A private table or table-for-two can be very sought after onboard a cruise ship, especially during main seating dining times when hundreds of guests are enjoying their meals simultaneously.
This can be confusing, however, during open seating meals when guests are seated at first available tables – even larger tables. During these meal services, seating assignments are typically grouped to bring travelers together for easier, more efficient service.
One guest aboard Carnival Spirit recently had some difficulty with the seating assignments. For help and clarification, they reached out to John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador.
“My wife has a very difficult time hearing and therefore we much prefer to be seated by ourselves in the dining room,”the guest explained.“We were initially assigned a shared table at brunch this morning.”
Carnival Cruise Line’s “Seaday Brunch” is a wonderful dining option offered when the ship is not in port, with more extensive menu selections than may be available from the Lido Marketplace buffet.
Served in the ship’s Main Dining Room, the Seaday Brunch is included with the cruise fare and offers treats such as huevos rancheros, 12-hour French toast, steak and eggs, and much more.
“I informed the hostess that we wanted a private table so she seated us at a different table,”the guest continued.“Three minutes later another couple was seated with us. It’s no like the dining room is crowded either, there are many empty tables all around us.”
This type of seating arrangement is described as “open seating” – when guests do not need a specific dining time but instead are seated at the first available open table. For the wait staff, this typically means grouping arriving guests together so service is smoother and easier to plan.
Still, being seated with other guests is not how all travelers want to enjoy their meals. This can be particularly true when seating considerations must accommodate special needs, such as hearing difficulties.
“What can we do to be seated by ourselves?”the guest asked.“I’d think that by not checking the ‘shared table’ choice the powers that be would know to seat us privately.”
The box the guest is referring to is part of every Carnival cruise guest’s online reservation, where they can indicate their dining preference ahead of setting sail. To be clear, however, this preference only applies to the dinner dining arrangements in the Main Dining Room, and not to open seating mealtimes.
It is entirely possible that the brunch dining team never saw the seating preference selection. When several team members are all seating different guests, the hostess that sat another couple together with the first couple may not have been aware of their request.
Still, Heald offered what help he could while still explaining the operational needs of the onboard dining team.
“Well, we can definitely do this at dinner,”he said.“It’s very difficult operationally for us to always promise this at brunch or at breakfast. The waiters are busy on Lido and the rest are working in the dining room and it can’t be something that is all spread out.”
Heald does offer to pass along the guest’s request to his colleagues to see if it can be accommodated or if any operational changes could be made in the future to accommodate such needs.
Getting Preferred Dining Room Seats
Cruise travelers can always make requests for private tables, window seats, or other preferred dining room arrangements, but it it is important to note that these are requests only.
While Carnival Cruise Line will do all it can to honor such requests, it may not always be possible. When it is a matter of special needs, however, guests may need to speak up to ensure their legitimate needs are known and accommodated.
Travelers can reach out to the Guest Access Department prior to sailing to ensure they can comfortably enjoy their cruise vacation, no matter what accommodations may be necessary.
Guests who reach out to Heald can also get some personalized assistance, as he often helps with dining seating arrangements. Whether it is a private table, seating a large group together, or helping switch a dining time, Heald does try to help every guest enjoy every meal they have onboard.
Once upon a time, sailors used to get through long days at sea by singing rhythmic work songs known as “shanties” that told tales about living life on vessels.
TUI Cruises plans to laud this old tradition by officially bringing them aboard in 2025, along with more modern-day homages to internationally acclaimed music by The Beatles and ABBA.
The German-based cruise line recently announced it will be launching a series of three themed cruises that will bring melodies to sea beginning in May 2025.
The special voyages will blend historical and pop culture music experiences aboard Mein Schiff 3 and Mein Schiff 5 as they journey through the UK and Greek Isles.
“The Shanty, known as the work song of the sailors, also plays a major role on the Mein Schiff fleet,”said TUI Cruises.“The crew of the ships regularly sings the most famous shanties together with the guests.”
“The enthusiasm is so great every time that TUI Cruises has now decided to devote a whole journey to the popular genre with “Shanty Ahoi” with its traditional sailor songs,” it continued.
Launching on Mein Schiff 3, the vessel will also host “Mein Schiff in Beat Fever” in August and September to celebrate The Beatles.
Its “Take a Chance at Sea” voyage on Mein Schiff 5 will honor ABBA during Grecian journeys in October.
Musical Tributes at Sea
The first melody-filled voyage will be aboard the 2,506-passenger, 99,526-gross-ton Mein Schiff 3 on May 14, 2025, and will feature Scottish singer-songwriter Nathan Evans along with Kimber’s Men and local Shanty choirs for a shanty-filled sailing.
The 10-night roundtrip cruise from Bremerhaven, Germany, will sail to the UK isles and call in Invergordon and Glasgow (Greenock), Scotland; Belfast, Northern Ireland; and Liverpool and Southampton, England.
The next journey will feature the tunes of John, Paul, George, and Ringo as Mein Schiff 3 sails another 10-night adventure from Bremerhaven during “Mein Schiff in Beat Fever.”
Kimbers Men (Photo Courtesy: Kimbers Men)
This cruise, embarking on August 24, 2024, will be led by the Swedish tribute band, Pepperland, and the English-based Love The Beatles, along with other acts and highlights.
Finally, up to 2,534 passengers can “Take a Chance at Sea” on 98,785-gross-ton Mein Schiff 5’s ABBA tribute voyage departing from Iraklion, Greece, on October 17, 2025.
Guests can expect the greatest hits of ABBA – Agnetha, Bjorn, Benny, and Anni-Frid – as well as Disco-inspired outfits and sets.
The 7-night journey will visit Limassol, Cyprus, as well as the Greek ports of Rhodes, Piraeus (Athens), and Nafplion before returning to Iraklion on October 24.
Both vessels feature a three-story theater space with main and stage curtain areas, with Mein Schiff 5 also offering a state-of-the-art 3D hologram stage known as The Studio.
TUI Cruises has a lot more to look forward to in 2025. The cruise line, which is a joint venture between TUI AG and Royal Caribbean Group, is debuting its newest ship, Mein Schiff Relax, in April 2025, sailing from Malaga, Spain, to the Canary Islands.
Its christening, in which Mein Schiff 5 and sister ship Mein Schiff 7 will serve as godmothers, will include performances by award-winning British singer and songwriter Robbie Williams.
Its sister ship, Mein Schiff Flow, also under construction at Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, will be introduced in 2026.
It’s always hard to say goodbye but even harder when the person bidding adieu has spent half a century dedicated to the passengers and crew aboard some of the world’s biggest cruise ships.
After a remarkable 50-year tenure with Royal Caribbean, Captain Johnny Faevelen is embarking on his next journey – one that keeps him closer to home.
“It is with mixed feelings I have handed in my resignation,” the Norwegian-born captain shared in a heartfelt message posted to his Facebook account on January 13, 2025.
His new role, as he jests, will be full-time as a husband, father, and grandfather.
“I will be a 100-percent husband for my lovely wife, Sissel. I will be 100-percent father for our two fantastic children, Erelend and Eirin. And I will be a 100-percent grandfather for my 4.5 grandchildren, Tord 10, Enny 8, Guro 4, Alfred 3, and our last little grandchild girl, expecting delivery April,” said Faevelen.
The captain also shared personal photos, including when he first joined Royal Caribbean’s Song of Norway in 1975 at the age of 20 and when he first became a captain in 1994 aboard the Nordic Prince.
A final poignant photo, taken on the day of his post, shows Faevelen at the helm of his current vessel, Symphony of the Seas, set to Rod Stewart’s “Sailing.” The image featured lyrics from the song, “I am sailing, home again, ‘cross the sea.”
Faevelen, who has nearly 150,000 TikTok followers, received hundreds of well wishes from former passengers and crew members alike.
Wrote Captain Rumen Yovchev of the cruise line’s Radiance of the Seas,“Captain Johnny, for me was an honor to be your OF1, OFCS, OFC, and SCPT. Wouldn’t be in the position I am right now without your coaching, mentorship, role model, and friendship.”
Said another, “Captain Johnny what an incredible career you have had and such an amazing Captain! You were my first captain on the Mariner[of the Seas] & my last Captain on Harmony [of the Seas] 14 years later. Your next job sounds fab too! Wishing you all the best.”
Captain Johnny Faevelen
Faevelen’s last day, which comes at the completion of a 7-night roundtrip Eastern Caribbean cruise from Port Miami traveling to the US Virgin Islands, St. Maarten, and Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at Coco Cay, will be January 26, 2025.
The captain is currently on a similar 7-night voyage, taking up to 5,518 passengers aboard the 228,081-gross-ton Symphony of the Seas to Coco Cay, Puerto Rico, and St. Maarten before he hangs up his captain’s hat.
From Seaman to Master
Captain Johnny Faevelen’s half-century tenure at Royal Caribbean began in 1975, when, as he puts it, he was “an ordinary seaman.”
Beginning as a deckhand and navigating through every rank until he ultimately took command of some of the largest and most prestigious vessels in the world, Faevelen has captained several iconic ships within the Royal Caribbean fleet, including Mariner of the Seas from 2004 to 2020, Allure of the Seas from 2010 to 2016, and Harmony of the Seas from 2016 to 2024.
He has been Master of the Oasis Class Symphony of the Seas since 2024 and has spent time navigating the waters of the Caribbean, Mediterranean, South Pacific, Alaska, Northern Europe, Asia, and the coasts of the US.
Besides his passion for his family and the sea, Faevelan is also an avid Harley Davidson rider and golfer and has managed and operated Lindesnes Golfklubb in his hometown of Spangereid, Norway, since 2022.
Cruise Hive wishes Captain Johnny a happy retirement!
Following the successful launch of its Annual Pass 2025, Virgin Voyages has rolled out a new and enhanced version for 2026, and it comes with more perks and a significantly higher price.
The Annual Pass 2026 has the same benefits as the current year’s offer but adds a few big-ticket features, including a weeklong stay on Necker Island, Virgin Group founder Richard Branson’s acclaimed destination in the British Virgin Islands, plus $10,000 guests can spend on luxury items.
The annual passes allow guests to sail aboard any Virgin Voyages cruises as often as they wish during a 12-month period. The 2025 pass was introduced at $120,000 per person, and the 2026 pass reflects an increase to $199,000.
The price hike is undoubtedly due to the addition of Necker Island, a destination that ranks among the world’s most exclusive retreats. The 74-acre island can be rented in its entirety, or partially for small groups. Individual accommodations are offered during certain timeframes, with published rates of about $5,000 per night.
The island offers infinity pools and hot tubs, watersports, a gym, and other amenities and services.
By booking the cruise line’s 2026 annual pass, guests can sail on global itineraries for most of the year, and spend one week on land at Necker Island.
Following the same booking options as the 2025 pass, guests who want to buy the 2026 version choose a starting date of February 1, March 1, or April 1, with the pass valid for 12 months from that date. (January 1 also was offered, but that date has passed.)
All 2026 passes must be booked by March 31, 2026, giving prospective guests plenty of time to plan ahead.
The annual passes have proven to be a popular cruise product. Like the 2025 pass, the latest one pays a travel agent commission of $10,000, and according to the line, agents are indicating that prospective cruisers have been asking for details about a 2026 pass.
“After Richard Branson went on Good Morning America to talk about our Annual Pass, there was so much excitement and buzz. It’s truly an industry first and there were long queues to learn more,” said Nicole Huang, senior vice president of sailor experiences.
“Our voyage planners shared feedback of Sailors inquiring about 2026 now, so we thought ‘why wait?’ and added a few elements to make the package a little suite-r,” Huang added.
The 2026 pass is valid on all three of the cruise line’s existing ships — Scarlet Lady, Resilient Lady, and Valiant Lady, and the line’s new-build Brilliant Lady, set to debut in September 2025.
Under construction at a Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, Brilliant Lady will sail from four US ports during her inaugural year — New York, Miami, Los Angeles, and Seattle, and will become the first Virgin Voyages’ ship to sail in Alaska, in summer 2026.
Here Are All the Perks Offered With the 2026 Annual Pass
In addition to the luxurious weeklong stay on Necker Island and the $10,000 shopping spree, Virgin Voyages’ 2026 Annual Pass comes with several other perks.
The cruise line will handle transportation to Necker Island from any location in the continental US to Necker Island by providing roundtrip, business class air fare, and ferry tickets.
Richard Branson’s Necker Island (Photo Credit: Sadie Whitelocks)
While sailing onboard Virgin ships, pass holders will be entitled to a birthday upgrade to RockStar Quarters suites. These accommodations include the Seriously Suite, Brilliant Suite, Sweet Aft Suite, or Cheeky Corner Suite.
Guests sailing on cruises that visit the line’s beach club in Bimini will have use of a personal cabana, including at beach, grove, or poolside locations.
They also will receive one private Shore Thing event per quarter, and can enjoy the line’s Shake for Champagne event, featuring a daily delivery of Moët anywhere onboard a ship.
One curated and privately hosted Shore Thing will be provided to pass holders every quarter, and while lounging around the ship, pass holders can enjoy wearing RockStar robes.
A cruise vacation is the perfect time to cut loose, and Carnival Cruise Line has a well-deserved reputation as the Fun Ships with a wide variety of awesome parties for guests to enjoy. But which ships have which parties?
Carnival Cruise Line has now shared the updated list of which parties are on different vessels for 2025. The schedule may change depending on ship itineraries, activity schedules, and weather (for deck parties), but each event is sure to be a fun time for every guest.
The full fleet schedule of 2025 parties is as follows:
Carnival Breeze: Motown Party, 80’s Rock and Glow, Tailgate Deck Party (5-night sailings only)
Carnival Celebration: 80’s Rock and Glow, White Party, 70’s & Motown, Evolution
Carnival Conquest: 80’s Rock and Glow, 70’s & Motown
Carnival Dream: 80’s Rock and Glow, Mega Deck Party, Silent Party, Farewell
Carnival Elation: 70’s & Motown, Silent Party, 80’s Rock and Glow, Farewell
Carnival Freedom: 80’s Rock and Glow, Silent Party, 70’s & Motown, Farewell, Decades Party
Carnival Glory: 80’s Rock and Glow, 70’s & Motown, Farewell
Carnival Horizon: White Party, Silent Party, 80’s Rock and Glow, 70’s & Motown, Mega Deck Party (8-night sailings only)
Carnival Jubilee: 80’s Rock and Glow, White Party, DFH After Party, Lonestar Tailgate
Carnival Legend: Mega Deck Party, 80’s Rock and Glow, Silent Party, DFH After Party (when offered)
Carnival Liberty: 80’s Rock and Glow, Mega Deck Party, 70’s & Motown, White Party, Country Music Trivia Party, Farewell
Carnival Luminosa: 80’s Rock and Glow, Silent Party, Island Night, Superhero, ABBA
Carnival Magic: 80’s Rock and Glow, Mega Deck Party, Silent Party (White Night), 70’s & Motown, Farewell
Mardi Gras: 80’s Rock and Glow, Silent Party, White Party
Carnival Miracle: Silent Party (White Night), 80’s Rock and Glow, Mega Deck Party, 70’s & Motown, Country Music Trivia Party
Carnival Panorama: 70’s & Motown, 80’s Rock and Glow, Mega Deck Party, Silent Party, White Party
Carnival Paradise: 80’s Rock and Glow, 70’s & Motown, Silent Party, Farewell
Carnival Pride: Mega Deck Party, 80’s Rock and Glow, Silent Party, 70’s & Motown
Carnival Radiance: 70’s & Motown, Mega Deck Party (6+ night sailings only), 80’s Rock and Glow, White Party, Farewell (Carnival Journeys sailings only)
Carnival Spirit: 80’s Rock and Glow, White Party, Silent Party, Country Music Trivia Party
Carnival Splendor: 80’s Rock and Glow, Mega Deck Party / Island Party, Silent Party, Backyard Bash, 90’s Farewell Party, ABBA, Superhero Party
Carnival Sunrise: 80’s Rock and Glow, Silent Party, 70’s & Motown, 90’s Party
Carnival Sunshine: 80’s Rock and Glow, Silent Party, 90’s Party, Superhero, Backyard Bash, Tropical Nights
Carnival Valor: 80’s Rock and Glow, 70’s & Motown
Carnival Venezia: 80’s Rock and Glow, Mega Deck Party (Carnival Journeys sailings only), Silent Party, 70’s & Motown, Festa Italiana
Carnival Vista: Silent Party, 80’s Rock and Glow, White Party, Mega Deck Party, 80’s Theme Night
Exactly when each party will be held on different cruises will depend on individual activity schedules, cruise lengths, time in ports of call, and other factors.
It should be noted that parties have not yet been determined for the upcoming Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter, which will be joining the fleet this spring after P&O Cruises Australia is dissolved and the ships are rebranded as Carnival vessels.
Guests can check the Carnival Hub app or their daily Fun Times newsletter for scheduling and updates during their sailing.
Carnival Panorama Deck Party (Photo Credit: Ritu Manoj Jethani)
Packing for Parties
Many cruise travelers like to know the schedule of parties for their sailing so they can plan ahead with the right outfits and accessories to enjoy the event. After all, why pack the neon pink legwarmers and denim jacket if there won’t be an 80’s Rock and Glow party?
It is not necessary for guests to dress the part to join in the parties, however. These events are open for everyone to enjoy, and there are occasionally contests for the best themed attire, dance moves, or singing impersonations.
Available parties can change and are often adjusted when ships move to new homeports. For example, when the Alaska sailing season begins, vessels deployed to the Last Frontier may add Alaska-themed events to the party schedule.
Rogue waves are abnormally large and unpredictable surface waves. While rare, these formidable ocean waves occasionally impact cruise ships and other large vessels at sea.
Fortunately, the cruise ships of today are engineered to protect passengers and withstand the challenges these waves pose, so damage tends to be minimal.
This guide will explain what you can expect in the unlikely event your ship is impacted, the emergency systems used to protect passengers, and more.
A rogue wave is a large, unexpected ocean wave that usually appears with little warning, even in seemingly calm waters. These waves, also referred to as walls of water, freak waves, or even killer waves, are different from tsunami waves, which result from major seismic events, like underwater earthquakes, landslides, and volcanic eruptions.
By definition, to be characterized as a rogue wave, the wave must be at least 2.2 times larger than the average, but it can be significantly taller and wider than that.
Rogue waves are not triggered by seismic activities but can result from natural ocean dynamics and unpredictable weather conditions, such as major storms. When underwater currents and surface-level winds occur simultaneously, their combined energy can create an abnormally large and powerful single wave.
While they can occur in just about any large body of water, they are far more likely in areas where strong ocean currents are exposed to strong winds, like the Agulhas Current off the coast of South Africa or the Gulf Stream in the Atlantic Ocean.
While their very nature makes rogue waves difficult to predict, modern satellite technology and weather forecasting equipment have improved the ability to track the waves.
That said, they can quickly appear in the open ocean, making them a major challenge for any large vessel traversing these waters, including cruise ships.
With how powerful and unpredictable these waves are, the modern cruise and shipping industries have reacted by putting efforts into tracking and avoiding them, as well as withstanding them in the event they cannot avoid a towering wave.
What Happens When a Rogue Wave Hits a Cruise Ship?
Waves and Cruise Ship Near the Coast (Photo Credit: Miroslav Trifonov)
In the event that a cruise ship can’t avoid a rogue wave and is forced to come in direct contact with one, the impact can be substantial and alarming for both passengers and the ship’s crew.
This is because the waves can hit with immense force, which, in some cases, can cause structural damage to the ship itself. With that said, modern cruise ship design helps minimize the impact of these events and how noticeable and chaotic the impact is for those on board the ship.
Even if a massive rogue wave breaks against a cruise ship’s bow, the reinforced hulls and windows are designed to withstand the impact, preventing water from flooding into interior spaces.
For onboard passengers, the most forceful rogue wave impacts usually just result in sudden jolts, where some unsecured items can rattle and fall over.
In the most severe cases, the ship may tilt to one side temporarily or even experience a short power outage. In these cases, the cruise ship’s emergency systems and stabilizers kick in to minimize the impact of the rogue wave or waves.
While serious instances of a cruise ship’s physical integrity being compromised and passengers being injured are incredibly rare, there have been a few notable incidents in the past.
Notable Incidents
As mentioned, incidents where cruise ships are actually damaged and their crew and passengers are put in serious danger are exceedingly rare, but the following incidents have occurred:
Viking Polaris Incident (December 2022)
Photo Courtesy: Viking Cruises
While voyaging from Ushuaia, Argentina, to Cape Town, South Africa, Viking Polaris was struck by a massive rogue wave in the particularly dangerous Drake Passage, just south of Cape Horn.
Tragically, the impact resulted in the death of one passenger, as well as injuries to several other passengers. Despite the incredible force of the wave, the Polaris’s structural integrity remained intact, allowing the ship to return to port under its own power and without the need for a tow or passenger evacuation.
While this incident had a tragic result,the estimated 25-foot-tall wave height could have devastated the ship if it had not been designed to withstand these enormously powerful impacts.
Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas Incident (November 2024)
More recently, Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seasencountered a massive rogue wave while undergoing a trans-Atlantic voyage from Barcelona, Spain, to Miami, Florida. While the ship was able to withstand the wave itself, a deadly storm delivering hurricane-force winds caused the ship to tilt.
Although the ship was able to complete its voyage, the tilt caused by the combined impact of the enormous wave and powerful winds did cause minor injuries to some passengers.
However, thanks to the ship’s engineering and stabilizer system, the frightening experience only lasted a short period, and aside from a few minor cuts and bruises, the passengers completed their itinerary without any major delays.
While these incidents are certainly alarming, especially for those who experience them firsthand, it’s important to remember that they are incredibly rare.
Today, cruise ships are designed to withstand these types of impacts, and equally importantly, they also have sophisticated weather detection and communications systems that allow them to avoid the type of weather and ocean current events that cause them.
Can a Rogue Wave Sink a Cruise Ship?
Titanic Ship (Photo Credit: andrey_l)
We’ve all seen movies like Titanic, so it’s no wonder that one of the most common fears amongst cruise ship passengers is an event powerful enough to sink the ship they are traveling on.
Luckily, the answer to whether or not a rogue wave could do so is almost certainly not. This is because modern cruise ships are designed with multiple layers of safety nets and systems that allow them to traverse through even the most extreme weather conditions and waves.
These key safety features include the following and more:
Structural Integrity
Hull of a Cruise Ship
Today, modern cruise ships are built with reinforced hulls designed to withstand even the most forceful waves. These hulls are reinforced with heavy steel, which not only ensures they are strong enough to withstand direct impacts but also makes the ship immensely heavy, which makes it more stable.
Weight is also distributed carefully to optimize buoyancy, while ballast systems and stabilizers help keep the ships upright in even the most violent waters.
Cruise ships are also designed to have a low center of balance, which prevents them from tipping over.
Advanced Navigation
Photo Credit: Gargantiopa / Shutterstock
Cruise lines also use sophisticated, state-of-the-art navigation and weather detection systems to avoid areas with heightened wave activity. This equipment allows them to alter their planned sailing route to avoid potential dangers, minimizing the risk of encountering rouge waves and disrupting passenger comfort.
For example, a cruise ship headed toward Norway to explore the fjords might reroute to bypass the region if its satellite weather detection systems detected or predicted extreme storm waves or even unexpected wind gusts that could trigger the formation of these dangerous rogue waves.
Crew Training and Emergency Protocols
Cruise Ship Crew Drill (Photo Credit: Claude Huot)
Beyond the physical design of cruise ships and the sophisticated weather detection systems they are equipped with, the cruise industry also relies on well-trained crew members who can implement emergency systems and drills to ensure every passenger is safe in the event of an unavoidable rogue wave or other challenge.
In these situations, the crew directs passengers to their designated muster stations and, if necessary, distribute life vests. All of these emergency protocols are supported by regular safety drills and rigorous measures to ensure the entire crew understands their role in the event of an emergency.
While each cruise line has its own safety protocols, these are also supported by mandatory measures enforced by maritime authorities.
While Mother Nature can be unpredictable, the sophisticated combination of modern ship engineering, advanced technology, and well-drilled crew expertise ensures that rogue waves pose as little risk as possible to cruise ships and their passengers.
What Do I Do if My Cruise Ship Is Hit by a Rogue Wave?
In the unlikely event that your cruise ship encounters a rogue wave, you must stay calm and pay attention to the instructions provided directly by the crew or the ship’s internal communications system.
After spending 8 years working on cruise ships, I know how important it is to follow their lead in these situations. Here are a few tips you can follow to make sure you are safe if an unlikely rouge wave situation does occur:
Stay Indoors
Corridor With Railings on Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)
Remaining inside the ship is the safest place if your ship encounters any turbulent waters. If you can, try to stay away from any objects that could become dislodged if the ship began rolling. Grabbing hold of a secure and stable object can also help if you have concerns that the ship’s motion could knock you down.
If you find yourself on one of the ship’s outer decks or even your own private balcony, move indoors as quickly as possible. Again, you will be much safer inside the ship than in an outdoor area.
Always Follow Crew Instructions
Princess Cruises Crew Members (Photo Credit: Erin Cadigan)
No matter what type of situation is unfolding, it is always important to closely adhere to any instructions provided by the crew. The crew of your cruise ships are thoroughly trained to ensure they understand what to do in any emergency.
If you are not speaking directly to a crew member, listen for announcements over the ship’s PA system and follow those directions.
Report Any Injuries or Damage That You Notice
Royal Promenade on Spectrum of the Seas (Photo Credit: EnthusiasticPhotographers)
After the incident, it is always a good idea to report any injuries you or a fellow passenger has sustained to the crew. They will be able to ensure that all passengers receive the required medical attention as quickly as possible.
Any damage you notice to the inside of the ship should also be reported, even if it seems relatively insignificant. Even a loose mirror or shelf can be dangerous if not secured.
Remember, the likelihood of experiencing a rogue wave is minimal, and cruise lines prioritize passenger safety with comprehensive emergency protocols.
Final Thoughts on Rogue Waves and Cruising
Wave and Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Steve Heap)
While the idea of being on a cruise ship when it encounters a rogue wave may seem pretty scary, it is essential to remember that these events are incredibly rare. In all my years of cruising, I have never personally encountered more than small waves that have no serious impact on the ship itself.
On top of that, even if you do encounter one of these unlikely events, cruise ships are now designed and outfitted by safety experts to ensure passengers have a safe and enjoyable experience.
Even if your cruise ship cannot avoid rough seas and rogue waves, the ship, its crew, and its safety equipment will ensure you remain unharmed while you enjoy your vacation.
Remember, no matter where your cruise ship is sailing from, or what itinerary it is following, cruise ships remain one of the safest forms of transportation. Your safety and comfort are the main priorities for the cruise industry, no matter which cruise line you travel with.
An undisclosed medical emergency that took place aboard Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas on January 14, 2025, has delayed the ship’s current voyage and forces the cruise line to start its subsequent cruise a day late.
In a letter shared with guests preparing for the ship’s January 16, 2025, upcoming 8-night Southeast Coast and Bahamas itinerary from Baltimore, Royal Caribbean said it had experienced a medical emergency on its current 12-night Southern Caribbean sailing.
A passenger aboard the 2,050-guest vessel, which had originally departed from Baltimore on January 4, said that as Vision of the Seas was at sea and heading home on January 13, after a call in St. Kitts when the captain announced the emergency.
“Around 2:45 p.m., the captain announced we had turned around and were headed towards Puerto Rico for [an] emergency air lift of a passenger,” said the guest.
“Around 8 p.m., another announcement from the captain that [the US Coast Guard] had deemed air lift was not a viable option, and we were headed to dock at San Juan.”
Cruise Hive position maps show the 78,491-gross-ton ship had, indeed, turned back and experienced an unscheduled docking in San Juan on the morning of January 14.
According to the onboard guest, the afflicted passenger was successfully transferred to a hospital and the ship immediately resumed its course. However, the cruise line said it will not be able to make up the lost time.
“Due to a medical debark on our previous sailing, Vision of the Seas will be arriving at the Port of Baltimore later than originally planned,”said Royal Caribbean.
Guests of the current voyage, which had visited the US Virgin Islands, Antigua, St. Maarten, Martinque, and St. Kitts, have not been given an official arrival time.
Instead, passengers were “offered a specialty dining time that is well past our original arrival time” of 7 a.m. on January 16.
For those scheduled to visit Charleston, South Carolina; Port Canaveral, Florida; and Freeport and Nassau, Bahamas on an 8-night cruise set to depart at 3 p.m. on Thursday, January 16, the voyage will now depart at 3 p.m. on Friday, January 17, according to Royal Caribbean.
Vision of the Seas in Baltimore (Photo Credit: Cruise Maryland)
Passengers are instructed to keep their pre-selected arrival times on the new departure date, with the all-aboard scheduled for 2 p.m.
To ensure the cruise line keeps its schedule for its subsequent voyage, Royal Caribbean also announced it was removing Charleston, South Carolina, from its itinerary.
“Because of this delay, we will need to skip our visit to Charleston, South Carolina, and enjoy a Sea Day instead,”said Royal Caribbean.“We’re terribly sorry for this last-minute change.”
Compensation Offered
Understanding that a late start and skipped call are not the best way to start a journey, Royal Caribbean is offering passengers on the now-January 17 voyage a one-day refund of the cruise fare and one-day refund for daily packages and pre-paid gratuities.
Both will be offered as onboard credits to be used anywhere onboard. Any unused portions of the refundable amounts will be refunded at the end of the cruise.
Guests will still earn loyalty points for the original length of sail of 8 nights.
The cruise line is also automatically cancelling and refunding any pre-paid shore excursions purchased through Royal Caribbean for Charlestown.
Additionally, pre-booked flights and transfers made through Royal Caribbean will be automatically rescheduled, with changes sent to guests via email.
Those passengers who did not book through Royal Caribbean are eligible to receive up to $200 for domestic and $400 for international travel change fees incurred.
Although details of compensation for passengers who will be arriving in Baltimore later than expected, it is likely a similar offering will be made to assist with travel arrangements.
While Guy’s Burger Joint has consistently been one of the most popular casual dining options on Carnival cruise ships, several complaints have made their way through social media recently about the quality of the burgers.
The issue, however, is one of confusion and the mistaken identity of a particular breakfast product.
Guy’s Burger Joint serves up thousands of fresh-made smashburgers every day on Carnival ships, operating through the lunch hours and into the late afternoon. But what about earlier in the day?
One recent Carnival guest noted a problem with the quality of their burgers, and seemed to discover the answer onboard Carnival Celebration. They brought the issue to the attention of John Heald, Carnival’s official Brand Ambassador – and got an interesting response.
“Hi John, we are on the beautiful Celebration having a good time. Wanted to ask you why are they precooking Guy’s Burgers? They are dried out and awful,”the guest commented.
That the burgers Carnival Cruise Line advertises as “fresh-off-the-grill” would be pre-cooked is a bold claim. The guest goes on to explain that they were on Carnival Magic recently and also had “dried out” burgers, but discovered what they believed to be the reason.
“Next morning [while] coming to breakfast we [saw] they were cooking the burgers at 8 a.m.,”the guest said, noting that they have seen the same thing on Carnival Celebration.
Given the popularity of Guy’s Burgers – the venue has won “best burger at sea” every year the Cruise Hive Awards have celebrated burgers – knowing whether or not they truly are fresh-cooked is of great interest to food aficionados and Carnival cruise fans alike.
Heald reached out to the food and beverage director onboard Carnival Celebration for verification and explanation of the guest’s claim and what they saw.
“We are not precooking burgers at 8:00am as [the] guest mentioned – before 11:45am burgers won’t go on the grill,”the director explained.
Guy’s Burger Joint typically opens at noon, which means every burger patty is no more than a few minutes old when guests begin placing their orders (I’ll have a Plain Jane, please!).
Because of the popularity of the venue, it is necessary for some pre-opening cooking to take place to ensure a long line does not build up right away.
Guy’s Burger Joint on Carnival Liberty (Photo Credit: Carnival)
So, what did the guest really see when cooks were hard at work at Guy’s Burger Joint early in the morning?
“We are using the outlets [from] 7:00am to 10:00am – the same flat top grill – to prepare pancakes for the Lido breakfast buffet lines,”the director said.
With Guy’s Burger Joint located close to the Lido Marketplace on most Carnival ships – an efficient way for different restaurants to share common facilities – this use of the cooking space makes great sense and helps keep the Lido breakfast buffet stocked with great-tasting griddle cakes.
How Could Such a Mistake Happen?
Admittedly, if the guest was only passing by the grilling area while strolling into the Lido Marketplace and didn’t get a good look, the golden-brown pancakes could approximate the size and shape of burger patties.
This does not explain, however, the perceived “dried out and awful” taste of the burgers the guest described. Taste is very much a personal preference, and what may seem to be a boring burger to one person could be delicious to another.
Of course, if Guy’s Burger Joint were to create a breakfast burger with pancakes for a bun around a sausage patty with the signature Super Melty Cheese, sign me up!
Three months after a series of engine problems started to impact multiple itineraries aboard a Princess Cruises’ ship, the line has decided to send the vessel into an unscheduled dry dock in April 2025, a move that will shorten her transatlantic repositioning cruise.
Guests booked to sail aboard the 3,560-guest Regal Princess on a 24-night Night Western Europe & British Isles Grand Adventure cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Southampton were alerted to the change.
The ship is set to depart the Florida port on April 4, 2025 and arrive at Southampton four days earlier than planned, on April 24, 2025, rather than on April 28, 2025.
The early arrival of Regal Princess, a Royal-class ship that entered service a decade ago, in Southampton means that several port calls will be missed. The ship was slated to call at Kirkwall, Scotland, on April 24, Invergordon, Scotland, on the 25th, and Edinburgh, Scotland, on the 26th.
The notice explained that the itinerary will retain port calls to four British Isles ports — Falmouth, Cobh, Dun Laoghaire, and Belfast. Princess Cruises also assured guests that the ship is safe for travel.
“We sincerely apologize for this unexpected change and inconvenience it may cause. Our team is committed to ensuring your revised itinerary is an enjoyable and seamless experience filled with the exceptional service and memorable moments you expect from Princess,” the notice from Princess Cruises said.
“The ship is fully certified for service by all applicable authorities and remains fully operational for all scheduled voyages through late April that will proceed as planned,” the line added.
Besides the British Isles ports, the ship is scheduled to call at Ponta Delgada, Azores; Brest, France; Amsterdam; Zeebrugge Belgium; Dublin; and Glasgow, Scotland.
The dry dock will likely be of short duration. The ship’s next scheduled cruise is slated to depart Southampton on April 28, 2025. The cruise line has not announced any delay or itinerary changes for that 11-night British Isles cruise.
Regal Princess has experienced a spate of engine issues since late October 2024. The 142,714-gross-ton ship was taken out of service on October 27, 2024, after her seasonal transatlantic crossing from Southampton to Galveston, Texas.
Emergency repairs caused three cruises to be cancelled, including the October 27, 2024, and the November 3 and 10, 2024 departures.
An engine room fire had erupted during the ship’s transatlantic crossing, however, the cruise line has not indicated that the blaze prompted those cancellations.
A month later, “essential engine maintenance” caused itinerary changes on four cruises in December 2024 and January 2025. These included the December 8, and January 5, 12, 19 Western Caribbean departures.
Regal Princess Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Peter Titmuss)
Three of the impacted itineraries had calls to Costa Maya, Mexico, cancelled, while the ship instead overnighted in Roatan, Honduras. On the fourth cruise, a call to Montego Bay, Jamaica, was nixed, and an overnight added in Roatan.
It appeared that the ship’s maintenance issues were likely addressed while the ship docked in Roatan during the overnight visits, although the cruise line did not disclose any maintenance details.
Cruise Line Offers Full, Partial Refunds to Booked Guests
Guests can cancel their booking and receive a full refund of the cruise fare and all pre-paid shore excursions booked through the cruise line.
Princess Cruises also will refund air tickets booked through the line, or reimburse guests who booked air independently for up to $200 in change fees. Guests seeking reimbursement must provide receipts and fill out a refund request form.
Guests who wish to sail on the cruise will receive a 4-day pro-rated refund of their cruise fares and a future cruise credit reflecting 25% of the fare paid for the full voyage. The credit must be applied toward a future cruise booked by November 30, 2025 on sailings departing by April 2026.
Passengers who plan to sail on the cruise, and who booked their air travel through Princess Cruises will automatically have their flights altered to fit the new sailing schedule.
