For one passenger, their vacation was over just as quickly as it began.
On August 22, 2024, the U.S. Coast Guard was called in to evacuate a 56-year-old passenger who was experiencing a medical emergency onboard Carnival Venezia.
The Coast Guard was alerted to the situation at approximately 7:50 p.m. local time – just a few hours after the Vista-class ship embarked on a 5-night sailing to King’s Wharf, Bermuda, from thePort of Manhattan in New York City.
An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter was dispatched from the Atlantic City Coast Guard station, with the aircrew meeting up with the 5,263-guest vessel at approximately 10:30 p.m.
At the time, the ship was off the coast of Toms River, New Jersey – a township located on the Jersey Shore in Ocean County.
“Coast Guard Sector New York watchstanders received a report from the Venezia at approximately 7:50 p.m. Thursday evening of a passenger experiencing a medical emergency. The duty flight surgeon was consulted and recommended a medical evacuation to a higher level of care,” reads a press release from the U.S. Coast Guard.
The airlift was successful, and the unidentified female passenger was brought to a New Jersey hospital to receive treatment for her undisclosed condition.
“A Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City MH-65 Dolphin aircrew launched and arrived on-scene around 10:30 p.m. Thursday. The aircrew successfully hoisted and transported the patient to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in New Jersey. The condition of the patient is unknown,” continued the release.
The 135,225-gross ton cruise ship then continued sailing toward King’s Wharf, and is expected to arrive on time on August 24, 2024, for an overnight visit. The Bermuda destination is the only port of call included on the itinerary.
Another Rescue From Carnival Venezia
History sometimes has an interesting way of repeating itself – and this recent evacuation may sound familiar to avid cruise news readers.
Just over three months ago, another sector of the US armed forces was called in to evacuate a cruiser during a medical emergency. This time, the Air Force was called in to conduct a long range rescue for another guest onboard Carnival Venezia.
However, while the more recent evacuation was relatively straightforward, this mission was a bit more challenging – as the vessel was located over 350 nautical miles from the eastern coast of the United States.
Carnival Venezia had set sail from New York on April 26, 2024, for a 10-day cruise to the Bahamas and the Caribbean – an itinerary that featured calls on Nassau, Bahamas; Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos; Amber Cove, Dominican Republic; and Half Moon Cay, the cruise line’s private island destination.
Carnival Cruise Line Air Force Airlift (Photo Credit: 920th RQW)
The ship was en route to her homeport in New York City when the emergency unfolded on May 4, 2024.
But despite the more complicated situation, the 920th Rescue Wing (Air Force Reserve Command’s only combat search and rescue wing), was able to successfully airlift the unidentified passenger and deliver them to safety.
Also, earlier this year, a crew member had to be evacuated from one of Carnival’s 27 ships. This time, the incident took place on Carnival Sunshine instead of Carnival Venezia.
The employee, whose identity and condition have been kept private, became ill enough to require an airlift to the hospital on the afternoon of April 27, 2024, while the Sunshine-class vessel was in the middle of a 5-night sailing to the Bahamas.
And while three emergency airlifts from one cruise line may seem like a lot, there is no reason why the average, healthy traveler should worry about something like this happening to them.
Considering millions of people cruise every year and these events are few and far between, it’s safe to say that this is a rare occurrence and cruise ships are, in fact, quite safe.
Is your cruise leaving out of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida? It wouldn’t be surprising if that were the case. Located in south Florida, Port Everglades is one of the three busiest cruise homeports in the world.
Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or a seasoned cruiser just leaving from this port for the first time, here’s what you need to know about the Port Everglades terminals, for the easiest embarkation and most thorough cruise planning possible.
Welcoming nearly 4 million passengers passing through eight cruise terminals, Port Everglades works with 10 cruise lines and one ferry service.
The cruise port proudly touts a few marks of distinction, including that it’s the only seaport in the United States adjacent to an international airport and it was also the first cruise port in the United States to resume sailings after the Covid-19 pandemic-related shutdowns.
Cruisers find lots to love about Port Everglades, like the free Wi-Fi in all terminals, as well as the convenient location. There’s also the free cell phone waiting lots for pick-up, and efficient drop-off areas, as well as multiple parking garages. However, cruise lines have a lot to love, too.
Aerial View of Port Everglades (Photo Credit: Todamo)
That’s probably why Disney Cruise Line is now sailing year-round from Port Everglades, with a second seasonal ship on the docket for 2025, and with a completely revamped, Disney-fied Cruise Terminal 4.
Additionally, Crystal Cruises plans to homeport from Port Everglades with Crystal Serenity starting in November 2024, and Viking and the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection are likewise extending their seasons at the port.
Know which terminal your cruise is departing from? Then here’s what you’ll need to know about the experience you can expect.
Terminal 2
Updated in 2017 thanks to a multimillion-dollar investment from Princess’ parent company Carnival Corp., now, cruise passengers enjoy Ocean Medallion service both before and after their cruise, right from the terminal. The service’s capabilities can help speed up the embarkation and ship loading process.
Other new features added to the terminal in 2017 include Carnival’s MedallionNet WiFi access. The terminal also houses an OceanView cinema, which plays Carnival-produced travel programming, and the terminal’s second floor offers views of the Florida Intracoastal Waterway. Amenities include a VIP area and vending machines.
To reach the terminal, drive to 1801 SE 20th Street, Fort Lauderdale, for drop off, or park in the Heron Parking Garage and then head to the fifth floor, where you’ll find an elevated passenger bridge that will take you into the terminal.
Primary Cruise Lines: Princess Cruises
Total square footage: 85,504 square feet
Elevators/Escalators: 5 total
Check-in stations: 30
Terminal 4
The terminal, which Disney Cruise Line operates, just opened in 2023 and boasts a colorful “Finding Nemo” theme, with character murals and under-the-sea vibes.
The new-build terminal is also LEED Silver certified and, over the two stories, offers seating for more than 500 cruisers and a VIP experience on the second floor.
Disney Cruise Line Terminal in Fort Lauderdale (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks)
Other amenities include free WiFi, vending machines, and three sets of restrooms, including four family restrooms.
Located at 1800 SE 20th Street, Fort Lauderdale, there’s a covered drop-off area for those passengers not parking. For those who are, park in the port’s Heron Parking Garage.
Primary Cruise Lines: Disney Cruise Line
Total square footage: 104,162 square feet
Elevators/Escalators: 4 total
Check-in stations: 28
Terminal 18
Royal Caribbean exclusively uses Terminal 18. Terminal 18 is quite massive, with nearly a hundred check-in stations. Terminal 18 was expanded in 2009, to accommodate Oasis of the Seas and the following Oasis-class ships.
Before that, the terminal was just 67,500 square feet. At the time of completion, it was the largest cruise terminal in the world built to serve a single ship at a time.
What are some of the standout features of this terminal when it first opened, beyond its size? For starters, the 4,000-square-foot skylight in the ceiling.
Terminal 18 (Photo Credit: Feng Cheng)
Then, of course, there’s what the skylight illuminates: a 3,000-square-foot work of art inlaid into the terminal’s floor. Amenities here include free WiFi and vending machines.
Located at 1901 SE 32nd St., Hollywood, Florida, parking for Terminal 18 can be found in the port’s Parking Lot #18 and Parking Lot #19.
Total square footage: 259,370 square feet
Elevators/Escalators: 13 total
Check-in stations: 90
Terminal 19
While there’s not much to say about Terminal 19 at the moment apart from it caters to Holland America Line, there are big plans in the works for this terminal.
As part of the Port Everglades 20-Year Master/Vision Plan, released in 2018, a new finger pier at the port’s Berth 19 will be created, which will lead to the redevelopment of Cruise Terminal 19.
Terminal 19 (Photo Credit: Angela N Perryman)
The redevelopment will expand the terminal so it can serve two ships on the new pier. A new parking structure to serve the terminal will also be built. This construction project is scheduled to take place between 2028 and 2038. For now, though, amenities include a VIP area, free WiFi and vending machines.
The terminal is located at 2019 Eller Drive, Fort Lauderdale. If you need parking, you can find it in Parking Lot #19, as well as the port’s Palm Parking Garage.
Primary Cruise Lines: Holland America Line
Total square footage: 95,00 square feet
Elevators/Escalators: 4 total
Check-in Stations: 50
Terminal 21
Terminal 21 is currently used by both Holland American Line and Princess Cruises (so, if you’re sailing with either one of these cruise lines, be sure to double-check your itinerary, so you know if you should go to Terminal 21 or one of the other terminals that these two cruise lines use). On a smaller scale, Balearia Caribbean also uses the terminal.
While nothing has been announced just yet, in early 2024, a spokesperson for the port said that they were in talks with Princess to revamp Terminal 21, creating larger, world-class facilities.
Terminal 21 (Photo Credit: Solarisys)
While currently, the cruise line can bring any of its vessels to the terminal, an upgraded terminal is required to fit larger ships. Currently, amenities in the terminal include free WiFi, a VIP area and vending machines.
The terminal is located at 2021 Eller Dr., Hollywood, Florida, and parking can be found right next door at the Palm Parking Garage.
Primary Cruise Lines: Holland America Line, Princess Cruises
Total square footage: 138,700 square feet
Elevators/Escalators: 8 total
Check-in Stations: 50
Terminal 25
Terminal 25 is exclusively used by Celebrity Cruises.
Originally built in 1992, in 2017, the port announced that it would invest $100 million-plus to renovate Terminal 25 as part of an agreement with Royal Caribbean Group, Celebrity Cruises’ parent company. When the terminal reopened in 2018, it marked the port’s largest single investment in a cruise terminal to date.
Part of the reason why the port wanted to make this investment? So it could cater to newer, larger cruise ships, such as Celebrity Edge, which homeported at Port Everglades starting in late 2018. Royal Caribbean cruise brands enjoy preferential berthing rights until Sept. 2026.
Terminal 25 at Port Everglades (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks)
Today, the cruise terminal still retains a lot of its modern feel, so it’s not nearly as outdated as some of the other terminals at the port. Amenities include free WiFi and a special VIP area for suite guests, where you’ll enjoy a lounge with refreshments as you wait to embark.
The terminal is located at 2025 Eller Dr., Hollywood, Florida, and parking is available at the Palm Parking Garage.
Primary Cruise Lines: Celebrity Cruises
Total square footage: 157,800 square feet
Elevators/Escalators: 10 total
Check-in Stations: 48
Terminal 26
The terminal, which is mainly used by Holland America Line, was last renovated in the early 2010s, when a handful of terminals — 2, 19, 21 and 26 — were all being renovated as part of a $54 million project.
The changes included new capabilities for simultaneous embarkation and debarkation, larger luggage halls, covered outdoor waiting areas and aesthetic upgrades.
Terminal 26 (Photo Credit: Solarisys)
However, a lot can happen in a decade and, now, this terminal is a little lackluster. Still, amenities include vending machines, free WiFi and a VIP area.
The terminal is located at 2026 Eller Drive, Fort Lauderdale, and parking is available at the Palm Parking Garage.
Total square footage: 115,581 square feet
Elevators/Escalators: 8 total
Check-in Stations: 25
Terminal 29
As of late 2023, the port noted that it was in preliminary discussions with Royal Caribbean to renovate Terminal 29 for Celebrity Cruises sailings.
Terminal 29 (Photo Credit: meunierd)
If those renovations were to occur, they would include a parking garage next door and a new office building for port staff. As of now, amenities include free WiFi and vending machines.
The terminal is located at 2200 SE 35th Street, Fort Lauderdale, and parking is available at the Palm Parking Garage. Free shuttle service is provided between the garage and the cruise terminal.
Primary Cruise Lines: Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean
Celestyal Cruises has cancelled several of its upcoming itineraries, citing continued geopolitical tensions in the Red Sea.
The cancellations include two 14-night repositioning cruises aboard the 55,877-gross-ton Celestyal Journey that were scheduled to depart on October 26, 2024, and March 8, 2025.
The cruises were set to sail on an “Ancient Athens to Dazzling Doha” and its counterpart, “Dazzling Doha to Ancient Athens.” The voyages would take guests to Ephesus, Turkey; Port Said, Sharm Ek Sheikh, and the Suez Canal in Egypt; Muscat, Oman; and Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Instead, the cruise line will undertake a 34-night non-commercial repositioning cruise to and from Doha, Qatar. This decision has also led to the cancellation of the first three scheduled “Desert Days” itineraries, which were set to depart from Doha on November 9, 16, and 23, 2024.
Those itineraries included calls in Khalifa Bin Salman, Bahrain; Dubai; Khasab, Oman; Sir Bani Yas and Abu Dhabi, and the United Arab Emirates.
To accommodate the extended repositioning, Celestyal Cruises has also cancelled the first three “Heavenly Adriatic” itineraries planned for 2025, originally set to depart on March 22, 29, and April 5.
These voyages, departing from Athens, Greece, included stops in Kefallinia, Corfu, and Olympia, Greece; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Kotor, Montenegro; and Bari, Italy.
“We recently announced our full cruise program through to March 2027 to build simplicity and assurance into our offerings.
In light of the current geopolitical climate in our original path of passage to this year’s winter season, we have decided to operate longer non-commercial repositioning sailings to and from Qatar,”the cruise line said in a statement.
It also went on to say it “will continue to proudly homeport in Doha from November 2024 for the next three winter seasons.”
Celestyal Journey’s maiden voyage in the Arabian Gulf, a 7-night “Desert Days & Qatar Grand Prix” cruise, will now depart from Doha on November 30, 2024. Its inaugural season includes nine of these itineraries, with passengers given the option to embark in Doha, Abu Dhabi, or Dubai.
Affected passengers have been offered the opportunity to transfer their booking to another Celestyal cruise, either within the same region or to a different destination. Passengers can also elect to rebook on one of the alternative itineraries still available.
Additionally, impacted guests can opt for a future credit that can be applied to any Celestyal voyage through March 2027. For those who do not wish to rebook, full reimbursement of the original booking cost is being offered.
Guests will receive the refund to their original booking method. They will also directly receive refunds for cancelled excursions, although passengers who booked their own activities will be required to work with providers for cancellations and refunds.
Cruise Lines Avoid Red Sea in 2024
The Red Sea region has been experiencing heightened geopolitical tensions since the start of 2024, particularly due to ongoing conflicts and territorial disputes in surround areas.
The strategic significance of the Red Sea as a major maritime corridor connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Indian Ocean via the Suez Canal has led to increased military presence and occasional clashes with rebels mainly targeting cargo ships.
Cruise lines like Celestyal operating in or near the Red Sea have opted to reroute or cancel itineraries to avoid potential dangers, such as MSC Cruises’ MSC Virtuosa, which was the first to avoid the area in January 2024.
Its Grand Voyage segment from Dubai to Southampton, England, was rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope.
Other ships, such as Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Dawn and Costa Cruises’ Costa Toscana, chose to avoid the Suez Canal passage, opting instead for extended stays in the Arabian Guld and the Mediterranean.
Carnival Cruise Line has announced that it will broadcast NFL and college football games on board its ships during the 2024-2025 season. The broadcasts will include games shown on ESPN as part of the NFL Syndication and Sunday Ticket package.
The games will be available in several public venues across the ships, including sports bars, casino bars, pubs, and breweries. However, Carnival has confirmed that the games will not be available in guest cabins.
While some games will be featured on the ships’ big screens, the cruise line noted that not all games will be shown this way due to an already planned Dive-In Movie schedule.
However, the Super Bowl, taking place in Inglewood, California, February 9, 2025, will be broadcast on the big screens at Lido and in the main theater. This is good news for guests of the 22 Carnival ships scheduled to sail from U.S. homeports during the Big Game.
“For those who love football, we have you covered,” said John Heald, brand ambassador for Carnival Cruise Line, who jokingly added, “You will enjoy the game on board and, of course, the many commercials between each play for people with indigestion, terrible gas, and hemorrhoids.”
For college football fans, Carnival Cruise Line has an agreement to show 12 games per week during the 14-week season. These games will be selected based on the cruise line’s U.S. itineraries, focusing on the home ports.
The company currently operates 3-—to 8-day cruises from 14 U.S. homeports, including Baltimore, Charleston, South Carolina, Galveston, Texas, Jacksonville, Florida, Long Beach (Los Angeles), California, Miami, Mobile, Alabama, New Orleans, New York, Norfolk, Virginia, Orlando, San Francisco, Seattle, and Tampa, Florida.
This means priority will be given to college teams in Maryland, South Carolina, Texas, Florida, California, Alabama, Louisiana, New York, Virginia, and Washington.
The news was met with phrase from those commenting on Heald’s Facebook page. “We watched the Super Bowl onJubilee this year in the Main Theater, and it was the most fun we’re ever had watching the game,” said one guest.
Demand for Live Sports Driven by Connectivity
The trend of airing major sporting events on cruise ships has been gaining traction in recent years as cruise lines seek to enhance the onboard experience for guests.
For example, MSC Cruises has been actively broadcasting popular FIFA World Cup and Union of European Football Association (UEFA) Champions League tournaments.
British cruise line Fred Olsen Cruise Line has also been airing UEFA matches, as well as the Wimbledon Championships, and the 2024 Summer XXXIII Olympics this year.
Carnival Cruise Line Bar (Photo Credit: Ritu Manoj Jethani)
A key enabler of this trend is the improved internet connectivity on cruise ships, particularly with the adoption of Starlink technology.
Starlink, developed by SpaceX, is a satellite internet constellation that provides high-speed, low-latency internet access, which has been a game-changer for cruise ships.
Carnival Cruise Line has outfitted 100 percent of its fleet of 27 ships with Starklink, including its newest addition, Carnival Jubilee.
Launched in December 2023 and homeported in Galveston, the 4,085-passenger, 182,015-gross-ton ship was the first in the fleet to offer 5G coverage to passengers.
In October 2023, the cruise line began a multi-year partnership with the NFL’s New York Jets, appearing as a “proud sponsor” in advertisements and showcasing Jets games in the SkyBox Sports Bar onboard its ships. Undoubtedly, the games shown during the 2024-25 NFL season will feature the team.
Princess Cruises has opened nearly 100 Caribbean itineraries that two of its ships, Regal Princess and Caribbean Princess, will sail during its largest-ever summer of 2026.
The seasonal deployment will mark the first time the Love Boat cruise line is operating voyages across all three Caribbean regions — Eastern, Western, and Southern.
The 3,560-guest Regal Princess will homeport at Port Everglades, while the 3,140-guest Caribbean Princess will sail from Port Canaveral, giving the line a solid presence in the Sunshine State.
With the ships offering alternate Western and Eastern Caribbean itineraries, cruisers can combine two weeklong sailings into 14-day Caribbean Adventurer voyages that explore both regions.
“Princess continues to expand access to our world-class premium experience now operating from eight North America homeports. With ships now departing from both Central Florida and South Florida, it’s easier and more convenient than ever to set sail aboard the iconic Love Boat,” said John Padgett, president of Princess Cruises.
Both Regal Princess and Caribbean Princess each will operate a “Southern Caribbean Islander” cruise at the beginning and end of the 2026 summer season.
Caribbean Princess will sail a 13-day “Southern Caribbean Islander”from Port Everglades to Port Canaveral on April 28, 2026, with port calls to Princess Cays; Aruba; Curaçao; Bonaire; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Amber Cove; Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos; and Nassau, Bahamas.
Regal Princess’ 14-day “Southern Caribbean Islander” will sail from Port Everglades to New York on September 5, 2026, calling at Curaçao, Aruba, Grenada, Barbados, Dominica, St. Maarten, and San Juan.
The cruise line’s August 23, 2024 announcement detailing the wide array of itinerary choices also came with booking incentives for members of the line’s Captain’s Circle loyalty program.
Bookings made by October 31, 2024 qualify for a $50 per person onboard credit for voyages of 7 to 10 days, and a $100 per person credit for guests choosing 14-day Caribbean Adventurer cruises.
All cruise guests who sail their first voyage onboard a Princess Cruises’ ship automatically become Gold-level members of the program. With each successive cruise, guests earn points and additional benefits and perks.
As repeat guests wrack up points, they move through higher loyalty levels, including Ruby, Platinum, and Elite. Members enjoy onboard discounts, priority access to activities, special gatherings, and other bonuses.
Ships Offer a Wide Variety of Eastern and western Caribbean Port Calls
Regal Princess, a Royal-class ship that launched in 2013, will sail two, 7-day Eastern Caribbean itineraries. “Eastern Caribbean With Bahamas” calls at Princess Cays, Amber Cove, and Grand Turk, while “Eastern Caribbean With St. Thomas” features visits to Princess Cays, San Juan, and St. Thomas.
The ship’s “Western Caribbean With Mexico” voyages, also 7 nights, call at Cozumel and Belize City, and Roatan, Honduras.
Photo Copyright: Princess Cruises
Caribbean Princess, a Grand-class ship that entered service in 2003, will operate three itineraries to the Eastern Caribbean. The 6-day “Eastern Caribbean with Turks & Caicos” calls at Nassau, Amber Cove, and Grand Turk. A 7-day option adds a call to Princess Cays.
Another 7-day option, “Eastern Caribbean with Puerto Rico,” visits San Juan, Amber Cove, and Grand Turk.
Sailing to the Western Caribbean, the ship offers a 7-day “Western Caribbean with Mexico” cruise, calling at Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Roatan.
All of the summer 2026 cruises can be booked with the line’s Princes Plus or Princess Premier packages, which add several inclusive amenities and services such as WiFi, beverages, specialty dining, crew gratuities, and other perks.
Princess Cruises recently enhanced the Princess Premier package, making it more inclusive by covering unlimited daily beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, unlimited specialty restaurant dining, and unlimited use of MedallionNet Max Wi-Fi.
Popular specialty dining venues on the ships include Sabatini’s, Chef’s Table Lumiere, Crown Grill, and Ocean Terrace Seafood Bar.
One way that the cruise lines reward guests who spend a lot of time in the onboard casinos is with free cruises. Afterall, the more cruisers play and spend, the more the cruise line profits – and it’s really a smart business decision to get casino players back on board as soon as possible.
But when these winners do not show up for their free cruise on embarkation day, it’s at a detriment to the cruise lines – as there is no time to replace the “no shows” with paying passengers.
In order to dissuade guests from being “no shows,” Royal Caribbean – and Celebrity Cruises, which is owned by Royal Caribbean Group – are putting a new policy in place where free cruise winners will still have to pay a deposit to sail.
An email was sent to casino winners who have previously bailed on their free sailings on August 22, 2024.
The message, which is meant to stop cruisers from canceling at the last minute, informed the former passengers that a $200 (USD) deposit would now be required to book their prize, with the policy taking effect on September 5, 2024.
“We’re reaching out to let you know that in the past 12 months you have cancelled within two days to sailing or not shown up at the pier for your Casino Reservation(s),” the email states.
“Under our new Casino Royale Cruise No-Show & Cancellation Policy, effective September 5, 2024, you will be assessed a $200 USD deposit on all active Casino Reservations, sailing on or after September 5, 2024,”continued the message.
The deposit will then become an onboard credit for guests to use during their free reservation – and if guests do have a change of plans, they will receive a full refund as long as they cancel at least seven days in advance.
The money is only forfeited if guests don’t show up for their sailing or cancel at the absolute last minute.
How Do Casino Perks Work?
Obviously, the biggest appeal of casinos – on land or at sea – is the opportunity to win big.
In recent years, some of those jackpot wins have made headlines. For example, Carnival Celebration hosted the largest ever $1 million casino slot tournamentin 2023, with the grand prize winners going home with up to $500,000.
But even if you don’t win the jackpot, you likely are still racking up points during your time in the casino that will reward you in perks onboard, and eventually, free cruises.
On Royal Caribbean cruise ships, frequenters of the casino can join Club Royale – a rewards program that gives out points based on money spent in the casino.
Typically, guests can earn 1 point for every $5 spent in the slot machines, and 1 point for every $10 coin put in on video poker. Points for table games depend on the type of game, average bet, and length of play.
The rewards club ranking starts at the choice level, and then moves up to Prime (2,500 points), Signature (25,000 points), and Masters (100,000+ points).
Once guests hit 2,500 points, they become eligible for a free sailing – and as the points grow, so do the onboard perks.
For example, casino users may get discounts on Wi-Fi packages or at the spa, credits to put toward shopping onboard, priority booking for entertainment and dining reservations, and more.
The casino rewards program functions similarly on Celebrity Cruises’ vessels, but has six tiers instead of four.
Players join at the Pearl level, and move up the ranks through Onyx (500 points), Amethyst (5,000 points), Sapphire (15,000 points), Sapphire Plus (75,000 points), and Ruby (150,000+ points).
The free cruise becomes available once guests reach the Amethyst level with the offer of a free inside cabin – with the accommodations offered becoming more luxurious as passengers move up the levels.
But no matter what perks you are hoping for, please make sure to gamble responsibly. It’s always a good idea to pause and consider the consequences of losing a bet before spending too much.
Princess Cruises has announced the cancellation of multiple voyages aboard the Crown Princess scheduled between September and December 2025. The cancellation follows the rescheduling of the ship’s dry dock maintenance period.
According to the cruise line, the cancellations aboard the 3,080-passenger vessel impact several key itineraries, including departures on September 26, November 4, and December 21, 2025.
In a notice sent to affected passengers, Princess Cruises said, “At time, circumstances and operational considerations arise that require us to make changes to bookings and itineraries.
“Unfortunately, due to a rescheduling of the ship’s drydock maintenance period, we must regrettably cancel the cruise you have planned on Crown Princess.”
The originally scheduled journey in September, departing from Sydney, Australia and traveling to Singapore, was an 18-night cruise calling in Brisbane, Airlie Beach, and Darwin, Australia; Lombok, Indonesia; and Penang and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The cruise has now been rescheduled and Princess Cruises has automatically transferred bookings to an 18-day Asia & Australia voyage departing on November 11, 2025. It will communicate full itinerary details to passengers by September 15, 2024.
Guests of this cruise will also receive a $300 AUD air credit to use toward Princess EZair, as well as $200 AUD onboard credit per person for up to two guests.
Although the cruise line will honor the original voyage pricing, any pre-booked shore excursions, dining reservations, and spa appointments have been cancelled and must be rebooked. The original bookings will be refunded to passengers via their original payment method.
Unfortunately, for the November and December sailings, the cruise line has simply cancelled the voyages.
This includes a 9-night sold-out voyage from Singapore to Fremantle, Australia, with calls in Kuala Lumpur and Bali, Indonesia, and a 3-night jaunt from Sydney to Brisbane.
Guests will receive full refunds to their original form of payment and the cruise line has said, “We sincerely apologize for the disappointment this cancellation causes and hope to have the opportunity to welcome you aboard another Princess cruise in the future.”
Drydock Appears to Extend Into 2026
The cancellations come as part of a broader rescheduling of Crown Princess’ dry dock maintenance, an essential procedure for ensuring the vessel’s operational safety and efficiency.
The original dry dock for the 113,561-gross-ton ship was reported to take place in Brisbane, Australia, between November 29 and December 18, 2025.
Crown Princess (Photo Credit: Drew Rawcliffe)
Although details on the new schedule have yet to be released, the cruise line’s website does not show booking options available from September through January 2026, indicating the drydock will now extend into mid-January.
Prior to its rescheduled cruise, Crown Princess will be on its record-breaking 114-night World Cruise’s New York to Sydney segment beginning August 20, 2025.
Departing from New York City, the vessel will travel through the Panama Canal and make a transpacific crossing before arriving in Sydney on September 24, 2025.
After that arrival, the ship’s first scheduled cruise in 2026 doesn’t launch until January 22. That 11-day roundtrip itinerary from Brisbane will call in Noumea, Lifou, Port Vila, Luganville, and Mystery Island, Vanuatu.
Its next voyage is a 14-day roundtrip cruise from Brisbane that covers seven ports in New Zealand.
In May 2024, Princess Cruises revealed it would only have two ships sailing in Australia, including Crown Princess. Additional 2026 cruises have yet to be announced, possibly leaving just the 3,660-passenger Discovery Princess offering options from Down Under.
A recent Facebook exchange between a Carnival Cruise Line guest and John Heald, the cruise line’s brand ambassador, has reignited debate over the cruise line’s gratuity policies.
The controversy began when the passenger expressed frustration with the automatic gratuity charges on Carnival cruises, stating guests should retain the right to decide whether to tip and how much.
The passenger’s post was direct, stating, “If I feel occasionally that someone deserves a gratuity I will give it to them. If not, then I will not. It is our choice.”
The concern was raised in response to fears that Carnival might remove the option for passengers to adjust or remove these gratuities. “If you stop your customers having the right to remove all gratuities, then you would see an exodus like never before,” the passenger warned.
The post prompted Heald to respond that there are no plans to alter the current policy. He wrote, “I do not remember saying anything about this and before I continue, let me say to the people on cruise news blogs and websites that there are NO plans to change anything.”
He then continued to acknowledge that some passengers remove their gratuities in order give cash tips directly to crew members, and some who do so in order not to tip at all.
“If they have a legitimate reason to give nothing, then, of course, they should not, but, well, it would be dishonest of me to say that it makes me sad to read this and to see people remove their gratuities and give the crew who have given their all nothing,” Heald wrote.
Understanding Carnival’s Tipping Policies
Tipping policies on cruise ships, particularly automatic gratuities, have long been a topic of debate among passengers.
These charges are typically applied daily, covering the services provided by various members of the onboard staff, including stateroom attendants, dining servers, and others working behind the scenes.
Carnival Cruise Line’s current tipping policy suggests a daily gratuity of $16 per person for standard staterooms and $18 per person for suite staterooms, and apply “regardless of the dining options selected, such as eating at the casual dining restaurant or open seat dining.”
Photo Credit: DC Studio
Additionally, $18 service charges are automatically added to the bill for beverage purchases, as well as to the reservation fee for the Chef’s Table and Bonsai Teppanyaki.
Eighteen percent is also added to the a la carte fee at Bonsai Sushi, Emeril’s Bistro, Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse, and the Seafood Shack.
These gratuities can either be prepaid during booking or charged to the guest’s account toward the end of the cruise to “streamline the recognition process and ensure our crew will share in your generosity.”
Carnival specifies “100 percent of your gratuities are distributed to the crew who you interact with.”
While these charges aim to ensure that all crew members are fairly compensated for their work, passengers retain the option to adjust or remove them based on their satisfaction with the service received.
Heald, a staunch supporter of tipping on cruises, has posted frequently about gratuities on ships. In a poll conducted on his Facebook page, 77 percent of the 25,500 respondents have given a cash tip to crew members apart from waiters and stateroom stewards.
Another poll with 31,300 respondents reported 96 percent of passengers tip porters at embarkation.
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has revealed an expanded lineup of cruises for its 2026 spring and summer season. The newly available itineraries cover destinations across Europe, the Caribbean, and the South Pacific, offering travelers a range of sailing durations and embarkation options.
Highlights of the 2026 season include port-intensive itineraries across Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Greek Isles, with several voyages featuring overnight stays in major cities such as Reykjavik, Iceland; Copenhagen, Denmark; and Istanbul, Turkey.
In additional to European itineraries, the season includes South Pacific and Caribbean voyages with new destinations such as Portree, Scotland; Leirvik, Norway; and Palamós, Spain.
“At NCL, we take pride in offering our guests various options to plan where they want to vacation,”said David J. Herrera, president of NCL.
“Whether they choose our 7-day sailings, longer immersive voyages, or cruises that begin and end in a new destination, we make it so our guests can vacation with ease with us from start to finish,” he continued.
Expanded European, Caribbean and South Pacific Itineraries
Norwegian Cruise Line’s 2026 Northern Europe offerings will run from June through October, with the 1,936-passenger Norwegian Sun leading a full Baltic season.
Guests on the 78,309-gross-ton vessel can choose from 7- to 10-day itineraries departing from either Copenhagen or Helsinki, Finland.
The cruises will visit ports across Norway, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, and Sweden. Notably, the 9-day voyages from Helsinki include an overnight stay in Copenhagen, allowing for extended exploration of the city.
Norwegian Sky, which can accommodate just over 2,000 passengers, will commence her second full Europe season in April 2026, starting with 7-day “Northern Capitals” sailings between Le Havre, France, and Copenhagen.
These itineraries will feature an overnight stay in Hamburg, Germany, and will visit ports in Belgium, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands.
From May through September 2026, the 77,104-gross-ton vessel will also offer 10- and 11-day British Isles voyages, marking the cruise line’s debut in Portree.
In the Mediterranean and Greek Isles, Norwegian Viva, the newest ship in the fleet, which debuted in 2023 and holds nearly 3,100 guests, will operate 9- and 10-day sailings from April to October 2026.
These cruises aboard the 142,500-gross-ton ship will include overnight stays in Istanbul, and will visit destinations across Turkey, as well as Malta, Italy, Greece, Montenegro, and Croatia.
The 4,100-guest Norwegian Epic and the 2,340-passenger Norwegian Dawn will also sail the Western Mediterranean, with the 92,250-gross-ton Norwegian Dawn offering no sea days on its itineraries between Barcelona, Spain, and Lisbon, Portugal. These journeys will be available from April through October 2026.
NCL’s Caribbean offerings for 2026 include 7-day sailings from New Orleans and Miami aboard the 4,266-passenger Norwegian Escape between April 12 and May 10, 2026, and May 24 through August 9, 2026, respectively.
These cruises will visit popular ports like Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico, Roatán in Honduras, and the cruise line’s private destination, Harvest Caye in Belize.
Later in the year, from August 28 to October 2026, the 167,725-gross-ton Norwegian Escape will transition to Canada and New England, offering roundtrip voyages from New York City, with an inaugural visit to Boston.
Finally, Norwegian Spirit will provide immersive South Pacific experiences, with 11- to 13-day voyages between April and November 2026. These sailings will visit destinations like New Caledonia, Fiji, Samoa, and French Polynesia.
Embarkation options for the cruises are Sydney, Australia; Papeete, French Polynesia; Honolulu, Hawaii; and Lautoka, Fiji.
Norwegian Spirit, which can hold 2,032 guests and weighs 75,904 gross tons, will also offer “Fire and Ice” voyages from July 15 through September 1, 2026, combining Alaska and Hawaii on 16-day itineraries.
