one hour earlier than planned on June 19, 2026.
  • The itinerary was tweaked due to planned engine maintenance that will be taking place during the sailing.
  • All NCL shore excursions will automatically be adjusted to fit the new port times or refunded if this is not possible.

Due to planned maintenance, Norwegian Cruise Line has had to shorten Norwegian Breakaway’s overnight visit to King’s Wharf, Bermuda, on June 18-19, 2026.

Bermuda is meant to be the highlight of the 7-night sailing, which embarks on June 14 in Boston, Massachusetts. Prior to arriving in the Royal Naval Dockyard (King’s Wharf), guests will get to explore Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Thankfully, the extended stay has only been shortened by one hour, though some impacted guests are still less than thrilled about this update.

The 3,903-guest ship will still arrive as planned at 9 a.m. local time on June 18, but will leave at 2 p.m. instead of 3 p.m. on June 19.

“As part of scheduled diesel generator maintenance onboard Norwegian Breakaway, we’ll be making a slight adjustment to our departure time from Royal Naval Dockyard on June 19, 2026,” Norwegian Cruise Line wrote in a letter to guests, which was obtained by Cruise Hive.

“This routine maintenance is standard and will not impact your overall experience, though it may briefly affect our cruising speed. To keep everything comfortably on schedule for our arrival into Boston, our departure from Bermuda will shift from 3:00 pm to 2:00 pm,” the update explained.

For context, diesel generators are a crucial part of marine engines that are responsible for producing electricity for the entire cruise ship and play an important role in propulsion.

During or immediately after the planned maintenance, the 145,655-gross ton vessel may need to slow its speed. But even with reduced speeds, the ship must still return to Boston on time on June 21 to avoid delaying the following cruise.

There is also no impact to the visit to Halifax on June 16, where the flagship of the Breakaway class will dock from 7 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. EDT.

Shore Excursions Automatically Adjusted

While guests can explore on their own, Norwegian Cruise Line offers a whopping 49 shore excursions to make the most of vacations to Bermuda. The options include boating and snorkeling, animal encounters, island tours, and more.

Before guests even had a chance to worry about how the time change may impact their tour, NCL confirmed that it is automatically adjusting excursions to fit with the new schedule.

Norwegian Breakaway in Bermuda
Norwegian Breakaway in Bermuda (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks)

“If you booked a shore excursion through NCL for Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda, on Friday, no worries, we’ve got it covered. We’re working to adjust those tours to match the revised port times,” NCL stated.

If the cruise line is unable to make the necessary changes, guests will automatically receive a refund to the original form of payment used at the time of booking without ever having to lift a finger.

However, guests who booked independent experiences will need to work with their tour providers to ensure the timing still works.

Changing Time Frustrates Cruisers

For some impacted passengers, an hour still makes a big difference. Some guests took to social media to express their frustration.

“It’s not bad enough that they cut this cruise down from 3 days in Bermuda, now they are even cutting the hours on the day we leave,” one guest lamented on Facebook.

“I know it’s only an hour but still. We’ve been doing this itinerary for 13 years and will not continue to do it if they don’t change it back to more time in Bermuda,” he continued.

While some disappointment is understandable, this cruiser’s complaint is also a bit misleading.

This particular 7-night itinerary, which includes Halifax and Bermuda, was always meant to feature an overnight, two-day call in King’s Wharf.

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The guest may be confusing the voyage he booked with a separate 7-night itinerary operated by Norwegian Breakaway, which cuts out Canada to spend two nights and three days docked in Bermuda.

While the Halifax-included itinerary is being offered more frequently this summer, there are Bermuda-only departures scheduled for July 12 and July 26.

Norwegian Cruise Line Sets September Opening Date for Massive New Waterpark

Melissa Mayntz
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Norwegian Cruise Line Sets September Opening Date for Massive New Waterpark

Key Aspects:

  • The Great Tides Waterpark will open on Great Stirrup Cay on Friday, September 4, 2026.
  • Guests booked on sailings visiting the private island after September 4 can purchase day passes beginning May 28.
  • The nearly 6-acre waterpark includes 19 waterslides, a unique active river, cliff dives, water coasters, and more.

It is only a few months before the new Great Tides Waterpark will open on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Great Stirrup Cay, and now cruise guests can begin planning their visits to the private island in the Bahamas with advance sales for day passes and exclusive rentals.

The park will officially open for guests on Friday, September 4, 2026, with the new Norwegian Luna as the first ship to visit the upgraded destination.

From Thursday, May 28, any guests booked on sailings that will visit Great Stirrup Cay on or after September 4 will be able to purchase day passes for the nearly 6-acre waterpark. Rentals for private cabanas and similar options will also be available, and each rental includes a waterpark pass.

Full details on the cabanas have not yet been released, but artist renderings show luxurious seating, privade shade umbrellas, ceiling fans, and other elevated amenities. Up to six guests will be able to enjoy each cabana.

The cabanas appear to be located in multiple spots, including right near the waterslides as well as the lazy river for convenient access to the waterpark’s most popular features.

“Great Stirrup Cay continues to evolve as the premier private island destination in the Bahamas, and we’re excited to officially open Great Tides Waterpark on Sept. 4, 2026,” said Marc Kazlauskas, president of Norwegian Cruise Line.

“With the best activities for families and for every type of traveler—from high-energy slides to laid-back lagoon experiences—guests can purchase their day passes ahead and lock in an unforgettable day on the most spectacular private island in the Caribbean beginning tomorrow.”

Norwegian Cruise Line has confirmed that pricing for the waterpark passes and cabana rentals will vary. Different factors, such as the cruise date, overall popularity, holidays, and the number of ships visiting Great Stirrup Cay, will likely impact pricing.

More Waterpark Features Announced

Cruise Hive reported when Great Tides Waterpark was announced in July 2025 that the park would feature 19 waterslides, a lazy river, cliff jumps, play areas for kids, and other unique features. Now, more details have been confirmed about the park.

At the center of the park will be the massive 170-foot Tidal Tower, where multiple slides originate. Thrill-seeking guests will want to tackle the Breakwater Blasters water coasters, while the Whitewater Dash body slides offer speed and excitement.

Great Stirrup Cay Tides Waterpark
Great Stirrup Cay Tides Waterpark

Rapid Mat Racers has two different mat slides, and guests who enjoy spirals and spins will want to try out Tropic Storm and Tropic Spiral.

Another industry-first feature of Great Tides Waterpark is Cliffside Cove, where guests can test their bravery with 10- and 15-foot cliff dives.

Guests who want to enjoy thrills with family members and friends won’t want to miss The Great Slide, the only 4-person body slide in the Caribbean. The youngest guests will also enjoy Splash Cay with 9,000 square feet of splashtastic fun, including fountains, sprays, mini slides, and a tipping splash bucket.

Read Also: I Visited Great Stirrup Cay Mid-Makeover and Here’s My Honest Take

Anyone who wants to keep cool and simply enjoy the island vibes should check out the Wandering River. This uniquely elevated lazy river has a multi-sensory grotto and more active sections with a total length of more than 800 feet.

Great Stirrup Cay Tides Waterpark Cabana
Great Stirrup Cay Tides Waterpark Cabana

It isn’t just the waterpark that will be new and amazing on Great Stirrup Cay, however. Private cabanas, three all-new food trucks, the expansive Great Life Lagoon, swim-up bars, spectacular beaches, the adults-only Vibe Shore Club, and more await visitors.

The island’s updated tram system ensures everyone can visit all parts of the private destination and save their energy for all the fun!

Visiting the New Great Stirrup Cay

Norwegian Luna will be the first ship to visit Great Stirrup Cay when Great Tides Waterpark opens. The ship’s August 29 departure from Miami will first go to Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and Tortola before visiting Great Stirrup Cay as the last port of call on the 7-night Caribbean itinerary.

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In the days following what is sure to be a grand opening, the new waterpark will enjoy multiple visits from not only Norwegian Luna but also Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Prima in September, followed by Norwegian Aqua, Norwegian Joy, and Norwegian Jewel in October.

Through the winter months, more and more ships will visit as this is the peak of the Caribbean sailing season. The cruise line does visit Great Stirrup Cay year-round, however, and thousands of guests are sure to enjoy the new waterpark every week.

Cruise Tour Bus Collides with Concrete Mixer at Popular Greek Port

Melissa Mayntz
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Cruise Tour Bus Collides with Concrete Mixer at Popular Greek Port

Key Aspects:

  • A cruise ship tour bus collided with a concrete mixer in Corfu, Greece on May 26 in a sideswipe accident.
  • No injuries were reported from either vehicle, though there were traffic delays as the accident site was cleared.
  • The only cruise ship in port that day was Viking Star, but increased traffic is a concern at the popular port.

Dozens of cruise guests visiting Corfu, Greece, had a startling and unexpected stop on the island when their tour bus collided with a concrete mixer. The incident happened on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 on the western Greek island in the Nisaki area, 12 miles north of the cruise terminal.

According to local reports, the two vehicles “collided sideways” at a particularly sharp turn. It is unknown whether either vehicle intentionally crossed into the other’s lane, or simply if the length of the bus and the width of both vehicles caused the accident.

Local authorities are investigating the incident. All involved parties, including the cruise guests on the bus, remained at the scene until the vehicles could be safely removed. Delays in the area were minimal, though traffic was stopped until the accident was cleared.

Read Also: 11 Most Dangerous Cruise Ports You Should Be Extra Cautious About

No injuries were reported for either passengers or the drivers of the two vehicles, though the bus did suffer sideswipe damage on the left side from the impact.

The number of cruise guests onboard the bus has not been released, but only one cruise ship was docked in Corfu on Wednesday: the 47,842-gross-ton Viking Star. The ship can host up to 930 passengers, though tour buses only accommodate a few dozen when full.

Viking Star Cruise Ship
Viking Star Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Amilat)

Viking Star departed from Marghera (Venice), Italy, on Thursday, May 21, for a 9-night one-way itinerary to Greece. Along the way, the ship has visited ports in Slovenia, Croatia, and Montenegro. Corfu was the first port visit in Greece, followed by Katakolon on Wednesday and Santorini on Thursday, before the ship arrives in Piraeus (Athens) on Saturday, May 30.

There has been no apparent change to the ship’s itinerary and satellite tracking confirms that Viking Star has already continued on her cruise as planned.

Local Traffic a Concern

With Greek Isles cruises becoming ever more popular, local authorities are concerned about increased traffic and the possibility that tourist-involved accidents may become more common.

Corfu has a resident population of just over 100,000, but that population is concentrated in select areas due to regional geography. Tight roads and the increased use of larger buses to accommodate tour groups, including cruise guests, can raise risks.

At this time, there is no change to other ship visits planned for Corfu. The popular island regularly welcomes multiple ships, from smaller vessels like Viking Star to larger ships from more popular lines, including Norwegian Cruise Line, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises, MSC Cruises, and Holland America Line.

Cruise Hive has previously reported on traffic accidents impacting cruise guests and shore tours in different ports of call.

In August 2025, an elderly couple was struck by an excursion bus backing up at the Port of Livorno in Italy, and one guest was killed. In March 2025, a cruise tour bus collided with another bus in Barcelona and 53 people were injured.

Such incidents are extreme and while any potential for a serious accident is concerning, thousands of cruisers safely use tour buses every day in ports all over the world.

Glass Panel Suddenly Shatters in Royal Caribbean’s Iconic AquaDome

Catie Kovelman
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Glass Panel Suddenly Shatters in Royal Caribbean’s Iconic AquaDome

Key Aspects:

  • A broken glass panel inside Star of the Seas’ AquaDome is drawing attention from cruisers.
  • Thankfully, the shattered glass has remained in its frame and does not appear to pose a risk to guests.
  • This is the second time a glass panel has suddenly shattered onboard the Royal Caribbean ship since her debut last summer.

Guests onboard Star of the Seas have noticed that the AquaDome is looking a bit worse for wear. Specifically, passengers of the second Icon-class ship noticed that one of the 673 glass panels within the dome had shattered.

As the 248,663-gross ton vessel entered service less than a year ago in August 2025, many were surprised to see the new build showing signs of potential wear and tear.

For context, the AquaDome serves as a glass-domed neighborhood on the forward top deck of the ship that is designed for tranquility during the day and to be an entertainment hub at night.

“Come on, this ship is only 9 months old and someone already broke a glass panel on the AquaDome,” one current passenger posted on Facebook on May 26, 2026, along with photos of the shattered panel.

While the guest’s language implies that a person caused the damage, this has not been confirmed by the cruise line.

The break could have been caused by a variety of factors, including inherent glass defects, a bird strike, sailing through stormy weather, rogue waves, and/or sudden and significant changes in temperature.

Currently, the Port Canaveral-based ship is operating 7-night Caribbean itineraries, where toasty temperatures can reach into the high 80s and low 90s (degrees Fahrenheit) in May. However, the glass would be impacted more by a dramatic shift in temperature than by consistent heat.

Star of the Seas Glass Panel
Star of the Seas Glass Panel (Photo Credit: Mike Pastore)

Thankfully, there are no reports that passengers were endangered or injured because of this incident. It appears the shattered fragments stayed in their frame, and crew members will likely cordon off the area until repairs are complete.

Not the First Glass Incident

Interestingly, this is not the first time that Star of the Seas has had issues with broken glass during her short career.

Cruise Hive previously reported that a glass panel suddenly shattered on Deck 15 of the 5,610-guest ship during a preview sailing ahead of the official maiden voyage last August.

The panel in question was part of the safety barrier to prevent guests from going overboard. The open section was blocked off with a crowd control barrier and a white tarp until the panel was replaced.

Thankfully, no guests were injured when the glass shattered, but it certainly caused a fright for the passengers lounging in the area.

Out of an abundance of caution, the young ship was also forced to debut with the Frightening Bolt waterslide out of order, which is a key attraction in the Category 6 Waterpark.

Star of the Seas Glass Panel Breaks
Star of the Seas Glass Panel Breaks (Credits: Asphalt Mafia & Nancy Pauwels)

On August 7, 2025, just before Star of the Seas made her debut, an accident occurred onboard Icon of the Seas in which an acrylic panel on the slide shattered while a guest was riding it.

Unfortunately for Star of the Seas, its version of the tallest drop slide at sea is essentially identical to the slide onboard Icon of the Seas.

Both slides were closed out of an abundance of caution to ensure that the same accident could not unfold a second time onboard Royal Caribbean’s newest addition.

Royal Caribbean Glass Incidents

For whatever reason, Royal Caribbean seems to be particularly unlucky when it comes to glass. While it’s not unheard of for glass to break occasionally on cruise ships, it seems to have happened a lot recently.

Including the waterslide incident and the broken barrier on the two Icon-class ships, the cruise line experienced at least six glass incidents in 2025.

In September, a glass panel broke in the Windjammer Marketplace onboard Utopia of the Seas. Thankfully, no one was injured.

Throughout the summer, Symphony of the Seas had three different glass panels break in the Coastal Kitchen restaurant, the adults-only Solarium, and on the sports deck near the zip line.

Once again, nobody was injured, though the Coastal Kitchen incident could have been bad if not for the quick actions taken by a crew member that got guests out of harm’s way just in time.

Safety is Royal Caribbean’s top priority, and the cruise line has surely investigated these incidents and made any necessary repairs to try to prevent future breakage.

Propulsion Issue Prompts Mid-Sailing Change for Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas

Calvin Musquez
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Propulsion Issue Prompts Mid-Sailing Change for Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas

Key Aspects:

  • A propulsion issue has removed a stop from Allure of the Seas‘ itinerary at the last minute.
  • Guests will now have two days in Nassau, replacing a planned stop in Falmouth.
  • Royal Caribbean is compensating guests for the change.

Guests aboard Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas have had an entire port removed from their itinerary, while they were already en route to the destination!

The 225,282 gross ton vessel left Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Sunday, May 24, for a 6-day western Caribbean sailing, with stops planned at Royal Caribbean’s Private Destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay, as well as Falmouth in Jamaica and Nassau in the Bahamas.

As guests enjoyed a sea day after leaving CocoCay, a message came over the PA system informing them that, due to a technical issue with the ship’s propulsion, the visit to Falmouth was cancelled. 

Instead, they would be turning around and heading to Nassau two days early.

“We are currently experiencing a technical issue with one of our propulsion systems. While our team works to resolve this, we’ll be sailing at a reduced speed and will need to make a slight adjustment to our itinerary.” Royal Caribbean wrote in a letter to guests.

The reduced speed was noticed by passengers, prompting concern.

“It feels like we’re barely moving!” one passenger wrote on Reddit. “I’d love some reassurance that we’re going to make it back!”

Interestingly, the originally planned sea day between Falmouth and Nassau will remain intact. The ship will leave Nassau, sail around for a day, and then return to Nassau for the originally scheduled visit on May 29, 2026.

“You’ll have a full day on Wednesday to explore the beauty and charm of Nassau,” Royal Caribbean wrote in the letter. 

“We’ll then enjoy our relaxing Sea Day as planned before returning to Nassau again on Friday.” 

Allure of the Seas Propulsion Issue letter
Allure of the Seas Propulsion Issue Letter (Credit: McKean Romriell)

Guests were invited to visit the shore excursions desk on Deck 6, or browse the Royal Caribbean app to book additional activities for the bonus Nassau day.

Nassau is home to Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, an exclusive Royal Caribbean club which opened for the first time in January 2026. Guests who may have been on the fence about visiting the brand new destination in favor of other excursions will now have ample time to do it all.

While the ports have changed, the timing of the sailing remains unaffected, with the ship still scheduled to return to Fort Lauderdale on Saturday, May 30, 2026.

There has also been no change issued for the following Allure of the Seas cruise, an 8-day, Eastern Caribbean voyage departing from Fort Lauderdale in the afternoon of May 30, 2026.

Cruisers Will Be Compensated

Royal Caribbean has assured guests with prepaid excursions planned in Falmouth that they will be automatically cancelled and refunded in the form of onboard credit. If these funds are not used by the end of the cruise, they will be refunded to the cruiser’s on file credit card within 14 days of disembarkation.

Additionally, all guests will receive additional onboard credit, varying in amount by stateroom type. 

Guests booked in inside or oceanview cabins will receive $100 in onboard credit. Those in Oceanview/Neighborhood Balcony rooms will get $150 and suits will receive $200. An additional $50 in onboard credit will be issued to every 3rd and 4th guest as well.

More From Cruise Hive

This news comes on the heels of a slew of itinerary changes for Allure of the Seas. 

Cruise Hive recently reported on two separate 2027 cruises aboard the Oasis-class ship being cut a full day shorter, one in January and another in May. Cruise Hive also recently reported on another March 2027 cruise, which was cancelled entirely for a full-ship charter.

NCL Commits 325,000 Passengers a Year to Port of Seattle in New Deal

Catie Kovelman
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NCL Commits 325,000 Passengers a Year to Port of Seattle in New Deal

Key Aspects:

  • The long-standing partnership between Seattle and Norwegian Cruise Line will continue for at least ten more years.
  • Under the lease amendment, the cruise line must draw at least 325,000 revenue passengers to the port annually.
  • Additionally, NCL will work with local authorities to improve sustainability and decarbonization efforts within the port.

The Port of Seattle has approved a new long-term lease amendment with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH), extending the term of the agreement and pushing sustainability, community benefit, and economic opportunity to the forefront.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s decades-long partnership with Seattle dates back to 2000, and the extended agreement will ensure that the cruise line continues homeport operations in the Washington port through at least 2035.

Assuming continued decarbonization goes to plan and the cruise company continues to prioritize sustainability, there is also an option to extend the partnership through 2045.

“We’re proud to continue our long-standing partnership with the Port of Seattle,” said Dan Farkas, Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Chief Development Officer at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.

“This agreement allows us to continue to invest in Seattle as a homeport, supports the ongoing growth of local jobs and businesses, and allows us to work collaboratively on practical sustainability initiatives through our Sail & Sustain program,” Farkas continued.

The partnership is meant to be mutually beneficial, with NCL securing a highly lucrative and strategic homeport for its Alaska voyages, and the port reaps economic benefits and aid in improving port infrastructure.

Cruise Ship Docked at Port of Seattle
Cruise Ship Docked at Port of Seattle (Photo Credit: Wirestock Creators)

Additionally, the cruise company makes a commitment to the local community, including educational programs for local students and pledging to participate in anti-human trafficking efforts.

It’s also worth noting that Norwegian Cruise Line is one of two brands to enter into an agreement with the Port of Seattle. In 2024, Cruise Hive reported that Carnival Corporation entered into its own 10-year berthing agreement with the port.

The Economic Perks

In order to agree to the new amendment, there are two key things that Norwegian Cruise Line must do to benefit Seattle.

First, the cruise line must guarantee that it will bring a minimum of 325,000 paying passengers to Seattle each Alaska season to ensure the wellbeing of the local tourism, transportation, hospitality, and maritime industries.

Over the course of ten years, this should equate to an estimated $116 million in revenue for the Port, with the potential to bring in much more. 

“The Port of Seattle’s cruise sector is a particularly bright spot in our business lines, with growing passenger numbers, revenues, and benefit for the community,” said Seattle Commissioner Sam Cho.

“Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has been an outstanding partner to the Port of Seattle for more than a quarter of a century, and I am pleased to support this new agreement today,” Cho added.

This agreement comes soon after Seattle opened for its busiest season ever in April, with 330 ship calls and 2.1 million passengers expected during the 2026 Alaska season.

NCLH ships will make up more than 70 of the expected calls. Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Encore, and Norwegian Joy are homeporting at Seattle’s Pier 66 for the duration of the current season.

Oceania Cruises, which is also owned by NCLH, has also made Seattle the home base for Oceania Riviera during its Alaska deployment.

Improving Sustainability

Seattle has always had the environment as a top priority, and in 2024, the cruise port even issued a mandate that all homeporting vessels must be shore-power capable by 2027.

This aligns with the goals of Norwegian Cruise Line, which has previously gone out of its way to reduce the carbon footprint of its fleet.

Through the revised agreement, the cruise line will help take sustainability to the next level by collaborating with local port authorities on a demonstration project to test the use of sustainable, non-fossil fuels in Seattle.

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NCL leadership will meet with the Port to review decarbonization progress and develop a mutually agreed-upon methodology before the end of the year.

But beyond this, the cruise line will help identify the infrastructure, technology, and supply conditions needed to help more fleets make the transition to shore power.

Carnival Breeze Narrowly Avoids Failing CDC Health Inspection

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Breeze Narrowly Avoids Failing CDC Health Inspection

Key Aspects:

  • Carnival Breeze scored 86 on a CDC health inspection on May 14, one point above a failing score of 85.
  • Corrective actions were taken for many of the violations, but a new score will not be issued until the ship’s next inspection.
  • The ship’s most recent prior inspection was in January 2026 with a perfect 100 score.

Carnival Breeze has barely passed her latest health inspection from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The inspection was conducted through the Vessel Sanitation Program on Thursday, May 14, 2026, while the ship was on her turnaround day in Galveston.

The 128,052-gross-ton, Dream class ship scored an 86 on the comprehensive inspection. Any score of 85 or lower is considered failing the inspection. The highest possible score is 100.

A total of 36 violations were noted in the ensuing report, detailing every instance of poor sanitation, maintenance, and health-related issues found onboard the ship.

While many of these are simple, such as spilled spices in a storeroom on Deck 0 and a crew member’s personal water bottle stored in an undercounter cabinet at a waiter station in the Deck 3 dining room, some issues are more concerning.

For example, incorrect food storage in the galley with raw chicken, steak, and shrimp stored in a manner that could create cross-contamination was noted. Likewise, in the Lido Marketplace buffet on Deck 10, foods out for service were not labelled correctly for being discarded in the appropriate time frame for adequate safety, including cut lettuce and sliced deli meats.

Illness Noted in Several Violations

The most severe infractions that could impact guests more directly were multiple violations related to acute gastroenteritis.

In one incident, a food service employee reported symptoms on April 19 during their shift but continued working for almost a full hour before reporting for medical evaluation and treatment.

On May 10, another crew member reported gastroenteritis (including using public bathrooms due to their symptoms), but also finished working their shift for several hours under the recommendation of the supervisor.

A cruise guest reported acute gastroenteritis on May 7 and was placed in isolation as per health protocols, but the housekeeping team assigned to that stateroom was not notified until the following day. This led to more exposure as the housekeeping team cleaned the stateroom in the interim without being aware of possible contamination.

While Carnival Breeze has not had a recorded outbreak of norovirus or other illnesses noted this year, these types of illnesses can spread very quickly if proper protocols are not followed.

Corrective Action Underway

No full corrective report has yet been submitted following Carnival Breeze‘s low inspection score, but certain corrective actions are already underway. As the inspection proceeded, some immediate action was taken and noted in the report.

For example, when bromine levels in one of the Serenity whirlpools were shown to be higher than recommended, the spa was immediately closed.

Similarly, in areas where ice machines were excessively soiled with black debris, crew members began cleaning the affected units right away.

Carnival Breeze Lido Deck
Carnival Breeze Lido Deck

“Crew initiated corrective action” was also noted on the report in response to food storage concerns and other cleanliness notes. Many such corrections are easy and immediate.

No new score will be assessed to Carnival Breeze until her next surprise inspection, however, even after such corrective action is taken. This is standard procedure for any inspection scores.

Previous Inspection Was Much Better

Interestingly, Carnival Breeze scored a perfect 100 on her previous health inspection on January 17, 2026. While this does not mean there were no violations at that time (in fact, there were 22 violations listed in that report), the nature of the violations was more severe for this most recent inspection.

Carnival Breeze has been inspected 21 times since she first set sail in 2012. The ship has scored a perfect 100 on five separate occasions: December 2012, January 2016, February 2017, April 2018, and January 2026.

The ship has only failed one inspection, in December 2017, with a score of 77. All of her other scores have been in the 90s, except one other near-fail with a score of 86 in March 2024.

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All cruise ships are subject to these random, surprise inspections by the CDC, and all cruise lines are graded dispassionately. Failing scores can happen, as Cruise Hive reported with Norwegian Dawn in April 2026, with a score of 84. Many immediate corrective actions were also taken in that case.

So far in 2026 Carnival Breeze is the only Carnival ship to come close to a failing score. Of all inspected ships from major cruise lines, only MSC Meraviglia has also scored in the 80s with an 89 from an inspection conducted on March 10.

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