Royal Caribbean has made a change to Liberty of the Seas’ 2026 Christmas cruise.
The planned visit to Costa Maya was removed from the itinerary due to port availability.
It has been replaced with an overnight call to Cozumel, Mexico.
Even as summer approaches, the countdown to Christmas is on, at least for cruisers booked on Liberty of the Seas’ 5-night Western Caribbean Christmas cruise.
The Galveston-based sailing, which is scheduled to embark on December 21, 2026, was supposed to call at Cozumel on December 23 and Costa Maya on December 24 in Mexico.
However, Costa Maya was removed from the itinerary due to a port conflict, and the Cozumel visit was extended into an overnight call.
“To avoid a berthing conflict and provide you with the best experience, we’ve decided to skip our visit to Costa Maya, Mexico, and enjoy an overnight in Cozumel, Mexico,”Royal Caribbean said in a letter to booked guests, which was obtained by Cruise Hive.
This change means that guests will get to spend Christmas Eve in Cozumel. Of course, any Royal Caribbean shore excursions that were booked for Costa Maya will be automatically cancelled and refunded. Additionally, tours booked for Cozumel will be rescheduled or cancelled for guests.
An Overnight Call in Cozumel
Instead of arriving in Cozumel at 7 a.m. on December 23 and leaving that night at 6 p.m., the 3,634-guest ship will arrive at 6 p.m., allowing guests to enjoy Cozumel’s nightlife that cruisers don’t usually stay long enough to see.
Guests will then have until 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve to explore the island, which is located off the eastern coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.
“We’ll arrive on Day 3 at 6:00 PM and depart the next day at 5:00 PM. There’s nothing like extra time to make sure you don’t miss out and enjoy everything this beautiful destination has to offer,”Royal Caribbean noted.
Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas (Photo Credit: Feng Cheng)
If guests are lucky, they might also get to be among the first to experience Royal Beach Club Cozumel, which is expected to open at the end of December.
If the cruise line follows the same strategy as it did for the opening of Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in Nassau in December 2025, the grand opening may get moved up.
Alternatively, Christmas might come early for some if Royal Caribbean decides to invite select guests to preview the private resort ahead of its official opening, as they did for the Nassau-based resort.
Previews are typically a free experience that allows the cruise line to ensure everything is operating smoothly and to train crew members with a limited capacity.
What’s Happening in Costa Maya?
More astute cruisers may recognize some irony in Royal Caribbean cancelling a call to Costa Maya because Royal Caribbean actually owns the cruise port.
The cruise line shelled out $292 million USD to become the official owner of the port and the surrounding area in July of 2025, an investment that was made to pave the way for Perfect Day Mexico.
More likely than not, the change in port availability is related to the construction of the 200+ acre destination, which is expected to open in the summer of 2027.
Per cruise tracking data, Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas and Legend of the Seas are also on the schedule for December 21, when Liberty of the Seas was supposed to visit. Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Viva is also on the roster.
No itinerary changes have been announced for these ships at this time, but Cruise Hive will continue to monitor and share updates if and when they become available.
Greek cruise line Celestyal Cruises has cancelled two sailings aboard Celestyal Discovery.
The March 27 and March 30 voyages have been cancelled due to delays leaving the Middle East.
Passengers are being offered full refunds or future cruise credit.
Hopes for an early spring cruise through the Greek Islands are being cut short for some cruisegoers as Celestyal Cruises adjusts its deployment plans.
The Greek cruise line announced on March 17, 2026, that two upcoming sailings aboard Celestyal Discovery have been cancelled.
The 42,289-gross-ton vessel was planning to feature two short voyages from Athens in the Greek Islands and Turkey in March. The 3-night departure on March 27 and the 4-night sailing on March 30 are now scrapped.
The cancellations follow earlier adjustments for sister ship, Celestyal Journey, previously reported on Cruise Hive, when the cruise line cancelled its March 20 and March 23 voyages.
All are tied to delays in repositioning the ships out of the Middle East, where Celestyal Cruises had been operating winter itineraries.
“As the conflict in the Middle East continues, and in close coordination with the relevant authorities, we have had to delay the repositioning of Celestyal Discovery ahead of the start of her Mediterranean program,” said the cruise line in its Facebook post.
During the winter 2025-26 season, Celestyal Discovery was based in Abu Dhabi, UAE, operating its inaugural Arabian Gulf program with a series of 3-, 4-, and 7-night itineraries.
The sailings included calls to Doha in Qatar, Khasab in Oman, and ports across the U.A.E., but recent tensions in the Middle East have resulted in multiple cancellations across cruise lines and Celestyal Discovery remaining in Dubai.
The cruise line said all passengers currently sailing in the region have disembarked safely, including those aboard Celestyal Journey, which is staying in Doha until safe to resume its schedule.
Celestyal Cruises is currently finalizing arrangements to reposition the ships back to the Mediterranean ahead of the summer season.
What the Cancellations Mean for Passengers
For those booked on the cancelled sailings, the disruption comes with limited short-term alternatives, especially given the timing of the start of the Mediterranean season.
Celestyal Cruises is offering affected passengers a choice between a full refund or a future cruise credit, and is advising booked guests to contact their “original travel provider to discuss the available options and next steps.”
Celestyal Discovery has a number of 3- and 4-night Greek Isles voyages scheduled throughout April into mid-May. The sailings depart from Piraeus (Athens) to Mykonos, Patmos, Rhodes, and Santorini, Greece, as well as Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey.
Celestyal Journey offers longer voyages of 7 to 14 nights, sailing into the Adriatic Sea for calls in Croatia, Montenegro, and Italy. It’s scheduled to sail throughout the summer.
The disruption is tied directly to the rapidly escalating conflict in the Middle East following a series of US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran in late February and early March. Within hours of those strikes, Iran responded with threats to maritime traffic.
At the same time, missile and drone attacks extended beyond Iran, with strikes across Gulf countries, including key cruise hubs like the UAE and Qatar. The attacks forced Celestyal Cruises to cut short its season in the Middle East.
Carnival Jubilee has received a perfect score of 100 during its most recent health inspection.
This is the first time the Carnival ship has received a perfect score, though it has never failed an inspection.
Officials from the CDC randomly inspect US-based cruise ships twice a year to ensure health and safety standards are being met.
One of Carnival’s Excel-class ships is excelling at meeting health and safety standards (pun intended). The 5,362-guest Carnival Jubilee just received a perfect score of 100 on its most recent health inspection.
Brand Ambassador John Heald congratulated the approximately 1,735 crew members working and living onboard for the impressive accomplishment in a Facebook post.
“Every crew member in this photo was responsible in some way for the Carnival Jubilee receiving a 100% inspection result from United States Public Health inspectors,”Heald wrote, along with a picture of crew members holding up homemade, celebratory signs.
The inspections are conducted randomly in US cruise ports so that the crew members do not have notice to prepare in advance. The process typically takes 6-8 hours to complete, depending on the ship size, the number of inspectors, and both port and itinerary schedules.
The Journey to Perfection
The VSP uses a 100-point scale when grading ship inspections, but scores of 86 or above are considered to be satisfactory. While many ships do pass, scoring a perfect 100 is rare.
Carnival Jubilee has never failed a health inspection since launching at the end of 2023, but hasn’t scored a 100 until now.
Per the VSP database, the ship scored a 91 on her listed 2024 inspection and a 97 on both of her 2025 inspections.
Carnival Jubilee Crew
After each inspection, the VSP gives Carnival a report on where they can improve, and it’s clear that the brand has taken this feedback in stride to reach this perfect score.
Following the previous three inspections, Carnival has issued a report showing the feedback from the VSP and how they took corrective actions to fix the identified problems.
Now, guests can look forward to both cleanliness and paradise when they board Carnival Jubilee. The 183,521-gross ton ship is currently operating Western Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries out of Galveston, Texas.
Has a Carnival Ship Ever Failed an Inspection?
Carnival has failed health inspections in the past, but it has been many years since this occurred.
The most recent failure occurred when Carnival Breeze scored a 77 (well below the 86-point threshold) in December of 2017. The ship has turned things around in the years since, scoring in the 90s in her last two inspections.
However, some are wondering if a Carnival ship is about to fail an inspection again – this time in Australia. This would, of course, fall outside the jurisdiction of the CDC (which only oversees US-based vessels).
Cruise Hive has been reporting on the tense situation unfolding between the crew of Carnival Adventure, which is based in Sydney, Australia, and the Australian Maritime Union and government officials.
The officials attempted to board the ship for a surprise inspection after receiving complaints about unsafe and unsanitary living conditions for crew members. However, the Carnival crew members did not permit them to board.
Carnival has alleged that the organizations that attempted to conduct the inspection did not have the proper authority to do so, while the union is spreading the narrative that the cruise line has something to hide.
Granted, similar accusations were recently made against Carnival Encounter, which is also based in Australia, and an inspection cleared Carnival of any wrongdoing.
It’s not unusual for cruise itineraries to change, but dozens of upcoming Mexican Riviera sailings are now being reshuffled months before departure.
Carnival Cruise Line has begun notifying booked customers with an advisory that multiple 2026 voyages aboard the 133,500-gross-ton Carnival Panorama will operate with a revised schedule.
The affected cruises depart from Long Beach, California, and visit popular Mexican Riviera ports, including Mazatlán, La Paz, and Cabos San Lucas.
While no destinations have been removed from the affected itineraries, the cruise line has adjusted the order of port calls, port times, and, on some sailings, changed departure or return times from Long Beach.
“We have made adjustments to the itineraries for the following cruises, which includes yours,” the cruise line said in a message sent to booked passengers. “The changes will be reflected on Carnival.com within 24 hours.”
Carnival also noted that guests who already booked excursions will not need to make changes, as shore excursions will automatically be adjusted based on the changes.
Passengers who booked their own shore excursions are advised to reschedule those to align with the new itineraries, which fall between August and November 2026.
Some of the changes also mean Carnival Panorama, which can hold 4,008 guests, will return to Long Beach an hour later than originally scheduled. Anyone with flights or other post-cruise travel arrangements will want to double-check timing once updated itineraries are posted.
Carnival Panorama Advisory
August 2026
The first affected sailing is the August 15, 2026, departure aboard Carnival Panorama. For that cruise, Carnival saidthe order or port visits have been reversed and port times have been modified.
The cruise line’s notice specifically said the revised sailing will include changes to Mazatlán, La Paz, and Cabo San Lucas, though it did not provide the updated port times in the advisory itself.
The 8-night cruise will now sail first to Cabo San Lucas, providing a sea day on August 16 before arriving on August 17. It will continue to La Paz on August 18, Mazatlán on August 19, and Puerto Vallarta on August 20, before spending two days at sea and returning to Long Beach on August 23.
September 2026
Three September sailings are being adjusted, beginning with the September 6, 2026, voyage. On that 7-day roundtrip sailing, Carnival Panorama will now depart at 5 p.m. instead of 4 p.m.
Carnival also said the order of ports has been adjusted, with updated times for Mazatlán and Cabo San Lucas to come.
The original itinerary had the ship arriving first in Puerto Vallarta on September 9 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Mazatlán on September 10 from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Cabo San Lucas on September 11 from 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Carnival Panorama (Photo Credit: Erik Morgan)
Additionally, the subsequent September 13, 2026, journey, which follows the same itinerary, will also feature adjusted port order and revised times for Mazatlán and Cabo San Lucas.
The third affected September departure is the September 26, 2026, 8-day sailing. It will keep its current schedule but adjust the port time in Cabo San Lucas. It will also return to Long Beach on October 4 at 10 a.m. instead of 9 a.m.
October 2026
Two additional October sailings will also maintain similar 8-day itineraries with an adjusted call time in Cabo San Lucas and a later arrival when returning to Long Beach.
The October 10 and October 24, 2026, voyages will arrive an hour later than originally planned on October 18 and November 1, respectively.
The October 4 and October 18, 2026, sailings, both 6-night cruises, will also see modified call times in Cabo San Lucas. These voyages will also now depart Long Beach at 5 p.m. instead of 4 p.m., as originally posted.
November 2026
Carnival Panorama has three November sailings that will have adjusted Cabo San Lucas port times: November 1, November 7, and November 15, 2026.
The November 1 and 15 cruises, both 6-nights roundtrip sailings, will now depart from Long Beach at 4 p.m. instead of 5 p.m. November 7’s 8-night journey will return to Long Beach on November 15 at 10 a.m. instead of 9 a.m.
When you think of Carnival cruises, you may immediately just imagine fun in the sun during a short, affordable Caribbean getaway — but this mammoth cruise line travels far further than just the Caribbean isles. Take Alaska, for example. While Carnival is not the most popular cruise line in the state, it can be a great fit for those seeking a quiet, low-key and budget-friendly vacation to the Last Frontier.
Currently, Carnival Cruise Line sends four ships to Alaska: Carnival Legend, Carnival Luminosa, Carnival Miracle and Carnival Spirit. All four of these ships are Spirit-class vessels (well, technically Carnival Luminosa is a hybrid-class ship; it was originally built for Costa Cruises, but it’s still mostly associated with the Spirit class).
The line only sends these types of ships to Alaska, as they’re most suited to the climate and they fit through the Panama Canal, so it’s easy to redeploy them, switching them from the Caribbean or elsewhere to Alaska as the seasons change.
But which one should you choose for your upcoming cruise? I’m going to break down everything you need to know about these four ships so you can book your Carnival Cruise Line Alaskan cruise with confidence.
First‑time Alaska cruisers; those wanting more itinerary length options
Carnival Legend
Carnival Legend is a relatively older and smaller ship (as is the case with all of the line’s cruise ships that travel to Alaska). It was built in 2002 and measures in at 88,500 GT, with a total guest capacity of just 2,680 people.
The majority of the staterooms on the ship are balcony staterooms (great for taking in those Alaska views!), and the ship features all the line’s classic venues and public spaces, such as Guy’s Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, RedFrog Rum Bar, and the WaterWorks water park.
Carnival Legend Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: David Buzzard)
Despite the ship’s age, it has been updated in recent history. In 2024, for example, the ship received a major refurbishment that included new staterooms, added the Heroes Tribute Bar to the ship, and updated the casino and spa.
Meanwhile, the ship is getting another revamp in 2026, right before the Alaska cruising season, with a dry dock scheduled for April through mid-May.
What to Expect During an Alaskan Cruise on Carnival Legend
Details have not yet been released as to what the pre-summer 2026 ship updates will entail. Still, we can expect some basic refreshes that will help ensure the ship keeps delivering a modern, fresh experience to discerning cruisers.
However, it’s worth noting — and this will hold true for all of the ships we discuss — that because Carnival Legend is so small and so old, it’s not going to give you the wide range of amenities and options that you would get if you were to sail on an Alaskan cruise with, say, Norwegian Cruise Line or Royal Caribbean.
Carnival Legend Cruise Ship
Accordingly, if you have a family full of travelers (especially kids and teens) and you want them to stay occupied at all times, this might not be the ship for you.
In contrast, if you’re looking for a more low-key experience and you don’t need a bunch of flashy thrills and amenities, and you prefer the intimacy of a small ship, don’t hesitate to book Carnival Legend.
According to recent cruisers on the ship who’ve sailed to Alaska, the crowds on the ship tend to skew older and things are relatively quiet (unless you have a cabin placed in a poor spot, like near nightlife venues or engines). The casino can get crowded as well. Meanwhile, the enclosed pool is a big plus during an Alaskan cruise wherein the weather trends chilly.
Many enjoy the ship’s size and how easy it is to navigate. That said, the decor is outdated.
Carnival Legend Alaska Deployments
Carnival Cruise Line currently offers a few Alaska deployments on Carnival Legend. All your options will leave Seattle and include a sea day, the Tracy Arm Fjord, Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, and Victoria, before returning to Seattle, after seven days of exploring glaciers, sightseeing, and wildlife watching. Fares start at $118 per night.
Carnival Legend Pros & Cons in Alaska
Pros
Cons
Small, intimate ship
Limited itinerary options
The ship has been recently updated
The ship is more than 20 years old
Carnival Luminosa
Carnival Luminosa didn’t, as mentioned, originally start out as a Carnival Cruise Line ship. Instead, it was Costa Luminosa when it first launched in the 2000s (it was built in 2007). Then, the ship was transferred over to sister brand Carnival Cruise Line in 2022.
Today, the ship weighs in at just under 93,000 GT and offers a double occupancy of 2,260 people. The ship has been revamped so that it fits the Carnival Cruise Line vibe. As such, it offers recognizable venues and spaces such as the Alchemy Bar, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse and RedFrog Rum Bar.
Carnival Luminosa in Alaska
Typically, the ship spends its winters in Australia and its summers in Alaska. The ship is slated for another refurbishment in late 2026. Unfortunately, this will take place after the 2026 Alaska cruising season has commenced, so if you want to see this ship at its best, maybe look for 2027 itineraries.
What to Expect During an Alaskan Cruise on Carnival Luminosa
In the vein of Carnival Legend, Carnival Luminosa is on the smaller side. Add on the fact that it wasn’t even built to be a Carnival cruise ship in the first place, and you’ll see why this vessel isn’t going to be suitable for diehard fans of the cruise line.
It’s definitely a unique cruise ship option. While you do get a handful of the brand’s classic venues and restaurants, there’s no waterslide or ropes course, and no huge amount of entertainment-focused attractions.
All of that said, if you want a smaller, easily navigable ship with few crowds and many opportunities to relax in peace, this ship has you covered. It’s also a great fit for those cruisers who aren’t necessarily wooed by sparkly ship features, and who’d rather spend their time exploring in port.
However, it is worth noting that, while Carnival Cruise Line may have a page on its official website for Glacier Bay cruises — frequently one of travelers’ absolute favorite spots in Alaska — further searching on both the line’s website and among cruiser comments on social media shows that no cruises to Glacier Bay are available.
As such, if this is on your bucket list for things to do in Alaska, hesitate before booking this ship or others.
Carnival Luminosa Alaska Deployments
Alaska cruises on Carnival Luminosa start at just $96 per night. There are a few different itineraries to choose from, but all depart from San Francisco — making this an excellent ship to pick if you don’t want to travel to Seattle or British Columbia to depart for an Alaskan cruise.
Carnival Luminosa Pros & Cons in Alaska
Pros
Cons
Very affordable cruise fares
Doesn’t include all the brand’s staple venues or attractions
Itineraries that leave from California
Planned refurbishments do not take place until after the 2026 Alaska sailing season
Carnival Miracle
Carnival Miracle was built in 2004 and measures in at 88,500 GT, with capacity for 2,680 guests at max. Much like Carnival Legend, it features a lot of the favorite venues like Guy’s Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, Alchemy Bar, and RedFrog Pub.
Carnival Miracle in Alaska (Photo Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line)
Carnival Miracle underwent an extensive dry dock and refurbishment in 2025. Updates were made to the children’s clubs and casino, among other spaces, and new venues like the Heroes Tribute Bar were added.
What to Expect During an Alaskan Cruise on Carnival Miracle
If you’ve been on a Carnival ship in the past, then you’ll instantly realize that Carnival Miracle isn’t quite as crowded as the other ships in the fleet. It’s chill, easy to navigate, and, while it’s an older vessel, if you’re not looking for a ton of amenities or the latest and greatest cruising features, you’ll find lots to enjoy.
Grab a balcony or ocean view stateroom (just look out for those obstructed view offerings) and you’ll be able to take in all the Alaska scenery with ease.
Carnival Miracle Alaska Deployments
Carnival Cruise Line offers both seven and nine-night itineraries on Carnival Miracle to Alaska. Both itineraries leave from Seattle, and offer stops at top spots such as Sitka, Ketchikan, Skagway, and Juneau. Fares start at around $110 per night.
Carnival Miracle Pros & Cons in Alaska
Pros
Cons
The ship was recently renovated
No flashy amenities or attractions onboard
Low-key, chill, and quiet ship
Limited itineraries from Seattle only
Carnival Spirit
The lead ship of the Spirit class, Carnival Spirit is very in line with the other ships that the brand sends to Alaska. It’s on the smaller side, at 88,500 GT and a double occupancy of 2,124 people, plus a crew count of 930 members.
The ship entered service in 2001, so it is one of the older ships in the cruise line’s fleet overall, even if it’s not the oldest. The ship was refurbished in 2025, and those renovations included the addition of Heroes Tribute Bar, as well as enhancements for the casino, spa, and fitness center, among other spaces.
What to Expect During an Alaskan Cruise on Carnival Spirit
Cruisers who were on Carnival Spirit for an Alaskan cruise as recently as 2025 noted that the ship is still in great shape. This is the consensus among both long-time cruisers and first-time cruisers. However, some do find the ship to be on the boring side — but that’s probably mostly because it’s older and smaller.
Upgraded Carnival Spirit Mini Golf (Credit: Carnival)
Again, across all of the ships that Carnival Cruise Line deploys to Alaska, the vibe is low-key and relaxed, and that stands true on Carnival Spirit. For some, that is an amazing perk. (Because, in contrast, on large ships like those deployed by Norwegian Cruise Line to Alaska, the crowds can really get out of hand!)
Carnival Spirit Alaska Deployments
You’ll see a handful of Alaska itineraries available on Carnival Spirit. All depart from Seattle, and fares start around $104 per night. Seven, eight, and nine-night cruises are available.
Carnival Spirit Pros & Cons in Alaska
Pros
Cons
Multiple itineraries available
The ship is still one of Carnival Cruise Line’s oldest
Holland America Line has cancelled Tracy Arm scenic cruising days on its 2026 Alaska voyages.
The change follows a major 2025 landslide and is due to unstable ice and geological conditions in the fjord.
Instead of Tracy Arm, ships will sail into Endicott Arm to view Dawes Glacier.
One of the highlights of an Alaska cruise is sailing into Tracy Arm Fjord, a narrow, glacier-carved passage southeast of Juneau. Known for its steep granite cliffs and floating icebergs, itineraries that include this beautiful area of Alaska offer views of the twin Sawyer Glaciers.
But guests sailing with Holland America Line during its upcoming 2026 Alaska season will not be able to visit the fjord.
The cruise line has begun notifying booked passengers that its popular Tracy Arm scenic cruising days will be cancelled for the season due to safety concerns tied to unstable conditions in the area.
Ships scheduled to visit the fjord will instead sail into nearby Endicott Arm.
“Due to unstable ice and geological conditions [sic] currently preclude vessels from entering Tracy Arm Fjord; all 2026 departures will explore Endicott Arm instead,” said the cruise line in a letter to passengers.
The change comes after a major landslide in the fjord occurred in August 2025, raising safety concerns in the area.
The massive landslide collapsed near South Sawyer Glacier, sending millions of cubic feet of rock and debris crashing into the narrow waterway. The impact triggered a localized tsunami within the fjord, according to researchers studying the event.
Tracy Arm and South Sawyer Glacier landslide location. (Photo Credit: US Geological Survey)
Scientists from the US Geological Survey say the area remains under observation as the steep slopes continue to shift. As glaciers retreat, rock faces once supported by ice are becoming more unstable, increasing the risk of additional landslides in the fjords.
Because of these ongoing concerns, Holland America Line will not send any ships into Tracy Arm in the 2026 season.
Ships to Sail into Endicott Arm
Holland America Line’s first visit to Tracy Arm in 2026 was meant to take place on May 4, 2026, during a 7-night Alaska Inside Passage voyage from Vancouver aboard Koningsdam. Noordam was scheduled to follow on May 6 during its similar 7-night voyage from Seattle.
A third ship, Zaandam, was scheduled to first arrive on May 15 after departing Vancouver for its 7-night sailing, with Eurodam arriving on May 19, also sailing from Seattle for 7 nights.
Each ship, sailing in the area into September, with Zaandam the last to arrive on September 4, will now spend the scenic cruising day in Endicott Arm, a neighboring fjord located within the same wilderness area of Southeast Alaska.
Guests will have an extended viewing day, with the tour of Endicott Arm expected to last for 8.5 hours.
“Endicott Arm offers a stunning view of Dawes Glacier, an active tidewater glacier that regularly calves large icebergs into the fjord,” said Holland America Line, revealing the itinerary title has been updated to be Tracy Arm Fjord or Endicott Arm Fjord & Glacier Explorer.
Both fjords branch off Holkham Bay, southeast of Juneau, and share many of the same characteristics, so passengers shouldn’t be too disappointed by the change.
In fact, most former passengers responding to social media posts about the change say the views and glacier in Endicott Arm are just as spectacular. Holland America Line said safety concerns for passengers and crew drove the decision to adjust 2026 itineraries.
Norwegian Breakaway is juggling port visit days and times for her August 30, 2026 departure.
No ports are cancelled, but the visit to Portland will be a day earlier than originally scheduled.
Port availability is cited as the reason for the shift and will ensure a better visit experience for everyone.
There are many reasons cruise ships may have itinerary adjustments, from storms to civil unrest to overall port availability. For guests setting sail on Norwegian Breakway at the end of August, the latter is causing an itinerary shakeup.
Norwegian Cruise Line has reached out to booked guests for the ship’s August 30, 2026 departure to let them know of the changes, which impact two of the four ports on the schedule.
“Although we work closely with port authorities to lock in every detail well in advance, circumstances can still shift, and sometimes we’re informed that space is no longer available,”the cruise line said.“These changes are often beyond our control, and as passionate cruisers ourselves, we truly understand how disappointing they can be.”
Guests shouldn’t be too disappointed in the changes for this 7-night Canada and New England sailing, however. Norwegian Breakaway will still be visiting all the originally planned destinations, just with slight tweaks to two ports.
The ship’s departure from Boston, Massachusetts on Sunday, August 30 is not impacted. Instead of spending the first day at sea, however, the ship will arrive in Portland, Maine at 8 a.m. on Monday and will remain there until 5 p.m. This is still the original timing, but a day earlier than initially scheduled.
Tuesday will then be a day at sea, and the Wednesday visit to Bar Harbor from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. is unchanged.
The visit to Saint John on Thursday, September 3 is slightly extended, as Norwegian Getaway will be arriving at 7:15 a.m. instead of 8 a.m. Departure is still planned for 4 p.m.
Friday’s visit to Halifax is unchanged, as is the day at sea on Saturday, while the ship makes her way back to Boston for debarkation on Sunday, September 6.
Norwegian Breakaway Letter
Cruise Hive regularly reports on itinerary adjustments that often involve changes in port times and cancelled ports. In comparison, the changes for Norwegian Breakaway are relatively mild.
Nevertheless, guests will want to be aware of the shift, particularly the change in day for visiting Portland. If guests have arranged any independent shore tours they will need to contact their tour operators for adjustments or cancellation options.
It is standard procedure for a cruise line to automatically adjust any pre-booked tour reservations made through the cruise line, and it is likely Norwegian Cruise Line will do so as needed.
Why the Change?
Other than “due to newly updated port availability,” Norwegian Cruise Line has not elaborated on why the itinerary has been changed.
On Tuesday, September 1, when Norwegian Breakaway was originally scheduled for Portland, two other ships are also scheduled: Norwegian Escape, along with American Cruise Lines’ American Independence.
On Monday, August 31, however, only American Independence will be alongside as Norwegian Breakaway visits. This can help keep the port less crowded for a more enjoyable experience for all guests.
Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Escape are both sister ships in the Breakaway Class. At double occupancy, Norwegian Breakaway can host 3,903 guests, while Norwegian Escape is slightly larger with 4,218 guests.
Cruise Hive has previously reported on passenger caps and cruise ship limits impacting Bar Harbor, but Portland has not yet implemented any such changes. Nevertheless, two large ships bringing 8,000 guests or more to a port in a single day can be a less pleasant visit for everyone.
While Portland is the most populous city in Maine with a population of roughly 70,000, too many visitors at once could mean fewer tours, overcrowded shopping, and other poor experiences.
It is also possible that the visit change might be related to pier maintenance, construction, dredging, or other port operations that can impact the number of ships that can be easily accommodated.
Whatever the reason, guests aboard Norwegian Breakaway are sure to still enjoy their visit to Portland even if it is on a different day than originally planned.
Norwegian Cruise Line has begun issuing letters to spring break cruisers with conduct reminders.
The letters cover policies on drinking and casino ages, stateroom occupancy, and onboard behavior.
The policies are not new, but serve as reminders during a busy and often rowdy time for cruising.
With the hectic spring break season just getting underway, Norwegian Cruise Line is issuing reminders to embarking guests about stateroom occupancy, drinking ages, and casino participation, as well as general onboard behavior.
Guests boarding Norwegian Joy have received such a letter, and while it’s not dated to a specific sailing, it’s likely that similar letters will be issued throughout the fleet during the next few weeks. The spring break period, generally in March and April, is often seen as both a busier time to sail as well as one that may be rowdier with more outrageous behavior.
“We’re so glad you’ve chosen to spend your spring break with us. This voyage is all about sun soaked days, easy nights, and making the most of every moment at sea,”the letter begins.“To help keep the experience smooth, safe, and enjoyable for everyone on board, here are a few helpful reminders as you settle in.”
Up first is the note that every stateroom must have at least one guest age 21 or older. This means that two teens or even two 20-year-olds cannot room together with an older adult in the same stateroom.
College groups traveling together will want to be aware of the age policy and plan who is in which stateroom accordingly.
The letter also covers the legal drinking age, including how guests 18-20 years old can still get beer and wine with the appropriate parental consent. Parental consent forms can be completed at the Guest Services desk.
Norwegian Joy Departing Miami (Photo Credit: Just dance)
Casino gaming ages and onboard conduct, such as noisy hallways, running in public areas, jumping and diving into pools, and the ever-infamous deck chair saving (aka “chair hogs”) are other policies covered in the letter.
The letter concludes with a gentle reminder to “dress comfortably and appropriately” for the various dining rooms and specialty restaurants onboard. Cruise Hive has recently reported on several updates Norwegian Cruise Line has made to the dress code for different restaurants in an effort to preserve the desired atmosphere.
But what do these reminders really mean for guests onboard Norwegian Joy and other NCL ships? Because the cruise line is highlighting these policies at embarkation, it is likely that crew members and onboard security may be watching more closely for violations to ensure a safe, smooth cruise for everyone aboard.
Interestingly, the letter does not mention prohibited items of any kind. Guests should always review their cruise line’s policies to be sure they aren’t packing something that might be confiscated or even cause bigger problems.
Norwegian Joy is currently homeported from Port Canaveral, offering 7-night Caribbean sailings (the perfect spring break cruise length!). In mid-April, the ship will move to Miami for three short sailings before repositioning to Seattle for the Alaska season.
The 167,725-gross-ton, Breakaway-Plus Class ship can welcome 3,883 guests aboard and is also home to roughly 1,800 international crew members.
Are These Rules New for Spring Break?
It should be noted that none of the guidelines highlighted to guests in these welcome letters are special restrictions for spring break sailings.
In fact, these are all standard policies for Norwegian Cruise Line and can be readily found on the cruise line’s website or in the official guest ticket contract, which all travelers agree to when booking their cruise.
Special attention is simply being drawn to the most commonly asked questions, such as drinking age or casino gambling age, for the spring break season, as well as ensuring that everyone is aware of conduct policies onboard.
Cruise Hive has regularly reported on unpleasant incidents onboard cruise ships or even in cruise terminals, including individual fights and all-out brawls, none of which are tolerated at any time of year.
As spring break season heats up, it is likely that other cruise lines will take similar steps to ensure good behavior and comfortable sailing onboard for all guests, whether by issuing letters, intercom announcements, pre-cruise emails, or other reminders.
A group was caught filming a fake pier runner video in Nassau, Bahamas, on Monday, March 2.
They attempted multiple takes of “missing” Carnival Freedom, but were never sailing on that ship at all.
The group was likely aboard MSC Seashore, which was also in port but stayed later than Carnival Freedom.
With more and more AI-generated videos taking over social media, it can be hard to tell what’s real and what’s not. But what about when “real” videos aren’t real at all?
One content creator has been caught red-handed (red-camera-ed?) faking a video as a pier runner toward a Carnival cruise ship. The original video was posted on March 2, 2026, and shows three women running alongside a Carnival ship as it pulls away from the pier.
One woman shouts “Nooooooo!” as the ship is leaving, while another says “I told you 5:30!”
The video is titled “Missed Our Cruise in the Bahamas.” While the exact ship is not identified and its hull name cannot be seen, it is clearly a Carnival cruise ship, and a brief glimpse at the beginning of the roughly 10-second clip shows the iconic funnel without its signature whale tail wings.
Cruise Hive reported extensively on how the Conquest-Class Carnival Freedom experienced one fire in May 2022 that damaged her funnel, then how a second fire in March 2024 again damaged the funnel just five months after it had been replaced during dry dock.
No other ships in the Carnival fleet have the same tapered funnel base without the whale tail wings. Furthermore, Carnival Freedom was the only Carnival ship visiting Nassau, Bahamas on Monday, March 2.
The video, which has amassed more than 27 million views, 51,500 shares, and 10,900 comments, has a variety of hashtags such as #cruiseleaving, #missedthecruise, and #familymissesthecruise. Not one hashtag, however, notes that the video is fake.
The brief video does have one clue to its lack of authenticity. The three women running to “catch” the ship are not carrying any large bags or beach towels. Of course, such items could have been dropped in the mad dash or might not have been needed, depending on how they spent the day ashore.
Caught by a Guest Onboard
What really sinks the video as fake, however, is the fact that these women (and one man not seen in the original) were filmed by another guest, this one onboard Carnival Freedom, showing them making multiple takes of missing “their” ship.
It’s a popular (though occasionally controversial) activity to stake out a good view of the pier close to sailaway time and watch for pier runners, guests who are late returning to the ship.
In this case, it allowed someone to capture this attempt to craft a “missing the ship” video when they weren’t even guests aboard Carnival Freedom at all.
In the first take, three women are running after the ship. After filming the clip, they quickly review the video, but then do another take with two women and the man running after the ship.
It is not confirmed which cruise ship the group was actually sailing with at the time. Because they were alongside Carnival Freedom, they had to have been cruise guests because the pier is inside the secure area and other tourists and visitors are not permitted.
However, another video the creator posted the day before, on March 1, 2026, shows them embarking a cruise ship and is tagged for MSC Cruises. MSC Seashore departed Port Canaveral on March 1 for a 4-night sailing to the Bahamas, with a visit to Nassau from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. the next day.
As Carnival Freedom was docked from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., the group would have had ample time to film their “missing the ship” video while still returning to MSC Seashore for the all-aboard time.
Too bad. Wouldn’t missing their own ship after these shenanigans have been beautifully ironic? Pier runners indeed.
