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Carnival Claps Back Over Guest’s Demand to Fire Cruise Performer

Catie Kovelman
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Carnival Claps Back Over Guest’s Demand to Fire Cruise Performer

Key Aspects:

  • A recent Carnival guest demanded that a comedian should be fired due to the offensive nature of their performance.
  • The unnamed comedian was performing during an R-rated show at the Punchliner Comedy Club, which is uncensored.
  • Brand Ambassador John Heald encouraged passengers to skip adults-only shows if they may find the content to be too offensive.

At least once a year, Carnival Cruise Line seems to have to issue a reminder that the 18+ comedy shows in the Punchliner Comedy Club are not meant for everybody, as they can be vulgar or profane.

In July of 2025, Cruise Hive reported that Brand Ambassador John Heald told guests who were offended or thought they might be offended to not attend the adults-only comedy performances.

He gave the same advice in 2024, asserting that people who do not like the fact that “an R-rated show is R-rated” simply should not attend.

And apparently, it’s that time of year again. In a recent video posted to his Facebook page, Heald responded to a complaint that a comedian should be fired because his content was inappropriate.

“The adult comedy shows are uncensored and if you are in any doubt, don’t go. Please don’t go. We’ve said this 247 times…,” Heald advised.

“If you don’t like a joke a comedian says [at] the Punchliner, please don’t write to me and say that you demand that they be fired. It’s just silly,” he continued.

Heald encouraged the angry guest and others like him to simply accept they have a different sense of humor and to just “walk on by” and go do something else they will enjoy.

The cruise personality also expressed his respect for the difficulty that comes with the comedy profession, especially in 2026 and in the era of “cancel culture.”

He acknowledged that most jokes come at somebody else’s expense, even referencing the comedic structure of classics like Laurel and Hardy and the “Tom and Jerry” cartoons. But if guests find jokes to be offensive, they don’t need to listen.

R-Rated Comedy Isn’t a Surprise

One could argue that guests who are offended by the 18+ comedy shows only have themselves to blame.

The uncensored nature of the performances is emphasized in signage, notations in the Fun Times program and in the Hub App, and in announcements made before the show. If guests are still shocked by the nature of the comedy, they likely weren’t paying attention.

“Looks like you’ll need to begin having interviews for people attending the comedy shows. Use lots of foul language. If they laugh, they’re in. If it looks like they’re head will explode, they’re out,” one cruiser joked.

John Heald at Punchliner Comedy Club
John Heald at Punchliner Comedy Club

As an alternative for guests who are unsure about the late-night comedy, it’s okay to listen for a few minutes and then politely excuse themselves from the theater if they realize they don’t mesh with the comedian.

However, cruise ship etiquette dictates that these guests should sit at the end of the row and/or toward the back of the theater to avoid disturbing other passengers who are enjoying the set.

A Mix of Cruisers Deserves a Mix of Comedy

As a family-friendly cruise line, Carnival does offer plenty of PG entertainment options that some guests may prefer more, including family comedy shows in the Punchliner Comedy Club during the day and early evening hours.

The uncensored performances are saved for the late night, typically occurring between 9 p.m. and midnight, when kids should be in bed.

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But when expanding the discussion to Heald’s followers on Facebook, it is immediately clear that different cruisers have different senses of humor. It’s only fair to offer different comedy options for everyone.

“Most of the time I prefer the family friendly and find them more entertaining. The 18+ tend to keep using the same vulgar reference over and over. I’ll attend either and I won’t complain to crew about the jokes, it just gets old when it’s the same stale material,” one avid cruiser shared.

“I have attended both, but prefer the Adult Only Rated R shows,” another cruiser, with the opposite preference, chimed in.

Outside of comedy, there is also no shortage of production shows, live musical entertainment, and trivia and live game shows that are all family friendly.

Crew Member Fired From Cruise Line Over Assault Allegations

Catie Kovelman
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Crew Member Fired From Cruise Line Over Assault Allegations

Key Aspects:

  • During Valiant Lady’s dry dock visit, one crew member allegedly sexually assaulted another female crew member.
  • The two employees involved in the altercation were in a relationship and had been sharing a cabin.
  • There is no safety risk to cruise guests, and the male crew member has been fired and sent home.

During Valiant Lady’s recent visit to dry dock in Fincantieri Palermo, routine maintenance and new upgrades were not the only things to take place onboard.

According to PalermoToday, a romance between two crew members turned dangerous. A 26-year-old female crew member from Peru accused her partner, a 32-year-old man from Peru, of sexual assault.

The couple, who had been together for three years, shared a cabin with the permission of Virgin Voyages. The adults-only brand permits crew members who are in a relationship to live together, subject to rank and cabin availability.

On the night of Wednesday, May 20, 2026, going into Thursday, May 21, 2026, the boyfriend allegedly groped his girlfriend without consent and tried to hold her down in an unwanted attempt to have sexual intercourse in their shared cabin.

She managed to break away and seek refuge among some flight attendants, who helped the terrified crew member notify the police.

The Maritime Border Police, who activated “red code” protocols, interviewed the woman in a protected environment and videotaped her accusations. During the interview, she tearfully showed investigators marks on her arms that were caused by the violence.

Cruise Hive also learned that the woman was examined by a local hospital to corroborate her story and to determine what medical treatment may be necessary. It’s unclear if she has rejoined the cruise ship or has stayed on land to recover.

Offending Crew Member Removed From the Ship

Following the investigation, the male crew member was removed from the Lady ship and his employment was terminated.

He was escorted off Valiant Lady by the security team and placed on the first flight back to Peru through a coordinated effort between ship staff and Manfredi Borsellino, the Chief of Police. It’s unclear if criminal charges may still follow.

While Virgin Voyages has not commented publicly on this situation, the cruise line has a zero tolerance policy against violence and any other actions that could jeopardize the safety of its guests or crew members.

In its code of conduct, Virgin Voyages makes it clear that there will be consequences from the cruise line and local law enforcement agents will be contacted in response to any violence or potential crimes.

“Any criminal acts or allegations of such acts, including but not limited to the following, will be addressed on board through de-escalation or acting to end the apparent criminal act, and will be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency,” the policy states.

Valiant Lady Cruise Ship
Valiant Lady Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Rosemarie Mosteller)

In the following examples, uninvited physical contact, sexual misconduct, and violence or threats of violence are listed as being strictly forbidden.

The male crew member may have also broken another important rule. His female partner claimed that the assault came after a night of drinking and that he had previously behaved aggressively after drinking too much.

Virgin Voyages’ crew members are not allowed to consume alcohol within four hours prior to going on shift and their blood alcohol content must be below 0.05% at all times.

This is because crew members must be able to respond appropriately if an unexpected emergency occurs, which they cannot do if they are too intoxicated.

No Threat to Cruise Guests

While what this woman endured is awful, there was thankfully no risk to cruise guests. In this situation, the offense occurred during dry dock, when no paying passengers would be onboard. It also appears to be a conflict that did not broaden beyond the specific couple.

The 2,770-guest Valiant Lady is now leaving this situation behind her in Palermo as she resumes cruising on May 25, 2026. She was out of service for 15 days, starting on May 9.

More From Cruise Hive

During her time off, she gained the brand’s first Indian restaurant, Ariya, a redesigned On The Rocks bar, and upgraded outdoor spaces for guests to enjoy.

Her first cruise back is a 6-night, one-way sailing from Rome, Italy, to Barcelona, Spain. She will then homeport in Barcelona through the end of July, from where she will offer sailings to destinations throughout Italy, France, and Spain.

Cruise Ships Flood Mexican Ports in Blockbuster Start to 2026

Catie Kovelman
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Cruise Ships Flood Mexican Ports in Blockbuster Start to 2026

Key Aspects:

  • Early statistics for 2026 show cruise tourism is once again on the rise in Mexico.
  • An estimated 4.8 cruise guests across 1,425 ship calls have visited the country during the first four months of the year.
  • This marks a 14.8% increase in the number of passengers and a 10% increase in ship calls compared to 2025.

Mid-year statistics suggest another record-breaking year for cruising in Mexico, speaking to the strength of Mexico’s cruise ports as international tourist destinations and heralding an era of great economic prosperity.

4.8 million cruise guests have visited the country during just January to April of 2026, marking a 14.8% increase over the same time period in 2025.

During the first four months of the year, the passengers came from 1,425 cruise ship calls, which marks a 10% increase over the previous year.

Mexican authorities are celebrating the continued growth of cruise tourism as the local economies at its major ports thrive.

“The arrival of cruise ships generates direct benefits for the receiving communities, by boosting consumption in restaurants, shops, tourist services, transport and recreational activities, in addition to contributing to the generation of employment in the ports and tourist destinations,” The Secretary of Tourism of the Government of Mexico, Josefina Rodríguez Zamora, stated in a translated press release.

For context, Cruise Hive reported that 5.6 million guests visited Mexico between January and June of 2025, which 2026 is very much on track to beat. The four-month stats are only around 800,000 behind what 2025 did in six months.

Mexico’s Pacific Region Drives the Growth

These impressive numbers aren’t just coming from one specific port, but rather several key destinations within Mexico.

The Pacific region, which includes Baja and the Mexican Riviera, showed especially high increases in cruise tourism year-over-year.

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

Based on tourism data and information from the Secretariat of the Navy (SEMAR), Mexico’s Pacific region welcomed 1,708,341 passengers from January to April, which is a 39.9% increase compared to 2025.

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

The guests came on 540 ship calls, which is another impressive increase of 22.4% compared to the same time period in the previous year.

Puerto Chiapas, Chiapas, stood out as one of the fastest-growing ports within the Pacific region. The destination, which is in the southernmost part of Mexico, experienced an 83.3% uptick in ship arrivals and an 80.5% increase in passengers.

Mexico’s Gulf-Caribbean Region Also Flourishes

In addition to the Pacific region, Mexico’s Gulf-Caribbean region showed an impressive turnout, with 3.1 million passengers and 885 ship calls reported for the first four months of 2026.

This marks an increase of 4.6% for the total number of passengers year-over-year, as well as a 3.5% rise in cruise ship arrivals for this specific portion of the country.

For context, this region is home to major ports like Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Progreso. Located primarily on the Yucatán Peninsula in the state of Quintana Roo, they are well positioned for Western Caribbean itineraries.

Speaking of Cozumel, this port alone welcomed a whopping 1,987,695 passengers during the beginning of the year, which is an increase of 7.1% compared to 2025. They came from 571 ship calls, which is another increase of 5.2%.

More From Cruise Hive

Cozumel was also largely responsible for Quintana Roo’s record-breaking year in 2025. Last year, the region as a whole welcomed 7.4 million cruisers, 4.62 million of whom were received by Cozumel.

More growth is surely on the horizon for the remainder of 2026 and years to come. Major cruise lines, such as Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Disney Cruise Line, sail to Mexico year round from Southern California, Texas, and Florida.

P&O Cruise Ships by Size: From Largest to Smallest

Emrys Thakkar
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P&O Cruise Ships by Size: From Largest to Smallest

Key Aspects:

  • Arvia and Iona are P&O Cruises’ largest ships, both very similar in size and sister ships in the Excel class.
  • Aurora is the smallest, oldest ship in the P&O fleet, debuting in 2000.
  • Britannia remains P&O Cruises’ flagship, with its classic British style and modest size.

With its fleet of just seven ships, P&O Cruises may be small, but this British cruise line (considered to be one of the oldest such brands in the world, with its history traced back to the early 1800s) hardly deserves to be overlooked.

From its largest ship, Arvia, to its smallest and oldest ship, Aurora, P&O Cruises delights travelers with its UK stylings, value and fun for both adults-only cruisers and traveling families. 

Let’s take a look at P&O cruise ships by size, from largest to smallest (measured by gross tonnage), so you can decide which of the fleet is your perfect pick for an upcoming voyage. 

Arvia

P&O Arvia Cruise Ship
P&O Arvia Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Chris Hyde)

Arvia is the newest ship in the P&O Cruises fleet, and it’s technically the biggest P&O cruise ship, though the average person isn’t going to really notice that much of a difference between Arvia and her sister ship Iona. Both are in the line’s Excel class. 

Designed for fun-in-the-sun Caribbean and Mediterranean itineraries, the ship is also the largest ever built specifically for the British market. That said, it’s hardly the largest in the world, with a more modest size as compared to, say, that of the ships in the mammoth Royal Caribbean Icon class. 

The family-friendly ship features more than 2,600 cabins across its 16 decks, four pools (including an infinity pool) and more than 30 food and beverage options.

  • Gross Tonnage: 185,581 GT
  • Length: 345 meters/1,131 feet
  • Passenger Capacity: 5,200
  • Crew Capacity: 1,800
  • Entered Service: 2022

Iona

P&O Iona Docked in Southampton
P&O Iona Docked in Southampton (Photo Credit: Kev Gregory)

At the time of this Excel-class vessel’s debut, it was the largest ever built for P&O Cruises. It’s extremely similar to sister ship Arvia, but is just slightly smaller in terms of gross tons and length. However, it boasts the same number of guest cabins and houses the same number of cruisers and crew members. 

The LNG-powered, family-friendly ship is ideal for its scenic European itineraries, with its three-deck atrium with panoramic views; glass dome-covered pool area; 18 hot tubs; and more than 15 restaurants, as well as myriad watering holes. 

  • Gross Tonnage: 184,700 GT
  • Length: 344 meters/1,128 feet
  • Passenger Capacity: 5,200
  • Crew Capacity: 1,800
  • Entered Service: 2021

Britannia

P&O Britannia Cruise Ship in Curacao
P&O Britannia Cruise Ship in Curacao (Photo Credit: Wangkun Jia)

At 143,000 GT, Britannia is quite a bit smaller than Iona. However, that doesn’t mean that this ship doesn’t still offer plenty to love. It proudly claims one of the largest outdoor promenades in the P&O Cruises fleet. There are still four pools (though only four whirlpools). There are more than a dozen restaurants and half a dozen bars and lounges. 

As the name suggests, this ship delivers British goodness in spades (and, as it was christened by Elizabeth II herself, it ought to!), from the British-style breakfasts to the UK-sourced liquor selection. It makes sense then, that Britannia remains the P&O Cruises flagship, despite newer, bigger ships coming along. It embodies the line’s vibe and caters to its core audience with gusto. 

  • Gross Tonnage: 143,000 GT
  • Length: 330 meters/1,082 feet
  • Passenger Capacity: 3,647
  • Crew Capacity: 1,350
  • Entered Service: 2015

Ventura

P&O Ventura Cruise Ship in Southampton
P&O Ventura Cruise Ship in Southampton (Photo Credit: P.Cartwright)

In terms of P&O ship sizes, Ventura lands fully in the middle of the pack. This ship holds about 3,000 or so passengers, so it’s definitely not overwhelmingly big, but it still offers plenty of variety for families and couples alike — and on that note, it’s worth mentioning that Ventura is definitely a family-focused ship (although a handful of solo cabins are available). 

The ship features a lot of the spaces and venues that are considered P&O Cruises staples. For example, there’s The Glass House (a wine bar and restaurant developed by Olly Smith) and Sindhu (developed by a Michelin-starred chef and a favorite for its Indian fare), as well as the adults-only Retreat terrace. The Reefs Kids Club also earns high marks.

  • Gross Tonnage: 116,017
  • Length: 290 meters/951 feet
  • Passenger Capacity: 3,078
  • Crew Capacity: 1,205
  • Entered Service: 2008

Azura

P&O Azura Cruise Ship
P&O Azura Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: StudioPortoSabbia)

Azura is very, very similar to Ventura, but just slightly smaller. Cruisers have reported noticing minimal differences between the two, though some think that Azura is the overall nicer ship (but, of course, as with all cruise ships, others disagree — you’ll need to try both and make up your own mind!). Any feelings, though, of Azura being nicer, could be thanks to some very recent changes. 

While it did enter service in 2010, the ship was heavily refurbished in 2025, bringing the vessel up to modern standards. The line particularly paid attention to updating the ship’s bars and restaurants, such as the brand-favorite Sindhu, Glass House, Epicurean and Oriental Restaurant. Likewise, the cabins were given new carpets, curtains and upholstery, as well as new lighting and USB chargers in some.  

  • Gross Tonnage: 115,055 GT
  • Length: 290 meters/951 feet
  • Passenger Capacity: 3,100
  • Crew Capacity: 1,250
  • Entered Service: 2010

Arcadia

P&O Arcadia Cruise Ship
Photo Credit: P.Cartwright / Shutterstock

While definitely small, Arcadia is unique among the P&O Cruises ships we’ve discussed thus far, because it’s an adult-only ship. That’s right. Whereas some cruise lines develop all their ships with cruisers of all ages in mind, and others build their brands around being exclusive for the over-18 set, P&O Cruises blends the best of both worlds with some ships in its fleet for all, and some for adults only. 

The ship has a low-key, calm and relaxed atmosphere, with the average age trending upward. As of 2024, it received a refurbishment, with new upholstery and furnishings in the cabins and suites, as well as new bathrooms in some. Bars and restaurants likewise received an upgrade, as did carpets and upholstery throughout the ship’s other public spaces. 

Fun fact: According to P&O Cruises, out of all its fleet, Arcadia covers the most nautical miles each year. 

  • Gross Tonnage: 83,781 GT
  • Length: 285 meters/935 feet
  • Passenger Capacity: 2,094
  • Crew Capacity: 866
  • Entered Service: 2005

Aurora

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

Last, but certainly not least, Aurora is the oldest and smallest ship in the fleet, and it’s also just for adults (well, at least most of the time — as of December 2026, it will allow children on select, but not all, itineraries).

More From Cruise Hive

Ideal for an intimate and classic cruise experience, Aurora has grown an ardent fanbase of return cruisers who enjoy the ship’s simple deck plan, accessibility and style, though many acknowledge that, given the ship’s age, it will continue to show wear and tear, no matter how many refits it receives. 

  • Gross Tonnage: 76,152 GT
  • Length: 270 meters/885 feet
  • Passenger Capacity: 1,874
  • Crew Capacity: 850
  • Entered Service: 2000

Key Attraction Temporarily Unavailable on Disney Treasure

Melissa Mayntz
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Key Attraction Temporarily Unavailable on Disney Treasure

Key Aspects:

  • The AquaMouse waterslide on Disney Treasure has been closed for maintenance but should reopen Monday, May 25.
  • A crane and scaffolding were onboard the ship in Port Canaveral on Saturday to assist with repairs.
  • No injuries or damage have been reported with the AquaMouse, but some guests have reported leaks below the slide.

The famed AquaMouse waterslide is an iconic feature aboard Disney Treasure, so much fun for all 4,000 guests on the ship that it can have an hour wait or longer on the busiest days.

Guests onboard the May 23, 2026 sailing of the 144,256-gross-ton ship, however, do not have as many opportunities to brave the AquaMouse as they may like. The slide has been closed for the first two days of the sailing due to maintenance.

Notifications have been sent through the Disney Cruise Line app to alert guests to the slide’s closure.

“During this sailing, our maintenance team will be performing some necessary maintenance on the AquaMouse,” the message read. “As a result, the AquaMouse attraction will be unavailable until the necessary work can be completed.”

In fact, the ship was delayed departing from Port Canaveral on Saturday while some of that maintenance was performed, with a scaffolding and crane making an appearance on deck to work on the waterslide. While that may not be the only reason the ship was delayed for more than three hours departing her homeport, it did seem to be a contributing factor.

Disney Treasure was scheduled to depart for her 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise at 3:45 p.m. but did not end up leaving Port Canaveral until roughly 7:30 p.m.

Read Also: Disney Cruise Ships by Size – Largest to Smallest

Fortunately, no port calls were impacted by the delayed departure. The ship has two full days at sea to begin the sailing (sea days are always busiest for the 760-foot AquaMouse) before she visits St. Thomas on Tuesday and Tortola on Wednesday. Thursday is another day at sea, followed by a day at Castaway Cay on Friday before returning to the Sunshine State on Saturday, May 30.

Disney Treasure Cruise Ship
Disney Treasure Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: MartinLueke)

There are no reports that the AquaMouse on other Disney ships (Disney Wish and Disney Destiny) is undergoing any similar maintenance or repairs, though all waterslides do occasionally need such routine work.

When Will the AquaMouse Reopen?

Guests currently on the ship have asked lifeguards and other crew members and have been told the AquaMouse should open for rides on Monday, May 25. Of course, that will be subject to the successful completion of the maintenance and any necessary safety testing after the work is finished.

Past guests have noted that the attraction seems to be closed frequently. Disney Cruise Line has not commented on such closures, though high winds or poor weather can cause any deck attractions to be closed temporarily.

Other guests have noted that the slide appeared to have a leak in one section, just where the crane and scaffolding were focused for repairs.

“We sailed at the end of April and that section was leaking a good bit,” one previous guest noted. “We assumed it was normal but I guess not.”

Other guests had a similar experience with intermittent sprays and leaks from the impacted section, which appears to be midway through the ride where a solid part of the slide transitions to a clear section.

More From Cruise Hive

There have been no reports of injuries from the AquaMouse and the closure has been minimal. Cruise Hive has previously reported on waterslide problems with other cruise lines, including the weeks-long closures of multiple slides on both of Royal Caribbean’s Icon-class ships, Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas.

Hopefully, the repairs to the AquaMouse will proceed as expected and the 2-seater, themed raft slide will be open again for all guests to enjoy in the coming days.

Cruise Guests Now Face a €60 Fine for Taking Food From Buffets and Restaurants

Catie Kovelman
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0
Cruise Guests Now Face a €60 Fine for Taking Food From Buffets and Restaurants

Key Aspects:

  • Costa Cruises has implemented an unusual rule, in which guests are not allowed to remove food from the buffets or onboard restaurants.
  • If guests break this rule, they could be hit with a €60 (or $70 USD) cleaning fee.
  • Room service is still available, but meals must be delivered and retrieved by trained crew members.

Cruise Hive has seen plenty of guests complain about dirty dishes being left all over their ships, and apparently, Costa Cruises isn’t a fan of this either.

The cruise line is cracking down on removing food from the buffets and other restaurants onboard due to cleanliness concerns. Guests who try to dine outside of designated areas could be slapped with a €60 (about $70 USD) fee.

“For reasons of health and hygiene, we wish to inform you that it is strictly forbidden to take food from the buffet areas and restaurants for consumption in the public areas of the ship, the pool zones, in cabins, or in other interior areas,” Costa Cruises wrote in a translated letter, which is circulating on social media.

“Please note that failure to comply with this regulation may result in a charge of €60 for cleaning operations,” the letter continued.

The purpose of this unusual policy is to help avoid potential food contamination, maintain high cleanliness standards onboard, and to prevent issues with potential pests.

For the record, Costa Cruises is not known to have significant cleanliness or sanitation issues. The ships in the fleet that operate in US ports routinely score highly in inspections from the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program.

Room Service Gets Stricter

Costa Cruises will continue to offer 24-hour room service, though additional charges may apply for using this service. Per the Costa Cruises website, room service is only included for guests staying in suites and premium cabins.

To get around this, some guests like to grab their own food at the buffet and then bring it into their cabins to eat in peace and quiet or enjoy the views from their balconies.

Cruise Crew Member Cleaning Dishes
Cruise Crew Member Cleaning Dishes (Photo Credit: Mundofoto)

But under the new policy, this will not be allowed and is a finable offense. Only trained crew members will be permitted to deliver and retrieve room service meals.

“Only Room Service staff, appropriately trained on hygiene-sanitary procedures, are authorized to transport and deliver food to guests’ cabins, upon request of the service,” Costa Cruises confirmed.

This is in stark contrast to policies like the one in place from Carnival Cruise Line, where guests can order room service and/or pick up their own snacks and are instructed to leave their plates and cutlery outside their doors when they are done.

For both cruise lines, room stewards regularly walk the corridors to pick up trash or used cutlery so the remnants of passenger meals aren’t just sitting out for hours.

Cruise Guests React

Essentially any time a cruise line implements a new rule or cracks down on a behavior, it’s going to be met with a mixed response.

Some cruise guests have welcomed the policy with open arms, saying that passengers have lost the privilege of taking their food on the road because of their own unhygienic behaviors.

“It was time… I’ve seen people leave their garbage on the stairs. I think it’s right, especially on the Adriatic mini cruises, vandals rise. Let’s hope someone checks seriously…” one cruise fan reacted.

Others didn’t like the idea because room service comes with a charge and the buffet wouldn’t stay open 24/7 as a free alternative. They liked the reassurance of being able to take snacks to go if they got hungry later and some needed access to food for certain medical conditions.

“I think it’s an inappropriate measure !!!! In that case the buffet should always stay open like at MSC!!!!,” another cruiser exclaimed.

Additional concerns about not being able to find seating in the buffet during peak dining hours bubbled to the surface as well.

Also interesting, the Carnival-owned brand is the only cruise line under the Carnival Corporation that is known to enforce this policy as of the time of this publication.

Sister companies like Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, and Holland America Line still seem to allow more flexibility on where guests choose to eat, though it’s possible that this policy could be rolled out to more brands in the future.

Thousands of Cruisers Impacted as Juneau Tram Extends Closure Indefinitely

Catie Kovelman
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Thousands of Cruisers Impacted as Juneau Tram Extends Closure Indefinitely

Key Aspects:

  • Goldbelt Tram, a popular attraction enjoyed by cruise guests in Juneau, has extended its temporary closure indefinitely.
  • Work is still being done on the attraction after an accident on April 30, 2026, which sent two employees to the hospital.
  • The goal is still to reopen this summer before the cruise season ends, though no reopening date has been set.

Nearly a month after an accident led to the abrupt closure of Juneau’s famous Goldbelt Tram, the popular shore excursion has extended its closure indefinitely.

On the night of April 30, 2026, five tram employees were riding a tram car that came into the base station too fast and stopped abruptly. Two of the passengers were sent to the hospital for minor injuries.

Cruise Hive previously reported that the tram was supposed to reopen on May 24, 2026, and that guests from the 85 cruise ship calls scheduled during the closure would receive full refunds.

But with June just around the corner to herald the official arrival of the peak Alaska cruise season, the tram company is unable to set a new reopening date due to ongoing repairs and inspections. However, the plan is to reopen before the end of summer.

“There is no date set to open until we are certified safe to operate. We don’t know when that date will be,” Goldbelt Inc. President and CEO McHugh Pierre told KTOO.

“We anticipate opening this year. This is not a lost season, but we want to make sure that again, safety is the priority — the only priority,” Pierre continued.

Cruise Hive will continue to monitor the situation and will issue an update when a new opening date is announced.

The Current Status of the Goldbelt Tram

While the cause behind the accident has not been publicly confirmed, the company and all relevant authorities are taking every possible step to ensure it never happens again.

Pierre stated that residents and visitors alike can expect to see some changes for the better at the terminals in the coming weeks, and noted that all tram cars will temporarily come off their cables to be repaired, inspected, and recertified.

“We are going to take the tram cars off of the cables…You’ll see the cars move, they’ll be gone, and they’ll get worked on and repaired, inspected, and certified, and then we’ll mount them back on the cables for use,” Pierre explained.

Goldbelt Tram
Goldbelt Tram (Photo Credit: David Rajter)

As repairs are being made, guests who want the Goldbelt experience are still invited to visit the tram’s Lower Terminal for refreshments, cultural experiences, and shopping.

“While tram rides remain temporarily paused, the Lower Terminal continues welcoming guests daily with Raven About Coffee, cultural experiences, shopping, and visitor amenities,” Goldbelt Tram posted on Facebook.

“We look forward to welcoming everyone back aboard as soon as operations resume safely,” the update added.

The tram is located immediately adjacent to the main downtown cruise ship docks and is only a short walk away. It’s also free to enter the Lower Terminal, making it an affordable activity for cruisers who don’t have other plans in Juneau.

Thousands of Cruise Guests Impacted

Alaska’s capital welcomes roughly 1.6 to 1.7 million cruise passengers every year, hundreds of thousands of whom use the tram to ride to the top of Mount Roberts every summer.

Some brands, such as Princess Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line, offer multiple versions of the Goldbelt Tram that sell the experience on its own or paired with other attractions, such as sight seeing at the Mendenhall Glacier.

Hopefully, the attraction will reopen sooner rather than later, both for the enjoyment of cruise passengers but also because every day the attraction remains closed surely brings a significant loss in revenue for the company. Full refunds have and will continue to be provided to all impacted guests and season passholders.

More From Cruise Hive

Just for the remainder of May (May 23 going forward), 55 cruise ship calls are expected in Juneau. In June, a whopping 172 ship calls are on the port schedule.

They come from a variety of major cruise brands, including Holland America Line, Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, and more.

Carnival Hit With Lawsuit After Passenger’s Feet Burned on Pool Deck

Catie Kovelman
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Carnival Hit With Lawsuit After Passenger’s Feet Burned on Pool Deck

Key Aspects:

  • A Florida man is suing Carnival Cruise Line after allegedly sustaining burns on his feet from the Lido Deck.
  • The guest claims that the pool area was dangerously hot to the point where it could cause second-degree burns in seconds.
  • He also isn’t the only Carnival cruiser to complain about deck surfaces becoming too hot.

When Cruise Hive covers lawsuits about the surface of the Lido Deck being unacceptable, it’s usually because it was too slippery and someone fell. This time, legal action has been filed against Carnival Cruise Line because the pool deck was too hot.

Jorge Luis Alverio Nunez has filed a lawsuit against Carnival because he says that he sustained significant second-degree burns on his feet while walking barefoot on the Lido Deck of Carnival Magic on May 21, 2025.

He alleges that the twenty steps from the pool to the shoes waiting for him at his lounge chair was enough to cause tissue damage to his feet because the deck had reached unsafe temperatures.

The Florida resident officially filed the maritime personal injury lawsuit in the Southern District of Florida on May 11, 2026, nearly one year after his sailing. He is seeking compensation in excess of $5 million.

In the claim, the former guest accuses Carnival of negligence for allowing deck conditions to become unsafe and failing to properly warn passengers of the danger.

He claims that he has endured severe pain and suffering and physical disfigurement as a result of the burns and was admitted to the hospital. The cruiser says that he has experienced ongoing mobility problems as well.

For additional context, the reputable Cleveland Clinic defines second degree burns as a “mild type of burn” that can fully heal in as little as one to three weeks. Of course, the severity and recovery can vary across patients.

It’s also unclear if the passenger sought out treatment or reported the incident during his cruise, but Carnival would have offered prompt care in its onboard medical facility if crew members were made aware of the issue.

How Hot Was the Lido Deck?

One of the main arguments in the lawsuit is that Carnival allowed guests to continue to use the Lido deck when they should have known the surface was too hot.

It also asserts that the crew members should have taken actions to prevent the surface of the deck from becoming dangerous. But how hot was the Lido Deck?

In May of last year, the 130,000-gross ton Carnival Magic would have been operating short itineraries to the Bahamas and the Caribbean.

While the weather details at the time of the burn are not publicly available, the average high in the Bahamas during this time of year is around 86 degrees Fahrenheit and in the high 80s to the low 90s in the Caribbean.

Assuming it was 85 degrees outside, standard ground temperatures on land could exceed 105 degrees Fahrenheit if exposed to direct sunlight.

Carnival Magic Cruise Ship
Carnival Magic Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Just dance)

However, cruise ships are different because the constant sea breeze helps to keep things cool, as does frequent wetting from swimmers getting in and out of the water.

Additionally, Carnival uses marine-grade flooring on its decks like Bolidt Future Teak and non-slip coatings, which are designed to be heat resistant. While the floor can still get hot on sunny days, it shouldn’t be able to reach dangerous temperatures.

Another component of Nunez’s lawsuit is that Carnival did not properly warn guests about how hot the deck might be. He claims that there were no warning signs or any announcements from crew members to make him aware of the danger.

Carnival has been known to put out signage warning guests on particularly hot days, but per the lawsuit, the signage is inconsistent at best.

Are Hot Floors a Problem?

Nunez’s lawsuit claims that other guests have suffered serious burns, and that one past passenger was burned so severely that it resulted in the amputation of the foot and leg below the knee.

Other Carnival Cruisers have also experienced issues with hot floors on social media, which suggests a bigger issue could be at play.

“Currently on Mardi Gras from the lido pool deck nursing my burnt feet!! Not actually burnt but they do hurt from the scalding pool decks,” one former guest posted on Facebook as far back as June 6, 2022.

“This is a cruise ship that travels in the Caribbean sun so they should have a surface that won’t get so hot. I saw parents carrying their children over the deck to save their footsies,” the post continued.

On its website, Carnival also encourages guests to wear boat shoes with traction, sandals with traction, or water shoes to protect their feet (although water shoes cannot actually be worn in the pools or jacuzzis onboard for safety reasons).

Even though shoes can’t be worn in the pool or hot tubs, there is no rule against leaving them within reach as long as they aren’t encumbering a walkway.

Carnival has not commented publicly on this lawsuit or the temperature of its Lido Decks. At the moment, the 3,690-guest Carnival Magic is operating Caribbean cruises from Miami normally.

Full-Ship Charter Bumps Royal Caribbean Guests Off Allure of the Seas

Calvin Musquez
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Full-Ship Charter Bumps Royal Caribbean Guests Off Allure of the Seas

Key Aspects:

  • Allure of the Seas’ March 7, 2027 cruise has been cancelled in favor of a full-ship charter.
  • Impacted cruisers can move to another sailing or cancel for a full refund.
  • Guests who take no action will be automatically moved to an identical sailing, departing March 21, 2027.

Royal Caribbean cruisers looking forward to a Spring sailing aboard Allure of the Seas are now having to change plans. The entire 7-day cruise has been cancelled, having been booked for a private charter instead.

Originally set to depart from Miami on March 7, 2027, the 225,282 gross ton ship was scheduled to visit Nassau, Falmouth, and Royal Caribbean’s private destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay, before returning to Miami on March 14.

“We’re reaching out to let you know that, regrettably, we must cancel our March 7, 2027, Allure of the Seas sailing, as it has been chartered,” Royal Caribbean wrote in an email to guests.

“We understand that this is not an ideal situation, and we’re truly sorry for the impact it has on your vacation plans.”

The cruise line did not reveal who had chartered the cruise, or if they will follow the same itinerary. However, Cruise Hive has been made aware of a group on Facebook indicating it may have been Atlantis Events, a company specializing in LGBT cruises and events.

Royal Caribbean has partnered with Atlantis Events several times before. That being said, the cruise is not currently listed on the official Atlantis events website.

Options for Impacted Guests

While this development is certainly disappointing to those booked on the cruise, Royal Caribbean has presented several options to make it right.

Guests with a little flexibility who wish to avoid the rebooking hassle can simply do nothing and be automatically rebooked on another sailing.

This would be an identical itinerary aboard Allure of the Seas, in the same stateroom category, departing on March 21, 2027. 

Those who choose this option will also receive onboard credit: $100 USD for Interior, Ocean View, and Balcony staterooms and $200 USD for Suites. Parties of three or more people will also receive an additional $50 onboard credit for each additional third or more person.

Royal Caribbean Oasis Class Cruise Ship
Royal Caribbean Oasis Class Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Andres Felipe Perez)

If that sailing doesn’t fit their schedule, guests can also rebook on any other Royal Caribbean sailing, however they will be responsible for any difference in price. 

In either case, the cruise line will also reimburse travel costs, up to $200 per guest for domestic travel, and up to $400 for international.

Guests are weighing their options, with one guest posting on Reddit to help decide between switching to a sailing aboard Allure of the Seas’ 226,963 gross ton Oasis class sister ship Harmony of the Seas or one of the bigger, newer Icon-class ships like 2025’s Best New Cruise Ship, Star of the Seas.

Harmony of the Seas is slightly newer than Allure of the Seas, having entered service in 2016, but is generally comparable in size and capacity, allowing up to 5,479 guests. Star of the Seas, meanwhile, is a state of the art floating city, at 248,663 gross tons and allowing up to 5,610 guests.

Full Refunds Also Available

Sometimes, schedules don’t have much flexibility, and rebooking isn’t an option. In that case, guests can also cancel for a full refund.

If a guest purchased the cruise using Royal Caribbean Future Cruise Credit, a refund will be issued in the amount paid in cash, and the future cruise credit will be returned to their account. Future Cruise Credit will not be paid out in cash.

Guests must inform Royal Caribbean Guest Relations of their decision by June 3, 2026 or they will be automatically booked on the March 21 sailing.

More From Cruise Hive

This is far from the first time a full ship charter has axed a Royal Caribbean cruise. For instance, in 2024, a 5-night Japanese sailing aboard Spectrum of the Seas was similarly cancelled for a charter.

Cancellations due to full charters are a relatively common occurrence in the cruise industry. While they may be frustrating at times (especially for those who plan their year around a vacation at sea), they also allow for some of the most unique and entertaining experiences at sea.

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