Cruisers traveling with medical conditions face many challenges, not the least of which is ensuring any equipment they must use will properly function at their destination.
For CPAP users, this means a supply of distilled water to keep their machine producing the correct humidity for airway lubrication.
After many requests, Carnival Cruise Line has now added distilled water to their pre-purchase options of food and beverages, ensuring that guests who require a CPAP machine will have easy access to the fluid to keep their machine running efficiently.
“Finally, now available for pre-order,”Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald, announced.“Thank you to the Bears for listening to me on your behalf.”
The new water is already available for purchase through Carnival’s website at a price of $5.90 per gallon. Guests can order multiple gallons, but smaller quantities are not available.
This is the least expensive water option available from Carnival, as the Crystal Geyser filtered natural spring water is priced at $5.31 for a 50.72-ounce bottle. A gallon has 128 ounces, but different CPAP machines may need different quantities.
Filtered spring water and distilled water are not the same, however. Filtered water, while treated to remove most impurities, may still have various electrolytes and minerals depending on the exact filtration process – reverse osmosis, sediment filters, UV filters, etc. – used to purify the water.
Distilled water is created through distillation, whereby steam is condensed directly into liquid water. This ensure the purest form of water without any chemicals or particles, and is used for many medical purposes.
Using distilled water in a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine is necessary to avoid buildup on the equipment that may cause it to malfunction, endangering the user’s breathing patterns. CPAP machines are common for those who have sleep apnea or other breathing difficulties.
It should be noted that distilled water has typically been available for use onboard Carnival ships, but could not previously be pre-ordered. Instead, passengers had to call for the water on embarkation day and wait for its delivery. There could also be added stress if delivery was not prompt or if supplies might not be adequate.
Pure Life Water for Carnival
Alternatively, guests could have called Carnival directly prior to their sailing to arrange for distilled water delivery, but could still have anxiety about its delivery or availability onboard.
Now, with distilled water available for pre-order, the cruise line can ensure there will be enough for everyone’s needs on every sailing, and guests will not need to wait and worry in case a call-in delivery is delayed.
Has the Price Increased?
Some frequent users of CPAP machines who have ordered distilled water onboard for years do report that the price has increased with the new pre-order option.
When ordered via telephone either onboard or pre-cruise, distilled water has apparently cost $3.50, while now it is $5.90. It is not clear, however, whether the quantities are the same or if any tax or delivery charges are added to the online pre-order price.
Carnival Cruise Line has increased the price of its bottled water several times over the past few years. The most recent price increase brings the price of a 12-pack of bottled water to $17.64 when pre-ordered online. Two years ago, the cost was just $4.95 per 12-pack.
Do you use a CPAP machine when you cruise? What water do you use for it? Share your tips on the Cruise Hive boards!
One passenger started her Carnival Cruise off on the wrong foot – but it’s brand ambassador John Heald who is taking the heat for it online.
An anonymous passenger reached out to Heald on his popular Facebook page to complain after her mother wasn’t provided with a free wheelchair after twisting her ankle in the parking lot of the cruise port prior to embarkation.
Instead, the 27-ship cruise line was able to arrange a wheelchair rental at $50 per day or offered a free crutch from the onboard medical center as an alternative.
“First of all she was offered a wheelchair at $50 per day charge. She wanted it for free. We could not provide that. And yet we were able to offer a crutch from the medical center without charge,”Heald said in a Facebook post.
Although Heald wasn’t physically present when the incident went down, he defended the crew members who were involved for following the protocols they had been taught.
“It does not make them rude and it does not make them a person with no compassion. The crewmember was following the guidelines we have in place,”Heald continued.
This statement then turned the ire of some of Heald’s followers, who sided with the recent passenger, directly onto Heald. In addition to attacks on his character, some implied that the cruise personality should have paid for the cost of the rental chair himself.
“I was a wee bit surprised that I was accused of ‘showing no compassion’ for not paying for the ladies’ wheelchair rental following her trip in the parking lot. I try so hard each day to listen, show compassion and help as many people as I can, I really do,”Heald addressed in a subsequent post, which went up about an hour after the first.
Carnival Cruise Line maintains that the health and safety of its guests and crew members are the brand’s top priority. While they are always ready and willing to offer assistance to guests experiencing a medical crisis, as was done in this case, the solution might not always be to their liking.
Was Carnival’s Wheelchair Rental Unreasonable?
As with the other mainstream cruise lines, Carnival does have some wheelchairs on board that can be used by medical center personnel in emergencies.
However, the supply is limited and can’t just be given out for free – both because the chairs may be needed and out of fairness to other guests since there aren’t enough to go around.
“The general rental of a wheelchair is just not possible. We do not have lots of spare wheelchairs on the ship so again if you feel that you might need one we do recommend that you rent a wheelchair or a mobility scooter before the cruise,” Heald advised.
Wheelchair on Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: robypangy)
The brand ambassador then directed his followers to Carnival’s preferred partner for renting equipment like wheelchairs and motorized scooters, which is called Scootaround. In fact, the company serves over 20 cruise lines at nearly 50 major ports across the United States, Canada, and Europe.
Depending on the embarkation port and cruise duration, wheelchair rentals start at $125 for a 5-day cruise and $265 for a scooter over the same time period – with mobility devices easily reserved online or through the Scootaround smartphone app.
Considering Carnival also offered a free alternative in the form of crutches, this passenger and her mother weren’t stuck paying for the rented chair if they didn’t want to or couldn’t afford it.
This is also a reminder that it’s always a good idea to pay for travel insurance – which can be used to reimburse unexpected medical care or supplies that might become necessary during one’s cruise.
Visits to the onboard clinics are notorious for coming with hefty bills– and depending on the policy, it’s quite possible the wheelchair rental would have been covered.
It’s time for the weekly news recap from Cruise Hive, your go-to source for global cruise news. Our coverage this week includes stories about Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line.
Ready to dive into this week’s exciting cruise news round-up? Read on for important news developments, including Carnival Vista being removed from service so that speed issues can be resolved; Carnival Cruise Line confirming its 2026-27 Caribbean deployments; Royal Caribbean ordering its fourth Icon-class ship; and Princess Cruises raising its crew gratuity fee.
Also, Norwegian Cruise Line cancelling four sailings of Pride of America due to a dry-dock schedule, and a Carnival Cruise Line guest complaining there are too many onboard announcements.
Carnival Vista Removed From Service for Propulsion Repair
After nearly a month of experiencing propulsion issues, Carnival Cruise Line’s 4,000-guest Carnival Vista is being taken out of service for repairs.
The cruise line has cancelled the ship’s September 7, 2024 cruise from Port Canaveral so that engineers can resolve the issue. The 8-day Southern Caribbean sailing was to call at Aruba, Curacao, and Grand Turk Island. Booked guests got the disappointing news on August 27, 2024.
Carnival Vista Cruise Ship in Port Canaveral (Photo Credit: fitzcrittle / Shutterstock)
The ship is currently sailing an 8-day Eastern Caribbean voyage, but officials have shortened the vessel’s time in port at Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, and the US Virgin Islands so that the ship can return to Port Canaveral as scheduled on September 1, 2024.
The ship’s speed problem became apparent during her August 4, 2024 sailing and again on the August 10, 2024 departure. That sailing also was adjusted to compensate for the ship’s slower speed.
Guests booked on the cancelled voyage will be refunded for the cruise fare and reimbursed for any booked shore excursions. The cruise line also will pay up to $200 per guest for change fees related to air travel. As a special bonus, guests will receive a 100% Future Cruise Credit, valid on any voyage booked by August 31, 2025.
The 133,596-gross ton Carnival Vista was the first of the line’s Vista class, and entered service in 2015.
Carnival Cruise Line Opens Bookings for 2026-27 Caribbean Season
Carnival Cruise Line rolled out its Caribbean deployments for 2026 and 2027 from four US ports — Miami, Port Canaveral, Galveston, and Baltimore, and announced changes planned for Half Moon Cay, a private island destination in the Bahamas.
Half Moon Cay is owned by parent company Carnival Corporation and is visited by several of its brands. Carnival Cruise Line is scheduling calls to the popular destination by its three Excel-class ships, Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee, once the enhancements are completed. Upgrades include a larger beach, a new pier, and expanded dining and beverage options.
Carnival Cruise Line’s new private destination on Grand Bahama Island, Celebration Key, will open in July 2025 and is a featured call on many of the line’s just-revealed Caribbean itineraries.
Carnival Cruise Ship at Half Moon Cay (Photo Credit: Eric Glenn)
The 2026-27 voyages, now open for sale, offer 6- to 14-day vacations at sea in the Eastern, Western, and Southern Caribbean.
From Galveston, guests can sail aboard Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Dream, and Carnival Breeze on Eastern, Western, and Southern Caribbean cruises. From Miami, Carnival Celebration will sail the Eastern and Western Caribbean.
From Port Canaveral, Mardi Gras and Carnival Venezia will offer Eastern, Western, and Southern Caribbean itineraries, and from Baltimore, Carnival Pride will sail Bahamas and Southern Caribbean voyages. It also will continue to offer a Greenland and Canada cruise.
New Ship Order Will Expand Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class
Royal Caribbean is on track to add more ships to its Icon class, following the wildly successful launch of Icon of the Seas in January 2024.
The cruise line’s parent company, Royal Caribbean Group, ordered a fourth Icon-class vessel from the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, and the agreement includes options for two additional ships.
The second in the class, Star of the Seas, is due to launch in 2025 and a third, unnamed ship, is slated to debut in 2026. The fourth, just-ordered ship — also unnamed — will enter service in 2027, giving the cruise line one new Icon-class vessel per year for at least the next three years.
Meyer Turku shipyard (Photo Credit: Finmiki)
Icon of the Seas is the largest cruise ship sailing today, at 250,800-gross tons and with capacity for 7,600 guests with all berths occupied. Star of the Sea will be a tad larger, making her the biggest cruise ship at sea when she begins sailing in August 2025.
The 20-deck Icon of the Seas has impressed guests with her AquaDome, the largest water park in the cruise industry, with six thrilling water rides, including a free-fall slide and the tallest water slide at sea.
Meyer Turku is building all of the Icon-class ships. All are powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and have other eco-friendly technologies such as water treatment systems.
Icon of the Seas is based in PortMiami, and Star of the Seas will homeport at Port Canaveral. No homeports have been announced for any of the other ships in the class.
Princess Cruises Hikes Crew Gratuity Fees By $1 Per Day
Princess Cruises’ guests are paying $1 more per day in crew gratuities after the line quietly upped the charge across all stateroom categories.
With the increase, guests in suites pay $19 per person, per day; guests in mini-suites, cabanas, and Club Class cabins pay $18; and those in all other categories pay $17.
The hikes are effective immediately, but guests on future sailings who already booked a Princess Plus or Princess Premier package — both of which include gratuities, will not pay the extra $1 per day.
Sky Princess Cruise Ship Docked in Fort Lauderdale (Photo Credit: Ceri Breeze)
Like other cruise lines, Princess Cruises adds service charges ranging from 17% to 18% onto expenses such as specialty dining meals, drinks, spa treatments, and other services.
The crew gratuity fees on Princess Cruises, a Carnival Corporation brand, are similar to what sister brands charge.
Carnival Cruise Line charges $16 per person, per day for standard staterooms and $18 per person, per day for suites. Holland America Line charges $17 per person, per day for standard staterooms and $19 per person, per day for suites, for example.
Elsewhere in the industry, Royal Caribbean’s fees are slightly higher: It charges $18 per person, per day for most stateroom categories and $20.50 per person, per day for suites
And Disney Cruise Line has some of the lowest crew gratuity fees — $15.50 per person, per day in Concierge-level cabins and suites, and $14.50 in all other staterooms.
Crew gratuities on all cruise ships are automatically added to onboard accounts and can be adjusted before disembarking, although that is an uncommon practice.
Cruises Cancelled as Hawaii-Based Ship Heads to Dry-Dock
Norwegian Cruise Line cancelled four voyages aboard its Honolulu-based ship Pride of America in spring 2025. The affected sailings were to depart between May 3 and May 24, 2025.
The 22-year-old ship — the only one in the industry to sail the Hawaiian Islands roundtrip from Honolulu, was last dry-docked in April 2024, but that was due to the need for a technical repair. The spring 2025 dry-dock is for routine maintenance.
Booked guests are being refunded and anyone who booked using a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) will have the fare returned to their Latitudes account. The cruise line offered several options for rebooking, and will give guests who rebook a 20% discount on their new voyage.
Pride of America Cruise Ship in Hawaii (Photo Credit: Dennis MacDonald)
The discount will be issued as an FCC and valid on Pride of America sailings departing between April 5 and April 26, 2025, and between May 31 and June 21, 2025.
An additional 10% discount, also as an FCC, is offered for bookings on any Norwegian Cruise Line sailing through December 31, 2025. (The discounts cannot be combined.)
Pride of America sails 7-day inter-island journeys across the Hawaiian Islands. Departing from Honolulu, on Oahu, the voyages visit Kahului, Maui; Nawiliwili, Kauai; and Hilo and Kailua Kona, on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Carnival Guest Complains About Onboard Announcements
Cruisers aboard Carnival Cruise Line’s Fun Ships are accustomed to hearing cruise director announcements over the ship’s PA system and/or in their cabins several times each day, but some guests say there are just too many.
A negative comment about the announcements from one cruiser on Brand Ambassador John Heald’s popular Facebook page prompted quite a discussion.
The guest called them annoying and unnecessary since the activities and events being promoted by the cruise director already appear in printed materials and via the ship’s app. Moreover, said the guest, few cruisers pay attention to the announcements.
Heald replied that cruise directors are expected to promote activities that result in onboard revenue, but acknowledged that sometimes announcements can disturb guests who are napping or just relaxing.
To settle the question, Heald posted a survey asking whether general announcements should be piped into cabins. The poll garnered more than 9,400 votes at last count, with 57% of respondents saying they want cruise director announcements in their staterooms.
Heald, a former cruise director, closed the conversation with a thank-you to the fleet’s cruise directors for all they do to keep the Fun Ship guests happy.
More Cruise Headlines
Now that Cruise Hive has you caught up on all the big headlines, there are even more stories you won’t want to miss. Check out our coverage of Holland America Line’s 2026-27 Alaska deployments; Oceania Cruises deploying its first ship to Tampa, Florida; Norway detailing environmental rules for cruise ships; Carnival Cruise Line updating its schedule of onboard theme parties; and Disney Cruise Line revealing the maiden voyage of Disney Destiny in 2025.
With the deadline for leaving the Pennsylvania dock in Philadelphia less than two weeks away, the SS United States may have no further choice for redocking in a new location, but instead may be scuttled to become a new part of marine history.
The SS United States Conservancy has confirmed that the group has been in discussions with Okaloosa County, Florida for the ship to become an artificial reef with a nearby land-based museum dedicated to its legacy following the denial of a deadline extension to find the vessel a new home.
“In an urgent effort to comply with the Judge’s initial ruling and subsequent hearing in U.S. District Court, the Conservancy has been in discussions on a range of scenarios for the ship’s future, including proposals to deploy the SS United States as an artificial reef in tandem with a land-based museum,”the Conservancy confirmed.
“Negotiations with Okaloosa County have been advancing positively on a confidential basis. We value the County’s appreciation of the historical importance of the SS United States, their extensive experience in respectfully and effectively deploying artificial reefs, and their desire to preserve the ship’s extraordinary legacy.”
Because the negotiations are not yet finalized, the Conservancy will not comment further on the nature of the overall contract or other details of the ship’s possible fate.
ABC 3 WEAR confirmed the ongoing negotiations, noting that Okaloosa County has signed the agreement that could make the aging ocean liner the world’s largest artificial reef.
Okaloosa County is located on Florida’s Gulf Coast in the panhandle, roughly 40 miles east of Pensacola and home to Destin and Fort Walton. It is off the coast of those picturesque beaches that the ship may be positioned as a reef, and a dedicated museum would provide additional tourist interest about the ship’s rich history.
The $9 million purchase contract for the vessel must be ratified by the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners at their next meeting on Tuesday, September 3, 2024.
After that time, the transport and deployment of the ship would need to be finalized, with funding to be approved along the way as it is secured.
How Profitable Would an Artificial Reef Be?
If the contract is approved and moves forward, the 990-foot SS United States would be 102 feet longer than the current record-holder for the largest artificial reef, the Essex-class aircraft carrier USS Oriskany, which is incidentally located offshore in Pensacola. The USS Oriskany was sunk in May 2006 to become the “Great Carrier Reef.”
Artificial reefs are popular destinations for divers and bring significant tourism to Florida. The SS United States would likely add a more unique element, as diving to passenger liners is much more unique than diving to military vessels.
SS United States Docked in Philadelphia (Photo Credit: PTS Aerial Services)
“I am super excited for it,”said Gary Wyant, owner of Fort Walton Beach Scuba.“It’s gonna be great for the economy, great for the area. It’s gonna be another wreck we can go on and do wreck penetration dives. It’s gonna be amazing.”
That economic impact would be far longer lasting than any profit realized from scrapping the ship, and would also serve to continue to highlight the ship’s notable history.
Nearby Escambia County – the westernmost county in Florida’s panhandle – was also negotiating a deal for the ship, but unfortunately was not able to secure suitable funding or confirm details ahead of Okaloosa County.
Ultimately, if the ship is sunk as an artificial reef, it may add as much as $3-6 million annually to the county’s tourism economy. In comparison, the USS Oriskany attracts more than 10,000 divers annually.
Furthermore, a new reef will benefit marine life, biodiversity, and general habitat health in the region, which will also have benefits for local sport, commercial, and recreational fishing as well as other water sports.
Royal Caribbean International is not just building another beach club when it unveils its new private destination to eager guests in 2025. The cruise line is working to build an eco-conscious retreat in the heart of the Bahamas.
To do so, Royal Caribbean has partnered with the Bahamian-owned environmental firm SEV Consulting Group to oversee the environmental aspects of its new development, Royal Beach Club Paradise Island.
The collaboration will ensure that the construction and operation phases of the 17-acre beachfront property in Nassau align with local and international environmental standards.
“Protecting and preserving the natural resources of Paradise Island is a key part of how the beauty and spirit of the Bahamas will shine at Royal Beach Club Paradise Island,”said Philip Simon Jr., president and general manager of Royal Beach Club and Royal Caribbean International Bahamas.
He continued, “Nature painted a perfect canvas on the island. That canvas was changed with time after it was abandoned over many years by previous homeowners. While there is some work to be done and process to go through, that beauty will be restored.”
He emphasized that the project will revive the area while adhering to environmental guidelines with SEV Consulting ensuring compliance with the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and the Environmental Management Plan (EMP).
Stacey Moultrie, vice president of environmental policy and planning at SEV, said,“Our job as environmental monitors is to ensure that the teams for construction and operations implement the measures outlined in the [EMP] and follow the environmental laws of the Bahamas.”
The comprehensive plan includes protecting marine turtle nesting sites and meticulously removing invasive species. SEV will make regular site visits and offer guidance and oversight to the construction teams.
It is currently overseeing the demolition and mandated removal of more than 1,600 non-native plants and trees in order to restore the area’s native ecosystem.
SEV is also collaborating with Stacy Lubin, an environmental conservation expert in the Bahamas, who now serves as Royal Caribbean Internationals’ Bahamas director of environment and sustainability.
Embracing Sustainability at Royal Beach Club
As the regulatory landscape shifts, particularly with more stringent environmental controls such as the upcoming European Union’s Fit for 55 program, Royal Caribbean is proactively integrating advanced environmental and safety protocols throughout its business.
The cruise line adheres to extensive international, regional, and local regulations to ensure environmental compliance across its fleet. This includes compliance with the Energy Efficiency Existing Ships Index, the U.S. Environmental Protection Vessel’s General Permit governed by the U.S. Clean Water Act, and multiple regional, state, and port regulations.
Royal Beach Club Environmental Facts
As construction on the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, which began in April 2024, continues, Royal Caribbean is working to integrate local culture into the beach club’s offerings. Plans include showcasing Bahamian music, cuisine, and entertainment for an immersive experience for guests.
Featuring an array of amenities, such as three pools, swim-up bars, and private cabanas, the cruise line’s design avoids overwater structures to reduce ecological disruption and preserve marine habitat, implements an advanced wastewater treatment plant, avoids dredging, and is committed to zero waste-to-landfill.
By 2030, the club will operate entirely on renewable energy.
Moreover, the partnership between Royal Caribbean and the Bahamas will foster local employment and economic growth, with Bahamians owning up to 49 percent equity in the project.
The cruise line is also building a secondary Royal Beach Club in Cozumel, Mexico, and it operates the private Perfect Day in CocoCay in the Bahamas.
Norwegian Cruise Line is planning to launch a new app that will eventually rollout across the fleet. It is important to know that the cruise line has not officially launched the new app yet, and it’s still in the testing phase.
Now available for download on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store (but still in testing), passengers who embark on Norwegian Sky’s 5-night voyage into the Caribbean on August 30, 2024, were the first to sample its offerings.
Sailing to Key West, Florida; Cozumel, Mexico; and the cruise line’s private destination, Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas, on a roundtrip cruise from Miami, NCL is hoping the app will be kink-free and offer guests better service than its original app, Cruise Norwegian.
Guests on Norwegian Encore’s roundtrip September 1, 2024, cruise from Seattle to calls in Alaska and British Columbia, follow closely behind. They’ll be able to test the app’s connectivity during the 7-night journey that includes a full sea day.
“As part of our commitment to being the easiest cruise line to work with, we’re excited to announce that NCL is introducing a brand-new mobile app called Norwegian Cruise Line,” announced NCL.
The cruise linenoted,“The new NCL mobile app will roll out on a ship-by-ship basis and is only available for select ships as we complete the transition across our fleet.”
Norwegian Cruise Line has not yet finalized a rollout schedule for more ships in the fleet, as the cruise line is communicating to guests on a ship-by-ship basis. As is often the case with new apps, there are bugs to resolve, so it looked like NCL is not setting in stone any specific dates.
Comprehensive Features for Cruise Guests
The new app offers a comprehensive suite of features and will no doubt become a much better experience than the older one. Users who do not have a scheduled cruise can still need to book cruises through the NCL website at this time or book through a travel agent.
Norwegian Cruise Line Ship (Photo Credit: Grindstone Media Group/ Shutterstock)
Those with upcoming cruises for which the cruise line has launched the new app can access their cabin and reservation details, check-in, and prepare for their trip. Guests can also upload necessary travel documents and purchase travel insurance only during the online check-in process.
It also supports selecting onboard packages and excursions, where users can peruse the available offerings for their cruise, once the rollout reaches their travel dates. Guests will be able to use the new app to book entertainment, shore excursions, and dining pre-cruise and while onboard. In addition, The wifi package can be purchased pre-cruise via the app.
Norwegian Cruise Line does not currently have any way for guests to view their Latitudes information. Checking on future cruise credits is also not a functionality of the new app. There’s also no customer service chat feature available.
Of all the things cruise passengers could potentially get upset about, the free towels that are automatically provided in all staterooms is one of the last things one would expect.
Even so, one future passenger felt strongly enough about not wanting to use the provided towels to write to Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald on his public Facebook page.
Despite the fact that all towels are washed before being redistributed to new guests, and that housekeeping is happy to replace dirty towels throughout the voyage, some future passengers, who will be sailing onboard Carnival Venezia, were disgusted by the free option and requested to bring their own.
“We hate to use towels that have been used by who knows how many people on the cruises before ours. We will want them laundered. Will there be a charge? If you say yes, why is that? Give me some real talk on this John! I don’t want to have to schlep extra towels,” the anonymous guest-to-be wrote to Heald.
The cruise line ambassador didn’t advise on cost, but advised that bringing towels from home isn’t necessary.
“Our towels have been and always are washed to the highest of standards so there really is no need for her to bring her own,”reads Heald’s reply, in part.
Since the cruise line provides and washes towels for free, there likely would be an extra charge not for bringing towels from home, but for using the ship’s laundry services.
According to Carnival’s website, cruisers can do their own laundry for a low cost or pay extra for a valet service, which is handled through the stateroom attendants.
Self service laundry is the most reasonable, starting at $3.50 per washer load and $3.50 per dryer load. Valet prices range from $15 to $50, depending on how quickly guests need their clothes returned and if they would like them to be folded or pressed.
How Much Do Guests Worry About Free Toiletries?
John Heald followed up the post from the towel-bringing guests with a poll on his Facebook page. The brand ambassador was curious not just about the towels, but about other toiletries, such as the provided bar of hand soap.
The poll gave Heald’s over 500,000 Facebook followers four options, and he encouraged them to select all that applied to them. As of the time of publication, the poll had received 24,629 votes.
“The towels for the bathroom to dry off with after a shower are absolutely big enough for me” was the most selected option at 12,920 votes, which equates to 52%.
Carnival Cruise Line Towels (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)
Meanwhile, an additional 25% say that they “use the wash line in the cabin shower” and 21% indicate that they “use the hand bar of soap in the cabin bathroom. I like it.”
Notably, the option of “bring my own towels” received zero percent of the votes – with many commenting that they would never even have thought of bringing their own towels on both of Heald’s posts.
“I’ve never brought my own towels. I don’t even bring a beach towel. I wonder if these same people pack bed linens too. Some people are just down right ridiculous with how picky they are. It might be easier for them to just stay home,” wrote one Facebook user, which sums up the general sentiment in the comments section.
Cruisers were most likely to bring their own soap or shampoo and conditioner – which is primarily done out of personal preference.
Ultimately, the crew members do clean the staterooms from top-to-bottom, including washing towels and linens, so bringing towels from home is truly unnecessary.
But the action is not forbidden if it makes guests feel more comfortable – and it’s up to each cruiser to decide what will allow them to have the best vacation possible.
Cruise travelers are always eager to enjoy a brand new port of call, and many experienced cruisers seek out itineraries that feature different destinations so they can visit new places.
Royal Caribbean International is now satisfying that urge for many travelers by adding Cabo Rojo, Dominican Republic to several existing cruise itineraries.
The new port of call – which just opened to travelers in January 2024 – is in Pedernales on the Dominican Republic’s southwestern coast. The port is just northwest of Jaragua National Park, which includes the largest protected area of marine habitats in all of the Caribbean.
Guests booked on several upcoming sailings of different Royal Caribbean ships have received notice that the new port is now a part of their itineraries. This includes sailings aboard both Adventure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas, and may also impact additional ships as itineraries are reworked to include the new destination.
“To provide you with the best experience, we’ve added a visit to Cabo Rojo, Dominican Republic, to our itinerary!”the notification read.“We’re excited to visit a new port with you!”
Each cruise is adjusted slightly differently depending on its overall itinerary as well as sailing date. For example, the December 13, 2025 departure for Oasis of the Seas is an 8-night Southern Caribbean itinerary originally planned to visit Curacao, Aruba, and CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private Bahamian destination.
Now, the ship will also visit Cabo Rojo instead of one of the four days at sea. To accommodate this visit, the time in Aruba will be trimmed by several hours.
Instead of visiting from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., Oasis of the Seas will be docked from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is a significant loss of time in Oranjestad, but the extra hours in Cabo Rojo make up for the change.
The good news is that Cabo Rojo is not replacing a different port of call, but rather is generally replacing a sea day and therefore simply offering travelers even more time to explore ashore.
Enjoying Cabo Rojo
For some cruisers, the ports are the most important part of a sailing and offer amazing opportunities to experience new destinations and enjoy new cultures. For other travelers, days at sea are outstanding and offer plenty of time to enjoy all the onboard amenities of the most modern and diverse cruise ships.
Fortunately, if guests are not interested in Cabo Rojo as a port of call, they can choose to remain aboard their ship and enjoy planned activities and a variety of venues. In accordance with local laws, the ship’s casino and retail shops must be closed while a ship is docked, but many other activities are available.
Cabo Rojo Cruise Port, Dominican Republic
Staying aboard while in Cabo Rojo may be a misjudgment, however, as the port has a great deal to offer.
From stunning beaches to snorkeling in turquoise waters to enjoying hikes, wildlife watching, and other nature-based activities, Cabo Rojo offers a more laid-back atmosphere than many more developed ports of call.
More adventuresome excursions include off-road buggies and similar tours, and more options will undoubtedly be added as the port becomes even more popular.
First visited by Norwegian Cruise Line, Cabo Rojo will now be visited by ships from not only Royal Caribbean International but also Holland America Line, Costa Cruises, MSC Cruises, and Azamara Cruises.
Additional cruise lines may incorporate this port as its popularity grows. For the time being, Cabo Rojo is featured primarily on Southern Caribbean itineraries, as its location on the southern coast of the Dominican Republic makes it more convenient for sailings also visiting Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire, though it may also become part of sailings to Jamaica and Puerto Rico.
Imagine trading in chilly winter winds for the warm Mediterranean sun. MSC Cruises is making that dream a reality by extending its 2024 Mediterranean sailing season well into the cooler months.
From October through December, travelers can soak up sunshine and mild temperatures across a variety of Mediterranean hotspots, with the cruise line revealing,“Weather data for some of the cruise line’s Mediterranean destinations throughout October, November, and December shows that guests can expect to enjoy temperatures up to 82 degrees.”
It added, “With up to 295 hours of sunshine per month and no chance of rain!”
One of the notable additions is MSC Sinfonia’s new itinerary, which features Greece for the first time. The 7-night cruise will take up to 2,567 passengers to Bari, Italy; Piraeus (Athens) and Corfu, Greece; and Izmir and Istanbul, Turkey.
The 65,542-gross-ton-vessel will also offer sojourns starting at just three nights between Bari, Athens and Izmir, with a season filled with 3- to 7-night options in the region.
Also offering 3- to 7-night journeys, the 137,936-gross-ton MSC Fantasia, which accommodates 3,300 passengers, will offer additional Mediterranean voyages from Naples (Pompei), Italy; Marseilles, France; Valencia, Spain; and Genoa (Portofino), Italy.
Its longer voyages will call on Palermo, Italy; La Goulette, Tunisia; and Barcelona, Spain, while its shortest cruise, departing October 25, 2024, travels between Valencia and Genoa, stopping in Tarragona, Spain.
MSC Lirica’s smaller size at 59,058 gross tons, makes it easier to visit smaller ports. It will feature 7- to 12-night itineraries from Venice, Ancona (Urbino), Livorno (Florence), Cagliari (Sardinia), and Civitavecchia, Italy, as well as Valencia.
The 1,800-passenger ship’s longer voyages are one-way journeys and feature stops in Katakolon (Olympia), Heraklion (Crete), and Rhodes (Lindos), Greece. They will also visit Cyprus, Croatia, and Egyptian ports in Said and Alexandria.
For MSC Grandiosa, sailing out of Livorno, Palermo, Naples, Genoa, Marseille, and Barcelona during the extended season, travelers will find cruises extending up to 21 nights.
With late-season cruises stretching from October into December, the vessel will be the first to leave the area, heading to the Canary Islands during its November 18, 2024, trip.
MSC Cruises Ship in Genoa (Photo Credit: maudanros)
That voyage will cross the Atlantic and end in Sao Paolo, Brazil, where the ship will spend its winter.
MSC World Europa, which recently became the first ship to use shore power in Valletta, Malta, will also enjoy more time in the Mediterranean, traveling from Barcelona, Civitavecchia, Genoa, Naples, Palermo, and Marseille.
Most of its cruises will be 7-night itineraries with a 3-night one-way from Barcelona to Civitavecchia on November 1, 2024, and a 5-night from Genoa to Barcelona on November 3, 2024.
Expanding into the U.S.
MSC Cruises’ Mediterranean season follows a summer with nine of its ships stationed in the region, including MSC Magnifica, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Musica, MSC Opera, MSC Orchestra, MSC Poesia, and MSC Seaside.
The Mediterranean is a key destination for the cruise line, but the upscale cruise provider is expanding its presence in the U.S. with new itineraries launching in 2025 available of four ships.
Sailing new routes from Miami and Port Canaveral, Florida, New York City, and Galveston, Texas, the expansion into the American market will take MSC Cruises deeper into the Caribbean and the Bahamas.
