While cigarette smoking has fallen dramatically in recent decades, vaping is definitely increasing, especially for younger users.
This has led to some discussion and even controversy as to whether vaping and smoking are equivalent, and if they should be treated equivalently onboard cruise ships.
Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador John Heald has been questioned on the issue, with one vape user especially irate that the two types of inhaled products are treated equally by the cruise line.
“Why are people who vape put in the same category as smokers on cruises. Vape smoke ones don’t set off the alarms and there is no lasting smell or evidence that it was done,”the guest asked.“Vapers should be treated different to smokers and given the freedom to smoke where they wish. We are sick of being treated like third class cruisers.”
Heald responds that vaping and smoking of any kind will continue to be treated the same onboard all Carnival Cruise ships, and travelers must use vaping products only in designated areas.
“Vaping is considered smoking and it can only be used while in the outdoor smoking areas or while playing in the smoking sections of the casino,”Heald confirmed.“I respect your right to vape. Please respect the rights of people who do not enjoy your vaping and you must not and cannot vape in non-smoking areas.”
Every Carnival ship offers several smoking areas. These are typically designated on certain areas of the open decks, as well as in part of the onboard casino. A full list of each ship’s smoking areas is available on Carnival’s website.
No smoking or vaping may be done in other areas, including on private balconies or inside guest staterooms.
Furthermore, guests are not permitted to smoke anywhere onboard if refueling operations are underway, typically on embarkation or debarkation day, but announcements will be made when refueling is completed and smoking areas have reopened.
Guests who violate Carnival’s smoking policy are subject to a $500 fine and possible debarkation of all travelers in the same stateroom. The cruise line’s smoking policy is also part of the Guest Ticket Contract that all travelers agree to when booking a Carnival cruise. Section 9(c) of the contract clearly states:
“Any and all forms of smoking, including but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, pipes, vaporizers, and electronic cigarettes are strictly prohibited on board Carnival’s vessels except in specific designated exterior deck areas and designated casino/night club spaces.”
Photo Credit: vvoe / Shutterstock
Heald has followed up the vaping discussion with a poll on his popular Facebook page, asking whether or not guests are happy with the non-smoking spaces provided onboard.
With more than 11,000 votes, 85% of respondents do not smoke or vape, while 12% do but are happy with the designated areas to smoke or vape onboard. Just 3% of the respondents would prefer more areas available to smoke or vape during their cruise vacations.
What About Health Risks?
The guest who originally contacted Heald goes on to claim that “there is zero evidence that vaping is as harmful as smoking” though they even contradict themselves immediately by continuing with “there is some evidence that vape may cause some harm but nothing to suggest at the moment its like smoke.”
Research from the National Academy of Sciences does indicate that e-cigarette smoke dramatically increases the risk of lung adenocarcinomas and other health risks such as seizures, bladder problems, and brain and heart damage. The vapor created by e-cigarettes includes known carcinogens, heavy metals, and microparticles.
Just as with smoking, secondhand exposure to vaping can be equally damaging to anyone nearby.
Cruising to Alaska is a bucket-list voyage for many travelers, but Norwegian Cruise Line has reached out to eager cruisers with the unfortunate news that the very first 2025 Alaska sailing for Norwegian Bliss has been cancelled.
The impacted voyage is a coveted 10-night sailing that was to have departed Seattle, Washington on April 2, 2025, with calls to Ketchikan, Sitka, Icy Strait Point, Skagway, Juneau, and Victoria, as well as scenic cruising in the iconic Glacier Bay.
“Norwegian Bliss’ sailing on April 2, 2025, has been canceled as a result of a fleet redeployment,”the notification letter read.“Norwegian Bliss will be redeployed, and her new itineraries will be available to book beginning on September 16, 2024. We apologize for the inconvenience, as we appreciate that you have chosen to spend your vacation with us.”
It is curious that the term “fleet redeployment” is used to explain the cancellation, as only one voyage for the 168,028-gross-ton, Breakaway Plus class ship is impacted.
To be clear, Norwegian Bliss will be sailing her 2025 Alaska season, but that season will now begin with the second scheduled departure on April 12, 2025. That is a 7-night cruise, as are the rest of the ship’s voyages until the final departure of the season on October 11, 2025.
The now-cancelled cruise may simply be adjusted to a shorter sailing, or could have been chartered for private use at that time for all or part of the 10-night period.
All guests on the April 5, 2025 sailing are automatically receiving a full refund of their cruise fare and any pre-paid purchases. This refund will be returned to the original form of payment, but may take up to 30 business days to process.
If travelers had used a future cruise credit (FCC) to purchase their Alaska getaway, the full credit will be automatically returned to their cruise line loyalty Latitudes account within 10 days and will be available for use on another Norwegian Cruise Line vacation.
Additional Compensation Offered
Along with the full refund, Norwegian Cruise Line is also offering impacted guests extra compensation with a 10% discount FCC for any published sailing through December 31, 2025.
This means guests could rebook an alternative Alaska cruise with the discount, or may choose any other itinerary – the Caribbean, Europe, the Mexican Riviera, or anywhere else any Norwegian ship is sailing.
If travelers want to rebook a comparable Alaska cruise in 2025, several sailings are still available on Norwegian Bliss (April 12, April 19, April 26) as well as Norwegian Encore (April 20, April 27).
Each of those sailings, however, is a 7-night sailing rather than the original 10-night cruise that has been cancelled.
Even closer is the 9-night sailing of Norwegian Joy, departing Seattle on April 23, 2025 with visits to Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait Point, and Victoria, as well as Glacier Bay cruising.
This similar itinerary may be very tempting to travelers, as Norwegian Joy is a sister ship to Norwegian Bliss in the Breakaway Plus class, ensuring a close experience between the two vessels.
It should be noted that Norwegian Cruise Line is not offering any further onboard credit, price protection, or other discounts if travelers do rebook to an alternate 2025 Alaska cruise, beyond the availability of the 10% FCC discount.
With more than seven months before the now-cancelled cruise was to have departed, travelers do still have time to make alternative vacation plans, though their selection may be more limited due to strong bookings.
If passengers have already booked airfare or made other pre- or post-cruise travel arrangements, they will need to contact their airline, hotel, or other service provider for cancellations or refunds as necessary.
If those arrangements were made through Norwegian Cruise Line, guests can contact the cruise line or their travel agent to ensure the full cancellation and refund is processed.
Debarkation morning on a cruise ship is chaotic, with early morning wake ups, multiple announcements, long lines, and anxiety about making flights, remembering where the car is parked, or other onward arrangements.
In all the confusion, it is not surprising that cruisers sometimes forget something on the ship, only to realize later that they have left it behind.
It can be upsetting to forget a critical item, and even more frustrating when you remember right at the cruise terminal but aren’t permitted to return to the ship for just a minute to retrieve it.
In response to a recent complaint, Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador John Heald has addressed exactly these scenarios, outlining what to do in case a traveler does leave something behind on their ship.
“In the chaos that is disembarkation morning, my hubby’s eyeglasses were left in our cabin,”the guest explained.“We realized as drove out of the parking lot. We went back and the staff in the terminal area told us we could not get back on the ship. We knew the eyeglasses were on the bedside [table].”
Bear in mind, the guest does not explain how long they were out of their stateroom before returning to the terminal to seek the lost eyeglasses.
It is possible they left their cabin and had breakfast before debarking the ship, passing through customs, and finding their vehicle. This could have been a couple of hours, during which time their stateroom may have already been cleaned.
“We demanded to speak to the Radiance guest relations manager. Again, we were refused. John this is terrible customer service,”the guest continued.“These were expensive eyeglasses. We need them returned to us immediately. … What do we have to do? This is not good enough for a company like Carnival.”
While the date of the guest’s cruise is not noted, Carnival Radiance is homeported from Long Beach, California year-round. The 102,232-gross-ton, Sunshine class ship (formerly Carnival Victory) offers 3- and 4-night Baja Mexico itineraries, with occasional longer Hawaii and Mexican Riviera sailings.
Heald is not unsympathetic to the guest losing such a useful item, but does explain that in Carnival’s fleet of 27 ships, a lot of items are left behind every week.
“We do have approximately 1,000 lost or forgotten items every week across the fleet, sometimes more,”he said.“We probably have more forgotten or lost glasses than anything else along with books, things left in the cabin safe, and various indiscriminate items such as a clothes, phones, a prosthetic leg (seriously) and many different items that people have left behind.”
I’m sure there’s a story behind the prosthetic leg, but that would take this story a step in the wrong direction.
Once debarking the ship, travelers are no permitted to return to the vessel for any reason. While this may seem extreme, it is a firm security policy that also involves US Customs and Border Protection as well as the cruise line’s security.
“Just like they tell you when you get off your flight and the flight attendant says remember all your belongings because you will not be allowed back on the plane, it is the same for the ships,”Heald explained.“Security protocols dictate this.”
Retrieving a Lost Item
If guests do leave something aboard – whether they realize it just minutes after debarkation or not until they reach home and can’t find a particular item in their luggage – they can contact Carnival Cruise Line for assistance.
There is a Lost and Found Item form to fill out, which includes information such as the type of item lost, the ship name and sailing date, and shipping address information if the item is recovered.
Carnival Cruise Line Cabin (Credit: Emrys Thakkar)
“Please complete the form,”Heald urged.“My colleagues at the Mother Ship will do their best to get the item if it is indeed found back to you as soon as possible but I should say, we so many items to deal with, it may take some time.”
If travelers are still onboard when they discover an item missing, they should report the loss to the Guest Services desk with a description of the item and where they believe they had it last.
Recovered items are turned in and held securely until they are claimed or reported after the end of the cruise, when every attempt will be made to return them to their rightful owners.
Have you ever lost anything onboard a cruise ship? Did you get it back? How long did it take? Share your experiences on the Cruise Hive boards!
Cruise vacations aren’t just for adults – they are for kids, too. On family-friendly cruise lines, such as Carnival, kids may get a bit more freedom than they are accustomed to at home.
One thing that parents will have to consider as they plan for their Carnival cruise is that their kids are required to have their own Sail & Sign onboard account – and the Sail & Sign card given to both kids and adults functions like a credit card.
That said, parents can set spending limits during check-in or at the Guest Services Desk once onboard so that their kids can’t go breaking the bank with their newfound freedom.
But for first-time cruisers or guests who have never sailed with Carnival before, the process of doing so can be a bit confusing, which prompted a future cruiser, named Bernadette, to turn to brand ambassador John Heald for guidance.
“Is there a way to set up on board spending limits for children. I couldn’t figure out if that was a daily limit or a cruise limit. I want to set it at $100 hoping it was the total cruise. Can you please clarify? Also, can we adjust the child spending limit at the kiosks? Or does that have to be done face to face at guest service?,”Bernadette inquired on Heald’s Facebook page.
Although Heald is typically an expert on all things Carnival, this was one of the rare instances where he didn’t have an answer – and was only aware of going to the Guest Services desk onboard to set and adjust spending limits.
Luckily, former passengers were able to speak from experience in the comments section until Heald is able to follow up with an official response – which he promised he would do.
“We were told we had to go to guest services every day to add more money to my grandson‘s account,”said one former guest.
“This is a great question! Yes, I have set limits on my grandson’s sail and sign card in the past. I do this at guest services. If I didn’t set limits, he’d spend all his money in the candy store!!!!,” added another.
The passenger response suggests going to Guest Services is the way to go – and checking in directly with crew members, such as the Guest Services team, is the best way to ensure you’re being given the correct and current information.
How Much Freedom Should Kids Have on Cruise Ships?
According to the Carnival website, this action is allowed with ground rules determined by the age of the children.
Carnival Cruise Ship Deck
For minors under the age of 12, they can stay in staterooms that are either directly across the hall from the parent or guardian, and may not be assigned to a balcony stateroom without an adult over the age of 25 staying in the same room.
Teenagers (kids 13-17) get a little more flexibility, and can be separated from their parents or guardians by up to three staterooms.
These guidelines are put in place because parents and guardians still need to be responsible for their children – both for their safety and to prevent minors from becoming a nuisance to other guests. But how tightly parents want to hold the leash is up to their discretion – as they know their children best.
On the flip side, parents who prefer more supervision can send their children to Carnival’s onboard kids’ clubs, which are divided by age. Kids can begin to receive “sign out” privileges at 9-years-old, meaning they can come and go from the clubs as they please, but only if parents give permission in advance.
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.
