The approximately 100 passengers onboard Villa Vie Odyssey already had to wait about five months longer than planned to embark on their home away from home.
“We have received over a dozen formal complaints from residents regarding your continuous complaints and negativity. This behavior has significantly impacted the morale and well-being of other passengers,” Chief Operating Officer Kathy Villalba told Phenix at the time.
“Given the overwhelming feedback, we must cancel your contract permanently to uphold the well-being and satisfaction of our community,”continued Villalba.
Both women denied being rude, disrespectful, or threatening in their messages and claimed that they did not turn to the media or try to go public until after their cruise contracts were actually cancelled.
That said, the messages they sent are not publicly available to verify the content.
But despite their protests, neither woman was onboard when the vessel finally set sail from Belfast, Ireland, on October 3, 2024. The 24,344-gross ton vessel was originally supposed to start her ongoing world cruise on May 15, 2024.
But while Phenix is still in a dispute with the residential cruise line, Kelter was able to reach an agreement that will allow her to join the vessel when it begins the South America Segment of its first 3.5-year world cruise in December 2024 –just in time for Christmas.
“I am happy that Villa Vie Residences and I were able to resolve our issues. I am elated about joining the ship and beginning the fulfilment of my lifetime dream of travelling the world while living aboard a cruise ship,”Kelter told Shipmonk UK.
Kelter will finally be able to take advantage of her more than £75,000 investment (about $95,513 USD), which is what she paid for her home at sea.
She will also be reunited with her belongings that were onboard when the ship set sail without her, including important items like medications and valuable jewelry.
Where is Villa Vie Odyssey Now?
The process of transforming the former MS Braemar from Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines into Villa Vie Residences’ first residential cruise ship was wrought with both administrative and technical issues – leading to the extensive delay.
But after a rocky start, everything seems to be resolved and all has been well for the inaugural portion of Villa Vie Odyssey’s first world sailing – which explored destinations in Spain, Portugal, France, and Morocco.
The residential cruise program allows guests to own their own home onboard or to sign up for one-year to four-year memberships starting at just under $50,000 annually – with room onboard for about 600 residents.
Passengers Celebrating Departure of Villa Vie Odyssey (Photo Credit: Villa Vie)
The long-term cruisers then get to see the world as the smaller ship circumnavigates the globe every 3.5 years – with the maiden world cruise expected to visit 425 destinations and over 100 islands across 147 countries and seven continents.
For many, like the 66-year-old Kelter, it’s a desirable retirement option – as guests get to see the world, own their own residence at a lower cost than many homes on land, and have their needs met through the all-inclusive onboard experience. There is even a health center onboard that offers complimentary consultations.
Per cruise tracking data, Villa Vie Odyssey is currently sailing in the Caribbean Sea. Her official itinerary – which was updated in October 2024 – has her exploring the Caribbean from November 14 until December 17, when she transitions to South America via the Panama Canal.
Kelter will actually join the ship in Panama City, Panama, on December 17. She will be onboard for the entirety of the South America segment – which lasts until April 23, 2025, and includes several multi-day port calls.
The remainder of 2025 includes visits to bucket list destinations throughout North America, Japan, the Philippines, and the South Pacific.
Mexico is a top cruise destination for many travelers, and ports such as Cozumel, Costa Maya, Ensenada, Cabo San Lucas, and more welcome millions of passengers each year. These destinations might soon become empty ports, however, if a proposed new tax is not reconsidered.
The Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), a not-for-profit trade organization that represents 23 cruise lines, has reached out to Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, requesting that a new $42 per person “immigration fee” for cruise passengers be eliminated.
The tax – officially titled the “Non-Resident Fee” is slated to take effect in 2025 and the FCCA is taking action to see if adjustments are possible. Cruise bookings for both 2025 and 2026 are already underway and many travelers will have booked their cruises long before the fee was suggested.
Specifically, the organization is writing on behalf of Carnival Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise Line.
Each of these major cruise lines operates hundreds of sailings that include Mexican ports of call each year. Depending on the exact itinerary, one ship may visit several destinations in Mexico on a single sailing.
According to Reportur, the FCCA letter explains that cruise lines may adjust itineraries if the fee goes into effect, which could have a significant financial impact on local Mexican economies.
“Cruise lines are already actively considering significantly altering itineraries, which would reduce the more than 10 million passengers and 3,300 cruise ship arrivals expected to visit Mexico in 2025,”the letter stated.
Mexican destinations are included on itineraries from 3-7 nights and longer from various homeports, including Long Beach, Galveston, Mobile, New Orleans, Tampa, Miami, and Port Canaveral. The country is also visited on repositioning sailings before and after the Alaska season, as well as on longer, more diverse itineraries.
The letter also notes that not only might cruise ships slow or stop visiting Mexico, but applying the fee might then jeopardize different cruise lines’ investments in Mexico as a top destination.
“This proposed tax could also jeopardize the cruise industry’s investments in the country, including billions in planned developments and other projects,”the letter reads.
This could include Royal Caribbean’s recent announcement to create “Perfect Day Mexico” in Mahahual, adjacent to Costa Maya, as well as other port improvement and development projects.
Mexico’s Non-Resident Fee – Why Are Cruisers Now Impacted?
Mexico has actually imposed a non-resident fee on tourists since 1999. In 2024, the fee is $687 Mexican pesos, or approximately $33 USD. If visitors want to leave and reenter the country several times, or if they will be carrying out paid activities while in Mexico, different fees apply.
Cruise Ships Docked in Cozumel, Mexico (Photo Credit: JorgeSuarez)
Cruise passengers have largely been exempt from this tax, however. The biggest provision exempting cruise travelers is that if an individual’s stay in Mexico is less than seven days, the fee has not previously applied.
It should be noted that this tax on passengers is in addition to other taxes imposed on cruise lines, such as docking fees and other taxes based on ships’ overall capacity.
Furthermore, this new tax is not the same as the previously approved $5 (USD) per person tax in Quintana Roo – home to both Costa Maya and Cozumel – that will take effect from January 1, 2025. That is a state tax rather than a national one.
Tourism taxes generally help support further tourist development in a nation, such as ensuring proper infrastructure for visitors and improving attractions to encourage longer stays and repeat visits.
While $42 per person may not be excessive for a single traveler, it can add substantially to a family’s cruise travel budget, especially if the tax is levied at each individual Mexican port of call on an itinerary.
Note: This article originally stated that the non-resident fee was to begin in 2026. This has been corrected; the fee will begin in 2025.
Oriental Land Company., Ltd., which is a Japanese leisure and tourism company, has just marked another major milestone in its expanding partnership with the Disney brand.
Oriental Land Company already operates Disney’s two theme parks in Japan – Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea – and is now leading the charge as Disney Cruise Line expands into the Asian market.
On November 29, 2024, Oriental Land Company., Ltd. signed an agreement with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government that designated the Port of Tokyo as the hub for Disney Cruise Line’s Asian operations and as the homeport of choice for future sailings.
“We would like to inform you that Oriental Land Company, Ltd. has signed a cooperation agreement with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government for the aim of developing its Japan-based cruise business, with the Port of Tokyo as its main departure and arrival base and to cooperate on related initiatives,”reads a statement regarding the agreement, which has been unofficially translated from Japanese.
As part of this, Oriental Land Company, Ltd. has established a more concrete plan for building and launching a new Wish-class ship specifically for the Japanese market – which was first announced on July 9, 2024.
Construction will begin in 2025 – with ship delivery taking place in 2028. The ship is then expected to officially debut in 2029.
“In order to develop our cruise business, we will start shipbuilding in fiscal 2025 and aim to launch in fiscal 2028. Based on this agreement, we will work in cooperation with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to realize our unique leisure called ‘Family Entertainment Cruise,’” continued the translated statement.
This will be the first ship to sail under the Disney name that is actually owned and operated by an organization other than The Walt Disney Company.
It’s also an entirely separate endeavor than the previously announced Disney Adventure, which was designed with the Asian market in mind but is still owned by Disney. The first of Disney’s Global-class ships will launch in Singapore at the end of 2025.
What We Know About the Next Wish-Class Ship
While it’s still very early in the process, the unnamed new-build will likely share a lot of similarities with Disney Wish and the new Wish-class vesselsjoining the fleet: Disney Treasure and Disney Destiny.
Disney Treasure will officially enter service on December 21, 2024, with Disney Destiny following in 2025.
The new ship is expected to be about 140,000 gross tons, with a capacity for about 4,000 passengers and 1,500 crew members (also known as cast members) – which makes the new-build around the same size or ever so slightly bigger than the existing Wish-class ships.
Disney Treasure Construction
While the new vessel will likely offer similar amenities to other ships in her class – such as the AquaMouse water coaster that debuted on Disney Wish – there will likely be new experiences specifically curated for Japanese cruisers.
With Disney Adventure heading to Singapore next year, many may also be wondering how the unnamed vessel will compare to Disney’s first ship that was specifically designed for the Asian cruise industry.
While we don’t yet know specifics about amenities onboard the new-build, Disney Adventure will certainly be much larger. In fact, she is the largest ship in Disney’s fleet at 208,000-gross tons with a capacity for approximately 6,000 guests.
She also wasn’t exactly a new-build – whereas Oriental Land Company, Ltd. will be starting from scratch on their ship.
Worried you’re going to get bored while you’re on your next cruise? Even if you have multiple sea days scattered across your itinerary, cruise ships are bursting at the seams with ways to keep you occupied — and when it comes to shows and similar entertainment, you have more options than ever.
Yes, there are still the staple theatrical performances like those that have long been a part of cruise ships’ offerings, but now there’s so much more, too. Here are the nine types of entertainment and shows you can find on a cruise.
Let’s start with one of the basics, and probably the type of cruise ship entertainment you’re most familiar with, simply because these types of shows feature prominently in cruise ships’ main theaters: Broadway shows.
Many cruise lines produce their own versions of Broadway favorite hits, with shows rotating in and out, so even if you cruise with one cruise line reliably, you can probably find something new on the docket during every single cruise.
Royal Caribbean, for example, has put on renditions of CATS, Saturday Night Fever, Mamma Mia, Hairspray and Grease. Norwegian Cruise Line has likewise put on renditions of Jersey Boys, The Choir of Man and Beetlejuice, among others.
Then, while not technically a Broadway show, Norwegian Cruise Line does also feature other shows from a group with Broadway connections. Burn the Floor is a ballroom and Latin dance theater company that performs shows on Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Epic.
2. Original Productions
Photo Courtesy: Norwegian Cruise Line
Beyond putting on Broadway favorites in the theater, some cruise lines also put on their own original productions, completely created in-house, for shows you won’t and can’t see anywhere else. Depending on the cruise line, these shows may blend choreography and music, acrobatics and acting.
Royal Caribbean has produced more than two dozen original productions, and shows really run the gamut. Some are more geared toward the adults in your crew, while others are more geared toward families. Some are music-heavy, with lots of choreography, while others lean into special effects and amazing, over-the-top sets.
Carnival Cruise Line also produces a range of original shows via Playlist Productions. Carnival’s original shows are typically more music-heavy, and may feel more like a musical review than a theatrical performance.
However, this provides broad appeal to large cruising audiences, and you’ll likely quickly see why cruisers are quick to snag their seats for these shows.
Norwegian Cruise Line likewise has some theatrical performances of its own devising, as does Princess Cruises. On the former, you can find musical reviews that feature cool celebrity impersonators representing some of the biggest names in music history.
For truly top-tier original productions, though, you can’t ignore Disney Cruise Line. The cruise line condenses some of its favorited franchise and movies into smaller, staged shows. You’ll be able to find shows with songs and scenes from family hits like “Frozen.”
Do note that, whether you’re planning on catching a Broadway performance or a house-produced performance, you can typically find shows going on at two different times, most evenings. Additionally, you may need to purchase tickets in advance, if you want to guarantee that you’ll get a seat at the time that you want.
3. AquaTheater Shows
AquaTheater at the Aft of the Ship
The AquaTheater is a venue unique to Royal Caribbean. It’s basically what it sounds like — a theater venue that also contains a water element, in this case the largest and deepest freshwater pool at sea.
As such, the theater is outfitted with multiple high-diving platforms, for spectacular stunts all set against the backdrop of the sea, over the ship’s side. As you could probably expect, the AquaTheater shows take a nautical theme in many instances, with shows like Pirates vs Mermaids. Others focus on acrobatic stunts set to music.
The AquaTheater appears on both Oasis-class and Icon-class ships.
4. Ice-skating Shows
Ice-Skating Rink
If you’re sailing on a cruise ship with an ice rink, you may be able to catch some ice-skating shows on the rink during your cruise.
Royal Caribbean boasts ice rinks on all the ships within its Voyager, Freedom, Oasis and Icon classes. There, in addition to the open skating sessions, you can also find a range of shows, from the more traditional, to the kid-friendly, to the fairytale-esque.
5. Live Music
Holland America Show
You can find live music played throughout just about any cruise ship, at just about any time of day. In public spaces, live music sets the scene, providing a lively, fun atmosphere. In smaller, more intimate settings, live music either provides a backdrop for a few casual drinks or gets the party started.
Favorite live music options across major cruise lines include Carnival Cruise Line’s piano bars. You’ll find one of these bars on every Carnival ship.
Some cruise lines have specific cover bands that cover songs from classic, favorite bands and musicians. For example, Norwegian Cruise Line has The Cavern Club (if you’re into Beatles’ lore, you’ll automatically recognize this name) on a handful of ships (Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Joy), where you can stop by and get a drink but also enjoy Beatle cover sets.
Otherwise on Norwegian Cruise Line, you can find live music sets at venues such as Howl at the Moon (on Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Escape), and at Syd Norman’s Pour House (on Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Prima).
Other cruise lines might focus on classical music or jazz stylings. The latter is partially the case on Holland America, thanks to offerings like B.B. King’s Blues Club (for R&B), where you can hear the classic R&B hits every day.
Holland America also has other spots to hear live covers from other genres, such as Billboard Onboard and the Rolling Stone Lounge, which offer the hits and rock classics, respectively.
6. Game Shows
Rendering: Carnival Cruise Line
Some cruise lines host game shows on some days and evenings, inviting cruisers to participate in the audience and/or go head-to-head with their fellow vacationers on the stage.
Carnival Cruise Line has a Family Feud-style game show that you can catch. It’s equally fun, whether you’re in the audience or in the bright lights.
Norwegian Cruise Line hosts recognizable rounds of games like Deal or No Deal and Wheel of Fortune.
Royal Caribbean has a few game shows as well, but they’re more for the adult set. Options include Love and Marriage and Battle of the Sexes.
7. Comedy Sets
Punchliner Comedy Club, Carnival Cruise
Whether you prefer improv or a more rehearsed set, you can find plenty of laughs at comedy clubs on cruise ships.
Carnival Cruise Line has its Punchliner Comedy Club on every ship in its fleet, offering both family-friendly shows during the day and raunchier sets after dark.
Norwegian Cruise Line similarly has its Headliners Comedy Club on Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Escape.
8. Planetariums
Queen Mary 2 Planetarium
Okay, you won’t be able to find this entertainment option on a wide swathe of ships, but if you can, it’s seriously cool.
Most notably, on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2, the cruise line offers planetarium-set shows where you can sit back, stare upwards, and listen to a calming voice tell you all about the cosmos.
You can also find a planetarium on Viking Cruises’ Orion, which claims status as the highest-definition planetarium at sea.
9. Movie Theaters
In addition to live performances, you can also find movies playing on many ships. Disney Cruise Line, for example, plays both old favorites and new releases in the movie theaters aboard its ships, with both kid-friendly and more adult-geared showings (so, for example, Marvel movies for the 13-and-up crowd).
Several cruise lines also show movies on the top deck, on a big screen, including Carnival Cruise Line and Princess Cruises.
Modern cruise ships are becoming more innovative and exciting with every new vessel launched. But while the cruise lines try to innovate and improve the experience, many avid cruisers are feeling nostalgic for how cruising “used to be.”
Some Redditors share a general sentiment that cruise lines care more about making money than the experience of their guests.
As ships get bigger, cruise lines can make a bigger profit from the increased guest capacity and often charge more for bookings on their newest ships.
But as the prices go up, the services decrease – which is at least the experience that some cruisers shared on Reddit.
“RCCL (Royal Caribbean) cutting things that are never coming back… Like turndown service at night. Those wet towels from your pre-dinner shower aren’t going anywhere thanks to their cuts, despite capacity crowds and surging demand,”one former guest wrote.
“Less all-inclusive and much more nickel and diming. More ‘specialty’ crap and other ‘exclusive’ BS that you have to pay for…Pretty soon I expect them to start charging to ride the water slide or use the pool,”another cruiser chimed in.
“I also feel like 10+ years ago cruises were a ‘wow’ vacation that catered to your every need. Now to achieve that same experience, you have to pay extra. What used to be basic service is now premium service,” added a third.
Even with more space onboard, cruisers are also noticing that their sailings feel more crowded than they used to – which hurts the onboard experience and leads to a lot more waiting around.
Even more recently, Carnival announced that it would have to suspend key perks for elite members of its VIFP (Very Important Fun Person) loyalty program on multiple sailings in December due to the high capacity onboard.
That said, the crowds have been noticed across multiple cruise lines – not just Carnival. Guests who can sail outside of peak season – or who can prioritize older ships until the buzz surrounding new vessels dies down – may have a better experience.
Positive Shifts in the Cruising Experience
Some Redditors also have noticed that cruise lines have relaxed the rules concerning dress codes and formal night attire – which most didn’t mind.
“One of the biggest differences I’ve seen is how much more casual dinner has gotten. I remember when I first started cruising, it would be a whole event and we’d have to cushion in time to get all dolled up. Now, we can show up in the same clothes we spent the day in,”one Redditor posted.
While this is a fairly significant shift, the majority appreciated that they didn’t have to spend money on new outfits or dedicate time out of their day to getting ready.
“Part of the issue with dressing for dinner is that people simply don’t have those dress up clothes anymore. Pretty much everything on land doesn’t require dressing up to the extent it used to…Most of that is good, as far as I’m concerned, but it changes the whole dress up dynamic everywhere,”another Redditor replied.
Carnival Jubilee Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Jonathan C Wear)
That said, it could still be seen as disrespectful to dress down in special circumstances. Most recently, Carnival guests pushed back against passengers who didn’t dress up for the exclusive – and formal – Chef’s Table experience.
But as the appreciation for the wardrobe flexibility shows, not all changes to cruising are a bad thing.
Some recent cruise guests were quick to point out that the rollout of Starlink internet – which is now used by many of the mainstream cruise lines – has significantly improved the Wi-Fi at sea.
Others pointed out that some cruise lines have also improved their entertainment to the point of putting on multiple Broadway-caliber performances in one sailing.
Disney Cruise Line is particularly famous for its full-length musicals – and will be launching Disney Treasure at the end of December along with a brand new musical inspired by “Moana.”
When it comes to delays, Carnival Liberty has just been hit with a double whammy as she nears the end of her current 7-night Eastern Caribbean voyage.
The Conquest-class vessel will be delayed in its return to New Orleans, Louisiana, after diverting to disembark an ailing guest and then developing propulsion issues soon after.
While the ship was initially supposed to dock at 8 a.m. local time on the morning of December 1, 2024, she is now expected to arrive sometime in the afternoon.
The 2,974-guest ship originally called on Key West, Florida, as the first stop of the sailing on November 26. But due to a medical emergency onboard, the vessel circled back on November 29 to allow an ailing passenger to receive urgent treatment from a local hospital.
“As you know, last night, Friday, November 29, we had to deviate course to Key West to disembark a guest who needed urgent medical care ashore,” reads a letter from Carnival Liberty Captain Arik Mazzi.
The distance between Key West and New Orleans is only a few hundred nautical miles – which a cruise ship can easily sail in a day, especially as November 30 was already a planned sea day.
However, the 110,00-gross ton ship also developed propulsion issues after the diversion – which has caused a significant slow down.
“In addition, the ship has developed an issue that is impacting our sailing speed. Combined, these matters are affecting our timely return to New Orleans tomorrow, Sunday, December 1,”continued Captain Mazzi’s letter.
While the Captain was unable to provide an accurate arrival time just yet, he assured current guests that Carnival’s engineers were already hard at work to address the issue and that he would follow up with updates on progress and timing on the evening of November 30.
It’s unclear if Carnival will be offering any compensation for the delay, but the major cruise lines will often automatically reschedule airfare booked through the cruise line or reimburse change fees for travel that is directly impacted by the delay.
The other two calls on the itinerary – which were on Freeport and Nassau, Bahamas – took place on November 27 and November 28, before the medical evacuation and propulsion issues occurred.
Will the Next Sailing be Impacted?
As is the usual practice among the major cruise lines, Carnival Liberty was supposed to disembark her current passengers in the morning and be ready to embark on a new sailing the same evening.
In this case, the next sailing is a 14-night, round-trip cruise through the Panama Canal – calling on destinations like Oranjestad, Aruba; Willemstad, Curacao; Cartagena, Colombia; Colon, Panama; Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; and Cozumel, Mexico.
The 2005-launched ship was supposed to set sail at 5:00 p.m. local time, but her departure will almost certainly be pushed back by several hours at least due to the delay.
Depending on the length of the delay once in port, it’s also possible that some port calls could be skipped or rearranged.
It’s important to note that this is assuming that the engineering team will be able to resolve the unspecified propulsion issues in time for the next sailing to go ahead – although the onboard engineering team is already collaborating with engineers on land to make the fix.
But depending on the nature of the issue, there’s always a chance that Carnival Liberty will need to remain in port for longer than expected – or even cancel bookings in order to make repairs.
More recently, Princess Cruises – which is owned by Carnival – had to cancel three sailings in a rowfor Regal Princess due to ongoing power problems.
That said, Carnival Liberty isn’t known for engine or propulsion problems and has remained up to date on routine maintenance through scheduled dry dock visits.
She was most recently in dry dock in 2021 – during which time she received a new livery– and is scheduled to return for standard maintenance and inspections in Summer 2025.
Two cruising families can be thankful for the hard work and dedication of United States Coast Guard (USCG) rescue teams after unexpected airlifts from two different Carnival-owned cruise ships in just 24 hours.
Both vessels – Holland America Line’s Koningsdam and Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Panorama – are sailing on the West Coast with Mexican itineraries. The medical incidents are unrelated, but the amazing response of the USCG teams is the same in both situations.
On Koningsdam, the call for an urgent airlift was received by USCG watchstanders (individuals trained to monitor radio calls for assistance) at 7:12 a.m. on Friday morning, November 29, 2024.
At the time, Koningsdam was sailing approximately 280 miles south of the US and Mexico border on her last sea day of a 7-night Baja Peninsula cruise that had departed San Diego on November 23.
A 66-year-old female passenger was reported with symptoms of a stroke, and onboard medical personnel recommended the evacuation so more specialized care could be administered from a hospital on land.
Coast Guard Air Station San Diego dispatched an MH-60 Dolphin helicopter crew for the evacuation, while Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento launched a C-27 to offer assistance with coordinating communications.
The passenger was hoisted aboard the helicopter and transported to Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla in San Diego. While no further details about her identity have been released in order to protect her privacy and that of her traveling companions and family, her condition is reported as stable.
“Rescues like this are exactly what our crews train for,”said Lieutenant Brady Stepan, pilot, Air Station San Diego.“Through coordination from the command center and outstanding support from our C-27 cover aircraft crew, we were able to get the patient to higher-level care.”
You can watch a video below of the Koningsdam airlift by the US Coast Guard:
There was no delay to Koningsdam‘s schedule and the vessel arrived back in San Diego as planned. The vessel’s next itinerary, a 10-night Mexican Riviera and Sea of Cortez voyage, should depart as planned.
This is not the first time this year that Koningsdam has required medical evacuation assistance. In April, a 65-year-old male guest was evacuated offshore of Tillamook, Oregon under challenging weather conditions.
Second Rescue – Carnival Panorama
At the same time Koningsdam was calling for medical assistance, a second rescue situation was developing aboard Carnival Panorama just as the ship was concluding a 7-night Mexican Riviera itinerary.
Carnival Panorama departed Long Beach, California on Saturday, November 23, 2024 and it was on the last day of the cruise that a medical evacuation was requested.
While few details of this specific situation have been released, guests onboard the newly-revitalized ship have noted that a call for blood donors had been made late the evening before. It is unknown whether the two medical incidents on Carnival Panorama are related.
Furthermore, no details about the age of the evacuated guest or the type of medical situation have been released.
Undoubtedly, the families of both evacuated passengers are grateful for the assistance of the dedicated USCG rescue crews who serve tirelessly to offer help to all those who need it. These crews operate in all weather conditions and under sometimes challenging hazards to ensure everyone is able to get emergency care.
As with Koningsdam, the impacted passenger from the Carnival cruise ship was airlifted aboard a USCG helicopter for evacuation so more specialized care could be provided.
Carnival Panorama continued sailing as planned and was able to return to Long Beach on Saturday, November 30 on schedule. The ship’s next itinerary, a 6-night sailing, is not impacted and will depart the southern California homeport on time.
Carnival Panorama has been involved in a multiple-rescue situation previously. In April 2023, an airlift from the ship was the first of three airlifts performed in 24 hours off the coast of southern California. The other two rescues were from Majestic Princess and Carnival Spirit.
Spring break season typically falls around March through April, about when folks are getting a little tired of staying cooped up during the cold weather and are ready to head for sunnier skies. One of the all-time favorite ways to skip out on the snow? Going on a cruise.
Cruising is a very popular spring break vacation option, even if you’re not technically getting a “spring break” from school anymore. However, spring break cruises do come with their pros and cons. Is the experience right for you? Here’s what you need to know.
One of the main reasons why many opt for a cruise over spring break? It’s all about the money.
You can find many cruise lines offering discounts and deals for spring break cruises occurring in March or April. Just a quick look at spring break cruise deals on Priceline shows many different cruises offering interior stateroom stays for less than $100 per night, with hundreds of dollars of discounts.
Some also offer extra bonuses for booking, such as kids sail free promotions or 60% off your second guest. Some offer special bundles, like onboard credits and drinks included in your cruise fare.
When you look at the deals, and already know you or the kids will have time away from work and school, it can seem like a no-brainer to book a spring break cruise.
If you want the best deal on a cruise, however, you do have other options. The best cruise to book is one that’s occurring during what’s known as “wave season.”
Wave season is typically January through March, so it bumps up to and overlaps with the start of spring break season. This is historically when industry-wide demand is the lowest and when you can see regular cruise fares drop by as much as 50%.
Possibly the next-best time to book a cruise? On very short notice. Yes, while some cruisers may book their next cruise up to a year out, they’re also probably paying top dollar. As cruise lines get closer to their sail dates, they drop prices to fill up all their staterooms. If you can book a week or even a month out, you could save big on your fare.
Bottom line? While spring break cruises might not be the cheapest overall, they’re still pretty affordable for most travelers. If you go on a spring break cruise, you’ll enjoy this benefit. However, if you don’t want to go on a spring break cruise, there are other times that you can find great savings.
Con: Changing Clientele
Crowded Carnival Cruise Line Deck (Photo Credit: Ruth Peterkin)
If you’re accustomed to cruising, but you’ve never gone on a spring break cruise, you may be in for a little shock when you step aboard your cruise ship. The clientele changes a bit over spring break, partially in thanks to all those cruise savings and specials.
Expect college kids ready to party and families with kids in tow. These groups can both be rowdy and loud, albeit in slightly different ways. One group in particular may be pretty intoxicated throughout your cruise’s duration.
For some cruisers, this is no big deal. They go about their favorite cruising activities with little care as for who’s around them and what their fellow cruisers are doing. However, for many other cruisers, this can be a turn off. They’d rather wait until their favorite cruise ships are back to normal, free from the rowdier crowds.
If you’re not the type to prefer busy resort settings or crowded college towns, you might not like a cruise ship during spring break either.
That said, if you’re just dying to go on a cruise during March or April, you don’t have to avoid cruising altogether. Maybe just avoid the cruise lines that are most popular with spring breakers, which includes most notably Carnival Cruise Line, but also, to a lesser degree, Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises.
Instead, go for the cruise lines that may not attract families or college kids, like adult-only cruise lines or more expensive cruise lines. You may have to pay more for the experience, but getting away from the clientele may be worth it for you.
Pro: Shorter Sailings are Available
Photo Credit: Felix Mizioznikov / Shutterstock
During the spring break period, many cruise lines offer specifically shorter sailings. After all, spring break for most is only one week, so those cruisers might not be able to fit in a seven-day cruise, inclusive of travel to and from the port destination.
Spring break cruises can be just three or four days, allowing for cruisers to nicely fit the experience into their weeks off. While this may mean you won’t be able to visit the same number of destinations you would on a longer cruise, it’s just overall more convenient.
Even if you don’t have school to get back to, the short sailings mean less time needed off work and a quick, fun getaway.
As a few examples of what you can expect, MSC Cruises offers three-night spring break sailings from Miami that stop in the Bahamas and at the cruise line’s private island. Royal Caribbean offers four-night sailings from Los Angeles, with stops at Catalina Island and in Mexico.
Royal Caribbean also offers three-night spring break sailings from Fort Lauderdale, with stops in the Bahamas and at Perfect Day at Coco Cay. Carnival offers three-night Bahamas sailings as well.
Con: Expect Some Wild Parties
Virgin Voyages Party (Photo Credit: AVOXY)
If you were hoping to have a really relaxing, leisurely cruise, with lots of quiet time, maybe some late-night strolls on the top deckor some naps by the pool… Well, think again. That’s not exactly what you’ll get on most spring break cruises.
The crowds are up and the crowds are ready to party. Not only do the deck parties get a bit wilder and crazier, thanks to the spring breakers (read: college kids) ready to have a great time, but the general vibe the entire cruise will be a more rambunctious.
Pro: Expect Some Wild Parties in a Good Way!
Carnival Cruise Line Deck Party (Photo Credit: Ritu Manoj Jethani)
What can be a con for some, though, can be a major pro for others. If you really want a wild, time-of-your-life party atmosphere on a cruise, you can find it during spring break.
Just be sure that, if you are after that true party atmosphere, and not a crazy-because-there-are-a-million-children-on-board atmosphere, go for less family-centric cruise line. For example, you might avoid Royal Caribbean and, instead, choose a cruise on Virgin Voyages, which is adults-only.
Just keep in mind that, even on spring break, cruise lines do still enforce strict rules around disorderly conduct and over-indulging in the bar. For example, Carnival Cruise Line has a policy that states cruisers can only order 15 alcoholic drinks per day during their cruise, spring break or not.
Con: Crowded Sea Days
Busy Cruise Deck (Photo Credit: Dennis MacDonald)
During a normal cruise, on a sea day, certain areas of the cruise ship may be a little more crowded than normal, but it’s still not impossible for you to have a great time. With a little good timing, you can avoid crowds around the pool or buffet.
However, this may not be the case on a spring break cruise. Again, think of the spring breakers. Often, these are college kids that are out for a great time, but not out to spend extra cash.
As such, they’re going to be headed to the free fun on sea days, such as the buffet and the pool — leaving little room for you. If you’re looking for peace and tranquility before you hit the next port, you may need to head to the spa or the specialty restaurants.
It’s not just the adults’ spaces that can get pretty crowded, though. If you’re traveling on a kid-friendly cruise line, you may find that the overabundance of traveling families leads to children’s clubs filling up quickly. This can mean a lackluster experience for your children, or to some activities being moved out of the crowded kids’ club altogether.
Pro: You’ll Have the Ship to Yourself on Port Days
As we’ve discussed in the past, port days are some of the best times to enjoy a cruise ship, as the crowds disperse and you get more of the ship all to yourself. This is definitely the case during spring break.
Many spring breakers look at cruising as a way to visit a destination or multiple destinations while enjoying the journey just as much as the destination. As such, they’re going to get off at port.
You, though, don’t have to. If you’ve already been there, done that, especially when it comes to some of the most popular spring break cruise destinations, like the Bahamas, simply stay on board the ship.
Yes, while you may find that some attractions close up shop during port days, like certain restaurants, you will find that many other attractions are open and empty, like the pools, waterslides, dry slides, rock climbing walls and similar features. You can also enjoy certain discounts for paid activities on port days, like spa treatments.
Put yourself in the shoes of a college-age spring breaker looking for a cruise experience on a budget. What kind of stateroom are you going to choose? Probably the most affordable one…and you’re probably going to split the cost with as many friends as possible.
This can lead to noisy cabin areas, particular on thedecks of the cruise ship that are primarily dedicated to cabins only.
As such, you may need to bring your earplugs and white noise machine, if you plan on booking a cabin toward the middle of the ship. Otherwise, it may just be time to upgrade to a suite, where you can enjoy more space and a quieter atmosphere, among those who chose to splurge for better accommodations.
Better yet, book a room in a suites-only area of the ship. Multiple cruise lines now — such as Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean — have entirely separate areas of their ships dedicated to suite guests, with their own restaurants, sun decks and even pools. These spaces can give you greater separation from the traveling masses, and more quiet time.
Pro: The Weather is Pretty Good
Cruise Passenger Sunbathing on Carnival Magic (Photo Credit: Ihor Koptilin)
During March and April, the Caribbean is especially a good place to take a cruise, due to the great weather. You’re well out of hurricane season and it’s the dry season, so you don’t have to worry about rain showers.
Additionally, the temperatures aren’t too terribly hot. It’s the same if you take a Mexican Riviera cruise, as the temperatures aren’t bad, in the 70s or 80s.
For many travelers, this is exactly the kind of weather they’re looking for, after a few months of frigid temps and blustery snowstorms.
Con: Long Waiting Times
Long Lines for Quantum of the Seas (Photo Credit: Emrys Thakkar)
Cruising comes with a fair amount of waiting, no matter when or where you’re cruising. You’ll wait to board the ship, wait to get in your stateroom, wait at the buffet and, if you didn’t book your meal times and show tickets ahead of time, wait then, too. At port? You’ll be waiting to get off and on the ship yet again.
This isn’t a huge deterrent to many avid cruisers, though, because, while there is waiting, often, lines move relatively quickly.
During spring break, though, the lines are much, much larger. When a ship is packed to the gills with thousands upon thousands of people, getting everyone through the buffet at prime lunch time takes a while. As such, expect longer wait times if you cruise during spring break.
Is a Spring Break Cruise Right for You?
So, given all of the above, is a spring break cruise right for you? Only you can decide.
However, if you love a great party and a great deal, and only have a brief amount of time to get away from work, you may find that a spring break cruise is right up your alley.
On the other hand, if you hate crowds, noise, lines and the like, you may not have the patience required for a spring break cruise. Either choose a cruise at a different time or choose a cruise line that’s decidedly not spring break-friendly.
Following an emergency evacuation and the development of technical issues impacting the ship’s top cruising speed, Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Liberty will now have a very late return back to her Louisiana homeport.
The ship is not expected to arrive back in New Orleans until late afternoon on Sunday, December 1, 2024. While this is the same day scheduled for the end of the ship’s 7-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary, cruise ships typically return to their homeports in the wee morning hours, with debarkation beginning between 7-8 a.m.
As of 9 a.m. Sunday morning, satellite tracking data shows the vessel approaching the Mississippi River Delta, but Carnival Liberty must still navigate significantly up the river to reach the cruise port. At the moment, the estimated time of arrival is not until 2:45 p.m., but that will be updated as the ship’s progress continues.
Guests booked on the next sailing have been notified of the very late, revised embarkation and updates to their terminal arrival appointments.
“Our engineers have been making progress with the repair work and we are now expecting to dock in New Orleans late afternoon Sunday, December 1,”the notification confirmed.“We must allow debarking guests to leave the cruise terminal and parking facility before we can accommodate your arrival.”
All cruise terminal arrival appointments are now rescheduled with a significant delay, ranging from 9-9.5 hours depending on the original time. All guests must be checked in at the cruise terminal no later than 11 p.m.
“To ensure a smooth embarkation experience, please adhere to this schedule,”the email said.“Guests who arrive earlier will be asked to return at their newly assigned time.”
Carnival Cruise Line is providing a $25 (USD) per person onboard credit to guests’ Sail & Sign accounts as compensation for the delay and to provide to lunch, as they are no longer able to board the ship for lunch as planned.
Once guests are able to embark, the evening dinner service will be open seating in the main dining rooms and the Lido buffet. This means that the assigned dining times will not apply, and guests will be seated first come, first served in order to accommodate as many guests as efficiently as possible.
It is not known when staterooms will be available for guests to access, though undoubtedly, the housekeeping team and all cabin attendants will be working hard to turn over cabins as quickly as possible.
During such significant delays, guests onboard the ship are generally asked to leave their staterooms as the ship draws closer to the cruise terminal, with different lounges and areas opened for waiting. This permits the housekeeping team to get started on their work as much as possible.
Carnival Liberty Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Luciavonu)
Before the ship arrives, the entertainment team and Fun Squad will undoubtedly be providing extra activities as well, doing everything possible to make the extra time onboard fun even though it is unexpected.
As a matter of interest, the December 1 departure is also planned as Carnival Liberty‘s first Christmas cruise of the season. It is possible the decorating schedule might be changed due to this unexpected delay if the decorating company is unable to work on the ship with her late return.
Will There Be More Impacts on the Next Sailing?
At this time, it is unknown whether or not Carnival Liberty‘s next sailing will need itinerary changes following her late start to the cruise.
The December 1 departure is a highly-anticipated 14-night Carnival Journeys cruise to the Panama Canal. Ports of call on the bucket-list voyage include Grand Cayman, Aruba, Curacao, Cartagena, Colon, Costa Rica, and Cozumel.
While no itinerary changes have yet been announced, it is possible that one or more ports of call may be adjusted or even cancelled to accommodate the ship’s delay.
This is especially possible if the propulsion issue has not yet been fully resolved, though the cruise line has made no announcement to that effect and the ship appears to have been sailing near her top speed en route back to New Orleans.
Guests will be notified as soon as possible if any itinerary modifications are necessary.
